WiiWare launches in Japan

By Robert Purchese Published 25 March, 2008

Nine titles now available.

Nintendo has launched its WiiWare Channel in Japan, offering nine fresh games for download.

These range from Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles spin off My Life as a King, which sees you building and managing your own town, to Dr. Mario, which has you handling drugs. You can see some of games in action on Eurogamer TV.

The WiiWare Channel, called Wii Software here, will launch in the US on 12th May. Nintendo has yet to announce a European date.

Prices for the games range from 500 Wii Points (~GBP 3.50 / EUR 5) up to 1500 Wii Points (~GBP 10.50 / EUR 15).

Here's that Japanese launch list in full:

  • Okiraku Ping Pong Wii - 500 Wii Points (~GBP 3.50 / EUR 5)
  • Tenshi Solitaire - 500 Wii Points (~GBP 3.50 / EUR 5)
  • Star Solider R - 800 Wii Points (~GBP 6 / EUR 8)
  • Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Wii - 1000 Wii Points (~GBP 7.00 / EUR 10.00)
  • Saku Saku Animal Panic - 1000 Wii Points (~GBP 7.00 / EUR 10.00)
  • Dr. Mario & Saikin Bokumetsu - 1000 Wii Points (~GBP 7.00 / EUR 10.00)
  • Minna no Pokemon Bokujou - 1000 Wii Points (~GBP 7.00 / EUR 10.00)
  • Lonpos - 1000 Wii Points (~GBP 7.00 / EUR 10.00)
  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - 1500 Wii Points (~GBP 10.50 / EUR 15)
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.

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Comments (6) Latest comment 4 years ago

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  • Les #1 4 years ago

    Pricing seems rather high and I still hate points as a rip-off alternative to genuine currency.
    Edited by 1 at 25/03/08 @ 13:13

  • moggsy #2 4 years ago

    @ Les

    Points are used to get around currency problems. Would prefer them to display the actual price myself though too.

  • PsychoPingu #3 4 years ago

    The update notes (yes, some saddo does bother to read them ;) ) when I got the latest Wii Shop Channel update mentioned "WiiWare" and "May 2008" - I have a UK console. Sure someone can find a photo of the update somewhere on teh intarwebs >.>

  • DanWhitehead #4 4 years ago

    Why can't they call it WiiWare?

    Because people would confuse it with a police siren.

  • Les #5 4 years ago

    "Points are used to get around currency problems."

    That's what MS and Nintendo want you to think. First and foremost it's just a psycho trick to make you spend more money. That it might save them some maintenance costs is just a side benefit for them, sure as hell isn't being passed on to consumers via a lower price...

  • Canyarion #6 4 years ago

    Yeah, my latest Wii firmware update also mentioned WiiWare and May 2008.