Wii to get original downloadable titles, 'Game Channel' possible
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 26th 2007 at 9:41AM }
Remarks made by Hudson Entertainment director of marketing John Lee, during an interview with Game Informer, have sparked rumor that a 'Game Channel,' dealing in original downloadable titles, could be headed to Wii. Lee didn't make any specific implications, but did cleverly acknowledge that Nintendo had plans to distribute original downloadable games. When asked if Hudson had plans to do so, Lee claimed, "No," but added, "However, in the future, you should rephrase that question to: Are there any plans to launch original content on some downloadable service on the Wii, and you might get a different answer."CVG brought the issue up with Nintendo, which responded, "We cannot confirm at this time in what format the new content will be delivered, but in the future there will be original games available for download through the Wii Shop." While still unconfirmed, it's likely that Nintendo could launch a new Channel to further separate original games, once purchased from Wii Shop Channel, from Virtual Console fare. We also suspect that most of these new offerings will utilize the Wiimote (and Nunchuk) instead of the Classic Controller.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Number One @ Jan 26th 2007 10:06AM
That would be freaking awesome.
crusher @ Jan 26th 2007 10:10AM
Very cool. Here's to hoping Nintendo will continue to pleasantly surprise us.
wait in the car @ Jan 26th 2007 10:13AM
brilliant!
ephor @ Jan 26th 2007 10:13AM
Sam & Max creators have already been in talks to get their episodic game put on the Wii. Since online distribution is the hallmark of episodic content, I take Nintendo's positive response to S&M (plus the phenomenal success of competitors' online arcades) as an indication that they won't let this source of free money slip away.
Tr0n @ Jan 26th 2007 10:14AM
I would rather have a Demo Channel for downloading well, Wii demo games.
Give us an USB hard drive support and you'll set.
whosmav @ Jan 26th 2007 10:14AM
Don't think that Nintendo is gonna just sit on such a
rocket success. There will be some of dopest shit ever to download on the wii. We'll be filling up harddrives in no time. The possibilities are crazy son! Sorry I'm geekin out here, but I can't wait to see whats floating up in Miyamoto-san's head.
The Wii is a runaway folks. All that talk about people losing interest is bull. Everyday more and more people want a Wii. Fanboy walking here but you can't deny that shit. Peep the #'s on the PS3 3rd party sales! OOOOOOOOOOO. Thats 64-ish! EA is pissed guaranteed, along with every other company that based its forecast on PS3's 'guaranteed' success.
Look for more hot shit on the Wii, the likes we can't predict. But damn, 1200 points for OOTA! Fawk that! I've got it on 2 GC discs. They were free.
But I will be dropping 2600 on Mario World, LTTP, and MK64. I can't help it.
Fred T @ Jan 26th 2007 10:15AM
Yay! 360 has only had this since last year and PS3 has had this since launch. Brilliant indeed, eh fanbois?
whosmav @ Jan 26th 2007 10:16AM
Sorry for the PS3 rant.
whosmav @ Jan 26th 2007 10:19AM
Wii news channel live!
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 10:20AM
Hmmmmm.....Ok...Let me get this straight....They can't get any good 3D games for the Wii so they are releasing more crappy rehash vc games in the future.....hmmmmm....ok.....great system....?
Mohan @ Jan 26th 2007 10:22AM
That would be very cool! More organized as that older games will be separated from new ones.
Splorky Fish @ Jan 26th 2007 10:24AM
Nintendo is jerks. Because of them, I had to borrow money to pay for my textbooks this semester. If they open a 'Game Channel,' it'll mean even less solvency for my finances.
Martez @ Jan 26th 2007 10:26AM
This is what the Wii really needs to take off. The positive reaction to Wii Sports proves it. To really lock in the casual gamer, you need fun games that work in short bursts, and original downloadable games on the Wii Shop will provide that. Casual gamers don't want to pay $60 for a game. They want to pay 5 or 10 dollars.
I personally can't wait to see what happens when developers have the opportunity to create small games that allow them to experiment with the Wii controls instead of betting the house on 'full' $50 or $60 games.
aosth @ Jan 26th 2007 10:29AM
Wonder what wii's answer to geometry wars is.
Unit @ Jan 26th 2007 10:26AM
@#7, true the ps3 and 360 have had this already, but i think the big differece is they're gonna have games people would actually want to download and play! no mindless top down shooter stuff
Number One @ Jan 26th 2007 10:27AM
Somehow I knew those two trolls would show up. Keep being insecure. Keep feeding your fear.
Ocho @ Jan 26th 2007 10:32AM
I think it's less likely to be it's own channel, but rather put under the umbrella of the Shop Channel.
While they're adding to it, hopefully they'll give it a bit of a design touch-up.
Number One @ Jan 26th 2007 10:31AM
People leave comments to generate discussion. What TRUTH/Intangible fact and Fred T are doing is being complete assholes. I hope in the futre no one responds to their shit. Or that the FBI finds kiddy porn on their harddrives. Which they probably could.
Unit @ Jan 26th 2007 10:32AM
@#10, so the 360,and ps3 has/had so many good 3d games when it came out?...and about those crappy rehashes, have you played contra on xla? what about double dragon? if you want crappy rehashes check those out.
Petrie @ Jan 26th 2007 10:32AM
Wiiometry Wars?
Charron @ Jan 26th 2007 10:33AM
"Wonder what wii's answer to geometry wars is."
Well, the best answer I can think of (if only because its design would work well with the Wiimote, and is of a similar visual style) would be (an expanded version of) +|- (http://www.experimentalgameplay.com/game.php?g=308). Once I finish fiddling with GlovePIE I'll see how well the current freeware game plays and have better judgment. But I think it's ideal for the Wii, since it's simple enough to be pick-up-and-play, addicting enough (in my opinion) to keep attention, and it's got style.
As for what the actual "response" to Geometry Wars is, though, I have no clue.
TheKingInYellow @ Jan 26th 2007 10:32AM
Yeah, I think they are going to need to sort out the storage options before this can be even remotely considered...
Darcrequiem @ Jan 26th 2007 10:33AM
"16. Wonder what wii's answer to geometry wars is.
Posted at 10:29AM on Jan 26th 2007 by aosth"
Trigonometry Battles?
aosth @ Jan 26th 2007 10:36AM
Let's hope they aren't too expensive though.
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 10:37AM
@ unit
The difference is that the 360/Ps3 has games that are new to the gaming gen and not just only titles that have mario or zelda in them.
And Xboxlive has more than just contra or double dragon to play.
Jake @ Jan 26th 2007 10:39AM
The original downloadable games on 360 all suck. All of the Wii downloads will be awesome as hell and totally worth the $5+ and people will actually want them. They will be funner than $60 360 games because 360 games just focus on graphics and not fun. Wii games are fun only, so they rule. WarioWare is 10 times the game Gears is in every way except graphics. Spinning your hips like an imaginary hoola hoop is there for 5 seconds is sooooo fun you don't even know it cus your MS tit-babies.
diegwiito @ Jan 26th 2007 10:41AM
How about support for USB storage? that would be even better than a built-in hard drive (despite the extra space needed on my entertainment center and perhaps an extra outlet to power the drive) because each person would get a storage option to suit their needs!!!
JodyAnthony @ Jan 26th 2007 10:43AM
Darcrequiem, if stars still existed, I would nominate you for a dozen for that response.
aosth @ Jan 26th 2007 10:47AM
They really should let you fit more channels on the interface.
Vidikron @ Jan 26th 2007 10:51AM
@18 Unit
It seems you forgot to mention that the rehashes on Live Arcade are scaled to HD, some have updated graphics, have achievements added, feature leaderboard, and multiplayer games have online play (e.g. SFII, Gauntlet, etc...). The titles on Nintendo's VC are zero enhancements beyond running at 480p... and they want you to pay more for them than you would on Live Arcade.
This, IMO, is where Nintendo is really dropping the ball with their VC. They have a fantastic back catalog of games, but aren't putting any effort into their releases on the VC. Imagine if they release SMW or MK64 with onlien multiplayer! They could make a killing. As it is, people like myselg aren't going to bother with the VC games. Sure, those are great games, but I've played them dozens of times already and have alreadypaid for them in the past. I need a compelling reason to buy them again and the VC isn't providing one.
Number One @ Jan 26th 2007 10:51AM
I think TRUTH is Tommy Tallarico. He says such dumb things but comes off as so confident.
Here's a shot in the dark. Maybe you'll see light, you troll. In theory, the target demographic for the Wii isnt the 30 year old momma's boy in his parents basement who to this day still plays counterstrike, views FPS games as the second coming of Christ, uses terms like Haxor or pwns, who has seen said old games before.
A lot of people have children to raise that dont want to raise them with Gears of War, or Halo 3, or Grand Theft Auto, or Crackdown (cell-shaded GTA), or Just Cause (Jungle GTA). Those people might not be able to dedicate 70% of their income on games cause their mommies buy their underpants for them. Im not saying your mom does... I'm just saying...
aosth @ Jan 26th 2007 10:54AM
@30
The VC was actually meant to introduce new gamers to the gamess they missed. If you have the game, go play it. But for those who started gaming last gen, they missed out on 15 years worth of gems.
Unit @ Jan 26th 2007 10:55AM
@ truth, so what part of nintendo's speach did you miss when they said that the virtual console will be MAINLY used for releasing classic games from past generations? and mario and zelda? when was the last time you checked what was on the vc.here's some examples:castlevania,gunstar heroes, ristar,R type3,streetfighter2,bomberman.
Vidikron @ Jan 26th 2007 11:05AM
@32
I'm sure that works for lots of people, but there are many of us that have been around games for a long time. I don't see why Nintendo couldn't put a little more effort into the VC releases if MS does. As it is now, it just comes off as a cash grab by Nintendo. The prices are too high for what you get. $8 for an SNES game? Come on... The games are so tiny it costs them next to nothing to deliver it to you via a download. And what makes you think that gamers who missed those games wouldn't want the enhancements too? I'd wager that most would like to have them.
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 11:06AM
@ unit
The only good game nintendo releases is a mario/zelda.
@ number one
I think we had the same discussion yesterday.
The Wii is cheap and that is the main reason for its success. I won't argue. My main point I am trying to make is that you can have more fun on the 360/PS3 than on the wii.
Halo, gears, resistance, Mass Effect, Crackdown, Viva Pinta, R6V, Motorstorm, FF, Splinter cell, MGS, Lair
Vs..
Mario, Zelda, Raymon, pokimon
The Winner is clearly the 360/PS3.
Keif @ Jan 26th 2007 11:12AM
The onlyu thing clear here Truth, is that you are a fanbot and an idiot
Number One @ Jan 26th 2007 11:12AM
Yes we have had this conversation before. And my xbox 360 is still picking up dust with Gears of War inside it. You are addicted to shooters. Dont feed me that Viva Pinata crap. Especially when you cant spell it. "Raymon" as you so eloquently put it has diversity. Thats not something you can say about Halo or Gears of War (which I still say is not much of an update from .Switch on ps2) or RFoM. The only thing diverse about those games is the guns you use, who you shoot at and where you shoot. At the end of the day its still fucking shooting.
ssuk @ Jan 26th 2007 11:13AM
Give me a Wii XNA (with C or C++, none of this silly C# stuff) and I'll be forever happy with Nintendo. Somehow though, I doubt Nintendo will be taking this route ever. =/
JodyAnthony @ Jan 26th 2007 11:15AM
no, truth, YOU might have more fun playing gears of war or resistance or whatever, whereas I will have more fun playing zelda or mario or pikmin. there is no way you can possibly say that everyone would prefer to play one game over another. get over yourself.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 26th 2007 11:16AM
"Viva Pinta" posted by TRUTH
Yeah, Viva Pinta is pretty good, but I am waiting for Viva Nina or Viva Santa Maria.
Vince @ Jan 26th 2007 11:17AM
Truth, the only thing evident is that you are so close-minded you can't see when you're just plain wrong.
I'm not saying you can have more fun on the Wii.
What I am saying, is that you're trying to come off as smart and confident, and yet you keep spewing the same fanboy shit that other fanboys spew. Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Rayman? Oh I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that the Wii only had 4 games.
Put a lid on it, man. Your shit is getting tired.
Bob E. @ Jan 26th 2007 11:21AM
@ TRUTH/Fred T (I'm starting to think you are the same person anyway)
You have stated on this site time and time again that you believe the Wii is total shit. You believe that the 360 and PS3 are far superior in every possible way. You've more than voiced your opinion. OK, we get it. So my question to you is this: Why?
If you are so happy with your console of choice, why do waste your time posting here instead of playing the damn thing? Could it be that you actually don't own any current gen consoles? You guys seem to take an enormous amount of time every day, just to remind us how you feel about the Wii. I love to hear what others think (good and bad) about any subject, but your comments are never even insightful. Not in the least. So, again, why? Did your momma only ever side hug you?
Unit @ Jan 26th 2007 11:21AM
@truth, i like how you list games on the X360 that just came out or about to. Where were all those "fun" games when the x360 came out?...and as for the ps3, maybe you should help sony advertise that it's more "fun" than the wii! It just might help them get those systems into peoples homes cuz..you know..it's more FUN!
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 11:21AM
@ jodyAnthony & Number One
Yea, I have my preferences. But I tend to fall into a real gamer category not the casual gamer that only likes to chase stars and collect hookshots. You and mom would get along good. Some people that have a aggressive nature love to play games that have shooting, fighting, racing and competition.
Vince @ Jan 26th 2007 11:22AM
No, Bob, I doubt they have any of the systems, and its evident in the crap that sprays out of their pieholes.
Vince @ Jan 26th 2007 11:23AM
And the funny thing is, Truth just ignores people's posts when he knows they're right. He dosn't reply to them... just skips over them and pretends they don't exist.
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 11:26AM
@ bob
I own a 360. I know I piss alot of people off with my opinions but I believe that PS3/360 is for true gaming. I have a gc,xbox,snes too. I just can't stand the Wii.
Almack64 @ Jan 26th 2007 11:30AM
Hey all normal non-trolling commenters.
I want to offer a motion for everyone not to respond to Fred T or TRUTH anymore. They are not speaking to contribute and their opinions are mostly blind, foolish, pretty much BS. Their only purpose is to cause confusion.
All in favor in blacklisting talking to Fred T and TRUTH reply with a "I"
I
TRUTH @ Jan 26th 2007 11:30AM
@ vince
Mature realistic games will always prevail over kiddie games.
Finn @ Jan 26th 2007 11:32AM
I think at the very least people like truth could admit that the wii is a better suited consule for mini games like this. I mean thats what most people like him have been screaming for awhile anyway
also after this post I agree to not respond to him and will blacklist him, just had to say