Official bitching about Hudson abandoning VC support. [VC/WiiWare = lost cause]
- Thread starter Kobun Heat
- Start date
The negativity is about the theory that the more two-game and one-game weeks show up anywhere in the world--and right now both Europe and North America are getting nailed by them--the greater the chance that it's a pattern likely to continue in the future. In other words, a theory that grants that The Week of 1080 Snowboarding itself isn't remotely equivalent to The Week of Double Dribble, but that the existence of The Week of 1080 Snowboarding, by virtue of having only one game, makes a Double Dribble-equivalent week that much more possible later down the line. :/Jazzem said:
I like retro gaming more than children.Tim-E said:
RumblingRosco
Member
Jiggy37 said:I like retro gaming more than children.
I always felt connected with you, and now I know why. High five... and slightly more on topic, I highly doubt this will be a continuing trend. I see us going back up to 2 and eventually 3 games per week soon, just a lull in the post-holiday season.
Soka said:
See I like this train of thought. It's just a break, considering we should see third party N64 games and SMS games this year. The numbers will just keep going up. That being said, I think I actually liked the 2 a week releases in January.
With 1080's release I'll have bought more VC games in january than any other month so I am really not one to complain.
Jiggy37 said:I like retro gaming more than children.
I love it, too. Hell, I have 23 virtual console games and there are more that I would love to have. But I don't have an infinite amount of money to spend on these games, so in a way I sort of welcome the occasional single release week so there's less temptation.
TelemachusD
Member
I love the SNES version, It's in my SNES right now in fact. I got the NES one on the VC so I could take it with me when visiting friends and family, but it's like playing the game with the controller covered in molasses. The timing is just all off.A Link to the Snitch said:
evilromero
Member
Yes. That's what I'm talking about girlfriend. Nintendo better get the SNES Kirby games up stat.A Link to the Snitch said:
crowphoenix
Banned
evilromero said:
I agree with you on that. I have played very few Kirby games. I owned the first on the NES and the second on GB, but after that I got a sega and haven't played any of the rest, save canvas curse. I want to rectify that.
To me, it's not so much the prospect of the "occasional" two-game or one-game week that bothers me. It's the fact that over time we're seeing a steady decline in numbers. This is Nintendo. I bought into e-Reader, portable-console connectivity, GBm, heck, I even wanted a Virtual Boy (thank God I couldn't afford it until it was $20.)
My point is, Nintendo has a history of jumping ship on anything that doesn't perform to their expectations. To me, this is the Animal Crossing Punch-Out!! code all over again. Every time they'd put up a new NES game code everyone would hope it was Punch-Out!!, and in the end? They didn't even release the code as far as I know.
I see people waiting for their favorite games, wanting eagerly to give Nintendo their hard-earned cash in exchange for reliving fond memories, and being met week after week with disappointment in not only having their game not released, but having its spot filled by a low-quality game, or - God forbid - nothing at all.
I love my Wii, and the VC service is great. I'm just unnerved when I detect a hint of classic Nintendo bailing-out patterns here. I'm not declaring the death of the VC service, just expressing my concerns over the lull we've seen lately. I've been screwed over by Nintendo before, and would hate to see it happen again here.
My point is, Nintendo has a history of jumping ship on anything that doesn't perform to their expectations. To me, this is the Animal Crossing Punch-Out!! code all over again. Every time they'd put up a new NES game code everyone would hope it was Punch-Out!!, and in the end? They didn't even release the code as far as I know.
I see people waiting for their favorite games, wanting eagerly to give Nintendo their hard-earned cash in exchange for reliving fond memories, and being met week after week with disappointment in not only having their game not released, but having its spot filled by a low-quality game, or - God forbid - nothing at all.
I love my Wii, and the VC service is great. I'm just unnerved when I detect a hint of classic Nintendo bailing-out patterns here. I'm not declaring the death of the VC service, just expressing my concerns over the lull we've seen lately. I've been screwed over by Nintendo before, and would hate to see it happen again here.
Conrad Link
Member
Nintendo wouldn't abandon the VC, too much money to be made by them and their licensees for what everyone believes to be little effort at all.
Maybe they're just putting their recent focus into getting WiiWare up and running - thats supposed to be hitting in a few months right? Who knows, there could be any number of understandable reasons for a few weeks of lowered releases while there is obviously still games to come (ie they haven't run out).
Certainly no reason to jump to conclusions of an approaching VC apocalypse just yet.
Maybe they're just putting their recent focus into getting WiiWare up and running - thats supposed to be hitting in a few months right? Who knows, there could be any number of understandable reasons for a few weeks of lowered releases while there is obviously still games to come (ie they haven't run out).
Certainly no reason to jump to conclusions of an approaching VC apocalypse just yet.
Ha.Soka said:
Anyway, yes, I hope you're right, but it's probably fair to say I'm in a bit of a panic mode at the moment.
If you have a DS, buy Amazing Mirror (GBA) and Squeak Squad (DS) now, and wait for Ultra Super Deluxe when that comes out (or hope for it on VC, but I'm not holding my breath with a DS remake coming). Nightmare in Dreamland (GBA) might also be a consideration, but it's a remake of the first NES game, so... you've kind of played it already.crowphoenix said:
Anyway, I'm only saying this because Dreamland 3 (SNES) and Kirby 64 are (dare I say it?) ultra super disappointing compared to any of those three. And even if they weren't, the speed and general control style of AM/SS/USD should feel much more familiar and welcoming to someone who played Adventure/Dreamland 2/Smash Bros. than the molasses-slow, plodding, lead weight movement of Dreamland 3 and 64.
...Not that I'm biased or anything.
Yes, this is also a good point.BooJoh said:
I'm definitely hoping this is the case as well... I think I was preaching that possibility in here a few weeks ago, even, or at least saying that maybe they were planning on promoting WiiWare and VC simultaneously but wanted to hold back on VC before they could implement that plan.Conrad Link said:
Can't speak for anyone else's feelings, but for me at least, all would be forgiven if that was the case. Ultimately, the only thing I want is for VC to see more success. In the short-term, these two-game weeks have been counterintuitive to that, but in the long-term it could be that there's a worthwhile reason that's even in the best interest of the service itself.
A Link to the Past
Banned
speedpop said:
Fixed.
Monday's one game release sucks, but at least I just found and ordered one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16878157008
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
A Link to the Snitch said:
Well, they're already hogging Mega Man.
What's the deal with that, anyway? You'd think Capcom would have released them all up to Mega Man 7 by this point.
crowphoenix
Banned
As you have good taste, Jiggy, I shall head your advice.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
Kirby Dreamland 3 is really pretty....and that's about it.
evilromero
Member
Secret Metroid room makes is worthwhile. Maybe. Not.PepsimanVsJoe said:
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
PepsimanVsJoe said:
Not that I don't love Kirby Super Star's art style, but Kirby Super Star with the graphics of Kirby's Dream Land 3 might be nice.
I mean, Dream Land 3 is gorgeous...but it's slow as heck, the level designs are as boring as heck, and the abilities are as useless as heck.
EphemeralDream
Member
Aside from a terrible company name (Thrustmaster), I'm not sure if getting this is such a good idea. I bought a PC gamepad from them back in the day and after rather limited use, the D-Pad snapped off. I don't recall the buttons feeling too good either.Luigison said:
To be honest, I have my suspicions that anybody who hates the Kirby series (not referring to mere indifference or mild dislike, but outright hate) paid full price or even half-price for Dreamland 3 or Kirby 64 and felt ripped off. Or even Dreamland 1, which would have been fine except that it was beatable in like twenty minutes. It'd be like buying Yoshi's Story and thinking Island and Island DS must suck. ...Actually, that might be a good point of comparison.
Yoshi's Island = Kirby Super Star/Kirby Ultra Super Deluxe
Summary: Brilliant; very few people criticize any aspect of these games. Perfect, responsive controls. Lengthy. Meaty. Excellent and catchy soundtracks.
Yoshi's Story = Kirby's Dreamland, Kirby's Dreamland 3, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Summary: Painfully mediocre. Nice graphics and/or style for the system they're on, but far too easy, far too short, and very lacking in gameplay diversity compared to a predecessor.
Yoshi's Island DS = Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, Kirby Squeak Squad
Summary: Great, but not exactly brilliant. Nowhere near the musical quality of a spiritual predecessor with an amazing soundtrack, unfortunately. Gameplay is just about up to par, but one or two significant design flaws prevent these games from reaching the heights of their potential.
Yoshi doesn't have any equivalents to Dreamland 2 or Kirby's Adventure/Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland, though. I'd put them below Amazing Mirror and Squeak Squad, to be sure, but they're still very good.
Yoshi's Island = Kirby Super Star/Kirby Ultra Super Deluxe
Summary: Brilliant; very few people criticize any aspect of these games. Perfect, responsive controls. Lengthy. Meaty. Excellent and catchy soundtracks.
Yoshi's Story = Kirby's Dreamland, Kirby's Dreamland 3, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Summary: Painfully mediocre. Nice graphics and/or style for the system they're on, but far too easy, far too short, and very lacking in gameplay diversity compared to a predecessor.
Yoshi's Island DS = Kirby and the Amazing Mirror, Kirby Squeak Squad
Summary: Great, but not exactly brilliant. Nowhere near the musical quality of a spiritual predecessor with an amazing soundtrack, unfortunately. Gameplay is just about up to par, but one or two significant design flaws prevent these games from reaching the heights of their potential.
Yoshi doesn't have any equivalents to Dreamland 2 or Kirby's Adventure/Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland, though. I'd put them below Amazing Mirror and Squeak Squad, to be sure, but they're still very good.
I had Dreamland 2 and Adventure at the bottom of my post. >_> I ranked them a bit below Amazing Mirror and Squeak Squad. In terms of pure level design, though, I could totally see why Dreamland 2 or Adventure could be a person's preferred single-player Kirby game. They are the most challenging ones, at least in my opinion, and definitely worthwhile.
But I don't really play Kirby for level design or challenge, I should make that clear enough to anyone who might be listening to me. I'm mostly looking for a very high number of powers, a good number of interesting moves for each power, and the ability to use those powers and moves to find 207 different ways to go on a spree of destruction through hordes of cutesy enemies. I'd probably compare it to sandbox gaming, except that I hate sandbox gaming and love Kirby.
But I don't really play Kirby for level design or challenge, I should make that clear enough to anyone who might be listening to me. I'm mostly looking for a very high number of powers, a good number of interesting moves for each power, and the ability to use those powers and moves to find 207 different ways to go on a spree of destruction through hordes of cutesy enemies. I'd probably compare it to sandbox gaming, except that I hate sandbox gaming and love Kirby.
After playing through both Golden Axe and Golden Axe II last night, I decided on a whim to buy and play through Golden Axe III as well, despite its middling to negative reviews. As a Golden Axe fan from the 80s/90s, I have to say that I'm very happy with it. Graphics are superior to the first two genesis games (better animations and colors, specifically), and enemy variety is bumped up. Additionally, there's a cool branching path system that adds replay value. Level design harkens back to the original (I found GAII's levels to be rather bland/repetitive, although I enjoyed it), with - for example - one stage on a hawk/eagle's back while the bird is in motion.
Really, I have no significant complaints (aside from the inability to play as Gilius Thunderhead). If you enjoy beat-em-ups generally, and Golden Axe specifically, I recommend GAIII. Plus, it's really cool to see GA, GAII, and GAIII all in a row on my Wii Channels menu .
Really, I have no significant complaints (aside from the inability to play as Gilius Thunderhead). If you enjoy beat-em-ups generally, and Golden Axe specifically, I recommend GAIII. Plus, it's really cool to see GA, GAII, and GAIII all in a row on my Wii Channels menu
.MichaelEM3
Banned
So do we already know all the games Japan will be getting over the next month or is there still a possibility they get Smash 64?
Capndrake posted the February lineup for Japan a few pages back. Their N64 game for the month is Custom Robo V2. Regarding gkrykewy's post, I also really enjoy Golden Axe III. I've always thought it was the best of the trilogy, and have never understood the hate levied against it. I played the hell out of it on the Sega Channel, but it still holds up pretty well today, even though the Streets of Rage trilogy is much better overall.
A Link to the Past
Banned
Well, Adventure and Dream Land 2 rank as such in the top five Kirby games:
1. Kirby Super Star
2. Kirby's Adventure/NiD
3. Kirby's Dream Land 2
4. Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
5. Kirby's Dream Land
1. Kirby Super Star
2. Kirby's Adventure/NiD
3. Kirby's Dream Land 2
4. Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
5. Kirby's Dream Land
FFantasyFX
Member
TenshiOni said:
All the February titles for Japan were revealed. Every once and a while, a surprise game will be inserted into the lineup after the monthly list is revealed, but I can't ever remember that happening with a Nintendo title. So, I think the chances of a Smash 64 VC release in the near future are slim to none. Japan will get Custom Robo V2 in February, and I'm guessing North America/Europe will get Cruisin' USA in February/March.
I used to do a monthly list of what titles released in Japan could easily make the transition to North America and had not yet been released. When I updated my list this month I was surprised to see that the overall backlog is not all that different than say eight months ago. Nintendo has been releasing alot of Japan-only titles recently. For instance, in February, the Japan VC is getting three previously Western exclusives (Super C, Wrecking Crew & Pac-Attack [sorta]), eight Japan-only titles (although Do Ri Me Fantasy seems like a sure bet as an Import title based on the OFLC rating), and only two new titles that have a Western counterpart: Fist of the North Star/Black Belt (Sega Master System) & Powerball (Genesis). This means we're either going to see more Western titles and/or exclusives or we're going to take a bite out of the backlog even if the January slowdown continues. I've broken it down by the numbers below.
There are currently 21 titles released in Japan that have North American equivalents and have not yet been released (see list below). Likewise, there are 25 Western exclusives that have been released in either North America and/or Europe and have not been released in Japan. Finally, there are 84 Japan-only titles, five of which have been released as Import titles in Europe and/or North America.
NES: Spelunker, Bases Loaded, River City Ransom, King's Knight
SNES: Tetris Attack, Super R-Type
Genesis: Shadow Dancer, Vectorman, ESWAT, Crackdown, Atomic Runner, Target Earth, Warsong, Columns III, Phantasy Star II, Powerball
SMS: Black Belt
TG16: Ys Book I & II, Dragon Slayer - Legend of Heroes, Dungeon Explorer 2 (?)
NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown
evilromero
Member
Very small chance we'd be getting Custom Robo V2 in the states. There just isn't much demand. Nintendo really needs to open the floodgates for the N64, including third party releases. I mean, Custom Robo over Pilotwings 64, Smash 64 or Majora's Mask?sfog said:
FFantasyFX
Member
sfog said:
Thanks for the corrections. I had River City Ransom on my original list, but simply failed to transpose it to my post.
A North American friend of mine mentioned having played Nuts & Milk, so I included it without doing due diligence, and Wikipedia led me astray on Battle City. Are you sure about Dungeon Explorer II? Every site I've gone to lists it as Japan-only or is silent on the matter.
A Black Falcon
Member
Jiggy37 said:
Kirby 2 is the best game in the series. Kirby Pinball is second...
Oh, and the first game is a lot harder in hard mode(Extra game, accessed by pressing Up+A+Select on the start screen. Down+B+Select for the option menu that has a sound test and lets you choose how many hit points (max health too; collecting health won't increase it over this level) and lives you get.
) Set HP to 1 and Lives to 1 and turn on Extra game and see how easy it still is where it's game over when you get hit once... you can continue, but get hit again once and you restart the level. It still has only five levels of course, so it is short and easy, but there is something there to make it more difficult.Anyway, I do agree about Kirby 64 being analogous to Yoshi's Story. Both of those games were very dissapointing... I don't know what happened in the N64 years to make Nintendo suddenly forget how to make great platformers (even GBC didn't match the original GB in that genre... Wario Land 2 or 3 vs. Mario Land 1 or 2 or Wario Land 1 (or Virtual Boy Wario Land)? I prefer the older ones...)? I was really looking forward to Kirby 64, but it was just so boring compared to the older games...
A Link to the Past
Banned
My predictions is that we'll get better VC releases in the coming weeks.
2/4 = Majora's Mask
2/11 = SSB
2/18 = Tetris Attack
2/25 = Mario Tennis
3/3 = Super Punch-Out!!
3/10 = EarthBound
2/4 = Majora's Mask
2/11 = SSB
2/18 = Tetris Attack
2/25 = Mario Tennis
3/3 = Super Punch-Out!!
3/10 = EarthBound
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
You're such an optimist, Snitch. It's heartwarming.
The sooner we get Earthbound, the better.
The sooner we get Earthbound, the better.
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
Yeah, I put Amazing Mirror second on my list, below Super Star. I liked the return of the KSS-style abilities with multiple moves, and the gameplay felt like a perfect extension of the Great Cave Offensive's gameplay. Plus, the Smash ability was full of win and awesomeness.
Something I'm curious about:
The Japanese Brawl site shows the following VC demos will be in Brawl:
Super Mario Bros.
Ice Climber
Legend of Zelda
Kid Icarus
Kirby's Adventure
Fire Emblem
Super Metroid
Mother 2/EarthBound
StarFox 64
EarthBound wasn't listed on the North American site, but every one of these games is available on VC in Japan except for EarthBound. It seems odd that they're putting a demo of EB on Brawl in Japan when it's not out on VC, or even scheduled to come out in Feb, and Brawl will be out in a few days.
On the other hand, this brings a previous comment of mine to mind. I said the lack of an EB demo might indicate that they don't plan to have EB available by the time Brawl comes out in North America. But now I see that they apparently don't plan to have it out in time for Brawl in Japan, but still included a demo. What gives there?
The Japanese Brawl site shows the following VC demos will be in Brawl:
Super Mario Bros.
Ice Climber
Legend of Zelda
Kid Icarus
Kirby's Adventure
Fire Emblem
Super Metroid
Mother 2/EarthBound
StarFox 64
EarthBound wasn't listed on the North American site, but every one of these games is available on VC in Japan except for EarthBound. It seems odd that they're putting a demo of EB on Brawl in Japan when it's not out on VC, or even scheduled to come out in Feb, and Brawl will be out in a few days.
On the other hand, this brings a previous comment of mine to mind. I said the lack of an EB demo might indicate that they don't plan to have EB available by the time Brawl comes out in North America. But now I see that they apparently don't plan to have it out in time for Brawl in Japan, but still included a demo. What gives there?
I keep trying to get through Amazing Mirror, but it's hard to keep with it because it has a bit of a Metroidvania feel to the map layout, but the map screen itself is near-useless, and it's so dang easy to get just completely lost and not know where to go.Iam Canadian said:
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
BooJoh said:
I never really had a problem with it.
Hey, at least it's better than the map in Mega Man ZX.
Amazing Mirror is my second favorite also, but yes, the lack of detail to the map system is the "significant design flaw" I was referring to. I loved the gameplay enough to get past that, obviously, but for me it could have gotten much closer to Super-Star-good instead of almost-Super-Star-good if not for that one unfortunate aspect. :/
Might as well elaborate on the flaws I was talking about for the others, I guess... In Yoshi's Island DS, the problems are too many coins hidden in the screen gap and too many sections where a certain baby is needed without warning, but there's no switch anywhere nearby (a problem that's compounded by usually not being able to backtrack in a level). In Squeak Squad, being able to stockpile five healing items or powers inside Kirby to be used at any time is quite possibly the most broken design decision ever seen in action-platforming. Thankfully, gamers can use their own willpower to avoid murdering the difficulty by taking advantage of the feature, but they shouldn't have to.
Might as well elaborate on the flaws I was talking about for the others, I guess... In Yoshi's Island DS, the problems are too many coins hidden in the screen gap and too many sections where a certain baby is needed without warning, but there's no switch anywhere nearby (a problem that's compounded by usually not being able to backtrack in a level). In Squeak Squad, being able to stockpile five healing items or powers inside Kirby to be used at any time is quite possibly the most broken design decision ever seen in action-platforming. Thankfully, gamers can use their own willpower to avoid murdering the difficulty by taking advantage of the feature, but they shouldn't have to.
This thread is tempting me to pick up Kirby's Dreamland 2, Kirby and the Amazing Mirror and Kirby's Super Star for the SNES (Seeing as it's likely we'll get the DS remake instead of a VC release. I'd like to play it on SNES and DS, seeing as they're likely to be pretty different)
I also want this
I also want this
Cheesemeister
Member
Plinko said:
It's a relief you'll be able to keep your clothes on, then.
If the one-game or even two-game weeks continue, they'd better look like what Snitch is proposing. Granted, there are only two games on that list I'd buy personally, but at least it's full of high-profile, well-loved titles in general.
I'd really like to be a fly on the wall--nah, forget it, that's a dumb expression. But I'd really like to know in some way how Nintendo figures out what they'll allow to be put up in a given week. Even within the confines of two games or less, there are potentially decent thematically-resonant weeks to toss out there. For example... (And I'm only using games that have been rated or were once rated, were released in Japan and either have a translation or need very little translation, or were released in Europe.)
Import Week - Do Re Mi Fantasy, Final Soldier
Master System Week - Fantasy Zone, something else on SMS
Past and Future Week - Lords of Thunder, Shining Force 2
RPG Week - Ys Book I & II
Shooting Action Week - Mega Man, Super Turrican
Shooting Action Week Followup (to happen 3-4 weeks later) - Mega Man 2, Mega Turrican
Turn-Based Week - Dragon Slayer, Warsong
Wii Ware Week - VC takes a break
But, meh, the odds of any of these happening are just about nil--except for the Master System week, of course, and the Ys Book I & II week. I wouldn't be surprised if Ys was a one-game week since they could probably try to justify themselves by saying that it's two games anyway.
Granted, there are only two games on that list I'd buy personally, but at least it's full of high-profile, well-loved titles in general.I'd really like to be a fly on the wall--nah, forget it, that's a dumb expression. But I'd really like to know in some way how Nintendo figures out what they'll allow to be put up in a given week. Even within the confines of two games or less, there are potentially decent thematically-resonant weeks to toss out there. For example... (And I'm only using games that have been rated or were once rated, were released in Japan and either have a translation or need very little translation, or were released in Europe.)
Import Week - Do Re Mi Fantasy, Final Soldier
Master System Week - Fantasy Zone, something else on SMS
Past and Future Week - Lords of Thunder, Shining Force 2
RPG Week - Ys Book I & II
Shooting Action Week - Mega Man, Super Turrican
Shooting Action Week Followup (to happen 3-4 weeks later) - Mega Man 2, Mega Turrican
Turn-Based Week - Dragon Slayer, Warsong
Wii Ware Week - VC takes a break
But, meh, the odds of any of these happening are just about nil--except for the Master System week, of course, and the Ys Book I & II week. I wouldn't be surprised if Ys was a one-game week since they could probably try to justify themselves by saying that it's two games anyway.
It's listed as a US TGCD release (albeit an uncommon one) on Digital Press, and their lists are extremely accurate. There's also a US version ISO of it around as well. Also, a Youtube video of the US version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyUz8Ul2rk
Iam Canadian
and have the worst user name EVER
Most of my theories about how the VC release schedule is determined involves monkeys throwing darts or other completely random things. Because the VC schedule is so chaotic and nonsensical that it couldn't have possibly come from the mind of a human being.
I'm expecting that the debut week for Master System will include the first Sonic game. It just wouldn't be SEGA otherwise.
I'm expecting that the debut week for Master System will include the first Sonic game. It just wouldn't be SEGA otherwise.
GreenNight
Member
Wow, only one.