Hey Nintendo, welcome to the present! You’ve finally decided to get on top of things and have an online experience on the 3DS and Wii U that will rival that of Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Sony’s PlayStation Network. Good for you. Sure, Nintendo Network isn’t the flashiest of names, but all that matters is you’re finally starting to get things done. It’s just a shame you couldn’t have gotten this in place earlier.
Our hint at this new network platform came when people in Japan saw the box art for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, which really needs to be released worldwide, by the way. The box had a little orange Nintendo Network icon in the upper right corner that looked like the logo at the right. It was there to signify that the game would have paid DLC available, which would be available via the Nintendo Network. It turns out tha will be one of the major features of the Nintendo Network, allowing players an easy way to get paid DLC into their games. It may even eventually allow people to purchase and download full, retail games to their systems.
The Nintendo Network will also be used to help people connect to one another. The Mario Kart 7communities feature, which allows people to join a community of racers if they have the community’s code or search for a community to race with, is one example of how the Nintendo Network will let people communicate and play together. Apparently, other games will use similar systems and more means of interaction will also be introduced over time.
Finally, the Wii U will take a huge step forward for all Nintendo products when it’s released, as it will be the first Nintendo platform with a personal account system. People will actually be able to log in to an account and then have their purchases, friends list and so on tied to that one account instead of having all that information tied to a single system! No more worrying about what will happen to your downloadable games and friends’ lists if your console dies!
All in all, it’s very good news for anyone who owns or has thought about owning a 3DS or Wii U. Finally, Nintendo’s realizing that online interactions and purchases are important to people and are creating a system that will actually work, instead of people just shake their heads with disappointment
[technologytell.com]
