Mysterious game/franchise/something coming to VC

http://gonintendo.com/?p=9790

I hate rumors and I hate spreading them. Especially since the majority of rumors will get you hyped up over nothing.

But I really can't ignore this recent speculation. The Virtual Console has been pretty boring so far (and might continue to be) for people who were already hard and heavy into retro gaming. For myself, only the Turbo Grafx games seem desirable since they were overshadowed in their time and are being offered at only one dollar above the NES game prices.

Frankly, there's too many previously offered venues that really take the appeal out of the Virtual Console. This includes past compilations, used gaming stores with decent cartridge prices, or perhaps already indulging in these old games upon their original releases. And while the service certainly still has its merits for the hardcore among us, it could definitely enhance the experience by offering some titles that are more out of the ordinary.

That's why I'm bothering to post this rumor that will probably disappoint me in the end, if past speculation and my gut instinct are any indication. But the possibilities presented by this situation seem worthwhile of discussion, and I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks this could mean for the service.

Feel free to nag as well, since I'm sure many of you feel this really won't go anywhere. But if you're going to do so, try to shine some light on why you're being down on the news. Question the source or quote someone at NOA who scoffs at the proposition, or at the very least provide some speculative insight of your own. Because plain ol' ragging won't bring anything worthwhile to the table and isn't nearly as fun as entertaining the possibilities and brainstorming what could come of this.

With all that diatribe out of the way, I'm curious how many of you believe as strongly as I do that this is hinting at a resurfacing of the Mother/Earthbound series on the Virtual Console. I'm only thinking narrowly here and assuming that the revelation will involve a Nintendo franchise, and in this mindset I only came to the conclusions of Fire Emblem and the Mother series. While Fire Emblem hasn't really gotten its due, it is certainly trumped when it comes to a lack of presence, considering Mother has seen the release of one game on our shores. I'm hoping that Nintendo has realized that the risk factor that has supposedly held back this series so long doesn't exist on the Virtual Console, and that we'll see all 3 games up for download.

And hey, maybe if we're lucky, perhaps a beta of the N64 game for posterity?

*cough*Mother 3 N64*cough*

Isn't that what I was talking about?

I can't help getting slightly hyped up.

For Mother or Earthbound games to come into the U.S. market... I'm definitely hoping for that. Or that other speculated possibility of online games, as some of Nintendo's major multiplayer titles have yet to surface.

I would rather them putting a quick on out for the GC or making a Wii Earthbound. But I really want a GBA/DS Mother 1, 2 and 3 combo.

The magazine certainly makes it sound like it's a concept rather than just another batch of releases:

I'm all for online play, although honestly I think I get more mileage out of offline multiplayer.

This post has been edited by Rurouni Kenshin on Dec 4 2006, 08:19 PM

But you do realize that means publishing fees and a marketing campaign? If Nintendo hasn't bet on the Mother horse for this long I doubt they're going to suddenly decide it'll rake them in the big dollars. With a Virtual Console release, those factors are practically written out of the equation.

eh, I like the feel of a real game disc and case in my hands...

Very good point though... But why not take the risk? It's not like ONE slip would kill Nintendo.

Ive downloaded 6 games already from the VC. I have not been disappoint. 5 of these games I do not have and 4 I have never played before.

That's alot. I'm thinking of getting my friend a 2000 point Wii card for Christmas. Is it worth it?

If he downloads the right game. I suggest Solomon's Key and Bonk (also leaves for another Nintendo or Turbo game)

cool thanks.

Oh, I'm with you there. I definitely enjoy "hard" copies because I don't have to worry about some content service being up and running. But eventually tangible games fail us as well, unfortunately. Although I'm definitely in your camp as far as preferences go.

And you're right, it probably wouldn't kill Nintendo. But that doesn't really make it a desirable venture for them if they can't ensure some level of success beyond a hardcore following.

This post has been edited by Rurouni Kenshin on Dec 4 2006, 08:47 PM

Goldeneye perhaps?

Probably not retro enough, but you never know. There's also the chance of something such as Mario 2 for the FDS or something.

God I hate rumors

what if its Zelda majoras mask? Or the original pokemon stadium (the one from japan that only had 40ish pokemon)?

or maybe something we've never heard of..

WONDER PROJECT J 1 AND 2?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?!!?///////////

As unlikely for us as this entire story, J Project.

Too many things don't make sense about this. One, it's clear Nintendo is still banging out what they want the Virtual Console to be. But it's the cryptic style of the article that everyone should be looking at to understand why this is total bull****.

- Have you ever heard of or read GamesTM before you saw this topic? I sure as hell haven't. They obviously need attention; these miracle leaks from a no-name source were all over the Wii's initial hype, and none turned up anything.
- It's also awful convenient that such news would come when feverish discussion about the Virtual Console is all over the place
- Look at the wording of this: "Something big". VAGUE.
- "for the past decade". Uhhhhh, ok that's a bold claim; so people complaining since 1996. Ignoring the melodramatic tone of this, it would seem to be a title or series that is more than 8-10 years old at least... but oh wait here's what breaks the camel's back
- "but the uncertainties of publishing schedules prevents me from spilling the beans too early" NDAs don't apply to vaporware, period. Nintendo doesn't tell anyone about games that are in such early pre-developmental periods that nothing exists. With a port job... there's no development time frame that would actually excuse this.
- "if what we've heard turns out to be true". Oh because, there's a chance it won't? What happened to publishing schedules?
- "the virtual console is about to become a lot more interesting and looks like it might turn out to be much more valuable to dedicated retro gamers than we first thought." Another EXTREMELY vague statement that means whatever us the resident dreamers want it to believe.

So what is it? Goldeneye is finally being remade with online multiplayer and k1ck 4ss gr4ph4x right!?! Chrono Trigger releases the same day my friends... in ****ing gonzo world.

Demote this from rumor to bullcorn, it's even from a UK rag...

SUPRA-EDIT: Oh and that last issue went out over a week ago. Next one comes December 28th. The issue in question? Barely has reviews out for Twilight Princess in the like. This is such bull****, it reeks of IGN

This post has been edited by Nightwing on Dec 5 2006, 01:58 AM

I'm still going to pretend I get Wonder Project J!!!!!
But seriously that would be so perfect on DS or Wii
Anyways rumors are more often false than true, but it's still fun to freak out and dream on
isn't that what a rumor is?!??!



okay I just want my Project J :'(

Oh yeah, well I bet 5 bucks that our wildest dreams will come true!

Spoilers:

I'll just interpret the next big VC happening as my dream coming true.