We’re beginning to think that Nintendo’s new tactic for 2008, as far as the Virtual Console is concerned, is to be a bit more tight-fisted with the amount of games it releases. Whether this is because they don’t want to ’spoil’ us too much or fancy that this year’s selection of new offerings on the console don’t need to be supplemented by as many retro releases, we don’t know. Anyway, this week North America is treated to a pair of golden oldies - one a Tetris/Columns clone and the other a poor man’s Streets of Rage.

Pac Attack (Super Nintendo, 1-2 Players, 800 Wii Points):

Pac-Attack is a puzzle game in the vein of Columns and Dr. Mario. It was adapted from Cosmo Gang the Puzzle, an arcade game released in the previous year. Released by Namco, it features Pac-Man in various colours, as the playing pieces, with the Ghostmonsters as obstacles. On a Tetris-like board the player drops blocks consisting of Ghosts, Blocks, Pac-Men, and one Fairy (if your Fairy Meter is full) to the ground. The objective is to not let the blocks overflow, let Pac-Man eat the ghosts, and make lines to shorten the amount of blocks on the board.

Pac-Man makes a rare appearance outside of a maze environment in Pac-Attack, a fun and quirky puzzle game. This unique entry in the genre puts its own twist on established conventions and adds one of gaming’s most iconic characters to the mix. The goal is simple: Keep your screen clear of falling blocks and ghosts by lining up blocks horizontally, causing them to disappear.

Clearing the ghosts, though, requires the help of a hungry Pac-Man (who just happens to swing by every so often for a snack). It’s up to you to get all of the ghosts lined up for him, because Pac-Man will keep eating them until he is stopped by a block or he runs out of ghosts. In addition, his range of movement on the playing field is limited to horizontal or downward - thus adding further strategy.

There are three game modes to choose from: 1 Player Normal, 2 Player VS., and the challenging 1 Player Puzzle. Feel like gobbling up some ghosts?

Riot Zone (TurboGrafx-16, 1 Player, 800 Wii Points):

Riot Zone (also known as Crest of Wolf) is an is a side scrolling beat ‘em up title that was originally released by Hudson Soft in 1992 for the TurboGrafx-16. Seen a clone of SEGA’s Streets of Rage, just lacking in the character, challenge and charm of the Mega Drive classic.

Riot Zone is a side-scrolling fighting game that follows two heroes as they fight to take down an evil organization. The crime syndicate Dragon Zone has kidnapped Hawk’s girlfriend and it’s up to him and his partner detective, Tony, to get her back. Join them as they jump “fists first” into the grim Kowloon district.

Play as Hawk or Tony and fight through all five stages in the deadly Kowloon district. Smash down the Dragon Zone goons in areas like the Harbor, Abandoned Warehouse and the Ghetto. Both characters have unique skills and attacks. Hawk is a master of karate, while Tony is a hard-hitter. That being said, both guys are massive and possess killer techniques. The hard-boiled action is enhanced by the game’s realistic sound effects.

Either of the above take your fancy this week?