Welcome to VC Weekly, N-Europe's guide to the wonderful world of Nintendo's download service. Written by Sam C Gittins.

The retro goodness continues this week with three very different offerings to the VC altar and mercifully none of them need to be sacrificed.

Available for download this week we have...

• Super Mario Bros 2
• Mach Rider
• Blazing Lazers

Points: 500
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1989
System: NES

For each of its "big three" system selling series of titles, Nintendo is well known for creating sequels to the originals that, for whatever reasons, are that little bit different. For Zelda it was the side scrolling Adventure of Link; for Metroid the visually inferior Return of Samus and the case in question for the portly plumber is Super Mario Bros 2.

Originally the template for SMB2 was a completely different game by the name of Doki Doki Panic: however by the time the big N had finished with it they had made it their own; so much so that if you had never heard of the title it was based on then you could easily assume that it was a Mario title all along.

It does not play like its predecessor, or any subsequent sequels, though. Instead a very different mechanic of play is used: as Mario you have your usual D-pad to move and the A button allows you to jump. So far everything sounds normal but go to jump on an enemy and squish them you shall not, for instead you will be standing on top of your enemy, allowing you to either use them as stepping stones or using the B button, pick them up and throw them.

This different brand of gameplay doesn't end there, for you can also uproot vegetables to happily hurl at hapless heathens such as Shy-Guys which this title is responsible for introducing. Another notable inclusion is the ability to take control of Luigi, Toad and Peach as well as the titular Mario; this is currently the only platform game in the series time-line that allows this.

A slightly different style of play is employed depending on which character you opt to use: Luigi stays airborne the longest when jumping allowing for greater distance to be crossed, albeit less accurately; Toad is both fast and strong; Peach can hover in the air for a short while and Mario is the all-rounder.

Clearly a solid effort has been made both visually and audibly as well as in the brilliant design of the game's world; "Subcon" which holds a few secrets of it's own in the form of doorways which appear upon breaking potions and Vases with Tardis-like proportions housing whole areas inside objects which appear smaller on the surface and often lead to secret items.

SMB2 is a credit to the series, thanks to its marvelous mechanics, bold boss battles and hereditary humor. A fun, quirky and completely lovable title in its own right that can stand proudly beside its brethren; if you've yet to play this sublime sequel, or are looking for a platform game to blast through, then you could do far worse than purchase this VC incarnation.

Verdict: Vivaciously vicious virtual vegetable volleying.

Points: 500
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

It's the year 2112, earth has been invaded by an evil force known only as the Quadrunners, the task of taking on this force falls upon the one known as Mach Rider; who will rid the world of this menace using his futuristic bike and blaster. It's actually 2007 and yes the story to this title if original is still weak but this VC release is most certainly justified. "You are Mach Rider!"

Falling loosely into the action genre, due to it being neither racer or shooter, this title offers a decent amount of varied ways to play split into courses. The fighting course sees you clearing tracks which involves traveling a set distance, blasting as many enemies as possible while avoiding obstacles which will cause your energy bar to deplete. Getting past the first track will see a few variables come into play, such as your energy meter being replaced by three lives and the rate of obstacles becoming greater and the difficulty ever increasing. At this point the controls become a little easier to manage, after being initially awkward.

Visually the game is comparable to classic racer Outrun, but audibly it has a unique style which is easily a masterpiece of the 8-bit era. As you progress the game does become both enjoyable and yet frustrating due to the high speed at which you travel at for the most part; this is true throughout all of the modes but it serves to keep you going for a little while, although it's more of a game best played in short bursts.

Other points of interest include a course creator which is competent if you persevere with it and unlike the original you are able to save your tracks this time around. Also the endurance course provides a time-based variant to the main mode, which is a welcome alternative and adds a small amount to the games life.

Ultimately Mach Rider is a decent game which falls short of being a classic due to its cumbersome control scheme and unforgiving learning curve. It's enjoyable while it lasts, however, and provides an entertaining experience for those curious enough to purchase.

Verdict: Mach-speed, motorway based madness.

Points: 600
Publisher: Hudsonsoft
Developer: Hudsonsoft
Released: 1992
System: Turbografx

Ah the vertical scrolling shooter, also more colloquially known as "the Schmup." However you refer to it, games falling into this genre are often initially simple and yet very rewarding also. There are shining examples, like Treasure's Ikaruga, which are geared towards the more trigger-happy enthusiast and then there are countless easily accessible shooters. Very few fall in the elusive middle-ground.

Step forward Blazing Lazers! Originally known as "Gunhed" in Japan this sublime shooter is amazingly accomplished for its time and really pushes the hardware, even for an early Turbografx title, taking full advantage of the systems ability to display a substantially superior amount of simultaneous on-screen sprites in comparison to rival consoles of that era.

But this is the present day, where multiple past rivals can now re-release their classics for a fraction of their original price on one console. And this is most certainly a well accomplished and very welcome addition to the ever growing VC library. Graphically gorgeous and audibly astounding, this is a shooter which is instantly immersible and oozes charm and quality from the moment your thumb hits the D-pad.

Control feels well honed: you'll always feel in control as you go about blasting wave after wave of varied enemies (which are slightly surreal at times) using a veritable arsenal of different laser power ups, ranging from grid shapes to homing missiles. The great level of variation in both enemies and weapons coupled with some really nice pyrotechnics in certain levels really creates a hypnotic experience that will manage to captivate gamers of all abilities.

Scrolling backgrounds, rising laser-spewing turrets, layered walls of destructible blocks, bemusing boss battles including scuttling spiders and mechanical menaces. This is a shooter that has it all and manages to pull off an original style which will make it easily endearing to everyone.

Blazing Lazers is a technical masterpiece that has aged fantastically well, this is most definitely an essential purchase for all the above reasons and besides; what other game puts you up against multiple, multicoloured mutating brains? Exactly! This game always surprises and delights and will not disappoint.

Verdict: Blazing Lazers for all to savour.

And so as another edition of VC weekly comes to an end another will begin afresh soon, so until then enjoy the rest of the week and Game on!