Opera DS Web Browser Japan Launch Date Confirmed

Norwegian-headquartered Opera Software has officially announced July 24 as the Japanese release date of the previously confirmed Opera web browser for the Nintendo DS platform. The DS browser will initially be only available for purchase online for a price of ¥3,800 ($33), and comes with an additional memory expansion pack. Nintendo has not yet announced product release dates for the U.S. and Europe. The company noted that additional details concerning the web browser will be unveiled on July 24. The web browser will allow Internet navigation across both screens as well as the use of a touchscreen keypad. The software is based on the same core as the Opera desktop browser. Previous information regarding the browser indicated that users will be able to surf the “full Internet”, with no suggestion that adult-related content will be blocked. The support for a web browser with unrestricted access to the Internet stands in stark contrast to Nintendo’s more recent forays into online gaming, with DS titles such as Mario Kart DS and Tetris DS, as well as the tremendously popular Metroid Prime: Hunters. These titles utilize a system of Friends Codes that not only restricts contact between strangers online, but also necessitate an exchange of codes between players outside of the game. With the Opera browser announcement, however, Nintendo appears to be quickly expanding the scope of their online services.