This week's Virtual Console and WiiWare update brings us three new entries, with two for WiiWare and one for the Virtual Console.

The lone Virtual Console title is a sequel to the original Master System Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The title is entirely original, not being based on the Genesis title of the same name. Sonic is again questing for the Chaos Emeralds and seeks to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik who has transformed Sonic's animal friends into robots. Return of the emeralds and defeat of Dr. Robotnik is the only way for Sonic to prevent Eggman's global domination. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points ($5).

The first WiiWare entry of the week comes from Steel Penny Games, a collection of ex-Naughty Dog employees. The puzzle title, Bruiser and Scratch, has the titular characters stranded in "a strange world with a dark secret." Players will guide the duo through the story mode and its 48 puzzles in six unique landscapes. Following completion of the story mode players will have access to the Challenge mode which offers 75 additional puzzles to satiate players of all skill levels. Bruiser and Scratch is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 1000 Wii Points ($10).

The final WiiWare title of the week focuses on the most basic aspect of a popular Canadian and American sport, Hockey. Hockey Allstar Shootout, as the title indicates allows players to partake in a hockey shootout. Head 2 Head mode will allow up to two players to battle it out as both shooter and goalie. A variety of other modes have been included that slightly alter the basic shootout concept. Hockey Allstar Shootout is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points ($5).

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

Dec. 8, 2008

Neither sleet nor snow nor ice-cold winter winds shall keep Wii™ Shop Channel users from enjoying the best new and classic games. In fact, this week's offerings include a hot new strategy-based puzzle game that promises to keep everyone in the household enthused, no matter how frightful the weather outside may be. Harrowing puzzles, hockey pucks and a world-famous hedgehog are all featured in the latest downloadable lineup, providing red-hot gaming thrills to counter the imminent December chills.

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™

Bruiser and Scratch (Steel Penny Games, Inc., 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Bruiser and Scratch are stranded in a strange world with a dark secret. Their only hope in finding a path home is to unravel the mystery of this place, one oversized puzzle at a time. Along the way, they make new friends and meet up with old adversaries, each of whom plays a role in their journey. Bruiser and Scratch offers a number of tutorial levels to bring the player up to speed gradually. The story unfolds over 48 puzzles and six landscapes. And for players who can't get enough, Challenge mode offers 75 additional puzzles that range from child's play to mind-bogglingly difficult.

Hockey Allstar Shootout (Big Blue Bubble Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Use the Wii Remote™ controller as a stick and take the shot as you compete in three exciting Hockey Skills Challenges. In Head 2 Head, it's just you versus the best goalies in the world in a five-puck shootout. Race against the clock to post the most goals in the fastest time. The three difficulty levels will place you against three increasingly talented goalies, each donning the jersey of their home country. In two-player mode, each player will take a turn as shooter and as goalie, and the player who scores the most goals in five shots is the winner. In Sharp Shooter, you post a high score in one of three difficulty levels by breaking as many targets as you can. Each time a shot fails to break a target, an X will appear in the upper left corner. Three misses and the game is over. Power Shot has you take your best shot and watch the Shot-Speed Clock light up. You have three attempts to blast the fastest shot you can, and only the best speeds will grace the high score list.

Virtual Console™

Sonic The Hedgehog™ 2 (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Play the popular Sonic The Hedgehog sequel, made specifically for the SEGA MASTER SYSTEM. Sonic returns home to his island just in time to see Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik) run off with Tails. In fact, Dr. Eggman has kidnapped all of Sonic's animal friends and placed them in robotic mind-controlling suits. He demands the six Chaos Emeralds, hidden on the island, in exchange for their safe return. Explore underground mine shafts, dash through underwater tunnels and hang glide through the clouds in Sonic's search for the Chaos Emeralds. Once Sonic's found them all, he must face off with the evil Dr. Eggman and thwart his plan for global domination.

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