US and EU arrivals on the Virtual Console

By Stevie Smith Feb 26, 2008, 18:43 GMT

Street Gangs throws its retro fists on the VC alongside Kirby 64, Psychosis and Adventure Island. Credit: Nintendo/Infogrames

This week the diminutive Nintendo Wii is taking stock of a regional quartet of new downloadable titles via the popular Virtual Console. Two of the games are hitting the US while the other two are arriving on European shores.

Specifically, Nintendo promises US gamers “a psychedelic trip down memory lane” courtesy of revamped Nintendo 64 classic Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, along with the retro side-scrolling arcade action of TurboGrafx16 shooter Psychosis.

Both are available now through the Shop Channel, with Kirby 64 priced at a rather lofty 1,000 Wii Points and Psychosis priced at a more pocket-friendly 600 Wii Points.

On the other side of the Atlantic, European gamers are getting their mucky paws on the jaw-cracking action of NES brawler Street Gangs, along with the tropical dangers of NES title Adventure Island.

Again, both are available via the Shop Channel, with both priced at 500 Wii Points.

Here’s a little more about all four games:

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards: Kirby's first 3D adventure is also his Nintendo 64 debut, and it finds the always-versatile hero battling a new enemy called Dark Matter. Dark Matter is after a distant land's powerful crystal, but a young fairy named Ribbon attempts to save it by escaping with the gem to Dream Land. Now the crystal has been broken, and it's scattered around the world.

Take control of Kirby and help him journey across six worlds, battling a wide variety of enemies and challenging bosses, as he tries to collect all 100 pieces of the shattered crystal. Along the way, you'll use Kirby's trademark copying ability to use enemies' strengths against them. Not only that, but try combining any two abilities to create a brand-new one that is usually stronger than the original.

Throw in three exciting multiplayer mini-games, and you've got a package of which even King Dedede would be proud. Fans of Kirby and action games with bright, colorful graphics should vacuum this one up.

Psychosis: This is a side-scrolling shooter played in a world created from the mind of a twisted demon. Your soul has suddenly wandered into that evil world that exists in every person's heart. The only way out is to blast your way past the grotesque creatures that block your path in five "causes" (stages).

You must face the dangers of this psychedelic world by making full use of three shot types and the satellite option. With power-ups, you can change your shots to a wide-coverage beam, a satellite-generated laser and more. Each shot type can be powered up to three levels. You can also block enemy fire by rotating the satellites to a desired position.

How you use these features will be the key to successfully escaping this strange and surreal world.

Street Gangs: Follow high school students Alex and Ryan on their quest across River City to rescue Ryan’s girlfriend, Cyndi, from a gang hideout at River City High. This urgent journey sees them battle student groups such as the ‘Frat Boys’ and ‘Jocks’ and take on mini-bosses who get in their way.

First released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991, this beat ‘em up role-playing combo allows players to move freely around the screen executing an array of street fighting moves.

Collect cash from defeated gang members to buy improved abilities and special items such as new shoes, books and health snacks!

Adventure Island: First seen on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992, this side-scrolling, action-packed title sees players lured onto the dangerous Adventure Island.

In the role of Master Higgins, whose girlfriend has been kidnapped by a treacherous Witch Doctor, players must carefully navigate perilous forests and monster infested caves.

Grabbing items as they travel around the island to top up decreasing energy levels, players must call upon all their skill and chart their way through eight exciting worlds!