Nintendo launched its downloadable game service WiiWare across North America this past Monday. Nintendo today revealed the launch line-up for Europe. WiiWare is scheduled to launch across Europe on the 20th of May.

WiiWare enables developers to create downloadable games which Wii owners can purchase from the Wii Shop Channel. With developers no longer constrained by budgets, gamers can look forward to playing smaller, creative titles as well as fresh and original games which may otherwise have not seen the light of day. Developers will have the opportunity to make use of the Wii Remote, Nunchuk as well as the new Wii Balance Board and Wii Wheel.

Opening a creative door

“We are excited by the positive response we have received from third party developers to the announcement of WiiWare,” commented Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of Marketing & PR of Nintendo of Europe.

“We hope that this opportunity and the inspiration to produce original and exciting games will allow developers of all sizes to bring new concepts, genres and game play experiences to Wii. Opening this creative door will also provide Wii users access to a huge choice of games that they can easily download and enjoy.”

Wii owners will be able to download WiiWare games directly on to their Wii from the Wii Shop Channel from 500 Wii Points. According to the press release “a vast array of exciting and creative new projects are already in the pipeline.”

Nintendo Channel

Nintendo also announced that the Nintendo Channel will launch across Europe on the 30th of May. The new channel was launched in the US on the 8th of May and allows Wii owners to get information about Wii and Nintendo DS games as well as watch trailers and game play videos, make use of ‘DS Download Play’ to sample DS game demos, search for games using various categories and recommend games you’ve played.

The following games will be available when WiiWare launches across Europe on the 20th of May.

• Dr. Mario & Germ Buster (Nintendo)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Square Enix - Japanese)
• Lost Winds (Frontier – UK)
• Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen Interactive Ltd – Dutch)
• Pop (Nnooo – Australian)
• Star Soldier R (Hudson Soft Japanese)
• Toki Tori (Two Tribes B.V. – Dutch)
• TV Show King (Gameloft – French)

Stay tuned for a detailed look at each of the WiiWare titles.