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  • GregK
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Ikaruga 9.0
19Nov 06

Because F-Zero is one of the Better Wii Launch Titles

This was a week to remember here at GameSpot. The PS3 and Wii launches happening so close together presented an interesting challenge even for a relatively large editorial team like the one we've assembled here, so we decided to split our efforts between bringing you the best coverage of the launch events themselves, and bringing you the best reviews of the launch titles. Of course it's yours and not ours to decide whether we succeeded in this, but for my part, it's been fun and intense working with this team on these launches, being around so many hard-working people at all hours.

Having said that, the main reason I'm writing is because one of the wild cards during this process was the Wii's Virtual Console service. We basically knew what it was going to be, but we didn't know exactly how it was going to shape up. When we learned that the service had launched on Saturday, we quickly investigated, and decided that this initial batch of titles would be worth reviewing after all. It was my pleasure to review several of the first batch myself: Altered Beast, F-Zero, and Sonic the Hedgehog.

There are three reasons we're reviewing the Wii's Virtual Console games:
1) They cost real money and they've available for purchase on a new console that seems like it's going to be very popular.

2) We think you might be interested to know our verdicts on these games, and might appreciate our ability to direct you to the best of them.

3) Some of these games are fantastic and we want to play them again or for the first time.

We decided on four guiding principles for our reviews of Virtual Console games, which will be kept short and to the point:
1) To put each game in proper historic context and take advantage of our editorial team's first-hand knowledge of the history of games. A lot of us played these games as kids.

2) To comment on the emulation quality and gameplay using the Wii Remote and/or GameCube controller and Classic Controller.

3) To comment on how each game holds up to current standards. Is it still fun to play? How long does it last?

4) To discuss the value proposition. Is it a good deal for the Wii points? Some of the prices seem pretty steep, like $8 for Genesis games and $10 for Nintendo 64 games.

A lot of us at GameSpot have come to really enjoy what's on offer on the Xbox Live Arcade service, so we've got high hopes for what happens with Virtual Console as well as the PlayStation 3's pay-per-download program (we've reviewed the PS3's first two downloadable games already: Blast Factor and Cash Guns Chaos). We'll be very curious to see how it pans out, since, even though it's up and running, we still have some questions. But as you'll see from our reviews, some of this first batch of games are well worth it. For now, we intend to keep reviewing Virtual Console games in batches, and will use your feedback and our experiences to decide how best to proceed from there. I look forward to reading some of your reviews of these old games as well.

  • Posted Nov 19, 2006 12:49 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
  • 71 Comments

71 Comments

  • Charlie2688

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 12:58 pm PT

    Thanks Greg for a fantastic job!

  • toppsseller

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:10 pm PT

    sounds like a good idea as long as the context of when these games were released is considered.

  • nghtcrwlr821

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    That's going to be awesome. It's going to help me out a lot on my purchasing decisions.

  • megahertz_0

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:28 pm PT

    Good idea, see if they still hold true and how they compare to Live arcade and ps3 pay-per-download (Lame name).

    Gamespot is always on point... I enjoy all the live coverage. P.S - Jeff giving ZeldaTP 8.8 was so not cool. Maybe if it had Points.

  • DouglasBuffone

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:29 pm PT

    I can't imagine what people are going to do if you guys rate Zelda or Super Mario Bros not to people's expectations. That would be terrible. By the way I think that all the stuff Zelda fans said was absolutely terrible.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:32 pm PT

    F-Zero is one of the greatest games ever

  • Demodocus

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:32 pm PT

    Nintendo’s and Sony’s downloadable games seem hit or miss. Sony seems to have nothing solid yet, and Nintendo could flood the market with under price fantastic games and overpriced crap games. XBLA is more established and seems more stable, but who knows how it will all turn out at this point.

  • BettyBot

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:32 pm PT

    You all have done a remarkably thorough job of covering all aspects of recent events. I'm really impressed, your news and video coverage and all the reviews in such a short time have really made my recent gaming experience a lot better than I would have imagined. I'm also excited that GS is reviewing VC games and want to say once again that the effort all of you are putting into make a complete gaming site is spot on!


    I downloaded the most obvious choice from the VC last night, Super Mario 64. I haven't played it yet in favor of Wii boxing and Trauma Center

    Thanks for a job well done, Greg!

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 1:34 pm PT

    Great job Greg, you guys have been truthful and intuitive with your reviews. You stand by them and offer some great opinions and feedback on the Wii and PS3 games. I applaud you for your job. Keep it up.

  • Warris

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    The gamespot crew has done a really good job with the Coverage of the Wii and PS3 launch so far. Keep up the good work.

  • FernandoDANTE

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    I didn't actually think you'd do this. Nice to see it happening.

    Hm...I think it should be "Because F-Zero is one of the Best Wii Launch Titles", using Best instead of Better. Shouldn't it be? Well, I'm not sure.

  • Xythos09

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:08 pm PT

    I'm glad that you guys will be reviewing virtual console games. Also, great job GameSpot for your coverage of the PlayStation 3 and Wii launches. I really enjoyed it.

  • edubuccaneer Site moderator

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:08 pm PT

    I'm curious to see how well the 64 games are gonna be ported over to the Wii, since Nintendo dropped the idea for their emulation during the Dolphin days... by the way, Greg, which games are you getting for your Virtual Console, besides the reviewed titles?

    Altered Beast is Altered Beast. That thing has always been a car wreck. And Sonic has been ported to mostly every system after the Genesis. The only real novelty title is F-Zero, really, and I end up agreeing with you on that one. Not that I like F-Zero a whole lot, sadly.

  • gagan21

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    The gamespot crew has done 1 hell of a job by covering the ps3 and wii launch event , i really liked that, i watched both the events live , but didnt got an emblem for either . but anyways thanks gamespot for an awesome coverage of both these events , keep up the good work

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:18 pm PT

    Thnaks for covering this! Kept me really interested in the whole VC concept

  • Trussel

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:30 pm PT

    This is great news. I always find it a little disappointing when I search some very popular classic titles, which always have player reviews, never seem to have an editor review. This will give us a chance to see if you guys enjoy the older games as much as we do. I'd like to say thank you very much.

  • SPHYNXA

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:46 pm PT

    Greg, as stated many times... kudos to you and the rest of the Gamespot staff (there is undeniably so many people behind the scenes that we don't necessarily know about that makes these things happen, such as on-location video feeds and whatnot), having two huge console releases in the span of 3 days surely wasn't easy to cover due to the alloited time.

    Onto some VC comments... I'm extraordinarly glad that VC games are being reviewed, some games (such as Altered Beast) I have heard of, yet hadn't had an experience to play when I was younger (being strictly a Nintendo follower due to lack of knowledge of competitors), so reading up on a game that I otherwise wouldn't have necessarily known much about is great. I hope you guys have time to cover them all, and not just the higher-profile titles.

  • SPHYNXA

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    Also, I hope that the Soapbox will get more love from the editors as the heavy workload of these past two console releases deminishes.

  • cakeorrdeath

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:17 pm PT

    I really appreciate you reviewing these old virtual console games as I missed lots and lots of them the first time round. It is extremely helpful to have the Gamespot editorial staff point me in the right direction so I don't end up wasting my money on an absolute stinker of a game.

    Thank You.

  • Schadenfreude

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:22 pm PT

    Will you be re-reviewing N64 games that have already been reviewed? For example, Super Mario 64?

  • GMAN32X

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:56 pm PT

    Ah, a wave of nostalgia washed over me when I saw these reviews on the site. I agree with the decision to review the VC games. Some of those prices are steep indeed, but your reviews did a great job of putting the classics into context. Definitely a good read.

  • Zaxex

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 3:59 pm PT

    Awesome, i think as long as something costs money and you'll spend hours playing deserves a review. Even though a half dozen bucks doesn't compare to $60 it's great to know what's worth buying. I mean Uno, who would've guessed, that game is fantastic and cant be found in shops.

    I started gaming at 5 with the N64 and know how many superb games it had, i'm certainyl willing to buy some of the games available but other then one or two i don't know what to expect from a retro title from the NES or SNES.

    Do you think these games are worth buying without any prior experience with them and no sense of deja vu. I'm all for retro/arcade games that wouldn't be being sold if it wasnt for these next-generation systems, so i for one really appreciate the reviews.

  • TheNay-Sayer

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:15 pm PT

    I'm totally interested in reading about the VC games... though I probably already know about and have played all the ones that will be released.

    I also think it's a great oppurtunity for Gamespot to bolster their number of "classic reviews" since the site wasn't around back in the day they were first released.

    As for the launch, I think you guys DESTROYED it. Utter domination. I couldn't believe when I woke up Sunday (Saturday for the US) and saw how many reviews were posted. The GS staff were BUSY. Though I do think that has it's downsides as well.

  • kriptonzz

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:06 pm PT

    Thanks Greg, I'm glad you decided to cover this. I hope to see some really good choices for me to play. Really guys, thanks a bundle

  • ClaudeLv250

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:17 pm PT

    I'm not really looking forward to the reviews because most ports of classic games get completely bashed by review sites for "not being with the times." Except that's the entire purpose of porting the game in its original form.

    I just hope the VC games don't fall prey to this, and that GS doesn't continue the true. I really don't feel like fending off trolls who start touting scores as ammunition against classic, upstanding games that ahve long since proven the test of time...

  • wilkinsg

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:26 pm PT

    Reviewing the virtual console games is a GREAT idea. Please keep doing it. Thank you.

  • death_burnout

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:26 pm PT

    thanks greg, and the GS team for putting this into pracitce, even though i might not get any of them i appreciate it nonetheless

    i was totally gonna say what NeoJedi said, KEEP IT UP

  • necronom_iv

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:33 pm PT

    definitely looking forward to more vc reviews. thanks, greg.

  • davidscorc

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 5:57 pm PT

    I guess F-Zero holds up better than many classic games on the virtual console. Also, I think that's a great idea to review them.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:02 pm PT

    Hooray This is a really fantasitc idea, i will absolutely love reading about these games again

  • Oilers99

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:26 pm PT

    What is desperately needed now is a sub-section for VC games similar to what the 360 section has.

    I'm also curious as to whether or not Gamespot's staff is planning to review VC games themselves, or rely to an extent on freelancers. Given the potentially overwhelming release schedule for VC games, and my personal interest in doing some review work, I'm kinda hoping it's the latter.

  • I_Stole_the_Tv

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:51 pm PT

    I pity the person who will have to review Urban Champion. That game is pure evil. On the other hand, Gunstar Heroes is the greatest of all time, so whoever gets to review that should feel honored.

  • kiki1243

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    Nice work, Mr. Kasavin.
    I know for sure that I'll have some good choices when I try out the Wii Virtual Console.

  • str1

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:36 pm PT

    I've read your reviews for Sonic, Altered Beast, and F-Zero, and I thought that they were very well done. I also think that it's worthwhile reviewing all of these games because there are a lot of younger gamers out there that have never played the original F-Zero, and even more that have never played games like Ice Hockey and Donkey Kong.

    Beyond that, I've been pleased all around with your launch coverage of both the PS3 and the Wii. If there's one criticism I can make, it's that the reviews seem to contain a few more typos than the average from what I've seen, but given the volume of work that the GS crew has been sifting through, I think that's understandable. I'll be looking forward to more reviews for both systems in the coming weeks as the dust starts to settle. Keep up the good work, and fit in some time to relax between now and the end-of-year awards season. You've earned it.

  • ScOtTiLeS

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:55 pm PT

    GameSpot hands down had the top launch coverage being the only site with live coverage of launches and multiple reviews and video reviews on top of that. Job well done! Although working long hours and on weekends to cram might of been a little hectic around there.

  • ReggieWhite2

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 7:58 pm PT

    F-Zero has always rocked. Sweet tracks, a catchy soundtrack and awesome mode-7 effects. I didn't know it would be available right off the bat for the Wii's VC. I never really cared for Altered Beast. Always thought the game sucked. Never saw the appeal.

    I think its great that you guys are reviewing games for the Wii's VC. When I get one I'll be posting reviews for it as well.

  • juanfraino

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:47 pm PT

    Ok, im gonna download f-zero and sonic today. I need to use this controller for something, it was 20$, so I better give it a good use.

  • vaejas

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:43 pm PT

    My thanks to you Greg and all the staff for being almost painfully honest and thorough with this Wii business and event coverage. Seeing so many launch titles (full and emulated) get mediocre scores shows that the hype machine should hold no sway when it's time to open our wallets.

    I can only pray that some developer is not working on Quest Wii.

  • Baroque-Legacy

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 12:46 am PT

    Glad to hear you will be speaking on the quality of the emulation. This is a make or break thing for me.

  • shasam712

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 1:16 am PT

    Man, I was looking forward to some Altered Beast again, now I feel less confident about that puchase. Perhaps I will get F-Zero insted, seems like a good little distraction from Zelda.

  • faizali86

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 2:40 am PT

    i am sure youll be really busy with all the games coming out this year. enjoy yourself!

  • mjcowley Site moderator

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 2:49 am PT

    Great job Greg and team

  • solidte

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 3:17 am PT

    Yeah, i like seeing old games get reviewed so i can know if i should buy them because i have missed out on some really important games in gaming history and i welcome playing games that are two decades old so i can say to my friends "Yeah I played the original Zelda" woooooooh im old skool :]

  • edubuccaneer Site moderator

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 3:53 am PT

    Urban Champions is not awful. It has its own strategy and gimmicks... the lady in the window is the one who's awful. How many flower jars can one person in an apartment building have?!

  • zukunft23

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 8:15 am PT

    I think it's a good idea to review the virtual console games since GameSpot wasn't around during the lifespans of the consoles featured on the service minus the N64 and all that we've had up to now as a score for classic games were the user ratings. So I think it's a great idea that the editors will be taking trips down memory lane every now and then and reviewing the classics.

  • solidgamer

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 12:13 pm PT

    yes thank u for reviewing VC games also do we know if nintendo will offer any online support for VC games in the future that would kick ass just imagine mario kart snes 8 player online FTW keep up the good work thanks

  • SonicHomeboy

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 1:31 pm PT

    That's a neat idea. I hope to see a review of Gunstar Heroes soon.

  • searsbarnett

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    GregK, you and the crew have done a fantastic job this month. Ultimately, if someone REALLY likes a particular game, they are going to purchase it ,regardless if the review is positive or not. A game I worship may be GARBAGE to someone else. Bottom line is GAMESPOT editors have always given us Honest reviews. They are experienced gamers. Finally, they love what they do for a living.....reason why millions of us enjoy the site !

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Ikaruga 9.0
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