Wii Internet Channel Now Free (Again)

**Valigarmander** · 09-02-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Nintendo seems to have thought better of its pricing policy for the Internet Channel, and is now offering it free of charge. The Opera-based browser previously cost 500 Wii Points ($5). If you bought it, Nintendo will be giving away a Virtual Console NES game worth 500 Wii Points to make up the difference. The press release mentions late October, but it's unclear if the 500 Point credit will be free to use on the game of your choice, or if Nintendo has a pre-selected game coming in late October to give away.

Those with longer memories may recall that the Internet Channel already was free, a few years ago. After a few iterations, Nintendo offered it free for a limited time, ending on June 30, 2007. Over two years later, you can browse on your Wii for free again.

Hmm, I think I payed for mine. I'll be interested in seeing about this free game.

Redshirt · 09-02-2009, 07:35 PM

I was going to mention this yesterday, when I got my message, but I figured everyone got it.

Luigiman7 · 09-02-2009, 07:41 PM

Yes, I got it also. For free.

Chaos Deviot · 09-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Good. It should've never costed anything to begin with. We already have to pay for an internet device just to have online access. And that is MUCH more than 5 dollars...

Rainbow Dash · 09-02-2009, 09:28 PM

so is it 500 points for anything or just an NES game?

**Valigarmander** · 09-02-2009, 10:56 PM

^ It says "NES game", but it seems like people aren't quite sure of the specifics yet. We'll have to wait and see.

***Cosmonautical*** · 09-03-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos Deviot

Good. It should've never costed anything to begin with. We already have to pay for an internet device just to have online access. And that is MUCH more than 5 dollars...

Which makes 5 USD sound reasonable for a piece of software.

Metal Man · 09-03-2009, 02:20 AM

I got mine for free. Heeheehehehehe.

...

I never used it anyway.

Dizzy · 09-03-2009, 05:06 AM

Yeah, I had to buy mine. Phooey. But I'm looking forward to this free NES game.

I don't really know what to get, though.

I am nobody · 09-03-2009, 05:07 AM

I got mine free by about 2 weeks. Haven't been able to use it for months because of network issues, though.

Jesus · 09-05-2009, 03:28 PM

I got the message as well. I am wondering how we will be able to receive such a free NES game in exchange for the 5 bucks we spent on the Internet Channel. Wouldn't it have made more sense just to credit us the 500 Wii Points back?

Metal Man · 09-05-2009, 03:43 PM

Yes, but Nintendo wishes to control the money apparently.

**X-3** · 09-05-2009, 04:14 PM

I got it when it was free, so this doesn't really affect me at all. Makes sense though, with the DSi's browser free.

***Cosmonautical*** · 09-05-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus

I got the message as well. I am wondering how we will be able to receive such a free NES game in exchange for the 5 bucks we spent on the Internet Channel. Wouldn't it have made more sense just to credit us the 500 Wii Points back?

Then you could spend it on games that will direct the money to another company. Or more importantly, the money has already been incoporated into their banking or otherwise. If you spent it on a game by Sega, for instance, Nintendo would end up having to pay royalties to Sega, well and truly after the money was available. So then, it would come from their banking rather than yours. Nintendo ain't gonna buy your games for you.

Jesus · 09-08-2009, 09:59 AM

That makes sense I guess since it is under Nintendo's licenses. Well then they better release Final Fantasy 1 before this offer comes up then!

Dizzy · 09-08-2009, 11:42 AM

Similarly, I want to get Mega Man 4. My cart is broken, and I'd like to have it on VC soon.

At least I can hope.

Metal Mario · 09-26-2009, 05:12 PM

I got a note the other day from Nintendo that said that we'll be free to choose the NES title, so long as it costs 500 points.

Dizzy · 09-26-2009, 05:49 PM

^So, no SMB2J?

Metal Mario · 09-26-2009, 06:49 PM

Guess not.

09-02-2009, 07:41 PM	#3
Luigiman7 ヽ(◔ ◡ ◔)ノ.･ﾟ*｡･+☆ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ~)´◡｀(~ Gender: Posts: 17,605 Thanks: 1,134 Thanked 1,012 Times in 713 Posts Blog Entries: 8	Yes, I got it also. For free. __________________ ／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼ＷＯＮ’Ｔ　ＹＯＵ　ＢＥＣＯＭＥ　Ａ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬ？ Last edited by Luigiman7; 09-03-2009 at 08:50 AM.

09-02-2009, 07:35 PM	#2
Redshirt Wiggidy Wack Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: A place with things Gender: Posts: 16,699 Thanks: 703 Thanked 1,006 Times in 695 Posts Blog Entries: 50	I was going to mention this yesterday, when I got my message, but I figured everyone got it.

09-02-2009, 07:47 PM	#4
Chaos Deviot The Betrayer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt. Moon Gender: Posts: 1,811 Thanks: 171 Thanked 52 Times in 49 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Good. It should've never costed anything to begin with. We already have to pay for an internet device just to have online access. And that is MUCH more than 5 dollars...

09-02-2009, 09:28 PM	#5
Rainbow Dash been dreamin', i've been waitin' Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: a bomb-ass cloud house bachelorette pad Gender: Posts: 24,401 Thanks: 173 Thanked 1,179 Times in 716 Posts	so is it 500 points for anything or just an NES game?

09-02-2009, 10:56 PM	#6
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	^ It says "NES game", but it seems like people aren't quite sure of the specifics yet. We'll have to wait and see.

09-03-2009, 02:20 AM	#8
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	I got mine for free. Heeheehehehehe. ... I never used it anyway.

09-03-2009, 05:06 AM	#9
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,161 Times in 804 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Yeah, I had to buy mine. Phooey. But I'm looking forward to this free NES game. I don't really know what to get, though.

09-03-2009, 05:07 AM	#10
I am nobody Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Over there. Gender: Posts: 5,515 Thanks: 309 Thanked 365 Times in 242 Posts Blog Entries: 7	I got mine free by about 2 weeks. Haven't been able to use it for months because of network issues, though.

09-05-2009, 03:28 PM	#11
Jesus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Gender: Posts: 5,617 Thanks: 104 Thanked 139 Times in 101 Posts Blog Entries: 3	I got the message as well. I am wondering how we will be able to receive such a free NES game in exchange for the 5 bucks we spent on the Internet Channel. Wouldn't it have made more sense just to credit us the 500 Wii Points back?

09-05-2009, 03:43 PM	#12
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	Yes, but Nintendo wishes to control the money apparently.

09-05-2009, 04:14 PM	#13
X-3 Useful as an Owl Join Date: Jan 2004 Gender: Posts: 15,943 Thanks: 753 Thanked 1,213 Times in 790 Posts Blog Entries: 10	I got it when it was free, so this doesn't really affect me at all. Makes sense though, with the DSi's browser free.

09-08-2009, 09:59 AM	#15
Jesus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Gender: Posts: 5,617 Thanks: 104 Thanked 139 Times in 101 Posts Blog Entries: 3	That makes sense I guess since it is under Nintendo's licenses. Well then they better release Final Fantasy 1 before this offer comes up then!

09-08-2009, 11:42 AM	#16
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,161 Times in 804 Posts Blog Entries: 116	Similarly, I want to get Mega Man 4. My cart is broken, and I'd like to have it on VC soon. At least I can hope.

09-26-2009, 05:12 PM	#17
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	I got a note the other day from Nintendo that said that we'll be free to choose the NES title, so long as it costs 500 points.

09-26-2009, 05:49 PM	#18
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,161 Times in 804 Posts Blog Entries: 116	^So, no SMB2J?

09-26-2009, 06:49 PM	#19
Metal Mario Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Gender: Posts: 16,435 Thanks: 72 Thanked 190 Times in 127 Posts	Guess not.