36 new Virtual Console games in Q1 2007 says Nintendo Europe (this includes Super Mario World, Mario Kart 64 & Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

10 January 2007

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Posted by:Ferry

Wii gamers are in for a retro treat at the start of 2007 according to Nintendo Europe. With 36 new Virtual Console titles spanning Nintendo’s 20-year history available to download in Q1. Since European titles are usually added to the Wii Shop shortly after they’ve been added to the American Wii Shop, it’s a good indication of what to expect in Western countries.

Gamers will be able to turn back the clock and enjoy titles which made their debut on the NES, SNES, N64, SEGA Mega Drive (Genesis) and Turbografx (PC Engine).

Using the Wii’s Wii Shop Channel, gamers are able to download retro games to Wii’s Virtual Console. Once selected these games are saved to the Wii internal flash memory and added to the console’s Wii Channel Menu allowing them to be easily accessed at any time. The Virtual Console games that will be added to the Wii Shop Channel in Q1 include 20 Nintendo titles, 7 Turbografx (PC Engine) games and 9 classic SEGA Mega Drive (Genesis) games. New Virtual Console titles will be added throughout 2007 creating a constantly growing library of games.

Fans of Nintendo’s classic titles will be delighted by games from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES) and Nintendo 64 (N64), including Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Street Fighter II: World Warrior (CAPCOM), Super Probotector (Contra) and the hugely popular Super Mario World.

As we showed earlier today, SEGA is treating its fans with the release of a host of popular games including Streets of Rage, Bio-Hazard Battle, Bonanza Bros. and Comix Zone. Hudson will also be entertaining gamers with a selection of its best titles from Turbografx (PC Engine) including Soldier Blade, Double Dungeons and New Adventure Island.

Wii owners can download Virtual Console games using Wii Points. Wii Points can either be purchased online via the Wii Shop Channel using a credit card or users can purchase Wii Points by buying a Wii Points card in retail stores. These points can then be redeemed against Virtual Console games via the Wii Shop Channel.

Nintendo will also be rewarding its loyal customers by adding Wii Points to the Stars Catalogue available at nintendo-europe.com. When gamers purchase any Nintendo product they will receive Stars which can then be redeemed against items including Wii Points on the site. What’s more, Wii owners can synchronise their Nintendo-Europe.com account with their Wii Shop Channel one to earn Stars points on all Virtual Console downloads.

Virtual Console games range in price from 500 Wii Points for NES games to 800 Wii Points for Super Nintendo games and 1000 Wii Points for Nintendo 64 games. Wii points required for titles available in 2007 may vary. Wii Points Cards are available to buy in retail stores and are estimated to retail at around €20 (£14) for 2000 Wii Points. In the Stars Catalogue smaller fractions of Wii Points will also be available.