The first world is so hard because the levels scroll vertically, and when a platform scrolls out of sight, it’s gone. This can lead to death, because a platform just pixels away from the bottom of the screen is now gone. With the flying enemies going all around you, navigation becomes even more difficult. Thankfully, unlike Mega Man, you can shoot upwards in Kid Icarus, but some of the enemies are still surprisingly challenging to fight.

If you manage to get through the first three levels you get to the first castle level, which is at least different. (The castle levels are just mazes made up of one-screen rooms.) It’s a welcome reprieve from the difficulty of vertical scrolling, and, while still hard, is much more manageable. Starting in the second world, the levels are side-scrolling. These levels are much easier since it’s a lot harder to accidentally fall down an endless pit. I actually enjoyed the game a lot more once level 2-1 started, but it still never was much fun.

There are some other things to appreciate in the game though, such as the wacky enemies. The eggplant wizards are especially memorable, even if getting turned into an eggplant is very frustrating. The music and art style are quite good as well, and really add to the charm of the game. In fact, I’d have to say the charm is what I like most about Kid Icarus and is why I’m glad the series is coming back, even if I’m not exactly a fan of the original game.

The actual platforming and shooting works well enough, and I do like that it has a shop and upgrade systems, but the overall game never really clicked with me. I can’t recommend going out and playing it today — time has not been kind to it. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I could recommend it even if you enjoyed it back in the day either. Kid Icarus is not a good game; it’s unnecessarily hard and just gets really frustrating. If you’re still interested, it’s available on the Virtual Console for 500 points.

[Bad]

This review is based on the Virtual Console release for the Wii, purchased by the reviewer.

Vectorman (VC, 800 Points): Released back in 1995 by BlueSky Software for the Sega Genesis, Vectorman was sort of Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Country as they were both games that looked phenomenal at the time.

However, history has shown that it was Donkey Kong Country’s masterful level design that bumped this sleek, green robot from the spotlight. Vectorman would later make his return in Vectorman 2 a year later, but would then go dark soon after. For you long-time Genesis fans out there, this one’s for you.

Burnout Paradise (PSN, $29.99): As we reported back in August, the team at Criterion Games is bringing their open-world racing title, Burnout Paradise, to the digital distribution market via PSN. This announcement has cased a bit of a stir within the gaming press centered around that fact that if digital distribution such as this really begins to take hold then where does that leave outlets like GameStop who thrive on selling used games?

The release will also include, for free, all of the additional content that has been added to the game so far, including the motorcycles update that hit last week. Burnout Paradise is a title that has received a lot of mixed reactions for its non-linear take on racing, but no matter where you fall, for 30 bucks, you just can't pass this on up.

Mega Man 9 (WiiWare/PSN, 1,000 Points/$9.99): Time to step into the Way-Back Machine and revisit the late 1980s, when Mega Man 2 was on top – before it slid from grace into its cookie-cutter formula. Recapturing the 8-bit visuals, 8-bit music, and 8-bit grab you by the cohunes difficulty it what Capcom has been aspiring to with their latest true Mega Man release since Mega Man 8 on the PS1.

To those who step up to the challenge of Mega Man 9, you can expect a hardy portion of bottomless pits, spike traps, and Game Over screens to be sent your way. And with some planned DLC on the way, the pain just keeps on coming!

Warhawk Operation: Fallen Star (PSN, $7.99): Fallen Star is the third expansion pack for the online third person shooter Warhawk. The expansion can be purchased separately or, for those of us late to the party, as a pack with the other two expansions for roughly $16. The pack will include a new jetpack and some rebalancing of the older maps to accommodate the jetpack’s awesomeness. Oh, and don’t forget to snag the update that was released last week as well as it includes, among other things, some tutorials to aid those who really are late to the Warhawk party.

UPDATE: Naturally, right after I write up this post news breaks of Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, Shredded Nebula, and...wait for it...Gin Rummy all coming to XBLA this week! The post also comes right as I'm walking out the door to go to class; looks like you kids are going to have to do some homework on this one. Thanks Kotaku!

Helix (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): So let’s say you’re planning on buying one of these newfangled Wii Fit balance boards so that you can whip yourself into shape, but you can’t find one anywhere. Looking to fulfill your workout fix, you turn to Ghostfire Games’ Helix, a rhythm-action fitness title that has you holding a Wii-mote in each hand while you flail your arms out to trance music. In retrospect, you decide that jumping jacks are a better deal.

The Last Guy (PSN, $9.99): If you haven’t already checked out the demo for this title then what I’m about to say might not make a lot of sense to you. From SCE Japan comes a bizarre mash-up of a game that combines equal parts pac-man and zombies. The idea is that you are a caped crusader traversing the streets of some very high resolution satellite photos of major cities collecting a line of people who you escort to safety. Needless to say, there are lots of zombies and other monsters who are trying to stop you.

Kratos for Hot Shots Golf (PSN, $1.99): If you’ve been enjoying Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds, but find that it just isn’t…well…angry enough for you then why not toss in God of War’s Kratos to kick up that rage factor; puts John Daly’s putter throwing to shame.

Mega Man (VC, 500 Points): The title that helped put Capcom’s Keiji Inafune on the map in the gaming world is back to put a little twang of nostalgia in our hearts as we gear up from the upcoming release of Mega Man 9. That is, it would if we hadn’t already smashed Cut Man to pieces on the NES, Genesis, PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, PC, and just about on any other console you can think of.

Street Fighter Alpha (PSN, $5.99): Set before the events of Street Fighter II, Alpha was never quite able to recapture the rabid fanbase the forerunner enjoyed - despite its technical superiority. The title was originally released in arcades back in ’95, and later received a port to the Playstation in ’96, bringing with it an expanded Super Combo system, as well as the ability to block in mid-air.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PSN, $14.99): This bite-sized sequel to Insomniac’s own Tools of Destruction promises to deliver the same platforming and puzzle solving elements that made the original such a hit. Clocking in at about three to four hours in length, Quest for Booty isn’t without a few new tricks up its sleeve to help draw in a new crowd of gamers that perhaps haven’t tried a Ratchet title before. (Shame on them!)

The Force Unleashed [Demo] (XBL & PSN, Free): While the actually release date for Force Unleashed is a ways off, we can still get a taste of the action this Thursday, August 21st. The demo will be set in the TIE Fighter Construction Facility, seen in some recent GDC footage, which is under siege by Rahm Kota, an exiled Jedi General, and will introduce players to the force grip ability.

Star Parodier (VC, 900 Points): This shoot’em up from Hudson Soft is meant to be a parody of their Star Soldier series and was released back in 1992 for the TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM. Featuring a humble cast of Bomberman, Paroceaser, and PC-Engine (get it?), this title isn’t meant to be nearly as challenging a title as the one it’s mocking. Star Parodier has also enjoyed some critical acclaim since its VC debut, however this is one that I would have to try before I made a purchase.

Break In (VC, 700 Points): It’s a billiards game; if you enjoy this genre then you should already have a title that you enjoy very much and shouldn’t download this game, if you don’t enjoy this genre then you should go play something else and not download this game.

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): here is a title that has two strong points going for it: it’s developed by Telltale Games (Sam & Max), and is based on the popular Homestar Runner flash series. And as you might have guessed from the title it’s just the first episode in what looks to be a long line of point-and-click adventure games for the Wii and PC.

Bionic Commando: Rearmed (PSN, $9.99): just like XBLA, PSN is also getting this remake of the old NES classic – but with a few extra twists. First, the Playstation’s d-pad is the superior d-pad – having four separate directions instead of one big button means more precision. Second, there’s remote-play for Bionic Commando action on the go, if you have that kind of money. Third, there will be achievements trophies added on in a latter patch, so don’t worry.

Sonic the Hedgehog (VC, 500 Points): I grew up with Sonic and out of all of his Genesis releases I’d say this one is the weakest. Compared to Sonic 2 and 3, the original is so much slower paced and focuses too much on the puzzle solving aspect for my taste. Though, eating all that Cookie Crisp and watching Power Rangers might have had something to do with that.

Splatterhouse 2 (VC, 800 Points): Now, unlike Sonic, I didn't spend any of my childhood slaying monsters in Namco’s side-scrolling beat'em up Splatterhouse. Released back in 1992, the series is now getting a next-gen remake and is also the first title on the Virtual Console to receive the M-rating. Alpha moms beware…

Wild West Guns (WiiWare, 1,000 Points): I watched George Stevens’ western classic Shane this weekend, and at no point during the movie did I see any of the following: flying sombreros, hot air balloons carrying TNT, or tiny men in purple suits rushing the screen. Obviously Mr. Stevens had no idea what the real Wild West was really like, unlike Gameloft’s shooting gallery Wild West Guns.

PixelJunk Eden (PSN, $9.99): Last week’s biggest demo is this week’s biggest game release on PSN. As the third installment to the PixelJunk series, Eden continues the tradition of being a wholly different game from the previous titles. This time you play as a small speck navigating its way through a colorful and ever-changing garden by throwing yourself around and sticking to thing. Trust me, this one is worth a look!

Chase H.Q. (VC, 600 Points): Released back in 1988, this arcade racer from developer Taito has a very strong cops-and-robbers vibe to it. Behind the wheel of a black Porsche 928, your mission is to intercept wanted criminals in high-speed chases. The game was well-received and spawned two sequels with multiple iterations on the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and TurboGrafx-16.

Art of Fighting 2 (VC, 900 Points): It's another of the early SNK fighters released for the Neo Geo back in 1994. Now, I’ve played Art of Fighting 2, as well as several other 2D brawlers for the Neo Geo, and my advice to you would be to save your money. There are a dozen fighters on that console that haven’t seen a release yet that'll better warrant your 900 Nintendo dollars (and they also don't look like they've been molded out of clay).

Pong Toss: Frat Party Games (WiiWare, 800 Points): It is my sincere wish that history does not record JV Games’ Beer Pong Pong Toss: Frat Party Games as the first in a long line of college idiocy related titles. The classic sport of bouncing a ping-pong ball across a table into a plastic cup has been recreated here for up to four players in the game’s two available modes: Championship and Speed Pong. I say just keep holding out for Mega Man 9. It'll be here one of these days.

Parappa the Rapper (PSN, $22.99): One of the early rhythm games for the original Playstation is now available via PSN. From developer NaNaOn-Sha, the game has you timing button presses to bizarre hip-hop tracks, some of which feature a material artist with an onion for a head. The title has been a bit of a cult classic since its original release back in 1996, and it’s good to see it living on through PSN (and PSP).

1942: Joint Strike (PSN, $9.99): We all remember Capcom’s shoot’em up remake from last week with its release on XBLA. This title never earned that slot on my line up though since, after playing the demo, I started having terrible flashbacks to my time with the Dreamcast top-down shooter Ikaruga. Sure, they’re both legendary titles, but I find that the bullet hell shooters just drive my patience (and my controller) to a breaking point.

PixelJunk Eden demo (PSN, free): Hoo boy, I’ve been hearing a lot of positive buzz surrounding Q-Games’ latest title. From what I’ve seen, you play as a tiny dot with the ability to stick to and swing from the various plants which grow and change as you navigate the level. It’s a bizarre title, that’s for sure, but an interesting one that I definitely want to check out soon. Look forward to the game’s full release later this week.

Gley Lancer (VC, 900 Points): A vertical shooter originally released back in 1992. This manga inspired space shooter from developer NCS has never seen a release here in the states after its original release in Japan on the Sega Mega Drive.

Pirates: The Key of Dreams (WiiWare, 1000 Points): Our third shoot’em up for download this week, Pirates is developed by Oxygen Games and supports up to four players. The game is apparently meant to be the prequel to the DS title Pirates: Duels on High Seas which is set for an August release.

Siren: Blood Curse (PSN, $40 total/$15 per episode): From SCE's Japanese studio, this latest installment in the Siren stealth/horror series will be available this Thursday. The game will follow an American TV crew trapped in a remote Japanese village and will be available as a complete package or as individual episodes.