The Red Snifit 06.03.08 - PROS AND CONS - Virtual Console and WiiWare

Posted by Chris Scott on 06.03.2008

Hey look! A Teaser! 411's Chris Scott takes good hard look at Nintendo's Vrtual Console and WiiWare services and lists the good and bad aspects of the big N's downloadable doohickeys. Plus, as always (unless he's too drunk to ride a horse), he has your Virtual Colsone Corral and WiiWare Ranch visit all set up!



Welcome to yet another edition of The Red Snifit. I'm your host, who has a firm grip holding on to his precious red Swingline stapler, Chris Scott. Please excuse my reference to Milton in Office Space, I'm in a funk where I feel the need to watch that flick all the time as of late. So if you could just pretend that I put something.....ANYTHING else here to introduce this column that would be great! Thanks a bundle! Now that we've gotten that out of the way, it's time for……………..

OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION: PROS AND CONS - Virtual Console and WiiWare

Nintendo's Virtual Console service is a feature that I make no secret about loving. Providing roms of classic games from yesteryear online for a small fee. It was a major selling point for me and many other gamers deciding which next-gen console their hard earned cash would be put forth. Just a few weeks ago, Nintendo unleashed WiiWare; providing new, small, and simple games for our downloading pleasure. I don't intend to sway you opinion one war or another about Virtual Console or WiiWare, I only want to make some points that have crossed my mind during the past few days.



Pros:

1. It's cheap

With Virtual Console's pricing system, it's actually cheaper then heading out to your local Trading Zone or EB Games to buy the actual carts (assuming you already have the consoles). For an example, Kirby and the Crystal Shards will cast you $10 on Virtual Console, but costs $35 at my local Trading Zone. Axelay on Virtual Console costs $8, but $15 at Trading Zone. Every NEO GEO game on VC costs $9, but costs up to the thousands elsewhere! With WiiWare, the most costly price we've seen thus far is $15, which is still cheaper then any Wii game that has come out on a disc (at least when it was released). If there is 1 thing I am all about, it's gaming on the cheap.

2. Japanese imports

Although the number is small, Nintendo has put out games that were previously unavailable to the US Market onto Virtual Console. Japanese classics like Sin and Punishment and DoReMe Fantasy have found their way to us so far, and although it's not often they offer an import on Virtual Console, at least it's nice to see games that would have cost you an arm and a leg elsewhere any cost a buck or two more that other VC titles.

3. Giving hidden gems a second chance

Unless you owned every console known to man and had every single game for them, there were games we missed out on (and the tradition will continue till the end of time). Games like Kirby's Adventure, Startropics, Gunstar Heroes, and Splatterhouse all got a second life when Nintendo made them available on VC. Hopefully it will result in a revival for some of the fallen franchises. It already has, in a sense, for Hudson's Star Soldier series with the release of Star Soldier R on WiiWare and Namco announcing a new Splatterhouse being made for next-gen consoles.

4. No wear and tear on titles

It happened to every game we've ever owned. Either the system or the game would start to show it's age and break down until it no longer worked. Playing Super Mario Bros. ment blowing unto the game before putting it in to get it to work. Seeing how Virtual Console and WiiWare games aren't actual carts or discs, they should (unless a problem occurs on the Wii) work flawlessly all the time.




Cons:

1. What about those without high-speed internet?

Although the Wii was built for Wifi use, you can by an adapter to get your Wi online with Broadband; but what you're still on dial-up? Then YOU GET NOTHING!!! Although I know it may be hard to believe, but not everybody can afford high-speed internet connection (or any internet al all). I know there's almost no way around it, and I'd hate to see how long downloading any game using dial-up would take (especially WiiWare), but for some people, it's their only choice. Thank god my neighbors don't put a password to their WiFi service!

2. Limited storage space

One of it's biggest flaws is the limited space on the Wii's Hard drive. It only contains a low number of memory (or "blocks), and once they're all used up (or all 48 channels on the home screen are taken up), you can't download any more titles. Sure, you can store games on SD cards, but who wants to swap games between the console and the SD card all the time?

3. The games that get left behind

Although Virtual Console does shed the spotlight on some of yesteryear's overlooked titles, you know a few of those unsung classics will never be selected to become available. I, Myself, have been waiting for games like Earthbound, Sub Terraina, Little Sampson, and Kirby Superstar to show up as a new addition, and they still haven't been selected; and with WiiWare being more of a focal point for Nintendo than VC for the time being, less titles get released per week than we've been accustomed to in the past.

4. Who buys this crap?

Virtual Console has plenty quality games available to purchase, but boy do they have some craptacular titles as well. Did anyone want to see Donkey Dong Jr. Math? How about Spelunker? China Warrior anyone? Sonic Spinball? Unfortunately, the same can be said so far for WiWare. Who thought Family Table Tennis and V.I.P.Casino: Blackjack were bright ideas? And while I'm on the subject, how come both Dr. Robotnic's Mean Bean Machine and Kirby's Avalanche and on Virtual Console? THEY'RE BOTH THE SAME GAME!

Those are my worthless thoughts, what are yours?



It's now time to saddle up and ride as we mosey on over into..................

THE VIRTUAL CONSOLE CORRAL!



Ninja Combat (NEO-GEO - 1,000 ponts)



Nintendo says:
Released in 1990, Ninja Combat is a side-scrolling combat-action game. Take control of the ninjas Joe (one player) and Hayabusa (two players), and enter into battle against a group of evil ninjas called the Kage Ichizoku. Make your way into their home fortress, Ninja Tower, which dominates a big city of the near future. Fight using normal attacks, jumps, special movements and ninja materials that deliver damaging blows to all enemies on the screen. In addition, you'll find weapons and items to aid you along the way. Even better, as you progress in the game, reliable allies such as Musashi, Kagerow and Gembu will emerge to fight alongside you, allowing you to choose a new character in each stage. Ninja Combat also supports simultaneous play with two players, so you can grab a friend and defeat the Kage Ichizoku together.

Nintendo MEANS to say:
We know how much you crazy kids love ninjas, and we also know how you older gamers love old school beat-em ups. Well, Ninja Combat acts as a beat-em up, but with NINJAS! It's the best of both worlds, and it's only $9.00!

Hit or Miss: Miss. I just don't see anything about this game that draws me in. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather stick with the Ninja Gaiden series on the NES.

With that bit o' fun behind us, let us get back on our high horses and check out what's goin' on at.......

THE WIIWARE RANCH!

This week's offerings are as follows:

Protöthea (1,000 Wii Points): Protöthea is a top-down scrolling shooter game with free movement that puts players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship. The mission is to destroy the asteroid called Maqno 01 and finish with the plans of The Core. UbiSoft's Protöthea introduces new concepts to a beloved, classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii console, from graphics to controls. Players of all ages and experience levels will enjoy taking command of their ship, blasting through four different worlds in 10 challenging missions. Use your weapons arsenal and the special bonus items to help you accomplish your mission, and don't forget to slow down time and take an edge over the enemy.

Toki Tori (1,000 Wii Points): Toki Tori is his name, and collecting eggs is his game. In this puzzle/platform game, players use a variety of items such as the Telewarp, InstantRock and Slug Sucker. Clever use and combination of these items are needed to solve all the game's levels, of which there are more than 70. Levels range from easy to brain-teasingly hard, resulting in dozens of hours of puzzle play time. Toki Tori makes the most of what Wii has to offer. It uses the Wii Remote for a unique control scheme, which offers players a new and more relaxing play style. A second player can help you out by drawing hints while you are playing. The game even uses the Wii Message Board in a unique way.

Both games on WiiWare this week look to be winners in my book. If I had to pick 1 as the one to buy, I'd go with Toki Tori because it reminds me of Adventures of Lolo (and boy do I love me some Lolo!). Protothea looks fun, but I personally prefer my shmups to be scrolling vertically like Star Soldier R (if only they would have provided a full game!).



That will be all for this week's edition The Red Snifit. I'm Chris Scott, and that's the last straw!