Not to be confused with Xanadu

It's been two weeks since we last saw a Virtual Console game, which means it's time for another one, this time in the shapely side-scrolling form of Faxanadu on NES. There's also a couple of WiiWare demos and some DSiWare puzzle games of course, as well as headline WiiWare download... well, we won't spoil it.

Virtual Console

Faxanadu (NES, Hudson) – A classic side-scrolling RPG from the NES days, this is well worth 500 Points from anyone's account. Flick through the pages of our Faxanadu review to increase your wisdom statistic.

DSiWare

Remote Racers (QubicGames, 500pts) – A 3D racing game from the team behind AiRace, this could be well worth a look for gamers after a knockabout racer on the go. We'll strap ourselves into the drivers' seat and bring you a review later this week.

Arctic Escape (Teyon, 500pts) – A top-down puzzle escape game that borrows elements from Lemmings and Chu Chu Rocket, this is all about cutesy penguins trying to get to a helicopter to make their way home. Our review will be online this week.

G.G Series: DRIFT CIRCUIT (Genterprise, 200pts) – The latest in the budget G.G Series, this is a slightly different racing game to what you might expect – read our First Impressions: G.G Series: Drift Circuit in anticipation of our upcoming review.

WiiWare

Cozy Fire (dtp young entertainment, 500pts) – Fireplacing have crashed and burned as a fireplace simulator, but dtp's effort is a little better, what with the ability to stack your logs however you like. A thrilling experience it ain't, but our Cozy Fire review will warm the cockles of your heart.

Jewel Keepers: Easter Island (Nordcurrent, 500pts) – Embark on a dangerous expedition in which matching three like-coloured items causes them to disappear. Consult our Jewel Keepers: Easter Island review that reveals other surprising information about this take on the venerable puzzle genre.

WiiWare Demos

Rage of the Gladiator (Ghostfire Games) – One of WiiWare's better titles, this is a first-person fighting game in a Punch Out! style, except instead of boxing you're fighting mythical creatures including minotaurs, hydras and more. Our Rage of the Gladiator review gave the game a solid thumbs-up.

Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1 (Lexis Numérique) – A demo of the first educational game in the series, this is worth downloading if you have a young child, with our Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1 review full of the other information you'll need to make a buying decision.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: THIS PRESIDENTS DAY, MAKE AN EXECUTIVE DECISION TO DOWNLOAD NEW GAMES

Feb. 21, 2011

Not everyone is cut out to be a president, but every Wii™ and Nintendo DSi™ user must act as commander-in-chief of his or her own gaming republic. On this Presidents Day holiday, Nintendo recommends reaching across the aisle in the spirit of bipartisanship, creating harmony between new and classic titles, puzzle games and platformers, sprawling console adventures and crisp hand-held challenges. Start with the fantasy-fueled fun of Faxanadu, a memorable RPG from the NES™ era making its appearance on the Virtual Console™ service. Test your resolve even further with a demo version of the action-filled Rage of the Gladiator for the WiiWare™ service, available to download for zero Wii Points™. Most importantly, boost your diplomacy by sharing your favorite WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare™ game recommendations with friends and spreading fun throughout the 50 states and beyond.

Virtual Console

Faxanadu
Original platform: NES
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: You are an adventurer who has just returned to his hometown, the Elf town of Eolis, at the base of the World Tree. You find the village in peril: The Elven water supply has dried up, monsters are causing chaos and the once-proud Tree is slowly wilting. Equipped with the last of the King's money and the trust of the people, you set out to climb the World Tree, braving obstacles, fiends and dangers to discover the source of this corruption. Wield weapons and magic, get hints from townsfolk and experience a world of new environments as you ascend to the top of the world.

WiiWare

Jewel Keepers: Easter Island
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: One day, world-renowned Easter Island expert Professor "H" received a strange letter from the capital city of Hanga Roa. It was a cry for help from an unknown person, saying that something bad was happening on the island. Without hesitation, the Professor, his assistant Joel and his granddaughter Ivie rushed to the island, where many puzzles, mysteries and quests awaited them. Can you help him to reveal the greatest secret of Easter Island?

Cozy Fire
Publisher: dtp young entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: We all long for a cozy open fire, particularly during the cold season. But not everyone is able to snuggle in front of a warming blaze. The WiiWare service opens the door for a fireplace to fill the room with a magical and cozy atmosphere. Select from a variety of logs and use the Wii Remote™ controller to stack them up. Next, light the virtual match and your home will soon be snug and glowing. Choose from six available fireplaces: fire alone, campfire, rustic, classic, elegant and Zen. Poke and tend the fire to keep it going. Add more logs to keep the fire burning, just like a real fire. Want to just sit back and relax? In Butler mode, new logs will be placed on the fire automatically, and the logs never burn down in Non-stop mode.

Rage of the Gladiator (demo version)
Publisher: Ghostfire Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood, Alcohol Reference, Violence
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Rage of the Gladiator is a fantasy-based fighting game in which you must fight for your life in the arena. Prove yourself by conquering all opponents. Features include: amazing 3D graphics, animation, lighting, shadows and special effects. With full voice acting, each boss has its own personality and taunts you mercilessly. Use insane finishing moves – summon a fiery meteor or a savage tornado, or transform into a hulking colossus 10 times your size. Customize your character and specialize in skill trees – Offense, Defense or Magic – to gain new powers. Enjoy masterpieces of blood-pumping music by legendary composer Sean Beeson. Beat the game to unlock Challenge Mode, where bosses are much tougher. The game also supports the Wii MotionPlus™ accessory.

Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1 (demo version)
Publisher: Lexis Numérique
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 500 Wii Points
Description: Welcome to the first fun, poetic brain-trainer for children aged 3 to 6. With the PooYoos, a merry band of adorable baby animals, children will have fun while learning development basics like numbers, letters, lateralization, shapes and colors. Children get to dance with their new friends and receive lovely interactive rewards. There are two levels of interactivity, so any child can play. This game has been designed for use by children who have not yet grasped reading.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo DSiWare

G.G Series DRIFT CIRCUIT
Publisher: Genterprise Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Use your drifting technique to gracefully slide past the competition. Steering around corners lowers your speed, so it's all about choosing the best course line and being able to use your drifting skills with precision. At the start of each three-lap race, conditions for winning will be displayed. After that, it's up to you and your speed-demon prowess to drift through the Grand Prix and steal first place. Choose between EASY, NORMAL and HARD difficulty levels – perfect for beginners and advanced racers alike.

Arctic Escape
Publisher: Teyon
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Take control of a bunch of penguins that are always getting into all sorts of trouble. A cunning scientist abducted them from Antarctica, and now they need your help to get back home. Lead them safely through more than 100 frosty levels by using commands such as walking, jumping and waiting. Guide them to avoid broken ice areas, falling cages, wolves and other dangerous obstacles. This special top-down-view puzzle game is easy to pick up but impossible to put down.

Remote Racers
Publisher: QubicGames
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Select one of eight vehicles: Speeder, Monster, Candy, Dozer, Tank, Stunt, Mantis and Rocket. Race against AI or the clock on 15 great tracks. Jump in the garden, drift through the cellar, ride on the beach and dive in the ocean. Use power-ups and transform your vehicle to gain an advantage over your opponents. Complete 32 challenges in eight Championships.