New on VC/WiiWare: Turrican, Bomberman, Bit Generations Remakes (HOLY WHAT)
Sep. 29
In 2006, Nintendo released a budget-priced series of simple but stylish games for the Game Boy Advance. Subtitled "Bit Generations," these titles condensed gaming to its essence, offering up minimal graphics and sound but deep and engrossing gameplay.
The series had never left Japan, until now. In a totally unannounced and unexpected move, Nintendo has remade several titles in the Bit Generations series for release on WiiWare. First up is this week's release of Art Style: ORBIENT (600 Points), a remake of what I thought was overall the best Bit Generations game, Orbital. It's a gravity-based puzzle game that plays sort of like Katamari Damacy in space, all wrapped in a uniquely soothing, ambient presentation. A friend once jokingly described it as what it would be like if Brian Eno made a video game. It's excellent.
Not nearly as exciting is this week's fellow WiiWare offering of Bomberman Blast (1,000 Points), a Wi-Fi multiplayer Bomberman game that seems more like an inevitability than anything else. Then there's Super Turrican 2 (SNES, 800 Points), which...I...NNNGGGH MUST BUY ORBIENT OKAY BYE
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WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND ONE VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Sept. 29, 2008
Auspicious debuts and the return of a classic franchise top the list of new additions to the Wii Shop Channel this week. Art Style: ORBIENT is the first in a new game series from Nintendo, combining deep game play with atmospheric flair and simple, elegant controls that anyone can pick up and enjoy. With two more Art Style titles scheduled for release in October, this is your chance to be the first to enjoy this truly remarkable gaming experience.
Bomberman makes his WiiWare debut in Bomberman Blast, taking the frenzied multiplayer action the series is known for online. Or if you just feel like saving the galaxy again, take on the Machine in Super Turrican 2.
Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
WiiWare
Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn't empty, though, and you'll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.
Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for EveryoneMild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone--from those who've never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.
Virtual Console
Super Turrican 2 (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneViolence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine's forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy's last hope. Are you up to the challenge?
For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.
Comments
I'm just getting wireless hooked back up in my apartment today.. I've still got to play Super Mario RPG and Mega Man 9 before I get to this stuff. Heh.
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