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For many of us, our Virtual Console purchases are largely based on our positive childhood experiences and memories of certain games. As younger gamers are now being introduced to classic gaming, there has been an influx of questions on message boards around the internet: What VC game is good? What should I buy? Is _______ worth the Wii points?
The following is a list of Virtual Console games that has redefined video gaming over the past 20 years:
10. Gradius (NES, 1 player, 500 points)
This is the game that took the simple space shooter genre and turned it on it's head. Gradius introduced players to the concept of power-ups, a huge variety of weapons, and blistering game-play.
9. Kid Icarus (NES, 1 player, 500 points)
A young angel named Pit is sent on a mission to retrieve the sacred treasures of Angel Land, and defeat Medusa the Goddess of Darkness. Kid Icarus is built on the Metroid game engine and shares many of the game-play traits of games such as Metroid, Zelda, Super Mario Bros.
8. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Super Nintendo, 1-2 players, 800 points)
Before the release of Street Fighter II, fighting games consisted of simplistic punch/kick game-play. Street Fighter II re-defined the conventional fighting game by introducing a 6 button layout, unique move combinations for each of the eight characters, and highly detailed backgrounds with interactive components such as breakable boxes, crates, and barrels.
7. The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1 player, 500 points)
Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, this NES classic transports gamers into the fantasy world of Hyrule. Gamers play the role of a young boy must rescue Princess Zelda from the clutches of Gannon, and collect all of the pieces of the Tri-force of Wisdom. The game's unique non-linear approach re-defined the RPG genre.
6. Super Castlevania IV (Super Nintendo, 1 player, 800 points)
A remake of the NES hit, Super Castlevania IV builds upon it's predecessors with improved graphics, fantastic game-play, and a killer soundtrack.
5. Gunstar Heroes (Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 points)
Gunstar Heroes is considered by many to be one of the most innovative games of the 16-bit era. It is a linear side scrolling shooter that combines plot elements, combo-based weaponry, and combat strategy. Gunstar Heroes has influenced many of today's popular shooters such as the Metal Slug series.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Super Nintendo, 1 player, 800 points)
Building upon the basic structure of the first Legend of Zelda, the sequel “A Link to the Past” offers many new game-play mechanics such as multi-level dungeons, and a parallel light world/dark world. It also incorporated a world map that was badly needed in the original “The Legend of Zelda”.
3. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1 player, 1000 points)
The release of Super Mario 64 in 1996 jump-started the 3D era of video gaming. Many franchises attempted to go 3D in the past, but failed miserably. Leave it to Shigeru Miyamoto to successfully take the platforming genre into the third dimension. While SM64 did have some faults, it offered gamers great graphics, and fluid game-play, while remaining true to it's 2D roots.
2. Sonic The Hedgehog (Genesis, 1 player, 800 points)
Sonic The Hedgehog took the platforming genre to a new level, amazing gamers with super speed, gravity defying loops, and a great soundtrack.
1. Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1-2 players, 500 points)
This is the game that saved the video game industry after the crash of the early 80's, and introduced many of us to video games. It defined the “platformer” genre, offering gamers great graphics, gameplay, and sound. If you can only download one game, this is the one to get.
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