3DS Virtual Console

Nintendo Download: 17th May 2012 (North America)

17th May 2012 (North America)

VC and vampires

After a pretty long nap 3DS Virtual Console wakes up today, and DSiWare swells with a hidden object adventure too. This is much more like it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Block Ball (Game Boy, Nintendo, $2.99, 40 blocks) — At long last, 3DS gets another Virtual Console game in the rotund form of Kirby. Check out our Kirby's Block...

Nintendo Download: 17th May 2012 (Europe)

17th May 2012 (Europe)

Kirby and birds

Two games and a demo for 3DS owners this week, while Wii owners get a free slice of gaming too. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Dream Land 2 (Game Boy, Nintendo, £3.60/€4) — Witness the debut of Kirby's helpful animal friends in this enjoyable little platformer. We've already got the first Kirby's Dream Land so we'll see if the...

Nintendo Download: 10th May 2012 (Europe)

10th May 2012 (Europe)

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...

News: Kirby's Pinball Land Dinging to Virtual Console

Kirby's Pinball Land Dinging to Virtual Console

Bumper crop

3DS Virtual Console fans can get another dose of Kirby download fun soon as Kirby's Pinball Land is heading to the service, as outed by — you guessed it — the Australian Classification Board. The Game Boy pinball game stars Kirby as the ball across three themed tables, but there's a semi-story mode to progress through: each table has...

News: Tumblepop Set to Suck on 3DS Virtual Console Soon

Tumblepop Set to Suck on 3DS Virtual Console Soon

Sucking up enemies is the main activity, honest

Despite describing it as Tumble Pop, the Australian Classification Database has now listed Tumblepop, originally a Game Boy title and now on the way to 3DS Virtual Console in PAL regions. Tumblepop was originally an arcade game and has been described as a cult classic, though it's unclear whether that...

Nintendo Download: 3rd May 2012 (Europe)

3rd May 2012 (Europe)

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...

News: PEGI Rates Rayman for 3DS Virtual Console

PEGI Rates Rayman for 3DS Virtual Console

Back in the swing

PEGI just rated the original Rayman for 3DS Virtual Console. Ubisoft released Rayman for Game Boy Color back in 2000, mixing the story of the original game with content from Rayman 2. There's already Rayman DSiWare on the eShop, but that's more faithful to the 32-bit original. It'll be the second Ubisoft game for 3DS Virtual...

News: Grasp the Sword of Hope on 3DS Virtual Console

Grasp the Sword of Hope on 3DS Virtual Console

Once more to arms

Everyone's favourite ratings board has outed Game Boy game The Sword of Hope 2 for 3DS Virtual Console. Japan's already got the first game under its Japanese title Selection, but the follow-up is coming to PAL territories. Developed by Kemco — best known for a thousand cartoon and movie Game Boy tie-ins — it's a very old-school...

News: Uh Oh, Castlevania: The Adventure Rated for 3DS VC

Uh Oh, Castlevania: The Adventure Rated for 3DS VC

Ratings board whips it out

3DS Virtual Console fans have a spooky treat to look forward to, as the Australian Classification Board has rated Castlevania: The Adventure. Well, we say 'treat', but The Adventure is generally regarded as one of the weaker entries in the series, particularly compared to follow-up Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge. Still,...

News: Donkey Kong Jr. and Sonic Blast Head to Japan 3DS VC

Donkey Kong Jr. and Sonic Blast Head to Japan 3DS VC

G, Sonic

Two more for the 3DS Virtual Console in Japan: NES title Donkey Kong Jr. and Sonic Blast (aka G Sonic) for Game Gear. Neither title is the most fondly remembered in its respective canon, though Sonic Blast has the dubious distinction of being the last game commercially released for the Game Gear in Japan. Knuckles is playable too, which is...

Nintendo Download: 12th April 2012 (Europe)

12th April 2012 (Europe)

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...

News: Shining Force and Defenders of Oasis Rated for 3DS VC

Shining Force and Defenders of Oasis Rated for 3DS VC

Prayers answered

The Australian Classification Board is a treasure trove of hints at which games are waiting in the Virtual Console wings, and it's come up trumps again today with two more Game Gear games rated for 3DS. Shining Force: Sword of Hajya and Defenders of Oasis are both approved for sale on 3DS, and should hopefully hit the service later...

Review: Dr. Mario (3DS Virtual Console / Game Boy)

Dr. Mario (3DS Virtual Console / Game Boy)

The doctor’s out

If there’s one thing the 3DS eShop has plenty of, it’s puzzle games. It’s a genre that's always been commonplace on Nintendo handhelds, with Tetris probably the best known example. It’s hardly surprising that Nintendo’s mascot extraordinaire, Mario, invaded Game Boy with his own puzzle title, Dr. Mario. Does it make us...

News: Wario Land 2 is Japan-Bound

Wario Land 2 is Japan-Bound

Stolen treasure recovered

Japanese 3DS owners can continue their journey through Wario's wicked world next week when Wario Land II reaches the Virtual Console. While here in the West we got two versions of Wario's sophomore outing — one for Game Boy and a revamped Game Boy Color release — Japan only got the colour game, so that's the version...

Nintendo Download: 29th March 2012 (Europe)

29th March 2012 (Europe)

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,...

Nintendo Download: 22nd March 2012 (Europe)

22nd March 2012 (Europe)

The doctor is in

No Game Gear games for Europe this week sadly as we have a truly paltry selection available to download. Here's what's on offer. 3DS Virtual Console: Dr. Mario (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — The monochromatic medicinal puzzler slots in to the 3DS Virtual Console line-up this week. Is it good for what ails you? Our review soon...

Feature: The Life and Times of SEGA's Game Gear

The Life and Times of SEGA's Game Gear

Black beauty

Ask any gamer of a certain age which handheld they grew up with and the overwhelming response will be "Game Boy". Long before the Pokémon explosion of the late 90s, Nintendo's portable dominated the competition — not even closest competitor SEGA could upset the balance with the release of its Game Gear in the early part of...

News: Game & Watch Gallery 2 Coming to Japan

Game & Watch Gallery 2 Coming to Japan

Having a ball

What comes after Game & Watch Gallery? If you said Game & Watch Gallery 2, you get a cookie. The Japanese Virtual Console service gets the second compilation next week, retailing for 400 Yen. The original game was released on Game Boy and later revamped for Game Boy Color in the West, but as Japan only got the black and white...