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Wii

This Week in Nintendo Downloads

by Lukasz Balicki - May 25, 2009, 9:33 am EDT
Total comments: 17

Two classic franchises make their way to WiiWare; Clay Fighter invades Virtual Console; American Popstar and Photo Clock make the DSi flashy.

WiiWare gets two classic revivals this week as Taito brings Bubble Bobble Plus! and Hudson launches Adventure Island: The Beginning. Interplay brings the Sega Genesis version of Clay Fighter to Virtual Console. DSiWare has two releases this week, American Popstar: Road to Celebrity from Gameloft and Photo Clock from Nintendo.

In Bubble Bobble Plus!, players control Bub and Bob to trap enemies in bubbles and then pop the bubbles to defeat them. There are 100 standard mode levels, recreating the levels of the original arcade game, as well as 100 arranged mode levels, where each level has different stage layouts and enemies. Up to four players can play the arranged mode. Finally, there is a super mode with harder versions of standard mode and arrange mode. The game also utilizes Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect for ranking mode and the ability to download add-on content such as "Expert Mode 1" and "Expert Mode 2". Bubble Bobble Plus! is available for 600 Wii Points ($6).

In Adventure Island: The Beginning, players control Master Higgins to explore Adventure Island. There are hidden golden melons in each stage and in various mini-games. The golden melons allow players to purchase items to help in the journey. If players complete a specific objective, they will earn a Master Higgins Feat and be awarded with a costume. Adventure Island The Beginning is available for 800 Wii Points ($8).

American Popstar: Road to Celebrity is a social adventure and a music-themed game, as the goal is to be the greatest pop star in the world. Players can take pictures with the built-in DSi camera, record their own voice with the built in microphone, and even sign autographs using the touch screen. American Popstar: Road to Celebrity is available for 800 DSi Points ($8).

Photo Clock is an application for the DSi that displays all your pictures taken using the system's built in camera; photos can be displayed in order or randomly. The clock can be configured to display as an analog or digital clock, which can be tied to the internal clock or offset to whatever time you want. There are three different alarms, using a preset ring or a sound created with the DSi Sound application. Photo Clock is available for 200 DSi Points ($2).

Clay Fighter for the Sega Genesis is the only virtual console game this week. The game is a 2D fighter using a clay-mation animation style. There are eight unique characters to choose from. Clay Fighter is available for 800 Wii Points ($8).

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: POP-POWERED ADVENTURES BUBBLE UP THROUGH THE CLAY

May 25, 2009

With summer just around the corner, this Monday finds an especially hot mix of downloadable game offerings for the WiiWare™ and Nintendo DSiWare™ services, as well as for the Virtual Console™. Nintendo DSi™ users can become world-famous pop stars or use a new photo application to view their pictures in interesting new ways. Wii™ owners can transform into bubble-bursting dragons or hunt for melons on a mysterious island. And be sure to check out this week's Virtual Console debut, which features clay figures and stop-action animation to create a comedic twist to the street fighting genre.

Nintendo DSiWare

American Popstar: Road to Celebrity (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 800 Nintendo DSi Points™): This is your enthralling and interactive success story as a young hopeful in the music milieu. The adventure begins when you get the chance to audition at your Hollywood high school. But the road to celebrity isn't an easy one: Your secret crush is also auditioning, and so is your evil rival. This unique mix of music-themed gaming and social adventure will let you show your talents to the world, take your best photo with the Nintendo DSi system's built-in camera and meet lots of people who may help you build your career. You're about to become the greatest pop star in the world. Talk, share activities and be friendly or unfriendly with numerous characters. Customize your character's name and appearance, and develop skills and personality through your actions. Four musical mini-games include Guitar, Singing, Drums and Dance. Record your voice, take your own photos and sign autographs.

Photo Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Photo Clock allows you to enjoy the photos taken with your Nintendo DSi Camera application in a new way. Watch your images appear on the top screen of your Nintendo DSi system according to your chosen display settings (specific photos or all photos; in order or randomly displayed). Select from either an analog or digital clock, using the system's internal clock or offsetting the time however you like. Program up to three alarms – with snooze functionality for those who need it – and assign them a preset ring or use a sound created in Nintendo DSi Sound. Experience all the enjoyment of a photo album while ensuring you won't lose track of the time.

WiiWare

BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! (TAITO, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 600 Wii Points™): BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! is a simple yet exhilarating action game where you control the bubble-blowing dragons Bub and Bob, trapping enemies in bubbles and then popping them. You can play all 100 of the Standard Mode rounds, which faithfully recreate the nostalgic arcade game, or try 100 new Arrange Mode rounds, which allow up to four players to play on stages with exciting new features such as new enemies and stage layouts. There are also Super Mode rounds for you to enjoy. Determine the true ending by solving puzzles hidden on each stage to defeat the final boss. In Ranking Mode, players with broadband Internet access can use the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection service to compete with players from around the world. Enjoy an additional 100 rounds and face off against new boss characters by purchasing “Expert Mode 1” and “Expert Mode 2” add-on content.

ADVENTURE ISLAND® The Beginning(Hudson Entertainment, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence and Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): ADVENTURE ISLAND The Beginning comes to the Wii console with exciting new skills and elements. Learn how to use new skills while exploring Adventure Island from coast to coast. Search for Golden Melons hidden throughout the stages and mini-games. When obtaining Golden Melons, you'll be able to purchase various items to help you on your adventure. These items can increase your attack power or enable you to reach places you couldn't get to before. Fulfill certain requirements while playing in any of the modes to achieve a “Master Higgins Feat” and you'll be awarded a Master Higgins costume.

Virtual Console

Clay Fighter™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen – Comic Mischief and Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this zany 2-D fighter, it's just another day for a humble traveling circus troupe when a meteor crash-lands in their camp. The otherworldly orb, made entirely out of interstellar clay, contaminates all the circus employees, turning them into bizarrely superpowered versions of themselves. Choose from among the unique clay creatures, such as Bonker, the cheerfully manic clown, or Blue Suede Goo, the mild-mannered Elvis impersonator turned violent vocalist. Master their “Claytalities,” like the operatic Helga's deadly high note and Bad Mr. Frosty's fists of snowball fury!

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop™ and the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.

Talkback

Oh snap! Bubble Bobble and Adventure Island? And ClayFighter?

Although I have Bubble Bobble on VC already...and I dislike the Adventure Island grapics and there's over five versions of Adventure Island on VC already.
This will be a wait-and-see week, especially with E3 consuming my life soon.

I've heard bad things about Bubble Bobble Plus, which is disheartening since I love the NES version so much. Both of these WiiWare releases are "wait for more reviews" in my book. Clayfighter is a cool addition for VC, but not something I would download.

KDR_11kMay 25, 2009

Quote from: nron10

Although I have Bubble Bobble on VC already...

Just buy Plus and consider it a sequel or something. It has 100 additional levels. There already are 4 reviews on Metacritic for BB+.

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorMay 25, 2009

Can someone with experience in the Genesis version of Clay Fighter talk about it a bit?

This could be the console wars talking, but I swear the SNES version was a hell of a lot better.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMay 25, 2009

I love the WiiWare version of Bubble Bobble Plus, the regular mode is exactly like the original and the arrange mode is fun. While the 2 DLC packs give you 50 levels each for 200 Wii Points, they are only 1 block each so it smells like an unlock code.  Adventure Island has one huge glaring problem, if you set your Wii to 4:3 the game fills up normally on the screen albeit stretched out, if you set your Wii to 16:9 about HALF of the screen is bordered what happened Hudson!!! Also it's probably me but the collision detection seem very wonky.

GoldenPhoenixMay 25, 2009

Yes for Bubble Bobble!

KDR_11kMay 25, 2009

Adventure Island is a 2D game, it can't be stretched to widescreen without being unfair, plus you'd probably see further than the fruit spawn distance that way.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMay 25, 2009

Quote from: KDR_11k

Adventure Island is a 2D game, it can't be stretched to widescreen without being unfair, plus you'd probably see further than the fruit spawn distance that way.

What I think is retarded is that they upgraded the presentation from 2D to 2.5D, they forced the game into a 4:3 aspect ratio which is bad because you get large black boarders if your Wii is set to 16:9 which is just retarded. This technique worked for Mega Man 9 since it was intentionally set up as a NES game from the presentation, gameplay and such.  I am really disappointed in Adventure Island for WiiWare since it seems like it's a second rate treatment and it's one of Hudson's most beloved series.

KDR_11kMay 25, 2009

So should they have had black borders on the 4:3 mode instead? Or simply give owners of one type of TV a larger view area so they have an advantage in a game with online rankings?

TJ SpykeMay 25, 2009

Quote from: Flames_of_chaos

What I think is retarded is that they upgraded the presentation from 2D to 2.5D, they forced the game into a 4:3 aspect ratio which is bad because you get large black boarders if your Wii is set to 16:9 which is just retarded. This technique worked for Mega Man 9 since it was intentionally set up as a NES game from the presentation, gameplay and such.  I am really disappointed in Adventure Island for WiiWare since it seems like it's a second rate treatment and it's one of Hudson's most beloved series.

Agreed. It's bad enough that when I watch a widescreen DVD/Blu-ray Disc that I have to put up with those retarded letterboxing (unless they make the aspect ration correct to fill up the screen), I don't want to put up with borders on video games too.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMay 25, 2009

In my opinion, online rankings while they are nice they do nothing really for me. This Adventure Island games requires players to replay the levels multiple times if they are a completionist to get all the golden melons since you need specific upgrades  in order to reach those melons. I'm sure the people who are gunning for the high scores on the online leaderboard are going to memorize where the fruit spawns (not that it's unpredictable in the first place). The only good thing that I will say is that the game controls well and that the great classic gameplay is retained. Other than that the rest of the game is disappointing considering how most of Hudson's efforts on WiiWare are pretty good.

As for the 4:3 debacle, I don't think that it would of made a whole lot of difference if the game was 16:9.  I just think it's silly that Hudson upgraded the graphics to 2.5D(even though it looks generic and mediocre, with a side of weird animations) and yet they kept game restricted a forced 4:3. Klonoa which is another classic platformer certainly wasn't handicapped in any way even though the developer's didn't force a 4:3 presentation on it.

Conclusion: BB+ might not be worth it, and Adventure Island seems to have too much not going for it for me to spend money on it considering I'm not that into the series.

ClayFighter will get added to the list of "Games I Might Pick Up While Inebriated" that also features Cho Aniki and that Beer Pong game.

Pale - I'm not sure which one is better, but I have the same memory of it as you.

GoldenPhoenixMay 25, 2009

Bubble Bobble is fantastic, I have zero complaints so far.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusMay 25, 2009

Bubble Bobble rocks for sure. Awesome anniversary present Taito/Nintendo!

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMay 26, 2009

I liked Bubble Bobble Plus so much that I downloaded both DLC packs.

GoldenPhoenixMay 26, 2009

I don't see how BB Plus isn't a steal at 600 pts. Heck it is only 100pts more then the old NES one on VC! It plays very well, the visuals compliment the game quite well, and the bonus levels are all great additions to the game.

Mop it upMay 26, 2009

Quote from: Pale

Can someone with experience in the Genesis version of Clay Fighter talk about it a bit?

This could be the console wars talking, but I swear the SNES version was a hell of a lot better.

I couldn't find any information on whether or not the Genesis version had any differences, so that may just be leftover feelings from the greatest console war in history. The Genesis version was released after the SNES version; usually when the SNES had the "better" version it was partially because the game was released after the Genesis version.

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