But how does it stack up? We look at the big N's latest gaming release in context. The verdict? Not as expensive as Sony's priciest.
Nintendo Australia this week [note: this article was updated to reflect the launch date] officially launched the WiiWare service for its popular Wii console. WiiWare is Nintendo's official branding for original IP for its Virtual Console service; where previously it had only offered software that had originally been available on older console systems, WiiWare titles are completely new games written specifically with the Wii in mind. The initial release list does reveal, however, that there's still money to be made mining old IP -- quite a bit of money in some cases:
Not only does it have the longest name of any Wii title (virtual or console) to date, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King is also the most expensive purchase on Nintendo's service to date. While the release suggests that the titles will be launching "this week", a quick check on the Wii shop shows them as all being available right now. One title that launched in the US last week, Australian developed Pop, is conspicuous by its absence, at least in the launch period.
The integration of new games into a download service brings Nintendo into line with competitors Sony and Microsoft, where downloaded titles have been available from the PSN Store and Xbox Live Store respectively. Sony holds the record for the most expensive online purchase -- the $49.95 Warhawk, also available as a physical product -- while Microsoft currently offers the most original games by a pretty wide margin via its Xbox Live service, although it also asks additional fees for use of the service itself, even though actual gameplay is still conducted on a peer to peer basis.
| Title |
Wii Points Cost |
Real World Cost |
| Dr Mario & Germ Buster |
1000 |
$15 |
|
| Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King |
1500 |
$22.50 |
|
| LostWinds |
1000 |
$15 |
|
| Star Soldier R |
800 |
$12 |
|
| TV Show King |
1000 |
$15 |
|
| Toki Tori |
900 |
$13.50 |