Virtual Console

Mario makes a clean sweep

Nintendo UK has just revealed all-time sales charts for Wii's Virtual Console, and it contains a sum total of zero surprises. On NES, legendary platformer Super Mario Bros. 3 sits atop the chart, just above Super Mario Bros. and, strangely, Pac-Man. SNES players favour Super Mario World over all others, with

Very early edition

Believe your eyes: the Nintendo Download for North America is out, several hours ahead of usual. There's two Virtual Console treats and more to get stuck into, so here's what's up this week. Virtual Console: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — Just like Europe, North America gets a double dose of...

It's a Virtual Console explosion

As if any further proof were needed that SEGA is the greatest video game company in the whole world, this week it's bringing no fewer than three games to lucky European fans this week. Elsewhere there's a long awaited piece of 3DS download software and an out-of-nowhere DSiWare game too. To the list! 3DS Virtual...

Two long overdue games are finally coming

With the release of Super Hang-On on Wii Virtual Console this week, SEGA has announced on its blog that it will be releasing the other two games announced last year soon as well. Very soon, in fact — both of them will see the light of day next week. Yes, that means there will be two new Wii Virtual Console...

Germs and birds

The eShop gets its cheapest game yet, a $1.99 'infinite challenge' title, and real-time strategy fans can rejoice that Intrinsic Games' molecular head-scratcher is finally out, plus the return of VC Arcade. Here's what's up and competing for your money today. 3DS eShop: Bird Mania 3D (Teyon, $1.99, 227 blocks) — Fly as far as you...

The fun continues

There were just two games last month, but this time the count will be slightly creeping up again as Japan is scheduled to get three new Wii Virtual Console games. Just like the past few months, D4 continues to show strong support, as two of the new games will be Neo Geo games, while the remaining one is a Famicom title unlikely to...

Virtual Console Arcade returns

In an unexpected (to say the least) twist, SEGA is bringing back Virtual Console Arcade this week with a truly classic racer. Elsewhere there's brand new DSiWare and a Game Boy Color game on 3DS too. Here's what's up this week. Wii Virtual Console: Super Hang-On (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — The legendary...

Blocks, fighting and Chuck E. Cheese

Virtual Console returns to Wii this week with a fighting classic, plus there's some original 3DS Download Software and DSiWare too. Here's what you can look forward to downloading later today. Wii Virtual Console: Super Street Fighter II (Genesis, SEGA, 800pts) — The 16-bit scrapper reaches North America,...

Zelda and Super Street Fighter II

Two venerable classics come to Nintendo's various Virtual Consoles this week, but both bear a few interesting tweaks. Here's what Europe can download later on in the week. 3DS Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5, 54 blocks) — The original title comes to non-Ambassadors, complete with...

Hadouken!

The much anticipated Mega Drive version of Super Street Fighter II is due to reach Europe next week. The official Nintendo site lists the game for 12th April at 800 Points. We've already got Super Street Fighter II on SNES available on Virtual Console, but this Mega Drive version is due to launch with online multiplayer, a Virtual Console...

Slowing down

It's a bit of a slow month this time for Japan, as only two new games will be released. Neither are big surprises: Europe already got one a while ago and the other has already been announced for European release. Both of them are pretty nice games though, so although the offerings are slim compared to normal, at least they're of good...

Still alive

Wow. It's been a long time since we heard anything about SEGA's Monster World IV coming to Europe, but it seems the project is still breathing if PEGI is anything to go by. Interestingly the game was rated for Xbox 360 several weeks ago, but now a rating for the Wii Virtual Console has hit the 'net: Monster World IV SEGA Europe LtdThe...

Game Gear is here!

Originally we were told SEGA's Game Gear would reach Europe in mid-March, but after a minor delay the portable is coming to the continent this Thursday. The GG games aren't the only Virtual Console goodness as Wii gets a long-awaited 8-bit blaster too. 3DS Virtual Console: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (Game Gear, SEGA,...

Rated Down Under

Fed up with never completing the epic storyline of SEGA's Vectorman series on Virtual Console? You may be able to play series closer Vectorman 2 on Virtual Console in the near future. The good old Australian Classification Board has rated Vectorman 2 for "multiple platforms". Virtual Console may be included in that — we...

Good news, everyone

Last week we reported that SEGA is dropping four Sonic games from the Japanese Virtual Console, and naturally our thoughts turned to if and how this would affect users outside Japan. We've now heard back from SEGA Europe with good news. A SEGA representative confirmed that these removals "will not affect Europe, only...

Are we next?

SEGA is taking four Sonic games off the Virtual Console in Japan. The Mega Drive/Genesis games Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic & Knuckles will all be removed from sale on 30th March, along with Sonic the Hedgehog on Master System. There's currently no word on whether these games will re

Time to get into Game Gear

The long wait for Game Gear titles on the eShop is finally over, with three releases arriving as expected. The DSi and Wii aren't entirely forgotten, while there's some anime on Nintendo Video: let's get right to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (Game Gear, SEGA, $4.99) — Before Sonic and Mario...

UPDATE: Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure Demo arrives

Last week was a bumper Nintendo Download week in Europe, but this week plays catch-up with North America and has some releases that are sure to please retro fans: check out the details below. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — Samus' original NES adventure was...

Some in, some out

Recently we reported that two more games will leave Europe's VC service at the end of this month, but that's not the extent of the damage. At least six games will disappear from the Virtual Console on 31st March: R-Type (TG-16)Vigilante (TG-16)Ninja Spirit (TG-16)

Minigolf and Mr Dream

Next week sees Game Gear games come to North America, but until then you can engage in some sporting digital delights, with golf and boxing represented in this week's download leaderboard. Here's what's competing for your cash. 3DS Download Software: Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! (Shin'en, $4.99) — A much-enhanced version of...

Minigolf ahoy

It's a big old Nintendo Download this week, with a 3DS demo, Game Boy game, two Wii Virtual Console games and original 3DS download software hits alongside DSiWare puzzlers and a WiiWare demo. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — Pit's second adventure comes to...

Bloody Wolf drops off

Europeans might think they've got it tough with two more games set to leave the Virtual Console this month, but North America's VC just thinned out too. Turbografx-16 games Bloody Wolf, Drop Off and Silent Debuggers have all been removed from the service in North America, and will be taken off Japan's servers tomorrow. At t

Get them while you can

After Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was pulled from Virtual Console, two more titles are set to leave the service in Europe this month. Super NES games R-Type III: The Third Lightning and Super R-Type will no longer be available to download after 31st March. It's not the first time this has happened with the venerable shooter...

Unsheathe your sword

Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge will slice up Wii's Virtual Console next week. The Neo Geo fighter launches on 8th March for the usual 900 Nintendo Points. It's most notable for introducing brothers Kazuki and Sougetsu Kazama, as well as alternative endings based on clearance time and an overhauled combo and Rage system...