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[Calamari41]

If I worked at Nintendo I would push for the release of as many games from NES to Gamecube as possible. Rather than worry about games getting lost in the shuffle, use the pure volume of them to your advantage. Create a robust recommendation system. Make the shop incredibly easy to navigate. Have monthly themes, like this month the shop is skinned with Megaman levels/art and here's the history of the games, available in a bundle for whatever percent off. Have a section where you can look at games released in a certain year: here are the hits from 1995 and by the way look at these lesser-known gems, complete with original commercials or something. Hell, link people to Nintendo Power features and reviews if applicable. Have Lttp 2 come with a discount for the SNES original, or a link at the main menu of the game that brings you right to the virtual console shop.

Make it something more than a sterile, alphabetical list of games with a screen shot next to them. Make it exciting to read up on them and browse through them.

 

[xk0sm0sx]

Games! Games every week!

 

[Glass Joe]

So, why the hold up for 4 games. I guess they probably have to launch the update first so the eShop can see what we have in Wii mode? Are they intentionally waiting until after the invester's meeting to give the firmware update? Just in case it sucks or bricks Wii U's haha?

 

[Eric C]

As someone with that special 3DS version, I can say the arcade Donkey Kong is tough as nails compared to the NES version.

Someone mentioned licensing issues? Any insight? I don't see how. Putting the arcade version up via eShop with leaderboards would seem like a no brainer, but I'm not saying Nintendo's been especially bright as of late.

http://thegaminghistorian.com/who-programmed-donkey-kong/

In 1983, Ikegami Tsushinki officially sued Nintendo for ¥580,000,000 million (about $7,304,810 million today). The case went on until 1990, when the case was settled out of court for an unknown amount. It was officially ruled that Nintendo did not own the copyright to the code.

This case is a very mysterious one, but it actually answers a lot of questions. Ever wonder why the arcade version of Donkey Kong has never been re-released? It always seems to be the NES version of the game. This court case explains why.

Perhaps thats also another reason why Donkey Kong 64 never showed up on VC, in addition to any issues with Rare/Microsoft.

 

[evilromero]

And the Wii continues to be the better system up to this point post-launch. Damn Nintendo. Seriously. Damn.

 

[clubstoic]

This is just a big ta do about playing NES on the gamepad.. these were already available on the Wii anyhow. If they want to sell the Wii U, it should look more attractive then the previous Wii. GBA or N64 should have been represented at least. Gamecube would be ideal. The Wii U VC now is not conservative, it is less than bare minimum.

 

[Sola Scriptura]

How difficult is it to port a Wii virtual console game over to Wii U? Surely it doesn't take that much work to get it operational on the gamepad with the added Wii U functionality, right?

 

[evilromero]

http://thegaminghistorian.com/who-programmed-donkey-kong/



Perhaps thats also another reason why Donkey Kong 64 never showed up on VC, in addition to any issues with Rare/Microsoft.

If that were the case then why was it included in DK64?

 

[Kouriozan]

Eh? Mario's Super Picross is a Wii U VC launch title in Europe, according to the Nintendo Direct.

I really hope. I love all Mario Picross, even the weird sequel on GB.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

laugh out loud. Fucking stupid. Just release your catalog and be done with it Nintendo.

 

[SolarPowered]

We are never going to get VC Gamecube games are we?

 

[Eric C]

If that were the case then why was it included in DK64?

Maybe they payed a temporary license for it and didn't want to pay for it again?

Maybe they modified the code of the arcade version enough that at the time they thought they could get away with releasing it as a bonus in DK64, and they got sued over it again in some other different obscure Japanese court case?

Maybe the Donkey Kong Arcade version in DK64 has no legal problems at all and Nintendo is just refusing to release DK64 because ... because they're Nintendo.

Who really knows?

 

[liger05]

lineup sux

 

[Outtrigger888]

If I worked at Nintendo I would push for the release of as many games from NES to Gamecube as possible. Rather than worry about games getting lost in the shuffle, use the pure volume of them to your advantage. Create a robust recommendation system. Make the shop incredibly easy to navigate. Have monthly themes, like this month the shop is skinned with Megaman levels/art and here's the history of the games, available in a bundle for whatever percent off. Have a section where you can look at games released in a certain year: here are the hits from 1995 and by the way look at these lesser-known gems, complete with original commercials or something. Hell, link people to Nintendo Power features and reviews if applicable. Have Lttp 2 come with a discount for the SNES original, or a link at the main menu of the game that brings you right to the virtual console shop.

Make it something more than a sterile, alphabetical list of games with a screen shot next to them. Make it exciting to read up on them and browse through them.

i like this..

 

[HerbertFish]

I misses .30 balloon fight? Lame. Why didn't someone warn me

 

[brandonh83]

If I worked at Nintendo I would push for the release of as many games from NES to Gamecube as possible. Rather than worry about games getting lost in the shuffle, use the pure volume of them to your advantage. Create a robust recommendation system. Make the shop incredibly easy to navigate. Have monthly themes, like this month the shop is skinned with Megaman levels/art and here's the history of the games, available in a bundle for whatever percent off. Have a section where you can look at games released in a certain year: here are the hits from 1995 and by the way look at these lesser-known gems, complete with original commercials or something. Hell, link people to Nintendo Power features and reviews if applicable. Have Lttp 2 come with a discount for the SNES original, or a link at the main menu of the game that brings you right to the virtual console shop.

Make it something more than a sterile, alphabetical list of games with a screen shot next to them. Make it exciting to read up on them and browse through them.

You'd think all that stuff is pretty obvious. There's so much cool nostalgic retro stuff they could do both content wise and thematically that would excite people, which would help lead to more sales.

Nintendo is just bizarre to me. They're sitting on like thirty five gold mines and have no fucking idea what to do with it.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

NINTENDO GETS IT

LOL

 

[Conor 419]

Well you see they have to add a Mii Universe game page and Off TV play. Honestly if they put out all the titles straight away would anyone ever buy games like Ice Climbers and Balloon Fight?

Uhhh, didn't Balloon Fight sell 40 million copies in Japan?

 

[Linkified]

Uhhh, didn't Balloon Fight sell 40 million copies in Japan?

What the VC edition? You sure?

 

[Anticitizen One]

Can you imagine if Apple slowly trickled out songs and apps every time a new iphone comes out

 

[Gonzo The Great]

Wow, the responses to Nintendo's Facebook post are some of the worst I've ever seen on any website.

Salvador Lopez Jr. It's sad how people call themselves "fans" one is not a fan if they do not appreciate playing some of the greatest games of all timeor wait for more to come. Go Nintendo!
34 minutes ago via mobile · Like · 1

Ken Krumbach Be patient people moving the old NES and SNES games too the WiiU with both gamepad functions and Miiverse connectivity probably takes longer then we think. And you could always get a classic controller and just play the old games in Wii mode.
about an hour ago · Like · 2

People really need to stop trying to rationalize for a company that clearly has no idea what it's doing. NINTENDO HAS WII U GAMES RUNNING FLAWLESSLY ON THE GAMEPAD, and SNES emulators have been available since the 1990s. If I hear somebody use "off-TV play" and "Miiverse" as reasons for these staggered releases one more damn time, I think I'll have a legitimate meltdown.

 

[Dueck]

If I worked at Nintendo I would push for the release of as many games from NES to Gamecube as possible. Rather than worry about games getting lost in the shuffle, use the pure volume of them to your advantage. Create a robust recommendation system. Make the shop incredibly easy to navigate. Have monthly themes, like this month the shop is skinned with Megaman levels/art and here's the history of the games, available in a bundle for whatever percent off. Have a section where you can look at games released in a certain year: here are the hits from 1995 and by the way look at these lesser-known gems, complete with original commercials or something. Hell, link people to Nintendo Power features and reviews if applicable. Have Lttp 2 come with a discount for the SNES original, or a link at the main menu of the game that brings you right to the virtual console shop.

Make it something more than a sterile, alphabetical list of games with a screen shot next to them. Make it exciting to read up on them and browse through them.

That's just it: they need to turn it into a gaming-themed museum of sorts, only with goods for sale. I think this is a great idea. Unfortunately, Nintendo won't be this awesome...

I'll never understand why companies choose to trickle out releases over making them all available. People will download the ones they want as quickly as they can. If they aren't for sale, then that's money not in Nintendo's hand that otherwise could be. Recommendations and quality search functions are really all that's needed.

 

[Drago]

Wow, the responses to Nintendo's Facebook post are some of the worst I've ever seen on any website.

It's sad how people call themselves "fans" one is not a fan if they do not appreciate playing some of the greatest games of all timeor wait for more to come. Go Nintendo!
34 minutes ago via mobile · Like · 1

Be patient people moving the old NES and SNES games too the WiiU with both gamepad functions and Miiverse connectivity probably takes longer then we think. And you could always get a classic controller and just play the old games in Wii mode.
about an hour ago · Like · 2

People really need to stop trying to rationalize for a company that clearly has no idea what it's doing. NINTENDO HAS WII U GAMES RUNNING FLAWLESSLY ON THE GAMEPAD, and SNES emulators have been available since the 1990s. If I hear somebody use "off-TV play" and "Miiverse" as reasons for these staggered releases one more damn time, I think I'll have a legitimate meltdown.

Posts like this make me cringe, but at least make the names anonymous.

I really, really hope that Nintendo changes their outlook on VC in the near future.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

This is pretty lackluster though. THey need to unify their account systems and make these games work faster. I expected hundreds of titles day 1. Please don't tell me that it's asking too much to have a good selection of games that have been on either 3DS or Wii VC at this point.

And the sad part is that these older games would be almost the more compelling in the selection of games compared to their retail offerings thus far.

But in the end, the lack of a proper account system really puts the halt to any interest in me investing in the VC for 3DS or WiiU.

Once that's fixed then I have some reason but damn if it ain't right now.

 

[StreetsAhead]

Wow, the responses to Nintendo's Facebook post are some of the worst I've ever seen on any website.

Salvador Lopez Jr. It's sad how people call themselves "fans" one is not a fan if they do not appreciate playing some of the greatest games of all timeor wait for more to come. Go Nintendo!
34 minutes ago via mobile · Like · 1

Ken Krumbach Be patient people moving the old NES and SNES games too the WiiU with both gamepad functions and Miiverse connectivity probably takes longer then we think. And you could always get a classic controller and just play the old games in Wii mode.
about an hour ago · Like · 2

People really need to stop trying to rationalize for a company that clearly has no idea what it's doing. NINTENDO HAS WII U GAMES RUNNING FLAWLESSLY ON THE GAMEPAD, and SNES emulators have been available since the 1990s. If I hear somebody use "off-TV play" and "Miiverse" as reasons for these staggered releases one more damn time, I think I'll have a legitimate meltdown.

They probably can't do more than a title or two a day, at most and probably don't have a very large staff. All those features need to be checked. It probably does take more time than you think to implement.

 

[darkistheway]

I don't get it. They could release 20 titles a week, have a big name game every week to get people to log in, build up a huge retro library for their system-with-no-games U.
Get all the old titles that people download emulators to play, on the system, with gamepad play and sell that as a feature.

I would love to play Faxanadu or Legacy of the Wizard on the gamepad! Start talking to publishers, Nintendo.

Nintendo needs to more aggressive with their legacy/IP vault.

 

[Conor 419]

What the VC edition? You sure?

Yeah man, I'm pretty sure Balloon Fight is like, one of Nintendo's biggest IP. Weren't Retro rumoured to be giving it a gritty reboot for Wii U?

 

[Gonzo The Great]

Posts like this make me cringe, but at least make the names anonymous.

I really really hope that Nintendo changes their outlook on VC.

My apologies. Although in all fairness, I doubt they would post on Nintendo's public Facebook wall if privacy was a concern of theirs.

 

[Anticitizen One]

99,99999% of the facebook comments are negative.
I wonder what the Nintendo guys think when they read through them. if they read them at all, that is.

"whaaaatttt? How can anyone be disappointed??" - Reggie immediately after 2007 e3 press conference

 

[backlot]

They probably can't do more than a title or two a day, at most and probably don't have a very large staff. All those features need to be checked. It probably does take more time than you think to implement.

Thank god they started with the cream of the crop then.

 

[Ein Bear]

When we upgrade our Wii VC games, do the saves transfer over?

 

[evilromero]

Maybe they payed a temporary license for it and didn't want to pay for it again?

Maybe they modified the code of the arcade version enough that at the time they thought they could get away with releasing it as a bonus in DK64, and they got sued over it again in some other different obscure Japanese court case?

Maybe the Donkey Kong Arcade version in DK64 has no legal problems at all and Nintendo is just refusing to release DK64 because ... because they're Nintendo.

Who really knows?

I'm pretty sure quite a few people know. Just ask a lead from Rare.

 

[TunaLover]

If they had one title a month on special for even a dollar? Yeah, it would sell just as well no matter what else is up for full price. What you miss is that Nintendo may be selling a bunch of 30 cent F-zeros that wouldn't have sold, but at the same time they're missing out on all of those Ocarina and Smash sales to begin with.

They eventually will launch those, so no money lost.

 

[biggersmaller]

I don't get it. They could release 20 titles a week.

Word. I actually came to post that they should release ALL the games they can get a license for.

They're killing this system.

 

[StreetsAhead]

Thank god they started with the cream of the crop then.

Why start with the cream of the crop when your user base is so low?

Also anyone and everyone who is actually upset about this:

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/webform/

Go nuts. I'm serious. You want to make change, don't just fart around in here being angry, tell them.

 

[Kerub]

Is there any hope of getting games that weren't on the Wii? Within a reasonable time? GBA, Gamecube for instance. It would suck if the Wii U VC was just playing catch up to the Wii VC.

 

[Davey Cakes]

Why start with the cream of the crop when your user base is so low?

Obviously to make the system more enticing and thus increase the user base!

 

[backlot]

Why start with the cream of the crop when your user base is so low?

Oh, so they're just withholding the good games until after more people buy their system. I should have never doubted Nintendo's genius.

 

[BruiserBear]

We are never going to get VC Gamecube games are we?

Don't hold your breath. IF it happens it's going to be a while.

 

[Anticitizen One]

We are never going to get VC Gamecube games are we?

I think for Gamecube games they are going to release HD ports instead like they are doing with Wind Waker and Sony did with PS2 games.

 

[Chrom]

It looks like the Japanese are getting:

1. Ice Climber
2. Excitebike
3. Xevious
4. River City Ransom
5. Balloon Fight
6. Spelunker
7. Kirby's Adventure
8. Super Mario World
9. Mario's Super Picross
10. F-Zero
11. Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu
12. Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
13. EarthBound

Hey, where did you find this out? Do we know Europe's lineup?

 

[StreetsAhead]

Obviously to make the system more enticing and thus increase the user base!

Oh, so they're just withholding the good games until after more people buy their system. I should have never doubted Nintendo's genius.

Of course they could be. (Almost) nobody buys a system for the fucking VC. Don't be daft.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

Why start with the cream of the crop when your user base is so low?

Why would anybody buy a Wii U if the "cream of the crop" isn't available? I'm embarrassed to be a Nintendo fan right now.

 

[TunaLover]

People seems to forget that every "rom" released runs in a custom emu, the game contains the rom and the emu in itself, the same way as Wii, so every game need specific changes in the emulator code. Itsn't lets launch a bunch of roms because they run in the same emulator, because itsn't the case.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Why start with the cream of the crop when your user base is so low?

.

Wow you must have graduated from the same business school as Iwata!

 

[Ein Bear]

Don't hold your breath. IF it happens it's going to be a while.

I'd rather not have them, to be honest. I feel that if they incorporated the Gamecube into the Virtual Console, they'd just stick up 480p ISO rips. I want HD Collections of GC stuff.

 

[Davey Cakes]

What I can't understand is why the Japanese list is longer, and in general why the VC in that region is always way better.

 

[Effect]

From their Wii U Facebook page

1. Balloon Fight
2. Donkey Kong Jr
3. Excitebike
4. Ice Climber
5. Kirby's Adventure
6. Punch-Out!!
7. F-Zero
8. Super Mario World

Expected but still very much pathetic. Thanks for nothing Nintendo. Didn't give a damn about the VC before do to how the Wii and 3DS VC were handled and don't give a damn about it even more.

 

[serplux]

Hey, where did you find this out? Do we know Europe's lineup?

They announced the launch lineup directly on the Nintendo Direct, and I assume they're going to put the 30 yen titles (Balloon Fight, Fire Emblem, Kirby's Adventure, and F-Zero) up as well.

Europe is (probably) getting America's lineup + Mario's Super Picross.

What I can't understand is why the Japanese list is longer, and in general why the VC in that region is always way better.

They have a dedicated Virtual Console team + they have more titles to choose from + licensing is less strict.

 

[Gonzo The Great]

People seems to forget that every "rom" released runs in a custom emu, the game contains the rom and the emu in itself, the same way as Wii, so every game need specific changes in the emulator code. Itsn't lets launch a bunch of roms because they run in the same emulator, because itsn't the case.

Because Nintendo. Why should they be exempt from criticism because they chose a stupid way to emulate their games?