Commodore 64 comes to virtual console
It all started with five systems, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, TurboGrafx-16 and CD from NEC, and Mega Drive/Genesis from Sega. Then SNK’s Neo Geo made its presence felt. Now, another former gaming giant is ready to put his stamp on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console. It comes in the form of the best-selling personal computer of all time, the Commodore 64. The Commodore 64 debuted in 1982 as an 8-bit home computer and featured over 4,000 video games. However, there is a catch. From now on, the Commodore 64 will only be available on the European Virtual Console.
This is a move that has taken nearly two years to accomplish. In 2006, the British publisher System 3 bought Epyx, the game developers who created most of the Commodore 64 video games. Their intention was to re-release the games on the Nintendo DS, PSP and, more importantly, the Virtual Console. The CEO of Commodore Gaming has also started working with Nintendo of Europe to try and secure the Commodore 64’s spot on Virtual Console.
Among the first Commodore 64 titles to be available on Virtual Console are International Karate and Uridium. Commodore 64 games will also cost the same as Nintendo Entertainment System games at 500 Wii Points. Some other famous games from the Commodore 64 era include California Games, 4th and Inches, Skate or Die, and many arcade ports like Donkey Kong, Breakout, 1942, Bubble Bobble, etc.
While it’s currently only slated for release on the European Virtual Console, there’s no evidence that the Commodore 64 won’t be coming to North America. As mentioned above, the system remains the best-selling personal computer of all time and has created many classics. It was perhaps the longest-running video game system in history, running from 1982 to 1994. It started the 8-bit era years before Nintendo entered the home console market and successful sales in Europe are sure to make the Commodore 64 make way abroad. Hopefully that will be the case as there are many classic games that gamers never had a chance to play and enjoy.