Downloadable games on Revolution won't be free

Wii News | Nintendo classics will command a fee.

In a business strategy conference held in Japan, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has played down internet rumours that Nintendo will be offering its first-party back catalogue for free on its next-generation Revolution console. 'We have no plans to distribute [our back catalogue] without a fee,' insisted Iwata, though he did hint that certain classic Nintendo titles will be used as promotional freebies.

The Revolution's ability to download and play the company's first-party titles from the last decade or so - a feature labelled by Nintendo as the 'Virtual Console' - was never truly likely to be entirely free. As it is, Iwata would not be drawn on what kind of pricing scheme Nintendo has in mind, and instead explained the motive for the unique download service as 'an attempt to create a system which allows both Nintendo and [third-party publishers] to make a profit by using [software titles] from the past.'

Even more interestingly - and here's why this story is also in the Nintendo DS section, folks - the Nintendo boss also revealed that Revolution owners will be able to download demos for the Nintendo DS to the console and then transfer them wirelessly to their handhelds. Nifty.

More news as it breaks.

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16 Comments

ObsoletE

7 years ago

this doesn't really surprise me...

so long as demos are free though...

Andronicus

7 years ago

Yeah - Nintendo is a business - it's not often that a business offers out freebies, hey?

I'm sure the arranngement will be reasonable.

mangaman

7 years ago

wasn't expecting it to be free anyways.

oh, wait, yes i was...

Big Pete

7 years ago

*NEWS HEADLINE*

mangaman can't afford a Revolution, we repeat mangaman can't afford a Revolution.

mangaman

7 years ago

NEWS HEADLINE AFTERWARDS
mangaman EARNS revolution after recieving Dux of the college award.

Large student friend has head smacked by father

Big Pete

7 years ago

NEW HEADLINE

Big Pete challenges mangaman for his Revolution.

mangaman

7 years ago

NEWS HEADLINE
Big Pete has revolution taken away by mangaman

Big Pete

7 years ago

NEWS HEADLINE

Big Pete buys new Revolution...finds out the controller is also a lightsaber...fights mangaman.

mangaman

7 years ago

*picks up broomstick, goes to challenge Big Pete*
NEWS HEADLINE
broom versus light stick, who will win?

Big Pete

7 years ago

*NEWS HEADLINE*
Big Pete looks beaten until...ANIME GUY runs in...smacking mangaman over the head with a Sailor Moon dvd and running off.

mangaman

7 years ago

NEWS HEADLINE
Big Pete about to deliver the final blow, until Large Rob comes in and lands on his leg, temporarily paralyzing him. Well, it's a draw folks!

Big Pete

7 years ago

NEWS HEADLINE

Big Pete and mangaman have joined forces to take on their rivals...how long will the partnership survive? No one knows

mangaman

7 years ago

(continued story)
...the search for mangaman and Big Pete impersonators is on, whatis their real identity?

Big Pete

7 years ago