Could your PS3 also be your Dreamcast?
(Credit: CNET)A whopper of a leak shot across the Internet Tuesday, reporting of a Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) meeting that discussed the possibilities of rereleasing classic Sega games as compilation Blu-ray Discs and downloads of PS2 games on the PS3. While we discussed this trend--and even suggested a few great franchises to pursue--when the God of War Collection was announced, an even more surprising and exciting bomb was dropped in these purported meeting minutes:
From the wording of supposedly leaked August 6 SCEA meeting notes found on several forums including NeoGAF, it sounds like both PS2 and Dreamcast games will soon be available over PSN, much like PS1 games are already. That is big news. With PS2, PS1, and Dreamcast titles under their belts, it could be argued that the PS3 would have a Virtual Console that, while not as retro as Nintendo's, would be nearly unbeatable in offering the best of the late '90s and early '00s. After all, back then, the Dreamcast and PS2 were the biggest, bitterest rivals in town. It hasn't been confirmed that these notes are real, but they certainly seem too detailed and logical to not be. ... Read more
When the Nintendo DSi was first announced, flaunting, among other things, an ability to download games directly from Nintendo to system memory or an SD card, our minds leaped to visions of a portable Virtual Console on the Nintendo handheld.
It would be a museum of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, to be chosen from the hundreds of thousands of titles dating back to 1989. Much like the Wii's Virtual Console, it would be a mix of greatest hits and the obscure. Best of all, it could be affordable.
Unfortunately and quizzically, Nintendo still hasn't launched a Game Boy Virtual Console. We have no idea why, honestly: Nintendo handhelds have been locked out of playing classic Game Boy titles for years, and some of them are truly worth revisiting.
Also, let's not forget the size of these games. Since Game Boy and Game Boy Color game cartridges could only hold a small amount of information (by today's standards), downloading these games to your DSi's SD card or internal storage would be ideal.
We went back in time and plucked a short list that should serve Nintendo well. Check out our picks for the portable Virtual Console To Be (hopefully).
Note: we didn't even dare to dream about Nintendo offering up Lynx, Game Gear, and Turbografx titles for the DS--that's another fantasy altogether.
(Credit:
Komodo/Innex)
Sure, we really liked the Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller for use with the Nintendo Wii, but if we could choose any controller to use with Virtual Console games, it would be the originals themselves.
Developer Komodo may have come up with a device that could pacify these desires. With the Retro Adapter (to be distributed by Innex), you'll be able to use original NES, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64 controllers with Wii Virtual Console games.
The adapter itself resembles that of a Nintendo 64 console and has three female ports for each system. It connects to your Wii via an open GameCube port. What's even better, the Retro Adapter will work with both first- and third-party accessories, so that no-name Nintendo 64 controller you have laying around may just do the trick. In case you're wondering, yes, you'll be able to use an analog control on the N64 controller as well.
Innex plans on officially announcing the Komodo Retro Adapter at E3 2009. While retail availability isn't yet solidified, you should be able to grab the accessory online by mid-June for around $20.
At least it's smaller than the arcade cabinet.
(Credit: ThinkGeek)iPhone games have redefined the meaning of cheap--in ways both good and bad --but you still need to drop at least $200 for an iPhone or iPod Touch. For real portable retro gaming with street cred, may we suggest the Retro Mini Handheld, which for only $49.99 plays old NES cartridges (once you've blown the dust out of them).
Considering NES carts can be had for pennies at Salvation Army thrift shops, this little beauty might be the best way to play games for next to nothing at all. Compare, for instance, the cost of a $2.99 eBay copy of Metroid to a $5 DSi download of WarioWare: Snapped. Which would you rather have? Of course, the cartridge is larger than the machine, but at least people will know what you're playing.
Running off 4 AA batteries, the Retro Mini gets a smooth eight hours of game time (according to ThinkGeek, where this bad boy is on sale). As to whether game details like text are discernible on the "hi-def" 2.4-inch LCD screen, we are uncertain. But a composite cable jack turns this into a plug-and-play console...just add a TV.
What's more important is how this only serves to remind us that this might still be the best way to play official NES games on the go. Nintendo, are you listening? Where is our Virtual Console for the DSi?
We'd trade in five Animal Crossing/Duck Hunt calculators for one good version of Kid Icarus.
(Via Engadget)
(Credit:
IGN.com)
- DSiWare
- Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): Enjoy five card games right on your DSi. Choose from Blackjack and Five Card Draw, or try out games we've never heard of like Last Card, Last Card Plus, and President.
- Paper Airplane Chase (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): A minigame found in the WarioWare franchise, Paper Airplane Chase has you guiding a paper airplane through a never-ending maze of tight turns and close calls.
- WiiWare
- Cocoto Platform Jumper (Neko Entertainment, 700 Wii points): Cocoto is a remake from a game available two generations ago. You and your friends must overtake the evil Zaron in this classic platforming action title.
- Virtual Console
- Nobunaga's Ambition (1992, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points): Nobunaga's Ambition is a turn-based strategy game where you must restore peace choosing between force and diplomacy. Arrange for some peace talks or send in some ninja assassins, it's up to you.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!
(Credit:
nintendolife.com)
- DSiWare
- Dr. Mario Express (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): The classic color-matching puzzle game makes its way to the Nintendo portable in Dr. Mario Express. Play alone or against the computer in the race to fight off viruses.
- Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): Continuing the series of magic tricks for your DSi, Deep Psyche will ask you a number of questions in order to reveal a startling truth.
- WiiWare
- Crystal Defenders R1 (SQUARE ENIX, 800 Wii points): See how many encroaching monsters you can hold off by deploying soldiers and Black Mages. Test your skills over various levels with different layouts and difficulty settings.
- Virtual Console
- Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (1990, Sega Genesis, 900 Wii points): Monster Lair is a Japanese import that never saw the light of day in North America until now. Use your sword to defend Xenobia with a friend or endure the battle alone.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!
- DSiWare
- Mixed Messages (Activision, 500 DSi Points): Mixed Messages is a party game all about communication. Play along with up to 21 different users in the game of "telephone" for your DSi.
- Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): The Master of Illusion series continues with Shuffle Games. This mini game will allow you to predict what your audience is thinking!
- WiiWare
- Party Fun Pirate (TOMY Corporation, 500 Wii points): Exchange turns sliding as many swords into a barrel as you can. Based on the Pop-up Pirate Toy, the game allows for up to four players. Pirate Fun Party also lets you use your own Mii character in-game!
- Virtual Console
- Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (1994, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points): The follow up to the Atari classic, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure will have you swinging and jumping your way through the jungle all while attempting to rescue your kidnapped father.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!
Equilibrio
- DSiWare
- Nintendo DSi Browser (Nintendo, FREE): The first free app in the DSi Shop, the Opera-powered DSi Browser will let you surf the Web on your DSi.
- Bird & Beans (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): This mini game lets you control Pyro, a bird with an elastic tongue. Use it to grab falling beans and earn more points the quicker you catch them!
- Master of Illusion Express: Funny Face (Nintendo, 200 DSi Points): This game lets you use your DSi as a prop in a card game.
- Art Style: AQUIA (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): AQUIA is a fast-paced underwater puzzle game where you match colored blocks vertically and horizontally.
- WarioWare: Snapped! (Nintendo, 500 DSi Points): Snapped! is a collection of mini games that uses the DSi's onboard camera.
- Brain Age Express: Math (Nintendo, 800 DSi Points): This is just the math version of a Brain Age game and wraps up this week's DSiWare offerings.
- WiiWare
- Equilibrio (DK-GAMES, 500 Wii points): This balance game has you sending a marble through various worlds as you tilt your way to the exit. There are 64 levels to play and you can even use a balance board to control the game!
- Virtual Console
- Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (1994, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points): Play as one of six famous explorers, navigating the oceans of the early 16th century.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!
Last year we reported that a Nintendo Wii storage solution was upon us that will allow you to store and load games directly off of an SD card. At today's Nintendo press conference at GDC 2009, the company has just announced that an SD menu has been added to the Wii software, and is actually available right now for download via a system update.
The new feature will allow for SDHC cards up to 32GB to be used to store and play games. You'll also have the option to download games directly to your SD card via the Wii Shop Channel.
(Source: Kotaku)
Click images for larger shots.
(Credit:
Kotaku)
(Credit:
Kotaku)
- WiiWare
- Pop'Em Drop'Em SAMEGAME (Hudson Entertainment, 500 Wii points): SameGame is a puzzle game that combines color-matching and reaction time. Enjoy various gameplay styles and modes along with up to four total players.
- Virtual Console
- Bomberman '94 (1993, TurboGrafx 16, 700 Wii points): Bomberman must reassemble the planet after it's been split up. Along with the nine members of the Bomber Family, you'll be tasked with restoring the world's peace.
- Detana Twin Bee (1992, TurboGrafx 16, 700 Wii points): This Japanese import is a classic vertical-scrolling shooter. Six colorful and cartoon-inspired stages await you in two modes of gameplay.
What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!
