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

Since the launch of the VC and the introduction of the C64 we have had the chance to download titles from seven different classic console of old and now we have an eigth; yes you can now download Master System titles as it launches this week and becomes a another welcome addition to the Virtual Console. Anyway enough from me and on with the games!

Available for download this week we have...

• California Games
• Fantasy Zone
• Impossible Mission
• Wonder Boy

Points: 500
Publisher: Epyx
Developer: Epyx
Released: 1987
System: C64

One of the most highly respected sports simulations of all time makes it's way to the VC, part of a long running series this is easily regarded as the best and has been for some time. Well received upon it's original release it created a cult following thereafter due to the fact that for it's genre it was a really well put together title.

So what do you get? Well basically you get six sporting events which feature decent visuals, animation and sound (for the hardware it was released on) but above all it's the way that each of the games plays and the level of time spent on recreating each one which really makes the title.

There are a couple of simple options to choose at the start; name entry and sponsor but after that it's straight into the first of the six games and this is where the real fun begins. In Half-Pipe Skateboarding you attempt to pull off as many tricks as you can within the minute and a bit time limit. Foot Bag is perhaps better colloquially known as "keepy uppy" so basically you've got to keep a bag in the air with for the same aforementioned time limit, stringing together as many combos as you can.

Surfing is the next event in which you get a minute and a half to pull off as many tricks under turbulence as possible with the most notable difference being that your scored at the end by a panel of judges. Perhaps the most infamously associated even is the Roller Skating in which you have no time limit but if you bail three times your out, sometimes though it's amusing to just bail on purpose to see your character comically fall face-first into the floor.

Second to last is BMX racing and similar to Skating you go from left to right this time with a time limit but bails can also greet you with a game over, it's easily one of the better events due to the fast paced tricked laced gameplay; rounding things off is Flying Disk in which you get three tries to throw the disc to another player or CPU at the other end. All in all it's an entertaining package which is satisfying in single player and much loved in multiplayer; with the sheer amount of attention to detail and well crafted gameplay it's no wonder it's still regarded as one of the best sports compilations of all time.

Verdict : A supremely satisfying slew of sports simulations.

Points: 500
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Released: 1986
System: Master System

Yes there are plenty of shoot em ups available on the VC already but this is the Master Systems first and to it's credit is one of the finest on the system. It's very different from your average space shooting affair and has more in common with the ever popular Parodius than anything else, except this came before.

For starters you aren't limited to traveling in the widely accepted single direction that the genre is generally known for but instead you can fly in the opposite direction as well giving a perceived feeling of slightly greater freedom. The learning curve is pretty simple and you'll be zipping along the brightly coloured landscapes within minutes, attempting to track down the enemy generators which is the one of the main aims of the game.

Upon discovering the whereabouts of the generators you then proceed to take out the areas boss in your small sized ship known as Opa-Opa; these battles themselves are enjoyable and somewhat original but due to the limitations of the hardware you lose the vibrant backgrounds for these small portions of the game.

Apart from that though the Master System does exceptionally well to replicate the copiously colourful crayon-like drawn world that was first seen in the arcade original. Audio is a different matter however as yes the tunes are chirpy enough in nature but the quality of the sound is pretty awful when you compare it to say a Megadrive title; nevertheless it does the job.

The only main gameplay gripe is that you can often find yourself crashing into enemies due to the "free roaming" nature of the title when changing directions quickly, this can be avoided however and doesn't ruin the game. Overall it's a decent shooter and easily one of the best from it's console of origin; shooter fans may well be advised to pick this up to keep their trigger finger happy.

Verdict : A Trippy, zappy, trigger-happy blast from the past.

Points: 500
Publisher: Epyx
Developer: Epyx
Released: 1984
System: C64

One of the earlier games released for the C64 and one of the best; Impossible Mission (not to be confused with the reverse titled film tie-in) sees you infiltrating the underground compound controlled by Elvin Atombender. You must run from robots and piece together a password so that you can eventually come face to face with Elvin and thwart his ebil plans.

Visually the game is something of an eyesore overall with the only notable exception being that of the excellent animation on the main character sprite; that said it's still a reasonable effort considering the hardware. Sound is basic with the odd electronic blip and bleep here and there though the digital speech is somewhat the stuff of legends for it's time.

The game really shines in the way it plays though, while it may seem like an action platformer it has a lot more of a puzzle aspect to it which works well. It basically involves entering each and every room, checking it for password pieces or just checking random rooms and hoping for the best; it's often easy to get lost in the process meaning it's every bit about thought as it is action and exploration.

It will either take you a reasonably long amount or seemingly sparse amount of time to complete this title depending on the way that you play; the layout of the base is randomly generated for each playthrough as well which will add to the replay value but may annoy some players.

Overall it's one of those classic games that you either fondly remember or don't care that much for at all but if your at all curious and have yet to play this C64 classic then it's well worth a look if you have the time. A classic of it's time and still respectful today, you either love it or loathe it but it's a solid title whichever way you look at it.

Verdict : Impossible to some but still a masterful mission.

Points: 500
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Released: 1986
System: Master System

Ever played the game Adventure Island? Well if so then you could argue that you've already played this which is what the title started it's life as; due to complications in licensing Hudson were allowed to borrow the template of this game and replace the main sprite with their own main character but this is the original island hopper and an unlikely start for what would become a well loved RPG lite series.

Yes this is the first Wonder Boy game which Adventure Island was merely derived from; the storyline is somewhat identical and sees you take control of Tom-Tom the Wonder Boy who sets off across worlds to rescue his girlfriend Tanya from the clutches of some evil enemy.

The game basically revolves around defeating enemies which lets you collect fruit which adds to the time that you have left to complete the level; you have at your disposal your faithful throwing axes which you can use to smash snails as well as any other creature that gets in your way.

Other points of note include an obtainable skateboard which allows you to travel faster but does not allow you to stop (willingly at least) there is a hidden doll on each level which allows you to access hidden levels but other than that it's just a journey which will have you striding over stones, cruising across clouds and infiltrating ice caverns. There is a generic boss at the end of each level which you defeat by throwing axes at his head.

Essentially thats it, visually it's nice with some decent sprite animation, varied locations, infectious audio and great gameplay that will keep many coming back for more. If you haven't played either this or Hudson's "adaptation" then I would highly recommend this version; the original and the best.

Verdict : A fantastic first game starring the original boy wonder.

Thats it for another installment of VC Weekly which will return again soon. So until then, enjoy the rest of the week and Game On!

Sam Gittins
[email protected]

Looking for reviews on other Virtual Console games? Or a full list of games available on the system? Then Check out our Virtual Console Index Page.