Wii-kly WiiWare and Virtual Console Update - 10/6/08

In my (entirely biased) opinion, this week sees the greatest WiiWare and Virtual Console update so far, and all because of one game: Shining Force 2. Shining Force 2 is very near and dear to my heart because it was my first RPG, and it made me into the gamer that I am today. Without Shining Force 2 I would not be here at the lovely Gay Gamer Castle sharing videogames with all of you. It's a tactical RPG that later inspired such games as Final Fantasy Tactics and Disgaea, so if you're a fan of those then give it a look.

But wait, there are other games this week? Indeed. The Virtual Console also sees the release of the N64 hit Mario Golf for those that want a break from all the waggle-based golf games on Wii. WiiWare isn't left out either with the release of Gameloft's Midnight Bowling and the falling-blocks puzzle game MadStone. I don't know much about either WiiWare game, but I'm always up for a new puzzler, so MadStone might be worth a download.

So that's 4 new games for your Wii through the Wii Store. Put those Wii points to good use.

WiiWare

• Midnight Bowling (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Plunge directly into the trendy and electric atmosphere of Midnight Bowling. With awesome playing sensations, prepare for ultra-fun gaming thanks to a new physics engine that lets you control your throws precisely and easily with your Wii Remote™ controller and make spectacular spins that will impress your opponents. Face up to three friends in the fun party mode, where your playing abilities will be put to the test. Whatever your experience level, launch yourself into the immersive career mode, where you will play in the trendiest bowling spots on the planet against charismatic characters that will give you a run for your money.
• MadStone (Riverman Media, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Time is short. Earth trembles as the forces of nature stir and grow restless. Can you turn the tide? In this dynamic puzzle game, you must clear the path for your elemental MadStones to reach the bottom of the screen. Blocks can be broken by striking them directly or by the force of falling objects. The novice tries frantically to break enough blocks, while the master sets up cascading collapses with only a handful of direct strikes. As two sides struggle for domination, titanic forces build, only to be unleashed in an earth-shaking final confrontation. Experience the mystical single-player journey, or challenge a friend in competitive two-player mode.

Virtual Console

• Mario Golf (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Mario takes a well-deserved break from his role as the Mushroom Kingdom's busiest hero and returns to the links for some world-class golfing action. Since no one likes to hit the fairways alone, he's brought along a group of friends--both familiar characters and brand new ones. Choose from 10 different modes of play and six 18-hole courses in a variety of environments for a golfing experience with endless replay value. Add in fun, colorful graphics with a Mario touch (a Boo indicates wind direction), intuitive controls, incredibly deep game play and multiplayer support (taunt your opponents), and you have a game anyone will enjoy--even if you've never played a round of golf. Fore!
• Shining Force II (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone--Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): It's a dark and stormy night in the kingdom of Granseal when a thief steals two jewels from the Tower of the Ancients. He sets in motion strange events that lead to the resurrection of Zeon, the Devil King. Granseal's king falls sick, the princess is kidnapped, and a door to Arc Valley, the Devil King's home, is opened. The young swordsman, Bowie, realizing the grave danger Granseal faces, must lead the Shining Force to find the Holy Sword and the stolen jewels, and protect Granseal against the invading armies of Zeon.