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Sunday, March 02, 2008

Commodore 64 on Nintendo Wii Virtual Console - soon

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.'


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 added, “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.”

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 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.

As much as new games like Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption are fine ways to wile away the hours on your Wii, sometimes all you really want is a bit of quick drop-in gaming to waste a few minutes. The Virtual Console, then, is a great boon to any Wii player offering classics like the hilariously fun Battle Lode Runner, and it's about to get even better with the addition of Commodore 64 titles.

Better still, for the time being this is a Europe only deal, a rare treat. First up for download are a mere two titles, Internatonal Karate and Uridium, but Nintendo and Commodore Gaming promise "regular updates" to resurrect a much larger selection of the C64 back catalogue.

As you all know, the C64 is the single best selling computer system of all time with some 4,000-odd titles produced for it in total. Obviously not all of these are going to be on the VC (some deservedly remaining locked up) but nonetheless, there are numerous truly awesome games which I for one am just itching to play again. C64 games will set you back 500 Wii points a piece (about £4 in real money) and the first pair of titles should be available soon.

Source: Press Release