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Wii U Virtual Console Trial Campaign hands-on
Looking forward to the Wii U's incoming Virtual Console update? No need to wait -- despite the service's post-spring update launch announcement, Nintendo is already rolling out fully functional (and Wii U enhanced) Virtual Console games to the eShop. It's part of the Famicom's 30th anniversary celebration, and gives gamers a chance to sample a handful of Nintendo's best at a hefty discount -- only 30 cents a pop. We tossed a few dimes toward a copy of Balloon Fight to give the upcoming service a quick look.
Wii U's Virtual Console appears to be a big step back
Welcome to Living in the Past, a weekly column about what's new in old games. Now get off our lawn. There's a lot about the Wii U Virtual Console that's encouraging. Starting it off – even before the official launch of the service – with a sale that gives users great games for 30 cents is a smart move, one that should entice lots of people to give it a try. And the implementation of the games is great, with a surfeit of control options well beyond what the Wii Virtual Console offered.And, to state the obvious, playing Balloon Fight on the GamePad is fantastic, just like playing Balloon Fight anywhere is.But despite these encouraging steps, today's Virtual Console announcements also disappoints me and leads me to believe that the Virtual Console as a service peaked back on the Wii. I don't have much hope that it's going to get much better in this next generation.
Wii U Virtual Console features fully customizable controls
Though the Wii U's Virtual Console is far from perfect, the implementation of the actual games is nicely dense with features. I just downloaded Balloon Fight, and found a surprising amount of control customization available to me.By tapping the touch screen (ZL+ZR also worked), you can access the Virtual Console menu, which allows you to create a restore point, reset the game, or change controls. From there, you can alter the individual button mapping for any controller you have plugged in: I tried a GamePad, Wiimote, Wii U Pro Controller, and Wii Classic Controller, and each let me set the function of every button on the device. The GamePad, Wiimote, and Classic Controller all served as the player 1 controls, and the Pro Controller defaulted to player 2.I hastily snapped photos of all the menus, which you can see in our gallery to find out just what 30 cents gets you.%Gallery-177046%
Virtual Console headed to Wii U, launching after spring update
During the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that Virtual Console will soon be enabled on the Wii U. It's set for this spring, after a Wii U system update meant to improve the speed of launching software. Another update is planned for the summer that will improve the speed of returning to the Wii U menu.The Wii U Virtual Console will launch with a selection of NES and Super Nintendo games, though Iwata noted that it will not launch with the entire library already available on the Wii Virtual Console. The reason for this, said Iwata, is that Wii U Virtual Console games are being newly developed especially for Wii U and will feature the ability for players to save their progress and play directly on the GamePad. Furthermore, the Wii U Virtual Console will eventually include Gameboy Advance games. (What, no Virtual Boy?)NES games will run from $5 to $6, while Super Nintendo games will run from $8 to $9. However, users who already own a particular NES or SNES game for the Wii Virtual Console will be able to pick up its Wii U counterpart for $1.00 or $1.50, respectively.
Nintendo Wii U to get Virtual Console service this spring
Nintendo's Satoru Iwata just announced via Nintendo Direct that Virtual Console will be available on the Wii U this spring. Previously, the service was only accessible via the Wii emulator on Nintendo's new console, but will now arrive on the eShop at some unspecified time in Q2 and feature GameBoy Advance titles for the first time. Before that can happen, however, the company wants to implement two key software updates designed to address system performance issues. Nintendo's also devised a pricing scheme to offer users who've amassed a retro gaming library a more affordable way to re-download past VC purchases (as opposed to that clunky transfer system). For any previously downloaded NES ($4.99 - $5.99) and SNES ($7.99 - $8.99) titles, users will have to fork over $1.00 and $1.50, respectively. And, as part of a celebration of the Famicom's 30th anniversary, Nintendo's offering up a trial campaign that'll make certain titles available to download for 30 cents over a 30 day period. Starting in January and running through July, users will be able to demo one select title per month from the eShop: Balloon Fight, F-Zero, Punch-Out featuring Mr. Dream, Kirby's Adventure, Super Metroid, Yoshi and Donkey Kong. But, take heed, these teases will only last for the month they're offered and, hopefully, entice you to pay full price when the service officially launches on Wii U.
PSA: Wii Shop purchases don't get Club Nintendo coins through Wii U
Here's an annoying situation that could cost you a few of the "Coins" used as currency on Club Nintendo. If you transfer your Wii content to your new Wii U (or just start fresh on the Wii U) then buy WiiWare or Virtual Console games through the Wii U's "Wii Mode," you won't get the Coin value of those purchases.This is because you can't link your Club Nintendo account to the virtual Wii within your Wii U, which you'd use to buy legacy games.The easiest solution would be to buy whatever you want on Wii, and get the Coins, before transferring your Wii data to Wii U. But if it's too late for that, you have the choice either to buy on Wii U and forfeit the potential Coins, or realize it's 2013 and that you've likely been pretty much caught up with WiiWare for the past two years, with the possible exception of La-Mulana.
NintendoWare Weekly: ZombiU demo, Hello Kitty
A demo on the Wii U eShop today will allow you to get your first taste of our #10 game of 2012, ZombiU. Perhaps that's not the best phrasing for a zombie game, but nonetheless. An NBA 2K13 demo will also be available.Meanwhile on 3DS, there's fishing, hunting, DinoPet...ting, and Hello Kitty Picnic with Sanrio Friends, a minigame collection with unlockable "supercute outfits for Hello Kitty."
Super Mario Bros. 3 bounds onto Japan's 3DS Virtual Console Jan. 1
Super Mario Bros. 3 will be available for ¥500 on Japan's 3DS Virtual Console next Tuesday, January 1, Nintendo has announced. No announcement has been made regarding whether the port will ever see the light of day on North American and/or European shores, but the fact that it exists at all is a good sign.New Years is a big deal in Japan, so it's not surprising that Nintendo would digitally re-release one of the most beloved games in its back catalogue to celebrate. As cool of a gesture as that is, though, we feel it lacks the flair and panache displayed by the game's original unveiling, as seen above.
Street Fighter X Mega Man out today, Mega Man 1-6 coming to 3DS
Street Fighter X Mega Man, the Capcom-supported fan crossover game by Seow Zong Hui, is available for download now. We're guessing there's significant interest in a new, semi-official, free Mega Man game, because Capcom's site seems to be getting overwhelmed. Mega Man fans know how to be patient when waiting for a new game, of course, so we know you'll be able to get it eventually.In other exciting Mega Man news, Capcom plans to release all six NES games on the 3DS Virtual Console in North America and Europe, starting with Mega Man on December 27, followed by Mega Man 2 on Feb. 7. Yes, we're excited to have two pieces of Mega Man news in one day.
NintendoWare Weekly: Crimson Shroud, Rayman Legends demo
Two more demos join FIFA on the Wii U eShop today: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and the painfully distant Rayman Legends. 3DS also sees the arrival of two demos, one for the eShop game Art of Balance Touch and one for WayForward's Adventure Time, a game which was released to retail last month and finds a home on the eShop today.Also arriving on 3DS eShop: Yasumi Matsuno's tabletop-style RPG Crimson Shroud, the third of Level-5's Guild01 games.
Ninja Gaiden infiltrates the 3DS eShop next week
Retro gaming fans can snag the original Ninja Gaiden on the 3DS next week, according to a Virtual Console listing on the eShop right now. The listing gives it a price of $4.99 and a December 6 launch date, though Ninja Gaiden was originally slated to launch on the 3DS Virtual Console back in November.The latest installment in the series, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, just launched on the Wii U. Our review notes its many improvements over the lackluster original release.
Wii Virtual Console: A look back at the service that looks back
Welcome to Living in the Past, a weekly column about what's new in old games. Now get off our lawn. There will surely be a slow trickle of Neo Geo games and the occasional Capcom release, but with the release of the Wii U, and the announcement of a Wii that drops literally all backward compatibility including the Virtual Console, I think we can safely assume the Wii Virtual Console is essentially dead. And having just now established its death, it seems like an appropriate, if artificial, opportunity to look back, to determine how successful an experiment Nintendo's old games marketplace was.While there is plenty to lament about how the service turned out, it's easy to overlook just how unprecedentedly fantastic it is, even in its current state.
NintendoWare Weekly: Paper Mario Sticker Star
The latest Paper Mario role-playing game will hit 3DS this Sunday, and it'll be downloadable on the eShop from day one. Until then, you'll have to fill your time with the Epic Mickey demo, a few other new eShop games, and Pokedex 3D Pro, the expanded, less free version of the Pokedex 3D app.
It's a Virtual Console Halloween
Welcome to Living in the Past, a weekly column about what's new in old games. Now get off our lawn. If you're going to be at home this Halloween, waiting to dispense candy and tinny Wilhelm screams to neighborhood children, why not pass the time with some spooky games? While it's easy to tell you to go play the latest zombie whatever or Castlevania, I am opting instead to mine the downloadable retro lineup of our most terrifying console: the Nintendo Wii.There might still be some Castlevania.
NintendoWare Weekly: Liberation Maiden, NightSky
Level-5's Guild01 collection kicks off today with Liberation Maiden, a shooter designed by Suda 51, in which you are the president of Japan in a flying mech. For a much more ... muted experience, Nicalis brings NightSky, a beautiful little puzzle platformer designed by Knytt creator Nifflasto, to the eShop today.There's a lot of stuff on eShop today, including more downloadable Coin Rush levels for New Super Mario Bros. 2. Now that you're done watching Nintendo Directs for the day, why not head past the break and see what you can buy?
Just go buy Monster World IV
Welcome to Living in the Past, a weekly column about what's new in old games. Now get off our lawn. It is with no small amount of shame that I admit to waiting for a $1 sale before buying Monster World IV. It wasn't exactly intentional – I've been busy playing (and mostly reviewing) other stuff since its release, and just hadn't gotten to it yet. Then, last week, a PlayStation Plus deal dropped the PSN release of the Genesis game from $4.99 to $1.Of course I bought it for $1, just assuming I'd get a chance to play it later. You should do the same. Go buy it now, before the PlayStation Store updates again tomorrow and the deal goes away. Then you can share in the savings (and the shame).
Pilotwings available through Club Nintendo until Oct. 28
Club Nintendo is now offering the original Pilotwings. For 100 Club Nintendo coins, Wii owners can download the SNES classic, which combines elements of arcade gameplay with simulation-style flying mechanics – wait, you've never heard of Pilotwings? Well, congratulations on making us feel old.If you're not a Club Nintendo member, you can pick up Pilotwings on the Wii Virtual Console for 800 Wii Points ($8). To redeem your Club Nintendo copy, head to the Club Nintendo site through the source link below and drop the 100 coins for a download ticket. You'll want to do so before October 28, 2012 – after that, it'll no longer be a Club Nintendo reward.
NintendoWare Weekly: Mario Golf, Last Blade 2, LEGO LOTR demo
This week's Nintendo downloads are a bit more subdued than last week. There are still some gems to be found however, most notably the Game Boy Color version of Mario Golf for the 3DS Virtual Console. The 3DS also gets platformer Crazy Kangaroo, number puzzler Nurikabe by Nikoli and a demo for LEGO The Lord of the Rings.The Wii, meanwhile, picks up Neo Geo fighter The Last Blade 2 on Virtual Console. Finally, DSiWare nabs Robot Rescue 2.
eShop gets even more new games, new Virtual Console stuff, and demos this year
Nintendo of America sent out a press release today with even more information than was dropped on us in today's European video presentation. The eShop is going to be absolutely jam-packed with cool stuff, both old and new.In addition to the major announcements already reported (Level-5's trio, Crashmo), the eShop will also see a version of Nifflas's meditative puzzle action game NightSky on Oct. 25, Fluidity: Spin Cycle, the sequel to the WiiWare game, on December 27, and something called "Tokyo Crash Mobs" early next year. Our guess is that it's this super weird human Puzzloop game, whose incredible trailer can be found above.In addition, Nintendo revealed some more 3DS Virtual Console games due this year, including Mario Golf on Oct. 11, Castlevania: The Adventure on Oct. 25, Ninja Gaiden on Nov. 8, Zelda 2 on Nov. 22, Wario Land II on Dec. 20, and Super Mario Bros. 2 The Lost Levels on Dec. 27.But wait, there's more! Nintendo also named several demos coming to the eShop as well, for Adventure Time, Epic Mickey, Lego Lord of the Rings, Moshi Monsters, and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
NintendoWare Weekly: The Denpa Men, Quarth
The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave is a new dungeon RPG by Genius Sonority, in which you use augmented reality-type exploration to find little guys in the environment, who then form your party. It's cute, quirky, and available on the 3DS eShop today. There's a demo if you'd like to try it out.Also out on 3DS is Konami's Quarth, a fascinating Game Boy puzzle game that never seemed to pick up a large audience in America.
