SNK Playmore today issued details on the company's plans to release Neo Geo arcade titles on Wii in North America via the system's online Virtual Console storefront.

Priced at 900 Wii Points ($9) a piece and managed by the Tokyo-headquarted D4Enterprise, the initial batch of games includes three 2D fighters: Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, both developed by SNK, and ADK's World Heroes.

No release dates were provided, though yesterday's offering of a Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System game in Japan's VC and the company's promise that "more titles will follow over the coming months" implies North Americans won't have to wait all that long.

Sega announced two new Genesis titles "available soon" for Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console. Both Crack Down and ESWAT: City Under Siege will be offered for the standard Genesis price of 800 Wii Points ($8) at a later date.

Though similar in name to Realtime Worlds' recent supercop sandbox title Crackdown, Sega's 1990 Genesis port of Crack Down on the Wii VC will let one or two ripped dudes bomb their way to victory in a Gauntlet-style top-down shooter.

Also ported to the Genesis in 1990, Sega's ESWAT: City Under Siege puts wannabe Robocops in a the city of Liberty to show criminals how America deals with crime in the future--with plasma rifles.

This week's show is both early and a quickie, as scheduling concerns backed us into a bit of a Monday evening corner. Episode 9 starts out with Chris Remo, Chris Faylor, Nick Breckon, and Carlos Bergfeld, and by the end has been whittled down to Remo and Bergfeld. Game impressions on tap include Army of Two (PS3, X360), SimCity Societies (PC), and Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for Wii.

In the news category, we touch on the Wii Zapper and its bundled game Link's Crossbow Training, new Rock Band tracks (Pixies!), Eternity's Child moving from Xbox Live Arcade to Wii, Sin & Punishment hitting Virtual Console, and Ubisoft quietly retracting its free game offers.

Due to time constraints, we unfortunately didn't get to address reader questions this week, but we'll make it up to you! Keep sending them in to shackcast@shacknews.com.

Play or download the podcast now, browse the episodes through iTunes, RSS, or Digg, or check out the full breakdown. ... Read more

Sega's sidekick-enhanced Sonic sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday. The title will cost 400 Microsoft Points ($5), three dollars cheaper than the title's 800 Wii Point ($8) price on Nintendo's Virtual Console.

And rather than being a straight port like the pricier Wii version, Backbone Entertainment has enhanced the 1992 Genesis title with HD visuals and two-player online play. This new version lets a second player join in the fun over Xbox Live as Sonic's twin-tailed tagalong, running through pseudo-3D half-pipes with Sonic or getting constantly left behind in-game by Sonic's amazing speed.

The title is the only new game addition this week on Xbox Live Arcade.

Three more vintage titles for abandoned consoles have been exhumed from their shallow graves via Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console.

The online download service today adds NES Play Action Football, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Neutopia II to its retro offerings in North America. Featuring support for up to four players and an isometric perspective, which developer Nintendo claims creates "an almost 3-D field," NES Play Action Football sells for 500 Wii Points ($5).

Co-developed by Sonic Team and Sega Technical Institute, the third Genesis adventure of the platform's iconic blue speedster, who once again teams with that two-tailed freak of a sidekick, runs 800 Wii Points ($8).

As with the original--which debuted on the service less than a month ago--many consider Hudson Soft's TurboGrafx-16 action RPG Neutopia II a Zelda clone. It goes for 600 Wii Points ($6), the same price as its predecessor.

Old-school action specialist Treasure's acclaimed--but relatively obscure--Nintendo 64 rail shooter Sin & Punishment looks to be coming to English-speaking territories for the first time. The game was originally released in 2000 and has developed a strong following among the import crowd.

Last month, it was revealed on Nintendo's official Japanese Virtual Console site that Sin & Punishment is being released to the Wii download service in September. While encouraging for fans of the game, the news did not necessarily suggest a release elsewhere, as the game had never been localized outside of Asia.

Now, however, an entry for the game on Australia's Classification Board indicates that the cult classic is finally being localized to English; the game has received an M rating, roughly equivalent to the ESRB's T rating.

Currently, Sin & Punishment has not shown up on the ESRB's own site. Shacknews has sent inquiries to Nintendo as to whether the game is heading to the Virtual Consoles of other territories, which seems likely given the minimal distribution costs for games on the service once ready to be sold.

Celebrating yesterday's holiday in a way only Nintendo can, the console manufacturer crunched the numbers and included one title more than normal in its weekly update to the Wii's online Virtual Console store.

Hudson rolled its dice and graced gamers with a deuce, serving up the NES edition of the colorful side scroller Adventure Island at 500 Wii Points ($5) and the thrilling conclusion to the epic TurboGrafx-16 platforming trilogy, Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure, for 600 Wii Points ($6).

Speaking of adventure, Climax Entertainment's Genesis treasure hunt Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole has players questing for all sorts of loot across the game's isometric world, that is, after they pony up the 800 Wii Point ($8) entrance fee.

As for the remainder of this week's sum, Nintendo's swinging ... Read more

Games released on the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System will join the Wii Virtual Console lineup in Japan starting September 11, SNK Playmore announced today. Fatal Fury will be the first title available for Japanese Wii gamers on September 11, with World Heroes and Magician Lord following at a later September date.

All three titles will cost 900 Wii Points ($9). SNK Playmore USA president Ben Herman told Gamasutra earlier this year that the Neo Geo titles would be coming to gamers stateside. The 900 Wii Point price for Japanese gamers correlates with the price Herman said the titles would cost in the U.S., "just a little above" the 800 Wii Point ($8) price of Super Nintendo games.

The Neo Geo AES home console will be the sixth console supported on the Wii Virtual Console, alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and NEC TurboGrafx-16.

Replacing Massively Multiplayer Mashup on Fridays is your old pal Weekly Download Rundown, which still features the latest in console and PC downloads, only now in a tweaked and hopefully more readable format.

As for the fate of MMM, fret not. Look for it every Monday from here on out. Let the rundown begin!

Xbox 360:
- Penny Arcade Adventures coming to XBLA
- Super Puzzle Fighter II, Streets of Rage 2 on XBLA
- Fatal Fury, Cyberball next week
- XBLA's Labor Day circus of value
- Free Gears of War maps
- New XBLM content and demos
PlayStation 3:
- Warhawk and Super Puzzle Fighter II in the PlayStation Store
- Tekken 5 online add-on arrives
- New PlayStation Store demos
Wii:
- Breath of Fire II, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Super C on Virtual Console
PC:
- Downloadable PC games
- Recent patches, mods, and demos

Something catch your eye? Start reading.

Haven't found a copy of Metroid yet? Maybe a round of Super C will tide you over.

Nintendo's Virtual Console offerings this week begin with Breath of Fire II, Capcom's well-respected SNES RPG sequel. Set out on an epic quest and perform circus tricks as the protagonist Ryu, all for 800 Wii Points.

On the platforming side of things, Ghouls 'n Ghosts is the sequel to the arcade action title Ghosts 'n Goblins, and the Genesis predecessor to the better-known Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts. The eerie hack-and-slash adventure can also be had for 800 Wii Points.

Finally, you may not recognize Super C at first, but it's really your old friend Super Contra in disguise. For 500 Wii Points, you'll be running and gunning as Bill and Lance through five levels of Konami's NES sequel, shooting spreads and taking names.

Another week, another rundown of the latest in console and PC downloads. This week's haul includes:

Multiplatform:
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix hits soon
- Skate demo nails Xbox 360, ollies PS3
Xbox 360:
- Space Giraffe, Street Trace: NYC on XBLA
- New XBLM content and demos
PlayStation 3:
- Folklore, GRAW2 and DiRT demos in the PlayStation Store
- Folding@home updated
Wii:
- Super Metroid, Shinobi III, Neutopia on Virtual Console
PC:
- Lost Planet finds new maps, DX10 support
- HL2 mod adds more Synergy
- Recent patches

Enough talk, let's get going with the rundown.

Boasting a gigantic 24-megabit cartridge, Super Metroid remains arguably the finest 2D Samus Aran adventure to date. Released in 1994 by developer Nintendo, the older title's story serves as a sequel--yes, you read that right--to Retro Studios' upcoming Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Nintendo releases the brilliant platforming shooter on the Wii Virtual Console today for 800 Wii Points ($8), alongside two less trumpeted titles.

Also considered one of the best of its franchise, Sega's 1993 Genesis action sequel Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master features seven stages of single-player slashing. Only you can stop Neo Zeed, for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Last and certainly least, Hudson Soft's 1989 TurboGrafx action RPG Neutopia also sees a release. Pigeonholed as a Zelda clone, the game at least looks polished, and sells for a paltry 600 Wii Points ($6).

A little later than usual, the rundown returns with the latest downloads in gaming. This week's haul includes:

Multiplatform:
- BioShock demo on XBLM, PC demo soon
- Medal of Honor Airborne demo PC, X360-bound
- Pirates, Ninjas embrace Dodgeball
Xbox 360:
- Live Arcade nets Ecco, Hexic 2
- Skate demo delayed
- Space Giraffe certified, coming soon
- 3D Realms wants Duke Nukem XBLA
- Schizoid, four more make XNA to XBLA transition
- New XBLM content and demos
PlayStation 3:
- Piyotama hatches in PlayStation Store
Wii:
- Metroid, Cratermaze, Shining in the Darkness on Virtual Console
- Wii system updates
PC:
- HL1 mod The Specialists retires
- HL2 mod explores The Lighthouse
- Point of Existence 2 updated, other recent patches

Lots of good stuff, huh? Time to get the this thing started.

The Xbox 360's online Xbox Live Arcade gains two more with the addition of Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin this Wednesday, August 15.

Following up the addictive Xbox 360 HDD pack-in Hexic HD, Hexic 2 expands on the color-matching, shape-forming original with new pieces, different formations, and two-person multiplayer in both online and offline flavors. Developed by Carbonated Games with the involvement of Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov, Hexic 2 will consume lives sell for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Along with the announcement, Microsoft sent over 40 new screenshots.

Originally developed for the Sega Genesis, Novotrade's ... Read more

This week's three additions to Wii's online Virtual Console highlight the perils of life-sucking parasites, time travel, and knowing someone named "Dark Sol."

First of this week's releases is Nintendo's original NES Metroid, which has heroine Samus exploring the world of Zebes and battling against the Space Pirates and their nefarious plans for the energy-rich Metroids. It sells for 500 Wii Points ($5). The Super Nintendo Metroid entry, Super Metroid, hits the service next Monday, setting the stage for the retail release of Retro Studios' Wii shooter Metroid Prime 3: Corruption on August 27.

Fleshing out the Shining Force mythology is Climax Entertainment and Sonic! Software Planning's Genesis RPG Shining in the Darkness. Featuring a turn-based battle system, the first entry in the long-running ... Read more

A message today from Nintendo entitled "It's a month of Metroid!" on the Wii Shop Channel revealed the upcoming releases of Metroid and Super Metroid on the Wii Virtual Console. Metroid will be available for download Monday for 500 Wii Points ($5), with Super Metroid arriving one week later on August 20 for 800 Wii Points ($8), according to the message.

A Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview package is also available as via the Wii Shop Channel, containing a trailer, gameplay video, and "scratch-off" game revealing different pictures of Samus. Download the videos from FileShack.

The campaign breaks a trend of a conspicuous lack of marketing for Retro Studios' shooter. Despite being hailed by press as one of the Wii's most promising core audience games (check out our preview), Nintendo has devoted little marketing muscle to the title. Metroid Prime 3 ships August 27.

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The rundown's back yet again, packed to the gills with word of the latest downloads in gaming. Here's what we've got this week:

Multiplatform:
- EA halting online support of 49 titles
Xbox 360:
- Track and Field arrives this week
- Skate demo, Ecco, Hexic 2, and more coming soon
- Quake Arena announced
- Marathon: Durandal, Board Games impressions
PlayStation 3:
- Warhawk gold
- Blast Factor add-on, new demos in PlayStation Store
Wii:
- Adventures of Lolo, Galaga '90, Wave Race 64 on Virtual Console
PC:
- id and Steam team
- Quake Zero promises free Quake action
- FreeSpace mod recreates Battlestar Galactica
- Free online brawling with Rumble Fighter
- Recent patches

See something interesting? Let's get the rundown underway.

Nintendo's online Wii Virtual Console download service gets wet and wild with chivalrous fuzzballs and space aliens this week, beginning with the much-anticipated addition of Nintendo EAD's Wave Race 64. Requiring either a Classic or GameCube controller to operate, the watercraft sim, which features a separate stunt mode in addition to the requisite racing, carries a 1,000 Wii Point ($10) price tag.

Moving on, HAL Laboratory's NES adventure-puzzle hybrid Adventures of Lolo can be had for 500 Wii Points ($5). Detailing the trials and tribulations of the Kirby-esque Lolo as he infiltrates the Great Devil's castle to free his gal Lala, the game has garnered a dedicated and passionate fanbase in the years following its original 1989 release.

Last but not least, Namco's Galaga '90 fulfills this week's quota for both shooting and alien invaders on Virtual Console. Priced at 600 Wii Points ($6), the TurboGrafx-16 update of the arcade classic adds enhanced graphics, new enemy behavior, and the ability to chart an attack route through various dimensions.

Amidst all the chaos of BlizzCon and QuakeCon, the Shack staff checks in with their take on three of the recent titles to hit Wii's Virtual Console service. This week, Chris Remo reviews Climax Entertainment and Sonic Team's classic Genesis strategy RPG Shining Force. Yours truly, meanwhile, becomes utterly infatuated with NAXAT Soft and RED's TurboGrafx-16 pinball escapade Devil's Crush, only to have the honeymoon rudely interrupted by Nintendo's lackuster NES puzzler Yoshi. Go ahead and start from the beginning.

Unlike nearly every similar game released these days, Shining Force simply lets you read the manual--presented, as with every Virtual Console game, in handy electronic form--or figure it out yourself. Have people gotten dumber in the last 15 years? Why do developers, particularly on consoles, feel so compelled to overexplain things these days?
Keep on reading...

Weekly Download Rundown returns yet again, bringing you the very latest in downloads for your preferred gaming system:

Multiplatform:
-Diner Dash, other casual games head to unspecified consoles
Xbox 360:
-Marathon: Durandal, Spyglass Board Games, more game content on XBLM
-Wing Commander Arena and Super Contra impressions
PlayStation 3:
-Ratchet demo, more Resistance content for PSN
-Tekken 5 heads online later this year
-Heavenly Sword demo, GripShift update in PS Store
Wii:
-Drop Off, Dynamite Headdy, Star Soldier on Virtual Console
PC:
-Civ IV goes Beyond the Sword on Steam
-New Rainbow Six Vegas maps
-Recent mod releases and patches

Something catch your fancy? Time to start the rundown.