Virtual Console: Quality over quantity this week
The curious late-life trickle of Nintendo 64 titles arriving on Wii U continues this week with yet another worthwhile release that probably would have fared a lot better if it weren't being overshadowed by Switch's imminent arrival: Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber. It's the only VC release today, but it's such a meaty game that it would seem a little churlish to complain.
OB64, of course, hails from developer Quest — though not designer Yasumi Matsuno, as it post-dates his departure for Square to head up the Final Fantasy Tactics project. Despite his absence, it nevertheless feels like a true extension of the series: It boasts a complex story, with equally intricate systems lurking beneath a seemingly simple interface. As one of the very few role-playing games released for Nintendo 64, it commands a pretty penny these days, which makes its Wii U release a welcome sight. (It previously appeared on Wii Virtual Console, so while I haven't checked to confirm, I'm fairly certain you should get a hefty discount if you own the older release and transferred your account to the newer console.)
Nintendo hasn't given us any information on Switch accounts or Virtual Console, so who knows if this game will show up on the new console or if you'll be able to transfer your Wii U license? In any case, it's one worth playing, and owning it on Wii U is a lot easier on your pocketbook than hunting it down on eBay would be.
Oh, and conveniently enough, we discussed Ogre Battle briefly a few years back in Retronauts episode 16. So please have a listen as you prepare to FIGHT IT OUT.
http://www.retronauts.com/?p=611
