Game Stooge

WiiWare Update: Block Breaker Deluxe, Cocoto Fishing Master

• Scribbled on June 16th, 2008 by Jonathon Howard
• Filed in Casual Gaming, New Release(s), Nintendo Wii, Press Release, Retro, WTF, WiiWare

Sigh.

Nintendo is great when it comes to first party titles, delivering AAA games like Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess as well as new and revolutionary gaming found in WiiSports and WiiFitness. They have first party support down pat, now they need to work on their third party support, as so far titles on Wii have ranged from mediocre to terrible. That trend continues with this week’s WiiWare releases: Block Breaker Deluxe and Cocoto Fishing Master going at the criminal price of $8 and $7 respectively.

Why is it criminal? Well, first off these are games original developed for WiiWare these are ports, direct ports of cell phone games. Yeah, that’s right. Nintendo doesn’t respect its fanbase and can’t be bothered to make sure they aren’t offering crap to them. I knew a long time ago that the Nintendo “Seal of Approval” meant little, but now? Now, I know it means nothing. Microsoft and Sony have little cause to worry if today’s news reflects Nintendo’s on-line content delivery strategy.

• Block Breaker Deluxe™ (Gameloft, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
• Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, 700 Wii Points)

I don’t know what else to say? $8 for a cell phone Arkanoid clone?! Worse, both games have been plastered with, what hi-level corporate types in their 50’s and 60’s think are, images of “hip, cool, young people,” who project neither hip nor cool, but rather subtle corporate desparation. Save your money, or check out Samurai Shodown, if you’re into the NEO*GEO.

Click “Read more…” for the ultra-lame press release.

(”Thanks”, Nintendo.)

WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND ONE VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNELThis week’s additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel will have players setting their sights on a wild variety of targets. From solid walls to wriggling fish to fierce samurai warriors, you’ll face plenty of fresh and unusual challenges as you master these distinctive games, each featuring an inventive twist on a proven formula. You’ll also notice the ongoing expansion of both WiiWare™ and Virtual Console™ offerings, bringing you the best of what’s new along with classic titles that hold fond memories.

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

Block Breaker Deluxe™ (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points): Prepare for the frenzy of the coolest block-breaker game ever. Block Breaker Deluxe is a reinvention of the classic arcade brick-breaker game with a trendy graphical style, fun atmosphere and an exclusive multiplayer mode. Lively characters and amazing graphics provide distinctive settings of the jet-set nightlife, including a cool bar, dance club, casino and more. Special bricks, multiple bonuses, secret weapons, paddle size options and ball-speed variations make this fascinating game even more challenging. The Block Breaker Deluxe rage has arrived.

Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Welcome to the adventures of Cocoto, Fishing Master. Get ready for a completely new experience on Wii. Play the role of Cocoto and travel the world to find five millennial fish. Only they can stop the magic cauldron from overflowing with lava and prevent the world from being destroyed. Thanks to Cocoto Fishing Master for Wii, fishing has never been such fun. Use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers like a real fishing rod to catch more than 30 different fish. Discover five enchanted lakes in five different worlds from Cocoto’s universe. Confront gigantic bosses to collect each fragment of the statuette that will allow you to wake the great god Geo from his slumber. Meet Cocoto’s friends, sell your fish to Baggy and buy new fishing equipment from Neuro’s shop.

Virtual Console

SAMURAI SHODOWN (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Crude Humor, Violence, 900 Wii Points): This first entry in the extremely popular and revolutionary fighting-game series was released in 1993. Choose from 12 swordsmen with highly individualistic characteristics and fight furiously, ultimately confronting the evil Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. Each character wields his or her own specific weapon, but you must be careful not to lose it during the heat of battle. Some of the fighters also bring an animal companion into the fray, offering a unique aspect to the quick-paced action. Another significant feature of the game is the anger gauge, which indicates the level of anger felt by each of the combatants as they suffer repeated injuries. If the anger reaches its maximum level, the attacking ability of the character increases, leading to even more intense confrontations. Through it all, the refined camera system smoothly zooms in and out of the playing field, presenting the frenzy of the battle while showcasing the lively background (watch as the referee scores hits). Awaken the samurai spirit within and get ready for a new kind of fight.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.