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Nintendo Announces "Nintendo Network" For Wii U

There have been rumors circulating regarding Nintendo's online network plans for its upcoming Wii U console. Today, president Satoru Iwata announced the first details about the service -- which will have many of the features gamers have come to expect on services like Xbox Live and PSN. The Nintendo Network, as it is called, will be compatible with both 3DS and Wii U.

You can read Iwata's full statement on Nintendo's site, but here are some of the highlights:

-- The Wii U will have a "personal account system" compatible with the Nintendo Network. Iwata said this would make it easier on families that have multiple users of a system in one house. Hopefully, this will work exactly as it does on PS3 or Xbox 360, where you login to your identity and are instantly signed into the network.

-- Post-release downloadable content for packaged games: Iwata said that Wii U games will be supported post-launch. Already, some 3DS titles like Square Enix's Theatrhyhythm will feature downloadable tracks post-launch.

-- Iwata pointed to Mario Kart 7's community functions -- which allow you to organize groups and sort different match types in multiple groups -- as a model for some of the Nintendo Networks functions.

-- Nintendo is also "considering the future possibility of digital distribution of packaged software" for Wii U.

Iwata also said the company would release the system in time for the holidays. He commented, "For the launch of new hardware, it is regarded as a sort of requisite not to miss the critical year-end sales season. The company is aiming to firmly complete the development of the entire system and prepare sufficient software so that the Wii U will be at its best at the time of the launch." Iwata reiterated that Nintendo had "learned a bitter lesson from the launch of the Nintendo 3DS."

Via: Andriasang

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Comments
  • good job nintendo your learning from some mistakes
  • Well la-dee-frickin-da! (Spoken like Chris Farley's Matt Foley)

    *downloads crap from Playstation Network*

    Glad they've got with the times. :D
  • well that's great and all... but do i get to re-download all my virtual console stuff again for free? or would i have to shell out cash for mario 1 again?

  • I'd like to see a more robust virtual console library on this network, to include gamecube games; I would definitely buy one then. As of now I'm on the fence since I don't think there are any Nintendo launch games officially announced.
  • All sounds good, won't really mean anything until we see it's actual implementation though.

  • Nintendo seems to know what they are doing.

  • I guess they want some of that DLC profit too :P

    Took 'em long enuff.

  • So, the system is more than a HD Wii with a new controller? I tried my Wii again the other day. Menu music and cute channels instantly annoyed me. Tried the store to see if it changed, but all is as I remembered. Found I could buy old NES games still, like I have not had those on my computer since 2000. We have enough evidence to know that Nintendo is afraid of the Internet. The big gimmick of motion capture is fading and the other systems do it better. Since N64, Nintendo has not produced a system I have loved or more than a dozen games that I found worthwhile. Here's hoping for more big announcements, like no more Mii's.
  • now that's what I like to hear. hope there's a few surprises in store.

  • Looks like like they got the online situation taken care of. Now I just hope the technical specs can compete with the new Xbox's and PS4's.
  • This is really just icing on the cake for me. All I've ever expected out of a Nintendo console is a new idea with fun games to go with it.

  • Nice, and cool, also they actually learned thier lesson with the 3DS launch so I'm guessing having a good launch lineup will probably hold them down a bit, and bring out at least a few decent titles.

  • I thought I would never have Nintendo Live

  • I vote we shorten it to "Ninty-Net". Who's with me?!?
  • Can't wait for Wii U, I already have a nice parcel of cash stashed away ready to be spent on a preorder...
  • I usually ignore stupid "Nintendo is behind the times" comments but damn... it's about f***ing time.
  • I wonder will the Wii U have a trophy/achievement system or not? I really hope it does but if it doesn't it isn't a deal breaker for me.
  • always behind the times nintendo

  • I don't know why, but I have faith in Nintendo with the Wii U. I think they've made they're mistakes, but they also have learned from them. Having an exclusive network of their own is going to open up so many possibilities.

  • It amazes me, with Nintendo always trying to push the envelope on how people interact with consoles, that they would announce this with no "punch line".  I guess I expected 'here's our online, it's a little late, but BLAM here's something you've never seen before.'  But sadly, no.  The announcement highlights read like a rumor, not like something to fuel excitement.  It's like Toyota getting everyone together to announce that yes, there will be a Camry next year.