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Crash 'n the Boys Australian rating hints at Wii U Virtual Console release
An Australian Classification rating for the 1992 NES urban olympics title Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge has surfaced, hinting at an upcoming release for the Wii U's Virtual Console service. Notably, Crash 'n the Boys is part of the same series as developer Technos' River City Ransom, a cult classic that ranks as an all-time favorite among many NES fans. While it arrived at retail late in the NES's lifespan and never gained much of a following, Street Challenge's appearance on the Wii U could potentially be followed by Virtual Console upgrades for Super Dodge Ball, Double Dragon, and other well-remembered titles from Technos' back catalog. Crash 'n the Boys is rated PG for "mild violence" – a generous classification, as the game includes a swimming minigame in which players attempt to drown their opponents. Joystiq's David Hinkle took the game for a spin back when it first launched for the Wii's Virtual Console, calling it "fun, but tiring."
Earthbound rated for Wii U in Australia
Nintendo has yet to announce a release date for Earthbound in North America or Europe, but did say the game is definitely on its way to the Wii U Virtual Console this year. That process is progressing, with a listing on the Australian Classification system direct from Nintendo. Earthbound is rated M in Australia for crude humor and sexual references. Ness, you've grown up so fast. Earthbound never made it to the Wii's Virtual Console, even though Nintendo promised an appearance. Earthbound's existence on the Wii U satisfies our nostalgia – considering it actually launches this time – though we recognize the hilarity in using an 18-year-old game as a system seller. Only Nintendo.
A Link to the Past, Street Fighter 2 and more coming to Wii U Virtual Console in UK
A launch trailer for the Wii U Virtual Console in Europe reveals some upcoming games for that region, including Balloon Fight, Mega Man, Xevious, Street Fighter 2, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Super Ghouls & Ghosts, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Not mentioned in the video, but shown in passing, were Street Fighter 2 Turbo and Super Street Fighter 2. No specific dates were offered for any of these releases. They are all out on Wii Virtual Console, and thus playable on Wii U already, but the Wii U specific releases will add restore points, custom controls, and most importantly off-TV play. The European Virtual Console launched on April 27 with Super Mario World, F-Zero, Mario's Super Picross, Excitebike, Ice Climber, Donkey Kong Jr., and Punch-Out!! The North American lineup was identical, except Balloon Fight and Kirby's Adventure replaced Mario's Super Picross.
Original Shantae to appear on 3DS Virtual Console by June
The original Shantae is on its way to the 3DS Virtual Console at the end of June, developer Wayforward announced. This is the Game Boy Color version of Shantae first launched in 2002 and published by Capcom. Shantae will be available on 3DS eShops in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.A sequel to Shantae, Risky's Revenge, hit DSiWare in 2010 and iOS in 2011, and Wayforward is currently working on a third installment for the 3DS eShop, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. Meanwhile, Wayforward already has its hands full with the remastery of DuckTales, again working with Capcom.
Wii U Virtual Console, Panorama View launches in EU, Japan tomorrow [update: NA VC live]
Update 2: The Virtual Console is live in North America now. Update 1: Nintendo of America reiterates the Virtual Console and Panorama View are rolling out "a short time" after the 3.0 system update, which is live now.The Virtual Console proper looks to be lining up a worldwide launch on Wii U tomorrow, with the retro cavalcade confirmed for arrival in Europe and Japan on April 27. While we know the eight games initial confirmed for the Virtual Console launch in North America, we're still waiting on an ETA - we'll update this post as soon as we know.Europe's initial Virtual Console launch largely mirrors North America's: Donkey Kong. Jr, Excitebike, Ice Climbers, Punch Out, F-Zero, and Super Mario World appear in both line-ups. Europe, however, doesn't get Kirby's Adventure and Balloon Fight - that may be to do with the criticism Nintendo received for releasing the slower 50Hz version of Balloon Fight in the region earlier this year. In the two games' European stead is Mario's Super Picross.In contrast, Japan's starting line-up is beefy. It features Ice Climbers, Spelunker, Excitebike, Xevious, Downtown Nekketsu March: Let's Go to the Great Athletic Meet, Balloon Fight, F-Zero, Super Mario World, Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Mother 2, Kirby's Adventure, Mario's Super Picross, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, and Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.Finally, Nintendo also confirmed the Panorama View app arrives in Europe and Japan tomorrow, with both regions getting four starting videos to enjoy in 360° on the GamePad.
Wii U Virtual Console launch: Punch Out, Excitebike, F-Zero, 5 more
The Wii U Virtual Console launch list is slim and trim, largely mirroring the initial list of games we got earlier this month: Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr., Excitebike, Ice Climbers, Kirby's Adventure, Punch Out, F-Zero and Super Mario World. A handful of these games were already available on the Wii U, via the Virtual Console's early preview.If you've forgotten what all of these games look like (it has been a long time, after all), check out some screens on the Wii U Facebook page. Virtual Console is scheduled to launch this week.
Earthbound is an effective band-aid for the Wii U's Virtual Console
A few months ago I opined that the Wii U's Virtual Console, with its limited launch lineup, limited platforms, and limited upgrades from the Wii Virtual Console, was less than ideal. A few things have changed since then: some of the games have launched (for 30 cents), we have a solid launch date for the service in earnest, and there's a more detailed launch list. However, none of the basic issues have been fixed; the Virtual Console carries the same inherent flaws it did in January.But for now, all is forgiven. Because Earthbound.
Wii U Virtual Console out in North America next week
The Virtual Console will arrive for real on Wii U next week, a Nintendo Direct presentation revealed. The launch lineup includes Excitebike, Super Mario World, Mario Bros. Punch-Out, Super Metroid, Balloon Fight, and F-Zero, with GBA games and N64 games planned for the future.You might notice that some of these Wii U Virtual Console launch games ... are already on the Wii U Virtual Console. F-Zero, Balloon Fight, and Punch-Out were released for 30 cents as an early preview.
Earthbound this year on VC in NA and EU
Earthbound (also known as Mother 2) will be available on the Wii U Virtual Console by year's end in North America and Europe."We will announce the actual release date at a later time," said Nintnedo President Satoru Iwata during today's Nintendo Direct.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Dillon's Rolling Western, Kirby's Adventure
Wii U's excellent Virtual Console promotion continues, with the NES Kirby's Adventure available for 30 cents. If you have a Wii U, of course you should pick that up! Also coming to Wii U soon is Injustice, which will be downloadable from the eShop on April 16, concurrent with its release on other platforms.Also out on April 16: Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers on 3DS. It'll be out digitally and in stores as well. Today, you'll be able to download the Dillon's Rolling Western sequel.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Toki Tori 2, Castlevania
Two Tribes has let its baby bird leave the nest; Toki Tori 2, the subject of a sudden delay last year, will be available today on the Wii U eShop.Meanwhile on 3DS, the biggest release is a game from 1987, the original Castlevania. It's out on the eShop just in time to be a few weeks late to promote Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate. A couple of former retail games, including the adorable Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove, are also available, as is some DLC for Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity.
Mega Man 3 coming to 3DS Virtual Console next week
Mega Man 3 will launch on the 3DS Virtual Console next week, March 14 to be exact, according to a Capcom Unity update. What's more, Mega Man 4, 5 and 6 will launch in subsequent months.Capcom notes that by the time Mega Man 6 heads to the 3DS eShop, it will make digital versions of each game's soundtrack available for purchase. No prices were announced for the games, though Mega Man 2 landed on the 3DS eShop just one month ago for $4.99.
Zelda: Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons to hit 3DS eShop in Japan [update: Western release confirmed!]
Update: As eagled-eyed commenter TravenousMaximus spotted, Zelda series producer Eiji Anouma confirms the games are coming to other territories' Virtual Consoles. Posting on the Zelda Miiverse page, Anouma writes, "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages will be released for Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS in Japan, but it'll be a little while longer till the're out in other territories. We''d like to ask for your patience until they're ready for release. Thank you!" So it was foretold: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons will come to the 3DS eShop in Japan. The Capcom-developed Game Boy Color games, hits with fans and critics alike in 2001, arrive individually on the Virtual Console February 27, priced ¥600 each (around $6.50), and then in a combined pack next month at ¥1000 (around $10.50)As the reveal came in this morning's 3DS-focused Direct broadcast for Japan, there's no news as yet on the re-releases heading westwards.
Nintendo releasing 60Hz F-Zero onto Europe's Wii U Virtual Console
European Wii U owners get to play F-Zero at the same speed as North Americans - always handy with a racing game - when the SNES classic arrives on the Wii U's Virtual Console this week. The news of the 60Hz version coming to Europe follows the criticism Nintendo received last month for releasing a 50Hz version of Balloon Fight.Games running at 50Hz, which they used to in Europe because over there older TV sets only displayed the lower refresh rate, run noticeably slower than their 60Hz counterparts, as clearly demonstrated by audio and side-by-side comparisons.F-Zero isn't the only Nintendo download racing into Europe this week. Demos for Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (both on 3DS and Wii U), Trine 2: Director's Cut on Wii U, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate on 3DS are speeding their way there, as is a full-blown releases for NightSky on 3DS.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Wii Street U, Dig Dug
Finally, you can browse your neighborhood through the tiny window of your Wii U GamePad. Wii Street U is free on the Wii U eShop today for a limited time, enabling augmented reality Google Street View. Grab it now, because it seems unlikely you'd want to pay for it.Meanwhile on 3DS eShop: video games! The NES version of arcade classic Dig Dug is available, as is a demo for chibi action game Naruto Powerful Shippuden. Bit.Trip Saga is also discounted. If you lack even one of the Bit.Trip games, this is a great way to get them all in a portable format.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Puddle, Ikachan
The 3DS eShop is crowded today! Ikachan launches today, as does the Virtual Console release of Ice Climber and a bunch of other things. There are even new downloadable Mario decoration sets for Sparkle Snapshots 3D, if you're feeling like a bit of photo festooning. And don't forget Fire Emblem: Awakening, coming Feb. 4.Wii U has relatively few offerings this week, but they're interesting: Puddle and a demo of The Cave.
Nintendo reveals exact dates for Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign games
Nintendo's celebration of the Famicom's 30th birthday – the Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign – kicked off last week with the release of Balloon Fight on the Wii U eShop. Each month, Nintendo will release a classic game at a special $.30 price, for 30 days until the next eligible game debuts. Today, Nintendo released the schedule for the discount promotion: February 20: F-Zero (SNES) March 20: Punch-Out!!! Featuring Mr. Dream (NES) April 17: Kirby's Adventure (NES) May 15: Super Metroid (SNES) June 12: Yoshi (NES) July 15: Donkey Kong (NES)The Virtual Console doesn't officially launch on the Wii U until this spring, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed during the latest Nintendo Direct event last week. Despite that, Balloon Fight as well as several other games can be acquired through the Wii U eShop.
Wii U Virtual Console saves incompatible with Wii saves
When you buy the Wii U version of a Virtual Console game – currently, Balloon Fight is the only one available – you get a new version of that game. That means GamePad controls, access to a Miiverse community, and the great customization options afforded to Wii U VC games.It also means your old Wii saves are incompatible. Nintendo told Kotaku that when you transfer your games from Wii to Wii U, then update to the new Wii U version of the game, you won't be able to use your save file on the Wii U version. For Balloon Fight, that's not such a big deal, but it's important you're aware of that before you try to pick back up in a longer game.
Wii U Virtual Console drags 50Hz versions to Europe
Nintendo is apparently resurrecting the sl-sl-slowdown of retro 50Hz gaming on the Wii U Virtual Console in Europe. As spotted by Eurogamer readers and confirmed by us, the European version of NES classic Balloon Fight runs at a refresh rate of 50Hz, as opposed to the regular 60Hz it runs at in other regions, including North America.While it's not the case with modern European TVs, older sets on the continent only displayed at the inferior, slower refresh rate. The video above showcases this perfectly, with Sonic the Hedgehog on the Genesis laggier than Eric the Eel after a heavy lunch. Okay, it's not that bad, but it's certainly significant.As the video also shows, this is something Nintendo maintained with Wii versions of Virtual Console games in Europe. If this is Nintendo's way of keeping Virtual Console old-school on the Wii U, we doubt Europeans are gonna dig it.More diggable is how Balloon Fight only costs 30 pence (30 cents in the US). It's the first of seven games going at the cutdown price for a month each, all as part of Nintendo's celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the NES.
NintendoWare Weekly: Brain Age demo, Super C
The new Brain Age: Concentration Training may make you feel terrible about math, or it may increase your brainpower. The only way to find out which of the two (or how much of each) is to get the demo, available on 3DS eShop today. Also on 3DS today is a surprise Virtual Console release, the Contra sequel Super C., and an eShop release of the launch game Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars.Wii U already had a couple of off-schedule additions this week. If you missed them, The Cave went up Tuesday along with its release on other platforms, and Balloon Fight is on sale now for a pittance.
