If you wanted an enjoyable beat ‘em up with a well composed soundtrack back in 1991, Streets of Rage was the game for you. Back then, the mere possibility of a Sega game ending up on a Nintendo console [without Tengen’s heroics] was almost unfathomable. But, as with everything else life, I’ve learned that anything is possible. While Sega’s console day’s are long gone, the Virtual Console provides the perfect platform to keep the Genesis legends alive.

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This week we get a cult classic and the original “PS3″.  Check out the new titles available on the Wii Shop Channel today:

River City Ransom - NES - 1989 - 500 Wii Points
River City Ransom takes place in River City, where our heroes, Alex and Ryan, find a letter on Ryan’s locker from a guy named Slick. The letter says that Ryan’s girlfriend, Cyndi, has been kidnapped, and Slick has taken River City hostage with the help of countless gangs and evil bosses. It’s up to our heroes to save poor Cyndi and free River City from the clutches of Slick and his underlings. [Originally published by American Technos]

Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom - Genesis - 1991 - 800 Wii Points
As Rhys, the crown prince of the Orakian kingdom of Landen, you are engaged to be married to Maia, a woman from a rival kingdom. But Maia is kidnapped on your wedding day, setting you on a quest filled with twists and turns that will reintroduce you to people and places from previous Phantasy Star games. In Phantasy Star III, things aren’t always what they seem-check it out and watch the mysteries unfold. [Originally published by SEGA]

Since it’s one of the great cult classics of the NES, our pick of the week is River City Ransom.  What’s yours?

The Wii Shop Channel rolls out another pair of games this week:

King’s Knight - NES - 1989 - 500 Wii Points
In the kingdom of Izander, the fair Princess Claire has been kidnapped by a foul and insidious dragon, and it is the mission of four brave fighters to save her.  [Of note: this game was Square Soft's first independent release!]

Powerball - Genesis - 1991 - 800 Wii Points
Eight different teams representing various nations are vying to become the Powerball champions, and you control one of the eight in your quest for the championship.

Split between two games that are fairly lackluster, King’s Knight looks a little too rough despite being created by a company who went on to be famous for their polish and presentation.  That means Powerball is our Virtual Console pick of the week.

Japan invades the Virtual Console this week with two ‘import’ titles:

DoReMi Fantasy: Milon’s DokiDoki Adventure - SNES - 1996 - 900 Wii Points
This is an action game where an energetic boy named Milon sets off on a great adventure in a cute fairy-tale world. Follow-up to Milon’s Secret Castle.

Puyo Puyo 2: Tsuu - Genesis - 1994 - 900 Wii Points
The object of this head-to-head puzzle game is to clear your grid of falling patterns called puyos by forming chains of four or more same-colored puyos in a straight line or one of several geometric patterns.

Getting any of this goodness?

Sequels rule the Virtual Console with this week’s two new releases:

Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom - NES - 1991 - 500 Wii Points
Join master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, last member of the famous Dragon Clan, in the third and final chapter of the legendary Ninja Gaiden saga. Ryu is framed for FBI agent Irene Lew’s murder, and it’s up to him to clear his name.

Phantasy Star II - Genesis - 1989 - 800 Wii Points
Hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans and media alike, Phantasy Star II is an RPG that features an epic story line and turn-based battles. Experience the magic once again in this great sequel.

Both of these are incredibly tempting, but when does one find the time?!

Two games hitting the Virtual Console this week:

Operation Wolf - NES - 1989 - 500 points
A group of desperate terrorists is keeping hostages in their jungle fortress. As a member of the elite tactical squad Operation Wolf, you must invade their hideout, destroy their operations, and get the hostages out alive!

Columns III: Revenge of Columns - Genesis - 1994 - 800 points
This single-player or multiplayer experience expands upon the game play of the original two Columns titles giving players some extra attacks to spring on opponents.

I absolutely loved playing Operation Wolf in the arcades. Unfortunately, the NES version was rather disappointing. I never finished Columns or Columns II, so I’m not sure if I can follow the storyline in Columns III. What are you picking up this week?