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Chris Leigh
03 Dec, 2006

Reggie: Wii online gaming coming Q2 2007

Wii News | More Wii channels promised, also.
Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has confirmed that Wii gamers will be able to play games online from the second quarter of 2007. Reggie's pledge came in an interview with SpikeTV's Game Head show (which saw the Ninty president indulging in some bowling - of both the real-life and Wii variety), where he also let slip that more Wii channels were in the works.

So far, Japan is the only region with a Wii game [Pokémon Battle Revolution - Ed] that can be played online. However, that's set to change in the coming months, with Fils-Aime promising, "The multiplayer is coming. During the Japanese launch, there is Pokémon Battle Revolution, and that's really the first one. There will be titles that we'll be announcing in first quarter 2007, that'll be multiplayer-enabled. So during second quarter 2007, people will be able to have a multiplayer experience on Wii."

In further good news for Wii fans, Fils-Aime revealed that Nintendo was hard at work developing more Wii channels, though revealed nothing about what they would involve.

He was also kept busy when it came to defending the Wii controller from accusations that it may be a tad gimmicky. "I've had the opportunity to play Zelda, Excite Truck, Wii Sports, a little bit of Red Steel, a little bit of Madden," said Reggie. "It doesn't get old. It really doesn't get old. Wii will only become a gimmick if it's marginalised in terms of the way the remote is used, and we have absolutely no indication that that's going to happen."

Aside from that, Fils-Aime also discussed the "Wii60" phrase coined by Microsoft's Peter Moore ("Can I endorse the 360? Honestly, no"), the prospect of Mario appearing in a GTA-style game ("You'll never see that") what game he thinks would be best online ("The ultimate one would be Mario Kart, on a multiplayer basis"), and generally came across as a fairly good egg.

Mind you, his real-life bowling skills suck.

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23 Comments
3 years ago
"Can I endorse the 360? Honestly, no"

REJECTED!
3 years ago
bowling sucks, therefore Reggie won't waste his awesomeness on it, unless its in some sort of video game form, therefore cool.
3 years ago
Gutsman Heavy wrote
bowling sucks, therefore Reggie won't waste his awesomeness on it, unless its in some sort of video game form, therefore cool.
Yes... icon_shifty.gif

Anyway, I like this news, more Wii Channels is a good thing, and online games in early 2007 is also great. icon_smile.gif Bring it on (SSBB). icon_biggrin.gif
3 years ago
SSBB wont be early 07. Will it, 838 La? icon_wink.gif
3 years ago
^ A promise is a promise, when it does come out, I'll burn u a copy
E3 is no more anyways, so the bet is off. icon_razz.gif
3 years ago
Anyone else think that this isn't really good enough? The console should be launching with at least 1 online game in all regions IMO.
3 years ago
I agree - and its not like you can say Nintendo haven't had enough time to implement it.

There will be no excuses for anything but a perfect online system by the time they actually launch this network.
3 years ago
Even if the Wii didn't have a online game at launch, it should be ready to play online from the moment you plug it in.

Come on Ninty.
3 years ago
DancesInUnderwear wrote
I agree - and its not like you can say Nintendo haven't had enough time to implement it.

There will be no excuses for anything but a perfect online system by the time they actually launch this network.
Well, the online sysem is already going actually. People in the U.S are feverishly sharing Wii Codes with other people. Right now, when you put in somebody's code, you can have random miis from their console come to visit, and you can send each other messsages. But, as far as playing on online game goes, nothing yet. They're just getting ready.
3 years ago
Yeah, I realise that, but look how long they're taking to get it ready, and going. Will SSB be released before the online play is going?

If so, that is SHAMEFUL.
3 years ago
Jim Dash wrote
Yeah, I realise that, but look how long they're taking to get it ready, and going. Will SSB be released before the online play is going?

If so, that is SHAMEFUL.
True, that would suck. I would lose a fair bit of respect for Nintendo if that happened. I can't see it happening though, they've already got it going in Japan (with Pokemon Battle Revolution), so they should be pretty organised.
3 years ago
I can't believe Nintendo are releasing a console in 2006/2007 without any online games.

That's incredibly backwards considering their forwards-thinking actions of late.
3 years ago
admeister wrote
Well, the online sysem is already going actually. People in the U.S are feverishly sharing Wii Codes with other people.
I can see people walking into polls or starting random shootings in US, to get someone's username on PS3.
3 years ago
The Brett wrote
I can't believe Nintendo are releasing a console in 2006/2007 without any online games.

That's incredibly backwards considering their forwards-thinking actions of late.
True enough. Still, this is their first time at making their home console fully (and properly) online compatible, so I guess they are still learning. They managed to do it with the DS, now they have to perfect it for the Wii. Also, don't forget that its a free service.
3 years ago
Being free pretty much redeems it for me. I know it's only $99 a year for Xbox Live membership, and that may be bugger all to some or heaps to others.

At least they got that right.
3 years ago
I think it's dissapointing that there are no online games, but I'm not too fussed. Online doesn't make or brake a game for me.
3 years ago
Free means you should not gripe. Its free. Be happy icon_smile.gif.

Actually its $79.95 now for 12 month Live! Gold membership I renewed mine yesterday.

Look Nintendo will get there and I agree they probably in hindsight should have participated better last gen to get the wrinkles ironed out. Sony is still ironing out its own wrinkles and it did participate last generation.

Still unsure how or if they are going to implement multi player in any of the older SNES, N64 and GC titles. If so anybody know?
3 years ago
Online will only be for Wii titles designed for it. You will not see online funtionality added to older games. Rembemer, they're being emulated, not ported.
3 years ago
^ ur a bit wrong there

The VC games can be updated, so that very well could mean online multiplayer (it was revealed a bit over a week ago, i think)
icon_biggrin.gif

Not soo sure about GCN games though
3 years ago
After having to wait for Mario Kart DS to be released on the Nintendo DS. This isn't really surprising.
3 years ago
Dare wrote
^ ur a bit wrong there

The VC games can be updated, so that very well could mean online multiplayer (it was revealed a bit over a week ago, i think)
icon_biggrin.gif
I remember reporting that news, with some pleasure I must add. icon_smile.gif Online for older games = great. Like you said though, GCN is doubtful, unless they somehwo expanded on th online functions of games like MK:DD. Maybe a patch to make it fully online compatible?
3 years ago
Seeing as other, less reputable, agents have offered online for Nintendo's various older systems I find it hard to believe that the company themselves couldn't achieve it.
2 years ago
there should be online for older games icon_smile.gif




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