Wii Virtual Console News
Rumour Switch Virtual Console Was Apparently Nintendo's "Original Plan"
What if?
Before Nintendo's subscription service took off, fans were able to individually buy and download the company's retro titles and play them whenever they wanted thanks to the Virtual Console service. Although this was eventually replaced with Switch Online's tier-based retro library, Nintendo apparently had plans to carry over the existing...
News Pokémon Games Continue To Dominate 3DS Charts Ahead Of eShop Shut Down
Catch all the Game Boy classics while you still can
Time is running out for the 3DS and Wii U eShops with the shut down taking place next week on March 27th. Ahead of this, we've got a sales update to show you what's charting on the 3DS eShop in North America with less than a week remaining. The Virtual Console Pokémon Game Boy games are still...
News Pokémon Game Boy Titles Dominate 3DS eShop Charts Ahead Of Service Closure
Get 'em while you can
We're now nearing the end of the month and that means we're getting closer to the end of the 3DS and Wii U eShop service. If you haven't got around to making any last-minute purchases just yet, and are wondering what's hot on the 3DS eShop right now, the weekly sales chart for North America should help you out. As you can see...
Soapbox Why Can't Nintendo Offer Both Virtual Console And Switch Online?
Says the writer that will need to redownload a lot of VC purchases on Wii U and 3DS
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Thomas discusses the unnecessary 'choice' by Nintendo between Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online...
See for yourself
Nintendo yesterday added another game to its Switch Online Expansion Pack and updated the N64 library to Version 2.0.0. There have been all sorts of improvements, but this latest update is even better than expected, it seems. According to "Zelda 64 researcher" and Twitter user
Feature Is It Worth Importing A Japanese 3DS For These Virtual Console Games?
Save money on import classics before it's too late
As we all know the 3DS and Wii U eShops are closing down, taking with them countless classics in all genres. It's a decision that's understandably left many of us scrambling to find our old passwords and make those last minute purchases, finally turning those 'Maybe next time' purchases into a...
PSA Get All The Harvest Moon Games Before The 3DS And Wii U eShops Close
They've bought the farm
If you're embedded within the farming game community, you'll know all about the Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons schism, in which (Western localisation team and publisher) Natsume and (developer) Marvelous went their separate ways. Natsume kept the Harvest Moon name in the West, and cranked out a bunch of wildly disappointing...
Review Mario Tennis (N64) - The Game That Gave Us Waluigi
Ace
This review originally went live in 2010, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. When Mario Golf was released back in 1999, it was already known that Camelot was working on another Mario sports title for the N64, and following a decent title released for the sadly ill-fated Virtual...
Review Sin And Punishment (N64) - A Genuine Treasure And No Mistake
Run-and-gun fun
This review originally went live in 2007, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. Tiny Japanese developer Treasure has a back catalogue packed with classic titles, but one that sticks out more than most is Sin & Punishment. Released in the twilight days of the N64...
Random Dust Off Your Wii U, It's Time For Some Banjo-Kazooie And Blast Corps
Update: Maybe not...
Update [Wed 30th Dec, 2020 10:00 GMT]: Nintendo has updated the release schedule on its Japanese website and sure enough it was a mistake. Sorry folks! "Banjo-Kazooie's Adventure" and "Blast Dozer" have been posted as Wii U software delivered on December 30, 2020, but they will not be delivered. We apologize for the...
News Hold Me, Virtual Console Data Has Been Discovered In The Nintendo Switch eShop
SNES! Game Boy! Game Boy Color! N64! GBA!
Remember when Reggie said that Nintendo Switch Online was the Virtual Console's replacement? Turns out he might have been economical with the truth in that regard, as one clever devil has discovered that the Switch eShop JSON (JavaScript Object Notation, in case you were wondering) contains references to...
News The Virtual Console Isn't Coming To Switch, Nintendo Confirms
RIP
Nintendo thrilled Switch owners today with hard details about its new Switch Online service, which includes NES games that can be played for free and feature modern elements, such as online play and voice chat. We've known that retro games would form some part of the mooted online package for a while, but many were hopeful that the Virtual...
Talking Point Does Sega's AGES Announcement Mean The Virtual Console Is Dead?
And if it is, does it really matter?
It's fair to say that the Virtual Console was quite a significant part of Nintendo's plans back when the Wii launched; it was certainly significant in the development of the site you're reading now, which some of you may remember as Virtual Console Reviews prior to the triumphant merger with Nintendo Life in...
Rumour Data Miners Find Evidence of Pokémon Crystal in the Gold and Silver VC Releases
Interesting...
Let’s be real, the VC release of the Game Boy Pokémon games is one of the easiest ways that Nintendo could make itself a nice profit. Pokémon historically is a franchise that moves units and nostalgia is a powerful factor in driving sales of the original, which are rather dated by modern standards. Few are complaining about the...
Soapbox Seriously Nintendo, It's Time For A Switch Joy-Con With A Proper D-Pad
Buttons just aren't as good
After months of speculation prior to the Nintendo Switch being officially revealed in October 2016, it's fair to say that the initial reaction was largely very positive. This early enthusiasm from the gaming community has been backed up by decent software support from Nintendo and a ever-growing install base; the Switch...
News We Know There's An Appetite For Virtual Console On Switch, Says Reggie Fils-Aime
"What's going to be the best way to make that happen?"
The Switch has just had its first E3 but we still don't know exactly how the Virtual Console is going to work on the system. Nintendo has previously spoken about linking some kind of classic game service to the forthcoming paid subscription system, even going as far as to state that...
Talking Point The Nintendo Switch Online Service Promises a New Approach to Retro Gaming
Delayed, yes, but more relevant in its new guise
It may not be a trend that suits creators, but the public don't like paying for things as much as they used to. It's the great revolution that the internet has delivered - news is free, lots of video streaming is free or has a lower monthly cost, so as a result gamers want their content for less...
News Rayman 3 and Rayman Advance Arrive on the North American Wii U VC Tomorrow
Yes, it's still kicking
When it comes to the Nintendo Switch, the Virtual Console is still largely a big question mark. We do know that a retro game will be given out each month with Nintendo's upcoming paid online service, but beyond that, details around the Switch Virtual Console have been quite scarce. Fortunately, the Wii U and 3DS VC's are...
News Secret Of Mana Sequel Seiken Densetsu 3 Shown Running On Nintendo Switch
Virtual Console incoming?
The official Twitter channel for the Seiken Densetsu series has tweeted footage of the third game running on the Nintendo Switch. Seiken Densetsu 3 is the sequel to Seiken Densetsu 2 (obviously), a game better known in the west as Secret of Mana. It's widely regarded as one of the best RPGs ever made - as you'll know if...
News Virtual Console Will Not Be Ready For Nintendo Switch Launch
"We will share more information in the future"
Nintendo has revealed that its retro-focused Virtual Console service will not be ready for the Nintendo Switch launch. The company has stated that it will share more information on this service "in the future". In slightly better news, Nintendo has also revealed that funds currently held on 3DS and Wii...
News There's No 'Concrete Answer' for GameCube on the Switch Virtual Console, But There's Hope
Also, the audio jack on the system works when docked, which is nice
Ever since the Wii U there's been a wait for GameCube on the Virtual Console. Nintendo's current home console never received that library of games, though it was backwards compatible with Wii games and its Virtual Console went right up to Nintendo 64; in other words, the GameCube is...
Nintendo Download 26th January (Europe)
Castlevania: Dracula X! Inchworm Animation II! More!
We're not quite sure why, but the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe have been elusive today; thankfully the ever generous Daan Koopman has forwarded the Dutch press release that finally came through, and Kenneth Jensen then provided UK prices. In any case, this week comes with an...
Video The Surprising Origins of the Wii Virtual Console Super Mario Bros. ROM
Claims and evidence that it was lifted from the internet
Here's an interesting topic to get debate going - what if Nintendo lifted a ROM of Super Mario Bros. from the internet and then repurposed it for the Wii Virtual Console a decade ago? It would certainly put Nintendo's policies against emulators in the spotlight. That's the claim made in a...
News F-Zero X Comes to the North American Virtual Console Tomorrow
Hopefully it's the patched version
F-Zero X has had a bit of a rough time on the Virtual Console this generation. The high-speed racer ran into some serious control issues when it made its Wii U VC debut in Europe, and these issues actually rendered it nigh unplayable. Fortunately, Nintendo listened to fan outcry and fixed the issue a bit later, and...
Talking Point The Nintendo Switch Has the Potential to Deliver the Ultimate Virtual Console
An opportunity for a special retro experience
Over the past decade or so Nintendo has made significant strides in its online / download stores, with the eShop platform becoming vital for both 3DS and Wii U. Those stores both learnt lessons from their predecessors - on Wii and DSi - in terms of becoming more accessible and rewarding for Indies, while...
Poll How Important is the Virtual Console, and GameCube, for the Nintendo Switch?
If the rumours are true...
As part of the big January unveiling, or perhaps not long after, we'd expect the eShop (or new equivalent) to get a big push for the Nintendo Switch. We already know of multiple 'Nindie' developers that are actively working on projects, and considering the growth in importance of downloads it's inevitable that the new...
Rumour GameCube Virtual Console Coming To Nintendo Switch
Early games outlined
The Virtual Console has been one of Nintendo's real success stories of the past decade, giving players a platform on which they can rediscover old classics and play titles they might have missed first time around. While Nintendo hasn't given any solid details on what its plans are for the Virtual Console on the forthcoming...
News Kirby Canvas Curse and Animal Crossing: Wild World Hit the Wii U VC This Week
Double trouble
Over the past few weeks, it seems that Nintendo of America has been keen to play catch up with the European Virtual Console. That trend looks set to continue, as this week's update will be including not one, but two DS games that are arriving nearly a year later on from their initial eShop debut. As always, better late than never,...
News Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Arrives on the Wii U eShop this Week
Just a year behind Europe
The Mario vs. Donkey Kong series has undergone a rather bizarre change in identity. What originally began as a continuation of the classic 1981 platformer that started it all, slowly morphed to become a Lemmings style puzzle series wherein you guide miniaturized of various Mario characters to exits. Though it could be...
Discuss What Next For The Nintendo 64?
#N64Memories' Steven Smith asks the question
Considering the Nintendo 64 is a twenty-year-old console, the title of this piece may seem odd. However, I personally think there is a potential future for the N64's hardware and software. We are currently in an important period for the console – 2016 and 2017 mark its twentieth birthday, depending on...
News Mega Man X Lands on the New 3DS VC Tomorrow in North America
X marks the spot
Over this past summer, it seems that Nintendo of America has been focused on playing catch up with it's VC offerings. Of course, there are still some massive gaps to be filled, but the VC has been becoming more and more relevant as it's been gradually built up. The New 3DS SNES VC has also benefitted from this, and it seems that...
News North Americans Get Two New Kirby Games on Wii U VC This Week
Mass Attack and Epic Yarn join the fray
Kirby has always sort of been an experimental franchise for Nintendo. Of course, the power-stealing platforming type of game has always been the foundation, but the Big N hasn't been afraid to branch out with new or weird gameplay ideas featuring the Super-Tuff Pink Puff. Over the years, this has resulted in...
News The Definitive Version Of Super Turrican Was Denied A Virtual Console Release Back In 2008
We got the incomplete retail release instead
There was a bit of a surprise on the latest Retro Spielen webcast with legendary composer Chris Huelsbeck - the show's special guest was none other than founding president and creative director of the defunct and very much missed Factor 5, Julian Eggebrecht. The stage was set for some nostalgic chatter...
News Three SNES Street Fighter Titles Heading to European New 3DS Virtual Console This Week
Buy two get the third free
Some of the more eagle-eyed among you may be wondering where the usual European Nintendo Download Update details are; that's a good question, as we're thinking the same thing [Update, the full details are now live]. Nintendo hasn't sent out the press release to kick off the week, so we're working on the assumption it'll...
News Super Mario RPG Hits the North American Wii U VC for This Week's Update
The father of Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario
Nowadays, Nintendo technically has two Super Mario RPG franchises. There's the quirky Mario & Luigi series on its portable platforms, and there's the Paper Mario games which are mostly for home consoles. Of course, Paper Mario has seemingly been shifting away from its RPG roots with its more recent...
News Metroid Prime Hunters Hits the Wii U Virtual Console in North America Tomorrow
Let the hunt begin
Though there were a few tentative attempts at making a Metroid 64 for the Nintendo 64, nothing concrete ever fully materialised, leading many to wonder if Super Metroid would ever receive a proper follow up. The silence was finally broken many years later on the GameCube with the release of Metroid Prime, Samus' first 3D...
News North America Gets Both StarTropics Games for This Week's Wii U Download Update
At last
StarTropics is one of those franchises that saw its start on the NES and never really took off after that. Playing somewhat like a tropical version of The Legend of Zelda, StarTropics was something of a cult classic, made particularly famous for a letter which came with each copy that players had to dip in water to receive a secret message...
News The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Arrives on the North American VC Tomorrow
Better late than never?
It's a well trodden discussion at this point that Nintendo's Virtual Console service has some room for improvement. While it's quite nice that it allows the opportunity for gamers both young and old to experience games from generations gone by, there are some issues with pricing and gaps in the library. Of course, there's...
Video See the Super Mario e-Reader Levels You Never Played in Super Mario Advance 4
33 'new' levels of delight
Super Mario Advance 4 was a common enough game back in the day, but one area of this game was elusive to all but a handful of individuals who were of the importing nature. Now with the release of the game on the Wii U Virtual Console these exclusive levels are now available for all to play. Check out our video below where...
News Natsume May Bring Some of its DS Games to Virtual Console Soon
Keep your eyes peeled
Though it maybe doesn't get updated nearly as often as many would like, the DS library on the Virtual Console continues to grow at a fairly steady pace. Naturally, there are plenty of holes in the lineup thus far, but the process for making games available on the service is supposedly much more difficult than it seems on the...
News Here's Why SNES VC Games Can Only be Played on a New 3DS
CPU seems to be the main problem
One of the surprise announcements from the last Nintendo Direct was the revelation that SNES games would be playable on the New 3DS, with the famous "available after this presentation" line being delivered. While many fans were no doubt thrilled to see the classic 16-bit console's games being made available...
Review Pokémon Red and Blue (3DS / GB)
Twenty years ahead of their time
When these games were released back in the late nineties, the air around younger Game Boy owners was one of excitement and rivalry. Nintendo is clearly trying to capitalise on the nostalgia factor for all of us who were within the target age group (and some who weren't) when these titles were originally released,...
Editorial Nintendo's Virtual Console Revolution Must Wait as We Pay Once More for SNES Games
This cycle is surely ending...
In one sense Super NES games on the New Nintendo 3DS is rather exciting - it's the first (legitimate) time a lot of these games can be played on a portable device, after all. That's something to celebrate, but the reveal and pending line-up also comes with its own nagging issues and annoyances, some of which could...
Video See How Pokémon on the 3DS Virtual Console Compares to an Original Cartridge on a Retron 5
The Game Boy doesn't do HDMI
The three first generation Pokémon games are nearlyavailable on the 3DS Virtual Console, and to celebrate just a wee bit we though it might be fun to see if there are any subtle performance or graphical variations between this version and the original cartridges. Using Pokémon Blue as a benchmark for no reason other...
Rumour Nintendo Has Plans to Localise Mother 3 This Year
UPDATE: More sources step foward
UPDATE: We've since had more confirmation from Nintendo Life contributor Liam Robertson, who has posted the following on Twitter. It seems that Emily wasn't the only person who knew about this, but she might have let the cat out of the bag prematurely: UPDATE #2: Eurogamer has also confirmed that it was previously...
Video See How Much Mario Kart has Changed Since Mario Kart 64
56 degrees of separation
It's been over a year since Mario Kart 8 was released on the Wii U and nearly 20 since its N64 sibling Mario Kart 64 graced our systems. A lot's changed in that time, and in order to highlight all the refinements a company like Nintendo can make in such a span, we've cobbled together another cheeky little comparison of the...
News Mario Kart 64 on Wii U VC Doesn't Have Support for Ghost Data
Controller Pak emulation seems to be the issue
Some of you from around the earlier days of the Nintendo 64 may remember the Controller Pak. This add-on slotted into the back of the controller and acted as a means of saving or transferring data between consoles. While it wasn't absolutely necessary in every N64 game, many used it to include features...
Talking Point The Allure of the Virtual Console and How Nintendo Can Harness It
Alternative approaches can keep the concept alive
It's with some curiosity that we observe the continuing clamour and passion for the Virtual Console, a service that generates as much buzz as it often does criticism. The appetite among keen Nintendo fans for retro downloads seems to remain strong, especially when rare or previously untapped games...
Perhaps a sign of things to come?
The e-Reader was an interesting and quirky peripheral for the Game Boy Advance. It seems like it never quite reached its full potential, but the idea of scanning cards into games to get additional content was a fairly novel idea at the time. In a sense, it could even be viewed as DLC before the concept had really...
Video Mother 3 Hits Japanese Virtual Console With Impressive Trailer In Tow
Will we ever see this classic in the west?
The Game Boy Advance title Mother 3 hits the Japanese Virtual Console service today, and to mark the event Nintendo has released a surprisingly comprehensive trailer. Mother 3 is the sequel to EarthBound - which was known in Japan as Mother 2. Originally intended for release on the N64's 64DD drive, it...
