Better Nintendo Wii USB Devices on the Horizon

Up until now, the only devices compatible with the Wii USB port have been a few pointless devices and a very inconvenient wired keyboard. Wii owners have long yearned for the ability to use external storage (USB flash drives) and a variety of other fun USB devices out there (USB powered fans, wireless keyboards, and more).

In June of this year (2008), Nintendo of America posted a job announcement for a full-time "Software/Hardware Tester" focussed specifically on USB devices. Nintendo's stated goal was to create "a test plan for Wii’s USB devices." This leads observers to believe that some major fixes and enhancements for the USB port are on the way.

The specific job details:

Description of Duties

• Creating and executing a test plan for Wii's USB devices
• Executing test plans with great attention to detail and documenting bugs
• Writing test procedure documents, gathering, and learning required software/hardware
• Reproducing bug reports and helping find workarounds or resolutions

Summary of Requirements

• Extremely thorough with keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to execute scripted tasks lists with regular repetition
• Ability to reliably report and track defects via spreadsheets or other bug tracking software with great detail

Sadly, the job no longer appears in Nintendo of America's open database. If that sounded like your dream job, you already missed out, slacker. On the plus side, it most likely means the job was filled and progress has begun on improving the USB port's capabilities.

With all of the Virtual Console games available to download, Nintendo Wii fans are drooling over the possibility of external storage via USB flash drives. The 512 MB internal memory of the Wii is quite small, and the longer you own your Wii, the more likely you will eventually fill it up. The fear is that the USB port enhancements are only being made for some of the more kooky, obscure games. But with the announcement earlier this year that Guitar Hero 4 for the Wii will support downloadable content, hope springs eternal.