Gunstar, Mean Bean, and 2 more invade VC Mondays
by Ross Miller 
{ Dec 11th 2006 at 11:20AM }
Nintendo has announced the four new titles coming to the Virtual Console today. As predicted, TurboGrafx-16's Alien Crush makes the list, although the also-mentioned Dungeon Explorer is currently MIA. The other three titles are Gunstar Heroes, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (both Genesis) and Ice Hockey (NES), which were all featured on the launch list for the US Virtual Console.Also on the launch list, but still absent, are Baseball, Tennis, Urban Champion (all NES), Space Harrier II and Toe Jam & Earl (both Genesis). As noted by Joystiq tipster Eric B., Sega lists Space Harrier II landing next Monday (December 18) and Toe Jam & Earl arriving Christmas Day. Assuming Dungeon Explorer makes the list by 2006 -- it, too, was on the list -- that's at least six more titles we can expect before the New Year. With any luck, we'll also see a few better titles purported by Nintendo -- that is, unless it interferes with Reggie's strategies.
The four new VC titles today will be added at 12:00pm EST. Ice Hockey is 500 points, Alien Crush 600, and both Genesis titles are 800 points apiece.
Keep up on: Virtual Console Mondays
[Thanks, ElChibo and Shadow Hog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Darkness @ Dec 11th 2006 11:30AM
GUNSTAR HEROES!! Oh man, downloading that when I get home. :D
Erik Novak @ Dec 11th 2006 11:29AM
Gunstar Heroes...finally, a game on VC worth getting!
will @ Dec 11th 2006 12:01PM
any idea when Super Mario 3 comes out?
Scott Rubin @ Dec 11th 2006 11:36AM
I just might buy all of those except Mean Bean Machine. Really any VC Sonic game is stupid to buy. Just get yourself a copy of Sonic Mega Collection for the GameCube. You can find it for 10 bucks used in almost any game store. Buying any part of it on VC is pretty dumb.
Also, Ice Hockey is the greatest ice hockey game ever created. Two mediums, two skinnies, no fatties!
mykie @ Dec 11th 2006 11:43AM
Alien Crush is OK but I'd much rather see Devil's Crush (the game that made me finally break down and buy a TG16).
Ice Hockey is OK but I'd much rather see Blades of Steel.
Looks like the only winner this week is Gunstar Heroes.
DrHockey @ Dec 11th 2006 12:02PM
I really need to get a Wii (sold out everywhere in NYC). Ice Hockey is a fantastic game - you definitely need one fattie for the booming slap shot.
Number One @ Dec 11th 2006 12:06PM
Fina-muthafucking-lly!!!
Gunstar Heroes just might hold me down until a decent FPS pops up on wii. Ubisoft and activision's half assed efforts are not worth the monnies they ask for.
Ninegauger @ Dec 11th 2006 12:11PM
Everytime I've downloaded something and saw Mario hitting blocks all I've wanted to do is play Super Mario Bros. None of these games are Super Mario Bros.
Zeruel @ Dec 11th 2006 12:23PM
Now now, Robotnik's is not *that bad* of a game. If you're a fan of the older Puyo Puyo titles, this is Puyo 2 Remix, and it plays pretty close to the arcade versions at the time.
Then again, I don't think it's worth 800 points unless it had online versus mode. C'mon Nintendo, give VC some online functionality! It would make so many titles more worthy of purchase.
Izuna Drop @ Dec 11th 2006 12:38PM
I will be impressed when I see Warsong up there... that was a total precursor to Advance Wars... except with experience and limited choices. : )
Slymoon @ Dec 11th 2006 6:09PM
Toe Jam and Earl. I must have been good this year, no coal, hurrah! Christmas will be good this year.
LuigiHann @ Dec 11th 2006 1:06PM
Gunstar Heroes is a lot of fun, but like most (all?) good Sega games, I have access to it through GameTap. Somebody ought to write an editorial contrasting the Virtual Console with Gametap (and also, possibly, Xbox Live Arcade). I'd do it myself if I weren't so lazy.
Daniel @ Dec 11th 2006 2:44PM
I'm terrified that Nintendo is going to wait until next holiday season to put up any combination of Mario 1, 2, 3 or Mario World. This would make me very, very upset.
At the very least, get Punch Out in there already.
TwilightKnight @ Dec 11th 2006 1:13PM
Woo! I got my NiWiFi back up and I am getting gunstar, FZero, and Zelda.
I love the VC so much...
*cries a lil*
whosmav @ Dec 11th 2006 2:22PM
We're gonna have to deal with the crap releases for a while until the installed base is up to a MILLION.
Nin wants MAX profit.
Same happened with Disney DVD's. None came out till everybody and their gramma had a dvd player.
At least they're all decent(some are indeed real classics) and I wouldn't have thought sim city would be up(i love that game, gotta have the mario statue
I'd like a VC channel instead of a channel for each game, but that matters nill.
funkonaut @ Dec 11th 2006 1:57PM
I'd like to just say that everyone should skip Gunstar Heroes and get Gunstar Super Heroes instead. It's a far better game. It'll knock your socks off.
benjamin @ Dec 11th 2006 1:58PM
Gunstar Heroes!
Man, I was just about to buy this on eBay for my Genny.
For those of you that don't know, Gunstar Heroes was made by Treasure a studio that's sort of like Clover: the games they make are great, but far too few people buy them. This game's a definite buy (download?) if you like shooters or platformers.
As an aside, I'm on a mission to own Treasure's whole catalog. I just got Radiant Silvergun for my Saturn, I still need to get a copy of Ikaruga for my GC (got the Dreamcast one, though).
zenprism @ Dec 11th 2006 2:28PM
All over Gunstar Heroes (just wanted to reiterate for anyone who didn't read all the posts above)
Ice Hockey too. Next-gen hockey games wish they were as fun as the 8-bit classic.
Shadow Hog @ Dec 11th 2006 2:31PM
@ 13:
Naah, get both. Super Heroes might or might not be a better single-player game, but... no co-op. It's ALL ABOUT co-op, man.
Plus there's nothing quite like the whole weapon-mixing feature of the original Gunstar, something Super Heroes completely lacks.
Bad Mojo @ Dec 11th 2006 2:46PM
Toe Jam and Earl FTW!!!!!! I can't wait for that one. And Battletoads would be cool too. My wife and I would rock out with those games. And Lunar Pool provided some laugh til you fart good times too....
Incidentally, what's everyone using for controllers on the VC games? I ran across 2 of the Wii Classic controllers, but not sure if I need them. May keep one and get a Wavebird to match. will that work since I want to pick up some Gamecube games too?
Eric B @ Dec 11th 2006 3:00PM
Wait a second.... $8 for an old Sega game that has in no way been updated? You've got to be kidding me.
Shadow Hog @ Dec 11th 2006 3:08PM
@ 20:
While I can see your point... c'mon, it's Gunstar. It doesn't NEED updating, it's technically impressive as-is. Still don't see too many 2D games doing all the things it pulls off.
benjamin @ Dec 11th 2006 3:12PM
@#19: Two controllers? Lucky bastard. ^_^
I have a Hori GC gamepad that was really meant for fighting games, but works well with the classic games on Virtual Console. There's no analog stick, but I don't plan on downloading any N64 games anyway.
Here's a link:
http://www.estarland.com/product14442.html
Notice: I don't work for eStarland, they're merely the first hit off of Google.
chenry @ Dec 11th 2006 3:35PM
Oh man, Gunstar Heroes I can't wait!
Darkness @ Dec 11th 2006 3:39PM
Eric B, Gunstar Heroes is worth $8. I played that game with my roommate well into the Playstation/N64 era. It's just that good. Can't wait to get home and download it. I still own a copy (with the original case and manual), but my Genesis is packed up and in another city. At least now I can play it again with my girlfriend.
Andy @ Dec 11th 2006 4:09PM
Gunstar Heroes!! One of the bets games ever!
Knoxximus @ Dec 11th 2006 4:32PM
@22
Actually, it was REALLY meant for use with the Game Boy Player (as evidenced by the box art...I own 3). However, it also worked wonders for games like Ikaruga, Viewtiful Joe, CvSEO2, and the many classic collections available.
And yes, they are PERFECT for VC games, compatible for anything that doesn't require C-stick/buttons or analog control. One tip: make sure to get some GC extension cables!
Good luck finding them though, fellas. They are getting increasingly rarer by the minute!
LaughingMan @ Dec 11th 2006 5:08PM
Y'know I own a 360 and have been a staunch defender of XBLA right or wrong. But damn, it's hard to stay positive when the XBLA struggles to maybe get one game out a week when the VC drops 3 or 4 every monday. Yes I know we get enhancements like achievements and leaderboards, which are great, but aren't as great as say Streets of Rage, Phantasy Star 4 and River City Ransom hitting the VC some day (god willing)
B @ Dec 11th 2006 6:45PM
You know,if Metal Combat get released and actually works with the Wiimote,I'll have a heart attack.
Wii Super Scope for the win.
adam gross @ Dec 12th 2006 12:46AM
Gunstar Heroes is the greatest game for the sega genesis. I still play my Genesis and own an original copy of Gunstar Heroes. I even bough the VC version just to play it in a different room. IF there is person who has found a game better than this for the Genesis, then I must destroy them. Long live Red, Blue, and Green!
syco @ Dec 12th 2006 11:18AM
You guys who are planning on buying Mario 1, 2, or 3 when they come out are going to be kicking yourselves in the pants if Super Mario Allstars comes out. 3 games for $5 or 4 games for $8 total? Mmm. math.