sega master system
Latest
VC Friday: Apes and bikes
Gaming's favorite ape returns to the PAL Virtual Console to cause havoc for arch-enemy Mario Stanley, but don't get too excited: despite being an early Miyamoto game, the 22-year-old Donkey Kong 3 has not aged gracefully. It's also a bit of an oddity in the series, in that it plays more like a shooter than the traditional run-and-jump Donkey Kong fare, so we ... guess it holds some value as a curio.Then there's Enduro Racer, a game in which it is possible to win races by driving in an almost entirely straight line. It would be fair to say Nintendo emerged triumphant in the 8-bit motocross wars. Donkey Kong 3 -- NES -- 500 Wii Points Enduro Racer -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points %Gallery-41214%
Best of 2008: 10 games you should have downloaded
Even without consulting the weekly popularity charts found on the Nintendo Channel, it's pretty simple to know whether a Virtual Console game was successful in 2008. Success on the VC was reserved for Nintendo franchises and the very biggest names in third-party releases, like Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man. One delightful exception to the super-famous franchise rule: Super Dodge Ball has been in the Top 20 since release. People are clearly buying what they already love rather than exploring.WiiWare, as well, is dominated by the same titles since release: World of Goo, Tetris Party, and (yes,) My Aquarium have been at the top of the charts since release. Other games that have had long stretches of success include, uh, Target Toss Pro: Bags, Pong Toss, Sudoku Challenge, and -- oh, good -- Mega Man 9. Some less popular games take a trip up and then back down the chart upon release. But some didn't even really do that, despite being totally worthwhile. Join us as we browse through five Virtual Console games and five WiiWare games that you guys passed over for more Mario games and The Incredible Maze. To simplify things, we considered North American sales and releases only. If you're from outside North America, go ahead and assume people missed good games in your region too. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; }
VC Monday Madness: Enduro Racer
Enduro Racer (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)Wii Fanboy says: do not download Again, only one game this week. It's not that Enduro Racer is a bad game, just that it becomes very bland over an extended play session. There isn't much demanded from you, the player, and it's not like the game is incredibly challenging. So, save that $5 or use it toward something better on the Virtual Console. Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
VC Monday Madness: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)Wii Fanboy says: do not download This week, we've got one new Virtual Console game to play and it's Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Master System. For those of you who tune in to our VC Monday Madness videos regularly, you may know that I've already covered this game on the Sega Genesis. So, why would you want the Sega Master System version of the game? You wouldn't.Oh, and sorry for the lack of game music. The program I use to capture videos has been acting up on me today and I couldn't figure out how to fix it before deadline. Sorry! Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
VC Monday Madness: Space Harrier
Space Harrier (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)Wii Fanboy says: download it! Yu Suzuki's Space Harrier is quite the fun time. It may not be the perfect arcade port and runs a bit slow when you're playing, but, overall, it's a fun game. And, seriously, for $5, it's a great diversion. You aren't going to be investing 20 hours into the thing, but, for $5, it's a great way to waste a rainy afternoon. Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
Virtually Overlooked: Phantasy Star
Sega has graciously ensured the Wii's status as an excellent RPG platform with downloadable versions of, among other classic RPGs, Phantasy Star II and III. IV is in our future, as well, having been released in Japan and rated for US release by the ESRB. Even Phantasy Star Online is playable on the Wii via GameCube backward compatibility.There's still one obvious void, and it's one that is also found in compilation titles on other systems: Phantasy Star. Well, and a few Japan-only text adventures. And Phantasy Star Gaiden. But while it's basically totally unreasonable to expect those titles in English for six bucks each, it's not really out of the realm of possibility that Sega could include Phantasy Star on the Virtual Console to complement its sequels.
Enduro Racer, more SMS greats on Virtual Console soon
One of our favorite Sega Master System games is an unassuming little isometric racing game in which the playr must race a motorcycle across rough terrain against other motorcycles and even dune buggies. Enduro Racer may not be a masterpiece, but it has totally great Sega music and plays pretty much exactly like a rotated Excitebike -- unlike the original arcade game, which had a more common behind-the-bike perspective.The ESRB database says that an "Enduro Racer" is coming out on Wii, and we're fairly certain it's the SMS game. Either that or a new remake. It's probably the Master System game, because its listing co-occurs with two other SMS games: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (not to be confused with Wonder Boy in Monster World) and Space Harrier.
Retail and download releases for the week of August 4th
Wait, what's this? Where is your precious VC Monday Madness? Relax, it's still here, we've just consolidated things a bit. Now, all of the releases each week for the Wii, whether they be retail disc titles or downloads, are going to be located in one handy post. This frees us up to do an extra news post or what have you during the day, hopefully bringing you even more of the content you crave. So, head past the break for the details and be sure to come back later for our VC Monday Madness video wrap-up. Happy Monday!%Gallery-21447%
Virtually Free: A masterful reminder
Don't forget that the latest edition of Virtually Free is winding down to a close, and you've only got a few more chances to get your name into the hat! Want to win a couple of Sega Master System Games? Head over to the original post. Want to know what they are? Here you go: Wonder Boy (500 Wii points/$5) Fantasy Zone (500 Wii points/$5) Get on it!
Virtually Free: Mastering the system
It's back to the good ol' Virtual Console for this week's Virtually Free, with a pair of games chosen by none other than Ms. Candace Savino. You know what Candace likes? The Sega Master System -- which means we've got two of those three currently available games up for grabs this week: Wonder Boy (500 Wii points/$5) Fantasy Zone (500 Wii points/$5) One lucky reader is going to walk away with both games. Want to be that one glorious individual? 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 telling us which of these two you're more interested in. 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 calendar day between now and Monday, June 30; 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.
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.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World expanding into more of the regular world
Sega's one-time flagship game, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, was recently revealed as one of the planned May VC releases in Japan. According to an OFLC rating, it's headed to Australia as well, and from there ... the other regions, probably! The Sega Master System platformer was once built into SMS systems, and now thanks to the Virtual Console, it'll be built into Wiis as well. That's kind of an interesting historical parallel.Alex Kidd is notable for pioneering the rock-paper-scissors style gameplay seen in many fighting games and RPGs, in which certain attacks are especially effective against certain opposing attacks or defenses. Except in Alex Kidd, instead of elemental weaknesses or high/low attacks, boss fights were literally rock-paper-scissors.[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
VC Monday Madness: Fantasy Zone and Mega Turrican
Following up Friday's releases for Europe, the North American Virtual Console receives a familiar title this week. On top of that, it's just more Turrican. This week's Virtual Console releases are: Fantasy Zone (Sega Master System, 1 -2 players, 500 Wii Points) Mega Turrican (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
VC Tuesday: WOW! YOU LOSE!
That's not a commentary on this week's new Japanese Virtual Console downloads, although if it had been it would have been a total burn. It's actually the famous game-over screen text from ASCII's remarkably ancient-looking Bokosuka Wars, seen above. Bokosuka Wars has been called the "worst console RPG in existence," which, combined with the enthusiastic text, makes it a must-buy for us if it's ever released here.Volguard II is equally old and old-looking, though it's apparently a bit higher in quality. And Super Wonder Boy is just regular Wonder Boy, which is fine! Bokosuka Wars (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Volguard II (Famicom, I player, 500 Wii Points) Super Wonder Boy (Master System, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 3/31/08
This week sees another duo of titles available for play. One of them is N64 title Cruis'n USA, while the other launches a new system on the Virtual Console for North America. Hit up the video above for your usual dose, then head past the break for some added fun.
VC Monday Madness: Cruis'n USA and Wonder Boy
Looks like we've been fooled! If today is going to be any kind of indicator for the future, all Sega Master System games won't be the cheap 400 Wii Points per download we initially thought. Instead, the games will cost the same as NES titles. Eh, what's an extra dollar, right?Today's Virtual Console releases are: Cruis'n USA (N64, 1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Wonder Boy (Sega Master System, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) As usual, be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up of this week's Virtual Console games.
Wonder Boy and Fantasy Zone coming to North America
Upon reading the title of this post, some of you may have been bouncing off the walls like this blogger, while the rest of you probably shrugged and moved on with your lives. If you don't realize how great these two games are, though, just trust us when we tell you that they are. We'd probably be excited for any Sega Master System games to hit our VCs, but these two happen to be some of our favorites. Our childhoods would have been empty, barren wastelands without them.Granted, Wonder Boy came out ages ago on the Virtual Console in the guise of Adventure Island. Yet, even if you aren't incredibly biased like us to see the option based on the original arcade classic as the superior choice (elitist snobs that we are), Wonder Boy will cost you $1 less than the Takahashi Meijin-infused port. That's right -- in an incredible show of awesomeness, Sega is only charging 400 Wii Points for Master System games. (Note: Sega used tricky wording in their press release, stating that "prices start at 400 Wii™ Points for SEGA Master System titles." This means that the games announced today might cost more.)Wonder Boy aside, though, Fantasy Zone is a must buy. The crazy stages and enemies alone make this game a memorable experience, but it's also a fun side-scroller with super-cool music.Of course, take our opinions with a grain of salt -- sometimes it's hard to see through nostalgia-tinted glasses. But, what we really mean by that is buy Fantasy Zone. No word on exactly when these games will hit North American VCs, but Sega promises "soon."%Gallery-19152%%Gallery-19157%[Via press release]
Master System games arrive on Japanese Virtual Console
The day Japanese Wii owners have been waiting for for, er, roughly a month is finally here. Today's marks the release of the Sega Master System's Fist of the North Star on the Japanese Virtual Console.The event marks the potential expansion of the Virtual Console library to a brave new world of Master System hits such as ... um ... hmmm. Well, the Alex Kidd games were pretty cool, we guess. And hey, Mortal Kombat made it to the system ... although the Genesis version would probably be preferable. Well ... it's still cool anyway. Trust us.
Wii Warm Up: The Sega Master System
When virtual console support for the Sega Master System was announced, this blogger jumped, screamed, and did some sort of "happy dance" around the room. After being told that this was an odd reaction to news about the Sega Master System, of all things, the celebration calmed down a little. Was it odd, though, fellow video game aficionados? What was your reaction? Joy, indifference, or perhaps even repulsion are all possible answers (though that last one might make me shed a tear or two). Did you ever own the Master System? If so, what games are you most looking forward to? And if not, does that make you more or less excited to finally have the chance to play some old-school titles?Also, let's not forget about the inclusion of Game Gear games. Not that we're trying to sway your answer here ... okay, we totally are.
Virtually Overlooked: Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Master System)
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.You can play three different Ghouls 'n Ghosts games on the Virtual Console right now. For just 500 points, you could have the most difficult game in the series, Ghosts 'n Goblins for the NES. Or you could play the two 16-bit sequels on the Genesis and Super NES, with different weapons, levels, and powers (and still plenty of challenge). They're all great.But why play those great games when you could be playing a weird, downgraded, unfaithful version on the Sega Master System? Because it's totally unique!
