I am fed up with Nintendo of America’s lackluster Virtual Console support. Since the beginning of January, the number of titles released each week has been severely reduced. Gamers used to be able to look forward to three games a week. Now we are lucky to get two.
In addition, some of Nintendo’s most popular consoles have been somewhat neglected. For instance, there are only 32 Super Nintendo games and 14 N64 titles currently available on the virtual download service. By comparison, 49 TurboGrafx-16 games have been released.
I am not disparaging those 49 titles, but I find it odd that Nintendo isn’t showing more support for its own consoles. The last SNES game released for the service was Super R-Type on March 17. Since the beginning of January, only four N64 games (1080 Snowboarding, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Cruis’n USA and Pokemon Puzzle League) have been added to the VC’s catalog.
The Wii was supposed to be my SNES. The technology through which I could experience all of the great games I missed more than a decade ago.
The SNES is considered by many to be the greatest console of all time. So, why isn’t Nintendo releasing more SNES games through the VC?
Rather than continue to complain about the problem, I decided to do something about it.
I love eBay. The massive online marketplace is a great way to find rare and out-of-print items. Hell, it has something for everyone. Even those people that buy food items shaped like former presidents.
Videogames and consoles are auctioned off quite frequently. If you are lucky, or just aware of your surroundings, you can find an auction that includes a home console and a bundle of quality games.
For the past few weeks, I have scoured eBay in search of an SNES to call my own. There were plenty of systems available, but I wanted to make sure that I got the one that was right for me (a.k.a. not a yellow, scuffed hunk of plastic).
Sure, I had to shell out $51 (plus shipping) for Nintendo’s sophomore home console (with six games). However, I consider it a worthwhile purchase because it quelled my dependency on NOA.
I know what you are thinking (mind reading is a hobby of mine). I wasted money that could have gone toward the purchase of a current-generation title. You might be right. However, I stand by my decision.
First, there simply aren’t any current PS3, or Wii games that I want to purchase. The last game I bought was Grand Theft Auto IV. That streak is likely to continue until July 29 when Soul Calibur IV is released.
Second, it’s my money, and I will do with it as I please.
I would rather spend my money on games that I will play for many years to come, as opposed to games that will simply take up space in my closet. For instance, I will get a lot more mileage out of Super Punch-Out than I ever would from Lego Indiana Jones. This is based on my personal preferences and is in no way intended to question the quality of Lego Indiana Jones. It’s a solid title, but I don’t want to spend $50 on it.
Purchasing an SNES was never about starting a collection of games. It was about being able to play my favorite 16-bit titles that are not currently available on the VC. For instance, I’m not going to search eBay for Super Metroid or A Link to the Past. I would save money by downloading them from the VC.
I realize that I’m not sticking it to Nintendo. They have plenty of money and could really care less what I do with my own (as long as I still purchase Wii games). However, I feel much better knowing that every Monday won’t bring tremendous disappointment. However, Sarcastic Gamer readers, you benefit most of all. For you will never have to read another article focused on my frustration with the VC. See, I told you it was a good decision.
Note: This article was submitted before Monday. It does not take into account the most recent VC update (6/30/08).
![[Post to Twitter]](http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this-small.png)
Tweet This| Related Posts:
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
11 responses so far ↓
1 SWSilentkiller // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Yeah Nintendo is missing out on some great VC games, which is why I am glad I still have my SNES. Time to go to ebay and search for the Super Mairo RPG, and a Nintendo 64 (because mine no longer works, also yes I relaize the Mario RPG is a SNES title, I just want to play paper mario again without having to buy it again).
2 Havok Saunders // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Good luck with your search for Legend of the Seven Stars. That is a pretty expensive title on eBay.
3 DWK // Jun 30, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I’ve got some games I could loan to you, I’d just need some collateral.
My friend might have Seven Stars…
4 Bono Hit My Car // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I am with ya duder. I went and snagged an NES and a Genesis. It feels so good in my tiny little nerd body.
5 JakubK666 // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Havok, do you remember the five-year-rule? Torrent/ROM is completely acceptable in this case.
6 Havok Saunders // Jun 30, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Five-year-rule? Please enlighten me JakubK666.
7 JakubK666 // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Pretty self-explanatory.
If it’s older than five years than it’s okay to download it from the internet.
Doesn’t work in all cases, but it seems to apply perfectly well to a twenty-year old SNES game.
8 lwelyk // Jun 30, 2008 at 7:34 pm
5 year rule… Yeah. Nice made up rule there Jakub.
Anyway SMRPG came out in Japan last week and it had 4 games along side it. It’s clearly the terrible NoA’s problem. I hope they fix things up soon, I still have my SNES, but some games are far too expensive, so I hope they get their act together soon.
9 Shadowbird // Jul 1, 2008 at 1:52 am
I’ve only one thing to say: ZSNES with any USB gampad.
Seriously. Nintendo is not getting any more money when you buy off eBay than when you download from “teh Interwebz”, and no one is going to sue you for downloading a few old roms. The games look SO much better (while still remaining quaintly retro) with HQ2X/HQ3X upsizing and playing Super Mario with analog stick is just plain awesome.
10 Boringsupreez // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:54 am
I bought a Super Nintendo last year since Nintendo wasn’t realeseing enough SNES games on the virtual console. I bought a N64 before the Wii launched, but I’m glad I did that. Come on, 14 N64 games?
11 Thunder // Jul 1, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I would agree I have been buying up tons of old console’s and video games.
Leave a Comment