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Earthworm Jim, other Interplay games coming to Virtual Console
Groovy! One of the most-requested Virtual Console games is now officially on the way, thanks to Interplay. And it's bringing friends! Earthworm Jim, Shiny's platform/shooting adventure about a worm in a space suit, will be released on the Virtual Console "later this year," joined by its sequel, as well as the Claymation SF2-alike Clayfighter (developed by Visual Concepts) and Boogerman (full title: Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure).According to Gamasutra, these will be the Genesis versions of the games, which means that Earthworm Jim will include the extra "Intestinal Distress" level that was exclusive to that version. Hey, Interplay had the rights to Out of this World at some point. Maybe they still do!
VC Friday: Phantasy Star III: Virtual Console update of Doom
Up on the chopping block this Friday is the red-headed step-child of early Phantasy Star games, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom. Considered the weak link by fans, we suppose that directly following Phantasy Star II didn't help its case. Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Don't forget to hop in the patented Wii Fanboy time machine and hurtle past the break for footage from the game.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 4/14/08
You might have noticed a bit of a change to our video coverage of this week's Virtual Console games. You see, no more are we confined to off-screen recording of the Virtual Console releases. That's right, we've upgraded to technology widely available since 2004. We're so modern!Hit up the new video format above and then head past the break for the rest of our usual goodness.
Super Genintari project is finished and ready to make you envious
DIY game consoles are hardly the rare occurrence they once were, but this so-called Super Genintari project (previously known as Leviticus) is definitely a step above most, and more than enough to make us a little green with envy. As you may be able to discern from the project's name, this behemoth of a console brings the Atari 2600, NES, SNES and Genesis together at long last, with each system available at the push of a clickety-clackety button and ample controller ports provided for each. What's more, while there's quite the mess coming out of the front of the console with all the controllers attached, the rig does at least neatly connect to a TV with a single AV cable. Be sure to head on over past the break to check out a video of it action, and hit up the link below for the fully story and plenty of pictures.[Thanks, Jenn]
The VC Advantage: Planet Motavia Travel Guide
People who bought Phantasy Star II upon its original Genesis release knew what they were getting into immediately upon opening the box. This Phantasy Star II Hint Book was the first warning that the game was brutally hard (well, that and the Phantasy Star name, which was equally foreboding for Master System gamers). The 110-page Hint Book, clad in ALARM YELLOW (actually kind of a subdued yellow) was players' official notice that Phantasy Star II was the kind of game that you needed a hint book for.We didn't have GameFAQs back then -- if a dungeon was complicated, we usually got lost; if a boss was challenging, we usually died. Sega's thoughtful inclusion of a hint book provided a nice alternative to assured failure: possible success -- with a side of failure.We've excerpted the hint book for your perusal. Check it out if you just downloaded the Virtual Console version of Phantasy Star II and want help getting started, or if you'd just like to see the state-of-the-art in strategy guides circa 1990. If that's not enough (and it isn't), check Phantasy-Star.net for more transcribed information from the book!%Gallery-20193%
King's Knight and Powerball roll onto Virtual Console
Make no mistake, today's pair of Virtual Console titles has nothing to do with either chess or the lottery. We can, however, celebrate the second Square Enix title to come to the North American Virtual Console, and it's a lot closer to an RPG than the last one. King's Knight (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii points): A crazed hybrid between vertical-scrolling shooter and RPG, this game was one of the first examples of destructible environments -- you can pretty much destroy everything in your path. You know the drill: choose your character, level up, kill a dragon, save the princess. Powerball (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii points): This bastard child of rugby and football born eons into the future, Powerball has you smack the snot out of the opposing team as you vie for the chance to run the powerball into your neon-lit goal for points.
Sonic & Knuckles to glide to Virtual Console
The latest Virtual Console game to show up on the ESRB's ratings search page is an obvious one: Sonic & Knuckles. With Sonics 1 through 3 already available, it was only a matter of time before The Rest of Sonic 3 showed up. The ESRB rating should mean that the game will pop up on the VC soon, though it's no guarantee.How will Sonic & Knuckles' unique "lock-on" feature work on the Wii? The original cartridge featured a pass-through that allowed other Sonic games to be connected, unlocking the ability to play through those games as Knuckles. Previous ports of Sonic & Knuckles have been packaged with the other games, with the "lock-on" extras selectable from a menu. Will Sonic & Knuckles on the Virtual Console check for Sonic 2 and 3? Will you be able to play Blue Sphere? Or will it just be the main Sonic & Knuckles game? We're curious, but we aren't getting our hopes up. Just like every other time a Sonic game comes out!
Welcome to the Next Generation of Wii homebrew
Obviously we don't advocate the use of emulators to play copyrighted games (unless you're Howard Sega and you own the copyrights), but this news is too cool to pass up. Coder ekeeke has released a new version of the Genesis Plus GX emulator that can be run on the Wii using the Twilight Hack exploit.In addition to its awesome "running on the Wii" feature, this version runs Virtua Racing, which is quite the achievement because of the extra hardware on the Virtua Racing cartridge.We're mostly pleased with this development as evidence of the rapid progression of Wii homebrew, although we do appreciate the ability to play McDonalds' Treasure Land Adventure on the Wii. We don't see that particular Treasure (yes, Treasure) masterpiece being released on the Virtual Console any time soon.[Thanks, craig!][Update: I totally meant "Welcome to the Next Level." How embarrassing.]
Genesis emulation comes to the Wii
Alright, things are starting to get really good with these hacks. Just after seeing a GameCube / Wii Tetris, Linux build, SNES emulator, and the first homebrew MP3 player for Nintendo's money-maker, we're getting a totally radical, native Genesis / Megadrive emulator for the console. Coder-extraordinaire Eke-Eke has created not only the first of its kind for the Wii (and GameCube), but it's also the first ever that's capable of playing Virtua Racing, a milestone in Genesis emulation. This latest feat utilizes the same backdoor Twilight Princess hack, which is proving to be the best thing that happened to Wii development since... well... ever. Hit the read link and check it out yourself.[Thanks, Craig]
Super Fantasy Zone, Pengo rated for American VC release
We love it when import-only games find their way to our Virtual Console! We also love Sega classics. So we're thoroughly pleased to see Super Fantasy Zone and Pengo, Genesis entries in two iconic Sega series, rated on the ESRB. Super Fantasy Zone is the last in a series of brightly-colored, Defender-like free-scrolling shooter starring the Opa-Opa. Pengo is a remake of a 1982 arcade puzzle game of the same name, about a penguin who pushes ice blocks around to destroy enemies, much like Kickle Cubicle or Adventures of Lolo.What's most surprising about the appearance of these two games on the ESRB is that they haven't been released on the Virtual Console in any other region! Sega said they were planning to release more imports; we just assumed they'd be things that were already on the Japanese VC. [Via Siliconera]
The VC Advantage: Phantasy Spoiler II
My dad bought Phantasy Star II when it came out, and played it relentlessly. It wasn't until later that I picked up RPGs myself, but I loved watching and listening as he played along, consulting hintbooks and helping to draw maps. I especially loved listening to Phantasy Star II, whose MIDI music fit the brightly-colored sci-fi look of the game. When I saw this particular trick in a magazine, I was pretty excited about being able to help my dad do the impossible in the game. He had already passed the relevant section, as it turned out, so I never got to see it work. This little trick doesn't seem like such a big deal now, but it was a major glitch in 1990.Even though Phantasy Star II is totally old, and thus seemingly fair game for spoilers, be warned that this VC Advantage is entirely concerned with the major spoiler of Phantasy Star II. If you don't want the story to be ruined, don't read this. If you're all about gameplay only, or if this is the second time through for you, then come on in!
We've warmed up quickly to Spectral Force
Another Japanese SRPG is making its way to the DS, known as Spectral Force: Genesis. If you haven't heard of the Spectral Force series, it's probably because the games usually don't get released outside of Japan. With the exception of Innocent Rage, an Xbox 360 game that's being brought to North America by Atlus, most Spectral Force titles don't get localized. There is hope for Genesis, though; since it's coming out for the Nintendo DS, aka "the system that a lot of people own with a lot of niche titles," it's not impossible. We're pulling for it, at least. Yes, we say that about almost every game released in Japan, but we really mean it! If you read this far, you're probably wondering right about now why we're so intrigued by this Idea Factory game.
VC Friday: VC Phriday
After a run of three weeks with only one title, this Friday sees two Sega properties up for the taking on the PAL Virtual Console. The first, 2D fighter Eternal Champions, should only concern the most ardent supporters of the company.Indeed, if our bastardization of "VC Friday" tells you anything, it's that this is the week of Phantasy Star II. Sega's RPG is rightfully a huge favorite amongst the Fanboy staff, and it should be high on your list as well. For 800 Wii points, on a machine with no notable RPGs to call its own, it's a pretty damn essential addition to your Virtual Console library. Eternal Champions -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points Phantasy Star II -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
Virtually Overlooked: Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.This game isn't particularly obscure, being a first-party Sega release in one of its major (at the time) franchises. But it doesn't matter, because this game is also the most awesome release in that franchise. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi answers the question of what could possibly be cooler than a ninja stalking around a gritty urban landscape: that ninja's dog. Seriously, you'd have to be a pretty cool dog to keep up with Joe Musashi (or his son, depending on the region).This game violates an implicit Virtually Overlooked rule by having been released on the Virtual Console in Japan. This happened way back in December of 2006, so we actually feel more than justified in whining about its current unavailability outside of Japan on the Virtual Console. It would be incredibly easy to release it, since it's already been released on the Virtual Console, and Sega just refuses to get around to it.
The VC Advantage: Sonic and the Secret
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.There is one major reason that the Sonic the Hedgehog series peaked on the Genesis. It's not Sonic's redesign or the voice actor controversy found later. It's not the move from 2D to 3D. It's not the overloading of "friends" that weighed the series down with superfluous anthropomorphoid mascots. That stuff is all vaguely annoying, but it's not as big a loss as the debug mode.Sonics 1-3 and CD all featured a mode accessible via controller combination that allowed you to turn Sonic into a scrolling cursor who could be moved around the screen unimpeded by objects, enemies, or game rules. In addition, Sonic could be turned into any sprite, which could then be dropped into the level at the press of a button.
First4Figures' new toys feature pre-attitude Sonic
First4Figures, the company responsible for all of those extravagant Nintendo figurines, has turned their attention to classic Sega for their next release: a line based on Genesis-era Sonic the Hedgehog. The collection is designed to represent Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they appeared back in the mid-'90s, before their extreme redesign -- before Knuckles started rapping. For now, the set includes Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. The best part about this period in Sonic's life is that there aren't really any more ridiculous characters to base toys on. No Big the Cat, no Cream and Cheese, and certainly no Shadow. Maybe Robotnik and a couple of mechanical Sonics later, but this collection is safe from the sidekick parade that has ruined the series.The approximately 5-inch-tall toys will be released around the summer, for a currently unspecified price. Don't be surprised if they're expensive -- this is First4Figures, after all![Via Joystiq]
Calculating the Virtual Console's savings rate
Obviously, owning games on the Wii Virtual Console is a lot more convenient than having dozens of cartridges for a variety of classic systems laying around the house. But does it make fiscal sense as well as organizational sense? To find out, the folks at Vintage Computing & Gaming compared the price of current Virtual Console selections to the going rate for the same classic carts on eBay.The results, unsurprisingly, showed an average savings of about 50 percent over the eBay price across the VC library. Sure, you're paying a few extra dollars for ultra-common clunkers like Double Dribble, but you're saving nearly $200 on ultra-rare games like Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure. In fact, Turbo-Grafx fans can save roughly 75% buying their library on the Wii rather than eBay.Of course, as VC&G points out, games bought for the Virtual Console have functionally zero resale value, so those interested in collectability should shell out the extra money. Those interested in actually playing the games, however ...
Promotional Consideration: Sewer snacks
Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters for the Genesis was not a game I actually purchased, as our family was one of little means, and I knew better than to let money go to waste. It was loaned to me by a "friend" in exchange for The Ren & Stimpy Show: Stimpy's Invention, a deal which my pal falsely assured me I was getting the better end of.The trade wasn't meant to be permanent -- that was explicitly stated in the contract -- but my business associate suddenly moved away, Spanish For Everyone-style. Except in my case, I didn't have a sultry Spanish aunt offering to teach me "many things." Also, I learned nothing from the experience.But before we reminisce about terrible games and the bad decisions I've made in my life, let's discuss this week's Promotional Consideration topic: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fruit Snacks.
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
Mega Drive Portable gets rebadged, available to order
It looks like that Mega Drive Portable we caught sight of a couple of months back is no longer exclusive to retro-happy gamers in Brazil, as a suspiciously similar-looking device has recently turned up for order at Play-Asia.com. As with the TecToy version, this one from AtGames is apparently officially licensed by Sega, and includes the very same line-up of twenty Genesis titles, including Golden Axe and Altered Beast, among other games with decidedly less hacking and slashing. Best of all, this incarnation the handheld is also a good deal cheaper than the TecToy, with it setting you back just $40. According to some early buyers, however, it seems that the emulation isn't entirely faithful to the originals, but at that price it's hard to complain too much.[Via technabob]
