Mega Drive Strider coming to European Virtual Console

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 16 November, 2011

Hiryū!

Cult classic action platformer Strider is coming to the European Virtual Console, according to Nintendo Life.

It is the Mega Drive version, which launched in 1990 following the arcade version's Japanese release a year earlier.

Side-scroller Strider was one of Capcom's earliest hit games, pre-dating Street Fighter 2. It was praised for its detailed visuals and groundbreaking gameplay. Series star Strider Hiryū is a sci-fi ninja who takes down an evil fictional future Soviet Socialist Republic.

The Strider announcement follows news that fellow Capcom classic, Super Street Fighter 2, is coming to the Wii download service, but both games are apparently published by Sega.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 6 months ago

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  • FuzzyDuck #1 6 months ago

    So give the fans what they want how many years late?

    Well done Sega, well done.

  • Blakester #2 6 months ago

    Why the Megadrive version and not the arcade original?

  • Ryze #3 6 months ago

    I would REALLY love to see some EU VC sales figures.

    I've downloaded Mario Kart, and 'browsed' the shocking piece of shit they call the Wii online store.

    The experience scared me off. I wonder how Joe Public is managing?

    This, and - release the BEST version of your games. In this case, I'm not sure how much better the Arcade version is than the MD version, but I'd expect it to be substantially superior.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #4 6 months ago

    I till have my PS1 version of Strider, great game :D

  • Doctor_What #5 6 months ago

    @Blakester Because the Mega Drive one was the best version. I'd be chuffed if they released this on PSN too.

    "All sons of oooold gods... DIIIIIIIIIIIE!" :D

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #6 6 months ago

    @Doctor_What

    You should ask on the playstation blog if they can get the PS1 version released in the new PS1 Imports section from the US.

    Its called Strider 2, but it does have a good port of the original Strider on the disk as well :) Plus Strider 2 is pretty good.

  • Doctor_What #7 6 months ago

    Cheers, I may do that. I quite liked Strider 2, but the first one is pure childhood bliss.

  • Lucodeath #8 6 months ago

    Arcade version is available, install mame. Couldnt believe the megadrive version was that close to the arcade one when I got it way back in 1990.

  • dwalker109 #9 6 months ago

    I would happily pay good money for an arcade emulated version, or (even better) a good port a-la Daytona. Not sure about a Megadrive one tho.

    I do love this game though. Fantastic.

  • retr0gamer #10 6 months ago

    Can't be arsed with the virtual console anymore. Maybe if they gave us the 60 Hz versions I'd buy them but I have my Wii hacked and can enjoy much better versions for free. I'm more than willing to pay for proper versions of the game but I also don't throw money away on shit.

  • layleeloo #11 6 months ago

    This is a beloved game of which I don't want my memories ruining by playing to today

  • MattyD #12 6 months ago

    Never saw what the fuss was over this game, it always felt a bit rubbish to me.

  • bionic #13 6 months ago

    I already own Strider for the Playstation 2. Its the Arcade game, not the Megadrive game ;P

  • cloudskipa #14 6 months ago

    Too late Nintendo, already playing it on GenPlus GX Wii (the best MD emulator ever made);)

  • JodSUMO #15 6 months ago

    @Doctor_What
    "All sons of oooold gods... DIIIIIIIIIIIE!" was cut from the PAL version. Bet it's missing on the VC release too. :(
    They also cut the 'HUH!' when Hiryu swings his sword for some bizarre reason.

  • arremelle #16 6 months ago

    this is the main VC game I have been waiting for. I have owned the Wii since launch day, just coming up to 5 years and now this game is available!! why does it take so long?

    I guess it will probably cost £3 or so?

    really they should start giving some of the VC games away for free or doing deals as seen on Steam. I just purchased Elder Scrolls Oblivion on Steam today for £3.74! Megadrive strider could cost me something similar and I can only play it on one machine.

  • DAN.E.B #17 6 months ago

    Hey Capcom make a HD remix of this on XBLA and you got youself a sale from me

    "Series star Strider Hiryū is a sci-fi ninja who takes down an evil fictional future Soviet Socialist Republic"
    Whos also in the new Ultimate Mavel vs Capcom game that launches this week!!!