Virtual Console - WiKirby: it's a wiki, about Kirby!
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Virtual Console was a line of downloadable software on the Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It allowed the console user to purchase, download, and play games from older systems on the console in question, which included titles from the Nintendo Entertainment System up to the Wii, and even included titles from non-Nintendo systems, such as the Sega Genesis, and the NEO GEO. The service was discontinued following the closure of the Wii Shop Channel on January 30, 2019 and the Wii U and 3DS branches of the Nintendo eShop on March 27, 2023. The Nintendo Switch removed Virtual Console branding in favor of a subscription model known as Nintendo Switch Online, which has then become the main platform for game rereleases. The Wii Virtual Console's emulators are also utilized in Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition, albeit with slight adjustments such as the addition of Kirby-themed borders and Wii Remote support for SNES and N64 titles.
An Internet connection was required to download titles, but was not required to play the game afterwards. Virtual Console games often have a save state function known as Restore Points. There are special commands that can open the game in the original resolution (and skins to emulate the original console's appearance if any). On the Nintendo 3DS system, SNES games were only available on the New Nintendo 3DS series models.
Some minor changes were made to Virtual Console releases, meaning that some are not entirely accurate to the original state of the game. In the case of the Kirby series, one major change was made to Kirby's Dream Land 3; the Hyper Zone arena in Boss Butch mode had its colors changed from a yellow sky with red and blue clouds to a yellow sky with orange and green clouds. The change is likely due to increased epilepsy awareness, and has been kept for all subsequent releases.
Kirby titles on Virtual Console by system[edit]
Wii[edit]
- Kirby's Adventure - NES
- Kirby's Dream Course - SNES
- Kirby's Avalanche - SNES
- Kirby Super Star - SNES
- Kirby's Dream Land 3 - SNES
- Kirby's Star Stacker - SNES (Japanese systems only)
- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards - N64
Nintendo 3DS[edit]
- Kirby's Dream Land - GB
- Kirby's Pinball Land - GB
- Kirby's Dream Land 2 - GB
- Kirby's Block Ball - GB
- Kirby's Star Stacker - GB
- Kirby's Dream Course - SNES (New Nintendo 3DS systems only)
- Kirby's Star Stacker - SNES (Japanese New Nintendo 3DS systems only)
- Kirby & The Amazing Mirror - GBA (only available to those who were part of the Ambassador program, was not released standalone)[1]
Note that 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure is not considered a Virtual Console title.
Wii U[edit]
- Kirby's Adventure - NES
- Kirby's Dream Course - SNES
- Kirby Super Star - SNES
- Kirby's Dream Land 3 - SNES
- Kirby's Star Stacker - SNES (Japanese systems only)
- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards - N64
- Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land - GBA
- Kirby & The Amazing Mirror - GBA
- Kirby: Canvas Curse - DS
- Kirby: Squeak Squad - DS
- Kirby Mass Attack - DS
- Kirby's Epic Yarn - Wii
- Kirby's Return to Dream Land - Wii