Topic: Best platform shooter on Virtual Console

Hi all,

I spend a silly amount of money on games in general the past month, but still have some Wii points left for a last purchase (for the moment that is). Looking for a more then decent platform shooter now. I am a big fan of the Turrican series, I played Turrican II for hours and hours when I still owned an Amiga. The Amiga is gone now and this is by far the game I miss the most.
I know two Turrican versions are available on Wii, but already read that they can not top TII on the Amiga (especially not in the music department, which gave the game in my means an extra dimension in atmosphere). Super Turrican would be the best regarding looks and music though. Looking at the screenshots of Mega Turrican as well, it seems to be that the games almost own the same levels (the Alien level for instance)? However, Super Turrican on VC would be the closest thing to Amiga's TII without buying the Commodore itself. On the other hand I found that all Turricans were a bit on the easy side and especially the bosses were very easily defeated.
Now I can also choose Super Metroid, which looks promising from the shots and is highly praised. I have a feeling the game is also based on solving puzzles, but not sure (I am not too fond on that, I like too SHOOT!). And then there is Super Probotector AKA Contra III. I read the game is challenging to say the least, so not a game I will complete easily. Furthermore the franctic action and especially the rock hard bosses (big monsters and machines) which do not give up easily really attract me.
What should I choose, judging from my comments above? I played none of the games, only saw some screenshots and videos from the Turricans. Do I miss a similair game, or any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Super Metroid is mainly about exploration in a maze-like environment (you will get stuck from time to time) and much less about the shooting, so it doesn't sound much like what you're looking for.

I would first and foremost recommend Contra III simply because it's my favourite run 'n' gun game, and yes, it is quite hard. I've never completed it, but I never get tired of replaying the incredible first stage, which is probably my favourite first stage in any game tbh. Two other games I would recommend are Gunstar Heroes and Metal Slug. Especially Gunstar Heroes. Frantic and absolutely awesome action all the way through.

That is correct, though fortunately it is not puzzle-based like later Metroids. The bosses are still quite fun, but it isn't really a challenging game overall. If you like your games on the difficult side, go with the original Metroid. You should expect to get even more lost in this game, but your shooting skills will be put to the test the whole time. I find it to be a bit more enjoyable, but I like both.

Gunstar Heroes and Metal Slug are both fun, too, and more straightforward action games.

Looking at the screen shots of Gunstar Heroes, the sprites in general look a bit ... ehrm... childish to me, but maybe I'm wrong. Contra III looks promising on a video as well, although the sound FX are horrid (sorry I'm spoiled). But gameplay rocks and there's non-stop action, which is the main thing. Can anyone comment on the Turrican's, worth your points or a let-down?
Thanks.

I like mega turrican personally. Much more than super turrican. Not sure about super turrican 2 though.

I've got to with Gunstar Heroes, but maybe Mega Man II.

I had the same problem with regards to Turrican - I wanted the version that's most like the C64/Amiga versions of the game.

I have to say that version is Super Turrican. It has a number of elements from all three Amiga Turrican games - such as the giant fist from Turrican 1 being the start of area 2 boss. Some levels, bosses and enemies are almost ripped from Turrican 2 also plus it has the energy beam weapon (though it just stuns rather than kills enemies), wheras Mega Turrican does not. As far as music goes, I think Super Turrican has the best in the series - including the Amiga games (really - I've grown to love this soundtrack!).

Mega Turrican, on the other hand, is the same game as Turrican 3 on the Amiga. Getting this, though, depends if you played Amiga Turrican 3 back in the day. If you only have a nostalgic attachment to the first two games, Super Turrican is the one to get.

I downloaded Super Turrican and indeed it captures the Turrican feel from the Amiga well. The main character is there, including the energy beam weapon in full rotation, the enemies and bosses are similair and the backgrounds are very nice. The music is also resembling some themes from the Amiga, although not as epic.I can not say yet it is quite as good as the Amiga version though, but I only played it for an hour or so and I think it has to grow on me.
The problem with Turrican II on the Amiga was that it was a bit easy, but this is not the case with Super Turrican. I embarrasly die a lot, playing on easy.The biggest disadvantages are that your energy beam indeed only stuns (which is a bit silly if you ask me) and you only have limited time to transform in the spiky wheel. Also the mega weapon is missing, which could be used only once on the Amiga.
And hey, I was lucky and had some points left to download Probotector : Alien Rebels as well after all! This is also very challenging to say the least and a very nice game. I love the amount of midbosses and variety of enemies which is thrown at you. To be honest I even did like it more then Super Turrican after playing it the first time, because I had no real expectations from it. Thinking about it now, both games are great add-ons for my growing collection.
Eventually, I will download Mega Turrican as well. I played Turrican 3 on the Amiga and although I think it is the lesser game compared to the first two, it still holds up very good.

I just downloaded Super Turrican today and I really like it! I never even considered getting it until I read this thread. The music is especially awesome! I plan on downloading Mega Turrican and Super Turrican 2 next but for now I'll just focus my attention on beating Super Turrican. Thanks for starting this thread and bringing this awesome game to my attention!

Cybernator for snes is fun, once you get used to the controls.