Now here's a shooter to get your blood pumping. Not only does the game feature a hard rockin' musical score, it's also got the high-intensity game play to go along with it. Easily some of the best visuals the TurboGrafx-16 system ever saw, Gate of Thunder is everything a great shooter should be. And the play control and responsive feel make playing this game a dream. I own over 120 shooters, but this is the game I'd put at the top of the list any day. There aren't many shooters out there that can hold a candle to Gate of Thunder in terms of overall quality. I love Axelay and Radiant Silvergun as much as the next guy, but Gate of Thunder is the epitomy of what makes a great shooter. This game alone sold thousands of PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 systems and it won't take long to realize just why that is. Out-freaking-standing!

Gate of Thunder Game Play Video





If you asked ten TurboGrafx-16 fans which CD title they'd most like to see on the Virtual Console, nine of them would tell you Dracula X. Considered by many to be the greatest Castlevania game ever created, Dracula X has also become well known for the fact that it is the only Castlevania game to not see a US release. PSP fans are about to get an update of the game in October, and now Wii owners will likely also get a chance to experience one of the greatest video games ever made. Not only is it visually impressive, but it features one of the greatest video game soundtracks as well. If ever there were a CD title that took full advantage of the optical medium, it's this one. A must-have.

Dracula X Game Play Video





Very few games make me actually run right out and throw down $350 on a new game system, but the day I got a promo VHS tape from Hudson showing off their new shooter Lords of Thunder, I dropped what I was doing and drove into the city and bought a Turbo Duo system on the spot. This game is just as rockin' as Gate of Thunder, and this time the action is even more intense. Many of the bosses are nearly the height of the screen, and they've got a nasty temper to go along with their incredible size. If you love shooters, this game is one to put on your most wanted list. It's not quite as good as Gate of Thunder, but it's damn close.

Lords of Thunder Game Play Video





Fans of this game might know it better as Star Parodier. This is Hudson's answer to Konami's Parodius series of cute em' ups and it's every bit as good, if not better. Vibrant visuals and over-the-top characters abound in this game. You even get the option of piloting Bomberman or an actual PC Engine system complete with shooting CDs. This game has an amazing soundtrack and some of the craziest bosses you'll ever lay eyes on. As great as the Parodius games are, Fantasy Star Soldier one-ups it in just about every area. It's even rumored that the US release of this game was already ready to go when Hudson decided to shelve the game with sales of the Turbo Duo system not coming close to reaching expectations. If you love a good cute em' up, this game should be on the top of your wish list.

Fantasy Star Soldier Game Play Video





Chances are you've heard of Sapphire before. The game has become well-known because of its rarity and super-high price tag on eBay. The game can go for as much as $500 new, and that's if you can find it. The game was released in very limited quanities back near the end of the PC Engine's run in Japan. It was one of the few games that made use of the Arcade Card upgrade and it was also one of the most visually impressive games the system ever saw. This game pushes the PC Engine hardware about as far as it can humanly go and the results are some impressive early 3-D visuals. As with most Turbo shooters, the soundtrack in Sapphire easily lives up to the reputation set by previous shooter releases. Maybe now everyone can enjoy this outstanding vertical shooter without having to pay $400+ for it. That 800 Wii Points doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

Sapphire Game Play Video





Mention the Ys series to any RPG fan and it will generally net you an ear-to-ear grin from most. Although voiced dialog and anime cut scenes are fairly common-place nowadays, when Ys Book I & II was released on the newly-launched TurboGrafx-16 CD attachment, it was a major accomplishment. It's widely regarded as the RPG that kicked off the trend of using voice-overs and cutscenes in role-playing games. The game isn't much to look at visually anymore, but that doesn't keep it from being one of the most beloved rpgs in history, even still today. Any rpg fan that hasn't had the chance to play these two magnificent games needs to put this one on the wish list now. Not only do you get two games for the price of one, but the entire package is one of the most enjoyable rpg experiences out there. It won't take long to realize why this game is still so widely regarded around the rpg community. It's a shame that the Turbo CD attachment was just too expensive for most gamers back when this game was released but at least that gives gamers the opportunity to pick up the game on the Virtual Console as it should be one of the first CD releases.

Ys Book I & II Game Play Video





Cotton is yet another PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 cute em' up, but it has its own unique distinction. While the game has a very cute look to it, it's one of the most difficult cute shooters ever created. This game fools you into a false sense of security with its charming cartoon-like visuals, and then it turns around and thrashes you from every direction. The game has a creepy and haunted overtone to it, and the bosses that you have to face off against at the end of each level will test your shooter skills to the max. You'd better bring your "A" game for this one. The game might be a little too difficult for less seasoned shooter fans, but it's still so much fun it's hard for me not to recommend it. Yet another fantastic CD soundtrack as well. Cotton is a well-rounded game musically and visually, that is if you can stand the steep level of difficulty.

Cotton Game Play Video





Sega Genesis fans might think this game looks a little familiar. In truth, it does. The Dynastic Hero is basically the Turbo CD version of Wonder Boy in Monster Land that appeared on cartridge format on the Genesis system. The game does have many of its characters changed due to licensing issues, and the soundtrack has been completely reworked for the CD format, but it's essentially still the same game. The results are good and bad as in places the soundtrack is fantastic and in others it seems like the developers were trying a little too hard to make solid use of the CD medium and went a little over-the-top with the musical tracks. Visually the game is a slight step up from its Genesis couterpart, but overall they're still basically the same game. If you like a side-scrolling adventure with a bunch of rpg elements thrown into the mix, Dynastic Hero is a game you'll want to check out. It's another US release that has gotten insanely expensive over the years so expect it to be a welcome addition to the Wii Virtual Console at a measely 800 Wii Points.

The Dynastic Hero Game Play Video





Fans of the original hucard Air Zonk game are going to love this CD sequel. Not only is it a completely new game, but Super Air Zonk takes the game play found in the original and cranks it up a notch or two. Now your friends play a more vital role in helping you out during the game. Once you've released your friend from their captor, they will then latch onto you and give you increased firepower. This time around, you can even fire them off, ala the pod in R-Type, and they'll go out and shoot enemies along with you. The soundtrack is made up of rockabilly-type music and it's hilarious to listen to. It just somehow fits into the look and theme of the game perfectly. There are still a few trademark Air Zonk style tracks as well so there's something for everybody in this one. If you liked the first Air Zonk title, this is a must-have for your VC library. It's even funnier than the first game.

Super Air Zonk Game Play Video





For game fans wondering where the first Street Fighter game is, this is it. This is the game that launched one of the biggest-selling video game franchises in history. The unfortunate part is that this game is not even in the same ballpark as Street Fighter 2 so don't come expecting anything even remotely close. The visuals are sub-standard, the play control is pathetic as best, and the overall game is simplistic and doesn't offer up much fun. If you're a Street Fighter purist, this might be worth checking out for the sake of seeing everything Street Fighter 2-related, but if you're looking for anything resembling the classic Street Fighter 2 experience, you're going to come away from this game mighty dissapointed. It's good for a laugh, but not much else.

Fighting Street Game Play Video