Nintendo announces online service for Wii U and 3DS

Binh Nguyen 29 Jan, 2012 at 12:57pm ET Article published in Gaming

Nintendo has announced a new online service for the upcoming Wii U and the currently available Nintendo 3DS called Nintendo Network. It will support full digital game downloads, DLC and add-ons, and offer a personal account system on the Wii U. Is this the answer that Nintendo fans have been waiting for? A place of their own to call home, where they do not have to deal with the ‘civilized’ players on XBL or PSN? Satoru Iwata says,

Whether it’s our first-party titles or third parties’ titles, for a number of games, we will actively attempt to achieve compatibility so that our consumers can enjoy our online services that we will deploy under the name of the Nintendo Network. Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that they company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers. For example, competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content, will be covered within the Nintendo Network.

The first title will be on the Nintendo 3DS called “Tobidasu Pricla Kiradeco Revolution” followed by “Theatrhythm Final Fantasy”. We can most likely look forward to a more comprehensive announcement of Nintendo Network at E3 2012 this June.

Comments

29 Jan 2012 ~ 12:59pm primesuspect Okay wait:
we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that they company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers. For example, competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content, will be covered within the Nintendo Network.
That is the most long-winded way of saying "It's like Xbox Live and PSN" that I can imagine. "Can make comprehensive proposals to consumers"? I'll chalk it up to awkward translations.
29 Jan 2012 ~ 1:11pm BHHammy In no way shape or form am I bashing Nintendo here, but the only real thing I can say to them is, "It's about time you caught up with the rest of the class."

I'm wondering if this is part of Nintendo's stated commitment last year to be more third-party friendly? If they can release some killer downloadable games for the 3DS, like Shadow Complex or many others were for the 360, they'd stand to make some serious bank.

That is, if Vita doesn't completely beat them to the punch in advance. Given the track records of both Sony and Nintendo when it comes to online service and quality though, I say at this point it's a crapshoot.
29 Jan 2012 ~ 1:28pm Dude If Nintendo thinks they're getting another dime from me, they're sadly mistaken. I for one am seriously pissed about this SOPA/PIPA/ACTA bullshit and it would be hypocritical of me to give them my support in the form of money. So my comment is "who cares?"
29 Jan 2012 ~ 3:43pm Canti The first title will be on the Nintendo 3DS called “Tobidasu Pricla Kiradeco Revolution”.

Seriously? Without even knowing what that game is about I can tell you it's going to sell like garbage in the US just because of it's name. Did they really not learn anything from the crappy launch titles for the 3DS being the reason for it's poor sales? If they want their new platform to do well they need to have games that use it which people will actually play.
29 Jan 2012 ~ 3:52pm Canti After looking this game up garbage might sell better actually.

I'd totally play it.
29 Jan 2012 ~ 4:05pm primesuspect That's not a US launch title.
29 Jan 2012 ~ 5:04pm Canti I can dream though can't I?