Remember this scene? Of course you do!
The ESRB has rated one of LucasArts' classic SNES games. Update: And more are on the way too!
If you've been keeping up with LucasArts lately, you might've noticed that recently, they've begun to rerelease many of their classic games, after years of seemingly not listening to the cries of fans asking them to do so.
Online download service Steam recently got a bunch of games from their back catalogue with more to come, and the Wii version of Indiana Jones' newest adventure, Staff of Kings, included the classic Indy adventure game, Fate of Atlantis. There have also been talks of bringing back the classic Star Wars X-Wing games.
Now, it seems that LucasArts is taking it one step further - According to the latest ESRB ratings update, Super Star Wars, an awesome SNES platformer based on the first Star Wars film, A New Hope, will be making its way to the Wii sometime. This all seems to be timed too well - Last week on Twitter, LucasArts said they would be making an announcement today concerning more of their back catalogue.
We'll keep you posted on any plans LucasArts has for Virtual Console.
Update: As you've probably seen, Super Star Wars is available in North America today. Nintendo has released a LucasArts press release which goes into a bit more detail - This won't be the only LucasArts game we'll see on Virtual Console!
The press release is below:
The Force is Strong with This One: Star Wars Content Blasts onto Wii Console
Multiple LucasArts Super Nintendo Games Head to Virtual Console
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fans of Star Wars® and classic Nintendo games will want to keep an eye on their Wii™ Shop Channel for the next month. Nintendo will be releasing multiple LucasArts favorites for Virtual Console™, starting today with Super Star Wars®. In the coming weeks, both Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back® and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi® will be added to the Virtual Console lineup. All three Super Star Wars games were originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System™ and will be available at 800 Wii Points™each.
The arrival of the first three games will be accompanied by additional Star Wars-themed content on other Wii channels throughout the week. The Check Mii Out Channel will invite people to submit their best Mii™ character renditions of classic Star Wars characters. On the Everybody Votes Channel, users can cast their votes to help settle old debates, such as the proper order to watch the six Star Wars films, and who fired first – Han Solo or Greedo?
“Our expanded partnership with LucasArts brings the Star Wars and Nintendo universes together,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “These three Super Star Wars games represent fantastic additions to the growing Virtual Console library, and the exclusive Star Wars content on the other Wii Menu channels is sure to have people from different generations having fun and interacting with one another.”
“Virtual Console on Wii is a great way to make these games available to our fans again, and it’s an awesome opportunity to expose our classic console titles to an entirely new audience,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts.
Additional classic LucasArts games for Virtual Console will be announced in the future.
1. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 12:59 BST
This should satisfy certain people's strong desire for licensed games.
2. Cheezy
10 Aug 2009, 13:00 BST
I want Smash Bros. FIRST
EDIT: Ughh...oh well. But still, c'mon, Smash Bros. please they're taking too damn long!!
3. TwilightV
10 Aug 2009, 13:00 BST
Hmm... we shall see what happens.
4. longtimegamer
10 Aug 2009, 13:02 BST
That'd be awsome if it was released today.
5. PopeReal
10 Aug 2009, 13:06 BST
Some good news.... so will this be 900 or 1000 points?
6. DiggerandIndy
10 Aug 2009, 13:07 BST
What...the...hey??
Do you think they'll get Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures out? That one's the best I.J. game IMO.
7. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 13:11 BST
so will this be 900 or 1000 points?
Could even be 800. LucasArts releasing a Star Wars game is the equivalent of Nintendo releasing a Mario game. I think. Star Wars is LucasArts' own property after all. Its not like with TMNT where Konami didn't own the rights themselves. I hope LucasArts shows a lot of interest in the VC now.
8. TwilightV
10 Aug 2009, 13:13 BST
...where's that press update? Oi, they love making me feel anticipation.
9. David77
10 Aug 2009, 13:14 BST
It's about time we see some western classic in th VC.
10. chunky_droid
10 Aug 2009, 13:15 BST
Yes, it's just come out on VC everyone
11. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 13:16 BST
Its released today. 800 points.
http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=19447
12. KnucklesSonic8
10 Aug 2009, 13:16 BST
This took me aback too. What a surprise!
13. TwilightV
10 Aug 2009, 13:19 BST
Pinch me... my mind asploded.
14. Link79
10 Aug 2009, 13:20 BST
Holy crap I never thought it would happen! Lucasarts supporting the VC!? This is madness! The super Star wars games were awesome! That's how you make a movie based game. They were amazing for the time and you could really tell the guys who made them were fans. Now how about Disney supporting VC as well?
15. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 13:23 BST
Zombies Ate My Neighbors should be possible to be released on the VC too now.
16. Atlantis1982
10 Aug 2009, 13:25 BST
Am I dreaming?!?!?!?!?!
A LICENSED GAME?!?!?
Think I might get this since I never played the SNES games.
17. Tony
10 Aug 2009, 13:28 BST
Oh joy!!
This is great news because I am a huge Star Wars fan. This gives hope that Star Wars arcade could come out one day as well. Now if they could just get NES Batman
18. Link79
10 Aug 2009, 13:38 BST
Now maybe there's hope for super Empire and Jedi. As well as Shadows of the Empire and Rogue squadron on N64. Thank you Lucasarts!
19. Atlantis1982
10 Aug 2009, 13:42 BST
I would rather see the Pod Racer game come out, but I won't hold my breath for anything. I learned that lesson long, long ago in a galaxy far away. (Oh I am getting terrible with these SW puns
)
20. TwilightV
10 Aug 2009, 13:44 BST
Can't post a link (posting from Wii), but I just read an article that says for the rest of the month we'll also see Super Empire and Super Jedi!
21. Machu
10 Aug 2009, 14:01 BST
Episode 1 Racer pleeeeease!
22. VGP
10 Aug 2009, 14:04 BST
@Machu: Yes Episode 1 Racer is a great racing game for the N64,Though I do prefer it on the Dreamcast.
23. Tony
10 Aug 2009, 14:06 BST
God bless you Nintendo and Lucas Arts!
24. motang
10 Aug 2009, 14:12 BST
I remember playing Super Star Wars, but never finished. Now I get a chance to.
25. Atlantis1982
10 Aug 2009, 14:20 BST
August has become Star Wars Wii month.
26. ejamer
10 Aug 2009, 14:25 BST
AWESOME... The Super Star Wars series had some odd problems, but were very good licensed action games on SNES. This is the best Virtual Console news I've heard in a long time!
27. Hyper Luigi
10 Aug 2009, 14:30 BST
This is AWESOME! Come on Lucasarts, I want to see Rouge Squadron on the VC.
28. wmdwf
10 Aug 2009, 14:34 BST
Complete waste of a Nintendo download. Super Star Wars isn't a bad game but EarthBound was ESRB rated for the VC long before SSW was, again Nintendo of America refuses to listen to its hardcore fanbase by only releasing one VC game instead of multiple VC games like Japan each week. Stop letting us down NOA! Give us the games that we want! SSW is a start, but give us the other games that we want and more VC downloads every week instead of one a week. My Wii makes a good paperweight but I would like to use it on some quality VC games like Earthbound. If I want to play SSW I'll just download a rom of it.
29. Aquateen510
10 Aug 2009, 14:38 BST
@14. That would be awesome if DIsney releases their games to their VC.
30. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 14:39 BST
@ wmdwf
31. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999
10 Aug 2009, 15:04 BST
This is so awesome! My extreme desire for licensed game is being fufilled and it's all thanks to Lucasarts.
Could this mean Disney will finally support the Virtual Console? And is the Virtual Console truly in an revival after all?
We may not see the former of the second paragraph, but the latter seems likely.
32. accc
10 Aug 2009, 15:07 BST
Don't really care about Star Wars games. Release SCUMM games like Sam & Max and Day of the Tentacle instead!
33. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 15:20 BST
Could this mean Disney will finally support the Virtual Console?
No. LucasArts releasing Star Wars games is like Nintendo releasing Mario games.
34. Terranigma
10 Aug 2009, 15:21 BST
Well, this is a bug surprise. Fantastic news, I heard these games are really good.
35. Jockolantern
10 Aug 2009, 15:26 BST
Great news to see Lucasarts partnering up with the VC and getting some great licensed content up. All the Super Star Wars games are excellent and will definitely be great additions to my VC library in the coming weeks. Keep it coming, Nintendo! This is not only great news in and of itself but bodes well for the future of licensed material appearing on the Virtual Console! Awesomeness!
36. Kid_A
10 Aug 2009, 15:35 BST
Super Star wars is freakin' hard. I never got past the first level. I still have it for my Super Nintendo.
37. ganondwarf16
10 Aug 2009, 15:42 BST
I really want the podracer game and rouge squadron but this is a nice start
38. VulpineNinja
10 Aug 2009, 15:50 BST
So many clones of Darth Vader and Chewie are gonna be sent to the Check Mii Out Channel...
39. Stuffgamer1
10 Aug 2009, 16:03 BST
This is AMAZING! We were just talking about licenced games yesterday, and I had to explain to my brother how Star Wars games theoretically COULD come to VC, and now look! I never expected them to start pouring in TODAY!
@wmdwf: Hey, guess what: You can download a ROM of Earthbound just as easily as one of Super Star Wars. I want Earthbound on VC too, but I'm not going to complain about an unexpected update THIS awesome! Stop raining on our parade!
40. DDR Paladin356
10 Aug 2009, 16:13 BST
VC just got some life to it. Nice.
41. Koto
10 Aug 2009, 16:30 BST
wow,there must be something going on....Rogue Squadron 4 maybe?and it would be nice if the release the original rogue squadron on virtual console
42. Maniac
10 Aug 2009, 16:36 BST
@BassXO
"No. LucasArts releasing Star Wars games is like Nintendo releasing Mario games."
True, but is it still not just as likely that Disney will see other licensed games making a profit and then approach Nintendo about a release agreement? They may not have their own game company to release The Magical Quest: Starring Mickey Mouse, but they could make the wheels turn a little easier by agreeing to let it be released in the first place. I hope.
43. WolfRamHeart
10 Aug 2009, 16:57 BST
Hooray for LucasArts and Nintendo!!!
44. Awesome5
10 Aug 2009, 17:01 BST
These could be my first virtual console games.
45. squeath2001
10 Aug 2009, 17:19 BST
i hope the release shadows of the empire also
46. Mike
10 Aug 2009, 17:21 BST
Well that really blows for people who don't give a crap about Star Wars. So in other words if you don't like Star Wars, this week and the next 2 will suck.
47. Panda
10 Aug 2009, 17:23 BST
If Rogue Squadron and Zombies Ate My Neighbors finally make it, I'll probably just soil myself right then and there.
48. pixelman
10 Aug 2009, 17:23 BST
Holy crap! YESSSSSSSSSS! Now it is definitely possible that we'll see Star Wars Racer and Rogue Squadron eventually
49. Kirk
10 Aug 2009, 17:30 BST
It's all profit for these companies so I'm not surprised to see everyone jumping on the bandwagon and in fact I would be surprised if some companies didn't take the opportunity to make just a little bit more money.
50. Cleveland Rock
10 Aug 2009, 17:34 BST
What's with all the people calling Super Star Wars a licensed game? It's made by the same company (LucasArts, subsidiary of Lucasfilm) who makes the movies. You don't license a game to your own company; you just make it.
But, this is great. Here's hoping this means good news for Indiana Jones's Greatest Adventures, and one of the best games ever: Zombies Ate My Neighbours.
51. jpfan1989
10 Aug 2009, 17:34 BST
I hope they release the N64 games as well
@ Mike: Yeah I'm more of a Star Trek guy anyway
52. ReZon
10 Aug 2009, 17:50 BST
ZAMN and Pod Racer would be quite awesome.
53. Relevant Latty
10 Aug 2009, 17:53 BST
OMG! Head Explodes Super Star Wars was great back then and will be a fantastic addition on the VC now. This is a definate day 1 buy for me
.
Unfortunately I have no money
. You are lucky guys 
. Enjoy!
54. Darknyht
10 Aug 2009, 17:58 BST
Hopefully Super Empire, Super Return, Rouge Squadron, Shadows of the Empire, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, and the other greats from LucasArts will be making their way to the VC.
55. Junkface
10 Aug 2009, 18:16 BST
Who would we have to kidnap to get all the great N64 games? Well looks like the VC may still have some life left in it.
56. Objection_Blaster
10 Aug 2009, 18:17 BST
Good to see some Lucasarts love. I wonder if Shadows of the Empire (64) will follow.
57. LEGEND MARIOID
10 Aug 2009, 18:22 BST
Yes please!!!!
58. jangonov
10 Aug 2009, 18:22 BST
I want shadows of the empire, and MOST of all Rouge Squadron 64.
59. Twilight Crow
10 Aug 2009, 18:25 BST
Thank you for joining the VC LucasArts!
60. RadioShadow
10 Aug 2009, 18:32 BST
Please release Zombies Ate My Neighbors! Something that should have gotten released when the Wii first came out!
61. Stevie
10 Aug 2009, 18:34 BST
I hope we get some classic Lucasarts Point and clicks such as Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island. Who said the VC was dead ???
62. slatters
10 Aug 2009, 19:06 BST
Please please please please please Lucasarts, can we have the ultra rare N64 title Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine !!!!
God I would love you forever if you released it!
What do you guys think? Seeing as this was US only and I think only availible at Blockbusters, don't quote me on that though.
63. warioswoods
10 Aug 2009, 19:08 BST
I hope other companies look to this as a precedent -- not so much just for licensed content, but for taking your VC content and making a month out of it, with a series of releases accompanied by events on other Nintendo Channels, etc. If only every month could have some particular retro theme or franchise highlighted, the VC would get a lot more attention and momentum.
64. quickfingers
10 Aug 2009, 19:34 BST
I think they should release one of there best games nobody don't know really which is Metal Warriors.
65. retro_player_22
10 Aug 2009, 19:53 BST
August is now officially "Super Star Wars Trilogy" month for VC. Does this means that we won't see The Revenge of Shinobi, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario Kart and Final Fantasy IV hit NA until September or so?
66. KeroKero Cola
10 Aug 2009, 20:07 BST
C'mon Zombies Ate My Neighbors!
67. vio
10 Aug 2009, 20:19 BST
Now where's that idiot that was saying there would be licensing "issues" with Star Wars games? I told you LucasArts can release pretty much any Star Wars game on VC!
68. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 20:19 BST
Its a possibility. Or the very end of August.
I told you LucasArts can release pretty much release any Star Wars game on VC!
It wasn't licensing that wasn't the issue. Until today, LucasArts said some time ago that they wouldn't support the Virtual Console. We would all have said no Star Wars games for VC before today.
69. Zork2
10 Aug 2009, 20:43 BST
Metal Warriors!
70. Smashbro99
10 Aug 2009, 20:45 BST
ZOMBIES ATE MY NEIGHBORS PLEASE LUCASARTS! It was voted 3rd most wanted action game in this months Nintendo Power!
71. That Guy from Faxanadu
10 Aug 2009, 20:47 BST
@Zork2
METAL WARRIORS!!!
But Super Star Wars is pretty amazing, hardcore plattform action! The best in the trilogy imo.
72. b_willers
10 Aug 2009, 20:55 BST
Any word on an EU release for this? It is going to be a definite download for me, and the first VC game in a long time, happy days!
73. Sean Aaron
10 Aug 2009, 20:58 BST
Ooh ooh! Please please 8-bit Lucasfilm Games releases for C-64! I would happily buy all of them!
74. Rapadash6
10 Aug 2009, 21:00 BST
Great news for Star Wars and Virtual Console fans alike. Oh, and the more SNES games added to the service the better. At least now we know what the rest of August will look like. What about September though? Will we finally get Smash Bros. and/or Mario Kart? We shall see...
75. Kelvin
10 Aug 2009, 21:00 BST
A good series of games, but I'm hoping that this means that stuff like Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle might be on their way, perhaps through WiiWare or a VC version of SCUMM. High hopes, I know...
76. Outrunner
10 Aug 2009, 21:06 BST
Aargh! Why did I download Strongbad 2??
77. Bass X0
10 Aug 2009, 21:23 BST
Please please 8-bit Lucasfilm Games releases for C-64!
Like Night Shift? I read about that in the Retro Cabin section of CVG Magazine.
78. chunky_droid
10 Aug 2009, 21:40 BST
I'd love a SCUMM section on VC, with pointer support for the mouse, that'd be fantastic.
Though with the size constraints, I'd imagine they'd all be the text versions, unless they compress the bujeezus out of it
79. JayArr
10 Aug 2009, 21:56 BST
Is that a picture of a lawn gnome fighting the Sarlac?
80. super-nintendo
10 Aug 2009, 22:15 BST
Cool.
81. StarFox
10 Aug 2009, 23:15 BST
AWESOME! I already have Super Star Wars, but I'd rush out and get a points card immediately if Super ESB and Super ROTJ come out! Can't wait!
82. Ricardo91
10 Aug 2009, 23:21 BST
alright! This makes us one step closer to getting Disney on VC!
83. TwilightWatcher
11 Aug 2009, 01:53 BST
(crosses fingers) Come on ZAMN! I haven't played that one in years... Please be the SNES version... If they decide to release it.
84. Nintendo-Naut
11 Aug 2009, 02:33 BST
Heh heh cool. These are some of the hardest games of all time. And BTW, if Lucas Arts re-releases the X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter games, I will jump up and down, clap, and scream like a girl.
85. sirgrim
11 Aug 2009, 04:07 BST
Holey crap. Thanks Lucas. This game is possibly the most awesome crap to hit the VC in a long time. Pew pew pew. Awesome.
86. Bulbasaurus Rex
11 Aug 2009, 05:11 BST
I already have Rogue Squadron, Episode I Racer, and Battle for Naboo on PC, but I'd love to see Shadows of the Empire and Star Wars Arcade on VC.
@Sean Aaron - you can already play the Atari games on the GameCube game, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3: Rebel Strike.
87. edofthe209
11 Aug 2009, 06:14 BST
I'm excited and bummed for this. I've got the SNES carts for all 3 already, but a busted SNES. Choices choices... I gotta say, SSW was amazing, and knowing the tricks like the extra life cave off of the second cliff in the dune sea made it all the more of a blast to play. ESB was uber hard! I never made it past the Hoth levels. Return was amazingly fun. I could beat 1 and 3 but ESB was just over the top on being difficult.
88. Shin Kazama
11 Aug 2009, 06:41 BST
Great news, I love those games...ah nostalgia
89. StarFox
11 Aug 2009, 08:24 BST
NES
Maniac Mansion
Pipe Dream
SNES
Super ESB
Super ROTJ
90. slatters
11 Aug 2009, 10:18 BST
INDIANA JONES AND THE INFERNAL MACHINE!
Have any of you ever played this?
91. Kobayashi
11 Aug 2009, 12:10 BST
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!! AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Lucasarts !!!!
92. cangelo
11 Aug 2009, 13:13 BST
Their ScummVM games are all coming out on the IPOD Touch / Iphone...not sure we'll see them on VC but it's possible as I'm sure the ScummVM could be ported to it.
93. Sean Aaron
11 Aug 2009, 13:30 BST
@Bass X0: Can't say I know that one, I was thinking more along the lines of Ball Blazer, Rescue on Fractalus, The Eidolon and Koronis Rift, but really anything would be nice as long as it's good!
94. Kadaj 11 Aug 2009, 13:30 BST
I LOVE the original SNES Star Wars Trilogy! I have them all for my SNES xD But only Return of the Jedi works now...which is no longer a problem
I hope they bring em all over!
95. brandonbwii
13 Aug 2009, 04:35 BST
i was really hoping ubi would surprise with one of konami's turtle games. oh well.
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