While Chester sits in his hot tub of money and Wii points, he’s left the task of this week’s Virtual Console updates to me. And what a week it is to be covering this set of releases. Nintendo’s been really excited about what’s in store.
First up isPokemon Snap(N64, 1 player, 1,000 points), the game that taught us all to try and find two Charizards going at it for those extra erotica points. Not only is Nintendo giving us this adventure in photography school, but they’ve gone in and updated the game so that you can share your photos with friends using your friend codes. Now Nintendo, you’ve just proved that it’s not impossible to fix ghost saves inMario Kart 64…
As Nintendo reminds us, they do in fact release more than one game this week. But neither of them are as cool and awesome asPokemon Snap. LikeGhosts’n Goblins(NES, 1 player, 500 points). That game is just cruel to play. So naturally, it’s the perfect game to gift to your little nephew using the VC’s gift feature, which is going to go live later on today. I’m sure they’ll love you forever.
Finally, we’ve gotBaseball Stars 2(NeoGeo, 1-2 players, 900 points), a baseball game that distinguishes itself with “an arcade feel and intense action.” Sounds absolutely riveting. The game takes baseball like it’s serious business, so for you all on the Internet, this sounds like a perfect game.
All of these go live at 9a.m. PST, and the gifting function goes live later today.
Wii-kly Update: Photo Feature, Gifting Abilities and Three Classic Games Addedto Wii Shop Channel
Get ready to celebrate the arrival of a bunch of fun new features on the Wii™Shop Channel. This week marks the debut of the first Pokémon(R) game for theVirtual Console: Pokémon Snap™, which originally was a hit on Nintendo(R) 64.This Pokémon photographic adventure comes with a special Wii bonus: It nowincludes a special feature that allows players to post pictures they take inthe game to their Wii Message Board and send them to friends with whom they’vetraded Friends Codes.
And let’s not ignore the other sure-to-please titles: Ghosts’n Goblins andBASEBALL STARS 2. These three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacifictime. But wait – there’s more!
Later in the day on Monday, Nintendo will make your holiday shopping just alittle bit easier. If some people on your gift list have visions of classicvideo games dancing in their heads, you’re in luck. Starting this week, WiiShop Channel patrons can use a new Gifting feature to send games to other Wiiowners with whom they’ve traded Friend Codes. It’s an easy and inexpensive wayto give your fellow Nintendo buffs the gift of a classic game—no wrappingpaper required. And don’t worry about duplication. If your friend already hasthe game you’re trying to give, you’ll get a simple message and be bumped backinto the catalog to continue shopping.
Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners witha high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games.Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. Thisweek’s new games are:
Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points):As one of the most unique games in a renowned series, Pokémon Snap was thefirst truly 3-D Pokémon game and introduced the phenomenon to the Nintendo 64.Travel to Pokémon Island and meet Professor Oak to begin a safari, taking thebest possible photographs of 63 different Pokémon as they exist in the wild,undisturbed by humans. This is not as easy as it sounds—the island has manytypes of climates and environments to explore, along with secret activitiesand hidden passages to discover. Plus, some of the Pokémon can be a little shyand won’t pose for the camera unless you tease them with special items. Afteryou’re done, submit one picture of each Pokémon to Professor Oak, and he’lljudge it based on size, pose, technique and number of Pokémon captured.
Ghosts’n Goblins (NES(R), 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild AnimatedViolence, 500 Wii Points): Ghosts’n Goblins was a popular arcade game beforeit made the leap to the NES in 1986. Like later games in the series, Ghosts’nGoblins presents quite a challenge to players brave enough to take on the roleof Arthur and delve into the realm of demons and monsters to rescue thekidnapped princess. Choose your weapons wisely and take advantage of theirstrengths to deal with the situation at hand. Pass through the six gates thatstand between you and Astaroth, and teach him a lesson in chivalry he’ll neverforget. Demonstrating a high level of technical prowess for a game of its era,Ghosts’n Goblins presents a unique and unforgettable universe. The stage foradventure is set. Are you up to the test?
BASEBALL STARS 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points):Lace up your cleats and step onto the diamond with the pros of BASEBALL STARS2. You’ll find everything you’d expect in a classic game of baseball, but withan arcade feel and intense action that distinguish it from the pack. Pick oneof six unique teams from cities around the world, then get ready for nineinnings of excitement, whether you’re taking on the computer in a 15-gametournament or squaring off against a friend. There are two modes of game play,so even the most inexperienced player can compete at the major-league level(with a little computer-aided fielding). Watch as the game develops throughsplit-screen views and close-up shots worthy of any highlight film, and see ifyou can catch the numerous over-the-top animations of the large and detailedplayer models. Think you have what it takes to win the pennant?
