Some Wii channels tuned out

Weather and news channels, Web browser won't arrive until after Nintendo console's launch; at least 12 virtual console games online on day one.

When the Wii arrives in stores on Sunday, it will do so without some of its promised functionality. Nintendo today announced that users looking to surf the Web, check the weather, or peruse the news on their Wii systems will need to wait a while.

The Forecast Channel, which will provide users with free constantly updated weather reports from around the world, will go live December 20. Information for the channel, which allows users to manipulate a 3D globe to find their forecasts, will be provided by Japan-based Weathernews.

That debut will be followed by the arrival of the Wii News Channel on January 27. Once live, the Wii News Channel will provide users with constantly updated headlines from around the world, courtesy of the Associated Press.

The Wii Web Broswer will also trail the system's launch, though it's not clear by how much. Nintendo said only that more information about the browser's availability "will be released in the coming weeks." The browser's developer, Opera Software, has said that it will be free to download until June 2007 and will be sold on the Wii Shop Channel after that.

As for the Wii Shop Channel, Nintendo says it will be up and running on day one, offering at least a dozen Virtual Console games for users to download. Gamers whose retro favorites aren't in the initial batch can take some comfort in Nintendo's announcement that new games will be made available on the service every Monday after launch.

254 Comments

  • zelink551

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    Antiarches
    monday's almost over, where's the update???
    can we expect delays to continue??? ???They came???

  • Falco-88

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 12:43 am PT

    y didnt they release it at launch

  • Antiarches

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 7:33 pm PT

    monday's almost over, where's the update???
    can we expect delays to continue???

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Nov 27, 2006 11:26 am PT

    Looking forward to these channels but I want the Web Browser channel even more!

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 6:14 pm PT

    This is sounding very cool. I can't wait until all of this is out

  • grave_rob

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 7:05 am PT

    i'm glad. between the 360 & now the wii...seems like companies are making a better, more enjoyable online experience.

  • oboewan9999

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:00 pm PT

    helluvagood
    thats kinda cool, but ps3 has more functinos
    -------
    And you have more lame*** opinions.
    S
    P
    A
    M

  • toby_mac_freek

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:53 am PT

    Amen Gamepro2421

  • Gamepro2421

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 1:48 pm PT

    helluvagood please dont post on nintendo news items...no one cares what you have to say about the ps3

  • TensiNothing

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 1:04 pm PT

    I'd rather have the Channels, perfected before they're released, Sony & Microsoft Fanboys can go ahead and talk smack if they want.

    but wouldn't you guys like for the PS3 to put out a new update to fix Backward Compatability? there might be a download to fix it and when the XBOX360 came out they had trouble with XBOXLive, but they fixed it over a little time, thus leading to my point
    Updates are good! taking more time to fix something, is also good!

  • helluvagood

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 10:47 am PT

    thats kinda cool, but ps3 has more functinos

  • metroid87706

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 9:59 am PT

    For me, think of it as, real tv. Channel come often to let you experiance more new "info' or "entertainment".
    So, just think of it as a real TV guide.

  • robzan

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 7:48 am PT

    Yeah, like everybody else says, it would be nice and simple to check the weather or the news on the Wii, but, you can easily check that on your PC too. So, it's not a problem for me either.

  • marioforever07

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 6:54 am PT

    just give me super mario 64 nd im fine

  • rikardo10

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 2:42 am PT

    just give me zelda im fine with the rest

  • Jumbo120788

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 12:44 am PT

    i wonder if we can use the ds usb connector?

  • skemaal

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:38 pm PT

    Yes you need broadband. If you have a wireless network, the Wii will pick it up right away. Very simple. For people that don't have a wireless network. Nintendo will be releasing a USB adapter that you put into a USB slot on your PC. The Wii will detect it and connect to it.

  • IronMadine

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:27 pm PT

    "so will i be able to use any online at all with dial up or do i need dsl or cable internet for wii shop and the others?"

    I would imagine that a broadband connection is required for any online functionality, much like the 360 and PS3.

  • townsenda1

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:19 pm PT

    It could be worse. Plus it's not like its never going to work, they are just working out the bugs before it is set up. I'm still looking forward to getting mine on Sunday.

  • Jofulikestofu

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    so will i be able to use any online at all with dial up or do i need dsl or cable internet for wii shop and the others?

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:48 pm PT

    its not too bad

  • Wave128

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    All is good

  • Kar3

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:39 pm PT

    that's okay with me. i wasnt planning on using the news and forecast channels frequently.

  • marioman50

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 3:29 pm PT

    hurry

  • Wiifanboy_4life

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:28 pm PT

    well i probly wont check the weather or anything and even if i wanted to i have a computer for that. im rly into the wii for mii and its games. but i suppose ill occasionally use the other features.

  • Kbs64

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:27 pm PT

    This isn't bad, after all I'm buying the Wii for the games, not for the Weather Forecast and News. I can wait for those features. It be nice if they had it for day one but I'd rather them get it right the first time then to get it and then thy take it off cause they are having problems. What do you guys think?

  • Cubb7

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    well at least we will have VC!!

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    sounds good. At least they said it before launch. If it was said any later, it would've looked bad.

  • godoftheds

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:45 pm PT

    big deal i doubt i will ever look at the news/weather on there aside from checking to see what its like and im not gonna get any virtual console games right away so not much effect on me

  • kails

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:35 pm PT

    AHhhh man I hate waiting

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:35 pm PT

    Not affecting too much people...

  • waffle79

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    ah well i wont be using the forecast channel, news channel i might use that sonetimes but it isnt really affecting the functionality of the system. But hey at least we'll get to play the games we want to play on it plus im getting the wii for xmas so it wont affect me at all

  • MasterAsh42

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    None of this bothers me in the least. While I like the additions of the news and weather channels, as well as the free Opera-based browser, I have no need for any of them; I just want to hit up the Virtual Console.

    Man, this does remind me that I still need to look into a wireless router. . .My current modem/gateway proved incompatible with my DS, so if the same goes for the Wii, I'll have some more shopping to do.

  • aashkii

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:59 am PT

    I think Nintendo should use the News Channel for updates of upcoming Nintendo games and everything else Nintendo. That will be sweet.

  • jmangafan

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:58 am PT

    I've already got my Wii paid off, but the lack of the forecast feature bugs me a little. I thought it would be nice to be able to boot up my Wii, check the forecast for snow or rain so that I know what to prepare for in the day (I'm a college student with no TV connection, and it'd be faster to turn on my Wii than wait for my PC to boot up. But still, its no biggie.

  • damariofan

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:45 am PT

    very nice. from a month to once a week (VC update)

  • decoy1978

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:30 am PT

    I personally don't care about the weather in Africa, nor am I interested in world news as I play my gaming systems. This will not affect the Wii at all....

  • pigmarcher

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:19 am PT

    JFreezy02 get ur facts right. tts a problem with the production line which is why only 400k ps3 are available. having millions billions wun help if the factories cant produce the machines on time. at least sony is willing to make a show out of it...despite the low num of ps3 available...

  • GrimBee

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:16 am PT

    Could be worse, they could of just delayed the wii til march haha.
    Its all about the games!! whooarrr!

  • 4quarters

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:12 am PT

    How nice to tell us AT THE LAST MINUTE!!!!!!!! The big N is no better than the other 2.........

  • tjharwin

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 11:03 am PT

    Hmmm....Well I'm not getting mine until the 25th December so, HEYHEY! I don't lose out much

  • JFreezy02

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:46 am PT

    Don't know about you guys, but I don't plan on even seeing the sunlight until I beat Zelda: TP!!! So i'm not upset at all!! Oh, and I know why Sony could only put out 400,000 at launch, BECAUSE THEY SPENT MILLIONS JUST MAKING A STUPID SHOW OUT OF IT!!!

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:30 am PT

    bys2 your wrong 100% the wii is not last gen last gen is gamecube ps2 and xbox so shut it , wii is the best next gen system cause it offers new games not updates just on old franchises like ps3 mostly will

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:13 am PT

    Well this doesn't really matter.. who is buying the Wii just for the News and Forecast channels anyway?

    Besides.. we'll all be way too busy playing Twilight Princess!

  • BIGboss600

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:11 am PT

    why do we need a weather channel for the wii were gamers we dont go out side

  • liversnot

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 10:02 am PT

    how is the wii a past generation console? it is the only system that is doing anything besides getting prettier, with the new controller and all. nintendo has always taken risks.....and for the most part they have been worth it. last generation console?...wrong.

  • alpha88

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 9:50 am PT

    I am not making fun of the Wii at all. I find it to be an awesome system. But this further proves the point that both sony and Nintendo had no clue how hard it was going to be to get an online system to work. Sony had the same problem.

  • stiker71

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:09 am PT

    Sweet cxant wait for it!

    PS:BYS2 Learn to spell before you make fun of THE Wii

  • dinkybinkleton

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 7:08 am PT

    Oh well...thats not what Im getting a Wii for anyway. I wish everyone would get their stories straight and not be saying this stuff a day and a half before launch (like PS3 has 200 non-backward compatable games.).

  • BYS2

    Posted Nov 17, 2006 6:53 am PT

    lol.. man, he wii is like a past generation console and they still can't get everything set up in time...

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