Nintendo announces more about Wii Channels

In a recent press release, the big N let out some more info regarding their Virtual Console titles and the Wii Channels. Here’s some of what was mentioned in the press release as recorded by Moz La Punk:

The Wii Shop Channel serves as Wii’s online storefront, where visitors can redeem Wii Points(TM) to download games or other items. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel and choose from at least 12 classic Virtual Console(TM) games that will be ready to play on launch day.

More Virtual Console games will become available weekly every Monday following launch and by year’s end, gamers will be able to pick from a library of 30 or more classic games from the Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Super NES(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Sega Genesis(TM) and TurboGrafx16 consoles. Users buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card in the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download the classic games.

Hit the jump for more.

The Wii Shop Channel is also where users will go to download the Opera browser that will let them surf the Internet from the comfort of their couches on Wii’s Internet Channel. More information about the availability of the browser will be released in the coming weeks.

On Dec. 20, Nintendo will roll out the Forecast Channel. Users will be able to access free local weather information, which is continually updated. Users can access worldwide weather information by browsing a 3-D globe. Weather information will be supplied by Weathernews. A high-speed Internet connection is required to access the Forecast Channel.

Then on Jan. 27, the Wii Menu News Channel will make headlines with the latest news from around the world provided by the Associated Press. A high-speed Internet connection is also needed to access the News Channel.

Not like it matters, but I thought all the Wii Channels would be available for use on launch day. Guess not. Regarding the News Channel, my guess is, Nintendo’s still in talks with CNN, whom they’ve chosen to deliver news from across the globe on their News Channel on the Wii.

My primary concerns are with WiiConnect24, their upcoming online service. Pokémon Battle Revolution will be the first game that releases with functional online play, but apart from mentioning this, Nintendo’s been pretty hush-hush about the entire affair. Could they be planning something similar to Xbox Live or even Sony’s online services?