VC
Latest
Wii Shaft: the arcade-style joystick for virtual console titles
We have to believe that the name of this arcade-style joystick was chosen more for hype and less for, well, anything else, but nevertheless, it's yet another way to add even more retro to the virtual console experience. Slated to arrive just in time for the holidays, The Shaft will be available in arctic white, coral pink and midnight black, and it will darn near take up your entire lap, too. The oversized creation sports a customizable turbo function along with six control buttons, but we could certainly see this thing becoming an excellent chew toy for Fido if left unattended for an extended period of time. The 'stick can be pre-ordered right now for $39.95, or you can appear infinitely wise by snapping up two for "just" $69.95.[Via Digg]
Number of weekly VC games to increase?
Reggie's recent address in New York failed to tell us much that we didn't already know, though it did throw up the slide you see above, indicating that Nintendo is promising us 200 Virtual Console games in the US by the end of this year. We can probably all agree that the world would be a better place if Pilotwings 64 and River City Ransom were included in that number.But we digress. See, the folks over at Game|Life did the math, and discovered that would mean Nintendo has only eight Mondays left in 2007 to deliver 34 games. Average that out, and you get 4.25 games a week. Currently, of course, we only get three titles every Monday. So, is this a genuine miscalculation on Ninty's part, naughty marketing hyperbole, or will we really be seeing more retro goodness than normal pumped down our tubes in the coming weeks?Either way, Nintendo, we are now absolutely holding you to this. 200 by December 31st or you're ripped from our BFF collage. And we do not make such threats lightly.[Via The Tanooki]
Venture capital and online games @ Virtual Worlds Forum
Last week we managed to catch the Venture Capital panel at the Virtual Worlds Forum, an event set inside a nightclub situated within a rather eerie warehouse district behind Kings Cross train station. Plenty of black leather sofas with bloggers and attendees basked in purple lights, a glitter ball, and three bars provide an odd backdrop for discussions about monetizing the latest WoW wannabe. The overall atmosphere of this panel was very businesslike -- £995 a head means most attendees were on their respective company's ticket -- so if you want to continue believing that video games are solely a creative medium designed to further society through creation of fun, look away now.If you're interested in this subject, make sure to check out ex-Joystiq editor Vlad Cole's newly relaunched blog on video game venture capital. Now keep reading.
Nintendo Wii Virtual Console gift giving service
In another portion of the 'absolutely no Wii price cut' story we covered earlier this morning, Nintendo's prez unveiled a feature that allows people to "send each other games over the internet using the Wii's shopping channel." The explanation by AP is a little too quick and dirty for our taste, so we've contacted Nintendo's PR for a cleaner explanation. The piece says that users will be able to select a game to send as a gift to another user and when the recipient accepts, "the Wii automatically launches the shopping channel and begins the download."Like we said, we're looking to get more details on this potentially great service. We just need to know things like: Does this mean grandma needs to comprehend the multi-digit friend codes? Does the person need to be a friend first? Isn't it easier just to give a Wii Points gift card? We hope to update you soon with the answers.
Sega bringing Crack Down and ESWAT to Virtual Console
Sega announced today that they're bringing two Genesis games to the Wii's Virtual Console: Crack Down and ESWAT: City Under Siege. We know that you probably are reading the post because of the headline, so let us burst that bubble first: It's not that Crackdown. This is an entirely different game, sort of a hybrid between Smash TV, Gauntlet and a game that only uses 1/4 of the screen to display the action. (No, seriously, go look.)Then there's ESWAT, which is Robocop with a jet pack. ... Well, Robocop with a jet pack and a rocket launcher, which, objectively, sounds like the best game ever made. We're not sure when these will be available, so keep an eye out on Mondays.
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.
Metroid is Shining in the Darkness of the Cratermaze on Virtual Console
The "Month of Metroid" continues with the Virtual Console release of Metroid, one of the real classics of the NES. It's joined by two other titles with ... mixed results. –Metroid (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): You should absolutely download and play Metroid, but please, once you've completed it, don't give away the secret twist ending. Why not let your friends be shocked when they discover that their manly lead man is not so much a man -- as a lady? –Shining in the Darkness (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): This is the beginning of the Shining series, although it makes some significant departures from it. The series it would birth is probably enough to make it historically important, though not necessarily worthy of your cash. If you're a fan of dungeon RPGs though, go nuts. –Cratermaze (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): When you read that what you're about to play is "a comical action game set in a parallel world," you know you're in for something special. But when you find out that also, the game was originally called Booby Kids in Japan, you should strap in for the ride of your life.
Wii's most popular VC games
Siliconera's Spencer Yip put together the handy-dandy spreadsheet you see above featuring the most popular Wii Virtual Console games, available for review now following the recent Wii update. The list shows Japan on the left and the US on the right. Nobody seems to know how the popularity of these games is determined, after Siliconera made their list, it changed for Wii Fanboy, then again when we checked. Hopefully the system will become clearer in time.Look at all that Mario in the Top 10, with a heavy dose of Link for the US. This will certainly be an interesting chart to watch as more games become available. Maybe it will finally spur Xbox Live Arcade to get one. It would be interesting to know what's popular on XBLA, at least we know it wouldn't be Mario all the way down.[Via Wii Fanboy]
Shining Force, Kirby's Dream Course, Devil's Crush come to Virtual Console
Shining Force may seem like the obvious top choice this week, but don't be so quick to judge. If you're the sort of person who likes to see classic games perverted by marshmallow men or the devil, your very particular itch is about to get doubly scratched. Shining Force (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): As soon as we put this post up, the comments will fill with people sharing their love for this tactical RPG, so there's really no need for us to say that Shining Force is totally awesome. That being said, it's totally awesome. Kirby's Dream Course (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Here's a note for all you budding psych majors. If your patient's dream consists of being in some nightmarish form of golf where all the holes are monsters and they're the ball, they have serious problems. Devil's Crush (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): Statistically speaking though, the patient dreaming of being a golf ball is probably better off than the one who thinks that he's forced to play a pinball game that's controlled by Satan.
Super Mario Bros. 3 riding a Kuribo's Shoe onto the Australian VC
Australia getting a Virtual Console game before anyone else? Maybe! We can't be sure when Sonic 3 and Super Mario Bros. 3 will find their way onto the VC, but at least we know they're on their way, thanks to the Office of Film and Classification.The Aussie equivalent of the ESRB keeps a database of ratings just like the ESRB does. A bunch of games have been added, including a lot that are already out in other regions, and a few, like Mario 3, that are news. Of course, the best part of this for people who don't happen to have Australian consoles is that if a game is planned for one region, it's terribly likely it'll be out soon in others! Other things on the list that make us happy: Strider (although we don't know if it's the Genesis version or the NES version), Galaga '90, and Probotector II-- which is Super C. The full list of new updates is after the break![Via Vooks]
VC Monday Madness: Paper Mario, Balloon Fight and Silent Debuggers
This week's Virtual Console releases sees the inclusion of two high-profile Nintendo titles, along with a TurboGrafx16 game we're not familiar with. But, when looking at the two Nintendo titles mentioned, that couldn't matter any less. We know it'll be hard to pry us away from our Wii today, as we get knee-deep in some most excellent gaming.Today's VC releases are: Paper Mario (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Balloon Fight (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) Silent Debuggers (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points) Who plans on giving what a download? If you're on the fence, be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up of today's releases.[Via Joystiq]
Paper Mario, Balloon Fight and ... other appear on Virtual Console
Hey, can you do us a huge favor? Just try hiding your disappointment when you get to the end of this week's Virtual Console releases. We've had like a million readers come through this post, and we think the way their faces drop when they see third entry is starting to hurt her self-confidence. She can't help who she came in with, try to remember that. Paper Mario (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points): A spiritual successor to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, this game is, frankly, fantastic. It combines some really solid RPG mechanics with visual panache. Consider it required downloading if you haven't been through it. Balloon Fight (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Though it may not be as glitzy as Paper Mario, Balloon Fight is still undeniably a classic. The only question is if you'll be willing to part with five bucks for a game that was not only playable in Animal Crossing, but was also, at one point, stored on playing cards. Silent Debuggers (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Hey, we warned you, please be nice, this has been a tough day. ... Oh, you're laughing now. That's great. Listen, maybe you're just rushing to judgment. We've embedded a gameplay video after the break, maybe you'll watch it and see that you were wrong all along. She's a totally radical first-person shooter, you'll see!
VC Monday Madness wrap-up 7/9/07 [update 1]
Due to technical difficulties, we won't be able to provide you with your usual video wrap-up. We're quite sorry, but offer up our usual coverage aside from video after the break in the hopes that it'll keep you from ripping us apart limb from limb happy. Well, happy enough to not kill us.
Mach Rider, Yoshi and Air "Zonk" appear on Virtual Console
In a bitterly tough release week like this one, we hoped to be able to count on the Virtual Console for some classics. However, it looks like we'll be settling for "decent." We're sorry, VC, we don't mean to put so much pressure on you, we know it's not your fault. Mach Rider (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): If you don't remember this one, think of it as a combination of Road Blasters and Hang-On, with a color palette that appears to have been selected at random, possibly with the use of darts. Yoshi (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): It's a shame that Yoshi doesn't have a lot to do in his own eponymous game. Most of the time, he sits on the sidelines, watching a fat Italian guy switching plates of mushrooms and egg shells. While that's admittedly a pretty interesting way to spend an afternoon, it still feels like kind of a ripoff. Air "Zonk" (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): If Bonk was a complete tool and had a lightning bolt on his forehead, he would be Zonk. If Bonk's Adventure was a pretty decent shoot 'em up, it would be Air "Zonk." Side bonus, Air "Zonk" offers one of the rare opportunities to be part of something called "Team Cool," which seems to be about the best thing you can do. If you're still on the fence, know that Nintendo says that "Air 'Zonk' is filled with humor, made evident by the wacky theme song that plays when you post a huge score or when your game is over." Sold!
Japanese VC Castlevania is the Famicom Disk System version
This probably doesn't affect any readers here (although, if you're a Japan-local Wii Fanboy, let us know!) but we discovered something interesting while drooling at the Japanese Virtual Console page.Proving their absolute and irrational devotion to historical accuracy, the version of Castlevania going up on the VC this month will not be the same cartridge version that's already been released in the US and Europe. Instead, Japan is getting the original version, which was released for the Famicom Disk System in 1986. The differences include a save state feature and a name entry screen with music unheard in the US version! Which, unfortunately, we can't find. The idea that there's Castlevania music out there that we haven't heard makes us kind of uncomfortable.
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)
Super Mario Bros. 2, Ecco 2 and Dragon Spirit run/swim/fly onto Virtual Console
In a week that is admittedly pretty light on game releases, we're willing to pretty much take anything we can get. Imagine our pleasure then to find some real quality on the Virtual Console this week. Unfortunately, as you soon see, the weapondry leaves something to be desired. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Somewhere, Doki Doki Panic is having a pull off his half-empty fifth of Wild Turkey, hopeful that this may be the last time he has to be slapped in the face by the release of Super Mario Bros. 2 and reminded of what could have been. Ecco: The Tides of Time (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): This Ecco the Dolphin sequel is lucky that it's slipping in with SMB 2, because the only item that could make sound waves look like a good weapon are throwable onions. Dragon Spirit (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Completely ruining the whole "lame weapons" motif is Dragon Spirit, a vertical-scrolling shooter where your weapon is, well, a dragon. Unfortunately, having a dragon as your weapon makes vegetables and sound waves look like ... well, sound waves and vegetables.
Torrent of TurboGrafx-16 titles set for Australia's Virtual Console
Making up for its delayed arrival to Australia's Virtual Console, the TurboGrafx-16 will debut in the world's smallest continent next week with eleven releases! Hudson's VC site lists that over a third of the games will be shmups -- no big surprise there -- but classics like Dungeon Explorer, Military Madness, and Bomberman '93 are also set to appear at the system's opening ceremony.The US, having been spoiled with dozens of TG-16 releases since the Wii's launch, will receive only one PC-Engine title next Monday: Dragon Spirit, an impossibly hard, vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up in which you pilot a blue dragon. Check past the post break for Hudson's planned releases across all territories this July.
Virtually Overlooked: Renegade
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.We often feature bad games on Virtually Overlooked. A lot of bad games are historically notable or weird enough to enjoy. Sometimes they're just funny.Today's bad game, Renegade, is one of the historically important ones. It's also kind of funny, if you don't have to play it for long. It's the first beat-em-up from Technos, who we'd say we'd follow to the grave if they weren't already there. And, yeah, it's got some tuff boxart.
Wii hard drive just isn't happening
If your Wii is getting ready to overflow and you're looking for a reprieve from Nintendo in the form of a hard drive, it's time to accept purchasing some extra SD cards and erasing VC titles. Even with the announcement this morning of WiiWare, Nintendo isn't planning on making a hard drive for the system and expanding their measly 512MBs. CVG asked Nintendo if they are making a hard drive and were given a very clear, "No."For some, the 512MB hasn't been enough, but unless you've been on a VC bender, it's still pretty difficult to fill up. Although, this small amount of space really doesn't stand up well against obvious future issues, especially once the ball really starts rolling on the Wii and more space is required. We're still hoping to put VC titles on SD cards, but a hard drive has to be somewhere in the future -- unless they just go with a Wii 2.0 option.
