Japan Virtual Console line-up
Mario Kart 64 ahoy!
January looks like it's going to be another solid month for Japanese Wii owners, as the Virtual Console line-up promises another 12 retro-dazzlers.
The main attraction is Mario Kart 64 (N64), which holds fond memories of heated gaming sessions that often ended in broken friendships and controllers. Those were the days. Before the dark times. Before the Empire.
Sorry. Other highlights include the humble beginnings of the Zelda franchise - well, the humble second beginnings, seeing as it's Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - and hopping platformer Kid Icarus, both for the NES.
R-Type II (TurboGrafx-16) and the fourth instalment of Fire Emblem on the Super Nintendo are also worth keeping an eye out for. If you're Japanese.
Nintendo 64
- Mario Kart 64
SNES
- Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu
Megadrive
- Bonanza Bros.
- Gain Ground
TurboGrafx-16
- Alien Crush
- Moto Roader
- R-Type II
- Soldier Blade
NES
- Ikki
- Ice Climber
- Kid Icarus
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
It doesn't quite compare to Japan's 49 titles in the opening month, but three downloads a week is still a formidable pace that competitors are not matching.
UK Wii owners were also treated to a host of releases throughout December. In case you've had your head in a mince-pie, there's still plenty of information to help catch you up.
Virtual Console titles cost between 500 and 1000 Wii points (NES = 500, TurboGrafx-16 = 600-800, Megadrive/SNES = 800, Nintendo 64 = 1000), while the points themselves can be bought through the store or in card form on the high street.