Strong Bad arrives on WiiWare this week, and the Virtual Console library grows by two TurboGrafx16 games (one originally for the TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM), the first a billiards simulation and the other an outright parody of Hudson's classic shooter franchise.

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner is the first installment of what will be a five-episode monthly point-and-click adventure game series based on the popular internet flash animations. The series starts out with Strong Bad's friend Homestar Runner as an unwanted house guest, and it's up to Strong Bad to solve puzzles, read comics, play arcade games, and prank his friends until the day is saved. Using his computer, Strong bBad can even send messages and pictures to your Wii Friends! Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner is available now on WiiWare for 1000 Wii Points.

Another one of this week's offerings is Break In, a billiards simulation title originally from the TurboGrafx16 library. The game offers six different ways of playing pool, from nine-ball to Carom. It offers both a simulation and action mode for varying degrees of support in calculating the perfect shot. And it even offers a technique mode so that new players can practice their angles, or experts can go for some trick shots. With support for up to four players, Break In is available on the Virtual Console for 700 Wii Points.

Finally, if you're ready to see a company poke fun at its own games and franchises, Star Parodier is a satirical launch point. The game is an intentional spoof of Hudson's own classic shooter series Star Soldier, and it even offers players the chance to fly as a ship based on Hudson mascot Bomberman, or even a fighter based on Hudson's own 16-bit era console, the PC-Engine (the TurboGrafx16). The game features eight stages of self-referential flavor and parody, and also the traditional score-oriented two-minute and five-minute game modes. Originally available on the TurboGrafX CD-ROM, Star Parodier is on the Virtual Console for 900 Wii Points.

WII-KLY UPDATE: ONE WIIWARE GAME AND TWO VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Aug. 11, 2008

If your idea of a superhero is someone with an invincible ego who can type e-mails while wearing boxing gloves, then the Wii™ Shop Channel has great news for you. The legendary Strong Bad (from the popular Homestar Runner Web series) makes his eagerly anticipated WiiWare™ debut this week. For even more laughs and clever gaming kicks, you'll also find a satirical space-age shooter on the Virtual Console™, along with a classic billiards game for those who prefer to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a 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. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated T for Teen-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Charming. Suave. Awesome. These are the words Strong Bad would use to describe himself. In a world gone mad, only one man can be trusted to save the day. A man with an attitude. A man called Strong Bad. As the star of the Homestar Runner Web cartoons, Strong Bad has been answering e-mails (in boxing gloves), pranking his friends, pummeling his enemies, and making people with questionable taste snort milk out of their noses for years now. And he's branched out to star in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, a monthly five-episode series. In Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner, Strong Bad's plans to beat the snot out of Homestar backfire, and he ends up with an unwanted houseguest cramping his style. Now he needs to get life back to normal by any means possible. But wait, there's more: Teen Girl Squad comics, achievements, funny costumes and arcade games. You can even send pictures and messages to Wii Friends using Strong Bad's computer. So how about it? Can you handle Strong Bad's style?

Virtual Console

Break In (TurboGrafx16, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Tobacco Reference, 700 Wii Points): Gather up to four players for an authentic game of pool right in your own home. Choose from six billiards games including 9-Ball, Rotation and Carom (a game played without pockets). Use Simulation mode to calculate the perfect shot, or select Action mode and check out what went wrong with your missed shots. With all that to choose from, Break In gives players-from beginners to experts-all the elements necessary to enjoy a great game of pool. But it doesn't stop there. Select Technique to practice your angles or even go for a trick shot. Get some help from the CPU and hone your skills. With Break In, you'll be a pro in no time.

Star Parodier (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points): Star Parodier is the hilarious spoof of the classic Hudson shooter Star Soldier. In this parody, there are three playable ships for players to choose from: the ingratiating PAROCEASER, the hot-headed BOMBERMAN, and the ever-so-introverted PC-ENGINE. Players control one of these unique and original ships and set off to blast their way through eight stages on the planet PAROSON. The comical characters take the color and flavor of the Soldier series to the next level and are guaranteed to leave players mesmerized. In addition to the normal game mode, there are also the familiar two-minute and five-minute attack modes, making Star Parodier the complete package that is sure to have players coming back for more.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.