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Reminder: Last day for the Superstarz(zzzz) pack!
This time, we put the extra zeds in parentheses, just to see if you were paying attention. You are? Excellent! Then we know you're listening when we remind you that today is the very last day to enter the inaugural edition of Virtually Free, the new biweekly chance for you to pick up free Virtual Console games. Not sure what we're talking about? Then go check out the original post, and maybe leave a comment while you're there. You don't want to miss out on your chance for Phantasy Star II and StarTropics, do you?
A year (and change) of Virtually Overlooked
Sure, it's been more than a year since the first Virtually Overlooked column on February 22nd of last year, but then Virtually Overlooked is about more than what's currently available on the Virtual Console. Eh? Eh? It's virtually a year of Virtually Overlooked. Think of it this way, more VO columns makes for more value now, because we've been able to present more stuff at once in this feature.In that year-plus of columns, we've successfully predicted six games that would end up on some region's Virtual Console, and one awesome one that is about to: Ninja Spirit: The only bad part about Ninja Spirit coming out is that it means we can't write more Virtually Overlooked about it. The good part is that Ninja Spirit still exists! Also, now it's accessible. J.J. & Jeff: Since we told people that it was great, it has come out to overwhelmingly unfavorable response. We don't understand why people who love Wonder Boy and Adventure Island would so vehemently hate the same thing when it's about two idiots in suits instead of one kid in a grass skirt. Super Mario Bros. 2: It's hard to believe that a major Mario series game was ever absent from the Virtual Con-- oh, wait, Yoshi's Island. Aw, now we're sad. River City Ransom: Both Japan and Europe have it now, and all we can do is cry BARF! (and play the NES cartridge). Expect a major freakout upon U.S. release. Renegade: Actually, this one can stay in Japan. That's fine. StarTropics: Not only is this one out (to Alisha's delight), you have a shot at getting it for free! Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo: Just announced for Japan, this is probably the most-wanted game from the PC Engine's lineup. It's definitely the most-wanted by us. Castlevania is serious business. Not every Virtually Overlooked has been a success, however ... unless you consider just talking about awesome (or not awesome, but interesting) old games a "success." Which we do!We've collected the whole set of VO columns in an easily navigable interface, ready for your random browsing. Each entry in the gallery features a boxart and an excerpt from that game's column, along with a link to the full column. Just click on Nora to check it out! OKAY, OKAY. LET'S GO ON A TRIP.
Virtually Free: Superstarzzzzz
Wii Fanboy is happy to announce a new regular contest -- Virtually Free, where we will offer up a game or two from the Virtual Console to one lucky reader every other week. For our inaugural edition, we asked our resident retro fiend, JC Fletcher, to put together a pair of games, and he chose Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points/$8) and one of this blogger's own favorites, StarTropics (NES, 500 Wii points/$5) His only stipulation? "Five zeds in the title, no more, no less." He just wasn't cool enough to say "zed." We editorialized a bit!So what do you have to do to win? First of all, you have to leave a comment (with a valid e-mail address) on this post suggesting a game for a future edition of Virtually Free. It must be available on the VC in the U.S. at present. Second, you must be a legal resident of the United States with an American Wii (sorry, Canadians, we have to leave you out of this one; blame the gifting system and not us!) and 18 years of age or older. You may enter once per day between now and Sunday, April 6; the contest comes to a close that night at 11:59 PM Eastern time. Questions? Check out the official rules.This is not, by the way, an April Fools' joke! The timing is purely coincidental. Well, maybe the title is.
VC Friday: More like Alien Light Breeze
You know how we gamers like to get all misty-eyed, and bang on about the games of today being child's play compared to the rock-hard titles of yesteryear? Well, today's European and Aussie Virtual Console update provides some evidence against that, because it includes Alien Storm. Sega's side-scrolling shoot-me-do is by no means a bad game, but it was an absolute cinch to complete when this blogger was fifteen, and it's probably not become much harder since.It's joined by Alisha favorite StarTropics, which yours truly has yet to play. Yes, I am suitably ashamed.StarTropics -- NES -- 500 Wii pointsAlien Storm -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
The VC Advantage: Dear Mike
The internet has made it easy to find cheats for games, but we miss the tips pages from game magazines, when the discovery of a new code could inspire you to go back to an old game. These codes aren't exactly new, but oldness is the essence of the Virtual Console! We're bringing back the classic codes every week on The VC Advantage. Chances are, even if you've never played StarTropics, you have heard about its gimmick. The letter included in the box is by far the best-known aspect of the game. Nintendo may be able to get away with changing the name of the basic weapon in the Virtual Console release, but there was no way they could excise the letter and get that by us. As much fun as playing the actual game is (and it really is the nearest successor to Zelda on the NES), this addition made digging around in the box even more fun. In case you've been exiled on a remote island for the last seventeen years, we'll refrain from spoiling the game -- until after the break. Then it's on.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 1/7/08
Well now, if it isn't the first video wrap-up of the new year! Rock! And, we're glad to be kicking off another year of gaming with two quality titles in StarTropics and King of Fighters '94. So, without further delay, hit up the video above and head past the break for some more.Oh, and sorry for sounding kind of prepubescent. I have no idea why my voice was so high there ...
StarTropics comes to VC, letter not included
While this isn't yet confirmed for the U.S., it takes naught but a whisper of StarTropics on the Virtual Console to encourage us to break out the fine champagne and get our celebration on. The NES classic turned up on Australia's OFLC website, and if it's coming to PAL regions, surely they won't deny the experience to U.S. gamers!They'd better not, at least. We're not afraid to riot. Get the torches!Siliconera's Levi raised an interesting question about the title, which was never released in Japan. With games never before released outside Japan heading to new territories, will the same thing happen here? If any game is worth a translation, it's StarTropics, certainly.
Virtually Overlooked poll: Five games enter, one game leaves
You've seen everyone's picks, sure, but of all the games listed, which one do you most want on the Virtual Console? Each member of the Wii Fanboy staff has selected one of their top five VC picks -- now you get to decide which game is the most desired of all those featured during Virtually Overlooked week (it's totally StarTropics). But what if the game you most wanted isn't listed here? Then let us know about your real pick in the comments, but go ahead and vote (for StarTropics), because, hey -- we need to be ranked by you. It fulfills us (especially if you vote for StarTropics).No subliminal messages were harmed in the writing of this poll. Which fanboy pick do you want to see on the Virtual Console? Star Tropics Earthworm Jim River City Ransom Seiken Densetsu 3 Saturn Bomberman These are all such great games that I could never choose!
Virtually Overlooked Week: Alisha's picks
Virtually Overlooked has taken over Wii Fanboy! All this week, members of the staff will be outlining their personal picks for future Virtual Console releases.My path through gaming history is very haphazard and filled with missed turns. Somehow, I managed to skip several really amazing titles that I probably would have played for hours and hours, until they were imprinted in the deeper layers of my brain. I guess I just got really attached to the games that I played and loved, and as a kid with limited resources, I couldn't or wouldn't go hunting for new games. Even so, looking back at the avalanche of titles that shaped my early gaming "career," I can't help but think -- could anyone have played everything? Who were those people, and why wasn't I borrowing all their games?But I didn't miss everything, and the games I played were games I loved. I swear, after I finally put it aside, I could have probably played the original Legend of Zelda using only my toes and a half-working controller. Well, through the Octoroks and Tektites near the beginning screens, at least. Even now, the sight of those guys makes me smile. And did anyone else have one of those awesome Zelda watches? During school hours, those things were a lifesaver. But we've already got the inaugural Zelda on the VC -- so let's look at a few of my loves that are as-yet unavailable.
Put your computer in water to watch this Short Cuts roundup
The Nintendo Short Cuts film contest has been great for us. We didn't make any films, nor are we giving away any prizes, but we still get to reap the benefits and share lots of Nintendo fanworks with you. The two we're highlighting today are probably our favorites yet.The first video retells the plot of one of our favorite NES games, StarTropics, in a much more subdued style than the original version. It kind of looks like some college dudes were bored one afternoon and decided to go enter the Nintendo thing or whatever. It's astoundingly deadpan, and the total opposite of yesterday's Zelda video.The second video comes from TheTanooki.com, and is a special-effects packed action adventure that mashes up reality and the World of Nintendo. It's got Mother Brain in it, so it's awesome.
