Nintendo Wi-Fi Connections will offer free access to the wireless service through 7500 'hotspots' nationwide including airport terminals, motorway service stations, McDonald's outlets and railway stations.
Mario Kart DS will be the first game to offer the multiplayer capability; more titles are planned for next year.
The service, which Nintendo hopes will establish Wi-Fi as broadband-on-the-move, will launch in the UK on 25 November backed by a £1m ad campaign.
The ads will show how gamers can play each other regardless of the country they are in.
A gradual roll-out in Europe will take place next year through different broadband partners in each country.
The UK launch of the wireless service follows the announcement last month of a tie-up between Nintendo US and McDonald's to offer free gaming in the fast-food chain's restaurants.