Wii-kly WiiWare And Virtual Console Update 12/29/08

For Nintendo's last Wii Shop update of the year it has opted to stick with the now-standard menu of two WiiWare games and a single Virtual Console offering. The first of the WiiWare games is the unique 3-in-1 game MaBoShi's Arcade, a collection of three simple puzzle/arcade games. When played alone the game is a simple matter of trying to get a high score, but you can get two friends to join in, each playing one of the other two available games, and can interact with the other players' screens by destroying blocks and enemies. It looks to be a game best played with others, so if you have two friends and are looking for something new and unique to try, then you might want to give MaBoShi's Arcade a download. The other WiiWare release this week, Cue Sports - Pool Revolution, is much easier to describe since it is the classic game of billiards. Billards with the Wii Remote sounds like a great idea, so this one could be well worth the Wii Points if you've been fighting the urge to knock some balls around.

The Virtual Console gets a great under-appreciated NES classic this week in the form of Zoda's Revenge: Startropics 2. If you're a fan of Zelda-style adventure games, you owe it to yourself to download this game (and the original Startropics if you haven't already). Oh, and don't forget to do the Cactus Dance (everybody in the desert do the Cactus Dance). If you don't know what that means, well, I guess you're just going to have to play the game to find out.

WiiWare

• Maboshi's Arcade (Nintendo, 1-3 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Featuring three distinct modes and simultaneous play across three game windows, the constantly changing environment of Maboshi's Arcade creates an atmosphere unlike any other. Each of the modes is based on one of three familiar shapes (circle, stick and square) and offers the same goal: score a million points. Use the intuitive controls to bash enemies in Circle mode, weave your way through Stick mode or burn a path around obstacles in Square mode-all while dealing with power-up items and keeping watch on which effects the other game windows may have on your own. Also featuring Mii characters, action replays that you can send to your Wii Friends via WiiConnect24, and the ability to download a version to a Nintendo DS, you may never want to leave this arcade.
• Cue Sports - Pool Revolution (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Grab your Wii Remote controller and take a shot at this virtual billiard game. Enjoy match-ups, playing classic favorites such as 9 Ball, 8 Ball, Rotation and Snooker, as well as walk-through trick shots in Puzzle mode. Connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Nintendo WFC) to go head-to-head with your friends, or even hustle opponents across the world in Nintendo WFC match-ups. This game offers two types of controls, allowing you to virtually strike the cue ball with your Wii Remote controller or use the buttons to adjust the strength of your shot and then strike. Hone your skills in Practice mode, learning all the cool techniques you need to be a true hustler. Use the edit feature to create your own challenge and nail the trick shot you've always dreamed of sinking. Pull off an amazing shot and show everyone who's the biggest shark in the pool.

Virtual Console

• Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Take on the role of Mike Jones, intrepid hero of the StarTropics universe, and once again battle the evil alien Zoda to control the fate of the Argonian people. In this journey, the island hopping of Mike's original adventure gives way to traveling through time and visiting locations around the world. And you never know what famous historical figures may appear along the way, giving Mike helpful advice or useful items. Luckily, Mike also has a wider range of weapons and improved play control on his side, so he may yet stand a chance against Zoda. Can you help Mike stand the test of time and save the world again?