Dante Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Nintendo tells CVG the ins and outs of Wii's retro download service The launch of the Wii console is little over a month away now, and although we've analysed every aspect of the innovative new console under the world's most powerful magnifying glass, it still conceals a few mysteries - particularly in the Virtual Console. With the full list of launch-day Virtual Console games having been released earlier this week, we thought it the perfect time to focus on the retro download service and uncover some of those mysteries. So we threw a barrage of questions at Nintendo and got back some interesting information - how the games are stored, how much they'll cost and more. Check it out below and, if you have any more questions of your own, throw them down in the comments section and we'll put them to Nintendo for answers. Can games be stored on external media such as SD cards, and what happens if you run out of storage space? Nintendo: Games that are downloaded can be stored either to the Wii's internal memory (512MB) or onto SD cards, which plug into the SD slot on the front of the Wii. In addition the console also stores a history of all of your downloads so that if you have to delete any VC games for any reason you could re-download them for free at a later date. Will you be able to take your VC games to a mate's house, say, on an SD card? Nintendo: No. All VC games will be locked to the console they are downloaded on so even if they are on an SD card they can't be used on other machines. You will have to take your Wii with you. Does that mean that if your console breaks you lose your VC games forever? Nintendo: No. Nintendo will offer support to help Wii owners with problems to recover their games. GameCube games are played with GameCube pads. Can they be played with the Classic controller too, for those who don't actually have any GC pads? Nintendo: Nintendo GameCube games can only be played using Nintendo GameCube controllers. The Classic Controller will not work on these games. Can you specify which controllers it will be possible to use for each of the VC games types (NES, SNES, PC Engine, N64)? Nintendo: All virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads. The Wii Remote can also be turned on its side and used as a traditional controller to play NES games. However, a game will only be playable with the control mechanism it was designed for. So, for example, you will play NES games with the D-pad, not an analogue stick or motion-sensitive functionality. When using a mixture of Wii and GameCube controllers, the Wii Remote or Classic Controller will take priority. So if you have two Classic Controllers plugged in they instantly become player one and two regardless of how many GameCube pads are inserted. What about game manuals? Nintendo: Each Virtual Console game downloaded will come with a digital instruction manual. We are already aware that you won't be able to gain access to the Japanese or American VC in UK with a UK console. But if you import a US or Japanese Wii into UK, will that machine be capable of accessing the UK VC servers to download and play games made available to us Brits? Nintendo: No. The European Virtual Console will be available only to European machines. If you import an American machine they would have to connect to the American service and use American Wii Points cards to buy content. Their warranty would also be void so this is not recommended. Will there be a range of Wii Points cards available? How much will they cost? Nintendo: At first, only 2000-point cards will be available. These will retail for £14.99. Will you be able to buy VC Points via the internet through Wii using a credit card, like you can with Xbox 360's Marketplace? Nintendo: Yes. Wii points can also be bought online via the Wii Shop using all major credit cards and will be credited to your account. A total of 10,000 points can be stored on your Wii account at any one time. www.computerandvideogames.com
Yoshiking Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Sounding good, though I was hoping to be able to use classic controllers for GC games. Ah well.
ShadowV7 Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I'm happy that you can buy points online.If only they asked if we can buy US or Jap VC games to clear it up.
Jasper Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I was right! No accounts for VC games, they're Wii-bound. Didn't know that Nintendo would provide service in case your Wii breaks... But anyway, looking good to be honest. Great service, great to not-so-great games... Let the retro love commence! Oh, and the article states we can't buy Japanese or American VC games, doesn't it?
flameboy Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Well sounds interesting... I think a few of us had already guessed classic controller wouldn't work with cube games, owing to the lack of analogue shoulder buttons, some games wouldn't work properly, like Rogue Leaders speeding up and then clicking to open the wings, or racing games where you had to feather the buttons. Not sure if I'll pick up the classic controller straight away, but the cube's d pad isn't in a nature position so it annoys me.
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 What about games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which will be using the Classic Controller. Can we use the Gamecube controller with these?
Jasper Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 What about games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which will be using the Classic Controller. Can we use the Gamecube controller with these? That depends on how they program the game - but if I have to make a rough guess, it would be the Classic controller, because new gamers who just bought a Wii but never played or bought a GameCube can buy those controllers and use them with ease. I bet they'll opt for that, but maybe they'll throw in GameCube controller-use to.
flameboy Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 it is abit annoying that the classic controller can't be used without being plugged into a wiimote, makes it just as pricey for 4 player smash bros. guess they didn't include any wireless stuff in it to keep costs down.
Jasper Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Now you mention it, indeed. Bit funny that they're making you pay, huh. No? Not funny? Off course not, it makes business sense... Anyways, I think that's why they said you could use the GameCube controllers for it, too. However, users new to Wii will, one way, have to buy GameCube controllers, other ways three Wiimotes with Classic Attachment. Pretty Pricy stuff. Thank God I've got a GameCube...
Mikey Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 The pad is too different to play Cube games with. Just keep hold of your GC pads.
Balfron Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 "Nintendo:All virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads." That is wrong then? It's posted in the article above
flameboy Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 The pad is too different to play Cube games with. Just keep hold of your GC pads. yeah its just for any newcomers who wanna pick up some cube games, unlikely I'll admit, altho there are so many classics! anyway, im not bothered i've got three controllers anyway
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 "Nintendo:All virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads." That is wrong then? It's posted in the article above I don't think its wrong. I think it just means you'll be able to use your Gamecube controllers, as well as your classic controller to play Virtual Console games.
Mikey Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I hope they re-release the Wave Bird, and stick a Wii Logo on it. I think that'd be cool if there are ever any GC pad shortages in the future.
Zechs Merquise Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Well done Nintendo, really great decision. I mean, it's a fantastic idea to make the classic controller non-compatible with Gamecube games. So everyone who's Gamecube controllers are coming to the end of their lives are still screwed. Thanks.
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Well done Nintendo, really great decision. I mean, it's a fantastic idea to make the classic controller non-compatible with Gamecube games. So everyone who's Gamecube controllers are coming to the end of their lives are still screwed. Thanks. They could have made it compatible, but then you would not be able to use it with all Gamecube games anyway. Especially with games which use the analogue shoulder buttons. Gamecube controllers will most probably be dirt cheap when Wii comes around, especially the second hand controllers.
Dante Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Fire Emblem Wii also used GC controllers.
flameboy Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Fire Emblem Wii also used GC controllers. doesnt now, uses the classic controller, ign have a new hands on about it
Zechs Merquise Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 well, this has annoyed me, as I don;t want to buy second hand controllers. I want shiny new ones that work perfectly lol. I had real high hopes for the backwards compatibility and this is a blow.
solitanze Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I like collecting the bits and pieces of consoles. Really into novelties, seeing that money isn't an issue at all, i'll buy probably two classic controllers, maybe 4 if some online versions of classic games are released on the Virtual Console.
DCK Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Oh well, I don't have a shortage of Cube controllers. In fact, I'll be using Cube controls for Brawl too if they don't put motion sensing in it.
Kurtle Squad Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 TOLD YOU SO!! I hope they re-release the Wave Bird, and stick a Wii Logo on it. I think that'd be cool if there are ever any GC pad shortages in the future. I think they should too, but it'd never happen.
fukudasolokomalakikenanze Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Revised power glove x 2 with motion sensing & gyroscopic capabilities, FULL FLEDGED punchout and its as if you're actually physically punching the person, no Wii Mote, no cords.
ShadowV7 Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 I'm probably gonna get a couple more GC pads for Brawl or something incase any of mine break.Or if they use it,the Classic Control.
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