Wii-kly WiiWare And Virtual Console Update 11/24/08

This week brings something new, something familiar, and something odd that I never thought I'd see again. First up is Boingz, the new physics-based puzzle game for WiiWare that has you flinging tiny, multicolored creatures around the level like rubber bands to open new paths and reach the goal. It's been getting a lot of positive press and was co-developed by Ninjabee, who has been responsible for some of the best games available for download on XBLA, so if you're looking for something new and sproingy (no it's not a word, but it should be) then give Boingz a shot. But if you're looking for something a bit more familiar you could also download Sudoku Challenge! You know it's good because the developer put an exclamation point at the end of the title. I personally never got into Sukoku puzzles, but if you're a fan then the WiiWare download's over 1 million puzzles is probably more than you'd find in $5 worth of Sudoku books. There's also a Grand Sukoku mode which has 5 Sukoku boards intersecting with one another, at which point my head starts spinning and I need to lie down.

Those looking for a blast from the past this turkey day week will be greeted by the Sega Genesis platformer Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure. This game relies entirely on fart and snot jokes for it's theme, so I never expected it to see a virtual console release. I do remember having fun with it when I was a kid, but I can't remember if that was because the game was actually good or because that's what entertained my sense of humor when I was 8. Here's the full rundown of each game this fine Monday morning.

WiiWare

• Boingz (RealArcade, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Stretch, flex and flick your way to freedom. A truly mind-bending experience, Boingz introduces you to cute, colorful, stretchable friends lost in an alien world, searching for the magical gates that will take them home. Boingz springs to life with 30 levels of puzzle-platforming fun. The Boingz are bendy little critters that can be pulled, stretched and flicked from place to place like rubber bands. It's a team effort, as all the Boingz will have to work together to unwind the game's puzzles. What's more, many of the Boingz have fallen into a deep slumber, and you'll have to lead the stronger Boingz to find and wake up their sleepy friends. Explore surreal landscapes, sail through the air like a trapeze artist, walk along the seafloor, and collect the Twinklies to power up your elastic-powered flights.
• Sudoku Challenge! (Digital Leisure Inc., 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Now's your chance to play the brain-busting puzzle game taking the world by storm. With over 100 million Sudoku puzzles, you'll never see the same puzzle twice in Sudoku Challenge! You can select the classic nine-by-nine Sudoku game boards as well as Grand Sudoku, which challenges you to complete five intersecting Sudoku boards simultaneously. Just a beginner? Don't worry-with three difficulty options, even a novice player can complete a Sudoku with ease. But if you're a seasoned pro, challenge yourself in Expert mode and test your true skills. It's time to get your thinking cap on and see how many Sudoku puzzles you can conquer.

Virtual Console

• Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): In this top pick from the Sega Genesis, play as Boogerman, the heroic alter ego of Snotty Ragsdale. While investigating Professor Stinkbaum's lab, Boogerman stumbles upon a strange machine that opens a portal to another dimension. Boogerman has a nose for adventure, but has he met his match in this sticky situation? Journey through dangerous worlds while battling wicked enemies like Fly Boy and Deodor Ant. Deal them a blow with Boogerman's super abilities: pick and flick with deadly precision, belch, and use his deadly signature stomp.