Test program limited to a few titles at first
It's about time.
Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata revealed to investors during a Q&A session at a recent earnings briefing that the company would soon roll out a test program for WiiWare: demos.
Since this hasn't officially been announced by Nintendo yet there are a lot of details missing, like when it's set to start. At this time it's unknown which regions will be a part of this test program, but Japan is a pretty safe bet. Only a few titles will be included in the test.
Nintendo is currently the only console maker whose digital download channel doesn't include demos.
Iwata said this test is being done to see whether Nintendo can get more people to use the Shop Channel, although he admitted that he didn't believe demos are the end-all solution. Still, it's a nice start!

1. BellGoRiiing
04 Nov 2009, 00:06 GMT
Demos for retail games right? I hope so...
...Did someone just edit my post here? >_>
2. cheetahman91
04 Nov 2009, 00:08 GMT
No just wiiware.
3. Sneaker13
04 Nov 2009, 00:09 GMT
It's about time. A demo could pull me over the line of buying a game or waiting till it's really cheap or not buying it at all. I love the demo's on the Nintendo Channel for the DS. I bought quite some games based on the demo and loved it.
4. Mickeymac
04 Nov 2009, 00:09 GMT
Sounds good to me. I find most Wiiware games to be too iffy to invest in right on the spot. Demoes would definitely come in handy for me.
5. Nintendork
04 Nov 2009, 00:14 GMT
starts sobbing FINALLY NINTENDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Hoffkage
04 Nov 2009, 00:15 GMT
Very nice news. Now pray that this comes out of Japan.
7. g-silent007
04 Nov 2009, 00:17 GMT
I just have to say its about time Nintendo started doing this. Now if only they would give us DLC for ds and Wii games...
8. vherub
04 Nov 2009, 00:21 GMT
I'm all for demos, always odd that the only demos on the wii are through the ds
9. Aenaida
04 Nov 2009, 00:23 GMT
Even though it probably won't happen, I'd love it if there were demos for VC games as well. This is great news either way, though.
10. V8 Ninja
04 Nov 2009, 00:26 GMT
(Achievement Unlocked: Nintendo is has a chance against MS in the DLC Race)
Yalls are welcome!
11. Dicesukeinuzuka
04 Nov 2009, 00:26 GMT
I bought Rhythm Heaven based on the download demo, loved that game!
12. NINTENBOY
04 Nov 2009, 00:36 GMT
That's cool but tell me when we get movies, TV shows and a better internet channel.
13. Hardy83
04 Nov 2009, 00:37 GMT
I bet NoJ will test it, launch it in Japan, then EU will pick it up a couple months later.
And NoA will say it's not needed and never give it to us.
14. Digiki
04 Nov 2009, 00:38 GMT
Hopefully we get some VC demos at some point as well.
15. Devil_Hunter_Dante
04 Nov 2009, 00:40 GMT
I have 13 WiiWare games and half of them I regret purchasing. I think it would be a good idea to have a demo for the games.
16. Xkhaoz
04 Nov 2009, 00:43 GMT
Finally, I can play games without paying for them! I don't if it's a fration of the game! does dorky dance
17. nintendogamerftw
04 Nov 2009, 00:45 GMT
OMG! It's about time!
18. Strofan7
04 Nov 2009, 00:45 GMT
yeah a really great idea. but an even better idea would be to do this for retail games! there are a ton im interested in but just hesitate because id like to try them out. hear that nintendo?
19. Machu
04 Nov 2009, 00:50 GMT
No complaints here. Yay!
Although some WiiWare developers (the 5h1t ones), just soiled themselves.
20. bboy2970
04 Nov 2009, 00:50 GMT
I really hope this comes out soon! Actually, this probably won't be good for my wallet. I already spend 20-50 dollars a month on downloads. Now some of those iffy titles may worm their way in.
21. Ezekiel
04 Nov 2009, 00:54 GMT
I don't like the demo idea. I guess some people like it though.
22. bboy2970
04 Nov 2009, 00:57 GMT
@Ezekiel: Why would you not want to try a game before spending money on it?
23. Stuffgamer1
04 Nov 2009, 01:07 GMT
Forget demos for retail games...the Wii doesn't have enough internal memory to hold one. WiiWare demos is an EXCELLENT idea, though. I hope they bring it state-side, with some of the games I'm unsure about.
I agree with Iwata that this is not the end-all solution for getting people to use the Shop Channel. After all, if they don't KNOW about the Shop Channel, demos on it aren't going to matter very much, are they? Two words, Nintendo: TV Commericals. Do it. Do it now.
24. Vaynard
04 Nov 2009, 01:09 GMT
Just remember people if you read the whole article on it, right now it is only for a very small number of games and they haven't even guaranteed its going to be tested in NA or EU. We still got a ways to go.
25. Roebuck
04 Nov 2009, 01:22 GMT
@Vaynard But one can hope.
26. Shmavey
04 Nov 2009, 01:34 GMT
Finally Iv'e been saying this for so long. Now we just need VC and retail demos.
27. Angelic Lapras King
04 Nov 2009, 01:39 GMT
Probably something like 1 level of each of the Art Style Series.
Doubt about retail and/or VC too, unless this really boosts the Wiiware sales a lot...
28. Tony
04 Nov 2009, 01:39 GMT
That's good news. Now more people can go download great NyxQuest and Driift mania since impressed by the demo versions.
29. bonii
04 Nov 2009, 01:44 GMT
Wait will we be able to keep it forever? Or is it like a trial? This still sounds cool.
30. ganondwarf16
04 Nov 2009, 02:19 GMT
actually this will probably reduce sales imo people wouldn't buy on impulse and find out games that sound good in theory aren't in practice
31. ganondwarf16
04 Nov 2009, 02:21 GMT
I'd imagine it'd work like the brawl demos bonii but for wiiware so i'd guess yes
32. Viper6391
04 Nov 2009, 02:43 GMT
It's about time that Nintendo did something like this! Now if only Nintendo could stop third party developers from releasing crappy games such as Ninjabreadman onto the Wii. Oh, does anyone know if DDI finally went out of business? I heard a rumor that they finally went under.
33. Popyman
04 Nov 2009, 02:50 GMT
GREAT news. I hope this takes off.
34. PhoenixSage
04 Nov 2009, 03:06 GMT
VC demos plzkthnxbai.
Even though it'll never happen...:sadface:
35. donth8theplaya69
04 Nov 2009, 03:16 GMT
@Feenie
It's Nintendo so you never know.
36. Kid_A
04 Nov 2009, 03:16 GMT
VC Demos is what I really would like. There's just craploads of VC games that I simply know nothing about. With WiiWare it's pretty easy to tell if the game's going to be for me or not, but with the VC it's always a gamble. But WiiWare demos are cool, too. Not sure why they just wouldn't come out and do it for real instead of just a "test"--I don't see how this could hurt anything.
37. Ren
04 Nov 2009, 03:42 GMT
the games are already small, it'd just kill off any of the impulse buys that sell the only copies of some of that crap. I'm not saying thats bad for us, but it's not good business, since the games are already cheap, people shouldn't need any more hand holding.
Stuffgamer is totally right: TV commercials is all they need. I don't get why thats so hard for them to figure out.
38. Ricardo91
04 Nov 2009, 03:43 GMT
FINALLY!!!! Now can we have some VC demos too?
39. WolfRamHeart
04 Nov 2009, 03:55 GMT
This is a great idea and I'm glad to see it finally coming! These demos do work because without them I would never have been exposed to Big Bang Mini on the DS. It is a fantastic game and I would have never bought it if wasn't for the demo.
40. Stuffgamer1
04 Nov 2009, 03:57 GMT
@ganondwarf16: It would cut down the sales of CRAP games, but it might very well increase the sales on good stuff that people like me can't afford to/refuse to take a random chance on! In other words, I think demos are good for quality control.
@Ren: I didn't say demos are a bad idea...I WANT demos for some WiiWare games I haven't risked my money on yet. But TV commercials are a MUST for getting people to realize the Shop Channel exists and has games they would want to play on it. Just mention Tetris and BOOM! New Shop Channel users. It's the #1 requested WiiWare game at GameStop, just because they don't know it's download-only.
41. DarkEdi
04 Nov 2009, 04:05 GMT
Virtual Console needs demos too. The Nes ones will be like 5 blocks space and the N64 can be like 40 blocks.
Hurry!!! i want to test some ones. A 6-7 calification in Nintendo Life needs demos to see if are good games or not.
42. Atlantis1982
04 Nov 2009, 04:13 GMT
I'd rather have WiiWare demos, so this is a good thing.
About farking time, Nintendo.
43. Fuzzy
04 Nov 2009, 04:22 GMT
Yes demos would be great. Especially in order to choose a puzzle game!
44. motang
04 Nov 2009, 04:28 GMT
Finally? There are many games I want to get but I want to be sure I would like them, and Nintendo is so backwards as the other platforms offer demos on not only downloadable games but also on full retail games!
45. JRSoul
04 Nov 2009, 04:32 GMT
It's about damn time. I wonder what games they will use for the test program.
46. Token Girl
04 Nov 2009, 05:11 GMT
This is great news. I bet a lot of the cheaper games (500 points-800 points) won't have demos, because many suck, aren't much longer than most demos, and are cheap enough to impulse buy. This is great for larger games though. Shame they can't demo retail games though
.
47. Draygone
04 Nov 2009, 06:15 GMT
I can see this being a good thing. Better if retail demos become available. Would be nice if VC titles could be demo'd, too. They could do something like the demos on Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where you can play a game, with a time limit set to end the game, and the inablity to save progress.
...But only for the VC titles. For WiiWare titles, the demos released should be made by the developers. 'Cause I have seen articles where developers wish they could release demos of their games. This way the developers who dont wan't their games out in demo form won't be forced to. Plus full WiiWare titles would take a lot of memory, just to be allowed only 5 minutes of gametime before the game automatically ends.
@12. NINTENBOY
You can't be serious. Wii's storage is still too crappy for something like that.
48. DJ Triforce
04 Nov 2009, 06:45 GMT
Yes.
Another point for Nintendo.
49. invmat
04 Nov 2009, 07:03 GMT
They could include this option in the Nintendo channel, I mean DS demos are already there...
And is it possible to make a message service? In that way, you can get a message when a new demo is available..
50. Token Girl
04 Nov 2009, 08:47 GMT
@48 Draygone
In Japan you can download TV shows with the Wii no ma channel, so it is possible.
51. Starwolf_UK
04 Nov 2009, 09:08 GMT
Nintendo already have the technology to do lazy demos:
http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Ticket
Enable time limit and time limit (seconds). But seriously, I hope they put some effort into them.
52. LEGEND MARIOID
04 Nov 2009, 09:30 GMT
Free demos?!
53. pinta_vodki
04 Nov 2009, 10:12 GMT
finally. finally!
54. JimLad
04 Nov 2009, 11:07 GMT
Any kind of demos is good news, though I still want retail demos more than anything (discs are still an option) For the price you pay and the amount of garbage out there, they should let you try before buy.
55. Raylax
04 Nov 2009, 12:34 GMT
Yay. Maybe people will now stop actually paying for tat like that wordsearch game if they get to see how shallow it is first.
56. Hyper Luigi
04 Nov 2009, 13:17 GMT
Finally! It's about time Nintendo!!
57. roro44
04 Nov 2009, 18:09 GMT
And we scream "yay!"
58. Ian Daemon
04 Nov 2009, 20:57 GMT
Hi NintendoLife Staff. I think you're going to have to hit your readership over the head with future news. Far too many people missed the title and the image and the copy that read "WIIWARE demos".
59. Vaynard
04 Nov 2009, 22:52 GMT
^ I would agree with that if it was much more guaranteed. I think people are missing that this is only for a few games right now and is not confirmed outside Japan. Iwata isn't even that confident about demos right now.
60. Raptor78
05 Nov 2009, 01:11 GMT
I would imagine that wiiware demos would probably be for the larger games around the 1000+ points mark and I would welcome them if done right.
The Brawl VC demos were very lazy relying on a very small time limit. What would be much better would be to either include one or two levels or the tutorial levels off of some games such as "swords and soldiers" etc.
It may be a pain to go back and make demos of already exsisting wiiware games but im sure that if Nintendo decide to go ahead with wiiware demos and dont charge 3rd party developers to put demos of their upcoming or existing wiiware games then im sure it wouldnt be too much of a problem to produce a demo and a full game at the same time, mabey they could include the option of buying the full game straight from the demo like you would buying DLC from some of the existing games.
I wasnt sure about retail demos, but considering how they managed to do a wiiware level of Punch Out im sure some retail games could manage to produce demos via the wiiware service.
61. Kevin
05 Nov 2009, 15:45 GMT
I'd rather like to see VC game demos. As most of you probably know by now I'm not a huge WiiWare fan. I rarely download any games of that service at all unlike the VC.
62. Big A2
06 Nov 2009, 06:54 GMT
@BellGoRiiing: My post was once edited too. Apparantly mentioning anything about being the first, whether it's spam or not, gets edited if you have the first post.
63. Panda
09 Nov 2009, 20:15 GMT
"First" comments are not tolerated here and will be either edited or deleted.
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