Wii Virtual Console

Virtual Console is a video game download service that is offered by Nintendo, to support its Wii gaming console. Described by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata as "the video game version of Apple's iTunes Store", the service will feature classic titles from past Nintendo consoles (from the NES to the N64) as well as from formerly competing systems, such as the Mega Drive/Genesis, TurboGrafx-16 and others. Virtual Console will also offer new and original content from independent developers.

The Virtual Console service went live on November 18th, with the impending release of the Wii the next day in North America. Six games were made available on this day: The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64. It has been reported that thirty games will be added to the Wii Shop Channel between the time of the Wii's launch and the end of the calendar year with at least ten games a month being added afterwards.

Wii Points
Wii Points is a payment system that Nintendo will use for gamers to purchase games and other features for its Wii console throught the Wii Shop Channel. Consumers can purchase a "Wii Points Card" which they then spend online. It is similar to Microsoft's Microsoft Points.

The main use of the card is to buy virtual console games. However, consumers may also use their Wii Points card to purchase the Opera Wii Browser, although IGN has stated that the software can be downloaded for free until June 2007. All Wii Points must be redeemed through the Wii Shop channel. Other uses have yet to be announced.

Pricing
A 2000 point Wii Points card will be initially available in the United States of America for around US$20 or for €20 in Europe and £14.99 in the UK. Wii Points can be bought in this way from retailers or purchased online directly from Nintendo. When converting from Wii Points to American dollars, 100 Wii Points equals one dollar. Reggie Fils-Aime has stated that 2000 Wii Points will cost about $24.99 Canadian. Pricing was also given for Wii points in Japan, with 1,000 points being exactly equivalent to ¥1,000 ($8.46). Prepaid cards in Japan will be made available in multiples of 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 points, with the 5,000 point card coming bundled with a classic controller. In all other regions, there will only be 2000 point cards.

The starting prices of the Virtual Console games will depend on what system the game was originally developed for. Some titles will cost more than these minimum set prices. :
 * NES Games = 500 Wii Points
 * SNES Games = 800 Wii Points (900 Wii Points in Japan on select games)
 * N64 Games = 1,000 Wii Points
 * Sega Genesis Games = 800 Wii Points (600 Wii Points in Japan)
 * TurboGrafx-16 Games = 600 Wii Points

Related Pages

 * Wii
 * Wii Channels