It's the first of the May updates for the Japanese Virtual Console, and its update sees a trio of shoot-em-ups reach the VC, along with a rare appearance by a Neo Geo game.

The first shoot-em-up is Axelay for the Super Famicom. Players gain their weapons as they advance further into the game. Largely considered one of the better shmups out there, Axelay is already available on the Virtual Console in North America.


The second shoot-em-up is the classic and highly popular cute-em-up Super Fantasy Zone for the Sega Mega Drive. The last in the Fantasy Zone series, Super Fantasy Zone never saw release in the Americas; only in Europe and Japan. Again the player controls the sentient ship Opa-opa, as the ship avenges the death of its father and once again has to save Fantasy Zone.


The last shoot-em-up is Star Parodier for the PC Engine CD. A parody game for the Star Soldier series much like Parodius for the Gradius series, the game featured upbeat visuals and lively music. Playable ships included Bomberman and a giant PC Engine.


The last game in this four game update is a Neo Geo beat-em-up developed by SNK: Burning Fight. The game is largely derivative of the top beat-em-ups, Capcom's Final Fight and Sega's Streets of Rage.


Recap:

SFC: Axelay, 1 Player, 800 Points

SMD: Super Fantasy Zone, 1 Player, 600 Points

PCE: Star Parodier, 1 Player, 800 Points - CD Game

NEOGEO: Burning Fight, 1-2 Players, 900 Points

Keep track of the latest VC releases with the 2008 edition of What's New on VC? in the Wii Virtual Console forum.

[Image Credit: Wikipedia | Hardcore Gaming 101]