Nintendo Wii Fanboy

There are only two Virtual Console games this week in Japan, but of course for the US that would be a massive week. Both are sports-themed, and both are excellent. Well, actually, we've never played the PC Engine version of Super Dodge Ball, developed by Naxat, but it is Super Dodge Ball, and thus probably wonderful. Mario Golf needs no explanation.

• Mario Golf 64 (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
• Nekketsu Koukou Dodge Ball-bu: PC Bangai Hen (PC Engine, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)

The biggest news in WiiWare (as in, the game that no other region has and is thus news) is Aero Guitar, Yudo's Wiimote rhythm game, which we're hoping to see more of now that some people can buy it.

• Tsuushin Taiyoku World Chess (1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
• Wi-Fi 8-Player Bomberman (1-8 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
• Aero Guitar (1 player, 800 Wii Points)

Sorry, folks. Compared to last week's releases (well, maybe just the one release), this week is going to disappoint. We've got some WiiWare releases, one new Virtual Console game and some retail releases, as well. So, head past the break and catch the details.

While Europe gleefully blasts Bombermen at home and online, we must be content to stare at screenshots and artwork of the game, while we sit by and eagerly await our millionth chance to play Bomberman. Hudson has obligingly sent along new screens and art for us to direct our sighs toward. We wouldn't be surprised to see it here soon, though, now that it's out elsewhere.

As excited as we are about the 8-player online play, in our minds the 8-player home play is the real star here. We imagine a hypothetical situation in which we could gather enough Bomberman-friendly people in one place, with enough controllers, to make for an awesome party. Game Night seems like a much more ... possible venue for Bombermannery.



[Via press release]

We believe the technical term for this is "a no-brainer."

• Bomberman Blast -- WiiWare -- 1,000 Wii Points
• Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint -- WiiWare -- 1,500 Wii Points
• Midnight Pool -- WiiWare -- 800 Wii Points

Sorry, Plättchen Twist 'n' Paint, but if you're going to turn up at this party with absolutely no footage to show us and a price tag of 1,500 Wii Points, then you'll be spending the rest of the night alone -- we prefer our thrills cheap. And although we wouldn't usually be so dismissive, Midnight Pool, is it okay with you if we spend the evening just whispering sweet nothings in the ear of Bomberman Blast? It is? Great, punch bowl's over there, go nuts with Plättchen.

[Update: Plättchen footage has just entered the building -- hit the break!]

Tycho and Gabe, as well as all those other game companies, must be feeling pretty insecure right now, because they're all going to be upstaged by a humble WiiWare game. Or, at least, that would be the case if this year's Penny Arcade Expo were being attended exclusively by a crowd of weirdos just like us, because Hudson will have Alien Crush Returns and Bomberman Blast on display at their booth. This will be the first official public appearance in North America by either of these games!

Fishing Master World Tour and the already-released Deca Sports will also be on display. And Alien Crush Returns! Did we mention that one?



[Via press release]

Okay, first of all, there are new screens for the upcoming WiiWare title. Hit them up in our gallery below, then come back here, because we're got some things we need to discuss.

Back? Good. Okay, to clarify: Bomberman Blast, the WiiWare title for download and not the retail disc, will feature Mii support and 8-person online multiplayer (up to four players can go online on the same Wii) and is officially on its way to North America. We know we told you something else before regarding the Mii stuff, but the press release that literally just landed into our inbox tells another story. So expect this to be one content-rich download.

And on top of those details, Hudson also let us know that they'll be offering online tournaments. In fact, one will even coincide with the release of the game (which is due out in Japan this fall)!


[Via press release]

Has Hudson really not used the name Bomberman Blast before? Seems like a pretty obvious choice -- but the genius of Bomberman cannot be quantified with words, so we assume Hudson knows exactly the right thing to do at exactly the right time. They simply said: "Let there be Bomberman Blast." And it was so.

We discovered earlier that the upcoming blast-fest will actually be split into two versions; the WiiWare edition will be a classic Bomberman experience, whereas the full retail edition features Mii support and bonus content. According to a recent interview with Cubed3, Europe will only be receiving the WiiWare version -- so any shopaholics must be confined to the vast expanse of the internet for any purchasing enjoyment. There's no confirmation which versions will be released in other regions, but by using the simple process of elimination, North America will likely receive the retail copies (unless the differences are significant enough to warrant dual versions in the same region). How does that make you feel? Angry? Wanna blow something up?


[Via GamerBytes]