As a longtime reader of this site, I'd just like to say congratulations, and hopefully they don't make fun of you too much for being an old Sega fanboy.
I think that we (as gamers) simply fail to see the market that shovelware appeals to. The so-called "casual gamers" who buy these games will still have fun with them... (**sarcasm**)
But seriously, there's unfortunately very little that Nintendo can do about this. And as mentioned before, shovelware both has occurred before and will occur in the future, so unless the game can damage the system or is virtually unplayable, it will not be taken out of production and off store shelves.
This a good game, most certainly, but it does not quite deserve a 10. A 9 would be fair, yet show that the game does have some faults; such as being too similar to previous mario games. Not that this is a bad thing, but it would have been nice to see more innovation beyond four-player multiplayer. While it was the right decision to keep multiplayer local, it could have used more unique characters, more modes, or even multiplayer-exclusive power ups. last but not least, a better implementation of Yoshi would have been nice. Not just by including him in more stages, but giving him a couple new tricks, such as absorbing powers, kirby style.
All in all, still a good game, and it's definitely on my wishlist this christmas.
To all those SMB 3 haters, think about it. This game came out first, so if it wasn't for SMB 3, we wouldn't have a game like SMW. Besides, if you consider the greater level of variety and the more active world map (mushroom houses, roaming enemies, etc.) I would say that this game should have come out after SMW! Well, that is aside from the more primitive graphics and the simpler bosses (one area in which SMW has SMB 3 beat).
If there's one thing I have to say about this game, do not compare it to any of the core Pokemon games. It's just a mindless beat-em-up with the Pokemon models from My Pokemon Ranch, and in my opinion not worth the 1500 point price tag.
On a side note, World of Goo is worth 1500 points, that is if you're a big fan of puzzle games and/or unique/experimental games.
It's been released in Japan now? I suppose that's a good sign, but does anyone know of any other Sega titles released in Japan that still have to make their way over here (excluding Japan-only games and titles that would probably be overlooked)?
I'm not especially surprised. The pattern for the last few weeks seems to have been alternating Super Star Wars and major Sega titles. Following this pattern, my VC predictions for the next few weeks are:
September 7 Super Return of the Jedi
September 14 Sonic and Knuckles
September 21 Super Smash Bros. N64 (assuming it's not released labour day weekend)
I agree with the above comments. This was a good game for its time, but both Melee and Brawl have a much greater variety of content and alternate modes. I'm not dissing the game, but as an owner of the later games there's no reason I can think of for me to purchase the VC version.
IMO, I'd rather see a game such as Sonic and Knuckles that has been highly anticipated for a while now than Super Smash Bros. come Monday.
@Wolfcoyote You're not the only one! I too got the Red version instead of Blue and was always frustrated that I never had a link cable to trade pokemon with. Luckily, the DS has solved that problem.
If this is Galaga's sequel, then where's Galaga (especially considering the score)?! And don't forget classics like Donkey Kong and Pacman...
Now that I think about it though, the collections are probably a much better idea, and several of the arcade games have already been released as ports on VC. Unless, of course the arcade version is superior. Then we all understand. BTW, that wasn't sarcasm.
I picked up Sonic 3 recently, and I'm at the Launch Base Zone. However, I can't see myself beating it unless there's more afterwards to look forward to (a.k.a. Sonic + Knuckles).
I was actually expecting this in advance, due to the so-called "surprise" that Nintendo announced earlier. But three games!!! Hopefully this is the start of a new trend for VC games...
Hey, did anyone notice that the reader average for the game's score is exactly 4 stars? Does that mean that Vc-Reviews finally has a review score everyone can agree upon!?!
@Ricardo91 I don't think Sega would be dumb enough to release any full-motion Sega CD games on VC. Plus, they'd probably be even more difficult to emulate than, say, Sonic CD; which relies on mainly Genesis-worthy graphics.
@Mickeymac I got the game and I have to say, I'm enjoying it much more than the original. I also prefer the story in this one; which took somewhat of a backseat in the first Shining Force. I haven't met many actual random battles yet however.
@#37 That's because Jun Senoue (guitarist for crush 40 and composer for the main 3D Sonics until Sonic '06) did the music for this game. Crush 40 is part of what made the Sonic Adventures so awesome!!!!
You guys should be happy. We finally get PSIV and Europe is scheduled to finally get Secret of Mana after all the complaints during the past couple months. So stop bitching and maybe we'll get Castlevania 3 soon.
Are there really any games worth buying other than Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters that aren't available in one of the collections? That's what I thought.
As with the SMS Sonic 1, i still think that it's a much better use of your money to get the Genesis version. Plus, Sonic 2 on the Genesis is probably one of the best Sonic games ever!!
@Mickeymac I know, SOM's not as compelling as other RPGs storywise. And man, this game really needs a world map. The gameplay's pretty good though, and the co-op aspect is pure awesomeness. Even if i have to use gamecube controllers...
Man, I rented the DS version but wasn't motivated to play all the way through to the end thanks to bad stylus controls. I can't wait to play Super Mario 64 the way it was meant to be played.
"I am Mega Man I'm blue and cyan The creation of Dr. Light or Right If you are from Japan."
I might get Mega Man 3 just because of this song. LOL
Edit: I know the lyrics aren't actually in the game, but it's still a pretty good song (in case you didn't know, I like the Mega Man 2 intro music better).
Comments 83
Re: Nintendo Comes Up Empty at the Golden Joystick Awards
That handheld category was BS. Fire Emblem: Awakening should have won that, and AC Liberation wasn't even that good apparently.
Re: Site News: James Finds a Warp Zone
As a longtime reader of this site, I'd just like to say congratulations, and hopefully they don't make fun of you too much for being an old Sega fanboy.
Re: Talking Point: What Was the Best Super NES Game Ever?
@Mickeymac
Yeah, basically.
Re: Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Contest Winners
I won! Wow, that was unexpected. Now to choose what game to get...
Re: E3 2010: Miyamoto Unexcitedly Scopes Out Xbox Kinect
Yeah, I mean... it's not as if the Kinect is actually good, and as if the Move is more than just the Motion+ for PS3...
Re: Sonic Colours to Brighten Up DS and Wii
So um... might be good. I'll hold my opinions until more info comes out though.
Re: Cave Story Coming March 22nd
EPIC PWN!!!
Now where's the pricing?
Re: Talking Point: Does Nintendo Need to Exercise More Quality Control on the Wii?
I think that we (as gamers) simply fail to see the market that shovelware appeals to. The so-called "casual gamers" who buy these games will still have fun with them... (**sarcasm**)
But seriously, there's unfortunately very little that Nintendo can do about this. And as mentioned before, shovelware both has occurred before and will occur in the future, so unless the game can damage the system or is virtually unplayable, it will not be taken out of production and off store shelves.
Re: Review: Sonic & Knuckles (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)
Ah, Sonic and Knuckles. It's a good game, it's just better when locked on to Sonic 3.
By the way, are you guys planning to do separate reviews for each of the lock-on games? That would be pretty sweet.
Re: Nintendo Download 15th February 2010 (North America)
Yay S&K. Bla, bla, bla, crappy wiiware games, bla. If you can't tell, I'm bored. Maybe S&K will relieve that boredom.
Re: Review: New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
This a good game, most certainly, but it does not quite deserve a 10. A 9 would be fair, yet show that the game does have some faults; such as being too similar to previous mario games. Not that this is a bad thing, but it would have been nice to see more innovation beyond four-player multiplayer. While it was the right decision to keep multiplayer local, it could have used more unique characters, more modes, or even multiplayer-exclusive power ups. last but not least, a better implementation of Yoshi would have been nice. Not just by including him in more stages, but giving him a couple new tricks, such as absorbing powers, kirby style.
All in all, still a good game, and it's definitely on my wishlist this christmas.
Re: Review: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Virtual Console / NES)
To all those SMB 3 haters, think about it. This game came out first, so if it wasn't for SMB 3, we wouldn't have a game like SMW. Besides, if you consider the greater level of variety and the more active world map (mushroom houses, roaming enemies, etc.) I would say that this game should have come out after SMW! Well, that is aside from the more primitive graphics and the simpler bosses (one area in which SMW has SMB 3 beat).
Re: Review: Pokémon Rumble (WiiWare)
If there's one thing I have to say about this game, do not compare it to any of the core Pokemon games. It's just a mindless beat-em-up with the Pokemon models from My Pokemon Ranch, and in my opinion not worth the 1500 point price tag.
On a side note, World of Goo is worth 1500 points, that is if you're a big fan of puzzle games and/or unique/experimental games.
Re: Sonic & Knuckles
It's been released in Japan now? I suppose that's a good sign, but does anyone know of any other Sega titles released in Japan that still have to make their way over here (excluding Japan-only games and titles that would probably be overlooked)?
Re: EarthBound
Earthbound's not coming. Deal with it.
Then again, it would be awesome if it did come to NA...
Re: Nintendo Download: Monkeys, Rattles, Fantasies and Puzzles (US)
I'm not especially surprised. The pattern for the last few weeks seems to have been alternating Super Star Wars and major Sega titles. Following this pattern, my VC predictions for the next few weeks are:
September 7
Super Return of the Jedi
September 14
Sonic and Knuckles
September 21
Super Smash Bros. N64 (assuming it's not released labour day weekend)
Re: Review: Super Smash Bros. (Virtual Console / Nintendo 64)
I agree with the above comments. This was a good game for its time, but both Melee and Brawl have a much greater variety of content and alternate modes. I'm not dissing the game, but as an owner of the later games there's no reason I can think of for me to purchase the VC version.
IMO, I'd rather see a game such as Sonic and Knuckles that has been highly anticipated for a while now than Super Smash Bros. come Monday.
Re: Review: Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy)
@Wolfcoyote
You're not the only one! I too got the Red version instead of Blue and was always frustrated that I never had a link cable to trade pokemon with. Luckily, the DS has solved that problem.
Re: Review: Star Ocean (SNES)
Ah... here's another SE rpg that may never come to these shores. It's a shame, because this game would be worth the extra 100 or 200 points.
Re: The End Of The World Starts In Europe
Man, now here is one game that HAS to come out on the NA VC on Monday. After that, it's just Sonic and Knuckles left...
Re: Review: Gaplus (Arcade)
If this is Galaga's sequel, then where's Galaga (especially considering the score)?! And don't forget classics like Donkey Kong and Pacman...
Now that I think about it though, the collections are probably a much better idea, and several of the arcade games have already been released as ports on VC. Unless, of course the arcade version is superior. Then we all understand. BTW, that wasn't sarcasm.
Re: USA VC Update: Super Punch-Out!!
@Kid_A
Majora's Mask is being released in japan this month, so we should get it sometime soon...
Re: Review: Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)
@J.K.
Not to worry, the Wii Punch-Out!! uses the same model as the Nes version, but with the updated cel-shaded graphics.
Re: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
I picked up Sonic 3 recently, and I'm at the Launch Base Zone. However, I can't see myself beating it unless there's more afterwards to look forward to (a.k.a. Sonic + Knuckles).
Re: Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (MD)
Hah! 9/10!! Take that Sonic 3 fans!!!!!
Re: USA VC Update: Commodore 64 Launches With Three Games
I was actually expecting this in advance, due to the so-called "surprise" that Nintendo announced earlier. But three games!!! Hopefully this is the start of a new trend for VC games...
Re: Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS
Hey, did anyone notice that the reader average for the game's score is exactly 4 stars? Does that mean that Vc-Reviews finally has a review score everyone can agree upon!?!
Re: Sonic Chaos
2 out of 5 stars? I didn't think it was that bad,
Re: USA VC Update: Sonic Chaos
All I have to say is what everyone seems to say. "We don't Sonic Chaos, we want Sonic and Knuckles!!!"
On a side note, I got Sonic 3 recently to dull the wait, so that when S & K and Sonic 3 & K come out I'll be halfway done already.
Re: Will Sega CD Support Ever Come To The Virtual Console?
@Ricardo91
I don't think Sega would be dumb enough to release any full-motion Sega CD games on VC. Plus, they'd probably be even more difficult to emulate than, say, Sonic CD; which relies on mainly Genesis-worthy graphics.
Re: Shining Force II: Ancient Sealing
@Mickeymac
I got the game and I have to say, I'm enjoying it much more than the original. I also prefer the story in this one; which took somewhat of a backseat in the first Shining Force. I haven't met many actual random battles yet however.
Re: Nicalis Updates Cave Story Progress
@Shadx
This will be a remake of the original Cave Story with updated graphics, sound, and possibly added content?
Re: Sonic 3D Blast
@#37
That's because Jun Senoue (guitarist for crush 40 and composer for the main 3D Sonics until Sonic '06) did the music for this game. Crush 40 is part of what made the Sonic Adventures so awesome!!!!
Re: USA VC Update: Phantasy Star IV
You guys should be happy. We finally get PSIV and Europe is scheduled to finally get Secret of Mana after all the complaints during the past couple months. So stop bitching and maybe we'll get Castlevania 3 soon.
Re: Jumpman
What's with the dying music! And the somewhat generic yet familiar title...
Re: Sonic Chaos
Hmm...
This looks better than the other SMS/GG Sonic games, but I don't know if it's worth the 500 points.
Re: Hardware Focus: SNK Neo Geo
Are there really any games worth buying other than Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters that aren't available in one of the collections? That's what I thought.
Re: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
As with the SMS Sonic 1, i still think that it's a much better use of your money to get the Genesis version. Plus, Sonic 2 on the Genesis is probably one of the best Sonic games ever!!
Re: LostWinds 2
I never got the first, but if Lostwinds 2 is actually a decent length(10-15 hours, at least) I could consider it.
btw, World of Goo is probably the best Wiiware game right now. All I need is another damn points card!!!
Re: Secret of Mana
@Mickeymac
I know, SOM's not as compelling as other RPGs storywise. And man, this game really needs a world map. The gameplay's pretty good though, and the co-op aspect is pure awesomeness. Even if i have to use gamecube controllers...
Re: Review: Strong Bad Episode 5 - 8-Bit is Enough (WiiWare)
@shadows262
I agree, The Conduit does look amazing. And I don't even like FPSs!
Then again maybe I'm just falling for the hype...
Re: Sonic & Knuckles
With Sonic 2 for the Master System now released in North America, Sonic and Knuckles should be the next sonic game to look for. Monday? Maybe?!
Re: Sonic the Hedgehog
"Yeah, Sonic the hedgehog. Which of your classic games should I get next? They're all awesome!!"
Does anyone else get this same feeling when looking at Sonic's genesis/mega drive titles?
Re: EU VC Update: Last Ninja 3, Impossible Mission II and Boogerman
Commodore 64 games? Maybe this means North America will get some good games this week (a.k.a. Castlevania 3 and PS4).
Re: Super Mario 64
Man, I rented the DS version but wasn't motivated to play all the way through to the end thanks to bad stylus controls. I can't wait to play Super Mario 64 the way it was meant to be played.
Re: USA VC Update: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System)
oh man, i was actually looking forward to this week...
Here's to whatever the holidays bring us
Re: Super Mario World
cough Super Mario Bros. 3 is the best 2-d mario game, not Super Mario World cough
Re: Super Mario Bros. 3
An old-school Mario title? Sure I prefer Sonic games overall, but Super Mario Bros. 3 looks and sounds AWESOME!!!
Re: Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
I'm faced with a difficult question. PS4 or Earthbound?
Re: Mega Man 3
"I am Mega Man
I'm blue and cyan
The creation of Dr. Light
or Right
If you are from Japan."
I might get Mega Man 3 just because of this song. LOL
Edit: I know the lyrics aren't actually in the game, but it's still a pretty good song (in case you didn't know, I like the Mega Man 2 intro music better).