Well, it looks like the release schedule in North America is starting out as slow as everywhere else, although three WiiWare releases and a Virtual Console add is pretty impressive even if it is smaller than the release weeks in December. The DSi offerings are a bit on the light side with a couple of games that were released in Japan quite some time ago and all of them digital versions of real-world past times.
WiiWare
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (1000pts - Capcom) — The DS courtroom sensation brought to the Wii at last. This WiiWare release comprises four of the five chapters of the original DS cartridge release with the fifth chapter coming as a downloadable extra for another few hundred points. Our very own Tommy Bowskill thought the DS version of the game was quite good, and you can expect a verdict from us on the WiiWare version soon.
Chronos Twins DX (1000pts - EnjoyUp Games) — This appears to be a sequel to the DS title Chronos Twins. It uses temporal mechanics (time shifting) for some novel gameplay using a split-screen interface, with the game world being depicted in two time periods at once. Whether this game is worth your time is something our own researchers will have to investigate and report back on.
ShadowPlay (800pts - Deep Fried Entertainment) — This release is something of a surprise, mainly because it's the first WiiWare game to boast support for Nintendo's MotionPlus peripheral (though surprisingly this fact isn't mentioned in the press release below). Our resident shadow puppeteers will have a go at this shortly and let you know whether it should remain in the shadows or not.
Virtual Console
Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye (800pts - Sega) — The sole Virtual Console release is a game that will no doubt have a WiiWare version or two released in good time. Certainly our review wasn't too favourable, largely because the dated visuals and — most critically — clunky controls just don't work with this kind of game. You're really better off waiting for something like Mahjong Zodiac to grace the system instead.
DSiWare
Touch Solitaire (200pts - Nintendo) — This was released almost a year ago in Japan as "Solitaire DSi" and a few months ago in Europe as "2-in-1 Solitaire" — is that clear enough? Included are two solitaire games: Spider and Klondike. Prosody, resident patience-gamer extraordinaire thought it was okay, but nothing special, so if you like a bit of solo card playing it might be worth a punt.
Jazzy Billiards (500pts - Aksys Games) — Another Japanese catch-up title, this one courtesy of Aksys Games. Arc System Works self-published this 9-ball simulator in Japan last August; If we can manage to avoid getting cleaned out by hustlers we'll give you our thoughts on it.
Word Searcher (500pts - Digital Leisure) — A rare DSiWare version of a prior WiiWare release centred around the age old puzzle mag staple, the word search. Word game magazine fanatic Spencer McIlvaine wasn't terribly impressed with Word Searcher on WiiWare, but that doesn't mean it won't make a quality title for Nintendo's dual screen handheld; we'll fill you in.
As usual you can review the Nintendo press release in all its glory:
WiiWare™
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Meet Phoenix Wright, the rookie defense lawyer new to the scene with the wildest cross-examination skills in town. Take on four intriguing cases to reveal dramatic, stunning and even comical court proceedings. Use the Wii Remote controller to investigate the crime scenes, question witnesses and present shocking evidence.
Chronos Twins DX
Publisher: EnjoyUp Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Enter into the original world of Chronos Twins DX to live a fantastic adventure full of innovative ideas. Thanks to its Dual Gameplay game system, you'll be able to control Nec in two temporal scenarios at the same time. Chronos Twins DX mixes action, platforms, adventure and puzzles to challenge your intelligence and ability.ShadowPlay
Publisher: Deep Fried Entertainment
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Alcohol Reference
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Welcome to ShadowPlay. Let your imagination run wild when light meets everyday objects to create fascinating shadows. Play and experiment, make a monster out of a pineapple, a dolphin out of a banana - the only limit is your imagination. ShadowPlay challenges players by transforming shadows into more than 100 exciting, unique puzzles. As more challenging puzzles are unlocked, players will have to find more creative ways to solve problems. You will never look at a slice of pizza the same way again! Winning a round will allow players to advance to the next level as well as score another item to use in the Free Play Mode, where you can unleash your imagination and create your own shadow art. Family and friends can also jump in to help tackle a puzzle at any time using Local Co-op Mode. ShadowPlay will provide tons of brain-racking fun for players of all ages. How do you ShadowPlay?
Nintendo DSiWare™
Touch Solitaire
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Touch Solitaire features two of the most popular versions of the world-famous card game - Spider and Klondike - with simple touch-screen controls and an easy-to-understand interface. In Spider, the aim is to arrange cards in piles of a single suit from King down to Ace, thereby removing the pile from play. When all cards are removed, you win the game. The goal of Klondike is to arrange cards from Ace to King in piles, one for each suit, on the four foundations. You win when all cards have been moved to the foundations. Various difficulty levels are available for Spider and Klondike, allowing beginners or experts to enjoy the game at their own pace.Jazzy Billiards
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Challenge intelligent computers or even your friends to a traditional game of 9-ball while enjoying mind-soothing music with Jazzy Billiards. Take advantage of the intuitive stylus mechanic to aim and hit the cue ball with varying strength to sink the other balls. Defeat your opponents by being the first to sink the 9-ball. Jazzy Billiards' Stage Mode features nine different stages, each with an opponent of ascending difficulty. Find out how many computers you can defeat in a row with Challenge Mode, or challenge your friends to a game of 9-ball in Versus Mode.
Word Searcher
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: You'll need a sharp eye and a quick mind to complete these 100 themed word search puzzles. Word Searcher contains fun words from multiple categories including anatomy, world cities and U.S. presidents. Packed with a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there's sure to be a puzzle anyone will enjoy. Help improve your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills with these challenging puzzles. Keep track of, and try to beat, your own play-through times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play. Get your thinking cap on and conquer all 100 today.Virtual Console™
Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye
Original platform: Genesis
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: The ancient pastime of mahjong solitaire is reinvented as an interactive video game where each tile you remove may be your last. Discover enchanting music, fun animation and exciting obstacles that are built in to this intriguing board game that will keep you engaged for hours. This classic title challenges you to clear the board by removing matching pairs of tiles. Play the traditional Shanghai® II or take the game to a new dimension with Dragon's Eye. Don't let the simple rules deceive you - the depth and intricacy of this challenge will become your new obsession very soon.
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.
Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.
Comments (78)
I give up on the DSi
The VC is the forgotten child these days.
Lucky americans! You get Phoenix Wright!
Nothing for me this week.
Why are we lucky? We get a WiiWare version of a game we've all already played on the DS, and one that has no replay value whatsover? Why didn't they make a new Phoenix Wright game?
Well not everyone owns a DS @ Crunc so not every has played it b4. But, thanks for speaking for everyone.
Why didn't they make a new Phoenix Wright game?
That would require time, effort and funding. Watch the charts, I'm sure Phoenix Wright will stay on the first page for a while to come. I never played it on the DS so I may get this one day.
Mia Fey's magnificent cleavage on a big screen TV. What a wonderful day for WiiWare!
Really good day for WiiWare. I wish the Virtual Console would get some love, though. (Final Fantasy II & III, Lufia I & II, Super Tennis, Mario Tennis, etc. etc.)
Shadow play sounds interesting, but I need to save some points for Mega Man 10 in March.
Boo.
Rhymes with "No Wave Quarry."
Nothing this week.
@Crunc I dont think you understand. For Wiiware It's alot cheaper than on DS. Plus i've never played it before so I think you're lucky.
<<<<<<<<<<< ahhhhh dsiware, what a failure this week
Another good wiiware update for the NA! All 3 are on my radar u gits!
I'm boycotting DSiWare until something worthwhile is released.
I'm boycotting VC until Yoshi's Island.
I'm boycotting WiiWare until Cave Story.
You lose Nintendo. Your Mondays are becoming lolworthy at best.
I'm boycotting DSiWare until something worthwhile is released.
Thats not really boycotting though. Everyone does that.
I guess we are back to a crappy VC release schedule. At least November and December were good months.
Hopefully Final Fantasy II will come out soon.
10 bones is an absolute steal for Phoenix Wright.
I would love me some Yoshi's Island, but I'm not expecting it until late this year. That is my favorite game ever.
For now, Chronos Twins looks cool.
so what is the total cost of phoenix? still less than 1500?
Already own Phoenix Wright on the DS, but I will buy it again. And I disagree on the replay value - true that you won't replay it again immediately after finishing, but Phoenix Wright is more like a good book - and good books in my home are often read more than once.
And to comment on the DSiWare - my last download was Pop+ back in August, and beyond Dark Void Zero, I don't see anything else that really interests me.
@vherub: should be; I think it's going to be 200 or 300 for Chapter 5?
Is anybody going to sell their original Phoenix Wright and get the WiiWare version? If you're going to get the WiiWare version anyway, you may as well do so. I would if I had it.
"word game magazine fanatic"? This is the thanks I get?
i always thought they were going to hold off on the other final fantasy games until they figure out how to do the numbering outside of Japan, since it has been corrected pretty much everywhere else anyway...
BTW, im really thinking Yoshi's island will never get put on the VC, same for Star Fox. i kinda just gave up though.
BTW, im really thinking Yoshi's island will never get put
on the VC, same for Star Fox. i kinda just gave up though.
They have as much chance as any other game yet to be released or rated in any region. I'm sure the fact that they use the FX Chip shouldn't stop them. They're probably being saved for a special occasion.
Im definitely picking up Shadow Play. I'm all about the inventive concepts, plus WM+ usage!
C'mon... I was expecting Shadow Dancer this week...
Episode 5 add on for Phoenix Wright is only going to be 100 points. But will not be available until May 24, 2010. Just posting so those wondering will know. I looked on the Shop Channel as well.
@Bass X0 I would really love to buy them both, they would both be a clear-cut first day download. But for me the first indicator that they won't be released, at least not anytime soon is the fact that there's no news of them being released even in Japan. Same as the games in the Mother series. People are waiting for Earthbound week after week, thinking that its coming, but we can always look to the Japanese VC to see that titles are coming here.
Thats what's got me hopeful for Kirby Superstar (or is it Superstar Kirby).
Well, i shouldn't say "never", you're right. I should say...hmmm, i would be pleasantly surprised if any of those games come to us by way of VC.
_______
Not a bad update, Chrono Twins DX looks awesome! , Phoenix Wright is good, but I don't know, I kind of rented it from a friend to try it, and is not the type of game I'd play more than once, so, I'll just finish the DS version.
@Gabbo: You're lucky I used your name, I could have said "that sock guy!"
Phoenix Wright has epic Wii Menu music/sounds. No objections here!
Why the complaints? We had an absurdly amazing holiday season with releases, so how could anyone NOT expect it to slowdown for a while? I expect the remainder of the fiscal year (through March) to be fairly ho hum so I won't be dissappointed with these mondane updates (although this one isn't completely throw away, to the right people). Poor Europe has only started to recover from the brink and it's not looking like they'll get any consulation for it either, so we should really consider ourselves lucky. Cave Story, Final Fantasy II, Sonic & Knuckles and Kirby Super Star all will likely come to the service once it picks back up, but Nintendo will, as usual, space them apart as much as they can. Enjoy what you have now, in the meantime.
I expect Alex Kidd in Shinobi World and Shadow Dancer to be released within three weeks.
not a bad week
It looks like a great week for WiiWare. Shadowplay looks really interesting. I will probably download that. I'm curious about Chronos Twins DX but I'm going to wait for the review. Phoenix Wright is awesome but since I already have it on the DS I'm going to pass on it for now.
Interested in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and Chronos Twins DX. Looks like awesome games.
I'm only interested in Chronos Twins. If it gets a good review, I'll be picking it up.
I agree with ReZon; Phoenix Wright DOES have replay value. Matter of fact, I just recently replayed the first game on DS for the first time since my initial play-through (which wasn't too long after original American release), and I enjoyed it quite a lot! I have no plans to download the WiiWare version, though, as I'm quite happy with my DS games. That said, I'm VERY glad it's available in an easier-to-find (AND cheaper, BONUS!) release for those who haven't played it yet.
I was hoping Chronos Twins DX was going to be cheaper. Well, it doesn't really matter, I guess. $5 or $10, I can't afford it right now.
Nothing else in this release interests me in the slightest, but I don't think it was a bad release at all.
lol@boycotting something til something good is out.
I'm gonna go on a hunger strike til Outback opens.
VC- crap.
DSiWare- FAIL big time this week (Honestly, who would buy these games if they already have a deck of cards and a newspaper!?)
At least WiiWare seems ok, seeing that I've never played Ace Attorney before.
Final Fantasy II... Final Fantasy II...
Dman nostalgic americans i know you all want 4... you only want to continue to mislead everyone.
No one thinks about the REAL Final Fantasy II... ;_;
OBJECTION? OVERRULED! Phoenix Wright is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Like I said on the predictions thread, I had a feeling I was going to disappointed with this weeks DSiware....... guess I was right. But, nontheless, I'll buy one or two of these just two see if they are good.
10 dollars for the Pheonix Wright game!? I always wanted to try out the series, but why pay $10 when I can find it at Gamestop used for $3 or $5........
Ooohhh! Phoenix Wright! This looks like fun, but I don't have enough points, and I'm waiting for Tomena Sanner.
Touch Solitare - This could be fun. I need to burn through some points.
Decent week, overall.
To all who haven't tried it, I would highly recommend PW, especially for only 1000 points. And to those who already jumped on it, get the DLC when it's available. The fifth case is almosthalf as long as the rest of the game! So that's also a good value.
I'm still waiting for Cave story....
@Tsuchinoko
Sorry, but it'll BE Final Fantasy II as it should be. The ESRB rating already confirms that much. Why is this so important to people who already know the difference? Does the number on the title screen really make the game any less enjoyable?
Hmm... low radar DSiWare releases today.
I would get Jazzy Billiards but I'm more of a 8-ball guy! (I was pretty pissed when I found out that Billiards in Wii Play was 9-ball only... )
This is a meh week for me.
I might get Phoenix Wright someday since I don't own a DS.
Seems better than last week, except for the VC of course. Just glad that crappy Shanghai game is out of the way.
Wow, another week for a crappy VC release. When will Nintendo learn?
Nothing for me since Rabbids Lab week.
lame on the VC side, ill pass
My birthday is tomorrow, so Phoenix Wright is a nice, little "gift."
Well, yay. I've been looking forward to Touch Solitare. All I need is a point card, then I can get it and Shanatae and D Void Zero
@Rapadash6
"Sorry, but it'll BE Final Fantasy II as it should be."
With all my respect, (don't mean to insult you) "as it SHOULD be?" How the fourth tittle in the main series deserves more the number two than the number two itself? Because, in the several releases of IV, the single US SNES cart says "II"? I just hope your not of those that shove II,III and V into the trash just because they don't trigger the nostalgia switch.
And ironicaly, while an name doesn't matter in a game in general, in this particular case i see it as a way to put Final Fantasy II even more in the shadow and to recive one of the worst deformed versions of Final Fantasy IV in VC, it's enough to disturb my enjoyment.
But i can respect, and see why in the VC is "II" after all, it's propose it's to play the SNES version, like it was the 90s.
What i can't understand is how some people like say "the Number II" as the "absolute truth" in this Final Fantasy name.
I just hope that the VC manual explains why this version is named II...
Just played some Chronos Twins and let me tell you its pretty cool. Its a platform game that you play on 2 seperate levels which are supposed to be 2 different time periods on your home world. You are there to try and take back your homeworld from the evil monster that came and destroyed most of it before some of your people escaped in space ships.
There are 2 options of controlling your character and while a little awkward at first you get used to it pretty quick. The game gets hard real fast as different parts of the game world are different in the 2 time periods and moves you make in one time period can kill you or hurt you in the other. You must stay alive in both time periods to move on.
You get a weapon upgrade fairly early and there are checkpoints spread out through out the levels. I say its a good game and worth the 1000 points if you like hard platform games.
@ P D4NG3R
LOLWORTHY!! OH SO NOW Nintendo works for YOU!!!
Also I'm boycotting food until I'm hungry.
Normally, with a bad Virtual Console week like this, I would complain. However, after an great holiday season from November to December for the VC and the fact that we have an good WiiWare week today, I'll just pretend this week didn't exist. Complaining isn't really worth it this week.
@Rapadash6: Exactly what I would say.
I'll wait for the Phoenix Wright review first before I download it. Any objections?
Isn't Touch Solitaire the same game as 2 in 1 Solitaire in Europe which was released a long time ago? It has the same two games and it looks the same with the black cat theme!
Does Jazzy Billiards have DS Download Play or does everyone have to buy the game?
I have nothing very big left to complain about since i got Super Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.So everything else from here on out is just wait and see for me.If Yoshi's Island or Tetris Attack come out i can always get more points.
I started the Phoenix Wright series with the third game, so I'm glad I can finally play the first in the series.
Well, nice week for me and time to download my Touch Solitaire, Jazzy Billiards, Word Searcher and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney today!
@MrPinguy He's actually commenting on something i said about the numbering, and it not making sense since it's been corrected in the general sense, and FF IV The after years on the NA and PAL WiiWare blah blah.
Its just a silly argument anyway so i deleated my post. I was trying to state facts and not opinions.
Oh well, im off to play Mega Man.
All Phoenix Wright titles for 10 bucks?
I played every one but Apollo Right, that seems incredible.
@Mario Party Fan 999: You're absolutely correct about the card game -- good catch (it would be nice if Nintendo didn't insist upon different names for their own titles in every territory!), I'm so happy you guys keep us on our toes! With regard to Jazzy Billiards there's nothing in the Japanese description to indicate any kind of networking support, so I think it's just handing off one DSi between two people for a 2-player match.
@72: Nope, just four-fifths of the first game for 10 bucks. The other fifth will be another buck, and JfA and T&T will probably be another $10 each.
Also, it's Apollo Justice, not Right.
Oh goody, another lame week!
Week after week they release games I've never heard of. Then again, I'm pretty much set on my VC downloads unless my old systems break.
@Sean Aaron
Yeah Nintendo can be so confusing with naming a game something different in every territory!
As for Jazzy Billiards I'm Ok with handing the DSi to a second player but after reading the review I don't think I will buy more points for this game. (If it comes to Australia, of course! I still need to get Bowser's Inside Story before it's gone forever in Australia.)
I'm not sure if I should get that Chronos Twins DX. It looks fairly interesting, and it's a 2D platformer, so that's a plus, but every screenshot, gameplay video and review I've seen just seem to convince me to buy it. Can someone who's played it or the original tell me if it's worth it?
I might pick up Phoenix Wright at some point.
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