Wii

Pilotwings

Admittedly the N64 version of Pilotwings improved on the formula but this SNES version is still a superb game and one of those classic pieces of Nintendo history that every fan should own. There's nothing else like it on Virtual Console.

Pilotwings was always an odd title, sitting outside of the usual genres that gamers at the time would play and yet heralded to high heaven by those who chose to delve into its almost bottomless depths. Likewise it could appear to be calm and relaxing to those observing on the outside, while sometimes generating annoyance and pad-throwing frustration to those who took on the challenge. In a good way of course. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle of all of these points. If you haven't played the game before, now is a fine time to pick up the baton.

I still put this game high on my list of Super NES games – possibly even cracking my Top 10. I can easily see why it's obviously not everyone's cup o' tea, though, and I certainly respect Lucas' less than intense enthusiasm for the title. But it was, to me, a fantastic demonstration of the Super NES games that wrapped a great combination of relaxing gameplay and intense challenge around that tech demo.