Author Topic: RE:Virtual Console Mondays: September 10, 2007 (Read 7876 times)

WindyMan · « **on:** September 11, 2007, 02:59:19 PM »

Are you ready for some football?
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/vcArt.cfm?artid=14367

Let's see ... a football game, a Sonic game, and an RPG. Doesn't this combination look awfully familiar? No matter, because it's another trifecta of Virtual Console releases and it appears that Nintendo and company are showing no signs of slowing down. It's another good week, with no duds to speak of. Surely, you'll be spending some Wii Points on one of this week's games.

Neutopia II - TurboGrafx-16

Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)
1 Player
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 1992
Click here for a video preview

Neutopia II is a top down adventure RPG. You play as a sword and shield bearing youth. The game starts as your mother awakes from a nightmare in which she saw your father losing in a battle against a large boss monster. She takes this as a vision of the future and sends you out to find him. So, you hit the road and quickly learn that you have to go into labyrinths and look for treasure.

Recommended for Fans Are you having a hard time picturing this game? Do yourself a favor and just picture the first Zelda game. Now improve the graphics (but not necessarily the art direction) and you've got Neutopia II. It is so painfully obvious that this game was a direct attempt to cash in on the success of Nintendo's franchise. It features a top down view. The 2 Button is used to swing your sword. The 1 Button is used for one of several sub weapons that the user can switch between. Two examples of these sub weapons are bombs and a boomerang. Labyrinths are one-screen-at-a-time levels that feature bomb-able walls, secret switches, and even snakes that speed up when they see you. If you take too much damage and run out of hearts you even spin in a circle before falling on the ground. Overall, the game is interesting and the overall mechanic is a proven one, but if you want to play a Zelda game, play a Zelda game. If you've played them all and still want more, pick up Neutopia II. - Mike Gamin

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - Genesis

Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
1-2 Players
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Comic Mischief)
Released: 2/1994
Click here for a video preview

Will he or won't he spin dash? That's a question I can't quit asking of Sonic 3, because the controls are as slippery and inconsistent as ever in this entry of the series. Despite some frustration with the controls, Sonic 3 is easily one of the best Sonic games ever released by Sega. The graphics and level design have improved over Sonic 2, and the three new shields (lightning, fire, and water) give Sonic some very interesting new powers. Tails is back as a helper, or you can control him directly throughout the adventure. Knuckles is introduced as a villain who steals Sonic's Chaos Emeralds, but Dr. Robotnik/Eggman is still involved, too. The split-screen competition mode from Sonic 2 is also present.

Recommended for Everyone There are many reasons to love Sonic 3, especially before and after the insidious Hydrocity Zone (underwater level). If you were a Nintendo-only person during the 16-bit era and have been curious about the early Sonic games, this is the best one yet released on Virtual Console and is a very good introduction to the series, warts and all. - Jonathan Metts

NES Play Action Football - NES

Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
1-2 Players
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 9/1990
Click here for a video preview

With NFL season officially underway, Nintendo is marking the occasion with a VC release of Play Action Football. The unique top-down 45-degree angled-look of the play field makes it possible for the game to zoom in on the action. It's easy to see gaps in the defense while running the ball and because the camera zooms out when going for a pass, it's easy to see which receivers are open downfield. The angled view doesn't mean you'll have a hard time moving around the field, because Up on the D-Pad still moves your character straight along the field.

Recommended for Everyone Play Action Football is a terrific NES football game, one that outclasses the almighty Tecmo Bowl. Everyone on the field has the name of an actual NFL player, so if you want to play as Dan Marino you can pick team Miami and pass to your heart's content. Players also have multiple stamina meters, including those tied to individual attributes. If you use the speed dash ability too often, for example, you'll drain your speed meter and start to slow down more often. If that happens, you can make a substitution for a fresh player. It's a great single-player game, and even more fun with two players. If you want to play some football with the pros, Play Action Football is a really good way to do it. - Steven Rodriguez

Thanks to VG Museum for some of this week's classic screenshots.

Luigi Dude · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2007, 07:08:17 AM »

I don't think you should have recommended Sonic 3 since they'll be releasing Sonic 3 Complete (That's Sonic 3 attached with Sonic and Knuckles for anyone that doesn't know) in the future.

Buying Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles by themselves is a rip off since both of them combined is the true Sonic 3.

MegaByte · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2007, 07:19:20 AM »

So I see XBLA is getting Sonic 2... for only $5. AND it includes online play. Thanks a lot, Nintendo.

Entroper · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2007, 07:24:22 AM »

IIRC, wasn't Play Action Football one of the first NES games to support 4 players with the Four Score or NES Satellite?

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:00:54 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Luigi Dude
I don't think you should have recommended Sonic 3 since they'll be releasing Sonic 3 Complete (That's Sonic 3 attached with Sonic and Knuckles for anyone that doesn't know) in the future.

Buying Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles by themselves is a rip off since both of them combined is the true Sonic 3.

There is absolutely no confirmation or even indication that Sega will release Sonic 3 with the Knuckles feature. I can't base my recommendation on what might happen in the future. Also, I would argue that adding Knuckles to Sonic 3 doesn't really make the game better or indeed much different at all.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:07:00 AM »

Geez, I may have to get all three games now.

Sonic 3=Easily my favorite 2D Sonic game

Football game=Sounds funs

Neutopia II=The first game is alot of fun so I will have to get this one too

Nick DiMola · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:19:03 AM »

Wait a minute, how does Neutopia get a recommendation for everyone and Neutopia II get a recommendation for fans only? Is there a huge difference in the gameplay from one to the other?

vudu · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:24:47 AM »

Two different reviewers, two different opinions. Plus, you gotta admit, Neutopia II sure isn't Kid Icarus.

Wait for it ...

Pale · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2007, 01:15:56 PM »

Man, I heard Mashiro absolutely hates Killer 7.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2007, 01:27:21 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
Man, I heard Mashiro absolutely hates Killer 7.

I hate Pale the turtle and Killer 7!

Mashiro · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2007, 01:51:27 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
Man, I heard Mashiro absolutely hates Killer 7.

I lol'ed.

Kairon · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2007, 01:59:45 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Football game=Sounds funs

EA called. They love you.

Karl Castaneda #2 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:02:56 PM »

Mashiro is made of suck and awful. Killer 7, FTW.

Mashiro · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:37:32 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: ViewtifulGamer
Mashiro is made of suck and awful.

Quote
Originally posted by: darkheart
That way NWR is going one step further to interact with their audience.

If this is the kind of interaction we would get count me out!!!

::runs off crying::

Pale · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2007, 02:23:23 AM »

See, it totally worked.

UncleBob · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2007, 02:41:11 AM »

::gives Pale a cookie::

Let this be a lesson to anyone who doesn't recognize Link's Awakening as the greatest game ever made. Pale will make you run away crying.

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2007, 07:35:52 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
Quote
Originally posted by: Luigi Dude
I don't think you should have recommended Sonic 3 since they'll be releasing Sonic 3 Complete (That's Sonic 3 attached with Sonic and Knuckles for anyone that doesn't know) in the future.

Buying Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles by themselves is a rip off since both of them combined is the true Sonic 3.

There is absolutely no confirmation or even indication that Sega will release Sonic 3 with the Knuckles feature. I can't base my recommendation on what might happen in the future. Also, I would argue that adding Knuckles to Sonic 3 doesn't really make the game better or indeed much different at all.

First off, some of the Knuckles levels in Sonic 3 are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from the Sonic/Tails versions, so yes there is a significant difference. (I don't nec. think playing as Knuckles is "better," but it does add meat to the package.)

Secondly, S3&K alllows you to play through most of Sonic & Knuckles' levels as Tails, which is a big deal to me, since I think Tails provides the best gameplay experience (and besides, he's the Luigi of the franchise). I admit Sonic controls are slippery and require getting used to, as Jonny indicates; Tails' flying ability helps counter some of the game's "warts."

Finally, as Jonny points out, we don't know when or how Sega plans to release S3&K. If they want to provide the "true" experience, you'd buy Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately, then get S3&K at no extra charge. If you don't like getting ripped off, buy a copy of Sonic Mega Collection on any of the last generation systems.

k_bukie · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2007, 10:51:16 AM »

I know this doesn't agree with the recommendation, but if you do like the old-school Zelda, Neutopia and Neutopia II are great fun. Gameplay fits in nicely between Zelda for the NES and Link to the Past. Neutopia II even tries to do things to make it unique from Zelda, like more varied items (as opposed to just the Fire rod and fill in with other Zelda staples), and the dungeons are a lot closer to LTTP than the original Zelda (the further along in the game, the more varied the dungeon...multi-level map, oddly-shaped rooms, varied hazards, etc).

Pale · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2007, 10:56:54 AM »

I wouldn't say that doesn't agree with the recommendation. If it was a bad game, I wouldn't have recommended it to anyone. The reasoning behind the fans only thing in this case, as far as my thinking went, was that if you are looking for an adventure game of the type in general, you should definitely play Zelda. If you are enough of a fan of the genre to play more than a couple games in it, then look at Neutopia.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #19 on:** September 12, 2007, 11:01:15 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
I wouldn't say that doesn't agree with the recommendation. If it was a bad game, I wouldn't have recommended it to anyone. The reasoning behind the fans only thing in this case, as far as my thinking went, was that if you are looking for an adventure game of the type in general, you should definitely play Zelda. If you are enough of a fan of the genre to play more than a couple games in it, then look at Neutopia.

Well if you are looking for a good game, then you shouldn't play Kid Icarus yet it got recommended for everyone.

Pale · « **Reply #20 on:** September 12, 2007, 11:03:51 AM »

You're right. Kid Icarus isn't a good game. It's one of the best games released on the NES!

Mashiro · « **Reply #21 on:** September 12, 2007, 11:31:05 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
::gives Pale a cookie::

Let this be a lesson to anyone who doesn't recognize Link's Awakening as the greatest game ever made. Pale will make you run away crying.

Saying LA is the greatest game ever made is an insult to the games that are clearly better than it

.

Not to say LA isn't a good game, and not to say that LA isn't a VERY good game, but it's not the greatest game ever made.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #22 on:** September 12, 2007, 11:40:26 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
You're right. Kid Icarus isn't a good game. It's one of the best games released on the NES!

Well it is one of the best "fall through the platform to your doom if you hit down" games.

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