Sin & Punishment (Virtual Console) Review

I’m sure we all have our complaints about the Virtual Console service, but one thing you have to admit is pretty cool is Nintendo’s decision to release games that were previously only available in Japan. Of course, these come with the stipulation of an inflated price. In the case of Sin & Punishment, as I understand it, not much localization was even needed, since the game originally had English voice acting, anyway. Gee, thanks for going out of your way to bring us this, Nintendo.

Sin & Punishment is very comparable to Treasure’s other shooters, like Astro Boy or Gunstar Heroes, except that it’s in 3D. This means a never-ending onslaught of enemies pouring from every corner of the screen and levels that drastically change from chapter to chapter. The game starts out simple enough, with you running through a field and blasting giant worms, but a few chapters down the road, things get really crazy. In one level, you fly around a giant ship, shooting turrets and soldiers on deck while staving off smaller planes buzzing around you. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused but a genuine blast when you get the hang of it.

The game is an on-rails shooter with the camera firmly stationed behind your character. You do have some control over this character and can run left and right and double jump. In fact, you have to run left and right and double jump. If you don’t, you’ll probably die. Luckily, the game is based on a life bar instead of a “one hit kills” system. This leeway is nice, because, while you’re busy dodging enemy bullets and jumping over electric wires, you’re also controlling a cursor in order to aim where you’re shooting. It’s a demanding mix that can make weaker brains explode, but the difficulty curve is pretty forgiving.

The real problem with controlling Sin & Punishment is that it was meant to be played with an N64 controller. In many cases, the GameCube controller makes for a nice replacement, but it just doesn’t cut it here. You have two options to move your character: the tiny and out-of-place D-pad or the mushy shoulder buttons. Yeah. No thanks. The Classic Controller, then, is the preferred way to play, but it still doesn’t feel right. There are only three control schemes to choose from, and none of them translate perfectly to the Classic Controller. This is the kind of game that begs Nintendo to add a button configuration menu to the Virtual Console. For crying out loud, just do it, already.

Sin & Punishment, like most Treasure games, is very short. It takes little over an hour to make it through all the chapters. Granted, there’s always incentive to go back and try again on a higher difficulty. The game’s VC listing also touts a multiplayer mode, but don’t take the “1-2 players” label to heart. This really isn’t a 2-player game. The only way to squeeze a 2-player mode out of it is to have one person control the character and a second player control the cursor. Whoopty-do.

Final Comments

Barring the $12 price tag, Sin & Punishment is a welcome addition to the VC library. It’s not often we see Nintendo 64 titles for download, so an N64 import is a double treat. But don’t buy it just because it meets those requirements, although voicing your support is always appreciated. While Sin & Punishment is a fun, over-the-top, classic Treasure shooter, it’s over far too quickly and is difficult to learn to control. With that in mind, knock yourself out.