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NintendoWare Weekly: Picturebook Games, Revenge of Shinobi
Today's highlight is no doubt Revenge of Shinobi, the first Shinobi game on the Sega Genesis. What's funny about this is that the third game in the series on that console, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, was released on the Wii way back in 2007. Two-thousand-and-freaking-seven, people! How crazy is that? More after the break.
VC/WiiWare Tuesday: Burning Force, not lighting cigarettes
The selections on Japan's Wii Shop are all over the place this week. On Virtual Console, two titles are available, including the universally loved Shinobi and Burning Force, a game with which we must admit unfamiliarity. One look at the linked YouTube video, however, cleared that right up. It's like Space Harrier on water, and it looks awesome.WiiWare this week is loaded with stuff, including the stop-smoking app, a quiz game, a card-battling game, and Reel Fishing. The most interesting WiiWare game in Japan this week is Mobius Drive, an online racing game that looks surprisingly good for a Wii download.Virtual Console: Shinobi (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) Burning Force (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) WiiWare: Raku Raku Kinen Appli Wii (1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Mobius Drive (1-2 players offline, 2-8 players online, 800 Wii Points) Hirameki Card Battle Mekuruka (1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Kentei! TV Wii (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Fish Eyes Challenge (1 player, 500 Wii Points)
XBLA in Brief: Sega Vintage Collection
This week, Sega has dropped six new games onto Xbox Live Arcade as part of its Sega Vintage Collection. These six titles are timeless classics and definitely need no introduction for Sega fans. For the rest of you, expect a crash course in Comix Zone, Altered Beast, Sonic 3, Shinobi, Phantasy Star II, and Gunstar Heroes (400/$5 each).
Second batch of Sega Vintage Collection titles confirmed
Sega has announced plans to release seven more of its classic titles under the Sega Vintage Collection banner later this year, thus confirming one of Xbox Live Arcade's worst-kept secrets. Included in Sega Vintage Collection 2 are Shinobi (arcade port), Comix Zone, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Phantasy Star II, Sonic & Knuckles and Gunstar Heroes. Interestingly, Gunstar Heroes is the only title also announced for the PSN.According to Sega, each title will include online leaderboards, re-worked graphics (using smoothing filters, not HD upgrades) and most will feature network play (Comix Zone, Phantasy Star II and Shinobi excluded). No word on pricing or release dates but Sega plans to release the titles separately this summer, with Sonic & Knuckles appearing last. Why the delay? With Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 2 XBLA and Sonic 3 XBLA owners will be able to use the classic lock-on feature from the Genesis-era to import Knuckles into each classic adventure. Of course, if patience isn't your best quality, you could just buy Sonic's Genesis Collection now (which doesn't support lock-on).%Gallery-63190%
Achievements confirm XBLA release of Altered Beast, Shinobi, Comix Zone
If a few questionable screengrabs and a handful of ESRB ratings weren't evidence enough for you to believe in the XBLA-bound "Sega Vintage Collection Vol. 2," we now present you with exhibit C -- MyGamerCard recently dug up achievements for Altered Beast, Comix Zone and Shinobi, three of the titles belonging to the heretofore unannounced collection. Sadly, the other three titles which are rumored to accompany them, Sonic 3, GunStar Heroes and Phantasy Star II, are still unspoken for in the Cheevo department. We'll let you know when we hear more!See: Altered Beast achievementsSee: Comix Zone achievementsSee: Shinobi achievements
Shinobi emerges from shadows, rated for 360 by ESRB
Cinema Blend reports that an Xbox 360 version of Sega's classic arcade game, Shinobi, has popped up in the ESRB database. Based on the ESRB description, it sounds like it will be an XBLA rerelease of the original arcade game (right down to the shuriken throwing mini-game). There have been some great Sega titles announced for the service lately -- namely Outrun Online Arcade and Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram -- as well as rumblings of more classics on the way, so the news isn't exactly surprising, but welcome.Another reason it's not surprising: Sega needs the money.
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.
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 8/20/07
It took us a lot longer than we initially would have liked, but we finally bring forth our video for this week. As you can imagine, our minds are focused mostly on Super Metroid. But the inclusion of Shinobi III is a nice extra and not to be overlooked, either. All in all, great work as far as Virtual Console content goes.
VC Monday Madness: Super Metroid, Shinobi III and Neutopia
There are going to be three new titles you may download from the Virtual Console in little under an hour, and one of them is perhaps one of the best games ever made: Super Metroid. As far as the franchise goes, we can easily say it is our favorite entry. But, not to be outdone by Nintendo's Class A act of a SNES game, Sega's Shinobi III is also available. As for this third game, well we've never heard of it: Super Metroid (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii points) Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii points) Neutopia (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii points) We can put you down for one download of Super Metroid, then?
Super Metroid, Shinobi III, Neutopia hit Virtual Console
The original headline was something along the lines of "Samus and Shinobi tour Neutopia on Virtual Console" but honestly, the less time spent thinking up trite headlines the better. Today's incredible Virtual Console update has steamrolled our Monday productivity into a lackadaisical mush of "meh." Super Metroid (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii points): Considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time (evar), Super Metroid hardly requires a descriptive paragraph such as this one. Needless to say then, that it features Samus doing what she does best: murdering metroids, blasting evil brains and reminding us why we need to stay alive until August 27th. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii points): The third entry in Sega's ninja kill-em-up series and arguably the best. As far as side-scrolling slashers go, the Shinobi one is your only hope... for gaming fun! Neutopia (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii points): Neutopia is often labeled as a Legend of Zelda clone. Somehow, we don't think it minds. Look for these games in the Wii shop after 9AM PST.
Sega bringing Shinobi III, Landstalker to Virtual Console
Lovers of isometric RPGs and real, ultimate power should be happy to hear that Sega is bringing Genesis titles Landstalker and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master to the Wii's Virtual Console at some (as of now) undisclosed time.When an announcement like this is made, your mind probably begins to wander to the inevitable question: Who would win in a fight, Nigel the treasure hunter or Joe Musashi? Joe Musashi or ... Nigel? Here's our rule of thumb: If a fight would be decided as soon as the fighters' names were read aloud, it's probably not worth worrying about.
Sega announces Shinobi III and Landstalker for VC
Sega has let the Virtual Console cat out of its bag again, revealing their intentions to bring Shinobi III and Landstalker to Nintendo's service. As for when gamers can get ahold of these titles themselves, only a time frame of "soon" has been reported. Also, no word on cost, but we're confident that the usual 800 Wii Points cost will be in effect for each title.
VC Tuesday: The Super Splatter Soldier
This week, Japan got three games that we don't have yet in the US-- no surprise there. But we already had Splatterhouse on our Virtual Console, so we totally win in that one specific competition that isn't really a competition.The non-Splatterhouse games include another shooter, a Paleolithic puzzle game that we'd never heard of, and a completely awesome ninja game that we'd love to see over here ASAP. And, since it did come out over here (as Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master), we are not crazy to expect it! Star Soldier (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii points) Flappy (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii points) The Super Shinobi II (Mega Drive, 1 player, 600 Wii points) Splatterhouse (PC Engine, 1 player, 600 Wii points)
Wise Fwom Yor Gwave: Some classics we'd like to see resurrected on PSP
We've previously seen Afterburner and Lemmings re-tooled, to make them suitable for our favorite portable. While both of those titles are enjoyable, there is still a ton of gold to be mined from the past, then reshaped into something grand and new. With that in mind, I thought it we'd do a public service, and remind publishers of some of those titles. Here they are in no particular order: Bionic Commando Contra Lunar Streets of Rage Splatter House Bonk Strider Double Dribble Golden Axe Shinobi Out of this World Zombie Ate My Neighbors Those are a few of the titles we'd like to see. But what does our opinion matter? Let us know what games we missed, or what classics you'd like to see resurrected on the PSP.
Three new Sega Genesis Collection videos
You know what I love about all these classic compilations coming out? I'm realizing just how many games I missed out on as a kid, but the great thing about these games is we don't have to miss out on them anymore. Today's videos are Ecco Jr., Shinobi and Phantasy Star IV. Check out Phantasy Star after the jump. See also: Decap AttackVirtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza BrothersPhantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Sega does what Nintendon't on your PSP
If you're into classic games like me, you're probably eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console feature so that you can play not only some Nintendo games, but some Genesis games as well. For those of you Sony fanboys that'll avoid the Wii like its a smelly grandmother, there's finally an alternative: Sega Genesis Collection, a compliation of nearly thirty Genesis games is heading to the PSP. The disc will not only come loaded with the games, but exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. PSP owners can rejoice in knowing that an exclusive wireless multiplayer mode is being created just for them. Maybe it'll even support Game Sharing? (I hope so!) Here's the list of games: Alex Kidd Altered Beast Bonanza Bros. Columns Comix Zone Decap Attack Ecco the Dolphin Ecco: The Tides of Time Ecco Jr. Eternal Champions Flicky Gain Ground Golden Axe Golden Axe II Golden Axe III Phantasy Star II Phantasy Star III Phantasy Star IV Ristar Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi Shinobi III Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Thunderblade Sword of Vermillion Vectorman Vectorman 2 Virtua Fighter 2 Whoa... out of breath just reading that list. Visit 1up to see details about all of these classics.
Super Console Wars puts spin on mascot Gamepires
We've seen Mario in the Matrix, Luigi as a Braveheart, and what we thought was everything in between. Well, hold up, 'cuz now we've seen everything: classic game icons have been mashed up with Star Wars.Super Console Wars: The Gamepire Strikes Gold is that hybrid that with good and evil roles spread out onto each platform and various gaming mascots, ranging from Mario clone troopers vs. Princess Zelda to a VMU droid and GPU-enabled android (erm, peripheral).About two-thirds of the way through the 20-minute video, you're gently encouraged to wear 3D glasses to enhance your video viewing, but even without glasses, the parody stands as an amusing take-off of gaming standards, pop culture, and retro reminiscing. Obi-Wan Shinobi, indeed.[Thanks, Cradrock]See also: Super Mario Reloaded Ready for an "Oldschool Revolution"?
