Ask Joystiq Nintendo: Border of Madness edition

This week, we have another question about Nintendo Points, which, we realize as we do these Ask Joystiq Nintendo columns, are kind of weird. The points cards come in different values in different regions, and sometimes even have different costs across platforms! Weird.

Also, the usual sadness, this time about N64 games on VC and Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness. If you'd like us to give you reasons why your favorite game isn't being localized, send an email to asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com.

Jose asks:

I want to know why Nintendo keeps filling the VC with crappy titles that no one plays. When are we going to see more N64 classics like Perfect Dark, or Goldeneye (I know Microsoft owns Rare but can't they work something out?) or at least good N64 games. Will there ever be a Kingdom Hearts for the Wii?
Two good questions, though I disagree with your categorization of every non-N64 Virtual Console game as "crappy," especially now that arcade games, including weird and wonderful things like Gaplus and Mappy, are on the service. Why not try something you've never played? Why not explore a little? Okay, off my soapbox.

To answer the question about N64 games, here's the deal, as far as I can figure. The Virtual Console selections are driven almost entirely by Japanese publishers, with the exception of the Commodore stuff. The N64 wasn't Nintendo's biggest hit in Japan, and so it's not a priority for the Virtual Console. The really big games -- Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Paper Mario, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Smash Bros. -- have made it to the service in Japan (no, I don't know why Smash Bros. isn't out here), along with other Nintendo-published stuff like Sin and Punishment. I wouldn't expect too much more. Which is too bad, because I'd love to see the 64DD games.

Ben asks:

I bought Front Mission on a whim, and it's turned into one of my favorite DS games. I recall seeing some news about second game concerning events before the Huffman Island War, I think the title was Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness. My question is, do you guys think we'll be seeing this game in the states?

Since the game came out in mid-2008 and we've heard nothing, I doubt we'll see it. The first DS Front Mission wasn't a huge seller in the US, and 2089 wasn't a huge seller in Japan, so Square Enix probably isn't going to put resources into it.

Although -- and this is super tenuous and not actually likely -- Square Enix is suddenly willing to release ported cell phone games on the Wii and other platforms in the US. Maybe it will feel the same way about 2089, which was originally a mobile game. But, since it doesn't have Final Fantasy in the title, probably not.

Froi asks:

Do you know if or when is Nintendo releasing $10 (1000 points) nintendo points card in North American game shops?

Unfortunately, there are no known plans for a North American release of the 1,000 Nintendo Points Card, nor of the 3,000 or 5,000-point varieties. Nintendo's official word, from a press release about the DSi launch: "Nintendo DSi Points will be available in increments of 2,000 at an MSRP of $19.99."

Every week, we'll answer reader questions about the Wii, the DS, or any other Nintendo-related topic in Ask Joystiq Nintendo. If you have a question, e-mail it to asknintendo AT joystiq DOT com! You need your questions answered, and we need content for this column. It's a symbiotic relationship!