Week of 12/19/2014:

Wii U Virtual Console:

Mega Man Zero (GBA)
$7.99


Natsume Championship Wrestling (SNES)
$7.99



On top of Mega Man Zero being released, the Nintendo eShop is holding a MegAnniversary sale. A selection of Mega Man titles on both the Wii U and 3DS Virtual Consoles are being sold for half off until December 22. So, if you want some Mega Man before Christmas, now is the time to get in on the deals. For the Wii U Virtual Console, Mega Man 5 and 6, which are normally $4.99, is now $2.49. Mega Man 7, which is normally $7.99, is now $3.99. On the 3DS Virtual Console, Mega Man 2-4 on Game Boy, which are normally $2.99, is being priced at $1.49.

I never played Mega Man Zero as it's one of those big Mega Man sequels that Capcom always came out with that I had no interest in. On a sidenote, I said this in a Retrojunk thread, but one thing I don't understand about the Mega Man fanbase is how 5 years ago, everybody wanted the Megaman spinoff titles, such as Battle Network and Starforce, to die off. Now that Crapcom is now spitefully killing off the blue bomber, they all want these games to come back. Yes, I do think it sucks that they're willing to spitefully kill off Mega Man, but I also do not want the spinoff titles to come back, no matter what anyone else says. It kind of makes me wonder how people would react if Sega ever killed off Sonic the Hedgehog.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. Or for those of you who don't celebrate any Holidays... then Happy SHUT THE F**K UP. With that said, here's this week's special Christmas lineup for December 25, 2014. Last Virtual Console releases of 2014, and it features a special release.

Wii U Virtual Console:

Duck Hunt (NES)
$4.99


Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World (GBA)
$7.99


Mario Party Advance (GBA)
$6.99


3DS Virtual Console:

Super Mario Bros Deluxe (GBC)
$5.99



Of course, the main highlight for this Christmas release is Duck Hunt. The Virtual Console release of Duck Hunt was announced following the reveal trailer for the Duck Hunt Smash Bros character (simply named Duck Hunt in the states, though, I prefer to call him by his European name, Duck Hunt Duo). This marks the first ever lightgun game to ever be released on the Wii U Virtual Console. It would seem like a nice thing to own on the Wii U since the original NES zapper was incompatible with current HDTVs. Here, instead of using the NES zapper, you're using the Wii remote. It might also be useful to use the Wii Zapper, much like what was used in Link's Crossbow Training.

I did think about getting Duck Hunt on the Wii U Virtual Console, but after seeing gameplay footage, I'm kind of not so sure if I want to make the purchase. The Wii U version uses a crosshair by pointing the Wii remote at the TV screen, and there's no white flash when you pull the trigger. This seems to make the game way too easy by having it set up that way. But unfortunately, that's the only solution to having Duck Hunt being ported to current systems like the Wii U. Still, here's hoping this leads to other light gun games in the future. Especially Hogan's Alley going by the Duck Hunt character's down B move and final Smash.

With the game being as easy as it is, you're less likely to have that dog laughing at you. No, you still can't shoot the dog, but you can at least SETTLE IT IN SMASH. Even though the Duck Hunt Duo finally gives players the opportunity to beat the crap out of the dog, he's also a very good troll character on the Battlefield, which made him a fan favorite out of the Smash Bros roster.

As for the other games released on Virtual Console... not much else to note. Mostly remakes of older Nintendo games. I did play the hell out of Super Mario Bros Deluxe as a kid. It's kind of a tough pill to swallow now considering the scrolling screen of the GBC version. Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World was a game I was excited to own. I liked it then, but now that I look back at it, there's many things I didn't like about it. Most specifically, when Nintendo added in the modern Mario voices from Charles Marinet. Hearing that in a modern Mario game just felt very jarring. It's as if Nintendo is saying to their audience, "Look, this classic Mario game is now new again." I felt like they focused way too much on that in the GBA era... especially since they never made an actual new Mario game for that system, which pisses me off.

just so you guys know, you CAN turn off the crosshair. just press on the d-pad on the wii remote however, it will reappear for a couple of seconds upon shooting, then it will disappear.

as for the white flash getting removed, i'm pretty sure that's to prevent seizures, much to the similar problem with legend of zelda II's flashing death screen.

It's hard to imagine that this is the first time Duck Hunt is being released on the Virtual Console. It's such a classic staple of the original NES lineup. Even so, it's a nice Christmas release.

I just thought about the dog in Duck Hunt snickering.

That little jerk is asking for it.

now we just need hogan's alley on there! maybe next year...

I'm thinking the wrestlers from Pro Wrestling should be included in some DLC for Smash Bros. That would be awesome.

i think it's bad enough that people expected ridley from metroid to be a playable character, lol. sakurai, the game's developer said that he'd gotten an injury during the last hours of development and said that he'd needed a vacation.

so for those who own a 3DS, you may not have known about this today but tetris and tetris axis have been removed from the 3DS eshop. there has been no indication why the decision was made, but on new year's eve they were said to have been terminated, while the trailers for them are still around. if you've already bought the game though and happen to lose the file, you'll be able to redownload it no problem.

Yes, unfortunately, Tetris for Game Boy, as well as Tetris Axis has been removed from the eshop. Not a very good way to start off the New Year. This happened without warning here in North America, but in Europe, it was announced a month ago.... shortly after Tetris Ultimate was released. If it has anything to do with that, then once again, Ubisoft can go f**k themselves.

Nevertheless, at least I have Tetris DS. That, to me, is about the only Tetris experience I need.

That said, it's time for this week's releases for 1/1/2015:

Wii U Virtual Console:

Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire (GBA)
$7.99


3DS Virtual Console:

Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (GBC)
$5.99



Kind of odd how Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire comes out before they even released the original Game Boy Color title. But nevertheless, this is one that seems to be released to capitalize on the release of Pokemon OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire. On a side note, a new Pokemon Pinball title wouldn't hurt. Perhaps team up with Zen Studios to make the game.