For the first time ever in the U.S., Sin & Punishment is now out for Virtual Console. It's $12, more than the other games likely for the localization that had to be done. A dream for many, came true today! Now for the Evangelion game...

Additionally, Super Mario Bros. Lost Levels is also out, another first timer for the U.S.

Technically, SMBTLL was released back on the SNES, on Super Mario Bros All-Stars, and later on the GBC's Super Mario Bros Deluxe, but this is the first time it was released in the US untampered, so I guess Nintendo can get off charging an extra dollar for it.

They also mark the second and third game to be 'imported' on the Virtual Console.  TG-16 got the first one (Lode Runner Battle or something).  I hope Sega jumps in with the European Zero Wing.

I just spent the last two hours playing Sin & Punishment.  It rocks very much.  Definitely worth the $12.

Downloaded it right before I left for work/school.  Can't wait to get home!!

Is it pretty friendly for us English-speaking fellas?

The game originally had English voiceovers with Japanese subtitles in the cutscenes.  Nintendo spent a little time to translate the menus and tutorials.  So the translation was minimal.

I really wish there was a way to map the N64 Z button to the A or B button on the Classic Controller while retaining movement on the D-pad.  Trying to do sword slashes on the L button the Classic Controller is tiring for me.

The game's interface screams for a Wiimote-Nunchunk combination.  Hopefully, a new game will take advantage of this idea.

I really, really wanna play this game with the N64 controller - it'd work so much better with it.  The GC pad is cool, but two of the control settings are almost unplayable for me.  I found one that works, but it's no substitute for the N64 controller.  I found an adapter online that let's you use your N64 controllers on Wii/GC, but now I can't find my damn controllers.  Anyways, really nice game.  I downloaded it first thing when I got home last night.

Change your control type to Type 3.  This will allow you to attack with B and strafe with L and R.

Unfortunately, I need a lot of practice to acclimatize myself to Type 3.  When I tried it, I had a huge tendency to press both L and R together, so my guy wouldn't move or move in the wrong direction.

I changed over to Type 3 just to deal with the "bring down the missile" scene.

I'm finding that this game takes awhile to get used to, even on Type 3.  Anyone else having the same problem?  Also, it's nice to see Nintendo releasing a somewhat more mature game.

What's this I hear about the Wii supposedly cleaning up N64 graphics a little bit?

Yeah, the textures look a bit cleaner on the Wii.  I've really only noticed it in Mario Kart 64, though... Mario 64 looks exactly like I remember it being.

I think the N64 emulator they developed upscales the games from 240i into 480p.  They did the same thing with the GameCube versions of Ocarina and Majora.

Just keep practicing.  The scheme they developed isn't terribly intuitive, and jumping makes it even more complicated, but it eventually clicks.

Is this the first VC game NOA has translated for Virtual Console?  If so, thats a good sign!

I don't know if Nintendo did any translation work (or if any was needed) for SMB: Lost Levels or if Hudson did any for Battle Lode Runner, but these three are the only imports on the U.S. VC so far.  Europe has Mario's Super Picross and Ninja something as well.

Sin & Punishment was my very first VC download.  I've been going crazy with it now, downloading Ninja Gaiden, Punch-Out!, and Beyond Oasis.  So here's my question: 

I noticed that when I booted up Beyond Oasis and Ninja Gaiden, I continued *exactly* where I left off.  It's as if the game just "paused itself".  Now say if I play through Beyond Oasis or say Zelda:ALttP all the way through to the end and then transfer those games to my SD card, will my end games files still be there when I load them back onto the Wii?

Each game gets a save file that saves the state you were in when you left it.  Some save files cannot be transferred to an SD card.  If you remove the game from the system, the save file should remain.  Just don't delete those.

With all the big games recently, I had let this one go unfinished, but I went back to it and knocked it out on Easy mode tonight.  It's a very short game, but a thoroughly tight experience with a cool (if bizarre) story, nice music, and great Treause gameplay.  A sequel to this would be perfect for the Wii, and I hope Treasure has realized that.

Then this entry about a Nintendo Power interview will interest you:  http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/1 … easure.htm

Well, at least they're thinking about it.  That's a good start.

EPIC BUMP!

Father's day gave me a good couple of hours to catch up on some much-needed gaming and I was playing some Dynamite Headdy (VC) when I thought I should give S&P another shot.

HOLY CRAP - I've played through it at least 3 times now (in the span of 2 days) and I'm hooked.  This is just another reason why Treasure owns.  The title does take some time to grow on you, and the first time I picked it up, I thought the controls were unnecessarily obtuse, but you learn to live with 'em. 

Tons of monsters?  Check.
Great gameplay?  Double check.
Fantastic boss fights?  Checkmate.

I especially loved *spoiler* the very last fight when it's you fighting on top of the world against "mimicry earth."  The way the game builds up to it is just amazing.  Worth the $12 anyday.