Nintendo unveils WiiWare downloadable games

June 28, 2007 - Nintendo, creator of the massively popular Wii games console, has disclosed that it is to unveil WiiWare, allowing owners to download original games for the console and let developers create and sell games via the Wii Shop.

The information was revealed by Nintendo of America President Reginald Fils-Aime to the news portal LevelUp.  Fils-Aime revealed that the games will not be retro games from previous Nintendo consoles and available through the Virtual Console, but developed specifically for the Wii and sold through the Wii Shop Channel and sold for Wii Points.  More interesting still is that at a Nintendo developer’s conference earlier this week, the company stated that it will be seeking games from indie developers as well as big established publishers and developers – potentially giving a further dose of originality to the Wii’s games.  The first WiiWare titles are expected to become available from both Nintendo and third-party developers from 2008.

"Independent developers armed with small budgets and big ideas will be able to get their original games into the marketplace to see if we can find the next smash hit,", said Fils-Aime.  While Nintendo as retailer would fix the applicable pricing per individual game, it would not vet the titles themselves but make the developers and publishers responsible for securing the relevant rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (Adults Only titles will not be offered through WiiWare).