Nintendo digs up a few NES games for the VC

June 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am · 5 Comments

Grab your Wiimotes Nintendo fans, it’s time to see what the Japanese gaming giant has added to the Virtual Console library. The last few updates left a lot to be desired, but perhaps Nintendo will turn things around this week. Is it time to open your wallet and splurge on some retro gaming goodness?

Find out after the jump.

This week, Nintendo has dropped two classic NES titles onto the virtual game service. Those inclined to do so can now download Dig Dug and Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa for 600 points each. For those unfamiliar with Nintendo’s system of currency, 600 points is equivalent to $6. NES games typically cost 500 points ($5) on the VC.

I don’t know why Nintendo decided these two games were worth an extra dollar. Perhaps they put a little extra TLC into this week’s update. I like to imagine that, every once in a while, prices are determined by randomly drawing pieces of paper from a hat.

Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa was never released in the U.S. (until now). However, I did some investigation on YouTube, and here is what I found. The game, which looks to have been heavily inspired by Super Mario Bros., is a 2-D sidescroller that puts you in control of a baby. You use some rattle-like-thing to hit your enemies, which causes them to float away. These inflated enemies can be used as projectiles or as modes of transportation (for very short distances).

Perhaps one of the most striking similarities to Super Mario Bros. is a power-up that grants your baby invincibility. The item, which is shaped like a bell, allows your previously crawling infant to spring to his feet and dash through enemies like a bulldozer.

Bokutte Upa is essentially Super Mario Bros, but with a baby. I assume that this was just another attempt by a third party (Konami in this case) to cash-in on the popularity of Nintendo’s flagship title. If you are itching to play a Mario-like 2-D sidescroller, I suggest Super Mario Bros. Unless there are burping and pooping attacks. If so, I might consider thinking about downloading this title.

Dig Dug is a little bit more up my alley (even though I haven’t played it in over a decade). The concept is pretty simple. You are tasked with destroying a certain amount of enemies that are buried under the ground. Using your handy digging skills, you must work your way to each adversary and take them out. My favorite method was to pump each enemy full of air until they popped. However, be careful, as any of the tunnels you create can be used by your enemies as well.

Dig Dug has also appeared in numerous iterations of the Namco Museum series. If you don’t feel like spending $6 on the VC version, try tracking down a copy of Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection for the PS2, Xbox or Gamecube. The collection, which features 16 games, is available on Amazon for $19 (PS2 version only). The disc includes Pac-Man, Pole Position, Dragon Spirit and Sky Kid (another recent VC release).

While the inclusion of Dig Dug is certainly an improvement over previous updates, I still think Nintendo could have done better (three games instead of two). I think I’m going to save my $6, but perhaps the rest of you will find the VC’s latest offerings a bit more appealing. If not, feel free to follow my lead and spend your time complaining. Perhaps Nintendo will hear our cries of anguish. On second thought, they are probably too busy playing hide-and-seek in giant stacks of money.

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    5 responses so far ↓

    • DeathByWaffle says:

      I own Namco Museum for the GBA…so I don’t need any more Dig Dug

    • Richard says:

      “playing hide-and-seek in giant stacks of money”

      haha spot on! personally I’m gonna stick to zsnes i don’t see why anyone would want to pay for games they’ve already payed for eons ago anyway.

    • Boringsupreez says:

      Nintendo’s really been doing a crappy job bringing games to the VC. Especially withe N64 games.

    • Havok Saunders says:

      @ Boringsupreez

      Agreed. I also think they need to bring more SNES games to the service. The Super Nintendo is arguably the best console in the history of videogames, but it has been neglected by NOA.

    • Pablos102030 says:

      @Boringsupreez: Yeah, I thought they would release SSB before Brawl came out…

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