Topic: Blaster Master Coming to VC in December

[NWR_Lindy]

Sunsoft rises from the ashes to deliver the NES classic.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20482

 Sunsoft and GaijinWorks have announced that they will be bringing NES classic Blaster Master to Virtual Console in December for 500 Wii Points.  An exact release date has yet to be announced.    

The release marks the return of developer Sunsoft, best known for Blaster Master as well as several other NES releases including Batman, Fester's Quest, Spy Hunter, and Freedom Force.  GaijinWorks is headed by Victor Ireland, former President of legendary JRPG localization house Working Designs.    

Ireland and Sun Corporation CEO Kiharu Yoshida apparently have big plans for the future as well.  Ireland stated, "This first Wii release is a great start, but there is one upcoming announcement in particular that will demonstrate just how serious Yoshida-san is about rebuilding the Sunsoft console gaming brand here. Game fans are going to be pretty happy when they hear about it – I know I was."    

The official Sunsoft website is already live at SunsoftGames.com, and the company promises special promotions in the weeks and months to come that will let Sunsoft fans win exclusive swag and limited edition merchandise.    

Thanks to NWR Forums member TJSpyke for the news tip, and be sure to check out the ongoing forum thread for this topic!    

SUNSOFT AND GAIJINWORKS TEAM UP IN THE CONSOLE SEGMENT– BLASTER MASTER VC FIRST UP    

Redding, CA – December 4, 2009 – Sunsoft, a division of SUNCORPORATION, has today announced their return to active console game publishing for the North American market, aided by startup GAIJINWORKS.    

Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of SUNCORPORATION (JASDAQ: 6736) initiated a meeting to discuss the possibility of reinvigorating the Sunsoft console gaming brand in the USA. At that meeting, it was quickly obvious that the relationship was a great fit. GAIJINWORKS President, Victor Ireland states, "My relationship with Sunsoft and Yoshida-san goes back more than 15 years, and when this opportunity presented itself to help Sunsoft return to the US console market, it was a natural fit for both our companies."    

This month, the Sunsoft website is being re-launched at sunsoftgames.com, where users will be able to get the latest information about current releases, upcoming games, and special promotions, as well as interact in the forum. Kiharu Yoshida wanted gamers to know that Sunsoft plans to launch a number of special promotions where big prizes can be won, and exclusive, limited edition premiums would be up for grabs as well. Ireland added that some of the swag being made would only be available through these promotions – and is sure to please Sunsoft fans, new and old.    

The first title out of the gate for Sunsoft USA will be the Wii Virtual Console release of the Nintendo Entertainment System classic Blaster Master, due in December 2009. Originally titled Meta Fight in Japan, this groundbreaking game was given a story makeover and released in 1988 as Blaster Master™ here in the United States. It received strong critical acclaim and fan raves almost from the moment it hit these shores.    

Blaster Master™ is still often listed on magazine and online charts as one of the top 25 NES games ever created. The sublime blend of side-scrolling shooting/platforming mixed with overhead perspective action/shooting areas is just as addictive now as it was then. It will be available for 500 Wii points.    

In the coming weeks, additional titles coming to the US market will be announced, many of which will surprise and delight gaming fans. Ireland added, “This first Wii release is a great start, but there is one upcoming announcement in particular that will demonstrate just how serious Yoshida-san is about rebuilding the Sunsoft console gaming brand here. Game fans are going to be pretty happy when they hear about it – I know I was.

[Morari]

Yes! I loved Blaster Master. It had to have been one of my most-played NES games back in the day.

[BlackNMild2k1]

A guy that works for the company (Vic Ireland) is posting over at GAF, this is a summarizing of what he said:

- This month, Sunsoft will be releasing Blaster Master for VC on the Wii.

- The VC version of Blaster Master will have easter eggs and surprises not found in the original, and Vic Ireland says you will be rewarded for making the effort to beat the game this time.

- Next Friday there will be another announcement from Sunsoft/Gaijinworks about "whats new for Sunsoft/Gaijinworks"*, which Vic Ireland says will surprise many people and it sounds like it is a pretty big deal.

- The Friday after that there will be another further announcement, as Sunsoft and Gaijinworks continues to outline their plans of returning into the industry outside of Japan.

Okay, since we're talking poker talk, I will say that I recommended a specific course of action in one area (we're dealing with many areas in this Sunsoft resurgence), and Yoshida-san essentially said, "I like where you're headed. I'll see your <suggestion> and go all in <with a MUCH larger implementation of what I recommended, which is what the press release will cover>".

I was literally stunned to hear how far he went with what I recommended. I'm pretty sure you, especially, will be as well.

[EasyCure]

easter eggs eh? count me in!

[Kairon]

SO instabuy.

[Mop it up]

I wonder what the extras will be? If it's something worthwhile then I might get this as my free NES game.

I just really hope this means we'll see the Genesis sequel on the VC, that's what would get me excited.

[Sundoulos]

Have to agree.  Blaster Master has some problems, but it's still one of my favorite games of any era.  The music was nothing short of amazing for an NES game. 

[NWR_Lindy]

Shame on you BnM...Vic Ireland is not just "a guy that works for the company".  Vic Ireland is THE MAN.  He was the president of Working Designs, which brought over ridiculous fan-service JRPG localizations and special edition packages during the PSOne era.  Hell, I still have my punching puppet that I got at E3 as swag from Lunar: Silver Star Story.

Working Designs was an awesome company.

[MegaByte]

Vic Ireland sounds like the name of a pro wrestler or something.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Shame on you BnM...Vic Ireland is not just "a guy that works for the company".  Vic Ireland is THE MAN.  He was the president of Working Designs, which brought over ridiculous fan-service JRPG localizations and special edition packages during the PSOne era.  Hell, I still have my punching puppet that I got at E3 as swag from Lunar: Silver Star Story.

Working Designs was an awesome company.

I posted that in the other thread before I read the story here. I didn't know who he was exactly until then. Knowing the people behind the scenes (Other than the Big Shot Japanese developers) is kinda new for me. It's like recognizing movies by who directed and produced or wrote the script for them vs. who is starring in them.

I recognize Sunsoft the company, but didn't know anyone behind the scenes of the company.

[vudu]

Shame on you BnM...Vic Ireland is not just "a guy that works for the company".  Vic Ireland is THE MAN.

I was just about to chastise BNM for calling him "a guy who works for the company".  Glad Lindy beat me to it.

BNM, if you're interested there was a bunch of Vic Ireland/Working Designs talk on a recent episode of the Retronauts podcast.  (I think it was the TG-16 20th anniversary episode, but I might be mistaken.)  A little history lessen will do you good. 

[BlackNMild2k1]

History.... the one subject I always hated :grumpyface;

[EasyCure]

History.... the one subject I always hated :grumpyface;

it's okay, we understand why.

*pat on the back*