Nintendo’s downloadable game service WiiWare launches across the US today.

WiiWare will enable Wii owners to download new games from a wide range of developers including large publishers and indie houses. The service aims to “reduce the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive” by allowing developers to “experiment with big ideas and small budgets.”

Head to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel to download a WiiWare game. Simply choose your game and pay for it using Wii Points then start the download. So far the games range in price from 500 to 1 500 Wii Points. The WiiWare service will be updated with new games on Mondays.

Gamers will be able to use the new Nintendo Channel to view videos and information about WiiWare games as well as check out players opinions of the games.

Greatest games of the past - and the future

For more WiiWare information, head over to Nintendo’s WiiWare website. Here you will find a few short video clips of LostWinds, Dr Mario Online RX, Defend Your Castle, Critter Round-Up and Final Fantasy Chystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.

“WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

“WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past - and the future.”

Here is the line-up of WiiWare games (descriptions as per Nintendo):

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, 1 500 Wii Points):

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.

LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, 1 000 Wii Points):

A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand - from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You’ll wield your Wii Remote controller to power Toku’s jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds’ novel, intuitive and playful control system.

Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, 500 Wii Points):

Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?

Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, 700 Wii Points):

Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone - casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.

V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software, Inc., 1-4 players, 700 Wii Points):

V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.

TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, 1 000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you’ll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.