After a year's worth of anticipation, Nintendo's finally pinned a solid release date on WiiWare and Wii Fit. Nintendo's original, downloadable games service will be launching on May 12, just a couple short months after the proposed Japanese launch (March). Following a week later will be the health-conscious Wii Fit bundled with Wii Balance Board on May 19.

WiiWare is said to be removing itself from the Wii Shop channel (where it currently resides), and moving to more luxurious real estate with a new channel of its own. Some confirmed titles in development for WiiWare include Dr. Mario & Bacteria Extermination, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land, Bomberman (no downloadable service is complete without it), and a Pokemon-centric channel.

Unfortunately, we have very few details outside of that for either of the launches, but we're positive Nintendo will divulge more in the coming days at GDC. Stick with us for continued coverage from GDC.