Guybrush is back!

We're really wondering what's going on over at Nintendo of America - Last week didn't have any VC games, but this week doesn't either! For about the 7th time in a row, there are 3 new WiiWare games, though.

Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal is the first episode in Telltale's new episodic series. Working together with LucasArts, they've managed to get their hands on the widely known Monkey Island franchise to create not one, but five new games with all-new adventures starring Guybrush Threepwood. Unlike Strong Bad, these games will follow the same storyline, so it's highly recommended to start with this first episode if you're interested in the series (And you should be!). We have already play tested the PC version of the game to death, which is exactly the same, so we'll have a review ready later today. Each episode will cost 1000 Wii Points, just like Strong Bad.

Today's second WiiWare game was also previously announced. The Three Musketeers: One For All! is a port of a recent PC game, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - WiiWare is in dire need of more platformers, and judging by screenshots and trailers, The Three Musketeers looks like a fun, colourful and possibly challenging one, and for 900 Wii Points it seems fairly priced. Naturally, we'll have a review of the game available soon.

We don't know much about HB Arcade Cards. It contains five card games which you can play against or with computer players. That's right, no multiplayer! Everything else about this game is shrouded in mystery, so either take a risk and download it for its 500 Wii Point price, or wait for our review.

DSiWare only gets a single new game, and it's another catch-up one - Hudson's Sudoku Student was already released in Europe as Sudoku 50! For Challengers a while ago. It's a decent little game, but the puzzles are mostly tailored to people new to Sudoku. Let's be honest though - Who hasn't played Sudoku before? Also, this game only contains 50 puzzles for 200 DSi Points, while you could buy Sudoku Master for 500 DSi Points and get 150 puzzles, meaning you get 25 puzzles free! If you do somehow feel you need easy Sudoku puzzles, read our review and see if it's the right game for you.

That's right, no Virtual Console game(s) again! What could Nintendo of America be waiting for? More from today's press release:

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: MONKEY ISLAND AND MUSKETEERS, CARD GAMES AND SUDOKU

July 27, 2009

Three WiiWare™ games anchor this week's Nintendo Download. Gamers can buckle their swashes with both the first installment of a five-part Tales of Monkey Island series and a Three Musketeers platform adventure. Meanwhile, fans of card games will enjoy a half dozen classic options in HB Arcade Cards. On the Nintendo DSiWare™ side, beginners can learn the basics of sudoku with Sudoku Student.

WiiWare

Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 1
Publisher: Telltale Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Join Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty Pirate, in this first chapter of an epic five-part saga, filled with humor, romance and piratey swashbuckling. When a showdown with the demon pirate LeChuck goes up in flames, Guybrush gets marooned on a strange island. How will he escape? Where is Guybrush's beloved wife, Elaine? And what's up with the voodoo pox spreading through the isles? Jump into Tales of Monkey Island today to find out!

The Three Musketeers: One for All!
Publisher: Legendo Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 900 Wii Points
Description: The Three Musketeers have been imprisoned by the treacherous Count Xavier and his sinister lieutenant, Count Orsini! Well, almost - take on the role of Porthos, famed member of the Musketeers, to save the day in this swashbuckling platform adventure inspired by the classic novel. Swing the Wii Remote™ to launch blistering sword attacks on your foes, avoid fiendish traps and discover hidden collectables. Packed with frenetic fencing, heroic leaps and fun puzzles, this is one adventure no aspiring hero will want to miss.

HB Arcade Cards
Publisher: HB Studios Multimedia
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: HB Arcade Cards is a great collection of fun and easy-to-play card games. The collection of games included in this title includes: Rummy, Hearts, Euchre, Canasta, Cribbage and the always-classic Solitaire. Each game comes with an interactive tutorial to show you the rules and basic game play. You'll need to be clever to outsmart your opponents, and you can even team up with a computer partner to play Euchre and Cribbage. You can play HB Arcade Cards using a Mii™ character from your Wii™ console, or play with one of our four new characters. HB Arcade Cards has lots of style and flare, and will keep you coming back for more. Remember, it's never the same game twice.

Nintendo DSiWare

Sudoku Student
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Sudoku Student brings you the first Nintendo DSiWare sudoku experience with all the features you'd expect. For "students" of sudoku who are just getting their feet wet, Sudoku Student comes with a full tutorial. Once you've completed the tutorial, jump into simple and easy-going sudoku puzzles. Designed for entry- to beginner-level players, you'll find just the right amount of challenge to keep you hooked.

[source press.nintendo.com]