Arcade

I'd much rather fork over a twenty at GameStop and have a disc to add to my stack, but if this is the sacrifice it takes to get these small gems into my hands, then so be it.  Case in point: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence

Game Description: One of the most popular arcade shooters is back! Wolf of the Battlefield™: Commando 3 revives the classic Commando franchise with an all-new adventure. Fight solo or recruit two other specialized commandos to defeat the evil tyrant General Ratiev. This frantic war-fest combines precise, old-school gameplay with hi-def 3D graphics. Play as Codename Wolf, Coyote, or Fox as you take on waves of soldiers, rescue POWs, and blow up armored vehicles through a variety of dangerous battlefields. With loads of weapons and power-ups at your disposal, gear up and blast your way to victory!

Simple and elegant, the game tells the story of a small village boy named Toku and the disembodied wind spirit that befriends him. The plot is good enough to get things going, but it's clear early on that the focus is on the controls.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Fantasy Violence

Game Description: LostWinds is a fresh, enchanting adventure that lets you wield the awesome powers of Enril the wind spirit-from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze-to guide and protect Toku, a young boy who is the only one who can help you release the curse placed upon the world of Mistralis and its people by evil Balasar. Mistralis is a stunningly presented, magical land full of wonder and intrigue that bursts to life with your every action and exploration. LostWinds' novel, playful controls let you use Enril's elemental powers to jump and glide Toku through Mistralis's different regions, buffet and smash enemies, and solve puzzles on their journey to a dramatic showdown. Bursting with new game-play ideas that embrace the Wii Remote, LostWinds puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand.

After Burner: Black Falcon may be spiritually true to Sega's seminal 1987 hit, but game design has progressed by leaps and bounds since then. Cleaving so closely to its dusty, outdated forefather hurt more than it helped, I'd say.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, and Use of Tobacco

Game Description: After Burner: Black Falcon puts you into customizable fighter jets, for intense arcade gameplay. Players maneuver through a barrage of missiles and enemy fire, destroying all terrorist targets in the air or on land. Budding pilots can also dogfight competitively via Ad Hoc in a variety of multiplayer modes, or work with another pilot to achieve co-op-only goals. For the first time, have intense arcade fun with many more in-depth features—all in one game!

WarTech: Senko no Ronde is a trite piece of airy piffle with nothing meaty to recommend it. It's the perfect example of what would have been accurately described as cheaply-produced import bait five or ten years ago, and I'm honestly surprised that someone gave it a green light for domestic release.