The Wii Shop Channel is a digital distribution service for the Wii video game console. The service allowed users to purchase and play additional software for the Wii (called Channels), including exclusive games (branded WiiWare), and games from prior generations of video games (marketed with the Virtual Console brand). The Wii Shop Channel launched on November 19, 2006, and ceased service operations worldwide on January 30, 2019. Users can still re-download previously purchased software and/or transfer Wii data over from a Wii to a Wii U (via the Wii U Transfer Tool). However, Nintendo claims that these features are going to eventually be discontinued at some point.
