Commodore 64 Coming to the Virtual Console

It all started with five systems, the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and CD, and Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis. Then, SNK's Neo Geo made their presence felt. Now another former gaming giant is set to put their stamp on the Nintendo Wii's 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. As of now, 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, British Publisher System 3 purchased Epyx, the game developers that created most of Commodore 64's video games. Their intent on the purpose was to re-release the games on the Nintendo DS, PSP, and most importantly, the Virtual Console. The CEO of Commodore Gaming also began working with Nintendo of Europe to try and secure Commodore 64's place on the Virtual Console.

Among the first titles from Commodore 64 which will be made 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 era of Commodore 64 include California Games, 4th and Inches, Skate or Die, and many arcade ports like Donkey Kong, Breakout, 1942, Bubble Bobble, etc.

While it is currently only slated for release on the European Virtual Console, there is no evidence that the Commodore 64 will not find its way to North America. As mentioned before, the system is still the best selling personal computer of all time and has created many classics. It was perhaps the longest running video game system in history lasting from 1982 to 1994. It began the 8-bit era years before Nintendo got into the home console market and successful sales in Europe is sure to see the Commodore 64 make it's way overseas. Hopefully that is the case, as there are many classic games that gamers never had a chance to play and enjoy.

Mikus is a nintendo advocate and runs a wii site that allows members to share friend codes at our general message boards with other members.

AP - Members of the Nation of Islam, the New Black Panthers and the NAACP on Saturday promised protests to bring more attention to the killing of an east Texas man whose death recalls, for some, a notorious decade-old hate crime.