The Sega Mega Drive monopolised last Friday's fortnightly update to the PAL Virtual Console with a highly renowned pair of classic games: Earthworm Jim and Shining Force II.

Earthworm Jim is the beloved original adventure of an ordinary worm that became transformed into a hero by a much-sought-after super suit. This action platformer puts Jim on a quest to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name, with players using the suit's power and Jim's wormy stretchiness to jump, shoot, and swing through levels while taking on such oddball adversaries as Psy-Crow, Evil the Cat, and Bob the Killer Goldfish. This Mega Drive release includes a level that was absent from its Super NES counterpart.

Shining Force II is the sequel to the original Mega Drive strategy RPG, though the two storylines are not directly connected. In this case, the kingdom of Granseal is in danger, and a young swordsman named Bowie must lead the Shining Force in order to save it. As in the first game, players control the leader of the Shining Force when exploring the kingdom, and then take part in turn-based battles on a grid when in combat.

Both Earthworm Jim and Shining Force II are available to download now from the PAL Wii Shop Channel for 800 Wii Points.

Wii Shop Channel releases

The first of this week's Virtual Console offerings welcomes back classic '90s gaming hero Earthworm Jim™! Jim was an ordinary earthworm who did very earthworm-like things such as flee from crows and eat dirt. One day, during an outerspace fight, a suit drops to Earth, and falls around Jim. It mutates him into a large and intelligent (at least by earthworm standards) superhero.

Play as Jim in this SEGA MEGA DRIVE classic! When you learn of the evil plans of Psy-Crow and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, you decide to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name. Run, gun, swing on hooks by your head and launch cows at the interesting characters you meet along the way, such as Major Mucus, Chuck and Fifi, Evil the Cat and Bob the Killer Goldfish. Earthworm Jim™ is available now for 800 Wii Points.

Next up this week is the acclaimed strategy role-playing game Shining Force™ II, also for SEGA MEGA DRIVE. It's a dark and stormy night in the kingdom of Granseal, when a thief steals two jewels from the Tower of the Ancients. He sets in motion strange events that lead to the resurrection of Zeon, the Devil King.

Granseal's king falls sick, the princess is kidnapped and a door to Arc Valley, the Devil King's home, is opened. The young swordsman, Bowie, realising the grave danger Granseal faces, must lead the Shining Force to find the Holy Sword, the stolen jewels, and protect Granseal against the invading armies of Zeon. Shining Force™ II is available now for 800 Wii Points.

Virtual Console offers users the ultimate retro gaming experience. This week's titles join the list of 252 classic titles already available for Virtual Console in Europe.