Sonic returns to Wii Shop Channel — the rare one, not the good one

By Stephen Munn | August 4, 2008

Recently I was put in charge of auctioning off a lot of about two dozen Sega Master System games. I had never seen a Master System game before, but there really wasn’t much to see. I had to do some research to sell them and one of the things I learned is that Sonic the Hedgehog, surprisingly enough, is one of the rarest, if not the very rarest, Sega Master System cartridge. This is ironic as Sonic the Hedgehog’s first appearance on Sega Megadrive/Genesis is probably one of the most common cartridges, since it came with the system for a time. I also learned that nobody wants Choplifter, regardless of the condition.

Sonic the Hedgehog for Master System is one of the three games that arrived today on the Wii Shop Channel, but it’s nothing to write home about. The rarity, of course, is lost when it’s a download.

Beyond that, the Game Gear version was on Sonic Mega Collection Plus, so it’s a much better value to buy that than to download this… less than excellent game. It’s unfortunate the game isn’t on either of the Gamecube Sonic compilations. The game’s Wikipedia entry says there are some differences between the Master System and Game Gear versions. If you really must play a Sonic game, play the best one. That’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Sega Megadrive/Genesis.

Also appearing today is Splatterhouse 2 for Megadrive/Genesis, which is an episode in that venerable franchise which, notably, is rated M for mature. Is this the first M-rated game on Virtual Console? I think so. And Wild West Guns is new for WiiWare. That one’s a light gun shooter set, predictably, in the American west.

OK, so… hey! Wait a second. WHERE THE HELL IS MEGA MAN?!

Image source: Smash Bros Dojo

WII-KLY UPDATE: ONE WIIWARE GAME AND TWO VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Aug. 4, 2008

The list of available games for Wii™ owners just keeps on growing as we add another trio of titles to the Wii™ Shop Channel. This week’s lineup features Old West thrills, supernatural chills and a little blue hedgehog whose name you’re sure to recognize. Thanks to Nintendo’s WiiWare™ downloadable game service and the classic-filled Virtual Console™, building your own blockbuster video game library has never been easier.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Wild West Guns (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Draw your revolver to see if you’re the fastest gun in the West. Adjust your speed and precision as targets or enemies appear in front of you. Point and shoot to earn more points. You can aim at anything, so be sure to explore the environment for elements that will earn you more shooting points. Identify your enemies among the characters you encounter, but don’t shoot at innocent citizens. Take part in an Old West-style train attack, or challenge your skills in a variety of increasingly difficult shooting challenges in other beautiful, classic and lively Western environments. As you progress through challenges, you’ll earn medals and rewards, making for nonstop, addictive action. Play in a two-player multiplayer mode where you and your partner can combine points, or play against each other to find out who’s the fastest gun in the West.

Virtual Console

Sonic The Hedgehog™ (Sega Master System, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Based on the original Sega Genesis version, Sonic The Hedgehog was re-created as the first Sonic game for the Sega Master System. Not just a straight port, this version includes new stages, bosses, some different zones and a level map. The most noticeable difference, however, is that the Chaos Emeralds have to be found within certain stages other than the Special Stages. Dash through six Zones (including special zones that were only available for the Sega Master System version) and face Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik) at the end of every Zone.

SPLATTERHOUSE™ 2 (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated M for Mature—Blood and Gore, Violence, 800 Wii Points): SPLATTERHOUSE 2 is the sequel to SPLATTERHOUSE, released only on the Sega Genesis. A few months after escaping from the first mansion in SPLATTERHOUSE, the main character, Rick, once again encounters the Terror Mask and must use its powers to rescue his beloved Jennifer. Rick will need to punch, slash, smash and even chainsaw his way through a haunted mansion against unspeakable horrors and terrifying bosses to make it out alive.