How to Download New Wii Games in 2009

When Nintendo launched the Wii in 2006, many industry gurus were critical of Nintendo, for falling behind Sony and Microsoft in game consoles. Most Americans had no idea it would become the phenomenon it has.

Even three years after launch, Wii consoles are often in short supply.

While Wii games have become amazingly popular among younger players, many Wii games have ratings appropriate for the entire family. Including Mom, Dad and even Grandma. Wii game ratings clearly indicate whether games are for teens, for mature adults, for children or suitable for all ages.

The company's choice of spelling, "Wii" (with two lower-case "i" characters) is meant to resemble two people standing side by side. As well as to represent the Wii controllers (Remote and Nunchuk).

While the Wii has brought Nintendo massive annual profits, in 2009 dark economic skies now hang over the entertainment industry. Many Wii gamers are seeking new ways to save money on Wii games. With costs per-game upwards of $70 for new releases. In a tough economy, entertainment expenses are often the first to be cut on the family budget. So saving money on Wii games has increasing importance for many players.

Although attractively packaged and with sophisticated in-store marketing, Wii games are essentially a digital product (one ideally suited to obtaining over the internet). For this reason, many designers and providers of Wii games have realized the huge potential. And most are releasing "sneak preview" or sample games to devoted Wii gamers - who don't want to wait for the retail-packed physical version to be released.

Why stand in line?

Wii game downloads are becoming very common across the web. Over 25 new online download services are making new games available online. And free, legal download games for the Nintendo Wii are readily available (if you know where to look).

Wii game downloads are typically offered on websites in two formats; NTSC for North America, and PAL for European players. Both formats are available online for download. This means you must be careful to get the right version for your location. Or your Wii will not play the game correctly.

Like regular Wii games, Wii game downloads have the ability to be saved at different stages. To come back later to pick up where you left off. A practical accessory gift for Wii gamers is a SD card, which allows players copy their "saves" from the Wii's internal memory and play on their friends machine.

Some sites offer trial downloads for a fee-per-download or monthly charge. But the most recommended sites offer unlimited downloads for a small, one-time setup fee.

More users see these downloads as a way to try actual games before purchasing them in stores. Others explore trial versions in place of purchasing games entirely (which often are only played once or twice - then never see the light of day again).

While many Wii game download sites are fast, many come with no service guarantee. So be cautious which site you choose to sign up with. Some locations often take so long to finish downloading that the player gets disconnected and has to start from the beginning. Very frustrating!

When considering ways to save money on your Wii games, it's important to know that only a few are proven safe and effective. Look for trust elements such as membership in game developer organizations such as the Entertainment Software Review Board or similar industry group.

These specialized online download sites can provide excellent customer service in the form of online chat and videos showing you what to do. Some sites are free and others require a small one-time setup fee. It follows that the sites with the small setup cost have the best online support, which is important if you get stuck.

A casual search online reveals Nintendo is beating Sony's PS3, and Microsoft's XBOX for popularity. For example; Amazon offers 4,299 Wii products. While XBOX 360 is at 3,045 items available and PS3 following up the rear at 2,391 related items.

The rising popularity of Nintendo Wii ensures that live downloads of full new games from Nintendo itself are coming soon. The internet is such a convenient vehicle that it cannot be long before we see Nintendo moving into the space currently occupied by these new download services. Apple and Microsoft are slightly ahead of Nintendo in this respect. But given their prior success at astounding their critics after being seen as falling behind, it's likely Nintendo will soon be offering their own expanded web download service by 2012.