By DotEd. Wednesday, 24. October 2007, 02:35:04
sega, nintendo, navc, genesis
...
This week's Virtual Console update for the Americas has a little bit of everything. Some ninjas, some space, and a healthy dose of fantasy. Some unreleased, some off the wall, and one we can all relate to, even if only through humor. Solid. N + Lunar Pool® NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points Lunar Pool takes the historical game of billiards and reinvents it with a unique and futuristic flair. The rules are simple: All you need to do is use your cue stick to hit the white cue ball, causing it to hit the other numbered balls and make them go into the pockets. You can enjoy nearly unlimited game play with 30 tables, two different ball arrangements, and the ability to change the degree of friction on the table. You can play against a computer or another human player, so try challenging someone once you've got the hang of the game.
N + Ninja JaJaMaru-kun®
NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points
Take on the role of a ninja called JaJaMaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game, previously unreleased outside of Japan. JaJaMaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuu's many hideouts. JaJaMaru has to be careful though, as each monster has its own unique weapon and method of attacking. The only way for him to advance is to break the floor bricks above him and move up and down between the levels of each round, defeating monsters as he goes. To help him, broken bricks sometimes reveal items that JaJaMaru can use to his advantage, possibly leading to the ultimate power-up: a ride on Gamapakun, the giant frog. Throw in some bonus stages and you've got a game with a style all its own.
N + Golden Axe™ III
Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points
The once-peaceful kingdom so familiar to fans of the original Golden Axe is under threat once again. The Prince of Darkness has stolen the invaluable Golden Axe, taken over the kingdom and rendered its warriors harmless with an evil curse. One warrior breaks free from the curse and must defeat the prince and regain the Golden Axe to save the kingdom. In this one- or two-player action game, play as a giant, a panther or a sword-wielding human and fight your way to victory once again.
For a list of all games on the NAVC (with Retro Reviews) head here
The list of EUVC games can be found here
Japanese Virtual Console list kickyhere!
By DotEd. Monday, 23. July 2007, 15:14:52
turbo, graphx, shining force, canada
...
Where's my
Metroid?! ARGHHH! Such a tease you are Nintendo... And here I was, ready to download Metroid today and try out all my old passwords and ruin the game for myself. Having been released on the EUVC this past Friday I thought it was a sure thing. But I'm not disappointed, after much thought I decided that I would play it from the beginning again. And download Shining Force instead!
WOoooo!
N + Kirby's Dream Course™Super NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii PointsStep up to the tee for the wackiest golf game of your life. This one- or two-player game features a floating golf course in the sky. High above Dream Land, players can pitch and putt the ever-popular puff ball, Kirby, through a maze of three-dimensional obstacles on a zany checkerboard course. Players must aim for the multitude of enemies that are spread throughout each fairway. Kirby must hit all the enemies to make them disappear, and the last one becomes the hole. Sink Kirby into the hole to advance to the next stage and clear all 8 courses – 64 holes in all.N + Devil's Crush
TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points
Devil's Crush is the exciting sequel to the hit pinball game Alien Crush and features even smoother ball movement and enhanced special effects. Shoot the ball onto the board with the Devil Shooter, then use flippers and nudging to keep it in play and rack up a high score. Complete certain conditions to play up to six different bonus stages. Get a "Perfect Clear" on those to earn a huge amount of points. The game's ominous theme is enhanced by its enemies: wandering skeleton knights, sorcerers and even a giant face that changes from a goddess to a sinister serpent.
N + Shining Force™
Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points
In ages long forgotten, Light fought Darkness for control of the world. Finally, the Ancients defeated the evil ruler of the dark forces known as Dark Dragon and cast him into another dimension, though he vowed to return in 1,000 years. As time passed, all memory of Dark Dragon was buried, and the land of Rune enjoyed 10 centuries of peace. Yet, as promised, the dark ruler returned, along with hordes of evil creatures that ravaged the land. As chaos erupted, several strongholds of Good still held out, awaiting a hero who could wield the Powers of Light.
For a list of all games on the NAVC (now with added Retro Review goodness) head here. The list of EUVC games can be found here.
By DotEd. Monday, 16. July 2007, 16:26:39
turbo, graphx, paper mario, canada
...
When Seaempty revealed that Paper Mario was coming to the EUVC, I blurted out "GOO!" in my office. I knew it was only a matter of days before it would be released in the US as well.
N + Paper Mario®Nintendo® 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points Paper Mario is a graphically innovative game that breaks from the confines of the RPG genre. Now slimmed down, everyone's favorite plumber flips, spins, jumps and hammers his way through scads of exotic worlds that teem with a huge and hugely entertaining supporting cast. Players control numerous old and new characters in a complex, nonlinear story that follows different scenarios depending on player choices. A dizzying collection of spells, attacks, skills and special items can be collected by players willing to thoroughly explore the lush 3-D environments.N + Balloon Fight®
NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points
Control a character to pop your opponents' balloons before they pop yours. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Don't be fooled by this game's simple premise or cute exterior. Underneath you'll find a surprisingly addictive game with strategy to spare. After mastering the easy-to-learn controls, you still have to get a grip on the game's impressively realistic physics. And if that's not enough, there are the ever-increasing enemies and environmental hazards like lightning and water. Try the game's second mode, Balloon Trip, if you feel like taking a break from the action and just want to see how long you can stay aloft. And hey, who doesn't like popping balloons sometimes?
N + Silent Debuggers
TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points
Make your way through a dungeon-like space station and defeat the prowling monsters in this real-time first-person shooter. You're a member of the elite Debuggers, a group of warriors who are jacks-of-all-trades. Assigned to inspect an unmanned space station, you have exactly 100 minutes to get in, destroy the monsters lurking in each block, make your way to the lowest level and deactivate the automatic detonator placed there. With each monster that slips by you, the core block becomes harder to survive in, so speed is key in preserving the facility and each separate block. Experience the thrill of survival as the timer ticks away and you uncover the truth of the events that occurred.
For a list of all games on the NAVC (now with added Retro Review goodness) head here. The list of EUVC games can be found here.
By DotEd. Monday, 9. July 2007, 22:24:05
tg16, us, nes, .ed
...
N + Mach Rider®NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points It's the year 2112. Earth has been invaded by the forces of evil. Battle the invaders as you race from sector to sector on your motorcycle, searching for survivors. Feel the incredible sense of speed as you zip past evil Quadrunners and zigzag between treacherous rocks, oil spills and other obstacles on the course. For a different challenge, create your own course in Design Mode, using the various twists, turns and straightaways the game has to offer. Remember, you are Earth's only hope—you are Mach Rider.N + Yoshi®
NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points
Yoshi is an action/puzzle game starring Mario's dinosaur buddy, Yoshi™, who has been imprisoned in an egg. Now it's raining Goombas, Bloopers and Boo Buddies, and you have to help Mario™ stop the airborne invasion. As the critters fall, catch them on trays. Stack two of a kind and they both disappear, or capture the whole bunch in between eggshells. When the eggshells match, out hatches Yoshi and up goes your score. The action heats up as the characters fall faster and faster. To save the day, switch and shuffle, and don't let your piles get too high.
N + Air "Zonk" ...um, what?
TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 600 Wii Points
Air "Zonk" is a spin-off of the popular Bonk's Adventure series. This side-scrolling shooter retains the same cartoonish style of Bonk but is set in a cyberpunk future. The powered-up "Zonk" gathers his friends to form Team Cool, and they set out to stop King Drool's plan to conquer the world. Choose from three levels of difficulty and three Friend Modes. Shoot King Drool's cyber-robots and avoid their attacks while collecting the Air Bones to unleash a variety of unique attacks. Combine with a friend to create an invincible hybrid form or blast enemies with a charged attack. Air "Zonk" is filled with humor, made evident by the wacky theme song that plays when you post a huge score or when your game is over.
For a list of all games on the NAVC (now with added Retro Review goodness) head here. The list of EUVC games can be found here.
By DotEd. Monday, 2. July 2007, 14:16:19
.ed, dragon, turbo, graphx
...
N +Super Mario Bros. 2NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii PointsJoin Mario™, Luigi, Princess Toadstool and Toad in an incredible fantasy world on a quest to save the day. This time, they have little more than vegetables to defend themselves with. Pick up items and throw them at your adversaries to clear levels in seven massive worlds. Even enemies can be picked up and tossed across the screen. Each character has a unique set of abilities: Luigi can jump higher and farther than any of the other characters, Toad can dig extremely fast and pull items out of the ground quicker than anyone and the princess is the only one who can jump and hover temporarily. This unique installment in the Mario series will keep you coming back for more.N + Ecco: The Tides of Time
Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points
In this sequel to Ecco the Dolphin, everyone's favorite underwater hero must battle the Vortex Queen and her hive of drones. The wicked queen followed Ecco back to Earth from the future and quickly established her hive. It's up to Ecco to defeat this alien threat by navigating the depths of his side-scrolling world, solving puzzles and receiving help from his marine-mammal friends. When Ecco used the time machine to save his pod, he split the stream of time in two. He must now restore the rift before the world is permanently changed into a mechanical world, sucked dry by the Vortex.
N + DRAGON SPIRIT
TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points
A fantastic world of adventure unfolds in this vertical-scrolling shooter. Sealed away by the gods long ago, the Evil Demon of Darkness, Zawell, seeks to rise again and unleash a new reign of evil. The brave warrior Amur races to rescue Princess Alicia from the demon's wretched clutches. Amur takes the form of the legendary Blue Dragon and fights his way through the legions of monsters that await in the sky. Battle your way through eight different areas, using your Dragon Breath to bring down airborne targets and Fireballs to wipe out targets on the ground. Destroy flashing enemies and smash Eggs to uncover different kinds of power-up items. Boost your firepower by increasing the number of heads your dragon has, and defeat all the bosses as you make your way to Zawell's dark lair.
For a list of all games on the NAVC (now with added Retro Review goodness) head here. The list of EUVC games can be found here.
By DotEd. Monday, 11. June 2007, 14:48:07
64, n64, canada, virtual console
...
Goooold!
Nuggets | Rings | AxesAs the Virtual Console continues to grow beyond it's 100th Nintendo is continuing strong. These three titles each hold a special place in my library. Notably, Sonic 2, as it was the game that brought my sister and I together as a team for the first time because we both wanted to save all those tiny forest creatures, plus that fox has TWO tails! By God two tails!
N + Lode Runner®
NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points:
This landmark action-puzzle game has been a worldwide fixture in video games from the moment of its inception until today, producing many sequels and related products along the way. The player controls the hero, or "Runner," who collects gold nuggets located around every stage, all the while avoiding capture by enemy robots. The action itself is simple, but the stages are designed as increasingly challenging puzzles, and none of the 50 stages is as easy as it seems. The Runner avoids enemies by digging holes in the floor to the right and left of his position—by doing this, he can clear a path to places that, at first glance, seem unreachable. Players must use their brains to collect all the gold nuggets in every puzzling stage if they want to escape to the next. In addition to normal play, this version of the game features an Edit Mode that allows players to design their own stages, adding a new level of enjoyment to the game.
N + Sonic the Hedgehog™ 2
Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points:
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) is back to continue his zealous search for the Chaos Emeralds needed to fuel his new Death Egg contraption. The evil doctor secretly follows Sonic to his vacation spot, Westside Island, and launches a full-scale attack, imprisoning all the helpless animals of the island and turning them into mindless worker drones. Now Sonic must thwart the doctor's plans at all costs. This time he isn't alone, as a peculiar two-tailed fox named Miles Prower (aka Tails) decides to aid him in the battle. Together they must locate the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, and put an end to his diabolical scheme.
N + Golden Axe™ II
Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points:
Not long after the devastating reign of the wicked Death Adder, another evil arose. Dark Guld and his minions invaded and took hold of the prized Golden Axe with plans to destroy it. Once again, as a fierce barbarian named Ax-Battler, a fearless female Amazon known as Tyris-Flare or a ferocious dwarf named Gilius Thunderhead, you will wield steely swords and powerful magic in an all-out war to recover the sword. Once you slash your way through the six side-scrolling levels, you'll get the chance to defeat Dark Guld once and for all.
As always, the full North American and European Virtual Console lists have been updated.
By DotEd. Tuesday, 22. May 2007, 01:40:03
scrolling, canada, virtual console, .ed
...
Surely the release of a game with the sound "lazy" in it's name (twice) helped overturn the stigma that surrounded the video game industry at the time of gamers spending too many hours glued drooling at video screens. Surely. Well at least it wasn't a scrolling Arcade Shooter -- Oh... wait nevermind!N + Blazing Lazers (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Blazing Lazers is a vertical-scrolling shooter (HA, that makes a million!) that was praised for surpassing the limitations of the hardware of its time. Players control the extraordinary firepower of their Gunhed Star Fighter to take on the Dark Squadron that has begun its invasion of Earth. Collect power-ups to increase your ship's battle strength so it can cut through enemies and defeat the bosses in all nine areas. Of course, as part of the "Soldier" series, the game contains a good combination of fast-paced speed with catchy, drum-propelled background music, coupled with the Field Thunder that can be used to destroy enemies in one fell swoop for the ultimate sense of satisfaction. With its fine-tuned difficulty levels, Blazing Lazers is a shooting game that anyone can enjoy.
N + Donkey Kong Country 2™: Diddy's Kong Quest™ (SNES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
In the sequel to the immensely popular Donkey Kong Country™, Diddy Kong® gets the spotlight, along with his girlfriend, Dixie Kong™ - a great little monkey with a dangerous ponytail. The action starts on the wreck of King K. Rool's Gangplank Galleon that has apparently broken up on a reef offshore from the Kremlings' Island. Diddy and his friends will have to work together to rescue Donkey Kong®, exploring all the hidden areas of the Kremlings' island: a spooky haunted forest, treacherous swamps, a giant beehive oozing with sticky honey and lava-filled caves, just to name a few.
N + Streets of Rage™ 2 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
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 showing Adam chained up at the feet of Mr. X. The city then once again returned to its nightmarish state as criminals ran rampant. Unable to contact their old friend in artillery, 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.As always, the full
North American and
European Virtual Console lists have been updated.
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