Wii-kly WiiWare and Virtual Console Update - 1/12/2009

Nintendo brings us by way of WiiWare two games that have fresh concepts that should translate to good gameplay. The first game is Jungle Speed, a fast-paced card game made to play with with whole family. It even allows, for the first time, 8 players on the same Wii with 4 Wii Remotes and 4 nunchucks in use. But if card games aren't your thing, then check out Planet Pachinko, which surprisingly isn't a pachinko game. Instead, you control a member of a robot family exploring a number of temples shaped like pachinko machines in search of your lost dog, while pirates and ninjas get in your way. The concept is crazy and the gameplay is guaranteed to be frantic, especially since turrets will fire at you if you stay in one place.

For the Virtual Console you might want to get out your whip and leather gear to help you relive the NES classic Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. Even though Castlevania III dropped the exploration introduced in Simon's Quest, there are branching paths through the levels to keep it from being a completely linear affair. The game also lets you change to three other characters in addition to the whip-wielding Trevor Belmont, one of which is Alucard, Dracula's son who became even more popular in the classic Symphony of the Night.

WiiWare

• Jungle Speed (Playful Entertainment Inc., 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Jungle Speed is a lightning-fast card game for the entire family, where quick reflexes and a keen eye will put you on top. Flip your cards, watch your opponents and grab the totem at the right moment to win the game. Just when you think you've got it down, a new card can temporarily change the rules and keep you on the edge. Play starts when the first person flips a card. Moving around the table, symbols are revealed until two of the exposed cards match. Players with matching cards must then scramble to grasp the totem in the middle of the table; the loser gets the winner's cards and anything in the pot. With paws flying, be the first person to get rid of all your cards and win the game.
• Planet Pachinko (Allied Kingdoms Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone--Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Can you survive the Pachinkeet Temples of Planet Pachinko? In the future of the future, an ancient civilization has sealed away its riches in elaborate temples dedicated to the game of pachinko. Now the Robot family must fight through these dangerous temples in search of their lost puppy. Using their rockets, lasers, grenades and slime launchers, will they be able to survive the challenges? They aren't the only ones adventuring through the temples. The pirate Vile Vill and his minions are looking to loot the temples and take on the Robot family. Play in single-player mode or with a friend in exciting two-player co-op.

Virtual Console

• Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone--Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): This is the third game in the popular Castlevania series and the last of the franchise released on the original NES console. Take on the role of Trevor Belmont, forefather of Simon, and battle Dracula in a time long before the events of the first two Castlevania games. In addition to his trusty whip, Trevor has a previously unseen power--the ability to transform into one of three different companion spirits that he meets during his quest: Syfa, a young vampire hunter capable of powerful magic; Grant, a ferocious pirate who can climb on walls; and Alucard, forgotten son of Dracula, able to shoot fireballs and transform into a bat. Use an assortment of weapons (some specific to each character) as you choose which path to follow in your fight against Dracula and his army. Loaded with replay value and featuring some of the best platform action ever, this title is not to be missed.