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Trauma Center makes it to Australia ... stat
The Wii-eager Australian customers were all happily discussing which games they would purchase when Nintendo's hot new console hit the shelves on December 7th, 2006. Plenty of gamers were looking forward to Trauma Center: Second Opinion, which was shaping up to be a quality title.After a miniscule eighteen months, TC:SO has now been rated by the OFLC for release! Yes, it apparently takes that long to bring a completed game to the shores of ridiculous retail prices. Aussies are used to delays for other big name games like Super Paper Mario and Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which still isn't out), but this one really takes the cake. It's worth noting that there still isn't an actual release date -- it's merely been rated. So, is there potential for a two year Australian delay for a US launch title? You bet!Forget the emergency room, this one is long dead.
Not-VC Friday: An unexpected Twist
In the week that WiiWare launched in Japan, the Virtual Console received nothing. No problem, we thought. This was just a case of Nintendo not wanting to distract people from its shiny new download service with a shmup from the '80s or something. As long as this neglect of the Virtual Console wasn't a regular occurrence, we could cope without an update on this one-off occasion.But now it's happened again. This week, Europe and Australia got absolutely zilch in the way of Virtual Console games, with only Actionloop Twist (Magnetica Twist in the states, or Minna de Puzzloop in Japan) on WiiWare. We're not suggesting that we dislike Actionloop Twist or anything -- our decision on that matter can wait for our review -- but this is a tad worrying. If Virtual Console updates are already being ignored just two weeks after WiiWare launched, this could easily happen again. And that kind of sucks, because we love our golden oldies. Actionloop Twist -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points Make the jump for a Japanese trailer of Actionloop Twist, and keep an eye out for our review in the coming days.
PAL Samba de Amigo missing out on pay-to-play content?
Monkeys. Sombreros. Maracas. Banjo-playing cheetahs. Everything about Samba de Amigo says: epic, joyful win. We'll tell you what isn't so worthy of celebration, though: PAL regions getting robbed of the pay-to-play content that will supposedly come with the North American version of the game. Go Nintendo user Ausgamer noticed that the PAL boxart was lacking one key detail that its U.S. counterpart had: that orange Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay-to-Play logo in the top-left corner.Obviously, we don't even know what the pay-to-play content is yet, so we'll hold off criticizing Sega for now. But let this much be said: if Europe and Australia do miss out on downloadable tracks, Sega better be ready to absorb the full impact of our internet petition.%Gallery-20601%
VC Friday: Become a Pokemon Puzzle Master!
Despite their ubiquity, the majority of Pokémon games manage to maintain a high standard, even when they abandon the more traditional Pokémans formula. Pokémon Puzzle League, for example, is one of the best examples of a Pokémon game that isn't a Pokémon game, and is comfortably worth its 1000 Wii Point price tag.A pair of Eikichi Kawasaki-designed Neo Geo titles round off the week in Europe and Australia -- Samurai Shodown is one of the Neo Geo's best fighting games, while Burning Fight is another addition to the already oversubscribed (on the VC, at least) dude-smashing genre. Pokémon Puzzle League -- Nintendo 64 -- 1000 Wii Points Samurai Shodown -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Burning Fight -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Footage of all three follows the break!
Crikey, this is a new Channel this is!
We've got the goods on the Nintendo Channel. We're experts. With all the killer stuff available online elsewhere around the world, Nintendo also falls into the "expert" category for having the good sense to launch the service in Australia and Europe. Why, it's not even very late!PAL gamers can now catch up on a bunch of videos and interviews they have been eagerly waiting for, including the highly-anticipated DS demo download service, which should prove to be a hit for those tech-savvy kids and grandmas. It's a free download, so make sure to get connected and updated for the release on May 30. Like, tomorrow. Cancel all those dates, fellas!
VC Friday: Taking a breather
After the joy/expense of WiiWare's Euro and Aussie launch, Nintendo has put its feet up and given us just the one game this Friday: the Commodore 64's Paradroid. We're totally okay with that! As our credit cards have already endured a thorough battering this week, they could do with the break. Breathe easy again, our little plastic friends.Not massively familiar with Paradroid myself, though its Wikipedia page makes it sound like the ideal preparation for the inevitable war between humans and robots. One thing I am aware of is that Paradroid is discussed in hushed, reverent tones by those in the know, so if any of my fellow Old People would like to enthuse about it in the comments, be my guest. The rest of you can take in some footage of the game past the break. Paradroid -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* * Only in Europe. Sucks to be Australia.
Dragon Quest trilogy also headed to PAL territories
Is today the DS day of awesome for Europe, or what? The latest trio of games announced for the continent are none other than the Dragon Quests. We only reported this morning that Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI were North American bound, so hearing about a European (and other PALs) confirmation so soon afterward was a pleasant surprise. Not only that, but DQIV will be releasing in PAL nations this September, too -- maybe Square Enix really meant it when they said they were aiming for simultaneous worldwide releases. (Yes, we know it came out in Japan ages ago.) Together, these three games combine to form the Zenithia Trilogy. There's no word on when to expect Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride or Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie, but that's okay. We're just glad to know they're coming. Also, check out our brand-spanking-new Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen gallery below if all this Squeenix news has you gushing. %Gallery-23400% %Gallery-12146%
WiiWare lifts off in Europe and Australia
Right on time, Nintendo has pulled the appropriate levers, flicked the necessary switches, and sent a whole world of WiiWare goodness down the pipes and into Europe and Australia. Here's what greeted this blogger on his local servers just now: Dr. Mario & Germ Buster -- 1,000 Wii Points Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King -- 1,500 Wii Points LostWinds -- 1,000 Wii Points Star Soldier R -- 800 Wii Points TV Show King -- 1,000 Wii Points Toki Tori -- 900 Wii Points Expect reviews of Dr. Mario and Toki Tori in the very near future; in the meantime, let's hear what you've downloaded so far, PAL people! %Gallery-23089% %Gallery-20255%
VC Friday: More Hanabi Festival shooting goodness
This current Hanabi Festival is proving a treat for shmup fans. Of the ten games released so far under the Hanabi banner, half have been shooters, including the two released today, Japan-only pair Star Parodier (in which you can use Bomberman or a giant PC Engine as a ship!) and Gley Lancer. They're joined this VC Friday by Digital Champ Battle Boxing. Oh, and fun fact: the name Gley Lancer was (allegedly) supposed to be "Grey Lancer," but ended up as Gley Lancer due to a pronunciation error (the Japanese language can't tell the difference between the English "r" and "l" sounds). Either that, or we've just been duped into believing a rather racist joke. Gley Lancer -- Mega Drive -- 900 Wii Points Star Parodier -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 900 Wii Points Digital Champ Battle Boxing -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 700 Wii Points As usual, footage of all games follows the break!
VC Friday: Cho Aniki and the return of the Neo Geo
We were already totally pumped about getting Cho Aniki on the European and Aussie Virtual Consoles, but our faces lit up when we saw what else was lying in store for us this morning. Metal Slug is the first Neo Geo game to appear on the download service since December 14th, but what a comeback!From a value-for-money perspective, we'd still recommend picking up Metal Slug Anthology (especially now that it's so cheap), but it's great to see SNK's classic series represented on the VC (and this version even has Classic Controller support). Puyo Puyo 2 and TurboGrafx billiards title Break In complete this week's line-up. Cho Aniki -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 900 Wii Points Metal Slug -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Break In -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 700 Wii Points Puyo Puyo 2 -- Mega Drive -- 900 Wii Points Hop in your Slug and blast your way past the break to see all four in action!
Cure exotic animals on the Wii
If you thought that Trauma Center's return to the DS would mean the end of medical games on the Wii, you were wrong.Zoo Hospital isn't just about normal doctoring, though -- as you can probably figure out from the game's title, you'll be a veterinarian (or, straight out of vet school, at least) that works on curing exotic animals from sicknesses.Surgeries won't be the only tasks you'll be performing in Zoo Hospital. You'll also do X-Ray and dentistry related tasks to soothe the forty-eight ailing animals. But even if you find the premise interesting, you might not want to get your hopes too high, as the DS version off the game (also developed by Torus) was apparently not that good.Zoo Hospital is planned to launch in European and PAL territories during Q4, 2008.%Gallery-22333%[Via press release]
VC Friday: The Hanabi Festival returns! [Update]
An immensely pleasing sight greeted our bleary eyes when we inspected the PAL Virtual Console this morning -- the revival of last September's Hanabi Festival! What does that mean? Simple: for the next few weeks, the VC will feature games that were previously unreleased in Europe or Australia, which we suppose justifies the slightly higher price tags.Best of all, we're promised that this will continue for the next few weeks. Wonder what else we'll get? Here are this week's trio: Columns III: Revenge of Columns -- Mega Drive -- 900 Wii Points Final Soldier -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 700 Wii Points Gradius II Gofer no Yabou -- TurboGrafx-16 -- 900 Wii Points As usual, make the jump for footage of all three.[Update: There's much excitement here, as further inspection of Nintendo's press release reveals that Speedos-clad TurboGrafx-16 shooter Cho Aniki will be one of the future Hanabi Festival releases!]
VC Friday: Ninja Dragon Games
A trio of games this week on the PAL Virtual Console (all of which would be dead to us if "Ninja Dragon Games" actually existed), including one we totally want, one that will probably be undeservedly overlooked in favor of the one we totally want and, um, World Games (Commodore 64), which we're entirely unfamiliar with.The former, obviously, is Double Dragon (NES), and although we plan to download Technos' landmark game with a quickness, we feel a bit bad for The Last Ninja (Commodore 64), which deserves some attention, if only for its amazing soundtrack. Check videos of all three out after the blue words, and marvel at how barrel jumping looks ... oddly compelling. Double Dragon -- NES -- 500 Wii Points World Games -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* The Last Ninja -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* * Only in Europe.
Brawl, WiiWare and Nintendo Channel dated in Europe
The latest Nintendo of Europe release schedule contains fairly awesome news for the neglected continent, as there's finally a concrete release date for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo's wildly popular fighter is hitting stores in the region on June 27th, and there's more happy tidings, with WiiWare and Nintendo Channel set to launch on May 20th and May 30th respectively.There's little else in the list that both interests us and has a specific date (de Blob and Blast Works have both had a vague "Q2 2008" slapped next to them, though it appears that Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors will be out on May 9th), but heck, why are we yammering to you about this? Check out the latest European dates for yourself past the break![Update -- Corrected date for Nintendo Channel]%Gallery-16727%
VC Friday: Phantasy Star III: Virtual Console update of Doom
Up on the chopping block this Friday is the red-headed step-child of early Phantasy Star games, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom. Considered the weak link by fans, we suppose that directly following Phantasy Star II didn't help its case. Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Don't forget to hop in the patented Wii Fanboy time machine and hurtle past the break for footage from the game.
Super Swing Golf teeing off in Europe this June
Manga-fied golf title Super Swing Golf (or, as U.S. readers may know it, Super Swing Golf: Season 2) will be appearing in terminally neglected Europe this June 27th, courtesy of Rising Star Games.As most Americans may well have already played/completed/traded in/completely forgotten about Tecmo's criminally under-rated golf game (it launched stateside back in December), it probably won't hurt to remind you that there's plenty of mascot cameo goodness, and quite a lot of a very serious sport not being taken seriously in the slightest. Which is for the best, really.[Via press release]
VC Friday: 'Stay a while ... Stay FOREVER'
"Nintendo, with this week's four Virtual Console releases you are really spoiling us!"We feel extra special this week, because kindly old Uncle Nintendo has lavished the PAL Virtual Console (or at least the European Virtual Console) with four new titles, including another two Commodore 64 additions (both of which are cracking), and the first Master System games to reach Australia. Unusually, all four are worth a look, but Impossible Mission has a special room all of its own in this blogger's heart. As usual, there's footage of all titles past the break. California Games -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* Impossible Mission -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points* Wonder Boy -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points Fantasy Zone -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points * Europe only, for now -- sorry, Aussies!
Wii Fit preorders through the roof in Britain
Having already whipped Japanese consumers into lean, mean killing spending machines, Wii Fit debuts in the west later this month, when it hits Europe on April 25th. And, unsurprisingly enough, its impact is already being felt in the region, with Jersey-based UK retailer Play.com reporting that it sold through its entire allocation of preorders for the game in just one day, a company record."Wii Fit is going to be huge. Let's hope that we can keep up with demand." panted Play.com head of games Gian Luzo as he waded through his home, waist-deep in banknotes, before subtly hinting: "We are expecting more stock before launch." You've been warned, Brits: if you want the wobbly slab from day one, get those preorders in, pronto.%Gallery-4745%
VC Friday: We can has Cookie?
Confection Craziness! Baked-goods battiness! Cookie Kooky-ness!Usually, we'll spend an entire morning grumbling and tutting when we only receive one new game for the PAL Virtual Console. Not this week, however, because the appearance of Yoshi's Cookie has given us a good enough reason to post one of our favorite NES-era commercials, complete with zombie children, desperate for braaaainssssss sugary biscuits.Hide your cookies! Hide ALL your cookies! (And then head past the break for gameplay footage). Yoshi's Cookie -- NES -- 500 Wii Points
VC Friday: Commodore 64 hits the ground running
Ladies and gents, let's make some noise for the latest addition to the PAL European (sorry, Aussies) Virtual Console, the Commodore 64. Woo! Yep, after what feels like an eternity, the fondly remembered platform has made its Virtual Console debut with two of the strongest titles from its vast library: International Karate and Uridium. Both are comfortably worth the entrance fee of 500 Wii points, and begin to look like an even more obscene bargain when you consider this week's other addition: Midway's totally mediocre Cruis'n USA. Hit the break for videos of all three. International Karate -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii points Uridium -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii points Cruis'n USA -- N64 -- 1000 Wii points
