There's only really one surprise this week, and it's the weekly Virtual Console title. All of this week's WiiWare and DSiWare releases were already announced last week!
On VC, you can go to war in another classic Koei strategy game for the SNES - Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf. It's not as well-remembered as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Uncharted Waters and Nobunaga's Ambition, but it's still a very competent strategy title. As you might have guessed from the title, you take control of the legendary Mongol warlord Genghis Khan, as you try to conquer either Mongolia or all of Eurasia. We'll have a review up soon, as usual!
WiiWare this week finally sees the anticipated North American release of Swords & Soldiers, WiiWare's first Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. Take control of one of three different factions, each with their own unique units, spells and constructs, as you either try to beat their campaign or try to defeat a friend in multiplayer mode. Although it seems simple it's quite addictive - You can even try to earn 25 achievements for the opportunity to win a real-life prize. We think it's one of the best WiiWare games yet, so don't just ignore it! Swords & Soldiers costs 1000 Wii Points.
Today's other WiiWare release isn't as exciting. Fish'em All is another catch-up release, in which you use the Wii remote to simulate swinging a net in order to catch fish as they leap out of the water. It's a nice idea, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired - We thought the shaky controls really hampered the game. If you plan on playing multiplayer a lot it might be worth a look, but it's also fairly steep at 800 Wii Points!
DSiWare sees the release of another Mario game - Although it's another puzzler. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! seems to be nothing more than a small expansion to the DS game Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, with only a few premade stages. The gameplay is still the same - Guide the Minis to the exit with the touch screen, helping them along the way at the right times. Accoridng to Nintendo, the "big feature" is that it still includes a level editor and you can still share levels online, but unless it's been greatly improved upon we don't really see the point - Just get the DS game! Minis March Again will run you 800 DSi Points.
That's it this week! More from Nintendo's press release:
Nintendo Download: March, Fight and Fish Your Way to World Domination
June 8, 2009
With this week’s additions to the Nintendo DSi Shop™ and Wii™ Shop Channel, fun truly comes in all shapes and sizes. A new Mario vs. Donkey Kong™ title on Nintendo DSiWare™ features miniature versions of the world’s most famous video game icon, while a pair of fresh WiiWare™ releases invite players to wield a fishing rod or storm a sprawling battlefield. For king-sized thrills, the latest Virtual Console™ offering lets players don the boots of one of the world’s biggest warriors.
Nintendo DSiWare
Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Minis March Again!
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™Description: Thanks to the runaway success of Super Mini Mario World, Mario™ and Pauline have expanded their toy-filled theme park and invited everyone to the opening celebration – everyone, that is, except Donkey Kong, who was too late to get in. Donkey Kong decides to crash the party and kidnaps Pauline along the way. Can Mario and his Mini Marios rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong’s clutches yet again? Make sure to explore the Construction Zone, where you’ll find all the tools needed to make your own original levels. You can then share your masterpieces or download levels created by others, via a local wireless connection or with broadband Internet access and Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection.
WiiWare
Swords & Soldiers
Publisher: Ronimo Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™Description: Rewrite history as you take control of the brutal Vikings, the devious Aztecs or the crafty Chinese in their global quest to win the favor of the Gods. Swords & Soldiers is a side-scrolling strategy game that lets you control an entire army and wield devastating magical abilities. Demolish your enemy’s castle at the end of these two-dimensional battlefields and lead your troops to victory. Featuring hours of single-player campaign game play and challenging skirmishes, the game also offers frantic local multiplayer matches that let you take the fight to your friends. If that still isn’t enough for you, there are several unlockable challenge modes that will test your abilities even further.
Fish’em All!™
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii PointsDescription: Here’s an arcade game with real coin-op flavor. Jack and Walter are two old fishermen in a fantasy world. They’ve found places where crazy fish leap out of the water all day long – perfect for fishing. It’s a shame the other strange creatures aren’t going to make things easy. In this surreal action game, you’ll experience the excitement of the great arcade classics on your Wii console. Hold on tight to your controller and fish ’em all, featuring nine colorful scenarios, three game modes (Arcade, Challenge and Fishtris) and one- or two-player action.
Virtual Console
Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: KOEI
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii PointsDescription: In Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf, unite the scattered Mongol tribes under your banner and conquer the world as Genghis Khan. Choose from two riveting scenarios: Mongolia and all of Eurasia. It’s up to you to take your fledgling empire from humble beginnings on the Mongolian plateau and expand your borders across the land. As your rivals look enviously upon your domain, you must struggle to weather the assaults of your opponents and carve out a living for your people. Engage in diplomacy to forge alliances and organize your troops to defend the prosperity of your empire. If you can manage to spread the borders of your empire to the corners of the world, all will pay homage to your might.
Comments 72
sigh Why Genghis Khan II? Where's Space Harrier?
I'd be excited about S&S if I had points...
I think I'll just buy Swords and Soldiers.
If the level-sharing is open (browsable list of available levels, no friend codes required), I'm all in favor of MvsDK.
I think I'm most interested in Mario vs. Dk this week. If the review is good I may get some more Nintendo points. Where is Pop Plus Solo? I thought that would be a launch title
I'll be getting S&S right now!! All achievements unlocked Goodie bag challenge, away~!
Seriously what is with Nintendo giving us Koei strategy games? Another dissapointment on the VC front as usual. But once again a great WiiWare update. Good update on DSiWare.
Mmm... Swords & Soldiers looks delicious. A must buy for me, and since I've never played a Mario Vs. Donkey Kong game, I'll pick up the game when I get my DSi, using me freebie 1000 points.
Swords and Soldiers is definitely a "buy" for me today.
While I hate the idea of Nintendo still repackaging their games in bite-size chunks, what's more important is that this is the first DSiWare game to use Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection. Hopefully this means a sign that more DSiWare titles with have Wi-Fi.
Damn, I'm getting connect error codes. Why now? I must have my S&S!
Not a bad update but, If Nibtendo wanted to make and strategy combo, What the heck is Fish'em all doing here? . Anyway, if I wanted a koei game I'd get Nobunaga's, or UW, this one seems kind of pointless, but not bad, I guess. I'd get S&S later on, I hope, and I may get the fish game too, I liked the look of it's frantic gameplay. I'd really like to get to play Minis March Again!, so I'm officially wanting a DSi now, which I can't buy , maybe someday.
I was hoping for some more ArtStyle games this week. Does anyone know when more FFIV The After Years content will be added?
Bad update. Give me Maro kart snes!!!!!!!!!
I don't know if "Acclaim" / "Midway" are gonna have an agreement for the release of the snes Mortal Kombat series for the virtual console, but that would be great.
I really wish they would start giving us more than one VC game each week. I don't have a DSI, so Swords and Soldiers is the only thing new for me this week.
Edit - It's not 12 o clock here yet (Vermont), so I can't download S&S yet. Are the game downloads 12 pm everywhere, meaning some in America get them eakier than others?
@Objection_Blaster: You do know S&S isn't available just yet, right?
@Linktothefuture: See the Operations Guide on the Wii Shop.
@longtimegamer: Tell me about it. I can't take it anymore. I've been patient long enough. It would be easier to bear if the games we were getting were quality stuff (especially if it was consistent) but alas, that's not the case. Many weeks have gone by with VC releases that should've been replaced by another good game people are waiting for.
@Twilight Crow: So now you say your "$350 DSi" is worth it now. Lol, just had to tease you.
Whee! I've been looking forward to Swords & Soldiers for awhile, I hope it's as fun as I've heard!! The last few Mondays have all had at least one title I wanted to grab.. _
about time with swords and soldiers, and more koei games i am pleased
downloading swords tonight
@KnucklesSonic8- Did you ever decide to get Adventure Island: The Beginning?
@Drake- Did you just have to type out your code for S&S (No pictures)? Also, did you get your goodie bag yet and how long did it take for you to get all 25 achievements?
I need a review for minis march again before i put 2,000 points on my dsi
Let's go over my opinion on this week:
DSiWare: Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again. It's finally here! And it supports Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection! Good thing I have a DSi, when I get some DSi point, I'm getting this game for sure!
WiiWare: Sword & Solider and Fish Em' All. Sword & Solider is intresting, I like to see what it is, but Fish Em' All is meh. Overall, a good week for WiiWare.
Virtual Console: Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf. Once again, one game week, however, this time it's actually a game I want to see. One of the few stragety game that I want on the Virtual Console, I have to say, this is great news. Also, this is based off a real person, so I believe that Nintendo is finally going to start clearing licensing issues. If that's the case, I thank this game and if the game manage to get at least an 810, I'm putting this in my "Games to Download from the Virtual Console" list.
So, Virtual Console should be good, WIiWare is good, and DSiW are looks good too. FINALLY, they get a week right. Althought they should start doing two-game weeks again. Could this mean three-to-six months of good games? Please tell me.
@longtimegamer: I kept debating on Saturday but I just couldn't bring myself to clicking Yes on the Download screen. Lol. I had precisely 800 left so I used it to finally get Gate of Thunder. But still, I just can't decide... I'm so torn.
Well, the Koei games are all finally out of the way, the ones we know about at least. North America STILL hasn't seen the release of Secret Command, Fantasy Zone II or Space Harriar, so I expect the remainder of June to be without any surprises, not to mention Sim Earth on the Hudson site for a June release as well. Maybe we'll get Mario Kart next month shrugs. We should be getting Cave Story soon and that'll be enough to keep me happy for a while. Here's hoping it finally comes out, next Monday.
@ longtimegamer: Yes, I just had to type my code in an email. The code is unique for every player (It's probably based on your Wii or your profile name) so you can't really cheat.
Haven't gotten my goodie bag yet. Fabian from Ronimo Games said it was sent out a week and a half ago so it should arrive any day really.
I called it! Strategy week!
@ Drake, would you care to share the contents of the bag? I'm guessing a ronimo games t-shirt/cap, wii points card, and possibly a few other things.
Where's Super Smash for you guys, 'Cos I kind of hoping Europe will get Super Mario Kart. I'm not saying we should get it before America but it would be good if it worked like that for one week, both titles are popular in Europe and North America I understand that...
I predict Genghis Khan will get a 7.
I'm a huge strategy fan when it comes to games, so S&S as well as Mario vs DK will definatly be what I will be downloading today.
@Pixelman: I predict at least an 8. Do we have to go to war about this?
Man I wish I had a DSi. Nice to see a continuation of the plot with Mario and Pauline.
Well, only 47 more weeks until the 350th VC game.
I really wish these Koei games would appear in Europe via a Hanabi festival. You can have all the old Mario Kart games and Mario fighting games in the world, just give me some 16-bit strategy games Nintendo!
See, I can moan just like everyone else!
Looks pretty boring to me. Personally, if Koei Published another game for the VC, I hope it's Operation Europe. My dad used to play that game all the time!
@KS8
lol Yep, is worth it now, , actually I have to buy it someday anyway for my Nintendo Hardware collection, but I finally find a game I desperately want to play on it, since I love March of the Minis.
Btw how good is Gate of thunder? did you like it?
Sigh.... Nintendo....
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO UPLOAD SSB or SMK to the VC?!?!?!?
I wish Nintendo would START releasing Super Smash Bros. OR Super Mario Kart!
And are we ever going to get these games? NO! Why? Because the NOA group are LAZY!
They'll never going to listen to us...
I'm sorry everyone but the VC ALMOST always pisses me off...
@Twilight Crow
I personally like Gate of Thunder very much. I think it's a very good side scrolling shoot em up.
The first thing I did this morning was download Swords & Soldiers. I am so excited that its finally here! Other than that, none of the other releases interest me. Well, I still consider this a good week because I now have both Swords & Soldiers and The Legendary Starfy to play! I hope next week we get Cave Story!
@Twilight Crow
Gate of Thunder is really an awesome game!
"Well, only 47 more weeks until the 350th VC game."
To hold us over the Revenge of Shinobi was rated by the ESRB. Perhaps it will show up soon. I would love to see some 2 game VC weeks again to get us to VC game 350 sooner
@Aquateen510: Usually, I'm that way, however, this release is something special. It's a game I wanted, mainly because it's based off a real person life and an intresting stragety game. I believe this game will be responsible for us getting license games that we never believe was possible before (Except me). So if we ever see any Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or Banjo-Kazooie for the Nintendo 64, make sure to thank this game for making it all possible. You know, this game might had some licensing issues that we don't know about that Nintendo manage to clear out.
Oh and I have a question. Had this game released in Japan yet? If not, then AWESOME!
@Super Smash Bros. Fan1999: "Also, this is based off a real person, so I believe that Nintendo is finally going to start clearing licensing issues." What? There's no licensing involved with Ghengis Khan's name and likeness.
@Twilight Crow: I'm not a huge SHMUP fan or anything but I do love a good space shooter. And so far, I'm liking GoT. So far I don't regret getting it and that's saying a lot since I've gone with what VCR said in the past about Star Parodier and was disappointed. I was debating over getting that or Wonder Boy/Monster World or AI: The Beginning. GoT won in the end.
@Adamant: Heh heh, that made me lol when I read that.
@Twilight Crow: Good to hear. I just made a list of DSiWare games I plan to get when I get my DSi, rating each one oult of 5 stars as for how much I'd want to get them. Maybe you should do the same and rate each of the DSiWare titles currently available and then figure out how you'll spend your free 1,000 Points. How long does the 1,000 Points offer extend till, again?
@Aquateen510: MORE rants? Are we gonna go through this every week? Seriously. And "Nintendo doesn't listen to us"? Oh please. Majora's Mask says hi. Just be patient. I really want SSB64 and, more importantly, I'm dying for Mario Party 1-3 but I'm not complaining every week. The weeks would be more easy to bear if the (single) games we were getting were good, quality games. Can't wait till the two-per-week rule returns even if its only temporary. If its a crappy game then I guess you have a right to complain but don't disregard every game that comes out just because it's not SSB64 or SMK. Besides, with those high expectations of yours, you're just setting yourself up for disappointment.
Hooray! Sword & Soldiers has finally arrived. And there's yet another feudal strategy game for me to ignore!
Swords & Soldiers downloaded!
Thanks for the advice guys!
@KS8
Mmm maybe I should get GofT, I've heard a lot of good things about it, I'm also considering AI:TB and even Fish'em all (it attracts me somehow); I have 900 points left, I wanted to save them for Cave Story but, being realistic, I really doubt it will cost less than 1000 points.
The Dsiware rate is a great idea , I'll make a list, I'll check all the reviews here at NL to help me out, but I already know Minis March Again is what I'm getting first , but you got a point, when does the 1000 free points offer expires?
Yeah I so wish M.K* will appear for VC, I all most completed it back in the day so I've got unfinished business to do!!
*Mortal Kombat.
Thank you Ninty!!! S & S is downloaded and ready to go. I just gotta go grocery shopping but I'll finally be playing S & S as soon as I get back!
waits paitiently for pokemon scramble
Very good update for NA! Mario v Donkey Kong 2 but only slightly different? Oh no!
I wish mario vs. donkey kong march of the minis again was more like the first one but downloading A.S.P
Wow. 4 good weeks in a row. Thanks nintendo.
Great week, but I'm still planning to get Pop Plus Solo.
I want to get Swords And Soldiers, but I'm trying to manage my money.
The hell with smash bros. and super mario kart, where's the original Final Fantasy? I'll definately be waiting for the review on mario vs dk3 before I buy. I wasn't crazy about the last one
I'm only interested in Mario vs Donkey Kong this week, but technically if it's just an expansion, you could make the levels yourself in the DS game right? Maybe except any boss battle against DK himself
Well I'm glad to see a good week. Swords and Soldiers and Mini's March Again look great. But why do we need yet another Koei strategy game, as long as we get a good one I don't care, but do we really need so many on the VC from the same company. I liked Uncharted Waters: New Horizon, but one strategy game from Koei is enough. Let alone what is it 4 of them.
Wow, Swords & Soldiers is really awesome! I played it for about an hour and I love this game! I got 3 achievments so far but I'm not rushing through it. I'm going to take my time and enjoy this great game. Another fantastic addition to Nintendo's WiiWare Library!
You guys don't need to rush S&S. Its every month, who ever sends in their code will be entered in a raffle chosen at random.
Wow! What a great update. I look foward to Swords and Soldiers, Fish em' All, and Khan II.
Another awsome update, but I would like to see either an arcade or Neo Geo game released also.
this is a good monday.
I have a feeling this won't be the last strategy game from Koei released on the VC. We'll probably see Liberty or Death, Gemfire, L'Empereur, P.T.O., etc. sometime in the future.
awesome more koei games, keep them coming koei
Just got Swords and Soldiers and already put in over an hour. It is great!
awww... I was kinda hoping for the mario clock(Sad face)
no seriously. mario vs DK is too short and a waste off good money
Good update today for the games, but sadly didnt get any Artstyle games and still nothing yet... i think we not gonna get it at all and maybe never... o well.
@Twilight Crow: Lemme know if you get AI: The Beginnings!
@Who Knew: Every month for how long exactly? I can't wait to see who will be the first Canadian to win. Can't wait till I have enough points to get this.
@Mr.Mat: You DO realize we'll get the Genesis Mortal Kombats if any because of the controller thing, right? And they'll be rated M, of course.
@longtimegamer: They're noon Eastern, 9 Pacific, and correct relative times elsewhere. Simultaneous release nationwide, anyway.
@Adamant: THANK YOU! I was reading along and wondering if anybody was going to have made that obvious point before I had to.
@Supermarioman: It could be a sign of just how little 3rd party content is coming Nintendo's way right now. If everybody stopped submitting games because it took too long for Nintendo to actually release them (my theory for why releases have decreased so much over time when there are still tons of games that COULD be released), Koei could've taken notice and jumped in with several games because they figured they'd get rapid releases. Whether that's what happened or not, it sure seems to have worked!
Anyway, this week doesn't really interest me too much, but I'm glad people are generally happy with it.
@AquaTeen510: You are overreacting. Even i really want those games but you don't see me complaning now do you? Well most of the time i don't complain.
Roll on Friday. Hope we get something good our end. Still waiting for Watergun, Icarian, Overturn, MFC and BT Maths
I got Swords and Soldiers and I really like it, even though its starting to kick my butt (and I'm still in the Viking campaign.) However, looking at some of the achievements, I don't think I'll ever be able to complete them all, like complete Viking Level 7 (the survive one) with all towers intact. I barely barely survived at all.
Super Smash Bros Coming to VC for Europe this Friday!!!!!!!
Yeah!!!!
Edit: Aw man! It's only for Europe.
Yeah, hence "Friday." North American releases are on Mondays.
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