Finally, it's about $%€&ing time! Best Mario Kart ever! No blue shells!!!
Too bad I spent my last points on Ogre Battle 64. And I have already used my credit card up to the limit this month. So I will probably have to wait until next week.
Looks nice but no must-have for me! I pass on this and wait for Red Dead Redemption. There are just too many interesting games being released in April/May.
I'm also planning to buy a PS3 with some games soon. So my Wii budget is very restricted this year (Of course there will always be some money for highlights on Virtual Console). My next Wii games will probably be Metroid: Other M and SMG2.
@GameLord08: You don't understand. It would be legal to release an 18-rated game on WiiWare in Germany. Microsoft has many 18-rated games/DLCs on German XBLA.
@RGVEDA: Games rated USK18 are allowed to be released on download services in Germany. There are many examples on the German marketplace of Xbox Live.
GTA: Chinatown Wars got an USK18 rating (without any censoring). So this game must be more violent than Chinatown Wars or it's definitely Nintendo's fault that Germany doesn't get it.
I would like to see a successor to Wii soon which should be compatible to Wii games of course. I mean the Wii hardware is quite disappointing comparing to the other next-gen consoles and it wasn't even up-to-date on the release date. No HD, no Dolby Digital (even PS2/Xbox had it), not enough storage space (==> a ridicilous WiiWare size limit!)! Although the cheap price was perfect for targeting the casual audience. But I would like to know how many people bought the Wii just for Wii Sports and/or Wii Fit.
If Nintendo want to appeal to the gamer audience in the next generation they should release a console which is technically in the same league with the competetion. Maybe the major third party developers would then support Nintendo's next console instead of avoiding it like Wii and Nintendo64.
Only 4 games? A little disappointing! I will download Rondo of Blood of course, unfortunately not interested in the other games though.
At least the Hanabi festival brings us more releases as usual this month. Nintendo (Europe) should definitely support VC and WiiWare equally again. One VC release every second week comparing to three WiiWare releases every week is just a punch in the face for every retro fan.
I hoped Super Mario Kart would be released before the Hanabi festival. Can't wait any longer!
@Vinsanity: You forgot "The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition", "Splosion Man" and "Battlefield 1943". Summer of Arcade was really awesome last year. I don't understand why Nintendo can't boost Virtual Console like this.
A Hanabi festival would be nice since Virtual Console is starving nowadays (especially in Europe). Rondo of Blood would be a must buy for me, I'm unfortunately not interested in the other games though (I will consider Ironclad maybe).
Nintendo should definitely support the Virtual Console again. It's really sad to see only two games released per month. At the time WiiWare was launched I thought it couldn't hurt to have an additional (!!!) service for Wii users. I didn't expect that Nintendo would even consider replacing Virtual Console releases with WiiWare games in the long run. I mean Virtual Console was the main feature of Wii why many gamers bought the console at launch time and afterwards (despite waggle controls and outdated hardware).
Sounds great! I will definitely buy this game although I will choose the Xbox360 version.
I'm a Mario Kart fan since the SNES original but the Wii version was quite disappointing in my opinion. The overuse of blue shells damaged my gaming experience especially in the online mode. The loss of one defense item (false item box) and the items' distribution in general rewarding only bad driving skills were other negative points. It's ironic that the short and easy courses (Luigi Circuit, Yoshi's Falls) are by far the most frustrating. On those tracks I lost constantly way too much points thanks to item hits in the last round. I quit playing online after loosing over 300 points (I would have got about 20 points for a victory) in one race on Yoshis Falls. First place on the home stretch ==> blue shell ==> red shell ==> bullet hit ==> last place.
No Virtual Console again ==> Disappointing update!
I might download Castlevania Rebirth maybe next time I turn on my Wii ( which will be the day Super Mario Kart or another VC highlight or Metroid: Other M is released) since I don't care about 98 % of the WiiWare games at all. So Castlevania Rebirth could be my first WiiWare game (I already have over 40 downloads on Virtual Console). But on the other side I don't really want to start supporting WiiWare after Nintendo is obviously burying the Virtual Console.
"Players will be able to set up quests and join each other in the hunt online with just a few simple steps. If you meet a friend or someone you wish to hunt with, you can simply add them to your friend roster, following their mutual agreement. This makes them easy to find in the future"
You don't have to exchange those annoying friend codes any more?
Disappointing news. Same release dates (difference of only a few days would be alright, too) for Europe and North America should be standard nowadays. This is the only Wii game I'm really excited about this year (that's one more than last year though).
I would have preferred a Virtual Console release though since I will not buy the Wii-version of "The Forgotten Sands" (or any other multiplatform game).
I hope there will an announcement about the future of Virtual Console since Nintendo (Europe) definitely doesn't try to support this service anymore if you see the rapid decline in releases on Virtual Console.
I would not use the word "exclusively" since there's already a remake of the first "Prince of Persia" game on PSN and XBLA available. But it's a nice bonus feature for the Wii version of course. Although I'm probably not gonna buy this on Wii anyway.
Good news for Nintendo, bad news for me since I don't care about WiiWare at all. I would prefer the 2-3 Virtual Console releases per week we got before WiiWare launch. Nowadays Europeans should be happy if Nintendo releases 2 VC-games per month. The success of WiiWare means the death of Virtual Console.
PS: In the first two years I did turn on my Wii every friday checking the new Virtual Console releases. The last time I used my Wii is now more than two months ago. I fear next time will be the release date of Metroid: Other M if Super Mario Kart (or another VC-highlight) doesn't show up until then.
Release date announcements for Virtual Console would be great since I don't care about WiiWare at all. But I'm not sure if Nintendo is even trying to support VC nowadays.
Who cares? LucasArts makes horrible games nowadays. "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings" is one of the worst games ever. I deeply regret that I spent money on this garbage although I bought it only because the talkie version of the great "Fate of Atlantis" is included.
My personal favourite Star Wars games: 1) "Tie Fighter" (PC, 1994) 2) "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" (Xbox + PC, 2003) 3) "Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II" (PC, 1997)
PS: "Rebel Assault" was totally overhyped in my opinion. Who cares for FMV sequences if the gameplay is weak?
Instant download! I really liked the remakes of Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie. I would like to see remakes of Jet Force Gemini, Blast Corps and the Battletoads games, too. And when will we finally get Donkey Kong 64 on Virtual Console?
But I'm very dissappointed that Nintendo and Microsoft couldn't agree on a release of GoldenEye007 for Virtual Console AND Xbox Live Arcade. I mean Reggie promised to do everything possible for a Virtual Console release of GoldenEye. When Microsoft/Rare offered a release on both consoles Nintendo denied though. Although Activision (owner of the licence for Bond videogames nowadays) was already onboard since they could have perfectly used GoldenEye to promote their mediocre new bond game "Quantum of Solace".
No Virtual Console games = very disappointing update to me
Normally I would be interested in Phoenix Wright (played already the DS version on release, but sold the first two games unfortunately afterwards) and Monkey Island since I'm a big fan of classic point'n'click adventures especially the games of LucasArts (It's unbelievable nowadays that LucasArts was the best game developer on PCs in the '90ies. Their recent games range from mediocre to abysmal). But I have decided to boycott those lousy Wii ports. I'm sure there will be a XBLA-release of "Tales of Monkey Island" soon (or else I could still buy the PC-version).
No surprise! By now most third party developers should have realized that the possible audience on Wii is much smaller than on Xbox360 or PS3. Of course Wii has the highest console sales in this generation. But the great success of Wii is mainly based on the casual audience thanks to Wii Fit and Wii Sports. Many gamers bought a Wii only because of Nintendo's classics (Zelda, Metroid, Mario) and maybe some casual gaming sessions (e.g. playing Wii Sports at a party). I guess many gamers who own a Wii do also have a PS3 or Xbox360 (or at least planning to buy another console soon). So I can really understand why all major third party developers prefer the HD consoles over Wii for all their big releases.
buffalobob: "And I am sorry but THERE WERE TERRIBLE GAMES ON THE NES AND SNES! why now is suddenly different?!"
You find a lot of shovelware games on every successful videogaming console. The difference is that NES and SNES (the same goes for PS1 and PS2) were also massively supported by all major third-party-developers in contrast to Wii.
How would a quality control change the fact that all the important third-party-developers release their Triple A games almost entirely on PS3 / Xbox360? Nintendo won this generation concerning console selling numbers, but the Wii is by far the worst console in this generation when it comes to third party releases. No wonder since Nintendo64 and Gamecube did have a similiar problem (I think Gamecube had the best third party support comparing to Wii and N64). Many gamers bought a Wii mainly because of Nintendo's 1st-party-titles (Zelda, Metroid, Mario,..) for all the other games they own a more powerful PS3 / Xbox360.
The Wii is for third party developers by far not as interesting as PS3 or Xbox360 despite the highest selling numbers. This will not change since more and more Wii gamers gonna buy a PS3 or Xbox360 if Nintendo neglects their gamer audience further on. So it's up to Nintendo to increase and improve their 1st party output. Where the hell are Donkey Kong, F-Zero, Starfox, Kid Icarus for Wii? And will we ever see an entirely new Triple A franchise made by Nintendo this generation?
@Panda: But will the different version on Wii be better than the HD ones? I don't think so. I'm afraid that the Wii version will offer only "a more casual experience" with silly remote controls.
Great news! It's about time. The DS is a really great handheld but it's already 5 years old. The DSi is only an uninspired update of the original in my opinion. It doesn't add much extra value instead loosing the backward compatibility.
I would expect of a DS2 a Virtual Console (with Gameboy, GB Color and GBA games), backward compatibility to DS games, really improved graphics by current standards (Nintendo should not save costs on the technical side again like they did on Wii) and the option of traditional controls (since I fear there will be cameras and motion controls included).
@STOOPIDDITTIES: No, there will also be a HD-version released for Xbox360, PS3 and PC.
If the game turns out to be good I will certainly buy the Xbox360 or PS3 version (I don't have a PS3 yet but planning to buy one this year). Multiplatform titles on Wii make sense only for people who don't have another next gen console in my opinion.
Only one Virtual Console game again! At least better than no game at all (like previous PAL releases). It's a shame that Nintendo is mostly relying on WiiWare nowadays and ignoring the potential of Virtual Console.
No game for me again this weekn! Sonic & Knuckles is a great game (even in the mediocre 50 Hz version you get on a PAL Wii), but I already own the Ultimate Megadrive Collection which is one of the best videogaming deals ever (13 GBP for thirty Megadrive games vs. 8 GBP for a Sonic game on Virtual Console).
When does Europe finally get Super Mario Kart? I still have 3000 unused Nintendo points I bought over three months ago awaiting new Virtual Console highlights.
Ten games should be a reason to be really envious of North America as a European. But seeing that only ONE of the released games is for Virtual Console would make this update as pointless as the last two PAL-updates to me. It's just sad how Nintendo (Europe and North America) treats the formerly great Virtual Console service nowadays. Without Virtual Console the Nintendo download service is almost dead to me since I'm not interested in WiiWare (with only a few exceptions) and DSiWare (I prefer my original DS thanks to the GBA-slot. So only an announcement of a Virtual Console would be a reason to buy a DSi in my case).
@Ezekiel: Yes, I don't because the last Nintendo64 game was released in Europe over half a year ago. The release date of Super Smash Brothers 64 was for PAL regions on 2009-06-12.
Nothing for me again since I'm not interested in Final Fight 3 (fighting games are not one of my preferred genres). I'm happy that Virtual Console is finally back in Europe. But a year ago I would have been outraged about one game weeks. Nintendo really knows how to lower my expectations (especially in the last year).
I pass on the Excitebike remake since I already own the NES original. And I'm still playing Trials HD on XBLA constantly (which is pure genius in my opinion). But I would be excited seeing Excitebike 64 on Virtual Console. I can't even remember when the last Nintendo64 game was released on Virtual Console.
Another Sonic game in 50 Hz? I regret still that I bought the first Sonic game on Virtual Console especially since the Ultimate Sega Megadrive Collection was released.
Nintendo of Europe really knows how to disappoint and annoy their fans/costumers. The last game for Virtual Console was released in Germany on December 17 (we didn't get Shadow Dancer). I didn't turn on my Wii for over a month despite holidays since the Virtual Console was my main reason for buying a Wii besides Nintendo's big series like Zelda or Metroid. With such stupid release politics Nintendo has no right to complain about videogame piracy concerning their classics and people using emulators anymore in my opinion.
I don't really care about WiiWare (with only very few exceptions like Lost Winds and the upcoming Castlevania Rebirth). I find the new games on XBLA in most cases more interesting than the WiiWare service. And DSiWare is no reason for me to buy a DSi since I prefer my old DS with the GBA-slot. Only a Virtual Console on DSi for portable game classics could change my opinion although I fear Nintendo of Europe would manage to ruin that service too.
Hm I don't really care that much about WiiWare since I'm way more interested in Virtual Console games and I don't like how VC declined since WiiWare release. But I'm big fan of the XBLA service because of great remakes (Castlevania: SotN, Monkey Island, Banjo Kazooie/Tooie,...) and good new games (Braid, Splosion Man, The Maw, Peggle, Shadow Complex, Trials HD,...).
I really hate Nintendo Europe. This makes now four fridays in a row without any Virtual Console release (Shadow Dancer wasn't released thanks to German censorship). Sad to see how Nintendo is disregarding the Virtual Console nowadays especially since this service was my main reason to buy a Wii in the first place.
I have still 3000 unused Nintendo points on my account which I uploaded before christmas (expecting "Super Mario Kart"). Since I'm not gonna support Capcom's rip-off with the lazy Phoenix Wright port the whole points will probably last a long time.
@Bass X0: So you're saying a customer can't expect any adjustments from games ported to an entirely different videogame system? My concern is if this port gets only favourable reviews and sells well why should Capcom (or other publishers) bother to make any adjustments for their future ports. There are some standards I just expect from videogame developers nowadays even from a port. You only have to look at the emulator scene to see what's possible. It's just an example since I strongly oppose videogame piracy. But lazy ports are certainly not the best way for publishers to fight videogame piracy.
Since I liked playing the game on DS (would rate it 9/10 points) I disagree with the reviewer's opinion about the game itself. But I couldn't agree more with his final score for this port and the statements about how the game was ported to WiiWare. Although I guess someone who played and liked the DS version could have been a better choice for writing the review.
@Bass X0: I didn't expect a remake but at least some adjustments (controls and graphic resolution) to the new platform.
Most Virtual Console games don't need any adjustments because they play perfectly on Wii (except poor 50 Hz conversions in PAL-territories and no emulation of N64-paks). There is almost no difference to the original experience. The N64 games look even much better on Wii.
Unfortunately this port here is a worse experience than the DS version because of lame controls and the low graphic resolution. And why did Capcom choose the GBA-version? I don't understand at all. They only would have to replace DS stylus-control with Wii's pointer function (can't be such an extra effort) and use graphics in a higher resolution, which should really be no big deal for a 2D game without complex animations (did that for the Japanese PC port already).
But Capcom instead made the choice to release a lazy port and so I see no reason why I should praise Capcom only for releasing this game on Wii. Of course it's great for all people who don't own a DS. But I think those also would have a better gaming experience if the game was adjusted right to the new system.
@outrun2sp: Nobody wrote it was a bad idea porting the game to Wii. There are only complains about how the game was ported. It's a great game on DS but that Capcom didn't put any visible effort into the WiiWare port is absolutely disappointing.
PS: Being fan of a series doesn't mean you have no right to complain. Especially when publishers deliver substandard versions only because of laziness.
Thank you, lazy Capcom! A great game like this (at least on DS) should really deserve a better port and not such a dissappointing garbage. Unfortunately the WiiWare version is only an ugly rip-off. No improved graphics although images with higher resolution were already used in the Japanese port for PCs. No controls with Wii-Remote's pointer funtion! Capcom must be kidding!
I am a big fan of the whole Ace Attorney series and would rate the DS version 9 out of 10. But even 5/10 points are way too many for the WiiWare version in my opinion.
@Gazelle: You do not lose any games. But the UK-Shop didn't know I bought Donkey Kong Country 2 (because the german version is not identical with the UK version). If you change back to Germany in country settings the game is downloadble again. The same thing happened in the German shop with the English versions of Zelda: ALtP and SoM. All games which have identical versions in UK and Germany were available in both shops anytime though. And you can play ALL games you downloaded regardless of the country settings of course. The Nintendo Points were transfered too. But I tried only changing to UK so I cannot garantuee it works with Australia and I read something that you cannot transfer Nintendo points between UK and Australia.
German politics don't like videogames so we have the most ridiculous laws for censorship in Europe. I believe UK sellers must make a fortune only by exporting videogames to Germany.
I'm not interested in Shinobi but it's no big deal downloading it from Germany, of course. You only have to change the country settings to UK. I did this already to get the english versions of "Zelda: A Link to the Past" and "Secret of Mana".
On Xbox Live it is common that some "forbidden" games (Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Wolfenstein 3D,...) and download contents (Gears of War 1+2, CoD: World at War) cannot be released in the german marketplace because of legal reasons. But there is always the possibility to use another country's marketplace and a VPN connection (you have to deceive the IP lock-out) to get those contents.
Yes, Castlevania I - IV are already available on Virtual Console BUT only the censored versions (thanks to Nintendo's long history of censorship). There are also the unsolved problems with 50 Hz games in PAL regions (the PAL conversions of Castlevania games are unfortunately well below average). So an updated re-release of theses games would be great (especially for European Wii owners).
Great news! I hope they include the already released (on VC) parts but this time in the best possible version (uncensored + 60 Hz for PAL territories), please.
"Symphony of the Night" would be irrelevant to me since it's already out on Xbox Live and PSN.
Comments 160
Re: Red Steel 2 Blunted After Poor UK Chart Debut
I'm not gonna buy Red Steel 2, too. If Wii was my only next-gen console I would maybe consider it though.
Re: Super Mario Kart Races to Europe on Friday
Finally, it's about $%€&ing time! Best Mario Kart ever! No blue shells!!!
Too bad I spent my last points on Ogre Battle 64. And I have already used my credit card up to the limit this month. So I will probably have to wait until next week.
Re: Review: Red Steel 2 (Wii)
Looks nice but no must-have for me! I pass on this and wait for Red Dead Redemption. There are just too many interesting games being released in April/May.
I'm also planning to buy a PS3 with some games soon. So my Wii budget is very restricted this year (Of course there will always be some money for highlights on Virtual Console). My next Wii games will probably be Metroid: Other M and SMG2.
Re: Ogre Battle 64 Hits Europe This Friday
@PopeReal: Why should they edit the language? I haven't played the game yet.
Re: Nintendo Download: 19th March 2010 (Europe)
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood ==> Best Friday in 2010 so far! Virtual Console rules! It would be a perfect release if the other game is better.
PS: Next week Super Mario Kart please!
Re: Car Jack Streets Plans A Hit & Run In Europe
@GameLord08: You don't understand. It would be legal to release an 18-rated game on WiiWare in Germany. Microsoft has many 18-rated games/DLCs on German XBLA.
Re: Car Jack Streets Plans A Hit & Run In Europe
@RGVEDA: Games rated USK18 are allowed to be released on download services in Germany. There are many examples on the German marketplace of Xbox Live.
GTA: Chinatown Wars got an USK18 rating (without any censoring). So this game must be more violent than Chinatown Wars or it's definitely Nintendo's fault that Germany doesn't get it.
Re: Reggie: Nintendo Not Considering Successor to Wii Quite Yet
I would like to see a successor to Wii soon which should be compatible to Wii games of course. I mean the Wii hardware is quite disappointing comparing to the other next-gen consoles and it wasn't even up-to-date on the release date. No HD, no Dolby Digital (even PS2/Xbox had it), not enough storage space (==> a ridicilous WiiWare size limit!)! Although the cheap price was perfect for targeting the casual audience. But I would like to know how many people bought the Wii just for Wii Sports and/or Wii Fit.
If Nintendo want to appeal to the gamer audience in the next generation they should release a console which is technically in the same league with the competetion. Maybe the major third party developers would then support Nintendo's next console instead of avoiding it like Wii and Nintendo64.
Re: Nintendo Download: 12th March 2010 (Europe)
Two Virtual Console games released in one week for the first time in 2010! And when was the last time Virtual Console got more releases than WiiWare?
No download for me this week though. I will save my points for Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Super Mario Kart.
Re: Hanabi Festival Five Inbound
Only 4 games? A little disappointing! I will download Rondo of Blood of course, unfortunately not interested in the other games though.
At least the Hanabi festival brings us more releases as usual this month. Nintendo (Europe) should definitely support VC and WiiWare equally again. One VC release every second week comparing to three WiiWare releases every week is just a punch in the face for every retro fan.
I hoped Super Mario Kart would be released before the Hanabi festival. Can't wait any longer!
Re: Hanabi Festival 5 to Happen Soon?
@Vinsanity: You forgot "The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition", "Splosion Man" and "Battlefield 1943". Summer of Arcade was really awesome last year. I don't understand why Nintendo can't boost Virtual Console like this.
Re: Hanabi Festival 5 to Happen Soon?
A Hanabi festival would be nice since Virtual Console is starving nowadays (especially in Europe). Rondo of Blood would be a must buy for me, I'm unfortunately not interested in the other games though (I will consider Ironclad maybe).
Nintendo should definitely support the Virtual Console again. It's really sad to see only two games released per month. At the time WiiWare was launched I thought it couldn't hurt to have an additional (!!!) service for Wii users. I didn't expect that Nintendo would even consider replacing Virtual Console releases with WiiWare games in the long run. I mean Virtual Console was the main feature of Wii why many gamers bought the console at launch time and afterwards (despite waggle controls and outdated hardware).
Re: Review: Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing (Wii)
Sounds great! I will definitely buy this game although I will choose the Xbox360 version.
I'm a Mario Kart fan since the SNES original but the Wii version was quite disappointing in my opinion. The overuse of blue shells damaged my gaming experience especially in the online mode. The loss of one defense item (false item box) and the items' distribution in general rewarding only bad driving skills were other negative points.
It's ironic that the short and easy courses (Luigi Circuit, Yoshi's Falls) are by far the most frustrating. On those tracks I lost constantly way too much points thanks to item hits in the last round. I quit playing online after loosing over 300 points (I would have got about 20 points for a victory) in one race on Yoshis Falls. First place on the home stretch ==> blue shell ==> red shell ==> bullet hit ==> last place.
Re: Nintendo Download: 5th March 2010 (Europe)
Only one Virtual Console game and no Super Mario Kart again!
Re: Nintendo Download: 26th February 2010 (Europe)
No Virtual Console again ==> Disappointing update!
I might download Castlevania Rebirth maybe next time I turn on my Wii ( which will be the day Super Mario Kart or another VC highlight or Metroid: Other M is released) since I don't care about 98 % of the WiiWare games at all. So Castlevania Rebirth could be my first WiiWare game (I already have over 40 downloads on Virtual Console). But on the other side I don't really want to start supporting WiiWare after Nintendo is obviously burying the Virtual Console.
Re: They're Coming - 23rd April for Monster Hunter Tri in Europe
"Players will be able to set up quests and join each other in the hunt online with just a few simple steps. If you meet a friend or someone you wish to hunt with, you can simply add them to your friend roster, following their mutual agreement. This makes them easy to find in the future"
You don't have to exchange those annoying friend codes any more?
Re: Metroid: Other M Denied Set Release Date in Europe
Disappointing news. Same release dates (difference of only a few days would be alright, too) for Europe and North America should be standard nowadays. This is the only Wii game I'm really excited about this year (that's one more than last year though).
Re: Warner Bros. Interactive Announces New Batman Game for Wii and DS
@mnementh: "it will actually be cool if this turns out to be more fun than arkham asylum"
You don't really think that could happen, do you?
Re: Prince of Persia to Include SNES Remake of Original
I would have preferred a Virtual Console release though since I will not buy the Wii-version of "The Forgotten Sands" (or any other multiplatform game).
Re: Live Text: European Gamers Summit 2010
I hope there will an announcement about the future of Virtual Console since Nintendo (Europe) definitely doesn't try to support this service anymore if you see the rapid decline in releases on Virtual Console.
Re: Warner Bros. Interactive Announces New Batman Game for Wii and DS
Oh my God! This announcment will definitely make me cancel my preorder for Arkham Asylum 2!
PS: Announcements like this make me really happy that I own another next gen console besides Wii.
Re: Prince of Persia to Include SNES Remake of Original
I would not use the word "exclusively" since there's already a remake of the first "Prince of Persia" game on PSN and XBLA available. But it's a nice bonus feature for the Wii version of course. Although I'm probably not gonna buy this on Wii anyway.
Re: WiiWare Market Grows to Nearly $60M USD in 2009
Good news for Nintendo, bad news for me since I don't care about WiiWare at all. I would prefer the 2-3 Virtual Console releases per week we got before WiiWare launch. Nowadays Europeans should be happy if Nintendo releases 2 VC-games per month. The success of WiiWare means the death of Virtual Console.
PS: In the first two years I did turn on my Wii every friday checking the new Virtual Console releases. The last time I used my Wii is now more than two months ago. I fear next time will be the release date of Metroid: Other M if Super Mario Kart (or another VC-highlight) doesn't show up until then.
Re: WiiWare and DSiWare Release Dates Announced
Release date announcements for Virtual Console would be great since I don't care about WiiWare at all. But I'm not sure if Nintendo is even trying to support VC nowadays.
Re: Rogue Listing On Retailer Website
Who cares? LucasArts makes horrible games nowadays. "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings" is one of the worst games ever. I deeply regret that I spent money on this garbage although I bought it only because the talkie version of the great "Fate of Atlantis" is included.
My personal favourite Star Wars games:
1) "Tie Fighter" (PC, 1994)
2) "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" (Xbox + PC, 2003)
3) "Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II" (PC, 1997)
PS: "Rebel Assault" was totally overhyped in my opinion. Who cares for FMV sequences if the gameplay is weak?
Re: XBLA Perfect Dark Getting GoldenEye Maps and Weapons
Instant download! I really liked the remakes of Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie. I would like to see remakes of Jet Force Gemini, Blast Corps and the Battletoads games, too. And when will we finally get Donkey Kong 64 on Virtual Console?
But I'm very dissappointed that Nintendo and Microsoft couldn't agree on a release of GoldenEye007 for Virtual Console AND Xbox Live Arcade. I mean Reggie promised to do everything possible for a Virtual Console release of GoldenEye. When Microsoft/Rare offered a release on both consoles Nintendo denied though. Although Activision (owner of the licence for Bond videogames nowadays) was already onboard since they could have perfectly used GoldenEye to promote their mediocre new bond game "Quantum of Solace".
Re: Nintendo Download: 19th February 2010 (Europe)
No Virtual Console games = very disappointing update to me
Normally I would be interested in Phoenix Wright (played already the DS version on release, but sold the first two games unfortunately afterwards) and Monkey Island since I'm a big fan of classic point'n'click adventures especially the games of LucasArts (It's unbelievable nowadays that LucasArts was the best game developer on PCs in the '90ies. Their recent games range from mediocre to abysmal). But I have decided to boycott those lousy Wii ports. I'm sure there will be a XBLA-release of "Tales of Monkey Island" soon (or else I could still buy the PC-version).
Re: Sony: Publishers Pulling Resources From Wii Development
No surprise! By now most third party developers should have realized that the possible audience on Wii is much smaller than on Xbox360 or PS3. Of course Wii has the highest console sales in this generation. But the great success of Wii is mainly based on the casual audience thanks to Wii Fit and Wii Sports. Many gamers bought a Wii only because of Nintendo's classics (Zelda, Metroid, Mario) and maybe some casual gaming sessions (e.g. playing Wii Sports at a party). I guess many gamers who own a Wii do also have a PS3 or Xbox360 (or at least planning to buy another console soon). So I can really understand why all major third party developers prefer the HD consoles over Wii for all their big releases.
Re: Talking Point: Does Nintendo Need to Exercise More Quality Control on the Wii?
buffalobob: "And I am sorry but THERE WERE TERRIBLE GAMES ON THE NES AND SNES! why now is suddenly different?!"
You find a lot of shovelware games on every successful videogaming console. The difference is that NES and SNES (the same goes for PS1 and PS2) were also massively supported by all major third-party-developers in contrast to Wii.
Re: Talking Point: Does Nintendo Need to Exercise More Quality Control on the Wii?
How would a quality control change the fact that all the important third-party-developers release their Triple A games almost entirely on PS3 / Xbox360? Nintendo won this generation concerning console selling numbers, but the Wii is by far the worst console in this generation when it comes to third party releases. No wonder since Nintendo64 and Gamecube did have a similiar problem (I think Gamecube had the best third party support comparing to Wii and N64). Many gamers bought a Wii mainly because of Nintendo's 1st-party-titles (Zelda, Metroid, Mario,..) for all the other games they own a more powerful PS3 / Xbox360.
The Wii is for third party developers by far not as interesting as PS3 or Xbox360 despite the highest selling numbers. This will not change since more and more Wii gamers gonna buy a PS3 or Xbox360 if Nintendo neglects their gamer audience further on. So it's up to Nintendo to increase and improve their 1st party output. Where the hell are Donkey Kong, F-Zero, Starfox, Kid Icarus for Wii? And will we ever see an entirely new Triple A franchise made by Nintendo this generation?
Re: Ubisoft Limbers Up For Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
@Panda: But will the different version on Wii be better than the HD ones? I don't think so. I'm afraid that the Wii version will offer only "a more casual experience" with silly remote controls.
Re: DS2 Rumour Is Rumour No More
Great news! It's about time. The DS is a really great handheld but it's already 5 years old. The DSi is only an uninspired update of the original in my opinion. It doesn't add much extra value instead loosing the backward compatibility.
I would expect of a DS2 a Virtual Console (with Gameboy, GB Color and GBA games), backward compatibility to DS games, really improved graphics by current standards (Nintendo should not save costs on the technical side again like they did on Wii) and the option of traditional controls (since I fear there will be cameras and motion controls included).
Re: Ubisoft Limbers Up For Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
@STOOPIDDITTIES: No, there will also be a HD-version released for Xbox360, PS3 and PC.
If the game turns out to be good I will certainly buy the Xbox360 or PS3 version (I don't have a PS3 yet but planning to buy one this year). Multiplatform titles on Wii make sense only for people who don't have another next gen console in my opinion.
Re: Nintendo Download: 12th February 2010 (Europe)
Only one Virtual Console game again! At least better than no game at all (like previous PAL releases). It's a shame that Nintendo is mostly relying on WiiWare nowadays and ignoring the potential of Virtual Console.
No game for me again this weekn! Sonic & Knuckles is a great game (even in the mediocre 50 Hz version you get on a PAL Wii), but I already own the Ultimate Megadrive Collection which is one of the best videogaming deals ever (13 GBP for thirty Megadrive games vs. 8 GBP for a Sonic game on Virtual Console).
When does Europe finally get Super Mario Kart? I still have 3000 unused Nintendo points I bought over three months ago awaiting new Virtual Console highlights.
Re: Nintendo Download: 8th February 2010 (North America)
Ten games should be a reason to be really envious of North America as a European. But seeing that only ONE of the released games is for Virtual Console would make this update as pointless as the last two PAL-updates to me. It's just sad how Nintendo (Europe and North America) treats the formerly great Virtual Console service nowadays. Without Virtual Console the Nintendo download service is almost dead to me since I'm not interested in WiiWare (with only a few exceptions) and DSiWare (I prefer my original DS thanks to the GBA-slot. So only an announcement of a Virtual Console would be a reason to buy a DSi in my case).
Re: Nintendo Download: 5th February 2010 (Europe)
@Ezekiel: Yes, I don't because the last Nintendo64 game was released in Europe over half a year ago. The release date of Super Smash Brothers 64 was for PAL regions on 2009-06-12.
Re: Nintendo Download: 5th February 2010 (Europe)
Nothing for me again since I'm not interested in Final Fight 3 (fighting games are not one of my preferred genres). I'm happy that Virtual Console is finally back in Europe. But a year ago I would have been outraged about one game weeks. Nintendo really knows how to lower my expectations (especially in the last year).
I pass on the Excitebike remake since I already own the NES original. And I'm still playing Trials HD on XBLA constantly (which is pure genius in my opinion). But I would be excited seeing Excitebike 64 on Virtual Console. I can't even remember when the last Nintendo64 game was released on Virtual Console.
Re: Sonic & Knuckles Coming to EU Virtual Console on 12th February
Another Sonic game in 50 Hz? I regret still that I bought the first Sonic game on Virtual Console especially since the Ultimate Sega Megadrive Collection was released.
Re: Nintendo Download: 22nd January 2010 (Europe)
Nintendo of Europe really knows how to disappoint and annoy their fans/costumers. The last game for Virtual Console was released in Germany on December 17 (we didn't get Shadow Dancer). I didn't turn on my Wii for over a month despite holidays since the Virtual Console was my main reason for buying a Wii besides Nintendo's big series like Zelda or Metroid. With such stupid release politics Nintendo has no right to complain about videogame piracy concerning their classics and people using emulators anymore in my opinion.
I don't really care about WiiWare (with only very few exceptions like Lost Winds and the upcoming Castlevania Rebirth). I find the new games on XBLA in most cases more interesting than the WiiWare service. And DSiWare is no reason for me to buy a DSi since I prefer my old DS with the GBA-slot. Only a Virtual Console on DSi for portable game classics could change my opinion although I fear Nintendo of Europe would manage to ruin that service too.
Re: WiiWare Devs Call for More Advertising From Nintendo
Hm I don't really care that much about WiiWare since I'm way more interested in Virtual Console games and I don't like how VC declined since WiiWare release. But I'm big fan of the XBLA service because of great remakes (Castlevania: SotN, Monkey Island, Banjo Kazooie/Tooie,...) and good new games (Braid, Splosion Man, The Maw, Peggle, Shadow Complex, Trials HD,...).
Re: Nintendo Download: 15 January 2010 (Europe)
I really hate Nintendo Europe. This makes now four fridays in a row without any Virtual Console release (Shadow Dancer wasn't released thanks to German censorship). Sad to see how Nintendo is disregarding the Virtual Console nowadays especially since this service was my main reason to buy a Wii in the first place.
I have still 3000 unused Nintendo points on my account which I uploaded before christmas (expecting "Super Mario Kart"). Since I'm not gonna support Capcom's rip-off with the lazy Phoenix Wright port the whole points will probably last a long time.
Re: Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (WiiWare)
@Bass X0: So you're saying a customer can't expect any adjustments from games ported to an entirely different videogame system? My concern is if this port gets only favourable reviews and sells well why should Capcom (or other publishers) bother to make any adjustments for their future ports. There are some standards I just expect from videogame developers nowadays even from a port. You only have to look at the emulator scene to see what's possible. It's just an example since I strongly oppose videogame piracy. But lazy ports are certainly not the best way for publishers to fight videogame piracy.
Since I liked playing the game on DS (would rate it 9/10 points) I disagree with the reviewer's opinion about the game itself. But I couldn't agree more with his final score for this port and the statements about how the game was ported to WiiWare. Although I guess someone who played and liked the DS version could have been a better choice for writing the review.
Re: Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (WiiWare)
@Bass X0: I didn't expect a remake but at least some adjustments (controls and graphic resolution) to the new platform.
Most Virtual Console games don't need any adjustments because they play perfectly on Wii (except poor 50 Hz conversions in PAL-territories and no emulation of N64-paks). There is almost no difference to the original experience. The N64 games look even much better on Wii.
Unfortunately this port here is a worse experience than the DS version because of lame controls and the low graphic resolution. And why did Capcom choose the GBA-version? I don't understand at all. They only would have to replace DS stylus-control with Wii's pointer function (can't be such an extra effort) and use graphics in a higher resolution, which should really be no big deal for a 2D game without complex animations (did that for the Japanese PC port already).
But Capcom instead made the choice to release a lazy port and so I see no reason why I should praise Capcom only for releasing this game on Wii. Of course it's great for all people who don't own a DS. But I think those also would have a better gaming experience if the game was adjusted right to the new system.
Re: Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (WiiWare)
@outrun2sp: Nobody wrote it was a bad idea porting the game to Wii. There are only complains about how the game was ported. It's a great game on DS but that Capcom didn't put any visible effort into the WiiWare port is absolutely disappointing.
PS: Being fan of a series doesn't mean you have no right to complain. Especially when publishers deliver substandard versions only because of laziness.
Re: Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (WiiWare)
Thank you, lazy Capcom! A great game like this (at least on DS) should really deserve a better port and not such a dissappointing garbage. Unfortunately the WiiWare version is only an ugly rip-off. No improved graphics although images with higher resolution were already used in the Japanese port for PCs. No controls with Wii-Remote's pointer funtion! Capcom must be kidding!
I am a big fan of the whole Ace Attorney series and would rate the DS version 9 out of 10. But even 5/10 points are way too many for the WiiWare version in my opinion.
Re: Nintendo Download: 8 January 2010 (Europe)
@Gazelle: You do not lose any games. But the UK-Shop didn't know I bought Donkey Kong Country 2 (because the german version is not identical with the UK version). If you change back to Germany in country settings the game is downloadble again. The same thing happened in the German shop with the English versions of Zelda: ALtP and SoM. All games which have identical versions in UK and Germany were available in both shops anytime though. And you can play ALL games you downloaded regardless of the country settings of course. The Nintendo Points were transfered too.
But I tried only changing to UK so I cannot garantuee it works with Australia and I read something that you cannot transfer Nintendo points between UK and Australia.
Re: Nintendo Download: 8 January 2010 (Europe)
German politics don't like videogames so we have the most ridiculous laws for censorship in Europe. I believe UK sellers must make a fortune only by exporting videogames to Germany.
I'm not interested in Shinobi but it's no big deal downloading it from Germany, of course. You only have to change the country settings to UK. I did this already to get the english versions of "Zelda: A Link to the Past" and "Secret of Mana".
On Xbox Live it is common that some "forbidden" games (Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Wolfenstein 3D,...) and download contents (Gears of War 1+2, CoD: World at War) cannot be released in the german marketplace because of legal reasons. But there is always the possibility to use another country's marketplace and a VPN connection (you have to deceive the IP lock-out) to get those contents.
Re: Capcom Reaffirms Wii Commitment
@Mahew: They only made Mega Man, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Devil May Cry,...
Re: Konami Readying Castlevania Collection For Wii?
Yes, Castlevania I - IV are already available on Virtual Console BUT only the censored versions (thanks to Nintendo's long history of censorship). There are also the unsolved problems with 50 Hz games in PAL regions (the PAL conversions of Castlevania games are unfortunately well below average). So an updated re-release of theses games would be great (especially for European Wii owners).
Re: Konami Readying Castlevania Collection For Wii?
Great news! I hope they include the already released (on VC) parts but this time in the best possible version (uncensored + 60 Hz for PAL territories), please.
"Symphony of the Night" would be irrelevant to me since it's already out on Xbox Live and PSN.