Sunday Roundup: 11/24/13 – The Wii U Edition

New Games (11-24-13)It finally happened:

I bought a Wii U!!

And with some pretty great deals surrounding it: I was able to score the Legend of Zelda Special Edition system for nearly $75 off, as well as snag some cheap, brand new games!

And what could make this week even more awesome? Getting a trio of Saturn games off eBay, of course!! Winners all around!! More exclamation points!!!


New Super Mario Bros U CoverNew Super Mario Bros. U
Wii U
Release Date: November 18th, 2012
Purchased at: Target (Sunnyvale, CA – $50)

In my mind it’s not a true Nintendo console experience until you have a Mario game. Granted, one of the biggest reasons I decided to buy the Wii U now was because Super Mario 3D World is out, and that game looks absolutely amazing and 100% fun. But until then I figured I’d give this one a go. It’s actually not that bad a game, but it’s just not a true Wii U game: it feels more like a sequel to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which isn’t a bad thing but isn’t a great system seller either. It’s a Mario game with some nifty multiplayer features thanks to the GamePad. Fun, but nothing too surprising.

Pikmin 3 CoverPikmin 3
Wii U
Release Date: August 4th, 2013
Purchased at: Target (Sunnyvale, CA – $50)

The pickings of quality games for the Wii U is sadly slim, but there are some shining gems in the mix. Another Nintendo game, Pikmin 3 comes highly recommended from Jett over at In Third Person, and what better recommendation do you need? I’ve only ever played the original Pikmin on the Gamecube, completely skipping over the second outing on the cube as well. But with a scant few other games to choose from, and playing the budget game and trying to work out the best way to save the most money, I decided this would be a great initial investment for the system. Here’s hoping I don’t leave any little Pikmin behind!

Rayman Legends CoverRayman Legends
Wii U
Release Date: September 3rd, 2013
Purchased at: Target (Sunnyvale, CA – FREE!)

The better half of a buy 2 get 1 free deal, Rayman Legends is yet another platformer for the Wii U, but at least it’s not by Nintendo! Following the huge success of Rayman Origins, and having heard nothing but excellent feedback regarding the reinvention’s sophomore outing, I decided to pick this one up over my other Wii U game choice, The Wonderful 101. I think the sublime platforming and animation won me over: I actually played a demo of the game while waiting for Laura to show up before I bought them. Difficulty notwithstanding, I’m totally looking forward to getting down and dirty with this game.

Mortal Kombat II (Saturn) CoverMortal Kombat II
Saturn
Release Date: March 28th, 1996
Purchased at: eBay (Online – $10)

I’ve been tracking Sega Saturn lots on eBay pretty much since I first got the system (also a find on eBay). While I would watch each auction and sometimes bid, I’d ultimately lose on each of them. Prior to this win, I lost out on a lot of 10 games (5 or so I actually wanted) by something like $1.50. But when this lot came around I knew I’d get it. When buying off eBay I always have a buy-in max that I’m willing to pay, and I knew these games would fit my budget nicely. Hmm… this is a topic that might come up with the Game Hunter soon…

Virtua Cop 2 CoverVirtua Cop 2
Saturn
Release Date: 1996
Purchased at: eBay (Online – $11)

I would say a few series’ define each console’s life, and one of the Saturn’s signature franchises would have to be Virtua Cop. There are only two entries in the series on the system but they are both cherished light gun games that belong in every Saturn owners collection. While the original Virtua Cop will likely win more hearts of fans, Virtua Cop 2 is more of the same exciting shooting action that I remember playing in the arcades. Now, if I can just hook up an old TV that actually supports the light gun peripheral I’ll be set!

WWF In Your House CoverWWF: In Your House
Saturn
Release Date: 1996
Purchased at: eBay (Online – $10)

A follow-up to WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game, In Your House is a wrestling themed arcade game that I have never played. Honestly I’m surprised I haven’t because I remember playing the hell out of The Arcade Game for both the PC and SNES. Yeah, we had multiple versions. Anyway, I really enjoyed that game, so I find it surprising the younger me didn’t seek this one out at the rental store to give it a go. Looking at the back of the box actually gave me some happy reminders of how much I enjoyed that game. I wonder if this is anything at all like that one…

Star Wars Rogue Squadron III Rebel Strike CoverStar Wars: Rouge Squadron III: Rebel Strike
Gamecube
Release Date: October 15th, 2003
Purchased at: Goodwill (Cupertino, CA – $4)

Finally! I have been looking for this game for ages and I can finally call the search over and completed. Well, almost: the game is missing the instruction manual, but hey, for just $4 I couldn’t say no! Rebel Strike is a sequel to the Gamecube launch game Rogue Leader, which just happens to be one of my favorite Gamecube games and one of the best Star Wars games I’ve ever played. Generally regarded as the weaker of the two games on the system, Rebel Strike did do some nifty things like include on-foot segments not seen in the past games, as well as include multiplayer versions of levels lifted directly from Rogue Leader! It’s like two games in one! Sadly this would be the last game in the Rogue Squadron series of console shooters.

Laters,
Jsick

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. martianoddity

    Why hello there fellow Wii U owner! Congrats on the awesome finds! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the system a lot! 😀

    1. jsicktheslick

      What’s your Wii U gamertag? I can add you 🙂

      1. martianoddity

        I think it’s MartianOddity 😀 Please add me! I don’t know anyone else owning a Wii U, at least not with Internet Access 🙂

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