OMG Nintendo

I almost said that WiiWare has picked up a lot of steam lately, but that almost seemed like I was trying for a pun with Hudson's new Water Warfare. Instead, I'll just say that a lot of games are coming out. Dammit.

Hudson's probably out in front of this week's releases. Onslaught got them a lot of attention for being able to pull off an FPS on WiiWare, and now they're doing it again with the kid-friendly squirt-gun shooter Water Warfare. It really is some kind of Platonic ideal of the Nintendo game; it's got the gameplay you'd expect, right down to dual-wielding and weapon pick-ups, but it's bright, colorful, and nobody dies. (Of course, the fact that they flash several times and disappear does make it look like some kind of Wicked Witch of the West deathmatch.)

Agetec is back again this week with another budget title, Silver Star Reversi. If you're like me and the official download blurb means nothing to you, Reversi is the original name of the board game that was released in North America as Othello. 500 Wii Points gets you a reasonably accurate recreation of the board game with some odd-looking computer opponents. (Interesting side note: the Wikipedia page on Reversi makes sure to note just how much better computers are at the game than people. Prepare to die, meat creature.)

Finally, Natsume is bringing an inexpensive Reel Fishing game to WiiWare. I suspect this is one of those series with a strong invisible player base; the average hardcore gamer has never even met somebody who likes fishing games, unless they're using the controller to play Soul Calibur, but somebody buys them.

Meanwhile, on the Virtual Console, Sega reopens the box marked "Master System" with Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa; I like Kotaku's description of it as a "cute 'em up." Interestingly, the Master System version of this game actually came first, so for once, we're not getting some kind of watered-down eight-bit port of an arcade game.

Oh, and the DSi gets Sudoku.

This week's press release is available after the jump.

  NINTENDO DOWNLOAD - IT'S NO REEL FANTASY: WATER, SUDOKU AND SILVER STARS CAN BOOST YOUR SKILLS
 

June 29, 2009

This week's new downloadable games include a trio of WiiWare™ titles - two built around water-themed challenges and one designed to keep your mental chops in top shape. For Virtual Console™, you'll find a memorable SEGA character making his return in a classic single-player sci-fi adventure. Rounding out the lineup is a new Nintendo DSiWare™ title that's sure to have sudoku fans reaching feverishly for the nearest stylus.

WiiWare

Water Warfare™
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points™
Description: Water Warfare is a comical first-person shooter that uses water guns to battle and soak opponents. A map with a particular theme - Playground, Beach, Plaza or Nature Park - is generated automatically when the game begins, so you can think up new strategies each time you engage. Game modes include Single Player Missions, CPU Match and 2-Player Split Screen. On top of that, players with broadband Internet access can use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to battle with up to eight players from around the world, or participate in Ranking Mode.

Reel Fishing® Challenge
Publisher: Natsume, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Reel Fishing Challenge offers a fun and challenging experience for novice fishers and master anglers alike. Put your skills to the test and discover new types of fish in the challenging mission mode, or relax and enjoy the game at your own pace in free play mode. No matter which mode you play, the game's beautiful graphics and natural setting bring the fishing experience to life. Choose from a variety of lures to attract and hook the game's numerous fish. Each fish looks and moves like the real thing - it's the closest you can get to real-life fishing without putting on your waders.

Silver Star Reversi
Publisher: Agetec, Inc.
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Silver Star Reversi has two modes: 1-Player mode allows you to play a match against the computer opponent, and 2-Player mode allows you to play against another person. In 1-Player mode, you can choose from five different computer opponents, turn the background music on or off, adjust sound effects and access in-game help features. During each match, you can also redo your last move, save the game at any point, or resign from the game. After a match has ended, you can review each move and resume the match from any point you choose.

Virtual Console™

Fantasy Zone™ II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
Original platform: SEGA MASTER SYSTEM
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Ten years have elapsed since Opa-Opa restored peace to the Fantasy Zone. Now history is repeating itself, and the planets that make up the Fantasy Zone once again find themselves attacked by the mastermind of the Nenon planet forces. This mastermind is secretly constructing a huge fortress in the Fantasy Zone and aims to put an end to their ambitious plans. Just as he did 10 years ago, Opa-Opa must do battle to save the Fantasy Zone.

Nintendo DSiWare™

SUDOKU MASTER
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: SUDOKU MASTER offers 150 unique puzzles that beginners and experts alike will enjoy. A handful of tutorials will help you learn the rules and controls as you go, and handy features like Write Mode and Temp Numbers make Sudoku pleasantly user-friendly. Feeling confident? Then try your hand at Title Mode to work your way up from Rookie to Sudoku Master. All puzzles were created by Sudoku veteran NIKOLI Co., Ltd., and tips from Sudoku godfather Maki Kaji are offered between games.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop™ and the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access 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 points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.