Free Opera browser for Wii

By Robert Purchese Published 19 December, 2006

Trial version on 22nd December.

Pointing the remote control at the television like your ageing parents is now a hip thing to do, thanks to Nintendo. And now there's a trial version of the Opera Web browser on the Wii, available from Friday, perhaps you can even teach the the old dears a thing or two about new technology.

The deal with Opera Software will see the full version of the browser becoming available by March 2007, and will be free for Wii users to download until June 2007; from then onwards it will cost 500 Wii points from the Wii Shop Channel.

Surfing the web is just one of the options available from the console's Menu Channels. The Internet Channel joins the Disc Channel, Photo Channel, Mii Channel and Wii Shop Channel, as well as the freshly launched Forecast Channel.

It's all part of Nintendo's grand plan to expand who plays games.

"In addition to providing innovative and exciting new ways to play, Wii also offers further services and entertainment for all the family. This newest Wii Menu Channel is just the latest example of how we are doing this," says Nintendo Europe's Marketing Director, Laurent Fischer. "Wii is the perfect console for everyone to enjoy and this is being reflected in the phenomenal sales across Europe."

With more than 100,000 units shifted in the UK alone, it seems as though they may be on to something.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (57) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • MoGamer2006 #1 5 years ago

    It's a Gamecube with a gimmicky controller, it's got no good games, and you can't even buy one if you want one...

    ...Just thought we'd get that out of the way before we start. ;-)

  • MadMirko #2 5 years ago

    You forgot it's a one trick pony and will be gone this time next year. Also it ruined the games scene by opening it up to the mainstream and therefore dumbing down the games themselves.

  • chupachups #3 5 years ago

    What are the limitations on the trial version?


    "You forgot it's a one trick pony and will be gone this time next year. Also it ruined the games scene by opening it up to the mainstream and therefore dumbing down the games themselves."

    ROFL :)

  • MadMirko #4 5 years ago

    According to Gamasutra "trial" means "beta". So the limitations could be anything from missing features to lack of stability. We'll see on Friday, I guess.

    ROFL

    Are you mocking me, Sir? I demand SATISFACTION, and the weapon of choice will be the Wii remote, destroyer of TVs, bloody scourge of the weak.

  • MadMirko #5 5 years ago

    Dont fool yourselve boy

    Sorry, I think I fooled you instead. Of course I was joking, like MoGamer2006, and by condensing all the verbal garbage I had to read in comments and the forum I thought to show how ridiculous some fanboys once again have become.

    I'm sorry, and vow to properly mark my next attempts at humor and or subtlety with a ;)

  • haywire #6 5 years ago

    /gasps

    i thought the whole thread was serious!

    ;)

  • captainrentboy #7 5 years ago

    The demand for the Wii in my store is absolutely crazy,it's like nothing I've seen before,and by the end of this week I think I might actually snap and answer the phone in a professional manner such as this
    ''Good afternoon this is Game where you cannot buy or fucking reserve the cunting Nintendo Wii,you're fresh out of luck fuckface,your child's christmas wish is totally unobtainable this year,I guess you should have preordered with us 3 months ago like we said you should huh?...How can I help?''

  • chupachups #8 5 years ago

    "According to Gamasutra "trial" means "beta". So the limitations could be anything from missing features to lack of stability. We'll see on Friday, I guess."

    It sounds a bit stupid to knowingly put something unstable on a console, people buy them to get away from all the problems they experience with computers.

  • KillerMonkey #9 5 years ago

    Excellent, Opera rules.
    And free stuff is always good.

  • MadMirko #10 5 years ago

    It sounds a bit stupid to knowingly put something unstable on a console

    Agreed, and I don't think they do it "knowingly". It's rather a way out IF something goes wrong.

    "Ok, it broke, but we TOLD you it's a beta". Or something like that.

  • chupachups #11 5 years ago

    ""Ok, it broke, but we TOLD you it's a beta". Or something like that."

    I don't think the Wii's target audience would know what a beta was though, they might think it's pure shoddy workmanship.

    I wouldn't think that, I use betas all the time, I'm just saying a lot of people unfamiliar with the world of computing might think that.

  • Tomo #12 5 years ago

    Dear oh dear bengali - they made you look like an absolute tard.

  • smelly #13 5 years ago

    @MadMirko: LOL - well done! can i make some alterations? lol

    You forgot it's a one trick pony thats technically over a year out of date and shouldve been launched this time last year. Theres no decent games out for it, and there never will be. It also comes with a useless gimick which is of no use to anyone. Its too expensive, and there's not nearly enough of them to go around...



    (erm.. shit.. sorry.. we're not talking about the ps3 are we? )

  • smelly #14 5 years ago

    It sounds a bit stupid to knowingly put something unstable on a console


    Like a 360 game before it gets patched? :-)

  • ProtoformX #15 5 years ago

    Saying the Wii is just a Gamecube with a flashy controller is completely true - that's exactly what it is. But then aren't all new consoles just the same as their predecessors just with a new gimmick? It's just that here Nintendo have chosen to make the gimick a different way to play games rather than giving them high definition visuals. Only time will tell - when the DS was launched everyone remarked how it was just a GBA with an extra screen, but it has passed the test with a wide variety of applications from Nintendogs and Brain Training for the casual gamer and newbie to things like Metroid Prime Hunters for the more involved gamer to the Nintendo DS browser for those people who really must have everything.
    But there is still the chance that Nintendo will fail again. I've been playing Nintendo consoles since the NES and in the 8- and 16-bit eras, Nintendo was all I'd touch. But these days I wouldn't be able to enjoy the full spectrum of gaming with just my Wii. I've got an Xbox 360 as well for the more "normal" games and I may be getting a PS3 as well depending upon a) financial situation at the time and b) launch lineup.
    Now the 360 is in plenty of supply this Christmas it's selling very well. I think the test of the Wii will be how well it will sell next Christmas when it's in better supply. That of course will be the true test, as then it must compete with the PlayStation juggernaut.

  • Mr_Brown #16 5 years ago

    Good stuff, can't wait to start browsing the web with the Wii.

    As for the Wii being gone this time next year...whoever truely thinks that must be seriously demented. I'm not sure whether Nintendo will win the next Gen war (perhaps they already have with the DS :x ) But theres no doubt it will be a sucess (already is in fact). The games will get better ffs, with new idea's there needs to be time for developers to make the most of them. It'll be similar to the DS scene really.

  • JediMasterMalik #17 5 years ago

    No comments on how the Wii isn't finished yet? Didn't think so...
    Edited by 1 at 19/12/06 @ 19:17

  • nightsparkle #18 5 years ago

    now if only my remote would point where i point it.

  • madgfx #19 5 years ago

    captainrentboy may be if your shi*e company had removed Nintendo Wii Stock Update Page?

    Stock instore: Limited Availability - Store Finder OH LOOK WHATS THIS ??? DOH

    There are currently a very limited number of Wii Consoles available in GAME Stores. Please contact your local store for more information

    May be if you stated which store's had the limited stock they would not be calling you.....

    i wonder why people are calling you?....... your about as much help as a puddle of Wii

    as for the Wii its great machine....just check how many are ebay lol.






  • MadMirko #20 5 years ago

    I don't think the Wii's target audience would know what a beta was

    Agreed again, and that's why they call it a "trial" instead. :)

    To be honest, I respect the Opera guys very much and I use their browser on PCs, the DS, my phone, and based on my experiences I don't expect any problems at all. But they are a small company, and I imagine doing a browser for the Wii was as much a challenge as doing a game for it. Hence the trial, so they can gather feedback and so forth.

  • crazyhorse174 #21 5 years ago

    "Good stuff, can't wait to start browsing the web with the Wii."

    What? As opposed to however your browsing it now?

    Why are people getting so excited about being able to browse te web on their console? You clearly all have the ability to browse it at the moment! Whats the big deal!?!?

  • smelly #22 5 years ago

    >Whats the big deal!?!?

    Well :

    1. I can do it on a tv without turning on pooter
    2. It's free (unlike on other consoles)

  • Mr_Brown #23 5 years ago

    "What? As opposed to however your browsing it now?

    Why are people getting so excited about being able to browse te web on their console? You clearly all have the ability to browse it at the moment! Whats the big deal!?!?"

    Easy, its alot more hassle to turn on my PC than it is to switch on my Wii. As well as that I can't wait to browse the web sitting comfortably using a Wii mote to select things rather than be crouch over a keyboard and mouse, which I hate. Also it means I can switch between playing Ninty games and going on the net easily. It may not be the case for everyone, but for me, that is a big deal!

  • chupachups #24 5 years ago

    "Why are people getting so excited about being able to browse te web on their console? You clearly all have the ability to browse it at the moment! Whats the big deal!?!?"

    Fair point, and it will be much worse than using the web on a PC because the Wii's resolution is so small and it has no keyboard.

    But I could imagine people using it just to take a quick look at some news headlines in the morning, and the £3 price tag isn't outrageous.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #25 5 years ago

    There is a lot more to this. The browser will support Flash. There are already pages hosting flash games designed to be played on the Wii. And youtube will work too. The quality of the videos is not always the best but it will still be nice to watch some of them on a bigger screen.

    And switching on the Wii to check the news in the morning is more convenient then anything else especially since the tv will be in the living room so checking the news during breakfast will definetly be a what a lot of people will do; I check the teletext every morning during breakfast too because it is a fast way to get up to date without having to read the much longer newspaper articles for which I often do not have the time.

  • BartonFink #26 5 years ago

    Given how slow the Wii is at making connections I am not all that sure how much I would use it. But hey it's free \o/

  • #27 5 years ago

    Barton, I guess like me you are getting rather bored with the 'Please wait - connecting' messages :)

  • TriodeBliss #28 5 years ago

    @ Der_tolle_Emil

    You don't think they'll cripple the Flash support by using an older version (like the PSP does)?

  • Xerx3s #29 5 years ago

    >Whats the big deal!?!?

    Well :

    1. I can do it on a tv without turning on pooter
    2. It's free (unlike on other consoles)

    Yeh but I can already browse on me telly for free and I don't need to shell out 250 € to do it. Not that I actually use it as the novelty thing quickly wore off and in the end a pc is still the best place to browse around.

  • Floppy #30 5 years ago

    I'm all for the Opera browser, as checking who that 'someone' is in the film your watching... and what were they in before on IMDB will be a Wii controller away.

    As for checking it for news, well we have teletext for that. Something we Europeans take for granted, as I believe the Americans don't have that kind of service. Which will make it handy for them.
    Edited by 1 at 19/12/06 @ 23:15

  • chupachups #31 5 years ago

    I suppose it's more a case of why not have a browser rather than why have one.

    Any modern computer with an internet connection can handle displaying websites, there's no specialist equipment required.

  • in5ane #32 5 years ago

    I have a PC connected to my HDTV, with a nice wireless keyboard/mouse combo, and the novelty of surfing the net on couch with the telly still wore out very quickly.

    Low res, no keyboard net surfing on the wii doesn't sound any more appealing, and that isn't knocking the wii. Just maybe there are things the wii is good at (games?) and things the wii isn't good at (the multimedia stuff nintendo said wasn't part of their plan?)

    A browser is free on the PS3 remember, and it's actually pretty good. Tabs, bookmarks, works well with a pad, option for USB keyboard/mouse, Flash and javascript support. The only problem is the way the PS3 interface actually gets bigger/smaller with resolution (like a PC) and hence at 1080i the net looks too small.

    A PC is really the best way to surf, and if you want to do it on your couch, get a cheap wireless laptop, cos then you can watch TV at the same time :)

  • chupachups #33 5 years ago

    "So why can't they have the Wii output at 720p / 1080i for browsing the web.. would sure make webpages easier to view, not even places like yahoo work in 640x480 ive just tryed it and its awful.. you even have to sideways scroll in the EG forum."

    It might not be worth bothering with as most people don't have HDTVs, and the Wii is particularly aimed at people who aren't likely to be early adopters.

    Adding web support to SDTV hardware costs nothing extra, they might as well, but adding HDTV support would cost extra and be wasted on the majority of their customers who don't have a HDTV.

  • Matsuo #34 5 years ago

    You know, this could actually be the first online experience for my parents. My mum wanted to learn how to surf for ages. But it's getting too complicated to say, turn on PC, log in with your account and click this icon. THEN you're ready to surf.

    Now I can tell her, switch on Wii like a TV, click this channel and you're ready to go. Easy! I'm really curious about the Opera browser. I'm hoping it's full-featured. Can't wait!

  • Kazzahdrane #35 5 years ago

    Watching Burnt Face Man on my TV with friends? I am THERE.

  • elvenearth #36 5 years ago

    So, now we can leave comments on Eurogamer with the Wii?

  • quantumsheep #37 5 years ago

    Imagine Saturday morning lie ins if you have your Wii in your bedroom...


    /curtains

  • Psychotext #38 5 years ago

    Sorry, I like the Wii but that resolution is impossible to browse the web with. No-one develops for it anymore. (Hell, a lot of sites wont work in 800x600 properly).

  • Sid-Nice #39 5 years ago

    Saying the Wii is just a Gamecube with a flashy controller is completely true - that's exactly what it is. Poppycock.

  • peak_performance #40 5 years ago

    "Sorry, I like the Wii but that resolution is impossible to browse the web with. No-one develops for it anymore. (Hell, a lot of sites wont work in 800x600 properly)."

    Yeah, that's why people don't browse the web with PDAs and stuff.

  • MadMirko #41 5 years ago

    "Sorry, I like the Wii but that resolution is impossible to browse the web with. No-one develops for it anymore. (Hell, a lot of sites wont work in 800x600 properly)."

    Yeah, that's why people don't browse the web with PDAs and stuff.

    Exactly. Also, knowing Opera, there will be a variety of modes to aid you in browsing sites made for other resolutions. Opera mobile and Opera DS can fit your page to the screen-width with various "tricks" like rendering the menu frames / bars on top of the page instead on the sides, so you don't have to sidescroll.

    On mobile devices they do a very good job, and those screens are usually more restricted than a TV, so I don't see why they couldn't make it work with the Wii.

  • smoison #42 5 years ago

    As if most sites need more then 800x600. Most computers that surf the web have shitty PC's with exactly that resolution.

  • Eighthours #43 5 years ago

    I just hope the thing runs faster than the rest of Nintendo's online service so far. Connecting to the Wii Shop takes way longer than it should do.

  • Razz #44 5 years ago

    Excellent

    The online game applications will be really cool. Loads of Wii specific sites have already popped up. It's going to be a good time.

    Loads of fun ahead :)

  • Razz #45 5 years ago

    Excellent

    The online game applications will be really cool. Loads of Wii specific sites have already popped up. It's going to be a good time.

    Loads of fun ahead :)

  • KingOfMyCastle #46 5 years ago

    This'll be fun. I'll have radiotimes.com as the home page so I can get a good TV guide at last.

    One thing I was hoping for from Nintendo was the emulation of a DS Download Station. I'm sure this was promised at one point. I really need to put some fresh Sudokus on my Brain Training and the ones in all the stores never work. Any news on this?

  • bigbadbeasty #47 5 years ago

    I can't belive some people are bitching because it is offering another service. If you do not want to use it, then bloody don't!

    The way some of you go on, you act like choice is a bad thing!

  • Psychotext #48 5 years ago

    I don't browse the web with PDAs either because that sucks too. =)

  • Ginger #49 5 years ago

    As long as the browser supports flash then I'm going for it in a big way - imagine flOw on a decent sized screen :)

  • dadrester #50 5 years ago

    I can't belive some people are bitching because it is offering another service. If you do not want to use it, then bloody don't!

    The way some of you go on, you act like choice is a bad thing!

    i think the bitching stems from the fact nintendo making (or not if you don't want) you to pay for something that in all honesty ought to be free. If sony decided to lock their PS3 or PSP browser and make you pay to unlock it there'd be an uproar.

  • bigbadbeasty #51 5 years ago

    "I can't belive some people are bitching because it is offering another service. If you do not want to use it, then bloody don't!

    The way some of you go on, you act like choice is a bad thing!

    i think the bitching stems from the fact nintendo making (or not if you don't want) you to pay for something that in all honesty ought to be free. If sony decided to lock their PS3 or PSP browser and make you pay to unlock it there'd be an uproar.
    "

    Isn't it like £3?

    Cheapskates!

  • Khanivor #52 5 years ago

    I don't get this it's easier to switch omn my Wii then PC. To switch on my PC I hit one button and wait. To switch on the 360 I switch it on, the amplifier on then the TV ans then change the channel to the correct one.

    I know which one requires less effort.

  • peak_performance #53 5 years ago

    "i think the bitching stems from the fact nintendo making (or not if you don't want) you to pay for something that in all honesty ought to be free. If sony decided to lock their PS3 or PSP browser and make you pay to unlock it there'd be an uproar."

    Except it's not their browser, but Opera's. Though I see your point, and it's sadly true.

  • AOFanboi #54 5 years ago

    <em>ought to be free</em>

    TANSTAAFL! Nothing is "free" - at best, it's included in the price, at worst someone else pays for it (subsidies). That's the same way Blu-Ray drive in PS3 is "free".

  • Psi #55 5 years ago

    @in5ane yup i've found exactly the same as you have mate. 720p from 3meters away is just too much strain on the eyes.

    whoever said why don't they output 1080 on the wii for the browser... dude more pixels won't help :S your tv is positioned differently to a monitor, you don't sit 50cm away from it all the time, detail is proportional to distance and a 480p with large fonts would be fine for ordering the shopping online etc. and your wii will not get that many viruses :)

  • mderbyshire #56 5 years ago

    Opera is about the best browser as far as scaling/zooming is concerned, no? Unlike on other browsers, where only text is resized when you zoom in/out, the whole page (including all images) are resized in Opera, too. For that reason, there should be no problems with viewing even those sites which are designed for really high resolutions (when compared to that of a standard resolution TV, anyway). Opera will most likely automatically resize any sites that do not fit on your screen as standard, and then give you the option to view it at it's full size (with scroll bars), if you so desire.

  • PameBoy #57 5 years ago

    ok guys, i am inputting this comment using the wii browser! i guess i must be the first one ;p
    it actually works really well, the resolution's a bit iffy but everything's completely scalable. i've already checked my email and listened to songs on myspace. pages load very quickly. text input's a bit slow but that's to be expected. i've got no doubt this should turn out to be extremely convenient! i can soon realise my dream of staying in bed *all* day :p

  • Virvel #58 5 years ago

    web-surfing using a TV-box is by far the preferred method in my home. PCs are clumsy, needs wires, batteries, booting, patching, etc. The Wii will take over this function now from the old cable-TV browser (which doesnt support flash).

    500 Wii points I will gladly pay for this, but I agree with people that this should be free.