Pre-loading coming to Wii U with Super Smash Bros., to 3DS next year

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will feature pre-downloading when it is released later this year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said during a briefing today.

"The 'pre-download' system is a system in which consumers who have purchased the game before its release can download most of the game content in advance," he explained. "Using this system, consumers will not have to wait for a long time to download the game after its release. They will then be able to start playing the game by only downloading a requisite minimum amount of update data."

Pre-loading will be available for the game both by purchasing it online through certain retailers and by purchasing download cards at stores and then entering the download code at the Nintendo eShop in advance.

"Consumers will not be required to save the download card until the release of the game if they enter the download code on the day of purchase," he said. "This system will be implemented on Wii U first, and is planned for Nintendo 3DS next year."