Difference between revisions of "Virtual Console"

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'''Virtual Console''' is the name for the emulation service provided to [[Wii]] users. It allows players to purchase and download games by browsing a specialized section of the Wii Shop Channel. This requires the user to connect to the internet, and to also purchase Wii points beforehand to make the purchase. Games downloaded are stored on the 512MB flash memory built into the system. From there games can be transferred to a memory card, but can not be played directly from the memory card. Games on the memory card can be transferred back to the Wii it came from, but not to another system.
+
[[File:VirtualConsole logo.svg|320px|right]]
 +
'''Virtual Console''' is the name for the emulation service initially provided to [[Wii]] users, and later to [[Nintendo 3DS]] and [[Wii U]] users. It allowed players to purchase and download games by browsing a specialized section of the Wii Shop Channel and later the Nintendo eShop. This required the user to connect to the internet, and to also purchase Wii/Nintendo Points beforehand to make the purchase.  
  
−
While most Virtual Console games are unchanged from their original release, some games, such as ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'', have had minor changes to them, while other games, like ''[[Dyna Brothers 2]]'', are quite different (in this case, ''[[Dyna Brothers 2 Special]]'', which was the [[Sega Channel]] version).
+
While most Virtual Console games are unchanged from their original release, some games, such as ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'', have had minor changes to them, while other games, like ''[[Dyna Brothers 2]]'', are quite different (in this case, ''[[Dyna Brothers 2 Special]]'', which was the [[Sega Channel]] version). Another unique case is ''[[Monster World IV]]'', which was fully translated into English for the overseas release.
  
−
Games available come from a variety of systems including: [[Nintendo]]'s Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES and Nintendo 64, [[Sega]]'s [[Sega Master System|Master System]] and [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]], NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and TurboGrafx-CD, SNK's Neo Geo AES. It also supports region specific consoles such as Commodore 64 (Europe only) and MSX (Japan only). Some publishers may choose to release region-specific games internationally in the special Import category (for example, the standalone ''[[Puyo Puyo Tsu]]'' was released overseas this way).
+
==Overview==
 +
===Wii===
 +
Games downloaded are stored on the Wii's 512MB flash memory that is built into the system. From there games can be transferred to an SD card, but could not be played directly from the SD card until an update allowed the Wii to utilise the flash memory to play games saved on an SD card. Games on the SD card can be transferred back to the Wii it came from, but not to another system.
  
−
NES and Sega Master System games can play properly with the Wii Remote, but games for other consoles will likely require either a [[GameCube]] controller, or the Classic Controller, which is sold separately.
+
Games available come from a variety of systems including: [[Nintendo]]'s [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Super NES]] and [[Nintendo 64]], [[Sega]]'s [[Sega Master System|Master System]] and [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]], NEC's [[nec:TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-16]] and [[nec:CD-ROM² systems|TurboGrafx-CD]], SNK's Neo Geo AES, and various [[Arcade]] systems. It also supports region-specific consoles such as the [[Commodore 64]] (Europe and North America only) and [[MSX]] (Japan only). Some publishers may choose to release region-specific games internationally in the special Import category (for example, the standalone ''[[Puyo Puyo Tsuu]]'' was released overseas this way).
  
−
Despite continuous strong sales of the Wii, additions to the Virtual Console service have slowed down considerably since the service was introduced in 2006, partly due to the launch of [[WiiWare]]. In South Korea, no Sega games have been released for the service.
+
NES, Master System and TurboGrafx-16 games can play properly with the Wii Remote, but games for other consoles will likely require either a [[GameCube]] controller, or the Classic Controller, which was sold separately.
  
−
==Sega Games on the Virtual Console==
+
Despite continuous strong sales of the Wii, additions to the Virtual Console service have slowed down considerably since the service was introduced in 2006, partly due to the launch of [[WiiWare]]. In South Korea, no Sega games were released for the service.
−
===Arcade===
+
 
−
====Japan====
+
On September 29, 2017{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20181229064252/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/support/information/2017/0929.html}} it was announced that the Wii's Wii Shop Channel (Where the Wii's Virtual Console is housed) would be shutting down on January 31, 2019 at 3PM JST/5PM AEDT/1AM EDT/6AM GMT/January 30, 2019 at 10PM PST. The ability to buy Wii Points to purchase games was stopped on March 27, 2018 at 5AM JST/7AM AEDT/March 26, 2018 at 1PM PDT/4PM EDT/9PM BST. In the interim between not being able to buy points and its closure, players were still able to download items they had previously purchased.
 +
 
 +
===Nintendo 3DS===
 +
[[File:VirtualConsole 3DS Sonic1.png|thumb|right|200px|''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' running on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, with square pixel aspect ratio and a border based on the black Game Gear model.]]
 +
The Virtual Console was also brought to the Nintendo 3DS, with games available primarily coming from handheld systems including Nintendo's [[Game Boy]] and Game Boy Color, and Sega's [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]]. The 3DS also received games normally available on home consoles, such as the NES, Super NES (available only on New Nintendo 3DS systems) and the TurboGrafx-16 (Japan only). A select number of [[Game Boy Advance]] games were made available as exclusives for the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Programme.{{ref|https://archive.is/GkHBj|http://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2011/Nintendo-3DS-Ambassador-programme-253337.html}}
 +
 
 +
Games downloaded are stored on the SD card inserted into the system and loaded from the HOME menu. They can only be played on the system they were originally purchased on.
 +
 
 +
Game Gear games use an emulator developed by [[M2]], which includes various features such as the ability to create in-game savestates and options to adjust the screen size, change the border colour and simulate the motion blur effect on the Game Gear's LCD screen. The emulator also supports emulation of the [[Gear-to-Gear Cable]], allowing multiplayer games providing both players have purchased the game; thus they hold the distinction of being able to support their original multiplayer functions alongside the ''Pokémon'' titles. A total of 22 Game Gear games were released in Japan, and 16 were released in North American and European territories; no Game Gear games were released for the service in South Korea.
 +
 
 +
On February 15, 2022{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20220216022354/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation}} it was announced that the 3DS's eShop would be shutting down in March of 2023. The ability to add funds with a credit card was stopped on May 23, 2022 while the ability to add points through eShop cards was suspended entirely on August 29, 2022, although download codes were still able to be redeemed until its shutdown in March 2023, however. Users who linked their Nintendo Network ID from their Nintendo 3DS to their Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Switch were able to use a shared wallet and purchase things from the 3DS eShop until its closure in March 2023.
 +
 
 +
It was later clarified that the Nintendo 3DS eShop would shut down on March 27th, 2023.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20221104195919/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-&-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation}}
 +
 
 +
===Wii U===
 +
The Wii U's Virtual Console service features games originally released on Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and [[Nintendo DS]], NEC's TurboGrafx-16, and the MSX (Japan only). No games from Sega systems were released for the service, though a handful of Sega games released on the Game Boy Advance saw a release, but only in Japan. However, Virtual Console games released for the Wii are compatible with the Wii U and can be played in the system's Wii Mode, including Sega games.
 +
 
 +
Games downloaded are either stored on the system's 8/32GB internal flash memory, or on an external hard disk drive connected to the system.
 +
 
 +
On February 15, 2022{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20220216022354/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation}} it was announced that the Wii U's eShop would be shutting down in March of 2023. The ability to add funds with a credit card was stopped on May 23, 2022 while the ability to add points through eShop cards was suspended entirely on August 29, 2022, although download codes were still able to be redeemed until its shutdown in March 2023, however. Users who linked their Nintendo Network ID from their Wii U to their Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Switch were able to use a shared wallet and purchase things from the Wii U eShop until its closure in March 2023.
 +
 
 +
It was later clarified that the Wii U eShop would shut down on March 27th, 2023.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20221104195919/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-&-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation}}
 +
 
 +
==Sega games on the Virtual Console==
 +
===[[Wii]]===
 +
====[[Arcade]]====
 +
=====Japan=====
 
(As of 21 June 2011)
 
(As of 21 June 2011)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
−
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
+
*''[[Space Harrier]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Juuouki]]''
+
*''[[Juuouki]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Golden Axe]]''
+
*''[[Golden Axe]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Shinobi]]''
+
*''[[Shinobi]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Zaxxon]]''
+
*''[[Zaxxon]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Super Hang-On]]''
+
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (2010)
−
*''[[Puyo Puyo]]''
+
*''[[Puyo Puyo]]'' (2011)
−
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsu]]''
+
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsuu]]'' (2007? 2011?)
−
*''[[Wonder Boy: Monster Land]]''
+
*''[[Wonder Boy: Monster Land]]'' (2011)
 
}}
 
}}
−
====North America====
+
=====North America=====
−
(As of 24 January 2011)
+
(As of 5 May 2012)
−
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
+
*''[[Space Harrier]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
+
*''[[Altered Beast]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Golden Axe]]''
+
*''[[Golden Axe]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Shinobi]]''
+
*''[[Shinobi]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Zaxxon]]''
+
*''[[Zaxxon]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (2012)
 +
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]'' (2012)
  
−
====Europe/Australia====
+
=====Europe/Australia=====
−
(As of 21 January 2011)
+
(As of 5 May 2012)
−
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
+
*''[[Space Harrier]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
+
*''[[Altered Beast]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Golden Axe]]''
+
*''[[Golden Axe]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Shinobi]]''
+
*''[[Shinobi]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Zaxxon]]''
+
*''[[Zaxxon]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (2012)
 +
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]'' (2012)
  
−
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
+
====[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]====
−
====Japan====
+
=====Japan=====
−
(As of 27 October, 2009)
+
(As of 15 November 2011)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
*''[[Columns]]''
 
*''[[Columns]]''
Line 67: Line 100:
 
*''[[Alex Kidd: Tenku Majou]]''
 
*''[[Alex Kidd: Tenku Majou]]''
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2 (Mega Drive)|Virtua Fighter 2]]''
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2 (Mega Drive)|Virtua Fighter 2]]''
−
*''[[Alien Storm]]''
+
*''[[Alien Storm (Mega Drive)|Alien Storm]]''
 
*''[[Dyna Brothers]]''
 
*''[[Dyna Brothers]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy V: Monster World III]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy V: Monster World III]]''
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*''[[Bahamut Senki]]''
 
*''[[Bahamut Senki]]''
 
*''[[Pulseman]]''
 
*''[[Pulseman]]''
−
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsu]]''
+
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsuu]]'' (2007? 2011?)
 
*''[[Bare Knuckle II: Shitou he no Chinkon Uta]]''
 
*''[[Bare Knuckle II: Shitou he no Chinkon Uta]]''
 
*''[[Chameleon Kid]]''
 
*''[[Chameleon Kid]]''
Line 122: Line 155:
 
*''[[Hokuto no Ken: Shin Seikimatsu Kyuseishu Densetsu]]''
 
*''[[Hokuto no Ken: Shin Seikimatsu Kyuseishu Densetsu]]''
 
*''[[Sorcerian]]''
 
*''[[Sorcerian]]''
−
*''[[Forgotten Worlds]]''
+
*''[[Forgotten Worlds (Mega Drive)|Forgotten Worlds]]''
 
*''[[Senjou no Okami II]]''
 
*''[[Senjou no Okami II]]''
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
Line 134: Line 167:
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim 2]]''
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim 2]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 +
*''[[Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers]]''
 +
*''[[Strider Hiryuu]]''
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
  
−
====North America====
+
=====North America=====
−
(As of 15 February 2010)
+
(As of 5 May 2012)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
 
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
Line 180: Line 215:
 
*''[[Ecco Jr.]]''
 
*''[[Ecco Jr.]]''
 
*''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 
*''[[Eternal Champions]]''
−
*''[[Alien Storm]]''
+
*''[[Alien Storm (Mega Drive)|Alien Storm]]''
 
*''[[Rolling Thunder 2]]''
 
*''[[Rolling Thunder 2]]''
 
*''[[Light Crusader]]''
 
*''[[Light Crusader]]''
Line 196: Line 231:
 
*''[[Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition]]''
 
*''[[Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition]]''
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
 
*''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
−
*''[[Forgotten Worlds]]''
+
*''[[Forgotten Worlds (Mega Drive)|Forgotten Worlds]]''
 
*''[[Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure]]''
 
*''[[Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium]]''
Line 211: Line 246:
 
*''[[Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi]]''
 
*''[[Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 +
*''[[Strider]]''
 +
*''[[Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers]]''
 +
*''[[Monster World IV]]''
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
  
−
====Europe/Australia====
+
=====Europe/Australia=====
−
(As of 12 February 2010)
+
(As of 5 May 2012)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
 
*''[[Altered Beast]]''
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*''[[Light Crusader]]''
 
*''[[Light Crusader]]''
 
*''[[Rolling Thunder 2]]''
 
*''[[Rolling Thunder 2]]''
−
*''[[Alien Storm]]''
+
*''[[Alien Storm (Mega Drive)|Alien Storm]]''
 
*''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 
*''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star II]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star II]]''
Line 275: Line 313:
 
*''[[Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition]]''
 
*''[[Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star IV]]''
 
*''[[Phantasy Star IV]]''
−
*''[[Forgotten Worlds]]''
+
*''[[Forgotten Worlds (Mega Drive)|Forgotten Worlds]]''
 
*''[[Boogerman]]''
 
*''[[Boogerman]]''
 
*''[[ClayFighter]]''
 
*''[[ClayFighter]]''
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*''[[Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi]]''
 
*''[[Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 
*''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 +
*''[[Strider]]''
 +
*''[[Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers]]''
 +
*''[[Monster World IV]]''
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
  
−
===[[Sega Master System|Master System]]===
+
====[[Sega Master System|Master System]]====
−
====Japan====
+
=====Japan=====
 
(As of 19 May 2009)
 
(As of 19 May 2009)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
−
*''[[Hokuto no Ken]]''
+
*''[[Hokuto no Ken (Master System)|Hokuto no Ken]]''
 
*''[[Fantasy Zone]]''
 
*''[[Fantasy Zone]]''
 
*''[[Super Wonder Boy]]''
 
*''[[Super Wonder Boy]]''
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*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
−
*''[[Enduro Racer]]''
+
*''[[Enduro Racer (Master System)|Enduro Racer]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
*''[[Super Wonder Boy: Monster World]]''
 
*''[[Super Wonder Boy: Monster World]]''
Line 312: Line 353:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
====North America====
+
=====North America=====
 
(As of 1 February 2010)
 
(As of 1 February 2010)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
Line 321: Line 362:
 
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
−
*''[[Enduro Racer]]''
+
*''[[Enduro Racer (Master System)|Enduro Racer]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Chaos]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Chaos]]''
Line 333: Line 374:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
====Europe/Australia====
+
=====Europe/Australia=====
 
(As of 11 December 2009)
 
(As of 11 December 2009)
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
Line 342: Line 383:
 
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Space Harrier]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
−
*''[[Enduro Racer]]''
+
*''[[Enduro Racer (Master System)|Enduro Racer]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
 
*''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Chaos]]''
 
*''[[Sonic Chaos]]''
Line 353: Line 394:
 
*''[[Alex Kidd in Shinobi World]]''
 
*''[[Alex Kidd in Shinobi World]]''
 
}}
 
}}
−
[[Category:Post-Sega Consoles]]
+
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
 +
====[[Arcade]]====
 +
=====Japan=====
 +
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsuu]]''
 +
 
 +
====[[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]]====
 +
=====Japan=====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Columns]]''
 +
*''[[Crystal Warriors]]''
 +
*''[[Defenders of Oasis]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon Crystal]]''
 +
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]''
 +
*''[[The GG Shinobi]]''
 +
*''[[Master of Darkness]]''
 +
*''[[Nazo Puyo]]''
 +
*''[[Nazo Puyo 2]]''
 +
*''[[Nazo Puyo Arle no Roux]]''
 +
*''[[Puyo Puyo]]''
 +
*''[[Puyo Puyo Tsuu]]''
 +
*''[[Shining Force Gaiden: Ensei Jashin no Kuni e]]''
 +
*''[[Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict]]''
 +
*''[[Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Blast]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Labyrinth]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble]]''
 +
*''[[Tails Adventures]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
=====North America=====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Columns]]''
 +
*''[[Crystal Warriors]]''
 +
*''[[Defenders of Oasis]]''
 +
*''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit)|Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon Crystal]]''
 +
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]''
 +
*''[[The GG Shinobi]]''
 +
*''[[Master of Darkness]]''
 +
*''[[Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Blast]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Labyrinth]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble]]''
 +
*''[[Tails Adventures]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
=====Europe/Australia=====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Columns]]''
 +
*''[[Crystal Warriors]]''
 +
*''[[Defenders of Oasis]]''
 +
*''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit)|Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon Crystal]]''
 +
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]''
 +
*''[[The GG Shinobi]]''
 +
*''[[Master of Darkness]]''
 +
*''[[Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Blast]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Drift 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic Labyrinth]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 +
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble]]''
 +
*''[[Tails Adventures]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Wii U]]===
 +
====[[Game Boy Advance]]====
 +
=====Japan=====
 +
*''[[Sonic Advance]] (2015)
 +
*''[[ChuChu Rocket!]] (2015)
 +
*''[[Shining Soul]] (2016)
 +
*''[[Sonic Advance 2]] (2016)
 +
*''[[Shining Soul II]] (2016)
 +
*''[[Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon]] (2016)
 +
*''[[Sonic Advance 3]] (2016)
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Wii Virtual Console line up.pdf|Launch line up press release
 +
VirtualConsole Batch 2 SOE.pdf|Q1 2007 batch press release
 +
VirtualConsole MAR APR releases.pdf|March/April 2007 press release
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
{{NECRetro}}
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{NonSegaConsoles}}

Latest revision as of 17:45, 9 April 2024

VirtualConsole logo.svg

Virtual Console is the name for the emulation service initially provided to Wii users, and later to Nintendo 3DS and Wii U users. It allowed players to purchase and download games by browsing a specialized section of the Wii Shop Channel and later the Nintendo eShop. This required the user to connect to the internet, and to also purchase Wii/Nintendo Points beforehand to make the purchase.

While most Virtual Console games are unchanged from their original release, some games, such as The Revenge of Shinobi, have had minor changes to them, while other games, like Dyna Brothers 2, are quite different (in this case, Dyna Brothers 2 Special, which was the Sega Channel version). Another unique case is Monster World IV, which was fully translated into English for the overseas release.

Overview

Wii

Games downloaded are stored on the Wii's 512MB flash memory that is built into the system. From there games can be transferred to an SD card, but could not be played directly from the SD card until an update allowed the Wii to utilise the flash memory to play games saved on an SD card. Games on the SD card can be transferred back to the Wii it came from, but not to another system.

Games available come from a variety of systems including: Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES and Nintendo 64, Sega's Master System and Mega Drive/Genesis, NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and TurboGrafx-CD, SNK's Neo Geo AES, and various Arcade systems. It also supports region-specific consoles such as the Commodore 64 (Europe and North America only) and MSX (Japan only). Some publishers may choose to release region-specific games internationally in the special Import category (for example, the standalone Puyo Puyo Tsuu was released overseas this way).

NES, Master System and TurboGrafx-16 games can play properly with the Wii Remote, but games for other consoles will likely require either a GameCube controller, or the Classic Controller, which was sold separately.

Despite continuous strong sales of the Wii, additions to the Virtual Console service have slowed down considerably since the service was introduced in 2006, partly due to the launch of WiiWare. In South Korea, no Sega games were released for the service.

On September 29, 2017[1] it was announced that the Wii's Wii Shop Channel (Where the Wii's Virtual Console is housed) would be shutting down on January 31, 2019 at 3PM JST/5PM AEDT/1AM EDT/6AM GMT/January 30, 2019 at 10PM PST. The ability to buy Wii Points to purchase games was stopped on March 27, 2018 at 5AM JST/7AM AEDT/March 26, 2018 at 1PM PDT/4PM EDT/9PM BST. In the interim between not being able to buy points and its closure, players were still able to download items they had previously purchased.

Nintendo 3DS

Sonic the Hedgehog running on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, with square pixel aspect ratio and a border based on the black Game Gear model.

The Virtual Console was also brought to the Nintendo 3DS, with games available primarily coming from handheld systems including Nintendo's Game Boy and Game Boy Color, and Sega's Game Gear. The 3DS also received games normally available on home consoles, such as the NES, Super NES (available only on New Nintendo 3DS systems) and the TurboGrafx-16 (Japan only). A select number of Game Boy Advance games were made available as exclusives for the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Programme.[2]

Games downloaded are stored on the SD card inserted into the system and loaded from the HOME menu. They can only be played on the system they were originally purchased on.

Game Gear games use an emulator developed by M2, which includes various features such as the ability to create in-game savestates and options to adjust the screen size, change the border colour and simulate the motion blur effect on the Game Gear's LCD screen. The emulator also supports emulation of the Gear-to-Gear Cable, allowing multiplayer games providing both players have purchased the game; thus they hold the distinction of being able to support their original multiplayer functions alongside the Pokémon titles. A total of 22 Game Gear games were released in Japan, and 16 were released in North American and European territories; no Game Gear games were released for the service in South Korea.

On February 15, 2022[3] it was announced that the 3DS's eShop would be shutting down in March of 2023. The ability to add funds with a credit card was stopped on May 23, 2022 while the ability to add points through eShop cards was suspended entirely on August 29, 2022, although download codes were still able to be redeemed until its shutdown in March 2023, however. Users who linked their Nintendo Network ID from their Nintendo 3DS to their Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Switch were able to use a shared wallet and purchase things from the 3DS eShop until its closure in March 2023.

It was later clarified that the Nintendo 3DS eShop would shut down on March 27th, 2023.[4]

Wii U

The Wii U's Virtual Console service features games originally released on Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, NEC's TurboGrafx-16, and the MSX (Japan only). No games from Sega systems were released for the service, though a handful of Sega games released on the Game Boy Advance saw a release, but only in Japan. However, Virtual Console games released for the Wii are compatible with the Wii U and can be played in the system's Wii Mode, including Sega games.

Games downloaded are either stored on the system's 8/32GB internal flash memory, or on an external hard disk drive connected to the system.

On February 15, 2022[3] it was announced that the Wii U's eShop would be shutting down in March of 2023. The ability to add funds with a credit card was stopped on May 23, 2022 while the ability to add points through eShop cards was suspended entirely on August 29, 2022, although download codes were still able to be redeemed until its shutdown in March 2023, however. Users who linked their Nintendo Network ID from their Wii U to their Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Switch were able to use a shared wallet and purchase things from the Wii U eShop until its closure in March 2023.

It was later clarified that the Wii U eShop would shut down on March 27th, 2023.[4]

Sega games on the Virtual Console

Wii

Arcade

Japan

(As of 21 June 2011)

North America

(As of 5 May 2012)

Europe/Australia

(As of 5 May 2012)

Mega Drive

Japan

(As of 15 November 2011)

North America

(As of 5 May 2012)

Europe/Australia

(As of 5 May 2012)

Master System

Japan

(As of 19 May 2009)

North America

(As of 1 February 2010)

Europe/Australia

(As of 11 December 2009)

Nintendo 3DS

Arcade

Japan

Game Gear

Japan
North America
Europe/Australia

Wii U

Game Boy Advance

Japan

Promotional material

  • Launch line up press release

  • Q1 2007 batch press release

  • March/April 2007 press release

References

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NEC Retro has more information related to Virtual Console
  1. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/support/information/2017/0929.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-29 06:42)
  2. ↑ http://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2011/Nintendo-3DS-Ambassador-programme-253337.html (archive.today)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-%26-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation (Wayback Machine: 2022-02-16 02:23)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/~/wii-u-&-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation (Wayback Machine: 2022-11-04 19:59)


Non-Sega consoles
Nintendo
Nintendo Entertainment System (1983) | Game Boy (1989) | Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1990) | Nintendo 64 (1996) | Game Boy Color (1998) | Game Boy Advance (2001) | Nintendo GameCube (2001) | Nintendo DS (2004) | Wii (2006) | Nintendo 3DS (2011) | Wii U (2012) | Nintendo Switch (2017)
Sony
PlayStation (1994) | PlayStation 2 (2000) | PlayStation Portable (2004) | PlayStation 3 (2006) | PlayStation Vita (2011) | PlayStation 4 (2013) | PlayStation 5 (2020)
Microsoft
Xbox (2001) | Xbox 360 (2005) | Xbox One (2013) | Xbox Series X (2020)
Mobile
iOS | Android | Windows Phone
Other
Atari 2600 (1977) | ColecoVision (1982) | PC Engine (1987) | R-Zone (1995) | Game.com (1997) | WonderSwan (1998) | Neo Geo Pocket Color (1999) | N-Gage (2003) | LeapFrog Didj (2008) | Stadia (2019)
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