Nintendo to Test Offering Demos of WiiWare Games

November 3, 2009 4:41 PM

As part of its coverage of Nintendo's recent earnings call IGN's Wii channel reports that company CEO Satoru Iwata said that a test program offering demos of select WiiWare games would roll out later this month. He made no indication which games would be included in the trial other than to say that it would be a select few. Nor did he indicate whether this was something planned exclusively for Japan or if it would be a global initiative.

While exact sales figures remain unknown, Iwata did explain that they needed to take some action to stimulate growth in the small WiiWare and DSi Ware market. Demos are one potential answer because he feels many current buyers come into the online store already knowing what they want and do not take any time to browse other games.

When unique and interesting games like LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias (pictured) go virtually unnoticed there's clearly a need to better spread the word. Demos could go a long way in that regard but it will likely take more than just putting them up and hoping people find them.

Garnett Lee

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pluto69

 reply
November 3, 2009 5:13 PM

I would not buy a game unless I have played it before. No way would i waste money on something I have no idea if I will like or not. Demos need to be on the wii and DSi so kids can download them and when they find a game they like they can bug their mom or dad for it.

Demo's are a must now a days.
- bob3578
  
   reply
  November 3, 2009 5:19 PM
  
  Agreed, I also agree with Iwata's comment about how people know exactly what they want and dont browse the site because thats what I do. The interface is really bland and not something I wanna spend my time on.
  I guarantee this will raise their sales figures, not a lot of people nowadays will buy games on impulse.
  - matrixneo42
    
     reply
    November 4, 2009 10:08 AM
    
    I buy "sure things" or things I have heard really good things about without demos. For instance, I bought World of Goo as wiiWare because of hearing alll kinds of good things about it.
    
    I also bought Tetris Wiiware because I had been waiting for a good tetris game for the wii. (It is good even though it doesn't have that cool square forming line bonus like "the new tetris" from n64).