Wario's Woods NES (Virtual Console)

As the last game of the NES saga, Wario's Woods was a superior puzzle game that took advantage of everything the NES could give. One of the most overlooked games of all time, for a more advanced version was released with the Super Nintendo at the same time, however no lack of ingenuity was presented.

Obviously, Nintendo played the tactical card by sending out the NES version of this game before the SNES version to make more money off of it, but this game is well worthy of your 500 points (unless you have unlocked this game in Animal Crossing).

The game plays off a completly new way of puzzle gaming that involves the rearrangement of already fallen enemies and bombs. Utilizing Toad (the main character...in a game called Wario Woods) you swap through enemies and bombs to destroy all of the creatures before the ceiling crushes your character.

Graphics. Incorporating everything the Nintendo Entertainment System had, the 8-bit engine produced some of the best graphics the system had ever seen. Lively imagines, and colorful settings helped put this as one of the most vibrant NES games of its time.

Sound. With the harmonic tecno Mario melodies in the background, the game sure turns out to be ear pleasing. But dated repeated music doesn't help seperate it from many other games from its time.

Gameplay. A completly different way to play puzzle games was introduced in this game, and presented with several different modes of play. In the main mode of play one can go through several levels that slowly increase in difficulty with beatiful cut-scenes full of Mario-related stars, and of course Wario. The player controls Tad as he shifts monsters to blow up rows with color-coded bombs that have to be strategically placed for bonus points.

Every few puzzles that are completed have a boss battle that is a lot of fun, and helps put this game in front of clichéd puzzlers with similar tactics. With Vs. mode one can go mono a mono with another player where depending on your tricks and tactics, you can screw up your opponents game, an ability that has stuck with the genre to today.

The gameplay on the Wii is just as easy as before, however, you'll definetly want to go through the detailed guide that all virtual console games come with. No matter the controller this game is fun and addictive, and it may make a valiant solo-player game if you're in a nostalgic or puzzler mood.

Longevity. Boosted by its two-player support and varied puzzle story mode, this game could last you a long time, especially if you are looking for more games to play on your Wii, and you don't want to cough up the 50 dollars.

All in All. This game is worth the 500 points, for only a hand-ful of virtual console games are worth 100 points. It's definetly a great way to kill some time, and it looks pretty too. The only gripe i have is that i would love to play the updated SNES version, and yet they strategically delayed in putting that one out (or so i think). However, the fact that you are playing the last NES game to ever be made may have a special meaning to you, that depending on the person, may be your reason to cough up the points.