It took quite a while, but one of the most wanted Virtual Console games has finally been released in Europe, after hitting both North America and Japan last year. This week's WiiWare and DSiWare releases consist almost exclusively of games already released in North America as well, with just one DSiWare title being "new"!
Super Mario Kart really needs no introduction. It's the first game in the series, and the only one not to feature that awful blue shell everybody's grown to hate. Making very impressive use of Mode 7, each race takes place in a 3D environment with nothing but 2D spritework. With 20 tracks, it's got more than most games in the series, but be prepared to put up a fight on all of them - The AI loves to cheat in this game, pulling out endless items which they throw with deadly precision, while continuously staying right behind you! It still holds up very well today, check out our review to see why.
Chronos Twins DX was originally released on the DS as Chronos Twins, but despite being quite a good game, it sold rather poorly and never managed to get much acclaim. It's now been upgraded and rereleased for WiiWare, giving it a whole new chance to shine. The game's main gimmick is that you control two characters at the same time, one on the top screen and one on the bottom (Yes, that means you see two screens on your TV). Both characters must work together to solve various puzzles and get past devious platforming sections. In North America, the game cost 1000 Wii Points due to the DS version never seeing a release there, but they've given us a generous discount, making it cost only 700! You can read what we thought here.
Family Mini Golf is yet another title in that series. You know the one! Surprisingly, this particular game actually turned out to be somewhat decent, which is quite a shock as every other instalment so far has scored a 5 or lower. Although the presentation is still quite lacking, the gameplay is actually fairly fun and the courses are well designed. There's also additional courses you can pay for, but you've got to ask yourself if that would really be worth it! The game itself only costs 500 Wii Points. We reviewed it (almost a year ago!) here.
It's no surprise that DSiWare once again gets the largest share of new games, with a total of four new titles. Oscar in Movieland is the follow-up to Oscar in Toyland, and is technically a port of the Amiga/SNES game simply titled Oscar. As the title reveals, you're going through a bunch of worlds based on general movie themes, such as western and fantasy. There's 7 worlds in total, each with 3 levels. While some problems from the previous games, such as the incredibly obnoxious backgrounds, have been dropped, the game still has other issues, such as it almost being impossible to tell what's part of the background and what's not. Enemies also pop up out of nowhere and, before you know it, you've lost another life! The core game just teeters on the edge of being decent, you'll have to read our review to see if it might possibly be to your liking.
Spaceball: Revolution is pretty much a port of the already released WiiWare game, omitting multiplayer mode and some other tiny things for an otherwise almost completely identical experience. Your main goal is to fire a ball at a grid, attempting to light it up in the same way as shown on the other screen. Things gradually get more difficult though, and before you know it you'll have to try and dodge a variety of obstacles that obstruct the path to the grid. All in all, it's a competent port, so if you don't mind the lack of multiplayer, then the portability of this version might make it a more appealing choice. It costs only 500 DSi Points, and you can read our thoughts here.
AiRace: Tunnel is sort of similar to Paper Plane - The objective is to get as far down a tunnel as you can without being blown to smithereens. The difference is that there's quite a bit more on offer here, with a number of different stages, 3D, and more. And all that for the same price of 200 DSi Points! A good buy, in our opinion.
Puzzle to Go Diddl is a followup to Puzzle to Go Wildlife and today's only truly new game! It features puzzles based on the cartoony mouse, Diddl. If it's anything like the last game, the puzzles will take forever to unlock, requiring you to play each image three times at different difficulties to unlock everything. Like the previous game, it costs 500 DSi Points. We'll have a review soon, let's hope it's a bit more lenient!
Quite some decent games, even with Super Mario Kart looming over everything. Will you buy anything?
Comments 42
Hey, Family Mini Golf!
The Special Cup or whatever it's called is almost unbeatable for me. That's the only complaint I have, really.
Pretty good update.
Huzzah! Although I've grown to love Mario Kart Wii, I'm definitely downloading the original tonight. Quite possibly the best driving game ever.
Wow, nice update. Super Mario Kart is a gem - get it now! =)
Looks like VC saved you guys this week as everything else is meh at best...
Awesome update.
Not everybody hates Blue shell in Mario Kart 64+ that's me. Now NA and Eu/Uk are even with Nintendo published vc so good week I suppose.
I don't see any new games in the story for almost an hour now. Is Nintendo just late or is my Wii having problems?
I was planning on getting Chronos Twins DX, but now that it's only 700 Wii Points, it even more awesome.
With the speed alteration the original PAL version got and (hopefully) the usual removal of borders that SNES VC games get this might be the nearest PAL owners ever get to playing the NTSC version.
Better late then never! Yes, I am looking at you, Axelay!
I down loaded Super Mario kart...
awesome game I like it a lot...
Yes where's Axelay too?
Yay, Super Mario Kart made it to the European VC.
Congrats, Europe.
I do hope that someday Axelay will make it to the European VC.
EU needs FFIV that NA has and NA needs Super Mario Picross that EU has.
Best Week EVER
Finally, Super Mario Kart congratulations EU!
I'm with you Don: some Mario Super Picros for NA please?
Congrats guys. CTDX for 700? How generous indeed!
Mario Super Picross PLEASE!
Congrats Europe.
If you Europeans want Axelay, just change your country setting to Australia as we have the game! I really hope Australia got SMK today coz I added 1000 points for it last night and you lose whatever points you have if you change the country setting!
although VC is still getting a dismal amount of games, at least the quality of games seems to have picked though.
Where's my Photo Dojo?
Super Mario Kart! Downloading now!
@EYE8URBRAINS> These are new downloadable games for Eu/Uk.
Where's WarioWare DIY Showcase?! Not buying anything from this...
Anyone else getting Chronos Twins DX at 700 points it has to be a steal! How has this game gone down in the US and Canada does anyone know? I hope it has done well but fear it has not. Super Mario Kart is an instant download unless you are silly!! lol
The only things that really interest me are Super Mario Kart and Chronos Twins DX. For Dsiware uhhhhhhh....
@eryx
Thanks again for your feedback, when do you think we will get Cave Story as the US have had the game for a while now?
Chronos Twins for just 700? My next stop!!
Think i'll get chronos twins dx on dsiware.
I'll download ai race methinks. I'm considering mini golf actually as there aren't many incarnations on the wii and its only 500 points
I've been playing Super Mario Kart all morning! What a game, such a classic... such great gameplay. I've missed this game so much. I'm a little rusty though, can't even remember how to get the zoom start!!
I'm probably going to get Super Mario Kart, along with Streets of Rage 2.
@Mahew: No point getting Showcase until we get the retail game, is there? Neither will be out until April 30th.
Nice one, now all we need is Star Wing, or Star Fox as it is known in the NTSC regions
no cave story or rage of the gladiator? i'm a little dissapointed
I just noticed, Betagam, that you have a shield. Does that mean you're part of the staff? If so, that's cool.
I know one krotchy guy who's gonna be veeeeeery happy to see Super Mario Kart on there.
Wow I totally forgot how impossible the Special Cup is on 150cc!
@Mario 34, I agree
i feel sorry for eu players this week
@EggMeister - why do you say that?
Got mario kart and axelay two classics... The battle mode on mario is worth the points alone!
Super Mario Kart is brilliant....and nails
Haven't downloaded Chronos Twins and Mini Golf as I need to save money. I didn't like how you had to unlock all the courses in Mini Golf tbh. Chronos I may save for another day, but it seems mega man level nails?
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