Last week for PAL it was very dry as we only received one release in the form of Phantasy Star III for the Mega Drive. It’s not the greatest game, and it left us with a streak of rather poor releases, however, this week we look to do a 360 with some nice additions to the Virtual Console.
IGN revealed the US will be receiving three popular beat 'em ups over three weeks in the form of
River City Ransom, Double Dragon and
Renegade, however, as PAL already had
River City Ransom many doubted we would also be receiving the other two titles as soon as NA, although, hitting our screens this week is the extremely popular
Double Dragon which leaves room next week for
Renegade on the PAL VC!
Joining
Double Dragon are two Commodore64 games, one being
World Games which is very similar to
California Games with the other being the hit plat former
The Last Ninja.
The Last Ninja (Commodore64 - 500 Wii Points)
The last Ninja is a tale of revenge, for a member of a clan of martial art experts whose clan was brutally slaughtered and you were the only one who survived. You journey to the palace of the evil leader shogun Kunitoki to kill him, take your revenge, and take the sacred scrolls.
The game is a mix of combat, adventuring, and puzzle solving. It's a 3D set up and not a side scroller which adds more to the game play so it isn't just another Ninja Gaiden which is good. The game generally increases in difficultly as you progress, the henchmen become more skilful martial artists, the puzzles become harder, and your adventure ultimately ends with the duel against Kunitoki. A hit when it was first released in 1987 so all guesses are to say this will get more than a few sales.
World Games (Commodore64 - 500 Wii Points)
World Games is essentially the same as the rest of the 'games' series, one of which is already available on the Commodore64:
California Games.
You choose one of 18 countries to represent in eight events which span eight countries. The 18 countries are the obvious choices, the big hitters you might say, they include the likes of America, Russia, France, and Germany. There is no real difference between each country, just mentally patriotic.
The 8 events are as follows:
- Weightlifting
- Barrel Jumping
- Cliff Diving
- Slalom Skiing
- Log Rolling
- Bull Riding
- Caber Toss
- Sumo Wrestling
Each event has you using different buttons to cater for the individual need of that event. The game has more variety then
California Games but basically the same formula.
Double Dragon (NES - 500 Wii Points)
Finally the NES conversion of the hit arcade game
Double Dragon is here! The game follows twin brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, both trained in the martial art of Sou-Setsu-Ken. They run a small school teaching others in the art of Sou-Setsu-Ken for self defence. Billy's girlfriend, Marian, is kidnapped and the brothers find a note from Willy (leader of the 'Black Warriors' gang) telling them to reveal their fighting secrets in exchange for Marian's life. The brothers set out across the city fighting bad guys to save Marian!
Another of the original hit beat 'em ups that lead to the likes of Final Fight is here. Using basic kicks and punches as well as elbow strikes and weapons has became a cult hit. Movement was left to directional buttons while attacks were handled by the face buttons.
If you like these...
Ninja Gaiden (500 Wii Points (NA) 600 Wii Points (PAL) - NES)
California Games (500 Wii Points (PAL Only) - NES)
River City Ransom (500 Wii Points - NES)
Coming Soon
This week InterPlay revealed three of its classic franchises will be coming to the VC in the coming weeks. It was revealed after a recent site re-launch which confirmed the 'resurrection' of the three titles. First up is the Sega Mega Drive hit
Earthworm Jim which is sure to raise a few smiles from its faithful fans pleading for it. You played as an earth worm with a futuristic space suit on his platforming journey. The sequel,
Earth Worm Jim 2, was also confirmed. The more Jim the merrier. The third title is
Boogerman which is a light hearted fun platformer in which you control the fabled boogerman! The 4th and final confirmed title is
Clayfighter which was designed to be a big game to compete with
Streetfighter and
Mortal Kombat, although it never reached those heights it was still an enjoyable game. Stay tuned in the next coming weeks for the release of these fantastic games!
.