Today, Nintendo will officially announce downloadable content for the Wii...

We've had System 3 swapping between games like Impossible Mission from a retail game to a downloadable game, then back again, so original downloadable content has appeared likely. Later today, we understand that Nintendo will actually confirm it.

This downloadable content will be called WiiWare, and will be sold via the Wii Shop Channel in a similar way to Virtual Console games and Wii Channels. Nintendo will choose the relevant pricing for the game, as well as check each title for bugs and compatibility. The developers/publishers will still have to send their games to software ratings boards. The first WiiWare games are scheduled for 2008.

Nintendo are seeking software not just from the likes of large companies like Sega and Ubisoft, but also indie developers. We'll bring you more details after the official announcement.