Nintendo Wii Virtual Console gift giving service

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 26th 2007 at 11:58AM }

In another portion of the 'absolutely no Wii price cut' story we covered earlier this morning, Nintendo's prez unveiled a feature that allows people to "send each other games over the internet using the Wii's shopping channel." The explanation by AP is a little too quick and dirty for our taste, so we've contacted Nintendo's PR for a cleaner explanation. The piece says that users will be able to select a game to send as a gift to another user and when the recipient accepts, "the Wii automatically launches the shopping channel and begins the download."

Like we said, we're looking to get more details on this potentially great service. We just need to know things like: Does this mean grandma needs to comprehend the multi-digit friend codes? Does the person need to be a friend first? Isn't it easier just to give a Wii Points gift card? We hope to update you soon with the answers.

Tags: gift, vc, virtualconsole, wii

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Virtua Fanboy @ Oct 26th 2007 12:06PM

This would work well on Live.

Virtua Fanboy @ Oct 26th 2007 12:06PM

This would work well on Live.

F. Rocker or Fernando R.? @ Oct 26th 2007 12:07PM

It will be better if Nintendo gave us like 500 or 1000 Wii Points as a Christmas gift.

FOXHOUND @ Oct 26th 2007 12:13PM

I was kinda hoping that last year for the "lucky" millions that happened to fight the masses and cold weather to get the console. Even a 100 Wii Point($1) gift would've been nice.

But I can't complain. They did give out replacement wrist straps and the "Wii condom" plastic(?) sheath. Good for us, 'cause it's free shiznit... better for Nintendo since they avoid lawsuits.

JodyAnthony @ Oct 26th 2007 1:34PM

Linebeck is one of my favorite characters in any game ever.

Sean @ Oct 26th 2007 1:43PM

I just finished Phantom Hourglass. It was excellent.

F. Rocker or Fernando R.? @ Oct 26th 2007 3:11PM

Oh yes... the final was excellent. First Bellum in third flor building, then the stop timer Phantom Hourglass, then the epic battle in Linebeck's ship, then the heroic act of Linebeck, then the final fight against dark Linebeck.

Excellent game. Best handheld game of the year. Definitely.

Shagittarius @ Oct 26th 2007 3:20PM

I think Jeanne D'Arc is handheld game of the year...

of course by the time we do awards it will probably go to God of War.

F. Rocker or Fernando R.? @ Oct 26th 2007 3:30PM

Shaggi

God of War will be the same as the PS2 games. Zelda game is an innovative game. You only use the stylus to do everything.

bm @ Oct 26th 2007 4:06PM

As much as it pains me, I have to agree with Fernando. Phantom Hourglass has a lot going for it, but the one thing that makes it better than anything else I've played on a handheld is the stylus-exclusive control.

I didn't think much of it before I played the game, but now that I have, it will be hard for me to go back. It's so much fun (and while simpler, actually more advanced than button based 2D topdown controls), and oddly relaxing (maybe because of the fact I've got one hand free to rest my chin on, or something). I'm already looking forward to the sequel.

Obviously old shaggi is not going to agree and name a PSP game instead, what did you expect? Duh. ;)

Cal @ Oct 26th 2007 7:33PM

Thanks for semi-spoiling it, Fernando.

Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING) @ Oct 26th 2007 8:32PM

I hope they put Superman 64 on there so I can send it to Fernando:D

JK, I'd send you something like...errr... Gunstar Heroes... awesome game

danny. (fdf.) @ Oct 26th 2007 12:14PM

Time to start sending people wonder boy in monsterland.

kennethrios @ Oct 26th 2007 12:23PM

Wonder boy in monsterland was the best game I ever played in my youth. oh and ghostbusters.

Norm @ Oct 26th 2007 12:23PM

HAHA! that is exactly what I was thinking.

"Why to I have Galaga '90? Who dowloaded Pinball?!?! Altered Beast?!?!!? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHH!!!"

danny. (fdf.) @ Oct 26th 2007 12:28PM

no sarcasm intended. I really do love Wonderboy in Monsterland. A lot.

Norm @ Oct 26th 2007 12:37PM

Oh, I haven't played it actually. I thought that was what you were getting at.

Norm @ Oct 26th 2007 12:20PM

This sounds like a great practical joke. Fill up your friend's channels with crappy video games.

"Why do I have Ordyne? Pinball, WTF! Who downloaded GALAGA '90?!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGG

Norm @ Oct 26th 2007 12:24PM

Whoops. Looks like I posted the same thing twice. I thought Joystiq ate my post.

kennethrios @ Oct 26th 2007 12:22PM

This might be the wrong forum from this type of thing but the Wii point system is stupid.

That aside, I think Nintendo would make a killing if they sold other non-game items on their shop channel as well and made those items available as gifts. I mean who wouldn’t want to get a virtual green&red Christmas sweater for their Mii? Or a Wii channel that was just a roaring fire with classic Christmas music playing softly in the background. Or concept art of Nintendo characters dressed up for the seasons…I would pay 100 Wii points for a picture of Kirby wearing a skullcap.

David @ Oct 26th 2007 1:10PM

I'd pay 100 to see Kirby wearing a tuque.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 26th 2007 2:04PM

They can sell whatever hell they want to sell. Even babies of PS3/Xbox developers/gamers.

They can do with Wii firmware pretty much whatever they want to do with.

As long as to start playing a games takes two clicks - I do not care.

Shagittarius @ Oct 26th 2007 3:22PM

Ihar,

I'm pretty sure everyone can do whatever they want to do...

Bigfoot @ Oct 26th 2007 12:23PM

What if you tell your friends that you want Super Metroid on VC for Christmas, then you get like 10 downloads sent to you for Super Metroid. Did 9 of those people just waste their money?

kennethrios @ Oct 26th 2007 12:25PM

Perhaps Nintendo will make your Mii wait in a long virtual line to exchange the extra games...

bm @ Oct 26th 2007 4:10PM

Ehm... I'm pretty sure they'll account for that and tell you if the one receiving the game has already got it. Seems pretty damn obvious to me that they would not overlook something as simple as that. Don't know why you think they would.

accidental @ Oct 26th 2007 5:11PM

Chances are, like any online purchasing service, you pay upon shipping of the goods. So, the person who bought the gift card will either get notified "the recipient already has (x game)" or their points balance will only get deducted when the recipient downloads the game.

kennethrios @ Oct 26th 2007 12:25PM

Perhaps Nintendo will make your Mii wait in a long virtual line to exchange the extra games...

kennethrios @ Oct 26th 2007 12:26PM

Bad reply system!

samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 26th 2007 12:30PM

YAY! I can finally give my local church group a copy of Sin & Punishment for Christmas!

Sean @ Oct 26th 2007 12:36PM

This is pretty awesome. Xbox should do the same. No more spending time finding Christmas and birthday presents for some people.

WiNG @ Oct 26th 2007 12:49PM

I wish you could give games you already bought away.

For instance, I will never really play Super Mario Brothers. I know it's a classic but it was an impulse buy and I've played it maybe 5 times in the last 8 months. I know people who would love to have it, so can I plzzzz give this away?

I would buy a lot more VC games if I knew I could give them to friends if I didn't like them.

You know, or if there were timed Demos.

baby sea tuna @ Oct 26th 2007 1:16PM

Wow, that means that you played SMB 4 more times than I did so, in comparison, you really did get your money's worth!

I'd seriously consider re-gifting Ecco and Kid Icarus while I was at it...

SimonBob @ Oct 26th 2007 12:57PM

You know what this means: copies of EarthBound for everybody! We'll force the big N to put Mother 3 on the boat to America one way or another.

Donald @ Oct 26th 2007 2:22PM

I like the way you think, sir.

TO THE SHOP!

KirbyMeister @ Oct 26th 2007 4:02PM

And to think I would have to give everyone 2000WP cards and just tell them to download Earthbound. Now I can give all my friends copies of Earthbound.... this will make a great EB Siege tactic.

Also I'm assuming you're SimonBob from Starmen.NET.

Cozmo @ Oct 26th 2007 1:00PM

If this works without having someone as a friend first, then companies could give away free games and demos to anyone who registers. Nintendo would still reap profits by allowing other companies to purchase Wii points in bulk and then pre-pay for their customers.

But, if you have to have someone as a friend first, this idea just won't work.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 26th 2007 1:06PM

Why not. Just direct your Wii opera browser to the MFG site, enter the code for you game you bought, enter your wii's number, and then they can send you the game.

And you'd need someone's wii number to send them a game anyway, so why would having them be on your friend list be an issue?