The Wii was the only system getting any love at retail this week, but the six suspicious titles being released make that kind of a mixed blessing. That exact same phrase can be applied to this week's Virtual Console titles. Don't you love it when a plan comes together?
Bubble Bobble (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Talk about games that need a 3D update, Bubble Bobble is it. Imagine a game just like Lair, except all of the dragons shoot bubbles and collect produce. Oh ... and it's fun to play.
Light Crusader (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): When you sell fish to cats in today's games, you probably start wondering where that now seemingly ubiquitous gameplay feature got its start. The answer? Right here, in this Treasure-developed isometric action RPG. Check the video at 4:40 for history in the making.
Top Hunter (NeoGeo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): The video that we saw of this odd game seems sort of Metal Slug-esque, except the lead character's fists are really stretchy. Yeah, we don't get it either.
Finally to which one? Bubble Bobble? I spent sooo many quarters on this game growing up.
3D update? Heck no! Just because you CAN make something 3D doesn't necessarily mean you SHOULD make it 3D. This is still by today's standards an incredibly fun, addictive game. ...and that contagious song will be stuck in my head 'til the day I die :)
As far as I know, the NES version is identical to the arcade version (I played both), just with 8-bit graphics and sound. I think the arcade version had more colors and better sound. Been a long time since I've played, so my memory of all the details is a little fuzzy.
The NES version has a few different levels (not many), and slightly different mechanics. For example, it's easier in the NES version to get out of those 1-tile wide wells. And for some odd reason, the gum powerups are different colors.
Still, it's a pretty solid port and worth owning until the day comes where there's VC MAME and they bring the arcade version of Bubble Bobble to Wii (if ever).
Can you guys help me out? I got some Wii points for Christmas. I have 3300 left and I was wondering if you have any suggestions outside of Nintendo's games. Thanks.
Also, don't be deterred by the video in this post. The sound is not quite that crappy. And the game does not have that much slowdown (until later levels when numerous baddies are crowding the screen).
What's so special about the Light Crusader video at 4:40? So he's selling stuff to a cat. Games have had buying and selling in them before to all sorts of crazy characters. Like Neko from Secret of Mana (which came out two years prior to this game (and looks way better (why isn't that on the VC yet?))).
I'd say the video is most interesting at 3:32 where it shows that you can mix elements to get different kinds of spells in a simple Golden Sun sort of way.
Boo to a) the quality of the video, b) the guy who's playing.... I'm thinking that I would have gotten almost all the letters for extend by level 10, or be well on my way to it.
This, and Gauntlet had to be the largest eaters of my meager grade school money.
I wish I had a a Wii so I could download this game and play it on my VC. That was one of my favorite titles back in my childhood days, and now it's there. Nice way to end this year's VC games.
The NES version is both perfectly competent and near and dear to people's hearts. It's not BETTER than the arcade like Life Force and Contra, but it's definitely an NES game that I wouldn't mind hooking up.
