This week, Wii's Virtual Console has shifted up a gear to delight speed freaks across Europe. To celebrate the launch of highly anticipated off-road racer Excite Truck on the Wii, Virtual Console users will be able to rediscover the classic game known as Excitebike which inspired it. Launching on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, this fast paced racer was one of the first titles to allow players to adjust the pitch of their bike after a jump to correctly land as well as being one of the first ever racing games with a Track Builder. You can download Excitebike now from the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points.

R-Type III: Third Lightning, a heart pounding side-scrolling shooter which made its debut on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, is also available to download, but this one is available for 800 Wii Points. This game was the best in the R-Type series and saw the introduction of a refined weapon charging system.

Wii owners will also be treated with a selection of other Nintendo classics like Kirby's Adventure, a title originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This game features vast worlds, unlockable bonus levels and dozens of minigames that trouble your mind even when you're away from the game. This one too is worth 500 Wii Points, just like Excitebike.

A new version of Adventure Island is now also available to download for 600 Wii Points. This adventure title, originally released by Hudson on the NES, known as Adventure Island Classic, is the first in a highly successful series of titles. All these great games will join the 49 classic titles already available for the Virtual Console in Europe.