Sega announces 5 3DS Virtual Console games, including Sonic, Shinobi, Columns

At Nintendo’s GDC address yesterday, CEO Satoru Iwata announced that the 3DS Virtual Console would include Sega Game Gear and NEC TurboExpress games. Today, Sega has announced the first five games it will bring to the service.

Everyone’s favourite blue hedgehog will be shown off in two titles: the classic platform game Sonic & Tails 2, and the spin-off, kart-racing title Sonic Drift 2. There’s also ninja-based action game The Shinobi, rouge-like Dragon Crystal Shirani's Maze and classic Tetris-copycat Columns.

The Game Gear wasn’t exactly known for its impeccable library of gaming greats. If anything, it was known for its dependency on six AA batteries.

But there are some titles worth waiting on. The bulky black handheld played a mean game of Micro Machines, Defenders of Oasis was a lengthy RPG, and ports of Treasure games like Dynamite Headdy and Gunstar Heroes were top notch.

NEC hasn’t announced what games it will bring to the service, but we’re hoping for Bonk, Bomberman, and Castlevania: Rondo of Blood.

We also don’t know when the games will be released, or how much they will cost. But Nintendo plans to open the eShop in “late May”.