Virtual Console Dreaming: Donkey Kong and Mario Picross Update

Mario’s Picross by Jupiter Corporation, Creatures Inc., and Nintendo

Nintendo is adding two new titles, Donkey Kong (1994) and Mario’s Picross, to the Game Boy wing of their online service. 

Donkey Kong is, well,  Donkey Kong. But don’t get the wrong idea, people love this version of the classic (I’ve even seen some argue it’s one of the best games on the platform). However, I still get traumatizing flashbacks about trying to earn the Nintendo Coin in DK 64 which required you to clear, you guessed it, old school Donkey Kong. 

I probably have 100 hours in the SNES version of Mario’s Picross (also available through Switch Online) and I’m ready to do it again. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, picross is a bit like sudoku but your finished puzzle forms a picture (a very blocky picture that is often open to interpretation). Try it. If you’re into puzzle games, once you get the basics down, it will eat your weekend.

Both titles will be available tomorrow (3/07/25) for Switch Online subscribers. 

Even though it’s been a full month since the last update, I haven’t impulsively added anything new to my wishlist. Again, I can’t stress this enough,  if the Switch 2 adds GameCube support, expect this lineup to balloon. 

And because I’m a complete sicko, they should consider adding Virtual Boy. 

SNES

Pocky and Rocky 2

Secret of Mana

GBC/GBA

Metal Gear: Ghost Babel 

Mother 3

Onimusha Tactics 

Pokemon Pinball

Tony Hawk misc.  

Nintendo 64

Beetle Adventure Racing

Bomberman 64

Bomberman 64: The Second Attack!

Bomberman Hero

Castlevania 64/Legacy of Darkness

Goemon’s Great Adventure

Mischief Makers

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

Quest 64

Snowboard Kids

Snowboard Kids 2

It’s been a quiet week at Tactical Reload. I have a new interview slowly coming together that I expect to go live late next week. 

On the development side of things, I’m finally making progress on my current Game Boy project. Yes, I make small games in addition to writing about them (for more info, check out my other website, www.nohappyendings.net). No release date yet, but stay tuned. 

Have a great weekend. If you’re also trying to finish Lies of P (probably in a panic if you’re anything like me), I’ll race you.