After two years, Nintendo sets its web browser free

The Nintendo Wii has had an optional web browser almost as long as the gaming console has existed. But for some baffling reason, you had to pay $5 (or rather, 500 Wii Points) to use the browser, which was built by the fine folks at Opera. In order to use a web browser. You had to pay.

Anyway, it looks like those dark days are behind us. Nintendo has set the web browser free, so anyone can download it without using up any Wii points. You'll need to have space either on your Wii or an SD card to install the browser. And of course, your game console will have to be hooked up to an internet connection.

If you already shelled out the 500 Wii Points for the browser, your $5 wasn't spent in vain. Electric Pig reports that Nintendo will roll out a virtual coupon that lets users who paid for the browser download a Virtual Console title worth up to 500 points starting in October.

[via Gizmodo]

Tags: gaming-consoles, nintendo, nintendo-wii, opera, opera-browser