@24, yup. The WiiWare version lets you send your games to other friends in your Wii Address book via WIFI in one step and you can send multiple titles easily to more than one person (if each has the WiiWare title). If you only have the DS game, you can only upload two games, two records, and two comics. Your friend would have to own the cartridge too, trade FCs, log in, and download your uploaded content on his own.
|sf>I agree with Sean & ReZon. I'd buy a VC Mr. Do regardless of the version offered. There were so many fun, classic arcade games in the early 80s. The only trouble is that Sega has been one of the few supporters of most VC arcade titles in locations outside of Japan.
|sf>Wow, I never realized that Stadium Events was that rare. IMO it's the least memorable game out of the titles made for the pad. It was advertised on the back of the Family Fun Fitness mat, so I figured that most people with that version would buy the second game. I always assumed that Street Cop was the hard-to-find one.
@Quickfingers, no, they wouldn't need a fundraiser. Someone earlier said that it's the same content as World Class Track Meet.
|sf>To me, this is one of the great things about the Virtual Console. It gives me a chance to play some games that were completely under the radar when they were originally released. I used to love Shadowgate on the NES and I've never played this before, so this will be a clear download.
|sf>I have the PSP version and I've started it (although it's a tough game, so I'm only around the first boss). However, I'll consider double-dipping on this one after I buy some of the other VC titles that are in my backlog. When I used to be on the TGX mailing list years ago, this version was given very high praise. I was also impressed by what I played on the PSP as well, because the beginning felt very unique.
In either case, I'm glad to see the ESRB rating, but there's also the possibility it might be saved for Halloween week. I hope we don't see a bunch of people complaining every single time a Monday update happens without Rondo.
|sf>I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that Mario Kart Wii came with the Wii Wheel, so actually each of those top selling titles came with some version of hardware (even though the wheel is optional for play).
As far as Namco Museum goes, I've bought (and played) the GBA, PSP, Wii, DS, and PSX Namco 1-3. Lumping the PS1 games in with the other versions is a little unfair, since that version was broken down into five pieces. Excluding the PS1 games, there's enough similarity for them to be grouped together, although many of the versions contain different titles.
I wonder if this group has also come up with a top 10 game series list. Given that Call of Duty eats up a high number of spots on this list, it would be amusing to see which has sold more: Wii Play + Wii Fit + Wii Music + Wii Sports Resort or the Call of Duty series.
|sf>You made two major errors in this review. First of all, one of the reasons why this game was called "Shanghai II" in the US is because Activision and Sega teamed up to release a game called "Shanghai" on Sega Master System (That version had a slower selection arrow, only the traditional layout, and a choice of one or two players.). Secondly, the Genesis version allowed players to use two different controllers, one of which was the Genesis mouse (While the Wii doesn't have a mouse, this version was one of the rare games to use the mouse, which was the main complaint raised in the review.).
While this version is inferior to the SNES version, I think this review was overly harsh. First, the review sounds as if the wide range of tile choices is a negative against the game, since it's not 'faithful' to just the original set of tiles. Secondly, you cite a Japanese Wii title as a major reason for criticizing this one. I don't know the Wii titles released in Europe, but the US has only seen two versions of MahJong/Shanghai: one bare-bones version contained on the Ultimate Board Game Collection and a one-player versions found on Solitaire & MahJong. Comparing it to the wonderful Sunsoft Gameboy Color title would be fair, but most people can't import Wii titles from overseas.
|sf>On the original Electroplankton cartridge, this was the one that stuck out as my favorite. However, IMO Corbie's review was completely fair, as was the grade.
On some level, reviewing the Electroplankton titles is like trying to review WiiWare's My Aquarium. They aren't the same kind of software as the Art Styles series or as most traditional 'games.' They're more like an interactive relaxation exercise.
|sf>If Shanghai II weren't an import, I suspect that there would be less disappointment for those in Europe. The difference between Excitebike (NES) and Excitebike (WiiWare) is lower than the difference between Clubhouse Games' "Mahjong Solitaire" and "Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye." In Clubhouse Games, you have one tile set; Shanghai II has 10. Clubhouse has 10 layouts; Shanghai II has 13. In addition, Shanghai II has a unique two-player mode where one player places the tiles (attempting to make a solution 'impossible') while the other player tries to clear them all off.
What is a shame is that the Genesis/Megadrive version was chosen. This game also had a SNES release. The SNES version had slightly better graphics and it wouldn't suffer from the European VC's "speed glitch." However, you can't blame those faults on the content of the original game. The original cartridges at my house have seen a lot of use. I've been waiting months for this game to hit the US VC, regardless of whether it was the SNES or Genesis version.
Even though I just gained an account today, I've enjoyed reading the reviews on here for years. I know that the reviewers on NintendoLife will give the game a fair shake, despite the disappointment in the lack of certain other "big name" titles.
|sf>@Davva, I agree with you completely, because I used to play both the SNES and Genesis versions of this game. The only 'unfortunate' aspect of this game's release was that the Genesis version's graphics are slightly inferior to the SNES version. However, Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye has 11 different tile sets (including fantasy, flags of the world, sports, animals, vegetables, and road signs) with sound effects and tile animation, 13 different tile layouts (the traditional "Shanghai" formation, plus one for each sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which covers three difficulty levels).
In addition to all that, there's also the memorable "Dragon's Eye" version where one player (the 'dragon master') hides the tiles on the formation, while the other player plays as the 'dragon slayer' to try matching all the tiles that player one hid. By comparison, Clubhouse Games has only one tile set (without animations or special sound effects) and 10 tile formations. This is one of my all-time favorite (non-RPG) SNES games and I've been waiting for it to hit the US Virtual Console. Europe is once again lucky with a solid release, but most people aren't informed as to content of 'import' games.
Comments 61
Re: Wild Guns
|sf>I've never seen or heard of this before, but the video really makes this appear to be a neat gem.
Re: Review: WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase (WiiWare)
@24, yup. The WiiWare version lets you send your games to other friends in your Wii Address book via WIFI in one step and you can send multiple titles easily to more than one person (if each has the WiiWare title). If you only have the DS game, you can only upload two games, two records, and two comics. Your friend would have to own the cartridge too, trade FCs, log in, and download your uploaded content on his own.
Re: Japanese Virtual Console list - April 2010
|sf>I agree with Sean & ReZon. I'd buy a VC Mr. Do regardless of the version offered. There were so many fun, classic arcade games in the early 80s. The only trouble is that Sega has been one of the few supporters of most VC arcade titles in locations outside of Japan.
Re: Rare NES Game Sells for $41,300 on eBay
|sf>Wow, I never realized that Stadium Events was that rare. IMO it's the least memorable game out of the titles made for the pad. It was advertised on the back of the Family Fun Fitness mat, so I figured that most people with that version would buy the second game. I always assumed that Street Cop was the hard-to-find one.
@Quickfingers, no, they wouldn't need a fundraiser. Someone earlier said that it's the same content as World Class Track Meet.
Re: Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
|sf>To me, this is one of the great things about the Virtual Console. It gives me a chance to play some games that were completely under the radar when they were originally released. I used to love Shadowgate on the NES and I've never played this before, so this will be a clear download.
Re: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood ESRB Rated
|sf>I have the PSP version and I've started it (although it's a tough game, so I'm only around the first boss). However, I'll consider double-dipping on this one after I buy some of the other VC titles that are in my backlog. When I used to be on the TGX mailing list years ago, this version was given very high praise. I was also impressed by what I played on the PSP as well, because the beginning felt very unique.
In either case, I'm glad to see the ESRB rating, but there's also the possibility it might be saved for Halloween week. I hope we don't see a bunch of people complaining every single time a Monday update happens without Rondo.
Re: Wii Play is the US's Best-Selling Game Ever
|sf>I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that Mario Kart Wii came with the Wii Wheel, so actually each of those top selling titles came with some version of hardware (even though the wheel is optional for play).
As far as Namco Museum goes, I've bought (and played) the GBA, PSP, Wii, DS, and PSX Namco 1-3. Lumping the PS1 games in with the other versions is a little unfair, since that version was broken down into five pieces. Excluding the PS1 games, there's enough similarity for them to be grouped together, although many of the versions contain different titles.
I wonder if this group has also come up with a top 10 game series list. Given that Call of Duty eats up a high number of spots on this list, it would be amusing to see which has sold more: Wii Play + Wii Fit + Wii Music + Wii Sports Resort or the Call of Duty series.
Re: Review: Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)
|sf>You made two major errors in this review. First of all, one of the reasons why this game was called "Shanghai II" in the US is because Activision and Sega teamed up to release a game called "Shanghai" on Sega Master System (That version had a slower selection arrow, only the traditional layout, and a choice of one or two players.). Secondly, the Genesis version allowed players to use two different controllers, one of which was the Genesis mouse (While the Wii doesn't have a mouse, this version was one of the rare games to use the mouse, which was the main complaint raised in the review.).
While this version is inferior to the SNES version, I think this review was overly harsh. First, the review sounds as if the wide range of tile choices is a negative against the game, since it's not 'faithful' to just the original set of tiles. Secondly, you cite a Japanese Wii title as a major reason for criticizing this one. I don't know the Wii titles released in Europe, but the US has only seen two versions of MahJong/Shanghai: one bare-bones version contained on the Ultimate Board Game Collection and a one-player versions found on Solitaire & MahJong. Comparing it to the wonderful Sunsoft Gameboy Color title would be fair, but most people can't import Wii titles from overseas.
Re: Review: Electroplankton Hanenbow (DSiWare)
|sf>On the original Electroplankton cartridge, this was the one that stuck out as my favorite. However, IMO Corbie's review was completely fair, as was the grade.
On some level, reviewing the Electroplankton titles is like trying to review WiiWare's My Aquarium. They aren't the same kind of software as the Art Styles series or as most traditional 'games.' They're more like an interactive relaxation exercise.
Re: Nintendo Download: Flip Champs, Missiles, Shanghai II, Copter Crisis, Dragon Master, Rabbids Lab and Solitaire (EU)
|sf>If Shanghai II weren't an import, I suspect that there would be less disappointment for those in Europe. The difference between Excitebike (NES) and Excitebike (WiiWare) is lower than the difference between Clubhouse Games' "Mahjong Solitaire" and "Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye." In Clubhouse Games, you have one tile set; Shanghai II has 10. Clubhouse has 10 layouts; Shanghai II has 13. In addition, Shanghai II has a unique two-player mode where one player places the tiles (attempting to make a solution 'impossible') while the other player tries to clear them all off.
What is a shame is that the Genesis/Megadrive version was chosen. This game also had a SNES release. The SNES version had slightly better graphics and it wouldn't suffer from the European VC's "speed glitch." However, you can't blame those faults on the content of the original game. The original cartridges at my house have seen a lot of use. I've been waiting months for this game to hit the US VC, regardless of whether it was the SNES or Genesis version.
Even though I just gained an account today, I've enjoyed reading the reviews on here for years. I know that the reviewers on NintendoLife will give the game a fair shake, despite the disappointment in the lack of certain other "big name" titles.
Re: Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye
|sf>@Davva, I agree with you completely, because I used to play both the SNES and Genesis versions of this game. The only 'unfortunate' aspect of this game's release was that the Genesis version's graphics are slightly inferior to the SNES version. However, Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye has 11 different tile sets (including fantasy, flags of the world, sports, animals, vegetables, and road signs) with sound effects and tile animation, 13 different tile layouts (the traditional "Shanghai" formation, plus one for each sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which covers three difficulty levels).
In addition to all that, there's also the memorable "Dragon's Eye" version where one player (the 'dragon master') hides the tiles on the formation, while the other player plays as the 'dragon slayer' to try matching all the tiles that player one hid. By comparison, Clubhouse Games has only one tile set (without animations or special sound effects) and 10 tile formations. This is one of my all-time favorite (non-RPG) SNES games and I've been waiting for it to hit the US Virtual Console. Europe is once again lucky with a solid release, but most people aren't informed as to content of 'import' games.