Topic: Virtual Console Recommendations: Virtual Commodore 64

[NWR_Neal]

Are the inaugural Commodore 64 Virtual Console games worth it?
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/vcArt.cfm?artid=17843

 This past week saw the Virtual Console debut of the Commodore 64 home computer with the release of The Last Ninja, International Karate, and Pitstop II. Regrettably, we only have recommendations for two of the three games, but that's only because we have moral issues spending $5 on C64 games. If you need any explanation for that, then just read our recommendations. We're not too fond of the archaic computer (well, Jon is, but he also has some fiscal sense).    

Any recommendations we miss? Any games you're dying to know about? Let us know in the Talkback thread. Don't worry, Jon's much-delayed Cho Aniki recommendation should be up soon.    

 

The Last Ninja - C64

     

 Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
  Players: 1
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
  ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
  Released: 1987
 

   

 The Last Ninja is widely regarded as one of the best games ever created for the Commodore 64.  Played from a Diablo-style isometric perspective, you guide a ninja down diagonal paths of oriental gardens, streams, and temples on a quest to avenge the death of your clan at the hands of a mighty Shogun.  Once you adjust to the C64's lower screen resolution and relatively pixelated graphics, youÂ’ll have to admit what everybody did back then: this game looks darn good for a C64 title.  Its constantly-repeating theme song is also very catchy, crafted by legendary C64 composer Ben Daglish.

   

   WhatÂ’ll be more difficult for new players to get used to will be The Last Ninja's convoluted control scheme.  The Wii version maps the original's single-button joystick controls to the Wii Remote well enough (the 2 button strikes while the 1 button changes your weapon), but simple actions like pausing the game require a click of the B-Trigger to bring up an on-screen C64 keyboard.  Clicking F7 to pause the game is neat in terms of kitsch value, but having to exit out of the main game to bring up the keyboard is awkward and distracting.  Combat takes some getting used to as well, requiring you to hold down the 2 Button and then move in a direction to attack.  The game's pinpoint collision detection can also be maddening, as your character's pixels literally have to touch another object in order to pick it up – and it's usually incredibly difficult to find the required position to make that happen.    

As far as C64 titles go, The Last Ninja is a good game.  However, it's also a product of its time period.  Its soul-crushing difficulty and utterly unforgiving collision detection (crossing a stream by jumping from rock to rock is virtually impossible, for instance) make it more than today's gamers will care to bother with.  Rabid C64 fans and those looking for some uncompromising nostalgia will want it in their collection, but in the end itÂ’s strictly for the die-hards. - Jon Lindemann  

   

   

International Karate – C64

     

 Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
  Players: 1-2
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
  ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
  Released:  1986
 

   

 International Karate for the Commodore 64 is a one-on-one fighting game with a twist: instead of a life bar, each match is a fight to see who can get two points first. Points are earned by landing hits on the opposing player, and they are doled out in half-points and full points depending on the severity of the hit. It has a robust move set that is executed by pressing a direction on the D-pad and pressing the 2 button. It also has a two-player mode.  

   

  However, International Karate completely lacks any sort of depth, and while this might have been okay when it was released in 1986 it is not okay today. All you do is fight generic opponent after generic opponent while you occasionally take a break to perform a simple mini-game. The barebones gameplay isn't the only thing wrong with IK; it controls extremely stiffly, the hit detection is requires you to be impossibly precise, and itÂ’s extremely unfriendly to new players.    

Furthermore, itÂ’s amazing how archaic this game is. For example, the only way you can turn around is to perform one of three turn-around moves. The one-on-one fighting genre has evolved substantially since IK's release and I can't see why anyone would want to go back. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you harbor extreme nostalgia for the Commodore 64. Even still, there are dozens of  better ways to spend $5 on Virtual Console. - Neal Ronaghan  

   

Special thanks to the Video Game Museum for the screenshots

[KDR_11k]

I think IK is closer to actual Karate than, say, Street Fighter.

BTW, The Last Ninja works much better on a classic controller because the F keys for the various extra functions are mapped to controller buttons there so you don't have to use the virtual keyboard to change your weapon.

Anyway, two VC recommendations for games you consider too expensive but still no review of Onslaught?

[PopeReal]

Hmmm, another site gave completely different reviews for these games.... so I guess some where in between lies the truth. 

On a side note would it even be financially viable to put games out for less than 500 points considering whatever chunk Nintendo takes out of the profits?  I am willing to guess no. 

[jakeOSX]

Hmmm, another site gave completely different reviews for these games.... so I guess some where in between lies the truth. 

how are different reviews "lies" and "truth"? they are opinions. you just decide which reviewer you are more aligned with and go from there.

or, don't believe any of them and just get the games yourself.

there are no 'lies' in not liking something.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

I think he meant the other definition of "to lie".

[PopeReal]

Haha yeah I just meant that they probably aren't that bad or that good. 

[LuigiHann]

I can't believe they're charging 5 dollars for these games. They are inherently worth less than NES games.

[NWR_Lindy]

That's my point.  I was actually going to list The Last Ninja as "Recommended for Fans", but I couldn't do that with a clear conscience.  $5 is way too much for these games, especially one that's as 1) frustratingly difficult and 2) hard to control as The Last Ninja.

And don't forget, I grew up with a Commodore 64 and love the system.  I still have my C64 and a boatload of games for it.  But there's no way I'm going to tell somebody that these games are worth $5 a piece, especially when there are NES games like Castlevania III out there for exactly the same price.  No way, no how.

Now if they bundled all three of these games for $5, I'd think that's reasonable.  But $5 a piece is highway robbery.

[NWR_Lindy]

Oh yeah, the Onslaught review is forthcoming.  I had other stuff to write for the site this weekend that took priority.

[Mop it up]

Regarding value, how much would it cost to track down an actual Commodore 64 system (computer?) and buy the original hard copies of these games? I think that should probably be considered when deciding the values of these games; if they're hard to find and cost more than the asking price on the VC, maybe they'd be more worth it to some.

[vudu]

I can't believe they're charging 5 dollars for these games. They are inherently worth less than NES games.

Not all NES games are alike.  SMB 3 and LoZ cost the same as Urban Champion and Elevator Action. 

[KDR_11k]

I have Elevator Action on my C64...