When the Wii was initially unveiled, Nintendo made a big song and dance about the plan to make the system a one-stop shop for gamers of all ages. Not only could you play state-of-the-art motion-controlled creations on Wii, as well as your entire GameCube back catalogue, but consumers could head to the online Wii Shopping Channel and grab the games that time forgot.
Fast forward to today and whilst the service has offered the Western world Sin & Punishment on the N64 for the first time ever, as well as Super Mario RPG making its long overdue debut in Europe and Australia, there are some games that have unfortunately yet to make the grade for one reason or another. Join the C3 team as we delve into the archives and see what gems are still languishing in the vault…
Adam Riley, Senior Editor
Terranigma (Super Nintendo): Following on from the duo of Soul Blazer and Illusion of Time (or Gaia as it was known in the US), Quintet finished off its pseudo-trilogy with a real corker of a game in the form of Terranigma.
It never made it to the US and obtained legendary status in Europe thanks to its gorgeous soundtrack, colourful-and-chunky visuals, constantly twisting and turning storyline and addictive gameplay that refined what gamers had already become accustomed to from the previous two SNES games. Given how the adventure that Ark embarked on came so late in the life of Nintendo’s 16-bit console, even its predecessors’ reputations were not enough to help the game receive the lofty sales it truly deserved. With ActRaiser making its way onto the Virtual Console and even Ogre Battle sliding onto the retro download service, it would be a crying shame if Square Enix did not let this classic have another shot at the limelight.
The rest: Secret of Mana is still revered as being a seminal RPG experience from the 16-bit era, but its lavish sequel, Seiken Densetsu 3 (Super Nintendo), failed to break out of Japan due to the cartridge size being too large and costly at the time. A few bugs found meant it would have taken so much time to iron them out that the already dwindling SNES market would have reduced even further also, leading to too much financial risk being involved. Another Japanese-only Square Enix release, Treasure Hunter G (Super Nintendo), has hit the Japanese VC service, but has yet to be translated, so even if ‘Secret of Mana 2’ arrives, there is a low chance of it ever reaching our shores. However, Faxanadu (NES), Hybrid Heaven (Nintendo 64) and ISS ’98 (Nintendo 64) are all in English already, so the 2D adventure, the intriguing 3D N64 Metal Gear Solid-a-like and arguably Konami’s finest entry into the old ISS football series should all be made available in all markets if, and when, the rights for VC releases are sorted.
Jorge Ba-oh, Founder
Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64): Rare’s first person shooter is a rare one indeed, and an appearance on the Virtual Console would be rarer. Released almost a decade ago, it was the ‘spiritual’ follow-up to the critically acclaimed Goldeneye and still remains a firm multiplayer favourite today. Whilst more modern shooters have refined controls and online play, there’s still something quite special about this early console shooter.
The weapon design, unique story setup, beautiful music, countless multiplayer options and, most importantly, Elvis the adorable alien made the game what it is. Given Rare’s situation with Nintendo and Microsoft, not to mention an upcoming remake for Xbox Live Arcade, it’s going to be ridiculously tricky to persuade either party to budge, but here’s hoping! With a strong following and the possibility for easy cash, one day Nintendo fans might find the original in all its 64-bit glory on the Virtual Console.
The rest: Earthbound (Super Nintendo) is a strange one, but with Ness being ridiculously popular in the West, Nintendo may decide to bring the RPG over in some form – perhaps they could even go about remaking it for the Wii or DS. Aladdin (Mega Drive) is tricky – which one to bring over? This is a Nintendo site, but the darker side in me is calling out for that platform bliss – leaping ropes and collecting apples on SEGA’s classic platform. Castle of Illusion (Mega Drive) is another epic platformer on the system with some really mind-fudging environments and that loveable Disney mouse to top it all off. To wrap things up, another SEGA classic, Sonic CD. Whilst it isn’t as popular or well known as the original four games, it’s an excellent 2D platformer that would be worth having a copy of it is available on other Sonic anthologies, but still very hard to come by.
James Temperton, Features Editor
Pilotwings (Nintendo 64): When I bought Pilotwings 64 for 45 back in the day it certainly made my wallet cry tears of anguish. That it remained a mainstay in my N64 cartridge slot until I packed it up into boxes a couple of years back is a testament to its brilliance. The free-flying fun was simply breathtaking and whilst graphics might have come a long way since, nothing quite says ‘wow’ like the sight of a sodding space shuttle taking off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Little USA.
This was a game that exuded character and quality design. The challenges are rock-hard and varied, the music is camp to the max and the whole package is just so nicely put together that it keeps you coming back time and time again. I used to spend many an hour flying about and messing around on the various levels. Make no mistake, this game is one of the most underrated and under-celebrated titles of all time.
The rest: Elsewhere on my list are a couple of obvious titles and a couple of not so obvious ones. Blast Corps (Nintendo 64) is always seemingly ignored even though it is superbly good fun and something of a cult classic on the N64. I doubt we’ll be seeing that one on the VC due to Rare’s current position. A real shame. ISS (Super Nintendo) was my first ‘proper’ football title, and I played it pretty much constantly for months on end. It pretty much established the style of football genre on home consoles that is still the norm today. A genuine classic. And I suppose Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64) makes its own argument as just plain fricking awesome.
Karn Bianco, Previews Editor
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (Nintendo 64): The Ganbare Goemon/Mystical Ninja series encompasses a wide array of titles (and genres), most of which have never seen the light of day outside of Japan. The Legend of the Mystical Ninja was the first title to be given a Western release – on the SNES in the early nineties – and also the first to be ported to the Virtual Console. It makes sense, then, that as the second Goemon title to be released outside of Japan, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, should be the next in line for the Virtual Console.
A Nintendo 64 game, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon is a bizarre melding of adventure and platforming (think Mario 64 meets Ocarina of Time) complete with a ridiculous plot, overly-Japanese stylings, a zany sense of humour, a fantastic soundtrack, and the occasional giant robot battle. You can read more about the game in our previously published retro review, but it really needs to be played to be appreciated – something that would be a darn sight easier with a VC release!
The rest: Mischief Makers (Nintendo 64) is an impeccable side-scrolling platformer with a unique art style that was developed by Treasure in 1997. Cubed3’s retro review can be found here for more info. Goof Troop (Super Nintendo) is a little-remembered game based on the television series of the same name. Cooperative gameplay allows two players to work together to solve puzzles, vanquish foes, and find hidden treasure. Out to Lunch (Super Nintendo) is a somewhat obscure platformer from Mindscape in which you play as Pierre le Chef while he attempts to recapture anthropomorphic food ingredients that his rival Le Chef Noir has released into the wild.
Super Morph (Super Nintendo) is also a platformer, but one that requires the player to transform between a number of forms in order to progress through each level – a cannonball to break through obstacles or a cloud to float above them, for example.
Mike Mason, Reviews Editor
WWF No Mercy (Nintendo 64): Wrestling games nowadays are missing something. They’re getting the Smackdown VS Raw series on track, and the Day of Reckoning Gamecube titles were great, but none of them quite compare to the Nintendo 64’s ultimate fighter: WWF No Mercy. Developed by AKI, who later went on to create the first two Def Jam Vendetta hip hop fighting/wrestling games in collaboration with EA, No Mercy is still considered a benchmark of the genre.
It featured a massive range of characters and moves, a highly enjoyable branching career mode and, best of all, a robust character creator that meant you could create everybody from Ronald McDonald to a more chiselled version of Mario. Or normal wrestlers. Maintaining a delicate balance between arcade and simulation gameplay, No Mercy matches could be anything you wanted them to be, from all out hardcore matches to submission-only technical glories. Rumours were abound a year and a half ago that the title was being updated with a new roster for a WiiWare release. For the purpose of this article I got in touch with THQ to see if any light could be shed on that – they don’t “comment on rumour or speculation”, though, unfortunately. We can but hope…
The rest: Rainbow Islands (Commodore 64) would make a lovely addition to the service, but with a WiiWare reimagining coming up alongside one for Bubble Bobble it’s debatable whether this will happen. Taking a twist for the bizarre, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (Mega Drive) is a quality platforming title with a truly hysterical dance special move, but whether a game about the star finding small children hidden in cupboards to re-emerge would be appropriate now is quite another matter. Skitchin‘ (Mega Drive), a racing game on skates that involves you grabbing the back of cars, was a lot of fun, and recently the activity has appeared as a feature in Skate 2, so perhaps there’s a chance. Finally, there’s always some room for Treasure games, and their excellent Mischief Makers (Nintendo 64) more than fits the bill.
Shane Jury, General Writer
World of Illusion Starring Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse (Mega Drive): Quite possibly my favourite game on my favourite console (Sonic 3 & Knuckles aside), World of Illusion features Disney mascots Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in one of the best platformers ever made. The central theme of the game is magic, as the duo are sucked into another world whilst preparing for a magic act. Both characters use capes to attack enemies and defend themselves, and by defeating the boss of each level, they can learn new magic tricks. Gameplay changes according to which character you choose, or whether you play co-op with a buddy or not. The worlds themselves take inspiration from many other Disney universes, like Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland. A must buy if it ever does show up on Virtual Console – sadly, copyright issues may hinder that possibility.
The rest: Enix’s Japan-only Wonder Project J2 (Nintendo 64) was one of the first N64 games shown and remains a constant curiosity for me. Quackshot (Mega Drive) was a game I bought before I even owned the console, but alas the same issues as World of Illusion may be prevalent.
BS Zelda no Densetsu Kodai no Sekiban (Super Nintendo Satellaview) took full advantage of the online service in Japan, which would now translate well to Virtual Console – or perhaps WiiWare if Nintendo wanted to completely redo the experience. Finally, GoldenEye (Nintendo 64), the game wrapped in a knot of legalities, needs no more word said.
Joshua Jeffery, Moderator/News Writer
Mario Party (Nintendo 64): With Nintendo taking a well-needed break from the Mario Party series (just in time for its tenth anniversary), now is the perfect opportunity to introduce a new generation of gamers to the classic party game that started it all. I’m sure that a good number of us were first introduced to the series by Mario Party 1 or 2, often seen as some of the best games, as well as being some of the better received titles in the long and dried out series. With memorable music, boards, and most of all mini-games, the original Mario Party was a total blast with friends back in the days of the N64, and would feel right at home on a family console like the Wii.
The rest: Duck Hunt (NES) is a title that has been on the brain since the Wii’s unique control method was first announced, and an updated Virtual Console version would be a welcome addition in the eyes of many. Then there’s the oft speculated ‘reimagining’ of StarWing (Super Nintendo), using a similar control method to the one seen in WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Unfortunately the lack of slightly updated Virtual Console titles (like Pokmon Snap) leaves these ideas as something of a pipe dream. As for the others, the release of Mario Golf 64 on Virtual Console leaves Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64) an inevitable release, although the total omission of GBC extras in Mario Golf will mean that the Virtual Console versions of both will feel a little lacking compared with the originals. Would having all GBC extras included anyway be so much to ask?
Last but not least is Sonic Arcade (Arcade), something that many Sonic fans have never had the chance to try out. Now with Virtual Console Arcade, could an emulation finally be possible? Some believe that the track ball control system could be mapped to the Wii remote’s motion control, but that sounds pretty tiring to me – I’d be fine with analogue stick, thanks.
There are hundreds of worthy games that are yet to hit Virtual Console, but in our opinions these are the best of the bunch. We can’t wait to see how the service is expanded in the future, but in the mean time – what do you want to see on there? And what do you make of our suggestions? As ever, we’d love to hear what you think…
