While I am off today, I woke up early in a cold sweat, gripped in the fear that I wouldn't get to mention this week's VC console update, as my continued posting of it is what keeps the moon from crashing into the earth. Such is my burden. A felt much less keenly this day as I prepare for the coming of ActRaiser, finally arriving on the US VC.

ActRaiser is an Enix game for the SNES that combines side-scrolling action with sim building to create what amounts to God struggles to free the world from what amounts to The Devil. Nintendo of America severely watered down the religious overtones of the game, but the subtext shines through. I won't give anything away, but the ending is just...well I won't say inspiring. Play the game and see for yourself.

Also coming this week is Genesis hit Kid Chameleon, which puts you in the shoes of the titular character as he travels into a video game world, transforming himself into various game characters in order to save a bunch of worthless arcade rats from certain doom.

Finally we have JJ & Jeff, a TurboGrafx 16 game featuring bumbling detectives and potty humor, which like ActRaiser's religious theme was severely toned down for US audiences, who cannot handle too much God or too much poop apparently.

ActRaiser and Kid C will set you back 800 points, while J.J. and Jeff are 200 points cheaper. Feel free to hit the jump for the press release, secure in the knowledge that the moon will not come crashing down upon you for at least another week. I'm going back to bed, for my job here is done. Michael Fahey

Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Announced for Wii Shop Channel

It's the end of a three-day weekend, but there's still time to cram some last-
minute gaming into your life. And what better way to do that than to go on a
quest? Today the Wii Shop Channel on the Wii™ home video game system from
Nintendo offers three questing opportunities for folks who aren't quite ready
to surrender their weekends: battling an evil dude and regaining your godly
powers; rescuing your friends, who have been sucked into a video game; and
rescuing "a wealthy man who's been kidnapped."

So do whatever it is you usually do when you go on a quest. Pack a cooler with
deep-fried munchies and energy drinks. Dial up your best elf, dwarf and wizard
buddies. Or grab your pal Hadji and your dog Bandit. Whatever. Just get
questing.

The 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™ to download the games. Wii Points can be
purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games
are:

ActRaiser™ (SNES®, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): A masterpiece of game design
originally released in the early days of the Super Nintendo Entertainment
System®, ActRaiser's enduring popularity stems from its revolutionary
combination of action- and simulation-based game play. The user plays the role
of the Master, a dethroned deity whose once-idyllic world has fallen under the
control of the Evil One. Stripped of godly power, the Master must somehow put
an end to the Evil One's reign and rebuild his desolate realm. Game play
alternates between two modes: Action and Simulation. In Action mode, the
Master must battle against impossible odds to pacify six lands. Pacifying a
land unlocks Simulation mode. In this mode, the Master must oversee the
development and repopulation of the territory he has reclaimed. In doing so,
he will gain followers who gradually restore his godly might, empowering him
to take back the next land and, ultimately, defeat the Evil One.

Kid Chameleon™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): The local arcade
is packed with kids, all lining up to play the latest, most realistic video
game they've ever seen. It's called Wild Side, and it uses holographic images
to immerse the player in a strange world. But there's a problem... Kids are
literally getting sucked into the game, and now several of them are trapped.
Throughout more than 100 levels, you'll take on several different forms, such
as a Berzerker, a Micromax, a Maniaxe or a Skycutter, which will make you much
more powerful. It's up to you, Kid Chameleon, the best gamer in town, to get
yourself inside the game so that you can defeat the game's boss and bring your
friends back to reality.

J.J. & JEFF (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): This comical action game
features two bungling detectives, J.J. and JEFF, as they travel through a
total of six fields. One day, a request comes into their office to take a case
that requires them to "rescue a wealthy man who's been kidnapped." Choose
between the two characters and set off alone to outwit your partner and save
the day. Each field is broken down into four areas, where enemies, as well as
your partner, will try to keep you from your goal. There are many items
throughout each area. Kick around in various locations to make them appear.
Jump and spray-paint your way toward your goal. If you find a hidden room, you
can regain health while being completely entertained by its short sketch and
surreal allure.

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