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Nintendo's Virtual Console has so much untapped potential

RowdyReverb

Member
I've recently been torn between playing Super Metroid on Wii U's VC or via emulation on PC and it's made me realize how much better VC could be than its current implementation. I shouldn't even be having this debate. Nintendo's hardware should be the premier place to play their classic games, but it isn't.

One of the nice things about playing on PC is you can use Dropbox as a means of keeping your save state in the cloud so you can pick up the game on any computer. Why doesn't Nintendo do this between Wii U and 3DS?

It's also a bit irritating that the game is available on the Wii U eshop, but not on the 3DS. On PC/Mobile, you could play the game wherever you like, on the big screen or portable. Why does Nintendo insist on having each VC game as a self-contained application, rather than having a "Virtual SNES" application that essentially acts as a high-quality emulator with a centralized library and shop? Then they could release and sell many more ROMs on the store with less effort. I understand that they probably want to maintain quality control by tweaking settings and testing each game individually, but it seems that emulation is good enough now that issues will be few and far between. This method would also make it easier to transfer the entire library to new hardware by modifying the emulator rather than porting the games individually, as they are slowly doing from the Wii to Wii U. A lot of the less-remembered games they'd release would sell few copies, but with this strategy the expense per game would be so small that only a few sales could make back the cost.

I know, I know, Nintendo gonna Nintendo and questioning their logic is an exercise in futility, but one of their biggest strengths is their back catalog, and it seems like they are sitting on a gold mine. Ok maybe not gold, but silver or perhaps iron because if these VC games were big money-makers, they'd likely be a little more motivated. At least they've finally added features like save states that emulators have had for years, so they haven't totally forgotten about VC.
 

Brofield

Member
It's taken you this long to realize untapped potential? Welcome to 2009

Edit: Snark aside, everyone knows Nintendo could do so much better. Certainly they should realize they could develop a universal emulator for NES and SNES and dump all the ROMs online. Maybe start crafting individual emulators for N64 games, make some use out of the GC adapter to get GameCube on the virtual console.

But it's Nintendo. It took them this long to figure mobile, I doubt I'll see an acceptable VC service in a decade
 
N64 Games & Gamecube Games

When%20to%20ask-250x209.jpg
 
Yep. They're doing it the wrong way. They should just upload it like dozens by dozens a week. At least make all their own output available.
 

jooey

The Motorcycle That Wouldn't Slow Down
It's taken you this long to realize untapped potential? Welcome to 2009

dude just figured out how to hold a 3DS and play a Metroid game -- flogging 9 year-old dead horses is just the next step of fitting in to the Nintendo club!
 
People like to complain about the VC a lot (and justifiably so) but Nintendo is actually more committed to it now than they were from around 2009-2013. It's clearly an important part of their strategy but they could obviously be doing a lot more. Hopefully NX is the platform where it really takes off. I would assume it will, as they're pretty aware at this point that they're going to be the main ones supporting that system(s) from day one.
 

LaronX

Neo Member
It has a lot of unused potential. It probably won't be used soon. Because Nintendo really lacks behind in online stuff. It doesn't help that the higher ups have no clue about the current state of gaming.
 

Dsyndrome

Member
Surprised this isn't a Gonzo thread.

Nintendo could do tons with Virtual Console, but as has been discussed ad nauseum, they do not.
 
Can't wait for the Virtual Console restart when the new console is out...

Announcing the first game for the Nintendo NX is... HOCKEY FOR THE NES!
 

KaiserBecks

Member
Not offering the SNES->Wii Pad (even though those things actually exist...just behind that ridiculous "Club Nintendo Stars" paywall) is pretty much what killed the Virtual Console for me. A "retro all in one" Nintendo console would've been a dream come true, but for some reason, Nintendo doesn't want to exploit my nostalgia.
 
once again, pokemon red/blue during the twitch plays pokemon craze would have been insane

sure the game is broken (in terms of pokemon) and you cant trade but dont lie, you and tons of people would have bought it


mario 64 released on the wii VC back in 2006 , 9 years this year and wii u cant have N64 games, so dumb
 

RowdyReverb

Member
dude just figured out how to hold a 3DS and play a Metroid game -- flogging 9 year-old dead horses is just the next step of fitting in to the Nintendo club!
I had really fallen off the Nintendo bandwagon for the past 15-20 years and I have some catching up to do. I just got a Wii U and 3DS in the past few months. These issues may be old, but they're new to me dammit

This post right here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=130385330&postcount=15

It really depends on other companies than Nintendo. When nobody steps up, it's no wonder we're drip-fed. I bet chances are high NX will finally allow access to the whole catalogue between systems.

I agree a lot that VC has untapped potential.

Ah, I had totally forgotten about the issues of licensing and legal stuff. After reading about that nightmare that Night Dive Studios faced trying to get rights to No One Lives Forever, I imagine there would be a ton of work in getting the entire library ported over. Still doesn't mean that they can't include software features like cloud saves or release all of their self-published games in a more cohesive manner.
 

Reallink

Member
I've recently been torn between playing Super Metroid on Wii U's VC or via emulation on PC and it's made me realize how much better VC could be than its current implementation. I shouldn't even be having this debate. Nintendo's hardware should be the premier place to play their classic games, but it isn't.

One of the nice things about playing on PC is you can use Dropbox as a means of keeping your save state in the cloud so you can pick up the game on any computer. Why doesn't Nintendo do this between Wii U and 3DS?

It's also a bit irritating that the game is available on the Wii U eshop, but not on the 3DS. On PC/Mobile, you could play the game wherever you like, on the big screen or portable. Why does Nintendo insist on having each VC game as a self-contained application, rather than having a "Virtual SNES" application that essentially acts as a high-quality emulator with a centralized library and shop? Then they could release and sell many more ROMs on the store with less effort. I understand that they probably want to maintain quality control by tweaking settings and testing each game individually, but it seems that emulation is good enough now that issues will be few and far between. This method would also make it easier to transfer the entire library to new hardware by modifying the emulator rather than porting the games individually, as they are slowly doing from the Wii to Wii U. A lot of the less-remembered games they'd release would sell few copies, but with this strategy the expense per game would be so small that only a few sales could make back the cost.

I know, I know, Nintendo gonna Nintendo and questioning their logic is an exercise in futility, but one of their biggest strengths is their back catalog, and it seems like they are sitting on a gold mine. Ok maybe not gold, but silver or perhaps iron because if these VC games were big money-makers, they'd likely be a little more motivated. At least they've finally added features like save states that emulators have had for years, so they haven't totally forgotten about VC.

I'm guessing VC hasn't performed super well in general, else they would presumably devote more resources and effort (e.g. catalog size, cross buy/play features)? It's got to be tough to get away with charging 6 US Dollars for 198X NES games, or $10 for 199X SNES/N64 games. Emulators are ubiquitous, millions of mobile games are free or less than $3, and you can often get contemporary/modern $100 million budgeted AAA games for $4.99 on Steam or XBL/PSN sales. In 2015's market, I'm not really sure who the target is for $10, 30yo, 1 hour long games--probably almost no one. This is a service that always needed to be 99¢ or $2, something for people to throw money at frequently without thinking. $10 is not that.
 

ant_

not characteristic of ants at all
I still can't believe the only emulation they have on 3ds is GBA and NES. SNES and 64 emulation must be possible to some extent, even if only for a few games.
 
mario 64 released on the wii VC back in 2006 , 9 years this year and wii u cant have N64 games, so dumb

I am afraid that next console's VC will have what we want, now. Maybe at the beginning Ninty wanted to release everything they can, but due to low sales, they are now holding their goodies for next chance?
 

Kadin

Member
Nintendo has some kinda of strategy here that I don't think will ever be fully revealed. They make so many questionable decisions and yet they continue to just go about their business as if everything is okay. I don't know if it's foolish thinking or they're just not concerned like many of us are. With that said, I don't think they're in dire times but I can see that being the case in a few years...
 

RowdyReverb

Member
I'm guessing VC hasn't performed super well in general, else they would presumably devote more resources and effort (e.g. catalog size, cross buy/play features)? It's got to be tough to get away with charging 6 US Dollars for 198X NES games, or $10 for 199X SNES/N64 games. Emulators are ubiquitous, millions of mobile games are free or less than $3, and you can often get contemporary/modern $100 million budgeted AAA games for $4.99 on Steam. In 2015's market, I'm not really sure who the market is for $10, 30yo, 1 hour long games--probably almost no one. This is a service that always needed to be 99c or $2, something for people to throw money at frequently without thinking. $10 is not that.

Yeah, you're probably right. I had thought that using an emulator + tons of paid ROMs strategy would cut costs enough to do things like drop the prices, but as I said above, I had forgotten about all the licensing issues involved with re-releasing these old games. I suppose it's just not feasible to pursue that market with gusto. Maybe as the games industry shifts more towards a service model over the coming years they'll just make their first-party back catalog accessible for paid subscribers.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
I am afraid that next console's VC will have what we want, now. Maybe at the beginning Ninty wanted to release everything they can, but due to low sales, they are now holding their goodies for next chance?

Screw N64 and GC... just give me the Wii games like the first three they gave us.

I feel like they're holding back because VC isn't making them any money - and they're holding their cards for the NX system.
 
I am afraid that next console's VC will have what we want, now. Maybe at the beginning Ninty wanted to release everything they can, but due to low sales, they are now holding their goodies for next chance?

hmmm good point, i wonder if they are gonna try sub cards/ plans , like months/year for certain games (bad/short) or nes , snes, N64, gba etc

think of something nintendo haha, hire me and i will do it :p
 
I think even on Nintendo games, it's a lot of potential wasted.

I can't believe Duck Hunt took this long to come out. They can release Yoshi's Safari if they want, or even: release unreleased games. They literally can release Star Fox 2. (And Dylan Cuthbert mentioned about a final version of Star Fox 2 used as a base for Star Fox Command. So there's a final version. They still have old unreleased games.)

And I'm just talking about Nintendo games, it shouldn't cost this much to release their own games. In fact, Star Fox wasn't even released on VC. Why not? SuperFX emulation is possible and can be stable enough... but the original Yoshi's Island isn't released on VC either (much better than GBA. MUCH BETTER.).
They can release Star Fox 1 & 2 to hype up for the release of the next Star Fox game. It would be insanely cool.

Or they can do something they have been doing sometimes, releasing japanese games on other regions, they released the original Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, and even Mario's Super Picross. OR BETTER, translating games: Sin & Punishment happened to be one of them. Which was a huge surprise and adds a lot to the potential of VC. NST translated this game, it's nuts.
They can release Satellaview-only games there, some of them are really worth to play.

A lot of exemples to make Virtual Console interesting and worth it. They should also do cross-buy on it. There's no reason to NOT do that anymore with Nintendo Network accounts.
 

RedToad64

Member
This post right here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=130385330&postcount=15

It really depends on other companies than Nintendo. When nobody steps up, it's no wonder we're drip-fed. I bet chances are high NX will finally allow access to the whole catalogue between systems.

I agree a lot that VC has untapped potential.
That list is outdated and slightly incorrect (Yoshi's Cookie actually has licensing issues and The Mysterious Murasame Castle definitely has a chance since it released on 3DS). I would like to see a more up-to-date version with Wii games included.

LuigiBlood said:
And I'm just talking about Nintendo games, it shouldn't cost this much to release their own games. In fact, Star Fox wasn't even released on VC. Why not? SuperFX emulation is possible and can be stable enough... but the original Yoshi's Island isn't released on VC either (much better than GBA. MUCH BETTER.).
They can release Star Fox 1 & 2 to hype up for the release of the next Star Fox game. It would be insanely cool.
I thought it was more of an issue of owning the rights to the SuperFX chip, and thus, emulation legal problems.
 

Shikamaru Ninja

任天堂 の 忍者
The biggest missed opportunity on the Virtual Console is not releasing limited and Japan only games to their world wide fan base.

Tier 1 (Domestic only releases)
Fire Emblem 4, Fire Emblem Thracia 776, (The two best Fire Emblems ever made), Earthbound Zero, Marvelous, Detective Club

Tier 2 (BS-X, 64DD games)
The Legend of Zelda BS, Mario Artist. Special Tee Shot

Tier 3 (Unreleased finished games)
Star Fox 2,

Whatever engineering and translation work would be required, it would be easily covered in big profits. It's a profitable way to release exclusives and keep your die hard fans happy.
 
The biggest missed opportunity on the Virtual Console is not releasing limited and Japan only games to their world wide fan base.

Tier 1 (Domestic only releases)
Fire Emblem 4, Fire Emblem Thracia 776, (The two best Fire Emblems ever made), Earthbound Zero, Marvelous, Detective Club

Tier 2 (BS-X, 64DD games)
The Legend of Zelda BS, Mario Artist. Special Tee Shot

Tier 3 (Unreleased finished games)
Star Fox 2,

Whatever engineering and translation work would be required, it would be easily covered in big profits. It's a profitable way to release exclusives and keep your die hard fans happy.

I forgot EarthBound Zero, that one is already translated, they can just release that one.
BS Zelda as the enhanced port of Zelda 1 and Ancient Stone Tablets have a lot of potential.

Honestly though, I'd love to say to Nintendo that I don't mind working on VC games just to let others have more games that they missed.
 

jooey

The Motorcycle That Wouldn't Slow Down
The biggest missed opportunity on the Virtual Console is not releasing limited and Japan only games to their world wide fan base.

Tier 1 (Domestic only releases)
Fire Emblem 4, Fire Emblem Thracia 776, (The two best Fire Emblems ever made), Earthbound Zero, Marvelous, Detective Club

Tier 2 (BS-X, 64DD games)
The Legend of Zelda BS, Mario Artist. Special Tee Shot

Tier 3 (Unreleased finished games)
Star Fox 2,

Whatever engineering and translation work would be required, it would be easily covered in big profits. It's a profitable way to release exclusives and keep your die hard fans happy.
and of course you'd be the one to bring the least amount of logic to the table
 
Tier 1 (Domestic only releases)
Marvelous
It's been mostly fan-translated (opening still needs work, rest could always use editing), so licensing that work, making sure the patch works for Nintendo's proprietary emulator versions, and marketing the release around its relation to Zelda and director Aonuma would definitely be smart.
 
I thought it was more of an issue of owning the rights to the SuperFX chip, and thus, emulation legal problems.
In that case Nintendo would have problems with the SNES to begin with: SNES uses audio processing made in Sony. So really, chips shouldn't be the problem here.
 

kiryogi

Banned
I'd love more so to see the likes of The Soul blazer series or Seiken 3. I know The former is tied behind Enix licensing plus quintet is dead As a doorknob.

But yeah Illusion of Gaia, Terranigma. Never for the west
 
Knowing that most likely they will abandon their curent powerPC architecture for their next home console since they are looking into having a common OS with their next handheld; then their current VC effort will also most likely have to be rebuilt from scratch. Therefore I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the reason that they don't invest too much into current Wii U VC.
 

JoeM86

Member
It's likely that the 3DS has similar issues running the SNES as it does with the GBA, which is why it's not got Virtual Console titles. If memory serves, there are a couple of SNES games that have been put on the 3DS somehow, but I believe they were ported, not Virtual Console'd.

The next console/handheld will be different. New account system is coming this autumn, will tie stuff together and Iwata talked about the handheld and home console sharing architecture (with different specs) and absorbing the Wii U architecture. I believe there was talk of VC being there at launch with a large amount of titles (but that might have been a dream) due to that. So it won't be an issue much longer

That list is outdated and slightly incorrect (Yoshi's Cookie actually has licensing issues and The Mysterious Murasame Castle definitely has a chance since I released on 3DS). I would like to see a more up-to-date version with Wii games included.

Well that post was in September :p

NES
F-1 Race - Unlikely due to license
Wild Gunman
Hogan's Alley
Kung-Fu Master - Unlikely due to the license (was based on a Jackie Chan movie)
Stack-up - Unlikely due to needing R.O.B.
Gyromite - Unlikely due to needing R.O.B.
Gumshoe
Nazo no Murasame Jo - Japan only
Pro Wrestling
Slalom - Actually unsure about this. Was made by Rare.
Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race - Japan Only
Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally - Japan Only
R.C. Pro-Am - Same as Slalom
Famicom Wars - Japan Only
Tetris - Licensing
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir - Japan only
Cobra Triangle - Same as Slalom
Mother - Japan Only
Barker Bill's Trick Shooting - Licensing issues
NES Play Action Football - North America only
Star Tropics
Snake Rattle 'n' Roll - Same as Slalom & Mattel Licensing issues
Pin-Bot - Same as Slalom
Nintendo World Cup - Japan Only
Time Twist: On the Outskirts of History... - Japan Only
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light - Japan Only
Fire Emblem Gaiden - Japan Only
Yoshi's Cookie - Weird Licensing Issues
Joy Mech Fight - Japan Only
Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II

Total remaining eligible first party titles outside Japan: 5


SNES
SimCity - Will never happen. Got removed off the Wii Virtual Console due to EA.
Mario Paint - Unlikely (Mouse required)
Super Scope 6 - Unlikely (Super Scope required)
Battle Clash - Unlikely (Super Scope required)
Super Play Action Football - NA Only. Unlikely due to license
World League Basketball - Unlikely due to license
StarFox - Super FX chip makes it unlikely
Yoshi's Safari - Unlikely (Super Scope Required)
Super Mario All-Stars - I don't think this is likely, unfortunately
Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge - Unlikely (Super Scope Required)
Super Hockey - Unlikely due to license
Super Tennis
Mario & Wario - Unlikely (Japan only and Mouse required)
Stunt Race FX - Super FX chip makes it unlikely
Tin Star - North America Only
Ken Griffey, Jr. Presents Major League Baseball - NA Only. Unlikely due to license
Uniracers - Not going to happen due to lawsuit by Pixar
Wario's Woods - We got the NES version
Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem - Japan only
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - Super FX chip makes it unlikely
Kirby's Ghost Trap
Super Mario RPG (Requires Square Enix to pull their foot out)
Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Winning Run - Unlikely due to license
Tetris Attack - Though Tetris moniker may make it unlikely.
Kirby's Star Stacker
Wrecking Crew '98 - Japan only. Unlikely.
Super Famicom Wars - Japan only
Sutte Hakkun - Japan Only
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 - Japan only

Total remaining eligible first party titles outside Japan: 5

GBA
Super Mario Advance (Japan got it)
Kuru Kuru Kururin
Magical Vacation - Japan only
Disney's Magical Quest Starring Mickey & Minnie - Unlikely (License)
Game & Watch Gallery 4
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords

Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (Japan/US got it)
Tomato Adventure - Japan only
Domo-Kun no Fushigi Terebi - Japan only
Koro Koro Puzzle Happy Panechu! - Japan only
Fire Emblem: Fuin no Tsurugi - Japan only
Sakura Momoko no Ukiuki Carnival - Japan only
Custom Robo GX - Japan only
Densetsu no Stafy - Japan only
Kururin Paradise - Japan only
Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising
Donkey Kong Country

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (Requires Square Enix)
Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak (Licensing)
Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue (Licensing)
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire - Never going to happen
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Sword of Mana (Requires Square Enix)
Top Gear Rally - Unlikely due to licensing
Mother 1 + 2 - Japan only
Densetsu no Stafy 2 - Japan only
Donkey Kong Country 2
Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (Requires Square Enix)
Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games (Licensing)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen - Not going to happen
Densetsu no Stafy 3 - Japan only
F-Zero Climax - Japan only
Donkey Kong Country 3
Dr. Mario & Puzzle League
Dynasty Warriors Advance - Requires Tecmo Koei
Final Fantasy IV Advance - Requires Square Enix
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (US Got it)
Pokémon Emerald - Not going to happen
WarioWare: Twisted! - Tilt control could make it tricky
Yoshi Topsy-Turvy - Tilt control could make it tricky
Sennen Kazoku - Japan only
Nonono Puzzle Chalien - Japan only
Drill Dozer
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Eyeshield 21: Devilbats Devildays - Japan only
Mother 3 - Japan only
Calciobit - Japan only

Total remaining eligible first party titles outside Japan: 11


Wii
Wii Sports
Excite Truck
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Wii Play
Super Paper Mario
Mario Party 8
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
Pokémon Battle Revolution
Mario Strikers Charged
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Battalion Wars 2
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Super Mario Galaxy
Link's Crossbow Training

Eyeshield 21: The Field's Greatest Warriors - Unlikely (Japan only)
Endless Ocean
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Mario Kart Wii
Wii Fit
Mario Super Sluggers
Wario Land: Shake It!
Wii Music
Animal Crossing: City Folk

Wii Chess
Minna no Joushiki Ryoku TV - Unlikely (Japan only)
Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen - Unlikely (Japan only)
Captain Rainbow - Unlikely (Japan only)
Disaster: Day of Crisis
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis
New Play Control! Pikmin
Excitebots: Trick Racing
New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Wii Sports Resort
Metroid Prime: Trilogy
Wii Fit Plus
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Another Code: R – A Journey into Lost Memories

Takt of Magic (Japan only)
New Play Control! Chibi-Robo - Unlikely (Japan only)
Minna ga Shuyaku no NHK Kouhaku Quiz Kassen - Unlikely (Japan only)
Endless Ocean: Blue World
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
(Out in Japan)
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
Metroid: Other M
Wii Party
Kirby's Epic Yarn

Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition - I see it as unlikely
Zangeki no Reginleiv- Unlikely (Japan only)
Ando Kensaku- Unlikely (Japan only)
Mario Sports Mix
Wii Play: Motion
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Fortune Street - Would require Square Enix
Rhythm Heaven Fever
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
Mario Party 9

Xenoblade Chronicles - Unlikely thanks to 3DS version
New Play Control! Pikmin 2
Kirby's Dream Collection
The Last Story
Project Zero 2: Wii Edition

Kiki Trick (Japan only)
Pandora's Tower



Total remaining eligible first party titles outside Japan: 50

HYPOTHETICALS

N64
Super Mario 64
Pilotwings 64

Shadows Of The Empire - Licensing
Cruis'n USA - Licensing
Killer Instinct Gold - Rare
Wave Race 64
Mario Kart 64

Mischief Makers - Don't own the rights
Bomberman 64 - Don't own the rights
Blast Corps - Rare
Star Fox 64
GoldenEye 007 - Never going to happen
Tetrisphere
Diddy Kong Racing - Rare
Yoshi's Story
1080° Snowboarding
F-Zero X

Bomberman Hero - Don't own rights
Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside - Licensing
Banjo-Kazooie - Rare
Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey, Jr. - Licensing
Waialae Country Club: True Golf Classics - Licensing
Mario Party
Cruis'n World - Don't own the rights
Pocket Monsters' Stadium - Won't happen
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Hey You, Pikachu! - Mic Issues
Pokémon Snap
Custom Robo
Mario Golf
Pokémon Stadium
Super Smash Bros.
Donkey Kong 64 - Iffy
Jet Force Gemini - Rare
Command & Conquer 64 - Don't own rights
NBA Courtside 2: Featuring Kobe Bryant - Licensing
Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Slugfest - Licensing
The New Tetris
Mario Party 2
Ridge Racer 64- Don't own rights
Mario Tennis
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Pokémon Puzzle League
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Excitebike 64

Perfect Dark - Rare
Banjo-Tooie - Rare
Custom Robo V2
Pokémon Stadium 2
Paper Mario
Mickey's Speedway USA - Licensing
Sin & Punishment
Mario Party 3
Dr. Mario 64
Animal Crossing


Total remaining eligible first party titles outside Japan: 27

Knowing that most likely they will abandon their curent powerPC architecture for their next home console since they are looking into having a common OS with their next handheld; then their current VC effort will also most likely have to be rebuilt from scratch. Therefore I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the reason that they don't invest too much into current Wii U VC.

They said that NX is said to absorb the Wii U architecture, so we should be set :)
 
I don't think DeNA is going to magically make problems of save syncing go away (that was one of the things the OP mentioned). Especially when there are more fundamental problems like games even being out on multiple platforms.

mario 64 released on the wii VC back in 2006 , 9 years this year and wii u cant have N64 games, so dumb
At least you play N64 games on a Wii U in some capacity so it isn't like PS1 games on a PS4...

But that wasn't your point at all.

Super Tennis
I thought last time the list (TM) was bought up the fact Super Tennis was published by Tonkin House in Japan could be a problem (TOSE developed the game) was also bought up and it was concluded the current non-existent status of Tonkin House could be a slight problem.
 
Let's shred the OP.

Q1: Why Nintendo doesn't do cloud saves for their emulators?

  • Because it would be harder to make both emulators compatible with each other. They aren't running on a "slow Wii U" and "fast Wii U". The platforms have some differences from each other which complicate stuff slightly.
  • Because sometimes the two aren't even running the same game in the first place. Nintendo isn't afraid to use compatibility hacks. Or to put out a different release altogether on Wii U than 3DS, for example 50Hz on Wii U to give people slowdowns they got in their childhood.
  • Because they don't do cloud saves ANYWHERE in the first place, unless you count Pokemon Bank which you RENT from them.

Q2: Why are there platform availability differences, as well as why there's no cross-buy?

  • Because Nintendo got some weird licensing deals with various companies regarding releases of their titles. Remember stuff getting removed from Wii VC on Wii U launch? Yeah, this sort of thing.
  • There are some poor souls which will purchase the same game twice. Sometimes, no cross-buy is also enforced by licensing deals.
  • This didn't necessarily need to extend to all titles. Imagine the accusation windmill that would happen if some titles were cross-buy and some wouldn't, though. Way easier to just cut it out and make nothing cross-buy by default.
  • Iwata's shareholder talks imply that beginning with their next system or something, availability of things is going to get better.

Q3: Why Nintendo releases each emulated title as a normal title instead of DLC for an emulator app?

  • There are absolutely no dev time advantages for this, there may in fact be disadvantages. On Wii they already used a single emulator for a platform 99% of the time (they updated it for newer releases, but it was the same thing), configured with an extra file appended to everything. The only real technical disadvantage is waste of space. Nobody nowadays cares about space sadly. The advantage of this model is that they don't break already released games when emulator is actually updated. If you weren't aware, they did something very similar with the whole "not-really-OS" of WIi - they kept old versions for old games, updating them only for bugs regarding these old games.
  • Putting the emulated games in the main storefront and in the main game library is not specific to Nintendo (Sony does it on PS3 despite not doing the above), and, frankly speaking, sensible. You talk of centralized library of games and centralized storefront while, in fact, proposing decentralizing the "all sort of games" ones. BTW Sega did this on Steam with their/DotEmu's (?) Genny emu and some people weren't happy. I wasn't.
 

naitosan

Member
Definitely agree with most of people here. They also should adopt scanline mode seen in RetroArch. That'd be amazing.

I really hope Nintendo will announce n64 and GameCube games coming to Wii U this e3 but I doubt it. I just don't want to re pay games again.
 

RowdyReverb

Member
Another thing that's bugged me about VC. So, Nintendo unveiled that Wii games like Metroid Prime Trilogy and SMG2 could be launched directly from the Wii U menu and run on the built-in Wii hardware. Why can't all of the Wii's VC games be launched in a similar manner? e.g. Launch the Wii VC version of Mario Kart 64 from the Wii U's home screen.
It would lack Wii U features since it's in Wii mode, but at least the game would be readily accessible.
Maybe this is still in the cards though since they've only just recently delivered this feature.

Let's shred the OP.

Q1: Why Nintendo doesn't do cloud saves for their emulators?

  • Because it would be harder to make both emulators compatible with each other. They aren't running on a "slow Wii U" and "fast Wii U". The platforms have some differences from each other which complicate stuff slightly.
  • Because sometimes the two aren't even running the same game in the first place. Nintendo isn't afraid to use compatibility hacks. Or to put out a different release altogether on Wii U than 3DS, for example 50Hz on Wii U to give people slowdowns they got in their childhood.
  • Because they don't do cloud saves ANYWHERE in the first place, unless you count Pokemon Bank which you RENT from them.

Q2: Why are there platform availability differences, as well as why there's no cross-buy?

  • Because Nintendo got some weird licensing deals with various companies regarding releases of their titles. Remember stuff getting removed from Wii VC on Wii U launch? Yeah, this sort of thing.
  • There are some poor souls which will purchase the same game twice. Sometimes, no cross-buy is also enforced by licensing deals.
  • This didn't necessarily need to extend to all titles. Imagine the accusation windmill that would happen if some titles were cross-buy and some wouldn't, though. Way easier to just cut it out and make nothing cross-buy by default.
  • Iwata's shareholder talks imply that beginning with their next system or something, availability of things is going to get better.

Q3: Why Nintendo releases each emulated title as a normal title instead of DLC for an emulator app?

  • There are absolutely no dev time advantages for this, there may in fact be disadvantages. On Wii they already used a single emulator for a platform 99% of the time (they updated it for newer releases, but it was the same thing), configured with an extra file appended to everything. The only real technical disadvantage is waste of space. Nobody nowadays cares about space sadly. The advantage of this model is that they don't break already released games when emulator is actually updated. If you weren't aware, they did something very similar with the whole "not-really-OS" of WIi - they kept old versions for old games, updating them only for bugs regarding these old games.
  • Putting the emulated games in the main storefront and in the main game library is not specific to Nintendo (Sony does it on PS3 despite not doing the above), and, frankly speaking, sensible. You talk of centralized library of games and centralized storefront while, in fact, proposing decentralizing the "all sort of games" ones. BTW Sega did this on Steam with their/DotEmu's (?) Genny emu and some people weren't happy. I wasn't.
Consider my post shredded. Except the very last point. The XB1's online store allows for add-on content to be displayed individually on the storefront while still being accessible through the game it is meant for. There's no reason it couldn't be available to purchase both in the emulator app and in the eshop.
 
Another thing that's bugged me about VC. So, Nintendo unveiled that Wii games like Metroid Prime Trilogy and SMG2 could be launched directly from the Wii U menu and run on the built-in Wii hardware. Why can't all of the Wii's VC games be launched in a similar manner? e.g. Launch the Wii VC version of Mario Kart 64 from the Wii U's home screen.
It would lack Wii U features since it's in Wii mode, but at least the game would be readily accessible.
Maybe this is still in the cards though since they've only just recently delivered this feature.

It is definitely technically possible. They could, in fact, destroy the whole Wii Menu if they wanted to. I honestly don't know if they want to, though. I used to be pretty sure that they're doing it this way specifically to discourage buying stuff there, and also to contain the homebrew chaos to some level.
 

JoeM86

Member
Another thing that's bugged me about VC. So, Nintendo unveiled that Wii games like Metroid Prime Trilogy and SMG2 could be launched directly from the Wii U menu and run on the built-in Wii hardware. Why can't all of the Wii's VC games be launched in a similar manner? e.g. Launch the Wii VC version of Mario Kart 64 from the Wii U's home screen.
It would lack Wii U features since it's in Wii mode, but at least the game would be readily accessible.
Maybe this is still in the cards though since they've only just recently delivered this feature.

They want all Virtual Console titles to have the Wii U Virtual Console features, which it wouldn't have if they do that.
 

BD1

Banned
I want a Nintendo Netflix style Virtual Console service so bad. I'd happily pay $9.99 a month to play Nintendo's entire catalog.
 

Seik

Banned
Indeed, with more effort they could offer a solid library that would benefit them way more than what it would cost them to do, basically.

At first, before the Wii U came out, I thought the entire Wii VC would just be transferred into the E-Shop. I was so, so wrong. :lol
 
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