Nintendo Wii Virtual Console

Along with the launch of their new console the Wii, Nintendo unveiled its first online video game download service called the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console. This gives gamers access to a growing library of classic titles from the history of video games, including old favorites like Donkey Kong and Sonic through newer games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The Nintendo Wii Virtual Console presents an exciting new way to game and is especially tempting for gamers nostalgic for the simpler days of the past. Retro gaming on a new generation system. Imagine the possibilities.

How the Virtual Console Works

Nintendo's Virtual Console is extraordinarily easy to use. Provided you have an existing wireless internet connection, the Wii will automatically connect to the internet when you need it to. Turn on your Wii and choose the "Wii Shop" channel from the main menu. After a brief wait, you'll be able to choose "Virtual Console" from the next screen. Then you're ready to shop, download, and play!

In order to purchase games on the Virtual Console you'll need to use Nintendo's online currency known as Wii Points. These can be purchased directly through the Wii's interface using a credit card, or you can buy pre-charged Wii Points cards at many retail outlets or online.

Games are clearly marked with their Wii Point value on the Virtual Console selection screen. Simply highlight the game you want to buy -- Ecco the Dolphin, Excite Bike, and Bonk's Adventure are among the highlights -- and select "Buy". If you have enough Wii Points, the game will be downloaded to your console and you can play right away. Otherwise, you'll need to add Wii Points and go back to try again. Games downloaded from the Virtual Console are yours forever!

If the 512MB of on-board memory becomes full, you can transfer your Virtual Console video games to an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, but you must transfer it back to the Wii's internal memory before playing. Also, should you ever lose a game you bought, you can re-download it free of charge. Each game downloaded is locked to the Wii console that it was purchased from.

Wii Points - Conversion and Prices

Wii Points always appear in multiples of 100, making conversion a bit easier than many online services. Games that appear on the Virtual Console are priced anywhere between 500 and 1,000 Wii Points.

Later on, Nintendo may add other consoles to this list (Commodore 64, Game Boy, etc.), as well as original video games developed specifically for the Virtual Console.

Below is a table that illustrates the value of 100 Wii Points in several major currencies. Wii Points are valid only in the country they are purchased and cannot be transferred.

More Virtual Console Goodies

Although currently the Virtual Console is limited to just downloading retro video games, when combined with Wii Shop, the service has almost unlimited potential. Nintendo has hinted at the possibility of downloadable demos, game updates, extensions, expansion packs, and much more in the future. The Opera web browser will soon be available from the Wii Shop and will allow users to surf the internet from their Wii.

The Nintendo Wii supports three different controllers, all of which can be used to play various Virtual Console games. The only controller that will work with all downloadable content is the Nintendo Classic Controller.

Approximately every seven days (typically on a Monday), a handful of new games are added to the Virtual Console. Currently the selection is limited to a few choices from three classic systems, but there are plans to expand dramatically in the future. The Nintendo Wii Virtual Console is shaping up to be an exciting inclusion in Nintendo's plans for the future!

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