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Nintendo Confirms Commodore 64 for Wii's Virtual Console
on 21.02.2008 at 11:28
Posted by Adam Riley (jesusraz) 
Comments: 40 
Reads: 3751
Tags:
Wii, Commodore 64, Virtual Console, Europe, Nintendo, Retro, Downloads
Posted by Adam Riley (jesusraz) Comments: 40 Reads: 3751 Tags:
Wii, Commodore 64, Virtual Console, Europe, Nintendo, Retro, Downloads Recent News
Nintendo Europe has today confirmed that the Commodore 64 will be coming to the Wii's Virtual Console retro download service.
So it appears that these bargain basement titles, on a par with NES games in terms of price, will not be gracing other countries, just as the MSX has yet to be announced as coming to anywhere other than Japan. Could we see more region specific platforms coming as well in the future, though?
"Already a firm favourite with Wii owners, Virtual Console is once again expanding its catalogue, this time with the addition of a whole new games format. Later this year, Wii owners will be able to enjoy classic titles from the best selling personal computer of all time, the Commodore 64. These titles join classic gems from the likes of Nintendo, SEGA, Turbografx and NEOGEO already available via the Wii Shop Channel.
"The release of the Commodore 64 in 1982 was an historic moment for the computer and video games industry. According to the Guinness Book of World Records it remains the best selling single computer model of all time, with an estimated 22 million units sold. Its immense popularity saw an unrivalled collection of over 4,000 rich games titles released through its production lifetime (1982-1994), helping to establish the C64 as a 'gamers favourite'. Now, some of the greatest Commodore 64 titles will be made available for Wii owners to download and play via the Virtual Console service.
"The massive impact the Commodore 64 had on video-gaming is still evident today with many gamers remembering the computer and its games with great fondness. By working with Nintendo of Europe, we are ensuring that future generations of gamers can play some of the best and most popular titles that kick-started the computer games revolution and so keep the C64 legacy in gamers hearts."
- Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming.
"We are extremely pleased to be working with Commodore Gaming to provide even more retro hits for Wii owners to choose from on Virtual Console. With over 184 classic titles now available to enjoy, Virtual Console on Wii is a great way for users to access a breadth of classic retro games. We hope that this great choice of games will bring nostalgia to our gaming fans, while an entirely new generation of video game players can experience a host of classic games for the very first time."
- Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR of Nintendo Europe.
"Among the first titles from Commodore 64 which will be made available on Virtual Console are International Karate and Uridium. These great titles will be bolstered by regular updates to the line-up from the Commodore 64 back catalogue. Virtual Console games from Commodore 64 will be available from the Wii Shop Channel soon and can be downloaded for 500 Wii Points each. Currently these titles will only be available on the European Wii Shop Channel."
"The release of the Commodore 64 in 1982 was an historic moment for the computer and video games industry. According to the Guinness Book of World Records it remains the best selling single computer model of all time, with an estimated 22 million units sold. Its immense popularity saw an unrivalled collection of over 4,000 rich games titles released through its production lifetime (1982-1994), helping to establish the C64 as a 'gamers favourite'. Now, some of the greatest Commodore 64 titles will be made available for Wii owners to download and play via the Virtual Console service.
"The massive impact the Commodore 64 had on video-gaming is still evident today with many gamers remembering the computer and its games with great fondness. By working with Nintendo of Europe, we are ensuring that future generations of gamers can play some of the best and most popular titles that kick-started the computer games revolution and so keep the C64 legacy in gamers hearts."
- Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming.
"We are extremely pleased to be working with Commodore Gaming to provide even more retro hits for Wii owners to choose from on Virtual Console. With over 184 classic titles now available to enjoy, Virtual Console on Wii is a great way for users to access a breadth of classic retro games. We hope that this great choice of games will bring nostalgia to our gaming fans, while an entirely new generation of video game players can experience a host of classic games for the very first time."
- Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR of Nintendo Europe.
"Among the first titles from Commodore 64 which will be made available on Virtual Console are International Karate and Uridium. These great titles will be bolstered by regular updates to the line-up from the Commodore 64 back catalogue. Virtual Console games from Commodore 64 will be available from the Wii Shop Channel soon and can be downloaded for 500 Wii Points each. Currently these titles will only be available on the European Wii Shop Channel."
So it appears that these bargain basement titles, on a par with NES games in terms of price, will not be gracing other countries, just as the MSX has yet to be announced as coming to anywhere other than Japan. Could we see more region specific platforms coming as well in the future, though?
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18113
C3 Mod
Awesome 
There isn't really anything I want on Commodore 64 though, but it's cool that the support just keeps growing. So where is the MS-X?
There isn't really anything I want on Commodore 64 though, but it's cool that the support just keeps growing. So where is the MS-X?
feeling Fragile.
1696
L65 Tails
Id love to see:
Excorist - Simple Pacman-ish thing with a catchy tune and a exploration aspex.
Mercenary - Fantasic Elite-ish 3D game set on a planet.
Ace - Great airplane shotter.
Powerball - Interesting platform game with a constantly bouncing ball.
I dought any of these will make it though.
Mercenary, or any of that series (DAMOCLES!) would be great.Darkflames Favorate Games! - Darkflames Favorate Films! - Darkflames Favorate Foods?!
Dissagree with me?
Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
Excorist - Simple Pacman-ish thing with a catchy tune and a exploration aspex.
Mercenary - Fantasic Elite-ish 3D game set on a planet.
Ace - Great airplane shotter.
Powerball - Interesting platform game with a constantly bouncing ball.
I dought any of these will make it though.
Mercenary, or any of that series (DAMOCLES!) would be great.
Dissagree with me?
Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
973
L51 Knuckles
Sweet Lord Hallelujah!!!!!!!!
Paradroid better be one of the first games released (although anyone interested could just play Freedroid on the internet instead). The purest game concept ever.
All gamers should play International Karate, IK+ and Yi Air Kung Fu. Let's hope we see the C64 version of Maniac Mansion (instead of the gimped NES version).
Finally, without a shadow of a doubt, The Last Ninja Trilogy is an absolute must.
They'd just better get the SID chip emulation right. What's the point of a C64 emulator without that fantastic music?
EDIT: Almost forgot Way of the Exploding Fist.
Now the one thing the VC needs, more than anything else, is the classics of the Commodore Amiga.( Edited 21.02.2008 13:15 by Dr_R )
Paradroid better be one of the first games released (although anyone interested could just play Freedroid on the internet instead). The purest game concept ever.
All gamers should play International Karate, IK+ and Yi Air Kung Fu. Let's hope we see the C64 version of Maniac Mansion (instead of the gimped NES version).
Finally, without a shadow of a doubt, The Last Ninja Trilogy is an absolute must.
They'd just better get the SID chip emulation right. What's the point of a C64 emulator without that fantastic music?
EDIT: Almost forgot Way of the Exploding Fist.
Now the one thing the VC needs, more than anything else, is the classics of the Commodore Amiga.( Edited 21.02.2008 13:15 by Dr_R )
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
hopefully I get to play all the games I wanna play in the weeks to come!
1750
L66 Sonic
In Europe, there is a wide base of C64 lovers as there's a base of vintage console lovers in Japan (and USA?). So it's great to have it in Europe first.
I hope they are able to secure some rights and bring these games to USA and maybe Japan too...
I hope they are able to secure some rights and bring these games to USA and maybe Japan too...
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712
Founder/Admin
Nice, good to see an expansion of the VC service 
jb(at)cubed3.com
jb(at)cubed3.com
Bored? Take my advice and have a wank.
7821
L100 C3 Master
.. for outrageous prices.
Live in your world, Die in mine!
538
L37 R.O.B.
Dude... commador 64.... thats cool!!!!
180
L19 Rhinobot
OMG, rofl people will actually PAY real money for C64 games? lol, no wonder Ninny can get away with not giving us demo of Wiiware games!
Wishing for a new Rival Schools!
15712Founder/Admin
500 points isn't *too* bad for a few potential winners in the C64 library, compared to the more expensive later-generation prices. I do agree though that it is pretty high still, maybe in time they'd consider dropping it slightly. (e.g. 300 - NES, 500-SNES/GEN, 800-N64).
jb(at)cubed3.com
jb(at)cubed3.com
Resident Evil 5 and Bionic Commando PC Announced
8336
L100 C3 Master
Fantastic, I was hoping this would happen, hopefully in time we will get the others also.
Holy High Hell, Stardust Accel is Addictive. :o
2825
L78 Slippy
Have never played any Commodore 64 games, but hey, the more the merrier.
- Anyone fancy one of my favourite games?
- Anyone fancy one of my favourite games?Bored? Take my advice and have a wank.
7821L100 C3 Master
jb said:
500 points isn't *too* bad for a few potential winners in the C64 library, compared to the more expensive later-generation prices. I do agree though that it is pretty high still, maybe in time they'd consider dropping it slightly. (e.g. 300 - NES, 500-SNES/GEN, 800-N64).
500 points isn't *too* bad for a few potential winners in the C64 library, compared to the more expensive later-generation prices. I do agree though that it is pretty high still, maybe in time they'd consider dropping it slightly. (e.g. 300 - NES, 500-SNES/GEN, 800-N64).
I disagree completely. I think it's an absolute fucking rip-off. Don't forget, most C64 games are utterly unplayable, now. But beyond that, the VC's prices across the board are totally unacceptable. An N64 ROM on VC costs around £8, yeah? That's un unchanged ROM, just dumped on VC. No effort, no development, nothing.
When GoldenEye hits XBLA, it will have improved visuals, and added things such as online multiplayer, and it will go for as much or even less than the hilarious £8 Nintendo charge for old N64 ROMs which they just dump on their servers. Not to mention all the licensing issues. I doubt MS or Rare will make that much from GE on XBLA. The Virtual Console is an absolute con. You are being conned.( Edited 21.02.2008 15:06 by Oni-Ninja )
The name's gone, names gone.
1117
L54 MegaMan
Commodore 64 now? I need to edit a certain post
Knighty will be pleased.
Knighty will be pleased.
11665
L100 C3 Master
Didn't C64 games cost this much at the time?
The mind boggles...
The mind boggles...
It's going to be shit and you jolly well know it.
Just discovered why police dogs are called K9.
783
L45 Funky
I haven't bought a single VC game yet. Maybe I'll buy Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. On the other hand, I might as well get it on the AGB for the same price.
hopefully I get to play all the games I wanna play in the weeks to come!
1750L66 Sonic
When you compare NES to C64 they almost are even in size, graphics and playing value (aside fro the fact, that Mario on NES is still great today!), so even prices are okay.
I find your lack of faith disturbing!
973L51 Knuckles
Oni-Ninja said:
Don't forget, most C64 games are utterly unplayable, now.
Don't forget, most C64 games are utterly unplayable, now.
That's no more true for the C64 than the NES. Yes, many games have aged terribly, but there are definite classics that are as playable now as they ever were (Paradroid, Elite, Maniac Mansion, Creatures). In fact, many of them will no doubt be more playable with a d-pad rather than a joystick, and the availability of multiple buttons, rather than a keyboard and a single fire button.
When GoldenEye hits XBLA, it will have improved visuals, and added things such as online multiplayer.
What the hell is the point of old games with new features? I want new games with new features! The VC preserves the titles of the past as they were. That allows new gamers to understand what games were like in the past, and allows old gits like me to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
hasn't played lots of games.
1949
L69 Wolf
The fact they're adding more systems to the list is great, but I don't see how you guys can find Oni and Grumbler's comments objectionable. It is scandalous to charge 500 points for these. Flash-based emulations are but a click away. I've got Pacman as a widget on my Mac.
100 points would be a sensible amount. Not as sensible as 50, but at least you could see they were making an effort.
100 points would be a sensible amount. Not as sensible as 50, but at least you could see they were making an effort.
973L51 Knuckles
There certainly is a pricing issue on VC. How can they charge 500 points for both Super Mario 3 and Donkey Kong? There's a distinct change in NES games from the pre- to post-Famicom Disk System era. That should be reflected in the prices.
Same is true of C64 games. Early games are very simple. Later ones are equivalent to many mid period NES games.
Late NES: 500 is fine
Mid NES: 300 perhaps
Early NES: 100-200
Early C64 100-200
Late C64 300
Same is true of C64 games. Early games are very simple. Later ones are equivalent to many mid period NES games.
Late NES: 500 is fine
Mid NES: 300 perhaps
Early NES: 100-200
Early C64 100-200
Late C64 300
"This man has advanced communist views ... He dresses in a bohemian fashion both at his office and in his leisure hours."
Why You forget Skate It?
2968
L79 Iron Knuckle
Oni-Ninja said:
I disagree completely. I think it's an absolute fucking rip-off. Don't forget, most C64 games are utterly unplayable, now. But beyond that, the VC's prices across the board are totally unacceptable. An N64 ROM on VC costs around £8, yeah? That's un unchanged ROM, just dumped on VC. No effort, no development, nothing.
When GoldenEye hits XBLA, it will have improved visuals, and added things such as online multiplayer, and it will go for as much or even less than the hilarious £8 Nintendo charge for old N64 ROMs which they just dump on their servers. Not to mention all the licensing issues. I doubt MS or Rare will make that much from GE on XBLA. The Virtual Console is an absolute con. You are being conned.
jb said:
500 points isn't *too* bad for a few potential winners in the C64 library, compared to the more expensive later-generation prices. I do agree though that it is pretty high still, maybe in time they'd consider dropping it slightly. (e.g. 300 - NES, 500-SNES/GEN, 800-N64).
500 points isn't *too* bad for a few potential winners in the C64 library, compared to the more expensive later-generation prices. I do agree though that it is pretty high still, maybe in time they'd consider dropping it slightly. (e.g. 300 - NES, 500-SNES/GEN, 800-N64).
I disagree completely. I think it's an absolute fucking rip-off. Don't forget, most C64 games are utterly unplayable, now. But beyond that, the VC's prices across the board are totally unacceptable. An N64 ROM on VC costs around £8, yeah? That's un unchanged ROM, just dumped on VC. No effort, no development, nothing.
When GoldenEye hits XBLA, it will have improved visuals, and added things such as online multiplayer, and it will go for as much or even less than the hilarious £8 Nintendo charge for old N64 ROMs which they just dump on their servers. Not to mention all the licensing issues. I doubt MS or Rare will make that much from GE on XBLA. The Virtual Console is an absolute con. You are being conned.
*sigh*
For a start it's been mentioned several times before Nintendo do put in changes to games, mostly N64 titles.
You can't base pricing on percieved quality either (not saying all C64 games are good, but you can't someone to mark something down just because it's apparently shit, kinda the same as with everything else in the world and it's a bit of an insult to the companies you're trying to get on board).
Also, with the point of new features etc, go to wiiware (I think there's already one or two older games that are coming out on it that are updates, although they're puzzle games). If it's new features you want, VC isn't the place, nor is it the point of VC.
Just talking about N64 exclusively: Looking around on Ebay, quite a few N64 games are about £2 - 4 mark, with rarer or better ones getting slightly higher prices (this is barring special 4 games together etc, just games purely sold on their own). £8 is about double that, yes - but then Ebay is second hand - all profit goes to the seller, not shared out between several companies. Then of course they didn't have to sort out legal issues, possible adaption issues to get the game to run properly on the emulater and then, when speaking of N64 games in Europe, certain changes or improvements for full resolution or 60HZ, or both. Any argument of packaging is nearly mute as that didn't cost the seller anything either (apart from heftier P+P, often jacked up to make more money over the original price than actual cost of P+P).
£8 suddenly doesn't sound so bad - it could probably do with being £5 and some games are put up too high simply for their status (although Zelda: OOT comes about the same, maybe a little less than usual on Ebay). Yes, XBLA has certain upgraded games for cheaper, but then that's up to them and for whatever reasons (probably stricter pricing policy from MS seeing Nitendo's lax approach regarding this and also Wiiware).( Edited 21.02.2008 17:58 by RyanT )
Nudity, Violence, Strong Language
If we were the last man and woman on Earth, I bet we could do it in public
1850
L68 King Boo
Since when was goldeneye going to XBLA? When was this announced?
Anyway. it's good to see that another libarary of games are coming to the VC although, they really should be cheap.
Who knows, next we'll be getting Atari 2600 games for 50 points each(i think thats still over charging)
Anyway. it's good to see that another libarary of games are coming to the VC although, they really should be cheap.
Who knows, next we'll be getting Atari 2600 games for 50 points each(i think thats still over charging)
167
L17 ReDead
I don't think that the prices are too steep.
Although with that being said I have about 2400 Wii Points loaded onto my Wii and I have only downloaded Super Mario Brothers, Warios Woods, and Bomberman '93.
I am not really into the nostalgia thing. Bring on the new apps!
Although with that being said I have about 2400 Wii Points loaded onto my Wii and I have only downloaded Super Mario Brothers, Warios Woods, and Bomberman '93.
I am not really into the nostalgia thing. Bring on the new apps!
Bored? Take my advice and have a wank.
7821L100 C3 Master
Dr_R said:
What the hell is the point of old games with new features? I want new games with new features! The VC preserves the titles of the past as they were. That allows new gamers to understand what games were like in the past, and allows old gits like me to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
What the hell is the point of old games with new features? I want new games with new features! The VC preserves the titles of the past as they were. That allows new gamers to understand what games were like in the past, and allows old gits like me to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
Lol what a crock of shit. Are you saying that you wouldn't rather play this than the original N64 version? A) It's exactly the same, just with slightly updated character models, and obviously updated textures. B) I cannot believe that you wouldn't appreciate GoldenEye with an online mode! It's the stuff dreams are made of! Oh, and it runs at a constant 60fps. Other than that, it is a port, not a remake, so will play the same.
If I want to see GE in it's original state, I'll just bung it in my N64, or emulate it on my PC. No way I'm I going to give Nintendo £8 of my hard-earned dosh for just sticking the old ROM up there. So while the XBLA offering gives you true value for money, the VC offering is a total scam.( Edited 21.02.2008 20:17 by Oni-Ninja )
feeling Fragile.
1696L65 Tails
How comes people assign timeless value to films and tv shows but not games?
We dont expect films from ten years ago to be 50p do we?
Darkflames Favorate Games! - Darkflames Favorate Films! - Darkflames Favorate Foods?!
Dissagree with me? Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
We dont expect films from ten years ago to be 50p do we?
Dissagree with me?
Make your own reviews at;
www.rateoholic.co.uk : Reviews for anything, by anyone.
Bored? Take my advice and have a wank.
7821L100 C3 Master
But films do come down in price. And also, it's worth noting that you're not comparing like for like, as we still buy films on DVDs etc, whilst what we're talking about here is digital distribution. What Nintendo does is basically just whack the old ROMs up on a surver, and charge you way more than they could for them.
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