This week in Nintendo Downloads brings a total of four titles, two for DSiWare, one for the Virtual Console, and one for WiiWare. Activision shows its support of the Nintendo services with the first third party DSiWare title and their first title for the Virtual Console.

Mixed Messages, Activision's DSiWare title, is a two to twenty-one player game. Developed by Vicarious Visions, it is a party game that revolves around mixed-up miscommunication. Players sketch a picture to capture a sentence while onlookers try to decipher the original message from the picture. The game is not focused on winning or losing, but rather enjoying the crazy guesses that result from the depictions. Mixed Messages is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the DSi Shop for 500 Nintendo DSi Points ($5).

Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games features a selection of card shuffle tricks from the original 2007 Master of Illusion DS release. Players can perform and learn all of the tricks with the assistance of the title. Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the DSi Shop for 200 Nintendo DSi Points ($2).

Party Fun Pirate, this week's sole WiiWare title is based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate toy. Players take turns inserting swords into a barrel that holds your captain. The player who can manage to get the most swords in without hitting the captain wins the match. Up to four players can enjoy the madness, all while using their custom Mii characters. Party Fun Pirate is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Nintendo Wii Points ($5).

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure marks Activision's first contribution to Nintendo's popular Virtual Console service. Players take control of Pitfall Harry Jr. who must rescue his father, Pitfall Harry, from Zakelua, Lord of Evil. Players will use both Harry Jr.'s slingshot and his father's journal through environments such as Mayan jungles, waterfalls, and deserted mines. Players must conquer thirteen levels in this Genesis version of the title. Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and is available now through the Wii Shop Channel for 800 Nintendo Wii Points ($8).

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: PIRATES AND PITFALLS SEND MASTERFUL MIXED MESSAGES

April 13, 2009

The new Nintendo DSi™ system has been on store shelves for just a week now. Today Activision's Mixed Messages™ becomes the first third-party downloadable game for the new system. Mixed Messages is a game of electronic telephone that can accommodate a whopping 21 players. On the WiiWare™ side, fans will find a game based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate™ toy that might have players sticking virtual swords into their Mii™ characters. And classic character Pitfall Harry Jr. makes his debut on the Virtual Console.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ or Nintendo DSi Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All Nintendo Points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems. This week's new games are:

Nintendo DSiWare™

Mixed Messages (Activision, 2-21 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points): Mixed Messages is the hilarious party game of mixed-up miscommunication. Sketch a picture to capture your friends' sentence, or try to figure out what in the world they've drawn. You might start with, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" and end up with "A crazy surfer outruns flying sticks of dynamite while his fans cheer!" Two to 21 players take turns writing sentences and drawing pictures to pass along a message. This isn't a game about winning and losing - it's all about the funny miscommunications that happen along the way. You'll laugh when you see just how wacky things can get. Get together with your friends and mix it up.

Master of Illusion™ Express: Shuffle Games (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Master of Illusion Express titles are mind-boggling magic tricks pulled from the popular Nintendo DS™ game. Learn the illusions, practice up and amaze your friends. Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games will boggle your audience members' minds as they try to figure out how you know exactly what they're thinking. Also included is the bonus Vanishing Card trick, which the Nintendo DSi system performs for your enjoyment.

WiiWare

Party Fun Pirate™ (TOMY Corporation, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate toy, players take turns thrusting swords into a barrel that holds your captain captive, trying to see who can insert the most swords into the barrel. Thrust a sword into the wrong hole and you'll send your captain flying, which means it's game over for you! Unique Wii features add to the excitement, making for a fun-filled party game. Try swapping out the captain and putting your custom Mii character in the barrel for some real laughs!

Virtual Console

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated T for Teen - Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a side-scrolling action game in which you play adventurer Pitfall Harry Jr. in search of his father, Pitfall Harry. Pitfall Harry has been taken captive by the dreaded warrior spirit Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Armed with only a trusty sling and his father's journal, young Harry Jr. must now venture into the unknown to rescue him … before it's too late! Bungee jump and boomerang your way to safety as you battle through treacherous Mayan jungles, waterfalls and deserted mines. With 13 levels of fast, gripping action, you will need to be attentive and quick - or prepare to die …

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.