Nintendo announces Virtual Console “gift” functionality
Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 11:15am by Blake
In Iwata’s own words by way of the Associated Press.
With a few clicks, a user will be able to select a game to send as a gift to another user online, Iwata said. When the recipient accepts, the Wii automatically launches the shopping channel and begins the download. “We think this will be a breakthrough in encouraging customers to spread news of fun games word of mouth,” Iwata said. “We also hope to spur more users to connect their Wiis to the Internet,” he said.
When this launches, you guys are welcome to shower me with VC gifts. Send with love to: 8360 6162 3529 4214
October 26th, 2007 at 11:23 am
So my VC purchases can now be traded with friends? Awesome!
This is huge. Before this announcement, any virtual console purchases were entirely limited to one console and had no resale value. Kind of a bummer…
Now, to play a VC game at friends house, you just need to “gift” them the game before leaving home (trusting that they’ll send it back to you later on). Also, you can trade and sell “used” VC games - giving them additional value. Honestly, I’m never going to play my NES version of Kirby again… so why not send it to someone else?
October 26th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Sadly, ejamer, this does not include already purchased VC games — only newly purchased ones that you can send.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:31 am
What I understand is games can’t be traded, only bought for someone else. So more sales for Nintendo and only a new way of giving a present for us.
Great idea though.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Mmm, that´s a good idea, a Wii Ware title would make a great gift!
October 26th, 2007 at 11:56 am
This is pretty cool, a nice way to send a friend something for cheap.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Aww…. drats. My bad. I thought this update would let us use the Shopping Channel to exchange games we had previously purchased.
I’m disappointed, but maybe that functionality will arrive sometime in the future. (Probably not - that would allow people to send VC games while still keeping them on SD cards or on their Wii system… and Nintendo probably wouldn’t like that.)
October 26th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
wherefore are the trial demos of games?
October 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Apparently there was another channel announced according to GAF, some kind of tv guide channel… i don´t see that one coming to Mexico:(
October 26th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
most gaming companies dislike the used market, so dont expect nintendo to ever allow trading of already purchased games.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Will definitely send you a copy of something ya like Blake..