WiiWare News
Feature Nintendo's Long-Lost Advent Calendar Game Comes Home For Christmas On Switch
Mission in Snowdriftland returns, a perfect winter tradition
The idea is a winner: You get a flat, holiday-themed box, and once a day for the 24 days leading up to Christmas, you get to open one of the little doors on the front. Here's where it unravels: Behind the door — at least in most cheap, modern Advent calendars — is a piece of...
Anniversary LostWinds First Launched 15 Years Ago Today
Let's Toku 'bout it
Today marks the 15th anniversary of LostWinds in North America, a launch title for WiiWare and (in this writer's opinion) one of the console's finest bite-sized games. The title was developed and published by Frontier Developments out West, though Square Enix took care of publishing duties for LostWinds' Japan release in...
News Lost WiiWare Title Space Invaders Get Even Could Come To Switch If There's Enough Demand
"We'd love to be able to release it"
We enjoyed Space Invaders Get Even when it launched in 2008 for WiiWare, giving it 8/10 stars. One of Space Invaders' more curious spinoffs, it offered a role reversal that saw us playing the invaders, destroying cities from a UFO. Unfortunately, there's currently no official method of playing it since the Wii...
News Nintendo Removes Seventh Generation Games From Its Official Website
Wii U information page also taken down
Nintendo's American website has today removed all traces of certain video game generations. To be precise, there are no longer game listings for Wii, WiiWare, DS and DSiWare. The Wii U information page has also been removed. It means you'll have to look elsewhere if you're wanting more information about these...
News So Long Wii Shop Channel, And Thanks For All The Games
Closing down after more than 12 years
Today sees the discontinuation of the Wii Shop Channel, an online service for the Wii which has hosted a wonderful and quirky collection of digital games since December 2006. Back in September 2017, Nintendo announced that the Wii Shop Channel would be closing in 2019. The closure would mean that players would...
News Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 Outed By Korean Rating, Nintendo Release Uncertain
Includes Mega Man 7 and the two WiiWare outings
The Korean Game Rating Board has just issued a rating for Mega Man Legacy Collection 2, which will, according to the description, include Mega Man 7, Mega Man 8, Mega Man 9 and Mega Man 10. This collection follows in the footsteps of the 2015 original, which was released on the 3DS as well as other...
Video More Footage And Details Emerge For The Cancelled Bonk: Brink Of Extinction
Cave story
Bonk is one of video gaming's most unlikely mascots. Originally named PC Kid and seen as the PC Engine's lead character in Japan, he was renamed Bonk when that console was released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16. Bonk would enjoy three mainline adventures on NEC's hardware - all of which were very well recieved - as well as...
News Developer of Retro City Rampage Explains, Again, Why a Wii U Release Won’t Be Happening
“You can already purchase and play the WiiWare version”
If you were still hoping to see the eventual release of Retro City Rampage on the Wii U eShop in the near future, it’s probably best you erase any thought of it from your mind now. In a post on the game's official website, Vblank Entertainment's Brian Provinciano has spoken out once...
News Retro City Rampage Gets Beefed Up on WiiWare With 'DX' Update
Vblank have unfinished business with WiiWare
Fans of Retro City Rampage on WiiWare will have further cause for celebration as Vblank Entertainment have revealed to us that it will be treated to a free 'DX' update next week on Thursday 13th November. For ‘DX’, every single mission's been re-tuned; vehicles, weapons, challenges, visual effects,...
News This Retro City Rampage Map Should Be Handy If You Get Lost
Well, it looks nice
Retro City Rampage remains one of the most chaotic titles available on Nintendo systems, with the DX version performing well on the 3DS eShop and Vblank Studios' Brian Provinciano recently providing a sales update on the WiiWare version. It's still short of hitting the required sales threshold on the Wii that wil
News Vblank Entertainment Provides Sales Threshold Update for Retro City Rampage on WiiWare
"It hasn't made a cent in revenue yet"
Retro City Rampage was one of the last major releases to grace the WiiWare service, an anarchic top-down action title that brings to mind the original GTA titles and has enough '80s and '90s pop culture references to cause a nostalgia overload. It's arrived most recently in a definitive, heavily updated form on...
Nintendo Download 3rd July (North America)
Guacamelee! Armillo! GBA Mario Tennis! WiiWare?! Much more!
It's Nintendo Download Update time, North America, and this week is full of new downloads to try and part you from your funds. Some are highly anticipated on both Wii U and 3DS, while others are rather out of left-field. There's a lot to choose from, so let's stop stalling and get to the...
Video Check Out This Footage Of Lost WiiWare Title Bonk: Brink Of Extinction
Bonkers
Those of you with good enough memories to recall Bonk: Brink of Extinction will be aware that the game never saw the light of day; developed by Pi Studios in the US, the download-only release was scheduled to hit PSN, XBLA and WiiWare, but publisher Hudson Soft pulled the plug in 2011 — just after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in...
News LostWinds Now Available For Wii to Wii U Transfer
FoundWinds
The Wii to Wii U system transfer may not be the most flexible or easy process, but we should be pleased that it is available, allowing those anxious for access to their WiiWare, Virtual Console and Wii save data to carry on with their shiny new system. The excellent LostWinds was an anomaly, however, as it was a game that could not be...
News Animal Crossing and Metroidvania GDC Talks Now Available For Your Viewing Pleasure
New Leaf and Castlevania devs discuss the intricacies of game development
Many of the presentations at last month's Game Developers Conference are now available to view for free on the GDC Vault website, including Animal Crossing: New Leaf producer Katsuya Eguchi and co-director Aya Kyogoku's "How to Turn a New Leaf at the Animal Crossing" and...
News BurgerTime World Tour Meats its End on WiiWare 30th April (UPDATE 2)
Will be half off while still available (except on WiiWare)
[UPDATE 2: MonkeyPaw Games has now confirmed that the WiiWare version of the game will not be receiving the discount.] [UPDATE: As of the posting of this article, the discount has not appeared on the Wii Shop Channel. However, a representative of MonkeyPaw Games has said via email that the...
Review Deer Drive Legends (WiiWare)
Legends of the Fail
There’s a new WiiWare game available in North America. Let that sink in for a moment. After nearly nine months of silence, a new title emerges from the depths of Maximum Games's back pocket and lands squarely on the WiiWare service as Deer Drive Legends, the light gun shooter that you probably haven’t been waiting for...
Nintendo Download 28th November (Europe)
Mario's 3D adventure arrives, 3D SEGA Classics and a lot more
It's Monday, which means that the European Nintendo Download will give us a pleasing start to the week. On the way, most notably, is Mario's critically acclaimed 3D début on the Wii U, while the 3D classics from SEGA finally arrive in the West for the first time; in addition we also have...
Nintendo Download 14th November (North America)
Mario & Sonic, cheaper Zelda, busty brawling and much more
The Nintendo Download news has come in later than usual today, and no wonder. It's another lengthy list to get through this week, with some major retail releases joining a host of download-only options. With further preamble, let's get to it. Wii U Virtual Console: Uncharted Waters: New...
Feature The Nintendo Life Crypt of Downloadable Horrors II: The Bloodening
So many ruined SD cards...
It's the time of year during which a lot of people skulk around yelling "Boo!" As a video games review website, however, we prefer to boo terrible games. After all, isn't it the least bit frightening that these shambling, creeping monstrosities are out there trying to steal your money? We certainly lose sleep over it! In...
News 100 WiiWare Copies of Retro City Rampage Are Up for Grabs To Celebrate Anniversary
And yes, they can be played on a Wii U
Retro City Rampage is one year old, a landmark for Vblank Entertainment's labour of love that parodies and references a boggling amount of '80s and '90s pop culture. It's a full-on, in your face experience, which may explain why it has such a loyal fanbase. The title isn't done yet, of course, with a 3DS eShop...
News Esteemed WiiWare Brawler Rage Of The Gladiator Is Coming To The 3DS eShop
Fresh ratings show the game is coming back to Nintendo
Rage of the Gladiator was one of WiiWare's big-hitting titles a few years back before hopping over to smartphones to thrill iOS and Android players. However, the circle of life looks like it could become complete once more as the game heads back in the direction of Nintendo — recent PEGI and
News Club Nintendo Rewards Updated for May
The fresh batch brings giant, talking, castle-impaling swords
It’s that time when Club Nintendo’s North American branch clears its shelf and refreshes its selection of downloadable rewards. Mario’s first foray into the RPG realm is up for the taking on the Wii Shop — which can also be redeemed via the Wii Mode on Wii U — as is a...
News Frontier Would "Very Much Like" To Make Another LostWinds Game
Developer says mobile and console markets are becoming "blurred"
Frontier currently has a couple of games in development. First up there's Elite: Dangerous, which is coming to PC and Mac after amassing over $1.5 million in a Kickstarter campaign, and then there's Coaster Crazy Deluxe, which will soon be available on Wii U via the eShop. Of course,...
News Former WiiWare Title Animales de la Muerte Rises From the Dead On Smartphones
Looking a lot different to before
Remember High Voltage Software's Animales de la Muerte? It was supposed to hit WiiWare back in 2009, but the 40MB download limit imposed on developers prevented a release. The game has been stuck in limbo ever since, with a PSN and XBLA launch proposed but never materialising. However, that's all set to change as...
News Retro City Rampage Has Only Sold a Quarter of the WiiWare Sales Threshold
A return in investment looks a long way away
Just over a month ago Retro City Rampage arrived on the Wii Shop on the Wii and, of course, Wii U, bringing a wacky, irreverent tale cloaked in endless parodies and retro-GTA infused gameplay. As a last fling for the WiiWare service, it was in our opinion worth the wait. As explained to us in our
News The Creator Of Retro City Rampage Suffered To Bring The Game To Market
Brian Provinciano is keen to work with Nintendo again, though
Vblank's Brian Provinciano has been speaking about the development of Retro City Rampage, and has revealed that getting the game finished came with a terrible price for him personally — it impacted his health. Talking to Wii's World, Provinciano explained the events surrounding the...
Review Retro City Rampage (WiiWare)
Rack up those combos, Player!
Retro City Rampage is a lot of things, but subtle isn't one of them. One of the first screens — with the title "Common Sense Warning!" — informs you that the game is packed with parodies, and it continues to bludgeon you over the head as you play. You may be a pixellated character given some freedom to romp around a...
Interview Vblank Entertainment On Bringing a Retro Rampage to WiiWare
"It’s a twenty layer dip with something for everyone"
After a lengthy wait and a lingering suspicion that it would never come, Retro City Rampage has arrived on WiiWare, bringing its own blend of old-school game mechanics with a chaotic storytelling style. There are enough parodies and in-jokes to fill a dozen games, and it arrives on the service...
News Vblank Entertainment: Retro City Rampage on WiiWare is a "$20,000 Gift to the Fans"
Shares praise for eShop improvements
Retro City Rampage is available now on the Wii Shop or, if you've long since moved onto a Wii U, on the same platform in the new system's Wii Mode. A manic, parody-heavy flashback to the original GTA and with pop-culture references from further back in time, it's an experience unlike any other WiiWare release of...
Video Vblank Entertainment Shows You How to Make a Game for the NES
ROM City Rampage is a blast from the past
Out today in North America and Europe, Retro City Rampage is, as the title suggests, a WiiWare release that aims to remind us of gaming's older days. Inspired by the original GTA, it includes a host of jokes, references and areas designed to bring to mind pop culture of the '80s and '90s. Also included with...
Nintendo Download 28th February 2013 (North America)
Running, gunning, creating coasters and more
It's Nintendo Download time again, North America, and this week all four of Nintendo's online platforms have content to choose from; you lucky gamers. Some are long-awaited and in one case probably already keeping some of you very busy, while others will no doubt also have an audience to snap them up...
News Vblank Entertainment: Nintendo is "Great To Work With"
Retro City Rampage developer says Nintendo is welcoming to small developers
Retro City Rampage will most likely be WiiWare's swansong when it finally becomes available for download on 28th February, and its developer Vblank Entertainment seems to have enjoyed working with Nintendo while making it. Speaking on Twitter Brian Provinciano, the game's...
Nintendo Download 28th February 2013 (Europe)
Splashing and crashing, new and old retro and fishing
Nintendo's well and truly on the ball this week, Europe, bringing us our download news nice and early. This week sees the Wii and DSi rejoin the party with 3DS, while Wii U drops out for a bit of a rest. The offerings include a recently unveiled game from 3DS Direct, as well as a long awaited...
Talking Point WiiWare's Vital Role in a Retro Revival
Introducing bits and pixels to a new generation
The upcoming release of Retro City Rampage on WiiWare arguably represents two important trends for the service — it could be the last notable release on the platform, and it's also yet another "retro" themed release. We'll consider the possible swansong and end of WiiWare in the near future, but for...
Video Grab a Sneak Peak of WiiWare Console-Exclusive "ROM City Rampage"
15 seconds of glorious pixels
A few days ago we were relieved to confirm that Retro City Rampage arrives on WiiWare on 28th February, a long-awaited and delayed retro homage to the original GTA titles. That description may sell it a little short, as it's packed with pop-culture references and diversions that are set to distract gamers on a regular...
News Yes, Retro City Rampage Has A Release Date
The WiiWare wait will finally be over
Retro City Rampage has been eluding us for as long as we can remember. It sees you play as the bad guy in an open-world 8-bit environment and has been out on PC and PlayStation Network for a while now. Unfortunately the WiiWare version has been delayed more than a few times, leaving some to speculate that it...
News You, Me, and the Cubes Designer Dies Ages 42
Kenji Eno passes away
Respected game designer and musician Kenji Eno passed away yesterday. Cause of death was heart failure induced by high blood pressure. He was 42 years old. Best known for founding the game studio WARP, Inc. and creating the Sega Saturn RPG adventure D, Eno was also involved in the WiiWare title You, Me, and the Cubes. He also...
Bad religion
God games are usually about protecting people, not condemning them. Babel Rising, however, tears a page or two out of the Book of Genesis and sees you, as the heavenly overseer himself, casting down any subjects that dare to defy. Hundreds of heretics are constructing a gigantic tower to reach the skies, but by smiting them and their...
Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (Europe)
Update: The Cave arrives on 23rd January
It's time for news of this week's download updates in Europe and, at long last, it's time for Wii U owners to rejoice. There's a shiny new download-only game available on the Wii U eShop, along with a discount and retail release. A welcome and puzzling sequel arrives on 3DS, while DSi and Wii also receive new...
Rumour eShop Developers No Longer Required To Have A Physical Office
Dan Adelman drops a hint on Twitter
One of the early rules put in place by Nintendo for developers on its digital platforms was the need for a physical office - a move which was no doubt intended to ensure a certain "quality" of developer. However, since the days of WiiWare the playing field has shifted - the number of professional coders migrating...
Nintendo Download 17th January 2013 (Europe)
Crashing mobs, mysterious mahjong, more zombies and basketball
It's another week of download news for Europe, this time arriving just in time to brighten up our Mondays. This week covers every platform; the 3DS receives a wacky match-three puzzle game as well as something a little more conventional, zombies infest DSiWare and the home consoles bring...
News Retro City Rampage Still On Course For Release This Month
Counting down the days
Back in December, we reported that Retro City Rampage was looking good for launch in January, following months of delays and a lack of solid info. Developer Vblank has reiterated this stance on Reddit, just in case you were getting worried that the January release might not happen. Here's what th
News The Tragic Tale of Bonk: Brink of Extinction Developer Pi Studios
You don't always get a happy ending
Remember Bonk: Brink of Extinction? It was an update of Hudson's famous TurboGrafx-16 platformer that was supposed to come out on WiiWare in 2010, but was cancelled despite being almost finished. Texas-based Pi Studios - the team behind the update - closed in 2011, but many of its staff moved on to form Oscar...
Nintendo Download 3rd January 2013 (Europe)
Ghosts 'n stuff, tanks, crystals and vampires
As 2013 slowly cranks into gear, Nintendo of Europe has released details of what Europeans can expect in this week's download update. It's another week with no additions on the Wii U eShop, but the 3DS, DSi and Wii equivalents all have some content to consider. Is any of it going to get your year started...
News Swords & Soldiers Battling Its Way To 3DS eShop Next Year
A virtual war is coming
Originally released on WiiWare back in 2009, it has been announced that Swords & Soldiers is getting the 3D treatment and making its way to the 3DS eShop. Developed by Romino Games, the strategy title is heading to the virtual store courtesy of Circle Entertainment, which has taken responsibility of helping to bring the...
Review Vampire Crystals (WiiWare)
Vampires, they don’t always suck
One fact that we all need to face is that fast-paced and frantic video games will never go out of style. Whether they’re classics being played on an arcade cabinet or new entries on a home console, intense action coupled with multiplayer mayhem can be downright addictive. Another fact that we all need to face is...
Nintendo Download 27th December 2012 (Europe)
Mario returns, chess galore and heroes of the world
Most of the world is currently in a vague fuzz of lazy relaxation, but not the download team at Nintendo. It's the usual update, this time incorporating every system with the exception of Wii U, so barring a surprise a certain pinball series isn't going to make it to the new system this year...
News Retro City Rampage Looks Set For A January Release on WiiWare
Don't worry, it'll arrive... eventually
It seems like forever and an age since Retro City Rampage was announced for the Wii Shop Channel - the title has had a delay or two since then. We reported earlier this month that an updated version of the 8-bit action-adventure game would be heading to Europe and North America 'soon', but no specific date was...
Nintendo Download 20th December 2012 (North America)
Wario, escaping vektors, Wii U discounts and 3D goodies
The download information arrived a little later than normal today, and no wonder — there's a lot of content available this week, along with some surprise sales on Wii U. Enough pre-amble, let's get into it. 3DS download software: escapeVektor (Nnooo, $9.99) — The original release on...
News Job Losses Rock LostWinds Developer Frontier
The Nightmare Before Christmas
LostWinds developer Frontier Developments has made 14 of its 233 staff redundant, Eurogamer has revealed. The Cambridge-based studio - which expanded its operations in North America earlier this year - is letting the staff go at 6pm on Friday 14th December - just 11 days before Christmas.
News Vampire Crystals Cuts A Bloody Path To December Release In NA
European launch for WiiWare title to follow in January
Shanblue Interactive has confirmed that its WiiWare action title Vampire Crystals will launch this month in North America. The date to look out for is December 20th, with a European release following on January 3rd, 2013. The top-down shooter has been in development for quite a while - we first...
News Retro City Rampage Storming Onto WiiWare Soon
Updated version coming to European shores
Popular download title Retro City Rampage has been available on PC, Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita for a while now in North America. The game has recently been tweaked and updated to give the player a better experience, and now it's coming to a multitude of platforms in Europe, including WiiWare. For...
Review Back To Nature (WiiWare)
Back to basics
It’s a well-known fact that Nintendo’s WiiWare service has its limitations. Developers must reportedly cram their games into a paltry 40MB, and the system’s lack of horsepower can no doubt play a considerable role in curbing some game design ideas. Nevertheless, many independent studios have risen to the challenge and we’ve...
News Retro City Rampage Isn't Headed Down Under
"Ratings are expensive and time consuming", says developer
VBlank Entertainment has revealed that the WiiWare version of Retro City Rampage won't be released in Australia. Posting on Twitter, the developer cited the expensive process of age rating approval as the reason for the no-show. The Xbox Live Arcade and PSN versions are also impacted by the...
Podcast NLFM Episode 23: Revenge of the Halloween Hootenanny
Best served as cold as a corpse
Grab your bluntest instruments and aim for the head because NLFM has risen from its grave for the third annual Halloween Hootenanny! More spooky, more sinister and more deathly, this episode is best listened to in a dark castle dungeon while eating raw pumpkins. Failing that, anywhere else will do. 1. Masanao...
Nintendo Download 1st November 2012 (Europe)
Monsters, samurai, spaceships and dragons
It's that time again when we cross our fingers and hope for some downloadable treats from Nintendo, hoping against hope that we aren't subjected to tricks instead. This week is a mixed bag, with promising, awful and mystery downloads available across all platforms, so let's get to it. 3DS Download: Monster...
News River City Ransom 2 On Hold Indefinitely
WiiWare release wasn't worth saving
River City Ransom 2 was announced for WiiWare and PC over a year ago, and was slated for release in 2012. Developer Miracle Kidz, however, has now confirmed via Twitter that this on hold indefinitely; this means it may never see the light of day at all. The developer has said that it will continue to focus on...
Review Reel Fishing Ocean Challenge (WiiWare)
Pain in the bass
It’s been about two years since the last Reel Fishing game was released for WiiWare, and you’d think that that was enough time to figure out how to improve on the formula. Unfortunately, that isn't at all what has happened. Instead, a series of games based on an activity as simple as fishing has somehow managed to sink deeper...
News Retro City Rampage Trailer is Full of Old-School Cool
Spot the references
Retro City Rampage arrives on PC and PS Vita today, which may draw some envious glances from Wii owners that were promised this title so long ago. The good news is that developer VBlank has already confirmed that the title is rampaging onto WiiWare later this year, so the wait is hopefully not going to be too long. On the plus...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 5 (WiiWare)
One more class, Freddy
Successfully Learning English: Year 5 represents, probably, the end of an edutainment era. Across DSiWare and WiiWare, Freddy the Vampire has appeared in over 20 titles covering a few different subjects in relentless detail for young pupils, all with the same style, structure and bland presentation. The final part of the Wii's...
Review Drop Zone: Under Fire (WiiWare)
Falling with style
One of the coolest things video games can do is let us perform daring, stylish feats we might never attempt in the real world. Drifting around corners at 100mph, snowboarding off the edge of a mountain with reckless bravado, even plucking vegetables from the ground and hurling them at a pink dinosaur — all things we can...
News Retro City Rampaging To WiiWare Later This Year
We've not been forgotten about
With WiiWare entering the final stages of its life, you might assume that developer support is going to dry up massively. However, we've recently been given one of the best games ever seen on the platform in the shape of La-Mulana. Thankfully, it would appear that it's not going to be WiiWare's final notable release,...
Nintendo Download 4th October 2012 (North America)
Cave Story, art classes, cross words and NSMB2 DLC
You might want to pull up a chair for this one, because it's something of a monster. Are you sitting comfortably? Do you have a hot drink at the ready? Then let's begin... 3DS Retail Downloads: Crosswords Plus (Nintendo, $29.99) — Crosswords Plus offers more than 1,000 professionally designed...
News Dr. Mario Online Rx Makes Club Nintendo Members Feel Better
Yours for 100 coins
As expected for North American members of Club Nintendo, there's a new title available in exchange for 100 hard earned coins. The latest update has seen Dr. Mario Online Rx on WiiWare added as an incentive until 14th October. This title has been around for well over four years now, and received some warm praise and 7/10 in our...
Nintendo Download 27th September 2012 (North America)
Denpa men, a Game Boy classic and some Real Bout Newcomers
After the confirmation of Europe's somewhat disappointing selection of Nintendo Download titles, you might be forgiven for expecting the North American update to be similarly lackluster. However, Nintendo has pulled out all the stops to deliver a varied selection of titles - the details of...
News La-Mulana Stands Atop Download Charts Worldwide
Global dominance beckons for WiiWare classic
WiiWare smash hit La-Mulana has taken top spot in the UK, German, Italian, Dutch, French, Spanish and North American WiiWare download charts. The long-awaited 2D adventure - which, as we love to remind you, almost didn't make it to the Wii - was finally released globally last week. In our glowing 10/10...
Nintendo Download 27th September 2012 (Europe)
Balloons, mad chickens and another English lesson with Freddy
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Nintendo of Europe wasn't able to issue the Euro Nintendo Download news yesterday. Better late than never, the update has arrived on our desk today, and as a result we've got a selection of downloadable treats for you to sample. 3DS eShop: Balloon Pop...
WiiWare's last big game?
La Mulana's WiiWare release has been a rocky road. It was first announced by developer Nigoro in 2009 and suffered several delays before finally hitting the service in Japan in 2011. Of course, most were expecting it to be released elsewhere soon after, but that didn't happen. It was eventually cancelled by its old publisher...
Feature WiiWare Games That Bit the Dust
And one we may still see
Today La Mulana finally arrives on WiiWare in Europe and North America, bringing an end to a particularly long development saga. Nigoro had already released the title in Japan, but problems apparently related to DLC content led to a number of delays, with original publisher Nicalis eventually pulling the plug on the...
Nintendo Download 20th September 2012 (North America)
Surfing, retro pockets and the long-awaited La-Mulana!
Roll up, roll up, it's another generous helping of digitally-downloaded goodness from our North American Nintendo Download report! Feast your eyeballs on the following treats and start counting those virtual pennies - there's purchasing to be done. 3DS eShop: Rising Board 3D (odenis studio,...
News La Mulana Beginner's Guide is Essential Viewing for Adventurers
It'll call you names
So, La Mulana is just a few days away. For Nintendo gamers that enjoy an action-platforming challenge and still have love for their Wii system, this has been a long-awaited WiiWare title that's likely to scratch an itch. Challenge is the word, though, and developer Nigoro has been kind enough to produce a lengthy beginner's...
Nintendo Download 20th September 2012 (Europe)
The year's most eagerly-awaited WiiWare title finally sees the light of day
3DS eShop: Dot Runner: Complete Edition (Intense, £4.50) — This unique puzzle title adopts a dual viewpoint - you see the action from both a top-down perspective as well as a first person view. It's certainly different, but we weren't totally enamoured when we reviewed...
News You'll Be Able To Play Your WiiWare and Virtual Console Games On Wii U
Put down those pitchforks
Today's Japanese Nintendo Direct presentation was packed full of cool new information, but one item that will prove especially interesting for hardcore Wii downloaders is the news that digital Wii purchases will be transferable to the Wii U. That means you'll be able to re-download all of your existing WiiWare and Virtual...
News New La-Mulana Trailer Compares Old With New
Find out how the WiiWare version stacks up against the original
As if we all weren't excited enough about the forthcoming release of La-Mulana on WiiWare, Nigoro and EnjoyUp Games have released yet another trailer. It's very much the same as the previous one, but this time it shows just how much better the WiiWare version looks when compared to the...
News Feast Your Eyes on This New La-Mulana Trailer
The game that very nearly didn't make it to WiiWare
Nigoro has released a new trailer for its long-awaited 2D adventure title La-Mulana. As you can see, it's quite similar to the Japanese trailer we saw a while back. Published by EnjoyUp Games - who stepped in at the last moment when the release of the game on WiiWare was looking all but lost -...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 4 (WiiWare)
A bit tougher than A, B, C
So, the Successfully Learning series continues its relentless march onto WiiWare, with Successfully Learning English: Year 4 being the third entry in this particular run. As we've come to expect it's much of the same thing, but with a notable step up in challenge for its young pupils. Freddy the Vampire is starting to get...
News La Mulana European Release Also Confirmed for 20th September
Rejoice, Europe!
Yesterday we confirmed that La Mulana is arriving as a WiiWare download in North America on 20th September, after a long saga of release delays and publishing issues. When Nicalis withdrew earlier in the year, EnjoyUp Games stepped in to help Nigoro release the title outside of Japan, and we suggested that a European version was...
News La Mulana Adventures Onto North American WiiWare on 20th September
At long last
La Mulana has had a torturous existence on the WiiWare service, arriving in Japan over a year ago but running into problems gaining approval in other regions. Earlier in the year publisher Nicalis pulled out of the project, seemingly due to issues between it and developer Nigoro when trying to resolve problems with DLC content and other...
Nintendo Download 30th August 2012 (Europe)
Kirby, Japanese spot the difference and learning English
It's Monday, but we fear that you may be a little disappointed with the Nintendo Download news we bring, European gamers. On the positive side all platforms are covered, but whether any will tempt you into a download is another question entirely. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Star Stacker...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 3 (WiiWare)
Freddy says relax
Certain things are inevitable, such as death, taxes and another Successfully Learning download. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, if you have a young child that could use some extra help with the subject at hand, and Successfully Learning English: Year 3 delivers reliably. It does exactly the same as predecessor Successfully...
News 3D Classics Excitebike Revs Up as Club Nintendo Reward
It's wheelie rather good
Pull those leather jackets out of the wardrobe, North American Club Nintendo members — you can now get 3D Classics Excitebike as a reward until 26th August. The 3DS eShop game was free to download for a time last year, but if you missed out you can now grab it for 150 of your shiniest reward coins. Ride on over to our 3D...
News Horizon Riders Gets Patched in North America
Ride again
It's not very often that WiiWare games get updated, but Sabarasa has bucked the trend to bring out a patch for its on-rails shooter Horizon Riders. The free update, available now from the North American Wii Shop Channel, adjusts the control scheme so that the avatar can be controlled with the Nunchuk's analogue stick. Previously the...
News LostWinds Developer Expands In North America
Frontier opens Canadian studio thanks to tax breaks
Frontier Developments — the team behind the WiiWare smash LostWinds and its sequel LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias — has opened its first studio outside of the UK, taking advantage of tax breaks to set up shop in Canada. The new office will be based in Nova Scotia, and will house around 20...
News Fluidity Is Your New Club Nintendo Reward
Superb puzzle title available for 150 of your shiny coins
The North American Club Nintendo rewards page has been updated yet again, with Bonsai Barber being replaced by the equally excellent Fluidity. Normally retailing for a hefty — but totally justified — 1200 Wii Points, this physics-based puzzler will be available for 150 coins until the...
Nintendo Download 9th August 2012 (Europe)
High speed action, role-playing adventure and a dose of pool
It's that time again - time to update you on this week's downloadable goodies for all of your relevant Nintendo systems. eShop: SpeedX 3D (Gamelion Studios, £2.70/€3) — 10 million iOS and Android users can't be wrong - can they? Gamelion's fast-paced tunnel racer has proven to be...
News Golf Tees Up as a US Club Nintendo Reward
Worth a swing?
3DS Virtual Console title Golf is the latest game up for grabs as a US Club Nintendo reward. It's on the green until 12th August for 150 coins. Golf replaces Starship Defense, which has now blasted off out of orbit. Is it above par and worth your virtual reward money? Read our Golf review to find out. Don't forget that WiiWare's...
Review Successfully Learning English: Year 2 (WiiWare)
Back to the classroom
If you combine DSiWare and WiiWare, Tivola’s Successfully Learning series has been one of the most prolific franchises available for download. Just when we thought it was all over, Successfully Learning English: Year 2 makes the transition from DSiWare to WiiWare, and young pupils can breathe a sigh of relief. The question is...
News Bonsai Barber is a Snip at 150 Coins on US Club Nintendo
Hairing to go
There's some vegetation in need of a trim if you pop over to the North American Club Nintendo page right now. Bonsai Barber is the latest reward in the program, listed for just 150 coins. Zoonami's bizarre WiiWare barber simulator takes Mario Tennis' spot and will be available until 5th August. Read our Bonsai Barber review if you're...
News Super Motherload Cancelled on WiiWare
Can't dig out of this hole
Yesterday our attention got drawn to a Super Motherload Kickstarter page, which mattered to us because it was announced for WiiWare two years ago. After searching the campaign from top to bottom we saw plenty of references to PC and Mac releases for the project, but none for WiiWare, so reached out to the developer for a...
Nintendo Download 26th July 2012 (Europe)
Crashing, pinball, candles and athletics
It's another Monday, so let's cheer ourselves up in Europe with news of what downloads are coming this week. This week almost every platform is catered for, so let's get to it. 3DS Download Software: Planet Crashers (Ignition, £9/€10) — Planet Crashers is the latest title developed by Renegade Kid, of...
Review Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition (WiiWare)
Hopping mad
Frogger reached its 30th anniversary last year so, as is tradition for gaming birthdays, Konami has marched out a new edition of the arcade classic. Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition sets out to bring multiplayer and new play styles to the franchise, but it's not quite all it's croaked up to be. It's split up into eight modes – six game...
Nintendo Download 19th July 2012 (Europe)
Wario, revenge, flipping and learning
The details for this week's Nintendo Download in Europe are out with 3DS, Wii and DSi all getting some love, as well as the long-awaited return of a favourite edutainment series. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land II (Game Boy Color, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — While Wario's first appearance on...
Nintendo Download 12th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer heats up
Two 3DS Virtual Console games plus new titles on WiiWare, DSiWare, Virtual Console and the eShop make another very strong week for the Nintendo Download in North America. Here's what's going live today. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Pinball Land (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — The little pink ball makes the most of his rotund...
News Nigoro: Still a Chance for La-Mulana on WiiWare
It's never too late
Japanese developer Nigoro has said there's still a possibility we'll see La-Mulana reach WiiWare in the West. The team said on its official blog: To be honest, we don’t give up WiiWare version for overseas. So, we want to let you know in advance, “There is a possibility to release WiiWare version.” It will be without the...
Review Let's Create! Pottery (WiiWare)
Different console, same game
Every now and again a game gets released that makes its players collectively ask “why? Why did this happen?” Then, inexplicably, the same exact game gets released on a completely different console after it has barely been changed at all. As you may have already guessed, this is exactly the case with Let’s Create!...
Nintendo Download 12th July 2012 (Europe)
Sparkles and frogs
This week's Nintendo Download is a metaphorical mixed bag, with 3DS add-on content and WiiWare sitting alongside weird eShop applications. Scan the list below for the full lowdown. 3DS Download Software: Sparkle Snapshots 3D (Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — Remember Sparkle Snapshots on DSiWare? How would you like a similar...
Nintendo Download 5th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer starts
Nintendo of America kicks off its 8-bit Summer campaign this week with new 3DS Virtual Console games, plus there's a new Wii Virtual Console game and some eShop games too. 3DS Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda (NES, Nintendo, $4.99, 49 blocks) — This game surely needs no introduction. See where it all started for Link and...
News Sabarasa's Protocol Changing Platforms from WiiWare
To don't-know-where
Looks like Sabarasa's ambitious first-person shooter Protocol won't make it to WiiWare after all. Sabarasa yesterday updated its site with this message: PROTOCOL TO BE RELEASED IN A NEW TO-BE-CONFIRMED PLATFORM For all those expecting Protocol for WiiWare, we announce that it will be released directly in a new to-be-confirmed...
Review Save the Furries (WiiWare)
Furful
We've seen several WiiWare titles make the jump to other, probably more profitable, platforms, but it happens the other way around too. Save the Furries is one example; it started life as an iOS title, but now the alien-saving puzzler has scurried over to the Nintendo side. The goal is to get the titular helpless creatures from A (their...
