34 replies to this topic

[QuasiNoob]

Ever since I've bought my Nintendo 64, I've noticed that the games I can get on eBay are much more costly than a Wii Points card which can get me a good 2 or 3 virtual console N64 games. Having had this for only a few weeks and finding most of the best games for it are available for much less on the VC, I can't help but feel the VC is taking away the point of retro gaming. Any other thoughts?

[toptenmaterial]

I personally enjoy the VC and have always been very enthusiastic about it. I feel that it's a way to keep some of these old franchises alive.

I think some people question the authenticity of it, as we move towards an age of download exclusive content. However, I still consider the channels of my Wii desktop to be a part of my "collection".

[Chris Leach]

NO!

[raskar42]

I always meant to try the virtual console - but i never really got that enthusiastic about it.

I think i prefer to play snes games with the snes controller on a real snes though. I don't really like the way the wii mote feels in gamepad mode.

Also i think VC has driven down the cost of some old console games - but it may just be my imagination.

[Animan]

It depends on the game.

If it's a very rare game, or a former japanese exclusive, I don't mind getting it.

However, I can usually find the actual games cheaper for the real system, so I usually tend to avoid the VC for those games.

I am excited about the Virtual Console for the 3DS. Can't wait to (someday) play the Turbografx-16 version of R-Type on the 3DS!

[QuasiNoob]

Animan, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 6:05 PM, said:

It depends on the game.

If it's a very rare game, or a former japanese exclusive, I don't mind getting it.

I agree. Since I (so far) don't have any localizer and am not interested in modifying my system, Japanese Games are much easier to get my hands on with the VC. I've actually had the opposite scenario with rare, English, NTSC games though. A good part of my motivation for buying the N64 in the first place was to get the great games I played with on my friend's before he moved which weren't on the VC.

Edited by QuasiNoob, Thu Jun 9, 2011 6:13 PM.

[QuasiNoob]

raskar42, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 4:16 PM, said:

I think i prefer to play snes games with the snes controller on a real snes though. I don't really like the way the wii mote feels in gamepad mode.

I never noticed that the Wii Classic Controller has 2 extra Analog sticks compared to the SNES one until you wrote this.

[AtariLeaf]

I think the idea is a good one. Even though I love to collect and play the real hardware and games, the idea of being able to quickly pick up and play the same game on the virtual console is very appealing and a nice option to have.

For me, it would never replace collecting and playing the actual games but its a nice addition to have.

Edited by AtariLeaf, Thu Jun 9, 2011 6:18 PM.

[Austin]

It's especially good for people that do not want (or cannot afford) several retro consoles. Like someone also stated, it's good for rare games. Chrono Trigger was released recently, for instance, and I'm contemplating purchasing it myself.

[AtariLeaf]

Great for rare games. Agreed.

[QuasiNoob]

Don't get me wrong guys, the VC's a blast and it and FreeDoom are what got me into Retro Gaming in the first place, but I still feel that collecting older consoles and games which are supported by it now isn't as enjoyable. Just my opinion.

[Rex Dart]

Emulation didn't begin with the Wii...

[toptenmaterial]

raskar42, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 4:16 PM, said:

I always meant to try the virtual console - but i never really got that enthusiastic about it.

I think i prefer to play snes games with the snes controller on a real snes though. I don't really like the way the wii mote feels in gamepad mode.

Also i think VC has driven down the cost of some old console games - but it may just be my imagination.

I personally enjoy the wiimote in d-pad mode, especially for NES games. The only exception for me is Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (as if that game isn't hard enough as it is). There is something about how the controller is mapped that is very frustrating and difficult to use.

[remowilliams]

I'd ask the opposite - is there any point in Virtual Console, with retro gaming. Or HBC/emulation...

[Reaperman]

I have only a couple VC games, and my complaints with them seem to mirror all of my software emulation experience. It feels like there's a delay between the controller and action on the screen--like showering with a raincoat on. It's great while you don't notice the differences, but once I did, all emulation seems good for is as a 'try before you buy an old copy.'

Edited by Reaperman, Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:51 AM.

[Algus]

I basically bought the Wii FOR Virtual Console. I don't really have any problem buying games I already own on other platforms as I feel like I'm paying for the convenience of having everything on one machine. The Wii is so light that it is super easy to bring to a friend's house and since so many people have them (including all my friends), I don't even need to drag the cords with me because we can just do a quick swap out. It lets me have stuff like Golden Axe III at hand without having to hunt for an anthology and runs it fairly admirably. I've owned the Wii since launch and in all that time, I've only ever had one game freeze once so it also feels very reliable.

TBH I think the Wii is a great addition for almost any retro gamer to help fill holes in their collection (not everything for supported systems is available but there are many great classics). All but the most dedicated of collectors are probably going to find some games/systems supported on VC that they don't own, and the super hardcore probably want a Wii anyway unless they just don't collect/play modern games at all.

[BydoEmpire]

TG-16 games on the Wii's VC are cheaper and obviously easier to get than the real cards. For me, that was the biggest draw since I haven't owned a TurboGrafx in ages, and I only owned it for a short time so I missed a lot of its library. There were a few other games I picked up on a whim, like Sin & Punishment and ToeJam & Earl.

Having a save state is nice for a game like Solomon's Key that allows unlimited continues - I can just fire it up every so often to tackle the next level without having to play through everything.

It's not a substitute for the real thing, but I think it's a decent service and I've enjoyed my purchases.

[Atariboy]

The N64 games on the Virtual Console look great. Much clearer and sharper image than the original hardware outputs.

I've enjoyed Paper Mario (Never did buy the original cartridge) and gladly rebought Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, the two Zelda's, and Wave Race on the Virtual Console just because they look so much nicer than they do on the original hardware through s-video.

[Austin]

QuasiNoob, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 7:38 PM, said:

Don't get me wrong guys, the VC's a blast and it and FreeDoom are what got me into Retro Gaming in the first place, but I still feel that collecting older consoles and games which are supported by it now isn't as enjoyable. Just my opinion.

Why would collecting real games that are also available on the VC be any less enjoyable? That doesn't make any sense.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

QuasiNoob, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 3:22 PM, said:

more costly than a Wii Points card which can get me a good 2 or 3 virtual console N64 games

Seems like there only are 2 or 3 virtual console N64 games.

My gripe is the paultry 21 N64 titles available on VC. I would totally buy more if some of the titles I want were ever released (Rogue Squadron, Shadows of the Empire, Pod Racer, Beetle Adventure Racing, Excitebike 64, the list goes on and on).

Keep the original hardware and play those games. I have been tempted myself to get an N64 for them.

[Atariboy]

I don't leave much hope for 3rd party N64 games, but I wish they'd hurry up and release Pilotwings 64 already. Would love to see how that looks running through their emulator.

[Jifremok]

There are too many old systems to easily keep track of, and if I get a system I'll want to get a nice big collection for it since having only one or two games only makes sense for a really new system. Virtual Console makes it that much easier to cherry-pick from different systems.

[SRGilbert]

If the goal is to consolidate systems and you obviously don't care that it's emulation and the wrong controller then I would recommend a modded Xbox. I admit I haven't tried the N64 emu, but everything else I've tried runs great.

[vectorman61890]

Its definitely worth it. Actually I have bought multiple compilation games such as Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. The VC and games like the Ultimate Genesis Collection makes me selling most of my collection which I have no real attachment too.

[AtariLeaf]

SRGilbert, on Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:13 PM, said:

If the goal is to consolidate systems and you obviously don't care that it's emulation and the wrong controller then I would recommend a modded Xbox. I admit I haven't tried the N64 emu, but everything else I've tried runs great.

That's eventually what I'd like to find - a modded Xbox. Lots of great games available dirt cheap plus the excellent emulation possibilities.