Once again, Nintendo and company see fit to release three games I never knew I wanted. Gradius III (SNES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points); Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points); Battle Lode Runner (TurboGrafx 16, 1-5 players, 600 Wii Points).
Most interesting about this round of Virtual Console games is the release of Battle Lode Runner, a game that has previously not seen the light of day in North America. Based off the original computer game (which had players running around collecting gold while avoiding robots), the TurboGrafx 16 version of the game features improved slightly improved graphics and a 5-player battle mode.
But just because it’s the most notable game this time around, doesn’t mean it’ll be worth your cash. If you had to choose one title out of this lot, what would it be?
Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Announced for Wii Shop Channel
Admit it. Somewhere deep inside, you’ve always wanted to go for the gold, take down Monster World, and have people call you Vic Viper. How cool would that be? Well, pay a visit to the popular Wii(TM) video game system’s Wii Shop Channel, and all those fantasies can now come true.
Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points(TM) to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Gradius(R)III (SNES(R), 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Return as the pilot of the Vic Viper starfighter to battle the onslaughts
of the Bacterion Empire. Blast through 10 action-packed levels in space, destroying everything in your path. Customize and power up your ship with weapons and upgrades including speed-ups, missiles, lasers, options, and shields.Wonder Boy(TM) in Monster World (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Monster World was a peaceful, happy place until one dark day when an army of BioMeka monsters invaded. As a young man named Shion, you’ve vowed to defeat the hostile foes and make the land peaceful again. You’ll attack enemies with swords and spears and guard against incoming projectiles with shields and armor. As you travel through the many different regions of
Monster World, you’ll talk to the townspeople, collect money to buy items, and gather a large variety of weapons and magic. The further you venture, the more powerful your weapons and equipment, including suits of armor and boots, will become.Battle Lode Runner(R) (TurboGrafx 16, 1-5 players, 600 Wii Points):This upgraded edition to the famous Lode Runner series includes a 5-player versus mode. Gold funds have been stolen from the Time Machine Research Center, and the group responsible used a time machine to escape and hide the gold throughout time. The center sends an elite team of “Runners” to go and retrieve the gold.
In addition to the familiar Puzzle mode, the game features Battle mode, where up to 5 players can compete, and Edit mode, where you can create your own original stages. You can enjoy Battle mode in a number of different ways. Be the last one standing to win in Survival. Grab items from enemies and escape to win in Escape. With 4 players, you can separate into two teams to do battle in Tag Match.
