Nintendo’s Virtual Console – the Wii’s trump card
Details on how Wii will play every classic Nintendo title inside
IGN carries a good op-ed piece this week on the importance of the Virtual Console to the overall success of the Nintendo Wii.
Whilst it was clearly the innovative Wii controller that wowed the E3 crowds, some of whom were patient enough to wait in line for four hours to get their mitts on the thing, there is still much, much more to the Wii, which Nintendo will be shouting loudly about over the coming months.
The WiiConnect24 service which enables your Wii to effectively be "always on", just like your DS in sleep mode, will also enable Nintendo to deliver demos and content to your living room (and to your DS via the Wii) whilst you are sound asleep.
Thus in one fell swoop eliminating the need for overpriced 'Official' print magazines with their 'Official' demo discs (ie only thing of value) stuck to the cover. That era is well and truly over. Which can only be a good thing, for both the forests of the earth and for the young and impressionable gamers of the earth. Today's announcement that Future Publishing's long-serving chief executive, Greg Ingham has handed in his notice, is surely testament to this.
We digress. As well as the Wii's amazing control method and WiiConnect24, it's the Virtual Console that SPOnG is truly excited about and the IGN piece hits the nail on the head: "Of the added functionality embedded in the Wii, however, nothing provides more curiosity or true potential... as the Virtual Console. The possibility of downloading nearly every classic game from our younger years spanning every major system is awesome, and the added interest Nintendo has shown in ushering smaller developers into the next generation through smaller-budget downloadable games holds limitless potential."
There are clear similarities between the Virtual Console concept and Xbox Live Arcade, the main difference being the fact that Microsoft's backlog of classic arcade games relies purely on third-parties, rather than white-hot first party content in Nintendo's case. The amazing number of high-quality titles from the last twenty years of Nintendo's history should also ensure that the Wii has a bolstered launch line-up, with Virtual Console titles on offer as well as sixteen (so far) superb new titles we've already seen.
The Virtual Console should also help Nintendo (and it's many vociferous fans) ride out those inevitable 'drought' periods, especially in the first year following the autumn/fall and Xmas/holiday seasons after launch. As IGN outlines: "the backlog is so immense.... Even if Nintendo released a new game every week (four-five games a month ), it'd still only need 52 games a year; an order that could be filled with NES titles alone. That's marketing power that only comes with years of consistent product."
As the IGN piece concludes: "Xbox may have a few strong titles in the mix right now, but all Nintendo has to do is launch a marketing campaign that showcases as small as the top five titles on every previous system and the backlog already blows away the Live Arcade list as it stands. How do you compete with two decades of the biggest names in gaming? The answer is, you simply can't."
We can't wait for that marketing campaign to roll-out, and we'll be sure to bring you news on how Nintendo are going to play it as soon as we get it.
(source: IGN.com)
Whilst it was clearly the innovative Wii controller that wowed the E3 crowds, some of whom were patient enough to wait in line for four hours to get their mitts on the thing, there is still much, much more to the Wii, which Nintendo will be shouting loudly about over the coming months.
The WiiConnect24 service which enables your Wii to effectively be "always on", just like your DS in sleep mode, will also enable Nintendo to deliver demos and content to your living room (and to your DS via the Wii) whilst you are sound asleep.
Thus in one fell swoop eliminating the need for overpriced 'Official' print magazines with their 'Official' demo discs (ie only thing of value) stuck to the cover. That era is well and truly over. Which can only be a good thing, for both the forests of the earth and for the young and impressionable gamers of the earth. Today's announcement that Future Publishing's long-serving chief executive, Greg Ingham has handed in his notice, is surely testament to this.
We digress. As well as the Wii's amazing control method and WiiConnect24, it's the Virtual Console that SPOnG is truly excited about and the IGN piece hits the nail on the head: "Of the added functionality embedded in the Wii, however, nothing provides more curiosity or true potential... as the Virtual Console. The possibility of downloading nearly every classic game from our younger years spanning every major system is awesome, and the added interest Nintendo has shown in ushering smaller developers into the next generation through smaller-budget downloadable games holds limitless potential."
There are clear similarities between the Virtual Console concept and Xbox Live Arcade, the main difference being the fact that Microsoft's backlog of classic arcade games relies purely on third-parties, rather than white-hot first party content in Nintendo's case. The amazing number of high-quality titles from the last twenty years of Nintendo's history should also ensure that the Wii has a bolstered launch line-up, with Virtual Console titles on offer as well as sixteen (so far) superb new titles we've already seen.
The Virtual Console should also help Nintendo (and it's many vociferous fans) ride out those inevitable 'drought' periods, especially in the first year following the autumn/fall and Xmas/holiday seasons after launch. As IGN outlines: "the backlog is so immense.... Even if Nintendo released a new game every week (four-five games a month ), it'd still only need 52 games a year; an order that could be filled with NES titles alone. That's marketing power that only comes with years of consistent product."
As the IGN piece concludes: "Xbox may have a few strong titles in the mix right now, but all Nintendo has to do is launch a marketing campaign that showcases as small as the top five titles on every previous system and the backlog already blows away the Live Arcade list as it stands. How do you compete with two decades of the biggest names in gaming? The answer is, you simply can't."
We can't wait for that marketing campaign to roll-out, and we'll be sure to bring you news on how Nintendo are going to play it as soon as we get it.
(source: IGN.com)
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Comments
crs117 6 Jun 2006 19:15
1/16
As big a fan as I am of Xbox live and Market Place, I must state that it has delivered quite a menail number of downloadable games as I would have expected at this point. I know that MS is relying on third parties to deliver the goods, but for crying out loud its been 8 months since the 360 has launched and there are maybe 20 titles (i think less) available for download (not counting game demos).
We have been hearing over and over that SFII will be available and be playable over XBL, but we still have yet to see that materialize. I wonder how much longer we will be waiting for SFII before we actually see it.
I cannot wait to see what kind of library will be available for download on launch day for the Wii Virtual Console. Since emulation software should already be built in for all the nintendo consoles, all that should be required are the ROM downloads. Of course it would be nice to see if they could rework some classics for network play...imagine playing classic 2 player contra with a friend that lives across the country.
I also hope they rework the lightgun games from the nes and snes for use with the Wii lightgun controller.
So it will be very exciting to see what all content is made available for the VC on luanch day and continue to watch its library and popularity grow as the machine matures into the killer next gen (or should i say not so next gen) system.
We have been hearing over and over that SFII will be available and be playable over XBL, but we still have yet to see that materialize. I wonder how much longer we will be waiting for SFII before we actually see it.
I cannot wait to see what kind of library will be available for download on launch day for the Wii Virtual Console. Since emulation software should already be built in for all the nintendo consoles, all that should be required are the ROM downloads. Of course it would be nice to see if they could rework some classics for network play...imagine playing classic 2 player contra with a friend that lives across the country.
I also hope they rework the lightgun games from the nes and snes for use with the Wii lightgun controller.
So it will be very exciting to see what all content is made available for the VC on luanch day and continue to watch its library and popularity grow as the machine matures into the killer next gen (or should i say not so next gen) system.
Flaezk 6 Jun 2006 21:54
2/16
I totally agree.
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darkstarttd 7 Jun 2006 02:33
3/16
Not looking forward to virtual console at all really...give me metriod prime 3, zelda:ttp, mario gaxaly, sonic wild fire, final fantasy, fire emblem, red steal, and maybe even wii sports and im good for a bit...I say bring on the new I have played the old. I admit it would be nice to have that feeling of playing the nes again but if feel i will only be able to stand playing for a short period of time b4 i get drawn back to this gen
soanso 7 Jun 2006 02:48
4/16
"Of course it would be nice to see if they could rework some classics for network play...imagine playing classic 2 player contra with a friend that lives across the country."
YES!!
that'd be fantastic!
That's a great idea. Same could go for any multiplayer game. Bomberman, SF, Sensi etc.
The thing I find interesting about the virtual console concept is the one that was rpeorted the other day. Where they can make small games. short fun things a bit like the alien Hominid flash game or maybe even old arcade games.
Did anyone ever play that game that was like a pencil and paper version of quake? That's the sort of thing I imagine we'll be seeing.
I think the more I hear about it though, the more I'm starting to think that Wii is in need of a harddisk. Sure old roms won't take up much space but demos and new downloadable games will.
YES!!
that'd be fantastic!
That's a great idea. Same could go for any multiplayer game. Bomberman, SF, Sensi etc.
The thing I find interesting about the virtual console concept is the one that was rpeorted the other day. Where they can make small games. short fun things a bit like the alien Hominid flash game or maybe even old arcade games.
Did anyone ever play that game that was like a pencil and paper version of quake? That's the sort of thing I imagine we'll be seeing.
I think the more I hear about it though, the more I'm starting to think that Wii is in need of a harddisk. Sure old roms won't take up much space but demos and new downloadable games will.
king skins 7 Jun 2006 08:41
5/16
My only concern about this is where are you going to store all this stuff? They have the 512mb flash memory but can you upgrade this, buy more memory cards? But then it would still be annoying having to flick between lots of different memory cards...
You need a big fat HDD for this...
You need a big fat HDD for this...
BlackEyedFish 7 Jun 2006 10:23
6/16
I wouldn't think you'd need more than 5 GB unless you intend to download every single game which nintendo offers for download, there is a possibility that they could even stream the games over the internet. Even N64 games don't go over 64 MB. There's two usb 2.0 slots which could offer an external hard drive for use or there's WiFi and bluetooth which you could use to connect hard drives. Anyway 1 GB SD card only costs about £20 right now, if you know where to look so by the time the Wii is released you should be able to get 2 GB for about that price.
king skins 7 Jun 2006 10:26
7/16
Can you plug more SD cards into it then?
TwoADay 7 Jun 2006 13:09
8/16
yes, If I remember correctly, it may have to SD slots? but then again, the amount of times I do remember correctly is few.
But yeah, combine an SD card with a jump drive (or whatever you others call the keyring USB drives) and you should be okay for most things...maybe not too many demos, but how often are you actually going to keep demos on the machine once you've played them?
But yeah, combine an SD card with a jump drive (or whatever you others call the keyring USB drives) and you should be okay for most things...maybe not too many demos, but how often are you actually going to keep demos on the machine once you've played them?
soanso 7 Jun 2006 14:10
9/16
Sd cards are pretty cheap now.
2gb cards don't cost that much. I've been tempted to buy a new one for my camera
but
a small Harddisk would work out cheaper and easier.
2gb cards don't cost that much. I've been tempted to buy a new one for my camera
but
a small Harddisk would work out cheaper and easier.
LUPOS 7 Jun 2006 14:52
10/16
it'll most likely be like cell phone games... or even liek xbox live arcade... you pay for a game and its yours. even if you delete it from your hard drive (or flashmem or SD card or whatever) its still yours as the sunsciption info is stored on the server so you can redownload at any time. This way all the games you buy will be yours to play at will but you dotn necesarily have to have them all in local mem at all times.
This is realy the only way i see this working for them. The good thing for ninty is that 90% of all the games people want are smaller than even a trailer on xboxLive. Perhaps some sort of streaming of all content with no local save woudl work as well but soem people might not like the ocasional "loading..." screen when an n64 game is DLing.
This is realy the only way i see this working for them. The good thing for ninty is that 90% of all the games people want are smaller than even a trailer on xboxLive. Perhaps some sort of streaming of all content with no local save woudl work as well but soem people might not like the ocasional "loading..." screen when an n64 game is DLing.
warbaby 7 Jun 2006 21:35
11/16
I don't see any problem with a 512 mb memory to store my stuff. If it is, Nintendo already said the Wii will support almost every USB memory device known to man. Have a problem with storage? Plug in a 100 gb USB hard drive... problem solved.
Joji 8 Jun 2006 01:37
12/16
Love the VC idea. I'm looking forward to discovering all those games I used to gaze at longlingly on store shelves but couldn't afford as a kid. Add imports to that list and I'll be very busy.
Indeed I'll be investing in a good large external HD for mine. Kind of tired of card, except for the portability.
Indeed I'll be investing in a good large external HD for mine. Kind of tired of card, except for the portability.
Earl 8 Jun 2006 14:36
13/16
The 360 will be my main gaming platform, but the Wii is looking like a good choice for times when you fancy someting a little differnet.
how the downloadable games will work, is going to be interesting to look at, for once i have high hopes for Nintendo.
how the downloadable games will work, is going to be interesting to look at, for once i have high hopes for Nintendo.
Joji 8 Jun 2006 21:57
14/16
Yeah I'll bag a 360 for a second choice console whne not on the Wii.
Thing is few games are grabbing me on 360 so far. Lost Planet, Dead Rising and online Burnout are my main reasons to buy at the mo.
Have to keep my Xbox though, I just don't trust MS half hearted compatibility issues for 360. Either do it properly or no at all.
I doubt Nintendo will have these kind of stupid problem with Wii, that's why the are the true geniuses of the industry.
Thing is few games are grabbing me on 360 so far. Lost Planet, Dead Rising and online Burnout are my main reasons to buy at the mo.
Have to keep my Xbox though, I just don't trust MS half hearted compatibility issues for 360. Either do it properly or no at all.
I doubt Nintendo will have these kind of stupid problem with Wii, that's why the are the true geniuses of the industry.
config 12 Jun 2006 11:47
15/16
It has the capacity to be a huge failure - I can certainly see the draw of all these retro game, but has many a gamer that has dabbled with retro will tell you, the past isn't all it's cracked up to me.
Sure there are a few gems that stand the passage of time, but 95% of all those old gems turn out to be ill-recalled turds when played today.
I can see there being a large spike of interest with each new Wii gamer, followed by a vary rapid fall-off in interest.
It's money for old rope for the publishers, and it won't take long gamers too long to drop that rope and return to "proper" games.
Sure there are a few gems that stand the passage of time, but 95% of all those old gems turn out to be ill-recalled turds when played today.
I can see there being a large spike of interest with each new Wii gamer, followed by a vary rapid fall-off in interest.
It's money for old rope for the publishers, and it won't take long gamers too long to drop that rope and return to "proper" games.
jmm36 26 Jul 2006 16:45
16/16
The neat thing is, the Virtual Console will repair the holes in the distribution system that existed previously...too few copies of key titles such as Ogre Battle for example, or people who wanted a game but couldn't afford it at $50 who will now be able to buy it for $5 to $10! And still have a console capable of playing it.
Best of all, it is the cheapest possible form of distribution for Nintendo (other than piracy.) They and their third parties can reap long term royalties on software that traditionally has a lifecycle of six months to two years on shelves. Old game sales can help fund new game development. Specifically, this puts third parties in a better CASH position, which is what business should run on rather than borrowing or giving most of the profits to investors.
Best of all, it is the cheapest possible form of distribution for Nintendo (other than piracy.) They and their third parties can reap long term royalties on software that traditionally has a lifecycle of six months to two years on shelves. Old game sales can help fund new game development. Specifically, this puts third parties in a better CASH position, which is what business should run on rather than borrowing or giving most of the profits to investors.