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

Just a single game this time around but it is something of a classic so it's more a case of quality over quantity. Anyway enough from me and on with the erm... game!

Available for download this week we have...

• Super Punch Out!!

Points: 800
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1994
System: SNES

Punch Out has garnered many fans over the years and while the game started out in the arcades and on the NES it was this version on the SNES titled 'Super Punch Out!!' (the double exclamation is there with good reason of course) that elevated the series to new levels of greatness and set it firmly in the spotlight.

This variant includes all of the moves that could previously be pulled off on earlier games including dodging, ducking & diving etc and the ability to deliver brutal blows to the body of your opponent. What's new though is the unique charging system whereby landing a series of successful hits without receiving any damage yourself will allow you to perform more powerful punches and even uppercuts that will leave your rival significantly worse for wear.

You can also of course opt to just jab quickly and attempt to whittle down your targets health meter that way as the choice to which way you play is yours but the way that the game plays remains as unchanged and reliable as ever. The formula it employs is strangely satisfying; there are no separate rounds just single bouts and you end up working your way through the sixteen different opponents ranging from Bald Bull and Bob Charlie to Macho Man and Masked Muscle to name but a few of the crazed characters you need to work your way through to win the WVBA (World Video Boxing Association) Championship.

Each of your rivals will adopt their own set technique and it's a constant challenge to master each one by countering their attack patterns and securing victory. Visually the game still looks great today due to its original style featuring well rendered characters and an excellent standard of animation; couple this with some quality audio work which includes four different variations while boxing plus a short intro tune for each character and you have a pretty well rounded experience.

Still a simple joy to play today Super Punch Out!! is one of those original and classic Nintendo games that while not as easily recognised as some of the 'bigger' flagship titles is still just as fun to play in its own understated way; not to mention that it's easily the best game in the series, whether or not that will change with the release of the upcoming Wii incarnation remains to be seen but for now this entry in the series is still the undisputed King of the Ring.

Verdict : A knockout title that's well worthy of its fan following even today.

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.