Star Wars game classics coming to Virtual Console this month

Star Wars fans will want to give the Wii Shop Channel for the next month because Nintendo will be releasing multiple LucasArts classics on the Virtual Console. Starting today gamers can pick up the decidedly arcade action game classic Super Star Wars. In the coming weeks, both Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi will be added to the Virtual Console lineup. All three Super Star Wars games were originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and will be available at 800 Wii Points each.

The arrival of the first three games will be accompanied by additional Star Wars-themed content on other Wii channels throughout the week. The Check Mii Out Channel will invite people to submit their best Mii character renditions of classic Star Wars characters. On the Everybody Votes Channel, users can cast their votes to help settle old debates, such as the proper order to watch the six Star Wars films, and who fired first – Han Solo or Greedo?

Additional classic LucasArts games for Virtual Console will be announced in the future.

Nintendo’s DSi, Wii downloads this week

This week sees an interesting mix of downloadable game offerings for the WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare services, as well as for the Virtual Console. Nintendo DSi users can become pop stars or use a new photo application to view their pictures in interesting new ways. Wii owners can play bubble-bursting dragons or hunt for melons on a mysterious island. Also, this week’s Virtual Console release is the popular Clay Fighter. Details below:

Nintendo DSiWare

American Popstar: Road to Celebrity (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 800 Nintendo DSi Points): This is your enthralling and interactive success story as a young hopeful in the music milieu. The adventure begins when you get the chance to audition at your Hollywood high school. But the road to celebrity isn’t an easy one: Your secret crush is also auditioning, and so is your evil rival. This unique mix of music-themed gaming and social adventure will let you show your talents to the world, take your best photo with the Nintendo DSi system’s built-in camera and meet lots of people who may help you build your career. You’re about to become the greatest pop star in the world. Talk, share activities and be friendly or unfriendly with numerous characters. Customize your character’s name and appearance, and develop skills and personality through your actions. Four musical mini-games include Guitar, Singing, Drums and Dance. Record your voice, take your own photos and sign autographs.

Photo Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Photo Clock allows you to enjoy the photos taken with your Nintendo DSi Camera application in a new way. Watch your images appear on the top screen of your Nintendo DSi system according to your chosen display settings (specific photos or all photos; in order or randomly displayed). Select from either an analog or digital clock, using the system’s internal clock or offsetting the time however you like. Program up to three alarms – with snooze functionality for those who need it – and assign them a preset ring or use a sound created in Nintendo DSi Sound. Experience all the enjoyment of a photo album while ensuring you won’t lose track of the time.

WiiWare

BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! (TAITO, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 600 Wii Points): BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! is a simple yet exhilarating action game where you control the bubble-blowing dragons Bub and Bob, trapping enemies in bubbles and then popping them. You can play all 100 of the Standard Mode rounds, which faithfully recreate the nostalgic arcade game, or try 100 new Arrange Mode rounds, which allow up to four players to play on stages with exciting new features such as new enemies and stage layouts. There are also Super Mode rounds for you to enjoy. Determine the true ending by solving puzzles hidden on each stage to defeat the final boss. In Ranking Mode, players with broadband Internet access can use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service to compete with players from around the world. Enjoy an additional 100 rounds and face off against new boss characters by purchasing “Expert Mode 1″ and “Expert Mode 2″ add-on content.

ADVENTURE ISLAND The Beginning (Hudson Entertainment, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence and Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): ADVENTURE ISLAND The Beginning comes to the Wii console with exciting new skills and elements. Learn how to use new skills while exploring Adventure Island from coast to coast. Search for Golden Melons hidden throughout the stages and mini-games. When obtaining Golden Melons, you’ll be able to purchase various items to help you on your adventure. These items can increase your attack power or enable you to reach places you couldn’t get to before. Fulfill certain requirements while playing in any of the modes to achieve a “Master Higgins Feat” and you’ll be awarded a Master Higgins costume.

Virtual Console

Clay Fighter (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen – Comic Mischief and Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this zany 2-D fighter, it’s just another day for a humble traveling circus troupe when a meteor crash-lands in their camp. The otherworldly orb, made entirely out of interstellar clay, contaminates all the circus employees, turning them into bizarrely superpowered versions of themselves. Choose from among the unique clay creatures, such as Bonker, the cheerfully manic clown, or Blue Suede Goo, the mild-mannered Elvis impersonator turned violent vocalist. Master their “Claytalities,” like the operatic Helga’s deadly high note and Bad Mr. Frosty’s fists of snowball fury!

Majora’s Mask on Wii Shop Channel

Finally some gold on the Wii Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is now available on the Wii marking the 300th game to be released on Nintendo’s downloadable games service. The popular Zelda title originally released on the Nintendo 64 can be yours for a mere 1,000 Wii Points Wii Points - I say it might very well be the best 1,000 Wii Points you’ve ever spent.

Also available this week are the WiiWare releases CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 (fantasy tower defense, SQUARE ENIX, 800 Wii Points) and Silver Star Chess (Chess, Agetec, 500 Wii Points), and on DSiWare is Art Style: PiCTOBiTS (Puzzle, 1 player, 500 Nintendo DSi Points). Full listing after the break.

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Nintendo adds downloads

Just in time for the launch of the DSi this weekend, Nintendo announced that its shopping channels have added six DSiWare games, one WiiWare game and one Virtual console game to its collection. These games should be available at noon EST today and can be redeemed with the traditional DSi and Wii points.

The DSi games:

The WiiWare download is EQUILIBRIO for 500 points. It is for 1-4 players
and you must move a ball toward an exit using the remote to tilt the playfield. The Balance Board can also be used. There are 64 levels.

The Virual Console the Super NES game Uncharted Waters: New Horizons for 800 points. The game is set in the Age of Discovery in Europe’s golden age of expansion. Choose one of six characters to explore the world and make discoveries.

The WarioWare and Virtual console games seem interesting to me and I’ll probably give them a try, and using the balance board for the WiiWare game could make for some hilarious moments. Watch for our Virtual Player column to get our take on how the games play.

Square Enix Gets Download Happy

Square Enix will release new downloadable titles including FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS and FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord for WiiWare, as well as the FINAL FANTASY series for the Virtual Console for Wii.
The company says that this is its response to growing demand for digitally distributed content.

The two new releases for WiiWare are FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS and FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord. FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS continues the story that began in the 1991 Super Famicom title FINAL FANTASY IV. In Japan, this title was released as a downloadable cellular phone application in February 2008. It has since been has been downloaded over 3 million times since its release.

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord puts players in the shoes of the Darklord’s daughter, who is charged with dispatching heroes by strategically placing traps and monsters around the tower she calls home..

In addition, the Virtual Console will get FINAL FANTASY in 2009. Japan will get it in May.

The Rundown: Jan. 26, 2009

Thanks GL - me too. Today on The Rundown we have news on DC Universe Online, the release of the Resident Evil 5 demo, the rumored return of Hellgate London, TIGA’s gift to UK developers looking to go to GDC in March and a ton of other news. Jump in after the break.

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Mario Golf and MadStones Added to Wii Shop Channel

One more week, one more round of downloadable games available on the Wii Shop Channel. This time around, Wii owners can tee off with their favorite plumber and his friends, go ten frames at the after-hours bowling alley, reunite the heroes of the Shining Force, or leave no stone unturned with this week’s Shop Channel releases.

Every Monday, Nintendo adds more new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel library. In case you missed them when they went live on Monday, here’s the official list of new games and descriptions, straight from Nintendo.

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