WiiWare Online Games Announced

In a Tokyo press conference Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced software titles that will be available for purchase through online downloads starting in March.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Pokemon Farm and Doctor Mario will be among the first titles released for download.

The WiiWare system's games will cost less than retail versions, Nintendo said, because inventory considerations will be immaterial.

The videogame company also noted at the press conference that it will push for greater internet connectivity as part of an effort to make the new online services more popular.

Through its already-existing Virtual Console online downloadable system, the company has sold more than 7.8 million digital copies of games.

Significantly, Iwata added that third-party game makers should see a larger slice of the action in the near future.

"In Japan, Nintendo has 50 percent of the DS software market this year. From here on out, the share should shift to other software makers," he said.

Source: Gamesindustry.biz