Will EarthBound ever hit Virtual Console? It has never been re-released digitally (legally that is) for any Nintendo Download service in any territory. And that's criminal.
But it sounds like the likelihood of it being re-released or not stems from the fact that the game features heavy samples used in its music. I don't see why they don't just re-release it, do you think anyone will really sue over samples? Maybe so... but I think it's so obscure that it's doubtful. Nintendo seems not to want to take that chance, but wouldn't the sales of it alone cover the "legal costs" if it did happen?
Either way, here is what "Hip Tanaka", who created the music in EarthBound and for many other classic Nintendo games including the eerie Metroid tunes and the catchy Balloon Fight music, had to say about EarthBound being re-released for Virtual Console (either 3DS, Wii, or Wii U).
"The sampling issue is a little sensitive, because... well, I don't know for sure, but it sounds like that is one of the reasons EarthBound is not able to come out in America. It's a topic we should probably avoid." - Hip Tanaka On Why EarthBound Has Yet To Be Re-Released
Will GameCube Virtual Console games for Wii U be coming to the system?
It sounds like a no-brainer, especially given the fact that the Wii U DOES NOT play GameCube games. Given that fact, having GameCube Virtual Console titles on the Wii U only makes incredible sense.
However, it is hardly a sure thing, especially given the fact that Nintendo has yet to release Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games onto the 3DS eShop.... another no-brainer.
Even still, I have confidence that Nintendo will release GameCube games for the Wii U Virtual Console, especially given that they re-released GameCube games with new Wii controls for the original Wii with their small lineup of "New Play Control" GameCube releases.
This bodes well that Nintendo does in fact want to re-release these titles, and will do so if given the opportunity. Let's just hope we get more of them than released that the Wii Virtual Console's pathetic library of N64 re-releases....
Good news. Fans of the Wii U will be happy to know that you will be able to transfer your digitally purchased titles from the original Wii to Nintendo's shiny new Wii U system, which releases on November 18th 2012.
Exactly how you will transfer your digital titles however has not been confirmed, just the fact that you CAN do it, revealed via a Japanese Nintendo Direct Presentation.
Hopefully Nintendo will finally set up a digital profile for each person that allows you to redownload anything you've previously purchased on any Nintendo system. Instead of the current system which ties your downloaded games to that system.... which is ridiculous. Sadly, I'm not holding my breath though.
The Last Blade 2 for Neo Geo has hit the Wii Virtual Console as the latest classic fighting game from the little-known Neo Geo system. This game was originally released in 1998.
If you love all these retro fighting games, you'll surely be excited to pick up another little-played SNK fighter. If you don't know anything about the game (Like me) you can find out more by watching this video of the game.
"The Last Blade 2 picks up where The Last Blade 1 left off and takes the story of battling at the gates of hell to its climax. This time around, there are 16 unique swordsmen from which to choose. Choose from 2 sword types (Strength and Attack). Deflect your enemy's attacks with "Repel". You can also cancel game-changing special moves like "Super Secret Slice" or "Hidden Secret Slice" with a "Sublime Slash", which connects to Super Secret Slice - just like in the previous title. There are also some new features like aerial repels, aerial guards and knockdown recovery."
Gradius, the popular Konami shoot 'em up series, is now up on the 3DS Virtual Console! This is the first installment in the Gradius series, and is one of the most popular shooters of all time.
Gradius is a bonafide classic, and masterpiece to some, which everyone should play if you have never played it before. As it is one of the main pillars of the schmup genre.
You can buy Gradius at a price point of $5.
Gradius is only the latest game in the huge 3DS Virtual Console Library which grows bigger every week and is full of great classics to purchase and play!
The 3DS Virtual Console collection available via the eShop keeps growing and growing. It currently includes around 58 games at various prices for various systems (Game Boy, Game Gear, Game Boy Color, Nintendo Entertainment System [NES]).
<u>Here is a master list of all the games currently available and their prices, as of October 19 2012:</u>
1. Adventure Island - Game Boy ($4)
2. Alleyway - Game Boy ($3)
3. Avenging Spirit - Game Boy ($3)
4. Balloon Kid - Game Boy ($3)
5. Baseball - Game Boy ($3)
6. Bionic Commando - Game Boy ($4)
7. Blaster Master: Enemy Below - Game Boy Color ($5)
8. Burger Time Deluxe - Game Boy ($3)
9. CATRAP - Game Boy ($3)
10. Donkey Kong - Game Boy ($4)
11. Donkey Kong Jr. - NES ($5)
12. Double Dragon - Game Boy ($4)
13. Dr. Mario - Game Boy ($4)
14. Dragon Crystal - Game Gear ($3)
15. Fortified Zone - Game Boy ($4)
16. Game & Watch Gallery - Game Boy ($3)
17. Game & Watch Gallery 2 - Game Boy Color ($4)
18. Gargoyle's Quest - Game Boy ($4)
19. Golf - Game Boy ($3)
20. Gradius - NES ($5)
21. Gradius - NES ()
22. Kid Icarus: Of Myths And Monsters - Game Boy ($4)
23. Kirby's Block Ball - Game Boy ($3)
24. Kirby's Dream Land - Game Boy ($4)
25. Kirby's Pinball Land - Game Boy ($4)
26. Lock 'N Chase - Game Boy ($3)
27. Mario's Picross - Game Boy ($4)
28. Mario Golf - Game Boy Color ($5)
29. Maru's Mission - Game Boy ($3)
30. Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge - Game Boy ($4)
31. Metroid - NES ($5)
32. Metroid II: Return of Samus - Game Boy ($4)
33. Mole Mania - Game Boy ($3)
34. Mystical Ninja: Starring Goemeon - Game Boy ($3.00)
35. NES Open Tournament Golf - NES ($5)
36. Pac-Man - Game Boy ($4)
37. Prince of Persia - Game Boy Color ($5)
38. Punch-Out!!: Featuring Mr. Dream - NES ($5)
39. Qix - Game Boy ($3)
40. Quarth - Game Boy ($3)
41. Radar Mission - Game Boy ($3)
42. Rayman - Game Boy Color ($5)
43. Shinobi - Game Gear ($4)
44. Side Pocket - Game Boy ($3)
45. Sonic Blast - Game Gear ($5)
46. Sonic Labryinth - Game Gear ($5)
47. Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble - Game Gear ($5)
48. Super Mario Bros. - NES ($5)
49. Super Mario Land - Game Boy ($4)
50. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins - Game Boy ($4)
51. Sword of Hope II - Game Boy ($3)
52. Tennis - Game Boy ($3)
53. Tetris - Game Boy ($4)
54. The Legend of Zelda - NES ($5)
55. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening - Game Boy Color ($6)
56. Toki Tori - Game Boy Color ($4.00)
57. Tumble Pop - Game Boy ($3)
58. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 - Game Boy ($4.00)
In addition to the many amazing classics listed above, there are a number of remakes available. Known as "3D Classics" and available in the eShop proper (not the Virtual Console section), these are classic games, mostly from the NES era, that have been given a new stereoscopic, glasses-free 3D makeover to take full advantage of the graphical power of the 3DS. They also include new In-Game High Saves and a couple other additional features.
1. 3D Classics: Kid Icarus - $6
2. 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure - $7
3. 3D Classics: TwinBee - $5
4. 3D Classics: Urban Champion - $5
5. 3D Classics: Xevious - $6
6. 3D Classics: Excitebike - $6
The 3DS 8bit Summer has kicked off with a bang, by releasing the
original Zelda 1 for NES to the 3DS eShop at a price of $5 for the mass
market at large.
Sadly, Nintendo fans who bought the 3DS
for its original price already have The Legend of Zelda (released
alongside 9 additional NES titles and 10 GBA titles as part of
Nintendo's "Ambassador" program for 3DS early adopters who paid high
price for the system before the major price cut), so this will be a bit
disappointing for them. Thankfully, more 8bit goodness is coming soon.
Alongside
the release of the original Nintendo Entertainment System Zelda game,
3DS fans can purchase an 8bit sports classic with NES Open Tournament
Golf, featuring Mario, Luigi and Princess Toadstool, also costing $5.
If you never played the original Zelda 1 before, you owe
it to yourself to check the game out, and get the lowdown on how the
Zelda series kicked off with Link's first adventure. In the game you set
out to recover 8 pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom, a holy relic that
Princess Zelda shattered into pieces and hid all over Hyrule to stop the
evil Prince of Darkness, Ganon, from combining with the Triforce of
Power that he already stole following his invasion of the land.
The game is as old-school as they come, and is VERY difficult by
modern standards. There is no handholding and you are never told where
to go, where anything is hidden, where dungeons are located, or what to
do. You start out with only a Sword, but eventually you'll find all of
the classic Zelda weaponry like a Boomerang, Bombs, and Bow and Arrow,
as well as interesting new ways of traversing the land of Hyrule that
will allow you to gain access to previously unaccessible areas.
Your goal is to find all 8 Dungeons, explore every room and find
the hidden Item/Weapon held in each one, and defeat the Dungeon Boss in
order to recover a Triforce shard.
Of course, The Legend of Zelda is one of the most well-known
Zelda games given that it was the first, and many people have played it
by now. So some will see its release on the eShop as "meh". But I find
it great that the game is now available in an easy, portable form. And
there are undoubtedly many kids who have not gotten to experience Link's
inaguarle adventure, so this makes a welcome release either way you
slice it.
The 3DS version also has a digital instruction manual built into
the game which is a great deal of help, and will tell you what all of
the Items and Weapons are and what they do. Which is sure to come in
handy for newcomers.
I was never able to beat the Zelda 2nd Quest myself.... *sigh*
