Sunsoft Returns, Blaster Master Coming to Virtual Console

Sunsoft, creator of fan-favorite games such as Blaster Master and Batman for the NES, has announced that they will be returning to active console publishing in the North American market, thanks to some assistance from the startup known as GAIJINWORKS.

Of the new partnership, GAIJINWORKS President Victor Ireland stated, “My relationship with Sunsoft and Yoshida-san goes back more than 15 years, and when this opportunity presented itself to help Sunsoft return to the US console market, it was a natural fit for both our companies.”

Part of the renewed initiative will include the relaunch of the Sunsoft website at sunsoftgames.com, which– in addition to news about upcoming Sunsoft releases– will contain its own forum.

“Kiharu Yoshida wanted gamers to know that Sunsoft plans to launch a number of special promotions where big prizes can be won, and exclusive, limited edition premiums would be up for grabs as well. Ireland added that some of the swag being made would only be available through these promotions – and is sure to please Sunsoft fans, new and old.”

The first result of their partnership will be the arrival of Blaster Master on the Wii’s Virtual Console at some time in December. The price will be the regular going rate of 500 Wii Points.

“Originally titled Meta Fight in Japan, this groundbreaking game was given a story makeover and released in 1988 as Blaster Masterâ„¢ here in the United States. It received strong critical acclaim and fan raves almost from the moment it hit these shores,” says the press release.

“Blaster Masterâ„¢ is still often listed on magazine and online charts as one of the top 25 NES games ever created. The sublime blend of side-scrolling shooting/platforming mixed with overhead perspective action/shooting areas is just as addictive now as it was then.”

And apparently, that’s just for starters; more titles coming to the U.S. market will be announced in the weeks to come, “many of which will surprise and delight gaming fans.” Ireland added, “This first Wii release is a great start, but there is one upcoming announcement in particular that will demonstrate just how serious Yoshida-san is about rebuilding the Sunsoft console gaming brand here. Game fans are going to be pretty happy when they hear about it – I know I was.”

Intriguing. The NeoGAF reports that, perhaps as a hint, Ireland said on the official forums that “The next press release should definitely make some gamers very, very happy – especially old-school Working Designs fans.”

It’s been a while since I’ve dug into Blaster Master– I wonder if I’ll be any better at it now than I was then. Being able to use temporary save states on the Wii should surely help, at least a little.

I wonder if there is any chance they would partner with Warner Bros. to re-release the original NES Batman game, though? That would probably be asking for too much.

In any case, the next few weeks should be interesting as we see what else they have in store. Hey, maybe there will even be a next-gen Aero the Acro-bat revival!

…or not.