Continuing the work of Softdev and Crunchy2, Wii homebrew developer Tantric created Snes 9x GX, an emulator for the Super NES based on Snes9x. It's got all the usual features of a good emulator, but this one has 16:9 widescreen support. Very nice. It just got an update, and you can check out the changelog inside.


Download: Snes 9x GX 009

Eight months after being spotted on the ESRB ratings page, Super Turrican has finally made its way to the North American Virtual Console service. Check out game details as well as pricing information in the full article.

A large chunk of  the fun in playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl comes from knowing you're controlling one of your favorite retro gaming characters.

Now, imagine being able to glimpse the title these characters are from, all without having to ext your game. Details for SSBB's Masterpieces game mode are available in the full article.

Another Monday, another batch of new titles for the North American Virtual Console service. This week, we've got some great old-school gaming set in a gymnasium all the way to an alien world. New this week are Volleyball, Axelay and Blue's Journey - three more classic titles to give you your retro gaming fix.

Check out the full article for more details as well as a short Virtual Console intro for new Wii owners.

This week's Tuesday will be a nice one for Japanese gamers, with their Wii Virtual Console update jampacked with great titles. Classic detective gameplay will be provided by Tantei Club: Kieta Koukeisha by Zensha for the NES. For those who aren't familiar with the title, Kieta Koukiesha is the first among a series of NES detective text-and-picture games where a school club solves murder mysteries.

Another great game is Assault Suits Valken - Cybernator in the US - by Konami for the Super NES, a side-scrolling shooter filled with wall smashing and bullet-peppering action. Sonic 3D Blast by Sega for the Genesis is included in this update as well, giving more love to the blue mascot.

The last three games in this update may get more spotlight: There's Ys 1 and 2 by Hudson for the TurboGrafx-16, and another NeoGeo fighting game in the form of Samurai Spirits (Samurai Showdown in Western shores). Will these titles manage to worm their way into the US Virtual Console? We'll have to wait and see.

  

It's time yet again to relieve those white-knuckled memories of gaming nirvana in this week's Virtual Console update for those in the US side of the world. Slap on your rose-tinted glasses as we go into overdrive into an avalanche of blobs, coast through some streets with anger issues, all while wearing a tight-fitting spandex superhero costume. Party!

So, first up in Nintendo's weekly delivery of retro game titles is Kirby's Avalanche from the Super NES. There's no enemy-swallowing gameplay here, but darn if it isn't just as addictive. In the game, you'll help Kirby stack up blobs of the same color to win the Annual Dream Land Avalanche competition. Stack up enough blobs in the proper fashion, and they'll explode and come down upon your opponent's playing field - much like an avalanche. It's puzzle gaming, Kirby style, for 800 Wii Points.

Next is Streets of Rage 3 from the Sega Genesis. Take your pick from four tough fighters to try and wipe the Syndicate off the streets with your killer kicks, punches and throws. Only those with the hardest of cores need apply, as the Syndicate's hordes of robots won't go down without a fight. Featuring a ton of unlockable content and branching paths, Streets of Rage 3 is an offer you can't refuse for 800 Wii Points.

Last but not least is the previously-featured Legend of Hero Tonma from the TurboGrafx16. Step into the suit of justice as Tommy blasts away hordes of foes, all in an effort to save a mysterious princess. Using Tommy's magic, you'll have to fight your way through seven different stages - each one ending with an epic boss fight that would have even the most hardcore of platformer aficionados sweating. Take up the adventure for only 600 Wii points.

We know that there's lots of people excited about the advent of NeoGeo fighting games in Nintendo's Virtual Console (but no King of Fighters? Aww), but we'd also like to inform you that old-school arcade fighting games aren't  the only new entries in the menu for this month.

Also included in this month's new selection of downloadable games for the Virtual Console are the following:

NES (or Famicom in Japan)

• Battle City
• Mach Rider
• Bases Loaded
• The Tower of Druaga

Super NES (Super Famicom):

• Super Metroid
• Gradius III

Mega Drive:

• Atomic Runner
• Golden Axe III
• Super Thunder Blade
• Land Stalker

PC Engine:

• Legend of Hero Tonma
• Detana!! Twinbee
• Guyframe
• Override
• Salamander

Nice, eh? Now, there's just one catch: these selections are set to be released in Japan only for the meantime. Let's just hope that Nintendo will consider giving Wii fans in other regions all across the world a taste of this wonderful smorgasbord of gaming.

 

Nintendo's Mario Kart Wii looks ready to carry on the tradition of good gameplay, sweet graphics, and awesome multiplayer with this offering. Ever since the first Mario Kart rolled out on the Super NES, gamers couldn't get enough of it.

Those who plan on picking up the game will find that packaged with the game is a Wii Wheel accessory for the Wii Remote controller - which is really cool, but could possibly jack up the price a bit.

So far, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Waluigi, Wario, Toad, and Princess Peach have been confirmed to be making an appearance in the game. It has also been confirmed that there will be online play, so you can take can show off your skills to a wider audience.

Mario Kart Wii is slated to be released the first half on 2008, so be sure to watch out for it. While waiting, why don't you check out these screenshots and artwork from the game?

   

Square-Enix is setting up to release ActRaiser via the Wii's Virtual Console in the US since they've already had the game rated on the ESRB. Why should you care? Well, this side scroller/strategy hybrid is considered by some to be one of the best games on the Super NES and we'd have to agree with them.

The story is quite interesting. Your character, aptly called The Master, has to battle and defeat his eternal enemy, The Evil One, who wants to conquer the world. The Evil One's six Guardians attacked The Master and were able to gravely injure him. He retreated to his Sky Palace, erected a shield and fell into a coma as his body slowly healed.

During this time, The Evil One has decided to divide the world into six territories, assigning each one to his guardians. The Master woke up and realized what happened. He finds himself weakened by the evil that has pervaded the populace and goes on a crusade to vanquish his foes and bring order to the lands once again.

If that caught your attention, then you really have to play the game to fully appreciate the game. Be sure to keep checking back here for the latest VC releases on the Wii.

We still have no word if the previously announced retro video game titles for Virtual Console (VC) Japan will ever make it to other territories. But don't fret because we have an update for Wii fans living in North America, as your Wii Shop Channel will be updated, as always, this Monday.

At around 9 a.m. PST, you should be able to see three more classic titles added to the lineup. Their details, console of origin, and pricing are as follows:

• Castlevania (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Make your way through six monstrous floors filled with bats, ghosts, zombies and every kind of ghoulish creatures you can imagine. Use the legendary whip Vampire Killer and a host of deadly weapons to battle your way to Dracula's chamber.
• The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Together, Kid Ying, a daring young mystical ninja, and Dr. Yang, master of the invincible spirit transformation, must overcome 10 levels of the Dragonbeast to save Princess Yuki. Each stage contains intense 3-D and 2-D zones where the duo must perform dozens of attack moves and solve magical problems and puzzles before advancing.
• Shockman (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): Shockman is a side-view action shooter that has eight stages, including Action Stages, where you jump and use special techniques, and side-scrolling Shooting Stages. This game contains cooperative elements like shared life and a powerful Team Shockbeam.
  

All good? Anyway, going back to that massive list for Japan, we promise to update you as soon as we get any information.