It begins: developers starting to get online dev kits
by David Hinkle 
{ Feb 12th 2007 at 1:45PM }
During an interview with Reggie, he reiterates that Pokemon Battle Revolution is still set to launch the Wii's online functionality in the US. He backs up this statement by also offering up that third parties are now finally starting to receive online dev kits, giving the hope that we could all be enjoying online gaming in the coming months. Of course, Reggie doesn't go on to describe which third parties had received these kits or confirmed any other titles beyond Pokemon Battle Revolution, so we'll be sure to update you as soon as these games are revealed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
adam @ Feb 12th 2007 2:03PM
So does that mean that games that are already out wont have online play?
If so that sucks, I was looking forward to some online Wii Sports play.
Donny D @ Feb 12th 2007 2:18PM
Well when exactly does Pokemon come out? I haven't been able to find any info on the intertubes.
I wouldn't touch a pokemon game with a 10 foot poll, but if it's release date is the first of online games, I want to know when I can expect other titles to include online play.
Smash Bros. better have online play or I'm going to hurt someone.
cole @ Feb 12th 2007 2:27PM
Do you think we will be seeing any online rpg for the wii anytime soon. I would love to see some city of heroes or D&D.
Pokemon is all well and good for some trumped up chicken fight, but I hope to see a little "+5 spear of doom" action on the wii.
Next-Gen-Gamer @ Feb 12th 2007 2:44PM
I still can't believe you guys are still acting like developers don't have a clue about the Wii's online features. There have been three third-party games to be announced with online play. Not only that, but they were announced back in 2006.
The BIGS (2K Sports) will feature 4-player online games.
Blazing Angels (Ubisoft) will feature online play (the Wii version got bumped to Q4 2007).
Dewy's Adventure (Konami) will also have an online feature(although it hasn't been further discussed).
Then there's Elebits (Konami), which technically already has an online feature (albeit a weak one).
Furthermore, there's guys from IGN and GameSpy that have been saying to expect a lot more. Most of them spill-the-beans on people's blogs at Club IGN (GSI_jago aka a GameSpy employee has a Club IGN account, and has commented on my blog about there being more third-party online games).
http://blogs.ign.com/Next-Gen-Gamer/2007/02/07/46079/
Skim to GSI_jago's comments if you want. And yes, he actually works for GameSpy.
http://club.ign.com/b/about?username=GSI_jago
James @ Feb 12th 2007 2:44PM
On the contrary #1... Now that devs have the online kits, they could patch the games with online functionality should they so choose. However, there probably isn't a good reason for them to go back to a launch title and do that.
Next-Gen-Gamer @ Feb 12th 2007 2:46PM
Note/Mistake Fixed: All but Dewy's Adventure was announced in 2006. That came across rather odd. Sorry about that.
boot @ Feb 12th 2007 3:07PM
So i guess within the week we'll here more about titles and developers who recived the kit. Cant wait to read more headlines having to do with the wii wifi functionallity. Ive been waiting since chrismas to read the headline that says wii online play airs today.
theLoneYoshi @ Feb 12th 2007 2:57PM
All I can say is... It's About Time.
By the way, @ #2 Donny D,
Pokemon Battle Revolution has been out in Japan since December. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl come out in the US in April... I expect that once the localization of the Pokemon names and attacks are set for the DS games, Nintendo of America will start the localization of Battle Revolution, which won't be too bad considering they don't have to make up any more names... Hopefully, translation goes quickly, and you can expect Battle Revolution by the end of this year, or the beginning of next year at the latest (but don't quote me on that, I'm just predicting).
And yeah... Smash Bros better have online. If all goes well, Pokemon comes out early fall of this year, so we can have Smash Bros by the Holidays. Or launch both of them in the US at the same time, which would cause massive Wii sales for Nintendo. Good for us, good for them... they better think about it.
Next-Gen-Gamer @ Feb 12th 2007 3:45PM
PBR is still set for "Q2 2007", which fits what theLoneYoshi said about Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. I'd say Nintendo is going to have one right after the other to try and boost sales of all three games.
Mr Khan @ Feb 12th 2007 4:01PM
My fear is that the Wii will wind up similar to the DS in the respect of scarcity of Online titles
How many are there for the DS now? 15? 20? less?
John Doe @ Feb 12th 2007 4:02PM
Medal of honor... Medal of honor...
Eaode @ Feb 12th 2007 5:42PM
Need, MP3. Need, SSBB....
dukemeiser @ Feb 12th 2007 7:15PM
The biggest thing I hate about Nintendo: online play. Their damn 12 and 16 digit codes drive me batty! The only good thing I can say about Micro$oft is that they definitely know how to do online play. PARENTAL CONTROLS AND SUPERVISION protect kids from strangers, not 16 digit "friend" codes. Because anyone can go to a website with codes posted and post theirs.
Smoke @ Feb 12th 2007 8:01PM
#7: It's quite more likely that work on the US version of Pokemon BR is already underway so they can release it shortly after the DS games. Especially if they wanna boost the whole online aspect of the Wii.
#13: Anyone can add your code. But they can't do anything until you add their code. That's how the system works. Besides, most games offer online play without friendcodes as well.
Will @ Feb 13th 2007 12:49AM
I hate to break it to you chaps: don't expect Super Smash Brothers to have online play. I can't possibly fathom Nintendo being able to push the bytes fast enough for that game to be work online, especially if you're selling point for the Wii is wireless connectivity. I would not expect the game to be very playable online. If they push it online, don't expect the results to be the same as it is offline. I don't expect it to be included in the finished product at all.
djmg82 @ Feb 13th 2007 3:31AM
Online functionality isn't something I actually care a lot about with consoles, but I understand how it's a big deal. I'd rather sit down and play 4P split-screen Mario Kart than play full screen online. For me PCs will always be for online gaming, and consoles will be for getting my friends over or playing my favorite single player franchises.
Rubang B @ Feb 13th 2007 5:02AM
Hey Khan, comment #10, according to this list at Wikipedia, there are 36 WFC games for the DS right now, with 25 more "in the works."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_DS_Wi-Fi_games
I'm also pretty sure that Smash Bros. will launch the Wii's online service if it's done on time, just as MKDS launched the DS's online service. If Smash Bros. isn't ready though, I guess they'll launch it with the new Mario Strikers and the new Pokemans.
WillTheSecond @ Feb 13th 2007 11:10AM
@15. Nice name.
Anyway, Nintendo themselves have said numerous times that Smash Bros Brawl IS DEFINITELY going to be online. The question is not whether it will be online, but if the online will be any good (especially considering Halo 3 will be coming out at around the same time, if they don't get it right Nintendo and going to take a press-wide, industry-wide and gamer-wide char-grilled flaming).
BTW, guys, it seems like the first online game out for Wii is going to be either Battalion Wars 2 which'll have three online multiplayer modes or Mario Strikers Charged which is also confirmed for online play and both are scheduled for a summer (hopefully June/July) release.