Virtual Vs Vintage
One of the selling points of the Wii for me, was the fact you could play all of the old classics simply by downloading them. The Virtual Console channel has opened up a whole new world for the retro gamer. Having never owned a Nintendo console prior to the Wii, this was a great chance for me to play all the games that technology forgot. Now with the advent of the C64 console on the way, it has made sit back and make the following observation: Is virtual better than vintage?
There are many factors to consider when making a choice of downloading a game file, or simply purchasing a retro console with games. I did a bit of research, and at the time of writing this, you could buy on Ebay:
• NES, 2 pads and 5 games for under £20
• SNES, 2 pads and 3 games for under £30
• Sega Megadrive with 2 controllers and 10 games for £15
• N64 with 2 pads and 4 games for £35.
• Total Spend £100 for 4 consoles, 2 controllers for each and 22 games.
I delved deeper into this and did a comparison on what it would cost to purchase the same games on the VC:
• 22 games (average 800 points each)
• 9 Wii point 2000 cards @ £15 each (17600 points)
• 2 classics controllers @ £15 each
• Total spend - £165 (not including Wii console)
So it does work out cheaper to buy the actual consoles rather than download them onto your Wii. There were countless amount of games for sale on EBay, as well as high street ‘Gamestation’ style stores and cash converters etc. (Just for the record, you can get a Dreamcast and 4 games for £30 too) But of course, price isn’t the only factor. Another issue you could encounter is my other half’s pet hate. Wires! I recall the time I got our new home cinema system. I slowly unveiled it but she showed no signs of enthusiasm. We are both fans of the cinema and good sound quality so I could understand her dismay. That is until she piped up “Not More Wires!” They aint got clue have they? So, can you imagine the disasters I would encounter if I had 4 consoles worth of wires! Plus she detests clutter; “it’s all to do with Karma” I’d be a hell of a lot calmer if she just let me get on with it! – I got no chance in this department. Of course with the VC, it’s all in that little white box. No extra wires, no extra boxes to plug in.
So it’s Virtual 1, Vintage 1 as it stands as we move onto the next comparison: The Controllers. Ninty have done a grand job to incorporate the Wiimote into various (though not all) VC games. Not a major problem however, you can just purchase 2 x classic controllers which do the job, aside being very lightweight and not as sturdy as original controllers. The original pads and controllers had a specific feel to each and every one of them, and in my own opinion, just feel better than the classic controller. It’s a question of taste with this one. The way the buttons were set on out the N64 can never be compared to the layout of the classic controller.
My final factor is the general usage of the items. It’s a damn sight quicker to press the blue house button and point to a different consoles game on the Wii main menu than unplugging from the TV, pulling a cartridge out, finding the next, blowing into it as It didn’t load first time, and replugging it back into the TV. I suppose the physical size aspect would all into this as well. Rather than have shelves of various cartridges next to your DVD’s from different consoles, explaining to your Nan why she can’t watch that film, Ecco the Dolphin (Seriously, she did ask once ) you have it a little neat white box under the TV.
So in Conclusion, its, oh, a draw, 2-2. Granted there are many other factors I could go into, but that would be nitpicking I feel. I suppose it’s a debate that could go on longer than the age old debate of Coke and Pepsi (Coke every time for me – not a sweet tasting). Although the VC has its pros and cons, they are mirrored by the Vintage choice’s options. I suppose it all comes down to how much of a serious retro
gamer you really are. You will always have the one ‘mate’ who owns all his original consoles still because “you can’t beat the real thing”. But there will always be movement in technology. Who know, Nintendo may already have designs on add on controllers to mirror the originals? They may even expand the capabilities of the Wii to accept PS1/PS2/Dreamcast/Xbox downloads. Maybe not in the current console, memory size and publisher rights see to that, but who knows what the future retro surprises await us?
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Virtual vs Vintage - Red Daze's 1st blog.
) my collection is now safely packed away! ive probably spent as much on the vc as i have on wii games 
but the vc was a big selling point for me!
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