Metroid Zero Mission (GBA)

$7.99

For many people, Metroid Zero Mission is considered to be the holy grail of GBA titles... and especially now since it's relatively expensive online. I actually might consider this one though. Normally, I don't like how Nintendo is always re-releasing some of the old SNES games (and in a few cases, NES games) for the GBA... and the third party games like Super Ghouls N Ghosts, Contra Advance, and Sonic the Hedgehog were worse than others. Metroid Zero Mission on the other hand is a really enhanced remake of the original Metroid. Imagine playing the original Metroid, but mixing it with the gameplay and control from games like Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. 

Personally, I still find Metroid Fusion to be a better game. But unlike other games remade for the GBA, which are usually weak ports of NES and SNES games... Metroid Zero Mission is one of the very few times during the GBA era in which I personally believe that the remake is better than the original. The NES Metroid game, in my opinion, has not aged that well. Zero Mission has a lot more of that feel that we've grown to love for the Metroid series... and that's why I recommend that game being the first for newcomers to play instead of the original NES Metroid.

Also, Nintendo is hosting a Winter Warm-Up sale on the eShop... a three week sale with themed discounts for each week. This week's theme is "Awesome Action"... and there are some Virtual Console games included in the discount. For the Wii U Virtual Console, F-Zero Maximum Velocity, which is normally $6.99, is now $4.89. Ninja Gaiden, normally $4.99, is $3.49. Mega Man Battle Network, normally $7.99, is now $5.59. And last, Sin and Punishment, which is normally $11.99, is now $8.39 (best deal out of all of them. Sin and Punishment is an amazing game, and the $8 is a great deal).

The only 3DS Virtual Console game that's up for discount is Mega Man Xtreme. Normally $4.99, is now discounted at $3.49.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3

$7.99

Nintendo also repeated the same fail they did last time by calling Zack and Wiki: Quest for the Barbaro's Treasure a Virtual Console title. I'm not going to repeat what I said before on why Wii download titles on Wii U are not Virtual Console titles. I've already beaten that horse to death.

What can I say about Super Mario Advance 4? Well, it's another example of Nintendo pulling a George Lucas during the GBA era by remaking Super Mario Bros 3 using the All-Stars version, adding Charles Martinet's voices for Mario and Luigi, and giving Luigi his SMB2 jump. It really bothered me how Nintendo focused solely on remaking their old SNES games (and sometimes NES games) instead of actually making another game in the series. In the case of Mario... the Super Mario Advance games were nothing but remakes, and we didn't have another official new Mario side-scroller until New Super Mario Bros came out for the DS. They still remake and remaster some of their old games on occasion with Twilight Princess HD being the next to come.

Though one thing interesting about Super Mario Advance 4 however, is the e-reader levels. Which are extra levels that basically acts as glorified DLC (at least, before DLC was actually a thing). However, the Wii U Virtual Console release includes all the e-Reader levels, including the ones that were released only in Japan until now. There have been attempts to remake these levels in Super Mario Maker, but they haven't been able to come anywhere close to how the levels originally looked. Especially since the e-Reader levels included the SMB2 vegetables, cape Mario, etc. (and these items can be used in the SMB3 game itself. Again, George Lucas shenanigans.) Still, if you already own the NES version of Super Mario Bros 3, and you're willing to double dip with this title, then I'm not going to stop you.

In other news, Sega recently announced a retail release of Sega 3D Classics Collection for the 3DS. It includes Fantasy Zone II W, Sonic the Hedgehog, Thunder Blade, Galaxy Force II, and Altered Beast. It's also the first time you'll be able to legally play the arcade versions of Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2. Sad that those two games don't have standalone downloadable releases... but then again, maybe we will get those two games on the eShop. $30 is kind of steep for this collection, but it might be worth getting. Still wish Sega wasn't hyping up their surprise announcement just so it would be this collection.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA)

$7.99

Yes, Square Enix finally released a classic Final Fantasy game for the Wii U Virtual Console. It may not be one of the older games for the NES or SNES, but this is still a good start. I remember owning Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, but I never got into it. I'm kind of more interested in the original Final Fantasy Tactics for Playstation. Not sure how those two games compare.

The final week of the Nintendo eShop Winter Warm Up sale is happening now with this week's theme being Epic Adventures. There are a few Virtual Consoles up for discount. On the Wii U Virtual Console, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, which is normally $7.99, is discounted at $5.59. Castlevania, normally $4.99, is now $3.49. And last, Earthbound, which is normally $9.99, is now $6.99. Those of you who have never played Earthbound before, it's a great RPG game I strongly recommend, and with this week's discount price, now is as good of a time as any to snag that game.

On the 3DS Virtual Console, both Metroid and Castlevania, which is normally $4.99, are discounted at $3.49.

Anyway, this week sort of makes up for the lack of releases last week, as we have a rather special game included. This is the week of February 11, 2016.

Kuru Kuru Kururin (GBA)

$6.99

Polarium Advance (GBA)

$6.99

Big Brain Academy (DS)

$6.99

This release marks the first time Kuru Kuru Kururin gets a North American release. It was released as a launch title in Japan and Europe, the latter of which, I believe is used in the VC release. Some might be familiar with the Helirin's appearance in Super Smash Bros Brawl as an assist trophy. This is where that game comes from.

One thing I find interesting about Polarium Advance is the fact that it is a sequel to the DS title, Polarium. I don't know about you, but it feels kind of odd that they would make a sequel to a game that's being released for the previous generation handheld. It would be kind of like if a game was released for the Wii U, and the sequel ended up being exclusive to the original Wii.

Big Brain Academy was a good game for the DS, but I found Wii Degree to be a much better game. I would say you're better off waiting for a Wii digital download version of Big Brain Academy to be released on the eShop than to the the VC version. Especially since the Virtual Console release disables the multiplayer.

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES)

$4.99

Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (NES)

$4.99

Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (NES)

$4.99

Ninja Gaiden II and III are both recent entries in the Virtual Console threepeat club while Double Dragon III has made it's VC debut. But one thing I'd let you know is that when you proceed with these games, proceed with caution. They are extremely difficult... even leaning on the edge of unfair. This is especially true with Ninja Gaiden III, where the North American release removed the password system, made the enemies a lot stronger, and had very limited continues. 

Double Dragon III, I believe, will always be known for it's Bimmy and Jimmy mistranslation at the beginning. It was so infamous, that it actually inspired the characters Bimmy and Jammy from Double Dragon Neon.

Medabots AX: Metabee (GBA)

$6.99

Medabots AX: Rokusho (GBA)

$6.99

Pokemon Red Version (GB)

$9.99

Pokemon Blue Version (GB)

$9.99

Pokemon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (GB)

$9.99

Yes folks, the Virtual Console releases of Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow is finally arriving this Saturday in celebration of Pokemon's 20th Anniversary. Yes, it was exactly on the date of February 27th, 1996 that Pokemon Red and Green was released in Japan. The Virtual Console release is pretty hyped as one... it's Pokemon, one of Nintendo's biggest and most recognizable franchises next to Mario... and two, because the Pokemon games have been in demand pretty much ever since the 3DS Virtual Console first came into being.

On top of this Virtual Console release, Nintendo is also releasing a New 3DS bundle pack that comes with Red, Blue, or Yellow installed along with the custom faceplates from those games. Kind of wish they'd make the custom faceplates for the New 3DS XL... but at least there's still the possibility of a third party company making a decal based off that design. They've already done so with the Majora's Mask limited edition 3DS.

Also, Nintendo announced earlier today in the Pokemon Direct a feature that I was really hoping these Virtual Console releases were going to get that would actually make me purchase one of the games for sure. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow will be compatable with Pokemon Bank. That means that the Pokemon you caught in your Generation 1 games will be able to get transferred to Pokemon X, Y, OmegaRuby, and AlphaSapphire. 

Of course, it will also be able to transfer in the new Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon games that has also been announced in this morning's Nintendo Direct. Personally, I feel like Pokemon Sun and Moon should have been released for Codename NX. The games are coming out at around the time of the system's launch... and it would have been a great launch title that would really show off the system's console/handheld capabilities. Not to it would be the first big Pokemon title to be released for the consoles. I'm sure they will release a Pokemon game for Codename NX eventually, but I feel like this is a huge missed opportunity as the 3DS would pretty much be dead once NX is released... and if they did released Pokemon Sun and Moon as an NX launch title, then I think that alone would make it a better year 1 system seller than the Wii U's launch.

On a little sidenote that's unrelated to Pokemon. Mega Man Legacy Collection has just been released for the 3DS this week. One thing that I find really interesting about the 3DS release is that it includes an option to play both the American versions and Japanese versions. Not too much different, except Mega Man 2 only has one difficulty option in the Japanese version, and Mega Man 3 has an alternate ending about Protoman's identity. As far as whether or not the collection is worth getting... it depends on if you owned the NES games, Anniversary Collection, and the Virtual Console releases. The Anniversary Collection is a better option in terms of the amount of games included, though there's been some issues with the games being ported as the Mega Man 7 ending is missing from the collection. Me personally, I might get the Legacy Collection just to have Mega Man 1-6 on the go. It's a better option than the Virtual Console re-releases. Also, don't expect Capcom to make an actual new Mega Man game anytime soon. You're better off waiting for Mighty No. 9... I just wish Comcept didn't keep delaying it again.