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Retail and download releases for the week of August 18th
Oh, you're going to like what you see past the break. A certain big title we've all been waiting on (ohmaigawd have you guessed it yet?) has finally hit the Virtual Console. We'll give you a hint: it stars a robotic boy with a penchant for stealing the powers of his enemies.Shoot past the break to start your day off on a happy note.
VC Friday: Sequel week
Game sequels often suffer from a reputation of being weaker than their predecessors, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo whacking a whole pile of them on the PAL Virtual Console this week. The M-rated Splatterhouse 2 leads the charge, bloodied lead pipe in hand, and is joined by Samurai Shodown II, Pitstop II, and Ecco Jr. (okay, so that's not a sequel in the strictest sense of the term, but a spin-off for the kids). Here's what that little lot will cost you: Ecco Jr. -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Splatterhouse 2 -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Samurai Shodown II -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Pitstop II -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points * * As usual, Australia misses out on the Commodore 64 game.Footage of all four is past the break -- try listening to six minutes of Pitstop II's engine effects without going insane.
VC Monday Madness: Pong Toss, Art of Fighting 2 and Chase H.Q.
There is some variety available for those of you looking to download something new to play on Wii. For the retro fans, a pair of new Virtual Console titles should tickle the fancy. If you're looking for something more akin to the frat experience of today, then check out this week's WiiWare download. Without further ado, let's get to the games!This week's WiiWare game is: Pong Toss - Frat Party Games (JV Games, 1 - 4 players, 800 Wii Points) This week's Virtual Console games are: Chase H.Q. (TG16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points) Art of Fighting 2 (NEO, 1 - 2 players, 900 Wii Points) Sadly, there won't be a video wrap-up for this week's releases. But, we should be back next week with our usual video coverage of the Virtual Console releases on Wii.[Via press release]
Virtually Free: Last day to be King
There aren't many entries yet in our latest edition of Virtually Free, so if you were waiting for the last day to get your name in, it's time! Get in while your odds are still good! Of course, if everyone does, then they won't be good anymore. But what really matters is that you took a shot at winning King of the Monsters from the Neo Geo. Do you want to say you passed that up? Then go enter!
VC Monday Madness: Donkey Kong 3, Ninja Commando and Major League Eating
Another week, another slew of Virtual goodies on offer from Nintendo. This week, the streak of one Virtual Console release is broken, as we get 100% more in that department. Also, Mastiff's WiiWare title is finally up for grabs. If you've got some spare coin laying around, then these might be for you.This week's WiiWare release: Major League Eating: The Game (1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points) This week's Virtual Console releases: Donkey Kong 3 (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) Ninja Commando (NeoGeo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points) As always, be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up of this week's Virtual Console games.%Gallery-20043%[Via press release]
Virtually Free: King of the Contests
Earlier this week, we profiled the latest Virtual Console release -- King of the Monsters (Neo Geo, 900 Wii points/9$) and declared it good, but not enough to spend money on. That makes it just perfect for this week's edition of Virtually Free, since the whole idea here is you don't have to spend money. All you have to do is leave a comment and you've got a chance to win!To enter, just leave a comment here (with a valid e-mail address!) and tell us about any other currently-available Neo Geo games you'd like to see us give away. 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 calendar day between now and Monday, July 14; the contest comes to a close that night at 11:59 PM Eastern time, and we'll select a winner in a random drawing the next day. Questions? Check out the official rules.
Virtual Console crowns the King of the Monsters
Nintendo's love affair with the Neo Geo continues this week, giving players who have not yet shelled out for one of SNK's numerous other arcade collections yet another outlet to spend their hard-earned dollars, or rather, points. King of the Monsters (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): While already available on the Wii already as part of SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1, it's good to know that despite all of the problems in the world, there are still some disagreements between a giant lizard and an overgrown beetle than can be settled as part of a midtown battle royal. SNK's arcade original King of the Monsters allows players to choose from six different giant creatures and then grapple with the others in order to decide the fate of the city, as long as that fate ends in total devastation.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/30/08
With only one title available for download this week, we were quick to dive in and check it out. You can see some gameplay clips above and head past the break for the text and image show that we usually tuck past there.
VC Monday Madness: Magnetica and Fatal Fury 2
Gamers anxious for more than a pair of titles this week, one from WiiWare and one from the Virtual Console, are going to be disappointed. That's exactly what's available this week. So, let's check out what's on offer.This week's WiiWare download is: Magnetica Twist (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) This week's Virtual Console download is: Fatal Fury 2 (Neo-Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points)
VC Friday: A monstrous update
Maybe "monstrous" is overdoing it, but after last week's no-show for the Virtual Console, we're back to five games for this Friday's PAL region VC update. Hurrah! These range from forgettable spin-offs (Pac-Attack -- the first SNES title we've seen in over three months, bizarrely) to a Commodore 64 fan favorite (Cybernoid) to SNK's excellent King of the Monsters, which probably hasn't been bettered in the monsters-breaking-stuff genre since its release. Super Fantasy Zone -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Pac-Attack -- SNES -- 800 Wii Points Summer Games 2 -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points Cybernoid -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points King of the Monsters -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points We have some videos featuring some of the above for you, but you'll have to smash the break down with your giant monster limbs to access them.
Virtual Console picks Burning Fight with Alex Kidd
With the United States swept up in political debate and the world's reliance on oil becoming increasingly problematic, we welcome the Virtual Console's desire to take us back to a simpler and easier time. A time when sprites were celebrated, power-ups were plentiful and men were all called "Ryu." A time when every problem could be solved by the calculated and swift application of a fist. Punching time. Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Alex Kidd will stop at nothing to rescue his brother. Leaping across deadly chasms, punching through solid rock and murdering birds with his bare hands -- he's a monster! We can't really identify with that, but don't let that stop you. "Please buy the things that you like." Burning Fight (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): Predominantly pugilistic protagonists patrol parks and pound on pesky perpetrators in this post-90s punk-bashing punchfest. POW!
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/23/08
This week sees the Virtual Console receiving not one, but two games. Well, we've had enough time to play them and have produced the video you see above. Check it out then head on past the break for the rest.
VC Monday Madness: Gyrostarr, Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Burning Fight
Another week comes and Nintendo dishes out more downloadable goodness. Yet again, we receive some WiiWare and Virtual Console love. Have you got a few extra bucks laying around? You're likely going to want to download at least one thing.This week's WiIWare release is: Gyrostarr (1 - 4 players, 700 Wii Points) This week's Virtual Console releases are: Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Burning Fight (NEOGEO, 1 - 2 players, 900 Wii Points) %Gallery-25895%
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/16/08
Only one Virtual Console release this week, but it's a good one. We won't waste any more time talking about the game, so hit up the video above. If that's not to your liking, head past the break for more.
VC Friday: Back on form
If you think we've already forgiven Nintendo for totally neglecting the PAL Virtual Console last week, you can think again, sunshine. Nope, Ninty is officially in our bad books, and no amount of sweet talk, flowers, weekends away, or singing telegrams can let the company out of the doghouse right now. Frankly, we've never felt so unwan -- eh, what's that you say? Five games? Two of which prominently feature ninjas? Oh, go on then. Alex Kidd in Miracle World -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points Fatal Fury 2 -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Ninja Combat -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Last Ninja 2: Back with a Vengeance -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points * Nebulus -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points * * Unavailable in Oz, we're afraid, but look at the bright side: footage of all five games is past the break! Actually, we're not sure how that's meant to console you, or how those two facts are even related. Ridiculous, really.
Neo Geo VC games to be redundant in Europe as well
Happy times are ahead for European gamers who bristle at the thought of spending 900 Wii Points each on Neo Geo games. Ignition Entertainment has just announced plans to release the SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 disc in Europe. The PSP and PS2 versions are expected in August, with the Wii release some time later.If the mockup boxart seen here turns out to be what is really used, Europe is getting a way better package than we are in the U.S. Of course, it'll probably be more expensive, but still cheaper than buying the available games on the VC (all 11 of which are on this disc). There's still the matter of emulation quality -- hopefully this collection will get the ports right.[Via press release]
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/2/08
Only one Virtual Console release this week, folks. And, sad to say, it's not the best title around. To get a taste of the game in action, hit play on the video above. If you're more into reading than watching a video, head past the break.
VC Friday: Become a Pokemon Puzzle Master!
Despite their ubiquity, the majority of Pokémon games manage to maintain a high standard, even when they abandon the more traditional Pokémans formula. Pokémon Puzzle League, for example, is one of the best examples of a Pokémon game that isn't a Pokémon game, and is comfortably worth its 1000 Wii Point price tag.A pair of Eikichi Kawasaki-designed Neo Geo titles round off the week in Europe and Australia -- Samurai Shodown is one of the Neo Geo's best fighting games, while Burning Fight is another addition to the already oversubscribed (on the VC, at least) dude-smashing genre. Pokémon Puzzle League -- Nintendo 64 -- 1000 Wii Points Samurai Shodown -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Burning Fight -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Footage of all three follows the break!
This is what the Neo Geo Stick 2 looks like
As much as we'd love to import one of these gorgeous arcade sticks -- modeled after the original Neo Geo AES arcade stick -- $59.90, not including steep shipping fees for the 4+ lb. controller, is just too rich for our blood, especially since it's only compatible with a limited selection of Wii games. For Virtual Console games, however, this would be the business. For now, we'll just have to live through David Spreckley who bought one of these sticks from an Akihabara shop and posted photos of the unboxed product online to torment jealous gamers. Down, Down Forward, Forward + Punch past the post break for another glamour shot of the Neo Geo Stick 2.
Behind the emulator: NeoDS developer interviewed
We thought that creating a Neo Geo emulator on the DS was a pretty noteworthy achievement. GameSetWatch contributor Alistair Wallis agreed, and he sought out the developer of NeoDS, Ben Ingram, for an interview. Ingram goes into enough detail about the development of a homebrew emulation program, and assigning functions of the Neo Geo's processors to the DS's, that, well, we pretty much lost him right away. But if you do know anything at all about computing, this is really interesting. It's really interesting anyway, just to see what kind of stuff a homebrew developer has to think about when creating a new DS application.
