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Nintendo mulling Wii-to-DS video download service

Satoru Iwata tells the Wall Street Journal that planned "different" service may allow transfer of video to DS; if successful in Japan, may come to West.

Anyone who lived through the GameCube era will remember how Nintendo dismissed rival consoles' video playback and online connectivity as distractions from "true" gaming. In a 2004 interview, company president Satoru Iwata called Sony's PSP and its ill-fated PlayStation 2/PVR hybrid, the PSX, mere "entertainment goods" and flatly said that "customers do not want online games."

Satoru Iwata lords over GDC last month.

Satoru Iwata lords over GDC last month.

Five years later, Nintendo makes the current generation's top console, the 50-million-unit-selling Wii, which comes with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The Internet is central to the company's business model, with retro games and new WiiWare titles being digitally distributed to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. The Wii also offers a variety of online information, including weather and news, and free online play, albeit with the use of cumbersome friend codes. The company even notifies Wii owners of new events with mass e-mail blasts denoted by a blinking blue light on the console's front.

Later this year, Nintendo will be challenging the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360's non-game entertainment content by offering video downloads in Japan. First revealed last Christmas to the Nikkei news service, the company's video download service is proceeding apace, according to comments made by Iwata to the Wall Street Journal this week.

"It'll be an advertising-based video service, which is a first for us," the executive told the financial daily. "And if the Wii and the DS are connected, it should be possible to download video through the Wii and take it with you on the DS." It was unclear if the videos would be DS-formatted or if the video transfer connectivity would be similar to the PS3's Remote Play feature, which lets players access non-Blu-ray video content on PSPs via the Web.

Iwata also promised that, like the Wii itself, its video download service would offer something distinctive from its competitors. "When the service begins, you'll see how we're going to do it differently in a Nintendo-like way," promised the recent Game Developers Conference keynote speaker. "There are a lot of on-demand video services, so there's no reason to do the same thing."

Lastly, Iwata promised that if the Wii's video service is successful in Japan, the company would "like to take it overseas." No time frame was offered as to when the service might launch in North America or Europe, nor were any hints given as to content partners.

54 Comments

  • Kbs64

    Posted Jul 6, 2009 3:46 pm GMT

    that be so cool

  • zero-G1080

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 2:11 am GMT

    @zaprct I have to agree, thats the reason I didnt buy a wii and gave my DS away.

    btw, surely you would include twilight princess and MP: corruption as well?

  • FinalFighter911

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 2:40 pm GMT

    @zaprct

    i feel exactly the same

  • gameking5000

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 4:11 am GMT

    @zaprct

    Yes you are right that Nintendo aren't releasing enough the "core" games. But the Xbox and the PS3 are really for teenagers. So for those who aren't a teenager they have a choice? Stick with Nintendo or give up with consoles.

  • zaprct

    Posted Apr 12, 2009 12:36 pm GMT

    Every time a news article comes out about Nintendo lately, it is never related to an announcement about a major game release. Ever since my Nintendo obssession back in the SNES days, I was constantly aware of the next release date for a Mario, Zelda or DK game.

    I know that I now no longer represent Nintendo's target audience, but since their major focus on casual gaming and the loss of Rare as a second-party developer I have absolutely nothing to look forward to from Nintendo.

    Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Animal Crossing, Wii Music, DSi, Wii video content...all products Nintendo has talked up to no end as though the true games that made them so revolutionary in the first place are no longer relevent.

    Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros were all great games, don't get me wrong; but 3 great releases from the big N in nearly 2.5 years since the release of the Wii. Soon enough even the casual gamers are going to want more and will move on to the 360/PS3 if there are no great core games for them to play.

  • gameking5000

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 5:55 am GMT

    Wonder if it's free this service?

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 7:07 pm GMT

    It'll be an advertising-based video service:

    Wonderful. Just what I want. Advertisements on the go. It wouldn't be so bad if you could skip past the ads to see the content you want, but half the time on the net when you want to see a movie trailer, game review, or even the news, you HAVE to sit through unskippable ad nonsense to see the video you clicked on to see.

    If the ads are not intrusive on the content then whatever. Just don't FORCE me to watch ads if I don't want to.

    And considering the fact that the Gamecube only ever had 2 online games, I think it's funny that they've realised the potential of the net. Either way if it lets me see interesting content then I'm all for it, just don't advertise at me.

  • polodoro

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 4:37 pm GMT

    meh

  • ausgamer529

    Posted Apr 10, 2009 2:24 pm GMT

    you tell em iwata

  • Payback7

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 6:12 pm GMT

    Interesting. Time will tell if Nintendo are onto a winner The Wii needs more RPG's!!!

  • Tylendal

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 5:10 pm GMT

    I'm definitely interested to see how Nintendo is going to make this service unique. Considering some of the cinematics I've seen in games like Metroid Prime Hunters, I wouldn't be surprised to see the DSi pull off some fairly nice looking videos.

  • Way2fonky

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 10:14 am GMT

    *yawn* Wake me up when they start offering demos on Wii.

  • GDI_SOLDIER_94

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 9:14 am GMT

    ahaha guys uv seriously gtta watch this video called the "hardcore gamer song" its awsome it sums up a gamer completely x]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQctcg9_--U&feature=channel_page

  • Hekynn

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 7:53 am GMT

    If their gonna do media now for the WII and DS they would have to let us use a 1TB External HD on the Wii.

  • atopp399

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 7:01 am GMT

    As long as this doesn't delay Nintendo releasing any of their games(Zelda, Mario etc.) I have no problem with it. I just will not participate. If it affects their games then I have a problem with it.

    A handheld video game system is the last thing I would use to watch videos. I would use my laptop, phone or iPod in that order before using a video game system.

  • soulslayer1

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 6:58 am GMT

    I still can't see why can't Nintendo release game demo's like PS3 and 360, that way we know what we buy

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 6:46 am GMT

    Thus far, Nintendo has a great set up for online "access", what with great stuff to buy; but their friend code system is the bane of a real online community. Do they even have measures for directly communicating or is it all controlled environments inside games?

  • Peaches1347

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 5:32 am GMT

    i think nintendo is gettin the hang of current gen stuff. i think their next system will be the best out of the big 3

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 5:24 am GMT

    Nintendo was right on in their decision to wait with online connectivity. It was just too early back then, most people were still using dial-up...yikes!...
    By waiting this long and concentrating on gaming, they are now back on top and have allowed both MS and Sony to do all the foot work and testing to see what works and what doesn't work... Now they just have to take the ideas of others and mold them into a Nintendo-esqe package ... MINUS the 500 digit friend codes!...lol

  • tengen23

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 4:12 am GMT

    flyingteddy, I don't think this can be called "desperation" when Nintendo has the biggest installed base of both home and handhelds consoles right now... but I totally agree with kavdias, they need to start making games, I doubt anyone cares about getting video on their Wii or DS when they can already do it so much easier on their Xbox, PS3, or iPhone.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 3:40 am GMT

    Stop screwing around with pointless "catch up" services like this and use the huge amount of money you have earnt to provide us with some decent games.

  • flyingteddy

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 1:21 am GMT

    sounds a bit desperate. would the DS even be any good for watching video?

  • star77241

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 11:57 pm GMT

    Stop testing things in Japan first and just bring it over here already. And I hope by this they don't just mean gaming related videos from the Nintendo Channel. If so they also need to have the player on the Wii.

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 11:49 pm GMT

    this may help boost sales in japan we will see ,

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 11:31 pm GMT

    i watch movies on my zune and have no complaints. i don't see why not on the DS...not that i'd use it...and i was kinda hoping for more wii-ds connectivity by now since they were saying all this stuff about it when the wii first came out.

  • black_ice23

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 10:52 pm GMT

    sounds great, video is always welcome, they should bring that comic book channel they got in Japan, Marvel and DC would be all over that

    but also they need to set up a VC for GB on the DSi
    and add perhaps Wii VC to DS connectivity

  • HarlockJC Site moderator

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 9:12 pm GMT

    it would be at about the same level as watching Netflix on the 360...

  • Tremblay343

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 8:14 pm GMT

    watching movies on the wii? Possibly. It would be 480p, but HD downloads take longer anyways. Watching movies on my DS though? I doubt it. The screen's just aren't a good enough size and have a pretty crappy resolution on them. If i want to watch a movie or listen to music I'd much rather use my IPod touch or PSP.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 7:34 pm GMT

    Nintendo: "there's no reason to do the same thing"

    On-Demand Tentacle Hentai Confirmed.

  • 1357900

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:55 pm GMT

    "advertising-based video service"?

    That's already available on the N channel. What do they mean?

    I think they think this will give the Wii more of a leg-up on the "competition".

  • Nintenkid49

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:44 pm GMT

    cool, the dsi or ds lite?

  • TheArcade

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:42 pm GMT

    YAYYYYYY!!!!!

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:34 pm GMT

    please make virtual console NES and SNES games on the DSi that would be amazing

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:31 pm GMT

    Im a Nintendo fanboy but Satoru Iwata sounds very Sony to me. I dont want to see Nintendo go down the road it went in 2006 or the one Sony is going down right now. That they would only care about processing power and ignore whether its easy or fun.

  • IvanKavinski

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:27 pm GMT

    Nintendo definitely knows the market better than ANY of us... However, "the market" often leaves out us loyal fans who grew up gaming and demand more than the majority does.

  • somberfox

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 6:07 pm GMT

    Nintendo is arrogant, they think the industry isn't ready for something until they say it is.

  • gameking5000

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 5:59 pm GMT

    Able to downlaod videos, what does that mean? Videos are short.

  • wiiplay1

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 5:47 pm GMT

    "a Nintendo-like way?" Oh no.

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 5:23 pm GMT

    Stick to games, Nintendo. Please? I'm much more interested in being able to download Old School NES, SNES, N64 and Genisis games to the DSi SD card. I already do that with my Wii. Hell, I only own 3 actual Wii games ans 8 gameCube games. The rest, 26 in all, are downloaded Virtual Console games. I'd LOVE to take them on the go!

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 5:12 pm GMT

    Nintendo, just stick to games please.

  • lanmanna

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:55 pm GMT

    Sounds good to me!

  • thetravman

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:50 pm GMT

    ...what videos? The ones from Nintendo channel?

  • OldStupidGeezer

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:37 pm GMT

    nintendo, you need a hard drive

  • Ovirew posted Apr 8, 2009 4:30 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ovirew

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:30 pm GMT (hide)

    Why would I want to send replay data to their DS?

  • ChildOfGaming7

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:28 pm GMT

    Japan better make it sucessful.......
    I want to see the Super Mario Bros. Super Show on this service. There is no reason not to.

  • RedToFire

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 4:22 pm GMT

    Nintendo needs to get to work on this already. It's been talked about since the Wii was announced. Xbox 360 works with Zune and PS3 with PSP.

  • Redonkulous_D

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 3:57 pm GMT

    It'd be a good idea if handled correctly. I hope things turn out well. I wouldn't mind having one more thing to do my DS.

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 3:47 pm GMT

    With 100 million DS units out there, and 99 million of those units belonging to "normies" and so-called "casual" gamers, why wouldn't Nintendo do this? Apple did with iPod, and $ony with PSP, which is a HUGE failure for $ony, and Micro$oft released Zune for this stuff, too. Nintendo has the base. Sorry, I forgot you GameSpot readers are all clones of Todd from Code Monkeys...

  • Distinctive_Fin

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 3:44 pm GMT

    maybe if they made movies or extra game content available. . .

  • skullboy950

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 3:36 pm GMT

    Hm... whatever, but I'll still be playing my Gamecube after that.

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