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There's big money in retro or vintage gaming. Just look at the wealth of back catalogue rehashes available in the online marketplaces across this generation of consoles. From Scramble conversions on XBLA to the genuine emulated articles of Nintendo's Virtual Consoles on the Wii, there's definitely something for everyone - whether you're older and want to relive your youth, or you're young and want to find out how the Zelda chronicles started out.

What's more, brand new video games can cost a pretty penny, and so downloading classic titles is a new form of budget gaming. And with the rumours abound that Nintendo are possibly to start a gifting system for sending your nearest and dearest a classic game remotely, it's a good a place and place to look at some of the better titles available on their Virtual Console arena.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64, 1000 Points)

One of the pricier titles in the Virtual Console, but certainly one of the premier league games available, Ocarina of Time was where many argue the Zelda series hit its peak. It received some of the highest scores ever awarded by top reviewers , and rightly so. It saw the world of Hyrule rendered in 3D for the first time, and started many conventions in gaming that are still relied upon heavily today. Just like in all Zelda games, you as Link are called on as a boy to be the hero and save all manner of people and solve a whole lot of puzzles. Whilst the graphics are obviously not close to the majesty that is The Twilight Princess, considering Ocarina is almost 10 years old, it's not half bad. Consider this your first essential VC purchase.

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (SNES, 800 Wii Points)

Possibly one of my favourite all time arcade favourites, Capcom's Ghouls 'n Ghosts was the pinnacle of the 'Ghosts' series, but was fiendishly difficult. A 2D platfomer saw you as Arthur, a knight, travelling through all manner of spooky environments, avoiding mutant plants, starving vultures and zombies in order to save your beloved lady friend. The SNES version isn't much to look at by today's standards, even the arcade original isn't - but the gameplay is most definitely faithfully reproduced. Whether or not you can hack its insane difficulty level is another matter - but those that can will most certainly be rewarded.

Donkey Kong Country (SNES, 800 Wii Points)

The game that re-ignited falling SNES sales towards the end of its shelf life, DK Country featured some of the most beautiful graphics the system would ever see. A 2D platformer, but who's entire cast was fully rendered in three dimensions, it's still every bit a treat for the eye as it ever was. And thankfully its gameplay matched it's visual qualities. A frenetic 39 levels of jumping and swinging through jungle themed levels, DK and Diddy tag teamed their way through the disposal of detractors and the collecting of bananas. Every bit the archetypal classic Nintendo platformer.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Genesis, 800 Wii Points)

Sega's answer to Mario as a mascot to sell their gaming platform, Sonic really came into his own during his third outing. Again, considering its original era, it's a classic 2D platformer but it's trademark was definitely its speed, with sonic spinning through tubes and up, down and around rollercoaster like platforms - some of which feel just as breathtakingly rapid as they did back at its time of release. The formula was simple, find the end of the level as fast as possible, collecting as many gold rings in the process. Collision with any of the levels many enemies would cause Sonic to lose all his rings, and run into one of them with empty pockets and it's back to the start of the level for our hero.

Super Metroid (SNES, 800 Wii Points)

Not the original, but certainly the best retro incarnation of Metroid ever. Beautiful 16-bit graphics and one of the finest examples of a 2D platformer ever to grace any console, Super Metroid still demonstrates exactly why the franchise is worth continuing with. For anyone that has played Metroid in the present day, the mechanics of the game will seem quite familiar; traversing through a myriad of connected rooms, fighting pirates and eventually the bosses. And Samus can still morph into the powerball for extra speed and manoeuvrability. Possibly, along with Ocarina, the VC game with the most depth and longevity, Super Metroid will keep you busy for at least 8 hours.

About G4 in Canada
G4 Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) launched in September 2001. G4 is the one and only television station that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Owned Rogers Media Inc., the channel airs more than 24 original series. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite. For more information, see www.g4tv.ca.

Tech News on G4

Holiday gaming on the download

December 10, 2007

By Andy Barratt - G4 Canada