Nintendo launches over 5,000 3DS hotspots in Europe

Nintendo has announced over 5,000 free WiFi hotspots launching across Europe.

In a partnership with free-hotspot.com, the hotspots will arrive in 21 European countries through fast food restaurants and hotel chains including McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Ibis Hotels and Etap Hotels.

Nintendo 3DS systems will automatically connect to the hotspots, providing free internet access to browse the web, download and play games online.

"With such an extensive European-wide Wi-Fi access network, partnering with free-hotspot.com made absolute sense," said Nintendo of Europe's Laurent Fischer.

"The access points are largely located in popular restaurants and hotels - places where Nintendo 3DS owners are likely to want, and to unwind in. We also urge all Nintendo 3DS owners to also take advantage of the latest system update which has brought an array of new features and enhancements, including 3D video capture."

Last week, Nintendo announced a partnership with Boingo to provide free WiFi access to 3DS systems in UK airports.

Nintendo also recently announced that Nintendo Network, an online service that will span the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, will launch later this year providing personal user accounts and the ability to purchase downloadable content.

A number of high profile releases are scheduled for Nintendo's handheld over the coming months, including Kid Icarus: Uprising, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, and next week's Resident Evil: Revelations.

Watch the Resident Evil: Revelations story trailer below: