This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare brings another solid week of releases with one new title for WiiWare and two for the Virtual Console.

The sole WiiWare release of the week is the recently announced Groovin' Blocks. Bringing an interesting mix of rhythm, action, and puzzles, Groovin' Blocks puts players up to the test of 27 stages and three skill levels ranging from Easy to Hard. Players will work to solve the featured puzzles to the beat of the music while trying to hit "Superbeats" in order to double their multiplier. Successful completion of the 27 stages will award players stars that unlock fifteen levels of power-ups. Players will be able to tackle the puzzles co-op if the challenge is too high, or head-to-head for extended play. Groovin' Blocks is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 800 Wii Points ($8).

Final Soldier for the Virtual Console is yet another TurboGrafx-16 shooter, but one that is a part of the larger "Soldier" series including the unique WiiWare release Star Soldier R. Similar to Star Soldier R, players will control a star ship in a score-attack type mode where they must achieve the highest score in either a 2-minute or 5-minute session. The various power-ups will aid players in defeating the invaders and racking up massive points. Final Soldier is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 700 Wii Points ($7).

This week's final release has been oft mentioned on our own podcast, Radio Free Nintendo and has already been released in both Japan and Europe on the Virtual Console. Cho Aniki, an import shooter for the TurboGrafx-16 is finally upon us. Players will control either "Idaten or Benten, celestial warriors out to bring an end to the tyrannical rule of the emperor of Planet Builder, who holds muscular prowess to be the supreme virtue of the universe." The man-tastic adventure will allow players to fly around, firing their man-beam to defeat the evil forces of the Planet Builder. Cho Aniki is rated E10+ by the ESRB for "Suggestive Themes" and can be had currently for 900 Wii Points ($9).

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

Sept. 8, 2008

School's back in session, but it's not the only place to get your brain buzzing. This week's additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel include a challenging new puzzle game available via WiiWare™, plus a pair of crackling Virtual Console™ actioners to keep your imagination raging between classes. Even if your school days are behind you, this latest lineup of downloadable titles will help get you fired up for fall, fueled by the one-of-a-kind fun of Nintendo's top-selling Wii™ system.

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

Groovin' Blocks (Empty Clip Studios, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): A music-based game like no other, Groovin' Blocks adds innovative musical game play to an addictive action/puzzle game foundation. Play to the rhythm of the music to increase your score, and try to hit "Superbeats" to double your multiplier. Go for the high score in each of the 27 stages as you collect stars to unlock 15 levels of power-ups. Groovin' Blocks features three skill levels, from the accessible Casual to the fiendish Hard mode. Play with your friends in co-op mode or against them head-to-head. Head-to-head brings it up a notch as the power-ups now become attacks on your opponent. Play head-to-head with people of all skill levels using a golf-style handicapping system.

Virtual Console

Final Solider (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Fantasy Violence, 700 Wii Points): A vertically scrolling shooter from the well-known Soldier series. In the 23rd century, invaders from the future suddenly attack Earth. Controlling a fighter created by the world's scientists, you rise to meet the enemy. Collect power-up units, such as LASER, E-BEAM, FIRE and MISSILE, and then equip them in Options to launch a variety of attacks. For each of these weapons, you can freely select from three different types in SET-UP. Anticipate enemies' strikes and deftly switch between weapons to defeat the invaders. In addition to NORMAL GAME, there are also 2 MINUTE GAME and 5 MINUTE GAME score-attack modes. The most perfect blend and balance of any game in the series, Final Soldier is a title you don't want to miss.

Cho Aniki (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone and Older—Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 900 Wii Points): The odd world in this shooter made for quite the conversation piece in its day. Players control either Idaten or Benten, celestial warriors out to bring an end to the tyrannical rule of the emperor of Planet Builder, who holds muscular prowess to be the supreme virtue of the universe. Aided by able-bodied muscle-head options Adon and Samson, they must battle to defeat the emperor's army across five stages. Use the buttons to fire away and lay into the Builder forces. Power up your character and options with protein from defeated enemies to have them "bulk up" with a yell, and take their macho battle to the next level.

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