The Nintendo DSi Virtual Console Feature Lets You Play The Classic Games With Style!
One of the features that have garnered much acclaim for the Nintendo DS’ big brother, the Nintendo Wii, is its Virtual Console function. Basically, you can use the internet capability of the Wii to order games online – particularly classic games from older systems like the NES, the SNES, the N64, and even old games from former rivals of Nintendo consoles like the various Sega systems and the TurboGrafx machines. Indeed, there is something doubly fantastic about playing Sonic The Hedgehog 2 using the Wii controller.
One of the criticisms about the Nintendo DSi’s predecessor, the Nintendo DS, is its lack of online functionalities. It can connect to itself to the net via WiFi, yes, but there are only so many things you can do with it while online. Sadly, downloading classic games isn’t one of them.
Not anymore! Finally, the Nintendo DSi will have the Virtual Console-like feature of the Nintendo Wii.
With improved online functions, the Nintendo DSi can now make full use of the better bandwidth of today’s WiFi infrastructures. The Nintendo DSi isn’t limited to online chatting, selective multiplayer gaming and exchanging doodles (PictoChat anyone?) anymore. You can now download the classic games from the older iterations of Nintendo’s handhelds.
Yes, the classic games from the Gameboy Advance! The classic games from the Gameboy Color! The classic games from the very first Gameboy as well!
Want to relive the excitement of collecting all the Pokemons in the debut game of the series? No problem! The Nintendo DSi will allow you to download the same from Nintendo DSi’s very own online mall, the DSi Shop (patterned after the Wii Shop channel) so that you can do some retro gaming on the go in the here and now.
This new feature of the Nintendo DSi will bring about some changes in the Nintendo system. Wii points – digital equivalents of cash spendable for online products for the Nintendo Wii – will now be called as Nintendo points. The reason for this is that Nintendo points will be the universal digital currency for all Nintendo online products, not just for the Wii but for the DSi itself.
Also, for the cunning, enterprising individuals out there, be forewarned that flash cards that work for the Nintendo DS will be incompatible for the Nintendo DSi. But who needs flash cards when you can play the classics via the Nintendo DSi’s virtual console feature, right?
The Nintendo DSi is turning out to be more than just the portable multimedia machine that its mother company is advertising. It is also shaping up to be a pocket time machine that will help us enjoy the precious memories of the days of digital yore when plumbing sprites saved princesses of mushroom kingdoms and pointy-eared adventurers collected hearts to defeat evils that plagued the land.
