ESRB shows seven Sega games for Wii

by Kyle Orland { Sep 12th 2006 at 1:00AM }

While PS2 and PSP users won't be getting the under-appreciated classic Toe Jam and Earl as part of a recently announced Genesis collection, it looks like Wii owners might get the game on their virtual consoles. The ESRB lists these seven classics when you search for Sega games for Nintendo's upcoming system:

Altered Beast
Columns
Ecco the Dolphin
Golden Axe
Ristar
Sonic the Hedgehog
Toe Jam & Earl

Each game got an E rating, with descriptors for comic mischief, animated violence and animated blood thrown in for good measure. While this isn't an official confirmation that the games are Wii-bound, it does seem to confirm that they have at least been submitted for ESRB rating, a logical first step. We can only hope that we'll be able to spend hundreds of dollars on new hardware just to relive the joy that is the Toe Jam rap.

[Thanks, SuicidalMuskrat]

Tags: classics, ecco, golden axe, GoldenAxe, ristar, sega, sonic, toejam and earl, ToejamAndEarl, virtual console, VirtualConsole, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Sam @ Sep 12th 2006 1:11AM

Ecco the Dolphin!!! I had that on the Dreamcast. Why would they bring that to the wii I don't know.

SpreadMyButtcheeks @ Sep 12th 2006 1:11AM

And Altered Beast "wises from it's gwave" once again.

H-QB @ Sep 12th 2006 1:14AM

Needs more SHINING FORCE 1 and 2 ...

... I remember Ecco, he was put in a tuna can. Hehehe

GregZ @ Sep 12th 2006 1:17AM

All aboard for Funkatron..

Still, this isn't terribly compelling stuff for me. Give me my Gunstar Heroes and Vectorman at least, please? Oh and Sega, do resist the urge to bring Comix Zone back to life (again) if you can help it.

darryl @ Sep 12th 2006 1:18AM

I can play any of these titles right now at this very moment but yet for some reason, I don't want to play any of them.

I guess I'm not a zOMG!!11! gamer, I'm all washed-up.

GSI @ Sep 12th 2006 1:29AM

-->"... I remember Ecco, he was put in a tuna can. Hehehe"

HAHA that was wrong but oh so funny.

...and yea...why bring back Ecco? I NEVER liked that game and thought the Dreamcast version was even worse.

Night Hawk @ Sep 12th 2006 1:30AM

zOMG!!11!
I was hoping every one of those game would be there.
I was playing altered beast on my Amiega! Can't w8 for the Wii!

Eric @ Sep 12th 2006 1:40AM

Aren't those for Virtual Console?

Todd Rabanus @ Sep 12th 2006 1:41AM

Can we all get serious for a second? I can by a sega genisis with all of these games for dirt cheap? Why are people getting excitied over games we have all played before?

I have an xbox 360 and love it, but why the hell would i pay for frogger when i can have it for free. Every game on that list I (along with other millions) have played and beat before. So what is the point?

The point is, is that I wanna buy a system for new games. To me this is a cry for help from the industry. If Microsoft or Nintendo wanna open up there Internet connectivity for new games (Ie. Geometry Wars, Uno, Marble Blast [they are the only originals]) then that is a great way for gamers to get a decent product for lower prices. But please don't sell us the same re-hashed crap from yesteryear because you can't find some creative help

Beatz @ Sep 12th 2006 1:49AM

Yeah, Uno is such an original game. I'm glad Microsoft had the integrity to bring it to us, the consumers.

hey alex @ Sep 12th 2006 1:51AM

Is it the Genesis version of Altered Beast? The arcade game was awesome, although I'm sure a bit dated now. The console version, which was a first generation title, and included with the console for free, was just okay. I'm not sure I'd buy it if I had the choice.

Albi @ Sep 12th 2006 1:55AM

"Why are people getting excitied over games we have all played before?"

I've never played a handful of Genesis or NES game, and I never even had a SNES or TurboGrafx. As for Toejam and Earl and the like, a few dollars isn't bad for a fun nostalgic sendback. I'm very excited for the VC.

Borat @ Sep 12th 2006 2:00AM

I want online Streets of Rage 2 and 3!

idioteraser @ Sep 12th 2006 2:03AM

7 confirmed isn't a bad first step. We know far more will be coming.

Intellectualdiot @ Sep 12th 2006 2:13AM

"I want online Streets of Rage 2 and 3!"

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Of course if I realistically thought that any of these titles would be modified to include Wi-fi support, I'd be profoundly more excited towards the prospect of the Virtual Console. I'm still maintaining hope that Nintendo (and the other developers, obviously) will come through on this front on at least a FEW titles, but it's a cautious optimism at best.

I'd also like to second the motion for Shining Force on the Virtual Console please.

pangit @ Sep 12th 2006 2:17AM

pooooWER UP!!!

hope theres online multiplayer for those games!!!

aZn_1080P @ Sep 12th 2006 7:42AM

personally I ahve no interest in playing these games again on a new console if I have to pay for them.. I never bought any of the midawy collections or any of that stuff. But, if I can play the multiplayer beatemups, rampart, and other multiplayer games online for free, then I may reconsider. This is where Nintendo and Sony can leverage their free online service IMO.

Platinum Skeet @ Sep 12th 2006 3:12AM

"and PSP users won't be getting the under-appreciated classic Toe Jam and Earl as part of a recently announced Genesis collection, it looks like Wii owners might get the game on their virtual consoles"

Not the PSP users with homebrew. We've been playing all the Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance and tons of other consoles games for a while now.

tactics @ Sep 12th 2006 5:43AM

yay for golden axe.

...and if VC games *aren't* online multiplayer, i'm going to be thoroughly pissed off.

-"superfan" tactics.

Rico @ Sep 12th 2006 4:07AM

What happened to all the other Sonic games?

Zozart @ Sep 12th 2006 4:00AM

Oh man! Ecco and Ristar! That's fantastic!

alienclay @ Sep 12th 2006 4:04AM

i agree with borat, streets of rage 3 is number one on my wii/genesis hope list. maybe they want to save some for later.

hey Todd Rabanus, correct me if i'm wrong but isn't street fightere hyper fighting the highest selling game on XBLA?

Jecrell @ Sep 12th 2006 4:14AM

@ Platinum Skeet:

But not Toe Jam and Earl.

sev4 pri1 @ Sep 12th 2006 4:18AM

This is exciting because anyone who played the og Toe Jam and Earl two player on a saturday morning sleepover in 4th grade remembers that this game had painful slow down.

Being able to play this two player with no framerate issues... can I put in a formal request for Road Rash 1-xxx and Skitchin?

Jecrell @ Sep 12th 2006 4:34AM

Nevermind -- I was thinking of the third one. @.@

Raaaaah! @ Sep 12th 2006 4:52AM

#9

Nostalgia sells itself.

Wild Homes @ Sep 12th 2006 5:47AM

since the compilation is completely AWOL, I'd like to cast a vote for Phantasy Star. all of them, if the Master System is included, too.

Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 5:09AM

I hope they make Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 where you can play 2-player online co-op with Sonic and Tails. Tails wouldn't have to stay tethered to Sonic's screen, but would instead be free to move around on his own... oh yeah, and the competetive modes from those games, only no more split screen! Please!

Martin @ Sep 12th 2006 8:03AM

Yes no one should pay for these games. Hell why pay for new games from the store. Steal them like you steal games online!!! Why bother paying for anything. Hey go get a new car, I am sure you can find one parked on the street somewhere!!!!! GOD I AM SICK OF THESE "I CAN GET IT ON MY COMPUTER/PSP FREE!!!"

Wanna know why the PSP is going to fail. No software sales because people buy the system only for the homebrew. Sony loses money on the console sales and makes very little in return on software because everyone feels like stealing is the new goth!

Helper-T @ Sep 12th 2006 8:18AM

Well said, Martin. I don't see myself as morally superior to anyone who pirates, but "lol only a moron would pay for these when you can play everyhing ever for free on the psp/pc emus" is a pretty silly thing to say.

V1L3 @ Sep 12th 2006 8:48AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since when did Ecco feature "animated blood?"

Ecco doesn't bleed. The jellyfish don't bleed. Hell, even the eyes of the all-devouring alien Vortex queen simply explode into innocuous, shiny, perfectly spherical balls of an indeterminate substance when you pound them out of her immense skull-like bulk.

ReyBrujo @ Sep 12th 2006 8:56AM

Give credit to who first discovered it (http://www.codenamerevolution.com/?p=1820). Even GoNintendo gave them.

KR @ Sep 12th 2006 8:58AM

These games need to be ridiculously cheap, especially since there are very few "gems" here...if you are saying "ALTERED BEAST! COLUMS! AWESOME!" right now, you either haven't played it, or have a really screwed up view of the past. TJ&E and Ecco are ok niche games, Golden Axe and Sonic are decent, but there's nothing there that XBLA needs to be concerned about (especially with Sonic on the way for XBLA). I don't care if someone is "sick of hearing" about how people can play these for free elsewhere or not - they still can. I have all but one of these on console and all of them on my PC. I'm not paying for them again unless they are set at a very attractive price point - meaning less than the cheapest XBLA game.

foobob @ Sep 12th 2006 9:06AM

yay, Borat! Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3 truly rock! As well as the astounding Yuzo Koshiro club soundtrack! :)

yay for Shining Force 1 and 2 as well!

and where the hell are the Shinobi titles?! or Sonic 2 and Sonic and Knuckles?

Jake @ Sep 13th 2006 9:42AM

I like the idea of classics, but not for these kinds of games. I can't have fun going back and playing Echo, even though I enjoyed it the first time. I can still enjoy SFII, SMB I, 3, and World, Mario Kart, ...

The only ones I am interested are a very select "Best of the Best". Echo doesn't make the cut for me. It may for some other people. The only sega game I would really like to replay is Shadowrun.

Lynx @ Sep 12th 2006 2:46PM

Why are people shrugging this off just because you can pick up the games second-hand, or just emulate them? Look at iTunes, you could do the same with that, download the songs illegally, or buy them cheap at a second-hand record store, but if everyone was doing that, iTunes wouldn't be as successful as it is.

Despite what you may think, having multiple retro systems available on one system has huge sales potential, much as iTunes offers many different things that appeal to many different demographics.

The virtual console is going to be a hit, whether you can download the games already or not. Casual consumers don't hunt out old consoles. Casual consumers probably don't understand emulators and rom downloading. Think of the wider demographic, rather than just hardcore gamers, and it'll make a lot more sense.

AirIntake @ Sep 12th 2006 9:19AM

I never threw away my Genny, and I know what emulators are........... If I get a Wii, I'd only purchase a very select few, if any.

Paul P. @ Sep 12th 2006 9:25AM

For those of you saying "Why isn't X game there?" It's because if Sega has any business sense at all, they'll release a few titles at a time. Nintendo and third parties too. A dozen or so titles a month. They don't want to overflood the virtual console market. If they release them in waves people are more likely to buy stuff from each wave, as opposed to if they release them all at once.

Erwos @ Sep 12th 2006 9:27AM

Alas, very underwhelming. TJ&E could still be fun, but Sonic's coming to XBLA already.

In other news, Root Beer Tapper, Paperboy, UMK3, and Defender have gotten the ESRB treatment for XBLA. Huzzah!

James @ Sep 12th 2006 9:54AM

To #9...

Buying a Genesis and all 7 of those games would not be as cheap as you think. You'd be lucky to find a Genesis for less than $20 (including shipping) on the Bay and it's roughly $40 at all of those little classic game shops I've ever been to. Hell, even Gamestop was selling them for around $30.

Another quick search on eBay showed Toejam & Earl going for at least $15. You might get lucky enough to find it at a garage sale or in a flea market for less, but the game is fairly rare as it's just too good to get rid of.

If the games go for $4.50 a pop like Iwata speculated, you can see how this is actually some pretty exciting news.

To get serious for a moment though.... I can't wait to sneak up on Santa and steal his gifts again! =D

Thryon @ Sep 12th 2006 10:04AM

I remember when I first heard about XBLA, and the potential of playing “classic” games from the past. My mind instantly filled with fond memories of past games like, Tetris, Choplifter, Marios Bros, Galaga and many more. This was a time period when every game was unique, and charming. Classic games did not require fancy graphics or 5.1 surround sound, or even online play to captivate you…they did it with fun gameplay.

Finally the day came when I connected my Xbox 360. Even while bashing goblins and racing around Tokyo, I spent a full week hunting down a MS Points card, so I could purchase Robotron, and SmashTV. Once I got a card, I quickly purchased the games and started each game with so much anticipation. But somehow, the games did not live up to my expectations. Had MS screwed up the game while porting it to XBLA? Just to be sure, I loaded each game on my arcade machine and sure enough, the games where identical, but just not as much fun.

I few weeks ago, Galaga was released, and once again, I could not help but get excited. I used to be the Galaga champ of my school, heck, maybe of the universe for all I knew. This game I had to have. I downloaded the game; got the all achievements for Galaga in less than 1 hour.....I have not played since.

I came to realize it was not the game I wanted to relive, but the time period surrounding the game. Who does not want to relive the carefree days, when you did not have to work 40 hour weeks, or pay a mortgage, or deal with kids. But you soon find out, that what you once considered a blast, has now lost it spark.

As it is, even the lustful desire of achievements cannot keep me interested in these “classic” games anymore, but I would gladly eat rancid meat, to be able to call in sick and play Dead Rising just a few more hours.

PS/ Joystiq staff...I recently had to change email addresses for my post. Under my old address, I had a negative star...can I have it back. I miss it.

Tom @ Sep 12th 2006 10:58AM

I would buy Toejam and Earl and Golden axe even though I still own them and my mega drive. Partly for the simplicity of not having to hook up my mega drive everytime I want to play them and also because my mega drive controllers are completly wrecked. Using them for a hour gives you major blisters as the d-pads are slightly messed up now.

I would consider buying Ecco and altered beast depending on the price.

MouthlessScreamer @ Sep 12th 2006 12:17PM

With regards to Ecco - this isn't the same Ecco from the dreamcast. It's the one from the Genesis which was a blast to play.

The dreamcast/ps2 ones were sequels that brought the game into a 3d world.

MouthlessScreamer @ Sep 12th 2006 12:22PM

I also really wish they had Kid Chameleon listed up there. I'd love to play that again.

Gerwurztraminer @ Sep 12th 2006 10:28AM

I've been excited about the virtual console concept ever since I heard about it. Growing up I never had a ton of money so I traded in older games/systems quite frequently. My NES became my copy of Final Fantasy VII and my Genesis became my copy of Puzzle Fighter and my SNES.. well, it's still plugged in on the off chance I wanna play Super Mario RPG.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to Toejam & Earl once again. [to 39 - I'm going to temporarily ignore your post and enjoy the anticipation of waiting; even though you're right. ah to be 10 again]

bassbeast @ Sep 12th 2006 10:39AM

@39:

Why did you hunt around for an MS Points card? You know you can buy them from the comfort of your couch, right? Since you could connect to Live, you can add points to your account really easily.

On top of my 64DD wishes I posted yesterday, I'd love some of the oddball Japanese titles that are fun, but nobody plays. Things like Parodius, Konami Man in Wai Wai World, things like that. I know it'll never happen, but why not.

As for the emulation VS. virtual console thing, let me add another point. There is NO legal precedent for ROMs. Everybody who says "I can have it as long as I own the original" or "I justhave to delete it after 24 hours" really needs to read a book about law, or at least their instruction manuals. Look at the back of every Nintendo game instruction manual:

"WARNING: Copying of any Nintendo game is illegal and is strictly prohibited by domestic and international intellectual property laws. 'Back-up' or 'archival' copies are not authorized and are not necesary to protect your software...

...The contents of this notice do not interfere with your statutory rights."

Basically, you're all wrong (as in incorrect; the morality question becomes your own). If you're going to steal, then have the balls to own up to it.

Additionally, for those who question the market viability of old titles, consider this: Super Mario Bros. has been released in these forms: original NES cart, Super NES "Mario All-Stars" re-release, Super Mario Deluxe for GBC, Classic NES series on GBA, in-game in Animal Crossing. Guess what? They *all* sold. The GBA game in particular was the top-selling GBA game for a couple of weeks at its release. There is definitely a market for these products. For those who say that it's a case of nickel-and-diming, don't buy the product. There are enough other people who feel differently. As long as the emulation isn't done through the frame buffer (giving that odd emulation "delay" which ruins the feel of most emulators) and the selection is wide and varies, I relish the opportunity to enjoy the games I couldn't/didn't buy yesteryear.

(I guess I'm also old enough to remember the dawn of the NES age, unlike more than half the internet, it seems.)

Martin @ Sep 12th 2006 11:32AM

Why buy them on your VC when you have it on your PC already? Probably because you can finally get it legally!!!!

Why pay for cable when you can just take it from your neighbor? Why pay for music when you can get it for free? Many people have asked this question and have seen huge fines. Sure your free ROMS are free now, but if you seriously think they aren't going to do something when these games are business again, you are mistaken!!!