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Virtual Console Mondays: January 8, 2007

by Steven Rodriguez - January 8, 2007, 8:00 pm
Total comments: 11

This week's VC update sees three new releases, but curiously, Nintendo is nowhere to be found.

After last week's pittance, Nintendo decided to step aside and let some third parties take center stage. Along with last week's TG16 no-show, Konami and Hudson are packing a one-two punch for shoot-em'-up fans, who are no doubt in heaven right now. As always, you can get the vital info for each of this week's new releases and what our staff recommends for your persual.


Gradius

SystemVirtual Console - Nintendo Entertainment System

Cost500 Points
Players2
ControllersWii Remote,Wii Nunchuk,GameCube
ESRB RatingEveryone
ReleasedDec 1986

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, 1, 2. Cheat in style in this classic scrolling shooter title from Konami. Players take on the role of Vic Viper as they fly the little ship through seven stages of obscene obstacles and bosses. Collect power-ups by saving up for the item you want on the famous power meter. Take speed right away or wait for the option ship. It's up to you.

Gradius is an entertaining scrolling shooter that was originally released over 20 years ago, yet still holds up today. Scrolling shooter fans will want to grab it right away, as it is the pioneer in the genre. Others may want to wait for the later games, like Life Force or Gradius III, so they can enjoy improved power-ups and co-op gameplay.



Soldier Blade - TurboGrafx-16

Soldier Blade - TurboGrafx-16

Released: 1992

1 Player

Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)

Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube

Pulling another shump out of their hat, Hudson brings Soldier Blade to Virtual Console. This shooter sees players grabbing power-ups that change the type and strength of weapon attacks. They can also be unleashed to perform a big-money super attack when in a pickle. You'll probably need use of the three types of pickups to make it through the game's nasty bosses. Of course, you can jump into the timed Challenge mode, for when you don't want to spend an hour burning through all your continues. Because you know you're going to need them.

Recommended for FansWhat can you say? It's another great TurboGrafx shooter in the Star Soldier tradition, ready and waiting for download. There are better shooters yet to come, but you still can't go wrong with Solider Blade if you want more old school love.



Dungeon Explorer - TurboGrafx-16

Dungeon Explorer - TurboGrafx-16

Released: 1989

1-5 Players

Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)

Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube

Dungeon Explorer was actually supposed to be released during last week's (pathetic) Virtual Console update, but was delayed because of emulation issues. The game is a five-player top-down dungeon smash-'em up in the same vein as Gauntlet, where you can select a bunch of different characters (fighter, thief, warlock, witch, bishop, elf, bard or gnome), each with their own traits. One of those traits is very low life, since just about every type of character can die very easily. There's strength in numbers, since up to five players can battle together. (You'll need at least one GameCube controller to do that.)

Not RecommendedFive player co-op is nice, and the music is pretty good, but Dungeon Explorer is ultimately an unimpressive clone of Gauntlet with some RPG elements thrown in there. Given what else is available for the TG16, you're probably better off spending the 600 points elsewhere.

Recommended for Fans

- Steven Rodriguez


Talkback

KDR_11kJanuary 08, 2007

Is Soldier Blade related to Star Soldier?

KDR_11kJanuary 08, 2007

Is Soldier Blade related to Star Soldier?

Yes, it's part of the series.

Yes, it's part of the series.

IceColdJanuary 08, 2007

Quote

Pulling another shump out of their hat, Hudson brings Soldier Blade to Virtual Console.
SHUMP, eh? face-icon-small-tongue.gif

IceColdJanuary 08, 2007

Quote

Pulling another shump out of their hat, Hudson brings Soldier Blade to Virtual Console.
SHUMP, eh? face-icon-small-tongue.gif

King of TwitchJanuary 08, 2007

After all that hard work they did porting NES Baseball, glad NOA took the week off.

King of TwitchJanuary 08, 2007

After all that hard work they did porting NES Baseball, glad NOA took the week off.

EntroperJanuary 09, 2007

Sweet, Gradius.

And it's SHMUP. SHoot-eM-UP.

EntroperJanuary 09, 2007

Sweet, Gradius.

And it's SHMUP. SHoot-eM-UP.

KDR_11kJanuary 09, 2007

up up down down left right left right B A

KDR_11kJanuary 09, 2007

up up down down left right left right B A

tonythekittyJanuary 11, 2007

WHOO HOO my wii is out of the shop, gradius and soldier blade here I come! Dungeon explorer can still kiss my a$$ tho. For those that have ben following my plight, Nintendo did NOT put the virtual console games back on the new console they gave me, but they did give me free redownloads of the same games. My wii appears to be fixed.

Also side note: I have to get one of these skins for my wii.... check it

http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,5221.htm

tonythekittyJanuary 11, 2007

WHOO HOO my wii is out of the shop, gradius and soldier blade here I come! Dungeon explorer can still kiss my a$$ tho. For those that have ben following my plight, Nintendo did NOT put the virtual console games back on the new console they gave me, but they did give me free redownloads of the same games. My wii appears to be fixed.

Also side note: I have to get one of these skins for my wii.... check it

http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,5221.htm

IceColdJanuary 11, 2007

Quote

Nintendo did NOT put the virtual console games back on the new console they gave me, but they did give me free redownloads of the same games.
Glad it turned out well..

IceColdJanuary 11, 2007

Quote

Nintendo did NOT put the virtual console games back on the new console they gave me, but they did give me free redownloads of the same games.
Glad it turned out well..

KDR_11kJanuary 11, 2007

I figure that means they converted your account data but didn't copy your data over.

KDR_11kJanuary 11, 2007

I figure that means they converted your account data but didn't copy your data over.

I want to buy all three games! ARGH!

Does Dungeon Explorer lower your health over time like Gauntlet did even if you're not getting hit? If it does, I'm not buying it. If it doesn't, I probably will.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

I want to buy all three games! ARGH!

Does Dungeon Explorer lower your health over time like Gauntlet did even if you're not getting hit? If it does, I'm not buying it. If it doesn't, I probably will.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

CalibanJanuary 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: tonythekitty
Also side note: I have to get one of these skins for my wii.... check it

http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,5221.htm



It's a shame they don't have a Gold Wii/Nunchuk/Remote skin.

CalibanJanuary 11, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: tonythekitty
Also side note: I have to get one of these skins for my wii.... check it

http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,5221.htm



It's a shame they don't have a Gold Wii/Nunchuk/Remote skin.

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