The game will feature an arcade mode, faithful to the content of the original cabinet game, and a home mode that includes extra scenes. Space Ace, the other Don Bluth animated game on the iPhone/iPod Touch, was $4.99. No word on price point here, and delivery is listed as just "December 2009."

Man, I remember this thing cost 50 CENTS. You whippersnappers probably have no idea what balls it took for an arcade game to charge that in 1983. I never beat it in the arcades but I did 15 years later on a port to the Mac - after dying about 80 times. On the first board.

Lead on, adventurer ... your quest awaits!

Myst is one of those games that brought countless newcomers into the world of PC gaming, with it's high-quality visuals and challenging puzzles making it one of the earliest hits of the CD-ROM era. Now GoG.com has reached an agreement with developer Cyan Worlds to put the games up for sale once more, starting with Myst Masterpiece, available now for $5.99.

"Keeping the Myst series alive is incredibly satisfying," said Rand Miller, co-founder of Cyan. "GOG.com allows us to keep the ages of Myst accessible for our fans, and in addition make them available to a whole new generation of gamers."

Masterpiece will be followed shortly after by Riven, which weighs in at a 2.2GB, a truly massive game for its time, and Manhole, Rand and Robyn Miller's earlier adventure game for kids.

Over the years I've probably purchased Myst in one form or another more than a dozen times. I suppose it's nice to have another option.

Sega shook the very foundations of the newly reborn U.S. gaming industry on August 14th, 1989, when the Sega Genesis made its North American debut in New York and Los Angeles. Due to a trademark dispute, the console that was known as the Mega Drive to the rest of the known world was rechristened, the new name evoking conflicting notions of biblical import and small, balding British musicians.

While the Mega Drive trailed behind the Super Famicon and NEC's PC Engine in Japan, it gave the Super Nintendo a run for its money in the states, with titles starring big-name sports celebrities like Pat Riley, Joe Montana, and James "Buster" Douglas. Even the late Michael Jackson put in an appearance, saving the children of the world with his dance moves.

In 1991, the Genesis birthed Sonic the Hedgehog, one of the most recognizable and beloved video game characters in the world, despite a run of rather dismal games as of late.

The Genesis eventually gave under the weight of its own add-ons, with the Sega CD and 32X selling far worse than expected. Sega moved on to the Saturn and finally the Dreamcast, but they never quite recaptured the level of support they saw with the Genesis, eventually giving up the console business altogether.

A testament to cartridge-based console reliability, my original Sega Genesis sits on a shelf behind me, ready to be hooked up and played at a moment's notice. They just don't build them like that anymore.

Happy 20th, Sega Genesis! Long may your lovely red LED shine.

Image

Wada-san, who came aboard Nintendo right around the time the Punch-Out!!! port for the NES was being created, spills two interesting details. The first is that he created Mario as the game's referee without permission. It was just accepted.

Satoru Iwata: You could get away with a lot then. (laughs)
Shigeru Miyamoto: We didn't have an approval system when using Mario images back then and it went right past my check. (laughs)
Wada: That's why it is a slightly strange looking Mario.

The second tidbit - it sounds like he's describing a protip/easter egg that no one's known, for 22 years.

Wada: This is a great opportunity, so I have something I'd like to say. In Punch-Out!!, the game gives you a lot of hints about effective timing of punches. There is a big boxer called Bald Bull in the NES version as well and a light flashes to the right in the audience when he charges. If you punch when it flashes you will land a body blow.
Tanabe: What? Really?
Wada: No one has known about that for about 22 years…
Everyone: (laughter)
Wada: I was wondering when I would have a chance to tell people that.
Iwata: You've been holding that information for 22 years since the release. (laughs)
Wada: Now that I had the chance. (laughs) There are a lot of hidden elements in the NES version.

I do know the first time you face Bald Bull in that game, you take him out with a one-punch body blow during his charge. In fact, it's the only way to stop his charging. But I never timed it to any crowd camera flashes. Weird.

The rest of the discussion is a great read on the development of the franchise, and other early 1980s games at Nintendo.

Iwata Asks: Punch-Out!!! [Wii.com]

Got a back-catalog announcement on Monday. It's not X-Wing! I'm heading THAT rumor off at the pass!

And, I mean, that's all there is to it. You can grab a list of what back-catalog titles have already been announced here, and then begin your speculationing.

Not X-Wing LucasArts Retro Announcement Monday [Blue's News]

The folks at GOG have been quite busy since we last checked in with them, adding new games to the service left and right. The past month's additions include Earth 2150, Septerra Core, and several older Ubisoft titles. Now those more respectable offerings cower off to the side, hiding in the corner as Postal and Postal 2 make the scene. Postal Classic and Uncut is now available on the site for $5.99, with a downloadable manual, wallpapers, and avatars available as additional bonus content. Postal 2 and all of its expansions will be made available in the coming weeks. CD Projekt was so excited about the deal they even let Running With Scissors CEO Vince Desi speak.

"The folks at GOG.com know Kielbasa from Sausage and I love 'em both, so when I got their call I was like ‘let's do it'."

See, CD Projekt is a Polish company, and kielbasa is traditional Polish sausage...you know what? Nevermind.

Amazing. Simply...amazing. There are plenty more to check out (including ones at higher resolution) at the link below, beneath the gallery. Also, the guy who kicked this whole shebang off - Olly Moss - has been updating his own covers with a few new ones, namely for Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill. You can check those below, as well.

Since these all look so great - and since there's been such a creative outpouring over them - we've got to wonder, how long will it be before we see somebody take the Criterion route with video game re-releases?

Make video game covers classy [Something Awful]
Classic Game Covers [Olly Moss @ Flickr]

... there's something we can call "polyheroism" in the Iliad. It's pretty much like a five-man group in WoW, or a six-man fellowship in LOTRO: Achilles is the DPS guy, Ajax is the tank, Odysseus is the rogue, etc. To enact a story about the meaning of excellence, you need to be able to compare heroes. Everyone loved Achilles, just like everyone loves a good, well specced champion. But some people like Odysseus better than Diomedes, just as some people would rather have a burglar in their party than a second DPS class.

I'm not saying that RPG classes have the depth of epic characters (though you'd be surprised by how little depth epic characters actually have). I'm saying that one important function of characters in the Iliad and in MMOGs is to get us to think about how different versions of excellence relate to one another.

Gear isn't quite the fundamental, all-pervasive mechanic in the Iliad as it is in MMOGs. But in its own way, it's actually much more important in epic tradition.

I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that the epic tradition is still going strong, but it's always fun to see Homer juxtaposed with more modern, interactive counterparts. Everyone loves a good, epic tale — so much the better if you're in it, I guess.

Achilles' Phat Lewtz [The Escapist]

Games like X-Com and Zelda: Ocarina of Time clearly stretch the definition of "RPG." Many respondents argued these titles illustrate how great games have effectively incorporated RPG elements into other genres like strategy or adventure games. This makes sense to me. Given the short time I have available to me (one semester), I will try to illustrate these influences as best I can without veering too far off the RPG track.

... While it's very interesting for me to consider how many people recommend game X over game Y, ultimately this project isn't an RPG popularity contest, and I must choose a collection of games that best serve my pedagogical goals.

It is interesting to look at both the spread of games and how many votes certain games garnered (Chrono Trigger tops the list); it'll be interesting to see what makes the final cut.

RPG Syllabus - the data [The Brainy Gamer]

Obviously, Gauntlet's addictive gameplay remains the same as the coin-op and its spinoffs, with upgraded enemies and AI. Graphics naturally are state of the art for the DS. But the real two-dot-oh for this Gauntlet, IGN reports, will be in the multiplayer, will full Wi-Fi support for linking up to three mates and the ability to talk to them over a mike. Everybody, all together now, "Elf needs food!"

Exclusive First Look at Gauntlet [IGN]

Desert Bus tasked you with driving a bus from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada in eight hours of real time. The game could not be paused, and the bus occasionally would veer to the right. So, like the Arizona senator you set out on a grueling long journey (to your party's nomination) and occasionally veer off to the right (frightening potential independent voters). Uncanny.

Presidential candidates and their video game alter-egos [Game With A Brain via Game Politics]

Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Added To Wii Shop Channel

If you hear a rumbling on the roof tonight, don't assume that it's reindeer when there are gorillas on the loose. Yes, this week's merry Wii™ Shop Channel lineup includes a classic adventure title to entertain every reveler in your household, from the nicest to the naughtiest. Plus, you'll find a wicked-cool dose of ice hockey action and a thrilling secret-agent sequel to help keep spirits bright all winter long. You were expecting lumps of coal? Sorry-maybe next year.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop 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:

BLADES OF STEEL™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): With stick in hand and confidence brimming, you are looking to bring home the cup, win the MVP award, get on the covers of major sports magazines and date a beautiful model (not necessarily in that order). But soon you will learn that, in this league, nothing is ever given to you, and before you can reach your goals, you'll have to put the puck in the net and score some. You'll need both the artful skills of a finesse player and the bone-crushing brutality of an enforcer. Defend your own goal against unrelenting power plays, or put the pressure on your opponent's goalie and try a slap shot of your own. Don't forget to defend yourself when anger flares because the gloves come off and fists start flying. So strap on blades of steel and prepare to either make a name for yourself or be put on ice.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Revisit Donkey Kong Island and join the Kong family for their latest adventure. The Kremlings have a mysterious new leader named KAOS and are up to their usual mischief, even capturing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now it's up to Dixie Kong and the newest Kong, a giant infant named Kiddy, to rescue the two missing apes. They'll travel across previously unseen parts of the island in their search, and even take to the skies in a rocket at one point. Lucky for them, Dixie and Kiddy's powers complement each other (including Kiddy's talent for rolling like a barrel), so they form a powerful team capable of major Kremling damage. They're not completely on their own, either, since returning favorites like Funky Kong and Enguarde the swordfish provide help along the way. And in a series known for its abundance of secrets and high replay value, this entry doesn't disappoint, with enough hours of game play to satisfy Donkey Kong himself. Anyone else have a sudden urge for some bananas?

Rolling Thunder™ 2 (Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this follow-up to the original classic, you are once again a member of Interpol's Rolling Thunder task force, and it's up to you to stop the return of the evil Geldra organization. Now known as Neo-Geldra and led by a newcomer named Gimdo, the bad guys are bent on destroying several valuable outer-space satellites. In this one- or two-player game, you can play as Leila or Albatross-both characters from the original-as you venture through several different levels, trying to put a stop to the nefarious efforts of Gimdo and the rest of Neo-Geldra. Use your bullets wisely and make Rolling Thunder proud.

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Nov. 12, 2007

Winter vacation may be weeks away, but there's no need to wait for a fun-filled escape. The latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel can take you to places as familiar as a gymnasium or as fantastical as faraway planets. Fans of sports games, space-age shooters and intergalactic action will all find something to love in this week's lively lineup.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop 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:

Volleyball (NES®, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Step onto the court in one of the first volleyball games ever made. Select either the men's or women's competition, choose from one of eight available countries to represent, and prepare for some intensely fun game play. The straightforward controls include all the moves you'll need to effectively direct your six-person team. Take some time mastering them in the training mode, though, because you'll need all the practice you can get when competing against challenging computer opponents. If you feel like some multiplayer action, take on a friend in the two-player mode and see whose skills are more polished. Block, set and spike your way to victory.

AXELAY® (Super NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Mysterious aliens have invaded the Earth-like planet of Corliss, slowly draining the planet's resources. Take control of the prototype Axelay ship and use its wide range of advanced weaponry to battle enemy forces. Play through multiple stages of action —from other planets to space stations — all on your way to destroying the alien headquarters. You are Corliss' last line of defense, so be careful not to be too distracted by the excellent graphics (including great scrolling effects) and rocking music. Pilot the Axelay using Konami's famously tight play control and experience what many consider to be a classic of the shooter genre.

BLUE'S JOURNEY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 900 Wii Points): The planet of Raguy has been invaded by the Daruma tribe, changing it from a beautiful and peaceful place into one filled with pollution. Released in 1991, this horizontally scrolling action game tells the story of an insectarian named Blue and his quest to save the planet and keep its inhabitants from being turned into slaves. Use Blue's main weapon, a leaf, to flip enemies onto their heads and then throw them at other members of the Daruma tribe, defeating anyone in your way. Additional weapons, such as bombs and boomerangs, are also available, or you can collect flowers to purchase other special items like honey or swim fins. Blue also has the special ability to change his size at will — if he's too big to fit in a particular area, then shrink him. The bright, colorful graphics, combined with lots of hidden items to find, ensure an enjoyable experience with plenty of replay value. Help Blue muster all his strength and eliminate the Daruma tribe.

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

October 22, 2007

Autumn leaves aren't the only reason your October is about to get a lot more colorful. The latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel deliver a brisk, eye-pleasing mix of classic gameplay for fall. Dive into this pile of vibrant titles for a timeless dose of fun and fantasy.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop 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:

Lunar Pool® (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Lunar Pool takes the historical game of billiards and reinvents it with a unique and futuristic flair. The rules are simple: All you need to do is use your cue stick to hit the white cue ball, causing it to hit the other numbered balls and make them go into the pockets. You can enjoy nearly unlimited game play with 30 tables, two different ball arrangements, and the ability to change the degree of friction on the table. You can play against a computer or another human player, so try challenging someone once you've got the hang of the game.

Ninja JaJaMaru-kun® (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Take on the role of a ninja called JaJaMaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game, previously unreleased outside of Japan. JaJaMaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuu's many hideouts. JaJaMaru has to be careful though, as each monster has its own unique weapon and method of attacking. The only way for him to advance is to break the floor bricks above him and move up and down between the levels of each round, defeating monsters as he goes. To help him, broken bricks sometimes reveal items that JaJaMaru can use to his advantage, possibly leading to the ultimate power-up: a ride on Gamapakun, the giant frog. Throw in some bonus stages and you've got a game with a style all its own.

Golden Axe™ III (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): The once-peaceful kingdom so familiar to fans of the original Golden Axe is under threat once again. The Prince of Darkness has stolen the invaluable Golden Axe, taken over the kingdom and rendered its warriors harmless with an evil curse. One warrior breaks free from the curse and must defeat the prince and regain the Golden Axe to save the kingdom. In this one- or two-player action game, play as a giant, a panther or a sword-wielding human and fight your way to victory once again.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

SNK to Release Classic NEOGEO Arcade Games on Wii(tm) Virtual Console(tm)

Wall, NJ - Sep 12, 2007 SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, the U.S. publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, today announced that the Company will release several of their greatest NEOGEO arcade games via the Virtual Console(tm) feature on Wii(tm). Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points(tm) to download these classic games through the Wii Shop Channel. D4Enterprise, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, will manage the release of the titles.

Key NEOGEO titles will include "Fatal Fury," "World Heroes," and "Art of Fighting." Each title is expected to cost 900 Wii Points. More titles will follow over the coming months

Atari Brings Classics Back Into Your Hands

Atari Announces Development Of Atari Classics Evolved For The PSP® System -

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 - Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), one of the world's most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced that Atari Classics Evolved, an homage to Atari's landmark catalogue, is in development on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Developed by Stainless Games Ltd., Atari Classics Evolved is schedule for a Fall 2007 release.

Atari Classics Evolved will feature such timeless games as AsteroidsTM, AsteroidsTM Deluxe, Battlezone®, CentipedeTM, Lunar Lander®, Millipede®, Missile Command®, Super BreakoutTM, TempestTM, WarlordsTM and Pong®. These titles, presented in both an original and an evolved version, will maintain the original gameplay while adding beautifully rendered up-to-date graphics.

"We are looking forward to providing gamers with the experience of the iconic Atari catalog on a handheld platform," said Matt Rush, Producer, Atari, Inc. "Offering these Atari classics in both their elemental and contemporary forms should excite both old-school and next-generation gamers alike."

In addition to the 11 evolved classics, more than 60 original Atari 2600 titles will be available for gameplay such as the memorable Yar's RevengeTM, Night DriverTM, Canyon BomberTM and Crystal CastlesTM to name a few. Atari Classics will feature online Leaderboards for the original 11 coin-op games, allowing players around the world to compare scores, and will also feature peer-to-peer wireless compatibility for titles that have multiplayer capabilities.

Castlevania (NES - 500 Points): Meet Simon, not the first and certainly not the last Belmont to fail at destroying Dracula for all eternity. Frankly I don't see what's so big about the Belmont line. They never finish a job. He always comes back, so what's the point? It must be the whip.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES - 800 points): For 16 years our ninja lawyers have been trying to get our name stricken from this game. The adventures of Kid Ying and Dr. Yang are the stuff of legend, but ninjas never give piggy back rides. Not even deadly ones. Otherwise an excellent game.

Shockman (TGFX16 - 600 Points): This is the dumbed-down sequel to an excellent Japan-only game, Kaizou Choujin Schbibinman. It combines side-scrolling shooting with platforming elements as two vaguely Mega-Mannish characters battle to victoriously do something or another. From what I've been told this is the only game of three to come out in the states, and the worst of the lot.

Still, you've got undead battling and (debatably) ninjas, and no VC update that combines those two great tastes can be all that bad. Michael Fahey

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

April 30, 2007

Vampires and ninjas and Shockmen, oh my! This week the Wii Shop Channel takes a trip into the world of ghoulish creatures, mystical curses and professorial abductions. See if you can remember which of these games sparked the whip-carrying craze of the late-'80s! For the best retro gaming around, it's time to pay a visit to the red-hot Wii video game system's Wii Shop Channel.

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:

Castlevania (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on Earth. You've arrived at Castlevania, and you're here on business: to destroy the curse of the Evil Count, once and for all. Make your way through six monstrous floors filled with bats, ghosts, zombies and every kind of ghoulish creature you can imagine. Use the legendary whip Vampire Killer and a host of deadly weapons to battle your way to Dracula's chamber and the ultimate duel of good vs. evil.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In The Legend of The Mystical Ninja, take control of Kid Ying and Dr. Yang in an action adventure through feudal Japan. A curse has stricken the village of Horo-Horo, and its beloved princess has vanished. Together Kid Ying, a daring young mystical ninja, and Dr. Yang, master of the invincible spirit transformation, must overcome 10 levels of the Dragonbeast to save Princess Yuki. Each stage contains intense 3-D and 2-D zones where the duo must perform dozens of attack moves and solve magical problems and puzzles before advancing. Battle humorous enemies like the Carp Meister, who stuns victims with poisonous fighting fish, Tanaka-U-Out, a knockout artist who wallops opponents with a bone-crushing hammer, and the Sumo Tag Team, kings of the unbeatable belly-buster crunch. Collect coins to buy new equipment and to receive clues, spend some time playing minigames in the arcade or try your luck and increase your fortune at the Quiz House and Horse Races.

Shockman (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): It's been two years since Arnold and Sonya were made into Shockmen. A message from the professor to return to their bodies has them head to his laboratory, but they are ambushed by a mysterious enemy along the way. After narrowly defeating the enemy, they catch a TV news flash announcing the Ryo Empire invasion. They find that the professor has been abducted and set out to rescue him. Shockman is a side-view action shooter that has eight stages, including Action Stages, where you jump and use special techniques, and side-scrolling Shooting Stages. This game expands on the well-paced story from the previous version and contains cooperative elements like shared life and a powerful Team Shockbeam that can be used during two-player simultaneous play.

###

Battle Lode Runner (TurboGrafx 16 - 600Points): Never released stateside, Battle Lode Runner is a PC Engine version of the classic platformer. The original PC title was one of the first games to come with a level editor, and so does this one, along with a five-player battle mode which promises you'll have great bouts of fun until you stop. Back in the day there were no Halo VS Metroid debates. It was all about Lode Runner versus Jumpman. Jumpman 4 life y'all.

Gradius III (SNES - 800 Points): One of my personal favorite entries in the Gradius series, II introduced a customizable powerup bar to aid those of you who always went one past the laser power up. Hours of fun blasting moai statues in your trusty Vic Viper.

Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis - 800 Points): Oh Wonder Boy...what is the secret of your power? This is the second Wonder Boy title from Sega, also released as Super Monster World: Super Wonder Boy and Super Wonder Boy in Monsterland. No matter what you call it, this platformer with RPG elements can kill a yak from 200 yards away...with MIND BULLETS. That's telekinesis folks.

So there you go, a lovely assortment of classic gaming this week. It's a pity you'll all be far too busy playing with your pocket monsters to notice. Don't lie, you know you love the Pikachu. Michael Fahey

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.

How are we supposed to stop making bad Wii puns when every Monday like clockwork Nintendo sends out their "WII-KLY UPDATE?" They wil-ly need to stop encouraging us. Wii're bad enough as it is. Stopping now. Anyway, this week brings a trio of new games to the Wii Shop Channel for your purchase and / or scorn. First and foremost is Super Mario World, the SNES launch title that just couldn't live up to the Super Mario Bros. 3. Sure it tried, and it was very pretty and next-gen, but it still couldn't hold a candle.

Then there's Vigilante, a TurboGrafx-16 beat-em up of the 'the kidnapped my girlfriend, they're gonna pay' variety, and Gain Ground for the Sega Genesis, a game which I don't think I remember in the slightest but sounds rather interesting, going by the press release below. So you have one major game and two less than major games, averaging out to about an Eh+ for this weeks releases. I'll just let you people get angry at me about Super Mario World now. Michael Fahey

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

Feb. 5, 2007

Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii video game system's Wii Shop Channel. The 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:

Super Mario World (Super NES , 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): During a vacation in Dinosaur Land, Princess Toadstool gets kidnapped and a spell is cast on the inhabitants of the island. When they stumble upon Yoshi , a young dinosaur, Mario and Luigi learn that Bowser is responsible for the terrible misdeeds. Now, all Yoshis are trapped in magical eggs that Bowser has hidden throughout seven castles. Many hidden paths aid Mario in making his way to Bowser's castle, completing 74 areas and finding all 96 exits. Discover items, including a feather that gives Mario a cape that allows him to fly, or a flower that shoots fireballs in layers upon layers of 2-D scrolling landscapes. Players can even ride Yoshi and swallow their enemies.

VIGILANTE (TurboGrafx-16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): Brave the streets of New York City in this side-scrolling beat-'em-up game. Thugs kidnap the beloved Madonna, and it's up to players to become vigilantes. Players fight their way into enemy territory to get her back. Enemies attack with weapons like iron pipes, chains, guns and motorcycles. To fight back, players can punch, kick or use the "nunchaku" item that appears in the stage. Players must use each of the attacks effectively to defeat their enemies. To clear a stage, defeat the boss that waits at the end. Players fight their way through exciting stages that include the City Streets, Junkyard, Brooklyn Bridge and the Backstreets.

Gain Ground (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): It's the 31st century, and science and technology have progressed to the point that the human race is approaching perfection: no war, no poverty and no conflict. With nothing to worry about, the human race seems destined to live forever in harmony. But what if Earth came under attack? By this point in time, people did not know how to cope with problems or conflicts, and had completely lost their survival instincts. In response to this, the United Earth Government created the Gain Ground system, a war simulator that would help humans rediscover their lost instincts. After several terrible malfunctions, the creators became prisoners in their own creation. Now it's up to players and two courageous comrades to go into the Gain Ground system, rescue their fellow humans and destroy the system. Players battle through different periods in history as they revive their survival instincts, while trying to live.

A holiday treat of sorts hits Xbox Live Arcade this week in the for of New Rally-X, the updated version of the 1980 arcade racer that was last seen as the loading game on the PSP version of Ridge Racer. It's a car maze game where you collect flags to clear levels while avoiding enemy cars.

The updated version includes new graphics, new music, new courses, and adjustments to the evil red enemy cars to improve game balance. The game cost 400 points.

Kinda with the commentors at Major Nelson's blog here. "After the recent stretch of awesome XBL games, it's too bad it ends '06 with this one.:(" Sad face emote indeed. This was a loading game for a PSP title for crying out loud! I'm sure someone out there considers this a classic and will be very happy, but I say thee bleh. Michael Fahey

Arcade: New Rally-X [Major Nelson's Blog]