Wii Virtual Console - Timeline
Saturday2nd Jun 2012
News Japanese Virtual Console List: June 2012
The Neo Geo assault carries on
Three more games for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan this month, and as is to be expected now the majority are Neo Geo games. With Metal Slug 3's recent western release, we hope to see some more games for the system coming to the Virtual Console outside of Japan as well. The full list for June is as follows: Super...
Friday1st Jun 2012
Review Metal Slug 3 (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Heavy metal
Due to the bevy of fighting games released for Neo Geo, it's always a refreshing sight to see a game of a different genre from the format re-released on Virtual Console. We've just about hit the jackpot this time — Metal Slug 3 can easily be considered one of the single best games the system ever got. The first and second games in the...
Thursday31st May 2012
Game of the Month May 2012 - Monster World IV
To arms!
It may have taken years to get here, but Monster World IV walks away with the coveted Game of the Month award for May 2012. Monster World IV's release is significant for a number of reasons. It's the first time the game's been officially available in English, having originally released in Japan way back in 1994. We've had import games on...
Monday28th May 2012
Nintendo Download 31st May 2012 (Europe)
Mega Man, Rayman and blackjack with a girl
Europe gets a trio of new titles this week including a couple of but goodies. Here's what's up for you EUers this week. Virtual Console: Mega Man X2 (Super Nintendo, Capcom, 800pts) — Back in the day this made use of Capcom's new "C4" chip for fancy 3D effects and the like. Now you can buy it...
Monday21st May 2012
Nintendo Download 24th May 2012 (Europe)
Balancing, metal slugging and free mighty switching
This week brings us a 3DS sequel to an excellent WiiWare title, a free update with new content from WayForward, and some Neo Geo goodness on Wii. Let's get to it. 3DS Download Software: Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin’en Multimedia, £6.30/€7) — A sequel to a high-quality physics puzzler on...
Thursday17th May 2012
Review Monster World IV (Wii Virtual Console / Mega Drive)
Worth the wait
Originally released in 1994, Monster World IV is the final game in the Wonder Boy series. It's a very well-liked game and another great entry in the franchise, but there was just one problem: it was never released outside Japan. Until now that is, because SEGA has finally given the rest of the world a chance to experience the game,...
Wednesday16th May 2012
Review Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Wii Virtual Console / Virtual Console Arcade)
Boy wonder
The Wonder Boy franchise is one of many treasured relics from SEGA's past. Dedicated fans have clamoured for a new entry in the platform series ever since the 1994 Mega Drive release of the sixth title, Monster World IV. For now, though, they'll have to make do with the splurge of digital download re-releases. This time, it's the arcade...
Friday11th May 2012
News These Are the UK's Biggest Selling Virtual Console Games
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
Thursday10th May 2012
Nintendo Download 10th May 2012 (North America)
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...
Tuesday8th May 2012
Review Super Hang-On (Wii Virtual Console / Virtual Console Arcade)
Winning run
Name a SEGA arcade racer from the 1980s. Now name one that isn't Out Run. Chances are you've come up with Super Hang-On (or maybe Power Drift if you're really trying), the motorbike racer that's the Pepsi to Out Run's Coke. The fact it's taken SEGA five years to bring Super Hang-On game to the Western Virtual Console is a big surprise,...
Nintendo Download 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...
Friday4th May 2012
News Wonder Boy Double Dose Hits North America's VC Next Week
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...
Thursday3rd May 2012
Nintendo Download 3rd May 2012 (North America)
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...
Wednesday2nd May 2012
News Japanese Virtual Console List: May 2012
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...
Monday30th Apr 2012
Nintendo Download 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...
Thursday26th Apr 2012
Nintendo Download 26th April 2012 (North America)
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,...
Monday16th Apr 2012
Review Super Street Fighter II (Wii Virtual Console / Mega Drive)
Online, but off-base?
It's taken five and a half years for an online Street Fighter game to reach Wii. In that time, Xbox 360 and PS3 owners have had five different SF online titles — six, if you count Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Heck, even 3DS has Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition. Wii owners, for their sins, get an online-enabled...
Tuesday10th Apr 2012
Nintendo Download 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...
Tuesday3rd Apr 2012
News Super Street Fighter II Strikes Europe Next Week
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...
Monday2nd Apr 2012
News Japanese Virtual Console List: April 2012
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...
Wednesday28th Mar 2012
News PEGI Rates Monster World IV for Virtual Console
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...
Monday26th Mar 2012
Nintendo Download 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,...
Tuesday20th Mar 2012
Rumour Vectorman May Finally Come to Virtual Console
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...
Monday19th Mar 2012
News SEGA: "Sonic VC Games Will Stay in Europe"
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...
Friday16th Mar 2012
News SEGA Drops Four Sonic Games from Japanese VC
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
Thursday15th Mar 2012
Nintendo Download 15th March 2012 (North America)
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...
Monday12th Mar 2012
Nintendo Download 15th March 2012 (Europe)
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...
Review Samurai Shodown IV (Neo Geo)
Another victoly
It's only taken 18 months since Samurai Shodown III for the fourth instalment, Samurai Shodown IV, to reach Virtual Console in Europe. As part of something of a Neo Geo resurgence following King of Fighters '97, Sam Sho IV is another strong addition to VC's fighter library. SSIV takes the basic three strengths of slash from its pre
Friday9th Mar 2012
News Europe's Virtual Console Loses 6 Games This Month
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)
Thursday8th Mar 2012
Nintendo Download 8th March 2012 (North America)
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...
