An initial look at this week's Virtual Console line-up doesn't seem to reveal anything too big, just a bunch of franchise sequels. Good sequels, mind you, but sequels nonetheless. However, quietly stashed in with that list is a game that is not just debuting on the North American Virtual Console, but debuting in North America, period. That's pretty big news for Wii owners who have been waiting for more than just ports of games that got released in North America, and it could mean that Japan-only games, like the original Famicom Wars and most of the Fire Emblem series, might make a future debut on this side of the Pacific.

This week's new games are:

Gradius III (SNES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points):
Return as the pilot of the Vic Viper starfighter to battle the onslaughts of the Bacterion Empire. Blast through 10 action-packed levels in space, destroying everything in your path. Customize and power up your ship with weapons and upgrades including speed-ups, missiles, lasers, options, and shields.

Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points):
Monster World was a peaceful, happy place until one dark day when an army of BioMeka monsters invaded. As a young man named Shion, you've vowed to defeat the hostile foes and make the land peaceful again. You'll attack enemies with swords and spears and guard against incoming projectiles with shields and armor. As you travel through the many different regions of Monster World, you'll talk to the townspeople, collect money to buy items, and gather a large variety of weapons and magic. The further you venture, the more powerful your weapons and equipment, including suits of armor and boots, will become.

Battle Lode Runner (TurboGrafx 16, 1-5players, 600 Wii Points):
This upgraded edition to the famous Lode Runner series includes a 5-player versus mode. Gold funds have been stolen from the Time Machine Research Center, and the group responsible used a time machine to escape and hide the gold throughout time. The center sends an elite team of "Runners" to go and retrieve the gold.

In addition to the familiar Puzzle mode, the game features Battle mode, where up to 5 players can compete, and Edit mode, where you can create your own original stages.

You can enjoy Battle mode in a number of different ways. Be the last one standing to win in Survival. Grab items from enemies and escape to win in Escape. With 4 players, you can separate into two teams to do battle in Tag Match.

Battle Lode Runner has never been previously released in North America, making it the first Japan-only release to be localized for the North American Virtual Console. It is, at the moment, a North American Virtual Console exclusive, though the European Virtual Console is rumored to be receiving the game this Friday.

Gradius III is currently only available on the North American Virtual Console. Wonder Boy in Monster World has been available on the Japanese Virtual Console, where it is known as Wonder Boy V: Monster World III, since March.

The three new games will be available for download at 12 p.m. Eastern time/9 a.m. Pacific Time on the Wii Shop Channel.