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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jerk Face @ Dec 31st 2007 11:52AM
*gasp!*
Finally!
Chilly Willy @ Dec 31st 2007 12:04PM
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 :)
Jerk Face @ Dec 31st 2007 12:07PM
Obviously!
Anyone who would drop a finally to Top Hunter has some questions to answer.
Jhongerkong @ Dec 31st 2007 12:11PM
Im still waiting for Bubble Bath Babes to come out...
Kyattsuai @ Dec 31st 2007 12:18PM
Anyone know if the NES version of Bubble Bobble is any good? I'm only familiar with the arcade version, which was awesome.
Zertoss @ Dec 31st 2007 12:39PM
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.
BPM - The 3rd Strike @ Dec 31st 2007 1:46PM
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).
DCBlack @ Dec 31st 2007 2:59PM
I never played the arcade version, but I was addicted to the NES version. Buy it, you won't be sorry!
T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Dec 31st 2007 4:50PM
That game made my sister and fight like none other. Bubble Bobble and bruises...
bender @ Dec 31st 2007 12:28PM
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.
danny. @ Dec 31st 2007 12:38PM
Wonderboy in MonsterWorld
Air Zonk
Blazin Lazers
Gunstar Heroes
Christmas NiGHTS @ Dec 31st 2007 4:22PM
Toe Jam & Earl
Magician Lord
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Jan 1st 2008 2:04PM
Breath of Fire II
Super Mario Bros. 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dan Parmelee @ Dec 31st 2007 12:54PM
Super Bubble Bobble on SNES = one of the most addictive games ever!
Andy @ Dec 31st 2007 1:19PM
SNES bubble bobble? do you mean bust a move? I don't think there was a super bubble bobble. please prove me wrong.
JodyAnthony (death by snoo-snoo) @ Dec 31st 2007 12:57PM
bubble bobble is the single greatest NES game ever.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 31st 2007 1:17PM
Bubble Bobble is in my top 10... with Adventures of Lolo, Megaman and Mario series.
BPM - The 3rd Strike @ Dec 31st 2007 1:56PM
What about River City Ransom?!
wait in the car @ Dec 31st 2007 1:26PM
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).
rudimentalist @ Dec 31st 2007 4:50PM
Yes... Please take that video down, it's being played on an emulator on a crappy computer and makes the game look awful.
J.Goodwin @ Dec 31st 2007 1:44PM
Top Hunter, not even a very good game on Neo Geo (I have it). Bright and colorful, but not very engaging.
Light Crusader on the other hand, is literally a Treasure. One of the best games on the Genesis, hands down.
joe @ Dec 31st 2007 2:52PM
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.
Splorky Fish @ Dec 31st 2007 6:19PM
YES BUBBLE BOBBLE!!!
Pendras @ Dec 31st 2007 6:48PM
Yes to Bubble Bobble!
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.
Vince UK @ Dec 31st 2007 8:55PM
It's like Chuckie Egg but a bit slow.
Nintendo are like the US rocket program after WWII ended .
Dictatorship @ Dec 31st 2007 11:22PM
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.
Now bring Snow Bros.!
*Goes to change robot Santa outfit*
Edguy @ Jan 1st 2008 1:18AM
Why couldn't they have gotten the NeoGeo version of Bubble Bobble on the Wii VC? I mean, that is the arcade version after all.
Yoshi Likes Boys @ Jan 1st 2008 1:45AM
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.
BPM - The 3rd Strike @ Jan 1st 2008 3:28AM
Bubble Bobble wasn't on the NeoGeo. Hell, it predates the release of the NeoGeo by four years. I don't think any of its sequels were, either.
However, Puzzle Bobble (aka Bust-A-Move) WAS on the NeoGeo.