Sonic Advance 2 will join Japan’s Wii U Virtual Console next week

Notwithstanding last week's surprise import of Kuru Kuru Kururin, North American releases on the Wii U Virtual Console always feel like they're lagging behind Japan's library. February isn't over yet, and already they've received three star attractions: Yoshi's Story (released today), Kirby: Canvas Curse, and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon. And here's another noteworthy addition to keep the momentum (and our jealousy) soaring: Sonic Advance 2.

A game that is both the first appearance of Cream the Rabbit and among the best of Sonic's handheld outings, the VC release of Sonic Advance 2 in Japan comes roughly a full year after the original was made available, as if planned that way. Meanwhile, North America has seen neither Sonic nor Tails on the Wii U Virtual Console — for that matter, SEGA doesn't have any presence to account for.

If Japan gets Sonic Advance 3 before we even get the first game, we need to riot or something.