Nintendo Wii to get original downloadable games
updated 04:00 pm EDT, Wed June 27, 2007
Original Wii downloads
The Wii is to get original games through its download service, says Nintendo. While players have already been able to buy games through the Virtual Console, these have been older Nintendo games, from platforms such as the NES and the N64; with the newly-announced WiiWare however, the Wii will join the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in having completely new games sold only online. Buyers will have to visit the Wii Shop Channel and spend some of their Wii Points for each title.
The approval process for WiiWare will operate differently from current retail titles. Whereas developers of the latter must have all their content vetted by Nintendo, WiiWare will only have to be submitted for bugs and compatibility, as well as pricing. Partly because of this, Nintendo is reaching out to independent developers, who may also benefit from a lack of distribution costs. The first WiiWare games are expected in 2008.
