VC Tuesday: Let's Catch Earthworms

by JC Fletcher { Dec 16th 2008 at 10:50AM }

This week is (slightly) special for the Japanese Virtual Console, because a previously import-only game is making its debut on the service, even if it isn't entirely new to Japan. The Genesis version of Earthworm Jim never made it overseas, so the VC release is the first for this particular version of Earthworm Jim. There isn't even a 100 point surcharge for the import!

The other VC download is Jigoku Meguri, a Taito platformer about a monk in hell. The name "Jigoku Meguri" (Tour of Hell) also apparently refers to a real-life tour of a bunch of hot springs! Neat.

Earthworm Jim (Mega Drive, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Jigoku Meguri (PC Engine, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)

Along with those two games, three rather interesting WiiWare titles are available. Prope's Let's Catch is officially the first release from Yuji Naka's new Sega-funded studio, and probably the first game Yuji Naka has done any real work on in quite some time. Sorcery Blade is the first WiiWare RPG. And 1 Meke! Dasshutsu Game My Home-hen (something like One Extraction! Escape Game * My Home Edition) basically came out of nowhere. It appears to be a cutesy, comedic "room escape" game, like a colorful version of The Crimson Room.