Virtual Console on Wii

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**djphranq**

I'm thinking of purchasing from games for the Virtual Console thingie on the Wii. Namely some Legend of Zelda stuff. Anyone experienced with this?

**Gwar!**

Yup, it's really easy. You buy the points, and spend them

The games you buy are linked to your Account, and you can redownload them whenever you need.

**djphranq**

Would I need to purchase SD cards or something to store the games in? Should the Wii's internal memory be enough?

**Anung Un Rama**

The Wii's internal memory works for starters but it'll get crowded soon. There's enough room for about 5-7 N64 games or more SNES games. By a large SD card, since there recently was an update which allows you to play games directly from the card without filling up your normal memory space.

I propose you get on Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask right away.

**djphranq**

I'm actually gonna work on A Link to the Past first

**Anung Un Rama**

That's also a good idea of course.

I just can't get me to like the NES games. I guess nostalgia can only do so much...

**Gwar!**

Anung Un Rama wrote:That's also a good idea of course.

I just can't get me to like the NES games. I guess nostalgia can only do so much...

You clearly haven't gotten the Original Mario Bros. 20+ years and I still play it. And Still haven't beaten it ;(

**Anung Un Rama**

I played Super Maro Bros. DX on the GameBoy Color when it came out. Does that count?

**djphranq**

I've played Legend of Zelda and The Adventures of Link both to death on my NES... I never did get an SNES. I'm kind of playing catch up.

**KingCracker**

Gwar! wrote:
Anung Un Rama wrote:That's also a good idea of course.

I just can't get me to like the NES games. I guess nostalgia can only do so much...
You clearly haven't gotten the Original Mario Bros. 20+ years and I still play it. And Still haven't beaten it ;(

Isnt that a bitch?! Im in the same boat! My oldest brother can beat that game in like 20 mins. Me, nope, cant do it lol

**Gwar!**

KingCracker wrote:
Gwar! wrote:
Anung Un Rama wrote:That's also a good idea of course.

I just can't get me to like the NES games. I guess nostalgia can only do so much...
You clearly haven't gotten the Original Mario Bros. 20+ years and I still play it. And Still haven't beaten it ;(

Isnt that a bitch?! Im in the same boat! My oldest brother can beat that game in like 20 mins. Me, nope, cant do it lol

I can get to world 8-1, and that is where things go pear shaped :(

**Cheese Elemental**

Why bother with it?

I got an emulator online for free, and it has customisable controls, free camera control for most 3-D games, and has tools for modding and cheating. I honestly see no reason to bother with the Virtual Console when I can play any of my old N64 games for free and for only a few megabytes of download limit.

**palaeomerus**

I recently bought Paper Mario (N64) and Mario RPG (SNES) for 1800 points which is $18.

I'm really digging Paper Mario since I only ever played the sequel on the Gamecube.

Mario RPG is almost pure nostalgia. It's greta because I only half remember it!

Just remeber that the VC and Wiiware games you download are linked to your Wii and not what they are stored on so you can't share with your friends unless you switch consoles.

**Lagduf**

Cheese Elemental wrote:Why bother with it?

I got an emulator online for free, and it has customisable controls, free camera control for most 3-D games, and has tools for modding and cheating. I honestly see no reason to bother with the Virtual Console when I can play any of my old N64 games for free and for only a few megabytes of download limit.

Legal issues aside, I'm going to have to agree with you here.

But only because the Virtual Console games are more or less straight up emulated versions of the original games.

Now compare this to some of the stuff that has been coming out on XBLA and PSN: ports of older games but they also feature some new options (namely multiplayer co-op over PSN/XBL) which generally makes it worth it for me. Also the Sega games on PSN/XBLA offer limited save state support (basically three saves per game) which is cool. Granted, an emulator can all do this...but multiplayer is where it's at.
Co-op Gunstar Heroes with friends on my XBL list? Why yes i'd love to play that.

There are a lot of good games on Virtual Console though.

I might have to fire up an SNES emulator and play Ogre Battle.

**Cheese Elemental**

It's not illegal, I still own my N64, GBA, and PSX, as well as all the games for them that I have on my computer, so it's legal for me to use them.

**Lagduf**

Cheese Elemental wrote:It's not illegal, I still own my N64, GBA, and PSX, as well as all the games for them that I have on my computer, so it's legal for me to use them.

LOL

That isn't how it works.

But, whatever, my point about the emulated titles on XBLA and PSN being > those released on Virtual Console [in terms of added features that make "rebuying" the game worth it] stands true.

(even though there are some great titles on Virtual Console)

I do prefer to play games on my TV and not at my computer however, even if I have a gamepad for my PC. Unless it's an RTS, RPG, or FPS of course. Then I don't mind.

**Gwar!**

Lagduf wrote:That isn't how it works.

Yeah, it is actually. If you own the Games, you can make a "Backup" for your own personal Use. Now, no-one is gonna be able to tell if you made the backup yourself or downloaded it, so it is legal.

**Cheese Elemental**

Gwar! is right, despite our many flamewars.

**Lagduf**

Gwar! wrote:
Lagduf wrote:That isn't how it works.
Yeah, it is actually. If you own the Games, you can make a "Backup" for your own personal Use. Now, no-one is gonna be able to tell if you made the backup yourself or downloaded it, so it is legal.

Care to cite that under UK, US, or any other international law?

The whole crux of your above statement is this:

If no one finds out I committed a crime then it's legal.

Try again.

It doesn't matter if the laws aren't enforced, it still doesn't make it legal, and I find your assertions that it does to be absurd.

**Clthomps**

Another legal consideration is that many emulators of fifth generation and newer consoles require a dumped copy of the original machine's BIOS in order to function. This software is a copyrighted work and in many cases not accessible without specialized hardware, often requiring the user to obtain the file illegally.

**Gwar!**

From http://www.copyright.gov/ (i.e. an Official Government Website):

Can I backup my computer software?
Yes, under certain conditions as provided by section 117 of the Copyright Act. Although the precise term used under section 117 is “archival” copy, not “backup” copy, these terms today are used interchangeably. This privilege extends only to computer programs and not to other types of works.

Under section 117, you or someone you authorize may make a copy of an original computer program if:

* the new copy is being made for archival (i.e., backup) purposes only;
* you are the legal owner of the copy; and
* any copy made for archival purposes is either destroyed, or transferred with the original copy, once the original copy is sold, given away, or otherwise transferred.

You are not permitted under section 117 to make a backup copy of other material on a computer's hard drive, such as other copyrighted works that have been downloaded (e.g., music, films).

It is also important to check the terms of sale or license agreement of the original copy of software in case any special conditions have been put in place by the copyright owner that might affect your ability or right under section 117 to make a backup copy. There is no other provision in the Copyright Act that specifically authorizes the making of backup copies of works other than computer programs even if those works are distributed as digital copies.

**Clthomps**

So that says you can dump the rom files on games you own, but it is illegal to download them from someone else.

Furthermore it gives you no right to rip bios programs or run them in another format.

**Lagduf**

A lot of EULAs specifically prohibit "archival" copies or "backups."

One good thing about Virtual Console though is that they have some games that it might be difficult or costly to get the originals: Obviously a lot of the Neo-Geo stuff (though there are numerous ports on other consoles) and the TurboGrafx stuff which is a system that is by and large unknown in the US.

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Had quite forgotten about this. Perhaps it's time I procured me a Wii.

Totally up for Secret of Mana, Maniac Mansion, Zombies Ate My Neighbours, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and Coners Bad Fur Day.