Wii got a We!!!.....o wait

[bdbdbd]

Get New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Mario Kart Wii.

If you have wireless router, it should take only a few seconds to set it to online. Just go to settings -> internet -> search for an accesspoint and after you find it, enter the password (if any) and there you go.

Friend codes are needed if you want to connect to your friends. You don't need them if you want to play online "with anyone" or use other internet features.
And, there's lots of fun stuff online with Wii, internet browser is handy just like news and weather channels and Nintendo channel is good for trailers and videos about games and stuff like that. And WiiWare and Virtual Console are available through internet.

@Snesboy: Oh USB-Connector and Windows. I can feel your pain.
The problem isn't really the USB-Connector, but Windows and firewall updates that constantly break the compatibility. The connector itself works great. Get a wireless router, that will fix your problems and doesn't cost much.