Nintendo reveals online games

At yesterday’s E3 press conference (July 11, 2007), Nintendo made quite a few announcements regarding the company’s online strategy. Chiefly, full online support will be given to the Wii’s upcoming Madden 08, FIFA 08, Mario Strikers Charged, and a new Mario Kart title (due out in the first quarter of 2008). The new Mario Kart will support online racing and online battle on Nintendo’s existing wi-fi infrastructure.

Additionally, two new features were announced, expanding the existing online Wii options: a new channel called “Check Mii Out” for voting on and swapping Mii’s, and WiiWare and a tool for developing and distributing small games on the Wii shop channel.

Nintendo chief marketing officer Reggie Fils-Aime also touched on the success of the Wii’s online services, citing the 5.6 million downloads on the virtual console and the fact that the entire service is free of charge. No details were announced regarding the dreaded Nintendo “Friend Code” practice, though an IGN interview with Madden 08’s associate producer Damian Zerr suggests that another system will be in place. Nor was there any talk of Super Smash Brothers: Brawl having online play, though one can dream.

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