Going by this week's additions to the Wii's Virtual Console, Nintendo wants gamers to celebrate the holiday spirit by slaughtering robots, monsters, and aliens.

New to the online storefront today are NCS' Super NES side-scroller Cybernator, Sega's Genesis shooter Alien Storm, and Monster Lair for TurboGrafx-CD, Westone's third title in the side-scrolling action-RPG series Wonder Boy.

All three titles are priced at 800 Wii Points ($8).

While Nintendo is not planning to add online multiplayer to any Virtual Console titles, NoA president Reggie Fils-Aime has indicated that future online Wii titles may very well support voice chat.

"I would not be surprised to see that capability come to this system," Fils-Aime said in a conference call this morning.

Though Nintendo is known for its overly protective online safety measures, such as dictating that users first exchange and enter a series of random digits to communicate with one another, the company has already made inroads into online voice chat with the Nintendo DS.

Released in early 2006, NST's Metroid Prime: Hunters (NDS) allowed gamers that had swapped friend codes to speak to one another. Other games, including Game Freak-developed, Nintendo-published Pokemon Pearl (NDS) and Pokemon Diamond (NDS), supported the capability as well, with Nintendo eventually releasing a specialized headset to facilitate communication.

Following this morning's announcement of a Wii raincheck program, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime stated the company has no plans for Wii Virtual Console titles with online multiplayer.

The Virtual Console section of the online Wii Shop Channel provides Wii owners with a selection of downloadable classic retro games from a number of long-dead systems, including the NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, and more. New titles are uploaded to the store each week.

Though most titles released on the service are exact replicas of the originals, some include new features and new functionality. For example, this week's VC release of HAL Laboratory's Pokemon Snap (N64) added the capability for players to save their in-game photographs to the Wii Message Board and send them to other Wii owners via online messaging.

Update: Majesco has released 11 screenshots of the game, depicting lions, hippos, giraffes, and a dead wildebeest.

Original Story: With the recent Virtual Console release of HAL Laboratory's Pokemon Snap (N64) inspiring a number of Wii-owning wannabe photo journalists, Majesco will soon be allowing players to act as a nature photographer in Africa's Serengeti National Park.

Titled Wild Earth: African Safari, the game is being developed by Super X Studios, which handled the 2006 PC version (demo here). The project bears no relation to Rhino Studios' elusive PlayStation 3-exclusive Afrika, which is thought... Read more

A gift-giving feature and three new Virtual Console titles, complete with the first VC game to receive new Wii-centric functionality, will be available to online-connected Wii owners later today.

First mentioned earlier this year, gifting allows Wii Shopping Channel devotees to buy Virtual Console games for those they've swapped Friend Codes with. If the recipient already owns the title, the system notifies gift-givers and suggests they pick out another game instead.

In the realm of games, Pokemon Snap, Ghosts'n Goblins, and Baseball Stars 2 are today's additions to the online Virtual Console offerings.

HAL Laboratory's Pokemon Snap, originally for Nintendo 64, is essentially a kid-friendly shooter that replaces guns with cameras. In it, wannabe nature photographers sneak through the Pokemon-infested wild and attempt to take the best ... Read more

It's a mixture of heroes, champions, and games that remind us of heartburn relief in today's update to the Wii's online Virtual Console store.

An original fighting game developed by Sega for the Genesis, Eternal Champions runs 800 Wii Points ($8). The Dynastic Hero, meanwhile, is Westone's TurboGrafx-CD version of the Genesis action-RPG Wonder Boy in Monster World, which hit Virtual Console earlier this year. The new boss comes in at 800 Wii Points, same as the old boss.

Though Compile's ZANAC--not to be confused with ZANTAC--doesn't exactly promise relief for heartburn, players can expect a prescription-strength dosage of top-down shooting action for 500 Wii Points ($5).

In just over a year, Nintendo's Wii-based online Virtual Console service has netted over 3.5 billion yen ($31.7 million USD) in revenue.

Using the Virtual Console portion of the Wii Shop Channel, gamers can purchase and download retro classics from a variety of older video game systems, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx-16. In all, the service has accumulated more than 7.8 million downloads, and new titles are added each week.

The figures, as reported by IGN, were disclosed at a press conference in which the company discussed its recent teaming with Japanese internet provider NTT to promote the Wii's internet connectivity.

"We're currently unsure if this is a lot or low," said Nintendo executive Shinji Hatano. "They're not bad figures."

Nintendo plans to begin offering original downloadable titles--a la Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3's PlayStation Store--through the WiiWare portion of the online store in early 2008.

Nintendo is celebrating sports, gambling, and wildlife conservation with today's additions to the online Wii Virtual Console. All three games will be available at 9 a.m. PST/12 p.m. EST.

Double Dribble, Konami's much-loved NES basketball simulation for one or two players, arrives on the download service at 500 Wii Points ($5). Ecco Jr., Sega's child-friendly Genesis expose on the antics of young dolphins, sells for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Vegas Stakes, meanwhile, comes from Kirby developer HAL Laboratory. The Super Nintendo title offers blackjack, slots, poker, craps, and roulette for up to four players, along with the occasional encounter with another gambler, which, depending on your actions, can end in profit, loss, or everyone thinking you're a jerk. To stay on the table, you'll need to chip in 800 Wii Points ($8).

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Wii's release in North America. To celebrate, Nintendo has, as it does every Monday, added more retro titles to the system's online store.

This week, Virtual Console is graced by Wrecking Crew, Sonic 3D Blast, and Super Air Zonk. The Nintendo-developed Wrecking Crew on NES, which tells the tale of Mario and Luigi's puzzling foray into building demolition, runs 500 Wii Points ($5).

A collaboration between Sega and Traveller's Tales, the isometric exploits of Sonic 3D Blast mark a bit of a departure from the blue speedster's 2D Genesis adventures. Though the gaming public may have mixed opinions on the title, you can come to your own conclusions for 800 Wii Points ($8).

One of the few TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM titles on Virtual Console, Red's Super Air Zonk: Rockabilly-Paradise branches out of the Bonk platforming series, exploring the sidescrolling and shooting antics of Zonk that were first showcased in Air Zonk. Renowned for its self-proclaimed rockabilly soundtrack, Super Air Zonk sells for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Dungeon Explorer: Warriors of Ancient Arts for the DS and PSP will hit North America in February. The games are based on Atlus' 1989 Turbo-Grafx 16 action RPG Dungeon Explorer, which was released for Virtual Console early this year, and will be developed and published by Hudson Soft.

Though they share the same name, the two versions feature different storylines and battles. The PSP edition (pictured left) has players hunting down a legendary kingdom and battling demonic foes. The DS version (pictured right) is set centuries later and pits gamers against legions of the undead. In addition to the screenshots, Hudson sent over some concept art from the PSP iteration and the DS edition.

Both games provide opportunity for heavy character customization--including multiples classes and attacks--and will allow up to three characters to battle side-by-side via local wireless multiplayer. The DS version also supports online play via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

The three titles slated to hit North America's Wii Virtual Console today call to mind the days of sitting in school, listening to an eco-friendly lecture while sketching spaceships and ogling volleyball players.

Widely considered to be one of the best 2D shooters on the Super Nintendo, Konami's Axelay has players defending a planet against an alien force and their resource-sucking ways. Ship customization and multiple weapons help the 800 Wii Point ($8) shooter stand out in the online store, where such titles have become rather commonplace.

Following an insectarian named Blue, Blue's Journey likewise features a nature-oriented theme. As players explore the once-beautiful planet of Raguy, they use a leaf and other items to combat the evil, polluting enemies of Alpha Denshi's NeoGeo action title, which sells for 900 Wii Points ($9).

Volleyball, one of Nintendo's early NES sports titles, allows players to compete in men's and women's volleyball at the price of 500 Wii Points ($5). All three titles will be available today at 9AM PST, the equivalent of 11AM CST or 12 PM EST.

More previously import-only Sega Genesis titles are headed to Wii Virtual Console, claims Sega. According to the publisher, prices for import games will begin at 900 Wii Points ($9), with the premium likely caused by localization efforts.

Titles that were previously unreleased in North America began appearing on Virtual Console earlier this year, with Treasure's Sin & Punishment (N64) and Nintendo's Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES) among the first efforts. As is expected to be common with such games, both carried a price higher than those of normal releases for their respective platforms.

Sega's first import titles on Virtual Console were the internally developed Golden Axe III and Treasure's Alien Soldier, both of which were only previously available to North American Genesis owners via the Sega Channel, which marked the company's early attempt at online distribution.

In anticipation of next week's release of Super Mario Galaxy (Wii), Nintendo is celebrating the heritage of the world's most famous plumber by today adding Super Mario Bros. 3 to Wii's online Virtual Console store. Billed by Nintendo as the "greatest game ever," Mario's fourth--if you count The Lost Levels--and final platform-oriented NES outing runs 500 Wii Points ($5).

Accompanying Mario in his all-star adventure to Virtual Console are Alien Soldier and Power Golf. Much like Golden Axe III, Alien Soldier was never officially released in North America, and was only available through the Sega Channel. That all changes today, as Treasure's Genesis sidescrolling rendition of extraterrestrial slaughter arrives for 900 Wii Points ($9).

Hudson Soft's Power Golf, meanwhile, allows up to three players tee off across 18 different holes. The TurboGrafx-16 golfer is priced at 600 Wii Points ($6), and, as with all of today's additions, will be available to buy beginning at 12PM EST, which translates to 11AM CST and 9AM PST.

Nintendo's DS handheld will soon be capable of expanded non-game functionality in a variety of "practical" situations, company president Satoru Iwata told the Wall Street Journal recently. Nintendo has tailored its DS into a tour guide for certain Japanese museums in the past, but Iwata's new plans imply a much more widespread usage of the device.

Other than museums, Iwata listed train stations and amusement parks as possible locations that will make use of the DS' extended functionality, presumably to check train schedules and receive amusement park layouts and guides.

Iwata also mentioned the recently revealed Wii gift channel would unsurprisingly be making its way to the console worldwide in December, arriving just before Christmas. The channel will allow gamers to buy Virtual Console titles and give them to friends as gifts.

In a timely celebration of Halloween, today's releases for North America's Wii Virtual Console feature all types of scary things that go bump in the night, including vampires, samurai ghosts, and magician lords.

The most prominent of the latest additions to the download service is Castlevania II Simon's Quest, the second entry in Konami's Castlevania franchise on the NES, the series' system of origin. Take control of vampire hunter Simon Belmont as he continues the family tradition of whip-based mystical murder and massacre for 500 Wii Points ($5).

Namco's Samurai Ghost follows the post-death exploits of Kagekiyo and his undead nemesis Yoritomo. Though the characters may be dead, this TurboGrafx-16 side scroller still features all the sword-based samurai action one would expect and sells for 600 Wii Points ($6).

The last of this week's creepy, crawly offerings is Alpha Denshi's Magician Lord for the Neo Geo. Priced at 900 Wii Points ($9), the game allows one or two players to play as Elta, the last shape-shifting descendant of the fabled Magician Lord, and face off against Gul-Agieze and his minions in side scrolling combat.

A new feature for the Wii's online shop will allows users to gift games to other Wii owners. The function will presumably apply to those games found within the Virtual Console and upcoming WiiWare channels.

Once the gift is accepted, the recipient will begin downloading the software. It is unknown if gamers can loan out titles they already own or if the gifted goods need to be bought separately. The company did not provide an estimate as to when the feature will be implemented.

"We think this will be a breakthrough in encouraging customers to spread news of fun games word of mouth," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told The Associated Press. "We also hope to spur more users to connect their Wiis to the Internet."

Iwata stated that, as Nintendo senior marketing VP George Harrison previously stated, the company will not be lowering the Wii's price in the foreseeable future. Nintendo will also launch the system in China next year.

"We barely have enough Wiis to meet global demand this year," Iwata explained. "But next year, we can bring the Wii to China."

From billiards on the moon to bipedal panthers and a ninja named JaJaMaru, today's new Virtual Console releases mark some of the strangest games yet to hit the Wii's online store.

The weirdness stars with Lunar Pool, an NES title from Compile that provides a glimpse into the recreational activities available on the moon. Essentially a cross between billiards and miniature golf, Lunar Pool runs 500 Wii Points ($5).

Next up is the North American debut of Jaleco's NES action title Ninja JaJaMaru-kun. In order to rescure Princess Sakura from Namazu Dayuu, JaJaMaru must break floor tiles and figure out the attack patterns of his various foes. There is also a chance he might ride on a giant frog.

As with Sin & Punishment and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, the localization cost of Ninja JaJaMaru-kun results in a slightly ... Read more

The Wii Virtual Console's first CD-based TubroGrafx-16 offering, Gates of Thunder, will be available today via the download service. With the first Neo Geo titles arriving last week, the addition of games for the once-costly TurboGrafx-CD add-on marks the second platform to debut in the online store in just as many weeks.

Developed by TurboGrafx extraordinaire Red Entertainment and system manufacturer Hudson Soft, Gates of Thunder is a side scrolling arcade shooter highly regarded for the top notch rocking tunes made possible through its use of the compact disc format. It sells for 800 Wii Points ($8), the standard price for TurboGrafx-CD titles. Another TurboGrafx-CD game, Red's Super Air Zonk, is scheduled to arrive this month.

Along with Gates of Thunder, Virtual Console also sees the release of Tecmo's ninja-tastic side scrolling NES sequel, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, and Namco's obscure SNES strategy title, Metal Marines. Ryu Hayabusa's second appearance runs 500 Wii Points ($5), whereas humanity's metal-oriented struggle against the Imperial Federation goes for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Three old-school 2D arcade fighters appeared in Wii's Virtual Console this morning as the first round of Neo Geo games arrived in the online store.

SNK's Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting and the ADK-developed World Heroes constitute the first batch, selling for 900 Wii Points ($9) a piece. Publisher SNK Playmore has promised more Neo Geo games are on the way but has yet to announce any specific titles, though entries in its Samurai Shodown fighting series and action-heavy Metal Slug franchise are expected.

Neo Geo marks the ninth console represented on the service. The impending TurboGrafx-CD offerings will bring the total number of platforms to an even ten.

Here's your weekly Shackcast, and it's a packed show befitting this absurdly blockbuster-ridden upcoming holiday season. As always, send in your comments and questions to shackcast@shacknews.com.

Episode 12 focuses almost entirely on game impressions, with no time left for news. On tap is discussion of Gears of War on PC, Crysis, Portal, Guitar Hero III and its differences on the three main platforms, Hellgate: London, and Dementium: The Ward on DS.

Faylor also played a bit of Treasure's N64 classic Sin & Punishment, officially available in the West for the first time thanks to Virtual Console on Wii, and we have some listener mail involving missing game discs at retail and the unsettling growing number of simultaneously offered models of various consoles.

Play or download the podcast now, or browse the episodes through iTunes, RSS, or Digg. ... Read more