Wow, after a couple of weak weeks (we're not sure if that was a pun either) the Virtual Console has come back in a huge way this week with Sin and Punishment and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Though Sin and Punishment has never been formally released in North America, you probably recognize the name as the one that slips through the lips of shooter fans as they say their evening prayers every night.
Sin and Punishment (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, 1,200 Wii Points) -- You're not hallucinating with that price. Not only have you had to wait seven years for it, you're also going to have to pony up a couple of extra bucks. Of course, there is some extra translation here, so you can probably justify it to yourself, especially if you're dying to experience Treasure's classic shooter. Besides, it's really good. We'd rather pay $12 for this than $10 for Yoshi's Story any day of the week.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points) -- This remake of the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 is being released on its own for the first time in the U.S., and you're paying an extra buck for the privilege. Of course, you're also getting it with the original NES graphics, so maybe that's worth it to you if you're the curious sort. But please, do yourself a favor and buy Sin and Punishment first.
So, I guess those original $5, $6, $8, and $10 price points were more of a helpful suggestion? I assume so, since everyone seems to be charging a buck or two more for the games that were actually halfway decent.
Then again, drop Chrono Trigger in there and you can charge me whatever you want...
Everyone? This is about the third instance where the prices have been elevated, and with these two games, considering that they had to be translated, it's fairly excusable. The only other one I can think of was R-type, which is actually 2 games in Japan and therefore cost them twice as much. So, in conclusion... It's fair? Deal with it?
When the VC was first announced, everyone was waiting for shit like THIS to happen. It must be a sign of good things to come. That, or the yearly bone Nintendo throws at us. I like to think it is the former.
Actually, Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels WAS released in the US, under the SNES title Super Mario All Stars. I'm sure of this, becuase I had the cartridge in front of me as I typed this.
Well, it says "on its own for the first time", so the article is right. Of course there was All Stars and also Super Mario Bros. Deluxe for the GBC (I own that game), where Lost Levels was an unlockable.
Sin and Punishment is great, but I prefer my Japanese cartridge ;-)
For months now we've seen VC releases that everyone agrees tend to be lackluster. Though we may have a Paper Mario here or there, there's been far too much crap being released.
I IMPLORE you, if you have any interest in seeing unique, new to the US games like Sin & Punishment released more and more, PLEASE vote with your wallet and buy it. I promise you that throughout the week you'll find some boneheaded thing to spend $12 on that you'll look back upon and say "God, why did I buy *that*?"
So please, invest in Sin and Punishment, invest in unique VC titles, invest in uniqueness, invest in a bright VC future!
I think I'm going to cry. First I get Super Metroid now Sin and Punishment and later this week I'll be getting a stylus gift pack for registering my Brain Age 2. I'm beginning to feel like I live in Japan.
I came in to post the exact same thing. The cursor in the gameplay videos even looks exactly like the targeting cursors in some Wii games. A sequel would be pretty awesome. I hope this does well.
Wait... Sin & Punishment? Official US release (even if only on VC)? Combine that with today's announcement that Lucas from Mother 3 is going to be playable in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (go check the official site if you don't believe me), this might be the biggest day in history for hardcore, old-school Nintendo fans. If Nintendo just announced an official release of both Mother 1+2 and Mother 3, the Internet would explode in a flash of Nintendo-based squee.
I will probably pick up sin and punishment at some point since apparently it is awesome, and I have always /treasured/ it developer. I was, in particular, a fan of Guardian Heroes on the Saturn.
As for lost levels, meh on my part. I would much rather see Sonic and Knuckles, including full lock on functionality for Sonic 2 and 3.
Sin and punishment turned up Friday [28/9] morning here in the UK. Needless to say it was an instant d/load. Nice that it runs in 480p too. Now just give us Metroid 3 please Nintendo.
I was excited at first to see the appearance of Sin & Punishment, but am a bit hesitant about buying it. The clip in this post looks pretty much identical to Landmaster levels from SF64 (ugh). Anyone care to ease this concern? And "it's developed by Treasure" doesn't mean as much to me as it seems to for everyone else, because I've played Dynamite Headdy and Stretch Panic.
I think if Nintendo continues on this track, I would love to see Terranigma get released. The game is already translated because it was available in Europe.
Someone in Nintendo agrees with me that this would make a great addition to the Wii, giving the control scheme it has...
I can finally but my original copy of the game away and disconnect my N64 finally. Now I have a reason to buy a Wii. Now off to finding one this week...
Am I the only one who thinks Sin and Punishment looks very boring? MAybe it's because I've never been one for rail shooters, but come on. Give me Ikaruga or Mischief Makers over this pile of boringness.
I do want games that are not translated yet on the VC, but I don't want to support that by buying lackluster games.
