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Virtual Console up and running

The Wii's downloadable game service has gone live with a dozen titles and a few surprises.

345 Comments

While the Nintendo Wii doesn't go on sale in the US for a few more hours, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed for GameSpot today that the first owners of the system will be able to get online and download classic games right out of the box.

Just in time for the Wii launch, here comes the Virtual Console.
Just in time for the Wii launch, here comes the Virtual Console.

Already on the Virtual Console, users can purchase Wii Points and download games from older systems. NES games cost 500 Wii Points ($5), Super NES and Sega Genesis games are 800 Wii Points ($8), and Nintendo 64 games are 1,000 Wii Points ($10). There weren't any TurboGrafx-16 games on the service at press time, but Nintendo has said pricing for those will start at 600 Wii Points ($6).

While the games are expected to be faithful re-creations of the originals instead of the type of revamped or rearranged arcade classics that have been sold on the Xbox 360's Marketplace, GameSpot editors found at least one new trick had been added. After quitting a session of Sonic the Hedgehog back to the Wii channel menu, and then loading the game back up, the editors found that the Wii had automatically saved the editors' place in the game and resumed play right where it had left off. Also, while downloading games, users are shown a Mario-themed progress bar that shows the mascot plumber or his brother Luigi running across the screen, hitting coin blocks and collecting coins off the ground.

Mario serves as the download progress bar.
Mario serves as the download progress bar.

Nintendo announced last month that the following titles would be available on the Virtual Console by the end of the year. Games already confirmed to be up on the service today are italicized.

NES
Mario Bros.
The Legend of Zelda
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr.
Ice Hockey
Pinball
Soccer
Tennis
Urban Champion
Wario's Woods
Baseball
Solomon's Key

A dozen titles dating back to the '80s are already available.
A dozen titles dating back to the '80s are already available.

SNES
F-Zero
SimCity

Nintendo 64
Super Mario 64

Sega Genesis
Sonic the Hedgehog
Altered Beast
Golden Axe
Columns
Ecco the Dolphin
Gunstar Heroes
Space Harrier II
Toe Jam & Earl
Ristar
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

TurboGrafx-16
Bonk's Adventure
Super Star Soldier
Victory Run
Bomberman '93
Dungeon Explorer

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Dss413

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Earthbound, please?

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mat2g

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Very cool! Hopefully round the time I'll pick up one of these babies, they will have a better even more games.

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MrOpinionated

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I hope they add Majora's Mask and Perfect Dark!

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omarguy01

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i'm getting mario bros. 1!!!

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elemntsk8r111

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@ Spark_Mandril you can use the GC controller for all VC games and you can use the Wii remote for the NES games. i think the NES games are a little overpriced, but the otheres are ok.

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CrapfullyCrap

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I'll buy a Wii after they add Pokemon Puzzle League to the list. Best. Puzzle. Game. Ever.

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KnightsofRound

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Needs more SNES games.

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metalsnakezero

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We just have to wait for those big hits but they do have Mario 64.

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twilight_link9

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Yeah, I think their price is just right, but there aren't much games for SNES and N64, I'll take a shot for old-school NES games!!

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videogameplaya2

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I'm going to get zelda,mario bros., and f-zero

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Piro21

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why is everyone complaining about the prices of the VC games? I think they are at a right price and see myself buying some. Quit complaining people seriously.

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orangeillini14

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Awesome. :)

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pred890

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where is ocarina

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Gamepro2421

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Golden Axe, Zelda, Toe Jam & Earl, Gunstar Heroes

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peeweeshift

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the points system is best way for marketing this to work. People don't like using credit cards for buying things online because they feel like their security is at risk. but i still think that they should increase there lineup for virtual console

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spartan0420

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Geez quit **** I have a 360 and I havent't bought games on the marketplace cuz there not that great. I'd much rather buy these.

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technofranki

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The save feature is nice. I think Nintendo should have halved the prices.

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Kromis1

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I hope they release Master Quest on the VC, too! (For those of you that don't know, its the "uber-hard" version of Ocarina of Time that was only released for GameCube when you reserved Wind Waker)

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Spark_Mandril

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A little bit expensive.... (also considering the control purchase)

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GMAN32X

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Toe Jam and Ear, Golden Ave...If I didn't know better, I'd think I've died and gone to Heaven.

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shasam712

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I might get Golden Axe, because I never played it, and perhaps Altered Beast, because that is underappreciated. Shame there is no KId Icarus at launch though...maybe by the Euro launch.

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hemakm3

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I wouldnt mind playing Dungeon Explorer again.

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SuperH75mil

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Freer, you'd be one of the few actually buying games. Well, not few, but still...check the numbers. Analysts are believing that the NA launch numbers are actually around 100,000 to 150,000. eBay results for "ps3" search serves up over 20,000 hits. 20,000 out of 125,000 (roughly). Need I say more?

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diablobasher

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I'd prefer Space Harrier 1, other than that, awesome :D great list, and more great games to come i hope. Pity UK doesnt get the Wii until the 8th December, but at least we dont have to wait as long for the weather channel :P

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falconclan

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Those prices are sad, although i think the price of n64 games are better then the others.

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admir1983

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the points system is just stupid

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HawksNDoves

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Damn... thats one pathetic list. Hopefully wii shall see better games in the near future. I want StarTropics...

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nintendude01

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Hopefully next year I will be playing Mario Kart 64 and Kid Icarus

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comthitnuong

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it was a realy good idea

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ryohazuki1987

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I like the sound of the progress saving feature.

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edhc44

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this SNES selection is sad...

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LivingDeadNinja

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Obviously crappy titles aren't worth what they're asking for. But some definitely are worth it. Sad thing is the ones i want from that list aren't released yet...Gunstar Heroes, Bonk's Adbventure, Toe Jam & Earl.

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webosfritos

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rey06, be sure there'll be ocarina of time on VC.

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rikimaru93

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bah snes games shud be $5

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Freer

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Cool, If I ever quit buying games for my PS3 I might wanna pick up one of these Wii's.

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necronom_iv

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sounds cool.

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rey06

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no ocarina of time?

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edubuccaneer

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Great news... I'm still waiting for Hogan's Alley, though.

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cfamgcn

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Great!

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skylerpwns

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$8 for a Virtual Genesis game? Come on, Nintendo.

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sain_skywalker

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It makes me cry to see Genesis games on a Nintendo Console.

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razorguitars

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awesome

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Demodocus

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Gosh those games are overpriced. The top games are correctly/under priced but the majority just arn't worth it.

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dakevster87

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YES!!!!!

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