A free beta version of Opera Software's Opera browser will be available to Wii users from December 22, giving them access to the web from the comfort of their lounge room. Wii owners who are connected and have activated the Wii Shop Channel can download a free beta version of the Opera browser to activate the Internet Channel of the Wii Menu and begin surfing the Web.

Nintendo expects that web access will make the Wii more attractive to non gamers. "This newest Wii Menu channel provides yet another feature to draw non-gamers in," says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.