Virtual Console Reviews

Here is a handy list of questions and answers to things we get asked all the bleeding time:

When is 'X' coming out for the Virtual Console?

This is the question we get asked more often than any other. To put it bluntly, if it's not included in the Coming Soon list, we have no idea. The Coming Soon list is updated the moment we hear any news or rumours regarding future Virtual Console releases. We also note where the new has come from - for example, if a game is rated by the ESRB then it's a good indication that it's going to come to the Virtual Console at some point. If it's not on the list then it's anyone's guess, to be brutally honest!

You gave the game 'X' a really good rating, but it sucks as hell / a really bad rating, but it's awesome. Don't you have sense of taste?

Hold on there big fella. This is just our opinion, and you don't have to stick to it. If you remember a game from 'back in the day' and know that you liked it back then, then be all means download it and ignore what we say. Likewise, if you know a really bad game that got a rating that in your opinion is too high, than just don't download it. You should also check out the reader ratings, because they cover both opinions most of the time and can help you decide what to download and what not. Everyone has a game that adore that other people don't like (and vice versa). All we ask is that for games you HAVEN'T played, have a read of our review and take it into considerable before splashing out your Wii points.

Can I use the gift giving service in the Wii Shop to give games to anyone on my friends list?

No, the recipient must be in the same country. If you are in USA and want to send a VC game to a Canadian friend you will have to change your Wii's region temporarily to match.

Can I request that a game is made available for download?

No! We have no official connection with Nintendo so we sadly can't ask them to make a game available. It's also worth remembering that not every single NES/SNES/N64 (delete as applicable) game will come to the Virtual Console. Some games from that time period are subject to licencing litigation. Games that have direct links with movies or sporting personalities are unlikely to appear as new licencing deals would have to be struck. It's all a bit complicated, isn't it?

Do I need a Classic Controller to play VC games?

For games that require more than just the Wiimote (SNES, NeoGeo & N64) you'll need at least a Gamecube controller, but you're probably better off with a Classic Controller.

How can I play a multiplayer game (such as Bomberman '93) with 5 players at once?

You can use a Gamecube controller for the 5th player. Simply hold down the R button when launching the game from the Wii menu so the game recognises the 5th controller.

Can I play VC games directly from a SD card?

No, you can only play them from the Wii internal memory. SD card is for backup only. Of course you can always redownload games you have previously bought for free from the Wii Shop. There is a chance that this will change in the future and Nintendo will allow you to play games direct from the SD card, so watch the site for news.

Can you put a list of the Japanese Virtual Console games online?

At the moment we only cover North American and European VC releases. We'd love to give the same coverage to Japanese games, but we really don't have the time to do so. Plus, the percentage of readers that own Japanese Wii consoles is absolutely tiny, and many of the games released on the Japanese service are obscure and unlikely to appeal to Western gamers. So, for the time being at least, we will not be covering the Japanese Virtual Console service.

I'm a PAL Wii owner and I hate playing my games in 50hz! Is there any way around this? Can't you ask Nintendo about it?

The 50hz debate is certainly a hot topic with European Virtual Console gamers, but sadly it doesn't look like Nintendo is going to change its mind on this matter any time soon. The only way around this is to purchase a US Wii console. To be perfectly honest we don't think it ruins the playablity of VC games, so just accepting it might be a good plan!

(PAL region only) I've got a HD television and connect my Wii to it using a component cable I bought - now some VC games won't work. What can I do?

Some of the older VC releases are not compatible with some HD televisions because the television does not support the display method used to show the image on screen. Apart from a handful of titles, most games are now fully compatible. It's worth checking to see if there is a downloadable update for the game from the Wii Shop channel as often an update will resolve the issue. Your only other alternative is to use the standard composite cable - or purchase an RGB Scart cable if you want a better quality image - to play the games you miss so much.

When I come back to my N64 game, why can't I start where I left the game like I can with games from other VC consoles?

N64 games do not support 'state' saving so you can't return to the exact point where you left a game. Always remember to save your progress using the in-game save method when playing N64 games on the VC otherwise the next time you switch on you'll have to do it all again.

If your still confused and have any further questions please feel free to contact us.