Beyond some crappy scans and lots of speculation, real info on the WiiWare return of Mega Man has been scant. Well, GamesRadar just opened the flood gates with its exclusive, proper reveal of Mega Man 9, featuring a hands-on by Nintendo editor Brett Elston and an interview with series creator (and MM9 producer) Keiji Inafune.

Elston reports that Mega Man 9 is ... well, it's essentially an NES game – just as difficult as the original 8-bit installments of the famed series. "Mega Man 9 is easily on par or above the hardest games in the series," Elston says, adding: "Hell, we played for two hours and only made it to three bosses, and even then only beat two." Read on after the break for more new info.

You can't put a price on nostalgia. But you can put a date on it -- at least if you happen to live in Japan. Our friends at Nintendo Wii Fanboy send word that according to Famitsu, Mega Man 9 will bound onto the Japanese WiiWare service sometime in September.

This gives us hope that the company's irresistibly retro take on the Blue Bomber will soon be released in other regions as well. However, Capcom remains mum regarding its agenda, leaving us to wait until E3 to find out more about its plans for the pixilated hero's WiiWare-only digital launch outside of Japan. Now where did we put those rose-colored glasses?

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

According to Ars Technica, Capcom's two-dimensional return to tradition in Mega Man 9 may not be confined to WiiWare, as was originally revealed in the latest issue of Nintendo Power. The report notes that the game is currently listed as an Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network title on Capcom's E3 roster -- if true, Mega Man 9 would be the first downloadable game to jump through the doors of all three services.

Capcom remains quiet on the matter, however, telling us that we'll have to wait until E3 for further news. Given the publisher's continued support of both XBLA and PSN for its downloadable games, the blue bomber will likely stick with a multi-platform approach. We can't imagine how many gamers would be left seeking retrobution otherwise.

Update: Capcom has reaffirmed to Ars that Mega Man 9 is "WiiWare only."

After last week's heated discussion over the Atari Jaguar's bit count (we're siding with the 64-bitters and admitting error), we thought we'd highlight a system that is unquestionably 8-bit. As well as unquestionably failed in what it wanted to be. Still, this writer remembers picking one up at a Toys R Us, along with Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and enjoying the hell out of it until he finally found the Game Boy. Still, an internet-ready touch screen portable with PDA/lifestyle functions was ahead of its time.

Here's what we'll be playing this weekend. Be sure to let us know what games will be occupying your time!

• Alexander Sliwinski: I will be playing some Ticket to Ride on XBLA, which is one of those games that when you first start, it's a total, "This is it?" experience. Then about halfway through your first game the strategy reveals itself. Best part: No board game cleanup. I'll also be diving into the Wii Fit waters. I don't know how I feel about doing that yet, but I'm rationalizing it by saying it's gas not spent going to the gym. ($4 a gallon! Seriously!?!)
• Andrew Yoon: I still haven't finished Metal Gear Solid 4! Hopefully, I can clear another act this weekend. I'll also spend some more time with the very solid Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3), and Universe at War (PC).
• Griffin McElroy: I've already put an embarrassingly large amount of time into Final Fantasy Tactics A2, but my team of adorably rendered killing machines is starting to come together so nicely. I'll likely put a few more hours into that, and when I tire of turn-based strategy, I'll continue working my way through some Nintendo 64 classics (Majora's mask is less frustrating than I remember it being).
• James Ransom-Wiley: I'm gonna finally (hopefully!) get the few hours I need to finish MGS4 ... and then start the whole thing over again.
• Jason Dobson: With Pixar's WALL-E on the family's movie-going docket this weekend, my son and I plan to sit down and give the flick's video game adaptation a whirl. He's young yet, and has plenty of time left to learn of the soul-crushing disappointment that these sorts of games can be.
• Justin McElroy: I have nothing to play. Seriously, I've beat MGS 4, I've played most of the stuff I have, I'm stymied. I think part of the problem is that I don't really do most of my gaming on the weekends. Anyone else like that?
• Ludwig Kietzmann: I'm not sure what's going on with me, but I'm somehow afflicted with an urge to play the disappointing Ninja Gaiden 2 again. I think I'm going to fight that feeling with a different ninja fix, N+, as well a second round of Metal Gear Solid 4. And as soon as the sun sets, it's back to Condemned 2: Bloodshot.
• Randy Nelson: I foresee my relationship with Metal Gear Online finally getting serious this weekend. I'm determined to finally find a group of players who want to actually work together as, you know, a team. I'm fact, look me up if you're playing. Game ID is GrowlingFox. Other than MGO, I'd like to sneak on some Space Invaders Exteme and watch the new Futurama movie, The Beast with a Billion Backs.
• Ross Miller: If I have time for anything this weekend, it'll be five-starring all the drum tracks to Pixies' Doolittle album (currently have about 3 to go). Otherwise, it's trying to finish that underrated gem Grand Theft Auto IV and everyone's favorite off-the-grid game, "Let's clean the crap out of my apartment!"
• Chris Grant: After nearly two weeks straight of traveling, I'll invest my time at home into Metal Gear Solid 4 with the hope that I'll finally finish it. Acts 4 and 5, here I come!

Those hoping to engage in some frantic side-scrolling shooting, or perhaps read an entire CD-ROM's worth of stilted text with religious overtones, will be pleased to learn that PlayStation classics, Einhänder and Xenogears, are now available for purchase and download on the PSN. And if you'd like to maintain that joyous feeling, you'd better not read the rest of this post, which goes on to append "Japanese" to "PSN."

Gamasutra reports that the cherished Square pair, along with four other titles, Astronaka, Rakugaki Showtime, Raystorm and Fighters' Impact, are now available on the Japanese PSN (we warned you!) for ¥600 ($5.56) each. An unconfirmed NeoGAF translation of Dengeki PlayStation magazine asserts that these games form the first half of 12 classic Square Enix titles to be committed to PSN.

According to Square Enix USA, there are currently no plans to bring any of the titles to the American network.

Stepping into Electronic Arts' "EA3" event last week, we made a beeline for ... Hasbro Family Game Night, passing up the likes of Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Mercenaries 2, and Tiger Woods Golf 2009: Busted Knee Edition along the way. We know, we know. But who can resist the lure of Battleship, Connect Four, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry and its new sibling Sorry Sliders? (Answer: you maybe; not us.)

Before the "survival horror" of Resident Evil and the foggy streets of Silent Hill, there was the original Alone in the Dark – the granddaddy of the game that hits Xbox 360, Wii, and PC today. It set the course for horror games to come and spawned three sequels that have all led up to Atari's latest stab at creating a next-gen blockbuster.

Summon up your courage and join us for a terrifying look back at the series' evolution from perilously pointy polygons to an ominous Old West set and beyond. Don't be afraid – let's get started!

With the United States swept up in political debate and the world's reliance on oil becoming increasingly problematic, we welcome the Virtual Console's desire to take us back to a simpler and easier time. A time when sprites were celebrated, power-ups were plentiful and men were all called "Ryu." A time when every problem could be solved by the calculated and swift application of a fist. Punching time.

• Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Alex Kidd will stop at nothing to rescue his brother. Leaping across deadly chasms, punching through solid rock and murdering birds with his bare hands -- he's a monster! We can't really identify with that, but don't let that stop you. "Please buy the things that you like."
• Burning Fight (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): Predominantly pugilistic protagonists patrol parks and pound on pesky perpetrators in this post-90s punk-bashing punchfest. POW!
  

It's hard to believe that a quarter-century has passed since the first LaserDisc-based arcade game from former Disney animator Don Bluth hit arcades. Dragon's Lair's use of hand-drawn animation set it apart from anything else at the time, and despite its simple trial-and-error gameplay, the game was a hit.

Digital Leisure, which has worked with Bluth to deliver countless home versions of Dragon's Lair, is offering a treat to fans of the classic for one week only. Anyone who purchases the DVD, PC, or Blu-ray Disc version from its online shop can have their copy signed by Bluth, designer Rick Dyer, and animators Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy. We highly recommend the BD version, which plays exactly like the original coin-op and runs in full 1080p. The company is also offering signed Dragon's Lair "lobby posters" for $80 a pop. Lead on, brave adventurers – your memorabilia awaits!

Ben Heckendorn, a total techno whiz and contributor to Engadget, has completed his latest custom handheld ... this time cramming an Atari 7800 into something you can carry around with you. (It's no PSP slim, but hey.)

Heck's 7800 portable combines a 7-inch LCD screen with some notable goodies, including video out, rechargeable batteries, and a paddle controller (in addition to the basic D-Pad). As usual, Heck made the thing just to prove he could. His past creations cover a wide variety of gaming "dream tech," including a portable SNES, "PS360" controller, and a Wii "laptop." He's also the brains behind the Access Controller, a commercially available one-handed pad for PS2, PS3, and PC. The fella is crazy creative – give a look-see to his body of work!

School was in session yesterday at the NLGD Festival of Games in Utrecht, The Netherlands as industry icon Ralph Baer opened the event by taking the region's mayor to town in a game of Pong. The match was played on a classic 1960's era machine, and saw the father of the gaming industry defeating the mayor 2-0. Clearly, even at 86 years young, Baer can sure swing a mean paddle.

As one of Europe's largest gaming events, the NLGD Festival of Games offers a stage for people to gather and discuss the continent's growing presence in the world of gaming. Said Seth van der Meer, chairman of the NLGD, "The first day of the conference has set the tone for an exciting lineup over the next two days," which includes keynotes, more than 75 lectures, and even a career fair. However, we seriously doubt any will measure up to the awesomeness of Baer's old school Pong throw down.

Is 2D gaming headed for life support status? Last year Castlevania main man Koji Igarashi was vehement in his declaration that 2D games would never die. In fact, he felt so strongly about it that he had to use a PowerPoint slide to illustrate just how he felt about the issue. All the time and effort that went into making that graphic signifies a serious lust for all things 2D.

Well, a lot can change in a year. In a recent interview with Gamasutra, Iga said, "I'm glad that 2D is still somewhat alive. It's been fun." That almost sounds like a death knell. Say it ain't so, you whip-carrying developer! His argument last year was that it's much cheaper to develop 2D games when you don't have to render things in 3D, but that seems to be the equivalent of saying it's cheaper to ride a horse because it's not as expensive as a car. People want to go quite a bit faster than the horse will allow, and likewise with their games. Still, we're praying 2D gaming hasn't started to cough up blood just yet. Keep hope alive!

[Via DS Fanboy]

The latest update to the Wii's Virtual Console gives those of you with Wii arcade sticks on your shelf a sense of purpose, as well as an excuse to dust them off for a bit of classic arcade fighting, Neo Geo-style.

• Samurai Shodown (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points): Once all the rage in arcade parlors when first released in 1993, this first in the still-ongoing fighting game series lets players duke it out using 12 different weapon (and sometimes animal)-wielding fighters. While a bit archaic by today's standards, the game still beats the pants off many contemporary fighters. Plus where else can you see a kabuki performer throw down against a green hunchback doing his best Freddy Krueger impression?