
Nintendo have updated their weekly North American downloads for the last time in 2009, and the year is going out with a corker of an update! Not only is Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth out today but also PilotWings to boot for Virtual Console fans. This is in addition to eight other ones released today, which seem to be a bit of a grab bag.
WiiWare
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (1000pts - Konami) — A remake based on the original Game Boy's Castlevania: The Adventure from 1989. This game offers exploration in stages as opposed to the now-common Metroidvania style. Hopefully it's a bit better than its source, which was so bad that Treasure president and founder Masato Maegawa, who worked on the game, apparently hangs his head in shame whenever it is brought up in interviews. Maybe this one should've been called Castlevania: The Adventure ReDemption? Don't forget to check out our first impressions of the Japanese version of the game if you missed it the first time around.
Eat! Fat! FIGHT! (1000pts - Tecmo) — Hot on the heels of its EU release, this comic Sumo Wrestling game by Tecmo was given a favorable review by our own Sean Aaron, so it's worth a look if vampires are not your thing.
Rabbids Lab (500pts - Ubisoft) — It's essentially the Rabbid Modifier mode from Rabbids Go Home released as a separate title. Thomas Bowskill considered this release disappointing when it appeared in the EU store, so you might give this one a pass in favour of the full disc release which James Newton quite enjoyed.
The Magic Obelisk (500pts - Game Arts) — A fantasy game were you play as light spirit called Popo, helping a tree spirit called Lukus find a place to root himself while shining your light on magical obelisks to keep him shaded. Right, then. We previewed this game back in October when it was released in Japan with the name Shadow Walker, so it could be worth a look. Expect our full review soon!
Virtual Console
PilotWings (800pts SNES - Nintendo) — Just one VC release this week but it's quite a good'un. It's a flight simulation game in which you get to pilot planes and fly them in pesudo-3D environments while training in a lead-up to a big rescue mission. PilotWings originally came out in 1991 in the US; while the Mode 7 graphics have aged a little this game is hailed as a classic by many retro fans and we certainly agree.
DSiWare
The Oregon Trail (800pts - Gameloft) — An old educational Apple II game given new lease of life on DSi: you play as travelling American pioneers in a side scrolling adventure. Includes eight minigames based on things such as hunting and fishing which affect resources your pioneers have at hand in-game.
Sudoku Sensei (500pts - Hudson) — Another Sudoku title to join the growing numbers of Sudoku games on DSi. Includes 100 "Super Hard Puzzles" for hardcore Sudoku fans.
Glow Artisan (500pts - Powerhead Games) — A picture puzzle game wherein you use a blueprint to make pixel-like versions of objects by matching co-ordinates and mixing colours. You can make your own puzzles using the DSi Camera also. The developer's website explains the concept a little better
Master of Illusion Express: Psychic Camera (200pts - Nintendo) — Marcel Van Duyn reviewed the EU version, titled A Little bit of...Magic Made Fun: Psychic Camera, and like the rest of the titles in this series found it rather lacking.
Arcade Hoops Basketball (200pts - Skyworks Interactive) - A quick-shoot game wherein you are given 45 seconds to shoot as many hoops as possible with the stylus. Potentially a fun little time waster for those looking for quick distractions.
Phew! That was a lot of titles! Next up is the press release for PR fans:
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: PREPARE FOR '10 WITH 10 NEW DOWNLOADABLE GAMES FROM NINTENDO
Dec. 28, 2009
With only a few days left until the end of 2009, Nintendo is already uncorking 10 new games to help you ring in the New Year. Thanks to the ever-expanding WiiWare™ service, you can keep it spooky with a captivating Castlevania title, bulk up sumo-style with Eat! Fat! FIGHT! or customize crazy creatures with RABBIDS LAB. The Virtual Console™ service welcomes the high-flying classic PilotWings™, while a new edition of the timeless pioneer adventure The Oregon Trail® arrives on the Nintendo DSiWare™ service. No matter which of these 10 terrific titles you choose, hoist your Wii Remote™ controller or Nintendo DSi™ stylus and join us in a toast to a fabulous 2010. Cheers!
WiiWare
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Another 100 years have passed since the death of Count Dracula, but his curse has emerged once again within the realms of Transylvania. Play the role of the ultimate gothic hero from the long lineage of vampire hunters, the Belmont clan, and rid the universe of Dracula's legion of darkness and doom. Based on the classic 1989 original Castlevania: The Adventure, this WiiWare version will allow players of a new generation - and older fans - to experience one of the most popular games within the storied Castlevania timeline from a new perspective.
Eat! Fat! FIGHT!
Publisher: TECMO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Forget about being healthy. Here's a game that celebrates eating, getting fat and fighting. Hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and tilt it left, right, up or down to perform all kinds of lifts and throws just like in real sumo. There are also hidden moves like suplexes and scrapbusters thrown in for fun. Use all the moves you learn in tournaments around the world to reach the peak of sumo and become a yokozuna. In ONE PLAYER mode, play eating or sparring mini-games to make your wrestler stronger and change his look. You can also use your own Mii™ character's face on your wrestler. In TWO PLAYER mode, take on another person using default wrestlers or the wrestlers that you have created. (Additional accessories are required for two-player mode and are sold separately.) Chow down, bulk up and fight on to become the strongest sumo wrestler ever.Rabbids Lab
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: A raving Rabbid is stuck inside the Wii Remote controller. Come play with him. First, try interacting with him by moving the Wii Remote or pressing the buttons and seeing how much he loves it. Once you've gotten to know the crazy guy, it's time to change his appearance in the Lab. Mess with his head and place seasonal accessories on him, or change his look entirely with the painting module. When you've made your raving Rabbid completely unique, you can take a photo and send it in a Wii™ message to show your Wii Friends (broadband Internet connection required).
The Magic Obelisk
Publisher: GAME ARTS Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The Magic Obelisk is an action-adventure game in which you become Popo, a light spirit. Your mission is to guide Lukus, a tree spirit, to each stage's goal while moving only within the shadow. You can help him do this by shining your light near the mysterious magic obelisks, allowing you to create and connect shadows to solve tricks and gimmicks along the way. Join Lukus as he travels through a light-filled realm filled with quirky creatures and spirits, trying to find the perfect spot to become a tree. Experience meaningful encounters and partings, climb hills, cross rivers and traverse a vast desert on your way to the very edge of the world.Virtual Console
PilotWings
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Join the Flight Club to take to the skies and experience a variety of aerial activities. Take off and pilot a biplane through rings along a predetermined flight path, or drift serenely in a hang glider, catching thermal currents to gain altitude. In either case, just be sure to stick the landing. Looking for more speed? Strap on the rocket belt to blast your way around an obstacle course. If that's not enough, reach maximum velocity as you tackle a skydiving lesson at 3,800 feet. Complete specific objectives within a set time limit to score points (and maybe even a bonus chance) and obtain certification in eight different lessons. Your goals will become more challenging, and weather conditions will make controlling your vehicle more difficult as you progress. If you succeed, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to pilot an attack helicopter on a daring rescue mission. It's time to earn your wings.
Nintendo DSiWare
The Oregon Trail
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Westward, ho! Your favorite pioneering adventure game takes you on an exciting, historic, side-scrolling adventure with your Nintendo DSi™ system. Take the Oregon Trail experience further than ever before with all of the decision-making and problem-solving fun of the original game plus additional challenges. Leave your mark on America's history. Take a picture of yourself at each landmark with the Nintendo DSi system's built-in camera. You'll have your portrait and party's name printed in the Daily Oregon Trail newspaper in the game. Play eight skill-based mini-games that will impact your resources: Hunting, Fishing, River Crossing, Rafting, Wagon Repairing, Telegraph, Berry Picking and Gold Panning. Random events faced by real pioneers - such as disease, bandits and hitchhikers - and side missions add more excitement to your westward trek.Sudoku Sensei
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Introducing 100 “Super Hard Puzzles” for the hardened sudoku veteran. All puzzles are skillfully designed for a level of satisfaction that computer-generated puzzles just can't offer. You can play through puzzles to learn about rules and controls in Tutorials mode. Other handy features include Write Mode and Temp Number for an easier, more enjoyable sudoku experience.
Glow Artisan
Publisher: Powerhead Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Solve mind-bending puzzles in this unique and colorful game. Use your wits and ingenuity to solve more than 100 puzzles and earn more than 300 medals. Play Time Trial, Randomizer and Multiplayer modes for an endless supply of new challenges. Create new puzzles with the built-in editor or use the Nintendo DSi Camera application to turn your photos into puzzles.Master of Illusion Express: Psychic Camera
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Master of Illusion Express titles include mind-boggling magic tricks that you perform with your Nintendo DSi system. Learn the illusions, practice them and amaze your friends. Your audience will never look at your Nintendo DSi system the same way again after Master of Illusion Express: Psychic Camera proves that it has psychic powers. Astound others by taking their picture and revealing an item (such as a card, picture, letter or number) that they're thinking about.Arcade Hoops Basketball
Publisher: Skyworks Interactive, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: From Skyworks comes the slickest basketball game for the Nintendo DSi system. See how many baskets you can sink in a fast-moving 45 seconds, using only your stylus and, of course, your lightning-fast hand-eye coordination. Arcade Hoops features your choice of three rockin' soundtracks, state-of-the-art 3-D graphics and thrilling, high-speed game play for the most fun possible in under a minute. Advanced hoopsters can move on to the progressive level, where a moving basket provides an additional challenge - plus the chance to rack up even more points. For the real pros, there's 3 Point mode, where speed and accuracy are a must as you shoot “threes” from downtown.
Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.
Comments 90
Looks like I'll be getting...
SSB and Excitebike World Rally
FINALLY, Castlevania!
I might get Castlevania... if I had any points left.
nkfjgvhnaghnargnhlrnhgrghblg
CASTLEVANIAAAAAAAAAA
Love it.
To day is my birthday and I diden't get Sonic and Knuckles for the vc.
Like I said in the forum topic, super sweet update and the single VC release was expected and I predict will become the norm once again.
Castlevania? Finally! And I got my copy of Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 2 today... very nice indeed.
If I don't get Castlevania Rebirth in Euroland next Friday, I will be one sad vampire killer on the 1st day of the 2010.
The Oregon Trail? Sweet, now I can virtually die of dysentery all over again.
i got my monkey island gifted today also. haha, nice!
hmmm, has anyone looked over the Castlevania or The magic obelisk? those were the two games i was looking forward to in this update.
Awesome update.
That is all.
Very good update all-around, although I wasn't expecting a one-game week for the Virtual Console. Even then, the Virtual Console had an very good week. And like Rapadash6 said, one-game week will probably be the norm once again in 2010. I knew the two-weeks games on the Virtual Console was for the holiday, proving Stuffgamer1 wrong. But other then that, there is nothing worth complaining about and that complaint was minor and I'll get used to it.
(Watches as a bunch of Virtual Console rabbids balloon and moan over it having one-game week)
Looks like "crash and burn." Pilotwings joke!
Good update, though I think I'll pass on all of these for the moment. I'll probably be downloading Super Mario Kart, Gunstar Heroes, and Shining Force this week.
Not a bad update, I'm sad we got back to one VC, but it was expected, whatever; I'll get Pilotwigs later on, just for nostalgia. Waiting for the reviews of The Magic Obelisk and Castlevania The Adventure Rebirth. As good as a new, old school Castlevania sounds, the title is gonna sell just for being called Castlevania, so who knows what to expect from the game itself.
well, i mean, a one-game week is fine with me, as long as when there is a one-game week, its a decent game.
Well, when anyone tries out the wiiware games, let us know how they are. Some of these i've been waiting for.
Then again, 2010 looks like a good year. Cave story, Super meat boy, Night Game, Max and the magic marker, Mega man 10, and several others. yay.
Plus mario galaxy 2, Metroid: other M, Zelda Wii, Not the mention i still have yet to get Boy and His blob, sadness.
Castlevania Rebirth, Pilotwings and Magic Obelisk? Congrats!
(YET again a rocking update for the NA-ites after a crap one for us! )
Downloading Oregon Trail right now.
Pretty solid update. Downloaded Pilotwings.
Castlevania The Adventure Rebirth and Pilotwings have been released on my birthday! WOOT!!
Best.... update... EVER! Castlevania is out! I am now off to download it.
Can I please get some impressions of Castlevania and Magic Obelisk while I am stuck at work?
best update ever, I'm getting castlevania, pilotwings, and oregon trail!!!!
and I just woke up woohoo
:Also notices he got the free episode of Monkey Island too, and is really pleased too.:
haha, everybody is waiting for impressions of the same 2 games. sometimes the reviews are out quick on nintendolife, and sometimes, like that A Day of Rage game, it took almost a week.
Castlevania and Magic Obelisk, anyone played them yet? and reviews from japanese homies on those 2?
Finally I can get some Castlevania on! Oh I will be getting Oregon Trail as well.
Righteous. Pilotwings!!!!!!!
Oh, and Castlevania The Adventure Rebirth. I wonder how good that is?
downloading oregon trail now
Yay! castlevania! I was hoping for Sonic and knuckles instead of Pilowtings but that's Ok maybe for next year C:
Pretty good week. If I wasn't such a stingy downloader, I'd probably already be looking at Castlevania or Pilotwings.
Oh, how I long to beat that fifth stage (which was a surprise to me) from Pilotwings.
I had no idea how much fondness I had with Pilotwings. My very first comment on NintendoLife (a moment I'll always remember) was in a page regarding Pilotwings.
I'll be downloading LostWinds 2 and VOID, then.
Great update to end the year. I already d/l Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth and played the first stage. It definitely harkons back to the classic NES Castlevania games and so far it's worth the 1000 Nintendo Points. I'm thinking about getting Pilotwings and I'll wait for impressions, possibly a review or two on The Magic Obelisk. Great to see Game Arts back in the scene.
Although I wish The Oregon Trail was priced at 500 Nintendo Points, it has been a while since I went on the Trail and sadly I have no iPod Touch/iPhone. I'm really tempted to give this one a go.
Here's to hoping the next update starts us Wii/DSi owners right in 2010! See you then. =)
Early impressions of Oregon Trail: it's great and worth the 800 points!
My wife keeps nagging me
Ugh! Why didn't I wait 3 days to spend my last 1000 Wii Points on Castlevania!? >.< I got Contra Rebirth instead and I beat that in 30 minutes!
Is Contra Rebirth > or < Contra III: The Alien Wars, out of curiosity?
Awesome update is awesome.
Castlevania is a must, and I may consider Pilotwings at some point. If I had a DSi, I'd get Oregon Trail. I used to love watching my sis play that when I was a little'un.
What the whaat????! Oregon Trail!?!?!
Oregon Trail has a remake out. That is pretty cool. We need some other old "edutainment" titles like Odell Lake and Number Munchers (if anyone remembers those old games).
Anyway I picked up Castlevania ReBirth and love it so far. The first level music is from Castlevania Bloodlines and it sounds so awesome.
woooo, at last, castlevania is out, too bad i only have 100 points left
A happy birthday to all those becoming a year older today!
I downloaded Glow Artisan and Oregon Trail, both of them are delightful games. Good update indeed. I'm loving these nice updates we're getting (I'm still enjoying last week's UNO and Dragon's Lair update).
Happy New Year Nintendo!
Pilotwings, Castlevainia Rebirth and Oregon Trail, nice last year update Nintendo
Really ANOTHER Sudoku Puzzle Game on DSi...... How many do we need?
@ StarBoy
Out of Nostalgia's sake, I'll say Contra 3 is better. But from a pure gameplay and experience standpoint, Rebirth is probably the better game. Plus Rebirth is all 2-D side scrolling, which is a plus for me.
CASTLEVANIA IS FINALLY HERE!!!
I would love to get my hands on Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth and The Magic Obelisk, if they would ever reach Europe. But I'm not holding my breath for it.
Ah, thanks for the heads up, Stargazer (are you new? If so, welcome). I love Contra III. I could make it as far as the final stage on Easy mode, but I've yet to beat it.
Righteous, the WiiWare remake of the 1989 Game Boy Castlevania The Advetnure game sounds good.
Dang it! I was hoping Castlevania Rebirth would be released atleast in February.
Awesome that we got Rabbids Lab, Eat! Fight! Fun! I'd download those and wait for a review for Magic Oblisk.
I am really sad that we didn't get Uno for wiiware. I thought we would get it this week since Uno dsiware was released last week but I have patience.
Quick question, In Rabbids go home, can you take pictures of your Rabbids like Rabbids Lab?
A great way to end out the year if you ask me.
Yea. Nice avatar, cheetah.
Back to one VC game again. But at least we got Pilotwings. Let's hope FFIV comes out soon.
Castlevania! Toss your glass of wine on the floor and start playing this masterpiece. Could we please have Metal Gear Rebirth now, Konami?
Great VC week!
It doesn't really matter for me since I have Pilotwings on my SNES though.
@Ezekiel: Not only can you take pictures, but you can upload them to an Ubisoft website and then order an actual figurine of them!
Nice avatar, Sean.
Yay! Castlevania ReBirth! I dled it the moment I saw it in the shop! Great game so far, I can't wait to play more!
I'll wait until I read some reviews before I DL The Magic Obelisk. I'm hoping it's good!
this is by all means one of the best wiiware weeks yet
I've played Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth for about an hour now and I have to say that I am really enjoying it. It really is a fantastic game and if you are a fan of old-school Castlevania then I would highly recommend downloading it.
I'd get Oregon Trail if it had come to WiiWare, but a portable version doesn't seem right. Otherwise, nothing all that interesting.
@Tony: I'd love to relive the childhood days of number munchers. One of the best educational games EVAR! Castlevania and Pilotwings round up a great week. I'll wait for the review of Oregon Trail. Had some fun times with that game in school.
Long live the Castlevania!! I need a NES remake too.
@ClothFar
Yes, preferably a remake of Castlevania II. That game had such potential if it weren't for so many fixable problems.
I hope the Europeans aren't too jealous
Yay for Castlevania! Boo for still no Heron Steam Machine.
Excellent week you got there... Hopefully The Magic Obelisk might manage to make its way over here sooner or later... Assuming it's good of course.
Best update in ages, Pilotwings is a masterpiece and CastleVania ReBirth is great too.
ok. ill bite into Magic Obelisk, since nobody else has. I'll put my 2 yen in shortly.
magic obelisk sounds kind of interesting but i need a review. i probably won't get rebirth since i'm not really a fan of the old school castelvanias. i prefer the "metroidvanias". the sumo game sounds kind of interesting too, but i dunno if i would pay $10 for it.
Ok, for 500 points, The Magic Obelisk is very charming and sweet, family friendly and cute. The music is good, and the story is very fun. You play not a little boy, but a tree spirit who hasn't taken root yet. Using his friend, a fairy who guides his around, you make shadows or manipulate objects that can create shade so that the three spirit can get from one side of the stage to the other.
You have to stay in the shadows or else you'll take root early and start the game over. Its a cute "coming of age" type story, but with a boy wanting to become the perfect tree rather than an adult.
For 500 points, the graphics are really nice too. I's say this game is a nice little puzzler, not too hard, so gamers wanting a hardcore experience might be turned off, but otherwise this game is really sweet. I'd say this game is very light, very casual. The controls are simple to use, and obviously, as one can see from the cute, pop-up book type graphics, this game is probably meant for younger players, but i don't see why more mature games who might want a toned-down experience wouldn't enjoy it too.
I'd rate it an 8/10
might pick up pilotwings and the castlevania game
800 points for Oregon Trail, and people are actually buying it . . . ?
Pilotwings and Castlevania sound good...but after Christmas I have SO much I am playing...may wait a bit into the new year to download any of these titles.
This is a great week for those wanting these games.But i have Super Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros on the VC with everything unlocked as well as NSMB Wii.I can let others get what they want until i see Nintendo World Cup and Tetris Attack which neither may come for a while or never at all.I am still happy.
I have a White DSI that i need to start getting points cards for now to get things like the Mario Clock and Uno DSIWare or i can wait for Uno WiiWare.At least there is something out there for everyone.
Castlevania Rebirth is pretty darn good. I already beat it and I can say it is worth the 1000 points. The only weird thing is that stage 5 is really long and stage 6 is really really short. It takes up a boat load of memory as well (263 blocks). I heard in Japan it was only like 156 blocks.
THANKS A LOT Tsuchinoko for the review!!!
That Magic Obelisk game looks good for a 500 point game. I might try it when I'm not already playing five games
Can't wait for some more info on Oregon Trail. Loved that game as a kid. I'll have to check it out on the app store too though. If it's just a port and it's cheaper i may just download it for my itouch.
could anyone give a more detailed review of the castlevania game? i never played the gameboy version.
NoE, NoA just demonstrated how useless you are.
At least Castlevania sounds even more promising... I still need to properly play a few others I've downloaded recently though!
Makes the exceptionally poor update NoE gave us look even worst and thats after never bothering to give us a 60Hz option on VC... Oh well.
Castlevania Rebirth is nothing like the Game Boy version, except for maybe the rolling eyeballs.
Yay! Castlevania! Hopefully it'll be just as awesome as the original. Never understood why Castlevania the Adventure got so much hate.
Unfortunately, it's now the last update of the year and they haven't released my Lolo 3, and I have short days to go before my 1 free NES credit expires. I was hoping (against hope) that a Lolo 3 release would make my decision easy, but now I have to decide between Mega Man 3, Final Fantasy, and Blaster Master. Decisions . . .
I feel bad about Europe's 50 Hz situation.
I'll be doing the Magic Obelisk review. Since I've played through a dozen levels of the Japanese version this probably shouldn't be too long in the making...
I'm guessing a solid 7.3 for Magic Obelisk.
I may get it, but right now I need to focus on other games. Still need to beat A Boy and His Blob, Mario, Bit Trip Void, Castlevania Rebirth, Flowerworks and Lost Winds 2.
@StarBoy91 Hey, thanks man - considering all we really pay for is a limited license to access these games, its quite annoying that the VC is bringing back the bad old days when they are fully aware that we are getting squished slow versions of classics. I guess they just hope that not enough people will know the difference.
PILOTWINGS!
Is it just me, or does my new avatar look similar to Ristar's, a tiny bit?
Maybe it's the fact that in both avatars the eyes are facing the upper right corner?
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