Final Fantasy IV hits the Virtual Console, but you'd never know it by the name.
This week in Nintendo downloads, we have seven new titles across the Nintendo digital platforms, including two for WiiWare, one for Virtual Console, and four for DSiWare.
First up for WiiWare is Max and the Magic Marker, from Denmark-based developers Press Play. This charming puzzle platformer takes a stylistic cue from A Boy and His Blob, and features use of the Wii Remote's pointer as you draw platforms and objects for your character to interact with. This single-player game features 15 stages and is available in the Wii Shop Channel for 1,000 Wii Points ($10).
Next up for WiiWare is Dracula - Undead Awakening from Chillingo. This twin-stick shooter features hordes of undead monsters, and you're stuck in the middle with heavy firepower. Dracula is a single-player experience only, and is available in the Wii Shop Channel for 1,000 Wii Points ($10). A DSiWare version of this game is also available on the DSi Shop for 500 Nintendo DSi Points ($5).
The lone Virtual Console game this week is Final Fantasy II for Super NES, which has been more widely known by its original Japanese designation, Final Fantasy IV. As only the second Final Fantasy game released in North America, Final Fantasy II established the franchise as a force to be reckoned within the RPG genre, with personable characters, a dramatically compelling story, and creative graphics and art design. Final Fantasy II is available from the Wii Shop Channel for 800 Wii Points ($8).
First up for DSiWare this week is Elemental Masters by lbxgames. This game is a fantasy card battle game, featuring over 100 monsters and multiple maps. As you maintain a deck of cards, you will be building up an army of monsters, and using the forces of nature to win the battle. The game features a single-player story mode, and support for up to two players in a multiplayer mode. Elemental Masters is available on the DSi Shop for 800 Nintendo DSi Points ($8).
The second DSiWare game this week is 4 Travellers – Play Spanish from AGENIUS Interactive. This title promises to improve your Spanish vocabulary, with support for up to four players via local wireless multiplayer. 4 Travellers – Play Spanish is available on the DSi Shop for 800 Nintendo DSi Points ($8).
The final DSiWare title this week is Flips: The Bubonic Builders from EA. This is the latest in the Flips series of interactive stories. The game provides a tale of a group of builders charged with replacing a girls toilet block, but are more interested in other activities. Flips: The Bubonic Builders is available on the DSi Shop for 500 Nintendo DSi Points ($5).
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: WITH FANTASY GAMES THIS GOOD, WHY SETTLE FOR REALITY?
March 8, 2010
Sometimes realism is overrated. Don't we all need a regular jolt of fantasy to keep our imaginations alive and kicking? For Wii™ owners, this week's new game lineup is set to deliver exactly that. Max & the Magic Marker for the WiiWare™ service imagines what would happen if your own artistic creation turned against you, while the Virtual Console™ service features a big dose of otherworldly action with the classic FINAL FANTASY® II. Browse all the latest downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi™ systems to help keep your imagination fueled to the max.
We've also got some free bonus inspiration for you this week: At last September's Penny Arcade Expo, Nintendo invited professional artists to create one-of-a-kind animations using theFlipnote Studio™ application for the Nintendo DSi system. The results are now online and ready for viewing at the Flipnote Hatena site (http://flipnote.hatena.com), including cool clips from top comic artists like Eric Jones, Christina Strain and Mike Choi. Check them out and treat your brain to extra helpings of creative juice.
WiiWare
Max & the Magic Marker
Publisher: Press Play
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: One day Max gets a mysterious marker in the mail. Not knowing better, the first thing he draws is a wacky, purple monster. As soon as the marker leaves the paper, the monster comes to life and jumps off the paper and into another drawing. With the monster on the loose and messing with Max's drawings, Max has no choice but to go after it. Armed with the magic marker, you must help Max track the monster through 15 inventive and challenging levels. You'll need more than good will and quick reflexes to tackle the challenges ahead. Draw freely inside the game to help Max defeat enemies, overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. As you draw stairs, seesaws, balloons, surfboards and whatever else you can think of, your creations will interact with the physical environment, making every session unique.
Dracula - Undead Awakening
Publisher: Chillingo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Are you a vampire hunter? Are you ready to battle legions of undead foes including zombies, ghouls and werewolves? You'll need to wield an arsenal of powerful weaponry while using your skill and intelligence. Uncover devastating firepower - machine guns, buzz-saws, flamethrowers and more - and choose upgrades for them as well as unique new perks for your character as your enemies increase in number and ferocity. You're a tough customer, but beware - Lord Dracula is always on the hunt, and you are his prey. Enemies in Dracula have one thing in common: Undead, lycanthrope or mutant, they're all after your flesh.
Virtual Console
FINAL FANTASY II
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: Square Enix
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Follow the dark knight Cecil - Lord Captain of Baron's elite force, the Red Wings - as he embarks on a fateful journey riddled with trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery. Plagued with uncertainty over his monarch's motives, can Cecil turn away from the path of darkness and destruction?
Nintendo DSiWare™
Elemental Masters
Publisher: lbxgames
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: In this fantasy card game, stand your ground in a quest filled with magic and adventure, and experience a thrilling combination of strategy and role-playing. Choose your character, build up your army in your card deck and fight the mystical creatures of Elendior. With thoughtful use of your cards, you'll obtain the monsters of your enemy and support your attacks by using arcane spells and the rules of dark magic. Dive into this captivating story in the quest mode or duel with your friends in multiplayer mode. More than 100 creatures in numerous maps are waiting for you.
4 TRAVELLERS™ - Play Spanish
Publisher: AGENIUS Interactive
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Whether played alone or together with friends, 4 TRAVELLERS can teach you new words in Spanish. The game is suitable for both young and old, and no previous knowledge is necessary. The more you play, the more your Spanish vocabulary increases. You can also play and learn with the game's unique learning mode. The game is perfect to bring on your trip, with more than 240 carefully selected words included specifically for this occasion.
Dracula - Undead Awakening
Publisher: Chillingo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Are you a vampire hunter? Are you ready to battle legions of undead foes including zombies, ghouls and werewolves? You'll need to wield an arsenal of powerful weaponry while using your skill and intelligence. Uncover devastating firepower - machine guns, buzz-saws, flamethrowers and more - and choose upgrades for them as well as unique new perks for your character as your enemies increase in number and ferocity. You're a tough customer, but beware - Lord Dracula is always on the hunt, and you are his prey. Enemies in Dracula have one thing in common: Undead, lycanthrope or mutant, they're all after your flesh.
Flips: The Bubonic Builders
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Not Rated
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Flips Interactive Books are the fun new way for kids to read. The builders are in to replace the girls' toilet block, but they're more interested in cups of tea and instant noodle snacks than doing any work. James suspects foul play, but Alexander and Lenny are doubtful until a strange accident hammers the truth home. How will the three friends stop St. Sebastian's from being reduced to rubble?
Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access 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 points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.
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 orNintendoDSi.com.
