Nintendo Channel now live
by Candace Savino 
{ May 7th 2008 at 6:30AM }
This wasn't just any old update, though. After months of coveting the service, the Nintendo Channel (known in Japan as Everybody's Nintendo Channel) is finally available for download via the Wii Shop Channel. The download is free, but will take up a few blocks, so make sure you have enough space. You'll also need to have updated your Wii since March 20th in order to get it, according to Nintendo.
We're pretty pleased with what the channel has to offer so far. There's already around forty videos available for your viewing pleasure. Most of them are just trailers for upcoming Nintendo games, but there's also a nice little Miyamoto interview.
Aside from watching videos, make sure to click on the "Find Titles for You" tab. Here, you can check out the newest titles for Nintendo consoles, and also download demos for DS games.
These are just our initial impressions from browsing around the channel, so if you notice any other neat features, be sure to let us know in the comments! Nintendo also posted a video of the various things you can do with the channel, which you can check out here.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gilbert @ May 7th 2008 7:47AM
Man, Nintendo is really becoming 'big brother'. Our Wii's now send information to them including what games we are playing and how much. They are also receiving information about our Wii settings. Isn't that some type of spyware?
bilbravo @ May 7th 2008 8:11AM
but isn't it also ... optional?
rich966 @ May 7th 2008 9:16AM
I am glad they are finally using that data, they should have been getting it from us since the beginning.
LV426 @ May 7th 2008 6:47PM
The information is ALREADY in the Wii, genius!
Seriously, Nintendo doesnt need to see this. Only your system needs to look at your "times played" notes left in the calender.
Nigeria @ May 7th 2008 10:18AM
You know, I agreed with Gilbert.
I can't be asked to justify my opinion at the moment, but the idea of a powerful multinational company looking into my purchasing habits, keeping records of what I play and for how long, is a little disconcerting. I know I'm making a choice to use this service, as well as other online services, but at the same time, I can't be the only one who sees a problem with this "tracking" society we all seem to be sleepwalking into. Personal information is a precious thing and we shouldn't be so willing to give it up, is what I'm trying to get at.
Though, I say all this while eagerly awaiting this new channel, and appreciating the fact I can redownload games I've purchased because there is a record of my purchases.
hmmm...
Roto13 @ May 7th 2008 12:45PM
Learn when to be appropriately paranoid. Getting all pissy because you have the option to send records of what you play to Nintendo is among the stupidest (but sadly, not the stupidest) things I've ever read in blog comments.
xnifex @ May 7th 2008 7:51AM
So what firmware version will you have after the update?
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 7th 2008 3:08PM
Should be 3.2U, but the firmware version doesn't change after every update. Only after stuff like when keyboard support was added.
This update was just to put the channel up.
Rowdehaj @ May 7th 2008 8:11AM
TREACHERY! What's this? Europe gets shafted again?!
Atlantis1982 @ May 7th 2008 9:39AM
No because Europe still been getting better VC relases, so :P @ you Europeans.
FantomRedux @ May 7th 2008 12:02PM
We get it at the end of the month. still got a month to wait after that till we get Brawl though ¬_¬
Waffala @ May 7th 2008 1:04PM
You got Wii Fit and Mario Kart first, also, possibly trumping both of those: Mega Man II
Jonathan Bloom @ May 7th 2008 8:23AM
This is an awesome new feature! Makes the Wii an even greater deal since you have your own DS Download Station now!
kastonie @ May 7th 2008 8:39AM
so anybody else's on screen pointer disappear when entering the nintendo channel? i cant get past the first screen with the OK button because i have no pointer anymore. Even if I hit the home button on the wiimote, there still is no pointer...the only thing i can do at this point is turn the wii off...wtf...
Julien @ May 7th 2008 9:06AM
Recharge your batteries HAHA
Bigsven @ May 7th 2008 9:03AM
How many blocks does this feature take up?
Roto13 @ May 7th 2008 12:47PM
A lot. The channel itself is 122 blocks and it has it's own 126 block save data file (required).
Bigsven @ May 7th 2008 12:55PM
Guess I need to make room by removing those WAD files I installed.
Joe H @ May 7th 2008 9:13AM
Or that blue glow could mean (for me at least): New Mario Kart tournament.
Takes up 123 blocks, which puts me down to 330 or so.
Looking at it, I'm not a fan of the layout, but it is pretty cool. I'm liking the idea it can recommend games for me based on other things I've played, and the DS download service has been needed for a while.
I'm a little surprised that Wii Fit isn't in the list though.
It seems too that Nintendo might have inadvertently said that Dr Mario will be out next week: in the what is WiiWare video the release date within the shop channel shows 5/12/08
sn1per @ May 7th 2008 9:32AM
Not all of us have a DS, Nintendo. Videos are cool, but I want Wii demos. Announce a HDD already so we can get Wii demos!!
Bigsven @ May 7th 2008 9:35AM
Anyone else having trouble connecting to download the channel?
andyl @ May 7th 2008 9:43AM
I like the channel so far...messed around with it for about 15 minutes this morning before work...
I'm not sure I'm all that keen on the "rating" system. It gives you the adjustable bar for how highly you recommend the game, but I'd also like that adjustable bar for the questions that follow it (i.e. "is this game more for 'casual' or 'hardcore' players). There are a few games I've got that appeal to both ("Mario Kart Wii" being a prime example) and I guess I'd like the ability to split the middle, rather than have to choose one...
Overall, I'm pretty sure I'm going to use this more than the Check Mii Out Channel... ;-)
Roto13 @ May 7th 2008 12:48PM
I deleted my Check Mii Out channel to make room for this one. :P
beaus27 @ May 7th 2008 10:44AM
Very cool stuff Ninty! After downloading the NG:DS demo and finishing it, I am definitly. picking the game up now!!!
bc @ May 7th 2008 11:46AM
123 blocks = no. I'm already going to have to delete files (Sin & Punishment = 287 blocks!) to get Final Fantasy, so I'm SOL for anything else.
James @ May 7th 2008 11:27AM
Does anybody know if you can use the Twilight Hack after this update? I'm just curious -- I haven't tried it yet, but with people e.g. porting OpenTyrian, I figure it's just a matter of time before I see a "killer app" that makes me want to take the plunge.
thesmartone421 @ May 7th 2008 12:10PM
You can use the hack after the update, but the thing is now, since nintendo can see what your playing, that may not be the best idea to do.
I hope all those people who put the WAD files on their wii, enjoyed it, cause I think now may be the time for them to worry.
Bigsven @ May 7th 2008 12:55PM
The data collection is optional and you can opt out of it
thesmartone421 @ May 7th 2008 4:41PM
If you read the small print on that data collection thing, you learn that they will not take personal info on your wii, such as who owns it, and compare it to the data in the store.
So, all the WAD file owners don;t have to worry i guess
Almack64 BFC 3694-9770-1276 @ May 8th 2008 2:33AM
Well that's what I thought too, but if you read more of the details, it says that the information doesn't personally identify the person or system "unless the console is connected to a my nintendo account". Funny thing though I thought you had to have a my nintendo account if you wanted to register the system and get the free extended warranty.
In any case it is an opt in, and I personally will be opting out.
lobotomies4free @ May 7th 2008 1:25PM
Anybody else notice No More Heroes isn't on the channel in any way?
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 7th 2008 3:11PM
MoH: H2 & Zack & Wiki aren't on there either.
iofthestorm @ May 7th 2008 9:04PM
I didn't see Brawl on it either. It wouldn't let me rate it, and it wouldn't find it when I searched for games from Nintendo or HAL with online features, or HAL/Nintendo fighting games.
Max Headroom @ May 7th 2008 1:39PM
What DS demos are available and how many megabytes is 1 block equal too? I have limited bandwidth and need to figure out how much this is going to set back my quota before I download.
Brian @ May 7th 2008 8:40PM
1 block is equal to about (but not approximately) 135 kilobytes.
So the thing's about 16 megabytes.
Roto13 @ May 7th 2008 1:49PM
It doesn't let you rate 3rd party games besides Virtual Console games. What's up with that?
murray b @ May 7th 2008 3:40PM
yes it does, but you do have to have at least 1 hour of play time.
Roto13 @ May 7th 2008 3:44PM
I've definitely put in more than an hour in Guitar Hero, No More Heroes, and Okami, but they're not showing up on he list of games I can rate. They're not in the directory when I search for them either.
TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(MK:2578-3517-9859) @ May 7th 2008 3:13PM
Did you know you can go from Nintendo to Internet Channel and it'll take you to an online purchasing site? (Only game profiles that have it though)
HylianHero92 @ May 19th 2008 3:35PM
Is this in North America or what? Someone commented it wasn't in the UK and I know Japan already has this and Wiiware. Yet, I can't seem to get it here in the US. I didn't get any messages saying it was released and I somehow can't seem to connect to the Wii shop channel.
Jeff @ May 7th 2008 4:17PM
Does anyone else have a problem where it starts up normally and then right when your at the main menu it says that the internet connection is not there, When it is and I can access any other channel like the shop? Please give me your feedback! I'm lost
Spekkio @ May 7th 2008 6:37PM
I like how they pay attention to what people are playing. I think that means we'll get more of what we want and less of what we don't.
Also, maybe this channel can help stop some of the third-party and analyst whining. I assume that Nintendo will put up info on third-party games if asked nicely. This can help with the game attach rate.
Ballard @ May 8th 2008 1:10AM
this puts me down to
Ballard @ May 8th 2008 1:11AM
< 100 blocks!!!!!!