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ActRaiser arrives on Wii VC

Nintendo's downloadable game service welcomes Enix SNES action strategy game, as well as Kid Chameleon and J.J. and Jeff.

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Given that gamers already knew ActRaiser, Kid Chameleon, and J.J. and Jeff were headed for the Wii's Virtual Console downloadable game service, the only thing surprising about this week's batch of releases was that somebody was working on Memorial Day to make sure they went up yesterday morning.

Originally released on the Super Nintendo in 1991, ActRaiser was an unusual combination of a side-scrolling action game and an overhead world-building strategy title. As the avatar of a god, players first had to slash their way through platforming levels and then direct the expansion of a civilization, performing miracles to guide followers along the way. ActRaiser is available for 800 Wii points ($8).

When it debuted on the Sega Genesis the following year, Kid Chameleon offered a more action-focused experience, with players assuming the role of a boy trapped in a haywire virtual-reality arcade game. As the best gamer in his town, Kid Chameleon must beat the game's 100-plus levels with the help of a variety of headgear that grant him special powers. Sega's Kid Chameleon sells on the Virtual Console for 800 Wii points ($8).

Rounding out the week's releases is J.J. and Jeff, originally released for the TurboGrafx-16 by Hudson in 1990. A localized version of the Japanese TG-16 game Kato and Ken, J.J. and Jeff followed a pair of detectives on the trail of a rich man who has been kidnapped. As J.J. or Jeff, players run through 24 areas full of enemies and obstacles, as well as hidden rooms where, according to Nintendo "you can regain health while being completely entertained by [a] short sketch and surreal allure." J.J. and Jeff is available for 600 Wii points ($6).

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gamester1985

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I hope they bring goldeneye for vc i spent most of my childhood playing that game

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gamester1985

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Actraiser is Imo an okay game im not exactly crazy about it,actually tbh i dont really like the game the simulation part gets really boring after a while especially after you already cleared the action levels,the action levels are really what made the game stand out the most if only there were more to play through ,i cant recommend it its a hard one to decide upon whether to download it or not just thought you would be better off downloading a game which will keep you occupied for a long time sorry actraiser fans but im not very keen on that game,i would like to see goldeneye myself.

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Darm0k

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Anyone complaining about actraiser probably hasnt been playing videogames long enough to be posting about them

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Acid_Kitsune

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Moldy10 IM SICK OF THEM RELEASING THESE HORRIBLE GAMES I WANT GREAT N64 GAMES LIKE MARIO PARTY, SUPER SMASH, AND BANJO KAZOOIE ------------------------- Urgh, kids...

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DiscGuru101

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Woot! --My Wii sensor bar is broken but this still makes me happy for some reason.

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Chainblast

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"Considering I have the our t3h superiourz PSP version..." There is a PSP version? Is it a part of a compilation or a (currently) Japanese only release?

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ahyumifan

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//game46312 completely agree. I would rather like to see Mario Party 1,2,3 series. It's very difficult to find these title now. Especially cool to play that with 4 people holding the Classic Controller lol.

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game46312

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Moldy10 IM SICK OF THEM RELEASING THESE HORRIBLE GAMES I WANT GREAT N64 GAMES LIKE MARIO PARTY, SUPER SMASH, AND BANJO KAZOOIE what do u mean horrible games actraiser is one of the best snes games of all time

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Expane

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actraiser is a real gem, but not for $8 it aint. Considering I have the our t3h superiourz PSP version...

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Moldy10

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IM SICK OF THEM RELEASING THESE HORRIBLE GAMES I WANT GREAT N64 GAMES LIKE MARIO PARTY, SUPER SMASH, AND BANJO KAZOOIE

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a_grunge_fan

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I still don't understand this game

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AngelnX

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Ok I've been waiting for 2 months....... WHERE IS VECTORMAN!!??

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Chadius

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Kid Chameleon? BUMMER! (Hope you get the joke.)

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spidey008

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Actraiser is a great game. It was way ahead of it's time when it was originally released. One of my Square Enix old-school favorites.

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GKBeetle

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Actraiser! Gotta go download right now!

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GeigerdolylWodd

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I never got to play ActRaiser ...Ah well

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fanboy_killa

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geez....i would love to download this cool game. if only i could find a Wii...well at least i have ActRaiser 2 on my SNES.

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ranger_waha

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I demand shining force 2!

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PreLuDe_DuDe

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Why do people keep B*tchin about Nintendo to release big name titles? I mean seriously Chronotrigger, Super Mario RPG, Secret of Evermore,etc? This has been asked before but some of you folks just dont get it. What will they have for the future or what would we have to look for later on if all the big name titles get released now. Patience please! Take on another hobby or maybe some folks should get jobs.

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Sonicplys

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ActRaiser is an awesome game. Time to download it.

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MaxxxReebo

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About time SqueEnix got something on VC. Now if we could just see about Super Mario RPG, Illusion of Gaia, and Secret of Evermore.

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sacatash

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Actraiser...first game that I bought for my SNES eons ago..it shows off the power of the system over the Genesis with its mode 7 and fantastic orchestral music...the only problem with this game is it is too short...Anyway worth the Wii points for someone who has not yet played this...and its a good first entry by Enix(aka Square Enix) to the VC console..now please release CHRONOTRIGGER!!!!

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BGenious

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Yo, just downloaded ActRaiser! I remember playing this over and over again! Man, I am glad that I bought a Wii. A'ight, I am still waiting for many more games that I want to play again. One, in particular, is Forgotten Worlds for the Genesis. I remember staying up late in the nights playing this one with my brother and cousin. Please, bring this game out, the games that my fellow gamers have listed, and even more! More shooters! Phalanx, Axelay...bring 'em to us!

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vidgamer2002

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ActRaiser is one of the best games I have ever played! Great music, excellent graphics and an enjoyable plot kept me coming back to play some more over and over again. I just hope they add multiple save features unlike the original cartridge format which only provided one save slot. In the cartridge format, if you wanted to play a new game, you had to delete the old file to play the the new one. This kinda stank especially with all the accomplishments you had to endure. ActRaiser alone is a great reason to buy a Nintendo Wii.

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Pete5506

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Chrono Trigger would be nice

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dragg0n

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Cool!

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icarus212001

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Still waiting for Super Mario Kart....

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Lefty2k5

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Still waiting for Chrono Trigger.... :(

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gonzalezj1

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ActRaiser is WONDERFUL!!! I think it's still one of the most original games around. I've beaten that game so many times - and I still have my original copy!

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DrewBlood08

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KENESU96, ballon fight? Are you serious? That'd be nice to see, I don't think it would ever happen though...

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interpolred

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ActRaiser sounds pretty cool!

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GizmoVirus

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Yay! more games!

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lightningbugx

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The good games are coming. How long until more of such games get updated to run on the Wii? Hopefully Nintendo drops the prices one day.

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kenesu96

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still waiting on balloon fight!

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dougphisig

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Actraiser Rocks! I may just have to pick that bad boy up would be awesome if they would make an updated Actraiser game I don't care which system it's on i enjoyed both those games even though i wish they would have kept the god mode in the second game that was definately an interesting aspect of the original game.

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dextr73

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J.J. and Jeff? Holy crap, I forgot about that game. What about Legendary Axe?

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Rayze78

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I vaguely remember actraiser, I think the game cheated, but I am not sure. Earthbound is my #1 most wanted!

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dragonbattousai

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Still want my Mother 2/EarthBound

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RaiKageRyu

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ActRaiser FTW!

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AvIdGaMeR444

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Actraiser kicked major tail on the SNES and had some of the best music for the platform...glad to see it return.

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chisoxrule

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Wow. This is a first. 2 solid weeks in a row of VC releases. Guess I'll have to find another points card since I only have 500 pts left.

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Darthmatt

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Awesome!!

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slayer1090

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still waiting for Super mario rpg and chrono trigger

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Zam_basic

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a new online multiplayer version with updated graphics would be nice

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BigDaveyDogz

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Kid Chameleon rocked...but was hella hard if I remember correctly.

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Azeren

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Square-Enix has officially stated they will be releasing games on the VC. I believe this is on the main nintendo virtual console website. Nintendo has already stated the release of Super Mario RPG (Nintendo / Squaresoft). So should expect more.

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skemaal

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Actraiser...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone mentioned Phantasy Star. If you want to play part 2, 3 and 4 and have a ps2, get the Genesis Collection they are on that compilation.

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Vandelheart

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Hmm since Actraiser is an Enix game does that mean Square-Enix has finally opened it's doors to the VC? In any case here's hoping for Illusions of Gaia !

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Azeren

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I forgot the Phantasy Star series too. Been waiting to play PS4 for a while now. As for my list, I do have a gba and ds. I have both megaman collections, FF I-6 advance, etc. Some I'd be willing to buy again though (sound quality of FF IV/VI was lacking). My SNES is still around, but it is on its last little bit of life and can't rely on it to play longer rpgs. Really, I want those games to be released so people without the GBA/DS can experience those games.

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Nickfury101

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And people stop with these ZOMG!! No Super Mario RPG or Super Metriod all these others games suckz! posts. Believe it or not there were other and better games in the SNES, Genesis era. Learn to play and try out new games, you may have fun doing so.

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