Nintendo have announced plans to introduce a “pre-download” (or pre-load) system for Wii U by the end of this year.
Company president Satoru Iwata shared details at their semi-annual financial results briefing, revealing that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be the first title to be available through such mechanism.
This will allow consumers to “download most of the game content in advance,” therefore allowing digital purchases to be activated and used far quicker upon launch. That will also be available when redeeming download cards at retail, meaning that consumers won’t have to wait until launch to claim their codes.
Iwata indicated that this was the continuation of Nintendo evaluating how to make their “digital business more user-friendly by providing a variety of payment methods, expanding distribution channels and enhancing consumer convenience.”
Pre-download will initially be implemented on Wii U, and will be rolled out for Nintendo 3DS next year.
Nintendo to launch “pre-download” system with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
