Nintendo to offer WiiWare demos

By Oli Welsh Published 4 November, 2009

Just a few. Iwata sounds sceptical.

According to Joystiq, Nintendo said that it would being offering demos for WiiWare games at its recent investor Q&A.

President Satoru Iwata said it would dip a toe in the water by offering a small selection of demos this month. He didn't discuss regions, so it would be safe to assume this is only happening in Japan for now.

He hoped it would bring more passing traffic to the Wii Shop Channel, but nonetheless said he still doubted demos' effectiveness as a promotional tool. Let's hope the Japanese public proves him wrong.

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About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (15) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • Eraysor #1 2 years ago

    I struggle to see how letting people try out a game before buying is a bad thing, unless you are purposely making bad games.

  • JonFE #2 2 years ago

    Demos for both WiiWare and Virtual Console offerings are way overdue. This is a step in the right direction and should cover all games eventually.

  • woodnotes #3 2 years ago

    Quite surprised. Nintendo has always been anti-demos.

  • berelain #4 2 years ago

    Its about time. The main reason I don't buy content from Wii ware or the PSN is because most games don't have demos available, and with no prospect of trading a game in if I don't like it, I refuse to part with the money on an unknown quantity. Microsoft did the right thing by forcing all Xbox Live Arcade and Indie games to have a free trial; it should be standard on all systems these days.

  • wizlon #5 2 years ago

    He's right, I've never bought a game after enjoying the demo... no wait a minute, I've frequently bought games after enjoying the demo. Crazy old man!

  • muscleblade #6 2 years ago

    I didnt even know Wiiware and PSN didnt have demos. Glad i could enjoy the Lucidity demo on Xbla since that gave me all i needed from the game for free. The look and music is fantastic but i had enough after playing the demo levels. I want to try all games on the service so demos is great. Havent had the time to play demos lately though. Too much retail games to play.

  • muscleblade #7 2 years ago

    "It's a start, but we need retail game demos. "

    Not many retail games for the Wii would increase sales by having a demo. Arent most Wii games pretty crap - the third party ones. Nintendos own games is another thing of course, but you dont need demos for those either as you know their great anyway.

  • darkmorgado #8 2 years ago

    Good thing, though I agree that the reluctance to offer demos is down more to the knowledge that most of the games being released are utter crap and that demos would actually harm their sales.

    I really hate that PSN or Wii have little/no demos. Really, they want me to fork out up to 15 quid a time with no information on a game beyond blatant PR spiel? You can say read reviews, but then you fall into the chestnut of reviews being subjective and not agreeing with them.

    I currently have 15 quid in my PSN wallet which I keep deciding against spending just in case I end up buying a game I don't like. And I've never considered buying Wii points (though I do want the Lost Winds games).

  • JetSetWilly #9 2 years ago

    I think he further elaborated by saying that the only people using the Wii Shop were those who knew exactly what they wanted to buy. This is what has persuaded him to consider a demo service. Such a service would certainly remove a barrier to me buying more WiiWare. All they'd need to do then is let me buy stuff with real money, rather than forcing me to sink money into points that won't get used.

  • kipper #10 2 years ago

    @ XrustynutsX
    Posts like yours make English teachers sad. Just a little effort would make for greater readability.
    Edited by 1 at 04/11/09 @ 11:17

  • kipper #11 2 years ago

    @ MilkybKid1985
    I agree there's really no excuse for not providing a demo. Indeed there are several games such as Gears of War which I have not bought simply because I can't try before I buy.
    On the other hand wanting a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied is just wishful thinking and totally unrealistic I am afraid.
    I am only aware of one manufacturer for any type of product (Logitech) which makes such an offer.

  • dubdivision #12 2 years ago

    This might finally persuade me to try some wiiware titles.

  • Joco84 #13 2 years ago

    This is one of a couple of areas I feel Nintendo lets itself down.

    Demos are a great way of allowing people to try-before-they-buy. It enables consumers to make an educated decision when it comes to buying their next game. This will enable people to see what is AAA from what is "Shovelware" and will hopefully encourage developers to make more of the former and less of the latter.

  • Senate #14 2 years ago

    whats there to doubt?

  • Burkey123 #15 2 years ago

    Yes, now I can try one or two wiiware games I'm reluctant to buy.
    Make it happen Nintendo!
    Edited by 1 at 04/11/09 @ 18:44