We think that after this week, we can all agree that there's no rhyme or reason to Nintendo's Virtual Console selections each week. This Monday, you can play pool on the moon, play the third Golden Axe game, or play a ninja-based title unreleased outside Japan. If there's a theme there, we ain't seeing it.
Ninja JaJaMaru-kun (NES, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): Never released outside of Japan before now, someone didn't think you were ready for Ninja JaJaMaru-kun. But now, you can experience all the awful music, marshmallow ninjas and (apparent) sperm capturing you can handle. (Side note: We're not sure what the extra 100 points for Japan-only games is going to, but it certainly isn't New Name Creating Guys.
Lunar Pool (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): OK, we'll buy that mushrooms can embiggen you to twice your regular size. We'll allow that there's a golden triangle out there that has a tendency to break but can also give you superpowers. But pool on the moon? Please, the infeasibility of carting the necessary equipment up there is reason enough to discount it, but, hello? Gravity? We can only go so far with you.
Golden Axe III (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Though the third Golden Axe wasn't originally released here, you PS2 and PSP owners who bought the Sega Genesis Collection are familiar with the title. For the uninitated: It's Golden Axe. ... Oh, and (for part of the game) you're a panther dude. Enjoy.
Pool would work just fine on the moon. There's gravity there. It's just 1/6th the strength of Earth's gravity. *Someone* wasn't paying attention in science class.
Golden Axe 3 is intriguing. Not the Genny title I've been most wanting to see on VC (That'd be any Phantasy Star game), but an interesting addition.
Though that leads me to wonder - why haven't there been more true RPGs offered on VC? There's been a couple of action RPGs, but no old-school role-playing games. I'm one of hundreds who'd like to see Mother appear on VC... but why hasn't EarthBound appeared yet? Or any of the NES Dragon Quest games?
Bringing us Japanese games is really neat, but I can't be the only one wondering where my RPG goodness is.
While there is nothing worth buying this week, it DOES remind me that I still need to continue my quest to acquire a copy of Ninjabread Man from somewhere. No stores but Amazon.com seem to have it and I'll be damned if I'll pay any more than I have to for it due to shipping costs.
Seriously, are you guys joking? Don't you dare condone what those sickening developers are doing by spending money on their games. See here unless you are insane: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=85405
I saw it at Blockbuster the other day and was all like "Huh? Really" Of course, blockbuster is also renting copies of WiiSports, so you have to question their judgment.
Does no one else see an eerie resemblance to Legend of the Mystical Ninja in Ninja JaJaMaru-kun? I mean even the little ninja's eyes embiggen back and forth when he gets hit. Not to mention the music is a dead giveaway! Awesome!
For people looking for Ninjabread Man: I found copies at a KB Toys outlet store of all places. It's $29.99 and you can find it on the Holiday Games shipper that was sent out to stores in the last month for the GBA/DS buy one get one 50% off deal. There's also PS2, Gamecube, original Xbox titles as well but on the DS/GBA are on sale until the end of October.
Blah. The nearest KB Toys is like 45 minutes from me. But I love that place. The one I used to live near had all these old toys, including Ghostbusters and Ninja Turtles...just sitting in their boxes and selling for a reasonable price. I couldn't believe it. I bought an Earthworm Jim figure for my dashboard, of course.
That looks like the same Ninja from the arcade game 'Rad Action'(Ninja Kid 2 in JPN)! I loved that game. This looks to be a very, VERY watered down port/prequel.
That is the prequel Knox (I own the Famicom cart). If you like Ninja Kid 2 try Super Ninja Kid (Super Famicom) or even the 3D version on PS1/Saturn (the latter requires fudging by some Japanese text).
