alvieao

At last, Sega finally brought these classic '90s light-gun games to a console! While it's not the same without the machine gun controller, I can do just fine with and without a Wii light gun peripheral. As far as arcade ports go, both Gunblade NY and L.A. Machineguns are pretty much spot-on. Aside from unlockable weapons through ranks and online leaderboards, I'm disappointed that Sega didn't include extras like arcade flyers or galleries. Nevertheless if you're a fan of Sega light gun shooters, then Sega Arcade Hits Pack is for you. It's a great addition to Ghost Squad and The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return. Thank you, Sega... Now if only they'll release a new Virtua Cop collection (Virtua Cop 3 is way overdue) and The House of the Dead 4.

I'm usually not a big fan of EA, but Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure really surprised me the most. Lately I've played a lot of platformers like Drill Dozer, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Legendary Starfy, New Super Mario Bros. (and its Wii sequel), and now Henry Hatsworth. The game is maddeningly hard... You'll need plenty of extra lives, upgrades and patience upon clearing the later stages (and the secret ones). And just when you think you're finished with the adventure, the game offers a harder difficulty; all I can say is good luck beating Gentlemen mode! Simply this, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a must-have on the DS... Good Show INDEED!

Lately I've been back into platformers once again; the last ones being Drill Dozer and Pulseman (both by Game Freak), and now the Legendary Starfy. Finally, Nintendo and TOSE released a Starfy game outside of Japan. After playing it for some time, I must say Starfy is a fantastic platformer. Wonderful graphics, the gameplay is very good, great music, and the characters are cute. Everyone must have Starfy in their DS collections, especially after playing those Mario and Kirby games.

Game Freak is largely known for the main installments in the Pokémon franchise, but they also developed lesser-known works like the average NES puzzler Yoshi and the Japan-only Mario & Wario. Once released on the short-lived Sega Channel service for Genesis, Pulseman didn't reach Western shores again until 15 years later (and on a downloadable service again). When I first played this game, Pulseman seemed like a cross between Sonic and Mega Man. However, it was much different but that isn't a bad thing. Simply this, the game looks, sounds and plays great all-around. That being said, Pulseman is a fantastic game that's worth the download. Pulseman is often referenced in the Pokémon series, right down to the Voltteccer attack (Pikachu's Volt Tackle). There's even a Pulseman homage in the GBA game Drill Dozer (also by Game Freak), which is another gem you must play.

Compared to Sonic 2006, Shadow the Hedgehog isn't really that bad. Actually, I find the game enjoyable on the most part. There are many stages and branching paths to go through. And while there are plenty of weapons in each stage, you don't really have to use them. It's still a Sonic spinoff game, albeit with the titular blue blur taking a backseat this time. On one hand, Sonic Team USA tried to further expand the Hero and Dark concept from Sonic Adventure 2. However, the execution was poorly implemented and they still didn't fix the camera problems that plagued past 3D Sonic titles. I never actually hated this game, but I do hate how this Sonic spinoff was misblamed by mainstream reviewers (who didn't play the game long enough). Just give this game a chance if you decide to play it, or if you can put your angst towards Shadow the Hedgehog himself...

Finally got this game, I must say Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is an excellent fighter on the Wii. Even though TvC returned the Versus series to 2-on-2 tag team action, the gameplay is absolutely fantastic. Online play could've be better if not for the lag, but it's still good. I've always thought the Versus games were amazing to play, and TvC is no exception. I'm really glad Capcom USA made the effort to release TvC outside of Japan. I wished the character bios and the BGM area in the gallery from the original Japanese version were carried over to Ultimate All-Stars. All things said, this is one Wii fighting game that should NOT be missed!

On one hand, it's nice to see a portable Sonic collection of the four main Genesis games with a save feature. Then again we've already seen past compilations and re-releases for download, hence Sega's blue blur having always been the cash cow. For the time being, I'll just wait and see...

SEGA and Nintendo made what is perhaps the BEST iteration in the F-Zero series. The game has a strong pedigree, with Miyamoto and Toshihiro Nagoshi serving as co-producers of F-Zero GX. The game also used the Super Monkey Ball engine, hence being developed by Amusement Vision (one of Sega's internal studios). We need a new F-Zero game again...

Perhaps eventually, Super Smash Bros. will be released three days after Europe gets it. Who knows?

Like many others, I've been waiting for a new Punch-Out!! game for a long time and it's worth the long wait. Forget FaceBreaker and forget Ready 2 Rumble Revolution... Punch-Out!! is still the real deal!

Indeed, it's been 15 years since the release of Super Punch-Out!! on the SNES. Outside of cameos in WarioWare, Fight Night Round 2 and recently Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Little Mac has not seen a comeback until now. I've finally played Punch-Out!! (Wii) and I must say the game is simply brilliant. The cel-shaded visuals are fantastic, and the classic remixes are awesome. The use of voice-overs for Doc Louis and Little Mac's opponents really brought life into the world of Punch-Out!!. Nintendo and Next Level did an fantastic job with the Wii iteration of Punch-Out!!. As for the special opponent: let's just say he was an audience member in the arcade games and decided to return the favor 25 years later. Punch-Out!! is definitely a 9/10...

Made by the WarioWare team, it's the sequel to the Japan-only Rhythm Tengoku. I first played the DS demo and was impressed by it; even my sister liked it too. Eventually I bought the game not too long ago; it's fantastic, addictive and FUN! My sister and her friends got into Rhythm Heaven as well. You'll want to perfect those stages in order to unlock new songs. The variety is just insane that you'll be replaying now, again and later. Buy this game!

I recently picked up Kirby Super Star Ultra for the DS and it's an excellent game. No wonder it's considered one of the best installments of the Kirby series, as well as being Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai's magnum opus. This Kirby title is packed with a variety of different games (and new ones in Ultra), not to mention you have tons of unique abilities to use. Just when you think the games in Super Star Ultra seem short and easy, the rest of the unlockable modes are quite the contrary. Achieving 100% completion in the game is challenging, because you'll spend a lot of time playing through the boss rush modes like The Arena, The True Arena and Helper to Hero (have fun beating it with all helpers!). Kirby Super Star Ultra is a brilliant remake of the late SNES classic... GET IT NOW!

A really fun pack-in game that basically uses the Wii Remote's controls. I had more fun in Boxing, Baseball and Tennis than the others. Of course, expect some arm sores after playing Wii Sports for a while but it's worth a good workout.

I picked this up a few months ago and it was just pure arcade light-gun fun. The game was developed by the legendary Sega-AM2 (creator of Virtua Fighter and Virtua Cop), while the Wii version was reprogrammed by Polygon Magic. You might as well find a good light-gun peripheral (like Nyko's Perfect Shot) because the Wii Zapper is rather clumsy to set up.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl was the most hyped game in 2008... but it was a great game worth playing on the Wii. The game contained so much content that you can't possibly list here, but online does suck. The inclusion of Konami's Solid Snake and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog was nice, though I do wish for Mega Man or other third-party characters in a future game. I thought Subspace Emissary was a good idea as a single-player adventure, despite a lot of complaints about it. After all, that's Sakurai for you. I definitely consider Brawl one of the reasons to own a Wii.

On one hand, the Daytime levels brought back classic Sonic gameplay which combined Sonic Rush and Secret Rings. Of course, not everyone liked the idea of Sonic the Werehog but I kinda enjoyed playing the levels for the sake of beat-em up gaming moments. I rather stick with the Wii version than on the PS3/360 versions...

I've been wanting to get my hands on this game and eventually I did. New Super Mario Bros. is the first original 2D Mario game since Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins for the Game Boy in 1992. Basically, it's the return of classic 2D side-scrolling Mario! While the game seems like a crash-course of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World combined, it's still fun to play and also worth replaying. I give a 9.

It's been a while since I've played a 2D Sonic game, especially since I grew accustomed to the recent 3D games after Adventure. Simply this, Sonic Rush is the best game I've played since Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sega, Sonic Team and Dimps did an amazing job with Sonic's first DS outing. The game has a fantastic soundtrack by Hideki Naganuma, the same music composer behind the Jet Set Radio games. GET IT NOW!

Oh come on, Nintendo... Release both Majora's Mask and Super Smash Bros. in America already! Not to mention new VC Arcade releases like Japan gets two at a time. This is UNFAIR!

I want Puzzle Bobble Wii =D

I don't mind playing with the regular Classic Controller, but I hope Nintendo does release the CC Pro elsewhere after Japan gets it. The shoulder button placement on the Classic Controller Pro seems more appropriate and it's nice with grips for a more comfortable feel, despite the other third-party controllers that already sported them.

It's about time that Vectorman finally came to the Virtual Console. Even though I have unlocked it on Sonic Gems Collection, while others have played it on the PS2 Genesis/Mega Drive Collection, the Wii gamers now have their chance to play this game. I might download Super Dodge Ball at some point. Best of all, Mega Man 9 is here... Great week!

I'll stick to Nintendo's Classic Controller and my GC WaveBirds... I don't care about the cord and I'm used to navigating the cursor with either control (sans WaveBird, of course). These third-party alternatives do no help to properly resolve the button placements...

I remember playing the Game Gear version of 8-Bit Sonic on Sonic Adventure DX. But looking at the differences between the GG and MS version, I'll definitely play the latter as well. Regardless, it still plays just as well as the Genesis/Mega Drive version. The music is also good thanks to Yuzo Koshiro's re-arrangement of the tracks from its Genesis cousin (with some new ones); it was the first game developed by his company Ancient. Even if you have played the Genesis game, the 8-bit version is another classic Sonic game worth playing...

Two great games finally on Virtual Console, in spite of not getting Super Mario RPG (yet). Great week!

As much as I would see another Neo Geo fighter, this is getting tiring fast. This "pattern" for North America is really trying everyone's patience. (Releasing one or two games is NOT a solution to the Wii's storage problem!) Give us more games from the NES, SNES and Genesis, and TG-16 already!

I just hate the ESRB anyway. How garbage. Great, we have to "live in the dark?" This is a stupid and lame move by the buzzkillers at ESRB. Now we the gamers must wait longer in surprise...

So, Metal Slug finally comes to the American VC with full use of the Classic Controller. Only difference from Anthology is that Metal Slug on VC is based on the AES version (the home console version of Neo Geo), which means picking that MVS difficulty (aka Level-4) and having fewer continues. I'm also glad to see Dr. Mario Online Rx finally out on the WiiWare...

The WiiWare launch lineup isn't exactly great and the games are overpriced, but at least you have variety. It's a good thing to have original content on the WiiWare, whereas some people give these games a chance. Since Dr. Mario Online Rx will come out next week, can't we just be patient? Nintendo can't please everyone, but complaining doesn't help either. I don't like to complain, even though I get disappointed with particular games that need a release on VC. Just relax...

The worst game of all Phantasy Star games. I can't believe this game had to land here. Oh well. Some may have played it on Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Collection (PS2/PSP) or on Phantasy Star Collection for GBA, but many Wii players will have a straight port on VC. (To Damo and Adamant: I have edited my comment in response...)

It looks great and it compliments the SNES nostalgia. But then again, there's always the Classic Controller to stick with. When it comes to controllers, the best ones are the Mega Drive/Genesis 6-Button controller and the Saturn 3D Control Pad. The PS controller's D-Pad didn't feel too great and I also consider the original Xbox pad as the worst controller ever made (simply too large and horrible buttons)...

For a really good Neo Geo game for Virtual Console, Samurai ShoDown (Samurai Spirits in Japan) is what everyone wants the most. That game has yet to be released in either American or European territory...

I don't know what's worse: this game or Hudson/Westone's Riot Zone? Of all the beat'em ups on NeoGeo, Burning Fight was a dodgy Final Fight clone released in 1991 from SNK. And 1991 was the same year that saw SNK's own Robo Army and SEGA's Streets of Rage...

Where is Tetris Attack? That game should have been released instead.

@Bensei: You're lucky to have Nintendo Puzzle Collection, because I am pissed off that NoA quietly cancelled it a few years back...

Nice to still see you around here, Shriyu. Having my North American copy of Anthology, the enemies still bleed in the first game. But yes the flashing hit detection was removed due to Nintendo's order...

That's unexpected and good thing to see more Japanese games. So Puyo Puyo 2: Tsuu is released with the Japanese text intact. Here's a puzzling question: Why didn't SEGA release the Japanese version of Streets of Rage 3 then? Bare Knuckle III didn't need to be translated except for its manual. But whatever, let's hope SEGA releases Monster World IV in North American and European VC territories.

Kirby 64 was the second game in the series that I played, counting the original Game Boy platformer. As much as I enjoyed the N64 game, I'll download it sometime later. I'm still looking forward to get Brawl in the meantime...

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is the sequel to Kirby's Dream Land 3. It's also the only Kirby game on the Nintendo 64, since Kirby's Air Ride got canceled (and resurfaced on the GameCube three years later). I actually enjoyed playing this game for the most part. I used to own the original N64 cartridge years ago, but sadly I gave it away several years ago. For once, Kirby can combine two powers to make a new copy ability. Be sure to find cameos of Kirby's Animal Friends, which comes from combining two certain powers. Obtaining 100% completion can be a little tricky since the shards are hidden in places you least expect it, not to mention using the correct copy ability.

As usual with most Kirby games, the minigames are fun to play. For me, I had the most fun with Checker Board Chase. I also find it neat to view collectible enemy cards from the bonus game, even if they have no real bearing on the main game. For an N64 title, the visuals are colorful and bright while the soundtrack by HAL regulars Jun Ishikawa and Hirokazu Ando is upbeat and cheery. The game is only short if players are intent on simply finishing it, but you'll have to find all the shards for completion. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is a good platformer on the N64, and perhaps I'll download and replay it sometime in the future.

At least there's two games this week instead of one. Nintendo keeps their great games under their sleeves, which is why each week passes by with some releases of less to decent titles. Square-Enix haven't released anything else since ActRaiser. How about releasing Treasure's Mischief Makers (Yuke Yuke Troublemakers)? That is if both Square-Enix and Treasure can agree on something...

This week must be an awful one, even with two games out and neither are any good. Imminency is an issue for good games to come out on Virtual Console...

In truth, Riot Zone is a horribly altered port of the mediocre Sega arcade game Riot City. Regardless of its good CD music, it is a must avoid...

So Alien Storm is finally on the Virtual Console; one of many Sega arcade conversions that came to the Genesis in its early life. Also, Konami published Assault Suit Valken in the US considering that NCS/Masaya (known for their Cho Aniki games) actually developed it.

I cannot blame Europe for getting Mega Man 2 and Top Hunter. Even if I blame NoA, whining does not solve anything. Also, that is a great week for Europe and I congratulate them.

Alien Soldier is indeed an awesome game from Treasure. Compared to Treasure's own Gunstar Heroes, Bangai-O, and Sin & Punishment, this game is a boss-fest and no doubts about it. The entire gameplay is nothing but the raw meat and a tough challenge to boot (even on Super Easy difficulty). For North American gamers, the emulation is basically the European Mega Drive version, but nonetheless a must download. VISUALSHOCK! SPEEDSHOCK! SOUNDSHOCK! NOW IS TIME TO THE 68000 HEART ON FIRE!

Rolling Thunder 2 perhaps started the trend of Sega and Namco borrowing gameplay ideas from each other. The rest was history when both companies outdid each other in different arcade genres...

This week may be better in some ways, but I also agree with Ed. I'm really surprised that North America still did not get King of Fighters '94. Nintendo of America, do you have any idea what the audience really wants? Bring these games instead: Bangai-O (Import), Mischief Makers, Super Mario RPG and Vectorman.

An underwelming week it is for North America, but let's not complain about not having King of Fighters '94. North America does not always receive certain titles after Europe (i.e. Alien Soldier and Magician Lord). Sega could have released Vectorman already on NA territory...

Indeed, everyone MUST forget about last week. The annual game that started a fantastic series of fighting games from SNK Playmore. The King of Fighters '94 separated the Capcom and SNK crowds when it comes to the 2D fighting genre...

Happy Birthday from USA! Keep up the good work, Virtual Console Archive...