Every week I look at the new Virtual Console releases and wonder what Nintendo is thinking about putting out next. There are dozens of franchises untouched by the VC and companies yet to be included. Because of this, Wii owners start to look back to their favorite games and wonder how they would fare on Nintendo’s newest system. Over and over again one title comes up: Goldeneye 64.

The problem is that when thinking about this most gamers get confused about what a Virtual Console game is. I don't think anyone would protest a Wii Port of Goldeneye 64, but that isn't what the game would be on the Virtual Console. So far Nintendo has done very little do modify old games to work better on the VC. The only exception is allowing users to send images taken in Pokemon Snap to their Wii friends - hardly using the system's potential. The game wouldn't be online and it wouldn't use the Wii's controls. It would be a clone; the same as the copy sitting in your closet. Why waste time with this when there are better and more feasible options?

 
Goldeneye on the Nintendo DS is an entirely different story. Lets look at the facts:

• The Nintendo DS has proven itself with First Person Shooters, with Metroid Prime: Hunters being a fantastic example.

• It would work online, allowing players to wirelessly connect and fight in all of the classic Goldeneye maps.

• It would work better offline, allowing for wireless download play for up to 8 players. This is the standard for games at this point, and it would make the DS version shine with only one person needing to buy it.

• Many developers enjoy using the touch screen to give players the option to customize characters. A DS port would likely mean custom faces, insignias on outfits, and even custom levels for the game.

These are just some of the many benefits of putting it on the Nintendo DS. There is another platform worthy of a port, though, and it is the Xbox Live Arcade.

• Online play would be fantastic. Voice chat and an easy interface would make the title work better online than it could in any other form.

• The graphics could be improved. Textures could get a large bump and models could even be redone to give the game a newer look.

• You would be able to map your face to your online character with the Xbox Live Vision camera, bringing another feature that couldn’t be done anywhere else.

• Microsoft owns Rare, so it wouldn't be too far removed from the realm of possibilities.

None of those would even be possible on the Wii until Nintendo starts improving the games they put on there. As it stands they are enjoying their pure profit model and loving the ability to port games without additions and make money off of it. Seriously think about it for a second. Do you want Goldeneye to be taken in its exact form and put over to the Wii Virtual Console? What’s the point? The game isn’t hard to find and N64’s are like ten bucks on Ebay. As it stands Nintendo doesn’t add anything to Virtual Console games that wasn’t in the original, so any features that would improve the game would be wasted. At some point nostalgia has to take a back seat to common sense, and this is a no brainer. Don’t ask for Goldeneye on the VC – you won’t be happy with what you get.

Note: Images taken from Goldeneye: Rogue Agent for the DS and Goldeneye: Source for the PC.