Speaking in a recent interview with UK-based Official Nintendo Magazine, GoldenEye 007 designer Martin Hollis admitted that while he would love to see a re-release of the Rare developed FPS classic on Virtual Console, a muddle of licensing issues are waiting to be resolved before it can happen. Seeing as the parties involved have been unable to reach agreeable terms, there is little hope for such blockades to be lifted in the future:

There’s always someone with some exclusivity agreement, so there’s lots of lawyers… I’m not going to hold my breath. I’d love it to happen, but I can’t see it.

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As previously rumored, Square Enix confirmed today that Final Fantasy IV sequel The After Years is indeed bound for WiiWare, Nintendo’s digital distribution service.

Also headed to the service is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord, a direct sequel to the previous installment in the series, My Life as a King. Additionally, Square will finally give the Virtual Console a touch of love later this year with the release of original NES Final Fantasy. This is just the start, too, as more VC support is on the way.

Screenshots of all three titles can be found past the break.

GDC Announcement Screenshots

If rumors prove true, it looks as if Nintendo may have plans to take a page from Sony’s book and offer titles from their extensive back-catalog as downloadable DSiWare offerings. According to a Kombo report that cites a regional Nintendo representative, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles will be sold over the DSiWare service. The titles will be available at $5 and $8, respective of platform.

Seeing as Nintendo has yet to make an official announcement, we’re labeling this under rumor for now. After all, the rep may have gotten his or her facts mixed up. Hey, it happens sometimes, but we’re going to remain hopeful. With the DSi lacking a GBA cartridge slot, owners of the handheld would no doubt be interested in purchasing these titles digitally.

Assuming GB and GBA support is on the way, it also leaves us wondering if Nintendo is planning to planning to launch a proper Virtual Console for DSi. It could very well happen, the only question is, will it?

New Nintendo DSi News from Preview Event [Kombo]

As promised, this week’s Wii Shop Channel update kicks off with the release of Capcom’s retro-themed Mega Man 9 (1,000 Wii Points). Joining the Blue Bomber’s ninth outing is NES classic Super Dodge Ball (500 Wii Points) and Vectorman (800 Wii Points), an enjoyable futuristic platformer originally seen on Sega Genesis.

Last but not least is PLÄTTCHEN, a WiiWare puzzle shooter from indy developer Bplus. Promising more than 100 hours of fun, the game features over 300 levels and a multiplayer mode with support for up to eight players.

For full details on this week’s round of offerings, hit the jump. more »

Some of the best things in life come in twos. This week’s Wii Shop Channel update is a prime example of that, with the second installment in Telltale Games’ episodic Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People, entitled Strong Badia the Free, now available on WiiWare. Joining SBCGFAP (1,000 Wii Points) is Capcom’s fabled NES classic Mega Man 2 (500 Wii Points), which is often regarded by many fans as the Blue Bomber’s finest hour.

Distanced from the pair of sequels this week is Potpourrii (800 Wii Points), an original WiiWare offering. Developed by indy studio Abstraction Games, players must help a group of leprechauns take down an evil wizard who has the power of changing seasons at will. more »

Nearly two weeks late, but it’s here. This week’s Wii Shop Channel update kicks off with the addition of the Blue Bomber’s first outing, the original Mega Man on NES. Priced at 500 Wii Points, players set out to put an end to Dr. Wily’s dream of world domination in this 8-bit classic. Joining Mega is NEOGEO title Neo Turf Masters, a golf classic that features six available characters and a number of golf courses from around the world. This one will set you back 900 Wii Points.

Over on the WiiWare front, Gameloft brings us Midnight Pool. For 900 Wii Points, you can partake in virtual pool tournaments as one of seven characters, using the Wii Remote to pull off sweet trick-shots in a gimmicky fashion. Neat-o. more »

After the disappointing Mega Man-less Wii Shop Channel update last Monday, this week fares better, delivering the promised first episode in Telltale Games’ point-and-click adventure title Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People on WiiWare. Stuck with an unwanted houseguest, players take control of the humorous Strong Bad who is on a mission to get his life back to normal by any means possible.

Over on the Virtual Console front, this week brings us the TG-16 pool-sim Break In and import title Star Parodier, a previously Japan-only shoot em’ up spoof of Hudson’s Star Soldier franchise that features three playable ships to choose from, ranging from a flying Bomberman to a PC Engine console that shoots out HuCards and CD-ROMs at foes. more »

Insert unhappy emoticon here. This week’s Wii Shop Channel update kicks off with the release of Genesis oldie Splatterhouse 2 (800 Wii Points) and the Master System version of Sonic the Hedgehog (500 Wii Points), which features new stages, bosses, and zones not found in the original Genesis release. Sadly, the original Mega Man is nowhere to be seen, despite Capcom confirming that it would be released today. Oh well.

Rounding out this week’s update is a single WiiWare offering, Wild West Guns. Players wield a revolver, shooting at objects and enemies using the Wii Remote to earn points. Fun. Probably not worth the 1,000 Wii Points, if you want our honest opinion. more »

Pew! Pew! Old-school fans of the Blue Bomber are in for a special treat come next week, as Capcom associate producer David Crislip today announced that Mega Man will hit the Wii Virtual Console on August 4. Yes, the 1987 original that started it all.

Additionally, Crislip confirmed that the retro-styled Mega Man 9 will debut in September, along with a re-release of NES classic Mega Man 2, which is often heralded by many as the finest installment in the series.

Mega Man returns on the Virtual Console Aug.4 [Capcom]

This week’s Wii Shop Channel update kicks off with Pirates: The Key of Dreams (1000 Wii Points) for WiiWare. Developed by independent studio Oxygen Games, it is described as a “frantic nautical shoot-’em-up,” featuring 35 levels and support for up to four players on the high seas.

Joining Pirates are two Sega Genesis shooters never released in the states, Super Fantasy Zone and Gley Lancer. Both titles carry the import premium of 900 Wii Points. more »