DSiWare master release thread
- Status
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
and now to silence everyone with solid games on DSiWare this week
Jan 18th, 2010.
* Dark Void Zero (Capcom, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): What better companion piece to this week's Dark Void than the side-scrolling NES adventure that (in the fake history Capcom has created) started it all?
* Starship Defense (Nintendo, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Q-Games, creator of Digidrive and the Pixeljunk series, returns to the DSi with another stylish game -- this time, a space-borne variant on tower defense.
* Chronos Twins (EnjoyUp Games, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): A WiiWare sequel to this game showed up in North America, but the original DS cart, in which players simultaneously control "Nec" in two time periods at once, remained a Europe-exclusive. Until now, it would appear -- and it's been released as DSiWare!
* Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever (Gameloft, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): This game gives you three puppies with whom to build lifelong friendships, which you do by playing together, training them, feeding them, washing them -- you know, the stuff people do for their puppy friends.
-------------------------
3 out of 4 ain't bad at all! We have a de-make of "Dark Void" in an 8-bit NES fashion style, thanks to Capcom. Which I would strongly recommend! Chronos Twins finally shows up after being gone for so long in America. Starship Defense looks rather fun
Jan 18th, 2010.
* Dark Void Zero (Capcom, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): What better companion piece to this week's Dark Void than the side-scrolling NES adventure that (in the fake history Capcom has created) started it all?
* Starship Defense (Nintendo, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Q-Games, creator of Digidrive and the Pixeljunk series, returns to the DSi with another stylish game -- this time, a space-borne variant on tower defense.
* Chronos Twins (EnjoyUp Games, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): A WiiWare sequel to this game showed up in North America, but the original DS cart, in which players simultaneously control "Nec" in two time periods at once, remained a Europe-exclusive. Until now, it would appear -- and it's been released as DSiWare!
* Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever (Gameloft, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): This game gives you three puppies with whom to build lifelong friendships, which you do by playing together, training them, feeding them, washing them -- you know, the stuff people do for their puppy friends.
-------------------------
3 out of 4 ain't bad at all! We have a de-make of "Dark Void" in an 8-bit NES fashion style, thanks to Capcom. Which I would strongly recommend! Chronos Twins finally shows up after being gone for so long in America. Starship Defense looks rather fun
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Jan 25th, 2010
Nintendo DSiWare
Number Battle
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: From Japan comes NUMBER BATTLE, a board game that invokes the ancient art of feng shui while challenging players to clear the playing field. Take turns against human or computer opponents to reach a target score by placing numbered tiles on the board and linking the arms of each tile in various ways. Watch for the Winds of Change to possibly blow over the board during a battle, resulting in special squares that will score bonus points or affect game play in new ways. Items that aid you in your pursuit of points can also be found, but they'll cost you points and must be placed strategically. Go it alone in the main Story or Puzzle modes, or battle against up to three opponents from around the world via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (broadband Internet access required). You can even learn from your past with History mode, which shows the moves recorded during previous contests. This unique combination of puzzle and strategy elements results in an exciting battle of wits. Can you guide your Warrior to victory?
AiRace: Tunnel
Publisher: QubicGames
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: AiRace: Tunnel is an invitation to the newly started Project Tunnel. It was created to examine the quickness and attentiveness of aviation rookies. Think you've got the skills? Put your reflexes to the test and see how swift, precise and predictive you are. Maneuver your aircraft safely through specially created tunnels that are full of traps. Be careful: Your plane will speed up with every second, making each turn and each barrier harder to navigate. It's not just a game, it's a challenge.
Escapee GO!
Publisher: Gevo Entertainment
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: In Escapee GO!, players take on the role of Claire, who awakens with no memory of who she is. Save for her name, all information about her has been destroyed. In its place, something within her has changed. Hunted down by an unknown enemy, she must find a way to escape her pursuers using her newfound powers. Will she be able to survive? Using her heightened senses, Claire is able to detect enemies before they come into visual range. During her daring escape, Claire will find mysterious items that can temporarily enhance her abilities, allowing her to level the playing field.
--------------
The 3rd game sounds cool, but the rest is lack luster doodoo.
Nintendo DSiWare
Number Battle
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: From Japan comes NUMBER BATTLE, a board game that invokes the ancient art of feng shui while challenging players to clear the playing field. Take turns against human or computer opponents to reach a target score by placing numbered tiles on the board and linking the arms of each tile in various ways. Watch for the Winds of Change to possibly blow over the board during a battle, resulting in special squares that will score bonus points or affect game play in new ways. Items that aid you in your pursuit of points can also be found, but they'll cost you points and must be placed strategically. Go it alone in the main Story or Puzzle modes, or battle against up to three opponents from around the world via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (broadband Internet access required). You can even learn from your past with History mode, which shows the moves recorded during previous contests. This unique combination of puzzle and strategy elements results in an exciting battle of wits. Can you guide your Warrior to victory?
AiRace: Tunnel
Publisher: QubicGames
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: AiRace: Tunnel is an invitation to the newly started Project Tunnel. It was created to examine the quickness and attentiveness of aviation rookies. Think you've got the skills? Put your reflexes to the test and see how swift, precise and predictive you are. Maneuver your aircraft safely through specially created tunnels that are full of traps. Be careful: Your plane will speed up with every second, making each turn and each barrier harder to navigate. It's not just a game, it's a challenge.
Escapee GO!
Publisher: Gevo Entertainment
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: In Escapee GO!, players take on the role of Claire, who awakens with no memory of who she is. Save for her name, all information about her has been destroyed. In its place, something within her has changed. Hunted down by an unknown enemy, she must find a way to escape her pursuers using her newfound powers. Will she be able to survive? Using her heightened senses, Claire is able to detect enemies before they come into visual range. During her daring escape, Claire will find mysterious items that can temporarily enhance her abilities, allowing her to level the playing field.
--------------
The 3rd game sounds cool, but the rest is lack luster doodoo.
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Feb 1st, 2010.
DSiWare
True Swing Golf Express (800pts - Nintendo) - Released in Europe as A Little Bit of Nintendo Touch Golf last November. Prosody, our Caddy Supreme™, thought it was very good - especially considering it's been pared down from a full cart release (reflected in the premium price point) - so golf fans should definitely give this due consideration.
Legends of Exidia (800pts - Gameloft) - Our full review of this RPG from Gameloft is still pending, but in the meantime read resident adventurer Luke Westaway's impressions of the game.
DOWNTOWN TEXAS HOLD'EM (500pts - Electronic Arts) - This is the second Texas Hold'em poker game in the DSi Shop (and not the last, neither). How it stacks up against Hudson's offering remains to be seen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A SOLID RPG by Gameloft on your DSi? HELL haz FROZEN!
DSiWare
True Swing Golf Express (800pts - Nintendo) - Released in Europe as A Little Bit of Nintendo Touch Golf last November. Prosody, our Caddy Supreme™, thought it was very good - especially considering it's been pared down from a full cart release (reflected in the premium price point) - so golf fans should definitely give this due consideration.
Legends of Exidia (800pts - Gameloft) - Our full review of this RPG from Gameloft is still pending, but in the meantime read resident adventurer Luke Westaway's impressions of the game.
DOWNTOWN TEXAS HOLD'EM (500pts - Electronic Arts) - This is the second Texas Hold'em poker game in the DSi Shop (and not the last, neither). How it stacks up against Hudson's offering remains to be seen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A SOLID RPG by Gameloft on your DSi? HELL haz FROZEN!
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Feb 8th, 2010.
* Oscar in Movieland (Virtual Playground, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): A side-scrolling platformer ported from the Amiga to DSiWare -- like its predecessor Oscar in Toyland.
* Link 'n Launch (Nintendo, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): In this Pipe Dream-esque puzzle game, players connect fuel lines for rockets.
* Fieldrunners (Subatomic Studios, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Do you like tower defense? You'll probably love Fieldrunners. Because it's tower defense.
* Sudoku 4Pockets (4Pockets.com, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): It's not just a clever name -- you really can fit this 3,600 puzzle sudoku game in your pocket, unless you're playing on a DSi XL.
* Extreme Hangman (Gamelion, 1-2 players, 200 DSi Points): A chalk-outline Hangman is placed in various dangerous situations, and only your correct guesses of the letters in a word can save him.
---------------------------------
Shovelware with a Amiga PC remake? Phew, poor Nintendo DSiWare..
* Oscar in Movieland (Virtual Playground, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): A side-scrolling platformer ported from the Amiga to DSiWare -- like its predecessor Oscar in Toyland.
* Link 'n Launch (Nintendo, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): In this Pipe Dream-esque puzzle game, players connect fuel lines for rockets.
* Fieldrunners (Subatomic Studios, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Do you like tower defense? You'll probably love Fieldrunners. Because it's tower defense.
* Sudoku 4Pockets (4Pockets.com, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): It's not just a clever name -- you really can fit this 3,600 puzzle sudoku game in your pocket, unless you're playing on a DSi XL.
* Extreme Hangman (Gamelion, 1-2 players, 200 DSi Points): A chalk-outline Hangman is placed in various dangerous situations, and only your correct guesses of the letters in a word can save him.
---------------------------------
Shovelware with a Amiga PC remake? Phew, poor Nintendo DSiWare..
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Feb 15th, 2010
Nintendo DSiWare
Spotto!
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Meet Spotto, a plucky duck on a mission. Ill-behaved ghosts have kidnapped Chikkie Wowwow, President Wowwow's daughter. Spotto, being the world's foremost Bombirdier, must follow these ghosts to a haunted house and use his trusty bombs to blast the baddies. Take control of Spotto, adjusting his aim with the stylus and trying to toss bombs into the ghosts' mouths in 50 "explosive" stages. Along the way, you'll avoid obstacles (or use them to your advantage), find powerful Super Bombs to inflict even more damage and even encounter a frighteningly large ghost or two. With multiple modes of play and numerous solutions for successfully blasting ghosts to pieces, this is one haunted house you'll want to visit often.
Spaceball: Revolution
Publisher: Virtual Toys
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Spaceball: Revolution will put your intelligence and skill to the test as you solve puzzles in a futuristic environment. Copy the figures that appear on the top screen, using energy balls that make the boxes correctly change color. It won't be an easy task. Different obstacles will be thrown into your path, challenging you to polish your aim and think rapidly. Fifteen different levels are waiting for you in Spaceball: Revolution. Are you up to the challenge?
Scrabble Classic
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Scrabble, one of the world's most popular board games, is enjoying a tremendous surge in popularity, both online and in the real world. Scrabble for the Nintendo DSiWare service allows you to play this exciting game in both Single Player and Multi-Player modes.
Real Soccer 2010
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Real Soccer is back for the most exciting season yet. Choose from more teams than ever before and compete in new stadiums around the world. Lead your team to victory on the field and make tactical decisions as the coach.
Prehistorik Man
Publisher: Interplay
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Life is hard for Sam the Prehistorik Man. With three-and-a-half hours of work each week, there's barely time to fit in all the sleeping, eating and cave-painting that needs to be done. When greedy dinosaurs guzzle his village's winter food source, Sam gets mad. Armed with his best club and his powerful hunter's voice, Sam needs your help to proceed through 22 levels of food-gathering and dinosaur-bashing. With fast-paced action, hundreds of secret areas, weapons and unlikely vehicles to find, you'll need to be smart. Well…smarter than Sam, anyway.
----------------------
Hey! a real game! Prehistorik Man! Wow!
Nintendo DSiWare
Spotto!
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Meet Spotto, a plucky duck on a mission. Ill-behaved ghosts have kidnapped Chikkie Wowwow, President Wowwow's daughter. Spotto, being the world's foremost Bombirdier, must follow these ghosts to a haunted house and use his trusty bombs to blast the baddies. Take control of Spotto, adjusting his aim with the stylus and trying to toss bombs into the ghosts' mouths in 50 "explosive" stages. Along the way, you'll avoid obstacles (or use them to your advantage), find powerful Super Bombs to inflict even more damage and even encounter a frighteningly large ghost or two. With multiple modes of play and numerous solutions for successfully blasting ghosts to pieces, this is one haunted house you'll want to visit often.
Spaceball: Revolution
Publisher: Virtual Toys
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Spaceball: Revolution will put your intelligence and skill to the test as you solve puzzles in a futuristic environment. Copy the figures that appear on the top screen, using energy balls that make the boxes correctly change color. It won't be an easy task. Different obstacles will be thrown into your path, challenging you to polish your aim and think rapidly. Fifteen different levels are waiting for you in Spaceball: Revolution. Are you up to the challenge?
Scrabble Classic
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Scrabble, one of the world's most popular board games, is enjoying a tremendous surge in popularity, both online and in the real world. Scrabble for the Nintendo DSiWare service allows you to play this exciting game in both Single Player and Multi-Player modes.
Real Soccer 2010
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Real Soccer is back for the most exciting season yet. Choose from more teams than ever before and compete in new stadiums around the world. Lead your team to victory on the field and make tactical decisions as the coach.
Prehistorik Man
Publisher: Interplay
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Life is hard for Sam the Prehistorik Man. With three-and-a-half hours of work each week, there's barely time to fit in all the sleeping, eating and cave-painting that needs to be done. When greedy dinosaurs guzzle his village's winter food source, Sam gets mad. Armed with his best club and his powerful hunter's voice, Sam needs your help to proceed through 22 levels of food-gathering and dinosaur-bashing. With fast-paced action, hundreds of secret areas, weapons and unlikely vehicles to find, you'll need to be smart. Well…smarter than Sam, anyway.
----------------------
Hey! a real game! Prehistorik Man! Wow!
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Feb 22nd 2010
Aura-Aura Climber (200pts - Nintendo) – This looks like a new title rather than a localised Japanese title and a nice little bit of arcade-style gaming on the go. Our own mountaineering experts will get on the case and see if this scales the heights or not.
Flight Control (500pts - Firemint) – We thought this was a perfectly capable port of the popular iPhone game, so puzzle fans may want to consider booking their excursion today.
Faceez (200pts - Neko Entertainment) – Faceez marks the DSiWare debut of the veteran publisher, probably better known in the download scene for WiiWare titles like Heracles Chariot Racing and the Cocoto series of games. This seems to be a little photo manipulation app rather than a proper game, but we'll put it through its paces and let you know if it's good for a laugh.
Flipper (500pts - Xform) – It's been a long time coming as our developer interview will attest and we'll be sure to let you know if it was worth the wait.
Aura-Aura Climber (200pts - Nintendo) – This looks like a new title rather than a localised Japanese title and a nice little bit of arcade-style gaming on the go. Our own mountaineering experts will get on the case and see if this scales the heights or not.
Flight Control (500pts - Firemint) – We thought this was a perfectly capable port of the popular iPhone game, so puzzle fans may want to consider booking their excursion today.
Faceez (200pts - Neko Entertainment) – Faceez marks the DSiWare debut of the veteran publisher, probably better known in the download scene for WiiWare titles like Heracles Chariot Racing and the Cocoto series of games. This seems to be a little photo manipulation app rather than a proper game, but we'll put it through its paces and let you know if it's good for a laugh.
Flipper (500pts - Xform) – It's been a long time coming as our developer interview will attest and we'll be sure to let you know if it was worth the wait.
Fire$ickle
Live or die man.
Yeah, I have a DSi in blue. I wish i would've waited until i could get one in pink, because you know me, i have to have the colored DS's. 
Yeah, I wasn't thinking, and I immediately bought bird & beans and that mini Mario thing, plus the web. My grandma got rid of wifi, because Boom was using it to much. It sucks for me though, because I liked being on the internet with the DSi when i wasn't allowed to use the computer down here. :lol
Yeah, I wasn't thinking, and I immediately bought bird & beans and that mini Mario thing, plus the web. My grandma got rid of wifi, because Boom was using it to much. It sucks for me though, because I liked being on the internet with the DSi when i wasn't allowed to use the computer down here. :lolMegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
March 1st, 2010:
DSiWare
Let’s Golf (800pts – Gameloft) – We thought it was a good effort from Gameloft when we reviewed it last month in Europe, so if you're wanting another golf game it couldn't hurt to give this one a go.
Globulos Party (500pts – GlobZ) – A mini-game collection is a bit unusual on DSiWare and immediately treated with suspicion by wary gamers, but this one won an award so it might be worth checking out. We'll get our glob-wranglers on the case and let you know what we think soon enough.
VT Tennis (500pts – Virtual Toys) – The first tennis game on DSiWare from the makers of Spaceball – (we sense a pattern here) our tennis pros are waiting courtside to give it a go and let you know if it's a grand slam or out-of-bounds.
Flips: Terror in Cubicle Four (500pts – Electronic Arts) – We thought this was an okay bit of fun for younger readers and fans of the series, so if you're in one of those camps give it a look!
^ Dear Nintendo, DSiWare is meant for real games. Take a hint from this Week's WiiWare
DSiWare
Let’s Golf (800pts – Gameloft) – We thought it was a good effort from Gameloft when we reviewed it last month in Europe, so if you're wanting another golf game it couldn't hurt to give this one a go.
Globulos Party (500pts – GlobZ) – A mini-game collection is a bit unusual on DSiWare and immediately treated with suspicion by wary gamers, but this one won an award so it might be worth checking out. We'll get our glob-wranglers on the case and let you know what we think soon enough.
VT Tennis (500pts – Virtual Toys) – The first tennis game on DSiWare from the makers of Spaceball – (we sense a pattern here) our tennis pros are waiting courtside to give it a go and let you know if it's a grand slam or out-of-bounds.
Flips: Terror in Cubicle Four (500pts – Electronic Arts) – We thought this was an okay bit of fun for younger readers and fans of the series, so if you're in one of those camps give it a look!
^ Dear Nintendo, DSiWare is meant for real games. Take a hint from this Week's WiiWare
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
DSiWare
Elemental Masters (800pts – Ibxgames) – A fantasy card game that combines strategy and role-playing. We'll give it a shuffle and see how it stacks up.
4 Travellers: Play Spanish (800pts – Agenius Interactive) – An educational program from newcomers Agenius Interactive. The goal is to teach you Spanish words via a game in which you compete with other players to gain Spanish friends, money and items at a hotel. Player languages supported are English and French. It's already been approved for European release and will support more than four times the number of player languages when it arrives in PAL territories (Australasia is also on the schedule, friends Down Under). There's a sequel focusing on French in the works, so it appears to be the start of a series to help people bone up on their foreign language skills in a fun way.
Dracula: Undead Awakening (500pts – Chillingo) – We thought this undead version of Smash TV was pretty decent so if you want to blast the undead on the move, you may want to give it a look.
Flips: The Bubonic Builders (500pts – EA) – The second in a series of interactive books from Electronic Arts. You can be sure we'll have our thoughts on this newest entry online soon for your reading pleasure.
Elemental Masters (800pts – Ibxgames) – A fantasy card game that combines strategy and role-playing. We'll give it a shuffle and see how it stacks up.
4 Travellers: Play Spanish (800pts – Agenius Interactive) – An educational program from newcomers Agenius Interactive. The goal is to teach you Spanish words via a game in which you compete with other players to gain Spanish friends, money and items at a hotel. Player languages supported are English and French. It's already been approved for European release and will support more than four times the number of player languages when it arrives in PAL territories (Australasia is also on the schedule, friends Down Under). There's a sequel focusing on French in the works, so it appears to be the start of a series to help people bone up on their foreign language skills in a fun way.
Dracula: Undead Awakening (500pts – Chillingo) – We thought this undead version of Smash TV was pretty decent so if you want to blast the undead on the move, you may want to give it a look.
Flips: The Bubonic Builders (500pts – EA) – The second in a series of interactive books from Electronic Arts. You can be sure we'll have our thoughts on this newest entry online soon for your reading pleasure.
GamingMaiden
This is my favorite forum on the Citadel.
That Dracula game actually sounds fun!
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
March 15th, 2010
DSiWare
Zoo Frenzy (500pts - Gameloft) – This light zoo simulation game came at a premium price in Europe last month. We thought it was pretty good, so for 300 points less that should make the purchase an easier decision for interested parties in North America.
101 Minigolf World (500pts - Teyon) – Minigolf comes to the DSi with lots of holes to play through either by yourself or with up to seven friends! Our own Jack Niklaus of indoor golfing will be bringing you more information on this title soon.
Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs - Fight for Survival (800pts - Ubisoft) – A pared-down version of the retail DS cart release seeing players creating and customising their dinosaur for use in battles against friends. Our resident fossil-hunters will start digging to see if this game is golden or just pyrite.
Car Jack Streets (800pts - Tag Games) – The description of this title sounds like a certain game focused on criminal enterprise - we'll let you know if it's "all that" after we give it a spin.
DSiWare
Zoo Frenzy (500pts - Gameloft) – This light zoo simulation game came at a premium price in Europe last month. We thought it was pretty good, so for 300 points less that should make the purchase an easier decision for interested parties in North America.
101 Minigolf World (500pts - Teyon) – Minigolf comes to the DSi with lots of holes to play through either by yourself or with up to seven friends! Our own Jack Niklaus of indoor golfing will be bringing you more information on this title soon.
Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs - Fight for Survival (800pts - Ubisoft) – A pared-down version of the retail DS cart release seeing players creating and customising their dinosaur for use in battles against friends. Our resident fossil-hunters will start digging to see if this game is golden or just pyrite.
Car Jack Streets (800pts - Tag Games) – The description of this title sounds like a certain game focused on criminal enterprise - we'll let you know if it's "all that" after we give it a spin.
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
March 22nd, 2010: Retro Goodness!
Drift Street International (800pts - Tantalus) -- This premium-priced street racing game promises "Unmatched speed, smoothness and draw distance," for up to four players which can be AI or friends via local wireless play. Expect a review soon from one of our veteran drifters.
Libera Wing (800pts - Pixel Federation) -- Released last week in Europe, this sci-fi themed tower defence game looks flashy and chaotic, boasting 60 levels of play in two different game modes. We'll be getting a review up soon to let you know what our top strategists think of it.
Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory, Game & Watch: Chef, Game & Watch: Judge (200pts - Nintendo) -- This is the first wave of several of Nintendo's original LCD-based games given new life on the DSi - a system whose design was clearly inspired by some of these early examples of electronic gaming from Nintendo. We'll be letting you know how well they stand up as budget downloads and if they were worth the wait!
-------------------
200 points to own a faithful port of an original Game & Watch legend? SIGN ME UP! Mario's Cement Factory ftw! <3
Drift Street International (800pts - Tantalus) -- This premium-priced street racing game promises "Unmatched speed, smoothness and draw distance," for up to four players which can be AI or friends via local wireless play. Expect a review soon from one of our veteran drifters.
Libera Wing (800pts - Pixel Federation) -- Released last week in Europe, this sci-fi themed tower defence game looks flashy and chaotic, boasting 60 levels of play in two different game modes. We'll be getting a review up soon to let you know what our top strategists think of it.
Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory, Game & Watch: Chef, Game & Watch: Judge (200pts - Nintendo) -- This is the first wave of several of Nintendo's original LCD-based games given new life on the DSi - a system whose design was clearly inspired by some of these early examples of electronic gaming from Nintendo. We'll be letting you know how well they stand up as budget downloads and if they were worth the wait!
-------------------
200 points to own a faithful port of an original Game & Watch legend? SIGN ME UP! Mario's Cement Factory ftw! <3
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
March 29th, 2010.
Disney Fireworks (800pts - Disney Interactive Studios) – A simple puzzle game where players are tasked with firing rockets at targets of the same colour in order to trigger fanciful explosions. This seems to be firmly targeted at younger players, so we'll get one of our "young at heart" members of staff to review it soon.
Save the Turtles (500pts - Sabarasa) – A cute and colourful puzzle game where players must, well, save the turtles! Our resident turtle youth advisory committee will get to work reviewing this one right away. In the meantime you may want to read our interview with developer Sabarasa about the game and their future plans.
Super Yum Yum Puzzle Adventures (800pts - Mastertronic) – A fun little game where you must guide Leon the chameleon (clever) through multiple stages of fruit collecting and baby chameleon rescuing. Just released last week in Europe, we've recently published our review and thought it was a good effort from Mastertronic, if a little uneven in places.
Nintendo DSi Metronome (200pts - Nintendo) – More a tool for musicians than a game, this was originally released last September in Japan simply titled, "Metronome," and turns your DSi into a (surprise) metronome! There's a Game & Watch-style game included called "Donkey Kong Metronome" which sees players making sound into the microphone in time to the beat to help Mario jump over barrels. For the most part you'll be using it to keep time, using either included sounds or your own. We'll be reviewing this soon.
Nintendo DSi Instrument Tuner (200pts - Nintendo) – Another tool for musicians, this time turning your DSi into an instrument tuner. It can be used in one of two ways: either you can play into the microphone and have your pitch analysed or play a tone on the DSi and use that as a base reference, adjusting pitch and notation as required. There's also a Game & Watch-style mini-game based upon the NES classic Balloon Fight in which you need to create sounds matching the displayed pitch in order to burst balloons rising from pipes on screen - a true challenge for the musically inclined!
Disney Fireworks (800pts - Disney Interactive Studios) – A simple puzzle game where players are tasked with firing rockets at targets of the same colour in order to trigger fanciful explosions. This seems to be firmly targeted at younger players, so we'll get one of our "young at heart" members of staff to review it soon.
Save the Turtles (500pts - Sabarasa) – A cute and colourful puzzle game where players must, well, save the turtles! Our resident turtle youth advisory committee will get to work reviewing this one right away. In the meantime you may want to read our interview with developer Sabarasa about the game and their future plans.
Super Yum Yum Puzzle Adventures (800pts - Mastertronic) – A fun little game where you must guide Leon the chameleon (clever) through multiple stages of fruit collecting and baby chameleon rescuing. Just released last week in Europe, we've recently published our review and thought it was a good effort from Mastertronic, if a little uneven in places.
Nintendo DSi Metronome (200pts - Nintendo) – More a tool for musicians than a game, this was originally released last September in Japan simply titled, "Metronome," and turns your DSi into a (surprise) metronome! There's a Game & Watch-style game included called "Donkey Kong Metronome" which sees players making sound into the microphone in time to the beat to help Mario jump over barrels. For the most part you'll be using it to keep time, using either included sounds or your own. We'll be reviewing this soon.
Nintendo DSi Instrument Tuner (200pts - Nintendo) – Another tool for musicians, this time turning your DSi into an instrument tuner. It can be used in one of two ways: either you can play into the microphone and have your pitch analysed or play a tone on the DSi and use that as a base reference, adjusting pitch and notation as required. There's also a Game & Watch-style mini-game based upon the NES classic Balloon Fight in which you need to create sounds matching the displayed pitch in order to burst balloons rising from pipes on screen - a true challenge for the musically inclined!
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
April 5th, 2010.
Retro Nintendo goodies
DSiWare
Three more great Game & Watch titles for your DSi – Manhole, Helmet and Vermin – are made available today for the low price of 200 Points each. Rest assured, we'll have reviews of these LCD classics soon.
Mr. Driller: Drill Till You Drop (500pts - Namco) – Namco's fabulous character-driven arcade puzzler makes the leap from cart to download in this digest version of Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits. Until our review is ready to go, please read our preview of the Japanese version, which fans will note is a full 300 Points more than what you'll have to pay, you lucky North Americans, you!
All amazing games btw! Manhole was the very FIRST Nintendo G&W game ever made!
Retro Nintendo goodies
DSiWare
Three more great Game & Watch titles for your DSi – Manhole, Helmet and Vermin – are made available today for the low price of 200 Points each. Rest assured, we'll have reviews of these LCD classics soon.
Mr. Driller: Drill Till You Drop (500pts - Namco) – Namco's fabulous character-driven arcade puzzler makes the leap from cart to download in this digest version of Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits. Until our review is ready to go, please read our preview of the Japanese version, which fans will note is a full 300 Points more than what you'll have to pay, you lucky North Americans, you!
All amazing games btw! Manhole was the very FIRST Nintendo G&W game ever made!
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
April 12th, 2010.
Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A. (500pts - Gameloft) – More gangland fun on the go from Gameloft.
AlphaBounce (500pts - Mad Monkey Studios) – Just released last week in PAL territories, this apparent marriage of Arkanoid and RPG is presently being played by one of our resident masonry experts, so expect a review soon.
7 Card Games (500pts - cerasus.media) – Apparently a pared-down version of cerasus.media's 11 Card Games for the PC, it's a mix of multiplayer and solitaire card games for solo players on the go. We'll get one of our resident card sharks to have a go and let you know if it's worth 500 bones or clams or whatever you call them.
AiRace (800pts - Qubic Games) – Race planes on your DSi. The number of players indicates local multiplayer at a minimum; we'll let you know whether that alone justifies the premium price point once our resident air ace puts it through its paces.
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/04/nintendo_download_12_april_2010_north_america
Odd batch this week.
Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A. (500pts - Gameloft) – More gangland fun on the go from Gameloft.
AlphaBounce (500pts - Mad Monkey Studios) – Just released last week in PAL territories, this apparent marriage of Arkanoid and RPG is presently being played by one of our resident masonry experts, so expect a review soon.
7 Card Games (500pts - cerasus.media) – Apparently a pared-down version of cerasus.media's 11 Card Games for the PC, it's a mix of multiplayer and solitaire card games for solo players on the go. We'll get one of our resident card sharks to have a go and let you know if it's worth 500 bones or clams or whatever you call them.
AiRace (800pts - Qubic Games) – Race planes on your DSi. The number of players indicates local multiplayer at a minimum; we'll let you know whether that alone justifies the premium price point once our resident air ace puts it through its paces.
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/04/nintendo_download_12_april_2010_north_america
Odd batch this week.
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
April 19th, 2010. GREAT Day to be a hardcore retro Nintendo fan for DSiWare lovers!! I proudly present to you...
Surviving High School (EA, 800 pts) – What sounds like Resident Evil in math class is actually a high school simulator where you create the drama! Get a job, win the girl, get on the esteemed sports team, and so forth. Holding the DSi like a book, the game promises hours of gameplay across its multiple episodes – just like high school, then.
Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo, 200 pts) – Mario goes Dick Dastardly and proves he's not such a great guy after all as he ruthlessly chains up wild animals and fights their offspring in this Game & Watch adaptation of the arcade hit. Unfortunately, due to screen technology limitations the Game & Watch version cuts out the scene where Mario is torn up by two angry simians once Jr. sets papa free.
Game & Watch: Ball (Nintendo, 200 pts) – This here is the very first Game & Watch title, released back in April of 1980 as quite possibly the first-ever computer game juggling simulator. It was also the source of one of Mr Game & Watch's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Game & Watch: Flagman (Nintendo, 200 pts) – The second Game & Watch title to release, it's essentially a pattern recognition game. With flags! (Flag pun!)
myPostcards (Nnooo, 200 pts) – Continuing Nnooo's myLifeCollected series of apps, this one lets you make your own postcards out of photos taken with the DSi camera, which you can then scribble on, put on your computer and save money on stamps. Does this mean small roadside tourism shacks will be in danger of losing their postcard business?
------------------
Anything GAME&WATCH I will adore until my heart is replaced with a video game made heart
Surviving High School (EA, 800 pts) – What sounds like Resident Evil in math class is actually a high school simulator where you create the drama! Get a job, win the girl, get on the esteemed sports team, and so forth. Holding the DSi like a book, the game promises hours of gameplay across its multiple episodes – just like high school, then.
Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo, 200 pts) – Mario goes Dick Dastardly and proves he's not such a great guy after all as he ruthlessly chains up wild animals and fights their offspring in this Game & Watch adaptation of the arcade hit. Unfortunately, due to screen technology limitations the Game & Watch version cuts out the scene where Mario is torn up by two angry simians once Jr. sets papa free.
Game & Watch: Ball (Nintendo, 200 pts) – This here is the very first Game & Watch title, released back in April of 1980 as quite possibly the first-ever computer game juggling simulator. It was also the source of one of Mr Game & Watch's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Game & Watch: Flagman (Nintendo, 200 pts) – The second Game & Watch title to release, it's essentially a pattern recognition game. With flags! (Flag pun!)
myPostcards (Nnooo, 200 pts) – Continuing Nnooo's myLifeCollected series of apps, this one lets you make your own postcards out of photos taken with the DSi camera, which you can then scribble on, put on your computer and save money on stamps. Does this mean small roadside tourism shacks will be in danger of losing their postcard business?
------------------
Anything GAME&WATCH I will adore until my heart is replaced with a video game made heart
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
April 26th, 2010.
DSiWare
* Ferrari GT: Evolution (Gameloft, 1-2 players, 800 DSi Points): Take part in Ferrari-only races set in various locations around the world.
* DodoGo! (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): Build structures to guide some happy, but stupid, moving eggs to safety.
* System Flaw Recruit (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 1 player, 500 DSi Points): In this DSiWare excerpt of a DSi cartridge game, the world (as seen through your DSi camera) is filled with alien ships. You shoot them.
* Don't Feed the Animals (Electron Jump Games, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Based on the title, what would you guess this would be? If you said "tower defense," you work for Electron Jump Games. This is a game in which children build robots to keep woodland critters from getting all their snacks.
* Puffins: Let's Roll (Other Ocean Interactive, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Roll puffin eggs carefully through obstacle- and puzzle-filled terrain to get them back to their mothers.
* Scrabble Slam (EA, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points): A card game variant of Scrabble in which players drop letter cards to change the current word.
Odd mixture of games today don't you think?
DSiWare
* Ferrari GT: Evolution (Gameloft, 1-2 players, 800 DSi Points): Take part in Ferrari-only races set in various locations around the world.
* DodoGo! (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, 800 DSi Points): Build structures to guide some happy, but stupid, moving eggs to safety.
* System Flaw Recruit (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 1 player, 500 DSi Points): In this DSiWare excerpt of a DSi cartridge game, the world (as seen through your DSi camera) is filled with alien ships. You shoot them.
* Don't Feed the Animals (Electron Jump Games, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Based on the title, what would you guess this would be? If you said "tower defense," you work for Electron Jump Games. This is a game in which children build robots to keep woodland critters from getting all their snacks.
* Puffins: Let's Roll (Other Ocean Interactive, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Roll puffin eggs carefully through obstacle- and puzzle-filled terrain to get them back to their mothers.
* Scrabble Slam (EA, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points): A card game variant of Scrabble in which players drop letter cards to change the current word.
Odd mixture of games today don't you think?
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
May 3rd.
DSiWare
Bloons (Hands-On Mobile, 500 points) – Grab a monkey, fling some darts, pop some balloons. Sounds bulletproof, but we found the WiiWare version to be lacking. Hopefully this portable edition fares better.
Sokomania (CINEMAX, 200 points) – Also out in Europe already, this puzzle game has you sliding boxes around a warehouse to fit them in designated areas. While the premise was intriguing, we found the package to be quite sloppy in our Sokomania review.
Bounce & Break (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 500 points) – Based on the name, we're assuming this one is a Breakout-type game. The press release description fails to actually describe the premise other than that "in this Zen world, you will play in four different universes." Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you think about it.
1001 Crystal Mazes Collection (Teyon, 500 points) – The value proposition is off the chart for this logic puzzle game. With 1001 puzzles for 500 points, that amounts to about half a point per puzzle. Teyon released a trailer of this one last week, and we'll put it through its paces to see if it's a steal worthy of Thomas Crown.
Crazy Golf (dtp entertainment AG, 500 points) – This four-player golf game promises seven courses with six holes all goofy-like. How crazy is Crazy? News at 11.
DSiWare
Bloons (Hands-On Mobile, 500 points) – Grab a monkey, fling some darts, pop some balloons. Sounds bulletproof, but we found the WiiWare version to be lacking. Hopefully this portable edition fares better.
Sokomania (CINEMAX, 200 points) – Also out in Europe already, this puzzle game has you sliding boxes around a warehouse to fit them in designated areas. While the premise was intriguing, we found the package to be quite sloppy in our Sokomania review.
Bounce & Break (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 500 points) – Based on the name, we're assuming this one is a Breakout-type game. The press release description fails to actually describe the premise other than that "in this Zen world, you will play in four different universes." Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you think about it.
1001 Crystal Mazes Collection (Teyon, 500 points) – The value proposition is off the chart for this logic puzzle game. With 1001 puzzles for 500 points, that amounts to about half a point per puzzle. Teyon released a trailer of this one last week, and we'll put it through its paces to see if it's a steal worthy of Thomas Crown.
Crazy Golf (dtp entertainment AG, 500 points) – This four-player golf game promises seven courses with six holes all goofy-like. How crazy is Crazy? News at 11.
MegaDrive20XX
Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
May 10th, 2010
DSiWare
* Photo Dojo (Nintendo, 1-2 players, free [200 Points starting June 11]): Designed to allow two players to face off on a single DSi, this fighter allows players to take pictures that become the in-game sprites.
* Earthworm Jim (Gameloft, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Aside from weird DSi camera integration (occasional "facial-expression-based challenges" in which you're asked to mimic Jim's expression) it's the classic, painfully difficult platformer you remember.
* Chess Challenge! (Digital Leisure, 1-2 players, 500 DSi Points): This version swaps out the online for local wireless.
* Flips: The Enchanted Wood (EA, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): If you've been following the story in the downloadable book series so far, you won't want to miss this -- it's definitely another one of those books.
DSiWare
* Photo Dojo (Nintendo, 1-2 players, free [200 Points starting June 11]): Designed to allow two players to face off on a single DSi, this fighter allows players to take pictures that become the in-game sprites.
* Earthworm Jim (Gameloft, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): Aside from weird DSi camera integration (occasional "facial-expression-based challenges" in which you're asked to mimic Jim's expression) it's the classic, painfully difficult platformer you remember.
* Chess Challenge! (Digital Leisure, 1-2 players, 500 DSi Points): This version swaps out the online for local wireless.
* Flips: The Enchanted Wood (EA, 1 player, 500 DSi Points): If you've been following the story in the downloadable book series so far, you won't want to miss this -- it's definitely another one of those books.
- Status