Hideo Ueda would be proud of this fine Sparkster artwork, done by KohakuKun19 who sent it in to DeviantArt for others to enjoy

The Super Nintendo / Super Famicom was known for many awesome action games, one of which I remember well. Back in 1994, Konami had released a game called Sparkster, which was also released as another version called "Rocket Knight Adventures" (and part 2) for the Mega Drive (Genesis) system, which was somewhat different from the SNES version. The famous opossum knight character that starred in it was the directed handy work of Hideo Ueda, who also had a hand in the great shooter Axelay, another personal favorite of mine.

To pay homage to the classic side scrolling platformer, a lady by the name of KohakuKun19 took the time to create a great likeness of Sparkster which was posted on DeviantArt a short while back. The images below are basically a three stage creation process, the first starting out as a pencil sketch, the second an ink fill in, and the third of course is the final product. Her name is Amber Johnson, and guess what? She wants to draw for you!. Yes, Amber currently has a job helping the Crippled and the Elderly, a noble job indeed. But since it doesn't pay all that well, Amber would enjoy making some extra money on the side, and she loves to draw. So what a better way than to ask her to do some drawings for you. Here is a draft price list she made.

Characters/Concepts: per concept (one to a page.)
Line Art: $3
Colored: $5

Concept Bundle: (5 concepts)
Line Art: $10
Colored: $15

Landscapes: (varies based on complexity)
line art: $5-$10
Colored: $10-$20

Scenes: i.e. fight scenes, romantic scenes, etc. (also based on complexity)
Line Art: $5-$10
Colored: $10-$20

Title Cards:
$25

Amber has also founded a page that is dedicated to petition Konami to bring back Rocket Knight Adventures to the present day gaming scene. She has my vote, that's for sure. Why don't you check out both of her pages in the links below, and if you like, ask her to draw something for you after taking a look at the list above to see what you fancy. Meanwhile, check out her Sparkster art below, and for those of you who have never played the game, check out a video below. Good luck with both quests Amber!

Amber Johnson Sparkster page
Amber's petition page for Rocket Knight Adventures

Contra 3: The Alien Wars (Super Probotector: Alien Rebels) will be landing on the Wii-U Virtual Console this month

Japanese owners of a Wii-U can fall back to the days of the Super Famicom, as Contra 3: The Alien Wars blasts its way on to the Wii-U Virtual Console on November 27th. Also known as Super Probotector: Alien Rebels in the European community, this classic gem that launched back in 1992 took the Contra series to a new level like never before. Introducing mode 7 scaling effects that the Super Nintendo was known for, The Alien Wars delivered a challenge in the series that made the first two look like a cakewalk.

The other thing Contra III was known for was its awesome soundtrack, as the SNES utilized an orchestral soundboard which boasted some of the best music the series has ever known. The only actual drawback in C3 was a bit of slowdown every now and then due to the Super Nintendo's 3.58mhz processor. It was something that was adjusted to later on in future games with accelerator chips. You can notice this somewhat when you encounter the first boss, as it bounces up and down while explosions and fire fight fills the screen. Aside from that, it's always nice to take a trip back to the SNES days and relive this classic gem for what it truly is, a hit Konami game not to be forgotten.

Ganbare Goemon, a classic gem that many gamers forgot and seriously needs to be brought back to life

While most gamers these days are waiting on the next big Castlevania or Metal Gear Solid game, ever now and then I have to take a strong look back at some classic gems that need new life. Ganbare Goemon was known on the Super Nintendo as "Legend of the Mystical Ninja". One of my personal favorite SNES games of all time. Having made few other titles on MSX, and in later years on the Nintendo 64 twice as Goemon 64, and Goemon's Great Adventure, the series has lacked the need for games since that time. Among the Super Famicom were several other games beyond the Mystical Ninja as sequels, but none made it outside of Japan. Why? Perhaps a lack of interest among the Western crowd.

Many were unaware that even today, the series still has some role being played, as with the character Ebisumaru who is Goemon's friend (and possibly a girl) also happens to be one of the Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. Imagine that. But the series needs to make a comeback of epic proportions. Too much as been forgotten, and many of today's gamers only deal with mainstream titles that Konami puts out. I can understand the need for that in terms of giving the masses what they want, but how about a PSN or Xbox Live release. You know, like they did with Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.

With PSN and Live titles popping up left and right from Contra, Gradius, and Castlevania, perhaps Konami should take a second look at the Ganbare Goemon series and give it at least a second platform chance. What do you think?

Super Castlevania 4 hits the Wii-U, just in time for Halloween and ready to give Dracula a good beat down

Back in 1991, when Super Castlevania IV hit the Super Nintendo console as the first title for it, it took the series to a whole new dimension. Adding warping mode 7 special effects for the first time and turning some heads in the process. Since then it has been hailed as one of the best Castlevania games ever created. Symphony of the Night seems to be the only one to surpass it according to some of the fans out there. It took until 2006 for it to get a second worthy look, as it landed on the Wii Virtual Console, with eager fans waiting to get it for themselves.

Once again, Super Castlevania 4 has gotten yet another look, and is fixing to hit the Wii-U this October 31st, Halloween day. It seems Konami has a tendency to do this sort of thing this time of year with titles related to the spooky holiday. But then again, we like it that way don't we? Nintendo themselves have also released an official video showing the classic 22 year old hit title in action on the Wii-U system, (or at least a concept of what it would look like). Whipping undead creatures into oblivion never looked so good in the palms of your hands, or on the big screen.