Difference between revisions of "Virtual Console"

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* A *New* 3DS is necessary if you want to play SNES games through the 3DS Virtual Console.
  
 
==Compatibility List (US combined)==
 
==Compatibility List (US combined)==

Revision as of 17:00, 4 March 2016

3ds vc logo.png
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
  • A *New* 3DS is necessary if you want to play SNES games through the 3DS Virtual Console.

Compatibility List (US combined)

Nintendo Entertainment System

  • Crash 'N' The Boys: Street Challenge
  • Double Dragon
  • Double Dragon II: The Revenge
  • Renegade
  • River City Ransom
  • Super Dodge Ball
  • Dig Dug
  • 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
  • Ninja JaJaMaru-kun
  • 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.: The Lost Levels
  • 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
  • Ufouria: The Saga
  • 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
  • Sin & Punishment
  • 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

Nintendo also released a bonus disc with Zelda Wind Waker for the GameCube, which includes emulated N64 releases for Ocarina of Time, Master Quest, and Majora's Mask. The PAL versions also run at 60 fps, unlike all other PAL versions released either on the N64 or the Wii VC. The emulator itself can be injected with different N64 roms (including Super Mario 64) and has low to medium compatibility.

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
  • Secret Command
  • 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
  • Gley Lancer
  • Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
  • Alien Soldier
  • 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
  • Puyo Puyo 2
  • 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
  • Monster World IV (PAL/US VC release has a full English translation)
  • Super Fantasy Zone

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 (1991 GB game)
  • 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

The Japanese side, much like with the SNES VC, has much more releases. Notable ones include:

  • Heracles no Eiko GB
  • For the Frog the Bell Tolls
  • Picross 2
  • Pri Pri Primitive Princess
  • Zoids
  • Twinbee-Da!
  • Ballon Fight GB
  • Revelations the Demon Slayer
  • Card Hero GB
  • Last Bible
  • Card Battle
  • ネコジャラ物語
  • Ikari no Yousai 2

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

List of Wii U Virtual Console button mappings

List of 3DS Virtual Console button mappings