By now everybody agrees, Nintendo's Virtual Console rocks! The steady dose of classic games is enough to make any Defunct Gamer feel like they've died and gone to heaven. But with so many games and no way to test them out how are you supposed to make an educated decision? That's where Defunct Games comes in; we're here to give you the skinny on what Virtual Console games you should buy and which you should stay far, far away from.
Forget the games, perhaps the better question is what system you should support. If you're the type of person who is excited about the Virtual Console then chances are good you already own a Nintendo Entertainment System and a lot of the best games. The Super NES and Genesis may be a good choice, but at $8 some may complain that they are a little too expensive. We say that your best bet for the Virtual Console is the TurboGrafx-16, because
the games are only $6 and you probably didn't buy them when they were first available. If you're one of the millions of gamers who completely ignored NEC's 16-bitter the first time then now is your chance to make up for your foolish mistake, it's time for you to start downloading some of the amazing TurboGrafx-16 games that are currently ready for download.
But what games are you going to spend your $6 on? No need to fret over the choices, because Defunct Games is here to help educate you on the best and worst the system has to offer. Every week we will update our list and link you to our Defunct Games reviews of those titles. Together we will create the only site on the web you will need to go when choosing your next TurboGrafx-16 purchase. Below you will find the most up-to-date list of TurboGrafx-16 games available on Nintendo's Virtual Console. Check back each and every week to see what we (and Nintendo) have added.
LAST UPDATED:
November 7, 2007
AIR ZONK
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 89%
With its cartoony look Air Zonk may not look like much, but it's actually one of the system's best games. Even if you're tired of 2D shooter, you still owe it to yourself to give Air Zonk a try.
ALIEN CRUSH
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 85%
It may just be pinball, but there are very few games like this on the Nintendo Wii. Best of all, this is one of the greatest pinball games you could buy!
BATTLE LODE RUNNER
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 85%
Don't dismiss this long-running series out of hand; Battle Lode Runner combines a fun mechanic with some great multiplayer game play modes!
BLAZING LAZERS
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Yet another amazing shooter for the TurboGrafx-16. While not as good as others on the system, this first generation TurboGrafx-16 game is well worth your money.
BLOODY WOLF
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
It's Rambo-meets-MERCS. Bloody Wolf has its moments, but it's not nearly as much fun as games like Commando and Ikari Warriors. Some may enjoy it, but it has its flaws.
BOMBERMAN '93
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 80%
Although there are dozens of other Bomberman games on the market, Bomberman '93 is among the best! Playable with up to five different people!
BONK'S ADVENTURE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 70%
Bonk's Adventure may be a bit dated, but that doesn't mean you still can't have a good time with it. Maybe not your first choice, but a good one nonetheless!
BONK'S REVENGE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 85%
Better than the original Bonk in nearly every way, Bonk's Revenge is an imaginative game full of alternate paths and some creative game play!
BONK III
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
This is the final "true" Bonk adventure, but that certainly doesn't make it the best. While the game does have some interesting moments, it's really just more of the same.
BRAVOMAN
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
A terrible, terrible action game where you play a man who can throw his arms, legs and head. The main bad guy is cool, but that's about it!
CHEW MAN FU
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 88%
Chew Man Fu may have one of the worst video game names of all time, but that doesn't keep it from being a rock solid puzzle game you should pick up!
CHINA WARRIOR
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 60%
Huge characters and bad control, that's pretty much the only way you can sum up China Warrior. While I'm sure the graphics were good for their time, the game just doesn't cut it.
CRATERMAZE
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
What do you get if you combine Lode Runner with Bomberman? I have a hunch it's something that looks a lot like Cratermaze. This is an interesting concept, but a little repetitive.
DEAD MOON
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Yet another shoot-em-up on the TurboGrafx-16. This is a solid action game with some interesting locations, but it's not as good as other 2D shooters on the Virtual Console.
DEVIL'S CRUSH
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
How do you top the amazing Alien Crush? You download Devil's Crush, the stunning sequel to one of the best pinball games ever made. Even if you hate pinball, this is worth a purchase.
DOUBLE DUNGEONS
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
While the idea of playing a two-player RPG may sound like fun, Double Dungeons proves that it can also be a boring and painful experience!
DRAGON SPIRIT
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 70%
It's an overhead 2D shooter where you fly a dragon around the screen hatching new heads. The concept is good, but it's nowhere near as fun as Air Zonk or Super Star Soldier.
DRAGON'S CURSE
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
The spin-off of Wonder Boy, Dragon's Curse is a surprisingly solid action game that has a lot of depth to both the world and game play!
DUNGEON EXPLORER
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
One of the Turbo's deepest adventure/role-playing games is Dungeon Explorer, a title that every old school RPG fan should be ready to download!
DROP OFF
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Easily one of the worst games on the TurboGrafx-16. Drop Off is a lot like Breakout, only with all of the fun ripped out completely. Do what you can to ignore this title.
GALAGA '90
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Like Bomberman '93, Galaga 90 is the remake of a classic 2D franchise brought to the TurboGrafx-16. This game is fun even if you aren't a fan of Galaga.
GATE OF THUNDER
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
This 2D shooter is the first example of a TurboDuo game being ported to the Virtual Console. While it costs a little more, it's worth it for the great graphics and soundtrack.
MILITARY MADNESS
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Do you like Advance Wars? Then get ready to have just as much fun with Military Madness, even with slightly outdated graphics this game rocks!
J.J. & JEFF
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
There's something lost in the translation of this game. J.J. & Jeff is a strange game full of fast food and bird poop. No, I'm not kidding. Too bad it's not more fun.
LEGEND OF HERO TONMA
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: 43%
In a lot of ways this game reminds me of Capcom's Ghosts 'N Goblins series. Unfortunately this game doesn't quite live up to that classic series and Hero Tonma is instantly forgettable.
MOTO ROADER
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
This five-player racing game wasn't a lot of fun back in the day and isn't any better now. You could certainly do worse, but this is not work buying!
NEUTOPIA
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
It's The Legend of Zelda. No really, it is. How the developers of Neutopia were able to get away with this blatant rip-off is beyond me. But who cares? The game is still a lot of fun.
NEUTOPIA II
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 50%
Unlike The Legend of Zelda (which this series is clearly ripping off), Neutopia II didn't switch to a 2D sidescroller. That doesn't make this sequel good, though. Just buy Zelda.
NEW ADVENTURE ISLAND
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 75%
People that remember the Adventure Island will have a good time with this TurboGrafx-16 remake, but it doesn't hold up well compared to other 2D platformers!
NINJA SPIRIT
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 92%
One of the best TurboGrafx-16 games comes to the Virtual Console. Ninja Spirit shows some real innovation by allowing you to switch between weapons and have helper ghosts. Buy it now!
ORDYNE
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
It's another 2D shooter, but it's just not as interesting as it should be. We like the idea of buying items and having wacky characters, but Ordyne just doesn't pull it off.
POWER GOLF
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Proof that you shouldn't try and make a realistic golf game on a system that can't handle it. This game is a by-the-books golf game, but nothing more. Just ignore it and you'll be fine.
R-TYPE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 90%
One of the hardest games ever made is yours for the small price of 600 Nintendo Points. It's R-Type, the shooter that changed everything!
SAMURAI GHOST
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 65%
Another terrible TurboGrafx-16 game. You might think that a game called Samurai Ghost would be cool, but it's not. This is hacking and slashing at its worse.
SOLDIER BLADE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 88%
Soldier Blade may not have the name recognition of R-Type or Gradius, but that doesn't mean it's not fun. This is one of the best shooters on the Wii!
SHOCKMAN
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
Shockman is one of those superhero characters that just never took off (along with 8-Man). But who cares, this Mega Man clone is still a lot of fun. It's short, but worth the trip.
SILENT DEBUGGER
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
It's an early first-person shooter. Of course, the TurboGrafx-16 was definitely not the system to attempt a first-person shooter on, and that's why Silent Debuggers is not worth playing.
SOLDIER BLADE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 88%
Soldier Blade is one of the best 2D shooters on the Virtual Console. It's fast and exciting, but not as punishing as games like R-Type and Gradius. Worth a look, if nothing else.
SPLATTERHOUSE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 80%
While the game play doesn't hold up well, Splatterhouse is still worth checking out if only for the crazy weapons and bosses. A fun, but flawed game!
SUPER STAR SOLDIER
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 89%
Along with Soldier Blade, Super Star Soldier manages to give you a great shooting experience without being too difficult. A must buy on the Wii!
VICTORY RUN
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 70%
Racing games have come a long way since the days of Victory Run, which is one of the reasons this game is so difficult to recommend on the Wii!
VIGILANTE
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 40%
Vigilante once was a mediocre arcade game, but now it's just a mediocre Virtual Console port. Avoid this game unless you like throwing money away!
WORLD CLASS BASEBALL
Review Coming Soon
SCORE: N/A
It's realistic baseball on a system that can't support anything realistic. The problem with this game is that it never feels natural, so do what you can to avoid this mess.
WORLD SPORTS COMP.
Read the Full Review
SCORE: 20%
World Sports Competition is basically a remake of Track & Field, only this time around we get a few more competitions. The shooting is fine, but everything else is just painful. Avoid!
SEE ALSO:
