Star Fox 64 arrives, Virtual Console does barrel roll

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Apr 2nd 2007 at 12:31PM }

After last week's serious focus on kingdoms waging war, it comes as a relief to see Nintendo's Virtual Console service returning to its former status, namely that of an anarchic menagerie of anthropomorphic troublemakers. This week, we have foxes recklessly piloting spaceships, dragon's uttering foul words and mutated turtles kicking people in the face. Just who's in charge here?

As you might have surmised (admittedly, the headline is a big help), Star Fox 64 (N64) tops the list of retro goodies arriving on the Wii today:

Star Fox 64 - N64 - 1,000 points ($10)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - NES - 600 points ($6)
Dragon's Curse - TurboGrafx 16 - 600 points ($6)

All three titles are available for download now. What isn't available for download at this time, however, is an explanation as to why we're expected to shell out 100 points ($1) above the NES norm for Konami's turtle brawler. Perhaps we're being fined for that terrible pun in the last sentence.

Tags: Dragon's Curse, Dragon'sCurse, N64, Nintendo, Star Fox, Star Fox 64, StarFox, StarFox64, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles, Turtles, VC, VC Monday, VcMonday, Virtual Console, VirtualConsole, virtualconsolemonday

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Saneless @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:34PM

Is that the original TMNT and not TMNT II arcade? I wouldn't download that for free. 6 bucks? They can rub my nuts

White Rose Duelist @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:39PM

I'm with Saneless. TMNT2: The Arcade Game is well worth $6. The garbage that was passed off as TMNT on the NES first isn't worth the 100 points alone, never mind on top of the normal price.

Fandel @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:40PM

Why pay 6 bucks for TMNT(or TMNT 2, which I'm sure will be coming out) when you can pay less for the original arcade conversion on Xbox Live? This just proves that NES games on the Virtual Console are way overpriced.

Also, while everyone is probably going to go crazy over Starfox and TMNT, the other game on the list: Dragon's Curse for the Turbo Grafix 16, is actually the best game on the list this week.

wait in the car @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:40PM

I remebering the NES TMNT being one of the worst games I'd ever played. Then one time I went back to it and got really far. The game is so bizarre and sprawling I couldn't put it down. Then I finally got inside the Technodrome one day and received a royal beatdown.

The game is absolutely terrible on the surface, but has an addictive quirkiness and one of the highest challenge factors ever.

I'm actually looking forward to bashing my head against the table once again...

Matthew @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:41PM

To #1 and #2, I bet the reason you don't like it is because its too hard for you. That game was the best example of a truely diffucult game. That is why I love it.

wait in the car @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:42PM

Not sure what happened while I was trying to spell "remember" on that post. Yikes.

AirIntake @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:43PM

The original TMNT game for the NES sucked balls. That version definitely ain't worth $6.
The arcade TMNT game for the NES was a way better game. But it was still nowhere near as good as the arcade version and still not worth $6
The actual arcade TMNT on Xbox Live is the only way to go (other than MAME) if you want the real experience that you remember.

Daniel @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:43PM

If only VC supported vibration feedback, which Starfox 64 pioneered, of course.

AirIntake @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:46PM

@Matthew

Haven't you ever seen the 'Angry Videogame/Nintendo Nerd'? It's more than the difficulty that make this game suck. There's still a big difference between good games that are hard, and terrible games that are also hard.

Intentless @ Apr 2nd 2007 12:46PM

Sweeet sweet starfox... Might pick that one up... Maybe... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... Just like wait in the car said... Time to bang my head into a wall or 30... I've never owned it so never got some decent time with it... Might just need to hit that up....

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:00PM

I would rather eat a maggot sandwich than play the NES TMNT game again.

Also its probably more because of licencing fees

Hoffer @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:02PM

Another week of not purchasing a VC game. That's fine with me. I've got so many games to play as it is between all my consoles.

Banners @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:04PM

Since Starfox (or Lylat Wars over here) was the first game to use it and actually came with the Rumble Pak, has it been made to rumble in its VC guise?

M@

Taylor B @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:04PM

I think this is in order: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjUz8IT0CYg

TMNT: Rise of Manhattan (I think it was?) absolutely rocked.

Freakhead @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:07PM

The suits are hoping they can get the extra $1 because of the movie that's out.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:10PM

@Taylor B: The Manhattan Project I believe it was

Justin U @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:12PM

Starfox instantly rules.

No reason to purchase any others this week.

Hit me up again when Ogre Battle 64 comes out.

brandon @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:12PM

If Starfox 64 had Wii controls, like the minigame in Warioware, I'd get it. Too bad they are more concerned with releasing it as an original rather than giving us the option to play the old way or a new way.

DrkMatter @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:12PM

I would like to know why people think the first TMNT game "sucked balls" or "was terrible". I own it, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a decent platformer.

arrrgh @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:14PM

Taylor, you mean The Manhattan Project? 'cause you're right, that game was amazing, right from key west at the start..good times

Fandel @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:15PM

@JodyAnthony

Then how do you explain the fact that the Xbox Live version(an arcade perfect version) is actually less than the crappy TMNT game on the NES???

It's sad that more people are going to buy TMNT just because of the name than Dragon's Curse, a game that is easily 100 times better.

And people wonder why publishers like EA constantly release licensed crap all the time? Because we would rather buy crap like TMNT rather than original games.

Poisoned Al @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:23PM

That was made 10 years ago?

...

I feel old.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:27PM

Fandel, dude, relax. What was the point of the 3 question marks anyway? Heres a good way to explain it:

Nintendo has a set price for their NES games, set at $5. Say Nintendo gets $3 of that, and the company that made the game (in this case Konami) gets $2. Nintendo doesn't want to lose any of their $3, and surely Konami doesn't want to lose any of their $2. However, since Mirage studios holds the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trademark, they want money, too. Since Nintendo and Konami both don't want to lose any of their money, they charge the extra buck. Obviously I made all those prices up, but it explains how it might be possible. What it all comes down to is surely a matter of greed on all sides. now PLEASE, this is about this weeks virtual console games, don't pointlessly try to turn it into an xbox 360 vs wii/microsoft vs nintendo debate, there is no reason to.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:29PM

@DrkMatter: I dislike the game because of that one impossible jump before the swimming stage, as well as the swimming stage itself and other such frustrations. I worked hard to beat it for NES as a kid, and like Ninja Gaiden 1-3, I beat them, I don't need to go back and relive the frustration.

Thats just me though

Kevout @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:30PM

Am I the only one that liked the original TMNT? Defusing bombs in the dam was awesome

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:31PM

also fandel, they are two completely different games. One is the arcade beat-em-up, the other is some kind of terrible platformer.

Intentless @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:31PM

I would love to buy a 24k diamond ring... But thats out of my price range.... So I am going to bitch and complain that it cost too much. Maybe the jewelry store will give in and make it free... Or somewhere in my budget of maybe 20 bucks... If you don't have the money for it don't get it... If you don't think it is worth that much money don't get it... Supply and demand... Eventually people will stop buying them and then they will need to drop the price.... And no... I do work for every penny... And so sadly I can't afford to get either this week.. I will actually need to save up for a couple months in order to get C&C 3 for the xbox... Forget the halo 3 legendary pre order... I'm going to have to eat ramen till it comes out to afford it....

Poisoned Al @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:35PM

@ Taylor B:

That guy is REAL? I thought he was just a Something Awful creation. I didn't know they were taking the piss out of this waste of blood and organs.

Ken @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:41PM

Though I recognize TMNT as a good game, I sure as hell won't buy it again. I don't want to relive the frustrations of my childhood once again.

But Starfox on the other hand, sign me up!

Also, Dragon's Curse... What kind of game is it?

Tanster @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:44PM

TMNT: The most frustrating level was swimming to deactivate mines in a damn that had electricuting seaweed floating around. Not only was there a time restraint, there were certain points where it was impossible not to get electrocuted. And i never learned how to use that damn rope to jump across this platform thing.

Almack64 @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:46PM

Yeah I had the original TMNT game on the NES and it sucked royally back then and I'm assuming that time has only aged it to a even suckier piece of grabage. That game was so frustrating and not in a Plok kinda way. Now the arcade game is something i'll shell out some more money for.

Paul Gale @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:52PM

Star Fox 64, welcome to the Virtual Console. As for why Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costs $1 more than normal NES games, maybe it was due to the license in particular. It was a Konami game, but now UbiSoft holds the right; as a result, perhaps that one dollar more is going to UbiSoft. I wonder what'll be big next week.

Matt C. @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:53PM

I still have TMNT IV: Turtles in Time for the SNES. Now that is an amazing TMNT game. I still like to get my brother and play that game for a few hours every once in a while.

ackmondual @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:03PM

@ #14
Yeah, I second that. That was TMNT 3 for NES. Man that reviewer complained ALOT. I guess I'm just not used to the amt of complaining coupled with the cussing since he kinda reminds me of Jared the Subway guy. I'm gonna venture a guess that if time and to a lesser extent, $$ were no objects this guy would've had similar reviews for at least 20% of NES games since many of them had their fill of frustrations. Notably Ninja Gaiden since someone here brought that game up.

@ #25
I like them both. I also prefer the arcade version to TMNT 2, but would be willing to play the NES port.

Fandel @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:19PM

@JodyAnthony

This wasn't a Xbox 360 is better than a Wii argument, as I have my own problems with the 380(and PS3 and Wii for that matter).

I was just pointing out that it's a little ironic that the you buy the arcade perfect version for less than the crappy NES version... which proves to me that NES games are overpriced on the Virtual Console.

BTW, those extra ??? were a typo.

But I still stand by my rant on Dragon's Curse, lol.

benjamin @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:20PM

You should know that only *I* have the brains to rule Lylat!

Andross...you show your true form!

jadenguy @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:20PM

dragon's curse is 10 kinds of hardcore. it's zelda2/castlevania2 style awesomeness with form changes stuff. only it's not dark.

deaftly @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:22PM

nintendo fanboys will buy the same shit over and over , gotta love em

Eggman @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:22PM

Dragon's Curse is a side-scrolling adventure RPG, somewhat in the vein of Symphony of the Night or Super Metroid but long before those games came out. It's an extremely fun game and easily worth six measly dollars. Go give it a spin.

I still have to say though, that gamers these days need too much information. ZOMG I have to see which games other people say are good! Just pony up some cash, don't eat out once and see for yourself.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:28PM

"you buy the arcade perfect version for less than the crappy NES version"

They are still not the same game. This is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, not TMNT2: The Arcade Game.

(for the record the NES version of the arcade game was better than the actual arcade version of the arcade game, at least in my opinion)

samfish @ Apr 2nd 2007 2:55PM

Star Fox 64 rules.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOOT DOWN SLIPPY AGAIN!

...actually, I thought the original Star Fox was the best ever. I hated the tank levels in 64.

And TMNT is a pretty good game. Hard as all hell, though. You young'uns should give it a whirl so you can see how much you really suck.

AirIntake @ Apr 2nd 2007 3:09PM

"(for the record the NES version of the arcade game was better than the actual arcade version of the arcade game, at least in my opinion)

Posted at 2:28PM on Apr 2nd 2007 by JodyAnthony"

Really? What was better about the NES version? Not the graphics and audio for sure :) After I bought the arcade version on Xbox Live Arcade, I went and downloaded the NES version and played it on an emulator........and I sure didn't see anything better about it. Couldn't you only play 2 at a time instead of 4? Or did it support the multitap?

AirIntake @ Apr 2nd 2007 3:10PM

@samfish

I sucked at it when I played it in 1988. I'm sure I'll suck at it now (though maybe a bit less because I have the internet and walkthroughs now :)

Yourself @ Apr 2nd 2007 3:58PM

SF64 is awesome, will be purchasing that.

As for TMNT... it really wouldn't have been that horrible if they hadn't just thrown in retardedly difficult parts. It's hard in all the wrong ways. Watch the Angry Nintendo Nerd (or whatever he's called) thing about it. Not necessarily funny, but certainly points out how fucking stupid that game was.

Bring us TMNT II, or, way better yet, IV.

Saneless @ Apr 2nd 2007 4:28PM

"5. To #1 and #2, I bet the reason you don't like it is because its too hard for you. That game was the best example of a truely diffucult game. That is why I love it."

Nah.. it just stinks.

My most favorite game of all time is Blaster Master. It's so damn hard I've only beaten it one time. I love my hard games, it's just that TMNT was dumb.

Rubang B @ Apr 2nd 2007 4:30PM

@AirIntake, the NES version of the arcade TMNT was better. It had 2 more levels!

And you can't seriously be citing the Angry Nintendo Nerd as a reliable source for why a game sucks. That's ludicrous. The first NES TMNT is hard as hell, but it's awesome. You just need to strategically decide which turtles get ninja stars and which get pizzas and evenly spread all the damage you receive between all 4 of them. And later on in the game, there are areas where you can rescue defeated turtles. You just have to go through hell to find them and come out alive.

I've gotten halfway through the Technodrome before, but that's almost impossible. Some day, I will destroy you Shredder.

The TMNT arcade games, both of them, and their NES and SNES counterparts, are too easy. I've beaten both of those with my eyes closed and both hands behind my back. They're still fun, but too easy. The first TMNT is still fun, but too hard. I'd choose too hard over too easy any day.