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by: Chuck - posted: 2/18/2008 8:21:00 AM

Nintendo is releasing a pair of sequels on the virtual console this week.  Starting at noon EST gamers will be able to download and play Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (500 points) and Phantasy Star II (800 points) on the Wii virtual console.  Be sure to check back on Friday for Cyril's take on the games.

Some gamers get skeptical when Roman numerals populate the title of a game.
But make no mistake – this week’s offerings are no mere sequels. They are some
of the most highly regarded classic games around. So stock up on some Wii
Points™ to battle the Dark Force or complete an action-packed trilogy.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every
Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points
to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or
at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Ninja Gaiden™ III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for
Everyone – Mild Violence, 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. Defeating superior life-forms created
out of "life energy" called BIO-NOIDs and avoiding enemy ambushes are among
the many obstacles which Ryu faces in this unpredictable adventure of mystery,
deceit and destruction. Noticeable changes to the game-play mechanics include
Ryu’s ability to grab on to horizontal surfaces, his reduced falling speed and
altered jumping maneuvers, and visible power-ups. Help Ryu defeat the forces
of evil once more and discover the real culprit behind Irene’s death as one of
the most loved trilogies in video-game history comes to a close.

Phantasy Star™ II: (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild
Animated Violence, 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. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo or several other
characters as you navigate through the Algol star system battling the evil
Dark Force. Build your characters, select the right weapons and armor, and
take on the forces of evil through various missions as you find the right
combination of characters to complete each objective. Experience the magic
once again in this great sequel.

The list of downloadable games is updated weekly on Nintendo’s Online Press
Room at press.nintendo.com. For more information about Wii, please visit
wii.com or contact: