Nintendo Conference – Wii Announcements; Virtual Console Downloads

During the Nintendo Conference this week, the gaming giant announced some of the titles that will be available for download via the Wii Software/WiiWare system starting in March 2008. During the conference, president Satoru Iwata also announced that prices will be lower for downloadable games than those purchased due to the fact that stocking and shipping will not be part of the purchasing process.

It was also announced that the Square Enix title, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles will be one of the first titles released, and will be exclusive to the download service. Another exclusive to the download service will be: Pokemon Bukojou (Pokemon Farm), Star Soldier R, Mojipittan Wii and Doctor Mario. To promote the download service, Nintendo intends on helping Wii households set up internet connections so that they may make use of the online service.

In addition to this news, Nintendo was pleased to note that Virtual Console downloads had now passed the 7.8 million mark, thus deciding to re-focus the Wii Vote aspect of its operating system to better enable users to send feedback and rate the games they were playing.

It was also hinted that they are looking to third-party publishers to participate in the development of Nintendo’s platforms.”In Japan, Nintendo has 50% of the DS software market this year. From here on out, the share should shift to other software makers”, said Satoru Iwata.

A couple more things of note – Wii Fit will hit Japan on December 1, and Mario Kart Wii will ship with a steering wheel controller, feature motorbikes and be available in Spring 2008. Granted most of this information was geared towards the Japanese market, but what happens in Japan, rarely stays in Japan.

Check back with us often – I am sure we will have North American market information readily available for you in the near future.

Via: GamesIndustry.biz