Now that the Wii is out, proud owners are patiently waiting for Nintendo to release the Opera Internet browser so they can surf the Web with their Wiimotes. Once the browser is available, users will be able to do a lot more than just surf. While online, the Wiimote acts as a mouse. In what may be a happy side-effect of the Wii's motion-sensing controls, Flash games that only require a mouse can be played with the Wiimote. One website has already set up shop to traffic in Flash games designed specifically to be played on the Wii. Enter the WiiCade.WiiCade.com allows users to submit their own Wii-friendly Flash creations. All of the games can be played with only a mouse/Wiimote. We played several of the games on offer and were pleasantly surprised by their quality. Tactical Assassin puts you in the role of a sniper tasked with taking out specific targets. Each mission takes place on a single, blacked-out screen, and you'll use the Wiimote to control your scope and locate your target. You'll be given hints as to which person is your target and how they should be taken down. The game has a slick, stick figure art style and is a blast to play. Oh yeah, and it's free.
Of course, any Flash game can be played on the Wii using the Opera browser. But games that require more than just mouse controls may cause problems. WiiCade collects only Wii-friendly games, divides them into genres, and ranks their popularity. All of the site's games are currently playable on your computer, and we can't wait to give them a try with the Wiimote. You can either pay $5-$10 for 20-year old games on the Virtual Console, or play new games for free on a site like WiiCade.
Nintendo had originally planned to have the Opera browser available at launch, but its availability has obviously been pushed back and the company isn't saying exactly when it will be available.
