Rockman World Returns with the Launch of the Nintendo 3DS eShop in Japan (Updated)

Next week will see the launch of the long-awaited eShop for the Nintendo 3DS, and while Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version has been delayed so that its release no long coincides with that of the online store, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any Blue Bomber fun to be had on launch day.
Or perhaps that should be “Black-and-White Bomber?”

Siliconera reports that the Japanese Nintendo website for the service is now up, listing what gamers can expect to see when it launches on June 7th. And alongside such classics as Super Mario Land and Kirby’s Dream Land for the Virtual Console, there is Rockman World, perhaps better known to Western fans as Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge.

These will be available for about 400 Yen each, or approximately $4.95 USD, a price which stings a little in light of the $5 price tag on NES Virtual Console games.

Of course, there is always the possibility of not only a different price in other countries, but a different lineup as well, particularly as it seems unlikely we will be seeing releases of Baseball, Avenging Spirit and Downtown Special: Its Kunio’s Period Piece, Assemble Everyone!! out here. But since Nintendo of America does not tend to reveal what releases will be available ahead of time (as Japan frequently does), we can only guess for now.

Siliconera also notes that there will be two releases for “3DSWare:” Mystery P.I.: The Missing Film and 3D Block Breaker, each for 500 Yen, and a trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, which will likely give many people their first opportunity to see the game in 3D for themselves.

As for 3D Classics, of which a release of Mega Man 2 was hinted at, the only ones available to start are the free (until July 31st, anyway) Excitebike and Xevious. Perhaps the Blue Bomber will get his turn in the coming weeks; we’d really like to see Wood Man‘s stage in 3D.

Update: Wouldn’t you know it? Nintendo of America just issued a press release regarding the North American eShop. And guess what isn’t on it…

By installing the free update via a wireless broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to an Internet browser and the Nintendo eShop, which contains a variety of new content, including Pokédex™ 3D, an application that lets fans see Pokémon™ characters in 3D. To celebrate the grand opening of the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo is offering the NES™ game Excitebike™ re-mastered in 3D as a free download until July 7 for anyone who installs the system update. Upcoming Virtual Console™ content available in the Nintendo eShop includes Game Boy™ games Super Mario Land™, Alleyway™ and Radar Mission™. New content will be added to the Nintendo eShop on Thursdays.

Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

Incidentally, no price is given for these releases.

Update 2: Although Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge may not be a launch title, it is appearing in the ESRB database (albeit currently has no individual entry yet). So you can be assured it’s coming. Simply search “mega man” and set the filter to Nintendo 3DS games only.

LanceHeart