After last week's fairly abominable update, Space Harrier is back to save us all. The last time we played Sega's classic rail shooter was in the arcades of Shenmue, and we seem to recall it feeling a bit ancient, but still being a bit of a hoot.
Also appearing is Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition (which, rather ludicrously, is the third variation of Street Fighter II to appear on the PAL Virtual Console) and Mayhem in Monsterland, one of the very last of the Commodore 64's 20,000 or so titles, and a graphical stunner for the time. Footage of all three is past the break.
Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition -- Mega Drive -- 800 Nintendo Points
Mayhem in Monsterland -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Nintendo Points*
Space Harrier -- Master System -- 500 Nintendo Points
A triple whammy of 500 Wii Point games this week, starting with the Master System version of Sonic the Hedgehog, from the days when the world loved and respected Sonic the Hedgehog. With the Mega Drive/Genesis version already available on the Virtual Console for 300 Points more, we suspect the Master System edition is for either Sonic completists or cheapskates. We fit both categories.
Then there are a couple of ye olde classics from the Commodore 64: Boulder Dash and Jumpman. The name "Jumpman" is coincidental, by the way, though the game is probably similar enough to Donkey Kong to warrant suspicion.
Sonic the Hedgehog -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points
Game sequels often suffer from a reputation of being weaker than their predecessors, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo whacking a whole pile of them on the PAL Virtual Console this week. The M-rated Splatterhouse 2 leads the charge, bloodied lead pipe in hand, and is joined by Samurai Shodown II, Pitstop II, and Ecco Jr. (okay, so that's not a sequel in the strictest sense of the term, but a spin-off for the kids). Here's what that little lot will cost you:
Ecco Jr. -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
Splatterhouse 2 -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
Samurai Shodown II -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
Pitstop II -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points *
* As usual, Australia misses out on the Commodore 64 game.
Footage of all four is past the break -- try listening to six minutes of Pitstop II's engine effects without going insane.
Maybe "monstrous" is overdoing it, but after last week's no-show for the Virtual Console, we're back to five games for this Friday's PAL region VC update. Hurrah! These range from forgettable spin-offs (Pac-Attack -- the first SNES title we've seen in over three months, bizarrely) to a Commodore 64 fan favorite (Cybernoid) to SNK's excellent King of the Monsters, which probably hasn't beenbettered in the monsters-breaking-stuff genre since its release.
Super Fantasy Zone -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
Pac-Attack -- SNES -- 800 Wii Points
Summer Games 2 -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points
Cybernoid -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points
King of the Monsters -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
We have some videos featuring some of the above for you, but you'll have to smash the break down with your giant monster limbs to access them.
If you think we've already forgiven Nintendo for totally neglecting the PAL Virtual Console last week, you can think again, sunshine. Nope, Ninty is officially in our bad books, and no amount of sweet talk, flowers, weekends away, or singing telegrams can let the company out of the doghouse right now. Frankly, we've never felt so unwan -- eh, what's that you say? Five games? Two of which prominently feature ninjas? Oh, go on then.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points
Fatal Fury 2 -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
Ninja Combat -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
Last Ninja 2: Back with a Vengeance -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points *
Nebulus -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points *
* Unavailable in Oz, we're afraid, but look at the bright side: footage of all five games is past the break! Actually, we're not sure how that's meant to console you, or how those two facts are even related. Ridiculous, really.
After the joy/expense of WiiWare's Euro and Aussie launch, Nintendo has put its feet up and given us just the one game this Friday: the Commodore 64's Paradroid. We're totally okay with that! As our credit cards have already enduredathoroughbattering this week, they could do with the break. Breathe easy again, our little plastic friends.
Not massively familiar with Paradroid myself, though its Wikipedia page makes it sound like the ideal preparation for the inevitable war between humans and robots. One thing I am aware of is that Paradroid is discussed in hushed, reverent tones by those in the know, so if any of my fellow Old People would like to enthuse about it in the comments, be my guest. The rest of you can take in some footage of the game past the break.
A trio of games this week on the PAL Virtual Console (all of which would be dead to us if "Ninja Dragon Games" actually existed), including one we totally want, one that will probably be undeservedly overlooked in favor of the one we totally want and, um, World Games (Commodore 64), which we're entirely unfamiliar with.
The former, obviously, is Double Dragon (NES), and although we plan to download Technos' landmark game with a quickness, we feel a bit bad for The Last Ninja (Commodore 64), which deserves some attention, if only for its amazing soundtrack. Check videos of all three out after the blue words, and marvel at how barrel jumping looks ... oddly compelling.
"Nintendo, with this week's four Virtual Console releases you are really spoiling us!"
We feel extra special this week, because kindly old Uncle Nintendo has lavished the PAL Virtual Console (or at least the European Virtual Console) with four new titles, including another two Commodore 64 additions (both of which are cracking), and the first Master System games to reach Australia. Unusually, all four are worth a look, but Impossible Mission has a special room all of its own in this blogger's heart. As usual, there's footage of all titles past the break.
California Games -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points*
Ladies and gents, let's make some noise for the latest addition to the PAL European (sorry, Aussies) Virtual Console, the Commodore 64. Woo!
Yep, after what feels like an eternity, the fondly remembered platform has made its Virtual Console debut with two of the strongest titles from its vast library: International Karate and Uridium. Both are comfortably worth the entrance fee of 500 Wii points, and begin to look like an even more obscene bargain when you consider this week's other addition: Midway's totally mediocre Cruis'n USA. Hit the break for videos of all three.
International Karate -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii points
We've known since late 2006 that Nintendo intended to add classic titles from the Commodore 64's library to its Virtual Console service, but Nintendo of Europe has been hesitant to reveal any concrete details until now.
According to NoE, the C64 games are only planned for release in Europe so far, and they will be available to purchase for 500 Wii Points (€5, approximately $7.35) later this year. 500 Wii Points?! That's as much as an NES release on the Wii Shop Channel!
Nintendo has already confirmed Uridium and International Karate as potential VC titles, both of which you can find video for after the post break. The 25-year-old console has a line-up of over 4,000 games to draw from, so it's guaranteed that we'll see regular C64 releases for years. Maybe this means that Nintendo will start putting out three to four Virtual Console games a week again.
After last week's fairly abominable update, Space Harrier is back to save us all. The last time we played Sega's classic rail shooter was in the arcades of Shenmue, and we seem to recall it feeling a bit ancient, but still being a bit of a hoot.
A triple whammy of 500 Wii Point games this week, starting with the Master System version of Sonic the Hedgehog, from the days when the world loved and respected Sonic the Hedgehog. With the Mega Drive/Genesis version 
Maybe "monstrous" is overdoing it, but after last week's no-show for the Virtual Console, we're back to five games for this Friday's PAL region VC update. Hurrah! These range from forgettable spin-offs (Pac-Attack -- the first SNES title we've seen in over three months, bizarrely) to a Commodore 64 fan favorite (Cybernoid) to SNK's excellent King of the Monsters, which probably 
If you think we've already forgiven Nintendo for totally neglecting the PAL Virtual Console 
After the joy/expense of WiiWare's 
