Wii Virtual Console

[hadjiquest]

What do you think of the Sega Genesis titles coming out on the Wii Virtual Console? They even had titles like Golden Axe III, and Alien Soldier, which never saw commercial releases, stateside. Also, what do you think of Sega releasing Master System titles on the Wii Virtual Console?

[108 Stars]

I think the VC-games are overpriced.

[playgen]

They could have at least added some features considering the money they want for them. Online play for multiplayer games wouldn't have been that hard to implement, PC emulators can do it, and forcing PAL 50hz on games is shameful.

[Grounder]

I think the VC-games are overpriced.
That is a fact. Not an opinion.

[Collision Cat]

Is there some sort of custom firmware for the Wii that would let you use emulators on it? If there is then Virtual Console games need to be cheap and maybe have extra features, yeah. Well they need that anyway.

[AD2101]

That is a fact. Not an opinion.

Naaaahhh not really.
True, 8 bucks for Sonic is not a real solid deal (considering you have a genesis), however, 9 bucks to play Alien Soldier is a steal.

If you actually have the original hardware for these systems, a good bit of the games could be bought in their original form for less. If you don't have the original hardware, or don't want to deal with having 7 systems hooked up into 1 tv or ruining your cartridges or whatever reason one could come up with, this is a fair price. Also, try to get your hands on a game like Gate of Thunder for less than 8 bucks.

[Christuserloeser]

The VC is fantastic. Two problems however:

1. EU related: 50Hz instead of original 60Hz speed the games were meant to be played in. This is a real problem with MD/SMS, not so much with NES/SNES/etc. (at least the Nintendo games were modified to run as fast in 50Hz as they would in 60Hz).
2. EU/US related: The describtions for everything SEGA is ripped straight from the original back covers which sucks hard. Compare that to what the Japanese people get (or which treatment SNK/NEC/Nintendo systems get).

For Japanese Wii owners, VC is basically a perfect thing. I think it's okay for those living in the US, but we Europeans are fucked again.

[17daysolderthannes]

the way I see it, with the exception of maybe Neo Geo games, you're paying for something you can do for free on your computer: emulation. The only time its worth paying the price of admission for these old games is if you can play it with 100% accuracy on the real hardware, otherwise its still just a simulated "close enough" experience. Plus, if you break your Wii, you lose it all, its completely non-transferable, f-that. If I absolutely had to, I could sell my physical game collection for a decent chunk of change, possibly even break even or make money, with the VC, I'm permanently out the money I spent no matter what.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

Alien Soldier. That's what I think of Genesis games on the VC. Also, Landstalker, because I never did get a physical copy of that one.

As for the VC games being overpriced... I like to think of it as a convenience fee. You pay an extra couple of bucks for the convenience of playing it on your Wii.

And for those of you prefer PC emulation, sure, that's great if you have the original games, and even if you don't, but I prefer to play my ROMs legally when I can.

[esb09]

Wii VC got me into 16-bitters in general and Genny in particular so it can't be too bad.

But pretty much everything except rare/unreleased games, NES (good luck finding a working one) and Neo Geo (too damn expensive on the real hardware) is a rip off.

FWIW I hate emulation. It just doesn't feel right on a computer.

[Iron Lizard]

Free in rom form sounds like the best deal to me. Just get a crappy video card with a video out and you are good to go. I did that for years.

[AD2101]

FWIW I hate emulation. It just doesn't feel right on a computer.

Yea, theres just something more awesome about playing these games on an actual tv with a controller as opposed to the computer monitor with a keyboard.

[17daysolderthannes]

Yea, theres just something more awesome about playing these games on an actual tv with a controller as opposed to the computer monitor with a keyboard.

am I the only one that has a USB gamepad for emulation? Come on people, its 2008, its called the Logitech Precision and its only $10 just about anywhere. Its just like a PS1 non-dual shock controller (only with a much better d-pad) so it works with pretty much anything up to N64 (and they make a more expensive version with joysticks that you can use for that). Get with the program people, sheesh.

[Iron Lizard]

I use a 6 button genesis on my computer. The $15 dollar genesis to usb adapter was worth every penny. Metal Slug with a 6 button is awesome

[TmEE]

FWIW I hate emulation. It just doesn't feel right on a computer.

all Wii does is emulation too...

so, I take my PC, hook it to my TV, dump my fav cart with my dumper, get Kega Fusion , get or make Linux LPT adapter for MD controllers, find ParalelPortJoystick driver, launch Kega Fusion, configure it to use the MD pad connected to PC using LPT adapter, open your ROM, and sit on the couch and enjoy... so in the end you have something better than Wii, because Kega fusion is better emulator than what VC uses when it comes to MD.

[Tanegashima]

nothing beats playing these games on their original consoles, how they meant to be played.

I admit I own a NES clone but I'm not much of a nintendo guy and its for a few games. SO for most people, who really don't want a 300 game collection like me, the virtual console is perfect.

I dislike Nintendo, but love the 6 games I have...so I got a NES clone. Same thing. I would NEVER dream of buying Neo Geo, Saturn, Genesis, 32X, Sega CD or Turbografx/Duo games on the Virtual console or even downloading them for emulation because there is nothing like playing the original, with the original controller.

I simply can't imagine playing Samurai Showdown II on the Wii...it just HAS to be done on the Neo.

[ThunderForce]

I saw Streets of Rage II on the Wii yesterday. Looks pretty good.

But I own Bare Knuckle II for the MD anyway. >.>

[Mr. Ksoft]

I've only used VC for getting games that weren't released in my region that I wish to play close to the original way (on a TV with a controller), as I don't feel safe modding my consoles. That said, I've only got Alien Soldier, Sin and Punishment, and my brother bought the FDS Super Mario Bros 2.

That's really all it's useful for in my opinion. Otherwise it's often cheaper to just get an original copy of the game.

[Elusive]

It's a ROM dump service. I like how it's bringing attention to 'classic gaming' and what-have-you, but it still doesn't excuse Nintendo from forgetting that Europe exists and that we might have 60Hz-compatible TV sets

Collision Cat: yes, it is possible to run emulators on the Wii thanks to people breaking the system's encryption or whatever; I know someone's got a N64 emulator running thanks to the 'Homebrew channel'. You can kiss your warranty goodbye, though. Here's what it looks like. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=6ji2imug_bc)

[esb09]

I've tried the rout of hooking up my laptop to my tv via s-video and playing emulators on that (and using a game pad) but it doesn't look right. The colors seem off and theres blur.

So for me, Original Hardware* > Wii VC > computer emulation. I think VC prices will come down in the future, too. Two dollars less across the board would be the fair price for all the systems.

*Exception: NES because the hardware reliability is tosh, and so are the cramp-inducing controllers.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

Two dollars less across the board would be the fair price for all the systems.
Or, if nothing else, the dollar is getting weaker all the time. Pretty soon, $5 for an NES title will be a bargain.

How's the SMS emulation? I haven't tried an VC SMS games... I honestly dunno whether any of the ones out now are worth the price.

[17daysolderthannes]

*Exception: NES because the hardware reliability is tosh, and so are the cramp-inducing controllers.

not really, I've never had any problems booting any of my original games on my original NES. As long as you keep your games and system clean and don't get abusive with the pin connector, it will work fine (and mine is proof). Even still, an NES with a replaced pin connector and some cleaned games typically will work flawlessly.

[Iron Lizard]

I've tried the rout of hooking up my laptop to my tv via s-video and playing emulators on that (and using a game pad) but it doesn't look right. The colors seem off and theres blur.

So for me, Original Hardware* > Wii VC > computer emulation. I think VC prices will come down in the future, too. Two dollars less across the board would be the fair price for all the systems.

*Exception: NES because the hardware reliability is tosh, and so are the cramp-inducing controllers.

I had trouble with my laptop as well. It didn't all that good. My desktop on the other hand with an antiqued video looks great though. Tv tool helps but it will not run on my laptop.

[TmEE]

There's color correction stuff in your GFX card driver utilities somewhere, use it to get things look good.... man I hate the fact that my GFX card outputs no RGB, only composite, S-Vid and component.

[Christuserloeser]

Yeah, that's really annoying. Why is it impossible to find a graphics card that provides an RGBs out ? I mean it does output RGBHV via its VGA out anyway.

[TmEE]

GFX card manufacturers have damn cartell contracts with down-scanner makers !!!

[drako717]

in my opinion virtual console games are a great idea
although they are overpriced and they should come with a few bonus'

[1magus]

I have only downloaded Dynastic Hero which I believe was originally a Genesis title but this one is the Turbo Grafx CD Add on version with the remixed music, I like VC so far I just wish it was cheaper.

[16-bit]

I wish they would let you customize the controlls and give us some actual manual scans for the game manual as well as those HTML pages.

[ThunderForce]

so, I take my PC, hook it to my TV, dump my fav cart with my dumper, get Kega Fusion , get or make Linux LPT adapter for MD controllers, find ParalelPortJoystick driver, launch Kega Fusion, configure it to use the MD pad connected to PC using LPT adapter, open your ROM, and sit on the couch and enjoy... so in the end you have something better than Wii, because Kega fusion is better emulator than what VC uses when it comes to MD.

Oh geez. I just use Gens, 25% scanlines, no sprite limit, and fullscreen on a CRT monitor. Close to perfect.

[TmEE]

I use 25% scanlines in Fusion too... what I described is mostly a way to play your MD stuff with a MD controller as some people think its more authentic. I use Gens only for debugging because it fails to make decent sound with my MD stuff. Otherwise its Fusion or real HW.

[Mordan]

my take on the VC.
I own a Wii and a MD/CD/32X. I tried out emulation as well.

1) eternal champion is my fav game. I played it hundreds of hours on the MD. I tried emulating EC and EC Dark Side on the PC, it SUCKED. Forget it. A friend bought it in the VC. It sounded and nearly plays like the original. nearly is however not like the original and this is mainly due to the latency of the wiimotes + the HORRENDOUS wii classic controller. ARGH! I could not play EC because of that. My brain is wired to play on the best controller ever : the 3 in line button SEGA MD controller. ( 6 double line is even better :) )

2) playing emulation is a bit geeky and too much of a hassle when people are around you. I play games mainly a multi.

3) so I use the VC for NES games because I don't have the NES and I used to play Xevious and The Legend of Zelda when I was a kid at a friend's place. Except that, I will never use the VC for godly mega drive games. If you want Land Stalker. Just buy it. I just bought it on ebay.

4) I think the VC makes collecting MD games easier, as the perceived value of a physical cartridge lowers in the mind of casual gamers and some sellers.

5) as someone said it already here. VC games are worth shit. ROMs are worth shit as well. There is a huge satisfaction to own the physical ORIGINAL game with the manual and the sturdy BOX. (by the way MD boxes are the BEST EVER, screw the paper box of N64 and SNES, and CD cases). So a good MD collection is worth money.

Long live to the megadrive, its docking base and its mushroom!! :)))

[Nicpezer]

I like collecting the actual games, the VC is cheaper when it comes to certain titles but emulation is free. I have a great 6 face button controller for my PC and I wouldn't doubt that there are ways to using the genesis 6-pad controller on a PC, considering that there are NES, and SNES controllers that can do that.

It's a good way for younger kids to get into the classics but chances are they'll just stick with crappy games like Halo or yet another Mario Sports game.

[Kogen]

The only use I see for VC is for multiplayer games, N64 titles, and stuff that is harder to emulate yourself(like Turbo Graphics or NeoGeo).

[TmEE]

I have a great 6 face button controller for my PC and I wouldn't doubt that there are ways to using the genesis 6-pad controller on a PC, considering that there are NES, and SNES controllers that can do that.

Download a small program/driver called Parallel Port Joystick, build a simple LPT port adaptor and off you go. Many types of controllers are supported. Way better than Direct Pro whatever (don't remember anymore).

[Elusive]

There are some eBay stores that do USB->Mega Drive controller adapters for simplicity - although if you're truly hardcore you'd dedicate a USB slot for it and build the Mega Drive end into the system's case ;)