I really have to wonder if anyone is actually buying some of the Virtual Console games that Nintendo sees fit to push on us. Do they really have people so hooked on a retro fix that they can throw basketball games from 1987 on the VC and make money? The reason new sports games sell so well is because, with a few exceptions (NES Football titles and Genesis Hockey titles), old sports games sucked - hard. For their time they may have rocked but they are not worth the effort anymore. It would take hours of study to figure out how to play and hours more to realize what the hell is going on.

This week has some of the worst titles in a while. No, it doesn't have anything as bad as Lunar Pool, but it is up there. First we have Ecco Jr., a children’s version (see: easier version) of the aquatically pleasing Ecco the Dolphin. Next there is the stellar Double Dribble, as I talked about above. Lastly there is a crappy casino game: Vegas Stakes. Come on, guys, there are so many classics unreleased. Who actually plans on buying ANY of these?

Maybe Nintendo will get the message when they look at their bank account at the end of the week and realize that no one touched the VC. Then again, it is so filled with Wii and DS cash that you could pull an Office Space scam (or Superman II scam, if you will) and they wouldn’t notice. Transfer all of the rounded yen into an overseas bank account!
 

 

DOUBLE DRIBBLE™
NES
1-2 players
500 Wii Points

DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the first 5-on-5, full-court home basketball game, is pure hoops action at its finest. While still a surprisingly accurate basketball game for its time, the frantic action keeps you on your toes as your players run from one end of the court to the other. Choose from a handful of teams and multiple levels of difficulty as you take on the computer alone or challenge a friend and see who has the better skills. Take the ball and sink shots from locations all over the court, or get in your opponent's face and do your best to block the shot. Better yet, drive the lane and rock the rim to see one of the game's trademark slam-dunk cut scenes. He shoots, he scores!



Vegas Stakes™
Super NES
1-4 players
800 Wii Points

Feel like taking a road trip to Las Vegas? Let your inner high roller go wild as you try your luck at five different games-blackjack, slots, poker, craps and roulette. Start with only $1,000 in your pocket and play your way through five casinos, each with a different theme and varying limits. But no one wants to gamble alone, right? Not a problem, as you'll be able to choose one of four friends to tag along and offer advice when you need it. Further enhancing the experience is the fact that you'll be presented with a slew of interactions with random casino patrons. Best be careful, though-your choices in these situations could either get you closer to the millions of dollars you're after or cost you a pile of that hard-earned cash. Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit or stand-do whatever it takes to stake your claim in Vegas and beat the house!

 

Ecco Jr.™
Sega Genesis
1 player
800 Wii Points

The aquatic adventures of Ecco come to life for a younger generation of gamers. Perfect for kids, Ecco Jr. finds our young hero heading out to sea with a variety of tasks he must perform in order to get there. Along with his friends Tara the baby orca and Kitnee the young Atlantic dolphin, Ecco Jr. will interact with sea lions, sea horses and other aquatic life as he makes his journey to the Big Blue. Introduce your kids to the classic series of Ecco the Dolphin titles by downloading Ecco Jr. today.

 

Go to the Wii Shop channel to download these games in addition to already available classics like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Gunstar Heroes, Sonic The Hedgehog, Bonk's Adventure, and Super Mario Bros.! Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.