Insert Credit dug up details on the "new" EA Genesis titles, which happen to be based on the mobile device releases and are being ported by Tectoy devs. Those games are just four of the 86 titles that will come pre-installed on the budget console, including classics like Shinobi III and Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle. There are even some new titles of hazy origin. Everything old is new again... or vice versa.

News: Four "new" EA games on Genesis/Mega Drive [Insert Credit]

Master System 3 (131 jogos) [Tectoy via Insert Credit]

This little beauty is never going to give the iPod any sleepless nights (or even the Zune, bless it's funny little heart) but for gamers of a certain age — or just music fans who appreciate a classic game when they see one — it has a certain charm.

The Muga is a rugged, but otherwise uninspiring looking MP3 player. Hidden behind that little screen, though, is an emulator packed with 20 classic SEGA Genesis games. Well, 20 Genesis games of which at least six are classics and the others are 'ok', anyway.

It isn't clear if these are hard-coded or if you can load your own 'found' ROMs, but there is an SD slot which can't just be for music, surely?

Muga MP3 Sega Genesis Game Player [GP2X store, via DCEmu]

The games included aren't bad for the price. You get Shinobi, Eco the Dolphin, Sonic and Knuckles, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, and several others, all for £29.99 - the price of a DS game. While I would have preferred they sneak a cartridge port on their for good measure, the game selection isn't bad and the price is right. Hit the jump for the full game list and additional details.

24th July 2008
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Blaze International Goes Retro with The 16-Bit Blaze Handheld Console with 20 Built in SEGA Megadrive Games!

Handheld Console containing Sonic and Knuckles, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Ecco the Dolphin, Columns and 15 more superb retro titles for only £29.99 is set to take the market by storm!

At last! BLAZE are proud to announce they will be releasing their 16bit Megadrive handheld console in July 2008. The Blaze portable game player will be heading to a store near you from next month, so mums and dads, if you missed playing Sega Megadrive classics such as Sonic and Knuckles, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Ecco the Dolphin, you now have a chance to do so again... in all their portable glory... and all for the price of a single Nintendo DS game!

Other games to be hooked on again include Alex Kidd - Enchanted Castle, Alien Storm Altered Beast, Arrow Flash, Crackdown, Decap Attack, Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, Ecco Junior, Flicky, Gain Ground, Jewel Master, Kid Chameleon, Sonic Spinball and Shadow Dancer.
...All very 90’s retro chic and far less damaging to your reputation than singing along to Color ME Bad.....Though not everything from the 90’s should make a comeback...are you listening Spice Girls?

Watch a demonstration video and see gameplay footage at http://www.segaretro.net

Now the serious stuff:

Features
Plug & play portable video game system
20 built-in 16-bit SEGA licensed games
Built-in speakers
Build in colour LCD screen
TV out connection
TV format: PAL
Requires:
3 x AAA batteries.
(Batteries not included)

Description
The Blaze Portable game console is a video game player, which is pre-loaded with 20 classic games from SEGA. There is therefore no need to buy game cartridges. The blaze Portable game player has an A/V connector and with the included cable the player can be connected to any TV set. Enjoy playing classic SEGA games anytime, anywhere with the new Blaze Portable video game player. Presented in stylish blister packaging.
Watch out for more BLAZE product announcements from BLAZE and ATGames soon....

Available now from all leading games stores and online at www.segaretro.net for just £29.99 (+ P&P)

Got a cheat video...Why not upload it to the nets largest cheat, tips and tricks community video channel www.youcheats.net – It’s like Youtube for game cheats!

Sonic's Birthday [Sega Nerds]

Video of genesis4iphone (second beta) in action! [ZodTTD Blog]

Puyo Puyo 2 - The object of this head-to-head puzzle game is to clear your grid of falling patterns, called puyos, by forming chains of four or more same-colored puyos in a straight line or one of several geometric patterns. What makes this a challenging two-player contest is the fact that when you clear a chain of puyos from your grid, it drops a random piece of filler onto your opponent's grid. The more puyos you clear, the more you fill your opponent's grid, and if you can clutter up his grid enough to fill it to the top, you've won the game. An intriguing backstory makes this an amusing diversion for one or two players.

POWERBALL - Eight different teams representing various nations are vying to become the Powerball champions, and you control one of the eight in your quest for the championship. A hybrid of games like rugby and football, Powerball is played on a 100-yard field, as you try to score by either carrying the ball into your opponent's end zone or kicking it into your opponent's net for a certain amount of points. This one- or two-player game offers both exhibition and league play. Jump into a game of Powerball and try a brand-new sport!

It is my great shame to admit I completely by-passed the Genesis, so I probably should pick some of these up.

One advantage the Retro Duo has over some of the other NES/SNES clones is its ability to properly play the original Starfox, which looked and played just as we remembered it. The double duty console looks like a pretty nice product for anyone who still has plenty of retro titles on hand and isn't already in possession of similar products like the FC Twin. More pics of the consoles are in our gallery below.

Discovered at CES: Two generic consoles that play non-generic games. The Retro Duo accepts both NES and Super NES games, while the Gen X takes Sega Master System and Genesis/Mega Drive games. Both of the consoles were built on technology that takes advantage of lapsed patents, so they are perfectly legal. At least according to the guy showing them off at CES they are.

CES 2008: Retro Console Clones Take Actual Cartridges [Wired]

While we've heard whispers that a new Factor 5 developed Turrican game may be in the works, it would seem that Julian Eggebrecht and crew are waiting for something to light a fire under them. What's it gonna take, guys?

ESRB Game Ratings [ESRB]

Also rated was the Genesis version of Rolling Thunder 2, which ups the side-scrolling shooter classic with a second secret agent and a hefty pair of boobs. Gameplay was an afterthought. While neither are dated nor confirmed by their respective publishers, expect them in a future update.

ESRB Game Ratings

Old clip is old, I know, but I've finally found the time to sit through 14 minutes and 43 seconds of Sega logos, shredded, blown up, bastardized and molested in every imaginable way by anyone and everyone who ever published a Sega Genesis game. The only thing more surprising than the wide variety of title screen mash ups is that Sega brand stewards never seemed to crack down on third parties messing with its corporate logo.

Update: Here's the static version.

A pair of isometric games, Sonic 3D Blast and Light Crusader have also been rated. The former is a different take on the Sonic formula, with Sonic collecting Flickies in a clunky speed crippling space. The latter is Treasure's take on a Western-style action RPG. No dates for any of this high-quality 16-bit era gaming, but expect announcements from Sega soon.

ESRB Game Ratings

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 [Xbox.com]

The addition of Shinobi III is so personally exciting, I just powered on my Wii in the vain hope that Nintendo issued a Thursday update to the Virtual Console. Sadly, I was turned away and will leave my Wii powered down in protest until Monday morning. Full press release confirming the confirmation right after this.

SEGA ANNOUNCES TWO NEW TITLES FOR THE Wii VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Two SEGA Genesis Classics Coming Soon to the Wii Shop Channel

SAN FRANCISCO (August 16, 2007) - SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that two titles from its SEGA Genesis™ library, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master™ and Landstalker™, will soon be available for download on the Wii™ Shop Channel. Prices start at 800 Wii™ Points for SEGA Genesis titles. Wii Points can be purchased online or at select retailers at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master - In this thrilling sequel to The Revenge of Shinobi, Joe Musashi finds that Neo Zeed - the crime syndicate he believed he had wiped out two years earlier - is indeed still alive and well. The return of Neo Zeed and its leader, the mysterious Shadow Master, forces Musashi to return from exile and confront the growing evil. As the Shinobi - the master of long-forgotten Oboro Ninjitsu martial arts - Musashi must utilize all his powers to overcome his various enemies. Thanks to his considerable combat skills and special Ninjitsu moves, only the Shinobi can thwart Neo Zeed and vanquish the Shadow Master.

Landstalker - After hearing of the legendary treasure of King Nole, the elvish treasure-hunter Nigel undertakes a quest to gather various pieces of the famed loot. His journey takes him through villages, caves and dungeons that hold King Nole's riches, and along the way, he'll have to help the inhabitants of the island while fighting against the treachery of Duke Mercator, who is searching for the treasure as well. A variety of obstacles and foes will try to deter Nigel, who must use all his wits and skills to defeat Duke Mercator and uncover the secret of King Nole's treasure.

The Wii Shop Channel serves as the Wii's online storefront where visitors can redeem Wii Points to download games. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. Users can buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card online from the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download these and other classic games.

For more information on upcoming Virtual Console titles from SEGA, please visit the official Web site at www.sega.com. For assets, please visit the SEGA Press site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

About SEGA of America, Inc.

SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.sega.com.

ABOUT NINTENDO:

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 387 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

So, let's have it. What are you playing this weekend? To the comments with you!

Keep in mind that just because the ESRB issues a rating for a particular game doesn't mean it's going to pop up in the Wii Shop Channel come Monday. Plenty of titles, from Pro Wrestling to Pilotwings, have been in the ratings board's database for far too long.

ESRB Game Ratings [ESRB]

The newest additions include Shining Force for the Sega Genesis and Super Turrican and Super Turrican 2 for the Super Nintendo. The ESRB has also rated Dr. Mario Wii for the Wii, but it's unclear if this is strictly a Virtual Console title. Could this be a new Wii release? Something for the original Wii Ware service?

It could simply be the NES puzzle game with an unusual slight renaming. That's probably the safest, least exciting bet. E3's just around the corner, as is a VC update, so we'll know soon enough. Michael McWhertor

How popular is anime/manga Neon Genesis Evangelion? It's not only gotten a string of video game adaptations, a pachinko machine, but also a coffee branding. And the coffee branding wasn't once, but twice. Back in 1997, Japanese beverage company UCC released an Evangelion branded coffee. Once again, the company has slapped Evangelion on its popular milk coffee to help promote the upcoming anime out this summer. It doesn't taste different from regular UCC milk coffee (quite delicious in its own right!), but don't tell that to the folks who are snatching up cans. It's been regularly selling out since hitting vending machines. Brian Ashcraft

Evangelion Coffee [Akiba Blog]

Since the first Ninja Gaiden was released for the download service just two weeks ago, I don't expect to see the Tecmo action platformer show up for some time. Shining In The Darkness, however, hell, that could show up on Monday.

As for now, I've got 2300 points burning a hole in my virtual pocket. Any suggestions? Michael McWhertor

ESRB Game Ratings

Included in the plug-and-play is Sonic 2, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, The Ooze, Columns, Alex Kidd and the Enchanted Castle. It probably makes a lovely keychain too. Kim Phu

Sega Deal: Miniature Consoles Going for a Miniature Price [Sega Nerds]

Today, a new batch of ratings from the ESRB turned up two potential Vintage Collection additions, Ecco the Dolphin and Sonic the Hedgehog for the Xbox 360. The latter is, of course, a different entry from the awful 3D version Sonic Team shat out for Microsoft's console last year. Sega announced a singular Genesis title for the 360 at E3 2006, then called Sonic the Hedgehog High Speed.

So, Xbox 360 owners, expect even more Sega Genesis to be dredged up yet again for future XBLA releases. I've completely given up hope of Sega actually tapping into their arcade library. Michael McWhertor

ESRB Watch: Ecco, Sonic on 360 [IGN]

In Korea, the PC rules. Console companies have been trying to crack the elusive market since the early days. For example, Sega teamed up with Samsung for a Mega Drive/Genesis release. And just take a look at this Sega Master System that's been dubbed the "GAM-BOY: Home Computer System" to either avoid Game Boy copyright infringement and/or confuse the hell outta customers. Classic! Brian Ashcraft

Korean Game Systems [Insert Credit]

Enter the new hack for the Sega Genesis controller to add to your accessories for your Nintendo Wii. All you need is a some wiring know-how, a Genesis controller, and a shopping list only a geek like my dad can understand. A couple of hours and expletives later, you too could be a proud owner of a classic controller that works on a not-so classic machine. Kim Phu

Wireless Sega Genesis Controller for Wii [Cre.ations via Sega Nerds]

Like other Genesis games, users can expect to pay 800 Wii Points for each game when they're available on the Wii Shop channel.

I'm pretty sure I own at least three copies of Streets of Rage 2, but somehow I don't think that will stop me from buying the game one more time. The convenience of firing up Yuzo Koshiro's awesome soundtrack at any point gets me hot and bothered.

Full release, with details on each game, after the jump. Michael McWhertor

SEGA ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW TITLES FOR THE Wii VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Four SEGA Genesis Classics Coming Soon to the Wii Shop Channel

SAN FRANCISCO (April 19, 2007) - SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that four titles from its SEGA Genesis library, Streets of Rage 2, Toe Jam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron, Shining in the Darkness and Kid Chameleon, will soon be available for download on the Wii Shop Channel. Prices start at 800 Wii Points for SEGA Genesis titles. Wii Points can be purchased online or at select retailers at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points.

Streets of Rage 2 - To celebrate their defeat of the syndicate exactly one year before, Blaze, Adam and Axel met for drinks. The next morning, Axel received a frantic phone call from Eddie 'Skate' Hunter, Adam's younger brother, whom he was living with on the edge of the city. Blaze and Axel found Adam and Skate's house wrecked and a picture of Adam chained to a wall at the feet of Mr. X. The city then once again returned to its nightmarish state and criminals ran rampant. Unable to contact their old friend from the military, Axel and Blaze team up with Skate and Max Thunder to free the city and rescue Adam from the Syndicate. It is up to you to take down Mr. X once and for all!

Toe Jam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron - A number of Earthlings hitchhiked on Toe Jam and Earl's spaceship on their trip back home after the first game, and are now infesting Planet Funkotron. Toe Jam and Earl must track down the Earthlings and capture them in large jars and ship them back to Earth in space ships. It is also your funky mission to find 10 beloved objects belonging to Lamont the "Funkapotamus," the source of all funk in the universe, to persuade him to return to his favorite funk-filled planet. Use your "funk powers" to assist in evading and capturing the earthlings, such as Funk Move and Funk Scan.

Shining in the Darkness - Dark Sol has vowed to reign over the enchanted Kingdom of Thornwood and only you can stop him. Roaming the dark labyrinth, you will seek out enemies and collect weapons, all of which will help you pass the test of the Ancients and become a shining knight. Get into the adventure with a stunning 3D perspective, amazing cinematic views, and fast-paced scrolling. You'll move from battle to battle, solving puzzles and discovering secret items in this engrossing struggle between good and evil. Find the powerful Arms of Light and battle the deadly beasts that keep your people desperate and starving in this epic journey for peace.

Kid Chameleon - The local arcade is packed with kids, all lining up to play the latest, most realistic video game they've ever seen. It's called Wild Side, and it uses holographic images to immerse the player in a strange world. But there's a problem, kids are being sucked into the game and now several of them are trapped. With more than 100 levels to adventure through, you'll take on several different forms such as a Berzerker, a Micromax, a Maniaxe, or a Skycutter, which will make you much more powerful. It's up to you, Kid Chameleon, the best gamer in town, to get yourself inside the game so that you can defeat the games' boss and bring your friends back to reality.

The Wii Shop Channel serves as the Wii's online storefront where visitors can redeem Wii Points to download games. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. Users can buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card online from the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download these and other classic games.

For more information on upcoming Virtual Console titles from SEGA, please visit the official Web site at www.sega.com. For assets, please visit the SEGA Press site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

About SEGA of America, Inc.

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The SEGA of America, Inc. Web site is located at www.SEGA.com.

About Nintendo:

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii , Nintendo DS , Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 387 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario , Donkey Kong , Metroid , Zelda and Pok mon . A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

GameTrailers has an extended look at what appears to be footage of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Activision's upcoming game adaptation of the Sam Raimi film. Featuring in-game looks at the Sandman, Venom and whatever the hell Harry Osborn is supposed to be, Spider-Man 3 The Game doesn't look bad, necessarily, it just hasn't convinced me to add to my Spider-Man videogame collection.

For the record, my Spider-Man videogame collection consists solely of the 1991 Sega Genesis game Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin which was horrid. Michael McWhertor

In a nod to the late Notorious B.I.G.'s tune "Juicy", Soulful Commandoe has released a tee by the same name, highlighting the two consoles Biggie Smalls namechecked to show that he'd "made it." He also apparently had a pretty big phone bill at the time. At least it's more creative than the billionth mention of rims in modern hip-hop.

The Juicy tee is available over at Karmaloop for $29, should you want to show your 16-bit and B.I.G. love. Michael McWhertor

Juicy Tee [Karmaloop]

First up is this Punch Out!! inspired crewneck from L&D. It comes in three colors, with Mike Tyson's busted grill smack dab in the middle of the chest. Mike isn't always green, just in this variation.

Also from L&D is a nod to Tecmo Bowl in this less inspired sweatshirt that requires knowledge of street fashion and classic NES football games.

Similarly, No Mas is bringing that Tecmo Bowl flair to their hoodie (brown or black) with front and back 8-bit graphics. For our Hawaiian readers, a t-shirt of the same "Tecmo Bo" design is also available.

No Mas' other sports game piece features a classic fight from EA's NHL 94 for the Sega Genesis, which comes in two colors, one of which plainly doesn't quite work out. Like their other design "Goons" comes in a short sleeve tee.

All this stuff can be picked up at stores like Digital Gravel, Krudmart, The Red Lemon Store, and Turntable Lab.

Thanks for going window shopping with us. Let us know if you pick up any gear. Michael McWhertor

The big news on the Virtual Console front today was obviously the release of the SNES classic, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past. But a handful of other VC games will be unleashed on the Wii Shop channel today, with a few more listed at the ESRB web site, just itching for the chance to be downloaded.

Sega has three reheated classics up for grabs for a mere 800 Wii Points each, action platformer Comix Zone, and arcade-to-Genesis ports Bonanza Bros. and Gain Ground. The games are scheduled to hit sometime today.

Future releases for the VC via the ESRB site include Super Mario World (SNES), Chew Man Fu (TG-16), and Mighty Bomb Jack (NES). Before the weekend, ratings for Turbografx-16 titles Bonk's Revenge, Bonk III: Bonk's Big Adventure, and Dragons Curse appeared for the Wii, but have since disappeared. All have been rated by the ESRB, but have little in the way of confirmed release dates. Michael McWhertor

Most of these games have been released in multiple compilations in the past few years alone, with Comix Zone itself getting small-screen treatment on the GBA, but I can never get enough of Sketch Turner's frame-hopping antics. If a game ever cried out for a DS sequel, Comix Zone is that game. Streets of Rage is an old favorite, but not one I can see myself paying eight bucks for. Hit the press release for more. Michael Fahey

SEGA ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW TITLES COMING TO Wii VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Five Additional SEGA Genesis Classics Will Soon Be Available for Download on the WiiTM Shop Channel

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (January 8, 2007) - SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced five titles from its SEGA Genesis library, Streets of Rage, Bio-Hazard Battle, Gain Ground, Comix Zone and Bonanza Bros. will soon be available on the Wii Shop Channel for download and play on the Wii's Virtual Console. Prices start at 800 Wii Points for SEGA Genesis titles. Wii Points can be purchased online or at select retailers at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points.

"The Wii Shop Channel is a great avenue for gamers who want instant access to classic SEGA Genesis titles," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Legendary titles such as Streets of Rage, Comic Zone and Bonanza Bros. are a perfect fit for this platform and will be ready for download later this month."

Q1 2007 Line Up:
Streets of Rage - This city was once a happy, peaceful, place...until one day, a powerful secret criminal organization took over. This vicious syndicate soon had control of the government and even the police force. The city has become a center of violence and crime where no one is safe. Amid this turmoil, a group of determined young police officers has sworn to clean up the city. Among them are Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding. They decided to put their lives on the line and take back their city through their special hand-to-hand combat abilities. They are willing to risk anything, even their lives, on the Streets of Rage. (1991/ SEGA)

Bio-Hazard Battle - An army of biogenetic mutants has gone haywire, terrorizing the world and putting the future of the planet in jeopardy. It's up to you to take on the mutant menace and restore order and harmony to the planet Avaron, before it's too late! Through eight levels of intense action, you'll be up against some of the nastiest, most vile creatures you've ever seen, things like mega amoebas, nuclear crabs, electroworms, and gut-grabbing insects. You have four different Bioship fightercraft to choose from, each with unique handling capabilities and weapons systems. Your mission will take you through cavernous mineshafts, the ocean floor, and the Biowar Lab, each populated by heinous creatures that only man could have created. Hop into your fightercraft and save Avaron from certain doom. (1992/ SEGA)

Gain Ground - It's the 31st Century, and science and technology have progressed to the point that the human race is approaching perfection: no war, no poverty, and no conflict. With nothing to worry about, the human race seems destined to live forever in harmony; but what if Earth came under attack? By this point in time, people did not know how to cope with problems or conflicts, and had completely lost their survival instincts. In response to this, the United Earth Government created the Gain Ground system, a war simulator that would help humans rediscover their lost instincts. After several terrible malfunctions, the creators became prisoners in their own creation. Now it's up to you and two courageous comrades to go into the Gain Ground system, rescue your fellow humans, and destroy the system. You'll battle through different periods in history as you revive your survival instincts, while trying to stay alive! (1991/ SEGA)

Comix Zone - Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day while Sketch is drawing, there is a huge thunderstorm and a bolt of lightning hits Sketch's image, bringing it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniac mutant who wants to become real and rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator's life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes he is a superhero that came to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus' hand. Now that he's a comic book superhero, Sketch can fight like a one-man mercenary platoon! (1995/ SEGA)

Bonanza Bros. - Mobo and Robo Bonanza are enjoying their favorite television show when the picture crackles and the shadowy figure of a mysterious stranger appears on screen. This figure asks them to collect certain items that he has placed inside various buildings to test his security force. If they return the items successfully, Mobo and Robo will be rewarded. The two of them agree to get the job done in just three minutes, however, they don't know yet that each building is packed with security guards who will raise the alarm if they are caught red-handed and a huge reward will be given out if Mobo and Robo are apprehended. Fortunately both Mobo and Robo are equipped with bullets that can knock the guards unconscious for a few seconds. Help the infamous Bonanza Bros. infiltrate a number of different locations ranging from banks to mansions to casinos and don't get caught! (1991/ SEGA)

The Wii Shop Channel serves as the Wii's online storefront, where visitors can redeem Wii Points to download games and other items. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. More Virtual Console games will come available every Monday following launch and by year-end. Users buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card online from the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download the classic games.

For more information on upcoming Virtual Console titles from SEGA, please visit the official Web site at www.sega.com. For assets, please visit the SEGA Press site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

About SEGA of America, Inc.
SEGA of America, Inc. is the American Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The SEGA of America, Inc. Web site is located at www.SEGA.com.

About SEGA Europe, Ltd.
SEGA Europe, Ltd. is the European Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The SEGA Europe, Ltd. Web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.

About Nintendo
The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Nintendo DS , Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems, and upcoming Wii console. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 375 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario , Donkey Kong , Metroid , Zelda and Pok mon . A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

—-—

Back before 3D and human kissing, Team Sonic made some truly fantastic side scrollers. While Sonic the Hedgehog didn't go through as many evolutionary changes as Mario (or Link, for that matter), the spite character did get tune-ups during its 2D lifes, which spanned the Master System, the Genesis and the GameGear. Site NFG Games has a look back at the blue character, writing:

Sega had their work cut out for them with their many releases over two primary platforms, and as you can see they usually nailed it. During the 16-bit heyday Sega employed some very talented people, and most of their efforts were as good as anyone could hope for.

Yep. Sigh. Brian Ashcraft

Old School Sonic [NFG Games via Insert Credit]

Unlike the earlier Sega Ages games, this looks to be another fine collection of classic old-school Sega games at a budget price. The collection will include:

- Wonderboy (Arcade)
- Wonderboy in Monster Land (Arcade)
- Wonderboy III: Monster Lair (Arcade)
- Monster World II (Game Gear / Master System)
- Wonderboy V: Monster World III (Genesis)
- Monster World IV (Genesis)

Don't expect this to hit stateside, like pretty much every other decent Sega Ages game. Michael McWhertor

Monster World Complete Collection [Sega of Japan]

The announced games are:

- Ikki (NES)
- Kid Icarus (NES)
- Ice Climber (NES)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)
- Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (SNES)
- Mario Kart 64 (N64)
- Bonanza Bros. (Genesis)
- Gain Ground (Genesis)
- Alien Crush (TG-16)
- Moto Roader (TG-16)
- R-Type II (TG-16)
- Soldier Blade (TG-16)

A fairly solid list, one that includes a pair of games I'd personally never even heard of. After watching clips of Ikki in action, it seems that I'm better off having been ignorant to it in the first place. Michael McWhertor

San Francisco Chronicle writer Peter Hautlaub makes an excellent suggestion for those too poor or too unlucky to acquire a shiny new next-gen system for the gamer in your life. Go retro. The article lists several financial situations, and the perfect classic gaming system to satisfy both wallets and game cravings.

Scenario 1: I'm poorer than Joey on the first season of "Friends" but not quite as poor as Gary Coleman when he got that job as a security guard:

The Nintendo 64 and Super NES are both great systems from the 1990s, when video game development was arguably at an artistic peak. You can buy either system with extra controllers and a shoe box full of games on eBay for about $60.

PS3 too pricey? For video game gifts, go retro. Sega Dreamcast, underrated and underpriced — and under your tree [SFGate.com]

Hmm. The press release says Donkey Kong Jr. is for the Super NES, but I'm going to assume that's a misprint, unless there was some re-release I'm unaware of. Anyone gonna pick any of these up?

Corporate messaging follows after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Nintendo News: Four New Classic Games Announced for Wii Shop Channel

Every Monday starting Dec. 4, Nintendo will add classic games to the popular new Wii video game console's Wii Shop Channel. Four games will be added at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Dec. 4. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Donkey Kong Jr. (Super NES , 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular arcade game, Donkey Kong Jr. is the sequel to the immensely successful Donkey Kong . Players play as Donkey Kong's son, Junior, and rescue his dad, who has been kidnapped and imprisoned in a cage by Mario . Players use their jumping and climbing abilities to clamber up vines and chains, gather vital fruit and keys, and open the cage to free their father. Make sure to avoid the pesky birds, nasty electric sparks and creepy chompers. Four different worlds filled with numerous climbing and jumping puzzles await in this timeless classic.

Victory Run (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Victory Run is a rally racing game, made up of eight different stages set in different countries from Paris to Dakar. Players can race across highways, deserts, savannahs and coastlines. In order to advance to the next stage, players must dodge traffic and cross the finish line within the time limit. Players can upgrade their race car with such parts as tires, gears, engines, suspensions and brakes. Driving on rough courses and hitting obstacles will cause damage to individual parts, so making repairs is critical. Choosing the right setup of parts may be the difference between winning and not finishing the race at all. So go out there and prove to the world that you have what it takes to take raise the gold cup in Victory Run!

Columns (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Players test their hand at the ancient Phoenician game of Columns. Multicolored gems drop from the top of the screen into a pit. It is up to players to quickly arrange the order of the jewels into lines of three or more as they fall. If gems pile up and reach the top, the game is over.

Ristar (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Greedy, an evil space pirate, has corrupted the kings of the Valdi System's seven planets and enslaved the people who live there. The plea for a hero is answered by Ristar, who uses his amazing extendable arms and courage to save Valdi from Greedy.

You know, I've done just about every single one of these, minus the Strider hack (news to me!), despite the fact that I had the cart and Altered Beast back in the day. Classic stuff, but I know they're missing something. What is it? Help me remember my classic cheats, Kotaku retro elite readership! Michael McWhertor

During Ken Kutaragi's TGS keynote, the Sony Computer Entertainment leader stated that Mega Drive (Sega Genesis) and PC Engine (NEC TurboGrafx 16) games would be downloadable over the PS3 network. Game site WORTHPLAYING claims that Sega Japan has released a statement saying this option is still being considered and currently "under examination." The site unfortunately didn't provide any links to show where they got the info, so we've contacted Sega to see what the official word is. We'll keep you updated should we hear back. Brian Ashcraft

Update: The official word is currently a "no comment."

More Here [VGB]