Next Wii channel could be 'Nintendo Power'
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 18th 2007 at 6:57PM }
Plucked from Nintendo's brain trust and tucked into the tail end of MTV's recent interview with Reggie Fils-Aime is the latest Wii channel concept: Nintendo Power. "We have a tremendous amount of old Nintendo Power content ... that we could present to consumers," Reggie told MTV.The interview (the one where Reg dodges the "Where's Metroid?" question) doesn't delve further into the thought, leading us to believe the digital archive is a ways from fruition. Still, coupled with Virtual Console, a back catalogue could provide a valuable resource for those digging around for tips and strategies -- or just general information about games of yesteryear. And, of course, Nintendo is never one to underestimate the nostalgia factor, always eager to find another familiar to resell to old-timers -- that's assuming the archive would be pay-to-view. Would you subscribe (again)?
[Via Supercabra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Loque @ Feb 18th 2007 7:13PM
No, I wouldn't subscribe.
1st party magazines = lose. Period.
Gavin @ Feb 18th 2007 7:14PM
Again, Nintendo needs to stop with pointless channels and focus on getting online gaming going. To have a new conole in this day and age and not have online gaming from the get go is just moronic.
Steve 3.2 @ Feb 18th 2007 7:16PM
I think this channel could be a great if it's free for everyone or Nintendo Power subscribers. (Really nice and cheap promotional tool to boost circulation.) But I wouldn't pay for it otherwise. The magazine was never that good and a proper search of the 'net will get you electronic copies for free.
Mike @ Feb 18th 2007 7:22PM
Back issues would be worth it for those awesome level maps...the one element GameFAQs doesn't even come close to including in its domination of the strategy realm.
Pedro @ Feb 18th 2007 7:30PM
@ Gavin
It's coming. They already announced 4 first party games that support it. Hold your fucking horses.
Hannibal @ Feb 18th 2007 7:31PM
@Pedro:
Both of the other consoles had it at launch. It's pretty justified for Wii owners to be annoyed.
Grog @ Feb 18th 2007 7:36PM
I think it would be a nice *free* channel for looking up info on the old games you've just downloaded. I definitely wouldn't pay, and I don't know how much I would use it, but Nintendo should realize that it's already-created-publicity for the games they're selling via VC.
"Again, Nintendo needs to stop with pointless channels and focus on getting online gaming going."
This is just an ignorant statement. For one, according to the Wikipedia page, Nintendo employs over 3,000 employees - do you think they're all working on one channel or one game or one bit of functionality like online play? Second, we've already got as close to a firm timeline as Nintendo gives out about online functionality, and it isn't quite yet. Online play simply isn't going to be available until games that make use of it are, and that is apparently happening later because the online system was implemented later in development and devkits didn't include it till relatively recently.
Zoë K. @ Feb 18th 2007 7:38PM
I dunno. My console doesn't want to connect ever since the most recent update that was to allow the use of the newest voting channel. So I'm a little weary... especially if my Wii is permenantly ruined.
ViperVisor @ Feb 18th 2007 7:41PM
Really good idea.
theLoneYoshi @ Feb 18th 2007 7:42PM
I'm a subscriber to Nintendo Power, but seriously, I don't buy a subscription for the magazine... I buy it the free stuff. Not the strategy guides because there's Gamefaqs for that, but the other stuff like t-shirts.
In any case, a Nintendo Power channel would be completely useless to me.
nintendo fan @ Feb 18th 2007 7:51PM
That would be cool if it was free.
BPM @ Feb 18th 2007 8:01PM
I'd go for it if it was free, and it had a database search. Like, you could search for an article, review, or guide for a particular game. Or even search through Player's Pulse letters and art submissions on a certain topic.
Plus, this would mean their old comics would be online for free! How sweet would that be?!
Evorgleb @ Feb 18th 2007 8:06PM
Um can we stop talking about as if its fact. This hasn't been comfirmed. I didn't even get the idea that that is what Reggie meant when he made that statement.
Evorgleb @ Feb 18th 2007 8:24PM
now that i've went back and read the article again, I see that he said, "We have a tremendous amount of old Nintendo Power [magazine] content, for example, that we could present to consumers as a way to get smart about Virtual Console."
I think what he was tryin to say is that they could use information from old Nintendo Power magazines in the Wii Shop so people can read up on the games they are thinking about buying.
jay @ Feb 18th 2007 8:27PM
Nice idea.
Actually... very good idea. Especially if they get the UK Nintendo magazine. I used to collect them when I was a kid but they were accidentally sold at a carboot sale. Some brilliant nostalgic stuff there. Hah. I'd probably spend a good few days glued to the screen looking through them again!
I love these channels. Really smart little fun things, not super serious, but who said gaming was? Nintendo- please give us some more quirky channels, free of charge of course.
DarkTetsuya @ Feb 18th 2007 8:43PM
Of course, whether or not the codes will still work with the VC games is another story entirely.
Sensai @ Feb 18th 2007 8:45PM
Joystiq, how 'bout for slow news days, you guys write some editorials? I'd be interested in seeing what you guys think, instead of picking up old news and reposting it.
I'm going to put my foot down Nintendo's throat if this actually happens and it's a subscription based ordeal. What I WOULDN'T mind (y'know, when they announce it isn't free) would be to buy the channel for 500 points or something, but then have all the old magazines there.
For the newer magazines, they could wait like 6 months before they add them to the archives.
Optimus Prime @ Feb 18th 2007 8:45PM
Meh, they keep preaching that Wii is only about gaming... then they keep throwing half ass channels like news, weather, voting, now this?
How about online play; any online play? What about something better than lame friend codes?
Nintendo seems a bit distracted of late. They are banking on gimmick channels and nostalgia.
Grant @ Feb 18th 2007 8:49PM
Yeah, this would go basically no where if it's PPV.
Maybe a 500 point initial entry fee and then all you can eat would work, but beyond that i couldn't see anyone paying for old magazines.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 18th 2007 9:08PM
I bet you would have to download the channel freely and then use your NP subscriber number to use the bulk of the content.
A year's worth costs $12. Not that bad, really.
But it would be a great thing to have an NP channel with many, if not all, of their old reviews.
*******************************
"6. @Pedro:
Both of the other consoles had it at launch. It's pretty justified for Wii owners to be annoyed."
Nintendo's already addressed the issue, that's all there is to it. The games will be done when they are done. What are they supposed to do because people are (however understandably) annoyed?
john @ Feb 18th 2007 9:10PM
This would be a great cheap way for them to supplement VC games with free strategy guides, developer interviews, features, and art. None of it is really worth paying for, but it would make you feel like you're getting more than just an old game.
ThreeSixWii @ Feb 18th 2007 10:12PM
this could be cool, but only if it was VERY cheap like a one time only fee of 500 points for unlimited issues.
Slaziman @ Feb 18th 2007 9:20PM
I guess they'll just give you the content relevant to your VC game included with your VC game purchase.
Goldspire @ Feb 18th 2007 9:28PM
YEAH, can't wait to go through those old Nintendo Power mags for codes that don't WORK..
deaftly @ Feb 18th 2007 9:29PM
wow who needs actual good games when you have all these retarded channels!
Grog @ Feb 18th 2007 9:33PM
"Meh, they keep preaching that Wii is only about gaming... then they keep throwing half ass channels like news, weather, voting, now this?"
Optimus you ol' troll... haven't seen enough of you recently! Well, that might not be true. Anyway, do you have any sources to back up this statement? Nintendo's mantra in the past has been to concentrate on the games, while their current philosophy seems to be something fun for all occasions without trying to replace equipment you already have.
Arbuz Chokaro @ Feb 18th 2007 9:34PM
People actually read Nintendo Power?
Sensai @ Feb 18th 2007 9:43PM
#24, I almost peed my pants from laughter at that comment.
And #26, if I happen to be in Barnes and Noble, I may pick it up. I've never bought an issue, but it does keep me entertained for a bit.
Ninx @ Feb 18th 2007 10:16PM
Hell No. @ a price/for free.
SKI @ Feb 18th 2007 10:17PM
What if they are trying to phase out Nintendo Power printed magazine for an paper-free version? Every month your Nintendo Power channel updates with the newest magazine and it starts including downloadable demos for coming DS and Wii games. And all the older magazines will be a simple few clicks away.
Well, a man can dream...
Spottednigel @ Feb 18th 2007 10:59PM
..can we still get Dragon Warrior free with our sub?
Liraco @ Feb 18th 2007 11:05PM
If they were free that'd be sweet, a nice addition to help people find codes and reviews about those older games. A search functionality to browse their archive would be quite nice to quickly find what you need.
What would Nintendo get from giving these for free? They get the nsotalgia factor going and even newcomers interested in old games they hear great things about and now want to play.
Eric @ Feb 18th 2007 11:17PM
No.
samfish @ Feb 18th 2007 11:20PM
"Nintendo's already addressed the issue, that's all there is to it. The games will be done when they are done. What are they supposed to do because people are (however understandably) annoyed?"
They could start by knocking out some simple 2D style games that let you play other people over the web. I mean SIMPLE, too. Like Mission In Snowdriftland simple.
Or- *GASP!*- enable online with old games on the VC!
By removing old cheat codes from Kid Icarus, Nintendo has obviously shown that they AREN'T against modifying old games. Throw in online playability on SNES Mario Kart or TMNT 2.
They should do it if only to SHOW the rest of the world that, YES, online is finally coming to a Nintendo console after, like, 15 years.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 18th 2007 11:36PM
@ 34
I am aware they are capable of modifying VC titles. I wouldn't be surprised if someone realized that pressing the UPDATE button over their VC file will, sometime in the future, eventually give them worthwhile enhancements.
I understand that people really, really want to see a Wii game Online, but what's there left to be said? More that than they're working on it and the NEW games they've already announced that will use it?
:/
generaldane @ Feb 18th 2007 11:43PM
dude poekmon is online in japan you guys need to stop bitching and fucking wait.
i really dont care for online in any of the current wii games either smash now is a completely different case
32_Footsteps @ Feb 19th 2007 12:46AM
Pop quiz - how much has anyone read issues of Nintendo Power from its first five years or so?
My mom just sent me a whole bunch, back from when I had a subscription... incredibly funny to read now. The Ninja Gaiden issue in particular is golden, in retrospect.
Sir Josh @ Feb 19th 2007 12:50AM
nintendo is blowing it. what a bunch of slackers
Tom @ Feb 19th 2007 1:02AM
I think some people just take issue with the fact that online multiplayer isn't as prevalent on the Wii as it is on the Xbox 360, which came out a year earlier and raised everyone's expectations. So, even though online games are coming, some Wii games like Call of Duty 3 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance have already been released for other systems with their online capabilities intact. So yes it is a valid complaint, and I won't listen to any of this nonsense that we shouldn't demand more from Nintendo. Of the 3,000 Nintendo employees, if even 10 were assigned the fool's errand of coming up with useless channels, I say we get those people to help the other 2,990 employees get Super Smash Bros. out sooner.
Strangler @ Feb 19th 2007 2:36AM
why doesn't nintendo offer this wii channel stuff for free? I mean msot people can buy those old consoles for real cheap or just emulate those games on their pc's, and charging people for it is stupid when the console doesnt have any good exclusive games yet. Soon people will probably start selling it anyway.
Strangler @ Feb 19th 2007 2:42AM
and now they want to charge people money to view old nintendo magazines? I mean even sony isnt that bad in the way they handled the psp firmware features and ps1 emulation on it. Nintendo is showing its true greedy colors and stupidity. They're also delaying games left and right and spacing them out even after theyre already made, doing the opposite of the way theyve been handling the ds just to counter the psp theyw ere peeing in their pants of fear about.
syco @ Feb 19th 2007 2:52AM
Actually it's a thoroughly invalid complaint... The Wii is perfectly capable of supporting online gaming! There's a WiFi chip built into the damn thing, I have personally downloaded several games for the VC, get wiimails from Nintendo... It seems to use the internet just fine. There's nothing wrong with it, the only reason there's no online games for it is because the developers haven't bothered to code it in!
This is of course because all the good games for the Wii out now and to be released for the rest of the year are either single player (Zelda:TP, Metroid Prime 3, Trauma Center, etc.) or are multiplayer games which MUST be played with people who are literally sitting next to you to be any fun whatsoever (Wii Sports, Wario Ware, SSB:Brawl). I can't actually envision any games scheduled for release on the Wii which WOULD benefit from online play! So saying the Wii is lacking in this department is ludicrous.
Matt @ Feb 19th 2007 3:33AM
It's amazing how much slack Nintendo gets for one or two decent games and a bunch of gimmicks.
If I want to get the weather, articles about gaming, or take surveys, I'd rather do it on my PC monitor, where I can view more than ten words on a screen at the same time.
Online gaming is the only thing I will ever want to do online with a console.
Considering their friends codes and general lack of support for online gaming, I'm not holding my breath that they'll do it even half as well as Sony, let alone Microsoft.
Rubang B @ Feb 19th 2007 3:34AM
I don't know about you guys but my Wii can play Toejam & Earl so it's the fucking bomb. I don't know what all the fuss is about. It was hard enough that the Wii came out while I was writing my personal statements to transfer, but if it was already online I probably would've had to drop out. When Mario Strikers: Charged goes online I might lose my jobs.
Rubang B @ Feb 19th 2007 3:38AM
But seriously folks, if you want to play online games, it should never cost as much as Microsoft charges. Blizzard does it for free. StarCraft is 9 years old and it still has free servers up right now, and it still gets free updates. When I want online gaming, I gots me my sweet sweet Brood War.
Dear Microsoft, fuck your monthly fees and fuck your microtransactions.
Love, Rubang B
Miles @ Feb 19th 2007 4:35AM
I really can't believe how goddamned cheap you fucking people are. If its not cheap you act like its not worth even mentioning. And I'm not talking about some useless fucking NP channel. Every time someone mentions doing something innovative there's this large contingent of boners who say its gotta be free. Why? Why are you owed so fucking much? Someone please elaborate. Because last I checked, if you don't want it for the price you don't buy it.
Could you imagine if someone went in the middle of a supermarket and complained how high a bag of Fritos were? The manager would tell you to hit the bricks. If its not some "not even necessarily true"
NP channel its fucking horse armor in Oblivion. Get jobs!
Rubang B @ Feb 19th 2007 5:12AM
I have 2 jobs. I don't complain about the price of Fritos because I can get them at the 99 Cent Store. If Blizzard came out with a free bag of Fritos I could pick up once a day, I would complain about the price at the 99 Cent Store. What's your point?
Strangler @ Feb 19th 2007 6:55AM
"or are multiplayer games which MUST be played with people who are literally sitting next to you to be any fun whatsoever (Wii Sports, Wario Ware, SSB:Brawl)."
why would those games not be fun when playing sonmeone online?
Strangler @ Feb 19th 2007 7:01AM
I don't know about you guys but my Wii can play Toejam & Earl so it's the fucking bomb."
I can also paly it on my psp along with every toher genesis, snes, gba (almost), nes, amiga, ps1, atari2600, game ever made and all portbaly on a beutiful screen, and download many hacks from smwcentral and other sites on top of alreadya wesome psp games that imoa re alot better, longer, mroe mature than ds games are, on top of having the abiltiy to watch movies and lsiten to music which is the only thing an ipod cna do that costs like 250 bucks.
Rubang B @ Feb 19th 2007 7:04AM
Sounds pretty awesome dude. You must get all the chix.