Official Weekly Nintendo Downloads Thread

[7th lutz]

Here are the games for Monday:

Operation Wolf-nes 500 Wii points
Columns 3: revenge of Columns -genesis 800 wii points

The source is http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129709&page=359 with the post coming from Jsnake. He got it from his pr person.

Here is a gameplay video of operation wolf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLYcFit1eIY . I am given the impression that the game will not use the wii zapper by reading Jsnakes post. It has a press release in his post. It said nothing about the game using a wii zapper. He got the press release from the person that works at a pr position at NOA. I figure an offical press release would've mentioned it.

Here is gameplay video of Columns 3: revenge of columns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHC_L6G03sc .

Don't complain to hard about not getting Shining Force 2 before this game. This game was rated a month before Shining Force 2 was. There are 3 other genesis games that haven't been released yet despite being rate by the ESRB or the OFLC before Shining Force 2 was including Vectorman.

Hopefully Shining Force 2, or Phantasy Star 2 will be the next genesis game release if one of the 3 games in limbo don't get released. Phantasy Star 2 got rated this week by the ESRB. I don't know how long before the game will be released though.

This shouldn't be the final Columns game to be released the vc since Sega announced the sms will be another vc system. I expect game gear games to included in the sms section of games. There is two column games on the game gear and on the Sega Master system.

[shoes23]

If you have an N64, 1080 can be easily found for $1-3 bucks. Decent game, but not worth $10, even if you hardly ever hook up your N64.

Quoted for truth. I just found this at my local pawn shop for $2. I'm having a real problem buying into the whole VC scene. So far I've downloaded Sin & Punishment, Vegas Stakes, Paper Mario, and Gates of Thunder. Vegas Stakes was bought because I had a few extra points lying around, but if I kept my eyes peeled I probably could have found these same games for the same or less than I payed. The only reason I see to ever purchase another VC is for games that haven't seen a North American release. I really hope they bring more translations or Japan exclusive games over to the US.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Well, I guess I'm gonna have to start looking into TG16/CD games. Gate of Thunder, the Zonks and Splatterhouse should keep my thumbs busy for awhile.

[smokehouse]

Here are the games for Monday:

Operation Wolf-nes 500 Wii points
Columns 3: revenge of Columns -genesis 800 wii points

The source is http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129709&page=359 with the post coming from Jsnake. He got it from his pr person.

Bummer...another boring week. I guess it's good for my wallet though, I already have both of those games...

[smokehouse]

Quoted for truth. I just found this at my local pawn shop for $2. I'm having a real problem buying into the whole VC scene. So far I've downloaded Sin & Punishment, Vegas Stakes, Paper Mario, and Gates of Thunder. Vegas Stakes was bought because I had a few extra points lying around, but if I kept my eyes peeled I probably could have found these same games for the same or less than I payed. The only reason I see to ever purchase another VC is for games that haven't seen a North American release. I really hope they bring more translations or Japan exclusive games over to the US.

I agree...paying $5 for Super Mario Bros, Castlevania II or many of the other VC titles is a bit too much figuring that they can be found in the real world for less than that. The same goes with the $10 N64 titles...

There are a few that are really good deals, take N64 Paper Mario for example. $10 for that game is a pretty good deal.

[7th lutz]

Kirby's Dream land 3 got reclassified by the ESRB. The sorce is http://www.vc-reviews.com/news/2008/02/kirbys_dream_land_3_reclassified_by_esrb .

It was one of the games on a Nintendo system that got it's game rating removed in October last year. It means the game might come out soon.

I hope this means more games will get their esrb rating back soon.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Can anybody verify what the gameplay of "Operation Wolf" is like on the VC?

Can you use the Wiimote by pointing the LED sensor at the screen like an NES Zapper, or does it only play via moving a target reticule around with the D-Pad to shoot things.

I can't see the point in playing that one if it's the latter...why the heck would they release it in that state?? (Other than the obvious - exploit the "classic/nostalgia" of the title for a quick buck.)

[7th lutz]

Can anybody verify what the gameplay of "Operation Wolf" is like on the VC?

Can you use the Wiimote by pointing the LED sensor at the screen like an NES Zapper, or does it only play via moving a target reticule around with the D-Pad to shoot things.

I can't see the point in playing that one if it's the latter...why the heck would they release it in that state?? (Other than the obvious - exploit the "classic/nostalgia" of the title for a quick buck.)


I just found out that you can't use the Wiimore at the screen like an Nes Zapper. You only can use the D-pad.

[Neil Koch]

According to the review here

http://www.vc-reviews.com/games/nes/operation_wolf

it says "This Virtual Console edition of the game only supports the 'pad' option, which makes it even less appealing than the already dire NES version."

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I just found out that you can't use the Wiimore at the screen like an Nes Zapper. You only can use the D-pad.

Well, that pretty much makes Operation Wolf (which was never really that great on NES anyway) useless.

[DigitalSpace]

No Wii Zapper compatibility on Operation Wolf?

Lame. Just lame.

[Sotenga]

ARGH! That is sauce far weaker than gazpacho! Why bother making a light gun game if it doesn't make full capabilities of the Wii's sensor? Get your effin' head in the game, Nintendo! If you're going to cut back on the amount of games, at least make them games worth downloading! :grrr:

[geneshifter]

I swear, over and over again for the past 20 years, Nintendo gets something good going and totally screws it up at the same time. Operation wolf with no zapper support? Why bother?

[Leo_A]

You couldn't of used the crosshairs of the gun for obvious reasons, but I don't get why they just didn't enable the Wiimote to be able to move the on screen crosshairs. Guess they have no interest updating their emulator to enable that, even though I'm pretty sure I've played this game on PC NES emulators where the mouse could control the crosshairs. So it should've been easy.

[Graham Mitchell]

I swear, over and over again for the past 20 years, Nintendo gets something good going and totally screws it up at the same time. Operation wolf with no zapper support? Why bother?

After getting an Xbox 360 for Christmas and experimenting with X-box Live Arcade for the last few months, I'm really starting to wonder what the hell is wrong with Nintendo, and why the goddamn WiFi connection doesn't support multiplayer. I would've gotten some of the borderline useless VC games like Soccer, Ice Hockey, or Volleyball if they supported multiplayer. What the hell, Nintendo!

[Sudo]

Nintendo's VC policy is to pretty much not alter the ROM dumps in any way unless necessary. Some of the examples are the removing of Kawasaki ads in Wave Race, the players from Tecmo Bowl, the Ghost Trials from Mario Kart 64, etc. The only example I can think of where they actually enhanced a game is Pokemon Snap, where they added the ability to send your in-game photos to the Wii message board, since you obviously can't take them to a Blockbuster kiosk and print them out anymore.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Nintendo's VC policy is to pretty much not alter the ROM dumps in any way unless necessary. Some of the examples are the removing of Kawasaki ads in Wave Race, the players from Tecmo Bowl, the Ghost Trials from Mario Kart 64, etc. The only example I can think of where they actually enhanced a game is Pokemon Snap, where they added the ability to send your in-game photos to the Wii message board, since you obviously can't take them to a Blockbuster kiosk and print them out anymore.

Yes. Spend valuable production time REMOVING things from games, but please, don't make an already flawed port of a great arcade game even REMOTELY playable in the fashion it was designed to be.

That's a big gold star sticker on the forehead for you Nintendo.

[Leo_A]

This doesn't matter, but has Mario Kart 64 really been modified, or does it just behave like it originally did when a controller pack isn't inserted into a controller?

Kid Icarus's password system has been altered too.

And thinking back, I'm not sure Nintendo is at fault for Operation Wolf. The Wii Zapper can't be accurately aimed, it can't tell what its being pointed at, just what it's position in 3d space is (Its relationship relative to the Wii's sensor bar with several IR lights). And Operation Wolf doesn't have on screen crosshairs I don't think unless your in d pad mode, since it was originally for use with a lightgun which only registers what its aimed at when the trigger is pressed.

So I don't see how it could've been done and actually worked well enough to be worthwhile.

Though I guess they could've made the emulator have on screen crosshairs moved with the Wiimote that when you press a button, it registers as a lightgun and sends the proper signal to the game of where you just fired. Sounds possible, and on screen crosshairs work well enough to tell where your aiming in the gun games released so far for the Wii.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

While I understand all the "the Wiimote is not a zapper" discussion that's gone on since the Wii came out (even though they made a plastic shell for the thing called "The Zapper" and included a target shooting game) ... it's unfortunate that (for those of us who have played Resident Evil:UC or Wii Play) we KNOW the thing is NOT as accurate as a light gun.

However ... they COULD have added just a tiny bit of code to the ROM allowing for it to recognize where the Wiimote is pointing and have it mimic a light gun ... it's not some massive technical hurdle that they need a team of scientists to overcome.

And if they didn't want to ... well, they could have simply NOT released Operation Wolf ... what's insulting to me is that they're going to release a game that might not have REQUIRED the light gun peripheral to play ... but was also NOT really meant to be played without it. It's pretty obvious that they released it to fill a week's release quota, and to shill some "nostalgic" people (and maybe even some who don't take the time to research if it works the way LOGIC would state it SHOULD) out of a bit of cash!

It just makes my damned head hurt to try to wrap my brain around that logic.

[Sudo]

I totally agree. Why even release Operation Wolf in its gimped form, when there are so many other good games that could be added in its place? It's not like they're going to run out of games to choose from anytime soon or anything, what with the HUNDREDS of titles spread across multiple consoles and the Master System being added soon. Not to mention the fact that they only release three games a week (sometimes not even that many), and at that rate the Wii 2 or whatever they end up calling it will have been released already.

[Graham Mitchell]

The Master System had a few GREAT light gun games as well (Shooting Gallery, Rescue Mission, hell, even Safari Hunt is fun) and those just won't get ported now. Neither will Gumshoe, which is possibly the most unique console light gun game ever developed. It would be such a simple fix. Any basic emulator already has this feature using a mouse (though the games are usually unplayable with a mouse--takes too long to move the crosshairs around accurately, and the game was designed for you to just point and shoot.) And hell, for putting in the extra energy, people would probably be willing to pay 100 or 200 points more than the average VC game. But no. You get to play operation wolf with crosshairs. Yay.

[Sotenga]

Maybe they'll realize this grave error in the future, because I love light gun games. One in particular I would like to see is Sunsoft's Freedom Force, which is actually pretty damn violent for an NES title. It's not much, but IIRC, the terrorists generate a bit of blood if you blast them! :D

... *sigh* The Umbrella Chronicles and Ghost Squad are good starts, Nintendo. Don't drop the friggin' ball with this! :mad:

On a slightly more positive note (and I could be wrong with my info), the upcoming games for next week are Psychosis (a damn good PC Engine shmup that's like a really bad acid trip) and Lords of Thunder (super-awesome PC Engine CD shmup which serves as the spiritual successor to Gate of Thunder). Too bad I already own both... and too bad that they're STILL only releasing two, but at least they're damn good ones.

[Rob2600]

If you have an N64, 1080 can be easily found for $1-3 bucks. Decent game, but not worth $10, even if you hardly ever hook up your N64.

I think 1080 is much better than "decent." It's one of the best snowboarding video games ever made and was very impressive in 1998.


I agree...paying $5 for Super Mario Bros, Castlevania II or many of the other VC titles is a bit too much figuring that they can be found in the real world for less than that. The same goes with the $10 N64 titles...

Yes, but the Virtual Console runs in progressive scan, so the picture quality is better. Some people care about that.

[blissfulnoise]

I would've gotten some of the borderline useless VC games like Soccer, Ice Hockey, or Volleyball if they supported multiplayer. What the hell, Nintendo!

Be fair. NES Ice Hockey is one of the best multiplayer sports games ever released.

Fat guy? Skinny Guy? Average Guy? The possibilities are endless.

[Neil Koch]

I prefer Blades of Steel myself, but I played a hell of a lot of Ice Hockey back in the day too.

And add me in with the people that actually like 1080 Snowboarding. This does really seem to be a "love it or hate it" type of game.

Anyway, if some sort of online multiplayer was added on to sports games like Tecmo Bowl, I would think they would sell like hotcakes, especially if they added in stuff like ranking boards.

I've really enjoyed the VC since I've gotten my Wii, but Nintendo really dropped the ball with Operation Wolf. Especially given how big the NES library is, why release a gimped version of a half-ass arcade port?

And I don't think I'm going to be getting any more Neo Geo games. The PS2 collections just have too much value to justify dropping $9 for one game that takes up too much space on the hard drive anyway.

[Leo_A]

"However ... they COULD have added just a tiny bit of code to the ROM allowing for it to recognize where the Wiimote is pointing and have it mimic a light gun ... it's not some massive technical hurdle that they need a team of scientists to overcome."

I don't see that being workable, theres no way for the Wii to be able to accurately judge that well enough. All the Wiimote does is look at its position in relation to the sensor bar's ir lights. I don't see why they couldn't of done my idea though, have the emulator have a on screen crosshair appear like the Wii's gun games have so far for you to move around and when you fire, have it register like the NES's Zapper would've originally.

[noname11]

Anyway, if some sort of online multiplayer was added on to sports games like Tecmo Bowl, I would think they would sell like hotcakes, especially if they added in stuff like ranking boards.



Maybe Nintendo's past history of planned obsolesence will lead to this.

GBA, Backlit GBA, Purple Gamecube, Black Gamecube, White DS, Black DS Lite


So why not NES games, Feature Added NES Games?

[Leo_A]

Online multiplayer would require the games being rewritten basically from scratch. Lots more work means a lot less games would be released and that they'd cost a lot more, and you guys regularly complain at the number of releases and price points of the games. And it would mean only the biggest titles would see the necessary work to ensure it would turn a profit.

Nintendo isn't going to do it like ZSNES or Nesticle and force the 2nd player's controller cords to basically be hundreds or thousands of miles long as the signals are sent through the internet for the 2nd player's controller inputs. Works good enough as a novelty for some free emulator, but not good enough for professional products.

[ubersaurus]

Different gamecube and DS colors are planned obsolescence? Fucking hell, it's an aesthetic choice.

[Graham Mitchell]

Be fair. NES Ice Hockey is one of the best multiplayer sports games ever released.

Fat guy? Skinny Guy? Average Guy? The possibilities are endless.

Oh, I wouldn't knock Ice Hockey or any of those other games. I didn't explain myself well enough. I own the carts, and-other than Ice Hockey-there are much better sports games one can get if you're going to play on a Wii.

Thing is, my girlfriend is gone all the time right now, and she wouldn't play Ice Hockey with me even if she were home, so I wouldn't mind having a simple online Ice Hockey game--particularly what I consider the best and most fun Ice Hockey game ever made.

Oh, and for me, the highlight is the zambonis.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1139771/image011.jpg

[noname11]

Different gamecube and DS colors are planned obsolescence? Fucking hell, it's an aesthetic choice.

Well I guess in some peoples eyes it might be. I know the case is stronger for the gba/nds.


Unless you like, have one of those all purple entertainment centers that go so well with your gamecube

[Wirestone]

Well, if you want to compare the VC with XBLA, you're on the wrong track. (Although, god knows, there are far more games on the VC, and many more that I would prefer to play.) They are quite distinct services.

The virtual console is just that. These are old games that run on the Wii. Period. You can complain about the price vs. real carts, but you gain ease of use and progressive scan.

Wii Ware, which is coming in the next few months, will feature newly developed products -- and online play. Let's see how those do.

[7th lutz]

I have some big news for European vc owners. Lords of Thunder is released is today, but Nintendo of Europe made a pricing mistake.

It is for 600 Wii points!

Turbo cd games cost 800 Wii points. European vc owners save 200 wii points. Download it as soon as possible before Nintendo corrects it.

The source of the screw is found here: http://www.vc-reviews.com/news/2008/02/eu_vc_release_8th_february_lords_of_thunder

Nintendo corrected it though. The 600 Wii points deal nolonger exists as result.

[Dangerboy]

So did anyone notice on the US VC side, we're sitting at 199 games?

I so hope there's a good one for #200.

Perhaps the beginning of Master System.

Maybe even the Family Wii channel \m/

[7th lutz]

The two games for Monday are:
Harvest Moon- Snes 800 Wii points
Lords of Thunder- TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM 800 Wii points

The source is http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129709&page=363 with the post coming from Jsnake. He got it from his pr person.

Harvest Moon is game 200.

Here is a game play video of Harvest Moon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdcq5AFC8_c. I hope this helps out the members that never played the game before. It is a farm simulation game.

Here is a game play video of Lords of Thunder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6mMpnX9xwY

Lords of thunder is a shoot em up.

[Dangerboy]

I will tell you all right now:

You *MUST* download Lords of Thunder.

Hardcore 80s metal guitar soundtrack for the mf'ing win \m/

Oh yeah, the game itself kicks all kinds of 16 Bit butt too :D

[DDCecil]

Hows the TGCD version of LoT compared to the Sega CD version?

[Sotenga]

Hows the TGCD version of LoT compared to the Sega CD version?

Better, if I'm not mistaken. The graphics are brighter and the music kicks harder, so goferit.

[7th lutz]

I will tell you all right now:

You *MUST* download Lords of Thunder.

Hardcore 80s metal guitar soundtrack for the mf'ing win \m/

Oh yeah, the game itself kicks all kinds of 16 Bit butt too :D

I agree based on what I heard about the game since the 90's. I always wanted to play the game. The game was already called a classic when the Sega CD version of the game was reviewed.

Lords of Thunder is a game that I have been looking forward to going to the vc since Hudson announced Turbo cd/Turbo duo will be part of the tg-16 vc section.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Harvest Moon? Oh damn... I'm gonna have to buy that one for the wife. Better than trying to nab a cart, well, much cheaper at least.

[Graham Mitchell]

Better, if I'm not mistaken. The graphics are brighter and the music kicks harder, so goferit.

Okay, don't kill me, but I owned the SegaCD version back in the day, and I wasn't thrilled. I kept searching for the next Thunderforce III or Super R-type and this definitely wasn't it. Maybe when I get some $$ I'll revisit the game and give this one a shot. I don't doubt that the turbo version is better.

[slip81]

harvest moon and lords of thunder? Looks like I'll finally be using that point card I got for Christmas.

[7th lutz]

I will be stopping giving out the vc info on friday nights except for tg-16/turbo cd games. It is caused by the fact Jsnake might be in hot water by Nintendo if he is not careful like getting sued. Hudson Hudson updates their list of vc games on Fridays.

Nintendo is suing people that leak out Nintendo info here is the link and the article: http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/02/12/nintendos-gonna-sue-somebody/

While that article states Nintendo is upset with the manual leak with SSBB manual, I am not taking any chances. It is not worth taking a chance of getting trouble from for posting vc games a couple days early. I will be posting non tg-16 games on Monday mornings now as a result.

The only way I will post vc games on fridays besides tg-16 games is when it appears that nintendo is not after Jsnake. I will know by Jsnake typing something to the affect that Nintendo is not after people that leak out vc games.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Bummer. Well it was fun and informative while it lasted. Thanks 7th (and I don't blame you). This Monday was a good set to go out on at least. :)

At least we have one systems releases to yak about through the weekends before they hit the Shop Channel.

[DragonMaster Sam]

And now the waiting game for Monday begins again.

[TurboGenesis]

Okay, don't kill me, but I owned the SegaCD version back in the day, and I wasn't thrilled. I kept searching for the next Thunderforce III or Super R-type and this definitely wasn't it. Maybe when I get some $$ I'll revisit the game and give this one a shot. I don't doubt that the turbo version is better.

If you were searching for another R-Type or Thunder Force III, Gate of Thunder is a better suitor. Gate of Thunder is have Thunder Force III style game play.

Lords of Thunder is a bit different in its make up…

[Neil Koch]

I will be stopping giving out the vc info on friday nights except for tg-16/turbo cd games. It is caused by the fact Jsnake might be in hot water by Nintendo if he is not careful like getting sued. Hudson Hudson updates their list of vc games on Fridays.

Nintendo is suing people that leak out Nintendo info here is the link and the article: http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/02/12/nintendos-gonna-sue-somebody/

While that article states Nintendo is upset with the manual leak with SSBB manual, I am not taking any chances. It is not worth taking a chance of getting trouble from for posting vc games a couple days early. I will be posting non tg-16 games on Monday mornings now as a result.

The only way I will post vc games on fridays besides tg-16 games is when it appears that nintendo is not after Jsnake. I will know by Jsnake typing something to the affect that Nintendo is not after people that leak out vc games.

Thanks for the previous posts.

I'm just puzzled about why Nintendo is suing people. It's not like they're leaking info about the next Mario game or Wii2 or something like that.

I'd rather have them invest the time and money putting more quality releases on the VC, rather than sic'ing their lawyers who give out release info a couple of days early.

[Graham Mitchell]

If you were searching for another R-Type or Thunder Force III, Gate of Thunder is a better suitor. Gate of Thunder is have Thunder Force III style game play.

Lords of Thunder is a bit different in its make up…

Yeah, I own Gate of Thunder. It is pretty good, and it's more in that style. Lords of Thunder just didn't seem as cool from a music/visuals standpoint--which is not to say that "it sucks because it's not space themed". I just didn't care for it.

But like I said, when I get paid I'm gonna give it a second chance.

And 7th Lutz, that really sucks. As someone else says, now I have to wait for every Monday. I'll be more likely to impulse buy that way. (Is that really a bad thing, though?)

[7th lutz]

Phantasy Star 2 is released in Europe right now as I type. I got the info from vc-reviews.com. The info is not early. The person who type the info doesn't give the info a couple days ahead.

It could be a sign that Phantasy Star 2 could come to North America soon. I don't know for sure due to Vectorman, e-swat: city under siege, and Crackdown not being released as North America sega genesis vc games.

It might be the next rpg on the vc. It is not a rpg for everyone due its difficult without a walkthrough and a map.

[DigitalSpace]

I have no issue with Nintendo being upset about the early leak of the Smash Bros. manual, but it'd be great if they realized the value of giving an early heads-up on VC releases like Hudson has.

[DragonMaster Sam]

Phantasy Star 2 is released in Europe right now as I type. I got the info from vc-reviews.com. The info is not early. The person who type the info doesn't give the info a couple days ahead.

It could be a sign that Phantasy Star 2 could come to North America soon. I don't know for sure due to Vectorman, e-swat: city under siege, and Crackdown not being released as North America sega genesis vc games.

It might be the next rpg on the vc. It is not a rpg for everyone due its difficult without a walkthrough and a map.

Forget Phantasy Star II being tough without a walkthrough. I had to play Phantasy Star 1 with a walkthrough during the whole game. Nobody ever gave you clues on where to go next.

[FantasiaWHT]

Forget Phantasy Star II being tough without a walkthrough. I had to play Phantasy Star 1 with a walkthrough during the whole game. Nobody ever gave you clues on where to go next.

I've played both several times, and I've always considered PS2 the more difficult of the two. With the exception of the very beginning when most of the fights you run into will kill you, PS1 was pretty easy. It's pretty easy to map those sorts of first person dungeons. PS2 dungeons are so crazily convoluted that many are nearly impossible to map because you jump between floors so often, and instead of making wrong turns dead ends like most games, 80% of choices just bring you around in circles.

[7th lutz]

Forget Phantasy Star II being tough without a walkthrough. I had to play Phantasy Star 1 with a walkthrough during the whole game. Nobody ever gave you clues on where to go next.

It is based on a person's experience and opinion on the two game.

I own both games and I have beaten both the games. It is my opinion of the two Phantasy Star games on how tough they are.

Both games are good or great rpgs to me. I went by the experience I had with the two games. They are not good rpgs for someone who never played a rpg before. They are 2 of the most difficult rpgs I ever played. I played over 30 rpgs from the begining of 1993 to now.

I first played phantasy Star 1 in 2000 and I first Played Phantasy Star 2 in 1993. The difference was I rented Phantasy Star 2 back in the day. I bought Phantasy Star 1 and the sms because I liked Phantasy Star 2 and 4. There was a big difference in experience I had in rpgs between the time I rented

Phantasy Star 1 is not easy like you said. I was able to dg through some of the first person dungeons without needing to draw map or use a walk through for directions. There are not many clues in the game like you said. The later dungeons of the game are a royal pain though to find where you are going. The first dungeons you go to to me were not that bad. I depended on walkthroughs for where to go to next, but not for all the dungeons. I had experience with 1st person dungeons in rpgs before playing Phantasy Star. I owned at least 3 1st person dungeon rpgs before playing Phantasy Star. I was good at find my way in 1st person dungeons in games like Sword of Vermillion, Shining in the Darkness, and the nes Ultima games.

Phantasy Star 2 is easy to get lost in most of the dungeons. I depended more on walkthroughs on the internet at the time I bought it in 1997 after renting in 1992. It was easier for in battles in 1997 then in 1993 for me though.

There was not much of a difference for me in Phantasy Star 2 in terms of being hard in the dungeons despite the difference in rpg experience. I was a beginner in rpgs in 1993. Sword of Vermillion, Phantasy Star 3 and Phantasy Star 2 was the first 3 rpgs. I rented the games just a month or 2 after getting a Sega Genesis for Christmas in 1992. The closest games I played to a rpg before then was Adventure for the 2600 back when I bought at a flea market in the late 80''s and renting Zelda 2 in 1992.

[Neil Koch]

It could be a sign that Phantasy Star 2 could come to North America soon. I don't know for sure due to Vectorman, e-swat: city under siege, and Crackdown not being released as North America sega genesis vc games.


Well, it's also out on the Japanese VC, and has been rated by the ESRB, plus it was already put on the Sega Classics Collection on PS2, so it's pretty much a lock IMO.

I'd still really like to see Eswat come out on the US VC. That was one of my favorite platformers on the Genesis. Once you got past the somewhat bland first couple of levels and get the suit, it turns into a pretty fun game.

[7th lutz]

There will be no tg-16 games in monday.

I got that from Hudson's vc site.

I will type the Monday vc releases on monday morning.

[JSoup]

Harvest Moon? Oh damn... I'm gonna have to buy that one for the wife. Better than trying to nab a cart, well, much cheaper at least.

It's posts like these that make the memory of getting Harvest Moon for $6 at a used game shop all the sweeter.

[Tron 2.0]

There will be no tg-16 games in monday.

I got that from Hudson's vc site.

I will type the Monday vc releases on monday morning.
Damn still where is Ys 1&2 for the vc shesh.

Been out in jpn for a while yet no u.s release still.

Dunno i wounder if it is a lincense issue at all.

[7th lutz]

Damn still where is Ys 1&2 for the vc shesh.

Been out in jpn for a while yet no u.s release still.

Dunno i wounder if it is a lincense issue at all.

I am getting sick of waiting for the game being the vc in North America. I can tell you that Ys 1& 2 will not be released on the final monday of this month. I hope ys will get be one of the games that will be released on the vc next month.

Psychosis is supposed to sometime during this month. It is the only tg-16 game left that is supposed to be released on the vc this month. Psychosis will be released on the feb. 25th unless hudson delays the release.

I don't think it is a lincense issue for ys 1 & 2 being released in North America. Dragon's Slayer: The Legend of Heroes was already released on the vc in Japan. It is another falcom game. I know konami ports falcom games including ys. It shouldn't be a problem since Konami owns a part of Hudson Soft.

Konami has the liscense to port ys games and they have released their tg-16 games on the vc in Japan like Gradius 2: World of Gulfer.

I know ys 1 & 2 is supposed to be released next month in Japan for the ds. I don't know if that is the hold up for Europe and North America getting the game.

I think it is anyone's guess at this point.

[Graham Mitchell]

I haven't bought a VC or DS game in quite awhile. If Y's I and II are released for either of these, those'll definitely be the next ones I get.

I've been waiting for Y's Book I and II since the VC started getting TGCD games. I was really looking forward to this because that's one of my favorite games of all time, and the audio capacitor fried on my frickin' duo.

It seems wierd that Konami will be the ones publishing the TGCD version for the US VC, though. Hudson did all the development on that version, and they're still in business.

[Neil Koch]

According to vc-reviews.com, this week's releases will be Ninja Gaiden III and Phantasy Star II.

It seems that Nintendo was suing the people who leaked the Smash Bros manual, and not people giving out the upcoming VC releases.

[7th lutz]

Okay, I will start to give the info out new on Fridays again. I read the article correctly, but I was not completely sure if Nintendo was planning to sue more people that leak out Smash Bros manuals. I hope people understood why I don't post is sooner.

The 2 games for Monday are the following:

Ninja Gaiden™ III: The Ancient Ship of Doom - nes 500 Wii points

Phantasy Star 2- genesis 800 Wii points

I own both games.

It is harder then the other 2 in difficulty to me. There is no unlimited continues in the North America version of this game. The Japan version of this games has unlimited continues, a password system and Enemies deal more reasonable amounts of damage (all damage dealt was doubled in the US version). I never played the Japan version, but it sounds to be a some what of better game to me. I read this info from the internet multiple times in the past. The plot of the game is differently then the first 2. There is not much of connection between Ninja Gaiden 1 and 3. I don't know if is my skill level or not in the game. I am better the first ninja Gaiden with cheating. Go figure.

Phantasy Star 2 is great rpg to me. The game is not for rpg beginners. I recommand a walkthrough to use for this game. The game was ahead of its time when it was release. The game had things that Final fantasy 7 fanboys claimed final fantasy 7 was the first of. It has great story line for its time. It was a great twist of a story line. The game does a huge encounter rate at times. It is not a big deal to me. The battle system is not broken unlike Phantasy Star 3 was.

I recommand the game for people who are not rpg beginners and have no plans to get the Sega genesis collection for the ps 2 and the psp.

[Sotenga]

I actually like NG3, though definitely not as much as the first two. The screw-ups in the damage balance and the limited continues totally suck, I will admit. However, there is actually a factor to it that downs its difficulty a slight tad compared to the first two games: Enemies don't respawn once they're killed. Ironic, as that was one thing that made the first two games (NG1 in particular) so frustrating. Though, the music isn't as awesome as the first two titles, and the plot is just totally ridiculous. Still, I think it's a pretty fun game that, in my humble opinion, isn't too ridiculous on difficulty until the last level... even then, that didn't stop me from beating it one fine summer afternoon.

I'm generally not too much into RPGs, but PS2 is definitely a classic in the genre. I will say that its ball-busting difficulty and slow pace have not aged the game too well, but it's an excellent game that I heartily recommend... if you don't have the Sega Genesis Collection for the PS2, that is. It's because of that awesome collection that I won't be downloading it for the VC, but ah well.

Could be a better update, but still two fine (in my opinion, though I recognize that NG3 isn't well-received by many) games. I'm just saddened that there's no doubt we're only getting two games nowadays instead of three. Why is that, I wonder? :(

[smokehouse]

OOOH...MG3 is freaking hard...I won't be picking that one up. I have it on the SNES and that's enough for me...let me tell you.

As for Phantasy Star II...good choice. I have it for the Genesis but haven't got very far on it...having it on the Wii might be the ticket. I think I'll pick it up.















*Still waiting for Mario RPG...I'm about ot give up and just bust out the SNES, I haven't played that game in years...*

[joedick]

Commodore 64:

http://wii.ign.com/articles/853/853828p1.html

[8-bitNesMan]

Can anyone explain to me why the VC has Super C and not Contra? This boggles the mind...

[PsychoCandy]

I agree... no contra?

[Neil Koch]

Another odd one is why Castlevania 3 isn't on there, even though 1, 2, and 4 are.

[Sotenga]

Go figure. My two most favorite installments of my two most favorite game series just so happen to be the two that are unavailable. :rolleyes:

[7th lutz]

I think Nintendo might be waiting to release Castlevania 3 till October. I am saying that because Nintendo had a halloween week on the vc last year.

Nintendo of Finland's website said the c64 games will cost 500 wii points. The 2 games are mentioned for being the first games releases are: International Karate and Uridium.

http://www.nintendo.fi/?file=959 is the c64 source. The site has is not english friendly for the most part.

[heybtbm]

Another odd one is why Castlevania 3 isn't on there, even though 1, 2, and 4 are.

It probably has to do with the same reason why Castlevania 3 won't work on any of the newer 3rd party NES systems. Maybe it's too hard to emulate properly without investing a bunch of time and money. Just a guess, I don't really know.

[Graham Mitchell]

Well, it's cool that C64 games are being added. Maybe Amiga won't be far behind...?

[joedick]

River City Ransom is coming to Europe:

http://wii.ign.com/articles/854/854180p1.html

I hope North America follows soon!

[Icarus Moonsight]

I just want more imports!

[8-bitNesMan]

I have one more thing I don't get: Why is TMNT on the NES higher than the other titles? Do we have to pay a premium because the game sucks worse than the rest of 'em?

[Amnion-Chorion]

I have one more thing I don't get: Why is TMNT on the NES higher than the other titles? Do we have to pay a premium because the game sucks worse than the rest of 'em?

I believe it's due to the extra licensing fees required to get the game up on the VC.