So we're now relying on foreigners to tell us about new VC releases the day after they come out?  NWR ain't what it used to be.

When I tried PSII on the PS2 collection it was too hard to stay alive, even making it to the first dungeon in one piece was hard. Not a game for me it seems.

Isn't he a staffer?

Yes; he's on almost all of the recent podcasts.  You're missing the point.

Quick explanation: the posting of Virtual Console Mondays (my sole responsibility on NWR other than looking awesome 24/7 and locking/renaming/editing threads not started by me) is entirely contingent on the voluntary participation of the staffers. It costs us money to review these games. I try to download a game every other week, though I sometimes have to do more (my pleasure tho as I enjoy it so long as the game don't suck). Every other staffer has to set their own schedule as it is their own money. So, VC Mondays wasn't posted on time last week as we waited on reviews, and now I don't want to post those reviews without getting THIS WEEK's games reviewed too. So sometime this week it'll all get done, and we can start afresh next Monday.

This is the reason we are "sporadic" lately. As soon as we have the budget to purchase every game with site money and have them all reviewed by me, I'll have the article posted on time every Monday at 8 PM. Until then, every other week is the general schedule.

I was actually curious about these, but I was in no hurry to buy them right away.  I look forward to the reviews.

Phantasy Star II: Good
Ninja Gaiden III: Crap

Reviews are easy!

Many of us on the forum has offered to buy staff members (the cool ones at least) VC games in order to review them.  Think of it as a perk to being so awesome.  Plus, I'd love to see this review brought to you by vudu at the end of the review.  :D

While I'll admit a truly honest review would require the reviewer to download the game, these are old games.  If a staff member owns the original copy of the game and has played it many times I don't think it's a necessity that it be downloaded.  Now of course that means that if the VC version is somehow goofed up and you can't tell you've got egg on your face.  That's a risk that it's obviously up to you to take.

Of course there's also an illegal method to acquire these titles for the purposes of a quick review.  Though I imagine you guys don't want to go down that route.

Now that the novelty has worn off I've noticed from most sites are slacking off or outright abandoning VC articles.  I admire that you guys still do it.  I would prefer it late than for it to disappear outright.

This is where the unloved Reader Review section could come into play. Publish some of the forum goon reviews for the main page maybe? Polish 'em up, throw Matchbox cars at them, things.

I'd happily string together some words about the likes of Devil's Crush and Dynastic Hero on the VC. :]

I have asked the forumers before if they've downloaded some of the bad games, with the intention of posting them on the main page. I have been rebuffed, as the bad games do not get downloaded except by journalists.

Let this be a message! PM or e-mail me if you would like to write VC reviews once in a while.