Another three games have been added for purchase on the Virtual Console. The classic Castlevania, originally for the NES, has been put up for a mere 500 points (and it's definitely worth the price). Then there is The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, originally for the SNES, only for 800 points. Finally, we have been given Shockman, originally for Turbografx 16, for a small cost of 600 points.

Remember that 100 points only equal one dollar, so three whole classic games for only a few bucks each.

Another Monday, another set of three Virtual Console games from Nintendo. We have some great stuff to play today, so let's jump right in.

Castlevania (NES, 500 points or $5)

Before there were the endless re-imaginings, before the stumbles into 3D, before Symphony of the Night rebooted the franchise, there was the original Castlevania. A whip as a main weapon? Killing classic monsters? This was the stuff back in the day. This is a great way to look back and see how far the Castlevania name has come, and to realize just how well the original stands up. This is a very linear, six-level game; it's hard to remember how big a deal things like the sub-weapons were for the time.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES, 800 points or $8)

Minigames, 2D and 3D gameplay, and some great sprite work make this an underappreciated gem. While the hardcore gamers are going to go crazy after hearing it's available, some people may not know what the fuss is about. Give it a download and see for yourself that this is a great title that will be well worth your time. The piggy-backing of characters wasn't really helpful in the game, but it was a fun way to practice team work. The game does a good job of mixing things up to keep you on your toes, too. This is a good title to rediscover, or to play for the first time.

Shockman (Turbografx 16, 600 points or $6)

This is an attractive 2D shooter with a few interesting teamwork elements in it as well. The Virtual Console has many shooters and Shockman is one that most of us will be seeing for the first time, but it's going to be find for this one to find a home with the other two choices available this week.

So what do you think? Excited? Let down? Any of these games going to find a home with you?

Revolution 9 via origin.arstechnica.com »