N +

In the press release for today's VirtuNAL Console Update, Nintendo included a hint at some surprises coming to the Wii Shop Channel. Here's the text which was buried within the press release:

In other news, the Wii-kly Update has a fun surprise coming soon for all our fans. We can’t tell you the secret just yet but maybe we’ll offer you some hidden clues. From AZ to NC, if you’re a fan, your applause could rattle your walls, windows, door. You might enjoy this news whether you live in a brick house or Vanderbilt dorm. Even people living along Route 286 in rural Pennsylvania ought to be excited. It’ll feel like a bunch of birthday greetings and, really, who could ask for more? But that’s about all we can say for now, so be sure to check future Wii-kly Updates.

Luckily, the fine folks on the Internet (specifically users of VGChartz, were able to decipher this cryptic message pretty quickly. It certainly seems likely that Commodore 64 games are on the way to the North American Virtual Console. Evidence?

• Brick House is a song by the Commodores.
  
• There is a Commodore city in Pennsylvania just off of 286.
  
• The song "When I'm 64" by The Beatles has a line that says: "who could ask for more?"
  
• The Commodores are the mascot of Vanderbilt University.
  
• Route 64 runs from Arizona to North Carolina.
  

So, it seems another surprise has been ruined by the Internet. Great job, guys!

Just in case you're curious, Commodore 64 games have been available on the European Virtual Console since March 2008.