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

When the 3DS was launched I think it's fair to say that the system was a little bit overpriced even considering the amount of technology that's inside the marvelous machine, but I don't think anyone could have predicted a price-drop in the unit by so much and so early on in the systems life; fortunately though Nintendo has seen fit to reward early adopters with the Ambassador Programme which entitles them to download ten NES games now and ten Game Boy Advance games at a later date, this edition covers the NES titles featuring reviews from myself plus some from my predecessor Jordan Khoviteri-Zadeh founder of VC Weekly. Anyway enough from me and on with the games!

Available for download this week we have...

• Balloon Fight
• Donkey Kong Jr.
• Ice Climber
• Mario & Yoshi
• NES Open Tournament Golf
• Metroid
• Super Mario Bros
• The Legend of Zelda
• Wrecking Crew
• Zelda II : The Adventure of Link

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

Another 8-bit title from the Nintendo back catalogue; Balloon Fight is one of those quirky original titles that remains entertaining for a while but falls short of being a true classic. Your character hangs from a pair of balloons as you attempt to defeat chickens hanging from a single balloon; to do this you simply touch the inflatable objects to pop them, causing the plummeting poultry to hit either land or sea.

If you enemies hit land they are able to inflate another balloon meaning you'll have to defeat them once more so the ideal outcome is either immersion in water or even better, demise by digestion as often a fish will emerge from the sea if anything gets close. And that anything includes you so you have to be cautious when flying not to far above sea level but this also helps to add an interesting element of luring your enemy to a watery grave.

Essentially that's it for single player, bar the extra "Balloon trip" mode which involves travelling as far as you can in one direction while avoiding obstacles and is of limited enjoyment. While it's true that the levels in the main mode do increase in difficulty there just isn't enough variation which causes the game to become a repetitive ritual; however add a second player and it becomes a lot more fun and will last you a while longer than if you were to pursue only the single player mode.

Despite the extra durability due to the two player mode; Balloon Fight is still a title which is lacking in long-term appeal though it is still fun while it lasts and is worth playing if you happen to have not played it before. Fresh experiences in games are fairly hard to find especially by todays standards so playing a title such as this is always refreshing due to its bizarre originality.

Verdict : Bursting with balloon busting brilliance while it lasts.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

While it's undeniable that Donkey Kong has easily earned his place in history thanks to his original appearance, in Donkey Kong Jr roles were reversed which saw the big ape himself get captured by Mario and it's his son that comes to the rescue... it was seen as an odd move for the series. Credit to Nintendo though for creating a follow up that doesn't play exactly to expectations but instead goes in a different direction while retaining part of the charm from the original.

Playing as our titular hero you are able to jump and climb between platforms, across vines while avoiding Birds, Crocodiles, Sparks... all sent by Mario in an attempt to take you out; if you make it to the top you can grab the key to release the adult ape, at which point the next stage starts. There are four of these in total which makes it about the same length as the original, invariably challenging but perhaps due more to the controls which feel a bit odd at times plus the ways in which you can die quite easily just from falling a certain height; it's worth persevering with even though it won't last you long.

Visuals are on-par with the original, perhaps a bit more detailed in places though the overall feel of the levels is certainly less inspiring than the originals which had something of a solid appearance to them while here they lack style. Sound effects are largely recycled from the first title which is no bad thing but it also means that there isn't a great deal to say about them; they work in the same way but are somewhat predictable if you've played the first game.

Despite its shortcomings there is still a decent amount of fun to be had here just as there is with the original, the challenge offered by it will keep some gamers playing while others will likely persevere with it for a few plays before moving on. It may not be that compelling an experience by today's standards but it's still one that's easily enjoyable and to an extent that's all that really matters.

Verdict : Donkey Kong Jr is an enduring classic despite seeing better days.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1985
System: NES

If you've ever played Wario Ware or Super Smash Bros. Melee you'll know exactly what Ice Climber is about. You control either a female (Nana) or a male (Popo) Ice Climber and you must climb your way to the top of the level. That's right, this is a vertical platformer and the only way to get to the top is by jumping and destroying ice blocks above you with your hammer.

But only if it was that easy! Ice Climber also includes a cast enemies and traps, including: Topis, Nitpickers, and polar bears. The enemies either come out from each side of the stage, or randomly drop on top of you like the icicles. It makes it a little more difficult, but after a few levels where only the ground patterns that you have to smash through change, it starts to tire. After you complete each stage, there is bonus stage at the top of it, where you collect anything from egg plants, carrots and corn and hit the bird at the top the level for extra points leading obviously to extra lives.

Ice Climber, like a lot of early NES games, was seen as a 'warm up' for later more complex games: this means it's incredibly linear. Don't let this get to you, the gameplay is timeless and it's still a great thrill to play.

Graphically and audibly, this game never tested the NES. It uses simple sprites and backgrounds. Enemies are instantly recognizable and the colour palate used is great. The music is fantastic, you will be humming it after a couple of levels and the sound effects are basic but suit perfectly. Although this game is a nice spin on the platformer, against games such as Super Mario Bros your choice is really a no brainer.

Verdict : Fun, but annoyingly simple.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Game Freak
Released: 1992
System: NES

Puzzle games have been almost defined by the release of one infamous example of the genre, involving falling quads of blocks known as "Tetriminos". Ever since the success of that game it seems like developers have tried to create new and original concepts in a hope that they stack up against Alexy Pajitnov's masterpiece; and Nintendo are no exception.

Released not too soon after the NES version of Tetris; Mario & Yoshi is a title which tries its hand at an original concept instead of just mapping an existing template and changing one or two variables. You are presented with four columns; at the bottom of which are plates which you are able to switch with the aid of Mario and at the top various past enemies from Mario games fall onto the plates.

The aim of the game is to clear the enemies for points before they stack right up to the top causing the game to end. Creatures can be cleared by aligning two in the same stack or by capturing them inside an item which falls in two halves, a Yoshi egg; positioning enemies on top of the lower half of an egg and then letting an upper half fall on top of the stack causes the two halves to merge, collecting the enemies inside and completing the egg which hatches, spawning a Yoshi who consumes the enemies.

And that's essentially the game in an eggshell; direct control is caused by switching the plates round either left or right which allows you to choose which stack the enemies fall on and triggering the aforementioned egg capture method is the way in which you earn the most points; while you can still clear enemies using the two-stack method, most of the game involves waiting for the egg halves to drop and the rest is merely strategic placement to avoid the game ending prematurely. One small niggle about the control method is that due to the two-button nature of the game (A & B to switch left and right), moving a plate from one end to the other requires multiple switching and while it doesn't have the same frantic pace as Tetris it still demands quick-switching "skills" from the player.

Mario & Yoshi is a puzzle game that, while not brilliant, is still far from terrible. Visually void, audibly agitating and a tame two-player mode, it's this decent concept and solid playability which will keep you playing. If you enjoy puzzle games and a looking for something a bit different, this is worth a download.

Verdict : A cracking original alternative puzzler.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1992
System: NES

Golf... a game of seriousness, of skill, of precision and err yeah it's not actually that exciting at all; so it's no surprise that Nintendo decided to release this Mario themed variation of the popular sport as one of their more original takes on the sports based genre.

At its core this is still very much what it portrays itself to be; a golf game where you get to play on three worldwide courses incorporating USA, UK and Japan. Each course varies in difficulty and you can opt to change the overall rank from amateur to pro which creates a nice learning curve for those wanting to rise through the ranks as well as catering for those who just simply want to play a quick round of golf.

Beyond the standard persistent pursuit of putting that is the main game; alternative offerings include Stroke Play which when separately undertaken (as opposed to being part of tournament mode) is solely goal focused and Match Play where playing as Mario you get to face off against Luigi in a bid to win the most holes. Should you prove successful in beating Luigi you then get to compete against four original generically named characters (Steve, Mark, Tony & Billy) who each vary in difficulty from Beginner to Pro respectively.

While graphically it's not much to look at by today's standards it still made full use of the limited colour palette that the NES provided to create a decent representation of the sport for its time and even today it has a certain charm to it. Gameplay is suitably solid with accurate mechanics that work well and while there are now better golf games available such as the Mario Golf franchise and most recently Wii sports; this title could easily be seen as the forerunner of sorts and is comfortably competent for the 8-Bit title that it is.

NES Open is a title which delivers what you'd expect it to; a competent game of golf that anyone can enjoy. Fun in both single and multiplayer mode with that added brand of Nintendo humour courtesy of Mario & Co thrown in for good measure; this is classic retro golf which provides an entertaining experience.

Verdict : Neither a hole-in-one or a bogey, simply on par.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

Metroid, who would have thought that 20 years on the franchise would have seen several successful sequels, spin-offs and even make that fabled transition from second to third dimension. The third entry went on to become the definitive example of its genre; but it all started here with this; the original side - scrolling mission.

You assume the role of intergalactic bounty hunter Ms Samus Aran who is dispatched by the galactic federation to retrieve a stolen life-form known only as "Metroid" by any means necessary from the clutches of the Space Pirates. Being a cyborg Samus is equipped with a range of weapons which must be used to her advantage as she follows the evil beings to the planet Zebes in order to destroy Mother Brain.

When originally released this game was like nothing else before it; loosely it can be defined as a side scrolling shooter but to be correct it's more exploration than shooting which is emphasized very early on. One of the first power-ups you obtain is the Morph Ball ability which allows Samus to gain access to more of the games sprawling map in addition to use bombs later on.

As you further advance deeper into the masochistic maze that is the game world you will discover where the real challenge lies as you journey through seemingly symmetrical screens only broken up by an altered colour palette and slight changes to rock formation and enemy sequences. Obtaining the various upgrades to your arsenal ranging from missiles, elemental beams and even the odd energy tank or two will play a vital part in the progress and eventual success of your mission; perseverance is key in this challenging title.

If you have never played this original Nintendo classic which spawned the legend that is Metroid then you may wish to take the opportunity to do so now; it's visually dated but audibly strong and still offers a great challenge. For anyone who has played it though be it in original NES form or as an obtainable extra via the combination GC's Metroid Prime / GBA's Fusion or even is NES classic / Zero Mission form there's little to warrant playing through again but this VC incarnation does at least offer portability which at least makes it instantly more accessible.

Verdict : It may not be super but it's still Metroid.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

If you need telling what this is about then chances are you're in the wrong place because Super Mario Bros is not only the title that's most synonymous with Nintendo but it's also one of the single most important and influential videogames of all time. It's an epic tale about a pair of Italian plumbers who are tasked with rescuing Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom from the clutches of the evil Bowser; journey through eight worlds as you stomp on the heads of your enemies including slow-moving Goombas, Piranha Plants potted in warp-pipes plus troops of tricky turtles known as Koopa Troopas whose shells can be a weapon used by or inadvertently against you, at the end of each world you'll do battle with the evil Koopa King himself only to find almost every time that 'the Princess is in another castle' welcome to Mario and Luigi's world.

Every level is carefully crafted resulting in something that is such a joy to play every step of the way even though the premise is fairly simple, you start off small but by jumping under special '?' blocks you can obtain a Mushroom which will make you double in size which makes stomping on enemies easier while giving you the added ability to bash regular blocks in; a Fire-Flower can also be gained which grants you a projectile attack at the press of a button which can be especially useful. Holding down on the 'B' buttons also allows you to run which you'll find yourself doing almost constantly especially during some of the trickier jumps so adopting a way of constantly pressing in the run button while intermittently being able to press 'A' to jump is essential to your survival, you will still end up falling down holes as you learn new levels however but this never feels like the fault of the controls as the d-pad always responds how you'd expect it to so if you do end up dying then you can take some small comfort in the fact that it was probably your own fault.

Perhaps most impressive is how the game always encourages you to explore as the first time you try to go down one of the many warp-pipes only to have it actually work is a special moment indeed, it's in doing this that you'll reach bonus areas which contain extra coins which can be collected up two one hundred to form an extra life; you can collect these using other methods too such as chain-killing multiple enemies with a shell or by simply getting your score to a certain point which you'll want to do as lives are much needed throughout especially in some of the later levels when you're faced with such delights as Hammer Bros and Lakitu both of whom take delight in throwing projectiles in your general direction. One particular stand-out moment for me is how in the underground stages the game actually allows you to bash through the blocks at the top of the screen which lets you run across the top within the space usually reserved just for the score, it's something that the game evidently encourages you to do though as by doing this you can reach secret warps which will allow you to skip whole worlds; note that while you're certainly going to be trying this at some point when advancing straight so say... world four you will notice quite a ramp up in the difficulty which seems to serve as lesson learned for 'cheating' the game even though it allows you to.

Visually the game is of course dated after some twenty-five years but they have an undeniable charm to them, the colour palette with its simple contrasting colours which never clash is a truly bold statement of how something so simple can work so well and even retain a great deal of appeal as even today it's a look which remains iconic. On the audio front it's near impossible for me to pick fault because everything is so perfect from the satisfying stomp sound of an enemies demise to the playful jingle of a block being milked for coins; lest I forget the spectacular theme itself which is quite simple unforgettable and will always remain one of the most recognisable tunes ever created which more than serves its purpose as it completely draws you into the game itself, remaining embedded into your memory forever for all the right reasons.

While there have been many games which have attempted to replicate the feeling within this monumental title none have ever quite managed to match it because this is quite simply one of the best platformers ever created which has left a lasting legacy of gold crafted by the gods of gaming. Not only did Nintendo do themselves proud in creating Super Mario Bros but they also inspired generations of gamers across all ages who still regard this game so highly after all these years; there can be no truer testament to a title than this as it has more than stood the test of time and if you happen to be reading this having not played the game yet then please do so because this is as essential as it gets.

Verdict : Super Mario Bros is the single most brilliant game ever made.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

This is where it all began for what is now one of the biggest videogame series ever created, from humble beginnings The Legend of Zelda follows the hero Link as he sets off on a quest to save princess Zelda and the land of Hyrule from the evil Ganon. You will need your sword, shield and wits of steel to retrieve the eight fragments of the Triforce and banish the evil king; if thou hast the courage then prepare for one of the greatest adventures of all time.

For anyone new to the series or that has played later entries before now this first game may seem a little unforgiving, especially noting the absence of clues showing you where to go but that's actually part of the whole charm that this title exudes. You start off with nothing but after entering that cave, being greeted by an old man and hearing those immortal words 'It's dangerous to go alone, take this!' you'll have the sword... this is where your adventure truly begins because where you go after that is up to you; there are many paths to take even though there is a recommended order in which to do things, some dungeons you won't be able to beat without certain items but there lies the simple charms that Zelda is now famous for.

Exploration is key as that's what you'll be doing a lot of as you progress through the many scrolling screens on offer, many of which contain secrets or puzzles to solve; more than likely you will find yourself getting stuck... not knowing what to do but then suddenly something clicks, you try something, which works, then you hear that magical jingle which signifies your progress and it's the many moments like this scattered throughout the adventure which you feel like playing on for as there isn't another feeling quite like it. These precious things are what elevates Zelda beyond being just another game to something of wonder, an exciting experience like no other... indeed this feeling is carried on in every incarnation since but nothing touches the sense of accomplishment of triumphing in the original instalment.

While it may not match the visually vibrant scenes of grandeur created in recent entries within the series, there is a certain magic contained within the pixels of this 8-bit classic and it's something sacred which only those who have experienced the game will understand; certain feelings are conveyed within the ever-changing scenery of Hyrule which speaks volumes coming from something so modest. Hearing that wonderful over-world theme is a very special moment which nothing else can touch, those simple repeated tones which play through much of your adventure will be forever dedicated to memory as you find yourself humming it forever-more... all of the other pieces such as the dungeon and boss themes are exceptional also but it's the main theme which will truly claim a piece of your heart.

An absolute classic whichever way you look at it, many now staple elements such as dungeons, swordplay and even heart containers were established here not to mention now favourite items such as the boomerang but much more than this is the fact that this relatively unassuming title gave rise to a series that is nothing short of legendary. Zelda will surely continue to grow and prosper just as it always has but it's this first monumental title that we have to thank for bestowing such a legacy; challenging for its time and perhaps all the more punishing by today's standards... this is one title that I would strongly urge any gamer to try at least once because it truly is an unforgettable experience and one that has stood the test of time as one of the best games of its era.

Verdict : A legendary title that lives up to its namesake and lineage.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1987
System: NES

When the NES originally launched this was one of its first titles, but wait a minute... didn't another title starring the now legendary plumber appear on that day as well? Oh yes it did, one of the greatest games of all time; Super Mario Bros. So it's understandable if you've never heard of this title before as it was overshadowed by the immense popularity of one of the best selling games of its time.

Starring the portly plumber himself; Mario along with the comparatively compact Luigi, Wrecking Crew is a platform action game in which you take control of the two brothers who's task is to destroy multiple buildings. After demolishing each wall in the building you then move onto the next buildings which become progressively more difficult; there is also puzzling portion to each level as you have to plan your route so that you don't become trapped under a pile of rubble at the end when the structure collapses.

Featuring a century of stages with a bonus level after every quad and a selection mechanics which were also present in the original Mario Bros arcade game such as walking to the edge and appearing on the opposite side to avoid enemies, it's a new experience with familiar proceedings.

Enemies aren't exactly estranged either ranging from simple Eggplant Men who travel along a linear path, Gotcha Wrenches who will actively hunt you down throughout the level and a few other familiar foes make themselves known as well. Later on in the game you will encounter the Foreman Spiker; a character of Wario proportions and characteristics who's aim is to obstruct your objectives by breaking down walls directly in your path, hindering your progress and sending you back down to the lowest floor of the level if you happen to be in the path of the falling debris, which is bothersome to say the least.

As it stands Wrecking Crew is fun to play and offers a uniquely rewarding experience with a reasonable amount of challenge along the way; it will last you a while if you persevere with it which is worth doing and if you ever tire of it you can always mess around with the two player mode. This game was originally overshadowed upon its first release, this VC incarnation now gives players who for whatever reason never got to play it before now the chance to do so; it's readily available and easily accessible so if you have always wanted to play it then what better time than now?

Verdict : Wrecking Crew, surprisingly good yet played by so few.

Price: GB �Free, EU �Free
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1988
System: NES

Considered by many to be the 'black sheep' of the series Zelda II : The Adventure of Link sidelines the popular top-down perspective of the first in favour of presenting all main areas in two-dimensional side-scrolling fashion. Originally released at a time where the more traditional RPG had gained a huge surge in popularity, Nintendo saw fit to capitalise on this as they went about creating their unconventional sequel to The Legend of Zelda and to their credit it actually turned out pretty well despite being the one title in the series that would later divide the opinions of its fans.

As our hero Link you are tasked with obtaining the Triforce of Courage in order to awaken Princess Zelda from a sleeping spell... sounds easy? Well you're in for surprise as this is regarded as one of the most challenging Zelda games ever made partly due to its many devious dungeons (now known as Palaces) and seemingly obscure design choices. You'll always find yourself starting at the same place, this is always the case regardless of what point you are at which can seem off-putting as it can become tiresome trudging across the rather barren over-world just to get back to that one difficult part for yet another go; there are many towns too curiously many of which are named after the Sages from Ocarina of Time, this is where you can get yourself healed plus obtain spells from Elders not to mention engage in some rather laughable dialogue with some locals including the infamous 'I am error' which has subsequently gone down in internet folklore.

Random battles are a regular occurrence as you end up fending off Moblins, Octoroks, Tektites from the original game plus more original enemies besides, experience can be acquired by defeating them though it can also be lost when you take a hit which you won't want to do very often as you can only take a few hits before dying and if this happens three times then it's 'Game Over, Return of Ganon' a screen which you'll likely see often unless you're a prudent player. Saving often is key to progressing in this title because there is a lot of levelling up to do so it's advisable to save after you level up either Attack, Magic or Life because any time you reload the game the exp counter resets... thankfully the VC Suspend Save function can be useful here; aside from that the game is rather enjoyable once you get into it and actually manage to keep venturing further than you possibly imagined, it really is quite a joy to play if you can get