Official WiiWare Thread
05-08-08 | 06:58 PM
#26
DVD Talk Hero
It's just a compilation of info from the usual sources (IGN, 1up, Gamespot, etc.), as I don't think there's one definitive link with all the info in one place - not yet, anyways.
05-09-08 | 09:26 PM
#27
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by slop101
It's just a compilation of info from the usual sources (IGN, 1up, Gamespot, etc.), as I don't think there's one definitive link with all the info in one place - not yet, anyways.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WiiWare_games
May 12th Titles:
Toki Tori
Defend Your Castle
Dr. Mario Online Rx*
Everyone's Pokémon Ranch*
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King*
Gyrostarr
LostWinds
Major League Eating: The Game
Protöthea
Star Soldier R*
*Already released in Japan
05-11-08 | 11:11 PM
#28
DVD Talk Hero
updated list for May 12:
...not as awe-inspiring as the initial list, but at least we know what's coming.
Here's what we have all been waiting for! Nintendo's press release so we know what the launch WiiWare games for North America are finally! As we expected there will be no Virtual Console games out this Monday!
REDMOND, Wash., May 12, 2008 – Nintendo’s Wii™ console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWare™ service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games – and the way people receive them.
Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.
WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players everywhere. Newer, smaller teams now have an outlet for their creative ideas. The constantly growing WiiWare library will have a regular flow of unique video gaming experiences consumers might not otherwise have access to.
“WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past – and the future.”
WiiWare games are easy to download. Just go to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel, find the game you want, redeem Wii Points™ and start the download. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. New games, at various Wii Point values, will be added to WiiWare on Mondays. The newly launched Nintendo Channel on Wii will let people view videos of and read information about WiiWare games and other Nintendo products. Users also can see player opinions to help them decide what to play next.
Today, the inaugural lineup of WiiWare games is just a taste of things to come:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.
LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand – from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You’ll wield your Wii Remote™ controller to power Toku’s jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds’ novel, intuitive and playful control system.
Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?
Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone – casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.
V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software®, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen – Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.
TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you’ll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.
To celebrate today’s launch of the new WiiWare™ downloadable game service for Wii™, there will be no Virtual Console™ games added today. But don’t worry – next week the Wii-kly Update will be back to its regular Monday schedule, bringing Wii owners information about the best classic Virtual Console titles and coolest new WiiWare games.
REDMOND, Wash., May 12, 2008 – Nintendo’s Wii™ console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWare™ service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games – and the way people receive them.
Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.
WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players everywhere. Newer, smaller teams now have an outlet for their creative ideas. The constantly growing WiiWare library will have a regular flow of unique video gaming experiences consumers might not otherwise have access to.
“WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past – and the future.”
WiiWare games are easy to download. Just go to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel, find the game you want, redeem Wii Points™ and start the download. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. New games, at various Wii Point values, will be added to WiiWare on Mondays. The newly launched Nintendo Channel on Wii will let people view videos of and read information about WiiWare games and other Nintendo products. Users also can see player opinions to help them decide what to play next.
Today, the inaugural lineup of WiiWare games is just a taste of things to come:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.
LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand – from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You’ll wield your Wii Remote™ controller to power Toku’s jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds’ novel, intuitive and playful control system.
Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?
Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone – casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.
V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software®, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen – Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.
TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you’ll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.
To celebrate today’s launch of the new WiiWare™ downloadable game service for Wii™, there will be no Virtual Console™ games added today. But don’t worry – next week the Wii-kly Update will be back to its regular Monday schedule, bringing Wii owners information about the best classic Virtual Console titles and coolest new WiiWare games.
05-12-08 | 07:48 AM
#31
DVD Talk Special Edition
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Oh, well. Back to bed. Nothing on WiiWare that I was looking forward to. I was hoping that somehow the two titles I wanted were left off that list, accidentally. Alas, that is not the case.
Nintendo is not getting any of my money, today!
Nintendo is not getting any of my money, today!
05-12-08 | 07:55 AM
#32
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Kind of a weak launch list, but Final Fantasy could be a good one to get today for me.
05-12-08 | 08:51 AM
#33
Moderator
Well, apparently they aren't offering demos for any of the games. I'll probably download a game this week (to show support for the concept), but from now on it's likely that XBLA will get more of my money simply because I can actually sit down and try those games before playing them. 3rd party development houses, be advised!
05-12-08 | 10:23 AM
#34
DVD Talk Hero
Lost Winds is supposed to be the stand-out title from this first batch.
And Pop is supposed to be the biggest waste of time/money from this first batch.
Reviews should start filtering in soon enough.
I'm surprised that with all these shooters announced for WiiWare, we don't get a single on at launch.
And Pop is supposed to be the biggest waste of time/money from this first batch.
Reviews should start filtering in soon enough.
I'm surprised that with all these shooters announced for WiiWare, we don't get a single on at launch.
05-12-08 | 11:36 AM
#36
DVD Talk Limited Edition
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From: Jersey represent!
I played the first 15 minutes of Lost Winds this morning (up to the first save point), and while it's a bit early for a full recommendation, I feel comfortable saying that it's probably worth the $10 for anyone who likes 2D platformers. It's got a very appealing art style and cute character design, a good soundtrack, and simple but fun mechanics. I know it's not a full retail game, but hopefully it's not too short. That's really my only concern at this point.
I'm on the fence for Defend Your Castle and My Life as a King. I may pick up one or both at some point depending on reviews.
I'm on the fence for Defend Your Castle and My Life as a King. I may pick up one or both at some point depending on reviews.
05-12-08 | 02:14 PM
#38
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From: Jersey represent!
Originally Posted by slop101
I've read that Lost Winds is about 2-3 hours long, which isn't too bad for $10, as long as it's somewhat replayable.
Oh, and if anyone gets Defend Your Castle or My Life as a King, your impressions would be greatly appreciated.
05-12-08 | 02:32 PM
#39
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by Groucho
Well, apparently they aren't offering demos for any of the games. I'll probably download a game this week (to show support for the concept), but from now on it's likely that XBLA will get more of my money simply because I can actually sit down and try those games before playing them. 3rd party development houses, be advised!
I agree, some of these sound really fun but I'd really want to try them first. Unless a friend buys these and I get to check them out in person, i'd probably pass.
05-12-08 | 05:06 PM
#42
DVD Talk Legend
05-12-08 | 05:46 PM
#43
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
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From: WPB FL
Here is Kotaku look at Lost Winds, good for a few laughs.
http://kotaku.com/389526/talking-over-lostwinds-wiiware
http://kotaku.com/389526/talking-over-lostwinds-wiiware
05-12-08 | 06:08 PM
#44
DVD Talk Legend
I'm hearing good stuff from the people I know that picked up Lost Winds and it is probably one I get when I have time for it. 2-3 hours is fine with me as long as it is a fun 2-3 hours I may replay in the future. I only paid $10 and $15 for my 2 recent Wii points cards so I'm not really paying $10 for it anyway.
05-12-08 | 06:38 PM
#45
DVD Talk Special Edition
I got defend your castle. Fairly enjoyable time waster. Take a few rounds to really get going, and needed to take a rest because my wrist started hurting from flicking the invaders away. Should be fun multi-player. online would have been a great addition, but for 5 bucks that may too much to ask.
05-12-08 | 10:42 PM
#47
DVD Talk Hero
Alright, I'm really enjoying LostWinds. Everything form it's "Metroid-Vania" layout and progression to it's relaxed but enjoyable gameplay, and especially the mood it creates - I really dig the music too. It's just a wonderful game, and even though I'm not even halfway through it, I'm already looking forward to it's sequel.
05-12-08 | 11:30 PM
#48
DVD Talk Special Edition
Originally Posted by slop101
Really? I might try it out just because $5 to me is practically spare change - you can't even buy lunch for that, or much more than a gallon of gas...
05-13-08 | 08:46 AM
#49
Moderator
I decided to buy My Life as a King. It's a very solid "pick up and play" strategy game. It contains elements from Viva Pinata and the PC classic Majesty. I played through about 20 turns, and really enjoyed myself. The game is well paced and does a good job of ramping up the different concepts.
This would translate very well as a DS game.
This would translate very well as a DS game.
05-13-08 | 11:04 AM
#50
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From: Jersey represent!
I picked up Defend Your Castle last night. The visual design is great - everything has a sort of "arts and crafts" vibe to it. The enemies are stick figures with buttons for heads, they use popsicle sticks as battering rams, and your cursor is that plastic tab they use to hold bags of bread closed. 
They don't do a very good job of explaining the core gameplay (dropping or tossing enemies to kill them), but it's pretty easy to figure out. There's a bit of strategy involved in converting enemies to your side and determining which upgrades to purchase for your castle. It's not a really deep game, but I think you definitely get your five bucks worth, and I can see firing it up pretty often for quick 15-30 minute sessions.
I am tempted by My Life as a King. The price is a bit high, but it seems to have the potential to be the deepest of the WiiWare launch games, so I'll probably pick it up if I can clear enough space off of the Wii's memory.
They don't do a very good job of explaining the core gameplay (dropping or tossing enemies to kill them), but it's pretty easy to figure out. There's a bit of strategy involved in converting enemies to your side and determining which upgrades to purchase for your castle. It's not a really deep game, but I think you definitely get your five bucks worth, and I can see firing it up pretty often for quick 15-30 minute sessions.
I am tempted by My Life as a King. The price is a bit high, but it seems to have the potential to be the deepest of the WiiWare launch games, so I'll probably pick it up if I can clear enough space off of the Wii's memory.