Game Stooge

Today’s Nintendo DLC: September 29, 2009

• Scribbled on September 28th, 2009 by Jonathon Howard
• Filed in Casual Gaming, Driving/Racing, New Release(s), Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii, Press Release, Retro, Strategy, Virtual Console, WiiWare

You may notice that there are gaps in our coverage of the Nintendo weekly DLC. Simply put, sometimes life interrupts. No opening commentary this week, these games can speak for themselves.

Virtual Console

• Altered Beast (1000 points) - Everyone knows about this game, and everyone knows that is terrible. It is just a question of how terrible. The press release doesn’t state whether this is the Arcade or Console version of the game, so whether you throw your controller at the screen or gouge your eyes out is unknown. Recommendation:  AVOID

WiiWare

• ARKANOID Plus! (600 points) – Another re-make of the venerable game, where you hit a ball repeatedly to destroy blocks at the top of the screen. Updated visuals, added bosses, the ability to play against the CPU or a friend and the  new timed mode which adds an urgency to the game. If you’re a big fan of this very old game you might be able to justify a purchase. Recommendation: MAYBE
• DRiiFT Mania  (800 points) – a top down racer for you and your friends; the closest thing I can compare to DRiiFT Mania is Super Off Road a racer that came out on the NES and SNES. The game includes 15 tracks across 4 different environments, and driving everything from sports cars to hovercrafts. Its emphasis is on multiplayer, but lacks  a feature set or anything that would keep you playing. Recommendation:  MAYBE

DSiWare

• Art Academy: Second Semester (800 points) – The second part of a series that purports to teach you how to draw, paint, etc… Second Semester covers more complicated techniques and allows you to “practice” what you “learn” in free paint mode. Recommendation: WTF?!
• Dragon Quest Wars (500 points, pictured above) - A turn based strategy game wherein you’ll control famous monsters from the Dragon Quest franchise to conquer your enemies. Dragon Quest Wars is highly reminiscent of a board game and Chinese checkers.You need to use your monsters to defeat your opponents’ monsters or maneuver them into your opponents’ base. DQ Wars seems simple and childish, much like the franchise itself, but has a surprising amount of strategy to it. Recommendation: GET IT

Click “Read more…” for the full Nintendo press release.

Sept. 28, 2009

Nintendo Download

Art Lessons, Auto Racing and Arcade Action Multiply the Downloadable Fun

Greek mythology, grid-based strategy, high-speed racing, classic arcade action and a hand-held art course — this week’s additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi™ Shop deliver a wildly entertaining mix. With new WiiWare™, Nintendo DSiWare™ and Virtual Console™ games debuting each week, Nintendo offers downloadable games to please everyone under the sun, and the list keeps on growing. For Nintendo DSi users looking to grow their own game library, here’s a valuable tip-off: Consumers can still receive 1,000 bonus Nintendo DSi Points™ by purchasing a new Nintendo DSi game system and connecting to the Nintendo DSi Shop by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Oct. 5, 2009. For full offer details, please visit DSiOffer.Nintendo.com

Nintendo DSiWare

Art Academy™: Second Semester
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Art Academy is a portable art course that anyone can enjoy. Art Academy: Second Semester provides new and returning students with a larger set of tools and in-depth lessons designed to encourage the creation of more complex artwork. By gaining an even deeper understanding of colors and techniques used by famous impressionist artists, you will be ready to take on more challenging themes that include moving objects, and vast landscapes with distant objects. The openness of Free Paint mode offers plenty of opportunities to hone your skills and boost your confidence as an artist.

DRAGON QUEST® WARS™
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: DRAGON QUEST WARS is a grid-based strategy game featuring all of your favorite quirky DRAGON QUEST monsters. Choose from several modes and get ready for battle. While the rules are simple, strategy is the key to victory. The game features single-player and DS Wireless Play, as well as battles with foes worldwide via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. (Broadband Internet access is required for online play.)

WiiWare

ARKANOID Plus!
Publisher: TAITO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 600 Wii Points™
Description: ARKANOID Plus! is an updated version of the original arcade blockbuster. Players must destroy colored blocks by guiding an Energy Ball around the screen using a spaceship called a VAUS. The game features a host of new modes and settings that radically alter the experience: Arcade Mode consists of 61 rounds divided into left and right versions, with two types of boss characters appearing in the last round; VS Mode lets players face off against a friend or the CPU; and the unfailingly frantic Time Mode challenges players to clear rounds within a strict time limit. With the subtle differences arising from the choice of “Lives” or “Barrier” rules, plus a plethora of exciting items, you’re in for hours and hours of block-busting fun.

DRiiFT Mania
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: DRiiFT Mania is the ultimate top-down multiplayer racing experience. Challenge your friends in fast, exciting races and some totally crazy game modes. You’ll need to adapt your driving skills to the different racing environments if you want to succeed.

Virtual Console

Altered Beast™
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: “Rise from your grave!” When legendary Greek god Zeus brings you back to life with those famous words, you set forth on a mission to rescue his daughter, Athena, from the wicked God of the Underworld, Neff. To survive the gauntlet of mythological foes, you must hunt down the three-headed wolves that inhabit each stage and collect the Spirit Balls that they release. The Spirit Balls increase your strength and allow you to transform into a variety of forms, including a Werewolf, Weredragon, Werebear, Weretiger and the ultimate form, the Golden Werewolf. Each creature possesses powerful attacks to help bring an end to Neff’s scheme.