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Virtual Console releases for the week of 4/21

3:08 PM on 04.21.2008, Colette Bennett 26 comments

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I know I'm breaking tradition by posting a game-related video above instead of the usual video of this week's Virtual Console release, but I couldn't help myself -- Daft Punk and River City Ransom is still a recipe for awesome, no matter how old the video is. Speaking of, I just gave away one of the releases for the week, although if you read Chad Concelmo's recent post you may have already puked in anticipation.
 
First up is perennial classic River City Ransom (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and OlderMild Suggestive Themes and Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points), and I can assure you that it is one hundred percent worth downloading. From its quirky dialogue to its strangely gratifying yet simple fights, this game is a true gem from the NES era. Also, it's cheap as Wii points go, and goes great with beer and a pizza.
 
Second on the list is Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneMild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points), and I know anyone who listens to my babble on RetroforceGO! is thinking I am really excited because this is a Phantasy Star title. Sadly, it's the least fun of all the games in the series for me, so if you've never played the games before and want to start, I'd recommend the stellar Phantasy Star II over this game, which feels a bit ill-fitted in comparison to its predecessors. 
 
Also, I have a feeling Phantasy Star IV is coming soon, and I may throttle an unsuspecting cat in joy if he doesn't hide when that news comes. BARF!

Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

Helping out your friends is often as easy as a ride to the airport or a kind word of advice. But when they fall victim to dastardly kidnappers, things get a little more complicated. Step up and find out what it takes to rescue your imperiled pals in the latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel. Both of these classic titles feature distinctive rescue-driven storylines and villain-busting action to help bring out your inner hero. Isn't that what friends are for?

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

River City Ransom (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and OlderMild Suggestive Themes and Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): River City Ransom takes place in River City, where our heroes, Alex and Ryan, find a letter on Ryan's locker from a guy named Slick. The letter says that Ryan's girlfriend, Cyndi, has been kidnapped, and Slick has taken River City hostage with the help of countless gangs and evil bosses. It's up to our heroes to save poor Cyndi and free River City from the clutches of Slick and his underlings. You can play as Alex and take on the challenge alone or battle with two players simultaneously as Alex and Ryan. Kick and punch to fight your way through gang members, evil bosses and other goons, or use a variety of weapons including a chain whip, brass knuckles and a tire, to name a few. Raise your stats by eating right, and gain new techniques by reading books. With your fighting prowess and never-ending spirit, the bad guys won't know what hit them.

Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneMild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): As Rhys, the crown prince of the Orakian kingdom of Landen, you are engaged to be married to Maia, a woman from a rival kingdom. But Maia is kidnapped on your wedding day, setting you on a quest filled with twists and turns that will reintroduce you to people and places from previous Phantasy Star games. This epic spans several generations of characters, and your choices will dramatically impact the way the story unfolds, which makes it a great game to play all the way through more than once. In Phantasy Star III, things aren't always what they seemcheck it out and watch the mysteries unfold.


Next page: More Virtual Console stories




CelicaCrazed's Avatar
CelicaCrazed at 04/21/2008 15:18
I'm so far behind on my VC downloads.
BenHaskett's Avatar
BenHaskett at 04/21/2008 15:20
Great to finally not have a crappy VC release. I was starting to worry that Nintendo's VC department would run out of employees to fire.
perri's Avatar
perri at 04/21/2008 15:21
hm, I was hoping to get into Phantasy star after hearing about it on RFGO. Is Phantasy Star II on VC?
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 04/21/2008 15:22
I can't wait to get home and download RCR. Now we just need Super Dodgeball!
ParaParaKing's Avatar
ParaParaKing at 04/21/2008 15:38
Phantasy Star VI? What's with V?
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 04/21/2008 15:43
See, I've never played River City Ransom, but after hearing so much about it on the Internet, I'm totally going to pick it up when I get home tonight.
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 04/21/2008 15:45
I'm also way behind on my VC-downloads... but I'm just spending too mutch money on my PS3 and 360 :-s
Guagloves's Avatar
Guagloves at 04/21/2008 15:57
YAY! TIme for River City Ransom and some Devil's Crush!!
PaperBowser0's Avatar
PaperBowser0 at 04/21/2008 15:59
YEAH! Go River City Ransom! But I'm also behind on my VC downloads too. :( Nintendo needs to come out with a freaking hard drive and fast! >_<
Terror Player's Avatar
Terror Player at 04/21/2008 16:10
Raise your everyone who wants a VC release of Batman: Return of the Joker for the NES!!
Knives's Avatar
Knives at 04/21/2008 16:24
RCR, yay!! I loved that vid =P and, for the record, my cat isn't unsuspecting.
Oni's Avatar
Oni at 04/21/2008 17:15
Rock on. River City Ransom. As soon as I can afford to buy a points card, I'ma buy me some sweet, sweet NES goodness.

Also, thanks for that video, Colette. Being stoned out of my face makes it about a bazillion times more enjoyable.
Kia's Avatar
Kia at 04/21/2008 17:32
Phantasy Star VI? What happened to V? O_o
teknomcr's Avatar
teknomcr at 04/21/2008 18:06
I love the stubby little leg break down solo.
Twith's Avatar
Twith at 04/21/2008 18:20
Anybody catch the protag from A Boy and his Blob in that video?
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 04/21/2008 18:48
And maybe tonight I'm gonna get to second base with my girlfriend Cindy, I'll show her my Acro Circus and my Grand Slam, I'll have her screaming 'Oh Alex, you're my Javelin Man.'
Prince Ghidorah's Avatar
Prince Ghidorah at 04/21/2008 19:07
Phantasy Star III is truly the weak link of the series. I have it on the GBA PS collection and couldn't make myself push through it. High concept with the generations and all but low execution.
ShinSennju's Avatar
ShinSennju at 04/21/2008 19:47
Even though old video is old, Its new for me, and made of Epic win!
SSGogeta1013's Avatar
SSGogeta1013 at 04/21/2008 20:22
Greatest video ever!! w00t!!!
MPHtails's Avatar
MPHtails at 04/21/2008 20:28
@ Wedge:

Excatly what I thought of while buying and playing it this morning. After I stopped, I loaded that up on Audiosurf :).

But yeah, It's not as good as the GBA remake just because of the lesser options, but it's still a marvelous vidja game.
MPHtails's Avatar
MPHtails at 04/21/2008 20:31
Also, I forgot about how much I LOVE that video. It's what introduced me to both Daft Punk AND RCR.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar
naia-the-gamer at 04/21/2008 23:04
For some reason I thought I commented on this story, but I can't find my thingy... I must be losing it.

I'm playing through Phantasy Star 3 on my PSP as well, and I have to say that I think my love for it was partially retro goggles, but I still don't think it's as bad as everyone says it is. I also got my Sega Genesis late in the game so by the time I got into the Phantasy Star series I played 2 and 3 around the same time. I didn't get to play 1 until years later (I couldn't buy a Master System just for one game and the most expensive game at that). I think having not established the "feel" of the series of the game made me more forgiving towards it. I've read that there is conjecture that the game was shipped too quickly as hackers have looked at the ROM image and found a lot of stuff that never made it into the game itself. It would explain a lot.

If you don't take it seriously it's not so bad. I really liked the generational thing. The initial two choices have pretty different quests and if you get the "right ending" (Marry Lena, then Alair) you get an ending that actually fits in the Phantasy Star timeline!
Batthink's Avatar
Batthink at 04/22/2008 08:51
Daft Punk + RCR = Win.

@ Twith;

Yeah, I was wondering which game that kid came from.
necrozen's Avatar
necrozen at 04/22/2008 12:48
Love RCR!!!

Can't wait to grab this!

Also, that was a great video. :)
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