Game Stooge

Today’s Virtual Console Titles: May 19, 2008

• Scribbled on May 19th, 2008 by Devin Grimes
• Filed in Flying/Space, New Release(s), Nintendo Wii, Virtual Console

Remember the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console?  Yeah, it’s been kind of off lately.  However, unlike last week’s shiny introduction of Nintendo’s WiiWare service, you actually have an option today with SKYKID for the NES coming in at 500 Wii Points.

SKYKID, of course, is the timeless classic NES title that instantly radiates warm feelings of nostalgia from our hearts, paralleled only by that of the original Super Mario Bros.  OK…not so much.

It’s actually a game that didn’t really garner up too much of a fanbase here in the United States upon its release in 1985.  You control an individual of avian influence who is tasked with the “bird”en (I couldn’t help myself) of piloting fighter planes in order to protect the freedom of Bird Land.  We’re not kidding with that one.

Press Release

Today begins a new phase for the Wii-kly Update. From now on, we’ll have all the information about the arrival of both WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ games. So basically you’re getting access to the best games of the past and the coolest creations of the present. With this week’s releases you can blast space-based enemies with your starfighter, fly the not-always-friendly skies or even corral some cute critters in the barnyard.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time 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:

Virtual Console

SKYKID™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Red Baron, from the freedom- and peace-loving nation of birds, Bird Land, faces off in the skies with his rival Blue Max in this side-scrolling shooting game. Defeat the many enemies that await you as you complete your mission, using moves like the loop-the-loop to shoot down enemies from behind. Fly low to pick up bombs placed in the stage and drop them on command posts, warships or other designated targets to destroy them. Then land safely at base to proceed to the next mission. Beware of enemy fire, though-it will cause you to crash, unless you’re able to recover by rapidly pressing the buttons. You can even play with a second person and fly simultaneously, sometimes helping each other and other times competing against each other. Prepare yourself and take to the skies, but make sure that the catchy background music (which became an instant classic when this game was originally released) doesn’t distract you from your goal.

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