Opera for Wii Due on December 22

Nintendo plans to make available a customized version of the Opera browser for its Wii console on Friday, the company said Tuesday. Users will be able to download a trial version of the software at that time, which would activate the "Internet Channel" on the Wii menu. The final version is due out in March 2007. Downloads until June of next year will be free, and 500 Wii points afterwards.

The two companies first announced the partnership in May of this year. "Our software brings the power and reach of the Internet to the hottest video game system available," Opera devices executive vice president Scott Hedrick said. "Wii's unique interface adds a new dimension to our browser, making it a useful tool that the whole family will enjoy operating with ease." The browser would be standards based, and come with built-in support for Adobe Flash.