Virtual Console games – Friday, September 28

Europe got three VC games to download on Wii this Friday.

Gradius III
Super Nintendo – 1991 by Konami – shotter – 1-2 players – 900 points

That wretched fiend is once again wreaking havoc on Gradius and the surrounding planets, and it’s your destiny to put an end to it. Unless you think life as an amoeba would be pleasant!

You play a key role in engineering your Vic Viper’s batle gear and arsenal. You’ll use masterful marksmanship and strategy to choose the right time to engage the weapon from your arsenal: spread boms, ripple lasers, photon torpedoes, mega crush and many more. Can you conquer the galactic gargoyles and obstacles in then levels? Just when you think you’e made it though each of the levels, you’ll be greeted by a hideous boss who will try to see to it that his level is your last.

Choose from three difficulty levels to see just how keen your alien zapping skills are.

The Super Nintendo version of Gradius III is regarded as one of the best games in the series.

Legend of Hero Tonma
Turbografx – 1993 by Irem Soft – action – 1-2 players – 600 points

Legend of Hero Tonma showed the gaming world that men weren’t the only ones capable of making great games. Desing and developed by an all-femal team, this cation game puts players in control of the maigc user Tonma, whose role, as was typical for game heroes of the day, is to travel to another world and save the princess.

Fight your way though 7 stages using Tonma’s jumping ability and shot power. Collect Power-ups and Barriers to grow in strenght and pummel your enemies. Bring that strenght to the end of each stage to face off and defeat the menacing bosses that stand between you and the princess.

This well-detailed game, with its comic visuals and feel, will have players wanting to come back for more frantic and exciting action.

Sin and Punishment
Nintendo 64 – 2000 by Nintendo – shooter – 1-2 players – 1200 points

Earth is under threat from Ruffians – mutants bred to boost dwindling food stocks who have turned against their masters. As a young resistance fighter, face an onslaught of bio-genetic monsters and corrupt military forces in your battle to save the planet.

For the first time outside of Japan, you can experience the non-stop action of this Nintendo 64 classic, created by the shoot’em up masters of Treasure Co. Ltd.

Battle across land, sea and sky; collect energy, time and point bonuses; rack up massive combos to earn extra continues; and face the warth of enormous bosses. Plus – invite a friend to join in, controlling the gun sight while you move the character.

This version has been specially updated for Virtual Console to include English menu and tutorial text, and English subtitles in the ending sequence.