This was probably the biggest surprise launch I have seen on a Nintendo system in the USA. This game was released as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, as a sequel to the original Mario Bros. we all know and love. Most Nintendo gamers have encountered this game in the past - Super Mario All-Stars had an “upgraded” version of this game, with better graphics. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe for Gameboy Color also had this game as an unlockable. A few other versions of this game are out there as well, but for the first time in US history this game was released as the original Japanese import version on the Wii Virtual Console. It was released October 1st (2007), and costs 600 Wii points. Definitely worth every penny.
Since it was released on VC, I decided I wanted to play it on my DS and my cell phone whenever I wasn’t near the TV, so I went on a hunt for the ROM. After searching for approximately 6 days in a row, I was about to give up and just deal with having to play this game strictly at home. However, I finally found the ROM, patched it with an IPS patch to restore the start menu screen, and now its on my DS, my phone, and on my computer - so I can play whenever and wherever I want. It’s definitely an extremely addicting game, and if I had an NES I would definitely find an imported version somewhere (though it might cost a bit!)
I strongly suggest picking it up ASAP off of Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console, as they may remove it after a short while, like they did to the Australians and Europeans. If all else fails, just search for the ROM and play that - just remember that piracy is bad, and you should own the original copy of the game if you play a backup of it.