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During an investor talk earlier today, Satoru Iwata confirmed that both Wii U and 3DS will soon be able to pre-download new titles before they are released, reducing the amount of time that players will have to wait on release day. Iwata went on to describe how
“The ‘pre-download’ system will be available with download cards sold at stores as well, by entering the download code at Nintendo eShop in advance. Consumers will not be required to save the download card until the release of the game if they enter the download code on the day of purchase.”
This feature will first come to Wii U at the end of this year, with the release of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It will then be rolled out to 3DS at some time next year.
The “pre-download” system is part of an overall strategy which Nintendo is hoping will make buying games easier for audiences.
Source: IGN
What’s with the cards? The whole point of downloading is to avoid having to go to the store. Why can’t we just predownload online like the MK8 DLC? Also, having cards for each game makes it sound like only certain games (retail for instance) will be available.
It sounds to me like the cards are just an option. You and I know to just go to the eShop to pre-buy and pre-load games, but somebody giving a gift or browsing in a physical store might appreciate the option to pick up a card.
I bet most games starting with Smash will be available to buy (a handful already are) and download (that’s the new bit) prior to release. Since it involves setting up some extra infrastructure, I doubt every single third-party and indie game will bother having pre-download availability, but for the big stuff it’s easy to see the appeal.