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Wii virtual console releases for this week

Two classic franchises round out this week's virtual console releases. But don't worry, there's a token TurboGrafx 16 game hiding behind them.

Kirby's Avalanche (1995, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points)--In this departure from the conventional platforming you're used to in other Kirby adventures, Kirby's Avalanche will have you racking your brain in this fast-paced color matching puzzle game. Streets of Rage 3 (1994, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--A staple series in the beat-em-up genre, Streets of Rage brought great action and gameplay to consoles everywhere. In this third installment of the franchise, you … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Glad to see another Nintendo 64 title has made it to the virtual console, although I'm anticipating some disappointment with the selection.

Yoshi's Story (1998, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii points)--After Baby Bowser casts a spell on Yoshi Island leaving it in the form of a storybook, six Yoshis must band together and dethrone the evil Baby Browser and restore happiness to Yoshi Island. Super Thunder Blade (1988, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--A Sega Genesis launch title, Super Thunder Blade is a helicopter combat game where you must fire upon all kinds of submarines, tanks, and more … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

NES Play Action Football (1990, NES, 500 Wii points)--Considered quite ahead of its time, NES Play Action Football allowed you to choose between 10 real teams--all with current rosters (at the time)--in addition to selecting real plays. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--Sonic Team improved on the series in every way possible--from faster action to more massive play areas, Sonic 3 delivers the nonstop action that fans have come to expect. Neutopia II (1991, Turbografx 16, 600 Wii points)--In this sequel you'll have to deal with the same evil demon from the … Read more

Four new Wii virtual console releases this week

Nintendo has bestowed upon us a holiday bonus for Labor Day. Instead of the usual three virtual console releases, there are four new Wii games ready for download this week.

Adventure Island (1988, NES, 500 Wii points)--Adventure Island is a classic side-scrolling platformer, where you play as Master Higgins. Tina, the love of your life, is missing, and it's up to you to find her on a remote island. Donkey Kong Jr. Math (1985, NES, 500 Wii points)--And who says learning can't be fun? This is a great game to buy if you've got a … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Just in case you aren't busy enough playing Metroid Prime 3: Corruption today, here are the three virtual console games released this morning.

Super C (1990, NES, 500 Wii points)--Super C is the sequel to the classic Konami action side-scroller, Contra. In Super C, you'll take on even more aliens and baddies, some of which used to be your allies. Breath of Fire II (1995, Super NES, 800 Wii points)--Play as one of nine available characters in this highly regarded RPG filled with demons, dragons, and magic. Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1989, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--The … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week--2 out of 3 ain't bad

You can stop rubbing your eyes because 66% of the virtual console releases this week are actually solid games as the Nintendo month of Metroid continues.

Super Metroid (1994, Super NES, 800 Wii points)--Arguably the best Metroid platformer ever made, Super Metroid improved upon the classic formula which resulted in an explosion of popularity. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (1993, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--In this sequel to The Revenge of Shinobi, you find out that Neo Zeed, the last game's villian, is still at large. It's going to take some fierce ninja action … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Nintendo continues 'The Month of Metroid' with the release of Samus Aran's original adventure on the virtual console. With it come two other games no one remembers from their childhood.

Metroid (1987, NES, 500 Wii points)--The original Metroid game helped shape the face of adventure platformers. In fact, the mechanics first introduced in Metroid are still emulated to this day. And for all you die-hard Metroid fans, apparently " Justin Bailey" still works. Shining in the Darkness (1991, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--Shining in the Darkness is an adventure game that puts you in the middle … Read more

Xbox 360 Premium now includes HDMI

The Xbox 360 is getting to be a better deal all the time. Hot off the news of a price drop, Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox 360 Premium--which now retails for $350--now includes an HDMI output. The confirmation comes after Shacknews posted photos of a newly purchased Xbox 360 with the telltale port, essentially proving that the rumored upgrade was already available in stores.

So what's the big deal? HDMI provides a single-cable, all-digital connection to compatible HDTVs and AV receivers, delivering far fewer wires, higher quality, and better 1080p compatibility than the combination of component video and … Read more

Xbox 360 price drops now official

After weeks of credible rumors, Microsoft finally made it official: the Xbox 360 will be cheaper as of August 8. The new price points are as follows:

Xbox 360 Core: The cheapest 360 drops just $20, to $280. But since it still doesn't come with a hard drive--which will cost you at least $100--you're much better stepping up to the Premium version (see below).

Xbox 360 Premium: The sweet spot in the Xbox 360 lineup drops $50, to $350. If you don't need HDMI output and you're not planning on downloading a lot of videos, … Read more