May 12th launch for US WiiWare

Nintendo’s WiiWare platform will launch in North America on May 12th.

The new service has been designed with developers in mind, letting them upload and sell games via digital distribution to Wii owners.

UK studio Frontier’s previously announced LostWinds and a new episodic game from US team Telltale will be some of the first launch titles, with a Final Fantasy Chronicles title from Square Enix joining them.

A launch date for the service in PAL territories has not yet been given.

In the official announcement, Nintendo said WiiWare "expands development opportunities for developers the same way Wii expanded the world of video game players" and will "be a repository for all types of experiences".