Core Gaming has confirmed that Nintendo plans to bring Nintendo Online Services and Wii Connect 24 functionalities to South Africa. Although we are not sure when the much anticipated online services will arrive here, Core Gaming believes that it will be in the “near future.”

According to Matthew Grose, General Manager of Core Gaming Systems, bringing online services here is a big undertaking that involves administration and logistics efforts from Nintendo of Europe, Core Gaming as well as the Film and Publications Board. “We are working hard to make this service available and will definitely keep you informed as soon as we have an idea about timelines.”

Grose added, “From my side - WC24 is a massive priority and we want to offer this to the SA community to highlight and showcase true Wii potential.” However, he urged us to bear in mind that it is “largely Nintendo of Europe driven.”

Core Gaming also had to liaise with Nintendo of Europe with respect to Club Nintendo and the Stars Catalogue which launched in South Africa in late June. Despite starting small, more elements are winging their way to the Stars Catalogue soon. It seems as if the adoption of the Stars Catalogue was just the beginning for South African Nintendo gamers, and could be used as an indicator of how quickly Wii Connect 24 can happen.

Many South African gamers are connecting to the online services by logging in through another country but Core Gaming does not know how many gamers are currently utilising online features in this way.