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

A couple of classic NES titles for you this time which in both cases are part of long-running series' that are still going to this very day. Anyway enough from me and on with the games!
 
Available for download this week we have...     

The Legand of Zelda
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

Price: GB £3.49, EU €4.99
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 it's that which 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 £4.49, EU €4.99
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
Developer: Tecmo  
Released: 1994
System: NES

Ninja Gaiden is most certainly a series famous for having a reputation of intense difficulty that preceeds it, I'm not just talking about the recent games that came about in the past decade or so either but moreso the original NES title which is even harder still; so naturally you'd expect a direct sequel to live up to this reputation and then some... it certainly doesn't disappoint in this regard. The story unfolds in some spectacularly well-made scenes which depict Ryu Hayabusa being told that his significant other 'Irene' has been taken and is being held captive in the Tower of Lahja, so naturally it's up to our ninja hero to save the day; it's all very well done making you care about the events so it serves as that all-important motivator to make you want to progress, it's also refreshing to see so much attention to detail put into the story in a game of this age as it's done in a much more effective way than in the latest entry in the modern 3D series.

Control has thankfully been overhauled from the original as small things such as wall-climbing have been improved meaning that you can now move in either direction with relative ease, your general movement feels more authetic too with standard attacks plus jumps having a bit more weight to them, when you slaice your sword you feel more like a proper Ninja which all of course helps and in addition to this you have your special weapons which prove invaluable for taking out the more persistent enemies. It's still not perfect though as once you make a move there is no easy way to cancel it which for the most-part won't be an issue but take into consideration jumping, you may be crossing many perilous gaps only to instintively try to change direction as a projectile comes towards you but you then find that you simply can't just because of the games design which lands you in the chasm below with another life lost; it is the main sticking point of this title and I would go as far to say that in this respect at least the Shinobi titles feel more accomplished than this.

Level design is exceptionally good as you get a decent selection which includes your traditional left-to right affairs plus a few 'stairway' stages where you're always ascending helping to mix things up a bit only ever adding to the grandure of your quest. Despite a few technical pitfalls there are many memorable moments in Ryu's second game which will make you want to play to the very end, it's a shame I can't say the same for the series' most recent release and I'd even go as far to say that it begs the question of why don't the developers go back to the series roots for a more simplified by no less stylish title? Thing surely can't get much worse after Ninja Gaiden: Razor's Edge... but I digress as you should still definitely play this if you want to experience a true entry that's representative of the series.

Visuals are pretty decent for a NES title featuring an interesting colour palette that mainly uses mostly primary colours for the stages while Ryu remains a light hue of purple throughout the game, this is good as it means you always know where the character you're controlling it at all times as it's impossible to confuse him with your enemies; the animation level is very accomplished too making you feel very much like a Ninja. The audio is of a typically high standard which Tecmo has endeavoured to keep over the years, so of course so early on in the series you are treated so some particularly spectacular tunes which are well in keeping with the spirit of high-octane action spliced with some solid sound effects which only further add to the experience.           

Ninja Gaiden II is very much worth playing if you haven't done so before but I would advise that you should at least be aquainted with the series first before you jump in, as if this is your first game in the series then you're in for a serious trial-by-fire but at least the 3DS restore points will help you along if you decide to embark on this testing yet rewarding quest. Obviously if you have played this game before then you'll know what to expect, so if you're up for the challenge again or just remember it fondly despite its small faults then by all means buy it again as it really does represent a high-point for a once much loved series that I can only hope one day will return to its former gory glory.

Verdict : One of the greatest Ninja games to ever grace a Nintendo system.

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