This week, Nintendo reckons we're all in the mood to engage in some "perilous, heart-pumping adventures" on Virtual Console. That suits us just fine, as moments when we're not in that sort of mood are few and far between. Why bother getting out of bed if you don't intend to blast some robots to smithereens?
Mega Turrican (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Leap into an assault suit with one Bren McGuire, a man tasked with foiling the nefarious "Machine." Kick-ass side-scrolling shooter, or layered commentary on industrial action? Either way, it has a terrific soundtrack.
Fantasy Zone (Master System, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Pilot the Opa-Opa spaceship and lay siege to a remarkably gaudy environment, taking care to upgrade your ship and destroy any sinister blocks of wood.
As I never got the chance to play Fantasy Zone, but heard many many good things about it, I'm excited about today. Still, I was under the impression the SMS games were to be 400 points. Meh, whatever. Still getting it.
I really hate people that bitch and moan like this.
Firstly: Yeah there were a lot of good games for those old systems. But think about how many great, memorable games come out every year for any particular console. Maybe 3-5, more if you're lucky but less in the old days. So you've got six consoles with a collective life-cycle of about 25 years. That adds up to 75-125 really worthwhile games. Even after factoring in all the decent games and cult classics, Nintendo is releasing 2 games a week, and for a while it was 3. That's more than 100 games per year, and they want this service to last at least the Wii's life cycle. So how can you expect not to see mediocre titles.
The great decline in quality VC games seems to be coinciding with the launch of WiiWare on the horizon. Well at least there's still LostWinds, Last Flight, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, Defend Your Castle, and Dr. Mario to look forward to.
Turrican looks kinda cool. I kinda wish there was a way to download a game for an hour or so, and then the game would say "to continue playing, you must $$$." Oh well, I guess there are other ways I could try it out....
I wish the timed demo versions of classic games that were included with Smash Bros. Brawl would become integrated into the Shopping Channel. It'd be nice to get a minute or two of hands-on time to get a feel for how the game plays.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
whymog @ Apr 14th 2008 1:06PM
Man, I remember the days where I actually wanted to spend money on the Virtual Console...
John Z @ Apr 14th 2008 1:15PM
As I never got the chance to play Fantasy Zone, but heard many many good things about it, I'm excited about today. Still, I was under the impression the SMS games were to be 400 points. Meh, whatever. Still getting it.
Yourself @ Apr 14th 2008 1:17PM
I really hate people that bitch and moan like this.
Firstly: Yeah there were a lot of good games for those old systems. But think about how many great, memorable games come out every year for any particular console. Maybe 3-5, more if you're lucky but less in the old days. So you've got six consoles with a collective life-cycle of about 25 years. That adds up to 75-125 really worthwhile games. Even after factoring in all the decent games and cult classics, Nintendo is releasing 2 games a week, and for a while it was 3. That's more than 100 games per year, and they want this service to last at least the Wii's life cycle. So how can you expect not to see mediocre titles.
And secondably: Fantasy Zone is awesome, so stfu.
Yourself @ Apr 14th 2008 1:17PM
Was supposed to be a reply to the first comment. Whatever.
whymog @ Apr 14th 2008 1:36PM
I was speaking purely on opinion, and the pacing has been very inconsistent between big-ticket games and minor, less interesting ones.
I haven't wanted to buy anything since Sin and Punishment, to put things in perspective. That's been a long time.
Nicholas Sulikowski @ Apr 14th 2008 1:19PM
The great decline in quality VC games seems to be coinciding with the launch of WiiWare on the horizon. Well at least there's still LostWinds, Last Flight, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, Defend Your Castle, and Dr. Mario to look forward to.
whymog @ Apr 14th 2008 1:37PM
I'm definitely psyched about the Strong Bad game. In fact, the WiiWare service is starting to look pretty viable.
ZakChase @ Apr 14th 2008 1:21PM
Every Monday, I come to Joystiq to see if Super Punch-Out hits the Virtual Console. And every Monday I am disappointed.
whymog @ Apr 14th 2008 1:38PM
Finally, someone who understands what it's like to yearn for Super Punch-Out.
I would buy that game so hard.
MagiKarp @ Apr 14th 2008 1:38PM
Turrican looks kinda cool. I kinda wish there was a way to download a game for an hour or so, and then the game would say "to continue playing, you must $$$." Oh well, I guess there are other ways I could try it out....
whymog @ Apr 14th 2008 1:40PM
I wish the timed demo versions of classic games that were included with Smash Bros. Brawl would become integrated into the Shopping Channel. It'd be nice to get a minute or two of hands-on time to get a feel for how the game plays.
Cyber-Tyrant @ Apr 14th 2008 2:32PM
I would get Mega Turrcan, but I already have Super Turrican.
I'd get Fantasy Zone, but I'd rather wait for the Genesis version...
Donald @ Apr 14th 2008 3:57PM
_ P _ C
F _ _ L
Buy a vowel.
Mr Khan @ Apr 14th 2008 4:55PM
APAC FOUL?
Wtf? ;)
KirbyMeister @ Apr 14th 2008 5:08PM
I'd like to buy an I.
Chase @ Apr 14th 2008 4:29PM
Hey, these aren't A Boy and His Blob.
el serpiente @ Apr 14th 2008 5:30PM
How much do these cost in "real" money? How much is 100 wii points?