It's time to party like it is 1984. In a brilliantly timed nod to the thirtieth anniversary of the massively popular Nintendo Entertainment System title, Duck Hunt will be released on the Wii U Virtual Console on Christmas day (25 December 2014).

This is no digital remaster, no special edition, or anniversary reboot. This is the NES Classic and will use the Wii-mote in place of the famous grey pistol that sat under many a Christmas tree back in the day.

Duck Hunt will let you "test your sharpshooting skills as your targets take flight. Be quick to knock them out of the skies, or your canine companion won’t hesitate to make you the laughingstock of hunters!"

And, believe me, the dog will mock you … in full 8-bit glory.