Wii Virtual Console - Timeline
Monday3rd Sep 2012
Nintendo Download 6th September 2012 (Europe)
Picture crosswords, crazy hunting and retro pugilistic action
Monday morning means an update on the downloadable delights that European Nintendo fans can expect this week. The long-awaited Picross E is likely to bring a smile to the faces of many, but there's content the DSi and Wii as well. 3DS eShop: Picross E (Jupiter, £4.50) — Nintendo's...
Tuesday28th Aug 2012
Review Metal Slug X (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
X hits the spot
While Contra has always been the game by which all run and gun titles have been judged, serious fans of the genre will still flash a wide grin at the mere mention of the Metal Slug series, especially Metal Slug X. There's no denying that Metal Slug 2 had all of the makings of an amazing run and gunner, but the rampant slowdown ended...
Thursday23rd Aug 2012
Nintendo Download 23rd August 2012 (North America)
Racing, metal slugging and the abyss
We've seen some pretty busy line-ups for the Nintendo Download update in recent times, but it's rather quiet this time around: will it be quality over quantity? Each platform gets one game, and the heady days of discounted downloads are forgotten. Still, let's get to it. eShop: VectorRacing (Arc System Works,...
Tuesday21st Aug 2012
News Score NES Play Action Football as a US Club Nintendo Reward
Worth a try?
It's that time again — there's a new reward available on the North American Club Nintendo website. NES Play Action Football is the latest treat on offer, giving you the opportunity to relive some 1990 American football glory on Wii Virtual Console. It replaces Fluidity and is available until 2nd September for a reduced rate of 100...
Monday20th Aug 2012
Review Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Special indeed
Generally speaking, the "special" SNK releases are generally used as an upgrade to iron out kinks found in the previous releases of the game. Real Bout Fatal Fury Special is no exception and actually goes quite a long way at upgrading the previous Real Bout Fatal Fury title, even tossing in a bunch of new goodies for fighting game...
Nintendo Download 23rd August 2012 (Europe)
DK Jr., mascot golf, puzzles and futuristic baseball
It's another week, and the memories of lazy gaming at the weekend are already drifting away. Still, we have the Nintendo download details for Europe to look over, and it's a rather motley mix of retro titles, puzzles and a super demo for everyone to try. Let's get on with it. 3DS Virtual Console:...
Friday10th Aug 2012
News EarthBound's Virtual Console No-Show Could Be Down To Sampling Issues
Not music to our ears
Hirokazu Tanaka — better known as "Hip Tanaka" — is something of a legend in Nintendo circles. He was with the company in the very early days, creating the sound effects for games like Donkey Kong, and would later find fame composing soundtracks for classics such as Metroid, Balloon Fight and Wr
Thursday9th Aug 2012
Nintendo Download 9th August 2012 (North America)
Much-reduced Mario, Real Bouts and going Commando
There's quite a heady mixture in this week's North American Nintendo Download report; not only do we have one of the best Mario games at a price so low it's criminal not to own it, but we also have a fine fighting game, a 3D tank simulation and a 2D run-and-gun blaster. Read on for more information!...
News Turok Developer Wants To See N64 Versions On Virtual Console
Ex-Iguana dev talks N64 development and the influence of James Bond
Former Acclaim and Iguana Entertainment designer Ryan Tracy wants to see the four N64 Turok games made available on the Virtual Console, but admits that the thorny issue of IP ownership could mean that his desire never comes to pass. Speaking to NotEnoughShaders.com, Tracy also...
Tuesday31st Jul 2012
Review World Heroes Perfect (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Not quite perfect
When World Heroes was first released on SNK's Neo Geo arcade and home console system, it was yet another attempt to capture the popularity of Capcom's Street Fighter, this time by developer ADK. While the game featured some unique gameplay and visual features, it was still regarded more as a nice attempt at the genre than any type...
Monday30th Jul 2012
Nintendo Download 2nd August 2012 (Europe)
Kung fu, Toki Tori, edutainment and retro fighting
Once again we have news of this week's download delights in Europe, with something on offer for every system you own. Let's get started. 3DS Download Software: Jonny Kung Fu (UFO Interactive, £5.40/€6) — On paper this sounds full of promise, being an old-school side-scrolling action game with...
Thursday26th Jul 2012
News Toki Tori Hatches on European eShop Next Week
Is it cheep enough?
Two Tribes' platform puzzler Toki Tori is chirruping its way into the European 3DS eShop next week. It was originally released on Game Boy Color in 2001; if you missed it back then, here's your chance to see what all the squawking was about. The concept is the same as the WiiWare version. You join the titular chick on a mission...
News The Last Blade Sharpens Up for European Wii Virtual Console
Unsheathed
The Last Blade is finally slicing down onto the European Wii Virtual Console on 2nd August. That means you've got a week to make sure your swords are sharpened up before it's released. The 2D fighter thrusts you into the Bakumatsu era of Japanese history. You can choose between two different sword types per character, so it's up to you...
Nintendo Download 26th July 2012 (North America)
Planet crashing, Wario, moles and more
This week we have all three Nintendo consoles catered for, including a long awaited platformer on the 3DS Virtual Console, the latest from Renegade Kid and much more. Let's get right to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — This has no doubt been on a number...
Wednesday25th Jul 2012
News Mole Mania Burrows onto US eShop Tomorrow
Can you dig it?
North America's 8-Bit Summer promotion continues to heat up 3DS' Virtual Console — tomorrow you'll be able to dig into Game Boy puzzler Mole Mania. Mole Mania originally came out in North America in 1997. Shigeru Miyamoto was producer on the puzzle game, in which you push, pull and throw a black ball around to help Muddy Mole work...
Thursday19th Jul 2012
Review The King of Fighters '96 (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
A step in the right direction
King of the Fighters '96 marks the third release in the popular SNK fighting game series, and while we've already seen KoF releases from both before and after this title, SNK has finally decided to go back and release this pivotal release in the series. With a host of new gameplay additions, many of which help balance...
Tuesday17th Jul 2012
News 8-Bit Summer Brings Myths and Monsters
Plus tumbling and popping
We've just got word of the latest titles in Nintendo of America's Virtual Console 8-Bit Summer promotion. We hope you like monsters. If you should log onto the 3DS eShop on Thursday you'll find Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Pit's second ever outing. Are you up to the task of traversing the underworld, overworld and...
Monday16th Jul 2012
News Starship Defense is Your New US Club Nintendo Reward
Starship super
If you're a US Club Nintendo user with 150 coins jangling around in your cyber-pocket, there's a new reward that might tempt you: Q-Games' DSiWare title Starship Defense, known in Europe as Starship Patrol. It replaces Electroplankton: Rec-Rec and will be available for a limited period of time. Have a read of our Starship Defense...
Review 2020 Super Baseball (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Step up to the plate
Taking a popular sport and fusing it together with a futuristic theme is certainly nothing new in the world of video games. Atari managed quite a bit of success with its robotic football release Cyberball, so it comes as no surprise that other companies would follow suit. Back in 1991 SNK took a page out of Atari's book and...
Thursday12th Jul 2012
Nintendo Download 12th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer heats up
Two 3DS Virtual Console games plus new titles on WiiWare, DSiWare, Virtual Console and the eShop make another very strong week for the Nintendo Download in North America. Here's what's going live today. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Pinball Land (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — The little pink ball makes the most of his rotund...
Wednesday11th Jul 2012
News 8-Bit Summer Flips Out With Kirby Pinball Tomorrow
There's also a sword of hope
Nintendo of America normally releases details of eShop downloads on the morning of the update, but our source has given us a heads-up on the Virtual Console '8-bit summer' titles that you can look forward to this week. As you've no doubt guessed, the headline Game Boy title is Kirby's Pinball Land, which sees the...
Thursday5th Jul 2012
Nintendo Download 5th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer starts
Nintendo of America kicks off its 8-bit Summer campaign this week with new 3DS Virtual Console games, plus there's a new Wii Virtual Console game and some eShop games too. 3DS Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda (NES, Nintendo, $4.99, 49 blocks) — This game surely needs no introduction. See where it all started for Link and...
Monday2nd Jul 2012
News July's Club Nintendo Rewards are Up
Rec-rec and tennis
While we don't know what the Platinum reward is for Club Nintendo members, we do know what games you can spend your Coins on in the coming weeks. Wii Virtual Console: Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64) — 150 Coins. Available until 22nd July. Read our Mario Tennis review to see if it's worth the coins. DSiWare: Electroplankton:...
Thursday28th Jun 2012
Review Double Dragon II: The Revenge (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Revenge is sweet
When Double Dragon first hit the arcade scene back in 1987, it was immediately lauded for its intense beat 'em up gameplay and slick visuals and soundtrack. After making pit stops on a number of platforms, the NES included, the game only grew in popularity. So it was only natural that a sequel, Double Dragon II: The Revenge would...
Thursday21st Jun 2012
Nintendo Download 21st June 2012 (North America)
Dragons, kitchens and so much more
A very busy week this week with WiiWare, Virtual Console, DSiWare and no fewer than two eShop releases reaching North American shores. Here's what's awaiting your purchase today. 3DS Download Software: Order Up!! (Ignition Entertainment, $9.99, 2,488 blocks) — Released at retail in Europe, North America can try...
Thursday14th Jun 2012
Nintendo Download 14th June 2012 (North America)
Mad dogs, spider-men, mega men and more
A good all-round week for North America: 3DS gets an ageing arcade game, a demo and a 3DS Virtual Console game, DSiWare is graced with a music-themed take on the Plants vs. Zombies formula and Wii owners get a VC game too. 3DS Virtual Console: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES, Nintendo, $4.99) — A rare appearance from...
Review The Last Blade (Wii Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Neo Geo fighting at its finest
There are very few game consoles in existence that can compete with the diverse fighting game library of SNK's Neo Geo system. While some of the earlier efforts came up short of reaching the quality of Capcom's Street Fighter II series, many later efforts ended up being some of the best 2D fighting releases of the era...
Friday8th Jun 2012
Review Mega Man X2 (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Still mega
When Capcom created Mega Man X, it had clearly done something right. Many fans loved finally getting a refreshing take on the series, rather than what was essentially the same thing over and over, and it became quite popular. While the Classic Mega Man series went on a break for a few years, Capcom churned out a few more X games,...
Thursday7th Jun 2012
Nintendo Download 7th June 2012 (North America)
Bats, cats, balance and curling
It's a bumper week for North America with new 3DS Download Software, demos, DSiWare, 3D videos and more. Here's what's available today. 3DS Download Software: Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, $6.99) — An excellent puzzle game that tasks you to create a balanced stack of blocks. It's tougher than it...
Tuesday5th Jun 2012
News You Can Transfer Wii VC Games to Wii U
Rejoice!
Nintendo of America has confirmed you can transfer your Wii Virtual Console purchases to the Wii U. Executive Scott Moffitt told ABC News you'll be able to move across past VC purchases and play them on the Wii U. Moffitt said there'll be a lot of restructuring necessary — Wii U will support multiple online user accounts for instance —...
