Another week, another round of "Where's My Most Anticipated Game?" with the Nintendo Download. There's no Shantae and no Virtual Console release, but don't be glum: there's still Quark Dispellers, Astro Maggots, Divergent Shifts and all manner of other bizarre word couplings to be downloaded from today.
WiiWare
Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots (500pts, Onteca) – Planet Monsteca is populated by Stompies, orange monsters who previously lived blissful lives, free from pain and oppression. Then along came robots, and the whole balance was upset to such an extent that only by guiding an army of monsters on a rampage can harmony be restored. Stay tuned for the definitive review coming later this week.
Space Trek (700pts, Calaris) – Hold onto your hats: Space Trek is a port of an iPhone game, handled by Calaris of WarMen Tactics fame. With six levels, the promise of humorous dialogue and weapons with names like Quark Dispeller and Mega Rockets, check back later this week to find out if Space Trek can avoid falling into the same generic dumpster as WarMen Tactics before it.
DSiWare
Divergent Shift (800pts, Intrinsic Games) – We previously knew this one as Reflection, a puzzle game that requires you to use both DS screens simultaneously to guide your character to safety. It seems to bear some similarities to Chronos Twins and Mighty Flip Champs, which is no bad company to be in, so stay tuned for our full review coming soon.
3D Mahjong (500pts, Cosmigo) – Matching tiles in 3D is now a reality thanks to Cosmigo. 3D Mahjong includes 50 layouts and millions of different shuffles for each, plus a selection of tilesets and backgrounds to mix things up a little. Check back later this week to see if this one is worth your while.
myNotebook: Carbon (500pts, Nnooo) – With 128 pages, a battery indicator and the ability to export your pages to an SD card, this looks like being a much improved version of myNotebook. If this is worth the virtual paper it's printed on, you'll find out in our review.
Just Sing! National Anthems (200pts, Engine Software) – With all the pageantry and patriotism of the World Cup well and truly over, let's have one last tuneless stab at singing one of five anthems: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan and the United States. Released in Europe two months ago, have a read of our Just Sing! National Anthems review. If you do pick it up this week, good luck singing the Japanese national anthem.
Do we have a press release for you? Yes, we do.
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: SOAR, SOLVE, SCRIBBLE AND SING WITH NEW DOWNLOADS FOR WII AND NINTENDO DSI
Aug. 16, 2010
Believe it or not, September is just around the corner. How do you want to spend the waning days of summer? You could plunge yourself into an intergalactic battle with Space Trek or A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots for the WiiWare™ service. You've also got some interesting hand-held options to consider via the Nintendo DSiWare™ service: rule two screens at once in Divergent Shift, enjoy classic tile-matching in 3D Mahjong, take note of the world around you with myNotebook: Carbon™ or try karaoke with a soccer-loving twist in Just SING! National Anthems. Choose any or all of the above and savor the downloadable fun before another summer slips away.
WiiWare
Space Trek
Publisher: CALARIS
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 700 Wii Points™
Description: As Captain Jay, you take control of a space jet deployed on an alien world. The planet you're on is inhabited by the Knagar, a race of big, green, self-important bullies. You must fight your way through, outsmart them and save the survivors. Fortunately, Jay can always throw a nice punch line when things get ugly. Fight floating drones, destroy Knagar ships, attack turrets and deal with gigantic worms before they swallow your ship or electrocute you. Access your handy map to avoid getting lost on one of six big levels. Pick up keycards, deactivate force fields, save survivors and collect power-ups. Rearm your ship to use one of six weapons, including the Quark Dispeller, Anti-Matter Thrower and Mega Rockets. Recharge your ship's battery by flying over heat-bursting volcanoes. Then use the surplus to power your weapons or energy shield. Enjoy humorous dialogue that accompanies players throughout the game.
A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots
Publisher: Onteca
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The planet Monsteca is no longer the harmonious world it once was. It's been overrun by a robotic army that's determined to rule and conquer. Monsteca natives known as the Stompies have no choice but to run. Unable to defend themselves against such heavy machinery, the Stompies must rely on the strength of their herd to work together and defeat the meddling robots. Take control of the Stompies, cute and not-so-bright monsters who need help to avoid being captured by invading robots. It's your duty to guide them successfully through each level. This fun, full-3D strategy game has a strong sense of flow, offering 20 levels to conquer and many hours of game play.Nintendo DSiWare
Divergent Shift
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Violent References
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Divergent Shift is a puzzle platformer. You'll run, jump and flip over obstacles, but you also may have to put on your thinking cap to figure out how to complete some of the levels. There are two primary mechanics in the game: the Reflection Mechanic and Shadow Mechanic. In both, you control two characters - one on each screen - at the same time. If you jump, both characters will jump; if you run, both characters will run. The only way to beat the game is to use the two screens together.
3D Mahjong
Publisher: cosmigo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Relax your mind with the ancient game of tiles. 3D Mahjong features 50 layouts of the traditional tile-matching game in 3D, each with millions of different shuffles to play. The game's style and interface has been designed for easy and intuitive operation with the stylus or control pad. The graphics can be customized with six fabulous tile sets and backgrounds. Sit back, relax and enjoy the endless challenge with this Mahjong game collection. Additional brain-sharpening challenges come in the form of extra mini-games: "Memory" and "Matching."myNotebook: Carbon
Publisher: Nnooo
Players: 1
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: myNotebook allows you to take notes wherever you are. Just pop open your Nintendo DSi™ system and jot down your thoughts. Make a list and cross it off, or even play your favorite pen-and-paper games (games not included). You can even personalize your notebook by drawing on the cover and changing the paper type with 24 unlockable squared and lined paper styles. Use the pen or pencil to make notes or doodles, and then erase the bits you don't like. With five ink colors, you'll always be able to make your notes and doodles look stylish. myNotebook also includes 128 pages to write on and the ability to export your pages to your Nintendo DSi Photo Album.
Just SING! National Anthems
Publisher: Engine Software
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: It is the greatest sporting event of 2010: the World Cup! All eyes are on South Africa, and all ears are on you in the karaoke game of the year. Enter the hallowed turf and display your talent by singing a selection of national anthems. There are five national anthems to choose from: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan and the United States. It's karaoke fun at its best. All text is displayed, and the game features optimum voice recognition. Just sing into the built-in microphone of your Nintendo DSi system. Don your jersey and step out onto the pitch - to sing!
Comments 70
Lame.
Another week, another reason to save money. :3
Divergent shift looks good, I hope it comes to eu soon. As space trek is made by calaris it'll probably be crap but that means the review could be fun to read.
Eager to pick up Divergent Shift and see how it turned out after all this time. 3D Mahjong looks good too. I'll be watching for impressions on that one.
INB4 most (if not all) of these games get a bad review.
ooo, i remember being interested in Reflection before. at 800 points, though, i think i'll wait for a review first. :3
Rytmik next week. Super excited.
The lack of VC each week pisses me off. I understand they want the focus to be on WiiWare but there should be one VC game a week, period.
VC IS DEAD!*
*haw, I beat everyone to it!
Even more meh.
For now i'm going to believe in Mr. Ireland and wait patiently for Ufouria, but i'll likely spend the points I was saving if it isn't here by August 30.
Ew
I remember I used to highly anticipate Mondays for the releases. Now I don't care anymore. I just keep forgetting that they even happen. Lamence...
Beyond. Get back to the VC releases you bums!
Nothing for me.
Divergent Shift is the only thing that seems to be good this week. Other than that, it's just a bunch of lamesauce. I don't need a Star Trek rip-off or a National Anthem sing-along!
Time to go back to bed because this week looks especially lame.
Wake me up when September ends.
maybe there will finally be something good by then
Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots looks like it can be fun
Well, at least DSiWare has Rytmik and G.G. Series: Ninja Karakuri Den to look forward to next week.
Stop whining so much, theres been worse updates. At least you got divergent shift.
It'd be really nice to get a Mahjong game that is actually about Mahjong, instead of this match-up rubbish.
Cant wait till next week. Rytmik
I might get this Mahjong title. Forget the fact that it's not "proper" Mahjong...it's the kind I like. Otherwise...eh.
Gee, maybe in another 4 or 5 weeks we'll see the VC updated.
Shantae, we need you! I need you! Come out soon!
And Nintendo... Get cracking on Virtual Console! I will have plenty of ideas in my upcoming series, 50 games that have no business not being on virtual console.
Been waiting on MyNotebook: Carbon, I can never have enough notes in my life. I never played Mightly Flip Champs but I've heard good things, and I played Chronos Twins for DSi and almost beat it until the game glitched, crashed, and erased my progress on the last stage, so hopefully Divergent Shift won't disappoint as it seems to be a marriage of the two. I'll wait on a review for that one.
Shantae.... yet again you have forsaken me!
That's week number 5, with no virtual console update....
@Odnetnin: I love that song!
I almost forgot there was an update today. After seeing the garbage we got today, I think it was better left forgotten.
Another meh week.
how is everyone condemning all this as garbage? was no one else interested in Reflection/Divergent Shift?
There are plenty of great VC games that have yet to be released. Get on it!!!
FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
@theblackdragon: Okay, I admit that Divergent Shift(Reflection) does look pretty interesting but it is also 800 points. I'm just not sure if it will be worth that price. I'd rather save my points for Shantae.
EDIT: Wait a minute?! Am I seeing things or did theblackdragon's name just change to Falco a little while ago?
I hope wii points dont expire, i have had 800 points for 8 months. Wish I could transfer them to the playstation store.
lol wolfram, i was just messing around in chat. :3
Divergent Shift is pretty damn cool. Definitely more than "Chronos Twins sans the gunplay", which is kind of all I expected. Only bad thing is I'm about 80% through the campaign after only an hour of play time. There are some unlockable challenges that I suspect will add to the play time though, so it's still a bit soon to call it "short".
Why do I even bother checking out the new games on the Wii? More PC port poop to me. >
Where did the VC go to??? It's starting to piss me off...
CANT WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK!!! too bad school starts ext week too D:
I was actually almost expecting Ufouria today. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Okay, so this Divergent Shift thingy COULD be good, but I have a general mistrust of 800 point DSiWare games. They're just too darned inconvienient to buy with the Nintendo points system, so I usually only do if it's something I KNOW I want (which is rare). Not touching it before the review, at the very least.
I hope Divergent Shift turns out to be a pretty good game, but it doesnt use up enough blocks for me to take a chance on for its price. i'll just wait and see what you guys think about this one.
Space Trek will be my first review for Nintendo Life. I've already played it a little--suffice it to say, the review will be more fun to read than the game is to play.
The lack of VC wouldn't be so bad if at least one of the Wiiware games was good. Doesn't look like that's the case though. Last weeks Wiiware was crap too.
I was expecting Uforia today too, oh well
Divergent Shift is out for you lucky americans >.<
Divergent Shift: "I need a review."
at this point the only reason i check out this page anymore is to see jumpmad's new giovanni avatar
I haven't been this disappointed since... um... Ghosbusters II?
All I can say is that the only thing thing good-looking here is Divergent Shift/Reflection.
Somehow I'm glad I took time off from making DSi Shop update videos for my YouTube channel due to some of these lackluster releases.
Also, thank God Rytmik is coming next week. I may not have points for it (yet) but it's on my list.
@TBD... yeah Im interested in Divergent Shift, but not in the price tag or the fact that so little is known on the game wich makes it sound like maybe its not worth the asking price!
Souls of Darkness showed us what can be done on DSiWare and with a pricetag of only $5. Divergent Shift better be way better than Souls to get my purchase, cause I will fire Souls back up anyday for another playthru as the game is amazing.
@slappy: yeah, but a lot of people are dogging the hell out of things this week, and who knows -- it could turn out to be the best game ever. we don't know for sure yet if it's crap or not.
The last game I got from one of these updates was Pearl Harbor, it then took me three hours to decide on what to spend the rest of my points on. Sure I could've saved them, but it's not like they still wouldn't be there making it money wasted.
I can't wait to see IGN review Space Trek. Since it's an i(whatever) game that means that the original would be an 8+ in their book but the Wii version will be a 4. (Am I the only person who notices the disparity between i-apps scores and every other systems games on IGN?)
I don't care about Shantae, but where are my Worms?
Space Trek sounds like a kind of game I'm interested in, but as it's another iPhone port by the guys who ported WarMen Tactics, I don't have much confidence in the quality of the game.
I beat Divergent Shift, but I still have a bunch of hidden journal pages to find, 5 bonus stages to unlock and a bunch of gold medals to earn in Time Trial mode. The main story mode was brief, but in a way that leaves you wanting more, not with a bad taste in your mouth. If the end is any indication, we just may get more.
No VC again I see. Boo. Nothing for me.
already, ErrorSupply? that was fast D:
@Bulbasaurus Rex - Worms should be coming next month
The Japanese get Clock Tower and we get this?
You know what?
Forget about it.
I've lost my faith in Nintendo.
@Banana_Jane
The disappointed me, too. I was looking forward to Ufouria and Clock Tower, yet they send us more WiiWare. Yet, you've got to understand that they make their business operations as meant to make money, not to please followers. I understand your frustration, but I guess VC hasn't been selling enough, so they're running it slow. It's sad, but true
Nothing to see here, just the usual train wreck. Moving on.
@JamesNewton: thank for making my day with your optimism! Now, If only I had some real proof...
Its a ok week I guess
Sorry for what I said earlier, I can see why you're complaining, seeing as some of your previous weeks have been crap.
Watched the video for "Space Trek" on the Nintendo Channel a couple of times with my kids and it looks kinda awful. It's super slow, the aiming receptacle is difficult to see and beaming up people seems really difficult to control. I figure if you can't make a 2 minute video that looks good there isn't much hope for the game itself.
Surprisingly no video for Monsteca Corral but what we saw online looks good, both my kids immediately said it looked like Spore - which they both love - and it certainly played like Pikmin. My biggest concern is how can a 500 point game be good when most of the better games have been 1000? Waiting for the review on this one.
Waiting for a divergent shift review atm. :/
Nintendo buried VC.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!
@63
VC would sell a whole lot more if it had better games and better prices.
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