Nearly half way through 2011, the Wii successor is being announced, but still no Last Blade 1 or 2 on the Virtual Console. It's a shame, because it's a really hard game to get legitimately. (without buying an actual NeoGeo.... or Dreamcast... and I don't own a PS2 to buy the compilation w/ the censored port)
It's true, though my case would be an iPod Touch instead of a phone. I don't want to be that nerd playing a DS/PSP game in public. Touch games have a certain cool/casual factor to them, and are easy to get observers involved.
That, and my real gaming mostly happens on the PC. A little on the Wii, but not much.
If they were smart, they would run sales like Valve does on Steam. There is no traditional supply/demand on digital sales, so they need incentives to spike the numbers.
Great article. I recall hearing rumors and scant details of Star Fox 2 in my Nintendo Power days, but nothing real.
I still remember playing the Star Fox demo at the local mall, where they had a competition for logging the highest scores. Even if I'm primarily a PC gamer now, I miss those kinds of promotional ventures.
Isn't a remake also coming to WiiWare? I'd rather wait for that.
I was disappointed after buying EWJ for PC on GoodOldGames.com. It was a great deal with getting both games for $3.99, but the controls just aren't doing it for me. My Logitech Rumblepad 2 is a great controller, but the game doesn't have the most intuitive button-mapping setup.
With the inclusion of the DLC content, I'm hoping the price stays at or below 1500. 1000 would be ideal, but releasing at any price would be progress.
I toyed with the early stages of the PC version, but have been saving myself for the WiiWare release. Nice to see it actually releasing, but I have to wonder what Nintendo was thinking. All of that promotion at shows, etc, then yanking it into obscurity.
1) They wanted to nail the feeling of early games, a la Mega Man 2
2) It facilitates the multi-character feature of 9's DLC and 10's 3-way. Proto Man and Bass help to flesh out the gameplay, while Rock keeps his original abilities. (relying on precise timing and platforming ability alone)
@Donatello I haven't had time to play through the entire game yet, but Wily's 0.5 is amazing. A little atypical for the series' style, and it almost sounds more like the Gameboy than NES, but still great.
I take back what I said... the music is growing on me. There are still some real duds, by comparison to MM9 and the rest, but its top tracks can hang with the best of 'em.
Good review, but I disagree with saying that its music surpasses that of MM9. They did a little less recycling, but I feel its original scores are weaker, on average.
So does this solidify the defeat of Nintendo's naive "Gaming Device Only" concept? (no DVD playback, anyone?) Here's hoping the next Wii will have all of the modern perks of Nintendo's contemporaries. (Movies, Robust online services, etc)
No one else saw that coming? I mean, really, they did put "Fox News" in the title of an internet conversation. It was bound to be a mess, regardless of which side one takes.
Keep that X-sequel crap to yourselves, Capcom. (only the first was worthy, IMO) You're smart to continue with the better half of the franchise. (and burn all copies of Legends)
@Raylax: Are you just trying it now? Are you a fan of that genre and period normally? 8-bit Megaman is a period work, and should be judged as such. It's not breaking new ground, but refining and refreshing take on a genre from years past.
Then again, Megaman games weren't everyone's cup of tea back then either.
This was a good game, but I really hated some parts of it. Makes me wish I had been playing Dark Forces on a PC instead... Still, its flying levels were the high points that I'll choose to remember.
As a 20-something guy, I feel nerdy enough just playing a DS. I'll pass on being the weirdo with a giant NES-cart-sized game system, retro coolness factor aside.
This game appears to have been ahead of its time. Not sure how I missed it as a kid...
As for it aging "terribly," I think it has to do with the art style. It looks more like a 1980s PC game than the often highly-stylized appearance of NES games.
Comments 310
Re: Spelunker
If you liked the idea of this at all, you may want to check out Spelunky, which is free on both PC & Mac: http://www.spelunkyworld.com/index.html
Re: Top 10 Neo Geo Games We Want To Come To The Virtual Console
Nearly half way through 2011, the Wii successor is being announced, but still no Last Blade 1 or 2 on the Virtual Console. It's a shame, because it's a really hard game to get legitimately. (without buying an actual NeoGeo.... or Dreamcast... and I don't own a PS2 to buy the compilation w/ the censored port)
Re: Rumour: Wii 2 has Blu-ray Drive, Controller Contains a Screen
3DS is the controller, obviously.
Re: Research Shows More Consumers are Choosing Their Phones for Gaming
It's true, though my case would be an iPod Touch instead of a phone. I don't want to be that nerd playing a DS/PSP game in public. Touch games have a certain cool/casual factor to them, and are easy to get observers involved.
That, and my real gaming mostly happens on the PC. A little on the Wii, but not much.
Re: Cave Story Finally Burrows to Europe Next Friday
What a ridiculously long wait.
Re: Nintendo "Happy with Virtual Console Pricing"
If they were smart, they would run sales like Valve does on Steam. There is no traditional supply/demand on digital sales, so they need incentives to spike the numbers.
Re: Review: UN Squadron (Super Nintendo)
When was the last time the UN blew anything up?
Still looks like a good game though.
Re: Sticking a Laser Projector to a Wii Zapper Brings us Closer to Virtual Reality
Annoying voice, annoying video, but an interesting concept!
Re: Interplay Straps In with Descent for WiiWare
I missed the Descent series until Descent: Freespace, but I fondly recall this style of gameplay from Forsaken.
Heck - Forsaken was even good on the N64, and that's saying something...
Re: Dark Void Zero
This just released on the PC over Steam. Trouble is, they felt the need to include SecuROM and a 5-machine activation limit on a $5 game.
What is Capcom smoking?
Re: Mega Man 10 DLC Round-up Part One
Good news on Bass. Now, bring on the Endless Mode!
Re: Feature: The Making of Star Fox
Great article. I recall hearing rumors and scant details of Star Fox 2 in my Nintendo Power days, but nothing real.
I still remember playing the Star Fox demo at the local mall, where they had a competition for logging the highest scores. Even if I'm primarily a PC gamer now, I miss those kinds of promotional ventures.
Re: Nintendo Download 5th April 2010 (North America)
Nothing for me this week. I still need to continue through Cave Story, come to think of it...
Obligatory driller joke.
Re: Interviews: Tomorrow Corporation
The kitten video is ridiculous. I'll have to use it sometime.
"I silence you with kittens!"
Re: Feature: The Making of the Nintendo Virtual Boy
I remember playing the display model at the local Sears store. Wario World was actually pretty fun, even if the system wasn't worth it.
Re: Review: Cave Story (WiiWare)
I think 1200 is a ploy to get everyone buying $20 worth of points, but at least the game is worth it.
Re: Nintendo Download 22nd March 2010 (North America)
Now I can shut up about Cave Story not releasing. (after a year an a half)
Re: Earthworm Jim Wriggling Onto DSiWare
Isn't a remake also coming to WiiWare? I'd rather wait for that.
I was disappointed after buying EWJ for PC on GoodOldGames.com. It was a great deal with getting both games for $3.99, but the controls just aren't doing it for me. My Logitech Rumblepad 2 is a great controller, but the game doesn't have the most intuitive button-mapping setup.
Re: Review: Super Mario 64 DS (DS)
When it comes to 3D Mario, I think I'd rather stick w/ Galaxy.
Re: Tomorrow's World of Goo
Goo Galaxy.
You read it here first, folks.
Re: First Impressions: Cave Story
With the inclusion of the DLC content, I'm hoping the price stays at or below 1500. 1000 would be ideal, but releasing at any price would be progress.
I toyed with the early stages of the PC version, but have been saving myself for the WiiWare release. Nice to see it actually releasing, but I have to wonder what Nintendo was thinking. All of that promotion at shows, etc, then yanking it into obscurity.
Re: Review: Mega Man 10 (WiiWare)
@DarkEdi
I think there are two main reasons:
1) They wanted to nail the feeling of early games, a la Mega Man 2
2) It facilitates the multi-character feature of 9's DLC and 10's 3-way. Proto Man and Bass help to flesh out the gameplay, while Rock keeps his original abilities. (relying on precise timing and platforming ability alone)
@Donatello
I haven't had time to play through the entire game yet, but Wily's 0.5 is amazing. A little atypical for the series' style, and it almost sounds more like the Gameboy than NES, but still great.
Re: Bass Coming to Mega Man 10
His shooting up pose is pretty funny.
Re: Review: Mega Man 10 (WiiWare)
I take back what I said... the music is growing on me. There are still some real duds, by comparison to MM9 and the rest, but its top tracks can hang with the best of 'em.
Re: Review: Mega Man 10 (WiiWare)
Good review, but I disagree with saying that its music surpasses that of MM9. They did a little less recycling, but I feel its original scores are weaker, on average.
Re: Cave Story Coming March 22nd
I'll see it when I believe it.
Re: Mega Man 4
If someone's recommending MM4 at the same time as X2, I think I'll pass. X2 was awful.
Re: Ghoul Patrol
Looks like a case of "Almost, not quite" to me.
Re: Guides: How to Get Your Wii Online
If only I had a reason other than to download offline games...
Still, good guide.
Re: Review: Ai Chō Aniki (TurboGrafx-16)
Oh Japan, how you invite ridicule. Can't fault them for a lack of creativity, I suppose.
Re: English Girl Becomes Biggest Collector of Pokémon Memorabilia
A tragic tale, to be sure.
Re: Muscle March Coming to WiiWare on Monday
Hey, at least it's not Cho Aniki...
Re: Netflix on Wii confirmed
So does this solidify the defeat of Nintendo's naive "Gaming Device Only" concept? (no DVD playback, anyone?) Here's hoping the next Wii will have all of the modern perks of Nintendo's contemporaries. (Movies, Robust online services, etc)
Re: Nintendo Download: 11 January 2010 (North America)
Boo.
Rhymes with "No Wave Quarry."
Re: Nintendo No Longer Publishing Metroid Prime Trilogy in US
Going back into the Disney Vault, eh?
Re: Review: Faceball 2000 (Game Boy)
Two THOUSAND. It's the future, man!
I recall seeing this in 1990-something Nintendo Power mags, but never played it.
Re: Dark Void Zero Landing This Month
Really wish it was on WiiWare, too, considering not everyone has a DSi.
Re: Talking Point: Are Rereleases Killing the Retro Market?
I'd certainly like to know where my CT cartridge went...
Re: Early 2010 WiiWare and DSiWare Lineup
grumbles something about Cave Story
At least Megaman 10 won't screw around with release dates.
Re: Reggie Fils-Aime Speaks with Fox News
No one else saw that coming? I mean, really, they did put "Fox News" in the title of an internet conversation. It was bound to be a mess, regardless of which side one takes.
Re: Cave Story Development Update
Uh huh, sure. Let's wait for it to slip to 2011. :/
C'mon and release it already.
Re: Legend Of Zelda TV Series Hits Hulu
Loved the show as a kid, but good grief...
Re: Mega Man 10 Heading to WiiWare!
Great news - I'll buy it day one.
Keep that X-sequel crap to yourselves, Capcom. (only the first was worthy, IMO) You're smart to continue with the better half of the franchise. (and burn all copies of Legends)
@Raylax:
Are you just trying it now? Are you a fan of that genre and period normally? 8-bit Megaman is a period work, and should be judged as such. It's not breaking new ground, but refining and refreshing take on a genre from years past.
Then again, Megaman games weren't everyone's cup of tea back then either.
Re: Nintendo Download: Earthworm Jim 2, Mahjong, Happy Holidays, Foto Face, Karaoke, Magic and Another Notebook (EU)
EWJ2 is the MD version? Yuck. I think EWJ2 is a lot funnier and creative than the original, but a little too goofy to be as much of a classic.
Maybe I'll just buy the whole PC version pack on Steam.
Re: Review: Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Nintendo 64)
This was a good game, but I really hated some parts of it. Makes me wish I had been playing Dark Forces on a PC instead... Still, its flying levels were the high points that I'll choose to remember.
Re: Nintendo Download: Monkey Island, Zoos, 'Copters, Face Stealing and Puzzles! (US)
insert comment noting a distinct lack of Cave Story
Re: Feature: FC Mobile II Console Review
As a 20-something guy, I feel nerdy enough just playing a DS. I'll pass on being the weirdo with a giant NES-cart-sized game system, retro coolness factor aside.
Re: Nintendo's Denise Kaigler Calls It Quits
Good call.
Re: A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia
This game appears to have been ahead of its time. Not sure how I missed it as a kid...
As for it aging "terribly," I think it has to do with the art style. It looks more like a 1980s PC game than the often highly-stylized appearance of NES games.
Re: Super Mario Kart Hits Virtual Console on Monday
It's like I'm ten again. Then again, if I were ten, 8 bucks would be a lot to spend.
I probably won't buy this, but it's a definite classic.