Gradius leads triple shot of Wii VC releases

Konami's NES shoot-'em-up arrives on the Virtual Console, accompanied by TurboGrafx-16 games Soldier Blade and Dungeon Explorer.

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The Vic Viper takes flight again today, as the NES edition of Konami's arcade shoot-'em-up Gradius has appeared on the Wii's Virtual Console. Acting as the game's wingmen are a pair of TurboGrafx-16 games: the vertically scrolling shooter Soldier Blade and the action role-playing game Dungeon Explorer. All three games are rated E for Everyone.

Originally released in 1986, the NES version of Gradius puts players in the cockpit of a starfighter fending off an alien invasion through seven stages. Designed for one or two players, the game is available for 500 Wii Points ($5).

The second shoot-'em-up of the week, Hudson Entertainment's 1992 offering Soldier Blade borrows the colored power-up mechanic of its fellow TG-16 shooters, Super Star Soldier and Blazing Lazers. Soldier Blade is a one-player game and sells for 600 Wii Points ($6).

Finally, Hudson Entertainment's 1989 action RPG Dungeon Explorer originally required the TG-16's TurboTap accessory to allow simultaneous cooperative play for up to five players. Fortunately, the Virtual Console release allows five-player action with any combination of Wii Remotes and GameCube controllers. Players pick from eight different character classes, ranging from genre staples like the fighter to more obscure choices like the bard or bishop, and then they set out into the world to conquer a series of dungeons. Dungeon Explorer is available to download for 600 Wii Points.

64 Comments

  • HafkOS

    Posted Jan 20, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    They shouldn't have done the NES port of Gradius. They should have done the far superior TG16 version. A new level and secret level (Making 9 levels), the best version of the soundtrack (Synth drums really add a nice effect to the music), 4 options, and arcade-perfect graphics. The NES was poor compared to the TG16 version. The only problem with the TG16 version was the small slowdown, and that is easily fixable now.

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted Jan 13, 2007 2:11 pm PT

    MrJaco82, oh i see somebody studying some nazi capatalist scam venture at stanford university

    That comment reaks of it xD

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 8:44 pm PT

    I wish that the Virtual Console allowed Nintendo to do emulations of original arcade games, not emulations of ports of arcade games to the NES. The Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 games are better, but they're also more expensive.

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 8:18 am PT

    SO far the VC has been nothing but a joke. With the points card i got for christmas I've bought R-Type, Super Castlevania and Tennis (for my sis :S) mostly for nostalga's sake, but those games combined arent worth £15 a pop. At least the Live Arcade has made some good restorations to the games and added new features like online play and HD compatibility. Unfortunately so far nintendo doesn't 'do' those because they're so stubborn...

    And your probably saying, 'well they're only keeping them in their original form'. But who cares? here's a better solution, BUY THAT CONSOEL WITH THOSE GAMES!!! probably cheaper too...

  • MrJaco82

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 10:04 pm PT

    Why you guys cry so much about "crap" games is beyond me. It is marketing genius and they are re rereleasing games and making tons of money on even games like Tennis simply by creating a high demand for certain games and than spreading them few and far between, and we as starved gamers simply buy the best of whats outthere

    Its a genius way of Nintendo showing us their complete gaming library, games that were lost the first go around are now being reshown to us and probably higher grossing than they were the first release

  • lunaticpandora1

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    I also love the Wii VC as it has many games. In conclusion BABBOOSHKA!

  • sidious

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 8:44 am PT

    I love the Wii Virtual Console (as well as the X-Box Live Marketplace)... and I think, unlike others out there, that the pricing is mostly fair. After all, you are not forced to buy these games... and many out there aren't Ebay savy, or their old consoles don't work anymore, or they never had a particular console... so the VC provides an easy and fun way to play old favorites or games you missed out on in the first place... But I am sad to see Japan getting many of our favorite games before us (such as Kid Icarus, Mario Kart 64 and Zelda II...), while we have been flooded with old sports games... but a few gems have slipped in... first and foremost the Sega Genesis classics Gunstar Heroes (one of the best games ever) and Toejam and Earl... other goodies, such as Sim City from the SNES, Mario 64 from the N64 and a handful of others have made their way to us, but I want the goods that Japan is getting. Not all Americans are sports fanatics. lol

    As for this past week, I gladly paid $5 for Gradius... long live Vic Viper. lol

  • evry1snice

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 8:18 am PT

    Oh where oh where have the n64 games gone, oh where oh where could they be?

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 8:05 am PT

    PixyMisao ROMS may not be the most legal way of playing the classics but lets face it Nintendo is double dipping in a huge way. I like the idea originaly when i thought games would be cheaper, but $5 for gradius??? The game is a classic but in no way in today's day is this game worth $5.... I feel like im paying for every character in the 20kb script at this price.

    For the 360's arcade, it might not have the nostalgia of Nintendo but that doesn't mean it sucks. There seem to be alot of new original games being developed on live's arcade that aren't games made with the type of budget a normal game is made with, and playing Street Fighter 2 hf, and MK online is better then playing the snes versions of those games...... Basically i kind of feel like microsoft's prices are a little more reasonable due to additional work being done on the games, then Nintendo making more money then they should at there prices off off code that was written 10-20 years ago. Oh and also i know the 360's prices aren't always fair too, $4 for pacman??? But i guess nothing is perfect in this day an age.

    Not trying to knock Nintendo's virtual console but i would be more interested in getting the machine if the prices were more reasonable.

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 7:05 am PT

    Hmmm im still not sure about this virtual gaming on the wii. $5 seems a bit steep for gradius, i was hoping games like this would be more like $1. The problem i have is gradius is a play for 15 minutes then go to the next game, the gameplay and the style of game doesn't make me want to pay $5 for, besides nes games tend to be very cheap used. I really wanted nintendo to add there old lineups on this system and make me want to buy the system for this, right now it just feels like a way to get more easy money...... Also want to point out that old classic bundles on the ps2 tended to sell for 20, midways arcade treasure 1-2 had 20 games and was $20 each, just felt like that pricing scheme would work better. Right now im against this!!

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 6:49 am PT

    that's sweet that u can have 5 people on dungeon explorer.... i might have to check that out!

  • ReggieNametaker

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 5:27 am PT

    Just to tease people in the US and australia, Dungeon Explorer has been out since launch in the UK and Japan xD

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Jan 9, 2007 1:25 am PT

    Who doesn't remember Gradius! The great shoot em up (SHMUPS). I loved the Gradius series.

  • coasterlove

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 11:25 pm PT

    Puppiemaster, I was quoting someone else. That's why I put that part of quotation marks ( " ). I felt the same way you did that it was strange for someone to have so many N64 games if they thought the games sucked.

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 7:21 pm PT

    Also (and oddly enough) Dungeon Explorer isn't listed in the what's new section, but it is listed in the individual system game's list. And for some reason, Super Mario 64 was bumped up, was it re-released? It doesn't mention any bugs being fixed or anything new or missing being added. Oh well...

    BTW most of the games people have mentioned that they want from Nintendo should be available before March. Personally I'm waiting for Kid Icarus, Starfox 64, and Super Metroid action! But I'm betting that they're holding off on the 64 games because A: There aren't that many really great 64 games, and B: they take up a lot of the Wii's flash memory. I've filled up 2 1/2 screens of Wii Channels myself... but I don't know if that means anything.

  • GamerGeorge

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 6:50 pm PT

    I purchased and downloaded Dungeon Explorer; if I had some more Wii Points I'd get Soldier Blade, too.

  • Svarthek

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 6:45 pm PT

    If you found yourself complaining about this release, download Gradius and be silent.

  • EhRon

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 6:38 pm PT

    Seriously though, I hope they lower the prices on these Virtual games, some of the NES games ie Donkey Kong or Soccer is not worth $5, maybe $1.

  • pencilpusher69

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:51 pm PT

    From what I gather, people who complain that the classics are not up on the VC, are people who weren't around to play the games back in the day. Many of the games, minus the sports stuff, are absolute classics of gaming.

    I really believe anybody who makes this arguement is just too young to know any better.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:32 pm PT

    Yes, Dungeon Explorer! Finally! This was a great game back in the day, I'm psyched to be able to play it again!

    Gradius is a great game, but I have Gradius V for the PS2, and it's pretty hard to go back. The game play is just better in so many ways that I don't think I would play the original again.

  • sacatash

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:10 pm PT

    Finally, I can play Dungeon explorer, which cost $70.00(!!) Canadian back in the late 90's + Turbo grafx cd + Turbo grafx.

    Please Nintendo, release Chronotrigger. The only RPG I have not played yet for SNES!

  • kryptin

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:09 pm PT

    WOOHOO I love Gradius. Now where's Gradius 2 and Life Force for NES and Gradius 3 for SNES?

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:07 pm PT

    Sweet. Life Force next, please? With optional slow-down for those of us who needed it to survive

  • twilight_link9

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    death919
    "Stop releasing this stupid games for the VC and start releasing the classics like Paper Mario, etc..."

    Paper Mario?!? WTF? I don't think you've played NES or even SNES games. Be patient. People like us want classics!

  • Cypher_187

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 4:40 pm PT

    death919

    WTF are you complaining about? The selection that is already available not even two months in to the networks lifecycle is much better than either the Live arcade (or what it was in it's infancy) or the PS network. Come on, get a life dude. Super castlevania 4, Gunstar Heroes, SMB, Sonic, R-Type, Bonk etc. What else do you want 1 and a half months in. Plus, if you haven't played some of these games (which I am sure you haven't, you sound like you might be 14 - 16 years old... Paper Mario?!), I suggest you give them a chance, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

  • Gmacrusher

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 4:25 pm PT

    Wow this game is old...i still want to play it!

  • death919

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 3:25 pm PT

    Stop releasing this stupid games for the VC and start releasing the classics like Paper Mario, etc...

    VC was one of my most anticipated features of the Wii, but so far, they're either releasing games that we already own remakes to, or they're releasing games that I wouldn't choose to play over Twilight Princess or DS...

    Come on Nintendo......... your suppose to be showing why your VC service is better than 360's or PS3's... you have 15 years of classics, start releasing some of them.

  • azzezino

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    What's up with the lackluster VC releases!?!?! We've been getting so-so and worthless games, so far. (Except for a very few classic ones between the cr@ppy ones.)

  • RandyAU93

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    To everyone (including myself) who wonders when Nintendo is going to release this or that for VC: they've got us right where they want us. We wait with baited breath for each announcement, wondering when the Monday release schedule will contain that one title we simply must have. They're gonna milk it for all it's worth ... as they should. Keep up the good work, Big N!

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 2:16 pm PT

    i like the way they are pumping out the old school games at a good rate but what about games for the n64?

  • games_pot1

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 2:09 pm PT

    Gradius is Awesome. All the consoles have great games I dunno which one to get.

  • datniccah187

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 2:08 pm PT

    Nice the more old school shoot em up games the better.

  • OmegaGear

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:51 pm PT

    Gradiu is a nice title, although i have the collection they released not too long ago. I'm just praying for Super Metroid and Link to the Past.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:33 pm PT

    only bought, Mario 84, bomberman, legend of zelda, sim city, R-type, super mario bros, sonic and f zero.

    Need A link to the Past and the rest of the mario games.

    Japan has a link to the past, I want it

    coasterlove
    "I am never going to buy a n64 game again I got two stuffed in the closet and I never use it beacuse I hate nealry all of the 100 games I got for it."

    Yet you bought 2 64's and 100 games, I can think of a few words to describe you. (they are all polite and nice, Honestly)

  • Aaron_130

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:30 pm PT

    VC is a joke, XBLA is better in every single way.

  • A7Xfan

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:23 pm PT

    anyone know what's better Super Star Solider or Solider Blade?

  • imbacon

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:18 pm PT

    Ooooh now I am very much sexually aroused!

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:17 pm PT

    pretty freakin awesome

  • LanceK17

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:15 pm PT

    Go Go Nintendo!!!

  • jd7-03

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 1:13 pm PT

    I refuse to buy VC games, due to the lack of additional features for the game such as online play! ONLINE PLAY!

  • stiker71

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:57 pm PT

    Ah VC does rule.

  • PixyMisao

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:37 pm PT

    So basically "audisio", you can illegally play shoddy emulated versions of these games on a cute little PC monitor without giving a cent to the people who worked their collective asses off to create these games... gee, when the facts are revealed it isn't all that difficult to discern the good guys from the bad guys is it? The Virtual Console is a success, and lots of people are downloading the games... suck it up Theif! And now that these games are readily available again, don't be surprized if the crackdown on ROMs and ISOs becomes much more severe. I know if the FBI came knocking on my door, I'd rather not have a hard drive full of illegal games, stolen MP3s and burned pre-release movies. Have fun in prison!

  • MACMALLEON

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:35 pm PT

    TECMO SUPER BOWL!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?????

  • Robio_basic

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:26 pm PT

    Generic Dude - I wouldn't go so far as to say no one cared about the TG-16. It was an extremely desirable console. Most everyone who saw it drooled all over it when it was released. Problem was, it was insanely expensive (in contrast to the prices of the other consoles at the time). It also didn't help that Hudson never quite figured out how to market the TG-16 after it's initial launch. And once Nintendo and Sega joined the 16 bit era they more or less squashed Hudson out of it. There were definitely some games worth spending some time with that only appeared on the TG-16 though.

  • Kenzo287

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    audisio: yes people are buying them and yes you can steal them off the internet or even play flash versions of them but then you can't play them on a gamepad and that makes all the difference.

  • REVOLUTIONfreak

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    its good to see that Nintendo is sticking with the routine of releasing new VC games every Monday, their original plan was only to do that til the end of the year

  • Re_ensurer

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:16 pm PT

    Sounds cool.

  • audisio

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:12 pm PT

    I would like to know if people are buying this VC games. I hope they arent, because nintendo needs to improve the system. I need to play a demo of each game before buying. You know, i can get any of these games for free in the internet!

  • coasterlove

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    "I am never going to buy a n64 game again I got two stuffed in the closet and I never use it beacuse I hate nealry all of the 100 games I got for it."

    Sonicgod, please tell me that was heavy sarcasm.

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