Source: infendo.com

Well, it’s pretty easy to say that I could spend almost thirty bucks on WiiWare and Virtual Console games this week.  We have World Of Goo, Art Style: Cubello, Secret Of Mana, and Street Fighter II’: Special Champion Edition.  Not sure why we need a fourth version of Street Fighter II.

Anything you’re going to buy?  I’m sure glad I have the day off of work!

Full game details after the break.

WiiWare

World of Goo (2D Boy, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Comic Mischief, 1,500 Wii Points): World of Goo is an award-winning, physics-based puzzle/construction game made entirely by two guys. Grab living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore—but they don’t know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious. World of Goo Corporation is contractually obligated to state that everyone is a winner, and is enthusiastic to celebrate everyone’s Goo building opportunities equally.

Art Style: CUBELLO (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Art Style: CUBELLO mixes the strategy and feel of a traditional puzzle game with the precision and reflexes required in a shooter. As each stage begins, various colored cubes form into one large object called a Cubello, which floats and rotates as you play. Launch additional cubes from your magazine and try to connect four or more of the same color, removing them from the Cubello and eventually leaving only its core. Take on the challenge of either Stage or Endless mode and watch what happens when Bonus Time is activated. The straightforward controls and goal ensure that anyone can play, while offering enough depth that even advanced players will find themselves quickly addicted to the unique world of Art Style: CUBELLO.

Virtual Console

SECRET OF MANA (Super NES, 1-3 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points): Good and evil battle for a young warrior’s heart. There is one force in the universe that keeps good and evil in perfect balance. It is called the tree of Mana. But a magic sword has tricked a young warrior into upsetting this balance, spreading evil throughout the land. Thus, the warrior must undertake a dangerous journey to find the seeds of the Mana tree, which have been hidden for centuries. Only then can perfect harmony be restored. In this incredible adventure, things are not as they seem. Magic swords release evil as well as fight it. Treasure chests hold booby traps. Monsters are friends and friends are enemies. Potions give power, black magic takes it away. Dragons fly, weapons change. It’s a world turned upside down that you must help the warrior make right. And the only way to succeed is to solve the Secret of Mana.

STREET FIGHTER II’: SPECIAL CHAMPION EDITION (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Violence, 800 Wii Points): STREET FIGHTER II’: SPECIAL CHAMPION EDITION was the first STREET FIGHTER game released for the Sega Genesis console. The STREET FIGHTER series can be considered one of the first fighting games to popularize competitive video game fighting. This version of the game contains both the CHAMPION and HYPER rule sets, from the two editions released in the arcades. It also introduced an exclusive Group Battle mode that is now a general feature in most fighting games. Play as one of 12 different characters, each with their own distinctive fighting style. Try single-player mode or challenge a friend in this legendary, classic fighting game.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Today Nintendo adds new/classic games to the popular Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9AM Pacific time. 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 stores like Amazon (see Card above).

We’ve included videos of each of today’s games for nostalgia’s sake or so you can see if it’s to your tastes.

This week’s new WiiWare games are:

World of Goo (2D Boy, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Comic Mischief, 1,500 Wii Points = $15): World of Goo is an award-winning, physics-based puzzle/construction game made entirely by two guys. Grab living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore—but they don’t know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious. World of Goo Corporation is contractually obligated to state that everyone is a winner, and is enthusiastic to celebrate everyone’s Goo building opportunities equally.

Art Style: Cubello (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points = $6): Art Style: Cubello mixes the strategy and feel of a traditional puzzle game with the precision and reflexes required in a shooter. As each stage begins, various colored cubes form into one large object called a Cubello, which floats and rotates as you play. Launch additional cubes from your magazine and try to connect four or more of the same color, removing them from the Cubello and eventually leaving only its core. Take on the challenge of either Stage or Endless mode and watch what happens when Bonus Time is activated. The straightforward controls and goal ensure that anyone can play, while offering enough depth that even advanced players will find themselves quickly addicted to the unique world of Art Style: Cubello.

This week’s new Virtual Console games are:

Secret of Mana (Super NES, 1-3 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points = $8): Good and evil battle for a young warrior’s heart. There is one force in the universe that keeps good and evil in perfect balance. It is called the tree of Mana. But a magic sword has tricked a young warrior into upsetting this balance, spreading evil throughout the land. Thus, the warrior must undertake a dangerous journey to find the seeds of the Mana tree, which have been hidden for centuries. Only then can perfect harmony be restored. In this incredible adventure, things are not as they seem. Magic swords release evil as well as fight it. Treasure chests hold booby traps. Monsters are friends and friends are enemies. Potions give power, black magic takes it away. Dragons fly, weapons change. It’s a world turned upside down that you must help the warrior make right. And the only way to succeed is to solve the Secret of Mana.

Street Fighter II’: Special Champion Edition (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Violence, 800 Wii Points = $8): Street Fighter II’: Special Champion Edition was the first Street Fighter game released for the Sega Genesis console. The Street Fighter series can be considered one of the first fighting games to popularize competitive video game fighting. This version of the game contains both the Champion and Hyper rule sets, from the two editions released in the arcades. It also introduced an exclusive Group Battle mode that is now a general feature in most fighting games. Play as one of 12 different characters, each with their own distinctive fighting style. Try single-player mode or challenge a friend in this legendary, classic fighting game.

Source: infendo.com

Wow, a double-double with Midnight Bowling and MadStone for WiiWare plus Mario Golf and Shining Force II for the Virtual Console.  Looks like a good week to be a gamer.  Anybody up for some slots golf with Mario?

Full release info after the break.

WiiWare

Midnight Bowling (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Plunge directly into the trendy and electric atmosphere of Midnight Bowling. With awesome playing sensations, prepare for ultra-fun gaming thanks to a new physics engine that lets you control your throws precisely and easily with your Wii Remote controller and make spectacular spins that will impress your opponents. Face up to three friends in the fun party mode, where your playing abilities will be put to the test. Whatever your experience level, launch yourself into the immersive career mode, where you will play in the trendiest bowling spots on the planet against charismatic characters that will give you a run for your money.

MadStone (Riverman Media, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Time is short. Earth trembles as the forces of nature stir and grow restless. Can you turn the tide? In this dynamic puzzle game, you must clear the path for your elemental MadStones to reach the bottom of the screen. Blocks can be broken by striking them directly or by the force of falling objects. The novice tries frantically to break enough blocks, while the master sets up cascading collapses with only a handful of direct strikes. As two sides struggle for domination, titanic forces build, only to be unleashed in an earth-shaking final confrontation. Experience the mystical single-player journey, or challenge a friend in competitive two-player mode.

Virtual Console

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Mario takes a well-deserved break from his role as the Mushroom Kingdom’s busiest hero and returns to the links for some world-class golfing action. Since no one likes to hit the fairways alone, he’s brought along a group of friends—both familiar characters and brand new ones. Choose from 10 different modes of play and six 18-hole courses in a variety of environments for a golfing experience with endless replay value. Add in fun, colorful graphics with a Mario touch (a Boo indicates wind direction), intuitive controls, incredibly deep game play and multiplayer support (taunt your opponents), and you have a game anyone will enjoy—even if you’ve never played a round of golf. Fore!

Shining Force II (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): It’s a dark and stormy night in the kingdom of Granseal when a thief steals two jewels from the Tower of the Ancients. He sets in motion strange events that lead to the resurrection of Zeon, the Devil King. Granseal’s king falls sick, the princess is kidnapped, and a door to Arc Valley, the Devil King’s home, is opened. The young swordsman, Bowie, realizing the grave danger Granseal faces, must lead the Shining Force to find the Holy Sword and the stolen jewels, and protect Granseal against the invading armies of Zeon.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Today Nintendo adds new/classic games to the popular Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9AM Pacific time. 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 stores like Amazon (see Card above).

We’ve included videos of each of today’s games for nostalgia’s sake or so you can see if it’s to your tastes.

This week’s new WiiWare games are:

Midnight Bowling (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points = $8): Plunge directly into the trendy and electric atmosphere of Midnight Bowling. With awesome playing sensations, prepare for ultra-fun gaming thanks to a new physics engine that lets you control your throws precisely and easily with your Wii Remote controller and make spectacular spins that will impress your opponents. Face up to three friends in the fun party mode, where your playing abilities will be put to the test. Whatever your experience level, launch yourself into the immersive career mode, where you will play in the trendiest bowling spots on the planet against charismatic characters that will give you a run for your money.

MadStone (Riverman Media, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points = $8): Time is short. Earth trembles as the forces of nature stir and grow restless. Can you turn the tide? In this dynamic puzzle game, you must clear the path for your elemental MadStones to reach the bottom of the screen. Blocks can be broken by striking them directly or by the force of falling objects. The novice tries frantically to break enough blocks, while the master sets up cascading collapses with only a handful of direct strikes. As two sides struggle for domination, titanic forces build, only to be unleashed in an earth-shaking final confrontation. Experience the mystical single-player journey, or challenge a friend in competitive two-player mode.

Today Capcom will also release two Mega Man 9 downloadable content packs for their recent WiiWare release!

1. Mega Man 9 Endless Attack Content Pack (300 Wii Points = $3) - Test your skills on a stage without end. Try to break the record for getting the farthest. Results will be displayed in the Rankings page. Not compatible with other Challenges.
2. Mega Man 9 Proto Man Content Pack (200 Wii Points = $2) - Play the game as Proto Man. Some of Proto Man’s abilities may differ from Mega Man’s. Proto Man has the Charge Shot ability, Power Slide ability, and a shield that he can utilize to deflect bullets at enemies. However, Proto Man also takes double damage and has double bounce back when he is hit. There is no story for Proto Man and he is not compatible with Rankings or Challenges.

This week’s new Virtual Console games are:

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points = $10): Mario takes a well-deserved break from his role as the Mushroom Kingdom’s busiest hero and returns to the links for some world-class golfing action. Since no one likes to hit the fairways alone, he’s brought along a group of friends—both familiar characters and brand new ones. Choose from 10 different modes of play and six 18-hole courses in a variety of environments for a golfing experience with endless replay value. Add in fun, colorful graphics with a Mario touch (a Boo indicates wind direction), intuitive controls, incredibly deep game play and multiplayer support (taunt your opponents), and you have a game anyone will enjoy—even if you’ve never played a round of golf. Fore!

Shining Force II: Ancient Sealing (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points = $8): It’s a dark and stormy night in the kingdom of Granseal when a thief steals two jewels from the Tower of the Ancients. He sets in motion strange events that lead to the resurrection of Zeon, the Devil King. Granseal’s king falls sick, the princess is kidnapped, and a door to Arc Valley, the Devil King’s home, is opened. The young swordsman, Bowie, realizing the grave danger Granseal faces, must lead the Shining Force to find the Holy Sword and the stolen jewels, and protect Granseal against the invading armies of Zeon.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

This week ScrewAttack takes a look at the Top 20 Genesis Games in their list of the all-time greatest games released on Sega’s 16-bit powerhouse that could, the Sega Genesis.

First they break down the Top 20 to 11 Genesis Games.

And finally they’ve reached the Top 10 to the #1 Genesis Game of All Time (according to them):

If you don’t want to watch both videos, here is their complete list:

20: X-Men 2: Clone Wars 19: TMNT: Hyperstone Heist 18: Mutant League Football 17: Shining Force 16: Altered Beast

15: Kid Chameleon 14: Comix Zone 13: Out Of This world (Another World) 12: Earthworm Jim 2 11: Mortal Kombat 10: Golden Axe 9: Vectorman 8: Castlevania: Bloodlines 7: Rocket Knight Adventures 6: Shinobi 3 5: Phantasy Star II 4: Gunstar Heroes 3: Streets of Rage 2 2: Sonic 3 1: Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker . . .

Source: infendo.com

It looks like even Capcom, Hudson, and SNK don’t know when Nintendo will put their games out for the Virtual Console. No Mega Man today and no Ys Book I & II or Samurai Shodown II either. Instead, we get the 8-bit Master System version of Sonic The Hedgehog (which was already available in a 16-bit Genesis format) and Splatterhouse 2. What is up with the Virtual Console? At least the new WiiWare game Wild West Guns looks like a fun Zapper light gun game!

Check out the full list after the break and let us know if you’re excited about any of these titles.

Wild West Guns - WiiWare - 1,000 Wii Points
Draw your revolver to see if you’re the fastest gun in the West. Adjust your speed and precision as targets or enemies appear in front of you. Point and shoot to earn more points. You can aim at anything, so be sure to explore the environment for elements that will earn you more shooting points. Identify your enemies among the characters you encounter, but don’t shoot at innocent citizens. Take part in an Old West-style train attack, or challenge your skills in a variety of increasingly difficult shooting challenges in other beautiful, classic and lively Western environments. As you progress through challenges, you’ll earn medals and rewards, making for nonstop, addictive action. Play in a two-player multiplayer mode where you and your partner can combine points, or play against each other to find out who’s the fastest gun in the West.  [Published by GameLoft]

Sonic The Hedgehog- Master System - 1991 - 500 Wii Points
Based on the original Sega Genesis version, Sonic The Hedgehog was re-created as the first Sonic game for the Sega Master System. Not just a straight port, this version includes new stages, bosses, some different zones and a level map. The most noticeable difference, however, is that the Chaos Emeralds have to be found within certain stages other than the Special Stages. Dash through six Zones (including special zones that were only available for the Sega Master System version) and face Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik) at the end of every Zone. [Published by Sega]

SPLATTERHOUSE 2 - Genesis - 1992 - 800 Wii Points
SPLATTERHOUSE 2 is the sequel to SPLATTERHOUSE, released only on the Sega Genesis. A few months after escaping from the first mansion in SPLATTERHOUSE, the main character, Rick, once again encounters the Terror Mask and must use its powers to rescue his beloved Jennifer. Rick will need to punch, slash, smash and even chainsaw his way through a haunted mansion against unspeakable horrors and terrifying bosses to make it out alive. [Published by Namco]

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Today Nintendo adds new/classic games to the popular Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9AM Pacific time. 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 stores like Amazon (see Card above).

We’ve included videos of each of today’s games for nostalgia’s sake or so you can see if a new game might be to your liking.

This week’s new WiiWare game is:

Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Violence, 1,000 Wii Points = $10): Pirates: The Key of Dreams is a frantic nautical shoot-’em-up. Sail your way across the Caribbean, cannons blazing, looting booty, running blockades and ultimately battling Blackbeard himself. The player takes control of a navy captain sent deep undercover as a ruthless pirate in order to seek out and retrieve the Key of Dreams, a valuable and dangerous cursed artifact. Rescue castaways to bolster your ship’s crew, gaining performance increases to your navigation, weaponry, structural integrity and cartography skills. Collect increasingly powerful weaponry including rockets, mines, chain shot, saw blades and a flamethrower to hurl destruction into the path of your enemies. Play against three of your scurvy friends or A.I. opponents in pitched multiplayer battles over 35 levels, set in seven themed environments. Choose from different ship types that reflect your play style. Play in turbo mode if you’re pirate enough.

This week’s new Virtual Console game are:

Super Fantasy Zone (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points = $9): The last entry in the Fantasy Zone series, this side-scrolling shooter puts you in the shoes of main character Opa-Opa, who is on a mission to avenge the death of his father. To do so, you’ll have to battle a variety of Enemy Generators to clear out the various levels and finish off the Menon Guardian at the end of the level. Eliminating your enemies will let you rack up some gold, which you can use to buy even better weapons, upgrades and other equipment. Spend your gold wisely, as each different boss you need to defeat presents a unique challenge.

Gley Lancer (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points = $9): In the year 2025, a war breaks out between humans and a hostile alien race, and 16-year-old Lucia and the rest of the starfighter pilots in the Earth Federation must join the battle. When Lucia’s father is kidnapped by the aliens, she decides to take action and hijacks a brand new prototype starfighter, the Gley Lancer, in order to try to save him. In this side-scrolling shooter, step into the cockpit of the Gley Lancer as Lucia, rescue your father and destroy the evil aliens that are bent on destroying the human race.

Source: infendo.com

This week we get the WiiWare prequel to a DS game with Pirates: The Key Of Dreams and two side-scrolling Genesis shooters, Super Fantasy Zone, and Gley Lancer.

Check out full descriptions after the break!

Pirates: The Key of Dreams - WiiWare - 1,000 Wii Points
Pirates: The Key of Dreams is a frantic nautical shoot-’em-up. Sail your way across the Caribbean, cannons blazing, looting booty, running blockades and ultimately battling Blackbeard himself. The player takes control of a navy captain sent deep undercover as a ruthless pirate in order to seek out and retrieve the Key of Dreams, a valuable and dangerous cursed artifact. Rescue castaways to bolster your ship’s crew, gaining performance increases to your navigation, weaponry, structural integrity and cartography skills. Collect increasingly powerful weaponry including rockets, mines, chain shot, saw blades and a flamethrower to hurl destruction into the path of your enemies. Play against three of your scurvy friends or A.I. opponents in pitched multiplayer battles over 35 levels, set in seven themed environments. Choose from different ship types that reflect your play style. Play in turbo mode if you’re pirate enough.

Super Fantasy Zone - Genesis - 1992 - 900 Wii Points
The last entry in the Fantasy Zone series, this side-scrolling shooter puts you in the shoes of main character Opa-Opa, who is on a mission to avenge the death of his father. To do so, you’ll have to battle a variety of Enemy Generators to clear out the various levels and finish off the Menon Guardian at the end of the level. Eliminating your enemies will let you rack up some gold, which you can use to buy even better weapons, upgrades and other equipment. Spend your gold wisely, as each different boss you need to defeat presents a unique challenge.  [Published by SunSoft]

Gley Lancer - Genesis - 1992 - 900 Wii Points
In the year 2025, a war breaks out between humans and a hostile alien race, and 16-year-old Lucia and the rest of the starfighter pilots in the Earth Federation must join the battle. When Lucia’s father is kidnapped by the aliens, she decides to take action and hijacks a brand new prototype starfighter, the Gley Lancer, in order to try to save him. In this side-scrolling shooter, step into the cockpit of the Gley Lancer as Lucia, rescue your father and destroy the evil aliens that are bent on destroying the human race.  [Published by Masaya]

Source: infendo.com

If you wanted an enjoyable beat ‘em up with a well composed soundtrack back in 1991, Streets of Rage was the game for you. Back then, the mere possibility of a Sega game ending up on a Nintendo console [without Tengen’s heroics] was almost unfathomable. But, as with everything else life, I’ve learned that anything is possible. While Sega’s console day’s are long gone, the Virtual Console provides the perfect platform to keep the Genesis legends alive.

Sega did a good job with making you feel as if you were really beating these punks to a pulp. There was always more than just one or two ways to get rid of the street thugs. You can use any combination of punches, kicks, and throws to get rid of your enemies. And hey, if you didn’t want to do that, you could always pick up a baseball bat, steel pipe, or a knife and have some extra fun cleaning up the streets.

Most enjoyable about this game is the two player mode. If you’re playing with a buddy, you guys can actually help each other to get rid of the baddies more easily. For instance, player 1 can hold an enemy in place, while player 2 two beats the life out of them. The only drawback is that most times you’ll be pressed for the needed space to successfully pull it off because there are usually about 3 or 4 punks surrounding you at a time. Plus, if you’re not careful, you will end up hitting your partner while he or she is holding the real bad guys for you, and that might tick off some of your friends. Of course I’m sure that you and your buddy will have fun fighting each other since nothing’s stopping you from “settling” an argument, should one break out between the two of you. But other than that, most will find the two player mode to be quite smooth. Besides, this is one of those games where it’s always more fun to play with somebody anyway.

An interesting thing about your attempt to clean up the streets is the ability to call for back-up in the form of a cop squad car pulling up behind you, and some cop fires off some heavy weaponry, at the bad guys. It’s freak’n spectacular, when you think about it. There’s one level that has you fighting on a boat out in the middle of the harbor, and you can still call on the cops. They roll up onto the boat and let off a few rounds of hot lead, then the action goes right back to you. The only way I figure that would be possible is if “Officer Johnson” is skilled enough to speed off of a nearby ramp to reach the speeding boat in time. Well, however they do it, you can always count on your law enforcement buddies to be there…no matter where you are. That’s always a good thing. The character designs were pretty swell too. You had street thugs, whip-wielding hookers, karate masters and everything in between. It’s true that eventually you will see the same enemies just colored differently, but Sega did their best not to get too repetitive in that department. Not to mention, the end level bosses were some of the most interesting people I’ve ever seen…especially the first one that tries to kill you with his boomerang and size 20 boot.

I dare say that this was one of the games that helped to establish the Genesis as the “cooler” 16-bit system. Why? Listen to the music. This made the game stand out from most other games of the same genre because Sega got one of the best composers known to the 16-bit era–Yuzo Koshiro. He proved to me that the Genesis’ sound capabilities ain’t so bad after all. The music is what really pulled me into the game from the intro, right on down to the last level.

Play or Stay? To be completely honest here, I can’t whole heartedly recommend that the majority of you readers out there rush to the Virtual Console to buy this game. While the game was good for its first outing on the Genesis, it hasn’t aged quite as gracefully as some of the other titles available. By comparison to the second game in the series (available for the same 800 points anyway), this one looks downright antiquated. Unless you just have to see how the Streets of Rage story goes from beginning to end or you just don’t care how you spend your points, you’re probably just better off skipping this one and moving on to the sequel.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Interplay has announced that they’ll bring four of their 1990s Sega Genesis releases to the Wii Virtual Console sometime between soon and later in 2008. The four games are: Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2 on tap, as well as Clayfighter and Boogerman.

1UP reports that the announcement for these downloadable games follows rumblings in recent months that the once-prominent publisher is planning to revive several of its key properties, including fan-favorites Descent and MDK. It doesn’t sound that unreasonable considering they just announced Earthworm Jim 4.