Pretty soon we’ll be seeing the remake of Military Madness for Wii Ware - a game that was on the Turbo-GraFX 16 WAAAAY back in the day.  Check out these screen shots!  Thanks, WiiWareWorld!

At the GDC2009, Satoru Iwata gave a keynote speech, and talked about the new Wii system update.  This new update allows players to download from the Wii Shop Channel directly to an SD card - and play the games right off the card.

I found information about the new update on the Wii system memory Wikipedia page - it’s version 4.0:

• Update includes SD Card Menu to “move” files and channels between the Wii console and SD card
• You can download and play Virtual Console or WiiWare games directly to the SD card from the Wii Shop Channel
• Wii Shop Channel supports classic arcade games
• Ability to save and access Wii Channels from the SD card
• SDHC card (up to 32 GB) support for System Menu, Wii Speak Channel, Shop Channel, and Photo Channel. Other features may not support SDHC cards.
• Deletes every version of the Twilight Hack (including 0.1beta2)
• Patches IOS16, which was the last official IOS with the signing bug
• Fixed the bug that was used in the Homebrew Channel installer (so all existing IOS-versions were updated)
• Added IOS38, IOS53, IOS55, IOS60, and IOS61

Right now, version 4.0 supports SD memory cards of up to 32GB!  Have you updated lately?

Now, a side note: It is my understanding that you can use any SD card in the Wii.  You do not need to buy a special Wii-branded SD card.  That is all.  Go nuts.

4 GB SD Cards on Amazon - I saw 4GB SD cards for $4.50!

Thanks, Kotaku!

Holy crap - Space Invaders!

When I was a kid, I had Space Invaders on my Atari 2600 and a trackball controller.  I played this game for hours.  According to GoNintendo, it’ll be here in May - but no one knows the cost yet.

<shakes fist at the universe>

Here’s a trailer for Strong Bad’s new game, 8-Bit is Enough.  Looks like fun.

This is a WiiWare release, so you’ll need some Wii points!

Nintendo put out a press release yesterday (December 15) about some new WiiWare titles.  Check it out!

WiiWare
Strong Bad Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Trogdor, the beefy-armed dragon of legend, has shaken free from his video game and is running through the countryside, “burninating” everything in sight. With a dragon on the loose and 8-bit classics leaking into the real world, it’s all fun and games until the proud land of Strong Badia falls to Trogdor’s fiery wrath. Now Strong Bad must take back the night by sending this scorching menace back into his arcade cabinet once and for all. Just one problem: Does anybody know how to kill a dragon?

Big Kahuna Party (Reflexive Entertainment Inc., 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Embark on a tropical adventure with the explosively charged Big Kahuna Party. Looking to make the ultimate party game, we started with a concept that’s accessible to the whole family-the popular match-three game. On top of that, we crafted a unique multiplayer experience in which you can choose to work together to complete the challenging levels before the timer runs out, or go head-to-head and compete in a frenzy of fun. To top it off, we added 99 uniquely free-flowing levels, the challenging Tiki Pole, 20 hidden tropical sea creatures to unlock, the strategic Fish Net and more. The result is a family party game like no other, easy to pick up but impossible to put down. Play alone or with friends, and unleash the Tiki spirit within.

Virtual Console
Enduro Racer (SEGA Master System, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular SEGA arcade game and redesigned for the SEGA Master System, Enduro Racer takes you on an intense set of adrenaline-designed courses containing diverse and rough terrain that will test your skills and reaction time. Ride as fast as you can to pass as many cars and bikes as possible while also avoiding obstacles and pitfalls such as debris on the road. Take jumps off ramps and try to keep your speed up, but make sure to keep an eye on your bike so it doesn’t blow up in your face. Are you ready for the challenge?

Wanna buy some WiiWare games?  Get some Wii Points!

If you enjoy these puzzle-rific games like my co-author does, check out the newest WiiWare release, Plattchen Twist-and-Paint for the Virtual Console.

We expunged only briefly about one of the new WiiWare releases, Mega Man 9, for the virtual console.  If you were an NES Mega Man player (as I was) back in the day, you’re going to need to go ahead and pick this up, Bill Lumberg style.  Capcom’s “blue bomber” is back, he’s mad, and he’s ready to kick some butt in this new release.  IGN has an informative article (as they always do) on the Mega Man 9 release.  From the article:

Capcom Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Mega Man 9 is now available for download on Nintendo’s WiiWare service, and will be available for the PlayStation Network on September 25, and Xbox Live Arcade on October 1. The original 2D classic Mega Man returns, bringing the series back to its roots with retroaction-platform gameplay and NES-inspired old school graphics. Relive the Mega Man experience with maniacally themed environments, a host of power-ups, and classically-inspired bosses, each with their own unique weapons and weaknesses. Mega Man 9 is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) and is available for,1000 Wii Points, $9.99 PlayStation Network, or 800 Microsoft Points.

You know you need some Wii Points for these great releases - go get a Wii Points Card!

Oops!  There’s two more titles that I forgot to post about in my frenzy to let everyone know about Vectorman and Super Dodge Ball -Mega Man 9 and PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint.

From the Official Nintendo News Source:

Mega Man™ 9 (CAPCOM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Mega Man fans, the wait is over! The classic Blue Bomber that debuted in 1987 is back with the ninth installment in the classic series. It’s a new adventure for Mega Man done in an 8-bit style-graphics, music and gameplay are all like you remember them.

PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint (Bplus, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint is a crazy, challenging puzzle shooter that delivers more than 100 hours of fun, supporting up to eight players simultaneously. Guard the birth of ZeLeLi and free them from the menace of the evil black Shadow Plättchen. Play as one of the countless FantasyMEs and fight as an astronaut, butterfly, car or football against sharks, cowboys, asteroids and skulls in numerous, fabulous fantasy Worlds. Use items and multipliers in combos to fight yourself to the top of the high scores and find the perfect way to solve a level. Go wild in three completely different game modes of PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n’ paint with more than 300 levels. Twist cooperatively with your friends or compete through many multiplayer modes.

WiiWare Fans and Virtual Console Lovers, attention:  Vectorman has finally made it out of the gate and is available for points purchase on WiiWare.  IGN was reporting that Vectorman got a green light for release some year and a half ago - so why did it take so long to get this great game out in the USA?  Who knows.  Europe and Japan have had this for about a year.

The game, if you had a Sega Genesis 16 bit, is actually quite a spectacle, and the images do it zero justice.  Vectorman is packed with explosions, shooting, destruction, rampage, and all of those other goodies that you can expect from the old title.  From IGN’s excellent article:

The game looks sensational. Its use of color, its fluid animation, its over-the-top explosions that shake the entire screen — it’s undeniable that Vectorman pushed the power of the Genesis to the extreme, and fans in the ’90s took notice. Vectorman’s graphics got gamers to put down the new PlayStation pads and pick up their classic SEGA controllers one more time. And, when they did, they got to blow up a whole lot of stuff.

Go get some Wii points and get your own copy of Vectorman.

I would hope that any original NES players had the Super Dodge Ball game, and played it frequently - you’ll also be happy to know that WiiWare has released said Super Dodge Ball game for the Virtual Console!  For 500 Wii Points it’s yours - and IGN is giving it a rating of “great” with an 8.5 of 10 score.  Totally worth it.  Get a 2000 Wii Points Card and buy this game.  Seriously.  This was hours of fun when NES was the rockin’est console out there.

Peripheral company Ninty is reportedly working on a storage solution for Wii consoles.  American consumers and Wii fanatics (like yours truly) are buying lots and lots of WiiWare titles, and we need somewhere to stick them once console memory is eaten up.

“We are working on a storage solution and it is especially important in America because our consumers are using Wii Points for the Virtual Console and WiiWare,” Fils-Aime offers.

“I want the people to have the right expectations; we have never said that it will be a hard drive nor have we mentioned how we will fix this issue, but we are going to deliver a better way to store the games.”

Hmm.  Not an external storage drive, and not a zebra.  What could it be?

According to the article, game designer Shigeru Miyamotosays that Ninty isn’t planning many more peripherals with Nintendo.  I wonder what’s up with that?

Do you remember Albino Blacksheep?  I mean, it’s not like they’re dead - quite the opposite - but I remember it being very popular back in undergraduate school for some reason.  So, we’re talking 2002-2003.  Remember Defend Your Castle?  It’s also not just a flash game anymore, it’s on WiiWare!

From the Official Defend Your Castle site:

Defend Your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and at your disposal is only a hand for picking up the enemy and flinging them to their doom. Over time, add power-ups and other weapons to your arsenal to repel the attacks. How long can you hold them off?

Those crafty barbarian hordes have amassed their forces once again to challenge your domain. Will you and your court rise to the challenge, or stand aside as they raze your Castle to the ground?

You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to pick up the enemy and mercilessly fling them to their demise. Perform this task well, for the invaders you face are numerous and employ many different types of soldiers in their quest for your castle.

Excellent!  500 Wii Points, and you’re defending your castle.  Just like in the Flash game.  Except you’re not in your PJ’s in front of the computer, at 3:45 in the morning.

Or maybe you are.  Weird.

Nintendic’s great writers and the good folk over at WiiWare-World have posted information about the WiiWare release, Fun! Fun! Mini-golf, with screenshots by IGN.

This game obviously isn’t released yet, and we’ll post more info about it as soon as it comes available.  It looks pretty awesome, though!  Wii-Ware World also posted some info about the game and the graphics:

• 1-4 Players.
• -Fun! Fun! features Golf courses in America, Europe and Asia.
• There are 27 different holes to play.
• We expect to release the game very soon on Wii Ware.
• We will announce the release date in the next weeks.
• It will be released in Europe and the US
• The game runs fully at 60fps (NTSC) or 50fps (PAL).
  The game does support 16:9 and 4:3 TV screens.Some graphical specs. Fun! Fun! features:
• HDR Lightning
• Image Based Lightning
• Soft Shadows
• Normal Mapping
• Environment Mapping
• Bump Mapping
• Blooming

Nintendic and Wii-Ware World, thanks!

We just got an email, a PR release, about some HudsonSoft’s WiiWare releases.  Check it out:

My Aquarium Makes a Splash on WiiWare!
Offering all the fun of owning an aquarium without the high costs and
maintainence, My Aquarium allows you to create your own, one of a kind
aquarium, complete with unique fish, plant life, and other
decorations. Share your aquarium with friends through WiiConnect24™
and enjoy a soothing experience for the whole family!

DECA SPORTS: AVP Pro Volleyball
Throughout the summer, the American Volleyball Professionals league
has had DECA SPORTS on hand at all of their events. Check out the
summertime fun with AVP right here!

Thanks, HudsonSoft!
Don’t forget that you need Wii Points to buy WiiWare stuff.  Got a 2000 points Wii Points card.  It’s 20 bucks.

New on WiiWare this week is a title called My Aquarium from HudsonSoft; a virtual fishtank of sorts.  It’s gonna set you back 500 Wii Points, and it’s one player, but you have up to six fish tanks you can “design,” with up to 40 species of fishies.

Sound ridiculous?  Well, WiiWare World gave it 8 of 10, calling it “a unique experience that will provide enjoyment for gamers of all ages and backgrounds.”  Stick that in your fishtank and - um - swim with it?

Hmm.  Yeah.

WeKnowWii has gained a Nintendo Press Pass!  We’ll always bring you as much up-to-date information as we can, as soon as it’s available!

New today, on WiiWare, from the Nintendo Press Vault:

Magnetica™ Twist (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The classic puzzle game Magnetica is now available on WiiWare , putting its own unique “twist” on the puzzle-game experience. You’re surrounded by marbles, marching slowly but surely down a track. Use a launcher (piloted by a Mii™ of your choice) to shoot marbles with matching colors and wipe them out before they reach the end of the track. Control couldn’t be simpler, as all you need to do is twist the Wii Remote™ controller to aim and press the A button to shoot. And the game play remains as addictive and deep as you’ve come to expect in Nintendo’s puzzle games, with five varied play modes, advanced mechanics such as the ability to lob marbles, and a never-ending supply of combos. This definitely isn’t your typical game of marbles.

Also new today, for the Virtual Console:

FATAL FURY 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1992 by SNK, FATAL FURY 2 is the second installment in the renowned fighting-game series. In addition to Terry, Andy and Joe, who appeared in the original game, another five distinctive fighters gather from around the world to compete for the championship title. Also newly added are stage-specific hazards and the ability to perform desperation attacks when a character’s strength is low. These particularly deadly techniques create the chance for a come-from-behind victory achieved with a single strike. Moreover, the innovative two-line battle, which proved popular in the previous version, also has been radically enhanced. Pressing the weak-attack and strong-attack buttons simultaneously enables players to move their fighters to another line themselves, or to launch an attack that pushes opponents back to another line. This game mechanic, unique to this title in the series, allows the player to take advantage of the depth of the screen and create even more exciting bouts. Can you prove yourself the king of fighters again?

Check them out!  Need Wii Points?  Go get some!

Game Developers’ Conference Executive Director Jamil Moledina unrolled an announcement that there will be not one, not two, but three Nintendo-centric talks at this year’s conference. Brawl, Wii Fit, and WiiWare are on the agenda, and the staff at WeKnowWii is getting ready to ride the torrent of news that we know is coming about the conference this year.

Check out Jamil’s notice about the Nintendo talks.