Top 5 Nintendo Wii Virtual Console Games of October

October was a month of firsts for Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console. The first import, Neo Geo and TurboGrafx CD games were released during October. In total, 14 titles of yesterday were released in October month for the Virtual Console. Here are the five best Virtual Console games released in October.

5. MAGICIAN LORD
^{Developer: Alpha Denshi, Publisher: D4 Enterprise, Original System: Neo Geo, Original Release Date: 1990, Genre: Platformer, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 900, ESRB Rating: T}
MAGICIAN LORD is one of first four Neo Geo games released for the Virtual Console this month; it is also the best game released for the system so far. In MAGICIAN LORD, you played as Elta, the last magician lord as he battles his nemesis, Gul-Agieze. Featuring great music and hyper-detailed 2D graphics, MAGICIAN LORD plays as good as it looks and sounds. Without a doubt, it is one of the best Neo Geo games.

4. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
^{Developer: Tecmo, Publisher: Tecmo, Original System: NES, Original Release Date: 1990, Genre: Action, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 500, ESRB Rating: E}
Ninja icon, Ryu Hayabusa returns to wreak even move havoc than before. Taking place a year after the original, Ryu Hayabusa has to rescue his girlfriend from a new evil villian, Ashtar. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos is better than the original in every way, from the balanced difficulty to the cool new power ups. Therefore, it is one of the best 2D action games on the Virtual Console.

3. Gate of Thunder
^{Developer: Hudson Soft, Publisher: Hudson Soft, Original System: TurboGrafx CD, Original Release Date: 1992, Genre: Shooter, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 800, ESRB Rating: E}
Gate of Thunder is the first TurboGrafx CD game released on the Virtual Console. Although it may seem like just another shooting game of many for the TurboGrafx16, Gate of Thunder is among the very best ever made for the genre. Not to mention that the intense gameplay is enhanced with spectacular metal music. This is due in part to the Redbook Audio feature from the TurboGrafx CD. No other games could represent the TurboGrafx CD better than Gate of Thunder can.

2. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
^{Developer: Nintendo, Publisher: Nintendo, Original System: NES, Original Release Date: 1993 (packaged in Super Mario All-Stars), Genre: Platformer, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 600, ESRB Rating: E}
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is the original Super Mario Bros. 2 but it never came to the U.S. until it was packaged in Super Mario All-Stars. The sequel offers the same tight gameplay and excellent level design you expect from all the Mario games. Although it may be the least played 2D Mario game, gamers have a second chance with the Virtual Console to experience Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.

1. Sin & Punishment
^{Developer: Treasure Co. Ltd, Publisher: Nintendo, Original System: Nintendo 64, Original Release Date: 2000 (Japan), Genre: Shooter, Controller Options: Classic and Gamecube, Wii Points: 1200, ESRB Rating: T}
Sin & Punishment was never released for the U.S. until this month, marking it the first game to be translated just for the Virtual Console. Sin & Punishment is an on-rails shooter; you could say it's Star Fox on the ground. With unique gameplay and solid presentation, Sin & Punishment is the best Virtual Console game released in October. Hopefully, this will lead to more Japan-only games being translated for the Virtual Console.

For a video preview of the top five Virtual Console games released this month, visit the following link:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/125000.html

Other Titles Released This Month on Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console:

Art of Fighting
^{Developer: SNK, Publisher: D4 Enterprise, Original System: NeoGeo, Original Release Date: 1993, Genre: Fighting, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 900, ESRB Rating: T}
As you may have expected, Art of Fighting is a fighting game. For 900 Wii Points, Art of Fighting is way too expensive considering you could buy Art of Fighting Anthology (which includes all three games in the series) for just $15 on the Playstation 2 and Nintendo Wii.

Castlevania II Simon's Quest
^{Developer: Konami, Publisher: Konami, Original System: NES, Original Release Date: 1988, Genre: Action/Adventure, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 500, ESRB Rating: E}
Castlevania II Simon's Quest is one of the most controversial games in the excellent Castlevania series. While some fans praised Castlevania II for its RPG implementation and excellent music, others criticized it for being too easy or having too many annoying puzzles.

Fatal Fury
^{Developer: SNK, Publisher: D4 Enterprise, Original System: NeoGeo, Original Release Date: 1991, Genre: Fighting, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 900, ESRB Rating: T}
Fatal Fury is the one of the most popular franchise that debuted on the NeoGeo system. And yes, it's another fighting game for the system. Just like Art of Fighting, you can get Fatal Fury along with its sequels for a $15 package in Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 1 for the Playstation 2 instead of paying 900 Wii Points for it on the Virtual Console.

Golden Axe III
^{Developer: Sega, Publisher: Sega, Original System: Sega Genesis, Original Release Date: 1993, Genre: Action, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 800, ESRB Rating: E 10+}
Golden Axe III is the third and final game to the beat-em-up series. Although there are better games (like the Streets of Rage series) of the same genre on the Virtual Console, Golden Axe III still provides a fun and solid experience.

Lunar Pool
^{Developer: Compile, Publisher: D4 Enterprise, Original System: NES, Original Release Date: 1990, Genre: Sport, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 500, ESRB Rating: E}
Lunar Pool is a billiards game with different types of oddly shaped pool tables. You could say it's a cross between billiards and mini golf. The object is to put all the color balls in the hole. That doesn't sound particularly fun.

Metal Marines
^{Developer: Namco, Publisher: NBGI, Original System: Super Nintendo, Original Release Date: 1993, Genre: Strategy, Controller Options: Classic and Gamecube, Wii Points: 800, ESRB Rating: E}
Metal Marines is a much underrated turn-based strategy game. Even though it was released over ten years ago, the game still provides an incredible amount of depth and longevity. With an engaging story to boot, Metal Marines is a great buy for RPG and strategy gamers.

Ninja JaJaMaru-kun
^{Developer: Jaleco, Publisher: Jaleco, Original System: NES, Original Release Date: 1985 (Japan), Genre: Action, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 600, ESRB Rating: E}
Previously released in Japan only, Ninja JaJaMaru-kun will have you playing as a ninja trying to save the princess. Moving upwards from one level to the next, you need to throw ninja stars in order to defeat enemies. Unfortunately, Ninja JaJaMaru-kun didn't age very well as the gameplay feels too archaic for today.

SAMURAI-GHOST
^{Developer: Namco, Publisher: NBGI, Original System: TurboGrafx16, Original Release Date: 1992, Genre: Action, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 600, ESRB Rating: E10+}
Just in time for Halloween, SAMURAI-GHOST is looking to give gamers a good scare on the Virtual Console. Unfortunately, SAMURAI-GHOST's slow and clunky gameplay will scare away gamers from ever playing it.

World Heroes
^{Developer: ADK, Publisher: D4 Enterprise, Original System: NeoGeo, Original Release Date: 1992, Genre: Fighting, Controller Options: Classic, Gamecube and Wii Remote, Wii Points: 900, ESRB Rating: T}
The third and final Neo Geo fighting game this month is World Heroes. Although it shares many similarities to Street Fighter II, it is simply not as good. You are better off waiting for its sequels to come to the Virtual Console.