Topic: Upcoming Virtual Console Game Leaks, December 1, 2007 Edition

[MegaByte]

The magic of the Southern Cross is always on your side.  Updated with Pokémon Snap info.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14916

 The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and their Australian counterpart, the Office of Literature and Film Classification (OLFC), often release the names of games that have been rated before their publishers even acknowledge their existence.  From these lists, we often learn of unannounced Virtual Console games that are being considered for release.    

We last looked at unannounced titles listed by the ESRB in August.  Games often appear, disappear from the list for months at a time, and then reappear when they are actually released;  thus, the list cannot be used to estimate release dates.  New to the list, yet still unreleased are the following eighteen games:    

NES  

 
• Bases Loaded
 
• Bubble Bobble
 
• Ghosts n’ Goblins
 
• Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom
 
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (since removed)
 
• Yoshi’s Cookie (could be SNES)
 
• Zanac
 

   

Genesis  

 
• Crack Down
 
• ESWAT : City Under Siege
 
• Eternal Champions
 
• Light Crusader
 
• Puyo Puyo 2
 
• Rolling Thunder 2
 
• Shining Force II
 

   

TurboGrafx-CD  

 
• Ys Book I & II
 

   

Neo-Geo  

 
• Baseball Stars 2
 
• King of Fighters ‘94
 
• Top Hunter
 

   

Since we last looked at OFLC ratings in September, six currently unannounced games have been listed bringing the total list to fifteen.  Since games usually release simultaneously in both Australia/New Zealand and Europe, we can take this list as a guide of upcoming games in all PAL regions.    

NES  

 
• Blades of Steel
 
• Mega Man 2
 
• StarTropics
 

   

Genesis  

 
• Columns III: Revenge of Columns
 
• Wonderboy III: Monster Lair
 

   

TurboGrafx-CD  

 
• Ys Book I & II
 

   

Unlike Nintendo, Hudson isn’t shy about announcing their monthly releases ahead of time.  They have already announced two Wonderboy TurboGrafx games to be released in December.  On Monday, December 4th, gamers in North America can expect The Dynastic Hero, a CD-ROM version of Wonderboy in Monster World, which is already available on Virtual Console.  Monster Lair, the third game in the Wonderboy series, will also be released in December in both North America and PAL regions.    

Update:  Pokemon.com, the official Pokémon site, has announced the North American release date of Pokémon Snap early.  Virtual photographers will be able start taking shots of Pikachu and gang on Virtual Console beginning December 10th.  Check out the site for screenshots.

[KDR_11k]

Hm, between WBiMW and Dynastic Hero, which is better? They're the same price and I was thinking about getting the game since it looked like Zelda 2 done right from the TAS I saw.

[Kairon]

Blades of Steel! Blades of Steel! BLADES OF STEEL!!!

And to whom do I owe my thanks for posting this wonderful news?

Aaron Kaluszka, Associate Editor, that's who.

[UncleBob]

Karion - question, as NWR Staffer, do you not have mod abilities on the forum?  Could you not edit NewsBot's posts to include this information?

Also, you should post their forum name as well, so we can easily tell who's who...

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Karion - question, as NWR Staffer, do you not have mod abilities on the forum?  Could you not edit NewsBot's posts to include this information?

Also, you should post their forum name as well, so we can easily tell who's who...

Hmm... I could... but if they catch me doing it I could be in BIG trouble!

[GoldenPhoenix]

What, no one isn't excited to see STAR TROPICS!! One of the most overlooked, yet great titles on NES.

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Yeah I'm a bit upset here.  Based on the headline, I thought we were talking about Star Tropics.  GRRRR

[IceCold]

Quote
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (since removed)

Again, why Konami?! I really want Manhattan Project..

[Louieturkey]

I love Star Tropics.  I still have it and Zoda's Revenge on the NES and my NES doesn't even work anymore.  I will definitely pick it up and the sequel when they show up.  I also am highly excited about Shining Force II.  It's still my favorite series of games out there (the original SRPGs, not the new ARPGs).  

[Jonnyboy117]

StarTropics is brilliant, and I can't wait to download it.  Unfortunately, the sequel, Zoda's Revenge, is not nearly as good.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
StarTropics is brilliant, and I can't wait to download it.  Unfortunately, the sequel, Zoda's Revenge, is not nearly as good.

I remember wandering around in Zoda's Revenge and having no idea what to do.

[MegaByte]

Heh, I had that problem in the original StarTropics.  In the second level, there's a secret tunnel that you have to find in order to complete the level.  I didn't notice the slight shadow that marked it for the longest time.

[IceCold]

Hmmm... I just realised something.

Three of the few notable Nintendo omissions from the Virtual Console so far are Super Smash Bros (64), Super Mario Kart and Yoshi's Island.. I'm willing to bet that SSB will be released close to Brawl, and SMK will be close to Mario Kart Wii. Who knows about Yoshi's Island though.

Oh, and I'm calling it now - Mario Kart will be delayed to the summer, possibly next holiday.

[UncleBob]

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Hmmm... I just realised something.

Three of the few notable Nintendo omissions from the Virtual Console so far are Super Smash Bros (64), Super Mario Kart and Yoshi's Island.. I'm willing to bet that SSB will be released close to Brawl, and SMK will be close to Mario Kart Wii. Who knows about Yoshi's Island though.

Oh, and I'm calling it now - Mario Kart will be delayed to the summer, possibly next holiday.

I don't know if that's really a good bet.  Nintendo hasn't really been doing the themed releases much.  I think the "Month of Metroid" was about it so far...

[KDR_11k]

Wasn't SMB3 released to match SMG or was that just speculation?

[Stogi]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Blades of Steel! Blades of Steel! BLADES OF STEEL!!!

Oh God YES!

This was the first game I ever played while hammered, and it......was........awesome!

[UncleBob]

I don't think they were "officially" released together.  At least, I don't believe there was any press releases about it or anything...

[NWR_insanolord]

They never announced a relation between the releases, but you can't possibly believe that it was a coincidence, can you?

[IceCold]

There was that voicemail from Charles Martinet saying that SMB3 was released a week before because of Galaxy.  

[Chode2234]

And I just keep hoping for GBA and GB games.  Why Nintendo why?

[Entroper]

Does anyone know if Baseball Stars 2 is any good?  I loved the first game for the NES, one of the better baseball games out there, and really in depth in terms of team management and league play.

[Ian Sane]

"Does anyone know if Baseball Stars 2 is any good?"

Baseball Stars 2 is incredibly awesome and is one of my favourite games ever.  Though it is very much an arcade game so if team management and customization is a big deal to you you might not like it as much.  It gives you the options to have pinch-hitters and relieve pitchers and after every game you can make a trade but if you want a really in-depth GM mode it doesn't have that depth that a console game would have.

The actually baseball gameplay is incredibly fun however and the presentation is full of cool little details.  I'd recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in baseball.  It's just a really fun arcade sports game.  It's the NBA Jam of baseball.