Virtual Console
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Three Capcom arcade games confirmed for Virtual Console in Japan
Capcom continues to support the Virtual Console long after most companies have abandoned the service, announcing three upcoming Virtual Console Arcade releases for Japan. Black Tiger (an early candidate for Final Fight: Double Impact inclusion), Ghosts 'n Goblins (which is already available on Virtual Console in its NES form) and 1942 will be released in Japan in the near future. Though no announcements have been made about these titles' releases outside of Japan, recent Australian ratings show that Capcom is likely planning to launch some of its other Virtual Console Arcade games in additional territories. [Image credit: The Arcade Flyers Archive]
Red Wii with special Super Mario Bros. coming to Japan
After announcing the Super Mario Collection and special-edition DSi and DSi XL systems, Nintendo has continued the festivities with a red Super Mario Bros. Wii console. The new, Mario-colored Wii will include a matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk -- and it will be preloaded with an exclusive altered version of the original Super Mario Bros. All we can tell from the single screenshot is that question-mark blocks now look like the number 25. This tantalizing collectible will be released in Japan on November 11, for ¥20,000 ($243). Meanwhile, Nintendo of America has yet to announce a single anniversary product.
NintendoWare Weekly: Shantae: Risky's Revenge, Fatal Fury 3
Originally meant to be episodic, the long-awaited sequel Shantae: Risky's Revenge arrives on DSiWare today. At 1,200 DSi Points ($12), it's the most expensive game on the service -- though its price doesn't come close to comparing to eBay prices for the original (just the manual is $50). If nothing else, that should provide a clue as to the level of affection people, including opportunistic eBayers, have for this series. Also available this week: a Virtual Console game. No, really!%Gallery-104185%
3DS has a Game Boy/ Game Boy Color Virtual Console [update]
One of the 3DS's killer apps may be ... old games. As has been requested for the original DS and DSi since time immemorial (2004), Nintendo will offer downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on the 3DS, through a VIrtual Console-style store. In addition, as shown at E3, Nintendo will offer 3D-ified versions of classics like Xevious. Update: The transcript from Nintendo's conference last night show that Iwata specified games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color -- not Advance. At least, not yet. We apologize for the confusion.
OFLC rates Capcom's Commando and Exed Exes, likely for VC
Here's something we don't get to write about very often any more: games that appear to be headed for the Wii Virtual Console. Australia's OFLC rated two classic Capcom arcade games that are most likely bound for the sadly neglected download service: Commando, the top-down shooting game that is probably best known now for being kind of connected to Bionic Commando, and a vertical shooter called Exed Exes. We can be fairly certain these ratings point to a Virtual Console release, because Exed Exes was just put on the Virtual Console in Japan today. And now we begin the long wait until these two games make their way over. (Or we can just play them on Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 1 for PS2 and Xbox.) [Image: The Arcade Flyer Archive]
NintendoWare Weekly: Nintendo Countdown Calendar, Aero 2
This week, we must thank Sunsoft once again for keeping the Virtual Console alive (if not entirely lively) with its release of Aero the Acrobat 2. Meanwhile, Nintendo offers a DSiWare app that allows you to make something with which gamers are entirely too familiar: countdown calendars. We must admit, though, that it's more fun when they count down to a personal milestone of instead of an artificial deadline for the release of information. Head past the break in 3 ... 2 ... 1 to see this week's Virtual Console, WiiWare, and DSiWare stuff.%Gallery-102760%
NintendoWare Weekly: Ufouria, And Yet It Moves
As if summoned by our claim last week of the Virtual Console's death, Sunsoft swoops in with a really interesting Virtual Console game! Sunsoft (who also published the last one) might be the only company left releasing retro games on the Wii Shop. WiiWare has a (single) interesting release as well: the physics-based puzzle platformer And Yet It Moves, which has moved from PC to WiiWare with new modes and some new levels.%Gallery-98837%
Harvest Moon 64 probably not coming out on Virtual Console
In our experience, there are two types of people in this world: Folks who think Harvest Moon 64 is the best game in the series, and total weirdos. The first group will likely be dismayed to read NerdMentality's recent interview with Natsume exec Graham Markay, who, when asked whether the title would ever make it onto the Virtual Console storefront, responded, "It will not. It will not. And it's not from lack of trying." Markay explained that the code of the original title is "not an easy transfer," later adding "I shouldn't say it's never going to come out, but there's just a really, really, very small chance that it would ever come out." Great, Markay. Just leave that door open. Just keep us hanging onto that one sliver of hope as we attempt to get our fix by pulling 48-hour FarmVille binges. You're killing us, dude.
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Yuji Horii on Dragon Quest IX
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies was just released on the DS -- if you've yet to check out our review, then here's the pertinent linkage. So, considering how much Square Enix has invested in the title, it's no surprise the brunt of producer Horii's chat (which you can see for yourself past the break) largely revolves around his hopes for the game. Basically, he wants everyone to play it. What a surprise!%Gallery-95770%
VC in Brief: Aero the Acro-Bat (SNES)
I gotta be honest with you guys: I thought I'd never get a chance to do one of these videos ever again. It seemed like Nintendo had forgotten about the poor old Virtual Console and left it to rot like some kind of thing that wasn't supposed to be left out and was then subsequently forgotten about. Uh, yeah, that sounds about right. Anyway, I'm just glad to be back. Head past the break for the latest episode of VC in Brief, featuring Iguana Entertainment's Aero the Acro-Bat. Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
NintendoWare Weekly: Aero the Acro-Bat, Face Pilot
You're not going to believe this. We had to double-check, in case we read it wrong or in case it was an egregious typo or something. But ... there's a Virtual Console game this week. %Gallery-98206%
Capcom joins Wii Virtual Console Arcade with SonSon
Remember the Virtual Console Arcade? Capcom has just announced that it'll join the small stable of publishers releasing arcade games on the download service. Right now, the announcement is for Japan only, but Capcom has been good about releasing its Virtual Console games worldwide in the past. The first game out of the new initiative is Sonson, an auto-scrolling platformer based on the Journey to the West story (like Dragon Ball and Enslaved). It'll be released sometime this summer in Japan for 800 Wii Points ($8). Since the GDC 2009 announcement of the Virtual Console Arcade, just 13 arcade games have been released in North America. The service is significantly more populated in Japan, but only because of Namco Bandai. Both Japan and North America's stores could definitely benefit from some variety.
VC in Brief: Mario Tennis (N64)
Mario Tennis is a pretty important game for two reasons: 1.) it's made by Camelot -- you know, the same guys doing Golden Sun: Dark Dawn -- and 2.) it's one of the best semi-modern Tennis games starring Mario and crew. No, we're not counting Mario's Tennis on the Virtual Boy because, man, we still get headaches thanks to that game -- why would you even suggest that one? So head past the break and check out the latest episode of VC in Brief below. We promise it won't induce migraines. At least, we hope it won't. Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
NintendoWare Weekly: Mario Tennis, Jett Rocket, Maestro
There's a Virtual Console game this week! It's kind of hard to believe. It's even a Mario game -- a Mario sports game, but a Mario game nonetheless. Meanwhile, WiiWare hosts a 3D platformer that appears very Mario-like, and DSiWare introduces North America to Maestro, a musical platforming game that was only released in Europe in its full cartridge incarnation.
European Nintendo downloads: Tales in a Box, Final Fantasy IV
Looksley's Line Up, also known as "that game everyone thought was a 3DS demo," arrives in Europe today under the title Tales in a Box: Hidden shapes in perspective! If your interests lie less in the uncomfortably futuristic, and more in the vintage, Final Fantasy II is available on Virtual Console. This is the one we know now as Final Fantasy IV. See the rest of the Wii and DS downloads at Nintendo UK.
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Super Mario Galaxy 2 tips
Having trouble getting those stars from the Cosmic Cove Galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy 2? Then you'll want to boot up your Wii and check out the latest episode of Nintendo Week on the Nintendo Channel. There are even a few tips on how to make Mario a more stylish skater, if you like to kick shell and look good while doing it. Head past the break for the full list of this week's content.
Japanese Nintendo downloads: Heisei Shin Onigashima, Ai Sengoku Spirits
There hasn't been a WiiWare release in Japan since May 11. And today, there are only two new downloadable Nintendo games of any kind in the region. If you live in Japan and like downloading games on Nintendo platforms, now would be a good time to start feeling uneasy about the future. The two aforementioned releases include the second part of an SNES remake of a Famicom Disk System graphical text adventure and a strategy game about Sengoku-era warlord Uesugi Kenshin. And nothing else. Heisei Shin Onigashima: Kouhen (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Ai Sengoku Spirits Gaiden Kenshin-hen (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
VC in Brief: Wild Guns (SNES)
What better way to celebrate Memorial Day than by mowing down countless waves of evil henchmen and robots? Natsume's Wild Guns is a great arcade experience that both fans of shooters and crazy interpretations of historical events can get behind. Seriously, it's not a bad way to spend $8 (or hours of your time). Wild Guns (SNES, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Dragon Ball: Origins 2 demo
Just as expected, the highlight of this week's Nintendo Channel update is undoubtedly the demo for Dragon Ball: Origins 2. If you're looking for anything beyond that, you'll likely be disappointed. Aside from a new episode of Nintendo Week, it's slim pickings on the Nintendo Channel this week. Head past the break for the full list of this week's content. %Gallery-85949%
NintendoWare Weekly: X-Scape, Ben 10, Wild Guns
Even though it's a holiday here in the US, Nintendo has released a plethora of new downloadable titles for the Wii and DSi. It's a great thing, not simply because OMG moar gamez, but because it gives us a distraction from the day's festivities. There's only so much of Aunt Linda's trip to the Grand Canyon we can listen to, you know? %Gallery-86442%
