USA VC Update: MUSHA

Lucky guys. Sadly it looks us europeans will have to wait for a while. A great week.

First comment FTW

FIRST! I like MUSHA, it's not that great, but it's good.

EDIT: Dang you, slangman!, lol

Its just another shooting game to me even if it does get a five star rating. i'm not interested at all. but cool for people who have been waiting for this one though.

I'm definitely thinking about picking this one up. Solid VC week.

Very nice, hopefully MUSHA comes with the next Hanabi-Festival to Europe, too.

How does this game compare to Lifeforce? I never have heard of this one.

MUSHA is one of the best mega drive games every but sadly it was never release in europe but i played it before and got on a emltor fro drive but there is a one thing that i don.t like about this game and that it to hard i have never finished it but a very good game.

This isn't exciting to me. Oh well, I am still very happy that Castlevania III finally came out.

Oh man... I was hoping for Super Smash Bros. today since it's coming out on the Japanese VC tomorrow.

Looks interesting, but I won't be satisfied until we get the Super Bomberman games for the SNES, but I'm not holding my breath on the one

Looks pretty good. My problem is that, besides Ikaruga, no vertical shooter has really intrigued me. I prefer horizontal shooters. This looks interesting, though, so I might give it a try.

I don't care for this, but I know some people have been waiting for it, and I'm happy for those interested that such a rare game was released. I'll just go back to playing through the Paper Mario series now.

@BB Sting: Come on, dude. It's not THAT bad. It's a game that people want, and it's rare in cartridge form. Isn't that worth something to you?

MUSHA is a great shmup and this comes from a person that owns over 60 shoot'em ups without counting the ones I bought on the vc.

I recommand MUSHA to anyone that like shoot'em ups and doesn't own a copy of it.

I will not download MUSHA. I own the game and I have a 32x hooked up and I have an easy time to get to my Sega Nomad. Besides, I have a lot of games I need to beat including Shining in the Holy Ark and Zillion.

MUSHA is a 5 in rarity in North America in cartridge form and is one of the rarest genesis games I own. It is not an easy game to find from my past experience.

Well well. Me want MUSHA and HVHRS, but not so sure about FGH, especially since I have an air hockey/pool/ping-pong table in my basement.

@don: The japanese get almost all the VC and WiiWare releases before us, so no Smash Bros. for a while. And don't you have Brawl?

Well this has been a pretty good streak so far in 2009. But we know a bad game will get here eventually. I may hold off for Life Force myself

I prefer by far Super Aleste for the SNES (aka Space Megaforce overseas) over this one. but still a nice addition to the VC.

Never heard of it. Not going to get it for a long time, but I might eventually.

Now all we need is Corbie with his SHUMP words of wisdom to guide us

Even though we are officially only down to a single VC release per week, I think Nintendo has been doing an excellent job in providing both variety and quality so far this year. Hopefully next week will bring Smash Bros. which will be a nice way to close off January.

Hell yea! Man, vc is on a roll. Thx N.

Not for me, but I'm happy after getting Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Castlevania 3 the last 2 weeks. Besides, rather than wait for Nintendo to release them, I just decided to hook up my N64 to play some of the classics from that system, like Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Donkey Kong 64, and Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness. I like playing N64 games with a Gamecube controller better, but it may take Nintendo years to release those games, if they even come at all.

Sweet game for the US... but seeing as Nintendo have been begging me for months to buy a 360, I must oblige.
I just cant get my head around them not putting more effort into vc when there are no stand out wii titles coming out anytime soon.
The americans here seem to have become comfortable with 1 game weeks now, but I cant do with 1 game a fortnight.
What I can do with is some sweet sweet Dead Rising. mmmm..
(Too bad the 360 D-Pad sucks all over the place though - No Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo: HD Remix for me)
I'll keep an eye on the VC but Im not buying anymore "just in case" points... I picked up Orbital on wiiware to kill my remaining points.

@7th lutz: No credit to me, please. I just said it's rare because the release article did. I wouldn't have known otherwise.

@23. Quimby
Oh no, don't get me wrong, 1 game weeks are horrible and Nintendo should be totally embarrased for them. It's just I'm happy (for now) that Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Castlevania 3 came out.

Is it just me, or is it that Ninty is seemingly doing either a final or massive liquidation on their coming soon VC catalogue?

or how about Nintendo is adopting a "lets show these new Wii owners that the VC is something to take notice of by putting out a steady chain of good games" plan.

Never played this one before but I've heard so many good things. Looks like I'll have to add this to my collection. I've bought just about all the best ones on VC. Now I just gotta wait for Life force and then my shooter fix will be fullfilled.

@Quimby-Well, you could buy Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop (Wii) which comes out in like a month (here)
MUSHA: Is it a good shmup to enter the genre or will noobies be scared off from it?

MUSHA, isn't that how you answer the phone in Japan? <g>

thats Moshi.

For some reason, I was hoping for an import week this week, but MUSHA is still a great update. Since we keep getting games like this, these 1-game weeks don't seem too bad.

Yawn. Looks incredibly boring to me, but I know alot of people have been waiting for this one, so no complaints from me. I just dread the inevitable downturn in VC one game week quality that will occur, such as the weeks we got Enduro Racer or Boogerman

I'm going to agree with the fox.
Nothing interesting here for me, but as long as Nintendo is trying I don't have any complaints.

Well, I just died and went to heaven. Unfortunately, I left my wallet with my body and now have no way of purchasing this.

I get it, so when they release 2 games, usually its crappy. But when its just one game per week, its a good game.

@marktheshark

I do have a feeling that this could be the final year of VC games. Their catalogue is starting to run low I think. So, we'll probably get all the good ones we've missed this year.

@Mickey. Go back to Earth and steal the wallet out of your body.

@36 Catalog run low???? Come on now, they have enough titles to last years and years, with all the systems and all the games released for them, just ninty titles alone would last for another 2 years at least at this pace

The consoles themselves may have a large number of games but that does not mean that all the games are available to Nintendo for them to put up one of them on the VC. Issues like getting the game rated by the ESRB get in the way. Amongst others.

hell to the yes

I think the VC has a few good years left in it. At the very least we can expect to see the rest of Nintendo's eligable catalog on the VC. By eligable I mean any game not bogged down by licensing issues, which there aren't many of Nintendo's own titles outside of Rare developed stuff that would qualify as such. There's also no reason really for other companies to stop releasing games, especially series that have already started on VC, like Mega Man and Castlevania.

This slowdown in releases seems normal to me for a couple reasons. First of all now that we have Wiiware, Nintendo doesn't want the consumer to overlook these titles with an over abundant amount of VC games. Second, the time it takes to bug test and fix these games to run properly probably will take longer now that all of the "easy to get working" games have been released, so the rate at which the games are being completed and ready for release is probably much lower than it was two years ago.

We just need to be patient and we also need to accept that we probably won't be completely replacing our entire physical game libraries with thier VC counterparts as some of us, myself included, thought would happen when we first heard about the service. Nintendo seems determained to do the best they can with it, though, even if it's not as fast as we'd like.

You got some nice VC games in the US lately! I hope some of the best Neo Geo titles make it to the VC this year, it´s been a while since the latest release...

@Rapadash6: I never expected to clear out my entire physical collection, just due to licensed games like Buster Busts Loose and Goof Troop, not to mention my unlicensed games...

I'd never even thought of the concept of "easy to get working" games vs. harder stuff before, for some strange reason. Except as much as N64 was abandoned because it's too much effort to get working right.

I applaud your post as well-written and insightful. I just hope others will agree...

@42, That Guy from Faxanadu

Yes! I really hope they bring in Fatal Fury Special, KOF '95, The Last Blade, & maybe even Twinkle Star Sprites!

@Stuffgamer1

Thank you for your comments.

You bring up Goof Troop and it makes me wonder why Disney wouldn't want to get in on the Wii phenomenom by allowing thier classic titles to show up on Virtual Console. It's likely a way more complicated ordeal than just allowing use of the licenses but it just seems like a good way for the company to make a lot of money with very little effort.

I forgotten about this one coming! goes and downloads

Not really being into shmups myself, I'll give this a miss, but congrats to everyone who obviously loves this game

Nice, best update in a while. M.U.S.H.A today and Ultimate Shooting Collection tomorrow, super nice,

Shmups aren't my thing. I was more of a Fire Emblem guy to be honest...and still, no love coming my way on VC for those. And yes, I bet Corbie is like, nevermind, can't say that in this forum. lol And I've realised Nintendo's plan for the VC now. This is how it really works guys:

Nintendo releases great games after Christmas to make those NEW to the Wii think that there are great games released weekly, when in fact, they are only buttering them up for the crap releases later, and then hopefully, they will dupe some poor schmuck into buying Superman 64.

Chances are likely that in late Feb/March the releases probably won't be as good, but I've always said every game has an audience. Then things will probably pick up for the Easter season for a few weeks. I can put up with that, I have plenty of VC to play through yet.

Awesome, awesome game!

Now if only they give us 'Eleminate Down' and 'Gaiares'...

It maybe great for those who want it. But i am holding on to my Wii Points for now until something like Tetris Attack or Super Smash Bros comes out.

Wow corbie must be too busy too comment as he is stretched between bouts of playing this and probably just staring at the wii channel that says MUSHA .

@Viral: " I was more of a Fire Emblem guy to be honest...and still, no love coming my way on VC for those."

There's a bunch of them out in Japan. You'll just have to import a Japanese Wii.

Ive been waiting for this game this is a good monday

@Viral
I feel your pain. You can only hope that with the recent success of Fire Emblem over here in the states that Ninty will maybe translate the other Fire Emblems and send em over here. They would probly be in DS cart form though as that would make more money than the VC ever would. Hopefully if FE: Shadow Dragon does good then Ninty will get the message of translating the rest.

Eh, I'm not huge on scrolling shooters. I mean, I'll play one, but I'm not throwing down eight bucks unless it's amazing.

And where the heck are the N64 games!?!

Gunstar Heroes isn't a shmup.

@kevenz

Adament's correct, it's a Run 'n' Gun/beat 'em up - really can't compare the two.

Another Good Week! But i hope smash finally arrived next week!

I think the Next European update was:
MUSHA
Kirby Dreamland 3

@touffeboy

Actually, since both of those games were never released in Europe, those games will be held off until the next Hanabi festival.

This game looks interesting so I'll probably download it down the road, but this is like our 100th shooter on the VC though.

You have got to be kidding me. Never released in Europe? For F*** sake. How many great games in recent times on the VC have America got that Europe didn't originally? Come on NOE, give us another Hanabi.

Yay for shiny robots! (...as well as "getting the hang of" Dvorak, so to speak!)

@MrDziekuje

Yes, it is pretty good, and considering the fact that it normally costs $200, 8 bucks is a steal!

And there will be another 100 Jolted85!

I'll probably get it down the road, as I use my VC console mostly for SNES and Genesis games (the two major consoles I don't physically own). And of course I like any and all game, including shooters, that are good.

@Diebythesword

I should hope so, especially if those 100 include Raiden Trad, Gaiares, Thunder force III & IV, and the Darius series.

At least MUSHA has been rated for an European release. We have no idea if we're getting Kirby's Dream Land 3 or not (though, having played it, I kinda agree with the review here - it's not THAT good).

Shooters aren't a genre I have much experience in, being more of an RPG fan back in the day. If I only get one shooter on VC, which should it be? There are several here that have 4 or 5 star ratings, so I'm on the fence.

@Goompapa

I'd say Star Parodier or Lords of Thunder, best on the VC, if you ask me. Although, Star Fox 64 has the most replay value, if you're looking for a game with a decent length. Sin & Punishment is also outstanding, and a lot harder. I might as well recommend Contra III, which is also a good one to consider, although personally I'd wait for Contra: Hard Corps, much better game IMO.

@Mickeymac

Yes, all those need to be released, especially Raiden Trad, preferably the SNES version. Also wouldn't mind seeing Phalanx get a release.

@Goompapa,

I have to Star Parodier. It is a great game and it a great game for people that don't have a lot of experience in playing shooters like yourself.

Good for everyone who was waiting for this, me, no thnx, I'd rather DL Blade Soldier or Star Parodier, which I will someday, but now I'm out of points for awhile.

yeah but what you said was true Kevenz, its far from being Gunstar Heroes, meaning MUSHA is way better

@kevenz

Well, I'm just saying that sounded like you were comparing the two, which wouldn't be all that smart since the two games are completely different.

Adamant, I can't get a Japanese Wii because I'm poor..lol...I'm in the process of getting a mortgage and buying my first house (3 bedroom) w00t.

And I haven't gotten the new DS Fire Emblem yet (I'm gonna buy it in America since it'll be cheaper when I go in May)

You can just cross region purchase I think, no need for a Japanese one. Or maybe I'm wrong?

You're wrong.

:shock:

Though cross region purchasing is true though, I guess not to Japan

Only true to Australia and Europe, since they don't have separate regions, yet have separate stores. Changing regions to/from Australia will permanently nuke your Wii points, though.

If it was true to everyone else, why would people complain about not getting what other regions got when they could just switch and download?

Anyone hoping for this for Hanabi should check the thread on the games review page.
Sega's Hanabi titles are altered to run at 50hz with borders and slowdown just so they fit the format established by Sega's awful PAL megadrive VC releases.
So you get the honour of paying MORE for a game Sega has KNOWLINGLY butchered and can't even use the usual "it was like that originally" excuse to justify itself with.

I love this game! If I didn't own the cart, I'd download it! Still think the 1 game weeks to push wiiware crap is complete BS, but at least there have been a couple of good ones lately.

@ Adamant - Well, it's a run n gun... but it does have shmup levels!

Meh, another shooter. I already have R-Type, R-Type 3 and Axelay, so I don't need any more shmups.

@Rapadash6: I suppose there's a higher cost to it than appears worthwhile for VC releases. Maybe the Disney/Capcom partnership on GBA didn't do as well as they hoped. Who knows?

@Terranigma: I was just noticing that myself. It does seem quite odd, doesn't it? I think it sucks that you guys missed out on so many games in the first place. As the list continues to grow before my eyes, I feel less and less jealous for Terranigma (the game, that is ). I do want to play it sooner or later, though. Still hoping for an eventual VC release as an import title...

@kevenz. While a run-and -gun (Gunstar Heroes) and a vertical shooter (MUSHA) are both consider "shoot''em-ups", they still play completely different from each other. It's like comparing Tetris to Chip's Challenge: They're both puzzle games, but play completely differently.

@Ricardo91

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was gonna say, although I would've used a Zelda/Final Fantasy comparison, but yours is better.

Update very interesting.

Damn, so close to getting this, yet so far! I still can't believe that the store was completely out of Wii Point cards!

@Mickeymac: What? Where did you go for them? I'm almost positive that the Gamestop at which I work has NEVER run out of Wii Points cards. Very strange...

This game is getting high praise from the IGN review team. Thats 2 good reviews.

You know the "Sega Ultimate Collection"? I want to see if this is one of the Master system games they're waiting to announce.

Cuz that would totally figure, as for why they're waiting to announce the MS titles on that disc. That collection got announced shortly after Shining Force 2 was available for download.

@Stuffgamer1

I didn't want to take the bus all the way to the mall, so I just stopped at my local Kmart. They usually don't run out of stuff either, it was pretty strange. I'm guessing they simply haven't restocked since Christmas, since they were low on Wii peripherals and games as well.

@Cally: Umm...but MUSHA is a Genesis game...

@Mickeymac: Kmart? No wonder. Those guys suck.

Hello, i just want do you post Top 20 of your country! (If you want)

CANADA:

1.Super Mario Bros 3 (NES)
2.Super Mario Bros (NES)
3.Super Mario World (SNES)
4.Legend of Zelda: OOT (N64)
5.Super Mario 64 (N64)`
6.Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
7.Mario Kart 64 (N64)
8.Super Mario RPG: Legend of the seven stars (SNES)
9.Pacman(NES)
10. Kirby Dreamland 3 (SNES)
11.Castlevania III (NES)
12.Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SMS)
13.Punch-out (NES)
14.Bubble Bubble (NES)
15.The legend of zelda (NES)
16.The legend of zelda: Link to the past (SNES)
17.Paper Mario (N64)
18.Secret of Mana (SNES)
19. Kirby's Adventure (NES)

Comments: NO GENESIS GAME XD....

And 19 Nintendo games vs 1 Sega games, Nintendo really PWNED... And The Firsts positions was not surprised

@Stuffgamer1

. . . . . .

I stand corrected.

I thought it was a Genesis game, at first. I think I looked at the list and quickly saw "MD" where it would have said "SMS". I guess I'm kind of astonished, since it's actually a Sega-developed game.

@Cally

Oh wait, it's Master System games that they're putting in as unlockables? How do you know?

Early press releases of it said you'd be able to enjoy all 4 Phantasy Stars. Unless someone screwed up their information, that would imply theres at least one Master System game there.

However the Achievements and Trophy details mention Arcade games but no Master System games but there is one Trophyviement called "Master the System" and that mightve been a point but I dont know.

http://kotaku.com/5078305/sega-reveals-splotchy-40-game-mega-drive-compilation

". . . along with bonus content from the Master System and Sega's own 80's arcade games"

I'm bracing myself for seeing every Sega-developed VC SMS game on the thing. That was just the first link I googled for the collection. The game's official page says the releases are "yet to be revealed."

@WarioFan63: Yeah, they removed the "four" from "four titles from the Phantasy Star series," but have since put up more screenshots that included that game. So Phantasy Star 1 should be on there.

@Cally: I expect Sonic the Hedgehog Master System to be on this collection, maybe the second one as well. I REALLY want the Golden Axe Master System game, but we'll just have to wait and see. I think it's ludicrous that SEGA's site has said "*Unlockable games to be revealed soon!" for two months, the game is less than a month from release, and they STILL haven't announced them yet.

I've been discussing this game on PS3Trophies.org lately. I also did some research. Seems Toejam & Earl has no good reason for not being on any collection. It was GOING to be on the Sega Genesis Collection (and probably this one afterwords), but SEGA supposedly took it out "because they don't like the series." That's according to Wikipedia, quoting Toejam & Earl Productions, inc. I also haven't been able to find out why some games that were on the PS2/PSP collection are missing from this one, like Sword of Vermilion, Ecco Jr., and Virtua Fighter 2. Shadow Dancer has been removed as well, but I've heard that wasn't in the PAL version of the old collection anyway. Can anybody in that region confirm this?

@Stuffgamer1

Yeah, but aside from Shadow Dancer, I doubt anybody will be missing those games they left out. In any case, I hope at least some of those games are Genesis games, especially imports like Super Fantasy Zone or Alien Soldier. Now that would be awesome!

@stuffgamer. Thank god. I hated all those games, so I won't be missing them one bit. That includes TJ&E, which I could less about not appearing.

I hope the arcade version of Altered Beast, the original Shinobi, Alien Syndrome, and Outrun make it as well. They were the SMS games I was most looking forward to.

Update on the Ultimate Genesis Collection for 360, etc. - Hope this helps!!!

The List break down!

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360.
Unlockable games confirmed include:
Golden Axe Warrior (SEGA Master System)
Phantasy Star (SEGA Master System)
Alien Syndrome (Arcade)
Altered Beast (Arcade)
Congo Bongo (Arcade)
Fantasy Zone (Arcade)
Shinobi (Arcade)
Space Harrier (Arcade)
Zaxxon (Arcade)

Other SEGA games found on this compilation:

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Comix Zone
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik's MBM
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco II: The Tides of Time
E-SWAT
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe I
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Kid Chameleon
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shining in the Darkness
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic and Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Super Thunder Blade
Vectorman
Vectorman 2

@Manicfatty

Nice! I'm definitely getting that for my B-Day!

@ Ricardo91 - No word on Outrun yet, but the rest are there!

True, they did remove some of the crappiest games from the old collection, but it still wasn't NECESSARY. These games don't take up very much memory and could have easily been put on the same collection without needing to remove anything. Unless Sega wants to claim that the work to put them in 720p wouldn't be worth it.

I understand that Toejam & Earl isn't for everyone, but it deserves a place on this collection far more than the removed games do.

@Manicfatty: Great work finding this info! It hasn't been added to the page on Sega's website that I've been checking, so I wouldn't have known about it if you hadn't found it for us.
Glad to see that Golden Axe Warrior IS on there. Though I somewhat doubt that's a full list, because it makes no sense that the SMS Sonic games wouldn't be on there. Dunno. The Sega blog post I found to confirm your details (which I assume you got this info from) leaves it an open possibility that there might be more unlockable games. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

@Manicfatty-If all those were VC games, you'd be saving $200+ buying the compilation instead of downloading them to your Wii. No wonder its not a Wii disc game.

@Objection_Blaster: And that's a HUGE argument in favor of being a multi-system gamer. Particularly if you're a classic SEGA fan, obviously, but it does make a lot of the Genesis games on VC look like a joke. Yeah, like I'd pay $8 for Altered Beast or Gain Ground? They must be crazy!

@Stuffgamer1

Yep, thank goodness I got an Xbox 360 for Xmas. This game really takes a huge chunk out of my VC Wishlist.

Still, without games like Landstalker, Alien Soldier, MUSHA, Super Fantasy Zone, or the Wonderboy games, I'm still going to be spending quite a few points on Genny VC games.

@Ricardo91

They're remaking Outrun for XBLA, and so far it looks excellent!

There's Contra Hard Corps, Mutant League Football, TMNT: Hyperstone Heist, Road Rash, Primal Rage, Mortal Kombat 1&2, Lost Vikings, Earthworm Jim 2 and a few others still as well.

@Bendover83

I take it you mean games that have yet to come out. Yes there are those too, especially Contra: Hard Corps, Road Rash, and Lost Vikings. Still, I doubt those would have ever been included, since none of those games you mentioned were published by SEGA....and neither were some of the ones I mentioned, actually. I could've sworn Super Fantasy Zone and M.U.S.H.A. were SEGA's, but apparently not. Still, Landstalker, Super Hang-On, Alien Soldier, and the Wonderboy series are sorely missed.

Ya, I was just adding to ur list. I know there not published by SEGA but still they were classics that should show somewhere.

@Mickeymac: How is it that Fantasy Zone was SEGA's, but the sequel wasn't?

Besides which, it doesn't seem like being a SEGA game is 100% required to be on this collection, seeing as Dynamite Heddy made it in. That's Treasure, right?

@Stuffgamer1

I'm talking about Sega plublished games. Sega published Fantasy Zone for the SMS, Sunsoft published Super Fantasy Zone for the Mega Drive. Treasure made Dynamite Headdy, Sega published it.

See, this kind of crap is why I don't understand the difference between publisher and developer. I prefer when they are one and the same (or at least a developer that uses a single publisher), and tend to forget that there are other options. So whey the hey didn't SEGA publish the sequel, anyway? Dumb, imo.

Sunsoft is also the developer. I guess they wanted to publish their game themselves this time.

I tried this game, but I didn't care for it. I felt it was inferior to Thunderforce III, which happens to be a personal favorite.

@Shinnok

Well, Thunderforce III is the best shooter on the Genny, so that's understandable.