Though we aren't monitoring an actual Japanese Wii to be sure, we're quite confident that the SuperGrafx version of Ghouls 'n Ghosts, originally slated for October, will actually be available today on the Virtual Console in Japan. Hudson is totally not making much of a big deal about it, labeling it as a plain PC Engine game and selling it for 600 Points -- not the 800 that CD-ROM titles command! But we think it's really cool to see a representative from such a rare and obscure system on the Virtual Console.It's joined by some shmups: L-Dis, a cute-em-up from Cho Aniki developer NCS, Formation Z, a Famicom shooter from the late Jaleco, and Galaxy Force II, which might as well not exist without the super-fun arcade machine.

• Formation Z (Famicom, , 500 Wii Points)
• Galaxy Force II (Mega Drive, 1 player , 600 Wii Points)
• L-Dis (PC Engine, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
• Dai Makaimura (SuperGrafx, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)

The one WiiWare game this week is the fantastic-looking retro-parody game from Sega, Pole's Big Adventure.

• Pole's Big Adventure (1 player, 500 Wii Points)

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Let's consider, for a moment, the immense and stalwart dedication exhibited by one Jem Alexander, our man at an ongoing Sega event in a snow-encased London. Despite being in the magnificent company of games featuring a certain sword-wielding hedgehog, this blogger deliberately looked away from the screen (reminder: featuring a hedgehog wielding a sword!) to send us an important email from his iPhone. Which he briefly confused with his iPod Touch -- a notable hazard for those eccentric and loaded enough to own both. What's up with that, Jem?Anyway, he says Sega's rhythmic finger bash, Let's Tap, has been announced for European release. With the party game's undoubtedly arduous localization confirmed, it probably won't take too long for Sega of America to drum up a press release of its own. We'll point out (and at) any updates as we receive them.Update: Sega has confirmed a North American Summer release.
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We don't think 61FPS's John Constantine would lie about Sega planning to release Let's Tap in North America, but, well, there hasn't been an announcement yet, so we're going to label this a rumor for now. Sega has previously shown definite interest in localizing the title, for what it's worth. According to Constantine, Sega is indeed taking the risk and localizing Prope's bizarre minigame collection, which is controlled by tapping a box onto which a Wii Remote has been placed. The North American version will contain the same four modes found in Japan: Tap Runner, a multiplayer race across an obstacle course; Bubble Voyager, an abstract sidescrolling shooter; Silent Blocks, a tap-controlled Jenga-type game; Visualizer, which displays imagery that responds to your tapping; and Rhythm Tap, a rhythm game similar to Taiko Drum Master or Donkey Konga.It may be another minigame collection on the Wii, but, well, we've been humming the theme music for months. Add the unique hands-off controls and the involvement of Yuji Naka, and we are thrilled to have a chance to play this. If this announcement is real.Update: Sega sent out a press release confirming the game for this summer!
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Sonic Chaos (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points)We say: do not downloadWe're back doing videos for you, under a new site and a new name. But all of this new stuff won't get in the way of the tried-and-true flavor that has permeated these videos in the past, we assure you. This week, we've got Sonic Chaos available for download on the Virtual Console, so hit up the video above and see if it's worth your time (and money!).It feels good to be back.
Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.Permalink | Email this | Comments