To provide a little more detail, NAT type is essentially a translation process used by routers to connect devices on a home network with other devices on the internet. NAT type resolves the issue of there not being enough unique IPv4 addresses in the world by converting a a public IP address (82.10.250.19) into a private IP address and range (192.168.0.1-255) so it can then dish out the private (local network) IP addresses you see in the image to each device on the home network (Image credit – Milesjpool – Wikimedia Commons). Let’s look at the issue in more detail now. Open NAT Type (Type 1) is the best for console gaming and is important for getting the best possible connection to servers and other consoles and therefore minimizing connectivity issues online. NAT stands for Network Address Translation and is a crucial connectivity setting for online gaming as it determines how freely a games console can connect with other devices on the web. But what is NAT and why is it important to online gaming? Many gamers will have noticed NAT Type displayed in certain connection settings of their consoles, and also occasionally in connectivity error messages around lobbies and chat parties.