With support for the NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, TurboGrafx, and NeoGeo already built into the Wii's Virtual Console platform, it's easy to forget that there are still classic consoles missing. On Nintendo.co.jp's newly redesigned Virtual Console page, there are two suspiciously empty slots in the grid of compatible consoles.

We're pretty confidant one of those is still reserved for the MSX, but what about that eighth slot? Will Nintendo steer the VC into heretofore portable waters? Or perhaps they'll consider something from the pre-NES era? Or are they going to surprise us all and offer something disc-based, coupled with a hard drive peripheral?

... yeah, we're guessing Sega Master System too.


[Via Go Nintendo]

In an interview with IGN, SNK Playmore USA President Ben Herman revealed that Neo Geo games would be available for the Wii Virtual Console in all regions sometime this summer. The games, some of which originally retailed for over $200, will be priced for download "just a little above the Super NES point" of $8 per game, Herman said. What a difference 17 years makes ...

Herman didn't reveal exactly which games would be initially available, but hinted that they were "looking for games that haven't been available" through anthologies or remakes. Herman also hinted at plans to make classic SNK content available for Xbox Live and Sony's upcoming PlayStation Home service. Add in the Neo Geo games currently available on GameTap and these once hard-to-find games will soon be available around every corner.

[Update: Fixed error regarding Metal Slug and King of Fighters being some of the first considered games. Thanks Cain Highwind.]

Previously: Neo-Geo & MSX to join Wii VC (in Japan)

[Thanks hvnlysoldr]

Neo-Geo and MSX are dusting off their parts and going for some of that virtual pape', joining the swarm of out-of-retirement consoles on Wii; the two will debut this spring in Japan (and likely worldwide shortly thereafter). Nintendo has already confirmed Eggy (Eggerland?) and Aleste (both 800 Wii Points) for MSX, but has yet to list any Neo-Geo titles. Additionally, more third parties want in on the Virtual Console enterprise, including G-Mode, Pony Canyon, Spike and (obviously) SNK.

Both new VC formats have the to potential to bring notable franchises to the download service, including Neo-Geo's Fatal Fury, Metal Slug, King Of Fighters, and Samurai Showdown; and MSX's Bomberman, Castlevania, Contra, Dragon Quest, Elite, Final Fantasy, Gradius, Metal Gear, Puyo Puyo, and Wizardry.

[Via CVG]

1UP profiles four systems that never made it to the US:

• MSX (1983) - Metal Gear and Dragon Quest debuted on this platform, which had a enough support to compete with Nintendo's Famicom in Japan.
• X68000 (Sharp, 1987) - its power came with a price: $4,000; it did feature some impressive ports of Castlevania, Ghosts 'n Goblins, and Strider.
• PC-FX (NEC, 1994) - TurboGrafx-16's successor; easily trumped by PlayStation, degrading into "a breeding ground for crappy anime and porn games."
• WonderSwan (Bandai, 1999) - Bandai had an exclusive license to port the original Final Fantasy titles ... until the games eventually landed on GBA.

Good news is Americans didn't miss much.