Nintendo Announces Video Streaming for the Wii


Nintendo has just announced an initiative, launched together with Dentsu, which aims to bring streaming video content to the Nintendo Wii. The service is set to arrive in Japan in 2009 and if the initiative proves successful, Western launches will follow shortly.

Nintendo has released an official statement, which has been translated by the AFP, and there are some interesting details. It seems that the majority of the content that will be available via the new service will be free, supported through ads, and some of the videos will need the Wii owner to pay, presumably via Wii Points, so that he can watch them.

The statement regarding the service says “Nintendo and Dentsu shall use the environment surrounding the Wii so that living rooms with Wii-ready TVs would become more of a fun area for communication among families and friends.”

Another attempt for bringing video to the Nintendo home console comes from Fujisoft, which aims to launch Minna-no Theater Wii, which translates as Everyone's Theater for Wii, on January 27, 2009. The service will arrive via Wiiware and will cost between 1 and 4 dollars per video watched. It's not known whether the service will offer short clips or full television shows.

As Microsoft launched the New Xbox Experience earlier in the year, the Netflix integration has been one of the most talked about selling points. With Microsoft trying to reposition the Xbox 360 as a competitor for the Nintendo Wii, it makes sense for Nintendo to try and get a video streaming service working on its device. If the Wii gets enough video content available, then some buyers might think twice about buying the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3, which have better video options, like Blu-ray and Netflix.

Phatkav, I guess your question was answered.

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PLAYING:
GTA IV (PC)
Halo 3 (X360)
COD4: MW (PC)
Fallout 3 (PC)
Prince of Persia (PC)

[mod edit] this [mod edit], i have youtube to stream whatever the hell i please >.<

and look at this, the wii is so behind PS3 and 360. Wii lacks demos/GOOD downloadable conent(excluding VC)/wii lacks good 3rd parties(FarCry, Tom Clancy, Fallout 3)/crusty graphics(save for like a few good gems like galaxy)/ and the DIRTIEST ONLINE YOU CAN GET.

in the end, wii is for 10 year olds and under, and 60 year olds and older.

Nintendo has lost the hardcore. They lost the hardcore when Wii Fit was announced o.O

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So true .

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PLAYING:
GTA IV (PC)
Halo 3 (X360)
COD4: MW (PC)
Fallout 3 (PC)
Prince of Persia (PC)

I disagree with you bashmo. Nintendo lost its hardcore fanbase when they made Wii Music their biggest game for this holiday season.

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"Anything that humans can imagine is a possibility in reality" - Physicist Willy Karen

dude, either way, wii is a dissapointment to nintendo's hardcore loyalists. Those who bought wii who were expecting quality first party titles and at least decent 3rd party titles have been robbed of their money. those who wanted to see a new DK, Kirby, Starfox, or a zelda that wasnt a port havent got what they wanted. Instead we see garbage like Wii Music, Wii Play, and Wii Fit. WTF is this. For real, wii is only being held up by Galaxy/Brawl/Metroid/TP/Super Paper Mario.

FIVE games man. FIVE games. Compare this to other systems and what do you begin to wonder?

Gee, why do I have this piece of [mod edit]?  I am thoroughly disapointed with the Wii. Gamecube at least had more than 15 great games/ N64 had countless amazing titles GB/GBA/DS have always been fun, then you have the Wii. The biggest dissapointment from Nintendo. Imagine all those people, myself included who stuck with Nintendo through thick and thin, (GC, DS for Me), and played classic Mario, and third parties like Megaman, bomberman, 007, and Banjo kazooie back in the day. Now what do we have?? Garbage for the casual. Who cares if the Wii is made around that user base, there shouldve been the games that the hardcore wanted.

Sorry for this long [mod edit] rant.

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oh and if you want to know more specific details:

I have 5 wii games ALL made by nintendo.

Wii Sports
Mario Kart Wii(decent game, online is good, no voice chat)
Super Mario Galaxy(Amazing game, currently getting all stars to play as Luigi)
Zelda TP(another amazing game, very long, 46 hours for me to beat, good old zelda gameplay)
Mario Party 8(the worst mario party game ive ever played. Play Mario Party 1-7 and you have fun. Play 8, and you wonder what happened. And it only sucks because of the casual based controls, and no gamecube controller support. No wifi either)

Alright ive played the hell out of Mario Kart, beat Zelda, dont play Mario Party 8 cus its [mod edit], Galaxy is dulling, and Wii Sports i havent touched for a year.

I only play my wii when i rent games. Otherwise its 30 minutes of galaxy, and im done playing.

ITS OFFICIAL. WII SUCKS

PS3 & 360  FTW

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Bashmo, the Wii isn't next gen (in my opinion) graphics that even ps2 beat.. and horrible controls..

Get a ps3 or 360!

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PSN: Falkien123


Other Games:
Metal Gear Solid 4 (Online)
Battlefield Bad Company
Battlefield 1943
Resident Evil 5
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Socom Confrontation

The Wii is next gen Falkien. It's a fact so just live up with it.

bashmo get a PS3.

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"Anything that humans can imagine is a possibility in reality" - Physicist Willy Karen

from a technical standpoint, it isnt nex gen, and in my opinion, its half and half. The motion controls is probably the single good thing about that damn white box.

Oh and guys dont worry, im picking up PS3...360 IMO is outplayed and a lot of ppl have it. PS3 is so fresh, and the library is getting better and better. Blu ray/blutooth is also a plus, as well as 80 Gig hardrive.

Oh btw(noob question)

Can you play blu ray with standard tv?

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i just dont know when and how i will get it

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You can watch blu ray on SD TVs. It doesn't really matter what TV you use. It's just resolution after all.

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"Anything that humans can imagine is a possibility in reality" - Physicist Willy Karen

k thanks

and if i get ps3 what games should i first pick up??

Im thinking MGS4/Cod5/LBP or maybe fallout 3

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Phatkav wrote:

You can watch blu ray on SD TVs.

No you can't. 480p is unsupported and it will look like [mod edit]. Plus SD TVs don't even have Component/HDMI Connections.

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PLAYING:
GTA IV (PC)
Halo 3 (X360)
COD4: MW (PC)
Fallout 3 (PC)
Prince of Persia (PC)