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vc update

Here's Your Damn Pokémon Puzzle League

This week's update for the Wii Virtual Console brings what many consider to be the best Pokémon title for the Nintendo 64, which is extremely odd considering it's really just Tetris Attack (Panel de Pon) with Pokémon painted over it. Pokémon Puzzle League (1,000 Wii Points) features Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and all of their adorable little friends playing Tetris Attack. It's got story modes, continuous play, timed play, animated cutscenes, and even 3D puzzles to keep the gameplay from falling flat. If puzzles and Pokémon aren't your cup of tea you can always check out this week's other release, Renegade for the NES (500 Wii Points), a beat-em up with a unique story about a guy who has to fight his way through several street gangs to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend. Girlfriends were such a liability in the late 80's.

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9:20 AM on Mon May 5 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,665 views, 50 comments

Latest by wghj55: @sporkhead: Planet Puzzle League is pretty amazing, if you've played a lot of Tetris Attack, in any of its iterations, then it will feel odd at first sliding the blocks around with the stylus. But after that it is more »

virtual console

Another PAL Hanabi Festival: Gradius II & Cho Aniki To Hit VC

Last year Nintendo ran a little party for PAL customers called the "Hanabi Festival". For a month, they put a bunch of Japanese games up on the Virtual Console, games that had never been available outside of Japan. It went down well! So well they're running another one. This week, European and Australian Wii owners have been able to pick up Final Soldier, Columns III and Gradius II. In coming weeks? A lineup that includes Star Parodier, Puyo Puyo 2 and, amazingly (awesomely?), the original Cho Aniki.

11:30 PM on Fri May 2 2008
By Luke Plunkett
4,242 views, 49 comments

Latest by Yetanotheruninspiredscreename: " but Square is STILL hesitant to bring out Chrono Trigger and FF VI." No FF games on the vc when Nintendo won't let them charge 15 bucks for the NES and SNES ones plus they can do remakes for the more »

virtual console

ESRB Rates EarthBound For Wii VC

Here's one future Wii Virtual Console update I cannot wait to write up. The ESRB has recently posted a rating for the classic Super Nintendo RPG EarthBound for the Nintendo Wii. The sequel to the Japanese-only game Mother, the game tells the story of Ness and company as they fight to gather the powers of the Earth to defeat the evil alien Giygas. With a compelling humor, an original setting, and some damn fine graphics for a Super Nintendo game, EarthBound is widely considered to be one of the greatest role-playing games of all time...and now it is rated E for Everyone. There really is only one reason an older game gets a Wii rating via the ESRB, so expect EarthBound to arrive on the Wii Virtual Console sometime in the near future.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board [Official Site - Thanks Andrew!]

11:20 AM on Fri May 2 2008
By Mike Fahey
22,318 views, 138 comments

Latest by WraithTwo: I busted my SNES out about a week ago to replay this classic, and this news will finally make me get around to buying a router that works with my Wii. Even if you already own the game like I more »

vc update

Single Update, Double Dragon

As it generally goes when there's high profile Wii release such as Mario Kart, the Virtual Console is keeping a low profile this week, releasing only one game on the Wii Shop Channel for your classic gaming enjoyment. At least they aren't skimping out on quality as well as quality, as this week's release is none other than Double Dragon, the story of two brothers' fight to rescue one girlfriend from a shadowy organization hell-bent on learning the secrets of their martial arts. We are introduced to Billy and Jimmy Lee, as well as Billy's girlfriend Marion, who gets shot to death in Double Dragon II, making the tragedy of the first game all the more poignant. Double Dragon for the NES (500 points) will be available today for those of you requiring a tiny break from all that furious karting.

8:20 AM on Mon Apr 28 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,987 views, 54 comments

Latest by Axel: @Winterbringer: That should have been "quality as well as quantity". @BillyLee: No it doesn't for the NES. That really sux b'cuz it did on the original arcade and PC versions. The NES version was the worst of all because it lacked of co-op, while more »

ben judd

Where Bionic Commando And Nintendo Stand

The PSN and Xbox Live Arcade are getting Bionic Commando remakes. But what about the original game? Why isn't that on the Virtual Console? BC producer Ben Judd told IGN: "If it's not on the Virtual Console, you can bet there's a reason for it." Game blog Siliconera points to Capcom mouthpiece Christian Svensson added his two cents: "Guys, you have to take this up with Nintendo. This is NOT, repeat NOT, a Capcom issue. Please remember, Nintendo calls the shots on what goes up on VC, not third parties." Let the conspiracy theories commence! More »

12:00 AM on Mon Apr 28 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
4,152 views, 50 comments

Latest by retronaut: pressing buttons... WOW, that's really the next-gen! *snickering* more »

virtual console

Earthworm Jim, Clayfighter Coming To Virtual Console

I know, you're a little over the Virtual Console. Sure, pleasant surprises like C64 games get your attention now and again, but for the most part, you're done with it. Just...look, give it one more chance, OK? For Interplay's sake. Because, yes, they're releasing some of their classic titles onto the service, including Clayfighter, Boogerman and both Earthworm Jim titles. All four are due "later this year", and if this is a deal-breaker, they'll be the Genesis/Mega Drive versions.
Earthworm Jim, Clayfighter to Virtual Console [1UP]

12:30 AM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Luke Plunkett
2,261 views, 66 comments

Latest by Ptolemy: Proof: SNES+ Watch video Genesis+ Watch video Look at the sun in the background. Also, Genesis didn't have a sound chip like the SNES, sound was always better on SNES. more »

vc update

Phantasy Star Meets River City

Shortly available on the Wii Virtual Console, two classic games from ages past about saving worlds and kicking ass. Girlfriends always be getting kidnapped, yo, and such is the case in River City Ransom (NES, 500 points), the beat-em-up RPG hybrid that sees Ryan off on a quest to rescue his girlfriend from the sinister Slick, with his friend Player Two Alex along for the ride. Then we have the game I was sincerely hoping for after last week's Euro update, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom for the Sega Genesis (800 points). This time around it's a choose your own adventure of sorts, as you guide three generations via an innovative mate-picking mechanic that makes replaying the game nearly mandatory. Who you choose to marry decides who you'll be playing in the next generation, and ultimately which ending you'll receive when all is said and done. Love it or hate it, it's a damn fine piece of RPG history. If I had any time to actually play games this week, this would be the one. A very good week for the Virtual Console. More »

9:40 AM on Mon Apr 21 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,813 views, 67 comments

Latest by freespeech: is that christian bale and edward james almos on the cover of river city ransom??????? more »

vc update

Fantasy Zone Arrives On Wii VC

Another Sega Master System title makes its way onto the Wii Virtual Console this week as Sega finally graces us with Fantasy Zone (500 Points). Pilot the famous Opa-Opa around insanely bright and colorful levels, taking out bases to lure out stage bosses and progress through the game's various levels, upgrading your weapons as you go. This is one of those must-buy VC titles I tell you about all-too rarely. Joining Fantasy Zone this week is Mega Turrican for the Sega Genesis (800 Points), not to be confused with Super Turrican, the Super Nintendo game that got its own lonely release back in March. Vowing never to make a Turrican sad again, Nintendo saw fit to combine this platforming shooter with Fantasy Zone, and they all lived happily ever after.

Image

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8:40 AM on Mon Apr 14 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,126 views, 52 comments

Latest by sandwiches: ANOTHER Turrican game? Seriously? Goddammit, Nintendo. more »

virtual console

PAL Virtual Console Update Update

You may have noticed we don't run many PAL Virtual Console updates anymore. Mostly because, more often than not, they're just not worth mentioning. Today, though? Well, today is worth mentioning. On the Master System we've got Wonder Boy and Fantasy Zone, which is, well, OK enough as it is, but when you then see they're joined by the C64's Impossible Mission and California Games, well. Things are swiftly upgraded from "OK" to "Oh dear, it's Monday and I haven't washed myself".

9:40 PM on Thu Apr 10 2008
By Luke Plunkett
2,074 views, 36 comments

Latest by JimTheFly: @cordsie: Jumpman, and Jumpman Jr., the entire series of "Games" (Summer, Winter, Cali I & II, World, The Games: Summer & Winter Editions), Pitstop I & II, and don't forget about the G.I. Joe game! I actually still have all of them more »

vc update

Bases Loaded With Yoshi's Cookies

I am somewhat hesitant to mention this week's updates to the Wii Virtual Console, mainly because I have a good friend who, were I even to whisper the name Yoshi's Cookie with thoughts of her in my head, would transform into a slavering, cookie-puzzle craving beast, hell-bent on spending hour after hour matching up semi-colorful cookie tenuously tied to the Mario Universe. It isn't pretty, so I will gloss over said title for the NES (500 Points) and move on to Bases Loaded for the NES (also 500 points). My NES baseball game of choice, Bases Loaded was originally part of the generic Japanese sports series Moero!!, which also brought us the basketball game Hoops. It's a damn fine slice of primitive baseball, with 12 generic teams vying for the title of most generic team. Go generic Philly! More »

8:20 AM on Mon Apr 7 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,211 views, 60 comments

Latest by freespeech: Oooohhhh, bases loaded was my favorite baseball title back in the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more »

vc update

Cruis'n With Wonder Boy

What better way to introduce the first of the cheapest Virtual Console games for the Nintendo Wii than to pair it up with one of the most expensive? The Sega Master System represents this week, with Tenacious D references flying as Wonder Boy (500 points - they START at 400) makes his debut on the Wii VC. The features Tom-Tom the Wonder Boy on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Tanya from a monster, sadly not killing yaks at 200 yards with mind bullets like Young Nastyman. Joining Wonder Boy on his VC journey is the Nintendo 64 title Cruis'n USA (1000 points), which in my opinion isn't fit to grace the same console, much less the same Virtual Console update as the classic Sega platformer. Either way, welcome Sega Master System! Long may you reign as the cheapest of the VC! More »

8:20 AM on Mon Mar 31 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,741 views, 51 comments

Latest by eastx: @develin: I disagree about the gameplay. Besides the slow pace (which applies to most older RPGs but few newer ones), the whole "having to draw maps" thing is antiquated. The dungeon floors in PS1 are not laid out in a more »

virtual console

Sega Readies North American Master System Games

Sega is preparing two classic Master System titles for the console's debut on the North American Wii Virtual Console, and they're coming in cheap! Two of the very best games available for the short-lived system, Wonder Boy and Fantasy Zone, will be showing up "soon" for the low, low price of 400 points a piece. That's 100 points below the price of NES games, and the cheapest titles available on the channel so far. Finally North American Sega fans who jumped on the bandwagon too late will know why the name Opa-opa keeps popping up in games like Phantasy Star Online, Shenmue, and Sonic Riders. Huzzah!

First SEGA Master System Games Coming To Wii Virtual Console (US), 400 Wii Points [Gaming Bits]

6:00 PM on Tue Mar 25 2008
By Mike Fahey
1,467 views, 56 comments

Latest by krunkjuice: @Tye-The-Czar: Probably because the first Adventure Island was Wonderboy renamed. more »

virtual console

VC Update - Not Basketball Edition

Sometimes the VC Update press releases are more entertaining than the games themselves, especially when they are desperately scrabbling for some relevant comment for the opening hook.
It's a mad season for basketball lovers, but even the most hardcore hoops fan needs a break from the action this time of year. While they're a far cry from basketball, the latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel offer plenty of fast-moving fun and high-scoring thrills of their own.
It's Final Four time! Here's a couple of games that have nothing to do with that! I could so handle that gig. Cows do a lot of processing the food they eat into nourishing milk! While these games don't feature milk at all, they are just as wholesome and delicious! Gravy. Anyway, this week's VC releases are King's Knight for the NES (500 points), a vertical fantasy shooter by Square, and Powerball for the Genesis (800 points), the fantasy sport that combines football, rugby, and not basketball. Woot. More »

10:00 AM on Mon Mar 24 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,069 views, 37 comments

Latest by Karlott: P-P-Powerball (I couldn't help it) was actually a great game back in the day. I remember playing it for a long time to beat it. It was solid fun, superior to Speedball 2 in some ways (but more »

vc update

R-Type Of Virtual Console Update

This week's update for the Nintendo Wii virtual console delves into the dark places, whether they are deep within the earth or in the icy depths of space. Go digging in the dirt with Spelunker (500 Wii points), the NES version of the classic computer game that puts you in the muddy boots of an archaeologist hell-bent on disturbing ancient spirits in his quest for valuable cash and prizes. If Indiana Jones and Mario had a baby, he'd be spelunker's protagonist. Ew. Get rid of that disturbing mental image with thoughts of the only thing stronger than R-Type...Super R-Type! Pretty much a port of R-Type and R-Type II mashed together, the original game was fraught with slowdown, and the lack of mid-level checkpoints made it a real bitch of a shmup. If the Virtual Console release fixes the slowdown issue it could very well be worth picking up. Just don't look at me to try it first. I used to have nightmares about this game. More »

8:40 AM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Mike Fahey
3,187 views, 38 comments

Latest by metaly: @futurebiblehero: I've noticed this on a few shooter sites/threads and it makes me sad. FPSes appropriating the shooter name makes me sadder, though. Someone actually replied to me on a forum once with "it looks like you're a fan of more »

north america

Square Enix Gets Around To Another Virtual Console Release

Square Enix's output on Wii's Virtual Console has been pretty light. It's been ActRaiser, specifically. Based on new ESRB ratings, it would appear that the publisher is doubling its efforts, bringing a second North American VC title out, the NES classic that... I'd actually never heard of until today, King's Knight. And I thought I knew my Square shooters! King's Knight is the publisher's first North American release, a vertical shooter with a Nobuo Uematsu score with a fantasy bent from 1986.

King's Knight isn't the only new addition, as Hudson's Final Soldier, a more traditional vertically scrolling shooter has also appeared as a potential Virtual Console candidate. It was originally released on the TurboGrafx-16 in 1991.

4:40 PM on Fri Mar 14 2008
By Michael McWhertor
3,042 views, 40 comments

Latest by futurebiblehero: King's Knight was the first game I ever owned (Zelda was sold out and it looked like Zelda on the back of the box). As infuriating as it is, I can't find it in my heart to ever hate a more »

vc update

It's Virtual Console Import Week!

After last week's lonely offering of Super Turrican, Nintendo kicks things up a notch this week by bringing us not one but two Japanese imports in this week's Virtual Console update! Don't worried about being puzzled by bizarre gameplay mechanics though, as both of today's games DoReMi Fantasy: Milon's DokiDoki Adventure (900 Wii points) is the Super Famicon sequel to Hudson's Milon's Secret Castle, in which Milon endeavors to rescue the fairy Alis and the music of the forest from the evil wizard Amon, armed only with a gun that shoots bubbles. The second game is Puyo Puyo 2: Tsuu for the Sega Genesis (900 Wii points), which is basically Puyo Pop - or Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, or Kirby's Avalanche, depending on which reference tickles your fancy. Tsuu is one of the most highly regarded games in the series, and has only seen U.S. release previously on the Neo Geo Pocket Color of all things. There you have it - a couple of nifty old games you've probably not played before, and Super Turrican doesn't have to be lonely anymore. Everybody wins! More »

8:40 AM on Mon Mar 10 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,555 views, 33 comments

Latest by freespeech: I don't think it would have made sense to release the original smash on the same week as the new one but maybe a few weeks before. more »

vc update

Super Turrican Is Lonely

It's Monday, and that means it's time for the weekly Wii Virtual Console update! Hooray! This week brings us the derivative platform exploration of Super Turrican for the Super Nintendo (800 Wii Points), along with...nothing. Poor Super Turrican, all alone atop the new games list, begging the nice people to take a shot at the game that took the original Turrican and added a grappling arm, making it a sort of a homage to Bionic Commando and Metroid at the same time. It has platforming and exploration to offer! So much Super Turrican has to give! Did Super Turrican mention it was made by Factor 5 of Lair and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron fame? Well fine, if you aren't excited about Super Turrican, at least it gets to sit on top of last week's Kirby 64, which makes it feel better about being alone. Poor Super Turrican.

10:20 AM on Mon Mar 3 2008
By Mike Fahey
2,269 views, 64 comments

Latest by windsor b: people who are decrying the VC release of super turrican don't know s**t about video games and are breaking my heart more »

sega

More Imports Coming To North American Wii Virtual Console

Two new Sega Genesis titles have popped up on the ESRB's official web site for the Wii, giving us a look at what may be coming down the pipe for the Virtual Console. Wait, actually these two, Pengo and Super Fantasy Zone, are Mega Drive titles, never released in North America. Essentially remakes of their 8-bit predecessors, they add some classic arcade action and some welcome color to the Virtual Console line-up. At the minimum, they're both better than Psychosis.

ESRB Game Ratings

3:40 PM on Mon Feb 25 2008
By Michael McWhertor
1,649 views, 37 comments

Latest by sandwiches: I'm still hoping for Parodius more »