The future, it’s an oddly overworked beast in the videogames media industry, and usually one that’s liberally abused by those you trust for the sake of sensationalist rumour and unfounded speculation. However, while we can’t always predict the future with absolute certainty, in this case - unforeseen disasters notwithstanding - we can tell you exactly what SEGA is bringing to the Wii’s VC service during Q1 2007.

Indeed, if you’re a Nintendo Wii owner, the only thing that truly matters about the future of the VC service is that it keeps on providing quality retro gaming in exchange for a few well-spent dollars. So, sit back and allow Nintendic and SEGA to duly pad out your Virtual Console calendar!

More specifically, Nintendo Wii owners fond of cashing in their valuable VC Points each week can look forward to the attainment of the following ye olde classic SEGA titles from a gaming age well and truly gone by:

Sonic Spinball: The blue-haired spiky speed freak makes an appearance on the Virtual Console in a fast-paced pinball-based extravaganza to once more defeat the nefarious plans of Dr. Robotnik. Sonic (the Hedgehog) Spinball first appeared on the SEGA Genesis (a.k.a. Mega Drive) back in 1993 before also making the transition to the Master System and ill-fated Game Gear.

Sword of Vermillion: Designed by Yu Suzuki, Sword of Vermillion is a heroic role-playing game (RPG) where players are tasked with taking up the mighty sword (that of the game’s title) to rid the once peaceful world of Vermillion of the evils laid down by the wizard-king Tsarkon. Sword of Vermillion first appeared on the SEGA Genesis in 1990, before also resurfacing in a SEGA Genesis Collection released for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable.

Vectorman: The year is 2049 and mankind is seeking out other planets to colonise after all-but ruining Earth through massive pollution, leaving only humble mechanoid ‘orbots’ behind to hopefully remedy the destruction. When Raster, one of the orbots, goes insane, assumes the name ‘Warhead’, and proclaims itself the ruler of Earth, it then falls to fellow orbot Vectorman to halt Warhead’s tyrannical reign. Vectorman is a sci-fi platform action title that was first release in 1995 on the SEGA Genesis, and also appeared in a SEGA Genesis Collection on the PS2 and PSP.

Beyond Oasis: Also known as The Story of Thor outside of the US, Beyond Oasis is a top down action adventure where the player assumes the role of Prince Ali as he embarks on a heroic quest to prevent the land of Oasis from falling to the bearer of an evil-imbued Silver Armlet that delivers death and destruction. Armed with his Gold Armlet, which once belonged to a wizard, Prince Ali must use its mystical powers to defeat the powers of the Silver Armlet and rescue his beloved land. Beyond Oasis was first released in 1994 for the SEGA Genesis, and it also spawned a prequel sequel entitled Legend of Oasis (The Story of Thor 2) in 1996 on the SEGA Saturn.

Eager SEGA fans salivating heavily at the prospect of getting their teeth into these four offerings from the Japanese software giant should be prepared to shell out 800 VC Points for the privilege of each title, which equates to around $8.00 USD per game.

It should also be noted that, apart from some of the above appearing on the SEGA Genesis Collection for PS2 and PSP, all of Friday’s Virtual Console releases are already available through GameTap.