There are plenty of games that Nintendo needs to get on the Virtual Console. However, these games should already be on the Virtual Console or making their way there. Unfortunately, none of these games appear on any list of games that will soon be made available. So, let us take a short journey through the top five games I believe need to be on the Virtual Console.

#5- Dr. Mario (NES)

The puzzle geek in me cannot let this issue die. Why is one of the greatest puzzle genre games featuring Mario not on the Virtual Console!? This is a greater travesty than the time they put the name “Final Fantasy” on the My Life as a King game on WiiWare (couldn’t Square Enix have published it under a different name, perhaps simply, “My Life as a King”). Moving on to the goods of the game we can see why Dr. Mario should have a reserved space on the Virtual Console line up. There is little more satisfying than overcoming the common cold by over indulging on yellow, red, and blue pills prescribed by none other than Dr. Mario. The simple yet addictive game play allows for fun for more than one person. As you advance your skills you can crank up the speed and amount of germs present in your system. You would think with all of the folks who bought the Wii for therapy would also like to play a game that fights viruses (if you go for self-efficacy effects). Not much would make me or the therapy folks happier than to see Dr. Mario as a viable download option. Come on Nintendo, don’t you want us to be happy?

#4- X-Men (Genesis)

This great 1993 release made this list for primarily two reasons. First, nostalgic tendencies seem to get the better of my memory for games that might be better suited on the Virtual Console wish list. But seriously, isn’t that why Nintendo created the Virtual Console, for nostalgic purposes? Second, it truly is a great game. You get a chance to control one of four X-Men on a mission to escape the virus-infected danger room in the X-Mansion and fight the evil menace behind it all. The replay value isn’t all that great unless you want to challenge yourself to beat it with each character. Now, I know what some Sega-geeks are saying, and probably have been since they saw what game I listed at number five, “what about the reset trick toward on Mojo’s level?” In response, this is a wish list, please don’t geek pwn me. I’d hope game developers could configure a button on the classic controller to assume this function. But, alas, I do not know if this is feasible. So, onward!

#3- Final Fantasy III (SNES)

Few who have played this game would argue that FFIII should be on the Virtual Console. But, if we would like to be proper, as most video game geeks do, this would actually be considered Final Fantasy VI. Names aside, this game belongs on Virtual Console for a few reasons. First, Virtual Console needs representation from one of the greatest RPG series created, period. Second, FFIII gives players a chance to take advantage of the free-roam system on the world map. There are few games that allow for complete control of your characters subsequent destinations. Exploration is key to video game enjoyment. Personally, the drive I have to complete all video games stems from the desire to see what the next level will hold and its layout, what vile villains I will dispatch look like, and to decipher what tasks are necessary to pass the level. The free-range system allows for hours of exploration if the usual game play gets tedious or boring, however unlikely. Finally, FFIII provides a great story line, experience based level-up system, and plenty of side-quests to make this a sweet deal if it ever graces the Virtual Console. There is plenty more that could be said about FFIII and what merits its inclusion on the Virtual Console, but there are still two more that deserve equal attention.

#2- Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES)

Here is another great RPG this time featuring the classic Nintendo icon, Mario. This game was supposed to be released early in the Virtual Console’s existence. However, Super Mario RPG fans have been forced to wait with mixed rumors about when and if the game will be released. The game provides an opportunity to control five characters as you explore seven different levels. In addition, there are plenty of side-quests and opportunities for you to build up your experience giving you more attacks to choose from. Not only does this RPG feature the usual turn based system, it also incorporates an active feature where you must perform some action to determine the severity of certain attacks. This game is good enough that I would recommend RPG fans who have never played to purchase a Super Nintendo and this game. The resale will still be what you bought it for if you don’t like it since there are many fans. I think a parsimonious solution would be for Nintendo to release it for the Virtual Console and to stop toying with our emotions!

#1- GoldenEye 007 (N64)

So here it is, number one. Now I have to remind everyone reading that this list is not meant to be in the order of which game is better, it is a list of games that I would most like to see on the Virtual Console. What better way to spend time with friends and family, than by hunting each other down and shooting one another? Awesome multiplayer abilities aside, this game offers something for everyone, or at least anyone who can tolerate a little animated violence. Whether you want to go in a guns a blazin’ or go for a more refined, reconnaissance-stealth style you can to it in 007. With four difficulty levels this game will provide plenty of challenge even to veterans of the game. The difficulty of getting this game onto the Wii stems from Microsoft. They happen to own Rare, the developers of 007. But, hopefully, we might still get a chance to enjoy this great game on the Virtual Console within the year. Only time will tell.

Rx by

Dr. M. CLK