Nintendo are releasing a web browser for its hugely popular DS handheld console. It has already been released in Japan, but a localised European version is set for release on the 6^th of October.

This browser is actually a version of the ubiquitous Opera web browser, developed in Norway, which is also available on nearly every computing platform available at the moment. Nintendo say,

“Opera delivers superior speed and rendering of Web pages on the Nintendo DS”.

Email is an integral part of the opera web browser on the PC, so hopefully this will also be making the trip to the DS.

As for the functionality of the browser, you just use the stylus with an onscreen keypad, just as you would with a PDA. The two screens will be used for zooming into parts of the web page, or for stretching the display vertically. The browser will be a boon to users who have previously been struggling with the PSP web browser, which is severely hampered by the lack of an easy interface, such as touch screen.

The only downside is you will need to have a wireless access point that is compatible with the DS to be able to use the browser. If your broadband router is not wireless, or is wireless but not compatible, you can always buy a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB connector. But this would defeat the object of using the DS, because if the PC is on you might as well use it to browse the web instead.