The appeal of the Virtual Console is obvious: nostalgia. The VC is jam-packed with memories from yesteryear, spilling over with wonderful software that defined our childhoods. But it isn't all lollipops and puppy dogs. Nostalgia can also be very misleading, and some of those packets of data you download from Nintendo's service can end up souring childhood memories.
Personally speaking -- and this will probably sound like heresy in some quarters, so brace yourselves -- I was left disappointed by Mega Man 2, a game I adored as an eleven-year-old, but one that now seems slightly dated, with its repeated leaps of faith and enemies that like to spawn directly beneath you. On the other hand, a game such as Super Mario Bros. 3still feels like a breath of fresh air, almost two decades after it was released.
Thinking about this some more, we have three questions for you. One: which Virtual Console games don't hold the same magic for you as they once did? Two: have any titles aged better than you suspected they would? And three: have you ever held off from downloading a certain game, concerned that it may ruin one of those precious childhood memories?
We were already totally pumped about getting Cho Aniki on the European and Aussie Virtual Consoles, but our faces lit up when we saw what else was lying in store for us this morning. Metal Slug is the first Neo Geo game to appear on the download service since December 14th, but what a comeback!
From a value-for-money perspective, we'd still recommend picking up Metal Slug Anthology (especially now that it's so cheap), but it's great to see SNK's classic series represented on the VC (and this version even has Classic Controller support). Puyo Puyo 2 and TurboGrafx billiards title Break In complete this week's line-up.
Cho Aniki -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 900 Wii Points
Metal Slug -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
Break In -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 700 Wii Points
Puyo Puyo 2 -- Mega Drive -- 900 Wii Points
Hop in your Slug and blast your way past the break to see all four in action!
Much to our delight, SNK's Neo Geo Stick 2 for the Wii will retain that classic black look of the original and PS2 controllers, foregoing the predictable white case that Hori opted for. Jeux France has uncovered several photos of the arcade stick, unboxed and beside its packaging, and it is gorgeous. Leaving one of these displayed on your coffee table sends a clear message to your visitors: "This guy is serious business." Just make sure not to break up that illusion by letting them see your Chewbacca bedsheets -- you don't want people to think that the business you're serious about is living like a twelve-year-old.
Back on topic, the Neo Geo Stick 2 supports both Wii games and Virtual Console titles. Retailers in Japan won't begin selling the arcade controller until April 10th, but you can preorder one now from import shop Play Asia for as cheap as $59.90. Step past the break for more photos from SNK's product page.
Posted Feb 14th 2008 1:30PM by JC Fletcher Filed under: News
Not only is the fate of the SNK Arcade Classics collection no longer up in the air (yes! It is coming to Wii!), SNK went ahead and announced two more Wii compilations in an email sent out yesterday. Both Samurai Shodown Anthology and King of Fighters: The Orochi Saga will also see Wii releases, as well as versions for the PS2 and PSP.
We don't know exactly which titles will be included, but the Japanese version of the Samurai Shodown Anthology contained ShodownsI through VI, and the KOF collection included KOF's '95, '96, and '97. That means that there's overlap between the collections, since Samurai Shodown will be on both the SNK Arcade and Samurai Shodown Anthology collections.
SNK will have all three collections on display at GDC. Hopefully they'll have some Neo Geo Stick 2's with which to test the games!
As much as we adore Hori's arcade sticks, we love hardware with the words Neo Geo printed on them even more! Both Amazon.jp and Japanese retailer Rakuten have posted product pages for a Wii version of the Neo Geo Stick 2, an arcade-style, ball-top controller previously put together by SNK-Playmore and Sega Logistics for the PS2.
If it's anything like the PS2 remake of the original Neo Geo Stick (see above image), this new edition will also have non-analog L and R buttons hugging its four primary convex buttons like a set of parentheses. Hopefully, the Wii version will keep that classy black color; it would be a travesty if it didn't!
The Neo Geo Stick 2 is scheduled to arrive in Japan this April 10th, selling for ¥5,040 (approximately $47). According to Rakuten, the controller will support both Wii games and Virtual Console titles. With this announced, a Wii release for SNK Arcade Classics seems like a sure thing!
SNK Playmore sent a press release out announcing the lineup for their SNK Arcade Classics Volume 1 collection for PS2 and PSP. There's no mention of a Wii version, but a Wii version is listed in the game's ESRB rating, and it was discussed at TGS. We hope it's not a mistake, because we love old games, and this lineup is totally hot.
We kind of suspect that this isn't actually coming to the Wii, because of the 16 games on the disc, 7 are alreadyavailableasVirtual Consoledownloads. Metal Slug, of course, is also available on its own disc. We have no issue with redundancy, but we doubt SNK would give people the option of either paying $9 per game or (judging by recent disc releases) between $15 and $30 for a whole load of games.
In terms of stuff that isn't on the Wii, the disc includes things like Shock Troopers and Samurai Shodown. Check after the break for the full, awesome list. Just imagine how much this collection would have cost in new Neo Geo cartridge form.
This week, the PAL Virtual Console picks up the action theme of last week and runs with it. Up on the block this Friday is Neo Geo shoot-me-do Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, a beautifully drawn SNK shooter that preceded genre classic Metal Slug.
Mega Man 2 from the NES will be the highlight for many of you, however, with 500 Wii points a terribly small price to pay for what is arguably the series' finest moment to date. Even without the completely rad boxart.
Though the official European Nintendo site still seems to be down, the Virtual Console is working overtime to bring you games you may not have heard of at high prices. Ain't life grand? It is if you happen to be into more obscure games, and even the "pricey" ones really aren't.
We cherish these European VC updates for the chance to create sillytitles from a mash-up of the games, but this time, we really would be interested in Bobble Fighters. Imagine ... two bobbleheads enter, one bobblehead leaves! It could be awesome.
Or maybe we're still just in a calorie stupor from yesterday. Let's get to this week's releases.
It's not SNK putting Neo Geo classics on the Virtual Console. They're off releasing compilations and embarrassing DS games. The company responsible for your sudden access to Blue's Journey is D4 Enterprise, who has been obtaining licenses for Neo Geo games from SNK and putting the games on the Virtual Console.
Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield spoke to D4's Shinobu Shimizu about the company and their Neo Geo plans. Basically, D4 plans to release SNK Playmore properties (and, as shown by World Heroes, ADK games as well) in a very faithfully-emulated form, with the possibility of a few concessions made to new gamers. Selectable difficulty in Magician Lord is cited as such a change.
D4 already has experience with enabling retrogaming on rare systems -- they got their start with the 1Chip MSX device, a new, cheaper version of the MSX computer (pictured). It is no surprise, then, that D4 is behind the plans to put MSX games on the VC.
With the day of the week being Monday and all, some new Virtual Console games have hit our digital doorstep. And, as you can imagine, we were anxious to download and play them. And play them we did. So, be sure to hit up the video above and head past the break afterward for some more of our coverage.
This week, European gamers have another crack at the Neo Geo, and they can get their golf on if they are so inclined ... but somehow, we just have a feeling that the most popular title will also be the cheapest. Gee, could it be that a few people might be a little excited about Super Mario Bros. 3?
It's another Friday, and lately, that means Neo Geo games! Plus, y'know, some other stuff, which is usually pretty pricey, as VC titles goes. But this week, European gamers get a little break with a release out there for only 600 points. On top of that, there's four games from which Wii owners may choose. Sometimes, it's good to be a Nintendo fan.
Oh, how we love Mondays. Our wallets, however, have a whole different idea regarding the start of the work week. And, this week, our wallets hate us that much more as the titles on offer cost their fair share of dough. Lucky for us, and for you all, this week's available titles are more good than bad.
We don't often show off Virtual Console videos in our weekly spotlight, since they get a video spotlight of their very own, but we just couldn't resist this footage from the Neo Geo's Magician Lord, which was released today for European gamers. The video offers a good, long look at the gameplay, controls, and music, and it comes complete with a warm feeling of nostalgia. In other words, it's a perfect way to kick off the weekend.
The appeal of the Virtual Console is obvious: nostalgia. The VC is jam-packed with memories from yesteryear, spilling over with wonderful software that defined our childhoods. But it isn't all lollipops and puppy dogs. Nostalgia can also be very misleading, and some of those packets of data you download from Nintendo's service can end up souring childhood memories.
Not only is the fate of the 
