Topic: Virtual Console Mondays: VC Launch Set 1

[WindyMan]

We start taking a look at the games that we haven't got to recommending yet.

Because we started our Virtual Console Mondays news feature a few weeks after the Wii launched, we haven't yet gotten around to issuing recommendations to every game on the service.  Now that we have the Virtual Console index up and running, we wanted to go back and get to the games we missed.  Here's our first set of make-up recommendations.  They're shorter than what you're used to seeing, but the ratings are the same.  The games here weren't chosen for any particular reason; they just happened to get recommendations from our staff before the others!    

   

Alien Crush - TurboGrafx-16

   

 Released 1989
  1 Player
  Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Alien Crush is a pinball game obviously inspired by the art designs of H.R. Geiger.  It features two different boards, each with a unique soundtrack, and several bonus areas.  Consider it a spiritual predecessor to Metroid Prime Pinball, with many similar elements like aliens "eating" your ball, and alien larvae being released to be destroyed for bonus points.  It also has one of the coolest plunger sounds ever.  There have been better pinball games released since, but very few have been like Alien Crush.  Anybody looking for a unique pinball experience need look no further. - Jon Lindemann  

   

   
 Alien Crush and Bonk's Adventure  

   

Bonk’s Adventure - TurboGrafx-16

   

 Released 1990
  1 Player
  Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Bonk’s Adventure is a platform action game, starring a caveman that uses his thick skull to attack and climbs walls with his jagged teeth.  Smashing enemies with headbutts requires precise timing, and there is a lot of variety to enemy attack patterns which makes the game increasingly challenging.  Extra lives are also hard to come by, but you can earn some by juggling an enemy with your noggin to build up points. It’s tougher to plow through than a Mario or Sonic title, but everyone should give this iconic platformer a shot. - Daniel Bloodworth  

   

   

Ecco the Dolphin - Genesis

   

 Released 7/29/1993
  1 Player
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Ecco the Dolphin places you in a bizarre conflict between aliens and marine life.  Ecco’s pod has been vacuumed into the sky, and he goes on a search to rescue it.  You have to navigate deep underwater mazes while avoiding enemies and finding pockets of air to stay alive.  While the concept is interesting, the game itself is quite frustrating and you have to repeat tedious labyrinths over and over.  Ecco’s a bit clumsy to control and he can only attack with the tip of his nose, making it difficult to navigate past hazards and enemies. - Daniel Bloodworth  

   

   
 Ecco the Dolphin and F-Zero  

   

F-Zero - SNES

   

 Released 8/13/1991
  1 Player
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Nintendo's first foray into futuristic racing is a landmark game that still holds up today.  The graphics may take getting used to if you missed the whole Mode-7 era, but the gameplay is very fast and challenging, with smooth controls that work well on both Classic and GameCube controllers.  It's still a shame that the game is single-player only. - Jonathan Metts  

   

   

Gunstar Heroes - Genesis

   

 Released 9/10/1993
  1-2 Players
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 While somewhat short, Treasure's manic, two-player co-operative shoot-em-up is a nonstop barrage of henchmen and bosses perfect for anyone itching for a challenge. Level variety, a clever weapon system, and difficulty levels ranging from "hard" to "holy crap" make it well worth the price. - Michael Cole  

   

   
 Gunstar Heroes and The Legend of Zelda  

   

The Legend of Zelda - NES

   

 Released 8/22/1987
  1 Player
  Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 The Legend of Zelda's expansive world, hidden dungeons (complete with treasure), and challenging second quest paved the way for decades of adventure games.  The game provides very little help, which can make some of the puzzles a bit obtuse, but those willing to explore will most certainly be rewarded. - Michael Cole  

   

   

Ristar - Genesis

   

 Released 1/24/1995
  1 Players
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 One of Sonic Team's last games for Genesis, Ristar is paced more slowly than the Sonic series.  The visuals are amazing and the music is catchy, but severe hit detection problems and a limited view of what's coming will result in many cheap hits and a lot of frustration for the player.  It's a lengthy game with interesting mechanics, if you can put up with the annoying enemies and level design. Works well with all controllers. - Jonathan Metts  

   

   
 Ristar and Solomon's Key  

   

Solomon's Key - NES

   

 Released 1987
  1 Players
  Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Solomon's Key is a well-crafted action-puzzle game.  There really hasn't been a game like it since.  The gameplay consists of guiding the wizard Danos through single-screen levels by using a magic wand to create or destroy blocks that can hinder enemies or provide a path to the goal.  The level design remains admirably fresh and challenging throughout the game, and the control is quite responsive.  Solomon's Key is a worthy addition to any virtual console library. - David Trammell  

   

   

Wario’s Woods - NES

   

 Released 12/10/1994
  1-2 Players
  Cost: 500 Wii Points ($5)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Wario’s Woods is one of the last games to ever grace the NES, a full three years after the SNES came out.  It’s a puzzle game that requires you to match colored bombs with woodland monsters, somewhat like Dr. Mario.  The difference is that rather than moving the falling bombs, you control Toad to pick up, kick, and arrange the items already on the ground.  It’s a decent puzzle game, but it doesn’t really stand out as a must-play. - Daniel Bloodworth  

   

 
 Wario's Woods  

[that Baby guy]

I'd recommend buying Ecco the Dolphin's $1 demo of the first level, just so everyone gets to swim around.  Unfortunately, it doesn't exist.  I really loved the physics in that game.  They just felt very natural.

[KDR_11k]

I disagree with rating Ristar lower than Bonk but that may just be me.

[NWR_pap64]

"Bonk’s Adventure is a platform action game, starring a caveman that uses his thick skull to attack and climbs walls with his jagged teeth. Smashing enemies with headbutts requires precise timing, and there is a lot of variety to enemy attack patterns which makes the game increasingly challenging. Extra lives are also hard to come by, but you can earn some by juggling an enemy with your noggin to build up points. It’s tougher to plow through than a Mario or Sonic title, but everyone should give this iconic platformer a shot."

At first the game was hard, but after I finished it the first time the game became incredibly easy.

Lives are actually somewhat easy to get. I do the mentioned juggling trick, eating lots of fruit and vegetables, looking for hidden bonus stages and bonus life.

I even did a speed run without getting a game over once, with my score being on the 90000 when I finished it.

[Bloodworth]

Yeah, I kept playing it and found it to be much easier after I beat it too.  It seemed pretty rough the first time around though.

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Yeah, I kept playing it and found it to be much easier after I beat it too.  It seemed pretty rough the first time around though.

Yeah it was. Part of the problem was me getting used to playing with the Wiimote. Also, the first play through proves to be the hardest since you are experiencing everything for the first time, meaning that you don't know what lies ahead or how to defeat an enemy. But after you finish it, since you know how everything plays the game becomes extremely easy.

The bosses were annoying at first, but once I figured how to quickly defeat them they became a joke.

Did you use the turbo button, Bloodworth? That makes things even more easy, especially when juggling baddies and defeating bosses.

[Bloodworth]

No, I avoid turbo buttons in pretty much everything but shooters.

[NeoThunder]

is there a way you can have an index that list every VC game and click on the title and then go to the date it was reviewed.....as time goes on it will be difficult to remember what week it was a game came out to look up the review

[vudu]

Quote
Originally posted by: NeoThunder
is there a way you can have an index that list every VC game and click on the title and then go to the date it was reviewed.....as time goes on it will be difficult to remember what week it was a game came out to look up the review

You mean like this?  There's a drop-down menu in the upper right corner.

[IceCold]

Where is Launch Set 2 with Super Mario 64?

[Bloodworth]

Windy's hoping to get that up next Monday.

[vudu]

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Where is Launch Set 2 with Super Mario 64?

I hear it's a good game.