It's a weird week here on the Download. So far this year, if nothing's happening on WiiWare, there's something to talk about on the Virtual Console. The DSi's downloadable content, conversely, has been fairly lackluster by comparison, with entire weeks dominated by such "games" as Mario-themed clocks and calculators.
This week, though, the biggest news on the Download is arguably the premiere of Dragon Quest Wars, a grid-based strategy game that appears to pit the classic DQ monsters against one another. The trailer's one of the least impressive things I've ever seen, but it's an Intelligent Systems game, so it deserves a second look based entirely on that.
WiiWare is considerably less impressive, although it's a solid enough lineup. As opposed to the frequent recent lineup of one decent game and one shovelware game, both our WiiWare titles may be worth a look. Arkanoid Plus is... well, the more I look at it the sillier it gets. Taito has an uncanny ability to add crap to very simple games, which is why there are about thirty-five different versions and updates of Space Invaders. Now Arkanoid Plus comes along and adds power-ups and, I am not making this up, a story mode. Apparently breaking blocks with a ball and a paddle has become necessary to allow humans to flee from a war-torn Earth and it's Monday and I think I've gone completely insane.
In slightly less crazy news, Driift Mania is the first console game from Konami's European studios, which used to be strictly devoted to games for mobile phones. It's been out for a couple of months in PAL territories, where the reviews are fairly positive; it's a fun multiplayer arcade-style racer, but apparently the single-player game leaves something to be desired. Eurogamer compares it to Super Off-Road, which is pretty decent company to be in.
Finally, Sega is releasing the original, arcade-perfect Altered Beast on Virtual Console, for an arguably overpriced 1,000 Wii Points. The game is twenty-one years old, and we're not getting the full-figured, slightly updated version that recently came out on XBLA. Instead, we're just getting five levels of classic, half-naked monster punching. I'm not sure what about it made Sega think that charging ten bucks for it was a good idea, but maybe there's a vast underground Altered Beast fandom that I'm simply not aware of, which Sega intends to exploit for fat cash monies. Also, perhaps I will turn around and find an oil drum filled with gold coins and whiskey sitting in the middle of my office.
...
Nope.
This week's press release can be found after the jump.
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: ART LESSONS, AUTO RACING AND ARCADE ACTION MULTIPLY THE DOWNLOADABLE FUN
Sept. 28, 2009
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.
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.
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