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It’s been a while since we’ve seen two games released for Virtual Console in one week, let alone two import titles. But here we are, playing these games for you in another edition of VC in Brief. Be sure to check out the video above, and head past the break if you’re looking for more. This is one of those have your cake and eat it too situations.

Continue reading VC in Brief: Secret Commando (SMS) and Pulseman (Sega Genesis)

VC in Brief: Secret Commando (SMS) and Pulseman (Sega Genesis) originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Note: I made the same mistake while recording the video tonight, commenting that Super Air Zonk was the first TG16 CD game in North America. Sorry for the blatant error on my part.

With the Wii turning 1 today, we'd hope for some kickass titles on the Virtual Console to celebrate its launch. Sadly, that isn't the case, as the releases today aren't all that great. Still, we soldier on and play the crappy games so you don't have to! Hit up the video above, then check out the rest of the coverage past the break.


Sonic 3D Blast is not that great of a game. It has awkward controls and loses the sense of speed the other 16-bit games predominantly feature. More of a "fetch creatures" game than a "collect tons of rings and run really fast" affair, Sonic 3D Blast is one of the worst spin-offs the franchise has ever seen.


Wrecking Crew is a decent enough game, although it's incredibly basic. As far as plunking down 5 bucks goes, though, we can think of other titles more deserving of your money. It hasn't held up that great over time and is a monotonous time. For all of you who've sunk tons of time into the game back in its day, you might find the experience worth your dollars and cents, but we can't recommend it to gamers who've never experienced the game.


For shoot-em-up fans, the Turbografx16 is like the Holy Grail wrapped in diamonds and chocolate sauce. The console provides many a title in that genre, often good. Super Air Zonk is a mixed bag, at times employing the best the genre has to offer and at others presenting tired mechanics that exist within. Throughout, however, the game is more good than bad, and we'd suggest you give it a try.

That concludes our look at this week's Virtual Console games. As always, if you have any tips or rumors regarding Nintendo's Virtual Console service, be sure to let us know and come back next week when we take a look at the latest titles available on the Nintendo Wii.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Update: Sorry, folks. I overlooked that Gates of Thunder was the first TG16 CD game to release, not Super Air Zonk. Silly me, I also made a huge mental error in stating Working Crew was releasing.

This week's Virtual Console update shows the release of the first a new TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM game in the United States. Rejoice! Along with that game, come two more, so we get our usual triple dose of downloadables. Those with a keen eye will know a similar game released some time ago.

Virtual Console releases for November 19th are:

• Wrecking Crew (NES, 1 - 2 players, 500 Wii Points)
• Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
• Super Air Zonk (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

As usual, keep an eye on Wii Fanboy as we'll be bringing you our video wrap-up later on today.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

This week's releases on the Virtual Console might not look like much on paper, but we're sure the import NES title Ninja JaJaMaru-kun will surprise you. If there's any gem here this week, that is it. But, you can already tell we love it because you've checked the video above.


Being lovers of the game of pool ourselves, we couldn't find ourselves enjoying Lunar Pool on the whole. Sure, at times the game can be charming and fun, but in the long run its cookie-cutter gameplay and odd, at times bastardization, take on the sport left us feeling bored in the end.


Ninja JaJaMaru-kun is a fun little import. As the little red ninja who could, you are tasked with clearing each level of ghosts, destroying them with projectiles so that you may consume what is left of their soul. In all, the game is simple and straight forward, but incredibly fun. Give it a try.


Golden Axe III is more of the same tried-and-true gameplay of the first two titles. Fans of the series will need little else to convince them to purchase a ticket for this ride, but for those who may have never checked out the first two games, this is side-scrolling beat-em-up action at its finest. Definitely worth checking out.

That concludes our look at this week's Virtual Console games. As always, if you have any tips or rumors regarding Nintendo's Virtual Console service, be sure to let us know and come back next week when we take a look at the latest titles available on the Nintendo Wii.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Looks like we're getting another import title this week, as the previously Japan-exclusive Ninja JaJaMaru-kun arrives on the U.S. Virtual Console. It's joined by a billiards game on the NES and the third title in the Golden Axe series for the Virtual Console. We're looking forward to 12pm EST, when we can get our hands on these game.

• Lunar Pool (NES, 1 - 2 players, 500 Wii Points)
• Ninja JaJaMaru-kun (NES, 1 - 2 players, 600 Wii Points)
• Golden Axe III (Sega Genesis, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points)

Be sure to stop back later today for our video wrap-up of the day's releases.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Mondays are usually regarded as bad by most folk. We have to go back to work and push back the memories of fun from the weekend that just passed. That doesn't count for Virtual Console fans in the U.S. however. No, we celebrate the coming of Monday and cherish its offerings.


As said in the video, LEGEND OF HERO TONMA is very much a shampoo-like game. Rinse and repeat. So, in running around these 2D landscapes, slamming on the B button for the majority of the level, we could extract little fun.


Puzzle junkies, are we. We're a big fan of Puyo Puyo, as well. So, recommending Kirby's Avalanche is on par with sitting in a chair. It's easy and comfortable. So, download it already.

The streets are dirty and need some cleaning. That's where you and your rag-tag crew of women, young children and geriatric robots come in. Basically, you just beat the crap out of punks and thugs. If that sounds like fun, then hit this game up.

That concludes our look at this week's Virtual Console games. As always, if you have any tips or rumors regarding Nintendo's Virtual Console service, be sure to let us know and come back next week when we take a look at the latest titles available on the Nintendo Wii.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Today's Virtual Console update provides us with select titles from the NES, SNES and Sega Genesis. Upon first glance, one might assume that these games aren't really worth your time or hard-earned money.

This week, three new games are available on the Virtual Console. You'll be able to download these titles after 9am PST:

• Double Dribble (NES, 1 - 2 players, 500 Wii Points)
• Vegas Stakes (SNES, 1 - 4 players, 800 Wii Points)
• Ecco Jr. (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

Be sure to stop back later for our usual video wrap-up.

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Filed under: VC Monday Madness

Sadly, following all of the wonder of last week, the Virtual Console releases today aren't particularly noteworthy. These just aren't good games, to tell the truth. But, that doesn't mean we can ditch our responsibility of playing these crappy games so you don't have to.


Double Dribble might have been an amazing game back in the day, but today it's a title that fails to validate its $5 price tag. It's slow and your basic basketball game. Personally, we wonder who made the decision to release this game onto the Virtual Console anyway.


As much as it's like its predecessors in both look and feel, the game is an easier affair and takes the exploration aspects of the previous games and cuts them down into shorter stages. It feels less like Tides of Time and more like a children's toy. So, serious Ecco fans can easily disregard this game.


We're constantly bombarded by ads for free poker sites and other such crap all day and night on TV, so why should you drop $8 on a Virtual Console game that consists of only 5 different casino games? You shouldn't. This is a very straightforward game that doesn't try to offer any flash or window dressing; you come to bet and you either win or lose. But, for 8 bucks, we can't suggest this with sound mind when you can open up your web browser and easily find an alternative with more games.

That concludes our look at this week's Virtual Console games. As always, if you have any tips or rumors regarding Nintendo's Virtual Console service, be sure to let us know and come back next week when we take a look at the latest titles available on the Nintendo Wii.

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