James's Weblog

Downloadable games for the Wii are purchased through credit (“Wii Points”). Wii Points are purchased in the form of gift cards from retailers or are purchased directly through the Wii. The gift cards have a redemption code that must be entered on the Wii. Typing this in without a keyboard seems somewhat laborious. Purchasing points directly through the Wii requires entering a credit card number and some billing information. Typing this in is even more laborious. The gift cards therefore are a bit easier, but they lack instant gratification and seem physically wasteful.

I don’t understand why customers can’t make an account on Nintendo’s website, link their Wii with their web account, and then purchase Wii Points directly through the web. (Potential problems where people mistype their Wii ID number can be prevented by a simple two-step confirmation system.) You’d think Nintendo would want it to be even easier to separate customers from their money.

(Oh, I know I’m being a nitpicky pedant, but when buying points directly on the Wii, the confirmation screen confused me a bit. What am I answering “yes” or “no” to?)