Wii Shop Channel

The Wii Shop Channel is a Wii channel that allowed users to download games and other software by redeeming Wii Points, which could be obtained by purchasing Wii Points Cards from retail outlets or directly through the Shop Channel using MasterCard or Visa credit cards online. The Wii Shop Channel was discontinued in January 2019.

Games that were only available through the Wii Shop Channel are titled WiiWare. On August 10, 2007, Nintendo released the Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel, a promotional channel for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, that was made available for free. The Wii Shop Channel had a Virtual Console section in which users could download older games released on game consoles up to two prior. Two Metroid games were released for the Wii Virtual Console: Metroid for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Nintendo 64 game Super Smash Bros., in which Samus Aran is a playable character, was also available.

Connection Ambassador Program
In 2009 NoE announced a program titled the "Wii Connection Ambassador," which rewarded users for helping other new users get connected online and to the Wii Shop Channel. The service was also available in Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand.

Closure
On September 29, 2017, it was confirmed that Wii Shop Channel will be discontinued on January 31, 2019. Almost a year prior, on March 26, 2018, the purchase of Wii Points was discontinued.