Amazon.com, the biggest online retailer, has begun selling the Nintendo Wii version of World of Goo that until now was only available through the WiiWare service handled directly by Nintendo.
The fact that only one game is being sold at the moment suggests that Amazon is testing the waters as it is preparing to launch a full fledged store, which will sell WiiWare and, probably, Virtual Console titles.
In order to get World of Goo for the Wii from Amazon, you need to log in on the site, pay the 14.99 dollars asked using one of the accepted methods (and without using Wii points), and get the code provided. That code can then be redeemed on the WiiWare service in order to be able to download the game. Actually, it's pretty simple and allows those interested to give WiiWare games as gifts, by delivering someone a code that they paid for.
Earlier in 2009,
Amazon launched an Xbox Live store, where it sells titles available for Microsoft's gaming console only via download. Again, there's no need to use Microsoft Points, as the payment is made in real world currency. It's interesting to note that Amazon is already selling Cards for Microsoft Points and for Wii Points. Amazon is tapping into quite a big market, given the fact that you cannot get WiiWare and Xbox Live games anywhere else than on Amazon and on the console services.
In the future, we will also probably see Amazon launch a PlayStation Network store, selling downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 from Sony. This means that Amazon could become a one stop digital shop for some gamers, especially as it has also
entered the used games market, with prices equivalent to those offered by long time player GameStop.
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