Downloading games for the Wii

Gonzo_Reporter

I was just wondering how much memory a retro game will take upcwhen you get it off the Wii Channel? And how much internal memory can the Wii actually hold?

Star Lord

The Wii had 512MB internal flash memory. When you are buying the games it tells you how much space they take up, and when you're downloading them it tells you how much space you have, how big the download is and what the free space will be after.

If you run out of space, you can delete the games, and re-download them later, as it remembers what games you have bought, and doesn't charge you for them after you paid once.

Gonzo_Reporter

Damn, thats a good comprehensive answer. Thanks

Star Lord

Yeah, I read everything I could get my hands on about the Wii before the launch

Gonzo_Reporter

I know what you mean, i practically memorised all the manuals on the way home yesterday after buying it.

Kanney

Thats really cool, and the only upgrade of memory is SD cards am I right?

Star Lord

Yeah thats right. You can copy your downloaded games to an SD card if you like, but apparently its quicker to just delete them and install them again! Takes ages to copy a game to SD card, probably because the console is putting copy protection on it and preventing you from playing it on another console.

Davidius

It doesn't really take that long to copy onto SD Cards. It was a lot faster than the original download was for me at least. Although, the original download was off a server on launch night. :rolleyes:

Jonakin

About how big is an average game?

Kanney

Theres your answer, what did you get and how big was it?

tman

Jonakin wrote:

About how big is an average game?

kinda hard to tell, Donkey Kong Country is less than half the size of Mario 64... they measure them in blocks rather than megabytes, so i'll need to get the calculator out to work out how big they actually are

Tank Top Fever!

Any idea when the next batch of VC games will be released, and what they are?

Luluk

I downloaded Bomberman. If I remember correctly it was around 110 blocks. Unfortunately, I have no idea what a block is in terms of megabytes.

scrapland

nintendo blocks is just so stupid.

why not tell us in mb ?

After all we all know its 512mb on board, then minus whatever is given to the operating system etc.

1huge1

sure wouldnt it just be the same size as if it was downloading it as a rom

Tusky

How do you pay for the games ?

Gonzo_Reporter

The next batch of VC games are out tomorrow and every Monday. and you buy them buy by buying points from places like Game or Gamestock then you download them off Wii Shop. I do however remember Gamestop being a bit more expensive than Game. Anybody know for sure the prices of points in Game or Gamestop?

Star Lord

Cheapest place to buy points is off the shopping channel if you have a credit card (Mastercard or visa, and 3v uses visa so it should work)

dan_y

hey guys, I work for nintendo and I have it from my boss that even if you download Every single game for the virtual console - they won't even make a dent in your flash card. which, considering you're talking about between 16 and 64 bit stuff, kinda makes sense

McDermotX

Primary reason I bought the Wii really (along with Zelda!)
Have downloaded a few already, but the holy grail will obviously be when there a 100s of titles available (something the Nintendo already promised for launch back when the VC idea was considered).
Shame that the likes of Mario64 are the original 50hz versions etc, and the prices at the moment are a little more than they should be, but it bodes well for the future. The plentiful sales of the Wii will hopefully continue past the new year, and will give Nintendo time to get their act together.

Gonzo_Reporter

dan_y wrote:

hey guys, I work for nintendo

LOL, Where were you a week ago when we hadnt a clue if we were get a Wii at all, we could have used some of you insider knowledge.

1huge1

dan_y wrote:

hey guys, I work for nintendo and I have it from my boss that even if you download Every single game for the virtual console - they won't even make a dent in your flash card. which, considering you're talking about between 16 and 64 bit stuff, kinda makes sense

you work for nintendo
as far as i know nintendo dont have any employees in ireland so you just happened to come onto boards.ie
i appologise if im wrong but i find it hard to believe

whitetrash

McDermotX wrote:

Shame that the likes of Mario64 are the original 50hz versions etc, and the prices at the moment are a little more than they should be, but it bodes well for the future.

Don't think Mario 64 is the 50hz version, I've played it on the wii but it's been so long since my n64 playthrough that I can't really compare. I think I read that it is the 60hz version tho.

The VC needs more N64 games, roll on Lylat Wars and Diddy Kong Racing!

RE*AC*TOR

1huge1 wrote:

you work for nintendo
as far as i know nintendo dont have any employees in ireland so you just happened to come onto boards.ie
i appologise if im wrong but i find it hard to believe

You know wrong - nintendo have Rep type people in Ireland.

djkeogh

So can you play the VC games with the Wiimote or do you have to buy the Classic controller to play the games?

Goodshape

NES games can be played with the Wiimote held on its side (like an elongated nes-pad). I think for everthing else you need either the Classic Controler or the GameCube controller.

whitetrash

djkeogh

Thanks for the info. Getting the machine hooked up online this evening and wanted to be sure I would be able to play any of the games I download.

Setun

Do official GC controllers work on the wii?

Gonzo_Reporter

Daddio wrote:

Do official GC controllers work on the wii?

with Wii games no. GC games yes, VC games some.

Im going to have to buy a Wave Bird. I cant be moving my Wii/me closer so I can use an old fashioned, LOL, wired controller!

Goodshape

Gonzo_Reporter wrote:

Im going to have to buy a Wave Bird. I cant be moving my Wii/me closer so I can use an old fashioned, LOL, wired controller!

Yea, I bought a Classic Controller for that reason.

Prefer the GameCube controller but don't fancy my chances of being able to find a Wave Bird.

Star Lord

Anyone notice if there were any new VC games available yesterday???

Goodshape

DamoElDiablo wrote:

Anyone notice if there were any new VC games available yesterday???

Didn't actually check but I don't think so.

Release dates here --> Eurogamer

whitetrash

DamoElDiablo wrote:

Anyone notice if there were any new VC games available yesterday???

New VC games come out on Monday in the US, seems they come out on Friday here. Looks like nintendo can never do a simultaneous worldwide release, even when it only involves uploading 32mb to a webpage and adding to a website... :rolleyes:

Star Lord

Ah right, suppose that'd make sense. They can't even release the same titles in the different regions! Don't think the US is scheduled for Super Castlevania IV yet though!

thebman

whitetrash wrote:

New VC games come out on Monday in the US, seems they come out on Friday here. Looks like nintendo can never do a simultaneous worldwide release, even when it only involves uploading 32mb to a webpage and adding to a website... :rolleyes:

Well there is a reason for this. Although it is data there is load on the server handling requests and limited bandwidth available.

By releasing in each region on a different day, they lower the load on the server when releasing new games as most people will log on to VC when new games are available.

RE*AC*TOR

brim4brim wrote:

Well there is a reason for this. Although it is data there is load on the server handling requests and limited bandwidth available.

By releasing in each region on a different day, they lower the load on the server when releasing new games as most people will log on to VC when new games are available.

I imagine there are different servers - ie we connect to the european server(s), the us connects to the us server(s), japan etc etc.
I doubt the whole thing is running of one central server.