Every European gamer who was alive and had even touched a controller back in the 90’s knew what it was like to play games at a 50Hz refresh rate instead of the 60Hz used elsewhere. These days 60Hz is the norm even in Europe, but not according to the Wii U Virtual Console.
Eurogamer reports that the games released for the Virtual Console on the Wii U run at the old 50Hz refresh rate, despite the fact that their 3DS counterparts are all 60Hz themselves. In a time where that ol’ fiftay-hertz has been phased out of European television production, Nintendo still insists on sticking to the refresh rate.
If this had no impact on the gameplay or overall feel of the games affected, this wouldn’t be such a big deal. Unfortunately, the 50Hz refresh rate is simply slower in every way than its superior 60Hz big brother. Everything about the experience is slowed down by 17.5%.
Here are a few videos demonstrating the difference in PAL 50Hz and NTSC 60Hz in some older games:
