In this set of virtual console recommendations, we take a look at a smattering of titles released over the last month on Nintendo's download service. There aren't any major duds in this particular set, but most of them need some level of qualification in order to be truly recommended. Don't miss the last game though, as it's a good title with significant longevity!

Perhaps to drum up excitement for the upcoming Mega Man 9, Nintendo has unleashed the original Mega Man game—the one that started the entire multi-tiered franchise—onto the Virtual Console. Modern gamers can expect to get their teeth kicked in, because Mega Man is a ridiculously difficult and, at times, frustrating game. Compared to its direct sequels, the original Mega Man is noticeably different: Enemies are worth points, as are certain pickups; energy and weapon capsules look different; there are only six Robot Masters; and Wily’s Castle is morbidly unforgiving. The Yellow Devil in particular is a cold-hearted bastard.

If you’ve already experienced this game on the Mega Man Anniversary Collection (on the ‘Cube, PS2, or Xbox) or Mega Man: Powered Up on the PSP, there’s no reason to revisit it here unless you were completely turned off by the reversed jump/shoot controls on the former. Almost every other NES Mega Man game is better than this one, including Mega Man 5 (but not 6), so I’d just wait for those. Still, for the historians among us, owning a key piece of the Mega-franchise may be worth the points. It’s also, you know, one heck of a challenge.

So what happened when Sonic made his Blast Processing debut on the Genesis? Sega quickly made versions for the 8-bit Master System and portable Game Gear. The Master System version just hit the Virtual Console. Overall, it's a completely different set of levels from the Genesis version, but Sonic still controls in a similar fashion. Given that it is based on the first game, that means only running, jumping, and rolling (when you have enough momentum).

Visually, the game is definitely a step backward from what was possible on the Genesis platform. Gameplay is significantly slower in general. On top of that, slowdown is prevalent whenever more complex enemies or water effects are on the screen. When Sonic takes a hit, he loses all of his rings, but not in a spectacular manner like the Genesis version, where some of the rings can be recollected. Instead, a single faded ring flies out and disappears. That one ring can't be collected, so Sonic will be left vulnerable.

The fact that the game features an entirely different set of levels could still interest Sonic fans. Some levels even feature Sonic oddities like auto scrolling and going down-to-up instead of left-to-right. Sonic 1-3 on the Genesis are all better games, but if you are enough of a Sonic fan that you have played them all and still want more, you may want to consider Sonic for the Master System.

When you punch a beast in Splatterhouse 2, he doesn't just fall over. He breaks in half, and green goo oozes from his two body parts. This kind of exaggerated violence is beautifully complemented by an eerie score and some quite terrifying environments, ranging from monster-infested forests to torture chambers and claustrophobic elevators. The presentation is clearly what made the game stand out in the early nineties and now on the Virtual Console, which just got its first Mature-rated title in Splatterhouse 2.

Sadly, the game doesn't play as extraordinarily as it looks. You walk from left to right while punching, kicking, and mowing down supernatural beasts with your chainsaw. Each of the eight short levels culminates in a boss fight where your pattern recognition skills almost completely determine your success. In fact, the entire game is laden with trial-and-error moments that are practically impossible to overcome the first time. Whether the game makes enemies suddenly drop down from the ceiling upon your head or small critters appear and jump at you while in mid-air, Splatterhouse 2 constantly tests your frustration levels. However, if you enjoy this kind of sadistic level design, then Splatterhouse 2 probably deserves your attention.

This unusually titled RPG is perhaps best known for its shockingly simple battle system – just ram into enemies to kill them. There isn't much depth in the combat, but it is fast and fun, which is more than you can say for most RPG battles. Ys (pronounced "ease") is a primitive game in many respects, but it's also highly entertaining and addictive. You still gain experience levels and gold to buy new equipment, but many traditional RPG elements are streamlined. For instance, you automatically regenerate health on the overworld, and you can save your game absolutely anywhere. These reforms, along with the action-game battles, should appeal to players who don't normally like RPGs. The "butt rock" soundtrack is also a departure from typical RPG music, though the quality isn't as high as you might expect from a CD game.

Ys Book I & II is definitely one of the best values available on Virtual Console. It is literally two games in one; the CD adaptation combines the original game and its sequel in a back-to-back fashion, so the transition is seamless. Book II is definitely the superior game, with slightly improved graphics, more variety in the soundtrack, and more enemies on the screen. Book I is still good, but it can sometimes feel like a slog that must be endured to get to the better game. The writing throughout both games is unusually clear and sophisticated, although the sparse voice-acting is still cheesy. There are some tricky dungeons and a bit of annoying backtracking towards the end of Book I, so be prepared to consult a walkthrough online. The overall quality of the package is impressive for its time, and the length of the experience is great for just eight bucks. Curious RPG fans and even Zelda players should give Ys a shot.