March 25, 2009 - One of the most-requested classic systems for inclusion in Nintendo's collection of Virtual Consoles isn't an old home console at all -- but rather the arcade machines that so many classics of yesteryear originated from. Now, finally, we'll be able to enjoy some of those arcade experiences emulated in VC form.
During the tail end of Nintendo's GDC conference this morning at San Francisco's Moscone Center, a big announcement was made that is sure to please Wii owners with an old-school slant. A new service, Virtual Console Arcade, has been released, with games available to download today.
Several classics have already been announced to be forthcoming, including Space Harrier, Emeraldia, Solvalou and The Return of Ishtar. But the launch lineup available right now consists of these four titles:
- Gaplus, a Namco Bandai shooter more commonly known as "Galaga 3"
- Mappy, a Namco Bandai platformer starring a mouse police officer
- Star Force, a scrolling shooter developed by Tehkan
- The Tower of Druaga, a Namco maze game
All of the four launch games are priced at 500 Wii Points except Gaplus, which is just one dollar more at 600 Wii Points. All four games also support every VC controller solution, including the Classic Controller, GameCube Controller and Wii Remote turned on its side by itself. We'd expect that pricing and controller support will be different for each future VC Arcade release, especially as some more technologically advanced titles are added to the lineup down the line.
Stay tuned to IGN Wii for more details as they emerge, and full reviews of each of the four VC Arcade launch titles in the days to come. And be sure to check out our live blog covering the entirety of Nintendo's GDC press conference.
miner2049er
Fans of RetroGaming RoundUp would have heard me mention this in our News last month. I downloaded Mappy and I have to say, after the awful port that was put on the Namco Musem DS game, this is pretty good.
It is emulation of the highest order.
launchpad25
I already have 'Mappy' on the Namco Museum 50th Anniversary' edition for PS2. Though, i would like to get 'Space Harrier', and maybe 'Star Force', or 'Gaplus' as well. Here's hoping we get the arcade versions of 'Donkey Kong', 'Donkey Kong Jr.', or 'Mario Bros.' soon. As well as many other arcade favorites from the past.
Splodge
We definitely need to see Donkey Kong and Mario Bros. - There are version of those games on the VC but Arcade ports would be better.
But I'm hoping for a lot of later stuff:
Street Fighter Alpha series / Street Fighter III
Mario Kart Arcade GP
F-Zero (The arcade version)
Splatterhouse
Simpson's Arcade Game (probably won't happen)
I hope they don't just stick to the classic arcade games. There's a lot of good games from the 90's too.
launchpad25
Maybe when that new 'Ninja Turtles Smash Up' game comes out for the Wii, they might bring the actual arcade games the Virtual Console's 'arcade' lineup. That would be sweet.
