Nintendo evangelists can earn themselves Wii Points galore and more Virtual Console goodies than they can handle, just as long as they convert others to the cause...

It’s all part of Nintendo’s new ‘Connection Ambassador’ promotion, which has kicked off this very morning and is aimed at getting more Wii users hooked-up to the internet via their console. All you, the IT-literate Nintendo loyalist, need to do is help them take their first faltering steps online. Simple, no?

It’s potentially very rewarding too – these so-called Connection Ambassadors receive 500 Wii Points for every new person they help. There’s a 500 Wii Point golden hello for all new connectees too. Thereafter the benefits really begin to stack up.

Help 10 people online and you’ll attain ‘Gold’ status, meaning 5000 Wii Points in the bank and the ability to download every Nintendo-published NES game that is currently available on the Virtual Console for FREE. Meanwhile, if you attain the nirvana of 20 assists (the maximum allowable), it’s ‘Platinum’ status, 10,000 Points and freebie access to the entire NES, Super NES and Nintendo 64 back catalogues. That’s well over 100 games in total, and some of ‘em are even good!...

Here’s how, then. Wannabe Ambassadors who have just helped another user get online need to head to the Wii Shop Channel and take the following steps:

• Click the ‘Connection Ambassador Promotion’ icon

• Click on the ‘Connection Ambassador’ icon

• Enter the Wii number of the person you have helped, ensuring that you do so within 30 days of them having registered their connectivity using your Wii number.

And for those that have been helped online:

• Enter the Wii Shop Channel

• Click ‘Connection Ambassador Promotion’ icon.

• Click on the ‘Person Who Was Helped’ icon

• Enter in the Wii number of the person who has helped you connect within 30 days of such magnanimous assistance.

• Fill in a short questionnaire.

And that’s pretty much it. The free points will only be awarded once both parties have registered the relevant details. Otherwise this is a bit of a gift-horse. We suggest you don’t examine its dentistry too closely.