Sorry its been a couple
of weeks, folks, but once again, Im bringing Nintendos weekly DLC into the
spotlight. This week, the big N drops
two titles into the DSi Shop, one into Wii Ware and one into the Virtual
Console. Everyone has good weeks and bad
weeks and Nintendo is different with this weeks lineup.
The Telephone clone is
impressive in that the title can support up to 21 people online, but 500 points
seems a bit pricey for a slightly improved version of Picto-chat. The Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle
Games title is a great idea, for a demo.
A smaller, more compact extract of the full DS title of the same name,
this DSi Ware title is sent to entice you to pick up the full title, exactly
what a demo is supposed to do. I find it
a little surprising that Nintendo is attempting to charge for this title. I also advise caution for this download
because the press release from Nintendo states this download is 200 points, but
when I access the information on the Nintendo website, they listed 500 points as
the cost. Possibly $5 for a smaller
version of a game you can purchase fully off of Amazon for $14 today. Make sure you note the price of the download
in the DSi Shop before purchasing.
As for the offerings in
the Wii Shop Channel, it looks like a piece of shovelware has hit Wii Ware
again. What could one say about Party Fun Pirate that hasnt already
been said of games of this caliber? I
guess we should appreciate the fact that they didnt package this and try to
charge $30 for it. That just leaves the
Virtual Consoles release of Pitfall: The
Mayan Adventure from the Sega Genesis.
It is Pitfall and platforming, Im not sure what else I can add other
than instead of downloading this title, Id rather play Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns.
The new Nintendo DSi system has been on store shelves for just a week
now. Today Activision’s Mixed Messages becomes the first third-party
downloadable game for the new system. Mixed Messages is a game of
electronic telephone that can accommodate a whopping 21 players. On the
WiiWare side, fans will find a game based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate
toy that might have players sticking virtual swords into their Mii
characters. And classic character Pitfall Harry Jr. makes his debut on
the Virtual Console.
Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop
Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with a high-speed
Internet connection can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to
download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel.
Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A
Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All Nintendo
Points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Wii
Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop. They are not transferable and
cannot be divided between the two systems. This week’s new games are:
Nintendo DSiWare
Mixed
Messages (Activision, 2-21 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500
Nintendo DSi Points): Mixed Messages is the hilarious party game of
mixed-up miscommunication. Sketch a picture to capture your friends’
sentence, or try to figure out what in the world they’ve drawn. You
might start with, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” and end
up with “A crazy surfer outruns flying sticks of dynamite while his fans
cheer!” Two to 21 players take turns writing sentences and drawing
pictures to pass along a message. This isn’t a game about winning and
losing – it’s all about the funny miscommunications that happen along
the way. You’ll laugh when you see just how wacky things can get. Get
together with your friends and mix it up.
Master
of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for
Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Master of Illusion Express titles
are mind-boggling magic tricks pulled from the popular Nintendo DS game.
Learn the illusions, practice up and amaze your friends. Master of
Illusion Express: Shuffle Games will boggle your audience members’ minds
as they try to figure out how you know exactly what they’re thinking.
Also included is the bonus Vanishing Card trick, which the Nintendo DSi
system performs for your enjoyment.
WiiWare
Party
Fun Pirate (TOMY Corporation, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone –
Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate toy,
players take turns thrusting swords into a barrel that holds your
captain captive, trying to see who can insert the most swords into the
barrel. Thrust a sword into the wrong hole and you’ll send your captain
flying, which means it’s game over for you! Unique Wii features add to
the excitement, making for a fun-filled party game. Try swapping out the
captain and putting your custom Mii character in the barrel for some
real laughs!
Virtual Console
Pitfall:
The Mayan Adventure (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated T for Teen –
Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a
side-scrolling action game in which you play adventurer Pitfall Harry
Jr. in search of his father, Pitfall Harry. Pitfall Harry has been taken
captive by the dreaded warrior spirit Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Armed with
only a trusty sling and his father’s journal, young Harry Jr. must now
venture into the unknown to rescue him
before it’s too late! Bungee
jump and boomerang your way to safety as you battle through treacherous
Mayan jungles, waterfalls and deserted mines. With 13 levels of fast,
gripping action, you will need to be attentive and quick – or prepare to
die