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Virtual Console Mondays: April 23, 2007

by Steven Rodriguez - April 23, 2007, 10:30 pm
Total comments: 7

A key moment for Virtual Console—sorta—comes with three great games this week.

This week's a milestone of sorts in Virtual Console land. For the first time, there's a game released to the North American Virtual Console that has previously not been brought to the region. Battle Lode Runner, the first game we cover in this week's rundown, was a Japan-only TurboGrafx title until today. It's the Japanese version, too... but as it was originally, it's entirely in English. Seeing games of this type come to the U.S. is promising, but really means nothing until some company out there (cough, Nintendo, cough) gets around to actually translating and localizing a game that was originally all in Japanese.

With that, here are the releases three for this week that be.


Battle Lode Runner

SystemVirtual Console - TurboGrafx-16

Cost600 Points
Players5
ControllersWii Remote,Wii Nunchuk,GameCube
ESRB RatingEveryone
ReleasedYear 1993

Battle Lode Runner is the TG's 5-player multiplayer version of the gold collecting action/puzzle maze game. The premise is to run up and down a vertical level, dig through blocks and pick up the shiny loot, while avoiding enemies and trying to not get trapped in your own holes. The levels get challenging in a hurry, and there are quite a few of them to test you. The multiplayer mode feels similar to Bomberman (and it should, considering both games are made by Hudson), though the goal is to bury your buddies in ditches they can't get out of.

What Bomberman is to multiplayer, Lode Runner is to single player. Figuring out how to get through each puzzle level is really why this game is really fun. It'll take a lot of skill to do so, though, so unless you've got a lot of brain power and dexterity to pull off some necessary quick block running this one may not be for you. And despite three different game modes, the multiplayer is a tad on the weak side. As monumental as the release is, it's not for everyone. But a lot of people will definitely enjoy it.

Recommended for Fans

- Steven Rodriguez



Gradius III

SystemVirtual Console - Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Cost800 Points
Players2
ControllersWii Nunchuk,GameCube
ESRB Rating
ReleasedAug 1991

The Virtual Console service is no stranger to shooters - it has already racked up an impressive roster. Even so, the Gradius series' pedigree makes it worth checking out, and Number III is no exception. If you're looking for a new shmup to own your soul for the next few days, look no further. Like the original (also on Virtual Console), you can collect power-ups to advance your power-up meter up to the desired level. Speed-ups and missiles only take a few, but you may want to save up for the really good stuff. A nice feature of Gradius III is the ability to customize each powerup to your liking, so if you like lasers instead of bombs, you can set that.

Let it be known that Gradius III is ridiculously difficult. It's likely that most players won't be able to get past the first stage without cursing their creator or throwing a controller at least a couple times... unless you put in the Konami code (the SNES modified version of it, that is). The funny thing is, as frustrating as the game can be, its impressive polish and break-neck gameplay will keep you pressing that continue button long after your ego's been shattered.

Recommended for Everyone

- Karl Castaneda



Wonder Boy in Monster World

SystemVirtual Console - Genesis

Cost800 Points
Players1
ControllersWii Remote,Wii Nunchuk,GameCube
ESRB Rating
ReleasedNov 1991

This game plays a lot like Dragon's Curse for the TG-16, which was a previous Virtual Console release. That's because DC is really a part of the Wonder Boy series, and Monster World is the first one to see a Wii re-issue. Monster World is actually the fifth Wonder Boy game, so with that many games in the series to improve the formula, it only makes sense that the gameplay is up to snuff. Wonder Boy lives up to his name, as the action RPG gameplay is pretty good in this one.

And so, let it be recommended to everyone. Though the game starts off rather slowly, as soon as you get your hands on a better weapon and better boots to run around faster, what you'll get is a gosh darn fun adventure. It looks really nice, too, which is great bonus on top of the already great game. Get it.

Recommended for Everyone

- Steven Rodriguez


Thanks go out to VG Museum for help with some screens this week.

Talkback

You know, I loved Lode Runner on the NES. I may have to pick up this TG16 game.

GoldenPhoenixApril 23, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
You know, I loved Lode Runner on the NES. I may have to pick up this TG16 game.


The HORROR, oh the HORROR. My arch nemesis from NES games, perhaps the most terrible game I have ever played. Drill holes and DIE the game.

Yeah, I think there was a hurdle I had to overcome before I started to like the game, so I can understand that reaction.

Ian SaneApril 24, 2007

Funny how things work out. Since the VC was annouced I wanted to see games that never made it to North America finally get an official release. And here it finally happens and it's a game I didn't know existed. Well I know about Lode Runner but didn't know about this specific version of it. It's great and it sets precedence but it's just funny that it's not something like Mother or Rondo of Blood that everyone has been asking for years but just some random game out of nowhere.

I've got Gradius III on the SNES and it's awesome but it has a lot of slowdown. I've never used the code for it. Never thought about it since Contra 3 doesn't use it so I've always associated the Konami code as an NES thing. I've gotten as far as the Moai Head level but at that point there as so many rings flying at me I can't get any further.

nitsu niflheimApril 24, 2007

I always thought that lode runner was a racing game. I guess I was wrong. =0

I have finally been cured of some of my VC addiction to unwise game purchases. I have NO desire to humiliate myself further by buying Gradius III and not getting past the first level (...*cry*).

That said... MONSTER WORLD! I've never played these games before but I WILL NOW! HAHAHAHAHA!

Also, that Lode runner looks anemic. I prefer a later lode runner Edition thingy on PC with 2 players and more traps, items, enemies, locales, etc.

... OMG. Lode Runner would be GREAT on the DS! Wireless co-op/versus play! Co-op campaign mode! Share maps! SHARE MAPS!

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

Smoke39April 24, 2007

I don't remember Gradius III being too ridiculously hard until that stupid fast level, but it's been a long time since I've played it. I'm kinda tempted to get it, but I still haven't beaten any of the other shooters I've bought (I'm stuck in all of them T^T).

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