Lecture Notes: Scott's Gaming Console and Virtual Console Commentary

Introduction

• Scott humorously suggests a petition to distribute unemployment checks as 3DS eShop cards.
• He comments on the complexity of owning multiple video game consoles.
• Emphasizes the convenience of having legacy content on new gaming systems.

Convenience of New Systems

• Playing old games on new systems is convenient and reduces the hassle of using old consoles.
• Re-releases of old games have been happening for decades, starting from arcade games to NES.

Evolution of Re-Releases

• Early Re-Releases: Arcade games on NES, NES games on SNES.
• PlayStation Era: Repackaging of SNES games on PS1.
• Xbox Live Arcade: Changed game re-releases with downloadable titles.
• Wii Virtual Console: Offered a large selection of downloadable classic games.

Wii's Virtual Console

• Launched with games from NES, SNES, N64, and Sega Genesis.
• Third-party support was significant, including TurboGrafx 16 and Neo Geo.
• NES games were the most abundant, N64 had limited releases.
• Some games were delisted over time.

Nintendo 3DS and Virtual Console

• Introduced Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
• NES games and SNES games (new 3DS models only) were later added.
• GBA games were offered only to early adopters (ambassadors).

Wii U's Virtual Console

• Initially used Wii Mode for VC games.
• Official VC launched in 2013 but lacked excitement due to repeated releases from Wii.
• Systems available: NES, SNES, GBA, N64, DS, and eventually TurboGrafx.
• NES and N64 games had poor visual quality on Wii U.
• Notable releases included EarthBound and Duck Hunt.

Critique of Virtual Console Over Time

• Wii had the most comprehensive VC experience.
• 3DS and Wii U had omissions and limitations.
• Current trends focus on collections and subscription services rather than individual releases.
• NES game nostalgia diminishing; demand for N64, GameCube, and Wii era games is rising.

Conclusion

• Scott expresses nostalgia for the Virtual Console era, despite its decline in quality over time.
• Criticizes current Nintendo's approach to re-releasing games.
• Humorous end asking the general population about the lack of Yoshi's Cookie on Wii U Virtual Console.