Virtual Console Dreaming: The Mario Paint Update
Mario Paint by Nintendo
From the moment it was announced that the Switch 2 Joy-Cons could be used as mice, Mario Paint was an inevitability (though I predicted incorrectly that a new version would be a pack-in launch title). Less than two months later and the original is coming to Nintendo Switch Online. We had a copy in my first grade classroom and it might actually be the first video game I ever played. I never had a chance to check out the music creator during my 15 minute recesses on the console, so I’ll be heading there first.
Mario Paint for the SNES is available to subscribers now. If you own a Switch 2, mouse controls are supported so you can play the way God intended. Owners of the original Switch will also be able to plug in a compatible USB mouse–which is a welcome surprise.
Since the last “Virtual Console Dreaming,” I added Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 to the wish list. While I appreciate the accessibility of the recently released remake (and its ability to effortlessly eat hours of my life) many features were removed in the process of bringing it to modern consoles. I understand the extensive licensed soundtrack would make for a challenging port (and let’s face it, if we can’t even get Beetle Adventure Racing, all hope is lost)–but this series of articles was never about being realistic.
SNES
Pocky and Rocky 2
Secret of Mana
GBC/GBA
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel
Mother 3
Onimusha Tactics
Pokemon Pinball
Tony Hawk misc.
Nintendo 64
Beetle Adventure Racing
Bomberman 64
Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!
Bomberman Hero
Castlevania 64/Legacy of Darkness
Goemon’s Great Adventure
Mischief Makers
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Quest 64
Snowboard Kids
Snowboard Kids 2
GameCube
1080 Avalanche
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
Battalion Wars
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Chibi-Robo!
Cubivore:: Survival of the Fittest
Donkey Konga 1-3 (rerelease the bongos!)
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
Eternal Darkness
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Geist
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent
James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
James Bond 007: From Russia with Love
James Bond 007: Nightfire
Killer 7 (if we’re not getting a port of the Steam version)
Kirby Air Ride
Lost Kingdoms
Lost Kingdoms II
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Party 4-7
Metroid Prime 2 (if we don’t get a proper remaster)
P.N.03
Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Resident Evil 2, 3, and Code Veronica
Skies of Arcadia Legends (I think this is the one I want the most)
SSX 3
Starfox Adventures
Starfox: Assault
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
Super Smash Bros. Melee
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 (because, as explained above, the remake removes a lot of the structure and originality from the 2002 version)
Tony Hawk’s Underground, Underground 2, and American Wasteland (if we don’t get remakes)
Turok: Evolution (if Nightdive doesn’t do its thing)
Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2
Wario World
Wave Race: Blue Storm
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom
As always, thanks for reading!
I recently published a talk with one of the creators of The Third Shift (a spine-chilling homage to the original Game Boy). Keep an eye on the site if you’re into behind the scenes info, more interviews are on the way.
I also finished my coverage of the summer showcase season. Do you enjoy indie trailers? Check the features tab for over 50 pages of impressions and 180 games you need in your life.
Until next time! And remember, reject that little voice that says you can’t play everything.