This Week in Defunct Games - June 15, 2010

What Is It? Think Nintendo has already released all of their big-name 8- and 16-bit games on the Virtual Console? Apparently you forgot about Kirby Super Star, the 16-bit masterpiece that is only now starting to get its due. Perhaps it's because it came so late in the Super NES's life cycle, or maybe it's because it was overshadowed by the inferior Donkey Kong Country games, but whatever the case, Kirby Super Star wasn't the huge hit Nintendo was expecting. Fast forward a few years and Kirby is even more popular, making this the perfect time to re-release this forgotten gem.

In Kirby Super Star you choose from a bunch of different games, each with their own play style and levels. Although most of the games involve you platforming all over the place (similar to Kirby's Avalanche), you'll also find some other modes, including a race mode and an endurance challenge. There are also a couple of unique mini-games. While the game is a bit on the easy side (you can go the whole game without dying), there's enough variety to keep you interested for at least a few days.

Does It Still Hold Up? The controls are good and I like the simple cartoon style, but there's something about the game that doesn't feel as fresh. It's probably the fact that I have played the Nintendo DS remake and prefer the changes and additions that only enhanced the original experience. Or maybe it's the fact that I've never been a huge Kirby fan. I found myself a bit miffed that the game is so easy. At least it's not repetitive.

Is It Worth The Money? While this may not be my favorite Nintendo character, I did have a lot of fun with Kirby Super Star. The Nintendo DS remake should be the go-to version of this game, but you can't go wrong with this $8 Super NES port. This has a wealth of extra content and a lot of levels to beat. It's enough to make you forget that Nintendo is barely uploading new titles to the Virtual Console. But I still remember ... oh yes, I will remember!

What Is It? For years I sang the praises of Tecmo's popular Ninja Gaiden franchise. I remember spending my childhood playing through those three games over and over again, all in hopes that I would get so good that I might be able to actually beat one of these adventures. While I still have great respect for the Ninja Gaiden games, I certainly don't feel the same way about them now. Part of the reason for that is Shadow of the Ninja, a futuristic ninja game that has better control and level designs. And best of all, it doesn't punish you for simply playing the game.

Incidentally, it's worth noting that Shadow of the Ninja eventually turned into a Ninja Gaiden game. It's true. Years after it was released on the NES, Tecmo picked up the rights and ported it to the Game Boy. Instead of calling it Shadow of the Ninja, they simply retitled the game Ninja Gaiden and called it a day. Despite having downgraded graphics and a lack of color, this portable Shadow of the Ninja remained faithful and is also worth checking out (assuming you still have an old school Game Boy in your collection).

Does It Still Hold Up? I'm always amazed at how quickly I get sucked back into Shadow of the Ninja. For this review I sat down to play through the first level or two (just to get a taste of what I was going to be talking about), but I ended up playing through most of the adventure. I didn't quite beat it, but I could have if I didn't have to rush out and make a meeting. This is all the more amazing when you realize that I played through the game in full just a few months ago. There's just something about the elegant control and the fantastic level designs that makes me want to come back.

Is It Worth The Money? Does Shadow of the Ninja make up for all those weeks Nintendo has forgotten about the Virtual Console? Of course not, but it certainly makes me feel better that they reward us with genuinely good games. They could have just as easily ported the Sega Master System version of Altered Beast, but instead they gave us one of the best ninja games of all time. Is this worth $5? The honest truth is that it's worth ten times that amount. If you're a diehard Ninja Gaiden fan, then you owe it to yourself to become a Shadow of the Ninja convert!

What Is It? Just in time for Red Dead Redemption, Nintendo has uploaded the mostly-ignored Wild Guns for the Super NES. This 1995 shooter may not have the wide-open world and high adventure that comes with Rockstar's game, but it has all of the settings and stereotypical characters for a fraction of the price. In essence this is nothing more than Cabal, the seminal arcade hit of the 1980s. You play one of two characters (a bounty hunter named Clint and Annie, a strong gun-toting woman) on a mission to get revenge on the varmint that killed your entire family.

You do this by shooting into the screen, sort of like a two-dimensional version of a third-person shooter (Gears of War, etc.). This is essentially a shooting gallery, with bad guys poking their heads out of windows, opening up doors, riding by on horses and more. You run around the screen shooting as many you can before you die. Survive and you'll go head to head with one of the many robot bosses. That's right, I said robots. Beyond taking you to all of the traditional western locales, you will also learn the fine art of robot wrangling.

Does It Still Hold Up? You don't see many games like this anymore. Either a game uses a light gun or you have full control over your character in a third-person perspective. But that's not the case here. You'll quickly realize that your movement is limited to running left and right, all while you avoid gun fire and shoot into the screen. Even though the controls sound incredibly archaic, I had a lot of fun with Wild Guns. The controls are responsive and it's clear from the get-go what you're supposed to do. It may not be the kind of thing you want to play every day, but I say the gameplay (as limited as it is) still holds up.

Is It Worth The Money? It almost doesn't matter what the setting is, the object is always going to be the same. But in the case of Wild Guns, I really enjoyed the western theme. I also love how it seems to toss in random robot cowboys just because they can. My only real complaint is that nobody crafted a mode that allows you to use the Wii remote to control you characters. This is the kind of game that was designed for a motion controller, yet they don't patch one in? BAH! Still, I had a great time with Wild Guns. And best of all, it won't take you 20 hours to beat the game (unlike a certain other western I just reviewed).