Virtual Console Only Month –
Nintendo is offering Virtual Console titles for their April 2013 Club Nintendo program; WiiWare and DSiWare titles have been omitted this month.
Game #1 – Super Mario 64 (N64)
Price – 200 Coins, normally 1000 Wii Points ($10)
Availability – April 8, 2013 – May 5, 2013
Summary – Mario’s first 3D adventure and flagship N64 title.
Opinion – Even though this game was the launch title for the N64, it still remains as one of Mario’s best games. Not only did it familiarize gamers with full 3D environments, it also is responsible for basically introducing players to the analog stick, a hardware feature that is taken for granted today.
Worth Your Club Nintendo Coins? – Abso-friggin-lutely! If you have never played this game, shame on you. However, good things come to those who wait as now you can get this coveted game for 200 Coins (or free, depending on how you look at it).
Game #2 – Super Metroid (SNES)
Price – 150 Coins, normally 800 Wii Points ($8)
Availability – April 8, 2013 – May 5, 2013
Summary – Samus’ fan favorite SNES quest is available as a Wii Virtual Console download.
Opinion – Many gamers declare that Super Metroid is the best game of all time or their most favorite game of all time. This bold statement is rightfully justified thanks to superb gameplay, an unforgettable soundtrack and a powerful story that is told visually instead of via cutscenes or dialog. Super Metroid is a masterpiece.
Worth Your Club Nintendo Coins? Totally! But if you are running low on Club Nintendo coins, the hardest decision will be choosing between Mario 64 or Super Metroid this month. However, Nintendo is planning on releasing Super Metroid on the WiiU Virtual Console for a mere $0.30 in mid-May for their 30th anniversary promo. So if you can hold off until then, pick up Mario 64 instead.
Game #3 – Kirby’s Pinball Land (GB)
Price – 150 Coins, normally $3.99
Availability – April 8, 2013 – May 5, 2013
Summary – Kirby in pinball format.
Opinion – From racing to block balling, Kirby has had many off-shoot titles. Kirby’s Pinball Land is a fan favorite original GB title that still holds up today. With arcadey gameplay, secrets and boss battles, Kirby’s Pinball is an innovated pinball title.
Worth Your Club Nintendo Coins? – Even if pinball is not normally your thing you still might want to consider this title because it plays more like an adventure game than a typical pinball game. But if you dread going for high scores and do not like the tediousness of reaching that top tier boss battle, you might want to take a pass or at least wait until Pokemon Pinball is released on the Virtual Console.
Game #4 – 3D Classics: Urban Champion
Price – 150 Coins, normally $4.99
Availability – April 8, 2013 – May 5, 2013
Summary – The first fighting NES title is a terrible mess.
Opinion – It sucks.
Download it? – No. Stay away and let’s no discuss it no further.
Super Mario 64 and Urban Champion were previously a part of the Club Nintendo program and Super Metroid is going to be available for a very cheap price in about a month. But even though these games might have already been downloaded, they are higher quality titles that any gamer should consider, sans Urban Champion. That game is awful.