Wii Virtual Console News
November2010
Nintendo Download 26th November 2010 (Europe)
Bloody beaches, dying dodos and Faxanadu
As Advent draws near, it's truly the season of giving, with Nintendo joining in the festive spirit by giving Nintendo download fans 50% price cuts on two WiiWare titles finally making their way across from North America. Elsewhere, fans of NES side-scrolling RPGs are well catered for, and DSiWare gets the...
News Taito's Trademark Applications Suggest the Return of SNES Titles
Darius Twin, and two Lufia games if you must know
If Taito's latest filings at the United States Patents and Trademarks Office are anything to go by, we might well see a number of its Super NES titles on their way to the Wii Shop Channel. Darius Twin, Lufia & The Fortress of Doom, and Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals have all had trademarks...
Nintendo Download 22nd November 2010 (North America)
Demos, penguins, portable Tetris and VC
Getting in there early to beat the cold weather, here's this week's Nintendo Download complete with list of downloadable demos at long last. WiiWare: Snowpack Park (Nintendo, 800pts) – Befriend penguins in this left-field release from Nintendo. A cross between the pet and adventure genres, Snowpack Park sees...
Review Spin Master (Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Not masterful, but still pretty good
With probably about half of the Neo Geo's library of games consisting of fighting games, it's always nice to see another platformer for the system released on VC. In Spin Master, you take control of either Johnny or Tom as you try to recover five pieces of a lost treasure map and rescue Johnny's girlfriend. It's...
Nintendo Download 12th November 2010 (Europe)
A little bit more for every service, plus a new demo
With five new games and a demo on offer this week, you'd think that it would be pretty good overall. Unfortunately, only the Virtual Console game and the demo make up most of this week's goodness - The other four are all games North America already got, and none of them were very good. WiiWare:...
Competition Winners Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary
Is it a-you?
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. and the North American debut of the NES, we ran a competition to give away a free 500-point NES title for Virtual Console to each of twenty-five winners, the selection of the game being their choice. Almost a thousand users entered, so we'd like to congratulate the 25...
News Six Capcom Arcade Classics Launching on VC this Winter
Keeping the download service strong
As revealed at Comic-Con, New York this year, Capcom is planning on bringing some previously Japan-only Virtual Console titles to the West and, if all goes well, we will be tucking into some retro classics this Winter. Currently, there are six titles scheduled for release in North America and Europe, and from the...
Nintendo Download 1st November 2010 (North America)
Robot boxes, genetic manipulation, super-powered babies and men dunking balls
If your trick-or-treat bag didn't have a Nintendo Points Card by the end of the night, well, you might want to look into buying a couple packages of toilet paper and retracing your steps. Just sayin'. WiiWare: Robox (DreamBox Games, 1000 Points) — A gorgeous...
October2010
Review Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force ( / Super Nintendo)
Emergency on planet earth
Back in the 16-bit wars, the SNES was unquestionably the comfortable winner when it came to RPGs. Sega's Mega Drive (or Genesis, depending on where in the world you're reading this) was completely and utterly outclassed in this area, despite the presence of brilliant titles such as Shining Force, LandStalker and Light...
News Japanese Virtual Console List - November 2010
Three more classics, and one not-so classic
Japan's doing its usual job of getting games just before everybody does: three of the games they're getting this month have already been officially announced for release elsewhere and will be coming in the next few months. The fourth game they're getting is more of a Japanese thing, and won't be too sorely...
Nintendo Download 29th October 2010 (Europe)
Fishing, lasers, chicks, sleep and more
God bless the Nintendo download for bringing us another bounty of bizarre treats. If there isn't anything that tickles your fancy this week, we'd be very surprised. WiiWare: Reel Fishing Challenge II (Natsume, 500pts) – The follow-up to – you guessed it – Reel Fishing Challenge, this is a virtual...
Review Street Hoop (Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Slam dunk or flagrant foul?
While many of the other consoles of the time were receiving a good variety of basketball offerings, the Neo Geo system was relegated to just one. Data East's Street Hoop passed over the traditional basketball experience in favour of a more playground-esque 3-on-3 style, complete with backboard shaking dunks and a wealth...
Nintendo Download 22nd October 2010 (Europe)
Nice and early this week
Europe comes through with a bumper crop of downloadable delights for release this Friday. Shall we see what they are? WiiWare: My Starry Night (Hudson, 500pts) – Known as My Planetarium in North America, this is essentially My Aquarium for stargazers, with around 20,000 stars, planets, asteroids and more for your...
Nintendo Download 18th October 2010 (North America)
Happy holidays and mystic quests
The past two weeks have seen high profile downloadable releases in both shapely and spiny forms, so whilst this week lacks a true flagship title it does offer two new Nintendo-published titles and the scheduled Virtual Console download. WiiWare: ThruSpace (Nintendo, 800pts) – Formerly known as the far more...
News Capcom Reveals Virtual Console Arcade Support in the West
Finally some more arcade classics
It took a while, but Capcom has finally revealed that, yes, it is also planning to release a bunch of its arcade titles on the Virtual Console outside Japan. We already discovered some of the titles a while ago, but it's now added one more game to the list. Listed on a small poster in Capcom's booth at the Comic-Con...
Nintendo Download 8th October 2010 (Europe)
Three for DSiWare, one each on WiiWare and VC
In an unexpected turn of events, the press release for this week's European Nintendo Download turned up early, but who's complaining? Well, anyone hoping to grapple with Shantae: Risky's Revenge and Cave Story, but at least next week sees the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, so there's a...
News OFLC Rates Magical Drop II for Virtual Console
Neo Geo puzzler on the way
Neo Geo bubble-popping frenzy Magical Drop II has been available on Japanese Virtual Console for a while now, but it's just received a rating from Australian board the OFLC, indicating a PAL release is within sight. Of course, we're well accustomed to waiting months for rated games to make themselves available on the...
Nintendo Download 4th October 2010 (North America)
Shantae arrives!
No messing around this week, let's get straight to the good stuff. DSiWare: Shantae: Risky's Revenge (WayForward, 1200pts) – The genial genie finally returns in this highly anticipated release. The price point may seem steep, but WayForward assures us this one is packed with enough content to keep you going for ages. Our full...
Nintendo Download 5th & 6th October 2010 (Japan)
October begins with Virtual Console and DSiWare
WiiWare's alternating weeks continue, but at least there's the Virtual Console to keep Wii owners happy – even better when the releases include classic arcade games! The DSi has a trio of actual games for a change with nary a lifestyle download in sight. Virtual Console: Commando (800pts Arcade,...
September2010
News Nintendo Release Schedule Outs Mario Party 2, Super Bonk and More
Virtual Console still twitching
It's very rare to get any kind of heads-up for what's coming to Virtual Console, but this release schedule from Nintendo's Netherlands office contains a few surprising treats for the year ahead. N64 party game Mario Party 2 is set to launch in December, just in time for the party season, with Super Bonk for Super NES...
Review Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
A simplified Final Fantasy experience
Back in 1992, role-playing games were still largely ignored outside of Japan, but Square tried to remedy this with the release of Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. The game not only added a bit more action to the experience, it also greatly simplified the gameplay mechanics as well. While this certainly offered up a...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - October 2010
Three more for Japan next month
Japan is taking it a bit easy again next month with just three new releases. Two of them could have been predicted quite easily - Both were rated by the OFLC not too long ago and should thus also be heading to other regions. The last is yet another Japan-exclusive RPG which is very unlikely to see the light of day...
Nintendo Download 24th September (Europe)
More Final Fantasy, robotic boxes, and more
After two Virtual Console-less weeks, the service returns with a bang with another title from Square Enix. It might not be one of the most fondly remembered games they've made, but the more the merrier! It's accompanied by a few interesting WiiWare and DSiWare titles. WiiWare: Robox (1000pts, Dreambox...
News Even More Virtual Console Titles on the Way
Four more possible future retro releases
We only reported on a few potential Virtual Console games getting rated less than a week ago, but it's already time to report on even more of them. Since the last news post, the OFLC has rated two more classic titles which are very likely for Nintendo's beloved retro service, and in addition to that, we've...
Nintendo Download 20th September 2010 (North America)
Throwing and Caterpillars on WiiWare; Aero 2 on VC; Soccer, Go Series and Countdown on DSiWare
The world of Nintendo Downloads is often surprising, even for aficionados such as ourselves. Sometimes a long-awaited title appears; others come from out of the blue. Enjoy this week's line-up. WiiWare: Triple Throwing Sports (Code Monkeys, 500pts) – The...
Nintendo Download 21st & 22nd September 2010 (Japan)
VCA and DSiWare next week in Japan
Japan receives a mix of RPGs, shooters, mathematics training for youngsters and short quizzes about feudal Japanese history. Virtual Console: Romancing Saga 3 (800pts, Super Famicom - Square-Enix) – The third in a series of RPGs from one of the RPG masters. Exed Exes (800pts, Arcade - Capcom) – An early Capcom...
News Three More Virtual Console Titles Incoming
One NES classic and two new arcade games coming in the near future
If you've been keeping an eye on new game pages on our site, you might have already noticed, but over the last few days, three classic games have received age ratings, indicating that they will be making their way to the Virtual Console soon. Possibly the most important to most...
Nintendo Download 13 September 2010 (North America)
Find, conquer, scribble and flip this week
Got 500 WiiWare or DSiWare Points burning a hole in your digital wallet? Perhaps one of this week's Nintendo Download releases will help you put out that fire. WiiWare: Adventure on LOST ISLAND - Hidden Object Game (Ateam Inc., 500 Points) — Another find-fest brought to you by Ateam, the folks behind the...
Nintendo Download 14th & 15th September 2010 (Japan)
Another triple threat for Japan next week: BIT.TRIP, VCA and DSiWare
WiiWare: BIT.TRIP RUNNER: Rhythm Alien no Geki Sō (500 Points, Arc System Works) — A lot of Japanese Wii owners are going to be happy next week as BIT.TRIP RUNNER finally arrives in Japan. The fact that the price is the same 500 Points as the rest of the series kind of makes up...
Nintendo Download 6th September (North America)
Westerners on WiiWare; Samurai on VC; Exotic Farms, Mahjong and Acoustic Guitars on DSiWare
Today might be a national holiday in United States but that doesn't mean the Nintendo Download is taking a day off, with five releases including the return of Virtual Console in the form of Samurai Shodown III. WiiWare: Fenimore Fillmore: The Westerner...
Review Samurai Shodown III (Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
A new spin on the popular fighting series
It's no secret that the Samurai Shodown series played a huge role in vaulting SNK up to the big boy fighting game table. And as popular as the original release was, it was the sequel that would set the standard by which all future titles of the franchise would be judged. Samurai Shodown III would mark the...
Nintendo Download 7th & 8th September 2010 (Japan)
The gang's all here: WiiWare, Virtual Console and DSiWare next week in Japan
WiiWare: Surinuke Anatōsu (800pts - Nintendo) -- Though we've gotten the distinct impression that third parties have abandoned WiiWare in Japan, Nintendo certainly hasn't. Keys Factory is credited as the developer – a bit odd since all they seem to make are Wii and DSi...
Nintendo Download 3rd September (Europe)
Another retro fighter, and more
Thankfully, the wait for another Virtual Console title wasn't long - Surely you managed to get by with just one week of no new retro games? It's accompanied by the first of Gamebridge's GO Series, and five other games. WiiWare: Fishie Fishie (500pts, DK Games) – The only WiiWare title this week. Fairly similar to...
August2010
Nintendo Download 31st August & 1st September 2010 (Japan)
VC Tennis for the Wii and three new DSiWare titles next week in Japan
Virtual Console: Mario Tennis 64 (1000pts N64 - Nintendo) — The original 3D Nintendo tennis experience and, (in the opinion of many) the best, is the final Virtual Console title of the month. Read our Mario Tennis review to get the full story! DSiWare: Action Puzzle Rabi x Laby...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - September 2010
More well-known games we'll never see (and some we might)
Japan keeps up the pace with five more Virtual Console games this next month. Three of them are arcade titles which could all possibly get a release elsewhere, if the publishers can be bothered. The other two are Japan-exclusive Super Famicom RPGs, which are highly unlikely to be released...
News Buy Ufouria If You Want More Quirky Virtual Console Titles
So says Victor Ireland
After a long holiday, Virtual Console returned on Monday with Ufouria: The Saga. Legendary translator Victor Ireland has plans for more off-the-wall titles for Virtual Console, but first he needs to know they would sell, so he's appealling to VC lovers across North America. This is the one many of you have been asking for. If...
Nintendo Download August 23rd (North America)
Anticipated games arrive and the Virtual Console returns!
With Rytmik, And Yet It Moves and Ufouria: The Saga all in one day, this week's download fares better than previous outings. The debut of the G.G Series, a classic puzzle game and farming on the go round out this week's line-up. WiiWare: And Yet It Moves (1000pts, Broken Rules) – This...
Review Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory (Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
Fatal Fury Extra Special
With the release of Fatal Fury Special, Neo Geo fighting fans were treated to a rather significant upgrade from the previous release of Fatal Fury 2. Not content to rest on its laurels, SNK decided to give the standard series one last hurrah with this fourth and final instalment. And while long-time fans will appreciate the...
News Super Earth Defense Force Enlists to Defend Europe and Australia
Virtual Console rating uncovered
Can't get enough of blasting aliens on Virtual Console? Then prepare to give your trigger finger another workout as the Australian Classification Board (OFLC) has outed Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force for Super Nintendo, heading to the PAL region for the first time ever. There's naturally no release information...
Nintendo Download 20th August (Europe)
More VC and a bunch of WiiWare and DSiWare
As we reported earlier this week, Europe gets yet another Virtual Console title to continue the streak. It's accompanied by another bunch of catch-up titles on WiiWare and DSiWare of which we've already reviewed all but one. WiiWare: Furry Legends (1000pts, Gamelion Studios) – A platformer that's been in...
News Brace for Impact as Fatal Fury 3 Smacks Up Europe this Week
More downloads revealed
We normally get an inkling of the upcoming Nintendo Download releases a few days earlier, but the latest update to the Nintendo Europe website reveals no fewer than five titles on the way this week. Chief amongst these is Neo Geo fighter Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory, another popular outing for Terry Bogard and pals...
News Harvest Moon 64 Will Not Sprout on Virtual Console
Bad news for farm fans
There have been countless Harvest Moon games over the years, but only one currently resides on Virtual Console: the original Harvest Moon for Super Nintendo. The 64-bit follow-up Harvest Moon 64 is an oft-requested addition, but according to Natsume's Vice President of Operations Graham Markay, you won't be digging it up in...
Nintendo Download 13th August (Europe)
Cowboys, card games, racing and more
As we already reported earlier this week, the Virtual Console is keeping up its streak of weeks with a new game a bit longer, with today's new retro release easily being the most interesting new title this week. All five of this week's games have already been released elsewhere, so you don't have to wait for any...
Nintendo Download 9th August 2010 (North America)
Aquariums and Massages for Wii; ABC123, Rhythm, Chess and Lost Artifacts for DSiWare; no VC game.
If you're a Wii owner looking for a relaxing experience, this week's download is enough to send you into nirvana, with massages and fish-staring ahoy. DSi owners receive some rather more cerebral offerings, with chess, puzzles, music and even a learning...
News Wild Guns Yee-Haws to Virtual Console on Friday
Two in a row!
European Virtual Console fans relax: you're not dreaming. After the excitement of Ufouria: The Saga, Aero the Acrobat and its sequel in the past month, there's another title on the way this Friday in the form of SNES steampunk Wild West shooter Wild Guns. Out in North America at the end of May, this is one game that deserves a download...
Review Aero the Acrobat 2 (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Everything you could want out of a sequel
About the time mascot games began exploding on the Super Nintendo console, Sunsoft jumped on the bandwagon with the release of their original platformer Aero the Acrobat. While the game featured many of the classic platforming elements that were showing up in the games of the time period, it was criticized...
Nintendo Download 6th August (Europe)
Sand and chess on WiiWare; Aero 2 on VC; Links, chess and puzzles on DSiWare
To call this a catch-up week would be a slight understatement: several of these games have been out for months, with one game reaching European shores after over a year and a half. Enough history, let's get on with it. WiiWare: Sandy Beach (500pts, Konami) – This sandy...
Nintendo Download 2nd August 2010 (North America)
Chibi fighters, dogzzzz and slots
There's something for everyone in this week's Nintendo Download. Or is that nothing for everyone? Something for no one? Anything for nothing? Everything or Nothing? Wouldn't that be something. WiiWare: Fantasy Slots: Adventure Slots (Big John Games, 700 Points) — A whole mess of themed slot machines, including...
July2010
Nintendo Download 3rd & 4th August (Japan)
Fish and VC goodness for the Wii; the DSi gets the usual bumper crop of new titles
WiiWare: Blue Oasis: Michi naru Shinkai (500pts - Hudson) — People in the know will recognise Blue Oasis as the Japanese name for Hudson's perennially popular virtual fish tank, My Aquarium. Apparently not satisfied with what has to be one of the best-selling...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - August 2010
Survival horror from Sunsoft and more
Just three games for Japan this month, which is pretty much to be expected by now. One of them is a Nintendo 64 game everybody else has already gotten, while the other two games are both great, but Japan-exclusive. The only way we'll be seeing either of them is through import releases! The full, short list for...
Review Aero the Acrobat (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Will you go aerobatty for Aero?
Everybody into gaming at the time remembers the "cool mascot" craze during the early 90's; Sega was heavily in on it with Sonic and a whole bunch of other companies tried to cash in on it as well. Sunsoft's attempt came in the form of Aero the Acrobat – a bat with attitude who works as an acrobat in the...
Nintendo Download 26th July 2010 (North America)
Diving and Firing for WiiWare; Acrobats for VC; a bumper crop for DSiWare
A big week for DSiWare with five titles arriving, WiiWare receiving two very different titles and Aero the Acrobat tumbles gracefully onto Virtual Console. WiiWare: Dive: The Medes Islands Secret (Cosmonaut Games, 1000pts) – This underwater adventure takes a few leaves from...
Nintendo Download 27th & 28th July 2010 (Japan)
WiiWare and VC releases and four new DSiWare titles next week for Japan.
It's been awhile since we've seen any new WiiWare in Japan, though the drought is only being broken by a single title from Nintendo. The weekly Virtual Console parade is also continuing and the DSi has its usual mix of education and entertainment apps to choose from. WiiWare:...
Nintendo Download 23rd July (Europe)
Acrobats, skaters and more
While North America has now suffered three consecutive weeks without a new retro game available for download, we're about to get another. It's accompanied by a bunch of DSiWare and WiiWare games that might not be to the liking of everybody. WiiWare: Arcade Sports Air Hockey, Bowling, Pool, Snooker (800pts - Icon Games) –...
Nintendo Download 19th July 2010 (North America)
The kittenpocalypse begins!
Let's just not talk about the Virtual Console this week. Instead, let's talk about furry things, like legends and kitties and selling things to unsuspecting animals. WiiWare: AquaSpace (Nintendo, 600 Points) – This fish tank...thing hit Europe recently under the name Zenquaria: Virtual Aquarium. The most notable...
News Capcom Bringing Titles to Japanese Virtual Console Arcade
Come on, we like Ghouls 'N Ghosts too...
Capcom announced on Friday that it plans to begin expanding Japan's catalogue of Virtual Console Arcade titles this summer with some of its own. They'll start with SonSon, a 1984 sidescroller loosely based on the Chinese fable Journey to the West. If you enjoy playing classic games on your Wii, it seems that...
Nintendo Download 20th & 21st July 2010 (Japan)
Street Hoops on the Wii; dolphins, Dasshutsu and dating (or ditching) for DSi next week
Virtual Console: Dunk Dream (900pts Neo Geo - D4 Enterprise) -- Sold in Europe as Street Slam and North America as Street Hoop, it's a tournament game of 3-on-3 street basketball with a choice of teams from various nations around the world. DSiWare: @Simple DS...
Nintendo Download 16th July 2010 (Europe)
Flying and fighting on Wii; French, Darkness, solitaire and 3D tanks on DSi
Another Virtual Console holiday, but WiiWare gets Pearl Harbored and then engages in some funky fighting. Conspicuous by its absence is Furry Legends, previously believed to be released this Friday but Gamelion has confirmed to us there will be an announcement of its new...
Nintendo Download 12th July (North America)
Bashing and balloons for Wii; puzzles, paper and playing French for DSiWare
A pretty varied platter for North America today, with Virtual Console again absent but WiiWare gaining two games and DSiWare letting five more passengers onto the download bus. WiiWare: Toribash (1000pts - Nabi Studios) – A turn-based fighting game that's big on physics,...
Nintendo Download 13th & 14th July 2010 (Japan)
Virtual Console RPG for the Wii; lifestyle apps, edutainment and a couple of games for the DSi next week in Japan
WiiWare is MIA yet again, so Wii owners will have to make do with an old Super Famicom RPG originally published by dear departed Data East. Virtual Console: Metal Max 2 (800pts Super Famicom - Enterbrain) -- The Data East IP parade...
Nintendo Download 9th July (Europe)
Plenty for everyone
As with every week, DSiWare gets the lion's share of releases this week, although most of it is not too stellar, or at least not likely to be. WiiWare gets a long-awaited fighter plus an interesting Nintendo-published title, while VC gets another ninja action game. WiiWare: Toribash (1000pts - Nabi Studios) — A very strange...
Review Ufouria: The Saga (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Easy Mode Metroid
The original Metroid was a ground-breaking game for its time, but it feels incredibly dated to anyone playing it for the first time now. The lack of a map makes navigating the seemingly endless identical corridors way more annoying than it should be for newcomers, whereas those who know the game inside out can beat it within an...
Nintendo Download 5th July 2010 (North America)
Dogfighting, vampire slaying and sheep launching this week
Today, the day after the United States blew itself up and Canada wondered what all that racket was about and some people have jobs in the morning, sheesh, the Nintendo Download brings a peace offering of eight titles across WiiWare and DSiWare. Some anticipated, some not so much, and the...
Nintendo Download 6th & 7th July 2010 (Japan)
Neo Geo puzzling for the Wii; Spartans, handwriting and hockey for DSi next week in Japan
The WiiWare drought continues with only the VC to comfort Wii fans next week and things aren't much more exciting on the DSi with only two games and an educational title to start out July. Virtual Console: Magical Drop III (900pts Neo Geo - D4 Enterprise) –...
Nintendo Download 2nd July (Europe)
DSiWare galore!
DSiWare gets another massive load of new games today, but they're probably not the things you'll mostly be wanting to pay attention to - Both WiiWare and the Virtual Console only get one game each, but they're both great and more than worthy of a look-see. WiiWare: Jett Rocket (1000pts - Shin'en Multimedia) — A 3D platformer with...
News And Here's Your 2010 Club Nintendo Awards, North America
Delectable collectables
So the Club Nintendo North America year came to an end yesterday, and along with the beginning of a new one today the Big N has revealed what super special exclusive awards members who reached Gold or Platinum status are eligible for. The suspense is murderous! In a repeat of last year, Gold status members get a 2011 desk...
June2010
Nintendo Download 28th June 2010 (North America)
Jett Rocket and Mario Tennis N64 headline this week's 10 releases
Mario and Camelot breathe some life into the Virtual Console's N64 offerings, Shin'en shows the power of WiiWare and DSiWare keeps up its flood of titles. WiiWare: Jett Rocket (Shin'en, 1000 Points) – This platformer from the creators of the excellent Art of Balance blasts onto...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - July 2010
A fresh breath of life for Japan
The Virtual Console seems to have been winding down in its amount of releases worldwide as of late, but Japan seems to be the first region to stop that nonsense - Next month they'll bet getting six new retro games. A whole four of them are for the Neo Geo, but it's still nice to see the VC is not quite ready to die...
Nintendo Download 29th & 30th June 2010 (Japan)
WiiWare returns, Meta Fighting on the VC; X Returns and other stuff on DSi.
WiiWare: Boku mo Sekai o Sukuitai (1000pts - Poisoft) – If we're understanding Poisoft's website and the description on the Nintendo WiiWare page this is a combination of a sim and an RPG where players get to create multiple elves, dwarves, etc. with stats and skill trees...
News North American Club Nintendo Year Coming to an End Next Week
Might want to hurry up with that Gold or Platinum status
How's your Club Nintendo account looking, North Americans? Did you register enough Nintendo Product™ since last July to qualify for a neat-o Gold or Platinum badge? If not, you might want to scrape your game collection for stray Coins as the second Club Nintendo year winds down on June 30 to...
News Sonic Turns 19 Today but Brings No Presents for Nintendo Fans
Virtual Console the only format not to receive price drops today
Yes fans of blue spiky things, it was 19 years ago today that the original Sonic the Hedgehog did its first loop-de-loop in our hearts. In honour of this world-changing event, Sega is cutting prices of many of the hedgehog's downloadable outings on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network...
Nintendo Download 22nd & 23rd June 2010 (Japan)
The WiiWare drought continues; VC and DSiWare releases only this week
The Japanese WiiWare scene has been pretty quiet over the last month or so with only a couple of titles from Squaresoft. Given the past schedule with one release minimum per week, it does seem to imply a slowdown in development; whether or not that will be the case in other...
Nintendo Download 21st June 2010 (North America)
Spin some tentacles, strategize against dinsoaurs, and puzzle puzzle puzzle
Nintendo hopes you like puzzle games, because that's five of the eight games released this week across WiiWare and DSiWare. To nobody's surprise, the Virtual Console has yet again been left out on a hill to die or something. But look, puzzlers! WiiWare: Art Style: Rotozoa...
Review Shadow of the Ninja (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Ninja master or a shadow of glory?
Ninjas suddenly gained popularity during the 1980s, what with their cool moves, cool clothes and unashamed ability to kick ass. It's murky as to why exactly this happened but the legacy left within the fields of media was huge, ranging from the American Ninja films, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Last Ninja...
Nintendo Download 18th June (Europe)
Nintendo serves up a certain ace
It's the week of E3, and what better way to celebrate than by finally releasing another N64 Virtual Console game? And an extremely well-liked one, at that? WiiWare gets one great and one good game as well, but DSiWare seems fairly uninteresting this time. WiiWare: Ant Nation (700pts - Konami) -- A simulation title...
Nintendo Download 15th and 16th June 2010 (Japan)
Not much during the week of E3
We got so mixed up in the goings-on at E3, that we almost forgot to update you with what was released on the Japanese download services earlier this week. Relax, there's no need to get too jealous this time - Most of the stuff is extremely unlikely to see a release elsewhere. And with what Nintendo of Europe has in...
Nintendo Download 14th June 2010 (North America)
Bejeweled, sports and yard sales on WiiWare; Kappas, crosswords, keyboards and watches on DSiWare; ninjas on Virtual Console
WiiWare: Bejeweled 2 (1,000 Points - PopCap) The notorious gem-swapping gameplay hits WiiWare, complete with Mii support and online leaderboards. Check out our interview with producer Ty Roberts and our First Impressions of...
Nintendo Download 11th June 2010 (Europe)
Plenty of puzzling, some strategy and racing, and an import
Despite the release of Super Mario Galaxy 2 today, Nintendo of Europe isn't neglecting their download services. The Virtual Console gets a new one-off import game while WiiWare and DSiWare get a whole bunch of catchup titles, plus one completely new game. WiiWare: NEVES Plus: Pantheon of...
Review Wild Guns (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Wild West or limp at best?
Whether the game had any influence over the film Wild Wild West is debatable, but what can't be denied is that the two have a similar, inextricable link between cowboys and steampunk. While the traditional steampunk time period might still be Victorian England in the late 19th Century, the setting for both is somewhat...
Nintendo Download 8th & 9th June 2010 (Japan)
WiiWare returns, yet another Neo Geo fighting game, DSi baseball and Ferraris next week in Japan
WiiWare: Kuma Nage ・Puzzle Hen: Piina no Suki na Akai Candy & Kuma Nage ・Puzzle Hen: Kiina no Kirai na Aoi Hōseki (1000pts - Square-Enix) -- Two related games which seem to be set in some kind of storybook world. From the description it's hard...
May2010
Nintendo Download 31st May 2010 (North America)
Tanks, blocks, sudoku and SPARTA! on DSi whilst Ben-10, Dice, Beavers and Wild Guns grace the Wii
It's a pretty good mix of new and catch-up titles this week in North America, so hopefully everyone will find something that takes their fancy. DSiWare: X-Scape (800pts - Nintendo) — A sequel to game that was released on the Gameboy a million years...
Nintendo Download 1st & 2nd June 2010 (Japan)
Download drought for Japan next week
It's hard to remember a week like this in the Japanese download scene, much less a second consecutive week without a WiiWare release, but here we are. To top it off there's only one DSiWare game and it's the third in a series we had two of last week. On the bright side there's a Virtual Console release for the...
News Japanese Virtual Console list - June 2010
More Neo Geo support
There's not much of note for Japan next month on the Virtual Console. Nintendo's only title is a Super Famicom game we'll likely never get. Aside from that, there's just two NES and Neo Geo games to pick from. The full list for June is as follows: Famicom: Meta Fight (The original Japanese version of Blaster Master. The...
Nintendo Download 28th May 2010 (Europe)
The Virtual Console returns in style, WiiWare gets arty and DSiWare gets a bunch of random stuff
There's plenty to pick from this time. You can either go with one of Kirby's best outings or a new Art Style game on the Wii, or Picross and God of War knock-offs on DSiWare. The choice is yours! WiiWare: Art Style: Penta Tentacles (600pts - Nintendo)...
Nintendo Download 25th & 26th May 2010 (Japan)
Virtual Console for Wii; board games, soccer and language practice for DSi, next week in Japan
The lack of any updates for the Wii last Tuesday in the absence of any public holiday was a bit ominous and this week's WiiWare-less update makes us wonder if this means that developers are turning away from Nintendo's service in its home country – or it...
Nintendo Download 21st May 2010 (Europe)
The Virtual Console takes a break, while WiiWare and DSiWare get a total of six games.
It's that dreaded time again - The Virtual Console is skipping another week in Europe. WiiWare and DSiWare don't exactly make up for the lack of retro goodness either, because there seems to be nothing truly special available this time. WiiWare: Phoenix Wright:...
Review Kirby Super Star (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
Suck on this!
Kirby Super Star made its debut on the Super Nintendo console in 1996, and although the game came late in the system's lifecycle, it's gone on to become one of the most sought-after games in the series. Now with the release of the game on the Virtual Console, Wii fans can enjoy the classic in all of its original glory. The gameplay of...
Nintendo Download 17th May 2010 (North America)
Running, blood and Kirby for the Wii; frogs, rabbits, upside-down blocks and more blood on DSi
Microgame creator WarioWare D.I.Y. and the hosts of the Nintendo Channel show "Nintendo Week" collide in the Big Name Game for this week, as Allison and Gary each unleash whatever crazy microgame their host brains have done thunk up. WiiWare:...
Nintendo Download 19th May 2010 (Japan)
Earth Saving, Sengoku strategy and Kanji training on DSi next week in Japan
Although we're unaware of any holidays in Japan this week, it appears the Wii is taking a download break. The DSi is still getting a few titles on Wednesday, so importers still have something new to look forward to. DSiWare: Earth Saver Plus: Inseki Bakuha Daisakusen (500...
News Nintendo "Happy with Virtual Console Pricing"
No plans to cut costs just yet
There's been countless discussions on the pricing structure for Nintendo's Virtual Console service, but the company itself has confirmed to Eurogamer it's satisfied with the way things are. We're currently pleased with the uptake of WiiWare and DSiWare in the UK (including the Virtual Console service) and believe the...
Nintendo Download 14th May 2010 (Europe)
Bit.Trip, Phoenix and Ghouls on the Wii, fire-fighting, platforming action and brain busting on the DSi this week in Europa
WiiWare: Bit.Trip RUNNER (800pts - Aksys Games) -- Europe gets the first try at the latest entry in the minimalist, retro-rhythm game series from Gaijin Games. We loved the time we spent playing the final release version, so if...
News OFLC Rating for Shadow of the Ninja Sneaks In
Classic Natsume title recently rated
Europeans may know it better as the Taito-published Blue Shadow, but North American readers will recognise Shadow of the Ninja from its 1990 NES debut. OFLC, the ratings board for Australia, recently granted the game a PG certificate listing Nintendo as the publisher, all-but guaranteeing the game is on its way...
Nintendo Download 11th and 12th May (Japan)
Catch-up week for Japan
After the Golden Week break it looks like Nintendo is mostly offering up titles that we've already seen elsewhere around the world. WiiWare: Sekai no Omoshiro Party Game 2 (500pts - Sims Co., ltd.) – The sequel to last month's Fun World Party Game offering five new games in five new countries: bullfighting in Spain,...
Nintendo Download 7th May 2010 (Europe)
Darts and Fantasy on the Wii; stories, shooting, bricks and music for DSi this week
Virtual Console: Final Fantasy (600pts NES - Square Enix) --The one that started it all and was never released in Europe has finally arrived on our shores. Of course as a Hanabi Festival release it's 100 Points dearer than what our North American and Japanese cousins...
Podcast Episode 15 - This Nintendo Life
Brand new segment debuts!
It's been a longer gap than usual between podcasts but May's episode is now available, fresh from the oven and made with only the freshest ingredients. Chop up a delicious arrangement of news and reviews, add a dash of Kim Wild's Wii Fit Plus and mix in Zach Kaplan's new retro feature This Nintendo Life. Bake for thirty...
Nintendo Download 3rd May 2010 (North America)
Zombies, funk, but sadly no funk zombies for WiiWare; and five more for DSiWare. Virtual Console, where art thou?
WiiWare brings the funk and sees some long-awaited zombie killing action, and DSiWare has a bumper week with five titles full of crazy, balloons, mazes and other stuff we're not entirely sure of. Virtual Console fans can resume the...
Review The King of Fighters '95 (Virtual Console / Neo Geo)
For those who like having their asses handed to them
After having some solid success in arcades with the inaugural game in the series The King of Fighters '94, SNK wanted to try to address some of the complaints players had with the game in the sequel. Two of the biggest complaints were the inability to customise your own team lineups and the...
April2010
News Japanese Virtual Console list - May 2010
A mere three games for Japan next month
Things can be quite odd sometimes. A while back, when North America and Europe were getting several weeks without any Virtual Console games at all, Japan was still getting one or more per week. Now it seems like the roles have been reversed, because while North America and Europe are now getting one each week...
Nintendo Download 30th April 2010 (Europe)
Catching up with North America
It seems pretty much all the releases featured this week have already been seen in North America, though there is something new in the form of some additional DLC for Mega Man 10 and Simply Solitaire for the DSi. Since some of these releases only came out Monday in North America we don't have reviews up for them all...
Nintendo Download 26 April 2010 (North America)
Arcade minis, puzzling and fighting on Wii; driving, tower defence, shooting and more on DSi
Whilst the Wii has the usual 3-release week (two WiiWare and one Virtual Console) the DSi has six new releases this week in North America – whew! Also of note is the next entry in the WarioWare D.I.Y. Big Name Game series, this time from Edmund McMillen of...