As Hudson revealed last week, this month brings us the 4th Hanabi Festival! And what luck, it's already started in the very first week of the month - There's two new imports up for grabs right now!
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen is the first game in the now seemingly dead Ogre Battle series, of which not a single game was released in Europe until now! It's pretty much one of the best purchases a strategy game fan can make - With tons of options and customization there's enough here to keep you busy for weeks, if not months. Corbie gave it a 9 out of 10, that should convince you!
Pulseman is the one of very first games developed by Game Freak, the makers of almost every main Pokémon game. It's a cute little platformer starring the titular Pulseman, who has various electricity-related abilities such as hyper-speed and energy balls. Despite never being released outside Japan (At least, not in cartridge form) it's got quite a following in the west because of how fun it is. A solid purchase for sure, but if you want to wait for our review it'll be up in the next few days.
On WiiWare there's two games as well! Bit Boy!! is Bplus's newest WiiWare game, following Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint and Niki - Rock 'n' Ball. While we didn't exactly think Plättchen was all that great, we gave Niki an 8 out of 10 - Will Bit Boy!! follow Niki or will it crash and burn like Plättchen? Find out soon! In the meantime, why not read our Bit Boy!! interview again to learn some more about how this game's interesting gameplay mechanic works?
The other new WiiWare game doesn't need an introduction. Gradius Rebirth is a brand new installment in the Gradius series, exclusively for WiiWare! It borrows elements from all previous 8 and 16-bit Gradius games, including graphics, so if you like the series you'll no doubt get some enjoyment out of this one. Be warned though - It's much shorter than the average Gradius game and fairly "by-the-book," so it won't really offer anything new! That's why we only gave it a 6 out of 10. What is noteworthy is that the European version only costs 600 Wii Points instead of 1000 - That's a pretty good deal!
There's three more DSiWare games as well, although it's kind of hard to call any of them "games!" Brain Challenge seems to be not much more than DSiWare port of the WiiWare version, so if you need even more brain training, go right ahead - But really, haven't we all had enough now? We'll have a review up in the next few days so you can see how it stacks up to the WiiWare game.
The final releases this week are a set of Mario applications. The Mario Calculator and Mario Clock are pretty much just as the titles say - A calculator and clock themed after Super Mario Bros. with some minor special features. Nothing special really, but if you absolutely need them, then for 200 points each, they're not exactly the worst things ever. Read our Mario Calculator review and Mario Clock review for some more professional insight.
And so the Hanabi Festival has returned! What games will be released the next few weeks, we wonder?
Comments (57)
WOW. And I can't wait to see how Bit Boy!! is.
looks like we'll get pulseman as well, its been rated for awhile now
Nice update! Cant wait for pulseman in America
Even though this almost feels like a catch-up week; its just you guys got a crap-load of stuff which almost rivals a Japanese Wii/DSi Shop release.
Another garbage week for DSiWare.
Are we ever going to see Boxlife or Mighty Flip Champs come to Europe?
I'm curious about Bit-Boy, I can't wait for a review!
oooh, a week with more than 3 downloads, us europeans are lucky.
although none of that bunch are getting my hard earned points though.
Nice week for Europe. I am looking forward to the review of Pulseman and Bit Boy!!!
Awesome! Pulseman has finally been released!
Buy Ogre Battle!!!!!
Ogre Battle? Sold
Really good update, I hope Bit Boy!! turns out to be great.
Congratulations on finally getting Ogre Battle! It's a great game so I hope you all enjoy it!
Judging by the reviews, 600 points for Gradius Rebirth makes more sense than 1000 points we get charged.
Fantastic update for you guys. Looks like hanabi will make up for those weeks you didn't get any VC games. Definately going to be a good month for Europe.
Nintendo Download: Mario calculates his brain and times his pulse to a rebirth of bit battles.
one hell of a good wii week for EU ogre battle alone would be great but it doesn't end there
Wow, GREAT week for you guys!
So I didn't noticed you guys got Gradius for cheaper, albeit we got a few games for cheaper, but the fact its something that could be worth getting is rather envious.
Oh well, have fun with the games, if anyone is getting any of them.
So, 400 points less for Gradius Rebirth, huh? Did it really sell that badly in the U.S at $10? Not that I'd but it at either price point, but I was just wondering.
Wow. Bit Boy looks interesting and Gradius too, and for 600 points?! Also, yay! A new Hanabi festival (Kirby's Dream Land 3!)! I actually have Pulseman on my japanese Mega Drive, I have to test it again, after many long years of not playing it...
I noticed also that you wrote "Corbie gave it a 9 out of 10" about Ogre Battle, but about other games, you wrote "WE gave it this"
gets a nosebleed like Aerith due to all of the European releases (NINE in all)
(http://allymcbeal18.deviantart.com/art/AERITH-third-death-15884791)
Not too shabby.
I bought Bit Boy; Ogre Battle is a certainty; hopefully we'll get those Koei games as well! Pulseman is a platform game and therefore suspect, but I'll still check out the review; if it's quality I'll buy the Japanese version and save the points difference.
Nice to buy some PAL releases for a change!
I noticed also that you wrote "Corbie gave it a 9 out of 10" about Ogre Battle, but about other games, you wrote "WE gave it this"
Because greatness speaks for itself.
you just did
I'm jealous that someone else finally got Pulseman but it's nice to see it appear period. Really hoping we get it soon!
when does dragon quest come out for dsiware in the usa
You guys got Pulseman!? I have envy...
I'm also interested in seeing how Bit Boy!! turns out. I hope it's decent.
I hope NA gets Pulseman soon. Nice update, EU!
Great update EU! Also, good to see a new Hanabi Festival.
What's all the fuzz about pulseman, mmm have to make some research .
Edit: Wow, in the video, it looked like a mix of Megaman and Sonic, with a touch of Rocket Knight... I liked it , eagerly waiting for the review.
For crying out loud!
I leave the freaking country and this happens! I've been waiting ages for Gradius Rebirth! And we're getting it cheap too! That and Bit Boy, Pulse Man and Ogre Battle! MIND EXPLODE
Niki was crap, since NL rated that 8/10 I'll probably wait for someone like IGN to review Bit Boy before I consider buying it (unless NL already gives it a bad score of course). To me B-plus games require the equivalent of two keys at opposite sides of the room.
I wonder if the 600 points for GR is further evidence that Konami listens to review scores and sales and lowers prices in Europe if a game did badly in other regions (Cv Judgment was only 30€ here).
Anyway, nothing for me in this update but I think there's plenty for other people.
I'm interested in Gradius Rebirth only. And will eventually wait for a BitBoy review.
Amazing upddate!
Now to get myself some Pulsman and Graidius Rebirth, i mean i felt cheated about bubble bobble+'s price difference, but this is insane!
Damn, another horrible week for DSiware oh well at least I still got Wii Ware
Chibi Link
Not every title rated appears on the OFLC's website. Instances in the past have occurred, were a title without rating still appears.
You can just change your region otherwise.... I mean mine is set to Australia. But i am not sure if you will lose your current points. So if possible, try and get them down to zero.
Baaah, Dammed! Stopid Brain Challenge, I Already Knew We Where Gonna Have Mario Apps
Poor update for me, but decent-ish update overall imho. Brain Challenge is a good retail ds and wiiware game. I already have the retail ds title. Mario Apps are a waste of timee. Gradius Rebirth at 600 points is good but not for me. Hanabi festival for those who are interested. Bit Boy seem to be interesting quite a few, I don't think I'll ge it though.
I'm satisfied with last weeks wiiware with 2 insta downloads so I'm not to chuffed this week. I need Overturn, MFC and Mario v DK MMA soon though please ...
AAA!! I have already played Ogre Battle!!! Ogre Battle is so good, that even though this is another week of no buy for me, I'm happy that somebody else can play it now. Buy it man! Imagine how glad I am when(/if) Ogre Battle 64 comes!!! hmmm...on second thought...Gradius for mere 600pts...
Gradius Rebirth, thank god, I was going nuts waiting for this.
Gradius Rebirth 600 points. Yes!
I just downloaded Ogre Battle and it's even better than I expected!
Bit Boy and Gradius is nothing for me.
I have 1300 points left, Pulseman seems appealing, but I don't know yet. I'd rather wait another week and get StarTropics II or Kirby's Dreamland 3 instead. What do you think about Pulseman?
The other officially announced Hanabi titles for this month (Bomberman '94, Detana TwinBee, Smash Table Tennis, Musha) I probably won't get.
Just wanted to put it out in the open.
Gradius Rebirth ROCKS! Well worth 600 points. I am also kinda proud that i am in 6th place on the normal leader boards.... though that wont last at all. Considering I only have 223740points.
I am holding off on Pulsman now, only because I want to fully enjoy Gradius. I don't want 20 games to play at once, and at the moment, I am close to 19.....
will it crash and burn like Plättchen?
Can I be bothered to argue about little quotes like this anymore?
Also: BIG thanks to Bplus for bringing Bit Boy!! here, and an even BIGGER thanks for giving ME thanks in the Operations Guide Excellent.
As for the other games, Brain Challenge on WiiWare wasn't that great IMO, so that's a pass, but I might possibly get the Mario Calculator. Not the clock though, since I'd rather have the photo clock.
As for VC, it's great that we're getting more hanabi, but I'm not too bothered about this weeks games, but I might get Bomberman 94.
@Chibi Link: Eduardo probably won't appear there for a while yet.
@KDR_11k: Just because NL rated a game a bit too high in your opinion, doesn't mean to say they'll do the same for another of the company's games. I mean, they rated Plattchen a 3/10!
Chibi Link
Well, as far as I know, you should be able to use your credit card. I used a Swedish debitcard when I lived in Australia for points, so why not the reverse way. Your bank however might charge some exchange rate fees, but the AUD is doing really great against the SEK. So it should be no problem.
Now regarding club nintendo, i have no idea. Because i myself cant be bothered with getting a club nintendo account, i cant say i have tried. But i guess it would ask you to change your account details online. This however i can not help you with.
Oooh...Gradius Rebirth.....but only 600 points????!!! o_O
Wow, impressive, but I think it didn't sell very well....So people, if you want to play Contra Rebirth (and the next Rebirth games) on your Wii, please buy this Gradius, at 600 points it's a gift!
Also Ogre Battle, hey, that's a very good week for Europe!
I'm mad ReBirth costs only 600 points there
2 VC games, not bad Ogre Battle and Pulseman were my top 2 choices of the bunch, so I´m very pleased with the update! I´ll surely get Ogre Battle one of these days, waiting for the review of Pulseman.
"I'm mad ReBirth costs only 600 points there"
America also has some games cheaper than they are here.
Good stuff. Untill the DSiWare completely lets the side down.
Bit Boy!! and Pulseman thats pretty cool!
Hurray! Hanabi time!
And Pulseman finally got released somewhere outside Japan! That's good news, too.
Indeed...this is looking promising...now, to buy 6000 Wii points and go shopping...
Great week! It's nice to see Europe didn't get screwed for once on the Wiiware pricing.
I'm gone for like a day and all of a sudden Gradius Rebirth strikes. And yeah, if anyone was on the fence, this game is total awesome sauce if you're a retro shmup fan and Corbie is crazy for giving it a 6.
Pulseman? You lucky Europeans!
Tap here to load 57 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...