Nintendo of America is now offering the ability to digitally purchase and pre-order select games through the company's website.
Once purchased, Nintendo will ask if you want a download code for the 3DS or Wii U game or to have the title sent directly to your console by signing in with a Nintendo Network ID. Only a select number of games — all of which are first-party published — are on sale on Nintendo's website, such as Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright, and Hyrule Warriors.
In addition, Nintendo has a pre-order option for games not out yet. Like the games on sale, all of them are first-party published titles, including Fantasy Life, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Pokemon Omega Ruby Version, and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire Version. The company will send a code once the game launches or download it to your console, similar to the purchase option. However, there isn't a pre-load option.
IGN has reached out to Nintendo of America about the new website functionality, inquiring about pre-loading and whether third-party games will have similar purchasing options on the web store. We did not hear back in time for publication.
