Virtual Console Reviews

Yes, it's a weird list. No Sonic 2? No Sin and Punishment? Operationflipping Wolf in the top twenty? Bizarre.

I really hope that the poor showing here for third-party games doesn't mean that those companies will start to pull out of the Virtual Console, as for the most part, I'm more interested in them than the Nintendo franchises.

Why not Sonic 2? Seriously that game is awesome. It's good to see Nintendo 64 titles in there, that shows Nintendo that we want MORE but it's a shame there's not enough Sega and other Third Party games in there...

What????No Sin and Punishment?Think PacMan, Donkey Kong and Operation Wolf are too high!
Where is F-Zero?

Well, Mario seems to be doing well. You know what this means Nintendo? GIVE US MARIO PARTY, SUPER MARIO RPG AND TENNIS! =D

Distinct lack of Streets of Rage 2. Very disappointing.

Based on what I've downloaded, looks like I'd fit in with European gamers more than my fellow Americans.

@Steven - Is this a confession that you bought Operation Wolf?

Maybe if Hudson weren't bombarding the VC with scrolling shooters that only the few hardcore fans would recognise clear differences between then perhaps they would see more TG16 games in the top twenty, huh? And if this isn't an indication that Bomberman '94 should be released outside of Japan then I don't know what is. And its incrediby surprising that Operation Wolf got to #20 despite not being available to download for long.

Good old fashion Super Mario Bros. 3... Just saying it makes me smile.

Dont look at me, I didnt buy operation wolf. I did buy 10 of those games though, and own another 3 in a differant format.

I didn't buy it either! But I only own 4 of those 20 titles. So I guess I'm not a typical European customer.

@Kelvin: I find it hard to believe that third party companies should draw out at this moment. I think that Nintendo's lawyers has those companies bound to the VC by a contract that's very hard to pull out from. At least for the next year or two.

What you all seem to be forgetting is that this list is likely only from this month or year and that would explain the absence of sonic 2, F-Zero and other brilliant titles which were available beforehand. Using the same logic though, the immortal Mario 3 must be raking in a fortune for Nintendo as it would have sold solidly since it's release in both (probably all three) regions. (I recently gifted it and the internet channel to my 7 & 4 yo brothers after having 1000 points in reserve for several months of uninteresting releases. They're stoked)

@Bass X0 - To be fair there isn't much other than shmups in the TurboGrafx's library which Hudson could release

Operation Wolf can only have hit #20 because it has had lots of misguided sales since 14th March when it got released in the EU. I would say this shows that the results are pretty much based on the download figures for a monthly period.

@ Dazza: I reckon your right re: Op Wolf. A lot of people would have good memories of it and thought how bad could it be? or weren't smart enough to check for a review first. Which is why I love this site...

Good list, not suprised with most of the games. I hope you were joking with Donkey Kong being on there

I think the fact that Donkey Kong and Pac-Man seem to constantly be in the top 20 whenever I have looked demonstrate that the Wii's user base must have a lot of nostaglic old timers. What else could explain it?

did you say operation wolf?
hows that even possible...

No......Sonic.......2....... C'mon!!! And no Sin & Punishment! And Operation Wolf made it on there!! Who the heck bought that??? This better not cause 3rd Parties to back down from the virtual console. If sega leaves i leave

I may go download Sonic 2 even though I have it on the Sonic collection. Why are gamers missing out a classic like Sonic 2?

Do yourself a favor and go download Sonic 2

No Mega Man 2?! Wow I'm surprised that didn't make the list...

I wish Mega Man 1/2 were there, it would make Capcom release them in NA (probably).

The official Norwegian Nintendo forum is running a similar list, where members list their collection so others can see which games are the most popular. It's a lot more small-scale than this one, and since the forums are down, I can't really check it, But I remember that Paper Mario was the number 1 download, Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario Bros being very high on the list, and the sole Mega Drive and Turbografx offerings on the list were Sonic the Hedgehog and Bomberman '93.

I would imagine that a game could be in the top 50 (or lower) and still make a profit, so I doubt that any companies will be pulling out any time soon.

Operation Wolf instead of Megaman or Sin and Punishment? Now I'm sure this list is more based on the last month.
I guess Europe was fooled and thought operation wolf to be the first Wii Zapper title, that's why I always check vc-r before buying vc-games!

Sin & Punishment was on the list for some time but unfortunately not now .
Shame as it's a Great Game !

In relation to Adamant's post, I would love to see a talking point style forum on this site just to see the top 5 favorite games that members have downloaded. It would be interesting to see how our gaming tastes differ.

Alright why don't people buy Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which is IMO the best Sonic game ever made! Anyways, the list is well weird with Donkey Kong NES in it and Pac-man well its Pac-man! But I am not suprised to see whats in there except for maybe Operation Wolf.

I would have thought that Sonic sales would have been better in the US due to brawl (I love to torment PAL gamers!). Although his recent 3D outings have been shameful... Plus his other gimmick Hedgehog brethren of new are blasphemous atrocities. Shadow? Silver? Meh.

I know what you mean, imagine a shadow or silver mario. wait, there was a shadow mario! wow, talk about lack of imagination.

Yeah, like nearly every Nintendo Character has blue or totally black eyes, if anyone has ever noticed

I declare myself innocent, since I have both F-Zero X and Sin & Punishemnet. Day 1 purchases, since F-Zero X was the first game I bought for the N64 and I had never played S&P before it came out on the Wii VC.

No Sonic the hedgehog 2? Wow... Otherwise good list. Well.. Except operaton wolf.

Perhaps Sonic 2 isn't there cause they gave the game away with Mega Drives in the mid to late 90s. Also, its almost as easily found as all the old FIFA updates. I say its not there cause everyone already has it.

@Will- At least shadow mario was Bowser's (new) son in disguise!
Cosmic Mario is yet unexplained...

I believe this is the UK Top 20, not Europe's. As I said in the other Top 20 post, I track every day the Italian Top 20 and the position of the games are completely different.

I suspect the list may be compiled on a pro-rata basis based on how long the game has been on VC. If you say, eg, Bomberman's been out for 70 weeks and Op Wolf has been out for one, then Op Wolf would only need to sell 1/70th as many copies in its 1st week as Bomberman has in 70 to equal Bomberman on the list.

The initial surge in the first week or two a new game appears on VC will artificially boost its position in the short-term, which I think explains Op Wolf's appearance.

Out of both those lists (which are practically identical), I have downloaded a total of three games!

i am a nostalgic old timer.

So it turns out the average Wii owners tastes isnt exactly refined.

No Link to the Past or Gunstar Heroes!

You Europeans take Mega Man for granted. ='(

When oh when are they going to release Star Wing for the SNES

WHAT?! THAT'S AN OUTRAGE, WHY IS THERE NO SOLOMONS KEY ON THE LIST?!!! THIS IS SO BAD THIS WHOLE COMMENT IS IN CAPS LOCK!!!!!

"The official Norwegian Nintendo forum is running a similar list, where members list their collection so others can see which games are the most popular. It's a lot more small-scale than this one, and since the forums are down, I can't really check it,"

The forum is back up, so here's the listing:
1) Paper Mario [N64]
2) Mario Kart 64 [N64]
3) Lylat Wars [N64]
4) Super Mario Bros. [NES]
5) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past [SNES]
6) Donkey Kong Country [SNES]
7) Super Mario World [SNES]
8) Super Mario 64 [N64]
9) Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels [NES]
10) Kirby's Adventure [NES]
11) Sonic the Hedgehog [Sega Mega Drive]
12) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time [N64]
13) Super Mario Bros. 2 [NES]
14) Super Metroid [SNES]
15) The Legend of Zelda [NES]
16) Bomberman '93 [TurboGrafx]
17) Metroid [NES]
18) Super Mario Bros. 3 [NES]
19) Yoshi's Story [N64]
20) F-Zero X [N64]

I am not going slam anyone for buying Operation Wolf. Remember some people are game collectors and purchase even bad titles.
I can't say anything because I downloaded Urban Champion and Volleyball. The reason is because I never found them when they originally came out in the 80's

i dont plan on buying any of the sonic games because i have Mega Collection and can play them there when ever i want, oh and the best one of the older series was clearly Sonic 3 and Knuckles, it was epic and obtaining super sonic was easier than sonic 2.