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Mega Man X, Game Boy Mega Man $2 each on eShop through Wednesday
Starting today and ending December 18, players can pick up downloadable copies of Capcom's landmark SNES platformer Mega Man X and bite-sized Game Boy series entry Mega Man for $2 each from Nintendo's eShop. The sale discounts the Wii U Virtual Console version of Mega Man X (regularly $7.99) and the 3DS VC port of the Game Boy Mega Man (regularly $3.99). Note that these limited-time sale prices are only available via their respective platforms, as Nintendo does not offer the ability to purchase eShop content via PCs. This week's sale is apparently the first of several "2 Games, 2 Dollars each, 2 Days" deals planned for the eShop, though details regarding future sales have not been revealed. The sale price for both games will remain in effect through 8:59 a.m. PST on December 18.
Wii U Virtual Console games added to Club Nintendo Rewards
This month's Club Nintendo Rewards lineup offers up Wii U Virtual Console games for the first time, sunsetting the service's Nintendo Wii offerings in favor of Nintendo's latest console. This month's selection includes the classic NES Joust-alike Balloon Fight and notoriously difficult Japanese import Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels. The Wii U versions of these games offer additional features not found in their previous Wii Virtual Console releases, adding savestate support and configurable controls. Digital copies of all featured games can be purchased with Club Nintendo coins, which members earn by registering 3DS, Wii and Wii U software. The Lost Levels is available for 150 Club Nintendo coins, while Balloon Fight can be redeemed for 200 coins. Also up for grabs this month are the 3DS Virtual Console version of Mario's Picross (100 coins) and the 3DSWare tower defense game Starship Defense (150 coins). [Update: Players report that Club Nintendo is actually offering the Wii version of Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, despite what the Rewards page claims. Take note before spending your coins.]
Europe's eShop update Links to a Past Zelda on Wii U
Wii U owners in Europe can revisit a truly classic Zelda when CD-i great Link: The Faces of Evil arrives on the eShop later this week. Alright, no, it's really SNES entry The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and it'll be available via the Wii U Virtual Console on December 12, priced £5.49/€8. A word of warning, though: Nintendo's press release notes this is the European version of the game, indicating it may run at the slower 50Hz refresh rate. The Euro-arrival of A Link to the Past means it's likely to also venture to North America this week, and we've reached out to Nintendo to confirm just that. That said, it seems odd to bring A Link to the Past to Wii U a few weeks after A Link Between Worlds. Wouldn't it have made more sense to re-release it ahead of its 3DS sequel as a welcome warm-up? What's that? Don't doubt the wisdom of the Triforce? Oh, okay, then.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Wii Sports Club, Toki Tori, Wario's Woods, KORG M01D
There's a little something for everyone on the Nintendo eShop this week. The Wii U picks up Wii Sports Club (the epitome of "for everyone"), the original Toki Tori and the Virtual Console release of Wario's Woods. The 3DS also takes a trip to Wario's Woods, and it gets the eShop version of Kid Icarus: Uprising (which probably doesn't include that handy stand, for obvious reasons). If you're feeling a little more creative, you could try KORG M01D, a fully-featured music synthesizer program that lets you share your songs with other 3DS owners. You can even save the MIDI to the SD card so you can transfer it to a computer. And it wouldn't be a new week on the eShop without a sale on an Atlus game or two. From 9 a.m. PT on November 11 through 9 a.m. November 18, both Etrian Odyssey 4 and Code of Princess will be $10 off.
Yoshi's Cookie being yanked from Wii's Virtual Console this week
Nintendo's 1993 NES puzzler Yoshi's Cookie will be delisted from the Wii's Virtual Console service on October 18, after which it will no longer be available for purchase or redownload. Though it stars Nintendo's franchise characters, Yoshi's Cookie was developed by Bullet Proof Software, the studio who brought Tetris to the Game Boy in 1989. It's likely that an expired license is the cause of the removal; several games have been removed from the Virtual Console service in recent years due to licensing issues, including Konami's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Irem's R-Type, and the Donkey Kong Country trilogy. Currently, the Wii does not offer a way for users to recover delisted digital titles after loss or deletion. Yoshi's Cookie was removed from the Virtual Console service in Europe and Japan on October 11.
3DS Virtual Console queues up Donkey Kong, Wario Land 3, Super Mario Bros. 3, Tecmo Bowl
Nintendo has announced a batch of new old games are coming to the 3DS Virtual Console. First is the NES port of Donkey Kong, due on August 15, followed by the NES port of Tecmo Bowl sometime next month. Super Mario Bros. 3 is also on its way later this year, to both the 3DS and Wii U eShops. Finally, Nintendo assures lauded Game Boy Color platformer Wario Land 3 is "coming soon" to the 3DS. Both the Wii U and 3DS Virtual Consoles have been busy lately: Capcom just recently completed the Mega Man hexalogy on the 3DS, with more of the blue bomber arriving in the coming months. And, late last month on the Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo finally re-released Earthbound.
Earthbound and children at play
This is Making Time, a column about the games we've always wanted to play, and the games we've always wanted to play again. Earlier this month, a friend on Twitter asked his followers to name a "perfect game." The resulting conversation was fascinating, as hordes of players listed games while also admitting that each had "flaws," or that the plot wasn't strong enough to be considered perfect. Some refused the notion that a perfect game could ever exist, or argued that it shouldn't exist, because perfection is unattainable. After spending time with Earthbound's recent Wii U Virtual Console, I've come to think otherwise. Earthbound is perfect. To be clear, it's not perfect because it's a flawless product, but because it expresses a coming-of-age adventure in every ounce of its code. At its roots, Earthbound (Mother 2 in Japan) is like a group of children at play, in a world much larger and darker than themselves.%Gallery-195204%
Game Boy Mega Man games headed to 3DS Virtual Console
After recently completing the NES Mega Man hexalogy on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, Capcom has announced plans to bring six additional Game Boy Mega Man games to the Nintendo eShop in the coming months. The monochrome Game Boy versions of Mega Man II, III, IV, and V are next up in Capcom's 3DS Virtual Console schedule. The first entry in the series, Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge, hit the service back in 2011. Capcom additionally announced plans to release 3DS Virtual Console versions of Mega Man Xtreme and Mega Man Xtreme 2, both of which are built on remixed elements from the Mega Man X series. A recent ESRB ratings submission suggests that Mega Man's Game Gear spinoff may also be on tap for a Virtual Console release.
Game Gear Mega Man listed by ESRB, hinting at eShop release
Mega Man fans may soon get a chance to play one of the series' lesser-known entries via Nintendo's Virtual Console service. A recent ESRB ratings submission suggests that the Sega Game Gear version of Mega Man is on its way to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Developed by Freestyle and originally published by U.S. Gold in 1995, Mega Man's sole Game Gear outing mashes together elements from Mega Man 4 and Mega Man 5, with uneven results. If nothing else, the eShop release will be significantly cheaper and easier to find than a cartridge copy, as original Game Gear Mega Man carts are currently selling for around $40 on eBay. As of last week, all six NES Mega Man games are now available in the 3DS eShop. After the Game Gear version of Mega Man launches, Capcom may turn its attention to the remaining Game Boy entries in the series, following up on the 2011 Virtual Console release of Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge. Here's hoping that we'll see a port of Mega Man: The Wily Wars at some point.
More Sega Game Gear titles coming to virtual console
During this morning's Nintendo Direct, company CEO Satoru Iwata announced more titles from Sega's Game Gear handheld were on their way to the 3DS via the Virtual console service. We've placed the announced line-up after the break.
Get Super Metroid for 30 cents on Wii U Virtual Console right now
Super Metroid (SNES) is on sale for $0.30 through the Wii U Virtual Console right now, as part of the Trial Campaign promotion celebrating the Famicom. Super Metroid is fourth on a list of discounts that kicked off back in February – predecessors include Kirby's Adventure, Punch-Out!!! Featuring Mr. Dream and F-Zero. Super Metroid will be $0.30 for 30 days, until Yoshi comes in and takes over on June 12. The Virtual Console launched on Wii U late last month. The initial launch list included Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr., Excitebike, Ice Climbers, Kirby's Adventure, Punch Out, F-Zero and Super Mario World. This week, Super Mario Bros. 2 will be available for $5.
Crash 'n the Boys Australian rating hints at Wii U Virtual Console release
An Australian Classification rating for the 1992 NES urban olympics title Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge has surfaced, hinting at an upcoming release for the Wii U's Virtual Console service. Notably, Crash 'n the Boys is part of the same series as developer Technos' River City Ransom, a cult classic that ranks as an all-time favorite among many NES fans. While it arrived at retail late in the NES's lifespan and never gained much of a following, Street Challenge's appearance on the Wii U could potentially be followed by Virtual Console upgrades for Super Dodge Ball, Double Dragon, and other well-remembered titles from Technos' back catalog. Crash 'n the Boys is rated PG for "mild violence" – a generous classification, as the game includes a swimming minigame in which players attempt to drown their opponents. Joystiq's David Hinkle took the game for a spin back when it first launched for the Wii's Virtual Console, calling it "fun, but tiring."
Earthbound rated for Wii U in Australia
Nintendo has yet to announce a release date for Earthbound in North America or Europe, but did say the game is definitely on its way to the Wii U Virtual Console this year. That process is progressing, with a listing on the Australian Classification system direct from Nintendo. Earthbound is rated M in Australia for crude humor and sexual references. Ness, you've grown up so fast. Earthbound never made it to the Wii's Virtual Console, even though Nintendo promised an appearance. Earthbound's existence on the Wii U satisfies our nostalgia – considering it actually launches this time – though we recognize the hilarity in using an 18-year-old game as a system seller. Only Nintendo.
Original Shantae to appear on 3DS Virtual Console by June
The original Shantae is on its way to the 3DS Virtual Console at the end of June, developer Wayforward announced. This is the Game Boy Color version of Shantae first launched in 2002 and published by Capcom. Shantae will be available on 3DS eShops in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.A sequel to Shantae, Risky's Revenge, hit DSiWare in 2010 and iOS in 2011, and Wayforward is currently working on a third installment for the 3DS eShop, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse. Meanwhile, Wayforward already has its hands full with the remastery of DuckTales, again working with Capcom.
Wii U Virtual Console, Panorama View launches in EU, Japan tomorrow [update: NA VC live]
Update 2: The Virtual Console is live in North America now. Update 1: Nintendo of America reiterates the Virtual Console and Panorama View are rolling out "a short time" after the 3.0 system update, which is live now.The Virtual Console proper looks to be lining up a worldwide launch on Wii U tomorrow, with the retro cavalcade confirmed for arrival in Europe and Japan on April 27. While we know the eight games initial confirmed for the Virtual Console launch in North America, we're still waiting on an ETA - we'll update this post as soon as we know.Europe's initial Virtual Console launch largely mirrors North America's: Donkey Kong. Jr, Excitebike, Ice Climbers, Punch Out, F-Zero, and Super Mario World appear in both line-ups. Europe, however, doesn't get Kirby's Adventure and Balloon Fight - that may be to do with the criticism Nintendo received for releasing the slower 50Hz version of Balloon Fight in the region earlier this year. In the two games' European stead is Mario's Super Picross.In contrast, Japan's starting line-up is beefy. It features Ice Climbers, Spelunker, Excitebike, Xevious, Downtown Nekketsu March: Let's Go to the Great Athletic Meet, Balloon Fight, F-Zero, Super Mario World, Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Mother 2, Kirby's Adventure, Mario's Super Picross, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, and Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.Finally, Nintendo also confirmed the Panorama View app arrives in Europe and Japan tomorrow, with both regions getting four starting videos to enjoy in 360° on the GamePad.
Wii U Virtual Console launch: Punch Out, Excitebike, F-Zero, 5 more
The Wii U Virtual Console launch list is slim and trim, largely mirroring the initial list of games we got earlier this month: Balloon Fight, Donkey Kong Jr., Excitebike, Ice Climbers, Kirby's Adventure, Punch Out, F-Zero and Super Mario World. A handful of these games were already available on the Wii U, via the Virtual Console's early preview.If you've forgotten what all of these games look like (it has been a long time, after all), check out some screens on the Wii U Facebook page. Virtual Console is scheduled to launch this week.
Earthbound is an effective band-aid for the Wii U's Virtual Console
A few months ago I opined that the Wii U's Virtual Console, with its limited launch lineup, limited platforms, and limited upgrades from the Wii Virtual Console, was less than ideal. A few things have changed since then: some of the games have launched (for 30 cents), we have a solid launch date for the service in earnest, and there's a more detailed launch list. However, none of the basic issues have been fixed; the Virtual Console carries the same inherent flaws it did in January.But for now, all is forgiven. Because Earthbound.
Wii U Virtual Console out in North America next week
The Virtual Console will arrive for real on Wii U next week, a Nintendo Direct presentation revealed. The launch lineup includes Excitebike, Super Mario World, Mario Bros. Punch-Out, Super Metroid, Balloon Fight, and F-Zero, with GBA games and N64 games planned for the future.You might notice that some of these Wii U Virtual Console launch games ... are already on the Wii U Virtual Console. F-Zero, Balloon Fight, and Punch-Out were released for 30 cents as an early preview.
Earthbound this year on VC in NA and EU
Earthbound (also known as Mother 2) will be available on the Wii U Virtual Console by year's end in North America and Europe."We will announce the actual release date at a later time," said Nintnedo President Satoru Iwata during today's Nintendo Direct.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Dillon's Rolling Western, Kirby's Adventure
Wii U's excellent Virtual Console promotion continues, with the NES Kirby's Adventure available for 30 cents. If you have a Wii U, of course you should pick that up! Also coming to Wii U soon is Injustice, which will be downloadable from the eShop on April 16, concurrent with its release on other platforms.Also out on April 16: Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers on 3DS. It'll be out digitally and in stores as well. Today, you'll be able to download the Dillon's Rolling Western sequel.