This week’s Virtual Console update is an excellent one. From Ninja combat to mech warfare to good old-fashioned spce shooting, today is a great day to dish out money for games you probaby already own.
Ninja Gaiden II was a game that I toiled over as a youngster, and only finally completed about 5 years ago. It was one of the earlier games to feature cutscenes, and included a bunch of badass secondary weapons to go along with Ryu Hayabusa’s sword. The INSTANTLY respawning enemies were horribly annoying, but I guess that’s part of the magic of the game.
Metal Marines may not have been incredibly popular when it was released, but it was (from what I can remember) a pretty solid strategy experience that did things it’s own way. Building up a squad of metal marines to go destroy your enemy’s infrastructure was totally satisfying, and acquiring enough cash to launch an ICBM…priceless.
I honestly have zero experience with Gate of Thunder, so there’s little I can say about it. But it’s a side-scrolling space shooter, so how can you go wrong?
Ninja Gaiden II™: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): In Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, a new villain, Ashtar, is revealed. Take on the role of Ryu Hayabusa and rescue Irene Lew, a former CIA agent, from Ashtar. Destroy the Sword of Chaos, a weapon of great power forged from the bone of a demon. Use techniques such as the Fire Wheel or the Windmill Throwing Star and attack while holding on to walls and ladders. Use the most innovative technique of all – the ability to create Shadow Clones, orange shadow versions of Ryu that will constantly follow him, repeating previous actions (moving or attacking) in a delayed cycle. Once again defeat henchmen, creatures and bosses with new fighting techniques and even more weapons as you progress through multiple stages on your way to destroying Ashtar, Jaquio and the Realm of Chaos.
Metal Marines® (Super NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Set in the near future, most of Earth’s land has been disintegrated in the chaos of the Anti-matter War. This real-time strategy game portrays the Colonies’ Allied Force – the Metal Marines – in their epic struggle against General Zorgeuf and the Imperial Federation, who are bent on world domination. Commanding the Metal Marines across a series of battles, the player must strategically allocate resources, ready supplies, manage funds and move troops in an effort to outwit and outmove the opponent. The real-time battle system rewards split-second decisions and adaptability in the struggle for military superiority. Unlike most turn-based strategy games, Metal Marines engrosses the player in a fast-paced and frantic battle in which both sides advance simultaneously. A constant eye must be kept on enemy movements to maintain a formidable defense and not miss the perfect chance to strike. Strategic foresight and quick judgment hold the key to victory.
Gate of Thunder (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): The legendary sci-fi shooter is back! Gate of Thunder is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter that places you in control of special undercover agent Hawk, whose mission is to stop the deadly army of Obbellon fighters. Jump into the action as Hawk gets aboard his ship, the Hunting Dog, and heads out toward the enemy. Blast through stages while effectively using all three of the weapons at your disposal and receiving support from ally Wild Cat ships. Switch through equippable power-up options on the fly to change the direction of your attack. You’ll have to blast in front of and behind you to survive all seven stages. Hard-core shooting-game fans looking for a challenge can select HARD or DEVIL mode to experience even more intense action!
