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I've complained before about the lack of third party N64 games, but hopefully one day they'll come. If Mischief Makers were added to the VC, we'd have a trifecta of awesome Treasure games available; same too for Konami's Mystical Ninja series, which had two installments on the 64. And that's just the tip of the N64 iceberg.
Here's a question: how many shooters are there left on TurboGrafx that aren't on Virtual Console yet? And here's another: who buys these? I have three and honestly, that's enough. Yet Mr. Lindermann thinks highly of Lords of Thunder, and has said so on the podcast. Read his recommendation below.
Be sure to click the talkback link (upper right hand corner) to tell us if we're smoking crack! Clicking the link will bring you to our shiny new forums.
Enjoy this batch of recommendations.
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-5
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 1994
Click here for a video preview
Columns 3: Revenge of Columns may have a really stupid subtitle, but it's the same classic Columns game that fans will appreciate. The game is part of that weird genre called "puzzle games" that have you arranging abstract game pieces that fall from the ceiling; it's easy to see that its inspiration is Tetris, however it requires at times less and more thought than that classic game. Because you must line up three of the same color gems horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, often you'll find that one move will cause a chain reaction that you didn't intend. As a result, it's easy to play the game by just matching up colors and not thinking too much about it. If you want to start planning these chain reactions beyond two chains, though, it will require a high level of logical thinking, and I doubt even the best Tetris players are "really good" at Columns.
This threequel adds five person multiplayer support, and a few other interesting elements, like items that can be used in the single player mode, and the ability to send a layer of junk over to your enemy when you've amassed a certain amount of points. The game can only be played against an opponent, be they computer controlled or human, which means you can get wiped out by an aggressive computer if you don't take an offensive position. The game is therefore a bit tougher, and a bit more action packed than Columns 1 (I have not played Columns 2, which is not available on the Virtual Console or any Sega compilation disc that I can find). I can definitely recommend this game as a good Tetris substitute, and a much richer experience than classic Columns, which is more laidback. - Evan Burchfield
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Tobacco and Violence)
Released: 1989
Click here for a video preview
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to play a gun game with a D-pad, this is the game for you. When Operation Wolf was originally released, it could be controlled with either the NES controller or the NES Zapper. Unfortunately, the Virtual Console version of Operation Wolf is incompatible with any sort of pointer or zapper functionality. This leaves you with the extremely unwieldy D-Pad option to move the onscreen reticule to aim at the game's repetitive pixelated enemies..
As if that wasn't already bad enough, the game is rather unforgiving. Miss just a couple ammo and grenade refill items and you'll soon be practically defenseless. And due to the difficulty in controls, you're likely to hit hostages and receive more damage from your own actions than enemy fire. The game promises four levels with six stages each, plus additional random stages where enemies ambush you, but the frustration just isn't worth it.
Operation Wolf is definitely a curiosity from the NES era, but it's almost impossible to recommend.- Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Fantasy Violence)
Released: 1993
Click here for a video preview
Related to 1992's Gate of Thunder in name only, Lords of Thunder is arguably the best shooter ever released on the Turbo Duo. It adds a twist to the typical shoot'em-up formula, eschewing the "lone spaceship against menacing alien armada" plotline for a fantasy-themed tale of a god/knight named Landis battling dark forces attempting to resurrect their lord, Zaggart. Reminiscent of other classic shooters like SideArms and Forgotten Worlds, Lords of Thunder is a left-to-right side scroller in the purest sense.
Among the unique features of Lords of Thunder is the ability to enter any of the game's six levels at any time from its world map, Mega Man-style. At the beginning of each level you pick from one of four sets of "armor" (Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire). Each armor type equates to a different weapon set, with each type possessing unique primary attacks as well as a super-attack that affects everything on the screen. Unfortunately there are no element-based attack bonuses, but you can improve the firepower of each armor by collecting power-ups dropped by enemies. Enemies also drop gems, which can be used as currency to buy bombs, extra health, and other handy stuff from a shopkeeper you visit before each stage.
Each level is visually impressive, with colorful parallax-scrolling backgrounds and plenty of massive enemies on-screen at once with virtually no slowdown. Things can get a little busy and it's easy to lose your character, but shooter veterans shouldn't have any problems. The real treat is the game's hard-rockin' soundtrack, full of brilliantly-orchestrated electric guitars that really add to the experience. In 1993, Lords of Thunder's graphics and music must have blown people's minds; in 2008, it's aged well and remains an underappreciated title that shoot'em-up junkies should definitely add to their collection. - Jonathan Lindemann
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 1997
Click here for a video preview
Harvest Moon for the Super NES was the first game in what has become a long series in RPG/Farming Sims and the success of the concept can be traced entirely back to this version. Instead of utilizing point-and-click simulation gameplay, as was common on the PC, Harvest Moon utilized console RPG game design, giving you control of a character on a farm where everything must be done by hand.
Though later versions of Harvest Moon perfected certain concepts or slimmed down on tedious gameplay features, the original has a certain purity to me, (though it may be nostalgia-induced). The game's daily chores, slow advancement, and time-based gameplay seem, today, really innovative and emotionally compelling. This version also has the series' best music, which is very important in this game as it differentiates between the seasons and the day/night cycle.
Dating the female inhabitants of the town was a big deal when I was 12, but now this aspect seems pretty basic. The text translation is terrible, and the play control is not very fine tuned, but ten years after its original release, it almost feels as if the difficulty in lining up your watering can or backhoe is a game feature designed to keep you on your toes. After playing through the entire month of "Spring" (there are only four months in the Harvest Moon game year, and you play for two years), I was surprised how much the game reminded me of Pikmin, not just in the day-to-day gameplay but also in the level of contentment you feel after "a hard day's work." In its best moments, Harvest Moon makes you feel like you're working hard for something valuable, and at the end of the day you'll feel relief and look forward to a new morning.
Harvest Moon makes me wonder (just like Endless Ocean) if I might be better off pursuing a different career. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone willing to give the concept a shot. - Evan Burchfield
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Violence)
Released: 08/1991
Click here for a video preview
Tecmo has now released the entire original Ninja Gaiden trilogy on Virtual Console, and the third game is basically more of the same. A relatively long intro scene depicts Irene Lew being killed by someone pretending to be Ryu Hyabusa. The real Ryu sets out to discover the truth about Irene's murder and to clear his own name. The cinematic storytelling is still impressive for an NES game, and the action gameplay is still totally solid and brutally difficult.
Ninja Gaiden III steps up the challenge by limiting you to five continues (of three lives each), whereas previous games had unlimited continues. The previous game's most famous feature, that of the phantom ninjas who follow along and slash at enemies for you, has been removed in this sequel. Instead, you can find an upgrade to your sword that gives it more range. It's less flashy, but still very useful. Ryu can also hang on horizontal pipes and vines, which helps to mix up the level designs. Not much else has changed, so you should know what to expect if you've downloaded either of the previous Ninja Gaiden titles. Only serious fans need all three of these slick action games; if you only get one of them, I suggest Ninja Gaiden 2. - Jonathan Metts
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Animated Violence)
Released: 1989
Click here for a video preview
Although it's not nearly as popular or successful as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, the Phantasy Star series is considered at least equal with those RPG franchises by its loyal Sega fan base. There's no doubt that all three series have much in common, including rigid stories, lots of combat, inventory management, and brutal difficulty. Phantasy Star II stands out from other 16-bit RPGs for its science-fiction setting and often unpredictable story.
This is easily the best RPG on Genesis and probably the best RPG yet released on Virtual Console. If you're a fan of other RPGs from that era, download it immediately. If your first RPG was Final Fantasy VII, the choice may not be so simple. This game is unusually difficult and requires you to progress slowly, leveling up all the time and hording money to buy expensive equipment. Still, Phantasy Star II is a unique experience and worth attempting even if you're just mildly curious. It's also a great value for your 800 points, considering it will take a few dozen hours to complete. Don't be ashamed to check online for dungeon maps! - Jonathan Metts
Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 1990
Click here for a video preview
Some games need a unique angle on Virtual Console to make them stand above the crowd, but that was true even back when they were originally released. Psychosis is another entry into the crowded shoot-'em-up VC lineup, and it has an interesting gameplay system to make it worth playing over a lot of other games. Your ship is equipped with a basic blaster that cannot be upgraded, but you can collect satellite powerups that act as a block-all shield and a secondary weapon. The satellites can be equipped with a wide shot, electric wire, or angled beam attack, which can be stacked with multiple pickups of the same type. The behavior of the satellites is what drives the gameplay of Psychosis. When you move forward, your satellites fan out to the sides of your ship. When you retreat, the satellites will collapse forward to form a forward shield. You also have the ability to rotate the satellites around your ship in 90-degree increments, allowing you to shoot your secondary weapon (or block attacks) downwards, upwards, or behind you.
Because Psychosis runs at a slower pace than the average shmup, you'll have a little more time to think about your actions. However, because you have the luxury of blocking attacks from different angles, the game can justify throwing a lot more at you from all directions, not just the front of your ship. The notion of needing to be aware of how your ship's movement affects the positioning of your shield and your firing patterns requires a lot of concentration, which is one of the reasons why this game is better suited for shooter fans. The other reason is that it's not the most technically spectacular game. But hey, it's fun, and that's all that matters. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 1000 Wii Points ($10)
Players: 1-4
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Violence)
Released: 2000
Click here for a video preview
Kirby 64 was highly anticipated as one of the franchises Nintendo needed to revive to save its dying console, yet its release towards the end of the N64's life cycle did little to help the N64. The game added a few advancements to the Kirby formula: Kirby has been able to copy his enemies' abilities since Kirby's Adventure, but in Crystal Shards he can combine two abilities (this feature was later carried over to Squeak Squad for the DS) to make a new one. There are 7 total ability types, making a total of 49 combinations (the weirdest ability allows Kirby to throw a flesh boomerang at enemies). The game was also the first 3-D foray for Kirby, however the game is still a side-scroller; the 3-D levels wrap around themselves, or have background elements that Kirby must gain access to, a la Super Paper Mario, making the extra dimension more than a cosmetic detail.
Combining abilities is neat, but many of the combinations are repetitive and don't change the very basic platforming action. Likewise, the three dimensional levels don't add much to Kirby 64's undeniably simple gameplay. The game is definitely geared towards younger gamers (not necessarily "kids"), though sometimes the bosses present unexpected challenge. It has classic music and graphics, and will present nostalgia for Kirby fans (like myself), but I find the 2-D Kirby games much more satisfying. - Evan Burchfield
Thanks to VG Museum for the classic screenshots.
Well forget all that, we're bringing the chat BACK TO LIFE. Prepare yourself, this Friday at 7:00 PM Pacific time (9:00 Central, 10:00 Eastern), for thirty questions that will test your knowledge of all systems, games, and historical events regarding Nintendo. To join our chatroom, you can click the Chat link on the left which leads to our Java chat, but honestly, it's worth it to get an IRC client like mIRC for PC, Colloquy for Mac, or any of the other millions out there.
OH DID I FORGET TO MENTION THERE'S A PRIZE? It's related somehow to a game that was recently released. But no hints.
Okay it's a DS game. But no more hints after that.
Okay it's Professor Layton!
The rules for Trivia Chat can be found here.
That said, the game IS definitely inspired by Zelda games in general, and I believe the producers even admitted the fact...It's true, Okami is very inspired by Zelda, but to me it does Zelda a one-up by following its own path and its own plot. There is no way to predict where the game will go because it is not bound to a rigid "structure" that inexplicably and stupidly defines the Zelda series. The only Zelda games that are as organic as Okami, in my mind, are Majora's Mask and Wind Waker.
Baroque's hero and your player, known as The Protagonist, is an amnesiac awakened in a scorched future Earth which has been destroyed by "The Blaze." The Blaze is only known as a "catastrophe" that wiped out all remnants of human society and life in 2032. The Blaze also had the effect of altering human reality, leaving a world constantly changing, and inhabitants who have gone mad as a result. The "distorted fantasies" of those who remained in the world are called baroques, and some become so obsessed with their baroques that they are overcome by them, altering their physicality and turning them into mutants. These creatures, known as Meta-Beings, wander throughout the burnt world, but they infest the Neuro Tower, which was previously the main facility of the religious cult "The Order of Malkuth." The protagonist is ordered by The Archangel to go to the lowest level of the Neuro Tower to heal his sins and the world's.
It remains to be seen if the game can draw on the religious allusions and apocalyptic themes of its plot, or if the complicated story is merely the backdrop to Baroque's character designs and battle system. Baroque fits in the dungeon crawler genre as there is one dungeon to explore, the Neuro Tower, with a random layout every time you play. Little has been revealed about the actual combat, though you do have an Angelic Rifle and a sword, and your items and weapons have speed, range, and accuracy stats in the typical RPG fashion.
Baroque handles death a little bit differently than other RPGs; when you die, the game is not over. You will lose any items you just obtained, but you will continue playing after you are revived. The plot of the game is said to unfold even as you die, as it is another method of "progress." This may just mean you'll get some extra cut scenes whenever you're revived, or it could also mean that dying is sometimes strategically desirable.
The Neuro Tower is said to be constantly changing as a result of the distorted reality caused by The Blaze, but this probably just means that you will traverse several randomized versions of the same dungeon throughout the game. Baroque features an auto-mapping feature to keep track of your location. There also seem to be a few objectives or diversions outside of the Neuro Tower.
The Wii version of Baroque will include Wii-specific controls, including "subtle motion control integration for power attacks," though you can use the Classic Controller if you don't want to play with the Remote and Nunchuk. Baroque ships in mid-March.
I could whine a lot about what Nintendo thinks they're doing. Perhaps they're not aware that Super Smash Bros. Brawl was delayed, or rather, that they delayed it. This leaves third parties to pick up the slack, and miraculously this week saw the release of No More Heroes and Endless Ocean, perhaps the black and white, the Republican and Democrat, the um...the Tarkovsky and Bresson of videogames. What I'm trying to say is they're opposites. And what I'm really trying to say is that this is the third party onslaught. It happened. Whoosh, where'd it go? Now what, Nintendo?
Go to various internet forums (including our own, holla!) and you'll find a pretty substantial list of old games, and those are just the ones that we can remember from our ancient childhoods. Who knows what Nintendo is hiding in their vaults, especially now that they're willing to translate stuff that never reached our shores (except Mother 3).
Anyways. Here are the Virtual Console Recommendations for the last three weeks. Enjoy.
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ (Tobacco Reference, Violence)
Released: 06/15/92
Click here for a video preview
A crime syndicate has taken hold of a city, but even worse, they've kidnapped your girlfriend. Riot Zone hearkens back to the glory days of side-scrolling action brawlers with two characters to play as, an attack button, a jump button, and a special move that can nail enemies but costs you a huge chuck of precious health at the same time. Each stage has a time limit (which is a negligible concern), enemies have simple A.I., and health-replenishing items are few and far between. However, the game is immensely beatable thanks to a select difficulty option and up to five continues.
Riot Zone is a rather plain example of its genre, which is why it's difficult to recommend. It lacks a lot of features that other side-scrolling games benefit from, like a two-player mode or destructible environments. There are only six different varieties of enemies, and they only have two or three different names, so you'll be fighting a "Fast Eddy" five times in one level. The game isn't horrible, but it has no spice or uniqueness. Only the most accepting, or die-hard, of game collectors will appreciate having this in their collection. - Carmine “Cai" M. Red
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 1993
Click here for a video preview
Pac-Attack is Tetris meets Pac-Man, which seems like a terrible combination, and in practice is not that bad. You manipulate falling pieces that are comprised of blocks, ghosts, and Pac-Men, with the hopes of clearing lines just like in Tetris. The problem is that Ghosts don't help you clear lines - only Pac-Man can destroy them.
My first complaint with Pac-Attack is that it doesn't feature Tetris gravity; once a piece is placed, everything falls directly to the ground. Though this is not a bad design choice, when combined with the Ghosts and Pac-Men that must be maneuvered, playing the game is hard and the learning curve is steep. I consider myself to be very good at Tetris, and I have a rough time getting past level 20 of Pac-Attack. Nonetheless, the combination is inspired, and for puzzle game fans (those who bought Columns for eight dollars) this game is just as worthy. - Evan “Ev" T. Burchfield
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ (Tobacco Reference, Violence)
Released: 04/20/1990
Click here for a video preview
Do you love Adventures of Lolo, a previously-released and much lauded NES puzzle game? If so, you'll probably enjoy its sequel, which is exactly the same as the original. Aside from some minor tweaks to enemy design, Lolo 2's only real differences include a new tile set for the last few stages, a boss fight at the bitter end, and four secret "pro" levels accessible via passwords (now all over the Interweb). The basic gameplay revolves around shoving blocks around, collecting hearts, and avoiding enemies in a decidedly puzzle-esque fashion. Lolo 2 is significantly more difficult than its predecessor, and so I would recommend the original over this sequel to a general audience. If you crave more of the same, though, go for Lolo 2. The most interesting sidenote about this game is that some of the puzzles are taken directly from the Lolo's ancestor, the mainly MSX-exclusive Eggerland series. - Zach Miller
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Teen (Violence)
Released: 1994
Click here for a video preview
We all knew Capcom was going to pull this stunt the moment Street Fighter II came out. After milking the first two versions of the game to see who would bite, it's finally made good and released Super Street Fighter II, the last in the line of SFII games to see a release on the SNES. It's got a boatload of new features, including four new characters (making 16 total), tournament and group modes for playing with multiple people, and additional single-player modes to test your might against the computer. You could say that it's the ultimate Street Fighter II experience.
And it is ... almost. I personally feel that the fighting action in Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting is slightly better. It's more straightforward and down-to-earth. I think Super Street Fighter II began the road to the complexity that is prevalent in modern fighting games. They're still fun, of course, but a simple, straight-out slugfest is good to have, too. So while you lose a little bit in SSFII, the extra modes and new characters more than make up for it. But don't feel screwed if you bought Hyper Fighting, since it's just as good of a fighting game. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 1000 Wii Points ($10)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 04/1998
Click here for a video preview
1080 Snowboarding was, at the time of its release, the best snowboarding game on the planet. It may no longer be as cutting edge as it used to be, but the tight gameplay hasn't aged a bit. Just as Wave Race 64 took jet-ski racing to another level of realism, 1080 is a snowboarding game with realistic physics and sensitive, unforgiving control. While this can be frustrating at first for gamers accustomed to landing every jump, it ultimately leads to a deep, nuanced experience that is different in every run down the mountain. The sense of total control that 1080 gives you remains unequalled by any other snowboarding game. Originally released at a time before SSX made tricks an essential part of all snowboarding games, 1080 is more of a downhill racer with a primitive-but-decent stunt mode tacked on. The courses, though few in number, are perfectly designed. They give the gamer constant variations and decisions to make, with risk/reward shortcuts and surfaces ranging from ice to waist-deep powder.
As with some other N64 VC releases, the analog thumb stick on the classic controller is a little too sensitive. If you have a WaveBird, this is a good game to use it on. Regardless, 1080 Snowboarding is worth every precious block of system memory it takes up. - Michael Flynn
Thanks to VG Museum for the classic screenshots.
In other news, StarTropics and King of Fighters '94 came out today in North America. The debate may rage elsewhere, though here at the Nintendo World Report I daresay our fans in the forums will understand more why we have recommended an outdated NES adventure game over a classic, some may even say “classy" fighting game. Perhaps the debate should center on narrative, which in adventure games usually leads the player to the exploration of locations and identification with a lead character, while in a fighting game the very code that holds the story is dead weight on the disc or cartridge. Yet at the same time I could see someone defend a fighting game for allowing a more fleshed out relationship between player and character, where the movements of the player translate so directly to those of the character that they seem to be in a communication with one another. Perhaps too the debate should discuss the importance of competition in video games, where fighting games (like puzzle games) seem to center on fighting an “opponent" who is singular and often human, while adventure games often have you fighting not just enemies in a world but the world itself.
Or perhaps fighting games just suck. Tell me in our talkback thread. How wrong am I?
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 12/1/90
Click here for a video preview
This sleeper classic from Nintendo combines Zelda-ish action stages with a maze-like overworld closer to Zelda II. But StarTropics is no copycat -- it has a strange pacing and tropical style that set it apart from anything else. The quirky story has young Mike Jones searching for his uncle, Dr. "J" Jones, and things get progressively weirder as you get deeper into the game. Though not an extremely long adventure, StarTropics is challenging, crammed full of secrets, and truly unique. You'll have no problem getting five bucks' worth of playing out of it (if you get stuck, don't be ashamed to check a walkthrough).
The way Mike moves and jumps can take some time to get used to, but it starts to make more and more sense as the game's level design philosophy is revealed. StarTropics features great NES graphics and memorable music, too. The original game was packaged with a letter from Dr. J that you eventually had to dip into water for a secret code -- this feature has been cleverly recreated in the Virtual Console's built-in manual. One thing the manual doesn't explain very well is the inventory system; after pausing, press down to access Mike's magical items, including red potions and snowmen. The second boss is nearly impossible without using the latter item. Despite such confusing elements, StarTropics is a polished and unusual adventure game that holds up very well today. Take this opportunity to catch up with a classic, semi-obscure little gem of a game. - Jonathan Metts
Cost: 900 Wii Points ($9)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Teen (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 1994
Click here for a video preview
Full disclosure: I don't play or really like fighting games. I mean, I like the occasional Street Fighter, but only when I'm playing against someone of equal talents, by which I mean, someone who has never played a fighting game before ever.
So I drank a glass of Bailey's and spent an hour or so with King of Fighters '94. How is it different from other fighting games, as far as I can see? Well, it has a neat team system where you pick three characters instead of one, and when you die instead of just getting “another life" your character is tapped out and the next one rotates in. This adds some variety and challenge since you must know not only your character's moves, but the moves of all three of your opponents.
Other than that and the sharp music, I can't tell you what's so great about this game. It felt like a fighting game in that I pushed a lot of buttons, tried out some combos, fought to rise in the ranks, and failed. Am I willing to admit that I'm biased against fighting games? Sure. I'm also willing to state that anyone who plays this genre exclusively has some pretty messed up primary concerns in video gaming. But I'm not recommending the whole genre for fans, just any game that has you memorizing complex button combinations in order to play it competently. I got pounded into ground beef while playing this game, and there isn't much hope for me to improve. I honestly believe, or maybe it's hope, that most gamers just mash their way through fighting games. When it comes to that, King of Fighters seems mash-worthy. No cheap kills, no overpowered characters (and no interesting ones either), no sloppy level or graphical design. King of Fighters '94 is somewhat different from other fighters I've played, but not that much. - Evan Burchfield
Props to VG Museum for the screenshots.
Furthermore, I want to emphasize how awesome it is that Treasure is all over the Virtual Console, including this week's super-weird (for them) Genesis game Light Crusader. Alongside masterpieces like Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, and Sin and Punishment, it's really strange to see this very Japanese developer do an Anglo-Saxon fantasy, and the results are mixed. But once again, the Virtual Console is a great resource for those weird, "Recommended for Fans" type games that might never be remembered if not for a small rabid fanbase and a publisher that has no other material to release. Speaking of which, where the hell is Mischief Makers?
Be sure to post your comments and opinions in Talkback!
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 4/1993
Click here for a video preview
Cybernator is an interesting little action game from the Super NES. A localization of Konami's Assault Suit series, it's an arcadey mech shooter with three different gameplay variations. Usually, you walk around the levels, shooting all sorts of enemies. You can jump very high, and then the booster jets kick in, allowing you to hover around for a few extra seconds. Also notable is that your gun can fire in 360 degrees, as in Gunstar Heroes and some other similar games, and you can hold the L button to lock the direction as you move around. On some outdoors levels and in certain boss battles, you can defy gravity by jumping off surfaces and hovering indefinitely, where your omnidirectional shooting skills will really be put to the test. Finally, there are horizontally scrolling shmup levels that move a little bit faster than you can maneuver and shoot, making them the weak point in the game. There are far better shmups on Virtual Console, but this is only a small portion of the game.
Cybernator isn't a brutally difficult game, but it is challenging in a way that rewards careful play and mastery of the different weapons and the blocking feature. A generous life bar and handful of continues will help you to push deeper into the game. The jumping controls are a bit floaty, and aiming is too slow, but these aren't major problems and can be overcome after a few minutes of adjustment. The graphics are above average and feature lots of little details, like environmental damage (very impressive for such an old game). Occasionally you will get some idea of your mech's size as miniscule human soldiers attack from underfoot. If you're a fan of Gunstar Heroes and other similar shooter-platformers from this era, you'll have a good time with Cybernator. - Jonathan Metts
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 1991
Click here for a video preview
It seems there are a lot of side-scrolling beat-'em-ups on the Genesis that are modeled after Streets of Rage. One of them is Alien Storm, a brawler that replaces the endless waves of thugs with endless waves of aliens. Although the three available characters carry guns, rocket launchers, and flame throwers, these weapons are only of use if you're up close and personal to your enemies, since the game plays exactly like Streets of Rage. Characters have screen-clearing special moves here, too. There are a few portions of the game where you fight enemies in a first-person, shooting gallery setup, tearing up aliens and the scenery and finding energy canisters for your weapons and your special attacks.
Alien Storm is a boring knock-off of Streets of Rage and it does little to hide it. If it was possible to use your arsenal of weapons to actually shoot aliens from across the screen rather than being forced to battle with them up close, this might have been an unusual enough game experience to warrant a recommendation. The crushing blow is that you never seem to get enough energy to make special attacks worth using, especially because you can't fire your guns once you're out of it. First they give us weapons that don't act like you would expect them to, and then they expect us to conserve weapon energy when the point of beat-'em-ups is to get in as many punches as possible? That doesn't sound like a well-thought out game to me. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 1991
Click here for a video preview
Monster Lair is the TurboGrafx version of the third game in the Wonder Boy series. It was originally an arcade game, as evidenced by the automatically scrolling screen, slowly diminishing life, simple platforming, and shooting-focused gameplay. Each level of the game is divided into two parts, a platform section and a flying section, followed by a boss. You have a few continues and a few extra lives, but it can get pretty hairy to avoid all the bad guys and advance to the next level.
The game isn't groundbreaking, but it does have a neat two player mode for some simple fun. The platforming action is pretty repetitive, and the only real threat is the constantly scrolling screen that makes each jump and item a bit more precious than they normally would be. If you're a Wonder Boy fan, you could do worse. - Evan Burchfield
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Violence)
Released: 12/1988
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Hockey may have dropped down to America's second sports tier, but as far as sports video games go, there have been a lot of top-tier hockey simulators over the years. Konami's Blades of Steel is simplistically beautiful recreation of everyone's favorite-but-doesn't-know-it-yet sport. The five-a-side action is very fast. It's easy to pass and shoot at the net, and you can even control the goaltender to help make last-moment saves. If you get too aggressive with the body checking, a fight will break out, sending the loser to the penalty box (as it should be) and putting the winning team on the power play. You can even get into tie-breaking penalty shots. For a hockey game from the late 80s, Blades of Steel was definitely ahead of its time.
Fans of hockey video games know that Blades of Steel is one of the best hockey games ever made. It's got the synthesized organ music, basic vocal play-by-play ("Face-off!" "Fight!") and a Zamboni resurfacing the ice between periods. We hockey fans know this is an instant download. For everyone else, Blades of Steel is a very fun, very competitive sports game that will have you coming back for more. It's something you should consider downloading, too. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($9)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 11/22/1996
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One of the Super Nintendo's swan songs, Donkey Kong Country 3 builds upon DKC2's refined style for more ape adventuring, bonus barrels, and animal buddy antics. With both Donkey and Diddy out of the picture, Dixie Kong and her brutish toddler cousin, Kiddy Kong, must stop K. Rool and save the day in this platformer!
Diddy Kong's Adventure refined the original DKC into a multifaceted classic; in comparison, Dixie Kong's Double Trouble takes DKC2's formula and runs with it. The expanded overworld introduces secret areas and caves on the map; Dixie and Kiddy have different, useful talents; and the Lost World is as tough as ever. The pre-rendered CG graphics continue to impress (on a traditional CRT television), and the game's real soundtrack—different from the GBA port—is equally fantastic. Unfortunately, this series remains virtually unplayable with a GameCube controller. DKC2 is superior, but as long as you have a Classic controller, DKC3 is a satisfying, if slightly redundant, sequel that is well worth playing. - Michael Cole
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Violence)
Released: 1991
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This sequel to the original Rolling Thunder is a side-scrolling action platformer with a story set 30 years after the original, seeing initial release in arcades and then on Sega's Mega Drive (a.k.a. Genesis). "Rolling Thunder" is the code name of an Interpol task force under orders to stop the evil Neo-Geldra organization and their cyborg minions. You can choose to play as either of Interpol's finest - Leila or Albatross - or side-by-side in two-player mode. Your primary gun is a pistol, and you can use a rifle, flame thrower, and other weapons as you progress.
Instantly giving me déjà vu of my early days in arcades, I found that this run and gun classic has aged well. There's enough cheese and action to ensure that most will find Rolling Thunder 2 appealing, but those who remember playing the series in the arcade will be happiest. Everyone else can still have fun running and gunning through colorful levels for hours and hours. The soundtrack is entertaining and keeps the story moving with rather amusing cut scenes (exclusive to the Sega version). Rolling Thunder 2 is a straightforward game but loads of fun. - Les Thomas
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Animated Violence)
Released: 1995
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Light Crusader was developed by Treasure, responsible for the three best games on the Virtual Console, and this game is nothing like any of them. More like Landstalker than Gunstar Heroes, the game follows a bland looking Knight named David who comes to the aid of the King of Green Row, a town where many people have disappeared. The game's mechanics owe a ton to Landstalker, from the isometric perspective to the puzzle-heavy dungeons. Unfortunately, the game isn't nearly as good looking as Landstalker, and it's three years older. It's strange, and maybe unfortunate, that Treasure decided to make a "Western" game with an understandable plot when their style is extreme Japanese anime melodrama with incomprehensible plot twists and character relationships. The result is just generic.
The gameplay is rough all around. Battles are awkward and repetitive. Traversing dungeons and talking to people is difficult thanks to the perspective, and depending on what controller you use. I think isometric movement was easier with the Genesis pad, and your best bet here is the big D-Pad on the Classic Controller. Even then, it's not too easy, as isometric never is, and the dungeons are harder for it. Yet I still want to recommend the game, at least to those who know what they're getting into. The way you combine spells is very Treasure, and you can make some fun combinations. The dungeons are meaty enough, if sometimes tedious. There are some of us who love bad action-RPGs, like Quest 64 or the Super NES Lord of the Rings. If those games light up your eyes even a little bit, then Light Crusader is a good bet. - Evan Burchfield
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 11/1988
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Taito's classic Bubble Bobble is an arcade-style action game best remembered for its catchy, arguably maddening music and sound effects. This is one tune that will probably be stuck in your head for hours or days after playing. However, the game itself should not be overlooked, as it holds up remarkably well after twenty years. You control two little dragons, Bub and Bob, who have since starred in the Bust-A-Move series of puzzle games. In Bubble Bobble, the dragons hop around and spit bubbles at enemies. Enemies must first be entrapped, then popped before they escape from the bubbles. Every stage ends with a mad dash to collect fruit for bonus points before time runs out.
Bubble Bobble is a reminder of a time when games were based on very simple mechanics and fleshed out with many interesting level designs. Over 100 levels teach you to jump on bubbles, prioritize enemies, and take advantage of the Pac-Man-like continuity between the floor and ceiling. Water/Lightning/Fire bubbles and many other special items keep the gameplay interesting throughout and give you a better chance against nastier enemies and levels. Bubble Bobble is also an excellent two-player game with both cooperative and competitive elements. In fact, the "secret ending" requires that two players be active on the last level (most easily accomplished with a famous trick to add in P2 at the last second). This is a fun, addictive, content-packed game that is easily worth your money. - Jonathan Metts
Cost: 900 Wii Points ($9)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ (Cartoon Violence)
Released: 5/18/1994
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SNK's best Neo-Geo stuff was its side-scrolling action games. Top Hunter is one of them. Following the winning Metal Slug formula, your must fight through four themed worlds. The hero can pick up dropped weapons, but his main attack is punching and throwing enemies until they drop dead. His extension arm can pluck foes from a distance or pull chain switches on the ceiling, which could spawn power-up bonuses. Time is always against you in this game, because if you run out before reaching the boss, you'll lose a life. Luckily, there are time bonuses littered throughout the level, but you can't dawdle around too much.
Upon first glance, Top Hunter look like a Metal Slug wannabe. It has the same side-scrolling levels and graphical style as SNK's iconic game series. You can even hop into walking tanks. What makes it different is there are two different planes of action to jump between. Levels are designed around this feature, as are boss fights. It's an interesting mechanic that sometimes feels forced, but for the most part it helps the game be more than a rote clone. In the end, the most important thing is that Top Hunter is fun to play. I think everyone will get a kick out it. - Steven Rodriguez
Thanks to VG Museum for the classic screenshots.
Either way, there's at least one game for you in here somewhere, even if they aren't games we recommended for everyone.
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 11/1986
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The availability of so many shooter games on the VC makes it really easy to gloss over new releases in the genre, and Zanac does little to catch your attention as you scroll past it on the Wii Shop Channel. When some of the enemies in the game are little more than gray boxes, you can't expect much visual punch. But once you get past the screenshots and into the gameplay, Zanac is surprisingly innovative, featuring a dynamic difficulty system that is almost unheard of in video games.
For example, whether or not you beat a boss within the time limit that appears on the screen, you can continue the level and resume flying past them. However, failing to do so causes the game to throw more enemies at you. Sometimes reconnaissance ships will appear on the screen and you must destroy them lest they escape to call in more and stronger enemies. The game even decides whether to throw more or less enemies at you depending on how well you're faring at the moment.
This means that while Zanac is still a challenge, it's a flexible one that won't try to overwhelm you. Throw in a range of unorthodox power-ups, as well as unlimited continues, and Zanac turns out to be an item of interest to any old school shooter fans. - Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Teen (Animated Blood, Animated Violence)
Released: 1993
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Back in the early 90s, Mortal Kombat was turning the fighting genre into a bloody mess. It was a profitable mess, too, which meant clones were sure to follow. Eternal Champions for the Genesis is one of the "me too" games of the era. It features a roster of nine characters, each from a different period of time and a unique style of fighting. Interestingly, the characters use real-life fighting styles and have dial-a-combo attack sequences, much like more modern MK games. There are also fatality-like moves called Overkills, although I couldn't figure out how they worked. Unlike MK, all special moves in Eternal Champions requires some special energy to use. If you run out, you can't do funky attacks. And hey, there's blood in the game. I guess Nintendo didn't bother to change it to sweat for the Wii version.
I'm going to give Eternal Champions a recommendation, but it comes with a few strings attached. First, the game looks pretty ugly, so you're not going to win over anyone with its looks. Second, you're really going to want to use a Wii Classic controller to play the game. It's a six-button Genesis game, so you're not going to get everything out of it using the Wii Remote, and the GameCube controller is just plain terrible for 2D fighting games. Third, it's pretty basic compared to other fighters of the time (like Mortal Kombat II). Despite all of that, it's still somewhat fun ... but just barely worth it if you have the right controller to play it with. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 1993
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The Dynastic Hero is, in fact, Wonder Boy. Wonder Boys variety of console treatments and multiple publishers is too lengthy for the purpose of this recommendation. This is his fifth and final rendering, a remake of a Genesis game which was already released on the Virtual Console as Wonder Boy In Monster World. Wonder Boy is the Prince of Betras, Dyna, who vows to save the Insect Kingdom of Tarron from the evil Drilkor Empire. Its a pretty straight-forward side-scrolling RPG. Wonder Boy looks a bit like Mega Man, plays a bit like Legend of Zelda II, and sounds a bit like Super Mario Bros. But you get to play an ocarina.
The Dynastic Hero, though not dynamic, is surprisingly charming. The controls for the Wii Remote can be confusing when playing the ocarina, but this control method is still the best bet. The graphics since Monster World are noticeably improved. The inclusion of an opening anime sequence with cheesy female vocalist is probably worth the price of admission. If you own Monster World and loved it or are just an anime fan, this is a cult classic, so go there if you dare. - Les Thomas
Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Animated Violence)
Released: 09/19/1985
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This is one of those "Badge of Honor" games that old-school gamers brag about beating. There's a reason for this: Ghosts 'n Goblins may be one of history's toughest video games. The platforming premise isn't new, but the fact that Arthur (the protagonist) has but three lives and two hit points amid dozens upon dozens of enemy sprites and tricky jumps makes you sweat bullets. If the ghouls don't kill you, the unforgiving boss fights will.
Ghosts 'n Goblins piles on the challenge in a way that modern gamers will be unable to appreciate. Hell, even I had a tough time remember what made this game so great. It certainly doesn't look good--as Ghosts 'n Goblins was a port of an arcade cabinet, the graphics are primitive and more pixelated than I could stand. The sound effects have that ancient "bip boop" effect to them. If you're looking for a challenge, Capcom certainly delivered the goods, but you should beware of Ghosts 'n Goblins, because it's a lot harder than you think. - Zachary Miller
Cost: 900 Wii Points ($9)
Players: 1-2
Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Released: 8/1994
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Baseball is very much an American sport, but the Japanese are even crazier about it than we are. This shows in most of the baseball games Japan makes, and Baseball Stars 2 is no exception. There are 12 different teams, of which six are available to select from depending on whether you select automatic or manual fielding. Because of the advanced (for the time) Neo-Geo hardware, all of the players in the game are detailed and comically exaggerated. A few times each game, you have an option to power-up your batter by putting a bigger bat into his hands. Pitchers can tire, and will look visibly pooped-out in both the pitcher window (a tired look on their face) and on the mound (you can see them taking deep breaths). The game progresses at a very fast pace, and all the while it's still a real, challenging baseball contest.
I was floored when I started playing Baseball Stars 2. After taking my first game into 14 innings and ultimately losing out, I was still having a ton of fun and wanted to start another game right away. The game looks fantastic, even more so considering the hardware it's on. It has some neat split-screen graphic effects and a catchy background music. The only real problem with the game is that base running is a little slow. Though there will be times when this annoys you (like when you're thrown out from left field), it makes things feel more like a real baseball game. You're only going to get a base hit if you find a gap. I like that a lot, and although $9 is pretty steep for a Neo-Geo game, Baseball Stars 2 is great enough for it to be worth it. - Steven Rodriguez
Cost: 1000 Wii Points ($10)
Players: 1
Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Fantasy Violence)
Released: 06/30/1999
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For most of us, the appeal of photographing Pokemon is not immediately apparent. In fact, the first couple of levels in Pokemon Snap may bore the tears out of you, as the game seems to move slowly and lack interaction. It's definitely worth persevering, though, because Snap becomes incredibly addictive as you gain new items, open more levels, and discover secret paths through those levels. The photography judging is surprisingly sophisticated and will have you taking tons of snapshots in the pursuit of the highest possible score. Eventually, you'll have a few ways to interact with Pokemon, goading them closer or annoying them for a funnier pose. Snap is a fairly short game and only features about 60 Pokemon in all (one reason why a sequel is often requested), but it's definitely worth your ten bucks.
Pokemon Snap is also the first Virtual Console game with modifications beyond localization. You can send your favorite photos to the Wii message board, where they can be forwarded with a message to anyone on your system's friend list. You can only activate this feature from a very specific place in the game's menus, so be sure to check the Operations Guide from the Home menu for details. Also, note that you can only export one photo per day, and if you are playing with the GameCube controller, you'll have to grab a Wii Remote for the export function. It's not a very useful addition to this game, but the potential for modifying other VC games is very exciting indeed. - Jonathan Metts
Thanks to VG Museum for the classic screenshots.
