Master System games will go for $4 on US Wii

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Mar 26, 2008 1:07 am GMT

Earlier this year, Sega announced that it would be bringing Sega Master System games to the Wii Virtual Console in Japan, Europe, and North America. Today the publisher announced the first pair of titles gamers can look forward to seeing on the downloadable game service, as well as a starting price...

Earlier this year, Sega announced that it would be bringing Sega Master System games to the Wii Virtual Console in Japan, Europe, and North America. Today the publisher announced the first pair of titles gamers can look forward to seeing on the downloadable game service, as well as a starting price point.

Action platformer Wonder Boy and side-scrolling shoot-'em-up Fantasy Zone will comprise "the first wave of many" Master System releases for the Virtual Console, and cost-conscious gamers will be able to pick them up for as little as 400 Wii points ($4). That puts Master System games at the lowest price point on the Virtual Console yet, a buck cheaper than the starting prices for NES games and Commodore 64 titles, both of which start at 500 Wii points ($5).

137 Comments

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 2:04 pm GMT

    If Sega were to put Master System and Genesis games on the Xbox 360, I would buy them there, but not on the Wii.

    I have a high-definition TV, and I want to see those games in 1080p on Xbox Live. I have my Xbox 360 set to output Enhanced 1080p for a reason!

    Also, I'm kind of upset that the Xbox 360 got the Arcade version of Golden Axe, while the Wii got the Genesis version...I'm upset because the Genesis version was better; it had better gameplay and extra modes that were fun to play. The Arcade version was missing all of those extra "Dual" and "Vs" modes, and the gameplay in the Arcade version was not consistent like the Genesis version was. Plus, the Genesis version had extra levels at the end.

    Microsoft needs to make sure that Xbox 360 ends up with games from the Sega Master System, NEC Turbo-Grafx 16, Genesis, Neo Geo, Saturn, Namco Arcade Boards, and other arcade games from Capcom and Konami.

    Seing an enhanced Final Fight where Guy, Cody, Haggar, and maybe somebody new can all play on-screen at the same time would be cool.

  • Hitman2500

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 1:31 pm GMT

    this is awesome never had a chance to play the master system.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 8:48 am GMT

    Bring me CHOPLIFTER and SPY VS SPY !!! Sweet Goodness!!

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 5:50 am GMT

    Game Gear was announced at the same time as Master System, (and their games are very similar if not exactly the same sometimes). Sega CD might be okay as long as Digital Pictures is excluded. And trust me, you're not missing out on 32X, the best games on it had better versions on the SNES. Personally I was kind of hoping they'd bring the MSX games to the US (specifically Akumajo Dracula, Contra and Metal Gear). But if they get the compression technology down, Saturn would be a welcome favorite there too.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 4:06 am GMT

    I wanted this system so bad at one point, a few weeks later, they got discontinued. Here is hoping VC supports 1000's of classic games in the near future. *Fingers Crossed*

  • jrocksreturn

    Posted Mar 27, 2008 2:13 am GMT

    Thats great news! I had a MasterSystem Back in the day, and loved it! It willl be nice to get some saturn games as well......

  • KoruKinshi

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:53 pm GMT

    *prays that Sega CD/32X/Saturn will be next in line*

  • benjaminjoel

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 8:55 pm GMT

    @ Michael234

    It'll be a miracle if the Saturn ever makes it to VC. The game files are just so large and complicated, I highly doubt the Wii hardware could accurately emulate them.

  • ctg867

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:54 pm GMT

    So I pay $2 more, and I can get games from the PSN that are two generations older? Seriously, why do PS1 games cost $6 on the Playstation Store, and these retro games from the 80's cost $4?

    So overpriced for such a cheap and easy PC emulation. If you want me to buy these things, price them like iTunes songs and make them impulse buys. Otherwise I won't bother. 85% of the crap on the Virtual Console is priced much higher then it's actually worth for an easy port of these games, and nothing else.

  • videogamr49

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:28 pm GMT

    What? No Saturn...I want NiGHTS...*sniff*

  • Andrain14

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 3:49 pm GMT

    correct me if i'm wrong but arnt the master system and genesis the same thing?

  • sieg6529

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 2:22 pm GMT

    Great, I've always wanted to try those games.

  • masterlucas92

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 2:08 pm GMT

    It doesn't look like a good bargain since we can play all the commodore 64 games for free since they are abandonned software... Seems like Nintendo is thinking too much money. :S

  • dkcamp

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 2:07 pm GMT

    this is simply fantastic!! this system was one of the most underrated in history, as it was more powerful than the nes, but simply didn't have the retail support of nintendo... i can't wait for this generation to get a closer look at my favorite gaming system from my past.

    Alex Kidd!!! Phantasy Star!!! Space Harrier!!! R-Type!!! can't wait!

  • X-RS

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 2:04 pm GMT

    SPELLCASTER!!!

    that is a great game, hopefully its added. but or me personally im STILL trying to get a wii and i have the game and 5 other master systems

  • 4quarters

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 12:38 pm GMT

    Fantasy zone is awesome!!! Like a super colorful r*type with in level buyable upgrades. A must buy, I wish Sony would bring more older games to PSN other than th 4 or 5 midway games.

  • Conjuration

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 12:01 pm GMT

    Commodore 64 downloads? Where? Not here in NA.

  • MeGaMaN_9391

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 11:36 am GMT

    is it older than genesis or not.

  • NoKuA

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 11:30 am GMT

    Hmmm price looks ok, for people who lives in a country where it's currency it's not as bad as mine... )

  • thegame1980

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 11:17 am GMT

    WOW! The Master System! I only had Alex Kidd and Double Dragon for it. Ugly red and black carts.

  • buckybuckster

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 11:15 am GMT

    It would be funny if the rare Alex Kidd in Shinobi Land makes an appearance. It was a SMS game that put Alex into a Shinobi like world where he fought against ninjas and the like. One of the bosses was a guy who looked like a certain plumber on a then rival's system who's name was spelled Mari-oh.

    It's a little known fact that while NES conquered the U.S. and the world, it was trounced pretty soundly by the SMS in Europe.

  • KittenToes

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 11:08 am GMT

    great, i used to love my master system. i do still get it out to play sometimes aswell!!

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:47 am GMT

    A very underrated system. I'm really glad that they had the smarts to put some of the good ones up. . . nice.

  • mr_squibble

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:44 am GMT

    This is awesomeness. The Sega Master System is one of the few retro consoles that I have never owned. Had a few friends with one back in the day and always kind of wanted one. I'm looking forward to the release of more SMS games. Although I already have the original Phantasy Star on The Phantasy Star Collection GBA cart, I'll probably still download it on the VC, especially if it's only $4.

  • bbrstanggt

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:37 am GMT

    wow.. first thing that came to mind for me was Altered Beast

  • abfackeln

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:24 am GMT

    I wish Sega would put their Arcade games on VC. I would like to play the original Shinobi again. It is cool that they are bringing SMS games to the Wii. I have around 6 SMS games in my collection. They are only okay. Not that great.

  • g_norori

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:14 am GMT

    SWEET!!! loved the system.......please give us RAMBO: first blood pt2 (2 player top down shooter) I remember having a blast with that.

  • mysterylobster

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:43 am GMT

    Some Master System games I'd play again are: Phantasy Star, Monster World, Aleste (Power Strike) and Zillion. All are dated, but still fun. The same can't be said for 90% of the others.

  • delusional696

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:38 am GMT

    I like retro games but I swear I just read (on gamespot?) about nintendo dissing xbox live for crowding arcade with retro games.

    Found it.
    Nintendo said: "the service won't be clogged up with the retro titles that have blighted the chances of many independent studios on Xbox Live Arcade,"

    That's specifically about "wiiware" so don't know if it's relevant to this as I'm not sure what that is or how it's different from virtual console.
    But still quit talking sh*t when you do the same thing nintendo.

  • neogeo_1999

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:36 am GMT

    Maybe nintendo will go back to releasing 3 games a week again instead of the sad flow of games we have been getting the past few weeks.

  • johnmetcalf

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:33 am GMT

    I hope the bring ghostbusters out for it. SMS version was far superior than the NES. Also I hope they will bring out Shinobi.

  • jawshoeuh

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:25 am GMT

    some of the light gun games on master system were the s@#$. i loved my master system.

  • BloodAndGore666

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:07 am GMT

    C'mon Monkey Island!
    C'mon Panzer Dragoon for Saturn!

  • enoslives7

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 9:03 am GMT

    Zillion was the best game for Master System.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 8:34 am GMT

    wii tops the 360 in pricing fairness. The games are much cheaper

  • KevComesRipping

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 8:32 am GMT

    Wonder Boy III please, and thank you, Reggie Jackson Baseball would be nice too if you would

  • Dualmask

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 7:34 am GMT

    I had a SMS for a very brief time when I was much younger, but I remember playing some neat games for it like Hang On, Safari Hunt, Lord of the Sword and Zillion 2 (I think that's what it was called). It'll be cool to revisit some of those titles.

  • smokeyf

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 7:02 am GMT

    Sweet. I have been waiting for the Wonder Boy series to resurface for years. Best trilogy on the old systems. Hopefully Alex kidd is on the way.

  • Rej72380

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:43 am GMT

    It looks like Wii owners finally have an excuse to wait for Phantasy Star to show up on the VC.

  • heroofwinds1

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:42 am GMT

    master system has a lot of great games and it is always awesome to see new consoles to the virtual console.the price is very good too.i am still hoping that some day we will see dreamcast games on virtual console even if they come when the next nintendo console arrives..

  • vandal_galm

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:35 am GMT

    Phantasy Star!

  • JakeJohnson

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:15 am GMT

    Makes sense.

    (Now waiting for Zillion and Wonder Boy in Monster Land.)

  • Derrick718

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:12 am GMT

    Cool. I don't have a Wii but I still have my Master System. I fired it up the other day and it still works like a charm.

  • Hitman2500

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:12 am GMT

    I guess more systems the better.

  • NBA_Jammer

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:10 am GMT

    Remember when Sega and Nintendo were at odds with each other? "Sega does what Nintendon't." Shows people how times can change as time passes. Maybe I'll be able to play Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo games on each others' systems in years to come.

    Nice to hear about playing classics on systems...if only I could play Phantasy Star and Shinobi on the XBox.

  • easpley

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:35 am GMT

    I wonder where the extra memory is going to come from to install the downloads.

  • steveguttenberg

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:34 am GMT

    Yeah, Saturn games would be nice. I'd buy Shinobi Legions...

  • Antilune

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:28 am GMT

    That was my favorite console. Zillion 1, Wonderboy 1,2 and 3, Fantasy Zone, Phantasy Star, Space Harrier, Rastan, SPELLCASTER (anybody remembers that AWESOME game ? ), Kenseiden (very good platformer), Alex Kidd...

    Haha my childhood friend was so into Alex Kidd he even made pages and pages of comics with the characters... Aww the memories Being born in the early 80s was a blessing !

  • dmish82

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:15 am GMT

    Never had the master system. I started with NES and went to the Genesis & SNES.

  • devilmaycry2020

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 5:09 am GMT

    OH MY GOD ! ! THE NIGHTMARES OF ALEX KID BIG EARS ARE COMING BACK ! ! ! ! !

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