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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.
First Neo Geo titles confirmed for Wii VC, Sept in Japan
Meet Elta, the last of the magician lords. He's eager to get back to defusing the Gul-Agieze's doomsday plot, and, thanks to the teeny-tiny Neo Geo system stowed inside Nintendo's Wii, he can. Yes, the dormant powers of the most garish console of its time will be unlocked at last: Neo Geo emulated on Virtual Console! (We knew it was coming; now it's just a little closer...)Nintendo has confirmed three Neo Geo titles for the Japanese VC, including the aforementioned Magician Lord (the console's original pack-in game), alleged "Street Fighter ripoff" World Heroes, and ever-rereleased Fatal Fury. (Both Fatal Fury and World Heroes are also available in separate PS2 anthologies this year.) Fatal Fury will launch first, on September 11th, followed by the magi and heroes later in the month. Each port will cost 900 Wii Points ($9).Specific Neo Geo titles targeted for the North American and European VCs have yet to be revealed. [Via Wii Fanboy]
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, DS ads appear in VC version of Wave Race 64
No, Marty and the Doc weren't messing around with the space-time continuum again, but advertisements for the Wii and DS are appearing in Wave Race 64, the 1996 Nintendo 64 racing title, which was made available on the Virtual Console this morning.The simple ads appear as banners alongside the courses in the game, replacing the Kawasaki ads which appeared in the original title. Most likely, whatever licensing deal Nintendo made with Kawasaki in the 90s has since expired, and they needed to replace those textures with something else for legal reasons. Still, it's a little odd seeing ads for brand new systems in a two-generations-old game. It does prove, however, that Nintendo is able to swap out textures in the VC roms. Here's hoping they don't get all evil with the practice.
Waverace 64, Lolo, Galaga 90 now on Virtual Console
With the top new retail release and a really solid lineup on Virtual Console, we think you have to give the win to the Wii this week. We're not sure of the new XBLA or PSN releases, but we bet they'll have a hard time topping these selections.Wave Race 64 (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Back in the day (as the kids say) we loved, loved, loved Wave Race 64, almost to the point that we're a little nervous about seeing how it's held up in the decade since its release. We hope we're not paying a sawbuck to have our childhood kicked in the crotch.Adventures of Lolo (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): This is another one we have fond memories of, and we're a little less worried about how it's fared. After all, a solid puzzle game is enjoyable forever, ask Alexey Pajitnov. If it's undone by anything, it'll be the music, an endless loop, driving players ever closer to the dark edge of madness.Galaga 90 (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): You know what it's a lot like? Galaga.Look for these new releases after 12 p.m., EST.
Star Soldier, Dynamite Headdy, and Drop Off dropped onto Virtual Console
Today's Virtual Console games should be hitting the service right about now, offering an option of shmup, action, or Breakout clone. We aren't going to tell you what to buy (if anything), but we would like to note that Dynamite Headdy: a) has a longer Wikipedia entry; b): was developed by Treasure; and c) has evil puppets. That said, here's your options this week: Star Soldier (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): What's a "Star" soldier? Frankly, we're offended you'd even ask. But you should know that classic shmup Star Soldier takes its rightful place on the Virtual Console next to other series entrants like Super Star Soldier, Blazing Lazers, and Soldier Blade. There, now you know. Dynamite Headdy (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Do battle as Headdy in Treasure's Genesis classic, fighting your way through scenes set against a theatrical backdrop. Power up your head (we like the Super Head best) and destroy evil puppets (what else?). Drop Off (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Think Breakout, except the lawyers sternly requested that the words "break" and "out" appear nowhere in the name. Publisher Hudson Soft's no dummy though, so they did Breakout one better ... introducing Drop Off! Why break things out when you can drop things off? Seriously, why?
Sony's Peter Dille: 'We're attacking online very, very aggressively'
In a lengthy interview with Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield, the senior vice president of PlayStation marketing discussed Sony's approach to the online gaming space and how it differs from that of competitors. "We're attacking online very, very aggressively," said Peter Dille. "We do have a different approach. The other offerings are just fine, and they do things really well, but that's not to say that we feel like we have to do everything they're doing." Indeed, found in the category of things not being done by Sony: charging for online play and depending on "content from previous generations" for its PlayStation Network. However, a serious omission is a dependable online standard for those developers less enthused by the network nitty-gritty. You can be sure that Virtua Tennis 3 and Virtua Fighter 5 aren't trapped in the offline realm due to the PlayStation 3's lack of technical cooperation. If you want to attack (each other) online very, very aggressively, you'll have to do it on the Xbox 360. That's another subject Dille responded quite candidly to, noting that Microsoft's inconsistent design precludes it from partaking in the ten-year life cycle coveted by the PS3. "Some of them have a hard drive, and some of them don't," he said. "None of them have a Blu-ray player, and the HD-DVD will be out of business in a matter of months. Is this a ten-year product?" Naturally, no answer to that question would be without a jab at the system's notoriously unreliable hardware. "By the way, it doesn't even work, so do they want to be selling it for ten years and refurbishing them all for ten more years? I don't think that's a ten-year product. You or they could disagree with me, but I'd put that up against the PS3 anyday."
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 Friday: Zonked on paper
It's an odd pairing for the weekend for European gamers -- the punk-influenced Air Zonk and the classically adorable Paper Mario! What do they both have in common? A light-hearted approach to gaming and solid offerings for their respective genres. That's something we can get behind. Air Zonk -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points Paper Mario -- Nintendo 64 -- 1000 Wii points
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 Friday: Is it sequel day?
Hope you're in the mood for sequels today, because if you're itching for a new retro title, that's what Nintendo's offering up, at least when it comes to Sega. A couple of today's titles were also released in the U.S. this week, which means you can check out the video wrap-up for a little game footage. Also, for some reason the format of the releases on the Nintendo Europe site seems to have changed, so let us know if these costs are not correct -- we're basing this off past VC pricing. Dragon Spirit -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points Ecco: The Tides of Time -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points Golden Axe II -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points Sonic the Hedgehog 2 -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 7/02/07
This week sees the release of a game many fans have been dying to get their hands on: Super Mario Bros. 2. Along with that game, comes a title we're pretty fond of in Ecco: Tides of Time and a game we could do without in DRAGON Spirit. Check out the video above and be sure to head past the post break for the rest of the coverage.
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.
