press release from Sega:
SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced the first round of titles from its SEGA Genesis™ library are available now on the Wii™ Shop Channel for download and play on the Wii™ Virtual Console. Prices to download the SEGA Genesis titles will start at 800 Wii™ Points. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets at an MSRP of $20.00 for 2,000 points. Spanning all the popular genres, the titles currently available are Sonic The Hedgehog™, Altered Beast™, Golden Axe™, Columns™, Ecco the Dolphin™, Gunstar Heroes™, Space Harrier II™, Toe Jam & Earl™, Ristar™ and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine™.
Titles Currently Available:
• Sonic The Hedgehog - Rocket Sonic, the fastest blue hedgehog on earth, through hair-raising loop-de-loops and dizzying dives past bubbling lava, waterfalls and on as you gather up rings and stop Dr. "Ivo" Robotnik's schemes for world domination! (1991/© SEGA)
• Altered Beast - When Zeus, the legendary Greek God, brings you back to life, you set forth on a mission to rescue his daughter Athena from the underworld. Along the way, collect the Spirit Balls dropped by enemies to increase your strength and transform into a variety of mythical creatures with powerful attacks. (1989/© SEGA)
• Golden Axe - Three mighty heroes have a score to settle with the evil Death Adder in this classic action game. As a powerful fighter, a female amazon, or a mighty dwarf, you'll fight through Adder's henchmen with weapons and magic attacks or ride the fearsome, fire-breathing beasts to help in you combat. (1988/© SEGA)
• Columns - Test your hand at the ancient Phoenician game of Columns. Multi-colored gems drop from the top of the screen into a pit and it is up to you to quickly arrange the order of the jewels as they fall into lines of three or more. If your gems pile up and reach the top, the game is over. (1990/© SEGA)
• Ecco the Dolphin - Help Ecco the Dolphin find his missing friends by exploring his vast ocean world. You must surface for air and keep an eye out for enemies as you search the depths. Ecco's unique sonar ability will give you helpful information from other sea creatures. (1992/© SEGA)
• Gunstar Heroes - The Gunstar 9 planet was peaceful for many years until the vicious dictator, Colonel Red, kidnapped the Gunstar twins' older brother and used mind control to make him his slave. You'll face many different enemies and bosses as you battle to stop the dictator from unleashing "Golden Silver the Destructor" with apocalyptic consequences. (1993/© SEGA)
• Space Harrier II - Fantasyland has been taken over by destructive forces and a call for help comes from deep in the universe. Space Harrier is quick on the scene armed with his laser to defeat wave after wave of destructive forces through 12 thrilling stages, with a dangerous boss waiting at the end of each round. (1988/© SEGA)
• Toe Jam & Earl - Toe Jam & Earl are two fun-loving aliens who accidentally crash onto earth when their spaceship collides with a meteorite. They must find 10 pieces of the spaceship so they can get back home to Planet Funkotron, but not all levels have the pieces. Once you find a piece of the ship, you'll receive a hint as well. (1992/© ToeJam&Earl Productions, Inc. © SEGA)
• Ristar - Greedy, an evil space pirate, has corrupted the kings of Valdi System's seven planets and enslaved the people who live there. The plea for a hero is answered by Ristar who uses his amazing extendable arms and courage to save Valdi from Greedy. (1995/© SEGA)
• Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine - Dr. Robotnik is stamping out music and fun in Mobius with his giant, robotizing Mean Bean Steaming Machine. Before he turns all the citizens of Beanville into robots, you must save the day by gathering up beans in matching colors and defeating Robotnik's guards. (1993/© SEGA)
"Nintendo has offered a great gateway to bring classic SEGA titles such as Sonic The Hedgehog, Altered Beast and Toe Jam & Earl to Wii console owners," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "This is only the beginning though, as you can expect to see more announcements regarding other SEGA classic titles coming to the Wii Shop Channel in the coming months."
