WiiWare and VC for 1/12/09. (The origin of Alucard!)

Jan. 12, 2009

What's your weapon of choice? Is it a laser gun? Or maybe just a simple deck of cards? No matter what type of game gets you fired up, the latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel are sure to add something new and exciting to your arsenal. With fast-flying cards, tumbling pachinko balls and sinister vampires in your midst, you'll need every tool at your disposal.

Nintendo adds new and cIassic 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™

Jungle Speed® (Playful Entertainment Inc., 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Jungle Speed is a lightning-fast card game for the entire family, where quick reflexes and a keen eye will put you on top. Flip your cards, watch your opponents and grab the totem at the right moment to win the game. Just when you think you've got it down, a new card can temporarily change the rules and keep you on the edge. Play starts when the first person flips a card. Moving around the table, symbols are revealed until two of the exposed cards match. Players with matching cards must then scramble to grasp the totem in the middle of the table; the loser gets the winner's cards and anything in the pot. With paws flying, be the first person to get rid of all your cards and win the game.

Planet Pachinko (Allied Kingdoms Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Can you survive the Pachinkeet Temples of Planet Pachinko? In the future of the future, an ancient civilization has sealed away its riches in elaborate temples dedicated to the game of pachinko. Now the Robot family must fight through these dangerous temples in search of their lost puppy. Using their rockets, lasers, grenades and slime launchers, will they be able to survive the challenges? They aren't the only ones adventuring through the temples. The pirate Vile Vill and his minions are looking to loot the temples and take on the Robot family. Play in single-player mode or with a friend in exciting two-player co-op.

Virtual Console™

Castlevania® III: Dracula's Curse (NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): This is the third game in the popular Castlevania series and the last of the franchise released on the original NES console. Take on the role of Trevor Belmont, forefather of Simon, and battle Dracula in a time long before the events of the first two Castlevania games. In addition to his trusty whip, Trevor has a previously unseen power—the ability to transform into one of three different companion spirits that he meets during his quest: Syfa, a young vampire hunter capable of powerful magic; Grant, a ferocious pirate who can climb on walls; and Alucard, forgotten son of Dracula, able to shoot fireballs and transform into a bat. Use an assortment of weapons (some specific to each character) as you choose which path to follow in your fight against Dracula and his army. Loaded with replay value and featuring some of the best platform action ever, this title is not to be missed.

Castlevania 3 at last!?

Awesome!

A lot of people have been waiting an obscene amount of time for Castlevania 3, and now their patience has paid off.

Castlevania 3 and it's crazy 2 or even 3 bosses at the end of some levels. Can't wait to play this one again... although I'm sure the water level is still as tough as ever. (I just looked at some screenshots... the Clock Tower... the Pirate Ship... so many good levels!)

Also, that other platformer might have potential. I'll wait for a review, but for 500 points it's hard to go terribly wrong with that one.

But 1000 points for what is basically a card game? Weird. I can't see it doing well.

Is that Card Game online?loco145

hmmm, now that's an interesting question.

i'm betting not... but if it is, it could actually be more fun than expected.

Okay, now that Castlevania III is out, who wants to offer up suggestions for the next classic game people will whine about until VC releases it? Earthbound, maybe?RandyAU93

thats what i was wondering as well.

I think it will be majora's mask

[QUOTE="RandyAU93"]Okay, now that Castlevania III is out, who wants to offer up suggestions for the next classic game people will whine about until VC releases it? Earthbound, maybe?alexh_99

thats what i was wondering as well.

I think it will be majora's mask

1Up.Com's Retronauts Official Approval, saying:

"...one of the greatest NES games ever made..."

"...Dropping the open-world exploration of its predecessor in favor of more than a dozen huge, linear-but-branching stages packed with secrets, challenges and even multiple optional companion characters to tag along with the hero, Dracula's Curse is brilliant."

It's official. CastleVania 3, a game that is older than some of you are, according to IGN.Com, is now one of the highest rated Wii games available now.

From the 9.0 IGN.Com Review: "Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is an excellent game, and one of the best adventures the 8-bit NES had to offer now nearly two decades ago..."

----------------"Its soundtrack, too, is one of the best you'll ever here from an 8-bit title. For only 500 Wii Points, Castlevania III is one of the best options for your money on the Virtual Console."

----------------"Castlevania III is the sequel we've been waiting for on Virtual Console, it's one of the best NES games out there, and an absolute steal at $5. Games like this are the reason I still click over to the Wii-kly Update from Nintendo each Monday. There are still cIassics out there worth buying, and Dracula's Curse is proof of just that."