PSP World

Top 5 Virtual Console Games You Should Play This Summer

Summer is here, it's hot as World 2 in Super Mario Bros. 3, and you've got little to no big releases for your lonely Wii console for the next few months. At times like these, we can thank the ever-flowing chalice known as Nintendo's Virtual Console to help get us through these droughts. Don't even think about going outside, where who knows what could happen. At least with most video games, you know where you stand with 3 lives.

To help sift through the sand of it all, our staff writer Christopher Price has counted down the very best titles for Nintendo's Virtual Console. we're going to go over five of the games you SHOULD be playing while you sweat your goombas off.

1) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Cost: 800 Wii Points
Number of Player: 1
What it is: One of the last hurrahs of the legendary SNES, Super Mario RPG may have more charm than any other game in history. It's colorful characters, hilarious dialogue, cute story and amazing sound effects help bring you back to a time where presentation wasn't about being "cool", but was about having fun.

Why You Should Be Playing It: Because sometimes, you need to feel like a kid again. And with a solid battle system, lengthy plot and all the fixings of a superb RPG, Super Mario RPG doesn't make you feel guilty about it either.

2) Zombies Ate My Neighbors!
Cost: 800 Wii Points
Number of Players: 2
What is it: What defines summer more than zombies? The answer is nothing. Nothing at all. And Zombies Ate My Neighbors is chock full of the little guys! Solve puzzles, jump around your neighborhood via trampoline and make the undead explode with your trusty squirt gun. I'm not kidding, that thing must be full of plutonium acid or something.
Why You Should Be Playing It: Because ZAMB (great acronym, eh?) is the very essence of laid-back gaming. The gameplay is wonderful with a friend and the music will bring you back to a time when 16-bit sound was the only sound you really ever needed.

3) Super Punch-Out!!
Cost: 800 Wii Points
Number of Players: 1
What is it: The first sequel to the iconic Punch-Out for the NES, Super Punch-Out lowers the difficulty and quadruples the fun of the original by evolving the twitch-gameplay elements and adding the element of time-trials to the mix. You play as the forever underdog, Little Mac, as he battles through a gauntlet of boxing foes, which include everyone, from fat clowns to androgynous cross-dressers. Good stuff.
Why You Should Be Playing It: Although this game says it's only 1 player, it's really all about the friendly competition with your buddies. The main championship mode will be cleared in less than 2 hours, but the ranking system will bring you back so you can try to make the most perfect run possible. The time trial mode is a blast, and will have you trying all sorts of strategies to help ink out the seconds so you have the fastest time against each opponent (avoid online FAQ help! It will make your victories so much more rewarding!)

4) Megaman 1, 2, 3 or 4
Cost: 500 Wii Points (each)
Number of Players: 1
What is it: If you are reading this article and are not exactly sure who or what Megman is, I think you should shut down your computer, go to your bathroom, keep the lights off, light a large candle, stare at yourself in the mirror, look into your soul and truly question your worth as a human being. Because...it's freaking Megaman, man.
Why You Should Be Playing It: Because games used to be hard. WAY harder than they are now, and there is no time capsule of difficulty quite like the Megaman franchise. The great thing about Megaman games is that when you die, you have no one to blame but your own sorry ass. Not Capcom. Not Megaman himself. Not your neglectful parents. It's only you, your controller, a continue screen and mounds of self-loathing. You suck at videogames, and Megaman wants to show you why. It's definitely a little masochistic, but trust me, you need it.

5) Super Smash Bros. 64
Cost: 1000 Wii Points
Number of Players 4
What is it: The original four-player kill fest is re-released for the Wii, and it's every bit as awesome as you remember it. Play as Mario and seven of his pals in a ridiculously fun romp of "king of the mountain". The best parts? The virtual console version has none of the lag issues of its original N64 counterpart AND - you get to use the superior Gamecube controller, which makes gameplay way more fluid than before.
Why You Should Be Playing: Because Smash Bros. is one of the most unique concepts to ever hit the fighting game scene, and the original did a great job of establishing the basics. Later Smash Bros. iterations had more characters, moves and stages, but the 64 version has a level of simplicity, which elevates the gameplay. Whether you're a button-masher or a L-Canceling tech-freak, you're guaranteed to have a good time.

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Post author: Christopher Price