Oslo-based Opera Software today announced the details of its web browser release for the Nintendo Wii. The company's browser will be available for download at the "Wii Shop Channel" for free... at least at first.

"Nintendo has stated that they will offer Opera free of charge as a temporary promotion for all Wii users until June 2007," said the release by Opera. "From July 2007, users can purchase the Opera browser using Wii points. Wii points are credits users can buy that allow them to add new games or the Opera browser to their Wii consoles."

The Opera browser will support AJAX-based content and Flash and will have all the features of the Opera 9 Desktop browser. The browser will apparently be specially customized for the Wii and the Wii remote control will be a vital part of the browsing experience.

The release did not announce how much money (or Wii points, if you'd rather) the Opera browser will cost. Opera 9.02 can be downloaded now free for Windows at Opera.com.

Wii will ship in the U.S. on November 19, 2006 for $249.99, in Japan on December 2, 2006 for ¥ 25,000 and in Europe on December 8, 2006 for £179 in Britain and €249 in the rest of the EU.