Basic DS/Wii Question For Pokémon

[Otaku]

Sorry if this isn't the right place, but a friend of mine was finally able to get a Wii (long story) and realized that he just can't get the Pokémon experience he wants unless he also gets a DS. So this lead to two questions:

1) Can the DS and the Wii communicate without any add-ons or requiring an internet connection when dealing with compatible Wii and DS game? Or does one need an actual internet connection to go through?

2) What Wii and/or GCN Pokémon games would people suggest for someone looking for something closer to the handheld experience? My friend got one Wii game already (don't recall the title), but it is pretty lame because he is stuck with just rental Pokémon. I am not worried about connectivity between the Wii and anything else for GCN games, though controller options (standard, Wavebird, etc.) might be worth mentioning.

Right now, my friend is debating trying to find a really cheap DS so that he can get himself either a Gen IV or Gen V game in the hopes of being able to transfer a team to the Wii game (and obviously enjoy the handheld adventure as well).

 

[bullados]

As far as gcn games, there is no native comm support between Wii and ds. You would need to find the link cable for that to work, ans it still probably wouldn't.

 

[Otaku]

As far as gcn games, there is no native comm support between Wii and ds. You would need to find the link cable for that to work, ans it still probably wouldn't.

Right... I knew that but my question was so convoluted even I think it looked like I was asking that. Post edited.

I just need to make sure there is native comm support between the Wii and DS for Pokémon titles made for the Wii and DS, without requiring an actual internet connection. I thought they had some local [insert technical term I am spacing off] connection, the same thing that allows two DS units to communicate with each other, but I never had any games that needed to do this so I don't know personally.

 

[LegendCallerL]

Pokémon Battle Revolution can connect to the Gen IV Pokémon games, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. They can communicate without using Internet, just the built-in wireless. I am guessing your friend got Pokémon Battle Revolution if they had Rental Pokémon.

 

[bullados]

As far as console pokemon RPGs, you can probably get it done with either of the colosseum games. There's no exploration, but the battle mechanics are exactly the same. Plus, EEVEE!!!!!