For a few years now, Nintendo of American and Nintendo of Europe have used Japan's fireworks-based holiday, the Hanabi Festival, as an excuse to release Japan-only Virtual Consoles games in their respective regions. That's how we got Sin and Punishment here in the States, as well as the baby-powered platformer Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa, the oily-buttock powered Cho Aniki, and that weird sequel to Milon's Secret Castle that no one liked.

Looks like Nintendo Europe is continuing the Hanabi tradition this year with a few pretty kick-ass games. Well, maybe "kick-ass" is a little strong. The NES port of Lode Runner isn't all that great, but Iron Clad for the Neo Geo is pretty awesome if you like weird steampunk shmups. The real star of the show is Castlevania Rondo of Blood. Long considered one of the greatest games in the Castlevania series, this Virtual Console release will be an unaltered replica of the Japanese original; no text translation, no English voice-acting, nothing. For a purest like myself, that's totally awesome.

The festival kicks off in Europe on March 12th. Wait, isn't that in an hour?

I HATE YOU, EUROPE.

Europe- Hanabi Festival 5 Starts Friday [Nintendaan]