DSi Virtual Console: 8BitGuys Wishlist

This is my first entry (of hopefully many) that I'll be posting on BitMob. I've started my own retro gaming blog at www.8bitguys.com where this editorial can also be found. I hope you enjoy the read!

One of the bigger rumours coming out of the Nintendo camp for E3 is that the DSi will be getting its own Virtual Console featuring old GameBoy and GameBoy Advance games. If I was a betting man I’d say that a DSi VC is as close to a sure bet as you can get. The infrastructure is already in place with the DSiWare store and with the loss of the GameBoy Advance Slot in Nintendo’s newest handheld there is definitely a need waiting to be filled and I’ve never known Nintendo to say no to money.

Now, since I’ve already come to the conclusion that we will be getting a DSi Virtual Console, I’d like to discuss my personal top 3 the games I’d like to see Nintendo put out for both the GameBoy/GameBoy Colour and the GameBoy Advance. Feel free to leave your feedback for games you’d like to see as well.

GameBoy

Gargoyle’s Quest

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGe-4Dy1sVQ"

The Earthbound/Mother series is a cult Nintendo classic and the refusal of Nintendo to release it stateside is a shame. Since I haven’t played this game before I am not going to get into all of its details because, simply put, I don’t know them.

One of the popular theories as to why Mother 3 was never released in North America is that the GameBoy Advance was quickly being replaced by the DS as Nintendo’s portable platform of choice to develop for (pfft... third pillar my ass!). Unfortunately one of the casualties of Nintendo transitioning to the DS so quickly was that some games late in the GBA’s life cycle never saw the light of day, Mother 3 being one of them. There has been a rumour that Nintendo is waiting to release Earthbound 0 (Mother), Earthbound (Mother 2), and Earthbound 2 (Mother 3) as a compilation on one cart in North America. It is definitely a great package and a cool idea but with the ESRB already rating Earthbound for the Virtual console I doubt we’d see this retail package any time soon.

I can’t think of a better way for Nintendo to appease the Earthbound fans in North America than by releasing it on the DSi Virtual Console. It would be a win/win as the fans would be happy and Nintendo wouldn’t have to worry about possible losses on the game due to distribution costs. Nintendo’s only real cost would be translating the game, but I am sure they could use a large part of the fan translation that can be found here.

I think Nintendo could really launch the DSi VC with a bang if this was one of the games available day one. Is this a little bit of wishful thinking on my part? Probably. Will I have my fingers and toes crossed that this is announced next week at E3? Most Definitely!

Lance Darnell

May 31, 2009

What an awesome blog/article!!!

Thanks for taking the time to include all the great videos!!
If Nintendo puts any of the Earthbound/Mother games out I will buy the DSi the very next day. But I think a lot of this is wishful thinking, for some of these are not even out on Virtual Console yet. But hey, here is to hoping.
Once again, great blog

Toby Davis

Earthbound totally and maybe a weird favorite, but Monster in my pocket.

Patrick Archer

Ya, I agree that a lot of it is definitely wishful thinking... but I am hoping that instead of getting some obscure garbage like much of the Wii VC we will get some obscure gems :)

@Patrick - Here's to hoping....

How is Golden Sun?

If you like old JRPGs then you should really check it out. I've played through it a couple of times (when it first came out and then about 18 months) and it was a fun ride that doesn't require you to think too much about what you're doing :)

Nice! And I assume the sequel is good too?

I could never get my hands on the sequel, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.

Brian Shirk

Final Fantasy Adventure would be a great game to have on DSi. I still have it, so I'm not sure if I'd download it, but it's probably my favorite original Game Boy title. I've always wanted to play the Golden Sun games, but I might be purchasing them used soon.

Oh, and I'd love to have the Mother games in English in portable form. The fan translation of Mother 3 was excellent, so Nintendo should just pay them and put it out on DSi or in cart form, pronto.