Virtual Console
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Sequels Sega needs to make
With Nintendo dropping four new Virtual Console titles every Monday, Sega Nerds has posted a list of ten sequels they'd like to see on a console near you. Heck, we just got Ecco the Dolphin this past Monday, so is this list timely or what?For us, the ones we'd really like to see are either an update of Skies of Arcadia, or some new hotness from Streets of Rage. We'd forgotten that game even existed until the picture slapped us across the face. Punching and kicking at its best.What Sega classics (and we're using that term lightly) would you like to see? While you're busy wishing, Joystiq wants a solid gold PlayStation 3. Just a little holiday FYI.
Nintendo promises four VC games every Monday
After a bit of an inconsistent start, Nintendo has finally decided to standardize the release of classic game downloads on the Wii's Shop Channel. Starting this week, the company will make available four virtual console downloads every Monday at 9 a.m. Pacific time. The following titles will be available on Dec. 4: Donkey Kong Jr. (500 Wii points - NES*) Victory Run (600 points - TG-16) Columns (800 points - Genesis) Ristar (800 points - Genesis) While we're happy to see Nintendo add some regularity to the release of new content, we can't help but wonder why there have been so few SNES and N64 games announced for the virtual console thus far. Is Nintendo trying to hook new users with lower-priced, older games, or are they just reluctant to put out downloads that require a Gamecube pad or a somewhat-hard-to-find classic controller? Or neither. Or both. Or something else! Hooray for rhetorical questions!* - Mistakenly listed in the press release as SNES[Via Gaming Bits]
Wii Shopping: Japanese vs. North American
Which is better: Wario Woods and Sim City, or Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario World, Gradius, Street Fighter II, and the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past? Yeah, we thought you might choose the latter. We hope the Japanese and North American Virtual Console lineup will reach equilibrium in a few months and we can all enjoy the same rockin' old school games, but there will likely always be some differences in offerings between regions. Thanks to Spencer Yip of Siliconera, we can see the Japanese Wii shopping in action -- including the awesome greeting from Wario when his new game is in the disc channel.
NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime skirts region issues
There are always two ways to look at every situation, and the best businessmen are the ones who can convince you that their perspective is right. In a string of interviews lately, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has aptly spun the region situations into a pleasant bullet point. Let's look at his argument. In an interview with MTV's Stephen Totilo, Fils-Aime was questioned about the disparity between the US and Japanese Virtual Console lineup, where the US was receiving around half the titles going to Japan. In his words, some games "may make perfect sense in Japan but we don't think in our marketplace have a lot of potential." Translation: why waste the megabytes on titles that didn't have the popularity? However, the cost for Nintendo to put a a title on a server is minimal and builds reputation to a brand for supporting its fans. There is no shelf space to fight for, and we know Nintendo are wizards with their emulators. Even if the title only appeals to a niche audience, that's still money for intangible property. Forget Mother 1 and 3, with this talk we're afraid they might skip over uploading cult-favorite Earthbound. Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone will want Goldeneye.
Break out the retro, folks
With your classic NES and SNES games on the Virtual Console, you (generally) have three options. You can plug in that silly classic controller, and have the Wiimote sit awkwardly on your lap. You can use a Gamecube controller, with its a-bit-too-complex-for-old-school button layout. Or, you can turn your Wiimote on its side for simplistic button configurations. None of these solutions are quite perfect, and fail to evoke that sense on controller nostalgia for which we so long.Ready for ten tons of cool? Electronic badasses over at RetroZone have made two ever-so-simple adapters that allow you to plug in an NES or SNES controller directly into the Wii's Gamecube controller ports, for use with VC titles. That's right. Your original controllers of awesomeness will work as they once did. And only $19.99! What a bargain.
Nintendo wants GoldenEye back
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Nintendo_Wants_Goldeneye_Back'; MTV's Stephen Totilo recently grilled Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime about all things Wii. When questioned, the NoA president didn't hold back his desire to see GoldenEye returned to Nintendo's platform, revealing to Totilo, "Suffice it to say we would love to see [GoldenEye on Virtual Console], so we're exploring all the rights issues."So how far is Nintendo willing to "explore"? If GoldenEye is to enjoy its homecoming, royalties could certainly be owed to Microsoft, which now owns developer Rare, and Activision, which scooped up the Bond license earlier this year. Judging by Reggie's comments -- "the pain is worth the gain" -- Nintendo may be willing to cut those checks.
Extra points leak out of Wii Shop Channel (Wii annoyance #006)
OK, we understand that using a universal Wii Points system is simpler than adjusting individual virtual console prices for different regions and currencies. What we don't understand is why we have to buy these points in increments of 1,000, even if all we want is just one game. Once we buy Bonk's Adventure for 600 points, what are we supposed to do with the 400 remaining points stuck in our account? Buy four-fifths of an NES game?The pat, fanboy response will likely be to buy more points and find more games to download, but we're not too excited about the prospect of spending more money just to get our change. Even worse, those without a credit card are thus far stuck laying out $20 for a 2000 point card at retail. That's a lot of mark up if all you want is a single $5 NES download.We know Xbox Live has a similar system in place for their Microsoft Points, but their minimum purchase price is only $5 and there are small, 100 point items available to soak up your leftovers in a pinch. Sony has them both beat, though, letting you deposit exactly the amount you need when making an online purchase instead of grubbing for a few extra bucks with every transaction.The whole point of digital distribution is to make buying games and content simpler. Forcing us to buy extra digital money we might not want does not serve that goal.PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyancesWii delights vs. Wii annoyancesXbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances
Virtual Console feature hints at upgrading classics
Nintendo-centric site The Wiire sifted through the Q & A in the Wii Shop Channel and discovered an interesting portion that explained the Update button, where you can download "enhancements" for a game. It is unknown what enhancements there might be. The Q&A mentions that the updates would be provided free of charge, but that doesn't rule out other charged microtransactions. Likely the update feature exists to fix glitches; however, graphical improvements and online capabilities would be a nice touch. Who wouldn't want to play Mario Kart online? We've contacted our Nintendo rep and will let you know what we learn.[Thanks, Sam]
TG-16 games hit the Wii
We were a little concerned when the Wii's Virtual Console launched this Sunday without any downloadable TurboGrafx-16 games, despite a promise from a Nintendo press release that Bomberman '93 would be one of the games that was "ready to play on launch day." Were there problems finalizing the Wii's TG-16 emulator? Licensing issues still to be worked out with HudsonSoft? A general feeling that players didn't care about the little known system?Well, it seems our rhetorical hand-wringing was a little premature, because as of today Bomberman '93 and Bonk's Adventure are both downloadable from the Wii Shop Channel for 600 Wii points ($6). A post from Hudson staffer John on the Hudson Entertainment forums suggests the games were indeed playable on dev kits by launch day, but might have been delayed due to a hitch in the certification process for the TG-16 games. Whatever the reason, we're just glad the problems have been worked out and we can now play around with the original headbanger to our heart's content.
There's a Wiimote in my pocket (Wii annoyance #005)
The Classic Controller hid the awkward lap placement shown on the packaging insertDangling from the end of the Classic Controller is the Wiimote. What are we supposed to do with this thing?Some have speculated that Nintendo will release a device (a separate purchase?) that will allow the Wiimote to be clipped to the back of the Classic Controller; however, this still wouldn't eliminate that pesky cable connecting the two controllers. For now, we're forced to rest the Wiimote awkwardly on our laps or stuff it into our pockets -- we suppose duct tape is an option too. Our advice: stick with GameCube's wireless Wavebird for all your Virtual Console needs (it's only about $10 more than the Classic Controller and it's more compatible to boot!).Wii delights vs. Wii annoyancesPS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyancesXbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances
Wii store now open for business
We realize there are still only a select few of you who actually have Wiis at this very moment (although those on the Eastern seaboard will have theirs in just a few short hours). But you might like to know that our Wii finally got its system update (huzzah) and is able to access the Wii store. The points are valued at a cent per, so 1,000 Wii points will set you back $10 US. Which is also what N64 games cost; SNES games will run $8, while NES and Genesis games run $5. Click on for a tour of the store!
Joystiq Video: Buying Zelda (NES) on the Wii's Virtual Console service
After finally getting our Wii connected to the internet (after myriad failed attempts), we immediately jumped into the Wii Shop to download one of the thirty or so games promised around launch. First in the virtual shopping cart: The Legend of Zelda. After a brief download (with Mario waiting screen), we fired up our new Zelda channel and played what appeared to be a pixel perfect replica of the 1986 NES classic. Nice touches: hot pluggable GameCube pad support (we popped in a Wavebird and it just worked) and an embedded instruction manual (just hit the Home button).Available games and prices (remember, 100 Wii points = 100¢ in US currency and ¥100 in Japanese currency, but the conversion isn't so neat for other currencies) : Altered Beast (800 Wii points) Donkey Kong (500 Wii points) F-Zero (800 Wii points) Mario Bros. (500 Wii points) Pinball (500 Wii points) SimCity (800 Wii points) Soccer (500 Wii points) Solomon's Key (500 Wii points) Sonic the Hedgehog (800 Wii points) Super Mario 64 (1000 Wii points) The Legend of Zelda (500 points) Wario's Woods (500 points) A video of the entire Wii Shop experience is embedded after the break.
Wii anticipation: preparing for launch
So here we are -- just a few days until the heralded launch of the Wii. We've been waiting so long that it hardly seems real, but there's no time to waste. We have to make plans for the penultimate event: the act of obtaining the Wii. The ultimate event is, of course, getting it home safely and plugging it all in. But first ... parties! Camping! Meteor showers! The popping of champagne bottles (if you're doing this, can we come over?)! Where will you be come midnight, November 19? We want to know.The Wii Fanboy staff will be positioned hither and yon, jockeying for our own sainted items, and will we provide as much live and almost-live coverage as we can cram onto the site from various wifi hotspots. At least one of our minions (don't you wish you knew who?) will be on the ground in Times Square. But enough about us. We want to know about you, dear reader. Where will you be at the moment of truth? Tell us, tell each other, network and plan to meet up. Remember: it's harder to trample new friends, so make nice and try not to stampede when the clock slides on over to midnight on Sunday.It's been fun, anticipating the Wii with everyone. We've talked about our homes, ourselves, and our plans for games. Now that we're on the brink of fulfilling our motion-sensing dreams, we feel a little ... empty. It's been a long road from the beginning until now, and yet it all feels somehow like a rehearsal. The real show doesn't begin until Sunday, and what a show it's going to be.But before we look ahead, let's recap where we've been.
Many Wii online functions not ready for launch [update 1]
Nintendo announced today in a press release that many of the Wii's online functions would not be available when the system launches in North America on Sunday. The release reveals the forecast channel will debut on Dec. 20, while the news channel (with content from the Associated Press) will debut Jan. 27 of next year. The release also suggested that the Wii's Opera browser would not be available for download immediately, saying "more information about the availability of the browser will be released in the coming weeks."Nintendo did confirm that 12 Virtual Console games would be available on launch day, including Donkey Kong, SimCity, Super Mario 64, Sonic the Hedgehog and Bomberman '93. The release also confirmed that new VC content would be released every Monday and established pricing for Genesis and Turbo-Grafx games at 800 points ($8) and 600 points ($6) respectively.Of course what is perhaps the key online feature for a game console -- actual online game play -- still won't be available until next year, making a lot of this moot from a certain perspective. Still, this delay in more basic online functionality makes us wonder how well Nintendo's online strategy will be able to go from a practical standing start to keeping up with the big boys.[Thanks Stephen][update: Original article said Jan. 17 for the News Channel launch. This has been fixed above.]
Genesis VC games don't work with GC controller? [update 1]
Cruising around the Wii game pages on Nintendo.com, we noticed something a little odd in the listed "Extra Game Features" for the Wii's Genesis Virtual Console games. While other virtual console games all list support for the GameCube controller (and the Wii remote in the case of NES and TurboGrafx-16 games) all the Genesis game pages insist that you "use the Classic Controller to play this game." This contradicts an interview with CVG where Nintendo said "all virtual console games can be played using the Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube pads," but seems in line with a note in the Wii manual that says "some Virtual Console games can only be played with a Classic Controller."The Genesis seems an odd system to single out for a lack of GameCube controller support, since the system's three buttons would map relatively easily to the GameCube's B, A and X buttons. Personally, we don't relish the idea of spending $40 for two classic controllers just to get some multiplayer Toejam and Earl action going, but we will if we must.We've contacted Nintendo for confirmation on this matter and will update as soon as they get back to us.[Update 1: Since launch it has become apparent that Genesis games do work with the Gamecube controller and occasionally with the Wii remote as well. The Nintendo game info. pages have been updated with this information.][Thanks to the commenters on this post for pointing us to this story]
Wii Points cards are a no-go for Latin America
The good news: Wii channels will be available in Spanish. The better news? The only way to purchase Wii Points in Latin America will be via the Wii Shopping Channel -- they will not be available in stores. However, according to Melissa Wright, Nintendo's Manager of Sales and Marketing for Latin America, the reason for this decision is to keep consumers from paying higher prices. And despite the difference between console prices in the US and in Mexico, costs for points and Virtual Console games will be the same in both regions. [Via Go Nintendo]
Virtual Console's N64 titles don't rumble
CVG reports Nintendo 64 Virtual Console games will lack rumble feedback. Not only will the Classic Controller be without rumble support, but the GameCube controller's jiggliness will be nonfunctional when used to play N64 downloads.It's disappointing that this feature was cut. While not compatible with every title*, the Rumble Pak was one of N64's most significant innovations. How about a patch to support the GameCube controller?*There are a ton that are compatible!
The awesome just keeps on coming: more Virtual Console games [update 1]
Because the eight we just posted weren't good enough, we've got another ESRB confirmation ... this time for thirteen. We'll let the list do the talking for us:NES: Excitebike Ice Climber Dr. Mario Mario Brothers Ice Hockey Soccer Super Nintendo: Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Kirby's Super Star Super Metroid Kirby's Dream Land 3 Nintendo 64: Mario Kart 64 Starfox 64 Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time "Mario Brothers", which is technically the name of the arcade title already coming to the VC at launch, is presumably the actual Super Mario Bros., which failed to make it across the Pacific in time for November 19th. The biggest name on this list is certainly Mario RPG, a collaborative effort between Nintendo and Squaresoft USA (now known as Square-Enix). Besides being an absolutely excellent game, it shows that Square-Enix is committed to bringing some of the very best of its SNES golden-era RPGs to the Virtual Console. We don't want to say it, we shouldn't, really ... but dammit, we need to ... Chrono Trigger?[Thanks, Cian C.!][Update 1: Dammit, we can't count.]
ESRB approves Mario RPG, 12 more VC titles
As an addendum to yesterday's eight, the Entertainment Software Review Board has approved 13 more Virtual Console titles. The list is exclusively first-party and features more of Nintendo's successful games, including Ocarina of Time, Super Metroid, and Dr. Mario. Every game received an E for Everybody rating. Though we understand not wanting to steal the limelight from the retail Wii games, many of these titles should have been available at launch to show off the Virtual Console; we will likely see these new downloads by mid-2007. What remains to be seen is when more third-party titles will show up -- since Mario RPG, listed, was a collaboration between Nintendo and Square Enix, perhaps Chrono Trigger or the Final Fantasy franchise will soon follow.Continue reading for the full list.
New Virtual Console games on the horizon [update 1]
Yes, the U.S. Virtual Console launch line-up is a bit ... anemic. We know, it hurts. However, one has to consider why it doesn't really matter: 1) We'll all be too busy playing Twilight Princess to bother with the Virtual Console immediately, and 2) Nintendo has promised ten new Virtual Console releases per month. That's quite a bit, especially looking at how often Xbox Live Arcade is updated, but the question then becomes: what's on the horizon?Well, thanks to the ESRB, we've got a clue. The ESRB requires that games be rated before release, which obviously means that companies need to send in their product quite a bit in advance. Since they publish their ratings, we've managed to score a list of eight potentials, and quite an eight they are (all rated E for Everyone): Duck Hunt Hogan's Alley Kid Icarus Kirby's Adventure PilotWings Pro Wrestling Punch-Out Wild Gunman Kid Icarus, Duck Hunt, and Punch-Out? Holy hell. The Virtual Console is awesome.[via Joystiq][Thanks, Zeke!][Update 1: Legal issues?]
