Virtual Console Recommendations

Jump to our recommendations.

We love the Virtual Console here at Nintendo World Report, but let's be honest: some of the games are just not worth your money. Variety is the spice of life, sure, but some spices are best left on the rack. That's why we've decided to offer our quick take on which games are worth your cash. Consider this your one-stop shop for Virtual Console details. The staff at Nintendo World Report are experts on retro games, so we'll be recommending titles based on our past experiences with them as well as our quick playtime with them on the Wii.

We have invented a three-tiered rating system for Virtual Console games to keep things simple. The ratings are:

Recommended for EveryoneRecommended for Everyone: For those games that anyone can enjoy whether they've played it before or not.

Recommended for FansRecommended for Fans: For the "cult-classic" game that may not be up everyone's alley, but is sure to put a smile on the face of 16 or 8-bit veterans, or those who played the game when it was first released.

Not RecommendedNot Recommended: Games that shouldn't be played by anyone, or games that are horridly over-priced for what you get.

Index of Virtual Console Recommendations:

Detana!! Virtual Console Phantasy Punch-Out!!

April 4, 2009
Sheer variety wins this week's recommendations over with an RPG, a boxing game, and a shoot-'em-up from the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and Turbo-Grafx 16 respectively.

Zoda's Virtual Revenge: Mario Golf

March 26, 2009
With a putt-putt here and yo-yo there, we've got two more Virtual Console recommendations for your eyes only.

V.I.R.T.U.A.L. Salamander Console

March 13, 2009
It's a shoot-'em-up week as we've got not one, but two recommendations for acclaimed games in the genre that makes up more than fifty percent of all Virtual Console games.

Virtual MAN-BEAMS: The March of the Black Consoles

March 6, 2009
In this week's recommendations, we've got a homoerotic TurboGrafx 16 shooter and a revered strategy RPG.

Virtual Commodore 64

February 28, 2009
Are the inaugural Commodore 64 Virtual Console games worth it?

Kirby's Virtual Console Man 3

February 20, 2009
We've got a little bit of Kirby and little bit of Mega Man in this week's Virtual Console Recommendations.

Virtual Console Battle Boxing of Mana

February 12, 2009
This week's recommendations feature a heralded SNES RPG and a Turbografx 16 boxing game.

Virtual Console Chaos in Monster Land: Dracula's Curse

February 5, 2009
After a long hiatus that was preceded by a long hiatus that was preceded by another long hiatus, NWR's weekly Virtual Console Recommendations are back!

Double Vector Virtual Console Update 64: Gofer No Yabou

October 23, 2008
This week we feature one recent game and three other assorted Virtual Console classics as we catch up with more of our Virtual Console backlog.

A Super, Mega, Fatal Virtual Console Update

October 15, 2008
Two timeless classics and two Neo Geo fighters reawaken NWR's dormant Virtual Console Recommendations.

Blue, Green, and RPG All Over

August 30, 2008
Sonic, Mega Man, Splatterhouse, and Ys make up this edition of NWR's Virtual Console Recommendations.

Virtual Console Mondays: July 21st and 28th, 2008

August 1, 2008
Two contrasting Genesis shooters and a bad TurboGrafx-16 racer make up some of the latest games to hit the Virtual Console in North America.

Games We've Missed

July 24, 2008
Are you curious about some of the recent Virtual Console releases? Check out our thoughts on four of them.

Virtual Console Mondays: April Round-Up

May 5, 2008
The bulk of April offered up some diverse, zany, and challenging desirables.

Virtual Console Mondays: The Rest of March 2008

April 28, 2008
The lead up to WiiWare reveals a whole lot of stinkers.

Virtual Console Mondays: March 3 and March 10, 2008

March 17, 2008
Two games entirely in Japanese and one made by Germans. Wha?

Virtual Console Mondays: The Whole of February 2008

February 26, 2008
Recommendations for the whole month in one easy convenient link. How's that for service?

Virtual Console Mondays: The Rest of January 2008

January 31, 2008
It's so sad to see the Virtual Console die so young.

Virtual Console Mondays: January 7, 2008

January 8, 2008
First chance this year to piss everyone off.

Virtual Console Mondays: Year-End Round-Up!

January 3, 2008
Happy New Year -- here are some late recommendations for the Virtual Console!

Virtual Console Mondays: December 3 and December 10, 2007

December 11, 2007
Two weeks and no clunkers.

Virtual Console Mondays: The Rest of November, 2007

December 1, 2007
We've had our fill of turkey and survived the crowds at the mall. Here's a look at the past three weeks of VC releases.

Virtual Console Mondays: November 5, 2007

November 6, 2007
Mario! Mario! Mario! Mario!

Virtual Console Mondays: October 29, 2007

October 30, 2007
Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Virtual Console Mondays: October 15 and October 22, 2007

October 27, 2007
Nintendo brings out more imports, a few hidden gems, and a new game system to VC.

Virtual Console Mondays: October 8, 2007

October 12, 2007
Enter the Neo-Geo.

Virtual Console Mondays: October 1, 2007

October 3, 2007
If you're curious as to why people like to import games from Japan, you won't be after you check out this week's VC releases.

Virtual Console Mondays: September 24, 2007

September 25, 2007
The legend of Puyo Puyo is all the rage on the streets this week.

Virtual Console Mondays: September 17, 2007

September 19, 2007
Are you ready for some baseball?

Virtual Console Mondays: September 10, 2007

September 11, 2007
Are you ready for some football?

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