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Nintendo Businesses Wii

Nintendo Confirms Original Downloads for the Wii 80

Posted by Zonk from the not-just-mario dept.
The Computer and Videogames site touched base with Nintendo in the wake of an interview with a game company in Game Informer magazine, to check up on their plans for original content on the Wii. A marketing director from Hudson Entertainment stated in GI that the Wii would feature a new games channel for downloadable games, and CVG wanted to follow up on the claim. Nintendo's response was that while they haven't decided on the specific method by which they'll be offering the games online, downloadable original content is definitely in the cards for the console's future. No timeframe was given for this content, but it is reassuring to have this piece of the Wii puzzle reaffirmed by the company.
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Nintendo Confirms Original Downloads for the Wii More

Nintendo Confirms Original Downloads for the Wii

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  • Damn I'd love to see bookworm adventures out on the wii....with the wiimote pointer, it would be pretty sweet.
    • That, and most of the PopCap games, would be far more suited to the DS than the Wii. Not saying they shouldn't, but maybe they would see a bigger ROI on a DS-multipack of games including Bookworm, Bejeweled (1, 2, and 3 if it's done soon), and a few others. I'd pay $30 for those two(-ish) and 3 others on the DS.
      • we're talking downloadable content I think. I probably wouldn't buy Bookworm adventures, but I'd download it onto my wii no problem if the price were right.

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by wilbz ( 842093 )

          we're talking downloadable content I think. I probably wouldn't buy Bookworm adventures, but I'd download it onto my wii no problem if the price were right.

          (emphasis mine)

          Apparently the only acceptable price for you is "Free". Last I checked, Nintendo is still planning on charging for this downloaded content.

          I think I am aware of your original intent, but when did "buying" something start to refer to only purchasing it in person. What do you call it if you purchase something that is downloaded?

          • Re: (Score:1)

            by tepples ( 727027 )

            What do you call it if you purchase something that is downloaded?

            Licensing. Wii Shop Channel downloads are locked to one Wii Number.

  • Who needs originals... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by zarthrag ( 650912 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @02:55PM (#17774158)
    ...when the legend of zelda: link to the past is on the VC now!!! (news channel is also available.)
    • Your quote is innacurate. See:
      http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin [wikiquote.org]

      A second issue is that law demands us to sacrifice freedom for security. "I give up my freedom to kill people so that they don't kill me" (i.e. murder is illegal) seems to be an essential commandment in every society. Rephrasing it to "essential" fixes this issue.
      • Agreed, but the real quote is frightfully accurate. The world today is giving away more and more freedom to gain safety. Especially the US of A.

        Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
    • Is there something personally wrong with me if I don't get excited about Zelda: Link to the Past?

      I mean, I enjoyed it when I played it back in ~94, 95, somewhere around then. Great game. But I always hear people saying, in essence, "OMG ZELDA IS SO AWESOME" about any one in the serious, I feel like I'm missing something somehow.

      Fun game? Sure. Drop everything for the chance to play it in a new format ... I don't see it.

      • Re: (Score:2, Funny)

        by Truman Starr ( 949802 )

        Is there something personally wrong with me if I don't get excited about Zelda: Link to the Past?


        Yes.

  • Hudson, Do I smell BomberMii coming? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by hal2814 ( 725639 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @03:05PM (#17774330)
    "A marketing director from Hudson Entertainment stated in GI that the Wii would feature a new games channel for downloadable games,"

    How frickin sweet would it be to have a nice new 2D* version of Bomberman for the Wii?!

    * Or a tastefully done 3D like Bomberman fight that manages to keep the 2D elements in tact. Anything but Bomberman 64 style play.
    • So you'd be willing to accept Bomberman: Act Zero?

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by hal2814 ( 725639 )
        The words "tastefully done" in my original post should've cleared up that Bomberman: Act Zero is not in any way, shape or form acceptable to me.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Guppy06 ( 410832 )
      What's wrong with the oldie-but-goodie Bomberman '93 now available for download, complete with 5-player joy if you have a WaveBird lying around?

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by trdrstv ( 986999 )
        What's wrong with the oldie-but-goodie Bomberman '93 now available for download, complete with 5-player joy if you have a WaveBird lying around?

        Nothing at all. However if they introduced a Bomberman where you could import Mii's and play up to 8 players localy (using 4 remotes, and 4 GC controllers) I'd buy it in a second.

        If it was online... The world would unite, and sing a song in perfect harmony.

      • I bought it an enjoy it. But I remember liking multiplayer in the SNES version (can't remember if it was #1 or #2) much much better.

        What I'd really like is a revamped SNES version with full online play. Just gussy up the graphics, add in online functions and keep the gameplay mechanics the same. Oh, and add some more GOOD boards. If they're not good, don't even bother. I'd pay $50 for something like this.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Fulg ( 138866 )

        What's wrong with the oldie-but-goodie Bomberman '93 now available for download
        IMO the absolute best of the Bomberman series was Bomberman '94. Sadly it was only available in Japan, which means no VC release in North America. (Wake up Nintendo, lots of money to be made here at no cost!)

        I actually bought '93 on VC thinking it was '94, serves me right for not double-checking in an emulator before buying... :)

  • It was only a matter of time (Score:3, Interesting)

    by MrNash ( 907751 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @03:12PM (#17774506) Homepage
    Allowing for downloadable original content for the Wii always seemed more a matter of "When" rather than a matter of "If". I wonder how accessible development kits will be for those interested in getting involved with this stuff. Moreover, I'd be interested to see what sort of breakdown pops up in indie games between traditional control schemes, and going the motion-sensitive route. In any case, I'm pretty excited to see what sort of fresh projects start popping up on the Wii in the future, and how they will compare and contrast to that available for download on the Xbox 360 and PS3.

    • I wonder how accessible development kits will be for those interested in getting involved with this stuff.

      If your company does not yet have experience developing for video game consoles, then you'll need to start by obtaining incorporation papers, a detached office in leased space, and a published title on the Microsoft Windows platform.

      • If your company does not yet have experience developing for video game consoles, then you'll need to start by obtaining incorporation papers, a detached office in leased space, and a published title on the Microsoft Windows platform.

        Actually, I used to run a games company as a sole-proprietorship. To dev for the Wii you don't need Windows. You can use your garage (I used my basement).

        Myth != Reality.

        • To dev for the Wii you don't need Windows.

          I used Windows as an example of an open platform on which one can demonstrate skills using GCC and a graphics API to develop video games. The others are Mac OS X and Linux, but due to the smaller market share, it is more difficult to recover expenses through donations or registrations if a developer does not port a product to Windows.

          You can use your garage (I used my basement).

          What you say contradicts Nintendo's stated policy [warioworld.com]: "an authorized developer must have a stable business organization with secure office facilities, equipment, personnel

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by KDR_11k ( 778916 )
        Some statement from a Nintendo rep sounded like they offer a downsized dev kit for developing those downloadable games. Probably because they aren't worried about people buying devkits instead of consoles so they can play burned discs (or using the dev kit to develop a mod chip).

  • Online multiplayer & a hook for non-gamers (Score:3, Interesting)

    by stastuffis ( 632932 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @03:41PM (#17775082)

    Seeing as the Virtual Console doesn't offer any games that really make proper use of the intuitive controls of the Wiimote, I would think that many non-gamers would brush it off as irrelevant. Seriously, your gramps may love Wii bowling, but I don't think R-Type is going to work for him. However, with original content, it's time for Nintendo to get their wheels rolling on some things that will attract the non-gamer crowd. There's load of possibilities. All of these board and puzzle games can be readily exploited and actually make more sense to some people who use a Wiimote.

    OTOH, I see more online multiplayer titles as a smart move. The console is lacking the online support it needs ATM, and I think some original titles could help give it a much needed boost. There is a lot of potential, so let's see if Nintendo does the right things with it.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by trdrstv ( 986999 )
      There's load of possibilities. All of these board and puzzle games can be readily exploited and actually make more sense to some people who use a Wiimote. OTOH, I see more online multiplayer titles as a smart move.

      I agree. If they bring online Monopoly, Risk, Uno... or other games casual players might have played already, it would go very far.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by KDR_11k ( 778916 )
      I'm not too sure about that, the Wii appeals to many people other consoles don't because it's simple to use, not just because of the motion stuff. Old games are often simple enough to use the dpad and one or two buttons. People like my parents didn't have a problem with the Atari 2600 but newer consoles have too many buttons for them. VC games would be simple enough for them.

  • WiiFii.com and a plea to Sega! (Score:5, Interesting)

    by JoshDM ( 741866 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @03:50PM (#17775266) Homepage Journal
    For some very cool free content (games!) for the Wii, Opera internet browsers should bookmark this place: WiiFii.net [wiifii.net]. It's a very cool second home with a bunch of flash games (including that cool SLED game) playable through the Opera browser.

    My plea to Sega is the following: You, Sega (SegaSoft) needs to update and release a WiiConnect24-capable and local multi-player capable version of the classic game Rocket Jockey [wikipedia.org] for the Wii.

    The control system alone is PERFECT for the Wiimote's balancing act, not to mention the kicking surf guitar soundtrack and classic retro style.

    Please let Sega know about this perfect game that they already own. I'm on the verge of starting a letter writing campaign.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by JoshDM ( 741866 )
      I've just been informed (offlist) that Segasoft published Rocket Jockey, but "Rocket Science" owns the rights. Just and FYI.
    • Funny, in the past I've said something similar to my friends, but I said "Chu Chu Rocket" instead of "Rocket Jockey", and "the DS" instead of "the Wii". With WFC multiplayer as need be.

      I'm not saying your way is wrong. Not at all. In fact, I'd say both ought to be quite feasible.
    • Hell yes!
      Rocket Jockey is one of my favorite games of all time. I would absolutely love to see it reincarnated in any format. For a while, I seem to recall that there was a Rocket Jockey mod in development for UT2K4, but it evaporated (a shame).
      On the positive side, apparently somebody's started remaking it [solar-ray.org]. Unfortunately, it's currently a solo effort. We must all pitch in and help, lest this effort, too, fall by the wayside!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Sark666 ( 756464 )
      Oh my freakin god!!!

      A fan of rockey jockey!!!

      This game is amazing, truly unique game play.

      I still have my disc, unfortunately the installer demands to install dx3. I did it on an old install of 98 a couple of years ago cause I was sick of not being able to play it. I remember sega released a network patch but never got to try that.

      I'd love some workaround to play this in wine.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Sark666 ( 756464 )
        After my initial gasping like a school girl. I thought I'd do some research on getting it installed on non 95/98 systems.

        http://www.the-underdogs.info/tech/techelp_r.html# rocketjockey [the-underdogs.info]

        This game was so fun single player, I could only imagine playing this multiplayer. The multiplayer is lan only. I wonder how well it works over the net. I used to have a kali account way back in the day for games like this. What could be used current day to play this over the net?

        And with the info above, I'm really going

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Pxtl ( 151020 )
          I played it at a lan party. It was fun, but horrifically one-sided. Once you're off your rocket, you're toast - you spend the rest of the game being torn to shreds by the other players. The "Sport" mode worked much nicer... and as always, the race mode is painfully hard.
  • Downloadable content aye? Probably related to this [modcontrol.com] announcement :) Get your original downloads at any trustworthy nntp provider.

  • 512mb is not enough storage (Score:5, Insightful)

    by computertheque ( 823940 ) on Friday January 26, 2007 @04:32PM (#17776092)
    There is still the important question of where are these downloadable games going to go? The internal memory isn't much to work with, and has basically eliminated any chance of getting Wii game demos via download, at least I see it that way.

    Nothing can directly be accessed from a sd card aside from photos, which either tells me that there are no big plans for the download service, or a hdd is planned for release in the future.

    • Nothing can directly be accessed from a sd card aside from photos
      Well, at the current time. I can't imagine it would take more than a software patch to do so. They're probably holding off on it because they want to make 100% no fooling deadly serious sure there's no hole or exploit that would let someone load their own code.
    • NES and SNES games wouldn't take more than a meg each, hell SNES game carts were only 4 megabits (half a MB) max. N64 games could be bigger (up to 64 MB) so you might have to do something different for them.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by dopaz ( 148229 )
        Most NES games were 256 kilobytes or less, some of the later titles were 512KB and Dragon Warrior 4 is 1MB. SNES games were not limited to 4 megabits, Zelda 3 is 8Mb and later games like Mortal Kombat 3, Chrono Trigger were as large as 32Mb.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by grumbel ( 592662 )
          VC games are a lot larger then a plain ROM dump, most likly due to the manual, emulator and whatever they add to it. Somebody who own Wii can probably post the exact numbers, but from what I remember they are all in the range of 10-20MB, even old SNES and NES games.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Cyno01 ( 573917 )
            I'm pretty sure it is just a ROM dump with a good emulator built into the Wii. I cant give exact numbers, since its measured in "blocks", but there are no manuals, no additional content, nothing. The only thing i've seen different so on any of the 5 VC games i bought so far is on Super Mario 64, white lettering on a black screen "You must have the classic controller connected to play this game.", and thats the only game i have that requires it.

            • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

              by grumbel ( 592662 )
              Did some research on my own, what I found is this (somebody who actually has a Wii feel free to correct me):

              Wii itself has 512MB flash RAM and ~2100 free blocks.
              A 2GB SD Kart provides ~16384 free blocks.
              F-Zero is 99 blocks large.
              DonkeyKong is 19 blocks large.

              This means that one block is 128kbytes large and in turn it means that the Wii reserves around half its Flash content for non-user stuff (firmware and such). If that block size is correct it means that F-Zero is 12MB large while the plain ROM dump shou

            • Re: (Score:1)

              by KDR_11k ( 778916 )
              Press Home, select "electronic manual".
            • I'm pretty sure it is just a ROM dump with a good emulator built into the Wii. I cant give exact numbers, since its measured in "blocks", but there are no manuals, no additional content, nothing.

              There's a manual in every VC game. While you have the game loaded, hit 'Home' then 'Operations Guide'.

      • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by 7Prime ( 871679 )
      Well, actually, you can save games onto an SD card (I know, I've done it). You can't play them off of there, but you can still re-load them into your Wii. Sure, it's an extra step, but it's not the end of the world. And like others are saying, it would probably only take a simple patch to do so.

      Furthermore, expect anything above SNES level to be released on disc. The Wii downloads part of the VC is basically there for doing new games that are similar to classic games, in their content: arcade games, sequels
    • You can copy them onto a memory card. You can't play them from the memory card, but you can transfer them back and forth between the main memory and memory card. You can then take them onto a PC and back them up onto CD.
  • Come on, you KNOW you want to play snood on your wii. I could imagine tilting the wiimote to control the angle of the shot, or even using the pointer functionality to aim. Either way, ninty needs to get off their butts and license snood for wii PRONTO.
    • Snood is pretty much a remake of Bust-A-Move and "Bust-A-Move Bash!" is scheduled for release in March. :)
      • I'd never seen bust-a-move before, but i definitely see the similarities. That said, I'd be willing to throw 5-10 bucks at the virtual console to play snood for the wii... I don't think I'd plunk down 50 bucks for a similar concept, even if it does have a bunch of slick graphics and extra options.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by 2008 ( 900939 )
          If you like snood you should also get Frozen Bubble [frozen-bubble.org], a free open-source version of bust-a-move. It looks and plays really well, I played through all 100 levels last night in fact...

          It's controlled with the keyboard but if you have bluetooth and a wii remote you could get a tilt control version going on your PC with some hacking around.

          Or you could play the java in-browser version [sanson.free.fr], it might even work in Opera on the Wii already.
  • This could also be a real boost or episodic gaming. Something like Sam & Max on the Wii seems like it'd be a perfect fit!

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