This week's releases -- both of which are shooters -- can't quite match that kind of awesomeness, but they're still worth considering. Super Turrican is a pretty SNES shooter from Factor 5 (heard of those turncoats?), while Psychosis is -- we urge you to brace yourselves for a shock -- a Turbografx-16 shooter.
Blast your way past the break for extensive footage of both in action.
After a quiet couple ofweeks on the European and Aussie Virtual Consoles, this week is ... no different whatsoever. Just a single game is on offer to PAL Wii owners this Friday, with Lords of Thunder on the block for 800 points. This blogger won't pretend to be familiar with Hudson's Turbografx-16 shooter; did anybody else give this a whirl back in the day?
You do? Great! And do you also recall how N64 games would occasionally pop up on the Virtual Console? No?
Well, we can't blame you if it slipped your mind. It's been almost three months since PAL gamers last saw an N64 game on the VC (for the record, it was Yoshi's Story), but this week sees the fuzz-tacular console make a return. And, despite our snarky tone, 1080° Snowboarding is actually an ace reminder of the console. This blogger still has fresh memories of shaving milliseconds from his best Time Trial performances with Dion Blaster. Never did pull off a 1080°, mind.
Streets of Rage imitator Riot Zone makes the leap from the Turbografx-16 to complete this week's PAL platter of retro goodness.
We've already discussed how much of a holy mess the Wonder Boy series is, and today European and Australian folk will be able to sample a small part of the jumbled franchise, with the release of Monster Lair, as it appeared on the Turbografx-16 (a Sega Mega Drive version appeared a year later, though only in Europe).
Whereas Monster Lair is perhaps the highlight of this last VC update before Christmas, this blogger will admit to having fond recollections of the fighting sequences in NES ice hockey title Blades of Steel, while those of you with an "Extreme!!!" bent may wish to throw 500 Wii points in the direction of Skate or Die!
Though the official European Nintendo site still seems to be down, the Virtual Console is working overtime to bring you games you may not have heard of at high prices. Ain't life grand? It is if you happen to be into more obscure games, and even the "pricey" ones really aren't.
This week, European gamers have another crack at the Neo Geo, and they can get their golf on if they are so inclined ... but somehow, we just have a feeling that the most popular title will also be the cheapest. Gee, could it be that a few people might be a little excited about Super Mario Bros. 3?
It's another Friday, and lately, that means Neo Geo games! Plus, y'know, some other stuff, which is usually pretty pricey, as VC titles goes. But this week, European gamers get a little break with a release out there for only 600 points. On top of that, there's four games from which Wii owners may choose. Sometimes, it's good to be a Nintendo fan.
Just two releases this week for European gamers on the Virtual Console, and they're certainly pretty different. One is the casino game that featured interesting interaction via random encounters (and also, hey, gambling), and the other is, well, Bonk. Either of these sound like something that might tickle your particular fancy?
We know at least one person who would probably approve of this week's European VC lineup ... but you're the one who matters. It's all old school this week, with two NES titles and one from Turbografx, just to mix it up a little. So kick back, relax, mix up the beverage of your choice, and enjoy a little classic gaming quality time. You know you want to play futuristic pool! Especially when it was previously announced and couldn't be bothered to actually show up.
Looks like European gamers can take some time to check out updated ads while slicing through the waves on their jet skis this weekend if they are so inclined. Alas, only two games this week, but the streak couldn't keep going forever. Hey, at least it's not something like Revolution X or Captain Novolin. Instead, you've got:
We're pretty sure we wouldn't want to smellGalaga breath (it reeks of intensity), but it makes for a great week on the Virtual Console for European gamers! Only three titles this fine Friday, but when you're talking about Galaga '90 and Breath of Fire II (oh, and some hot Volleyball action), what else do you really need? RPGs and beautiful, rhythmic patterns make for some good gaming.
Four games again this week, with some really great variety, despite the fact that they come from only two consoles. Platformer? Check. Puzzle? Check. SRPG? Check. But you know what we're lusting over: awesome side-scrolling ninja action. C'mon, you knew what we would choose. We all have our biases.
Available this week no the Virtual Console for European gamers:
Drop Off -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points
Dynamite Headdy -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
Shining Force -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
This week's Virtual Console update for Europe is all about choice. Four games are on the block, and pretty much all they have in common is retro goodness. From pinball to pool to RPG, you can revel in whatever you like the best this weekend ... unless you like beat 'em ups or shooters, and the VC is already full of those.
Breath of Fire II -- SNES -- 800 Wii points
Devil's Crush -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points
Kirby's Ghost Trap -- SNES -- 800 Wii points
Lunar Pool -- NES -- 500 Wii points
So, campers, anything you feel like downloading this week?
It's an odd pairing for the weekend for European gamers -- the punk-influenced Air Zonk and the classically adorable Paper Mario! What do they both have in common? A light-hearted approach to gaming and solid offerings for their respective genres. That's something we can get behind.
Hope you're in the mood for sequels today, because if you're itching for a new retro title, that's what Nintendo's offering up, at least when it comes to Sega. A couple of today's titles were also released in the U.S. this week, which means you can check out the video wrap-up for a little game footage.
Also, for some reason the format of the releases on the Nintendo Europe site seems to have changed, so let us know if these costs are not correct -- we're basing this off past VC pricing.
Dragon Spirit -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points
Ecco: The Tides of Time -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
Golden Axe II -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 -- Sega Mega Drive -- 800 Wii points
It's been hard not to feel totally pampered by recent PAL Virtual Console updates, with the likes of Phantasy Star II and Street Gangs keeping us up late.
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