C64 Channel coming to Virtual Console
"Later this year", and Euro exclusive.
Commodore 64 classics will be coming to the Wii's Virtual Console later this year, Nintendo has announced.
Available for 500 Wii Points (GBP 3.50/ EUR 5) a pop, all-time C64 favourites including Uridium and International Karate have been confirmed so far, with "regular updates" bolstering the line-up thereafter. Currently, the platform has only been confirmed for Europe - the legion of US C64 fans must wait patiently for now.
Originally released way back in 1982, the Commodore 64 went on to become the best-selling home computer of all-time, with 22 million units sold worldwide. Hugely popular across Europe and the United States, the C64 built up an incredible line-up of software, with well over 4,000 titles produced during its production lifetime (1982-1994).
In fact, you could say we saw this renaissance coming - back in October last year we launched our Retro channel and posted reviews of 50 of our favourite games on the system. Follow the magic blue words if you missed out and want to wallow in weepy '80s nostalgia.
Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming, commented: "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."
Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR of Nintendo Europe adds, "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. 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."
As excited as we [Kristan - Ed] are, our eyes nearly popped out of our heads when we saw that Nintendo plans to charge 500 Points for the games. How much would you pay for them? Also, what other platforms would you like Nintendo to add? Spectrum? Amiga? Saturn?