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Nintendo Download: 4th April 2011 (North America)

4th April 2011 (North America)

Here's your Bonk

Banishing the memory of last week's poor showings on the Nintendo Download, this week offers up a bumper crop of games, with Virtual Console, DSiWare and WiiWare all receiving fresh new games to play. Virtual ConsoleSuper Bonk (Super NES, 800pts) — A platformer so classic it's practically prehistoric, Super Bonk takes the bone-headed hero through another adventure full of..

News: Japan's Minna No Theater Channel Closes Its Curtains

Japan's Minna No Theater Channel Closes Its Curtains

It's a wrap for the WiiWare video rental service

Since its launch back in January 2009, Japan's Minna No Theater (Everyone's Wii Theater) service allowed users to stream rented video content on their Wii consoles, and half a year later, the service got a boost when homegrown and international films were added to the selection of various television shows. So it's unfortunate to see that the..

Nintendo Download: 1st April 2011 (Europe)

1st April 2011 (Europe)

Will you be an April fool?

This week's North American Nintendo Download was underwhelming to say the least, and its European counterpart absolutely blows it out of the water. Let's see what treats await. Virtual ConsoleBrawl Brothers (JALECO, Super NES, 800pts) — We've already got Rival Turf on Virtual Console, and now its successor reaches the download service, with all the head-punching and..

News: We'll be Forever Collecting Carrots with Bobby Carrot Soon

We'll be Forever Collecting Carrots with Bobby Carrot Soon

Game submitted for lotcheck

It's been a long road for FDG Entertainment in getting Bobby Carrot Forever ready for release on the WiiWare service, and the end of that road is finally in sight. We've brought you exclusive screenshots of the latest instalment in the puzzle series, which also launched on iOS devices, we then brought you the trailer and

News: BurgerTime HD Takes 40 Mega Bites Out of WiiWare

BurgerTime HD Takes 40 Mega Bites Out of WiiWare

A whopper to relish

Retro remakes and WiiWare go together like bleeps and bloops, like gloomy arcades and sticky floors, like burgers and relish. How appropriate then that MonkeyPaw Games and Frozen Codebase are bringing BurgerTime HD to Nintendo's download service this summer. A game about creating a giant and delicious burger, when a press release contains phrases like "we love the fact that..

News: WiiWare, Fez Developer Does Not Like You At All

WiiWare, Fez Developer Does Not Like You At All

Hence the cursing

Love it, hate it, WiiWare divides opinions even among the most ardent Wii fans. Its polarising effect goes much farther though, splitting developers down the middle like a samurai sword through a ripe watermelon. Falling on the juicy — if bitter — side is Phil Fish, developer of Xbox Live Arcade title Fez. Fish told Destructoid about the possibility of Fez coming to WiiWare..

News: Nintendo Clarifies Stance on Garage Developers

Nintendo Clarifies Stance on Garage Developers

Loves them really

There was something of a storm in a teacup around Reggie Fils-Aime's recent comments that Nintendo isn't interested in garage developers. As long-time fans of WiiWare and DSiWare will know, some of the services' better titles have originated from semi-professional coders or small development teams. Now Nintendo of America's director of PR Marc Franklin has stepped in to explain..

Nintendo Download: 28th March 2011 (North America)

28th March 2011 (North America)

No new WiiWare this week

We often talk about rarities in the Nintendo Download, but here's a truly surprising event: this week's download sees no new WiiWare title available for download. There's a pair of demos, two DSiWare titles and no Virtual Console outing, making a pretty underwhelming week for those with Nintendo Points. WiiWare DemosDart Rage (JV Games, full game 600pts) — A playable..

News: River City Ransom 2 Gives WiiWare a Wallop this Summer

River City Ransom 2 Gives WiiWare a Wallop this Summer

Beat it

Last week we shared news that River City Ransom 2 had been announced, but at the time it was still up in the air whether the game would come to WiiWare. Will it? Won't it? It will, says Miracle Kidz. Andriasang pegs the game for a release on WiiWare this summer, though that's likely to be a Japanese release only at this stage, so don't expect a localised version this side of Autumn. This..

Nintendo Download: 25th March 2011 (Europe)

25th March 2011 (Europe)

Dodos, Wallies, maths

It's new game overload in this week's Nintendo Download, with no fewer than four brand new titles appearing on European shores, a stark contrast to the most recent North American Nintendo Download. What's on offer for European download fans? Scroll down and don't waste another second waiting. DSiWareDodoGo! Robo (Neko Entertainment, 200pts) — Following previous enjoyable..

Podcast: NLFM Episode 18: Rageful Streets and Happy Dinosaurs

NLFM Episode 18: Rageful Streets and Happy Dinosaurs

Missed weeks? What?

Remember when we said NLFM was going to be weekly? Well, we kind of fudged that for the past couple of weeks. Sorry! But we're back with a fiery fever in this episode, where gangsters are punched, pianos diddled and dinosaurs remembered. 1. MONSTER! MONSTER! — Penny Arcade2. Yuzo Koshiro — Go Straight (Streets of Rage 2, Genesis/Mega Drive) 3. Naoki Kodaka — Aflorious..

Nintendo Download: 21st March 2011 (North America)

21st March 2011 (North America)

Playing catch up

A rare occurrence in this week's Nintendo Download for our North American chums: all the games in the line-up are already available in Europe, so you'll likely already know if you're after any of the new titles or not. Let's delve in and see what's available. Virtual ConsoleNatsume Championship Wrestling (SNES, 800pts) — Step into the ring with Natsume's take on the sweaty sport,..

News: Super Dodge Ball's Attack Line Drawn for WiiWare this May

Super Dodge Ball's Attack Line Drawn for WiiWare this May

Updated and aiming for your head

Originally developed for the arcades and the NES in the late '80s, Super Dodge Ball is making a return as Miracle Kidz announces more details on the remake set for WiiWare release this year. Known in Japan as Downtown Nekketsu Dodgeball, the game will be taking after Nekketsu Koko Dodgeball Bu (known as Super Dodge Ball to the rest of the world) which was developed..

Reggie: We're Not Interested in "Garage Developers"

We're Not Interested in "Garage Developers"

Only wants proper indies, thanks

Whether or not Nintendo has nothing to fear from mobile games, or whether Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's comments about low value games were accurate, the debate about Nintendo's relationship with small game developers is ripe for analysis. What's the company's official stance the matter, though? Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime clarified in an..

News: Fresh Bobby Carrot Forever Trailer and Details for You to Digest

Fresh Bobby Carrot Forever Trailer and Details for You to Digest

Hare raising

WiiWare adventure Bobby Carrot Forever is coming along at a fair old clip now, having spent a few years in the WiiWare wilderness. The latest updates comes in the form of a new trailer and confirmed gameplay details too. Apparently the game will offer 15 hours of gameplay across more than 70 levels, with further levels to be made available via downloadable content, it sounds like you..

Nintendo Download: 18th March 2011 (Europe)

18th March 2011 (Europe)

Take on Final Fantasy III

As we revealed recently, SquareEnix is backing Virtual Console with a pair of classic RPGs, kicking off this week with the one and only Final Fantasy III, also known as Final Fantasy VI. Virtual ConsoleFinal Fantasy III (Super NES, 900pts) — This is an excellent chance for Wii owners in Europe to play Square's well-regarded RPG, which was never

Nintendo Download: 14th March 2011 (North America)

14th March 2011 (North America)

They're coming!

It seems North America is getting quite the variety of download releases this week, although the Virtual Console is taking a vacation. The mulltiformat smash hit Plants vs. Zombies finally arrives on DSiWare and the extremely long-awaited WiiWare puzzler Liight has finally made its way to a release. There's also yet another WiiWare demo for gamers to try out, rounding out a rather..

Nintendo Download: 11th March 2011 (Europe)

11th March 2011 (Europe)

Here comes the Lilt man... LILT!

It's Friday again, and as usual there is a veritable smorgasborg of downloadable goodies for you to consider including Gaijin Games' lilt line on WiiWare. There are no Virtual Console games this week, but you can look forward to Final Fantasy III next week. Oh yus! WiiWarelilt line (Gaijin Games, 500pts) — Somewhat similar to the BIT.TRIP series, this is another..

News: BIT.TRIP FLUX Soundtrack Available to Download Now

BIT.TRIP FLUX Soundtrack Available to Download Now

$5.99 for music to go

Now that WiiWare has bid a teary-eyed farewell to the BIT.TRIP series with BIT.TRIP FLUX it's the perfect time to sit in the dark, on your own, and cry to some of the finest music to have graced WiiWare. The soundtrack for BIT.TRIP FLUX is now available to download from CD Baby, as a 10-track album for $5.99. Not only that, each previous BIT.TRIP game has a soundtrack to..

Nintendo Download: 7th March 2011 (North America)

7th March 2011 (North America)

Bomberman Hero!

It's a right royal knees-up on the Nintendo Download front this week, with everything from third-party N64 games to a double helping of Series games — one from G.G and one from GO — and much more. Hold onto your hats! Virtual ConsoleBomberman Hero (Hudson Soft, N64, 1000pts) — A single-player Bomberman game, this one splits opinion right down the middle, but now it's available..

Features: The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 3

The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 3

In this installment, Gaijin explains their carefully laid plan for game four's runaway popularity, go through BIT.TRIP hell and reflect on the end of the series.

Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2 of our look at the history of BIT.TRIP and Gaijin Games. EYEBALL REVOLUTION: The team somewhat jokingly chalks RUNNER’s popularity, apart from being very...

Features: The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 2

The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 2

In this installment, Gaijin struggles to find the fun in CORE and crafts what they feel to be a beautiful game in VOID.

Be sure to read part 1 of our history of BIT.TRIP. ON THE MAPLuckily for Gaijin, BEAT was a success; had the game tanked then the series would’ve likely gone ahead as planned, but it ensured them that they were on the right track. “There was talk of whether should we cut it to..

Features: The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 1

The History of BIT.TRIP, Part 1

In the first part of our look at how the BIT.TRIP series was made, learn how its developer, Gaijin Games, crashed and burned on its first go, how the series formed and why level 3 of BEAT is so visually messed up.

“Who is the Commander?” The question posed by IGN as the headline for a Dec. 19, 2008 news post on their Wii channel was modest, mysterious and even a little Rand-ian. It was little..

News: High Voltage Cancels Animales de la Muerte for WiiWare

High Voltage Cancels Animales de la Muerte for WiiWare

Another casualty

WiiWare has had a rough time of it these past few months: Super Meat Boy was canned in November, then last week it lost Bloktonik, and now High Voltage's Animales de la Muerte has been cancelled for WiiWare. The game was originally announced back in 2008 as a Wii-exclusive, with its gameplay focusing on shooting undead animals, but now the game will only see release on PC,..

Nintendo Download: 4th March 2011 (Europe)

4th March 2011 (Europe)

Holding out for a Hero?

It's an auspicious day in Virtual Console history, as the service receives only its second third-party N64 game in the West, after Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber. It's certainly the highlight of what is otherwise a rather underwhelming download this week. Virtual ConsoleBomberman Hero (Hudson Soft, N64, 1000pts) — This single-player bomber outing divides players..