Welcome to VC Weekly, N-Europe's guide to the wonderful world of Nintendo's download service. Written by Jordan Khoviteri-Zadeh.

With GDC behind us, as well as some fun and not so fun announcements from numerous gaming companies, we settle down for another edition of VC weekly. There were rumours of up to five games being released this week, which gave me a heart attack! Thankfully, only three were released two of which are personal favourites of mine and the other... I've never even heard of before!

We've actually had some comments this week about people saying that we might be illegally downloading ROM versions of these games; this is 100% categorically untrue. We receive points from Nintendo each month since we're a media outlet, which are then given to me so that I can review the games for your pleasure. So I've put that to rest at least.

Last week saw our first forum poll, which... was quite startling. I knew Streets of Rage was a good game, but it pretty much destroyed the competition. I think I know what the favourite will be for this week! But anyway let's get on with the reviews!

This week's games:

• Galaga
• Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
• Double Dungeons

Points: 500
Publisher: Bandai
Developer: Namco
Released: September 1988 (US date)
System: NES

Galaga, the sequel to Galaxian, graced many a platform in the day, including the NES. Originally released 7 years before the NES even existed, this game didn't push the console at all. However, that doesn't mean this game is boring... not at all. You take control of a small space ship, where you can fire rockets to destroy the enemies which fly from the top of the screen and swoop down at you. To finish each level, all you have to do is kill all the enemies in one level. The more and more you go up the levels, the tougher the game gets. More enemies drop and your shooting rate never increases.

This simple style of gameplay still holds up fantastically. It is incredibly frantic. Almost heart pounding at times when you hear the familiar "choooooo" sound of a falling ship as you desperately try to dodge it. If you can't tell, I'm quite a fan of this game. Although it hasn't aged well, it plays great. The game uses simple sprite graphics, but they are colourful and eye catching. There is some music, which is instantly recognisable and the sound effects are basic but well made.

The only downside is that the game is of course an arcade game and that is all you get. Game start and options: even the two player mode is just alternate. Also, this game is currently available on Xbox Live Arcade, a far better version too with updated graphics, sound and online leader boards. So if you own a 360, buy the cheaper and better version.

Verdict: Great shooter, if a little basic.

Points: 800
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Released: 10th December 1992
System: SNES

Our second game this week is also an arcade port. Ghouls 'n Ghosts, also known as Ghosts 'n Goblins on other platforms, is, in my opinion, the original survival horror. The game involves running from one end of the stage to another. Get hit twice, and you're dead. Simple as that! This game is tough as nails. Even finishing the first level on standard difficulty can be tough, as the enemies which move faster than you do.

The game does have a story; you play as Arthur an intrepid young knight who must save the princess from certain doom. The game has a couple of cut scenes to set the story up. But this game is more about action than anything else. Jumping, running and throwing a trusty weapon is the only way you can avoid anything in this game, it is relentless and unless you learn the levels they will constantly surprise you.

The game's weapon system is quite in depth and robust, there are a few main types. All are projectiles but vary quite a lot. Some have a longer range, some act more like grenades and others only hit things in the air. They can however be upgraded, twice in fact. With the different suit types, Arthur's move set drastically changes. Firstly, your weapons become stronger and have a longer range or become faster to use, then with the final suit, you gain the capability to do powerful charge attacks... if you get far enough.

The game's backgrounds and sprites are usually quite simple, but the effects used at times are fantastic. The ground terraforms to allow you to jump or even miss other jumps; later on the sea destroys parts of the stage and so on. The musical score is fantastic, the first level music will stick in your head for a long time to come and it has a great tone to it. The sound effects are also equally impressive.

So, should you buy this game? Yes. Yes you should. It may be incredibly difficult, but the sheer charm this game has is astounding. If you do. though, you are going to have a tough time finishing it.

Verdict: Tough as diamonds, but incredible fun.

Points: 600
Publisher: NCS
Developer: NCS
Released: 1990 (US Date)
System: Turbografx-16

Oh boy, another game attempts the whole first person RPG. Double Dungeons is as basic as it gets, honestly. The game has thirty or so dungeons for you to attempt to beat, and is unforgiving, not fun and not clever.

Firstly, the game asks you for your name, which serves no purpose but to add it in front of lines of text. Then it plonks you in what can only be describes as the greyest place on Earth, where you go and kill enemies, that are there for utterly no reason what so ever to gain gold and experience points. Annoyingly, even though your max HP goes up when you level, your current HP doesn't and it's very hard to refill. Not only that, but enemies constantly respawn, so if you go the wrong way and you have little health you have a problem. If this game sounds like it couldn't get any worse, you were so wrong.

It has no map, what so ever. Seriously, this game is basically Labyrinth without Bowie. This means you get easily confused, easily frustrated and when you die it's very hard to figure out where you previously were. This game's only saving grace is its cheesy dialogue, like "Take this! Take that!" It also has no save system, so if the Wii didn't have a stand by save feature, you'd have to jot down a 16 character code.

Graphically, as previously mentioned this game has a lot of grey in it. Grey walls, grey floors, and grey ceilings. The enemies have no animations whatsoever and the HUD which the game uses is incredibly ugly. The sound is equally as bad; at times I'd rather rip my ears off than listen to what's coming out of my TV speakers.

I can't tell you how bad this game is, even for comedy value, this game is plain freaking awful. It could be one of the worst games I've ever played, bar none.

Verdict: Stay clear, this is a stinker.

Super Ghosts 'n Ghouls is steaming ahead... add your voice and vote on our boards here!

Super Ghosts 'n Ghouls (82%)

We're done for this week, enjoy Double Dungeons everyone. And remember, you can keep up to date with our Virtual Console reviews on our uber-cool VIRTUAL CONSOLE PAGE.