I've had 2 Dlink wireless routers and they've both worked fine with the Wii (and the PS3 and the 360). I haven't tried any online games yet with the Wii, so I can't say how the performance is.

I don't think any 'WiiWare' (as in non-nintendo created software) is out yet, besides the Internet browser. As far I know the first one is due out in March.

There are only 2 'import games' out right now, Super Mario Bros 2 (the real one, AKA "Lost Levels") for the NES and Treasure's 'Sin & Punishment' for the N64. They're both action games, so as far as I know text isnt an issue. In the case of Mario, well you've played 2D mario before. You don't need text. Sin & Punishment is a shooter (Treasure is famous for their shooters, like Ikaruga and Astro Boy on the GBA), which apparently had English voice acting in its original Japanese release. As all Virtual Console games are approved by Nintendo, all text translations present are 'official'. Honestly it was a total surprise that these 'import' games were released (first in Australia of all places), so I wouldn't count on there being very many more of these. Especially RPGs. Both Mario Bros 2 and Sin & Punishment cost a little more than their same-system counterparts, likely due to the extra effort needed in translations.

As for SSX vs Mario Party, I'd personally choose neither. I guess since you're a fan of Mario Party you should go with that, but I feel WarioWare is a more exciting party game if you don't already have that.