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Nintendo's Wii Shop Channel shuts down today
It's a sad day for loyal fans of the original Wii. As promised back in 2017, Nintendo is closing down the Wii Shop Channel as of January 30th. It lost much of its usefulness after March 26th of last year, when you could no longer add Wii Points and thus buy games, but you're now losing options to buy games with existing points, re-download digital titles or transfer content from a Wii to the Wii U. It's not quite like downgrading your system to the offline-only Wii mini, but it's close.
Wii getting gifting feature today
While Nintendo was busy talking about the new releases on the Virtual Console, they also let it slip that the new gifting feature was coming to U.S. Wiis later today. Come to think of it though, isn't taking the time to enter your buddy's Friend Code the real gift? We'd probably just go buy a fruitcake or something before we'd spend three hours doing data entry.That said, if you've already made the friend code commitment, you can simply enter the Wii Shop Channel, select what game to buy and send it off to a pal, rather than keep it for your greedy self. It's the gift that says "I like you, but not enough to turn off my video game console, put on pants and go to a store."
Reminder: Wii Opera browser grace period ends tomorrow
The best things in life are free. The Wii's internet channel isn't one of them, but it's free, and time is running out on that part. Wii owners have been able to download the final version of the browser for their Wii free since April 11; however, beginning July 1, the application will cost 500 Wii points ($5) to download. Wii owners who download the Opera powered browser before the July 1 deadline will "retain the application at no cost for the life of the system." So even if you aren't going to use it -- get it. When a global corporation gives you an item for free, even if you're just going to pocket it, unless it's some vast conspiracy to take over our minds, we aren't going to say no. Who knows, we fear we may be stuck in bed some day soon and not be able to make it to our computers with a desperate need to watch a YouTube video or something else important. When that time comes -- if it comes -- we'll be happy to have our free Wii browser.[Via Press Release]
Impossible Mission to stay in Wii Shop Channel... forever!
Impossible Mission is set to be the first downloadable Wii title that doesn't run on the Virtual Console. Eurogamer reports (via Nintendo Power magazine) that the remake of the Commodore 64 platformer will be made available in the online Wii Shop channel, making it the first new(ish) visitor to Nintendo's virtual aisles. Given the inescapable nature of the in-store music, we wouldn't be surprised to see the game stay awhile or indeed, stay foreeeeeverrr.For those unfamiliar with the title and the nefarious Professor Atombender, Impossible Mission will provide a retro mode in addition to the revamped adventure, much like the recent Jetpac Refuelled did on Xbox Live Arcade. Fight robots, keep atoms straight and sell an Xbox 360 in Japan this Summer when the game hits the Wii, PS2, PSP and DS.
Wii to get original downloadable titles, 'Game Channel' possible
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.
Mario Kart 64 headlines Jan. Wii VC lineup, in Japan
Nintendo will deal a strong hand of nostalgia to begin the New Year, as January will see Japanese Wii owners tempted by the likes of Mario Kart 64 and SNES Super Famicom's Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (the last series' title to be produced by Gunpei Yokoi). Additional classics like Ice Climber, Kid Icarus and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link will fill out the first-party offerings; and new Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 titles will ensure that the Virtual Console service always has something stirring a soft spot.Which Christmas releases did you give in to?
PAL Wii owner pulls the ol' region-switch to access more VC titles
A New Zealand Wii owner gets creative when faced with his country's lack of Virtual Console titles. He changes his console's PAL region to the UK. Voilà!Unfortunately, this "trick" -- popularized by Xbox 360 users (before Microsoft wised up) -- doesn't work with Japanese or North American Wiis. Japanese owners can't change their Wiis' region, and North Americans don't have access to the Japanese or UK region options.
Exchange 'Stars' for Wii points in UK
UK Nintendo membership holders will finally be able to put their 'Stars' to good use. Earned via codes packaged with Nintendo hardware and software sold in the UK, Stars have been useless (redeemed for wallpaper) until now. Nintendo has announced it will be adding Wii points to the Stars Catalogue.By linking a Wii Shop Channel account to an online Nintendo membership, Wii owners will soon be able to put their Stars toward Virtual Console purchases (by way of Wii points). But it gets better: completing a survey upon purchasing a VC title will transfer some new Stars back to your membership. It's almost like the VC games are paying for themselves -- but not quite. We're willing to bet the 'Stars to Wii points' exchange rate ain't so hot.
It's so catchy! (Wii delight #003)
Only until we managed to force Nintendo's ingenious concoction of beeps and boops out of our heads, did we realize how shockingly hollow life was without it. The masterful music emanating from the Wii Shop Channel is quite obviously the greatest composition in the history of the universe, its infectious melody gripping you like a malfunctioning elevator door. Though you may be sprawled across a couch with a limp wrist interacting with the screen, this tantalizing tune will transfer you to a store populated by charming 8-bit sprites that move about in an eerie, staccato manner. Just moments after entering, the song will have wormed its way into your brain and taken control of your vocal chords. You're humming along, you're bobbing your head and you are happy. The happiest you've ever been in your entire life. Why not spread the joy and infect delight others with it? Refer them to this Youtube video (depicting the infamous browser hack) and tell them to shut up. Shut up and listen.(By the way, could we have some remixes?)PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyances Wii delights vs. Wii annoyances Xbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances
