Aliens, insectarians and volleyball join the virtual console

By Spencer . November 12, 2007 . 7:10am

Aliens, insectarians and volleyball join the virtual consoleThis week’s virtual console offerings aren’t nearly as exciting as the Super Mario Brothers 3 / Alien Solider combo we got last week. We get Blue’s Journey, a cheerful NeoGeo platforming game, NES Volleyball and Axelay. If you’re into shmups, Axelay is worth picking up for 800 Wii Points. Konami took advantage of Mode 7 to make awesome top-down levels and memorable boss fights like the lava monster on the fifth stage.

 

Volleyball (NES(R), 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Step onto the court in one of the first volleyball games ever made. Select either the men's or women's competition, choose from one of eight available countries to represent, and prepare for some intensely fun game play. The straightforward controls include all the moves you'll need to effectively direct your six-person team. Take some time mastering them in the training mode, though, because you'll need all the practice you can get when competing against challenging computer opponents. If you feel like some multiplayer action, take on a friend in the two-player mode and see whose skills are more polished. Block, set and spike your way to victory.

 

AXELAY(R) (Super NES(R), 1 player, rated E for Everyone — Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Mysterious aliens have invaded the Earth-like planet of Corliss, slowly draining the planet's resources. Take control of the prototype Axelay ship and use its wide range of advanced weaponry to battle enemy forces. Play through multiple stages of action — from other planets to space stations — all on your way to destroying the alien headquarters. You are Corliss' last line of defense, so be careful not to be too distracted by the excellent graphics (including great scrolling effects) and rocking music. Pilot the Axelay using Konami's famously tight play control and experience what many consider to be a classic of the shooter genre.

 

BLUE'S JOURNEY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone — Comic Mischief, 900 Wii Points): The planet of Raguy has been invaded by the Daruma tribe, changing it from a beautiful and peaceful place into one filled with pollution. Released in 1991, this horizontally scrolling action game tells the story of an insectarian named Blue and his quest to save the planet and keep its inhabitants from being turned into slaves. Use Blue's main weapon, a leaf, to flip enemies onto their heads and then throw them at other members of the Daruma tribe, defeating anyone in your way. Additional weapons, such as bombs and boomerangs, are also available, or you can collect flowers to purchase other special items like honey or swim fins. Blue also has the special ability to change his size at will — if he's too big to fit in a particular area, then shrink him. The bright, colorful graphics, combined with lots of hidden items to find, ensure an enjoyable experience with plenty of replay value. Help Blue muster all his strength and eliminate the Daruma tribe.


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  • Carmen

    Axelay makes that VERY exciting offer and I hope that Wii owners play this game!

  • Carmen

    Axelay makes that VERY exciting offer and I hope that Wii owners play this game!

  • Veilknight

    You know, I’m still rather disappointed that Konami never actually delivered a true sequel to Axelay in anyway, shape, or form, despite promises of a successor to this great shmup presented once beating the game twice on the hardest difficulty setting. Whether the title’s cancellation (if it was even in development in the first place) stems from the game’s low sales, or simply for the fact that the developers for this shooter had left to form Treasure is unknown, but it was still a sad realization at the time to come to copes with the knowledge that Konami currently had no plans in the near future to expand the Axelay universe.

    Nevertheless, I’ll be sure to make Axelay my next Virtual Console download on the Wii, as it will be a great way to relive one of the best underrated classics of the near and dear to my heart 16-bit era.

  • Veilknight

    You know, I’m still rather disappointed that Konami never actually delivered a true sequel to Axelay in anyway, shape, or form, despite promises of a successor to this great shmup presented once beating the game twice on the hardest difficulty setting. Whether the title’s cancellation (if it was even in development in the first place) stems from the game’s low sales, or simply for the fact that the developers for this shooter had left to form Treasure is unknown, but it was still a sad realization at the time to come to copes with the knowledge that Konami currently had no plans in the near future to expand the Axelay universe.

    Nevertheless, I’ll be sure to make Axelay my next Virtual Console download on the Wii, as it will be a great way to relive one of the best underrated classics of the near and dear to my heart 16-bit era.

  • Carmen

    Veilknight, I can’t offer you an answer, but Konami had a habit of doing this. Gradius got pretty furnished with games, but Salamander received a very thin treatment (one sequel and only a handful of ways to experience them), while A-Jax, Thundercross, Trigun, and the magnificant XEXEX were all abandoned. Then again, maybe it was thier plan to diversify with different titles, as opposed to ten or so copies of the same game (ahem, Capcom!)

  • Carmen

    Veilknight, I can’t offer you an answer, but Konami had a habit of doing this. Gradius got pretty furnished with games, but Salamander received a very thin treatment (one sequel and only a handful of ways to experience them), while A-Jax, Thundercross, Trigun, and the magnificant XEXEX were all abandoned. Then again, maybe it was thier plan to diversify with different titles, as opposed to ten or so copies of the same game (ahem, Capcom!)

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