Nintendo's Wii Game Console to Browse Web With Opera

Opera Software said Wednesday that the new Nintendo Wii game console will use its browser to allow Wii users to surf the Internet.

Opera, which has already licensed its browser to Nintendo for use on its DS handheld game console, will include a version in the Wii, which was once code-named "Revolution."

Nintendo hasn't announced the price of the Wii console, but said in a press conference Tuesday that the console will ship in the fourth quarter for a price that will be named later.

Users will surf the Web with the Wii's controller, which contains a gyroscope and positional sensor to allow a cursor to be moved on screen without pushing a button.

Sony also said Wednesday that it has its own positional controller technology built into the PlayStation 3.

"For our Wii console launch in 2006, we required a browser that was fast and secure with support for the latest standards, including AJAX," said Genyo Takeda, senior managing director and general manager of the Integrated Research and Development Division at Nintendo Co., Ltd., in a statement. "Opera proved perfect for our purposes and is an exceptional addition to both the Nintendo DS and the Wii console."

Opera and Nintendo announced their partnership to deliver the full Opera browser for the Nintendo DS on February 15, 2006.

While the Nintendo DS browser is scheduled for release in Japan this summer, Nintendo has not yet announced its global launch plans for this product, the companies said.