Topic: Sizing Up The Wii U Virtual Console Launch Lineup

[tylerohlew]

We've got eight games, all of which are accessible on Wii and/or 3DS already. Get their details.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/34000

Okay, good, you're still here. Since you're reading this, it's likely you haven't sworn off Nintendo for good based off of the Wii U Virtual Console's launch lineup. That's great. But maybe you're still upset, maybe you've sworn off these titles. But perhaps all you need is a little refresher. Did you swear off Super Mario World because of some odd "Bros. before Globes" motto? Did the name Ice Climber make you think it stars only one? Because there's totally two! What other wonders await you? Read on, and learn more about the upcoming Wii U Virtual Console launch lineup.

Balloon Fight -$4.99

Originally Released: 1986 for the NES
Also On: GBA, Wii Virtual Console, 3DS
Multiplayer: Yes (2-player simultaneous)
Franchise Notables: Balloon Kid (3DS Virtual Console), Balloon Trip Breeze (Wii U - Nintendo Land)
NWR Coverage: Jared Rosenberg Recommends

Donkey Kong Jr. - $4.99

Originally Released: 1986 for the NES
Also On: GBA (e-Reader), Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console
Multiplayer: Yes (2-player asynchronous)
Franchise Notables:Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 3DS)
NWR Coverage:Carmine Red Does Not Recommend

Excitebike - $4.99

Originally Released: 1985 for the NES
Also On: GBA (e-Reader and Classic NES Series), Wii Virtual Console, 3DS (3D Classic)
Multiplayer:No
Franchise Notables: Excitebike 64 (N64),Excitebike World Rally (WiiWare)
NWR Coverage:Steven Rodriguez Recommends

F-Zero - $7.99

Originally Released: 1991 for the SNES
Also On: Wii Virtual Console
Multiplayer: No
Franchise Notables: F-Zero X (N64), F-Zero GX (GameCube)
NWR Coverage: Jared Rosenberg - SNES Top 20

Ice Climber - $4.99

Originally Released: 1985 for the NES
Also On: GBA (e-Reader and Classic NES Series), Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console
Multiplayer: Yes (2-player simultaneous)
NWR Coverage:
Mike Gamin Recommends for Fans

Kirby's Adventure - $4.99

Originally Released: 1993 for the NES
Also On: Wii Virtual Console, 3DS (3D Classics series)
Multiplayer: No
Franchise Notables:Kirby's Epic Yarn, Kirby's Return to Dreamland
NWR Coverage:Andrew Brown's 3D Classics Kirby's Adventure Review

Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream - $4.99

Originally Released: 1987 for the NES
Also On: Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console
Multiplayer: No
Franchise Notables:Super Punch-Out!!, Punch-Out!! (Wii)

Super Mario World - $7.99

Originally Released: 1991 for the SNES
Also On: Wii Virtual Console
Multiplayer: Yes (2-player asynchronous)
Franchise Notables:Yoshi's Island, New Super Mario Bros. U
NWR Coverage:First Super NES Memories

So what are you going to play from this batch? Or are you waiting for Super Metroid and greener pastures. Let us known in the forums below!

8

[Sundoulos]

I know that it is consistent with their past pricing structure, but it's amazing that Nintendo is still charging $5 and $8 for some of these.  There a few NES and SNES games I'd be willing to fork over that much money to play, but they are few and far between.  I hope that they introduce summer sales to the Wii U VC at some point. 

[azeke]

Link to Yoshi's Island needs fixing.

Personally, i'm waiting for Super Metroid, never played it before.

[pokepal148]

I know that it is consistent with their past pricing structure, but it's amazing that Nintendo is still charging $5 and $8 for some of these.  There a few NES and SNES games I'd be willing to fork over that much money to play, but they are few and far between.  I hope that they introduce summer sales to the Wii U VC at some point. 

on SNES with how pricey rpgs get *cough* earthbound *cough* it is a steal...

[Sundoulos]

I know that it is consistent with their past pricing structure, but it's amazing that Nintendo is still charging $5 and $8 for some of these.  There a few NES and SNES games I'd be willing to fork over that much money to play, but they are few and far between.  I hope that they introduce summer sales to the Wii U VC at some point. 

on SNES with how pricey rpgs get *cough* earthbound *cough* it is a steal...

Agreed.  Earthbound (and many of the SNES-era RPGs) would be personally worth $8 to me.   There's no way I'd pay $5 for Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, Excitebike, or DKjr at this point, though. 

[RABicle]

Balloon Fight should cost 30 3DS Coins.

[azeke]

Balloon Fight should cost 30 3DS Coins.

But... But... but Iwata himself made that fish jump out of the water!

[Jess1053]

Just as disappointing as the Wii U launch titles.


Don't worry! Earthbound is in the 'launch window!' Based on our experience with that we'll see it in a year.


Having the entire development cycle of the Wii U to get these emulators ready and waiting 6 months after launch for only 8 games already found elsewhere. Meh... Nintendo isn't in a rush to please its fans.

[Kairon]

Wait wait wait... I "Not Recommended" Donkey Kong Jr.? I love that game! T_T I grew up with the game and watch II version! I'm planning on buying multiple copies of it across my systems... I mean, the critic in me stands by what I wrote but... I am seriously looking onward to playing the game again on the Wii U!

[TJ Spyke]

Just as disappointing as the Wii U launch titles.

Don't worry! Earthbound is in the 'launch window!' Based on our experience with that we'll see it in a year.

The Wii U had one of the best launch lineups ever, don't know what you are smoking.

And Iwata flat out said in the Nintendo Direct that EarthBound would be coming later this year.

[Pixelated Pixies]

Paying the same amount for Ice Climbers and Kirby's Adventure just seems wrong. Some animals are more equal than others if you know what I mean.

[pokepal148]

so are we just going to cut ice climbers to 3$, what about the people who payed 5 in the first place?

[NWR_insanolord]

Those people only pay $1, like I just did.

[pokepal148]

So they paid double what i would pay now?

[TJ Spyke]

I will attest to that pix pix. I got Ice Climber for free with the Ambassador Program and I couldn't see myself paying more than $1 for it, its just not a good game and I would not recommend it for anyone.


Poke, no. They pay $1 more than you would have to pay. You don't want to buy the game, fine. But what unwould be willing to pay has no bearing on a discussion for the actual price,

[pokepal148]

I will attest to that pix pix. I got Ice Climber for free with the Ambassador Program and I couldn't see myself paying more than $1 for it, its just not a good game and I would not recommend it for anyone.


Poke, no. They pay $1 more than you would have to pay. You don't want to buy the game, fine. But what unwould be willing to pay has no bearing on a discussion for the actual price,

Actually read the last two posts before jumping to conclusions, i was comparing to if games like ice climber would be dropped to 3$ on the Wii U

[TJ Spyke]

I did read your posts, I'm saying that how much you would be willing to pay has no bearing on how much people would pay to upgrade. The game is $5 and won't be lower than that, so the game costs $5 just like it has for 6 years.

[pokepal148]

And I'm proposing in response to pix the possibility of a pricing scheme similar to the one on the 3DS eshop(which is what we are hinting at) and if the consumer who paid the one dollar fee would feel a bit ripped off over that deal having effectively paid double for the same version of the same game...

and it's going to be $4.99