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Virtual Console is the name of a new video game download service offered by Nintendo, accessible to users of the company's upcoming console, the Wii. Described (by CEO Satoru Iwata) as “the video game version of Apple’s iTunes music store”,* the service will feature classic titles from past Nintendo consoles (from the NES to the N64) as well as from formerly competing systems, such as the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16. Virtual Console may also offer new and original content from independent developers.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has indicated that new small-scale titles could be developed and sold through the Virtual Console at a price of between ¥500 and ¥1000 (approximately US$4-$9, GB£2-£5), and that free downloads may be offered as a bonus with the purchase of specific Wii titles.
Library
While the gameplay will be the same for all of the retro titles offered via the Virtual Console, Nintendo has stated that some of the games may be improved with sharper graphics or better framerates. In addition, gamers may be able to download games that were not originally released in their region, and some multiplayer games may be playable online, if it is technically possible. The Virtual Console service will not be used exclusively for retro games, however. Satoru Iwata stated in a speech on March 23, 2006, that Nintendo, Sega and Hudson Soft are working in collaboration to bring a "best of" series of games to the Wii. At E3, Hudson also declared they would bring upwards of 100 titles to the Wii's virtual console. Additionally, Hudson mentioned that all of their lawyers are working on acquiring the licenses to games from now defunct companies.
While Nintendo has not confirmed any first-party titles, it is assumed that most, if not all, of Nintendo's titles will be available. It is currently not known how third-party game developers will be included in this, though it is certain that some will be. The third-party developers may possibly offer their games at different prices. It was later supposedly confirmed by Craig Harris of IGN that Rareware titles would not be available to download due to Rare's current licensing (with the exception of the Donkey Kong and Star Fox games, as they are based on characters Nintendo owns), but neither Rareware nor Microsoft has confirmed this. SNK Playmore has recently announced intentions to help support the Wii Virtual Console. * At E3 2005's Revolution Conference, a Virtual Console demo was shown with the following games being downloaded: The Legend of Zelda, Excitebike, Punch-Out!!, F-Zero, Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Wave Race 64. Whether these games will be available for downloading remains to be seen.
Unnamed Nintendo employees have speculated that licensing issues will be a predominant factor in determining whether a game is available for Virtual Console, giving the examples of GoldenEye 007 and Tetris as games that might be too expensive to license for the Virtual Console.
Of classic non-Nintendo consoles offering content, the entire catalog for these machines will probably not be offered, but the "best of them" will be available. This gives the companies a pool of over 1000 Sega games to choose from.
Confirmed games
How it works
Games downloaded from Virtual Console library will be stored on a 512 MB flash memory built into Wii. Another storage method is via the USB ports on the back of the system, which enable the use of external storage devices. Additional downloads may be stored on an SD card (Unconfirmed), as a slot is provided for these cards on the Wii console. The Wii will use DRM to prevent games being played on other hardware.
See also
References
External links
Nintendo consoles | Nintendo Entertainment System emulators | Super NES emulators | Nintendo 64 emulators | Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis emulators | PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 emulators | Wii | Online gaming services
"Virtual Console (Wii)"