VC Monday Madness: River City Ransom and some other game

by David Hinkle { Apr 21st 2008 at 10:30AM }

So, uh, we all know what today is, right? It's a day that will go down in history for us, the fine men and women behind Wii Fanboy, because a game of epic proportions is hitting the Virtual Console later today (12pm ET): River City Ransom, There's also some other game but we haven't even bothered to, well ... care about it. Dude, River City Ransom!

River City Ransom (NES,1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)

As usual, be sure to stop back later for our video commentary on this week's Virtual Console releases. Until then, chill out at Merv Burger and enjoy one of their free smiles.

Tags: nes, phantasy-star, phantasy-star-3, river-city-ransom, sega, sega-genesis

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Timdogg @ Apr 21st 2008 10:44AM

So are you telling me River City Ransom is a must to download???

David Hinkle @ Apr 21st 2008 12:49PM

Uh, yeah. Totally.

Roto13 @ Apr 21st 2008 10:46AM

Hey, two good games on one day. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Blue_Falcon @ Apr 21st 2008 11:00AM

I'm going to go for the obvious and say...

BARF!

Bad Mojo @ Apr 21st 2008 11:03AM

Not feeling all the hype and excitement for River City Ransom.

How is this any better than a Streets of Rage (which I love btw)? Is it just a nostalgia factor or awesome gameplay?

Awesome gameplay I can get into.... over-hyped has been game... not so much.

steve @ Apr 21st 2008 1:56PM

blows streets of rage out of the water. great gameplay, fun story, fun action, great two player game....

sketchampm @ Apr 21st 2008 1:18PM

Streets of Rage pales in comparison to RCR. In fact, SoR looks like a terrible joke next to this game.

You see, Streets of Rage gets repetitive after about 10 minutes. River City Ransom is like a gift that keeps on giving.

More items, more money, more moves, more everything!
It's way more than your average beat-em-up.

James @ Apr 21st 2008 11:34AM

Sketch is 100% on the ball. RCR was one of the first "brawler" games that had enough depth to it that you could play for tens of hours and still not find everything. First, money is pretty tight so it can take hours to get enough to afford more than one or two special moves (of which there are ~10?), plus there's a hidden shop with super-expensive upgrades). Add to that a few (small) branching paths, and a fantastic co-op system (throw your buddy at the enemy and both take damage!) and you have probably the best co-op game ever released for the NES.

SoR was just a crappy Final Fight knock-off compared to this.

Joshiepoo @ Apr 21st 2008 1:08PM

Phantsy Star III is a much better game than River City Ransom just so you know. Don't let your nostalgia for broken side scrolling brawlers taint your "unbiased" opinions.

P.S. Why the hell is it spelled phantasy? Could Sega not have the balls to use the letter "f" and be considered a Final Fantasy clone. *snap*

Cyber-Tyrant @ Apr 21st 2008 2:49PM

You have a good point...

Why does Sega switch the "F" with "Ph" for Phantasy?

theboy @ Apr 21st 2008 5:50PM

I can't tell if the final fantasy clone comment was sarcastic. I hope it was. If it was, then ha! I like your joke! If not, then booo!

Although, III is my least favorite one, but not by much.

neoimmortal @ Apr 21st 2008 5:17PM

Just bought this on my lunch, only played for a few minutes but even my girlfriend who didn't start playing games until I got her a gamecube said that it looked interesting and will be my P2. Yay for RCR! Now if we can get some super dodge ball....

Otty @ Apr 21st 2008 6:05PM

Never understood why people dis on PSIII so much. I really enjoyed it. First RPG I ever finished. I actually liked it more than PSII...maybe because PSII always kicked my butt...never could finish the darn thing...

Otty @ Apr 21st 2008 6:09PM

Also.... I love the Virtual Console and all....BUT.... the Phantasy Star games can be had for a heckuva lot less dough by getting the Sega Collection on PS2 or PSP.... You get over 20 games including Phantasy Star II, III & IV for around $20. You also get tons of Sonic games, Sword of Vermillion, and tons more...much better deal than buying games individually on Virtual Console...

milan @ Apr 21st 2008 11:01PM

also you could just download the roms for free! (but don't! it's *illegal*)
unless you want the game specifically on your wii. then VC away!

Joshiepoo @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:19AM

And I can pick up River City Ransom for a dollar on ebay. I'd rather pay ten bucks for a "virtual" copy of a game then having another cartridge to collect dust in the attic.

I always liked P.O.W. more than River City Ransom, but i'll admit that it's a nostalgia thing.