Virtual Console Facts for Kids

Virtual Console (often called VC) was a special service on Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U gaming consoles. It allowed players to download and play classic video games from older systems. You could buy these games using "Wii Points" (a special currency for the Wii) or regular money.

What is Virtual Console?
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What is Virtual Console?

The Virtual Console was like a digital library of old video games. It let you play games from many different classic consoles on your newer Nintendo system. This meant you didn't need to find an old console or game cartridge to enjoy your favorite retro games.

How Did It Work?

To get games, you would go to the online shop on your Wii, Nintendo 3DS, or Wii U. There, you could browse a list of available games. Once you picked a game, you would pay for it. The game would then download to your console. After downloading, you could play it just like any other game on your system.

Which Games Were Available?

The Virtual Console offered games from many popular old gaming systems. These included:

NES: Nintendo's first big home console.
Super NES: The follow-up to the NES, known for its colorful graphics.
Game Boy: Nintendo's famous handheld system.
Game Boy Color: An updated Game Boy with color screens.
Nintendo 64: Nintendo's first 3D console.
Sega Master System: A classic console from Sega.
Sega Mega Drive: Sega's very popular 16-bit console.
TurboGrafx-16: A console from NEC and Hudson Soft.
TurboGrafx-CD: An add-on for the TurboGrafx-16 that used CDs.
Neo Geo AES: A powerful console known for arcade-quality games.
Commodore 64: A popular home computer that also played games.
MSX: A computer system popular in Japan.

Where Was Virtual Console Available?

The Virtual Console service was available in many parts of the world. Players in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea could all access the digital store and download games.

Why Was Virtual Console Popular?

Many players loved the Virtual Console because it brought back classic games. It allowed younger players to experience games their parents or older siblings grew up with. It also gave older players a chance to replay their favorite games without needing old hardware. It was a great way to keep gaming history alive and introduce it to new generations.