The Television Friend Channel
Released: March 4, 2008
Available in: Japan
It’s become pretty standard here in America, but in Japan, they don’t have the luxury of a built-in TV guide channel no matter what provider they go with. Well, it looks like Nintendo has them covered! This “very fun and Nintendo-esque” application not only allows them to see what’s coming on tonight when they get home from Ninja School, but it incorporates some innovative and interesting social and technological capabilities as well. Users can place a Mii stamp on the shows they want to watch and receive an alert via phone or e-mail thirty minutes before it starts. When its show time, the show can be viewed right from Wii with the added bonus of using your Wii-remote to change the channel or alter the volume.
Today and Tomorrow Channel
Released: December 2, 2008 and September 9, 2009
Available in: Japan, Europe, Australia, South Korea
To be perfectly honest, I can’t see why this one has yet to make it to the States, because it strikes me as a perfect fit (though it may put a certain octopus out of work). Using your birthday, this oracle of a channel will read the fortunes of up to six Mii’s across five categories: Love, work, study, communications, and money. It’ll also tell you how compatible you are with another Mii, which is a little creepy considering the majority of your other Mii’s are probably family members, and even supply you with a “Lucky Word” similar to those lucky numbers on the backs of some fortune cookies. Except with this channel, you don’t have to buy dinner and there’s no paper scrap to throw away!
Wii “My Room” Channel
Released: May 1, 2009
Available in: Japan
For this nifty little channel, think Netflix with a Nintendo twist. Essentially, “My Room” is a video-on-demand service that features cartoons, brain-training quizzes, how-to videos, and a myriad of other digital content created exclusively for Nintendo and this service. The channel itself is represented by a living room in which up to eight Mii’s can mingle and features a television which serves as a menu for the video content. Occasionally, “My Room” is visited by celebrities who host special video events!
Japanese gamers can also download a DSiWare app which lets them download videos from the service and play them on the go in addition to downloading coupons for special products that can be scanned right from the screen at the register. It’s all thanks to the blood pact Nintendo signed with Dentsu, one of the world’s largest advertising companies. Rumor has it that we’ll be getting our hands on “My Room” sometime in the near future!
Demae Channel
Released: May 26, 2009
Available in: Japan
I am not in the least bit surprised that this channel hasn’t made it to our shores and it probably never should. The Demae channel allows its users to order food online and have it delivered to their doors. That’s pretty much all there is to it. Sounds like a pretty cool service, but it’s probably the last thing the most obese country in the world needs.
Digicam Print Channel
Released: July 23, 2008
Available in: Japan
Similar to the Photo Channel, the Digicam Print Channel allows users to upload and edit pictures via an SD card. The difference is that the software let’s you customize the photos with all kinds of templates including printable photo books and even allows you to make business cards featuring your Mii. I’m not sure what business field this would really be acceptable in, unless you’re in the business of serial killing and looking for a signature, but the option is there and that’s cool. Anyway, once you’re satisfied with your creations, they’re sent to Fujifilm who will deliver them right to your door! Like “My Room”, this channel is rumored to be crossing the pond.
BBC iPlayer Channel
Released: November 18, 2009
Available in: UK
BBC’s iPlayer is a free, streaming television and radio service that was formerly available through the Wii’s Opera browser until an update made it incompatible. Rather than fix the problem, the BBC gave iPlayer its own channel downloadable from the Wii Shop Channel! This version provides some nice touches over the PC version such as background animations during radio shows and even Wii-remote rumble feedback. Extreme!
So there you have it, folks: Six reasons why gamers have it better in other countries. The possibility exists that we may be seeing some of these channels in our near future; unfortunately, there are a few that seem to be perfect fits for the States that we may never get. Now how about Nintendo gets to work on some US exclusives?
Staff Writer, RoboPlay | Though his family owned an NES well throughout his younger years, Ryan wouldn’t form a mutualistic relationship with video games until the early days of the SNES. Titles like Super Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and Final Fantasy III were the games he grew up on and to this day, RPGs are his favorite. Though, he occassionally succumbs to the urge to shoot things or destroy entire city blocks with the push of a button in other genres. Ryan is a firm believer that battles in the console “war” should be fought by companies and that gamers should just do what they do best. Of all three systems, he plays Wii most because he’ll throw money at anything with bright colors and beepy, happiness music. 
