Topic: Virtual Console or Cartridge?

For a long time now I've been collecting allot of old games, everything from Atari 2600 to N64, but lately I've been playing Virtual Console versions of some of these games and I've noticed they actually look way better, N64 games look totally different. I usually prefer playing old games on their original console but I'm starting to think virtual console might be better. So what's your thoughts? Do you prefer having a real copy of an old game or playing it on the Wii instead?

Oh, and Goldeneye would look awsome on the Wii, I know it probably won't happen, but I'm just saying.

keep the cartridges because it will save you money

Depends on the game, though i too have a bias towards original game-on-original console. If it's just something i want to play, it'll be VC. If it's a game i really love, or have particular nostalgia for, i'll get the original (complete if possible, especially for those most favorite games), or both.

Goldeneye won't happen on the Wii unfortunately.

Having a real copy of the old game by far!

I prefer to have an old cartridge. The only advantage to the VC is that you have all the games in one place and they're easily accessible.

Sometimes. My friend refuses to buy an N64 game off VC. He'll only get the cartridge!

I would much rather buy the actual cartridge. For the most part you can buy the actual cartridges cheaper than you can on the VC.

i wish i could say that cartridges are better, especially when they have really cool art like the holographic majora's mask cart. but in the end it's the game itself that counts, not the box it does or doesn't come in, and VC games always look better and give you better controller options.

i've bought all my favorite games over again on the VC and there's no question that they're better that way; in addition to higher res output they're faster and more convenient to get at, no start up problems, less freezing (it still happens), and they often wind up being cheaper. most local stores severely overcharge for retro games and a beaten up SNES game they sell for $20 could be had in perfect working condition on the VC for $8. there's also the issue of HDTV, and how awful the original systems look on it...

aside from nostaliga there's no advantage to cartridges. if people back in 1998 could have seen the VC version of ocarina of time they'd have kicked their n64 to the curb to get it, much like the way people react to seeing HD dolphin emulation now. someday people could be having the same argument about whether it's better to play wii games on the original system vs. the HD--rendering jaggy--killing superwii they'll probably have in the future. i don't think there'd be any argument about it if that superwii came out today...

Until/unless virtual peripheral support (controller memory pak, Rumble Pak, etc.) and button-mapping options are added, I usually stay clear of the N64 games on the Virtual Console. If Nintendo is too lazy to make a GameCube controller shake Star Fox 64, I don't want to give them any money for it. The only N64 game I bought on the Virtual Console is Sin & Punishment because I couldn't get it on my N64 unless I imported it and got an adapter or did something to my N64 besides this

I have no problem buying Nintendo, Super Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, or Turbo Grafx 16 games on the Virtual Console though. I even bought some of the games from there I already had on carts for, namely Super Mario World, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, and Final Fight 3.

What stores do you see SNES games for $20? Either you live in a small town, don't have a lot of stores that carry games, or you just haven't looked very hard. If you have a Goodwill in your town, check it out, I have bought tons of retro games for like 3 bucks a piece, and one day a month they have a 50 percent off everything in the store day. I also check out pawn shops, garage sales, Craigslist, and down here in Texas they have a place called Movie Trading Post that has great deals on retro games. Also, the Wii is not an HD system, so I believe the games on the VC will look the same on an HDTV as they would with the original systems. The N64 is the only VC that outputs at a higher resolution.

Both, I'm a collector, I love owning cartridges, if I can I get that. Then of course for playing the game nothing better that the good VC, there are exceptions of course (like the peripheral support and wrong button-mapping mentioned by BlueFlameBat).
But frankly, if I had the money I'd rebuy most of my games on VC, still would never get rid of the carteidges.

It's not that "Would you want to upgrade to the VC?" but more "What can you upgrade to the VC?" The oldest console I have is an N64, and it has a lot of great games for it, such as GoldenEye, Banjo KAzooie, and Pokemon Stadium. Sad to say, for me at least, the library of N64 games are like 12 or 15. There's barely anything there at all!

Now, if you had an NES, or an SNES, then you have more options, but in some cases, the controller isn't that good. The wiimote doesn't work for a lot of the games, and the classic controller has a terrible grip for me. So I would use the Gamecube controller, but it still isn't all that great, thanks to the button layouts. So I would say stick to the good old classic cartridges, and just have fun. It'll save you some money too.

I easily prefer playing SNES and Genesis games on the VC....Why? Because with a component connection you get a clearer/sharper image, superior and beautiful color, better brightness, and Progressive Scan for you HDTV Owners. AND I absolutely adore the Classic Controller much more than the SNES or Genesis controller. At first it felt alittle cheap-o in the hands, but i love the D-Pad and clicky A,B,X,Y buttons and overall feel. But I'm just dissapointed with the 'squishy' L and R buttons, which don't feel as good to use for SNES games.

NES VC games on the other hand have poor color emulation. I've mentioned this before but the colors are darker and dull and the image is overall not as bright. BUT, you can always use a different mode(like I do) on your TV just for 'Nes VC' games and crank up the color, and raise up the Contrast and Brightness alittle bit to your liking. When doing so it really makes a difference, but you don't quite get the right look/color like you would if these games didn't have poor color emulation. I know for a fact, because i have the MM Anniversary collection on the GCN, along with a couple of Mega Man games on the VC, and the colors on the Nes VC games are piss poor in comparison.

As for N64 games, well again they look better on the Wii VC of course due to Component connection and Progressive Scan. Alot of people never knew that the SNES and N64 supported S-Video which actually improves PQ and is a step up compared to crappy old composite. But Component is still of course better. And I totaly prefer using the CC over the N64 Controller...But eh, i barely have any N64 games on the VC

Anyways, nothing beats owning the Cartridges for Nostalgiac sake. AND it's awesome actually owning a physical copy. But I'd still rather play these games on the VC hehe. Hell, I even prefer using the Wii Remote Sideways 'NES style' for Nes games over the actual NES controller itself.

BUT nothing beats having a retro TV, An actual NES, Controller, the actual game itself and a big bowl of Weed Makes you feel like a kid again

I believe the answer should be the Virtual Console because that shows that there is a market and consumer interest.

There is a huge market for the actual cartridges as well.

So, sense there is such a huge market I should look for publishers to release games in cartridges again?
You know it isn't a huge market. It is a niche group of the used game market. Which these downloaded re-releases are trying to combat.

I prefer having a real copy of a game vs digital until I know whether the games I've bought for the Wii will be transferrable to its eventual successor. Admittedly, I do find it mighty handy to just go to a single system and pick a game I'd like to play that I have already digitally downloaded. To me, all improvements in picture quality and sound are not important, the most important thing is that I'll actually always be able to play a digital game that I buy.

I prefer VC downloads because it is so hard to find working controllers for the old consoles in good condition. And I also think it's good that VC games don't take away any space in the cupboard. There are far too many games already in it.

I used to have all of my retro consoles hooked up, but it became way too cluttered around my TV. Now all the retro consoles and carts are stored away. VC is an excellent alternative.