What's in a name?

Certainly one of the stronger Nintendo Downloads in recent memory, today sees a new DSiWare game from Shantae: Risky's Revenge creators WayForward on the same day a well-respected classic hits WiiWare.

WiiWare

MDK 2 (Interplay, 1000pts) — Here are some words you don't often see in the Nintendo Download: this BioWare game was originally released on Dreamcast, and is now making its home on WiiWare. The adventures of gun-toting dog Max, mad Dr. Hawkings and sniper Kurt Hectic have attracted much critical acclaim, so hopefully the WiiWare translation will be just as good. Our review will let you know.

DSiWare

Mighty Milky Way (WayForward Technologies, 800pts) — A spiritual successor of sorts to Mighty Flip Champs, to find out more before our review you can read our Mighty Milky Way interview with WayForward.

GO Series: Tower of Deus (Gamebridge, 200pts) — The latest bite-sized chunk of gaming from the folks at Gamebridge, be sure to read our GO Series: Tower of Deus review for our verdict on this playable platformer.

Whack-A-Friend (Agetec Inc., 200pts) — Give the moles a rest — take a picture of your friend instead and whack that. What could be better? We'll let you know in our upcoming review.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: AT HOME OR ON THE GO, SPACE IS THE PLACE FOR DOWNLOADABLE ADVENTURE

May 9, 2011

Whether you're roaming the city or camped out in the comfort of your living room, this week's new downloadable games invite you to virtually venture toward outer space for some wild intergalactic action. Mighty Milky Way for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service sends players on a planet-hopping mission filled with intrigue and adventure. Meanwhile, on the WiiWare™ service, MDK™2 features a trio of unlikely heroes who must join forces to protect Earth from a sinister alien threat. For fresh hand-held fun without the interstellar obstacles, a new retro-styled platformer and an irreverent picture-based game also make their Nintendo DSiWare debut this week.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mighty Milky Way
Publisher: WayForward
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Are you ready to pulse some planets and soar through space? With a pocket full of planet candy and a heart full of ennui, green-skinned cutie-pie Luna needs your help to accomplish her secret mission. Prepare for fever-pitched puzzles in another mighty game from WayForward. Luna uses her magical staff to create and destroy planets on a whim. Explode vicious space monsters, avoid sizzling electric barriers and grab all the delicious planet candy you can. But watch out for the T-Rex, Luna's arch-nemesis. His laser eyes are matched only by the awkwardness of his sketchy past.

GO Series Tower of Deus
Publisher: Gamebridge
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Overcome a deadly curse as you race to the top of the tower in this dark, atmospheric 2D platformer. The only way to release the curse is to reach the top before the clock runs out. Tower of Deus is modeled after an old-fashioned 2D platform game from the 1980s. Take control of a cursed man and race upwards. Go higher and higher inside a tower in a desperate race to break the curse. You'll need to overcome hordes of ghastly creatures and demons that lay in wait. Run, jump and fly your way to the top as time ticks away. There are 40 eerie levels with 10 types of gothic-style graphics - not for the faint-hearted.

Whack-A-Friend
Publisher: Agetec, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Crude Humor
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Players are able to use their Nintendo DSi™ systems to capture a picture of a friend or anything else they desire. The picture will be then used in targets that pop up from various holes. Players must use the stylus to tap them back into their holes. The faster this can be done - without making mistakes - the more combos are achieved. As players continue to earn combos, the picture on the top screen will begin to display graphical changes such as bruises, bugs, black eyes, bandages and scars. The simple game design and easy, intuitive controls make it a game that the whole family can enjoy.

WiiWare

MDK2
Publisher: Interplay
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Kurt Hectic must save the universe. He has teamed with the ingenious Dr. Hawkins and a six-legged, gun-toting robotic dog named Max. Together they must out-sneak, out-blast and out-think their enemies as they attempt to reclaim Earth from a vile alien menace. Play as all three characters, each with its own distinct style of game play. Save the world with unique gadgets and weaponry such as the Black Hole Grenade and the Sniper Shield. Ten massive environments will immerse you in an eccentric and wacky world. A captivating and humorous storyline unfolds through each level, all the way to the grand finale. Sniper mode allows you to shoot an enemy in the eye from more than a mile away. Solve puzzles to create deadly weaponry with the brilliant mind of Dr. Hawkins. Sneak, snipe and shoot with Kurt's suit, which is equipped with a cloaking device.