News Article

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker Coming to Virtual Console?

Posted Sun, 08 Nov 2009 by Marcel Van Duyn

Shamone!

Shamone!

Could the King of Pop make his Wii debut soon?

The PEGI has been a bit quiet for a while, as they tend not to add ratings to their site until the games in question have actually been released. Today, however, one game slipped through the cracks, and it's not an insignificant one either.

A Virtual Console listing for Michael Jackson's Moonwalker has appeared, making it seem like one of the games nobody ever thought we would see could actually be making its way to a Wii near you sometime soon.

If it happens it would be a very special occasion indeed, because as of yet the service has still not seen any movie-based titles other than the Super Star Wars games. As you probably know, however, LucasArts owns the Star Wars license, so these aren't exactly "licensed" titles.

Diehard Sega fans are probably aware that Michael always had close ties with the company: other than Moonwalker, he appeared in their Space Channel 5 games and Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2, and of course there's the ever-persistent rumours that he composed some of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's music. Therefore, it's highly likely that they're putting the game on Virtual Console as a tribute. He deserves it!

As of yet, we don't know if it's the arcade, Mega Drive/Genesis, or even Master System version of the game, but as the Mega Drive one was the most well-known, we're assuming it'll be that one. Ok, yes, it's not a very good game, but you've got to admit saving children from a bunch of gangsters as Michael Jackson by dancing and throwing around fairy dust is a fantastic (not to mention hilarious) concept.

Source: pegi.info.

Tags: Virtual Console, PEGI ratings, Awesome.

Game Screenshots

User Comments

cheetahman91

1. cheetahman91 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:19 GMT

Knew it was coming. Also, Dreams Come True composed Sonic 2's music. You're thinking of Sonic 3.

megaboomface2

2. megaboomface2 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:23 GMT

dose this have thriller in it if it dose its a buy for sure

cheetahman91

3. cheetahman91 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:24 GMT

@megaboomface: I think only certain carts featured "Thriller". This might be the one though. ;)

joe_diddley

4. Joe Diddley United Kingdom 08 Nov 2009, 21:24 GMT

I played this as a kid. It was funny. I liked throwing his hat as a weapon!
If it does see a release out I will probably download it.

kanrakuspizza

5. KanrakusPizza United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:29 GMT

Can someone explain to me what you have to do in the game? MJs music was cool, so i just might get it.

super_smash_bros_fan1999

6. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:31 GMT

I told you guys that the game would possibly see an Virtual Console release! Now I'm so excited.

While most licensed games will still have a difficult time seeing an Virtual Console release, this game made it all more likely.

Here's to hoping to more licensing issues solved! And I thank Nintendo, Sega, and most importantly, the Jackson Family for making this possible. I'll download it regardless of quality.

This also helps Earthbound's chance of being released. If Micheal Jackson can have a game on the Virtual Console, then Nintendo has no more reason to not put the game on the Virtual Console.

megaboomface2

7. megaboomface2 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:37 GMT

@cheetahman91 lets hope with our heart :}

mickeymac

8. Mickeymac United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:37 GMT

If it does pop up, that would be awesome. Considering how much I love the music in the Sonic games, especially Sonic 3, I'd be sure to pick it up, day 1!:D

mrpinguy

9. MrPinguy Portugal 08 Nov 2009, 21:41 GMT

No need to censure and eleminate my post for thanking me for correcting you.
In fact isn't the first time that a post of mine is censured without any good reason. A shame in such awesome site.

On side note, This is actually good news, this is a signal of more games with licences... Lucas Arts and now this.
Bring me Disney/Capcom games people!

cheetahman91

10. cheetahman91 United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:44 GMT

I hope Disney releases their games for hyping up the Epic Mickey game.

mastergraveheart

11. MasterGraveheart United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:46 GMT

You can call him a smooth criminal, or you can think of him as a stranger in Moscow. This news? It's a thriller! Who'se bad?

tony

12. Tony United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:48 GMT

The box art is epic

accc

13. accc United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:49 GMT

Not a very good game? Blasphemy!

lionsgate

14. Lionsgate United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:54 GMT

OMG awesome! Idk how good the game is but I love all things MJ lately so I will def cop this off the VC

v8_ninja

15. V8 Ninja United States 08 Nov 2009, 21:58 GMT

Hope it's the arcade game. I heard that the game was pretty good.

starboy91

16. StarBoy91 United States 08 Nov 2009, 22:01 GMT

:3 :D I'm sorry, but that boxart looks cheesy to me. Otherwise, yay, a chance to play as Michael Jackson! :)

paul_j1

17. Pj United Kingdom 08 Nov 2009, 22:03 GMT

Yeah guys this game was pretty good! for me it's a major down load, if this is true it's exciting news!!

smashbro99

18. Smashbro99 United States 08 Nov 2009, 22:13 GMT

I'd rather have the arcade game. It was better than the Genesis version.

slapshot82

19. slapshot82 United States 08 Nov 2009, 22:13 GMT

This game is loads of fun for anyone who hasn't played it. Awesome it is finally getting release!

nitro_rev

20. nitro_rev Canada 08 Nov 2009, 22:16 GMT

Micheal Jackson was the inspiration for Sonic's shoes. (I think)

terranigma

21. Terra United Kingdom 08 Nov 2009, 22:46 GMT

I'm not interested in the game itself, although it is nice to see it get released. I'm interested to see how well this will sell

luigi_la_bouncy

22. Luigi-La-Bouncy Belgium 08 Nov 2009, 22:52 GMT

I saw 'This Is It' last night, was really interesting, it's such a shame he died. Anyway, I don't really have fond memories of the game, it's another typical AVGN kind of 'classic'.

link79

23. Link79 United States 08 Nov 2009, 22:56 GMT

I still have the VHS tape of the movie. It's kinda cheesy as well but cool at the same time. Michael turns into a futuristic car and a giant robot that Transforms into a space ship! I must have watched it 20 times as a kid. I still can't believe the man is dead. Still seems odd being able to say it.

hoffkage

24. Hoffkage Spain 08 Nov 2009, 22:56 GMT

Damn, I thought it was the Arcade game.

I never played the Mega Drive one.

warioswoods

25. warioswoods United States 08 Nov 2009, 22:57 GMT

All you need for moonwalkin' is a short area to slide under in Super Mario Bros. This game is superfluous.

link79

26. Link79 United States 08 Nov 2009, 23:02 GMT

I'll probably get it just for the novelty. Even if it's not a great game it has Michael Jackson in it. That alone makes it worth having. Not many games out there starring MJ. I'd almost rather have the arcade version. The music sounds a hell of alot better.

sylverstone

27. Sylverstone United States 08 Nov 2009, 23:04 GMT

Weird how MJ fans (who are also gamers) wanted this on the VC.

Seems fine, but why the Genesis version. Isn't the arcade like ten times better?

Oh well, as long as I can jam to Smooth Criminal, I'm fine with it. :)

knucklessonic8

28. KnucklesSonic8 Canada 08 Nov 2009, 23:04 GMT

I never thought this day would come!

deggs

29. deggs Canada 08 Nov 2009, 23:12 GMT

despite the bad reviews it sometimes gets, it's actually pretty good. i used to play it all the time as a kid. the control kinda sucks but it's fun as heck...

sean_aaron

30. Sean Aaron United Kingdom 08 Nov 2009, 23:29 GMT

Okay, firstly the version of the game isn't confirmed, so let's stop jumping to the conclusion it's the Genesis/Mega Drive version.

That out of the way, if it the arcade version I'll definitely buy it!

bboy2970

31. bboy2970 United States 08 Nov 2009, 23:39 GMT

Oh well this is just peachy! now this is gonna end up as America's 350th VC title and we will NEVER see Super Smash Bros.!!!!! Why is NOA so against just giving us good games outside of milestones?????

angelic_lapras_king

32. Angelic Lapras King United Kingdom 09 Nov 2009, 00:09 GMT

WOW, hell froze over! D=

angelic_lapras_king

33. Angelic Lapras King United Kingdom 09 Nov 2009, 00:16 GMT

Oh, and its not the first movie game on VC, Super Star Wars was! :P

jj1

34. JJ United States 09 Nov 2009, 00:18 GMT

Instant Download

zack

35. Stuffgamer1 United States 09 Nov 2009, 00:39 GMT

Eew...seriously? Well, it seems people (inexplicitly) want it, so...okay. I just hope it's not the ONLY VC release the week it comes.

luigiman2

36. luigiman2 United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:05 GMT

I'm confused. Is that game for wii or virtual console?

super_smash_bros_fan1999

37. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:06 GMT

@Angelic Lapras King: Not really, but this is indeed awesome news.

Negative nancy of the thread: bboy2970

buffalobob

38. buffalobob Mexico 09 Nov 2009, 01:17 GMT

Yikes that was unexpected!

Both versions (arcade and Genesis) were prettty cheesy but the arcade version is better. Still, the Genesis version was somehow curious XD

wolframheart

39. WolfRamHeart United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:20 GMT

I never played the Genesis version of this game but the arcade version was pretty cool. Well, I suppose any version we get will be a welcome addition to the Virtual Console library.

ryanknight717

40. Dragoon United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:29 GMT

not a big MJ fan, may pick it up due to the Sonic 3 reference

token_girl

41. Token Girl United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:34 GMT

Not too surprised seeing how the Jackson estate is trying to cash in on his death. Always up for new VC games though.

smaman

42. SmaMan United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:36 GMT

Heck, why don't they release both the Arcade and Genesis versions? Judging from the comments here, both have a considerable amount of demand. But if I had to pick one, I'd pick the arcade, since I've recently played through the Genesis one again when he died.
"Now MJ can rest in peace knowing that Mr.X is defeated!"

starboy91

43. StarBoy91 United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:37 GMT

The caption says "The Virtual Console's first movie game?".
???????????
Don't the Super Star Wars trilogy for the SNES count? Maybe I'm just confused. :$

morphballer

44. morphballer United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:41 GMT

"Hee-Hee!"

ALK and Starboy91: Read the article again.

starboy91

45. StarBoy91 United States 09 Nov 2009, 01:53 GMT

Oh.
I'm sorry, I was just confused, that's all.

angelic_lapras_king

46. Angelic Lapras King United Kingdom 09 Nov 2009, 02:17 GMT

and another thing, this could actually be the C64 version! LOL. XD

nintendo_naut

47. Nintendo-Naut United States 09 Nov 2009, 02:17 GMT

Funny, but I'll never buy it. :P

xd375

48. XD375 Canada 09 Nov 2009, 02:21 GMT

Haha, this isn't his Wii debut. His Wii debut was Guitar Hero: World Tour. :P

When I read this I got really excited, and the idea that it may be the arcade version makes it so much better...

jpfan1989

49. jpfan1989 United States 09 Nov 2009, 02:29 GMT

.... I'd rather not!

starboy91

50. StarBoy91 United States 09 Nov 2009, 02:33 GMT

@ALK - There's a C64 version??? The Master System version looks similar to the MegaDrive version, from what I saw.

viper6391

51. Viper6391 United States 09 Nov 2009, 02:56 GMT

Saw the "This is It" movie yesterday and it was AWESOME! It's just a real shame he passed away, because his concert would've been amazing especially having Thriller in 3D. I would definitely buy Moonwalker whether it was the Genesis or Arcade Version(preferably the arcade version) just to hear Smooth Criminal and Beat It.

sabrewing

52. Sabrewing United States 09 Nov 2009, 03:01 GMT

Yeah, it should be the arcade version. Much more satisfying than the Genesis hide & seek game.

xd375

53. XD375 Canada 09 Nov 2009, 03:34 GMT

The arcade version not only had better gameplay, but it also had better music, which was honestly the reason most people would want to play this game.

markyvigoroth

54. MarkyVigoroth Puerto Rico 09 Nov 2009, 03:37 GMT

My mother would like this (even though I do not know if she had ever played this.).

wmdwfprez

55. wmdwfprez United States 09 Nov 2009, 03:54 GMT

Uh...yeah. If I remember correctly when this game came out years ago the game reviewers said this was a pretty horrid game. So why this could possibly be coming to North America isn't a good thing.

mjsbff

56. MJsbff United States 09 Nov 2009, 03:55 GMT

To hell with people that hate mj he is and will always be king of pop so i do not like people saying that mj molested kids

super_smash_bros_fan1999

57. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 09 Nov 2009, 03:56 GMT

@wmdwfprez: Actually it is a good thing. It open up possibility of more licensed games on the Virtual Console.

timp29

58. timp29 Australia 09 Nov 2009, 04:22 GMT

Does this mean someone at disney or rare has to die and then we will see those games?

I hope this game got through the release channels legitimately and is not a cash grab by licence holders seeking to exploit michael's death.

timp29

59. timp29 Australia 09 Nov 2009, 04:25 GMT

@MJsbff: I despise people who molest kids. I suspect Michael did not molest children... but after the first accusations, he must have been a royal idiot or a total innocent to have let himself get into the situation a second time. Unless the people who accused him come out and withdraw the allegations, that cloud will always hang over MJ, so its quite legitimate for people to make these claims (although most of them are just trying to pull a successful person down)

super_smash_bros_fan1999

60. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 09 Nov 2009, 04:27 GMT

@timp29: Let's hope you're right about the 2nd paragraph.

However, no. Even if the creator of those older Disney or Rare games die, that won't mean a flip. We'll still have a problem getting these games on the Virtual Console. We should be lucky here. Also, I remember making a thread saying that the man has died so that means the game could come to the Virtual Console. Many people disagree, However, that probably didn't prevent it's Virtual Console release. Remember, this is an exception here, so we need to take advantage of the game sales by trying to convince as much people to buy the game so we can see more licensed games on the Virtual Console.

chunky_droid

61. Chunky Droid Australia 09 Nov 2009, 05:09 GMT

I've always been told it was a good game, it seems incredibly well animated based on footage I've seen of it. Can't wait to give it a burl! SEGA certainly had an obsession with people saving children back in the 80s to early 90s

lockd

62. lockd Canada 09 Nov 2009, 05:47 GMT

KWA-CHAM! Insta buy! HEE-HEE!

blueflamebat

63. BlueFlameBat United States 09 Nov 2009, 06:00 GMT

I hope it's the arcade version. That one was boss!

ren

64. Ren United States 09 Nov 2009, 06:52 GMT

Arcade version was cool and really fun I hope it's that one. Genesis version is really bad. And I don't mean "Bad!", I just mean bad.
His recent, sad passing will not mysteriously make the other versions of this a good game and arbitrarily dropping Nintendo points on it doesn't help anyone.

starwolf_uk

65. Starwolf_UK United Kingdom 09 Nov 2009, 08:46 GMT

I'm still waiting for the PEGI rated Sonic & Knuckles.

sneaker13

66. Sneaker13 Netherlands 09 Nov 2009, 12:23 GMT

lol, I don't know the game, but ever since I say AVGN play it, I wanted to play it too. So I might get it.

tony

67. Tony United States 09 Nov 2009, 13:50 GMT

If Micheal Jackson did compose part or all of Sonic 3 's soundtrack he did a good job because the music is really good in that game. Take a listen to Hydrocity Act 2, it's amazing

mike10

68. Mike United States 09 Nov 2009, 13:54 GMT

@58. MJsbff
MJ was a good singer (although I don't care for his music, I can admit he was good). Still, I find it funny now that he has died that people have forgotten about all of the pedofile issues with MJ and treat him like a God. The guy was a complete freak.

machu

69. Machu United Kingdom 09 Nov 2009, 14:50 GMT

SHAMONE MOTHA F***A!

rapadash6

70. Rapadash6 United States 09 Nov 2009, 14:52 GMT

No offense to MJ fans but he was always a much better singer than a video game hero. :p Who am I kidding? I'll probably download this just for the camp value.

killerinstinctfan

71. SegaGamer93 Ireland 09 Nov 2009, 16:14 GMT

Are you serious?my little bro likes micheal jackson but i dont know if i get the game for him.ill think about it.im not a Micheal jackson fan but i might wait for the arcade version to come out.if it does.

caliko

72. Caliko United States 09 Nov 2009, 17:42 GMT

**dreams come true!!!****

I've been waiting too long for this game!! Amazing news!!

orgone

73. Orgone United States 09 Nov 2009, 22:23 GMT

arcade version better, when can we expect a decent arcade game nintendo

super_smash_bros_fan1999

74. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 10 Nov 2009, 02:09 GMT

Many people are looking forward to this. Not surprising. Also, we need to support this game if we want to see more licensed games.

atruezeldafan

75. ATRUEZELDAFAN United States 10 Nov 2009, 04:18 GMT

I dont like Micheal Jackson. Let the flame wars begin.

darkedi

76. DarkEdi Mexico 10 Nov 2009, 04:58 GMT

I want the Arcade version, its for 3 player!

badknux

77. 10 Nov 2009, 05:28 GMT

I liked the Sega version of this game.

kevin

78. Kevin United States 10 Nov 2009, 13:57 GMT

Are you kidding me? Of all the potentially great games to add on to the VC they add this? I'll pass.

klaarover

79. Klaarover Netherlands 11 Nov 2009, 11:49 GMT

Haha, great

stardust

80. StarDust United States 12 Nov 2009, 01:09 GMT

THe King of Rock N' Roll (Elvis) died. It took some time, but people got over it. The King of Pop (MJ) died. It will take some time, but people will eventually get over him as well. I, for one, am getting tired of all the Michael Jackson propaganda. However, if they release this game on Virtual Console, it will be a big hit regardless, even if for all the wrong reasons...

super_smash_bros_fan1999

81. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 United States 15 Nov 2009, 04:49 GMT

@StarDust: Even if the game sucks, if the game is a big success, maybe this will encourage more licensed properties on the Virtual Console.

devastator

82. Devastator United States 15 Nov 2009, 23:19 GMT

I thought the Micheal Jackson Moonwalker arcade game was cool, but this one sucks.

davegorack

83. davegorack United Kingdom 17 Nov 2009, 17:58 GMT

Why are ppl looking foward to this?
The Game sucked. the Controls were bad
and it had boring gameplay.Soundtrak was awsome though.

millie

84. Millie United States 23 Nov 2009, 13:25 GMT

@cheetahman91 it DOES say sonic the hedgehog 3..

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