(For the ones who know me.)  It’s been a while since I’ve been on GiantBomb.  Last week was my dad’s vacation, and when his vacation started immediately, it meant work!  Within the last week, I have helped put laminate flooring down in my home, went out of town for three days, and done multiple mini-tasks.  It took two days to lay down the floor, one day to straighten a few things up in the house, three days out of town and little sleep, and the remainder has been tiny projects.  Tiny projects like making a space where it’s possible to hang plants upon the porch, managing the vegetable garden, cleaning up the house, and more.  So yea, it’s been a busy week for me last week, and I am so glad that it’s over!  It’s been a long week and dad finally is going back to work because he has been annoying and frustrating me for the past week.  I can finally play my new games for Wii which are ExciteBots, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Bubble Bobble Plus!  I can finally also catch up on some games like Mario Golf 64, Secret of Mana, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past!  Going to be a really good summer for me on videogames finally!  I haven’t had a “to do” list quite like this in quite a while! It's great to be back on GiantBomb! :D

Well, I suppose I should get to the main point now!  Here is what I think are the best WiiWare and Virtual Console titles that money can buy so far.  For the ones who many not know what Virtual Console or WiiWare is, it's a service on Wii where one can download older and newer games!  The Virtual Console helps gamers experience and re-experience older games, while WiiWare titles offer new games!  There are games that I have researched, but have not played.  I think that it would fair to list the researched/non-played games too because of the reception and popularity of those games!

Notes: The following lists are not in any particular order.

*Researched/Non-played

WiiWare

Bubble Bobble Plus! – Bubble Bobble Plus! is a really not a bad game for $6, and it just came out.  200 levels of bubble shooting and eliminating enemies, and picking up the items that they drop come to a very well balanced game.  You can get 100 more levels by purchasing the extra downloadable content.  Add it all together, and you get a $10 game with 300 action packed, old-school style action!  This updated version of Bubble Bobble is certainly not a dud.  I was one of the people who were hesitant on getting Bubble Bobble because of the “cute” factor.  If you work around the “cute” factor, then you’ll realize you got a pretty challenging and quality game on your hands!  This title is worth checking out.

Tetris Party - Tetris has been here for a long period of time. Now, the mother of all puzzle games is back in a whole new way! Alexey Pajitnov probably did not know what kind of game that he has created, but it has become well known and extremely popular. Today it's one of the best legendary puzzle games that have ever been created. Tetris has had its ups and downs through the years, but it has now reached a peak. Tetris Party for Wii is not only fun, but it also features new ways to play and enjoy Tetris. There are many ways to play Tetris! You can play alone, against friends, online, and with the balance board among many different modes or ways to play. You can even change your environments and music that best suits your mood. 12 dollars is not a bad price to pay for this game, and it's worth the money because I bought Tetris Worlds for the Gamecube for 20 dollars. So 12 dollars is a modest price considering what it used to be, and the replay value is unstoppable! (From my personal review http://www.giantbomb.com/tetris-party/61-23234/user_reviews/?review=6897)

*World of Goo - World of Goo is a multiple award winning physics based puzzle / construction game made entirely by two guys. Drag and drop living, squirming, talking, globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins, and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore - but they don't know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious. (Summary from www.gamerankings.com)

*Mega Man 9 - This latest Mega Man title brings the series back to its old school roots with retro action platforming gameplay and classic 8-bit NES-style graphics and sound. Relive the Mega Man experience with classically inspired bosses, each with their own unique weapons and weaknesses. The story of Mega Man begins in the year 200X, as the advanced science of the era has created industrial robots that co-exist with humans. However, an evil genius, Dr. Wily, plots for world domination and creates his own robot army to take over mankind. Luckily for humanity, Dr. Light outfits one of his domestic robots "Rock" to fight Dr. Wily's creations. Mega Man is born. Set after the events of Mega Man 8, multiple riots have sprung up all over the world. Whilst many people suspect that this is another plot from Dr. Wily, Dr. Light is stunned to recognize that some of the robots rioting on the TV screen are his own creations. Even more stunning, Dr. Wily appears on television to proclaim that Dr. Light is the evil mastermind behind these latest catastrophic incidents and it's up to Mega Man to clear his creator's name! (Summary from WWW.IGN.com)
*Dr. Mario Online Rx - The doctor is in! Mario takes a break from his adventuring ways and once again dons his stethoscope for a new generation of germ-battling mayhem. In addition to the classic mode of using vitamins to exterminate viruses, you'll find two battle modes and an online multiplayer mode where you can hone your skills against players from around the world. Feel like challenging a friend who doesn't have Dr. Mario Online Rx? Then the WiiWare-exclusive Friend Battle Demo is just what the doctor ordered. Or maybe you'd like some help taking on those nasty viruses? Try out Virus Buster, where four players can simultaneously move capsules simply by pointing at them with a Wii Remote controller. Any way you look at it, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a prescription for fun that everyone can enjoy. (Summary from WWW.IGN.com)

Honorable Mentions for WiiWare

Magnetica Twist*, My Aquarium*, LostWinds*, Art Style Franchise*, MaBoShi's Arcade*, LIT*, Toki Tori*, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Bit Trip Beat*, and Defend Your Castle*.

Virtual Console

Most Anything Mario – The only game I never really cared for was the NES Open Tournament game that he was in.  Everything else that is offered through the Virtual Console service that is related to Mario is good.  Games like Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart 64, and Paper Mario are some of the many games that makes Mario who he is today!  He will always be Mr. Nintendo, in other words Nintendo’s forever and beloved mascot!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Absolutely no words can describe how good this game is. The game literally sucks you in as soon as you grab the controller and start the game. This is the most epic and without a doubt the best game I have ever played. The storyline is absolutely captivating, and it leaves you curious and wanting to see more. The graphics may not be the best out there, but I'm here to tell you that graphics are not everything, game play is. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a game of substance, length, and lasting appeal even when you are finished and not playing it anymore. It's hard for me to pick it back up for a second time, because it's hard to re-experience the action all over again. At least there are memories. The music in the game can be haunting, atmospheric, delightful, and suits the mood of the game. Some boss fights can be pretty easy, but some can be very hard! I can't really find anything wrong with this game. If you have $10 left in Wii Points, I couldn't recommend anything better than The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. If you are new to playing games or the Zelda series, then you are very lucky! $10 for this game is practically a steal. (From my personal review http://www.giantbomb.com/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time/61-12572/user_reviews/?review=6933)

*I like Zelda games, but I believe that the Ocarina of Time is the best one.  I can’t recommend most anything Zelda, because I never really liked the NES versions, and I still need to play Majora’s Mask!  I heard that Majora’s Mask isn’t the best Zelda game to play.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – I grew up with Nintendo and somehow I missed this game when it released on the SNES. I know now that I definitely missed something good. I'm so glad that I was able to capture the fantastic moments in this game through Wii! If you played the Twilight Princess and liked it, try A Link to the Past out! This is a great game but it is not my favorite. I do however realize why many regard this game to be the best in the series and I respect that! In my opinion, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is what I think is best in the series. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the second. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is my third favorite and at last The Legend of Zelda: A link to the Past is the fourth. I strongly recommend A Link to the Past to any hardcore gamer! This game will definitely give the younger gamers a history lesson and people like me who accidentally missed out!  (From my personal review on WWW.Gamespot.com http://www.gamespot.com/wii/rpg/legendofzeldaalinkttpsnes/player_review.html?id=589395&tag=contributions;review1)
Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, and 3 – Sonic was great in the good old days of gaming.  These three games define Sonic, and they are certainly his best.  It is sometimes really hard to come across something that is not better than the original.  In these games, it is easy to see how Sonic was able to grow in the right way, not the way he has been growing for the worse recently.  Buying these games at 800 points each is not a rip off in any way.  Experiencing or re-experiencing these games are definitely an experience worthwhile.

Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, and 3 – The Donkey Kong Country games are the most beautiful and artful games that I have seen to be on the SNES.  Not only are these games are artful, but they are also challenging to boot.  The level design and the obstacles can be quite cruel in the game, but it easily pleases any hardcore gamer who is looking for a good challenge.  The music in these games is so cinematic, creative, haunting, calm, whimsical, and catchy!  Good graphics, music, and most importantly game play make these games iconic.  For 800 points apiece, it’s definitely a modest price for all of them!

Secret of Mana – Secret of Mana is a very iconic and graphically beautiful RPG similar to the style of Zelda.  It is a very hard game to play and might not appeal to all gamers.  Gamers who favor the RPGs will certainly need to give this square gem a try.  The elements in the game may be similar to Zelda, but one can definitely tell the difference between the two.  The soundtrack of this game is certainly popular among fans, and the atmosphere of each level is very rich and colorful.  800 points for this game is not bad if you don’t get impatient too quick!!

Honorable Mentions for Virtual Console

Mega Man franchise*, Toe Jam and Earl*, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Punch-Out: Featuring Mr. Dream*, Metroid*, Super Metroid*, Starfox 64, Kirby’s Adventure*, Super Castlevania 4*, Ghosts 'n' Goblins*, and Gunstar Heroes*.

    

     If there are any comments, questions, or contributions I’ll get back to you!!  If there are some iconic games that I have accidently left off, then please mention them!!  Thanks for reading this very long blog, and see you all next time.  Hope ya’ll liked the list!

-Ty