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While it falls some way short of a hardware price cut, Japanese gaming titan Nintendo has this week moved to increase the appeal of its motion-sensing Wii by making online access through the console’s Internet Channel completely and utterly free.
Web browsing now free (again) on the Wii. Image: Futurama Rules/Flickr.
In effect as of September 01, every Wii owner has open usage of the console’s on-board Web browser, which is now compatible with an updated version of Adobe Flash player. And, beyond regular Net surfing, users also have online access to the Nintendo Channel, an interactive guide providing a wealth of trailers, mini-documentaries, product demos, and gameplay videos.
“Wii has truly changed the way people play games, but it is more than just a game console,” enthused Cammie Dunaway, executive vice president of Sales & Marketing for Nintendo of America (NoA).
“Wii owners have access to a wealth of fun entertainment, information and practical tools like the Internet Channel, which is another great way for the whole family to enjoy their consoles with no additional costs involved,” she added.
Nintendo’s decision to remove fee-based access to the Internet Channel is something of a backpeddle insofar as usage was offered free when the Wii launched in November of 2006. However, that initial promotion was removed in July of 2007, when access was only provided in return for 500 Wii Points (approx. $5 USD).
In order to avoid any incoming user backlash from Wii owners who’ve paid the 500 Wii Points since July of 2007, Nintendo has said it will provide paying customers with a free NES game download of their choice from the Virtual Console.
Further details regarding the download offer will be posted to the Wii Message Board in the coming weeks. Presently, Nintendo will only confirm that downloads will start at the end of October and will, of course, deliver games worth 500 Wii Points.
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