Thursdownloaday - July 3, 2014

Ah, Thursday. My favorite fifth day of the week. Let's see what new games we can buy!

PSA: Nintendo WiFi Connection Shutting Down in Two Weeks

Happy Monday, dingleberry readers! This is a reminder that online services for Wii, DS, and DSi games will end on May 20th. That means there are only two weeks left!

Mondownload… wait, what?

Hello again, faithful readers (both of you)! Today,we need to make some changes. You see, Nintendo recently changed the day of the week on which they release downloadable games from Monday to the closer-to-the-weekend Thursday. This means that Mondownloaday is no more. So, without further adieu, I present to you: Thursdownloaday! Ok, no it’s not a radical change. But who cares?! New games!

• The Ignition Factor (SNES, 800 pts) – If you dig fighting fires and you don’t might tedius challenges, this game is for you. If you like letting people burn to death, then this game is also for you. You’ll just have to play it a little counter-intuitively. (If you’re looking for a fun firemen game, try to get your hands on The Firemen [also for the SNES]. It’s much better.)

• Let’s Create! Pottery (500 pts) – Who doesn’t love making digital pots? Especially when you don’t actually get to keep or use the end result? I guess if you really like pretending to potterize, then give it a try. Also, you know… if you’re gay.
• Magical Whip: Wizards of the Phantasmal Forest (200 pts) – In this game whose name resembles my favorite sandwich spread, you run around and beat up monsters with your magical whip. While it may sound as gay as the previous game I mentioned, it looks pretty fun. It’s almost Bubble-Bobble-esque in a way, so I might actually spend the miniscule 200 pts to check it out. Speaking of… I hope Squeenix makes a 3DS Bubble Bobble for download. That’d be schweet!
• Calculator (200 pts) – For those of us who don’t already have 50 calculators and/or people who think they have 200 pts that simply can’t be spent anywhere else. Also nerds.

• Gargoyle’s Quest (Game Boy, $3.99) – In this spin-off of the Ghosts n’ Goblins universe, play as a Gargoyle and run around beating the crap out of things. I hear it’s good. I guess you better download it and find out for sure!

Well, there’s your Thursdownloaday! Another week, another crop of games. Go buy some of them! Or buy me some of them! I won’t mind! Bye now!

-benjamines

Mondownloaday!

Yet another week with some new games for your favorite Nintendo system(s)!

ArtStyle: light trax (Publisher: Nintendo, Players: 1, Price: 600 Wii Points)

Art Style: light trax takes racing to whole new (and very surreal) levels as you control a white beam of light moving perpetually forward while your viewpoint shifts between 2-D and 3-D perspectives. Start by choosing one of the two main modes of game play, each with its own distinct goal. In light tours mode, you vie with other light beams for the most points in a three-course racing tour. Watch out for obstacles, use items and strategically use your dash ability to finish first. In freeway mode, your objective is to set a high score by traveling the greatest distance within a set amount of time. Mastering the intricacies of each setting is crucial: you'll have to alternate between them in order to progress through the game and unlock all of its modes. With precise controls packed in and a driving techno soundtrack, Art Style: light trax offers an experience unlike any other. Are you ready to compete in a mind-bending race at the speed of light? Games in the Art Style series feature elegant design, polished graphics and pick-up-and-play controls, creating an experience focused purely on fun and engaging game play. For more information about Art Style: light trax and other games in the Art Style series, please visit artstyle.nintendo.com.

Manic Monkey Mayhem (Publisher: The Code Monkeys Ltd., Players: 1-4, Price: 800 Wii Points)

Controlling one of eight monkeys, you will do battle with up to seven others across eight differently themed landscapes. In single player, battle through three increasingly difficult campaigns of missions ranging from survival to coconut fights, or have a one-off battle against the clock as a team or in a standard deathmatch. Connect additional Wii Remote controllers (each sold separately) to battle against up to three additional players or compete against anyone or your friends using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Connect an optional Wii Balance Board accessory to add more mayhem to the fun.

Viral Survival (Publisher: NIS America, Players: 1, Price: 500 Wii Points)

Viral Survival is an "escape" action game where you control a special DNA unit and dodge through enemy virus attacks. If you save a friendly DNA unit they will connect to you, creating a tail. The more you save, the higher point total you will accumulate. There are also four other game modes, including one where you can shoot the enemy down and compete for number of kills, and a time attack mode to save 128 DNA units in the shortest time possible. For all five game modes your score can be ranked online. Try your best to become number one in the world.

Sorry!  No new Virtual Console games this week!

Metal Torrent (Publisher: Nintendo, Players: 1, Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points)

Prepare for a high level of intensity as you pilot a solo ship deep into enemy space in this vertically scrolling shooter. Battle wave after wave of relentless attackers aiming to do one thing - destroy you! Your goal, beyond mere survival, is simple: Get the highest score possible and earn bragging rights in online leaderboards. Two powerful fighters are at your disposal: the Accipiter and Bateleur, tailored for beginner or expert players. Progress through eight phases of action and take out enemies by tactically using your weapons: an unlimited-fire blaster weapon available to both ships and an energy-consuming special weapon unique to each craft. Absorb energy cubes from destroyed enemies to replenish your energy gauge and increase your score. Collect a series of consecutive cubes to create a chain and boost your score even higher. Choose from pattern or random modes to vary the level of challenge, but the real indication of skill comes from competing with players around the world for the highest score possible. Use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to upload your score to the online leaderboards to see where you stack up or even view replays of top-ranking players' games and study their secrets. Do you have what it takes to be the best?

World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em (Publisher: Hands-On Mobile, Players: 1-6, Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points)

Play like the pros in World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em on the Nintendo DSiWare service, the official game tested and approved by the experts at the World Poker Tour. Whether you're just learning to play or you're an old-school player wanting to hook some fish, Texas Hold 'Em has tables for all players. Choose to play solo in two unique tournaments designed specifically for the Nintendo DSiWare version or use a local wireless connection and play with your friends and take down monster pots. The action is in your hands in one of the most authentic poker games ever brought to the Nintendo DSi system.

Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper (Publisher: Virtual Playground, Players: 1, Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points)

Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper - the fabulous, chart-topping hidden-object game with amazing graphics is now available on the Nintendo DSiWare service. One of the first and best games of its type, Jack the Ripper features numerous atmospheric 3-D locations and oodles of hidden objects to find. The realism of the scenes and the accuracy of the storyline will fascinate all ages from young teen to adult. Travel back to 1880s London to help Scotland Yard's detectives solve the crime of the century. Visit world-famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace. Search crime scenes and solve mini puzzles in your hunt for clues. Was Jack a doctor, a royal prince, a barber or something else? Was he mad? This game will tell you. Enjoy hours and hours of game play in this truly absorbing game. Whether you are an experienced player or a newbie, once you start your investigation, you will be on an adventure you won't want to stop - until you discover Jack the Ripper's true identity, that is.

Advanced Circuits (Publisher: BiP media, Players: 1, Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points)

Whether with a train, a car or a tank, are you ready for a new challenge? This brain-boggling puzzle game will put your powers of deduction to the test. Complete the circuits by connecting squares on the game board with pieces of track. Some pieces of track are already shown on the board at the beginning of the game to give you a head start. There is only one solution to each puzzle. The rules are simple but the challenges are tough.
• Challenge mode features 60 predefined game boards of increasing difficulty.
• Free Play mode lets you select the game board size and practice on any number of randomly generated puzzles.
• 72 awards to be won.
• Also features a tutorial, hints and tips and even the solution if you feel like giving up.

So there you go!  Go buy some new games!

Mondownloaday!

This week is a great week for Nintendo owners, with the release of several new and awesome games!  Let’s get to it!

 BIT.TRIP RUNNER  (Publisher: Aksys Games, Players: 1, Price: 800 Wii Points)
Discover the fastest, most exhilarating action-platformer to hit the WiiWare service. Race across the moon, kicking down crystal walls and sliding under chomping moon-slugs. Bound through the Robotic Mines and face off against the MinerMech. Dash through the Big City on a quest to find friends and defeat the final boss together. RUNNER is the fourth entry in the award-winning and critically acclaimed BIT.TRIP series. You control CommanderVideo as he runs, jumps, slides and kicks. With exciting modern and retro challenges, you can move through more than 50 levels of addictive game play. Chiptune supergroup Anamanaguchi makes a guest appearance. Join CommanderVideo on his most epic journey yet!

Blood Beach  (Publisher: Coresoft Inc., Players: 1, Price: 1,000 Wii Points)
You are hopelessly outnumbered and have no choice but to fight and win. Just you, your guns and the thin stretch of Blood Beach stand between you and the entire Japanese Imperial Navy. You have an impressive arsenal of weapons, including the M2 BMG, 40mm M1 and, of course, your Thompson SMG. But the Imperial Japanese Navy will hit you with everything they can muster – "Zeros," "Bettys" and even Takao-class battleships – in their methodical and relentless push to recapture the Solomon Islands. High scores can be saved for Easy, Normal and Hard levels of difficulty.

 

Kirby Super Star  (Original platform: Super NES, Publisher: Nintendo, Players: 1-2, Price: 800 Wii Points)
That awful King Dedede is at it again – he's stolen all the food in Dream Land. It's up to Kirby to get it back and ultimately save Pop Star from being overtaken. In what may be the most diverse adventure yet for the round, pink hero, Kirby journeys through six main games and two minigames, finishing with the ultimate showdown in The Arena. Each game offers its own story and style of platforming action, as well as unique environments and an assortment of enemies. Swallowing an enemy allows Kirby to copy the abilities of that enemy, granting him the power to perform special attacks and giving him a new hat to don. In a strategic twist, Kirby can now give up an acquired ability and use it to turn an enemy into a helper. The helper will follow Kirby around and automatically fight as his ally or offer a second player the chance to join in the game by controlling it. There's never a dull moment as Kirby dashes, flies and swallows enemies in his battle against King Dedede, Dyna Blade and Meta Knight.

 

Looksley's Line Up (Publisher: Nintendo, Players: 1, Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points)
Looksley the rabbit needs your assistance to finish the story he's writing. Guide him through a world based on famous fairy tales and folk stories from around the globe, helping him to gather inspiration by finding hidden items along the way. In this unique take on hidden-picture games, you'll move the Nintendo DSi system to change your view of various 3-D dioramas. Peer deeply into the scene as you shift the system, watching as layers within the diorama move to reveal previously unseen letters and objects. As you collect these letters and objects, you'll meet new characters and spell words that will open additional stages with more sets of hidden items to find. Particular stages contain secret pictures, testing your observation skills even further. Scour each scene's incredible depth and detail as you lend Looksley a hand in completing his masterpiece. Players of all ages will love this visual puzzle challenge and be amazed to see that even the same spot can look different from another angle.

Frogger Returns (Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment, Players: 1, Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points)
Frogger is coming to a Nintendo DSi system near you! Frogger Returns takes the heart-pounding challenge of arcade Frogger and moves it into the next dimension. Classic top-down 2-D game play is updated with colorful 3-D graphics, a new perspective, new levels, new enemies and game-changing power-ups to dodge and use. Four stages take the original journey of Frogger from highway to home through a new adventure. Use multiple modes to attack your top scores, race against the clock or just get Frogger to his home pad.

A Topsy Turvy Life: Turvy Drops (Publisher: TECMO KOEI GAMES, Players: 1, Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points)
Description: Turn the Nintendo DSi system upside down and draw blocks on the touch screen to fill spaces in this topsy-turvy take on puzzle games. Play "Endless Mode" to see just how many points you can get as the blocks on the bottom screen fill faster and faster. The more blocks you clear at once, the higher your score. Play "Puzzle Mode" to test your brain against 30 mind-bending puzzles. Clear all the blocks within the specified time and turn limits. Can you solve the puzzles before time is up?

Flips: More Bloody Horowitz (Publisher: Electronic Arts, Players: 1, Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points)
Anthony Horowitz, the best-selling creator of Alex Rider, gives horror a whole new look in this mischievous collection of macabre tales, exclusive to the Flips series. Including three new stories – each with its own unique feature, such as illustrations and sound effects – Flips: More Bloody Horowitz finds Horowitz at his most wicked. The Flips series brings modern classics to the Nintendo DSiWare service, allowing readers to collect, solve, interact and learn as they progress through the various stories and challenges.

And in case you weren’t sure you wanted at least one of these games, here’s a clip from Looksley Line-Up:

So get out there and buy some crap!

-benjamines

Mondownloaday!

Good morning, friends!  I hope that your weekend was amazing!  I know mine was.

This week, we get 4 DSiWare games and 2 WiiWare games.  Let’s get to it!

Photo Dojo (Nintendo, 1-2 Players,  200 Points [starting June 11]): This game lets you take pictures of yourself or others and put them into a fighting game.  It has made a great impression on most people who play it, and Nintendo, being the awesome company that they are, are giving it away for the first month!  Awesome!

Earthworm Jim (Gameloft, 1 Player, 500 Points): The good ol’, hilarious, insanely hard SNES game, with some additional DSi Camera mini-games thrown in.

Chess Challenge! (Digital Leisure, 1-2 Players, 500 Points): Chess, with local multiplayer.  Joy.

Flips: The Enchanted Wood (EA, 1 Player, 500 Points): The next entry in the downloadable book series.  I haven’t read it.  So that’s all I can tell you.

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations (Capcom, 1 Player, 1,000 Points): The final entry in the fantastically entertaining Phoenix Wright saga.  Play as Phoenix Wright and uncover the truth behind various murder cases.

Chess Challenge! (Digital Leisure, 1-2 Players, 500 Points): The Wii version has online play, leaderboards, and Mii Support.  Joy again.

Well, there you go!  Starting at noon ET, I would definitely recommend Photo Dojo, considering it’s free for the first month, starting today!  And while there are no Virtual Console games, you can still get a SNES or DS game with Earthworm Jim or Phoenix Wright.  Fun times!  So get out there and play!  Or stay inside.  In case it’s cold.

-benjamines

Mondownloaday Returns!

Herro!!  Today marks another week of (possibly) cool and fun games for your Nintendo systems!  Let’s get to it!

• Zombie Panic in Wonderland (Akaoni Studio, 1 - 2 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Wonderland is in crisis, what with a recent infestation of the undead. Choose from seven different playable characters as you work toward solving the mystery of the "scented dwarves." ... wait, really?
  
• Kung Fu Funk: Everybody is Kung Fu Fighting! (Stickmen Studios, 1 - 4 players, 500 Wii Points): This party game is themed around those '70s kung-fu movies, and spans three modes and several minigames.

Sorry!  No Virtual Console Games this week!

• BLOONS (Hands-On Mobile, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): It's a puzzle game where you pop balloons -- err, bloons.
  
• Sokomania (CINEMAX, 1 player, 200 DSi Points): In Sokomania, players are tasked with moving crates around a game board, earning points for completing each puzzle in the fewest moves possible.
  
• Bounce & Break (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 1 player, 500 DSi Points): This aptly titled Arkanoid clone features four different universes comprised of four seasons each.
  
• 1001 Crystal Mazes Collection (Teyon, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Described as a "jewel logic game," it has players moving jewel pieces around a maze game board.
  
• Crazy Golf (dtp entertainment AG, 1 - 4 players, 500 DSi Points): Not to be confused with that regular golf you fall asleep watching on Sunday afternoons, this version features seven different courses (each including six different holes) and throws a variety of obstacles at you. It's so crazy, you literally play golf on somebody's desk.

Well, there ya go!  If you see something you like, go on an’ buy it, goll dernit!  Now go play some games!

-benjamines

Mondownloaday!

Hello, all you friendly peoples! What do you mean it’s been three weeks since the last update?! YOU’RE CRAZY!!

So, from this day forward, I have decided to make Monday a special day. After all, Monday is the day that new downloads are available for WiiWare, Virtual Console, and DSiWare. It’s Mondownloaday! So, what do we have this week?…

VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Super Star Wars (SNES) – 800 Wii Points

Risk your life as a Jedi Knight. Join Luke, Han and Chewbacca in their fierce war against the Evil Empire. Battle treacherous aliens. Pilot two vehicles in high-speed, first-person 3-D sequences. Rip through the desert in Luke’s landspeeder. Clash with aliens in the Mos Eisley Cantina. Blast menacing boss monsters and Imperial stormtroopers. Attack TIE fighters in the trenches of the Death Star. Fight your way through the wastelands of Tatooine to the hostile streets of Mos Eisley and beyond. Grab your blaster, strap on your lightsaber and take on the fight for galactic freedom.

WiiWARE

NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits – 1,000 Wii Points

Experience the awesome story of Nyx, an enigmatic winged girl who must descend from heaven in search of her missing friend, Icarus. Fly over the ruins of ancient Greece and avoid falling into blazing sands or perishing in the claws of cruel harpies and hydras. You will need the help of Zeus and other benevolent gods from Olympus to summon their powers. They will let you cast rays, modify the scenery and control winds as you wish. By making your own wrist movements and pointing to the game screen, you will be able to achieve these and many other feats. Fly, aim and shoot using your Wii Remote controller. Play with a friend and maximize your abilities: While one controls Nyx, the other will control the powers from the gods.

Rock n’ Roll Climber – 800 Wii Points

Prepare to “rock out” like never before in Rock N’ Roll Climber. Climb rocks using the innovative control scheme, which has you controlling your character’s movement using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. If you want an even more immersive experience, optional support for the Wii Balance Board is also available. Make your way up an array of courses, ranging from the Pop level’s indoor rock wall to the Heavy Metal level’s waterfalls (watch out for those moss-covered rocks – they’re slick). In addition to the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel upon reaching the top, you might just be rewarded with your own guitar.

DSiWARE

Brain Age Express: Arts and Letters – 800 DSi Points

This edition of the popular Brain Age series offers players a mix of new and familiar exercises, all with an artistic focus. Test your spelling in Word Attack, enjoy literary classics in Reading Aloud and tune your musical skills in Piano Player. A new Themes mode challenges you in drawing, photography and voice acting and lets you share your creativity with friends and family. And if you need a break, the always-enjoyable Virus Buster makes its return. Prepare for another round of training your brain in minutes a day.

So, there you have it. A buncha games that you probably won’t buy. Or, if you don’t have a Wii or DSi, games you definitely won’t buy. Unless you’re using someone else’s system… and they have a bunch of Nintendo points already loaded… and you buy these games for them… to surprise them… or spite them. Just whatever.

And by the way, the games are available at 10am Mountain Time every Monday, so get outside and play some games that are on the TV!

-benjamines

Currently Playing: Sonic Unleashed (Wii), The Legendary Starfy (NDS), Boom Blox Bash Party (Wii)

Free Is Awesome!

Guess what, everyone! You can download a free game! And it's fun! So hop to it already!

From now until February 28th, you can download Episode 4 of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People for free! All you have to do is sign up for Telltale Games' newsletter here! Note that this only applies to the PC version, but still, it's free, so hop to it! Then, once you realize how fun it is, get out there and buy the other episodes on WiiWare!

In case you didn't know, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is a WiiWare/PC point-and-click adventure game. You run around and make fun of people, you check e-mails, you make more fun of people... That alone should be enough to convince you to buy the game. There are five episodes total, all of which are now available on WiiWare at 1000 points a pop.

So what are you waiting for? Get checkin' those e-mails!

-benjamines

Currently Playing: SBCG4AP Episode 3, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, CrossWorDS

I No Write Long Time!

Holy crap! Almost a week! But if any day needed a new post, it's today. What a day for new games!

First of all, everyone's favorite iron-stomached pink puff returns to the DS in Kirby Super Star Ultra! It's a remake of the SNES classic Kirby Super Star. The original featured several shorter modes, rather than one big adventure. The new one includes all of these, plus some additional modes.

In the original, there was a short adventure mode called The Great Cave Offensive. The point was to navigate a large series of caves and levels to find all of the treasure. This was no easy task, to be sure. There were enemies all over the freakin' place, and they always seemed to be right where they were hardest to miss... which was everywhere! But it's all good.

Other modes include larger games such as Spring Breeze, a standard Kirby adventure, Gourmet Race, a footrace against King Dedede, and the Megaton Punch, a minigame to see who can punch a bigger hole in the planet. Awesome.

The new version also includes new modes, such as the interesting Helper to Hero, where you control one of Kirby's helpers, and you do your best to help him get to the finish. Double awesome.

But the fun doesn't stop there, dear biased friends. Also releasing today is Warioland Shake It! for the Wii. It's beautiful hand-drawn style is simply amazing, combined with (hopefully) intuitive Wii remote controls.

The premise of Warioland Shake It! follows true to the other Wario Land games. Wario wants treasure! And you can use your new Shake power to get it. You can grab enemies and shake the crap out of them (by actually shaking the Wii remote), along with money bags and other treasure-containing items.

In short, the game looks incredible. Hopefully, it doesn't make you shake everything all the time. Cause that can make my arms hurt. Where's my ibuprofen?...

Well, just when you thought today wasn't an amazing enough day for video game releases, yet another amazing piece of Nintendo classic-ness appears. Mega Man 9. You may not think this is anything that exciting, but trust me, this is something I've been waiting for for a very, very long time.

Mega Man 9 is not the 'new' game that you might expect. While all the bosses are new, the powers are new, and the levels new, the game design is not. But that's a good thing. A very good thing. You see, Mega Man 9 looks exactly like Mega Man 1-6. Which were made for the NES. OVER 15 YEARS AGO!

Capcom decided to give retro fans exactly what they wanted. They created a NES-style game and made it available for only $10. They even made it flicker and slow down if there are lots of items on the screen, just like it would do on the NES. Life is beautiful, people.

All I have to say is that I need about $100 right now so I can go and buy all this crap. Any takers? ... er, givers?

Btw, don't forget to vote on the new poll!

-benjamines

Currently Hoping: for more NES-style games

Man... so cool!

Anyone who knows me know that I love Homestar Runner. So when I found out they were making a video game for Wii about Homestar Runner, I had to run and change my pants. Despite its many delays, I knew Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (SBCG4AP) was coming, and I couldn't wait. I set the alarm for 10am MDT on Monday so I could be one of the first to download it.

Promtly at 10, I was at the Wii Shop Channel, waiting with my remaining 1000 Wii Points to snatch up the latest creation from the Brothers Chaps. Sure enough, there it was. And with my awesome DSL connection, it was downloaded in no time.

And I must say that the game does not disappoint. The game is loaded with fan service, including crappy music played on old Casio keyboards and ridiculous dialogue from Strong Bad, Coach Z, and even Homsar. But even people not really familiar with the popular webtoon should enjoy this title.

The appropriately titled story, Homestar Ruiner, follows Strong Bad in a quest to beat the snot out of Homestar, figuratively or emotionally if necessary. You simply point where you want Strong Bad to go and there he goes. To pick up an item, simply point at it and press A. The game has virtually no learning curve and thus, lets you get right into the story.

As with many adventure games, there comes a time when you get stuck and end up wandering all around Free Country USA trying to find a way to continue. Fortunately, these times are few and far between. And besides, when you get lost, you can always spend time playing Snake Boxer 5 or Teen Girl Squad. You can also take a snapshot at anytime and then send it to someone else's Wii via Wii Connect24 using Strong Bad's trusty Lappy 486. The game is full of side quests and ridiculous achievements.

Not only does it play great, it looks great. The colors and styles familiar to fans are there in all their glory, plus you can wander past many familiar locales, such as the stick or Strong Badia.

But none of this would be much good if the game wasn't as funny as the website. But do not fear, the same ridiculous shenanigans, puns, and comic insults are all there in full force.

While the game is definitely not one you'll spend more than a few hours on the first time through, it's worth every Wii point. There are enough witty Strong Bad-isms, whiny Strong Sad new age-isms, and King of Town gluttonisms to keep avid fans busy for a long time.

In short, this is a must have for fans of the cartoons. Most anyone else (under 30) will probably enjoy it as well. Now get out there and spend those Wii points!... Dangit!

This game has earned a blatantly biased