Topic: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

[Nick DiMola]

After more than a year since the last Castlevania Virtual Console release, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse comes to the service, alongside two new WiiWare titles focused on pachinko and cards.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17521

 This week's Virtual Console and WiiWare update brings a total of three games: two for WiiWare, and one for the Virtual Console.    

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the lone Virtual Console update of the week, is the sequel to the already released Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. Even though it is the sequel, Castlevania III takes place long before the events of the first two games in the series and stars Trevor Belmont. Following the standard explore the castle and defeat Dracula formula set by the previous two games, players will have access to their trusty whip, yet they will also be able to transform into three companion spirits. Syfa, a vampire hunter with powerful magic, Grant, a wall climbing pirate, and Alucard, son of Dracula, who can shoot fireballs and transform into a bat. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points ($5).    

Jungle Speed, this week's first WiiWare title, is a card game for the entire family, requiring quick reflexes and a keen eye. Players will flip their cards one after another until two matching cards appear. At this time, the players with the matching cards must grab the totem in the middle of the table in order to unload their cards. The first player to get rid of every card wins. Jungle Speed is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 1,000 Wii Points ($10).    

The final title of the week is based around a popular Japanese gaming device used for entertainment and prizes. In order to claim the treasures hidden away by an ancient civilization, Planet Pachinko will have players experiencing a number of variations on the standard http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko">pachinko experience in both single player and co-op modes. Planet Pachinko is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points ($5).    

WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND ONE VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL    

Jan. 12, 2009    

What's your weapon of choice? Is it a laser gun? Or maybe just a simple deck of cards? No matter what type of game gets you fired up, the latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel are sure to add something new and exciting to your arsenal. With fast-flying cards, tumbling pachinko balls and sinister vampires in your midst, you'll need every tool at your disposal.    

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:    

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.    

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

[Flames_of_chaos]

Castlevania III makes this week awesome by default.

[NWR_Neal]

I haven't played Castlevania III in years. Does anyone know how it holds up? Is it on par with Symphony of the Night?

[KDR_11k]

I don't think SOTN held up particularly well either...

[AV]

I haven't played Castlevania III in years. Does anyone know how it holds up? Is it on par with Symphony of the Night?

I can't stand any castlevania game before IV. They say the whip is to powerful but i love it

[NWR_DrewMG]

Castlevania III is very linear in comparison to SotN.  The only choices you get in level progression are just that - which levels you want to progress to next.  The levels themselves are completely linear, complete with bosses at the end.

The gameplay is essentially the same as the first game, but the ability to change into other characters (of varying levels of awesome) helps a lot. 

[Flames_of_chaos]

I haven't played Castlevania III in years. Does anyone know how it holds up? Is it on par with Symphony of the Night?

I think the NES style castlevanias hold up well, Castlevania III is the best out of the NES 3.

[Jonnyboy117]

It has wicked music and graphics, too.  I'm interested in the Pachinko game, too, especially for $5.

[Tybo68]

This is the one game I have been waiting for to be released on virtual console. The music is pretty amazing and even more amazing if you have ever played the japanese Famicom version. The superior sound chip makes so much of a difference.

[Flames_of_chaos]

It has wicked music and graphics, too.  I'm interested in the Pachinko game, too, especially for $5.

Jonny the Pachinko game isn't actually a pachinko game, it's more of a platformer shooter thats really fast paced.

[KDR_11k]

Yeah, the name sucks and will probably cost them sales.

[Kairon]

Jonny the Pachinko game isn't actually a pachinko game, it's more of a platformer shooter thats really fast paced.

and situated INSIDE a pachinko game at that!

[UltimatePartyBear]

Yeah, the name sucks and will probably cost them sales.

I certainly wasn't interested before watching a video on a whim.  As lame as it may usually be, this is one of those times when a little Xtreme titling would help.  People might take a look at a screen shot to find out what makes a pachinko game "of Doom."

[KDR_11k]

5/10, Verdict: Too much chaos.