Virtual Console
| |
| Current version: | n/a |
|---|---|
| Active: | Yes |
| OS: | Wii, 3DS, Wii U |
| Authors: | Nintendo |
| Official website: | eShop |
| Source code: | Nintendo OSS (Partial) |
Virtual Console is a service created by Nintendo that allows users to purchase and emulate games.
Overview
Games played through Virtual Console are usually free of accuracy issues.
In terms of functionality, the Virtual Console emulator is very bare-bones compared to unofficial emulators, but the 3DS version has restore points (save states) and screenshot saving. The Wii U version has both plus controller customization (Game Gear on 3DS also has it), Off TV Play, Pixel smoothing and scaling changing. Despite this, usually only the bare functionality is emulated: there is no way to save ghost data in Mario Kart 64 due to a lack of a Memory Pak emulated.
The different regions of Virtual Console (Japan, North America, Europe/Australia, and South Korea) have different games and update them to different schedules. At times, North America gets games that were exclusive to Japan while Europe/Australia gets games that were exclusive to the previous two regions. These imported games are priced a little higher than normal and tend to be straight ports with no translation. (Exceptions include Monster World IV and Sin & Punishment.) Other games that can be priced higher than normal are games based on externally-licensed properties, one example being the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games.
Virtual Console games can be retired from the shop, though purchased games can be redownloaded.
Some GameBoy Advance games from the 3DS Virtual Console were available to Ambassadors only, that is, buyers of the Nintendo 3DS before Nintendo announced a price drop.
Pricing of Virtual Console games can be ludicrous. If you don't want to pay for VC ROMs on your Wii, you can just install them as .wad files through WAD Manager. You can even install .wads from other regions, though you need to watch the PAL/NTSC divide.
Supported Systems
| Console | Wii | Wii U | 3DS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom) | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Nintendo 64 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sega Master System | ✓ | ||
| Sega Mega Drive / Genesis | ✓ | ||
| PC Engine | ✓ | ||
| Neo Geo | ✓ | ||
| Commodore 64 | ✓ | ||
| MSX | ✓ | ||
| Game Boy | ✗ | ✓ | |
| Game Boy Color | ✗ | ✓ | |
| Game Boy Advance | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nintendo DS | ✗ | ✓ | |
| Game Gear | ✓ | ||
| Arcade | ✓ |
Compatibility List
Nintendo Entertainment System
- Crash 'N' The Boys: Street Challenge
- Double Dragon
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge
- Renegade
- River City Ransom
- Super Dodge Ball
- Galaga
- Pac-Man
- Sky Kid
- Xevious
- Ghosts 'n Goblins
- Mega Man
- Mega Man 2
- Mega Man 3
- Mega Man 4
- Mega Man 5
- Lunar Pool
- Zanac
- BurgerTime
- Adventures of Lolo
- Adventures of Lolo 2
- Adventure Island
- Faxanadu
- Lode Runner
- Milon's Secret Castle
- Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
- Star Soldier
- Bases Loaded
- City Connection
- Blades of Steel
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
- Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
- Double Dribble
- Gradius
- Life Force
- Super C
- A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia
- S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team
- Shadow of the Ninja
- Balloon Fight
- Baseball
- Clu Clu Land
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong 3
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Donkey Kong Jr. Math
- Excitebike
- Ice Climber
- Ice Hockey
- Kid Icarus
- Kirby's Adventure
- Mach Rider
- Mario Bros.
- Metroid
- NES Open Tournament Golf
- NES Play Action Football
- Pinball
- Punch-Out!!
- Soccer
- StarTropics
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tennis
- The Legend of Zelda
- Urban Champion
- Volleyball
- Wario's Woods
- Wrecking Crew
- Yoshi
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II
- Final Fantasy
- King's Knight
- Blaster Master
- Bubble Bobble
- Elevator Action
- Operation Wolf
- The Legend of Kage
- Mighty Bomb Jack
- Ninja Gaiden
- Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
- Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom
- Solomon's Key
- Tecmo Bowl
- Spelunker
- Mappy-Land
- Pac-Land
- Gargoyle's Quest II
- Mighty Final Fight
- Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight
- Dr. Mario
- Duck Hunt
- EarthBound Beginnings (Mother 1 (JP), Earth Bound (US))
- Golf
- Mega Man 6
- Adventure Island II
- Summer Carnival '92: Recca
- The Mysterious Murasame Castle (untranslated)
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- The Combatribes
- Metal Marines
- Pac-Attack
- Breath of Fire II
- Mega Man X
- Mega Man X2
- Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
- Super Turrican
- Cybernator
- Super Adventure Island
- Super Adventure Island II
- Super Bonk
- Brawl Brothers
- Rival Turf!
- Super E.D.F.: Earth Defense Force
- The Ignition Factor
- Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
- Nobunaga's Ambition
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire
- Uncharted Waters: New Horizons
- Axelay
- Contra III: The Alien Wars
- Gradius III
- Super Castlevania IV
- The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
- Ghoul Patrol
- Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures
- Super Star Wars
- Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
- Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
- Zombies Ate My Neighbors
- Harvest Moon
- Natsume Championship Wrestling
- Wild Guns
- Donkey Kong Country
- Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
- Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
- F-Zero
- Kirby Super Star
- Kirby's Avalanche
- Kirby's Dream Course
- Kirby's Dream Land 3
- Pilotwings
- Super Mario Kart
- Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (PAL VC version undid some NA changes like controller colors)
- Super Mario World
- Super Metroid
- Super Punch-Out!!
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Vegas Stakes
- ActRaiser
- Chrono Trigger
- Final Fantasy II (4 Easy Type in JP)
- Final Fantasy III (6 in JP)
- Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
- Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
- Secret of Mana
- Aero the Acro-Bat
- Aero the Acro-Bat 2
- Darius Twin
- Space Invaders: The Original Game
- Prince of Persia
- Breath of Fire
- Demon's Crest
- Final Fight
- Final Fight 2
- Final Fight 3
- Mega Man 7
- Mega Man X3
- Street Fighter Alpha 2
- Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
- Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
- Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
- Castlevania: Dracula X
- EarthBound (Mother 2) (JP/US/PAL Wii U, Brawl JP version with cheats)
There are much more Japanese VC releases for SFC games than on the barren US VC. Notable releases include:
- Ganbare Goemon 2
- Ganbare Goemon 3
- Ganbare Goemon 4
- Romancing SaGa 2 (with substantial additional in-game content)
- Romancing SaGa 3
- Treasure Hunter G
- Bahamut Lagoon
- Marvelous Mouhitotsu no Takarajima (Nintendo R&D, Wii U only)
- Fire Emblem 3
- Fire Emblem 4
- Fire Emblem 5
Nintendo of America has however recently rejected many submissions for third-party SNES VC releases on the Wii U, so it's unlikely there will be more such releases on the US VC at least.
Namco Bandai has a compilation on the 3DS with emulated VC releases as well, including:
- Go Go Ackman 3
- Dragon Ball Z Super Butouden 2 (also to be released in US/PAL untranslated (not the French-localized 1994 version) with modified soundtrack)
Nintendo 64
Bomberman Hero
1080° Snowboarding
Cruis'n USA
F-Zero X
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Mario Golf
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party 2
Mario Tennis
Paper Mario
Pokémon Puzzle League
Pokémon Snap
Star Fox 64
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Wave Race 64
Yoshi's Story
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
Donkey Kong 64
Sega Master System
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
Enduro Racer
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
Phantasy Star
Sonic Chaos
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Space Harrier
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Sega Genesis
Powerball
Rolling Thunder 2
Splatterhouse 2
Forgotten Worlds
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
Mega Turrican
Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure
ClayFighter
Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim 2
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bio-Hazard Battle
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Columns III: Revenge of Columns
Comix Zone
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco Jr.
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Eternal Champions
Gain Ground
Galaxy Force II
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Gunstar Heroes
Kid Chameleon
Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
Light Crusader
M.U.S.H.A.
Mercs
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
Shining Force
Shining Force II: Ancient Sealing
Shining in the Darkness
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Space Harrier II
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Strider
Super Thunder Blade
Sword of Vermilion
The Revenge of Shinobi
ToeJam & Earl
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Vectorman
Virtua Fighter 2
Wonder Boy in Monster World
TurboGrafx-16/TurboGrafx-CD
Bravoman
Dragon Spirit
Galaga '90
Ordyne
Samurai Ghost
Splatterhouse
Air Zonk
Alien Crush
Battle Lode Runner
Blazing Lazers
Bomberman '93
Bonk's Adventure
Bonk's Revenge
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
Chew Man Fu
China Warrior
Cratermaze
Devil's Crush
Double Dungeons
Dragon's Curse
Dungeon Explorer
The Dynastic Hero
Fighting Street
Gate of Thunder
J.J. & Jeff
Lords of Thunder
Military Madness
Monster Lair
Moto Roader
Neutopia
Neutopia II
New Adventure Island
Power Golf
R-Type
Riot Zone
Shockman
SimEarth: The Living Planet
Soldier Blade
Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly-Paradise
Super Star Soldier
Victory Run
World Class Baseball
World Sports Competition
Legend of Hero Tonma
Ninja Spirit
Vigilante
Dead Moon
Psychosis
Ys Book I & II
Chase H.Q.
Neo Geo
Art of Fighting
Art of Fighting 2
Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior
Baseball Stars 2
Blue's Journey
Burning Fight
Fatal Fury 2
Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory
Fatal Fury Special
Fatal Fury: King of Fighters
Fighter's History Dynamite
King of the Monsters
Magical Drop II
Magical Drop III
Magician Lord
Metal Slug
Metal Slug 2
Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug 4
Metal Slug X
NAM-1975
Neo Turf Masters
Ninja Combat
Ninja Commando
Ninja Master's
Real Bout Fatal Fury
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown II
Samurai Shodown III
Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge
Sengoku
Sengoku 2
Sengoku 3
Shock Troopers
Shock Troopers 2nd Squad
Spinmaster
Street Slam
Super Baseball 2020
The King of Fighters '94
The King of Fighters '95
The King of Fighters '96
The King of Fighters '97
The King of Fighters '98
The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle
The Last Blade
The Last Blade 2
Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy
World Heroes
World Heroes 2
World Heroes 2 Jet
World Heroes Perfect
Arcade
Gaplus
Mappy
The Tower of Druaga
1942
Black Tiger
Commando
Exed Exes
Ghosts 'n Goblins
SonSon
Altered Beast
Golden Axe
Shinobi
Space Harrier
Super Hang-On
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Zaxxon
Ninja Gaiden
Rygar
Solomon's Key
Star Force
Tecmo Bowl
Game Boy
Double Dragon
Catrap
Pac-Man
Bionic Commando
Gargoyle's Quest
Mega Man II
Mega Man III
Mega Man IV
Mega Man V
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge
BurgerTime Deluxe
Lock 'n' Chase
Side Pocket
Tumblepop
Revenge of the 'Gator[b]
Avenging Spirit
Fortified Zone
Maru's Mission
The Sword of Hope II
Adventure Island
Castlevania: The Adventure
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Quarth
Alleyway
Balloon Kid
Baseball
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Land
Donkey Kong Land 2
Donkey Kong Land III
Dr. Mario
Game & Watch Gallery
Golf
Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
Kirby's Block Ball
Kirby's Dream Land
Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Pinball Land
Kirby's Star Stacker
Mario's Picross
Metroid II: Return of Samus
Mole Mania
Qix
Radar Mission
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Tennis
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Game Boy Color
Mega Man Xtreme
Mega Man Xtreme 2
Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon 2
Harvest Moon 3
Legend of the River King
Legend of the River King 2
Lufia: The Legend Returns
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
Game & Watch Gallery 2
Game & Watch Gallery 3
Mario Golf
Mario Tennis
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
Wario Land 3
Wario Land II
Blaster Master: Enemy Below
Toki Tori
Prince of Persia
Rayman
Shantae
Xtreme Sports
Sega Game Gear
Columns
Crystal Warriors
Defenders of Oasis
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Dragon Crystal
G-LOC: Air Battle
Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya
Shinobi
Sonic Blast
Sonic Drift 2
Sonic Labyrinth
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble
Tails Adventure
Vampire: Master of Darkness
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Mr. Driller 2
Pac-Man Collection
Mega Man & Bass
Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge
Mega Man Battle Network
Mega Man Battle Network 2
Mega Man Battle Network 3 Blue
Mega Man Battle Network 3 White
Mega Man Battle Network 4 Blue Moon
Mega Man Battle Network 4 Red Sun
Mega Man Zero
Mega Man Zero 2
Mega Man Zero 3
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament
Klonoa: Empire of Dreams
Namco Museum
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
Advance Wars
DK: King of Swing
F-Zero - GP Legend
F-Zero Maximum Velocity
Fire Emblem
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Golden Sun
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario Party Advance
Mario Pinball Land
Mario Tennis: Power Tour
Metroid Fusion
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Super Mario Advance
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Wario Land 4
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Nintendo DS
Yoshi’s Island DS
WarioWare: Touched!
Yoshi Touch & Go
Mario Kart DS
New Super Mario Bros.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Star Fox Command
Input Key
Virtual Console games come from many different systems and have to be mapped to those on the supported console, sometimes having to be mapped to different controllers. Even then, at times (notably emulated Nintendo 64 games), mappings may not be consistent.
Wii games in the Virtual Console support the Classic Controllers (which were made with the purpose of the Virtual Console) and GameCube controllers. Some games also support the lone Wii Remote. PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 games that support 5-player mode require that the users connect a combination of GameCube controllers and Wii Remotes (with or without Classic Controllers attached to the Wii Remotes).
List of Wii Virtual Console button mappings
