The torrent of Turbografx-16 releases has slowed to a trickle this week; a single Turbografx-16 and two NES games were released for Virtual Console through the Australian Wii Shop this “Virtual Console Friday”. Some players could be excited by this weeks releases; I am generally neutral … they aren’t great releases, but they aren’t terrible either.

Wrecking Crew (NES) is one of the lesser known games starring Mario (and co-starring Luigi as player two). But honestly, who cares about the characters …. it’s the gameplay that matters right ? This game is one-parts action-platformer and one-part puzzler. Mario runs up and down ladders, with the goal of destroying all the bricks in the level with his hammer … while being chased by various beasties. To complete the level, you need to destroy some of the (white) ladders too … so the order which things are hammered in is important. Opening the doors and allowing the beasties to pass through them makes the beasties not harmful anymore. The Wii Virtual Console version of Wrecking Crew includes a level editor so you can create your own levels, and the option to save them (previously only available on the Japanese Famicom version). Make you own assessment, check out Wrecking Crew on vNES.

Lunar Pool (NES) – if you just want a simple pool (billiards) simulation on the Wii … get Wii Play. If you want a pixelated 2D overhead pool game for trying out trick shots on unusually shaped tables get Lunar Pool. Two player mode could be fun, but I found the single player game a little dull.

Neutopia (TG-16) is a much anticipated RPG release, but is pretty much a Legend of Zelda ripoff. I haven’t played Neutopia, so I don’t know if it’s better than the original Legend of Zelda or not, but considering the the original Legend of Zelda sucks pretty hard (good in it’s time … but it is no longer it’s time), I can imagine it improves on Zelda even if only due to better graphics. Bah ! .. Don’t listen to me, I’m not an RPG fan so I just can’t give a fair assessment here.