Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Holding the Nintendo Switch 2
Hardware Nintendo Switch 2 will soon cost $500 due to "various changes in market conditions"
A Reggie Fils-Aimé puppet from Nintendo's E3 2015 presentation.
Games Nintendo doesn't discount games because it's "mentality" is shipping "the best" says ex-NOA boss
Photo by Rosalie Newcombe of the Nintendo Switch 2 sitting on a coffee table surrounded by accessories.
Hardware Nintendo reportedly pressured to raise Switch 2 price as $450 console is sold at a loss
Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube hack yanked days after players find a way to watch videos in a free battle royale game
Official marketing photo showing someone holding a Hori Kirby and Waddle Dee Switch 2 case.
Accessories It's happening - Hori has confirmed the adorable Kirby and Waddle Dee Switch 2 accessories are releasing outside of Japan
An inkling with orange hair in Splatoon on Wii U using a splat gun to cover the stage with orange paint
Games The 25 best Wii U games of all time
PS5 Dualsense
Hardware Another PS5 price hike isn't the "plan," says Sony CEO, but I'm not getting my hopes up
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream young Miis gather around to watch an older male Mii breakdancing
Simulation Games Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream fans dub 70 Mii limit "kinda lame"
Xbox Game Pass logo on a green background
Games The price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is falling, and all it cost was day one access to new Call of Duty games
Photo taken by Tabitha Baker of the official Nintendo Switch 2 camera sitting on a desk.
Hardware The best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras
Fire Emblem Engage
Games Nintendo kept finished games in a "vault" while it waited for a "gap" to release them, says former marketing lead
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai says it would be "impossible" to grant every fan request
Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on blue background with best deal badge
Nintendo Switch The best cheap Nintendo Switch bundle deals - all the latest sales in May 2026
Von Kaiser looks shocked in a prototype of the NES game Punch-Out
Games After spending $45,000 on an "unheard of" Nintendo prototype, collector releases the ROM for free
Sky: Children of the Light screenshot of three figures playing different instruments
Games The best free Switch games available right now in 2026
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Platforms
  2. Nintendo
  3. Wii U

Nintendo says Wii U online will be free

News
By Andrew Groen published 29 June 2012

No XBL-esque fees

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

During a shareholders meeting yesterday, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said that there will not be a fee to access the Nintendo Wii U's online services.

A general translation of his comments by Andriasang reads, "Iwata said that he doesn't necessarily reject the idea of a paid service that allows not just Wii U but various other devices to connect to Nintendo Network. However, when considering Nintendo's users, a paid membership service is not the best approach. By having everyone use the Miiverse together, word of mouth will more easily spread."

He added that he believed word of mouth gained from a higher user-based would lead to higher overall sales. In the presentation he also noted that there are no near-future plans for a new model of the 3DS beyond the 3DS XL. He cited concerns about mass production efficiency in his explanation.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • Mario faces the camera with a thumbs up pose in Super Smash Bros. Ulimate. Nintendo says "the cost of physical games is not going up" in the US, digital Switch 2 games are getting cheaper
  • A pink-haired player punches the air in victory in Pokemon Champions. Does Pokemon Champions require NSO?
  • A Reggie Fils-Aimé puppet from Nintendo's E3 2015 presentation. Nintendo doesn't discount games because it's "mentality" is shipping "the best" says ex-NOA boss
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Andrew Groen
Andrew Groen
Social Links Navigation

Andrew is a freelance video game journalist, writing for sites like Wired and GamesRadar. Andrew has also written a book called EMPIRES OF EVE: A History of the Great Wars of EVE Online.

Read more
Mario faces the camera with a thumbs up pose in Super Smash Bros. Ulimate.
Games Nintendo says "the cost of physical games is not going up" in the US, digital Switch 2 games are getting cheaper
 
 
A pink-haired player punches the air in victory in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Does Pokemon Champions require NSO?
 
 
A Reggie Fils-Aimé puppet from Nintendo's E3 2015 presentation.
Games Nintendo doesn't discount games because it's "mentality" is shipping "the best" says ex-NOA boss
 
 
An inkling with orange hair in Splatoon on Wii U using a splat gun to cover the stage with orange paint
Games The 25 best Wii U games of all time
 
 
Mario Kart World screenshot Switch 2
Games Nintendo's physical price split is "a pro-consumer move," says ex-sales lead
 
 
Switch 2 with Donkey Kong Bananza art on screen on wood pattern table next to accessories.
Nintendo Switch 2 Switch 2 prices will go up, says ex-Nintendo sales lead: "It's inevitable"
 
 
Latest in Nintendo
Black and white shot of stunned Fortnite character
Battle Royale Games Epic knows everyone's afraid "AI is going to take all our jobs," but the goal is efficiency
 
 
Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube hack yanked days after players find a way to watch videos in a free battle royale game
 
 
A human ditto jumping in the air during Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia is already in the top 5 best-selling Pokemon spin-offs, with around 20% of Switch 2 owners buying the cozy sim
 
 
Official marketing photo showing someone holding a Hori Kirby and Waddle Dee Switch 2 case.
Accessories It's happening - Hori has confirmed the adorable Kirby and Waddle Dee Switch 2 accessories are releasing outside of Japan
 
 
A golden spider in the Resident Evil Requiem Leon Must Die Forever minigame
Resident Evil What do golden spiders do in Leon Must Die Forever?
 
 
Super Mario World, our number one best retro games
Super Mario Super Mario World director Takashi Tezuka is leaving Nintendo after 42 years
 
 
Latest in News
The Elder Scrolls After 14 years since reveal, the Morrowind remake made in Skyrim gets another update and sounds close to completion
 
 
A blue-skinned girl in a hat and oversized clothes jetskis around a few small islands with the blue sky shining above, in a screenshot from Bobo Bay.
Simulation Games This indie game with near perfect Steam reviews is the Sonic Adventure follow-up I've been waiting 26 years for
 
 
Diablo 4
Diablo Diablo 4 devs designed the new warlock class based on who would win in a "fist fight"
 
 
Motorslice screenshot of blue haired girl P
Action Games New Steam indie game with glistening reviews is like Shadow of the Colossus if all the bosses were construction vehicles
 
 
Psychonauts
Xbox First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizing
 
 
Black and white shot of stunned Fortnite character
Battle Royale Games Epic knows everyone's afraid "AI is going to take all our jobs," but the goal is efficiency
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Geralt of Rivia, who has white hair, a facial scar, and a wears a hood, in The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings Enchanced Edition
    1
    The 7 best Witcher games to play in 2026, ranked
  2. 2
    Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter are duking it out in cinemas – Tekken should be next
  3. 3
    Valve's Gabe Newell always understood what Steam does better than every other PC and console store: "The thing that we've been successful with are the Steam sales"
  4. 4
    After 14 years since announcement, the Morrowind remake made in Skyrim gets another encouraging update and sounds close to completion
  5. 5
    Mortal Kombat 2 writer reveals the fighter he cut from the script: "I wasn't able to devote enough time to sell him as a character"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...