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PAL Virtual Console could see NTSC games - Nintendo

Titles never previously available in Europe could appear as downloads

The PAL version of the Virtual Console for Nintendo Wii could play host to games that were not previously released in Europe, a spokesperson has confirmed.

"There is always the potential for games that haven't seen the light of day in Europe to be on the Virtual Console. The Virtual Console is the perfect platform for them," a Nintendo UK spokesperson told our sister site Eurogamer.net this morning.

"Obviously any game not ever released in Europe would have to under go the PEGI and BBFC ratings process," he added.

Nintendo also said that there's a possibility that fan-favourite third-party titles previously only available in the US could finally appear in Europe via the download service.

"I can't speak for third-parties, but if it's the right game then there's absolutely no reason why it should just be a first-party game," the spokesperson said.

The official comments come on the back of comments in the US, made by Nintendo of America vice president George Harrison, who said that the platform holder was "open" to previously unavailable Japanese games being released in the US "if we can get them translated properly".

The news may signal a shift in Nintendo's thinking, with representatives having previously indicated that Virtual Console would initially stick to versions of games released specifically in the target territory.

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Tom Bramwell avatar
Tom Bramwell: Tom worked at Eurogamer from early 2000 to late 2014, including seven years as Editor-in-Chief.
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