Ys Book I & II Released in US Next Week

Wow so we get Ys and Samurai Shodown 2 on Monday?

I am deffinitely getting both and have the points ready. This is probably the best VC week ever

I'm actually not too interested in either of these games to be honest but, again, I'm just relieved we are back to a 2 games a week regimen. Keep em coming Nintendo!

When are these great games coming to Europe? I want them now!

Where's SMRPG??? This is a crap release, How dare they release 2 quality VC titles and a Wii Ware game too???

Hope we get them soon. Just not before SMRPG, Earthbound & Strongbad.

The VC has sucked for ages, I haven't DL-ed a game for 4 days. And don't get me started on WW, I haven't bought a game since 17 hours & 20 minutes ago.

What's this about "voice acting"? Like, what sort? Probably just grunts and stuff. But, just out of curiosity... (Goes to Youtube to find some videos).

....Wow. That's some technologically impressive audio. And this was released in 1989? Hmm... I've never played one of those old overhead action/RPGs before. Except maybe Crysalis, but I can't remember much about it aside from finding it rather boring. (Charge your sword, shoot. Charge your sword, shoot. Charge your sword, shoot.) This might interest me, though.

This is great news. This and Samurai Shodown 2 sound like fun games.

Wow! Samurai Shodown II AND Ys Book I & II on the same day. Christmas has come early this year!

Watch America get Digital Boxer and Neo Turf Golf instead.

Yayyyyyyyyyy.
best weeks the US has ever had.
If anyone complains about it, I have a feeling an angry European will hunt them down, and we'll never see them again.

That's it. THIS is the reason why I want to move to America. All the Youtube footage is implying that the Ys series is meant to be an awesome experience all the way through, and I really hope it lives up to its expectations.

Bravo Hudson! And bravo Nintendo of America

GAH!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY?!?!?!?!? My hopes of saving even a little money have been obliterated! Perhaps I can stave off Ys for another week until I can get Star Parodier and SBCG4AP...and perhaps I can walk on water after that...gah...there goes my wallet...

Woah! I'm definitely getting this Monday! First wiiware/VC purchase in a long time!

Ehh. Not bad. I don't really care for either game, but I'm thinking about SS II, and might get get Ys if it gets a good review. Looked a bit archaic at It's Coming Soon page.

Maybe next week's release article will stay at under 170-200 comments.

@Bass. That is possible. This scedule does look a bit too good to be true. I'm keeping my eye on the Wii Shop. <glares at article menacingly with one eye closed>

Better check if I have money left on my pre-paid credit card. I'm down to 1100 points.

Cool. I've always wanted to play Ys. Looks like it's time to go get a points card. Can't wait.

Yay, more annonuced dates!

I agree ALK. The release dates are great. It's good to see TG-16 games again. I know Corbie enjoys updating his Turbo grafx website and I enjoy reading the reviews. I think what makes news even better is that Mega Man 1 and 2 are ESRB rated. That makes me think they will be out in just a few weeks. It took several months, but things are looking better for the good old virtual console. Now lets get the shovelware off of the Wiiware service.

Why have I never heard of this game before?

sweet, all i really kno about this game is what
has been on this site. But for 2 games for the
price of one thats a good deal. But SS 2 looks to
be good aswell hmmm hard decision

This will be the first VC title I've purchased in months... awesome! I can't wait!

I don't want to be the one to sound like an overdramatic person but I think this coming Monday is an important day. People have been yammering on and on about the Virtual Console is getting no love especially in the North American region. To make it short, if you are at least the slightest fan of the fighting or RPG genres or both and have Wii Points available, you really should give SSII and Ys a download. If you aren't a fan yet you know someone that is, spread the word. It'll send a message to NoA and NoJ that if critically acclaimed and fan favorite third-party games are put up in the VC, people will indeed buy. The VC haven't had those type of games since River City Ransom and Double Dragon was released earlier this year (in NA).

So send them the message this Monday.

Wow people are really making a big deal about Ys. I am not going to get it on monday because I am not finished with the games I am playing now, but I WILL for sure make Ys the next game I download. All these great comments mean it has to be awesome.

Glad to see Nintedo took my wishful thinking into consideration
This is indeed one of the best VC week in months!
Ha! A few weeks ago my Wii was gathering dust, and now, I'll have to find a way to distribute my gaming time betweed Chocobo's Dungeon, Zack and Wiki (great point and click game!) and Ys.

I might need to buy a new points card cuz 2800 wont last me through augest

CRAP I don't have enough Wii points for both games

i personally don't see what is so special about Y's 1 and 2, but atleast alot of people on this site will be happy this coming monday : ) and Samurai Shodown2 really does look like the first fighter i could be getting on the VC, and i'm not really a fighting game fan.

I've never played Ys before, but I love games like Crystalis and Zelda:LTTP, so this is tempting.
But from what I can tell, the fighting looks really boring. Actually, the gameplay looks like... HYDLIDE (with better graphics)! Say it isn't so?

Ys Book I & II . . . just, wow. I've been waiting for this for ages, as the glaring omission of great (localized) RPGs I'd explored. I even bit the bullet and ordered Panzer Dragoon Saga a few years back (priceless).

I dug out an old Game Informer issue and they listed their top ten Turbografx-16/CD games with descriptions:

1. Ys Book I & II
2. Blazing Lazers
3. Military Madness
4. Alien's Crush
5. Bonk's Revenge.
6. Gate of Thunder
7. Splatterhouse
8. Legendary Axe
9. Neutopia
10. Ninja Spirit

I slightly preferred Gate of Thunder over Lords, too. But the moral of the story is: YES YS IS AWESOME!!! Not to mention, however they managed to compress the data for the CD-based games, man am I impressed!

How does Ys play? Does the flow of the game point you to the next logical direction, or is it one of those annoying RPG's where you need a FAQ just to find the first dungeon?

@SlapStic.com- comment 19

You never heard the game before for a reason. It was a turbo cd game.

Turbo CD was an add on for the tg-16. Both were not well known systems back in the late 80's and early 90's.

http://ryangenno.tripod.com/sub_pages/reviewpage.htm

Likewise, this guy, who reviewed over half of the games on the TG-16/CD named Ys Book I & II the best game on the system. (God only knows how he stores all of those consoles).

EDIT: yet another factoid, the first perfect "10" ever given out by an EGM review was given to Ys Book I & II.

I don't care much for Ys, but the music to Legend of Xanadu II- made by the same people- is amazing; I might have to pick it up...just not now, I have quite a few to play through.

Good show EB people! Let's show some love to other RPG series!

For "Why I've never heard of this before," read: It was released on the #3 console in NA and Europe. When they announced Bonk on the VC I thought "Who?"

Wait wait wait, what?! I thought it was coming the end of August! Well, actually, this is kind of a good thing, I suppose, because now I can get Ys, Beyond Oasis, and Landstalker Monday. Of course, now I can't get Samurai Showdown II.....Unless I do get it, along with Ys, and the next time I get a card, I'll get Star Parodier, Super Fantasy zone, and Alien Solder. Gah, so hard to choose!

Ys, BO, & LS or Ys & SSII? This is going to take me a while...

SERIOUSLY? This game looks HORRIBLE. What is the big deal about Y's? Honestly, it looks like you just walk into enemies and they die.

Still don't think I'll get Ys. Maybe it was a gem for its time, but I just don't think it's my style. I guess I just haven't caught the Ys fever, but I'm glad for the literally hundreds worldwide that have.

@Kultist:
Chocobo's Dungeon is a little kiddy, but I'm really enjoying it. Simple, fun gameplay in an old school Final Fantasy way. I haven't been into FF since VII and VIII, and I never finished VIII, but this was worth my $40. I love the retooled classic FF soundtrack too.

@Steven

I know what you mean, and I think I'll lose it if I don't figure out why people love it so much, problem is, everybody says you have to play it to "get it", but there are literally no Roms of it available, nor are there any usable free TG-16 emulator, so now I have to by it.

I suggest you just ignore it, at least for now, and heck, if I figure out what's so great about it, I'll let you know.

Edit: I just realized I've made my point a zillion times already, sorry.

@Mickeymac

Of course. It's too bad there are no demos for VC games. I've never played the game myself, but the overwhelming reputation of this game (being called the best game on the console . . . a lot) and the way it looks, to me, makes it a no-brainer. Plus, I haven't seen anyone who's actually played it say a bad thing about it, or say that it's less than stellar.

I have 1200 points left and I'm wondering if I should go for Samurai Shodown II (I like the NeoGeo fighters); or Ys? I'm not to much into the RPG genre, but I'm looking to get into it, but I do prefer fighting games over RPG's since I'm unfamiliar with them.

@Jolted85

It's probably a good idea to go with the genre you are most familiar with, and Samurai shodown is, by all accounts, a great game. It's you're best bet and I'm sure you won't regret it, save Ys for another day.

Well, I'm completely stunned...Ys 1&2 is an instant buy and I'll consider Samurai Shodown(doesn't seem like my kind of thing). Brilliant week. =D

I remember renting Ys and doing a cheat with a rubber band on the remote to build up experience at one point in the game. The graphics are alright but I recall the music was excellent. Will be buying this but not SS2 since I got the first one.

@Jolted85

Samurai Shodown 2 is by far the better game. Ys is still fantastic, don't get me wrong, but SS2 is probably the best game yet to be released on the VC, and will most likely remain so for a long long time. No question here, it's the one to go for.

Holy freakin crap! It's about damn time we got something worthwhile on VC. Now I'll have to get some more Wii points. How many hours long is Ys? I can't wait!

Good releases for Monday, but I am only here for SS2.

I have only heard good things about this game and have 2000 points unused ... I'll probably pick it up since I am thirsting for a good RPG.

I have exactly 1700 points on my Wii right now, so if the 4th really brings Ys and the 11th really brings Star Parodier, that'll be a perfect use. After a twelve-week stretch of buying nothing between River City Ransom and Gley Lancer + Super Fantasy Zone, I've almost started daring to hope that VC's going to get back on track. It's not without reason that TG16 has been the cornerstone of Virtual Console to me so far, and maybe that can continue!

@cally. What? They preferred Alien Crush over Devil's Crush? And didn't even include Soldier Blade? That's one of the many reasons I hate that magazine, even though I continue to subscribe to it.

I think I just like to disagree with most of their reviews (I agree occaisionally), and I think Game Infarcer is funny.

Did you know they gave Paper Mario: TTYD a 6.75/10? I couldn't believe that!

@Mr. Chez-Comment 49,

There is a reason for Paper Mario: TTYD getting a 6.75 from Game Informer.

Game Informer admitted on their message board that they rated Paper Mario: The thousand-year Door based on what they think the gamers wanted for a score.

@7th Luts.

Well that's stupid.

Hey,what games or game did EU get this week?

About effing time!!!!

@Mr. Cheez

That's why I stick with Metacritics, except for VC and Wiiware, since they usually don't cover those ones. Also I like to see reader scores and reviews, since, unlike a reviewer's, their score is generally based on how much fun they had.

I've heard Gamerankings is better, but they only cover video games, and I also use Metacritics for movies sometimes.

Oh, and it's a good thing I got paid today, I have just enough cash to get a card! Now, if I can narrow down my shopping list, as well as decide how much I want to delete, that cash may be gone tomorrow.

Now I think of it more; I hope Nintendo doesn't pull a 180 and give us anything BUT SS2 and Ys.

I also predict Plachtan for WiiWare on Monday.

@Dazza

That's what those things meant? I just thought it was an ad.

"Game Informer admitted on their message board that they rated Paper Mario: The thousand-year Door based on what they think the gamers wanted for a score."

Haha, yeah, that quote has become infamous.
"Yes, we know that many people out there will love it. We also know that it is a well-made game. However, it also WILL NOT appeal to many people - I would safely say that more people will dislike it than like it. Why? Like we said in the review, it's a very kiddie game - it's target audience is clearly young gamers - I would say 10 and under. For that reason, we had to score it low. Remember, we aren't scoring games strictly on our personal opinions, we're also scoring them based on how much we think THE GAMING PUBLIC will like them. We've all played games that we personally disliked and scored them well because we've known that most people will like them, and we've also scored games low that we love, because most people won't enjoy them."

If there's still anyone out there who still gives a crap about Game Informer, here's your cue to stop.

@Bendover83: "Hey,what games or game did EU get this week?"
Defend your Castle and Wild West Guns. Remember, they alternate Wiiware and VC releases.

I wouldnt be so sure of dates ever since we got foolished with Star Parodier's date.

@Mickeymac. I mostly listen to IGN or EGM, and occaisionally gamespot. I use Rotten Tomatoes for movies. I never found a review site/magazine I could agree with ALL the time though. I should take a gander at Metacritic sometime.

@Adamant. I think that once my current GI subcsription expires, I'll switch over to EGM.

I'll get Y's for sure, but I'll have to put more thought into SS2. I liked the first, but I'm not really sure.

@Adamant: That's the stupidest style of rating I have ever, EVER witnessed around here. 10 and under? It's actually one of the TOUGHEST Mario RPGs out there, so I say people under 10 would actually be discouraged. Also, did they do the same to every other E-rated videogame out there? If they didn't, then yes, that's just about lame. There's no wonder why there are games like Halo and the entire Rockstar back catalog that seems to be getting all the media attention these days >.>

@alxtlvra

Yes, but I think that was just a scheduling mix up, and I'd say they got things straightened out now, and these dates seem quite trustworthy. Plus, Samurai Shodown II is also confirmed for the same day, so I think Nintendo is being more open about release dates( unless one comes out and not the other).

Samurai Showdown Collection is coming out sometime. DON't Download Samurai Showdown II..that collection will have 6 Samurai Showdown games for $30! o.o

@Adamant: Are you the same person as Adamantno1 from GameFaqs?

@Demon
Laughing my ass off! Dude, I haven't bought a game in months. At four days I think you're doing alright. By the way, love the video reviews! You buy the games so I don't have to, love it!

@ Adamant
Wow, I already hated Game Informer for having generally late and crappy coverage, but, just wow. What a bunch of tools.

I got the original y's book 1&2 on cd and i still love it as much today as i did back in the day!! and as for people still whining about super mario rpg go buy the cart on ebay with a cheap snes,i have the cart and would rather play that one authentically then on vc anyways.The vc is awesome no doubt but sometimes there is nothing like the real authentic experience.

I haven't bought anything this whole year on the Vc, and it seems it will stay like that.

@ Apocalpyse: "Are you the same person as Adamantno1 from GameFaqs?"

Indeed I am.

@ taco-human
You could always try some older games you may have missed. Lords of thunder is excellent. Also Shinobi 3, Soldier Blade, any Zelda or Mario game. There is always something to try:)

Or you could save your money or whatever

@evilralfwiggum

What would be the point if only one's worth playing? I'll stick to getting the best of the best and only the best thank you very much.

This will be my first VC purchase since River City Ransom came out, so I'm very excited. Granted, I'm going to have to figure out how to work it around long sessions of MLB Power Pros 2008, but it's never a bad thing to have too many things to play.

What boards do you frequent, Adamant?

I usually see Adamant on the VC board split from the main Wii hardware message board.

I just want to say for the record since a lot of you guys are mentioning Game Informer that I think the magazine blows. All they ever cover is the PS3. Sadly, EGM is going down this same route. That magazine used to cover every system, but nowadays they don't cover the Wii at all. I think EGM has actually sucked since Shoe left. Every game they put on their cover is from the PS3 or 360. The last game that was on the cover was SSBB. When my subscription runs out in January, I don't think I'll renew it, I'll just stick with Nintendo Power. It blows because I've subscribed to EGM for 6 years, but the magazine isn't what it used to be.

It's getting that bad huh? I agree that Shoe quitting the magazine was a disappointment. I always thought that he was one of the best members of EGM.

I guess the reason why magazines are focusing mainly on the PS3 now is because it has hardly any exclusive games (worth playing), and hardly anyone wants to buy it. Being one of those people, I think that sucks. Especially since both magazines pay hardly any attention to the Wii.

@Lockelocke. Yeah! most of the reviews they write are on games that came out 2 months ago! Not only do I hate them for that and their flawed rating system, they also have a lame-ass sense of humor, which mainly consists of '80 cartoon/obscure movie references and some random staff member in-jokes.

EDIT: I like nintendo Power though, their articles, reviews and coverage are good,but their scores can sometimes be a little too generous. It confuses me to this day how they gave Shadow the Hedgehog an 8. I played it on an Official Playstation Magazine demo disk (May they rest in peace. ) on my PS2 and it sucked.

Which magazines gives you demo discs? I'd subscribe to that one!

Personally, I don't really use magazines anymore, what with so many news sites nowadays, plus I don't think it's a good idea to base a purchase off one persons opinion. However, I'll admit they do tend to have great info you can't get anywhere else! I think I'll resubsribe to Nintendo Power, now that I think of it, they always had great coverage.

Back to Ys, I'm still a little scepticle on it, and even Corbie said that people nowadays may not appreciate it as much, just to give a little warning to potential buyers( though anybody whose seen the video can tell it hasn't aged quite that well).

Plus, I'm still not too sure what to get along with it though. Asking you guys worked out last time, so I'll try it again - should I get both Ys and Samurai Shodown II, or should I make this Monday an RPG day( Ys, Beyond Oasis, Landstalker)?

@Mickeymac.

If you got an Xbox 360 handy, you should subscribe to Official Xbox Magazine. (I think that's what it's called.) They have free demo disks w/ every issue.

@Mr. Cheez

Thanks, I intend on getting one by the end of the Summer, I'll remember to subscribe to them ! I could've sworn there was a Playstation Magazine that did that too, though. Of course, I don't have a PS3, and the mentioned lack of worthwhile exclusives don't make it anymore appealing.

"I could've sworn there was a Playstation magazine that did that too."

There was, and I mentioned it on #77. Sadly their last issue came out in January 2007.

@Mickeymac
i would suggest samurai shodown2 if you're into the fighting genre but as far as RPG's go, as i said before i personally don't see what is so great about Y's 1&2 but between beyond oasis and landstalker i personally havent played them but beyond oasis did recieve positive reviews from here as well as other rating sites. maybe you should give breath of fire 2 a try if you like final fantasy style combat.

Oh yeah now I remember OPM! But they're gone now?! Whose going to give exclusive Playstation-centric coverage now?!!

Do you think there's an Official Nintendo Magazine? I'd love to play demos of Wii games, since renting a new game costs $10 these days, and there are a lot of Wii games I'd like to try before I buy.

@Everybody:
http://capcom-unity.com/

Supposedly Megaman is being released on Monday as well. This should be on the front page pretty quick, I imagine. I'm pretty sure it's credible.

People will still complain.

@el cabarto
Heh, what a find you got there. I don't think it will come to be though. That, or we won't get one of the other games planned for Monday. And you may be right some will complain if all three come out, but heck, I'll have a heart attack.

@Mickeymac
Official Nintendo Magazine? Isn't that Nintendo Power? Or do you mean you wonder if there is a Nintendo magazine that gives out demos?

@Cocoa Man5

I'm trying to broaden my interests, and there's really only 5 genres( yes, that's a small percentage) I don't like, with most of them I'll probably change my mind about by the end of the year. Fighters happens to be first up, since games like Guilty Gear, Soul Calibre, and now Samurai Shodown have peaked my interest. I don't think I'll ever get into games like DoA or Virtua Fighter, since the weapons are a major part of the appeal. Then again, I said I'd never get into turn-based RPGs, and Breath of Fire II proved me wrong (last weeks inquiry).

Personally I prefer Zelda style RPGs, and Landstalker and Beyond Oasis look really cool, and I've been putting them off for a while now. I'm tempted to replace Ys with Light Crusader, but I think I should give it a chance to prove me wrong, so I'll get it.

I kind of wrote myself back to square one, didn't I? I suppose if I had 10 more dollars, I could get 3000 wii points and get all 4. *Light bulb* I just remembered, I'm heading down to Gamestop tomorrow, if I turn in some games, I could get a point card on store credit, and purchase 1000 points on a credit card! Yes, problem solved!

@el cabarto

Why do you spring this on me now?! I had the perfect plan! I can't get all five! Now I'm back to square one again!

It's indeed true:

http://www.capcom-unity.com/johndmoney/blog/2008/08/02/mega_man_returns_on_the_virtual_console_aug4

So now we got three great games coming out this Monday, August 4th. Will one of these games be rescheduled? Will August be the month that the Virtual Console has a heartbeat in 2008? Who knows....but I can't wait.

@worrybomb

Oh sweet Jesus, I thought he was talking about Mega Man 9! Releasing the originals makes a lot more sense, especially since they said they were going to do that anyways. Thankfully, I already have the anniversary collection, so I don't have to worry about getting it.

Wow, 3 classic games at once! This is almost like, the way the VC is supposed to be!

I've noticed good games tend to come out in August. Well, I'm a rpg fan so I'll probably try Ys, but I'm worried. I tend to go for story driven rpgs and I didn't hear anything good about the character development in this one. Still, I don't think I'll pass up one of the most loved rpgs to hit the VC.

"What boards do you frequent, Adamant?"

On GameFAQs? The Virtual Console board and the Classic Gaming board, for the most part.

i dont get whats so good about this game. If someone can tell me i'll get it. It doesnt look like a RPG though. Maybe i'm just used to turn based RPGs.

@andy836

It has some, albeit basic RPG elements, such as Magic spells, and a level up system. It's no Final Fantasy, heck, it's not quite Zelda II even, but it's enough to earn it the RPG labeling.

About time! Too bad I don't have a TV anymore. Stil I wil go to my friends house with my Wii, download this, and play it there for a hours. Finally I can sleep a little easier knowingthis game is finally ready to download.

@alxtlvra

Gosh darnit, you're right!

@michinmuri

I wish I could say "you can sleep easy, my friend", I really wish I could.