VC or better call as virtual console is a special section of the Wii shop channel. It’s an online service that allows players to purchase and download games and other software for Nintendo’s Wii gaming console. The virtual console lineup consists of titles originally released on past consoles. These titles are run in their original forms with the use of software emulation, and can be purchased for between 500 and 1200 Wii points. It depends on system and rarity and/or demand. The library of Virtual Console consists of titles originating from Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Nintendo 64. Other then Nintendo NEC’s TurboGrafx-16, Sega’s Master System and Mega Drive/genesis, and SNK’s Neo Geo AES are also available on VC. Until December 2007 over ten million console titles have been downloaded.

Games downloaded from the virtual console library are stored in the Wii’s built in 512 MB flash memory. You can transfer games using a removable SD card for backup only. However, you can’t play games from this external memory. Virtual consoles games can be deleted if the internal memory is filled, to create more room and the games can be downloaded again later at no additional cost, or can be copied back from SD card. Virtual console games are locked to the Wii on which they are purchased-they cannot be transferred to another Wii via an SD card. Although it is possible to purchase games in the Wii shop channel and send them as gift to people on their Wii friends list. This procedure does not work across region. In the event that a Wii is damaged and the virtual console games can no longer played, Nintendo provides support. Serial number or console email can be provided. Game saving is functional and intact on the virtual console for all games, which originally had a save feature on their cartridge. Saved games on the Wii function as original cartridge did. A game on cartridge doesn’t show any features of saved game and it doesn’t show any feature on the virtual console.

Although being a commercial hit virtual console still faces criticism for few reasons. First is a complaint from American customers that there is a grate difference between the two online libraries for Japan and America respectively. Both in quality and quantity. The differences are now reduced to minimal. Other controversies with Virtual servers are that they release very few games and Virtual console’s ratio aspect ratio. It is given that their aspect ratio for games id mere 4:3, whereas for Wii’s system settings its 16:9 television. Pricing is also highly criticized as too high, especially for NES games. Given many of its game’s are near zero costs of manufacture and distribution. Nintendo has stated that Virtual consoles games are as same as the original ones, eliminating the possibility of graphical enhancements, customizable controls, or added online multiplayer features. However, for various reasons, the gameplay experience is not always identical to the original.

Over and all Virtual feature is an effort against the popular products Microsoft’s Xbox live and Sony’s Playstation network. However, after success in Asian, markets it doesn’t seem going ahead of Microsoft or Sony.

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