Control MSX Virtual Console games with a USB Keyboard

I’m not sure how many Siliconera readers have seen a proper MSX before, but it doesn’t look anything like standard gaming console. The MSX was a computer co-developed by Microsoft which was also used as a gaming device in Japan. Since the MSX has a full keyboard the games have different input controls compared to what the Wii remote or Classic Controller natively offer.

Late last month Nintendo and D4 Enterprise finally got around to releasing the first MSX game on the Virtual Console. Aleste came and went with a scarce amount of international attention, but there is a neat unannounced feature packaged in the revised Virtual Console release. Aleste supports four control options: Wii remote, Classic Controller, Gamecube controller, and a USB keyboard. Thus far the Wii only supported USB keyboards for the internet browser. Aleste is the first game to utilize the peripheral as a gaming controller.

I wonder if LucasArts is aware of this feature. They have an archive or graphical adventure games that would work well with a Wii Remote / USB Keyboard combination. Imagine The Secret of Monkey Island revised for WiiWare or SCUMM games on the Virtual Console.

Images courtesy of D4 Enterprise.