Support NeoGAF

[Dr. Zoidberg]

Odd that it wouldn't register the code at all. I did the code on Punch-Out as well... started up the game, pressed the home button, brought up the Operations Guide, held Z, Held A, and pressed 2, and it played a chime. I'm using a North American Wii btw.

I did exactly what you said but nothing happened. Maybe the fact I am at 480p locks me out (you said earlier you were on SD).

Do you have to use controller 2? Do you think it matters if I am resuming a save state when I start the NES game? (I am in the middle of all 3 games)

 

[BooJoh]

I'm using controller 1, and was resuming from a save state too.

 

[gkryhewy]

I did exactly what you said but nothing happened. Maybe the fact I am at 480p locks me out (you said earlier you were on SD).

Do you have to use controller 2? Do you think it matters if I am resuming a save state when I start the NES game? (I am in the middle of all 3 games)

My usual settings are 480p on an HDTV. I tried the "code" using those settings, with no response. I switched to 480i to test, and I was able to get a chime after inputting the code, but there was no 240/480 menu - just the chime, and SMB3 was as dark as usual.

Opened game mid save-state.

Also, I'm not able to replicate the code/chime at either 480i or 480p. Only tried SMB3, but it only chimed once. Very odd.

 

[BooJoh]

Also, I'm not able to replicate the code/chime at either 480i or 480p. Only tried SMB3, but it only chimed once. Very odd.

The first chime switches the option on, follow the same steps but use Z+A+1 instead of Z+A+2 to turn it off.

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

I did the same thing after I posted here last night. I switched to 480i in the Wii setup and tried the code and it worked. At least it made the chime. I figured out that the Z+A+1 also caused a chime after putting in the code Z+A+2 and that it reversed the setting.

However, visually, there was absolutely no difference with the game. Maybe if you were on a regular CRT SD set it would make a visual difference? I mean, on a fixed-pixel HD set, everything is scaled to your maximum resolution anyway (720p or 1080p, etc.), so maybe that's why there is no discernible difference.

Anyway, it's no solution to the problem.

 

[BooJoh]

Like I said, on my TV the only noticeable difference is a slight flicker. This is the same code that PAL users are being told to use when their HD sets have no signal from VC games though, so I'm not sure if it serves the same function here or not.

 

[Speevy]

So, I'm about to buy a VC game.

Ones I'm considering

-Wave Race 64
-Mario Kart 64
-Baseball Stars 2


Keep in mind that this is largely for single player gaming.

 

[Mak]

Remember the issue I've complained about in the past? NES games are displayed unusually dim on my television and are much, much darker than their original forms.

I'm running the Wii @ 480p thriough official component cables on a Sony HDTV. I have noticed the drab colors on NES games.

Are you guys comparing the VC emulated NES game to the game played on the original hardware? The virtual console versions of NES game are darker than the originals. I don't know why but, it's the colors aren't 100% perfect.

If you've ever emulated NES games before, or played collections like the Zelda Collection and Mega Man Anniversary, the games have brighter, more vibrant colors, and those collections ran at 480i instead of 240p. NES games always had a dark, muted color tone to them, but for some reason its even worse on the Wii's VC emulations. It looks like they were trying to make the NES games too close to their original color tone.

Here are two comparisons I made from my NES and Wii hooked directly to my video capture card via composite on both. I didn't optimize the video settings, but both were taken with the same video settings.

If you think NES games don't look darker on the Wii than they original did, you're not comparing it next to the game running on an actual NES. This is also how it compares on my 27" CRT SDTV, and I've switched back on forth on my powered switch box, and hooked both up directly to the TV.

(TOP) Wii Virtual Console (Bottom) NES

There's nothing wrong with your Wii or TV, its the emulation.

The sound isn't 100% perfect either in NES games, such as in SMB3 when you move Mario on the map, the beep sfx sounds more ear piercing, and in Super Mario Bros., the jump sfx is a little off.

 

[Odrion]

So, I'm about to buy a VC game.

Ones I'm considering

-Wave Race 64
-Mario Kart 64
-Baseball Stars 2


Keep in mind that this is largely for single player gaming.

Wave Race 64, Mario Kart 64 is only good for the multiplayer.

 

[A Black Falcon]

Wave Race 64, Mario Kart 64 is only good for the multiplayer.

No, they're both fine single player games. They're just kind of short.

 

[DDayton]

If you think NES games don't look darker on the Wii than they original did, you're not comparing it next to the game running on an actual NES.

I've not noticed any differences ... in fact, the image generally appears brighter on the Wii than on the originals, to me at least.

What sort of display are you using? Standard CRT here... perhaps any differences aren't readily visible on CRT but are more visible on other technology?

 

[Mak]

I've not noticed any differences ... in fact, the image generally appears brighter on the Wii than on the originals, to me at least.

What sort of display are you using? Standard CRT here... perhaps any differences aren't readily visible on CRT but are more visible on other technology?

Stealth edited:
This is also how it compares on my 27" CRT SDTV, and I've switched back on forth on my powered switch box, and hooked both up directly to the TV.

The screens I took used different video settings than my TV, so its not that dark on my TV, but that's how the two versions compare. Super Mario Bros. 3 looks washed out compared to the original.

The virtual console NES games will have a cleaner look to them though. For some reason, the NES had a wierd noise that you could see on the outlines of sprites. I never found out why. It must be how the NES displays video because obviously the emulated games don't have it. You can see it in the right side of the NES SMB3 1-1 pic. It's not the usual composite noise.

NES games also are offset a little different, that's why most people noticed the green disappearing sprites on the right side of SMB3. It was always there before, but the VC version shows more of it because the screen is offset to the left more than it original was. In The Legend of Zelda, the bottom of the screen cut off when you are in the inventory sub screen.

Does it really make a difference to most people? No, but I'd still rather play SMB3 on my NES

 

[DDayton]

The virtual console NES games will have a cleaner look to them though. For some reason, the NES had a wierd noise that you could see on the outlines of sprites. I never found out why. It must be how the NES displays video because obviously the emulated games don't have it. You can see it in the right side of the NES SMB3 1-1 pic. It's not the usual composite noise.

I seem to recall that SMB always had more weird "noise" than any other game. Regardless of what I hooked it up to, things were always just a bit fuzzy while every other game was sharp and clear.

NES games also are offset a little different, that's why most people noticed the green disappearing sprites on the right side of SMB3. It was always there before, but the VC version shows more of it because the screen is offset to the left more than it original was. In The Legend of Zelda, the bottom of the screen cut off when you are in the inventory sub screen.

Eh... people just had lousy displays before, I guess. I've always been able to see the flickering/vanishing blocks on SMB3. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "the bottom of the screen cut off" in Zelda, though... in the original or VC release?

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

I've not noticed any differences ... in fact, the image generally appears brighter on the Wii than on the originals, to me at least.

What sort of display are you using? Standard CRT here... perhaps any differences aren't readily visible on CRT but are more visible on other technology?

HD CRTer here; I've always thought NES looked a bit dark though I've not had a real NES hooked up to this set.

 

[Mak]

I seem to recall that SMB always had more weird "noise" than any other game. Regardless of what I hooked it up to, things were always just a bit fuzzy while every other game was sharp and clear.


Eh... people just had lousy displays before, I guess. I've always been able to see the flickering/vanishing blocks on SMB3. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "the bottom of the screen cut off" in Zelda, though... in the original or VC release?

(Top) Wii Virtual Console (Bottom) NES

The bottom of the inventory subscreen in The Legend of Zelda gets cut off, and so does the actual game map. It's noticeable in Zelda because its overhead and not side scrolling where the bottom tiles are ground.

I always noticed the disappearing blocks in SMB3 too. My point is on my TV, its at the edge of the screen on the NES, but on the Wii, the screen is shifted to the left by almost a tile, so it is more apparent.

If you have both your Wii and NES hooked up to the same TV and switch back and forth between systems, you can see the difference. I'm not complaining about the quality of Nintendo's emulation, I'm just pointing out the differences!

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

Nice work, Mak. I've noticed the screen being cut off on Lolo too.

 

[Ranger X]

Are you guys making your comparisons screens like this so they are relevant?

NES in composite cables on TV x

vs

Wii in composite cables on TV x

 

[Celery&Lager]

I was wondering if anyone could help.

I have downloaded River City Ransom (PAL ) and the image is on my TV is aligned to the left and it has huge horizontal black borders( see photo below - I have drawn the red lines to demonstrate).

I use SCART on a CRT (which means 480i I think). Do I simply have to live with this, is it just this game? It is rather irritating and i do not know whether other NES games would be displayed similarly....

BTW, Sin & Punishment and Monster Lair behave normally.

 

[Capndrake]

EU VC update (Holy shit four games!):

-California Games (C64)
-Impossible Mission (C64)
-Wonder Boy (SMS)
-Fantasy Zone (SMS)

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

EU VC update (Holy shit four games!):

-California Games (C64)
-Impossible Mission (C64)
-Wonder Boy (SMS)
-Fantasy Zone (SMS)

Nice, good to see 4 game updates making a return, let's hope it stays!

Looks like they're trying to fill up on SMS and C64 games to pad out the library!

Oh BTW what colour border does C64 and SMS have for its games on the Wii Menu? (Like how NeoGeo has Yellow and TG16 has grey etc)

 

[DDayton]

I'm wondering if the "Commodore" holding company with the rights to the name has Europe-only rights to a pile of old C64 games...which is why we aren't hearing anything about USA releases of those.

Yet.

 

[Capndrake]

Nice, good to see 4 game updates making a return, let's hope it stays!

Looks like they're trying to fill up on SMS and C64 games to pad out the library!

Oh BTW what colour border does C64 and SMS have for its games on the Wii Menu? (Like how NeoGeo has Yellow and TG16 has grey etc)

Light blue for C64 and red for SMS I believe.

 

[Neo Child]

Master System games on the EU VC are alo 500 Wii Points, damn, where was that 400 they promied :'(

 

[Jiggy]

Four games? In Europe? Actual support of systems fairly new to VC? It's like Nintendo reinvented itself for a single week.

And probably only a single week, admittedly, but if they keep this up perhaps I can return to not being critical of VC every Friday and treading the same old territory. Now let's just see what tomorrow's news brings for North America.

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

Master System games on the EU VC are alo 500 Wii Points, damn, where was that 400 they promied :'(

Wasn't that for the US?

 

[Valtox]

I wonder if it's possible to play Fantasy Zone with autofire.
IIRC on the MS there wasn't any autofire and it was a pain

 

[Valtox]

double post

 

[FFantasyFX]

Four games? In Europe? Actual support of systems fairly new to VC? It's like Nintendo reinvented itself for a single week.

PAL gamers really deserves this week. Whereas North America has only had to suffer through two one game weeks in 2008, a one game week in Europe seems like a 50/50 proposition this year. Europe was only about five games behind North America near the end of 2007; last time I checked they were fifteen games behind.

It seems like Australia's bad fortune is Europe's gain. Every week there are Commodore 64 releases, there has to be one other release as well, or Australia wouldn't get squat.

 

[lopaz]

HAY GUYS

I just bought my first VC game, Kid Icarus. It's alright I guess. Really hard!

I gotta by SoR 3, Goldenaxe 1 and 3, maybe a couple n64 games.

When the fuck are they gunna release Double Dragon for Master System? That was an awesome game

 

[FFantasyFX]

When the fuck are they gunna release Double Dragon for Master System? That was an awesome game

Probably not going to see Double Dragon for the Master System for quite a while - the NES version has been rated for release in Europe, and I doubt that they'd release both games in any close proximity to one another.

 

[Infernal Monkey]

FUCK YEAH FANTASY ZONE!

I was wondering if anyone could help.

I have downloaded River City Ransom (PAL ) and the image is on my TV is aligned to the left and it has huge horizontal black borders( see photo below - I have drawn the red lines to demonstrate).

I use SCART on a CRT (which means 480i I think). Do I simply have to live with this, is it just this game? It is rather irritating and i do not know whether other NES games would be displayed similarly....

BTW, Sin & Punishment and Monster Lair behave normally.

Yeah, sadly they just shoved the straight old PAL version on there without optimizing it or anything. 50hz really hurts the game, it's painfully slow. Almost as bad as Sonic on Mega Drive.

 

[lopaz]

Probably not going to see Double Dragon for the Master System for quite a while - the NES version has been rated for release in Europe, and I doubt that they'd release both games in any close proximity to one another.

oh right... are they similar/the same game? I do so love the MS one

 

[Neo Child]

Whats that really fun RPG for the MS? I'm sure it's one where you don't know the name/use of an item till you try it... my friend has it for the MS....

In other news, is there any good RPG's for the MS? I aint holding my hopes up for Final Fantasy on the SNES/NES anytime soon =[

 

[alex1893]

EU VC update (Holy shit four games!):
-California Games (C64)
-Impossible Mission (C64)
...

very nice

 

[FFantasyFX]

oh right... are they similar/the same game? I do so love the MS one

Both are based on the same arcade game. From what I've read, the Master System version seems to be better. The NES version only had two enemies on screen at the same time, and did not support two player simultaneous play.

I rented the original NES Double Dragon and it was OK. I much preferred Double Dragon II though, which featured cooperative (and uncooperative! there was a 3rd mode were players could do damage to one another) play and was a more robust experience all the way around.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

Europe got 4 games

This calls for a Megaton of epic portions! A Megaton like this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VsYf3Yis0d4
Seriously 4 games? 4? 4? FOUR? OMG IM FINALLY EXCITED FORTHE VC AGAIN !!!! Please legt NA's vc week be 4 games...not only this week but every week!

 

[lopaz]

Both are based on the same arcade game. From what I've read, the Master System version seems to be better. The NES version only had two enemies on screen at the same time, and did not support two player simultaneous play.

I rented the original NES Double Dragon and it was OK. I much preferred Double Dragon II though, which featured cooperative (and uncooperative! there was a 3rd mode were players could do damage to one another) play and was a more robust experience all the way around.

Ah dang. No co-op in DD, what is the point really... stoopid nes >: (

 

[Ranger X]

FUCK YEAH FANTASY ZONE!



Yeah, sadly they just shoved the straight old PAL version on there without optimizing it or anything. 50hz really hurts the game, it's painfully slow. Almost as bad as Sonic on Mega Drive.

It actually look the opposite. NTSC is 480 vertical lines and PAL games were 576 lines. Seeing the huge gap he get on top and bottom, it's like it was a 480 game inside some 576 lines canvas.
(there still the possibility it is in 576i and it would means a 480i game would have an even wider gap! )

 

[CreatureX3]

FUCK YEAH FANTASY ZONE!

C'mon NOA, we need Fantasy Zone as well!

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

4 games!?
There may be hope for the VC yet....

 

[SCReuter]

(TOP) Wii Virtual Console (Bottom) NES

Left: SNES NTSC Composite - Right: Wii NTSC Composite




Left: N64 NTSC Composite - Right: Wii NTSC Composite




N64's picture is also noticeably darker on the Virtual Console, whereas the SNES is just a smidgen brighter.

 

[Speevy]

Did I understand correctly that it's impossible to buy, download, and play another region's games (like you can on the PS3, for example)?

 

[Sharp]

HAY GUYS

I just bought my first VC game, Kid Icarus. It's alright I guess. Really hard!

I gotta by SoR 3, Goldenaxe 1 and 3, maybe a couple n64 games.

When the fuck are they gunna release Double Dragon for Master System? That was an awesome game

Get Super Metroid now please. You'll thank me later! My roommate just did after playing it for two straight days!

 

[Jiggy]

Did I understand correctly that it's impossible to buy, download, and play another region's games (like you can on the PS3, for example)?

As far as I know, yes. Which annoys me, since otherwise I'd be all over Monster World IV, and would have gotten stuff like Final Soldier and Gleylancer many, many months ago instead of still waiting for them (although thankfully they've at least been rated).

 

[ethelred]

As far as I know, yes. Which annoys me, since otherwise I'd be all over Monster World IV, and would have gotten stuff like Final Soldier and Gleylancer many, many months ago instead of still waiting for them (although thankfully they've at least been rated).

It's much better this way. You don't want to miss out on the opportunity to spend an extra buck for zero changes.

 

[EphemeralDream]

Did I understand correctly that it's impossible to buy, download, and play another region's games (like you can on the PS3, for example)?

Yep region locked retail games, region locked WiiWare, region locked VC.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

Yep region locked retail games, region locked WiiWare, region locked VC. If you have a JP Wii, you can get VC games from the other regions but I believe you still need JP Point Cards.

I use my NA Credit card on my JP Wii all the time.

So yea any credit cards work but WiiPoints do not.

Well....today's pr day! Lets await jsnake!!

 

[Firestorm]

Argh where's Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
Which apparently Jiggy hasn't played yet.
Crazy Jiggs.

Super Mario Bros. looks amazing on my HDTV on component >_> So crisp!

 

[neight]

HAY GUYS

I just bought my first VC game, Kid Icarus. It's alright I guess. Really hard!

I gotta by SoR 3, Goldenaxe 1 and 3, maybe a couple n64 games.

When the fuck are they gunna release Double Dragon for Master System? That was an awesome game

Be sure to get Sin & Punishment. Everyone that uses VC should get that gem.

 

[Iam Canadian]

A four-game week in Europe?

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much that this will be a continuing trend. :/