One of the best aspects of both the PSN and XBLA is the ability to download playable game demos, but it is also one more area where, in this current console generation, Nintendo is lagging far behind. However, according to CEO Satoru Iwata, that will soon be a thing of the past. During a recent earnings briefing, Iwata told investors that the WiiWare and DSi Ware markets are both small, and that the only people browsing these services are those who have already made a purchase decision. The company now plans to add demos to both the Wii Shopping Channel and the DSi Shop in the hope of increasing the number of users to these channels.

The demo trial program, which will launch in Japan later this month, will include a limited number of WiiWare games, none of which have been specified yet. In fact, Nintendo hasn't even officially announced this trial program yet. Iwata went on to say that he doesn't know whether or not demos will be the solution to getting more people to check out the WiiWare and DSi shops, but it's pretty clear to see that if you give people something for free, they're going to take advantage of it.

I know that for myself, the only times I go to the WiiWare Channel are when, like the majority of users, I already know what game I'm interested in. Normally the way I learn about what games I want are either by word of mouth, or just from seeing gameplay trailers. For example, if I had never seen video footage of LostWinds, there's a good chance I would have missed out on one of the best games available on the Wii. I also am inclined to download almost every demo that comes to either the XBLA or the PSN, because I love trying out new games, but simply can't justify the purchases. So I, for one, applaud Nintendo's decision to bring us some game demos. What about you? Would the addition of game demos make you more likely to test out games you might otherwise ignore?

[Source]