So here we are, post E3. I thought the video game industry would simmer down a little (from the let down of the event perhaps?) but I’m glad to see I was wrong. On the Wii front, at least, a lot of great stuff happened this week. Nintendo’s finally has that darned storage problem classified as “urgent,” and there’s also hints of a new Wii Pic Channel coming soon. We’ve got a lot more for you, so let’s get started!
We’re working on it
The Wii is a great console with a lot to offer, but it has some stark shortcomings. Nintendo has finally perked up its ears and has decided to fix a couple of these issues.
First up is the Wii Friend Code System, which makes you memorize credit card numbers have to bother with a long string of numbers just to add someone up. Nintendo large boss Satoru Iwata admits that this system isn’t perfect, and stated that they are working to find a superior method without losing the sense of security and safety it provides.
Second is that danged storage system. The current capacity is just not enough. We didn’t hear about it at E3, so some of us (me!) might be worried about how development’s going. It’s small comfort, but Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime recently admitted that the problem is now “mainstream” and that they’ve a “sense of urgency to solve it.”
Link: Iwata: Nintendo is working to improve Wii Friend Code System
Link: Reggie Fils-Aime: Wii’s limited storage now a “mainstream problem”
Wii gamers get new shiny things! … in JapanMicrosoft is US based, and so the region gets more Xbox 360 lovin than others. The same goes for Nintendo. If you want first dibs on new Nintendo goodies, living in Japan would be a good begin. Wii gamers in Japan got some love from Nintendo this week, with the introduction of the Digicam Print Channel and the ‘bonus redeem software’ feature.
The Digicam Print Channel is a new service that grants gamers to order prints of pictures stored in their consoles, and business cards with their Miis emblazoned on them.
The US and Europe recently got a firmware update that (presumably) adds behind-the-scenes support for the service, so the regions might get them soon as well.
No such hints for the ‘bonus redeem software’ feature though. It was only recently discovered to be in the “Settings and Features” section of the Japan Wii Shop Channel. It allows gamers to enter a code that will let them acquire free software. It is believed that certain retail games will provide these codes. Hopefully this feature will be introduced in other regions.
Link: New Wii Channel in Japan can order photo prints, Mii business cards
Link: Latest Wii System Menu Update provides support for Photo Channel
Link: Wii Shop Channel Japan gets new ‘bonus redeem software’ feature
Grand Theft Wii
The Nintendo DS is getting a
Grand Theft Auto title? Boo. I’d much rather see a
GTA title for the Wii. Unfortunately, that might not be any time soon, as Ninty’s Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that a
GTA title for the console would all depend on Rockstar and Take Two’s whims.
It’s unfortunate, as a GTA title would certainly boost the Wii’s cred with the hardcore crowd. Speaking of which, it’s another blow to the hardcore community to see that the Dead Rising port for the Wii seems to be missing something - where are all the zombies at?
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Good news for Nintendo fans in Australia: the Wii console finally managed to sell 500,000 in the land down under after 84 weeks since it was launched, breaking the existing record - the last console to have achieved 500,000 unit sales managed to reach it in 107 weeks. 
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