Three more titles were added to the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console today. Here is what you can download today, all rated E for Everyone (click their names for box art and screens):
 

NES Play Action Football – 1-4 Players, 500 Points

Originally released in 1990 for the NES by Nintendo themselves, NES Play Action Football was quite the technical achievement during its time, being able to have two entire football teams moving on the screen at once along with the use of real voices for the referee and football players. Here is more information from Nintendo:

“”Ready! Hut hut hut…” Nintendo takes to the gridiron with the classic football powerhouse NES Play Action Football. Featuring a distinct overhead viewpoint that creates an almost 3-D field, the action is more simulation-based than many of the more arcade-based games of the time. Play through four 15-minute quarters (in accelerated time) and even substitute players when your first-stringers get tired. Want more options? Each of the eight available teams has multiple running/passing plays to choose from while on offense, as well as a wide selection of defensive schemes that can be run when you’re on the other side of the ball. And in addition to viewing two full teams on the screen at once without any slowdown, you’ll hear voice snippets at key points of the game. Line up, and see if you have what it takes to win the Power Bowl.”
 

Neutopia II – 1 Player, 600 Points

Released for the TurboGrafx16 in 1991, Neutopia II is the action-RPG sequel to the original Neutopia made by Hudson Soft. Click the name for a screen…it kind of reminds you of The Legend of Zelda, huh? Once again, a description from Nintendo:

“Experience improved graphics and controls in this exciting sequel to the action role-playing game Neutopia. Take on the role of the main hero’s son and watch as the story begins with the apparent revival of Dirth, the evil demon. Once again you’ll need to rely on your magic compass and the information you’ve gathered to find entrances to labyrinths and defeat the bosses in them. Make your way through the field, which can be tricky at times, to search for and find hidden information and items, or move blocks and destroy walls to uncover secret rooms. Like the original, this game has a save function, a finely tuned difficulty level and a fast-paced story, making it truly an RPG that everyone can enjoy.”
 

Last, but definitely not least is
 

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – 1-2 Players, 800 Points

You should be ashamed of yourself if I have to explain this game to you. I could go on and on about it, but I am just going to give you the basics. Released in 1994 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 takes place shortly after Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Haha oh man, remember the Carnival Night Zone? I remember how that little “puzzle” pissed me off so much at first. I got it down pretty good though, even though it would take a few tries. It was always better if a friend was playing Tails with me. Along with Sonic 2, you could hook up Sonic & Knuckles to this. In fact, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles used to be one game…

Nintendo describes it as follows:

“Sonic and Tails are back for another adventure as they again battle the evil Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik), who is desperately trying to collect all the Chaos Emeralds to rebuild his Death Egg. Our heroes must again find the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, but winning the race won’t be easy this time – a new adversary, Knuckles the Echidna, has arrived on the scene and will do whatever he can to keep Sonic and Tails from reaching their goal. Grab all the golden rings, find various bonus zones and overcome Knuckles and Dr. Eggman as you rocket through the third chapter in Sonic’s adventures.”
 

Enjoy your “new” games, but I will probably wait until Sonic 3 is eventually released on the Live Arcade so I can get some achievements for it.

As usual, three ‘new’ titles were released over the Virtual Console today, each from different systems.

For the NES, we receive The Adventures of Lolo. This game was released in 1989 by HAL Laboratory, Inc. (most known for the Super Smash Bros. series and Kirby). The Adventures of Lolo is a puzzle game based on the Japanese series, Eggerland. The game supports only 1 Player and costs 500 Points.
 

Fun Fact: The current president of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata, used to be the president of HAL.
 

For the TurboGrafx-16 comes Galaga ‘90. Originally released as Galaga ‘88 in Japan, this game is an arcade space shooter developed by Namco. The third sequel of Galaxian coming after Galaga and Gaplus, Galaga ‘90 is also 1 Player and costs 600 Points.
 

Finally (and the only one I’ll be bothering with) comes Wave Race 64 for the Nintendo 64 (duh). Released in November of ‘96 for North America, Wave Race 64 is basically a racing game with jet skis, and an addictive one at that. This was one of my favorite N64 titles, mainly pulling barrel rolls and back flips off ramps with my friend Ruben. The only multiplayer one out of the bunch, this game supports up to two players and will cost you 1000 Points.
 
Fun Fact: See all those Nintendo Wii and DS ads in the game? They used to be Kawasaki ads, but were altered due to Nintendo no longer having the license to use them. Interesting to know that Nintendo can alter their VC games as they please….hopefully in the future with something a little more….cooler?