Wii Shop Channel

Wii Shop Channel
DeveloperNintendo Special Planning & Development
TypeOnline shop
Launch dateNovember 19, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-11-19)
DiscontinuedJanuary 30, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-01-30)
Platform(s)Nintendo Wii
StatusDiscontinued[1]

The Wii Shop Channel is a discontinued digital distribution service for the Wii video game console. The service allowed users to purchase and play additional software for the Wii (called Channels), including exclusive games (branded WiiWare), and games from prior generations of video games (marketed with the Virtual Console brand).[2] The Wii Shop Channel launched on November 19, 2006, and ceased operations on January 30, 2019.[3]

Succeeded by the Nintendo eShop on the Wii U, the Wii Shop Channel was also accessible on the Wii U console via Wii Mode, supporting the download of WiiWare titles, as well as legacy Virtual Console titles that were not available via the Nintendo eShop.[4][5]

The Channel's theme music has become popular and well-received on the internet, and is often used in internet memes.[6][7][8]

  1. ^ As of February 1, 2019, users can still continue to re-download previously purchased content and/or transfer Wii data from a Wii to a Wii U via the Wii U Transfer Tool.
  2. ^ "Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of Europe GmbH. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "Important information about the closure of the Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of Europe GmbH. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "Important information about the closure of the Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo. September 29, 2017.
  5. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (September 29, 2017). "Wii Shop Channel Is Closing Down". GameSpot. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  6. ^ January 2019, Vic Hood 30 (January 30, 2019). "Wii Shop Channel shuts down after 12 years". TechRadar. Retrieved May 4, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Pearson, Jordan (September 29, 2017). "Nintendo's Iconic Wii Shop Music Is Going Offline". Vice. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Frank, Allegra (April 26, 2017). "Games make for some of hip-hop's freshest samples". Polygon. Retrieved May 4, 2020.