Topic: This Week in Nintendo Downloads

[NWR_pap64]

Sonic returns to consoles in 2D form, and Ivy the Kiwi is still looking for her mother on DSiWare.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/24256

Today, Nintendo's downloadable game service sees five new titles, with one stand out title worth noting. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 marks the return of classic 2D Sonic on consoles after years of 3D titles. Sonic 4, which picks up after the end of Sonic and Knuckles, aims to replicate the gameplay of the classic Genesis titles. Sonic 4 is the first episode in a downloadable game series (Sega has yet to disclose how many episodes there will be), and can be downloaded for 1,500 Wii Points ($15).

The second and final WiiWare title for the week is Triple Jumping Sports from The Code Monkeys Ltd. Bargain priced at 500 Wii Points ($5), Triple Jumping Sports is a competitive jumping title featuring events such as long jump, high jump, and pole vault. Up to two players can participate in these events.

The first DSiWare title is Ivy the Kiwi? Mini, from XSEED Games. A reduced version of the handheld and console iterations, players must guide Kiwi across the stage by drawing vines that serve as roads for her to run across. The title can be purchased for 500 DSi Points ($5).

From Enjoy Gaming Ltd. is Datamine, a title that has players trying to collect data in a futuristic action adventure setting featuring over 100 levels of gameplay. Datamine is available now for 500 DSi Points ($5).

The final game for the week is G.G. Series Super Hero Ogre from Genterprise, Inc. Super Hero Ogre is an action title in which players defeat a number of enemies before moving on to the boss. G.G. Series Super Hero Ogre can be purchased for 200 DSi Points ($2).

[Mop it up]

Combine Triple Jumping Sports with Triple Throwing Sports and Triple Shooting Sports, and you're halfway to making a game!

[MegaByte]

Or 9/10ths of the way to a new edition of Deca Sports.

[KDR_11k]

Datamine is apparently similar to the Buster Bros games.

[NWR_pap64]

For those curious about Sonic 4, here are my impressions before my review.

First of all, if you are judging Sonic 4 based on the quality of Unleashed and Black Knight, don't. That reservation should be made towards Sonic Colors, THE next 3D game in the series. Sonic 4 has no gimmicks, no extended story sequences, no characters with additional gimmicks, nothing. Just Sonic, his speed and platforming. The real comparison should be made between this and the GBA/DS games, and they were all awesome, so Sonic 4 lives up to them in great ways.

From what I noticed, Sonic has been slowed down a bit in comparison to the 3D games and the DS/GBA games. But that isn't a problem since you have more control over Sonic, and with the game having a stronger emphasis on platforming it is important that Sonic can stop and jump when needed. It's still pretty fast but not so fast that you lose control and you die (something that happened with Sonic 06).

So yeah, Sonic 4 rocks, a great game.