Wii launch window: 32 Wii games, 30 VC games
by Christopher Grant 
{ Nov 1st 2006 at 9:30AM }
Nintendo has blasted out a list confirming the 32 Wii and 30 Virtual Console games (spanning five consoles) that will be available in the five weeks between the system's November 19th launch and the end of 2006. We're not sure exactly which games may not make that November 19th launch date, but it seems reasonable to presume the VC games will be there on launch day, previously dated titles like Zelda, and the 530 GameCube titles they're eager to remind us will work from the get go.Nintendo does remind us that "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess emerges [Ed. will emerge?] as this season's video game masterpiece." Hey, way to throw that third party trash to the curb! We agree it stands head and shoulders above some of the more forgettable entries filling up this list (we're sure Happy Feet will be a slightly less impressive masterpiece), but it's nice to see them being so candid about it. Check out the entire list after the break, and let us know if there's anything missing that we thought would be there. We'll start: Ubisoft's forgettable WWII dogfighter, Blazing Angels. It came out for the Xbox 360 in March, was confirmed by Ubisoft to be a launch window game in August, was again confirmed by Nintendo to be a launch title in September, and now it's evidently missing. What's up?
See also:
PlayStation 3 launch window titles announced
[Thanks for all the tips, everyone!]
Activision
- Call of Duty 3
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance
- Rapala Tournament Fishing
- Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
- World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
- Trauma Center: Second Opinion
- Madden NFL '07
- Need for Speed: Carbon
- Elebits
- Happy Feet
- Rampage: Total Destruction
- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Ant Bully
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
- Metal Slug Anthology
- Super Swing Golf
- Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Barnyard
- Cars
- SpongeBob SquarePants: The Creature from the Krusty Krab
- Far Cry: Vengeance
- GT Pro Series
- Monster 4X4 World Circuit
- Open Season
- Rayman Raving Rabbids
- Red Steel
- Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent
- Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
In addition to these new titles, Nintendo is making the greatest video game archive in history available for download to its Virtual Console. NES games start at 500 Wii Points, Super NES games start at 800 Wii Points and Nintendo 64 games start at 1,000 Wii Points. Sega Genesis games start at 800 Wii Points and TurboGrafx16 games start at 600 Wii Points. Wii Points can be purchased online or at retail at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points. Before the end of December, the following titles will be available:
NES -- start at $5
- Mario Bros.
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Ice Hockey
- Pinball
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Urban Champion
- Wario's Woods
- Baseball
- Solomon's Key
- F-Zero
- SimCity
- Super Mario 64
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Altered Beast
- Golden Axe
- Columns
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Gunstar Heroes
- Space Harrier II
- Toe Jam & Earl
- Ristar
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- Bonk's Adventure
- Super Star Soldier
- Victory Run
- Bomberman '93
- Dungeon Explorer
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
gameclu @ Nov 1st 2006 9:39AM
It seems like the VC is quickly going to overtake XBLA.
> @ Nov 1st 2006 9:39AM
As good as Zelda will be, masterpiece may be pushing it. Zelda fans will lap it up, but does it have the appeal to sell as many copies as FF12... which has been getting incredible reviews across the board (wheres the metareview joystiq?).
ConstyXIV @ Nov 1st 2006 9:40AM
I hate to say it, but...
CURSE YOU, NINTENDO OF JAPAN!!!
http://blog.wired.com/games/2006/10/japan_gets_way_.html
Look at the list, they get ~20 more games than us, as well as better games (Link to the Past, Super Mario World, Super CastleVania IV, etc). Of course, they also have a later launch, and Nintendo did promise 10 games a month.
Kaemon @ Nov 1st 2006 9:42AM
Is that Gunstar Heroes I see?
Ahaha yes! Hehe, I want that game >_>
Nintendo_Fanboy @ Nov 1st 2006 9:41AM
WHERE'S DUCK HUNT?????
P.S. 1st post
Nintendo_Fanboy @ Nov 1st 2006 9:42AM
WHERE'S DUCK HUNT?
SickNic @ Nov 1st 2006 9:45AM
Wow, I am pretty excited for some of the VC games, but I think they are priced a little high. It would be awesome if they were $1-$2 for the NES games, $5 for the SNES.... and on from there. Kinda hard to justify $5 a game when you can get them on the internet so easily. (and for those who oppose this, it is just as easy to pick up a used cartridge at a garage sale or gamestop for $.25 to a $1)
crono141 @ Nov 1st 2006 9:46AM
So DBZ Budokai is a separate game from Tenkaichi 2?
WTF Simcity and F-Zero for SNES?
Where's Zelda 2 on NES?
Mario 64 looks to be the only VC title I'll be getting at launch (never owned the original)
Stupid double question: Will the VC controller work for gamecube games, and will the GC controller work for VC games? Anybody know?
Raynre @ Nov 1st 2006 9:47AM
Kick. Ass.
Oh, and my inside sources say that Genesis games are $8 and TurboGraphix games are $6.
I have no way to prove it, but that's what Ive heard.
crono141 @ Nov 1st 2006 10:26AM
The only turbographix game I want (and probably will never hit VC) is Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. Way better than Castlevania 4 or bloodlines.
Mister Disco @ Nov 1st 2006 10:11AM
My comment directed at #2
Of course it won't. You're talking about a game for a system that launches Nov. 19th versus a game that is for a system that has been out for over 5 years. Zelda would take a much longer time to sell as many copies as FFXII due to that fact alone.
Shad Genki @ Nov 1st 2006 9:57AM
A bit pricey for really old games that already downloaded for NESticle. Hopefully they'll create some way of earning points that you can spend on VC games.
Cody S. @ Nov 1st 2006 9:58AM
Ecco the freaking dolphin!
I recommend that everyone buys that game. It's one of the most difficult games you will ever play, but it's really fun too.
gamerx @ Nov 1st 2006 10:03AM
Now THATS what you call a launch! :P
*splits before SDF arrives*
dsub @ Nov 1st 2006 4:32PM
no punch out! = no purchase
no river city ransom = no purchase
one of the biggest points I've been making to people about the Wii is "hey, even if the launch games suck, you'll have tons of badass NES games to play" only there is a problem. With the exception of Mario/Zelda, this is one of the weakest NES lineups I've ever seen.
Ice Hockey? Fuck that. I want Blades of Steel. Come on Konmami. Make it happen.
GlitchCog @ Nov 1st 2006 10:06AM
That's a terrible list. Two SNES games? One N64 game? Terrible.
So they're releasing more every month? These games are already released. They're milking a new release date out of them so consumers feel like they're new and will be more likely to buy them. Lame. Just dump the whole catalog online tomorrow and stop being dicks with your back catalog. Remember when people at Nintendo were sincerely suggesting that these might be free to download?
Gamer G @ Nov 1st 2006 10:55AM
Gamers were never as good as you remember, its best not going back imo
XBLA taught me that!
Sonofield @ Nov 1st 2006 10:07AM
I want E.V.O. The Search for Eden for the SNES!! Does anybody else remember that game?! Spore is a total ripoff of that game! :P
Almack64 @ Nov 1st 2006 10:07AM
I second Crono's question (#8) about the controllers. I've been trying to get that question amswered (especailly the part about using GC controllers for VC games) for about 2 months now. You would think that someone out there would know the answer to this. However we are talking about tight-lipped Nintendo, they often only tell us stuff when they have to.
Enzo @ Nov 1st 2006 10:12AM
Those VC games are pretty pricey, and though I do own most of those I'll still be picking some up. Definitely Mario Bros., Zelda, Super Mario 64, Toejam & Earl and Bonk's Adventure at least.
Hell it's worth the price to not keep my NES, N64, Genesis and Turbo Grafx hooked up. That's a lot of space.
32_Footsteps @ Nov 1st 2006 10:17AM
Sonofield, I remember E.V.O. quite well. I even managed to evolve myself a human in that game - and discovered that humanity sucks, but not as much as mermaids do.
Man, I can't believe how much we're missing from the SNES list... Zelda:LttP, Super Mario World, Pilotwings, SF2... the comparison between the American VC games and the Japanese VC games is ridiculous.
I'm also finding it odd that the Genesis and even the TG-16 list looks stronger. I'm just curious as to whether they'll ever get around to releasing Sega Master System games on the VC (because Wonder Boy and Psycho Fox are sadly underrated).
Naruhodou @ Nov 1st 2006 10:16AM
"A bit pricey for really old games that already downloaded for NESticle."
Yeah, everything is a bit pricey when you can just pirate it on the internet. What's the point of even spending money anymore, amirite?
"It seems like the VC is quickly going to overtake XBLA."
I wouldn't count on it, fanboy.
D-Town @ Nov 1st 2006 10:21AM
@14: Yes, I remember EVO. Not THAT good, IMHO. It was an original concept, but a boring game. Furthermore, American culture warriors will have a field day on it. The evolution leads from fish to man, who ultimately enters the garden of Eden and humps Gaia. Gods!!!
Jok3r @ Nov 1st 2006 10:20AM
I wet my self after reading this
PS GTG change my panties
David @ Nov 1st 2006 10:19AM
"As good as Zelda will be, masterpiece may be pushing it. Zelda fans will lap it up, but does it have the appeal to sell as many copies as FF12... which has been getting incredible reviews across the board"
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time US sales: 4.08 million
Final Fantasy X US sales: 2.72 million
And before you whinge:
Final Fantasy VII US sales 3.09 million
Even Wind Waker, with all the (totally unwarranted) bad press, sold 2.6 million in the US.
Zelda is more popular then Final Fantasy in the US, espescially when it's a 'mature' Zelda that even insecure morons who avoid 'kiddy' games will buy.
Nate @ Nov 1st 2006 10:21AM
Does anyone know if there is going to be anything extra added to the VC games? Like how XBLA has leaderboards, achievements, etc. Just curious...not trying to flame or anything...
Because, if that isn't the case, and they're just the same games, the prices are a bit high. I mean $8 and up for games like Sonic, Altered Beast, Columns, and Golden Axe? Those games all sell for less than 5 bucks for the Genesis. Same thing with some of the Nintendo games...you can get some of those for less than the $5 and up that they're charging.
With that said, the Wii launch lineup looks nice....I won't be getting one, but anyone who does is going to get some great games. Right now I'm playing Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for the Xbox 360, and I gotta say...it's one of the best games I've played in a loooooong time. Congrats Nintendo fans for getting it day one. Zelda should be a great game as well.
James Spiers @ Nov 1st 2006 10:21AM
There are some solid games to pick up here on day 1 (Gunstar Heroes, Dungeon Explorer, SM64), and yes, it's a bummer you can't play Contra 3 or Castlevania like Japan, BUT the real question mark is whether or not Japan-only games (Sin & Punishment; Dracula X) will either a) be localized at some point (doubt it); b) be made available to US/Europe to download. Big bummer if this doesn't happen
Komrade Kayce @ Nov 1st 2006 10:22AM
Heres also hoping for E.V.O. Im amazed there hasnt been any full blown sequel to the game yet. Maybe if it became a popular download on the VC?
delerious @ Nov 1st 2006 10:22AM
Everybody questioning if the VC controller will be able to control GC games: Has there been any other, 1st party, controller made by Nintendo other than the GameCube's? So, being that the VC controller has two analog sticks, Z button, R+L triggers, and all other buttons I would think that it would work.
Pedro Van Faulk @ Nov 1st 2006 10:27AM
I'm really tired of people bitching about the VC prices. It's a way better value than XBLA or whatever sony will be offering. With live you are paying $5 for ATARI games, and $10 for snes games. No one bitches about Live until Lumines came around.
delerious @ Nov 1st 2006 10:23AM
lol, I messed up a sentence, "Has there been any other, 1st party, controller made by Nintendo other than the GameCube's?", should be, "Has there been any other, 1st party, controller made by Nintendo other than the GameCube's with dual analog?"
joe @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:13PM
no front mission on the snes... :(
D-Town @ Nov 1st 2006 10:38AM
Indeed, prices could be lower. But then those couple of dollars extra discharges you of the duty to visit all those barn sales for that specific buck o five game, to put in an extinct battery because the save function is dead, putting pencils in your console to get it working, and putting up with slowdown, framerate issues, etc. If you can pay 5 bucks for Frogger on XBLA you can slap down 5 for Super Mario Bros.
I don't see the whole 'OMFG bad launch' deal. Sure, Japan gets some more games, but we already knew stuff like 'Takeshi's Challenge' won't be coming, and games like Contra and Castlevania will be a matter of time. To me, this launch line up is no dream come true but a very solid offering that shows lots of potential for the future. Good enough for me!
White Rose Duelist @ Nov 1st 2006 10:45AM
Don't worry about the VC complaints. I suspect anyone who is whining already has illegal copies of the game on their computers and wouldn't be buying them for $1. VC is for people who don't know about ROM sites or who are unwilling to steal games, either due to morality or the fact that emulation sites can and will try to do bad things to your computer.
Mazzani @ Nov 1st 2006 10:36AM
Umm, Joystiq, "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2" is only one game... just thought you'd like to know.
D-Town @ Nov 1st 2006 10:38AM
Oh, and a small caveat, just to temper all those inevitable'shit they don't offer FF7 on Virtual Console crap blood tit' sentiments, I think you can honestly write off any expectations for Mega Mans and Final Fantasys in the near future - why would companies invest in remakes/compilations only to offer the same stuff minus some extras for a bunch of bucks? Okay, just so you know and not mess my day up later. :-)
BlindsideDork @ Nov 1st 2006 10:41AM
No one should be complaing that Zelda 2 or other games aren't going to be on VC at launch. You guys are complaining that all the NES games aren't there at launch. They will eventually come out, but why throw out ALL of your best selling games/series at one time when you can release one at a time with other games that might not be as great.
You know? so you can buy them at a slow pace and not burn a whole in your wallet as you buy 20 games in one month. I think they got a good angle, just hope they will released Blast Corps. and Body Harvest (n64) on here eventually but I'm not holding my breath.
Destin @ Nov 1st 2006 10:40AM
Almost all those NES titles are available in Animal Crossing (along with great additions like Super Mario Bros., Excitebike, and Punch-Out), so I guess I won't need to buy them to play them on my Wii.
Third-party NES games like Contra and 1943 are what I'm really hoping to see.
crono141 @ Nov 1st 2006 10:42AM
Square is onboard for VC, I don't see any reason why the FF games WOULDN"T come out on it eventually. The GBA games aren't going to sell THAT well, and square has said that they will start doing total conversions (ALA FFIII for DS) for all their re-releases.
skwisgaar @ Nov 1st 2006 10:47AM
Ristar? Hells yes.
Sam @ Nov 1st 2006 10:49AM
If they come out with Starflight for the VC, I will purchase the Wii solely to play that game.
Draco @ Nov 1st 2006 10:48AM
What!? no Super Mario for NES? thats impossible. that was my most favorite NES game and I assumed it was a given it would show up on VC immediately.
why would I want to play Mario Brothers? I can play that for free in SMB3
4orty2wo @ Nov 1st 2006 10:50AM
@ #11, Cody S.
Ecco the Dolphin was hard, but mostly because that gave me more motion sickenss than any other game. I was playing on a 52" screen, so that may be part of the problem. I almost have to close my eyes thinking about it.
gameclu @ Nov 1st 2006 10:50AM
me: "It seems like the VC is quickly going to overtake XBLA."
Naruhodou: "I wouldn't count on it, fanboy."
I'm counting 34 titles out for XBLA, compared to 30 for the VCs launch window. It doesn't take a mathematics degree from MIT to see that the VC has a real potential to lapse XBLA in terms of titles. btw, I own a 360.
Kevin @ Nov 1st 2006 10:50AM
"A bit pricey for really old games that already downloaded for NESticle."
Oh yes considering Microsoft are selling the same aged/old games for the same exact price.
please, /hypocrisy
Ford Dent @ Nov 1st 2006 10:51AM
Holy crap. Toejam and Earl?
I'm so there.
crono141 @ Nov 1st 2006 10:58AM
Togetherness!
SSpectre @ Nov 1st 2006 10:54AM
"why would companies invest in remakes/compilations only to offer the same stuff minus some extras for a bunch of bucks?"
Ask Sega. They have a GCN compilation of Sonic games, but lo and behold, Sonic the Hedgehog is available on the Virtual Console.
Personally, I don't see any problem with companies releasing games both in compilations and on the VC. The way I see it, having the same games on the VC allows more impulse buys at a higher price per game than the compilation (ex. Sonic: 6 games at $6 on VC = $36, 6 games for $20 in a compilation = $3.33 per game). Of course, not everyone is going to buy all the compilation's games if they had the option to purchase separately, but buying 3 VC games gives you almost the same amount of money as buying the compilation.
Some people will prefer being able to choose which games they want; others will prefer getting more games cheaper. Having both options gives the companies a better chance of making more money in my opinion.
BlindsideDork @ Nov 1st 2006 10:56AM
and to continue on what #42 said...
doesn't XBLA games have problems? say like Street Fighter 2...I thought I heard that it is next to impossible to play one match with an opponent and Doom is next to horrendus when it comes to multiplayer. not to mention luminoes "buy this game but then pay more money to play the rest of it!"
these NES games is typically what people grew up on, nostaglia is great!
Anticrawl @ Nov 1st 2006 10:56AM
Fucking Blast Corps... *roars and goes hulk smash on his gaming vault(closet)* where.. cart..
Anyway I think you other folks are forgetting that we get uhh 30 games by the end of the year, but Japan gets the Wii at the end of the year... logically they better get more and I'd be really pissed if I lived in Japan and my favorite japanese gaming company didn't compensate me for the later launch date.
Eh whatever, I want Contra though... contra contra contra... contra with online co-op! Yes! To the max!
Extreme!
Anticrawl