Nintendo also revealed that since the service was launched last years, the users have proved that “classic” is a new trend. They have downloaded more than 4.7 million classic games, at a rate of 1,000 an hour.

According to Nintendo, the top five classic games are:

    1) Super Mario Bros. (NES)

    2) Super Mario 64 (N64)

    3) Mario Kart 64(TM) (N64)

    4) Super Mario World (SNES)

   5) The Legend of Zelda (NES)

"With an Internet connection rate reaching 40 percent, Wii owners have more options than ever to find the kinds of games they love to play," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Beyond the Wii Shop Channel, all types of people are getting connected and checking out the information and entertainment options available on the Wii Menu. Whether voting, creating a Mii or just checking the weather, everyone has a favorite channel."

Still, Wii Shop Channel is far behind Xobx Live Arcade. Microsoft launched its service in November 2005 and ever since it has 25 million downloads worldwide.

Since its launch in November last year, Nintendo Wii has sold each months more units than its direct rivals PS3 and Xbox 360, despite its technical specifications, which are less spectacular compared to those of the competitors.