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Sega sets first-quarter Wii VC lineup

Publisher to bring Streets of Rage and four more Genesis games to Virtual Console in coming months.

104 Comments

Sega has been a big supporter of the Wii's Virtual Console service since the system launched last November, providing new Genesis games for the Wii Shop Channel every week through Christmas. But while the first two weekly Virtual Console updates of the new year have come and gone without a new Genesis game, Sega is pledging to continue its support of Nintendo's new system with five more titles through the first quarter of the year.

The quintet of Genesis games set for release by the end of March consists of Streets of Rage, Bio-Hazard Battle, Comix Zone, Gain Ground, and Bonanza Bros. While the popular side-scrolling brawler appeared in a number of compilations during the Genesis and Sega CD eras, Streets of Rage hasn't been rereleased in North America in several console generations.

Outside of the shoot-'em-up Bio-Hazard Battle, the rest of the lineup is populated by action games. Gain Ground is a port of an arcade action game that let players control one of 20 characters from an overhead viewpoint as they attempted to clear levels by rescuing captives or destroying enemies. Comix Zone puts a twist on the action genre by structuring its levels as living comic book pages thatthe player must fight through, while Bonanza Bros. is an early stealth action game that lets two players work together to rob buildings packed with security guards.

Sega did not announce specific release dates or prices for any of the titles, but so far every Genesis title on the Virtual Console has sold for 800 Wii Points ($8).

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KingKoop

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I want Mega Swiv !!!

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samad5

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All these virtual games are good news but where the hell are the old Sega Arcade Classics. Also $8 bucks!! Cricky. Sega Megadrive Collection is going for what $20 on the PS2 only.

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Raven-Army

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Gain Ground you are the future, just got this, forgot how good it is!!

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KickinIt_ftw

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@keyser27 Where is General Chaos? Best game of 16 bit generation. Seconded. I still have the cart for General Chaos. AMAZINGLY entertaining. It was an EA/Game Refuge title, so I'm not sure if you'll see it for download anytime soon, sadly.

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undox

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I'll wait to see if there is Sega Genesis Collection 2 before downloading any Sega games first.

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Poison_Me_Rum

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I'm really excited about Bonanza Bros. I used to love that game! Of course, Streets Of Rage is a must. :)

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kamicolo

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i'm jealous, the sega collection on the PS2 is great and all but I would love to have Streets of Rage on that disc

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BloodMist

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Streets of Rage babee, hell yes!!

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Phazevariance

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I remember COmix Zone, that game was awesome!

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runstalker

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: If you have A) a decent computer, and B) a good USB gamepad, be sure to download Streets of Rage Remake. Google it. A very nice indie remake just released, featuring all the characters and remixed original levels, and a great high-quality remix soundtrack. Someone should sign these guys, polish it up a bit, and bring it to PSP or XBLA. It's that good.

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jmg128thinfrgt

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Streets of Rage. Thats all Im going to say.

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Nawras

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You go SEGA!

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Chi-You-Man

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YAY, Bonanza bros!, i love that game, i can't wait to play it again

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jtim6007

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Comix Zone, yay!! One of my favourite games of all time!

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LosDaddie

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Where is NiGHTS??:roll:

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axillia

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Where's my Phantasy Zone Sega?

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chrisdojo

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sweet. the more games the better!!!!!!

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GrimBee

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"Bio-Hazard Battle" WOW! I love streets of rage, but it is truely amazing that they dug up this old liscence. Those of you who dont even know what this is... its basically R-Type, organic! It mingles up the random weapons a bit, its astonishingly hard, but the music in it is out of this world, literally! I totally love the soundtrack in this game. Especially the first two levels, has a very "big budget" and "epic" sound to it. Sadly the game kind of gets into tedium, and incredibly hard (you WILL get mad). Now, on the track of shooters like this - I want Thunderforce IV, best shooter on the Megadrive, imo. Music is the best on the Megadrive, right up there with Streets of Rage 2 and Sonic 2 (etc). Gynoug is another one which had great music and very cool game. And where is Rocketknight adventures? Wii people need this game! They need it I tell you! When I get a Wii, I hope these games will be out for it then, much better than the nes crap they have on the virtual console right now... baseball?? What about stunt kids, chip n dale, mario 3, track n field 2... where are they?!

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V_Zarnold_N

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about time sega got on the ball... ive been waiting for this

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eggsiboss

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streets of rage, meh, what about 2! :)

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AtomicEdge

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I still feel the VC games are a little expensive, I don't mind paying that much for a XBL Arcade game as they all seem so polished, but the VC versions of these games all seem a little... sloppy...

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KingofTrolls

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WOW Thanks for letting me down Sega other than Streets of Rage this is horrible news. Its a shame because you guys have such a great library of games that are amazing that you could offer up.

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deactivated-57fce817a4cf5

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Oh yeaaaah! I can't wait for Comix Zone and Streets of Rage!

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Dreski83

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streets of rage and comix zone... my Wii only makes me more happy... but I sure hope Nintendo doesn't put too much blind faith in VC titles holding gamers over while they churn out already well known games staring characters like Mario, Link and Metroid...

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SpareJesus

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Yes, God yes! Streets of Rage on the VC, finally! I just hope they release the NTSC version for PAL, as I couldn't go back to playing it at 83% of its regular speed.. Have any Americans ever seen the difference between PAL Sonic and NTSC Sonic? It's freaking horrible.

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lquidsnake133

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Comix Zone!!!!

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Slash_out

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Just use your staff to make good actual game instead of butchering them please. Even the last Sonic is crappy.

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keyser27

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Where is General Chaos? Best game of 16 bit generation. Gunstar Heroes is great too, but, wow. I mean funny 4 man squad combat? I remember playing this game for months co op when i was 19 with friend and his lil brother. Comix Zone is nice, but General Chaos will be the biggest sleeper hit on VC.

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OmegaGear

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I hope sega announces a few more games than this for the quarter, because it is a tad skimpy. If they stick to 3 games a quarter, being 1 game a month, that'd be horrible. Sure, take what you can get, but 1 a month? Slim pickings :/

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slick_gio

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DUDE! I played Comix Zone when I was a little kid. I could never remember the name of the game, but I remember fighting in the comics and all that stuff. Now I know what it's called. As for Streets of Rage, it goes without saying that it's tight.

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Poltergeist13

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Sega needs to bring some games to XBL Arcade and PS Store.

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edric1980

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Streets of Rage, enough said.

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suprsolider

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OMG, STREETS OF RAGE, STREETS OF RAGE. *continues parody of N64 kids video, you all know the one*

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PixyMisao

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They keep pushing Bonanza Bros. like it's this amazing gem long forgotten in the Sega archives, it's been on two different PS2 collections (no idea about other systems) and now again for the Wii. Now begs the question, which came first Bonanza Bros. or Elevator Action? The only thing really sparking my interest on that list is Streets of Rage, although it did remind me a lot of Final Fight. But I was never a big Genesis fan, so until they get to Phantasy Stars or even Shining games, I'm taking it easy.

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Dmitheon

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Street of Rage2 buries the first game. Gran-Uppa!

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PhoenixWright2

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Does bio- hazard battle have anything to do with resident evil? And, is it me or when you hear streets of rage, gears of war comes to mind? I might buy one of those once i see some vids. (ivem never played any of those)

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Sora311

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streets of rage...... ive been waiting for this.

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Darth_Tyrranus

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gothicdragon216 Yes you read it right, but that is only the games that sega is coming out with in the next three months. Nintendo will also be releasing their own games.

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gothicdragon216

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did I read that right? 5 new games for 3 months? that isn't cool. XBLA has a new game every week. that means 12+ games for the quarter...

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pencilpusher69

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I bought Comixzone for 12 dollars, but the cartridge just doesn't want to work no matter what I try. So thankfully, I can finally give this game a try! Comics rule!

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Sonicplys

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Comix Zone = Classic

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gatsbythepig

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more games period

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chibi-acer

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Streets of Rage is cool, but for the most part I've been disappointed with the Sega lineup of VC titles. The TG-16 lineup has been great so far. I'm hoping the SNES will have some better stuff soon too, as there's tons of games there I would potentially buy again.

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GamerGeorge

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More Sega support for the Virtual Console is always a good thing.

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Lilac_Benjie

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I hope Streets Of Rage will carry over the multiplayer. Comix Zone is also damned good.

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ghangiskhan1

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Streets and Rage and Comix Zone are cool... but... Bonanza Bros?

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NoLimitJay1

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Vietiful Joe should send some money to Comix Zone, as it was similar in style. Looking forward to getting to rage, though SoR 2 is better.

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TeamR

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streets of rage = top tier

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Deckarus

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Phantasy Star 2, 3 and 4 anyone? Well yes SoR was (is) kinda cool....

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juanfraino

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more VC game FTW!

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