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View Full Version : Wii Virtual Console = Virtual Rip Off?


Zilla Man
12-06-2006, 10:09 PM
Even though I don't think it's worth paying $250 for a souped up Game Cube, there are two things that make me interested in the Wii (after it drops to $150): the backwards compatibility and the Virtual Console.

But as much as I want it, there are two things Nintedndo's doing that really piss me off to the point where I think they should be called on it.

First off is the pricing. I have no problem whatsoever with paying $10 for something like Super Mario 64. The game is a not only a classic but set the bar high in everything from design to gameplay. And it's hard to find. But then I read that Nintendo's charging $8 for stuff like Golden Axe, Sonic, Toe Jam & Earl, and Ecco, two of my favorites. I think that's a bit steep but others may disagree with me. My problem is that you can get a PS2 disc called Genesis Greatest Hits that includes Ecco, Ecco 2, Golden Axe, TJ&E, Sonic, and about 18 other games - all for $20.

So by Nintendo's pricing logic ($8 a game) if you were to download all these games on Wii Virtual Console, you'd be paying at least $160 - enough to get a PS2 and the Genesis Disc! It looks even worse when you find out what Sony's will be charging to download a PS1 game on their network: $5.

But it's this second matter that really gets my blood boiling. Nintendo charges $8 to download classics like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. I think that's a little steep but if someone wants to shell that out, fine. But then you find out that it's not the arcade versions you're getting but the NES ports! These are missing whole levels, cinemas, and other bells and whistles.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748752p1.html

"There's a lot of fun still to be had with this grand gorilla. And looking back on the company's history, Donkey Kong is arguably Nintendo's most important game.

Don't download it.

Don't download it, because this isn't the true Donkey Kong. This Virtual Console release is of the NES version of the arcade classic, not the arcade classic itself. Whereas the coin-op original had four full levels of play, the NES conversion only has three - it's only 75% complete."

WTF? Again, I wouldn't mind this if Nintendo let people know what version they're getting but they don't. I know that I'd be pissed if I sat down to play Donkey Kong only to find out that I didn't get the real game. That's just plain deceptive adverstising.:mad:

Even MS wouldn't pull something like this -- but if they or Sony tried to, you know that we'd be hearing about it in angry threads. :rolleyes: I'm just calling Nintendo out on stuff I think is unfair.

So while I applaud Nintendo for trying to bring the classics to a new generation, their pricing and (truth in) adverstising will have to change before I'll bite.

ilnadmy
12-06-2006, 11:06 PM
That's why we have emulators.

Pandarbock
12-07-2006, 12:01 AM
I guess I shall say a few thing here, first off NES games are 500 points not 800 on the virtual console (which i do agree is way too much as no nes game is worth $5 in my mind).
Secondly I am not sure how you can say at all any one would be tricked that they are paying for nes version instead of arcade ones when donkey kong is clearly listed in the NES section and in fact there is no arcade section in the VC. Finally you are kidding yourself if you think that every ps1 download into the future is going to be $5.

Anyway I do say I agree that pricing is crap and nintendo really should base the points price per title depending on the title itself not the system it is on, because quite frankly there are not many games that are going to be must haves in their systems tab at the asking price of $5 for nes, $8 snes $10 snes $8 Gen. To me the only games I will buy should they show up VC are Super Mario RPG, Sin and Punishment, Paper Mario N64 and if nintendo weren't greedy which I know they will be on this one as it will never show up... mario allstars + world.

Mochan
12-07-2006, 12:17 AM
Paying for 8-bit games, even if it's just 50 cents, is ridiculous in my book. No, seriously. Emulators man, that's the way to go. Get MAME and you can get the Donkey Kong Arcade ROM and get 100% levels ! Huzzah!! Not that I'd even bother with Donkey Kong, I mean WTF.