I've officially bought into the Nintendo Wii hype. The final selling point came
when I heard about the virtual console. Although the details are vague at
the time of this writing, this virtual console will apparently offer an
extensive back catalog of NES, SNES, and N64 games. "
The Virtual
Console also will feature a "best of" selection from Sega Genesis
titles and games from the TurboGrafx console" according to
Nintendo. That of course implies that only a limited selection of Genesis
and TurboGrafx-16 (TG-16) games will be available. Now I've been a fan of
the TG-16 for the last 14 years or so, naturally I'm excited about the
prospect of the system being given a new life.
It was a bold move by Nintendo to support the TG-16 on their upcoming
virtual console. It wasn't exactly a smashing success in the U.S. (but fared
well in Japan). There will be a contingency of TG-16 fans that buy the Wii,
but I estimate they'll make up less than 10% of all Wii owners. The
remaining 90% will have some vague recollection that a system called the
TurboGrafx-16 once existed. Many of them will try it out of curiosity. The
die-hard fans won't be happy unless every title is flawlessly ported.
However, it's the other 90% that will determine the success of the virtual
console. Keeping these odds in mind, I came up with five TG-16 games the
Wii virtual console simply must have, five it should avoid like the plague, and five
it should have that will be
sorely missed.
Note: Only cartridge games are on this list. I haven't read anything
suggesting that CD games will be supported. Downloading a CD game, even over
broadband, seems infeasible. If it turns out CD games will be supported then
I can't wait to make a second list like this..
Bonk's Revenge: Bonk was supposed to be the TG-16's answer to
Mario. The original came up short. The graphics looked great for the era
but it lacked the gameplay and plain old "fun factor" of the
Mario series. The sequel, Bonk's Revenge, received a significant
upgrade. The levels were longer, more complex, and filled with hidden
bonus stages. The graphics were made more colorful and detailed. Best of all,
it was just more fun to play than the original. Bonk's Revenge can hold
it's own against the Mario and Sonic franchises. This is a no-brainer for
the Wii virtual console and would be a great way to introduce the TG-16
to new players.
Update: Bonk's Revenge released for the Wii Virtual Console in April '07.
Dungeon Explorer: Pound for pound, Dungeon Explorer is the best
TurboChip game available. It's a five-player, Gauntletesque, dungeon
shooter that takes hours to complete (long enough that it has a password
feature). If features ten different playable characters (including two
hidden ones), each with their own strengths & weaknesses. Detailed
sprites and a great soundtrack polish off the game nicely. This is the
kind of game that just about anyone can enjoy, either in a solo quest or a
group.
Update: Dungeon Explorer announced as Wii Virtual Console launch
title.
J.J. & Jeff: This is a wacky platform game that's tough to
describe. Let's just say that it's nearly impossible to not enjoy J.J.
& Jeff. It's a fun and hilarious game that will entertain
practically any gamer.
Update:
J.J. & Jeff released on 2007-05-28!
Dragon's Curse (AKA Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap): Dragon's
Curse begins in the last level of the previous game, in a fight against
the robotic Meka Dragon. You easily defeat him only to be hit with a
curse that turns you into a dragon (hence the title of the game). There
begins the quest to regain your human form. Along the way you transform
into a mouse-man, fish-man, lion-man, and bird-man. Like Metroid, this
is a side-scroller with tons of free exploration, hidden items, and a
password for saving.
Update: Dragon's Curse released for the Wii Virtual Console in April '07.
Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu: This slightly obscure title is my
sleeper pick. Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu is a fast-paced game that
will appeal to fans of the NES, SNES, and Genesis platformers. Keep in
mind that most gamers who sign-up for the virtual console will be
primarily looking to play these three systems. If they try the TG-16 it
will largely be to try something different. I'd like to see them turned into
full-blown TG-16 fan converts. This game is one of those strangely
addictive titles that will peak gamers' interest in the TG-16 and get
them to come back for more.
China Warrior: If you like novelty-sized sprites then you'll love
China Warrior. Otherwise, this repetitive Kung-Fu for NES rip-off has few
redeeming qualities.
Update: China
Warrior was released for the Virtual Console
on 2007-06-25. Please avoid this abomination at all costs.
Legendary Axe II: Put some clothes on! "Hot Coffee"
doesn't have as much bare flesh as this
sequel-to-a-game-that-didn't-deserve-a-sequel. Seriously, I'm like the
only TG-16 fan who absolutely hated the first Legendary Axe. At least
nearly everyone agrees the follow-up is comically bad.
Double Dungeons: The problem with Double Dungeons is that people will
see the title and want to try it. "
Hmm, I like games in
dungeons. This must be like double the fun or something. Wrong. Double
Dungeons is a monotonous dungeon crawler that will bore most players.
Update: Double Dungeons was released for the Virtual Console
on 2007-03-12. Not too surprising.
Neutopia: This game is the most blatant Legend of Zelda copycat
I've seen. Most of the virtual console players will have seen the
original 8-bit Zelda (heck, it'll probably be one of the most played
games on it). If they try Neutopia they'll have a great laugh at the
TG-16's expense. It will tarnish their image of the system and
ultimately hurt future virtual sales.
TV Sports Anything: Sports games generally don't stand the
test of time very well. A good platformer, RPG, shooter, adventure, or
puzzle game will hold up for years. Go to any store that sells used
games and you'll see dozens and dozens of sports titles at giveaway
prices. The TV Sports games for the TG-16 are no exception. They look
nice but don't play especially well.
Since none
of the TV Sports games use actual teams, players, or leagues so there
wouldn't be the royalties issue to hold them up. Luckily we may be spared
from these game because their creator,
Cinemaware, exists in name
only at this point.
Dungeons & Dragons: Order of the Griffon: Order of the
Griffon was the only full-blown RPG for the TurboChip released in the
United States. The gameplay style is the same as the classic "Gold
Box" D&D games that were released for various computers. It
runs on the difficult side (at least I was never able to finish it) but
would obviously appeal to old-school RPG fans.
Why won't this be on the Wii? For the same reason neither of the
two Dungeons & Dragons games appeared on the Intellivision Lives!
collection. The D&D name and intellectual property are, rightfully,
tightly guarded. The current owners will expect a level of compensation
that is incompatible with Nintendo's pricing strategy. I hope I'm wrong
on this..
Ninja Spirit: Ninja Spirit is a mind-blowing slasher with seven levels of
furious action that will challenge even the best gamers. The soundtrack
is one of the finest on the system, adding greatly to the overall
atmosphere. If you had to try and sell the TG-16 with just one game this
would be the one to choose.
Why won't this be on the Wii? Ninja Spirit was developed by
Irem
who are solidly in the Sony camp. Ninja Spirit was also a semi-obscure
title that came out late in the TG-16's lifespan. It never sold well and
was included as a last minute free pack-in to the Turbo Duo
system.
Update:
Glad to see I missed the mark on this one.
Ninja Spirit was released for the Virtual Console on 2007-05-14.
I can't recommend buying this game enough.
Photograph Boy: Now here's a game that could really take
advantage of the Wiimote. In this game you control an aspiring newspaper
photographer out to capture wacky snapshots. You have to simultaneously
steer the photographer and the camera crosshair which can be tricky. The
zany Wii controller, on the other hand, would work perfectly for this
game. You could move the big-toothed photographer with the analog
attachment while snapping pics with the Wiimote. This is exactly the
type of unique game Nintendo is looking to deliver.
Why won't this be on the Wii? This game was also published by
Irem
which may or may not be a factor. More importantly, it was only
released in Japan. The suggested control scheme would also require modifying
the original game which is basically out of the question.
Street Fighter II Championship Edition: Too late in its lifespan
the TG-16 proved it could technically compete with the other 16-bit
systems. This port of Street Fighter II Championship Edition (SFIICE) is
debatably better than the SNES and Genesis versions. Only released in
Japan, it never had a chance to make it overseas because the system was
in its death throws by then.
Why won't this be on the Wii? Capcom licensed a direct-to-TV
edition of SFIICE based on the Sega Genesis cart. It was poorly emulated
and cost $30. I think there's a 0% chance they'll allow downloads of any
Street Fighter game for the $5-$15 price points Nintendo is shooting
for.
Update:
My reasoning on this turned out to be wrong. Street
Fighter II: The World Warriors (SNES) was released for the Wii Virtual
Console for only $8. I really didn't think Capcom would go this low
for a game they were just recently selling for substantially more.
However, this basically rules out any chance of seeing the TG-16 version
on the Virtual Console.
Second Update:
Wow, I was dead wrong in my original theory. Street
Fighter II: Hyper Fighter (SNES) was also released. I can't imagine
the original will sell a single copy with this highly improved version
available.
Kato & Ken: This is basically identical to its American
counterpart J.J. & Jeff. This biggest difference is the gratuitous
amounts of potty humor. Instead of attacking foes with a spray can you
have flatulence and so on. When it was brought to the states they
Americanized the characters and scrubbed the content. After ~15 years of
GTA and Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball I think we can handle Kato &
Ken.
Why won't this be on the Wii? Assuming J.J. & Jeff makes it
to the virtual console there's little reason to include Kato & Ken.
The farcical Asian stereotypes, which ironically are OK to use in Japan,
would cause a near-riot in the United States.
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