Nintendo Downloads - May 2009 (VC / WiiWare / DSiWare)

Now that we've all gotten new monocles, let's come back to reality.

I don't think it's about saving stuff for E3, except maybe some VC related DSi announcement. I've had to explain many times that Japan gets this same sort of shit, they aren't holding out it's just a new service and they tried to build up the content in a really short span of time and are probably testing the waters for a lot of things like the Clocks/Calculators. The stuff Japan is getting now is slightly better but it's still puzzle games and silly applications.

But then again I can think of very few instances where the early post-launch console library hasn't been a complete mess. The fact is every console goes through this, and there are always people who think that it's possible to determine the quality of a console in it's first month. Shit even the DS was a wonky Mario 64 port, PictoChat and Sprung. It was a wreck for nearly half a year but now stands as one of the greatest console ever made, so much so that many of you are on your 3rd one. Also a lot of early experiments failed, you no longer see the "thumb shoe" or 3D platformers that control that way. But nobody talks about early DS because that's ancient history, and there's little reason for me to believe that won't be the case with DSi in the future. That said, there's always those people who believe that the first month or even year really shows off the console.

If you look at Wiiware the primary supporter of it is 3rd parties. Nintendo very infrequently publishes games for it and I have little doubt that that will be the same case with DSi in the future. But it takes a while to build that up especially when devs haven't had a long enough time to really mess around with it. But anyone expecting a new 2D Metroid out of it needs a grip on reality. Digital Distribution is still in it's infancy and the scope of such projects is designed to be small.

What you should be looking forward to on DSiWare is Moving Memo which is great but what I've been unable to convey is that it is essentially a cartoon sharing platform. Think of a Youtube style service that distributes only user generated flipbook animations. It's really cool but in Japan the service is provided by Hatena, but in the US there doesn't seem to be a web partner so Nintendo may handle the whole thing which would require a significant amount of resources to put together which is why you aren't seeing it just now.

As far as Wiiware goes Cave Story is just around the corner. From what we've heard it's still in testing so it could be another week or another month, but soon.

For VC there have actually been quite a few good releases the past few weeks, although if Tower Toppler is anything like Castelean it's pretty mediocre. A smart person might criticize the amount of releases but the quality has been there for anyone who bothered to look.
 
PEGI update: Fantasy Zone II.

Seems like there's no update for Japan today, I thought that NCL's site simply didn't update because last week was a holiday in Japan, but they didn't update yesterday/today either.
 
Somnid said:
The stuff Japan is getting now is slightly better but it's still puzzle games and silly applications.

I just want to make it perfectly clear that I'm not at all opposed to puzzle games (still playing Aquia, ferchrissakes) and am also willing to take a look at any silly application, particularly if novel—it's just the reskins of basic functionality we already have or doesn't really make sense on the DSi (calculator? seriously?) that I'm not remotely interested in.
 
zigg said:
I just want to make it perfectly clear that I'm not at all opposed to puzzle games (still playing Aquia, ferchrissakes) and am also willing to take a look at any silly application, particularly if novel—it's just the reskins of basic functionality we already have or doesn't really make sense on the DSi (calculator? seriously?) that I'm not remotely interested in.
I don't think calculator as a concept is that bad. It's not something the DS did already, and it is something convenient to have in a portable device. What's bad is, say, a calculator that doesn't allow exponents, or use scientific notation for values that get over a trillion.
 
Capndrake said:
PEGI update: Fantasy Zone II.

Seems like there's no update for Japan today, I thought that NCL's site simply didn't update because last week was a holiday in Japan, but they didn't update yesterday/today either.

It's Golden Week right now and unlike other years the update day fell on one of the holidays. They probably gave everybody the day off.

JoshuaJSlone said:
I don't think calculator as a concept is that bad. It's not something the DS did already, and it is something convenient to have in a portable device. What's bad is, say, a calculator that doesn't allow exponents, or use scientific notation for values that get over a trillion.

It's not even that. In Japan they have all sorts of themed basic solar calculators in endless varieties. I have no idea why these are popular but it's something you just see a lot of and probably why this app exists in the first place. It's a cultural thing that doesn't translate well at all I think, especially to anyone who got used to using Ti-83s in school.

What is especially unlikable about the calculator isn't that it exists but that it's $2. Cell phones have these for free, you can by a physical one for under a dollar, and Nintendo offered a web browser and animation program for free but charged for the calculator and clock. People can't help but feel a little cheated. If it were free there wouldn't be an issue because it is a useful thing to have.
 
I dunno, I remember many of you people in the past months posting stuff like "Nice update, I'd love to buy this VC/Wiiware game but I'm not going to mess with my fridge so I wont dl, hurry up on the storage solution Craptendo don't you want my money?!".

So, I take it you should all have plenty of stuff to catch up to, am I right?

That said, WORST WIK EVA11!!
 
Dash Kappei said:
I dunno, I remember many of you people in the past months posting stuff like "Nice update, I'd love to buy this VC/Wiiware game but I'm not going to mess with my fridge so I wont dl, hurry up on the storage solution Craptendo don't you want my money?!".

So, I take it you should all have plenty of stuff to catch up to, am I right?

Well, I for one took the pragmatic route of actually removing games that I wasn't playing (not that it was a perfect solution... immovable saves in particular were a killer.) I spent more time putting everything back on my SD card when 4.0 released than I think I ever spent with the fridge-cleanin'. :)

I still want a few WiiWare/VC titles, but playtime is my enemy more far more than storage is.

DSiWare is where my key grouse is, because playtime's a bit more open there.
 
crowphoenix said:
Welcome back. You've been gone so long, I'd thought you'd gotten perm'd.

thanks. nope, it was a three-monther. not fun, and i've resolved to NEVER return to the OT. never
 
beelzebozo said:
probably for the best.

i'm fairly certain it's for the best.



so, how's everyone liking that sd card menu? anybody actually used it yet? i know i used it to boot up the nintendo channel for the first time in months. it was all like, "whoa, you've played house of the dead overkill now?! rate that shit!" and i was all, "hells yeah! put me down for some hardcore gaming with friends on that biatch!" and it was all, "okay."

haven't downloaded anything since homestar runner, though.
 
The calculator isn't up to much but the converter tools are genuinely useful. Again, it's easy to find in other devices, but I've used the conversion for weights and time a good few times already, and I only bought it a couple weeks back.
 
Danthrax said:
so, how's everyone liking that sd card menu? anybody actually used it yet? i know i used it to boot up the nintendo channel for the first time in months. it was all like, "whoa, you've played house of the dead overkill now?! rate that shit!" and i was all, "hells yeah! put me down for some hardcore gaming with friends on that biatch!" and it was all, "okay."

Loving it, I have about ninety games all beautlfully spread out by system across the pages for instant access. I never had a problem with delete/redownload, but for showing off to (nerd) buddies, the SD Card Menu is way better :)
 
Dragmire said:
Wow, that would be............ not Nintendo-like. But awesome. What are the downsides to that for Nintendo that ensure it will never happen? Does it promote piracy or something?


it promotes 1 billion app downloads in under a year. Nintendo couldn't support such a blatantly capitalistic model.
 
Added a few more bits & pieces:

  • Next week's Japanese WiiWare updates - Dialhex, Cubeleo and Orbital
  • ESRB rating for Swords & Soldiers

I'm getting married on Saturday so updates from here through to next week may be a bit slow, but I'll try and keep up when I can.
 
Cosmonaut X said:
Added a few more bits & pieces:

  • Next week's Japanese WiiWare updates - Dialhex, Cubeleo and Orbital
  • ESRB rating for Swords & Soldiers

I'm getting married on Saturday so updates from here through to next week may be a bit slow, but I'll try and keep up when I can.
Congrats man.
 
Cosmonaut X said:
Is that the name of the DSiWare version of Wii no Ma? If so, I think I'll add it as a piece of software in the DSiWare release list rather than under the Channels listing where I have it at the mo.

DSi doesn't have any distinction between applications and games, it's all DSiWare. And yes that is the name.

As far as the application goes it I don't think it works without Wii no Ma, but it's still something you have to get from the DSi shop.
 
Somnid said:
DSi doesn't have any distinction between applications and games, it's all DSiWare. And yes that is the name.

As far as the application goes it I don't think it works without Wii no Ma, but it's still something you have to get from the DSi shop.

Cheers for the info. I've dropped it into the DSiWare section.

Thanks, crowphoenix - I'm sure it will be :-)
 
EU update:

VC: Fantasy Zone II (SMS)
WiiWare: Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!
DSiWare: A Little Bit of... Magic Made Fun: Deep Psyche
 
Thanks, Capndrake - added all of those to the OP. Not sure on points value for the WiiWare/DSiWare titles but I'll update those when I can.
 
Capndrake said:
Sorry, 800 for Rainbow Islands, 200 for Magic Made Fun (Just like the previous one).

NP :-)

Thanks for all your help - something like this is only really useful with timely, accurate info & you've been great at providing just that.
 
Cosmonaut X said:
NP :-)

Thanks for all your help - something like this is only really useful with timely, accurate info & you've been great at providing just that.
I think I've checked the Wii Shop within 2 minutes for every single update since the Wii launched, I guess I just want to know if I can expect a shitstorm when I wake up the next morning or not :lol
 
Cosmonaut X said:
I'm going to jail on Saturday

;)

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CONGRATS to you and your better half! :-) :-)
 
This weeks Nintendo Downloads update, this is only for games and not applications (like the Animal Crossing Calculator and Animal Crossing Clock). North America got 1 new game and 1 previously-PAL only game, PAL regions got 2 new games and 1 previously-NA only game.

North America, but not PAL regions:
NES- The Legend of Kage, Elevator Action, Milon's Secret Castle, Lode Runner, Star Soldier, Super C (available in EU, not in AUS), NES Play Action Football, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Zanac, Ghosts 'n Goblins (available in EU, not AUS), Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, King's Knight, Bases Loaded, Renegade, Sky Kid, Super Dodge Ball, Tecmo Bowl, Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II, Life Force

SNES- Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire, Metal Marines, Axelay (available in AUS, not EU), Super Turrican 2, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen, Uncharted Waters: New Horizons, Nobunaga's Ambition

GEN/MD- Powerball, M.U.S.H.A., Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

TG16 & TG16CD- Bravoman, Ordyne, Bomberman '94, Detana!! TwinBee

WiiWare-V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack, Sprogs Racing (available in EU, not AUS), Protöthea, Gyrostarr, Major League Eating: The Game, Frat Party Games: Pong Toss (available in EU, not AUS), Groovin' Blocks, MadStone, Target Toss Pro: Bags, Boingz, Bruiser and Scratch, Hockey Allstar Shootout, Big Kahuna Party, Tiki Towers, Sandy Beach, Planet Pachinko, High Voltage Hot Rod Show, Niki - Rock 'n' Ball (available in EU, not AUS), Lit, Evasive Space, Gradius ReBirth, Bonsai Barber, Cocoto Platform Jumper, Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish!

DSiWare-Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games

PAL regions, but not North America:
NES- Skate or Die!, Devil World

SNES- Mario's Super Picross

N64- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

MS- Rambo: First Blood Part II (called Secret Commando in Europe), Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of ***-***

GEN/MD- Crack Down, ESWAT: City Under Siege, ClayFighter, Galaxy Force II

Europe and North America, but not Australia:
C64 (in EU, not NA)- Uridium, California Games, Impossible Mission, World Games, Paradroid, Last Ninja 2: Back with a Vengeance, Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine, International Karate +, Boulder Dash, Jumpman, Mayhem in Monsterland, Impossible Mission II, Last Ninja 3: Real Hatred is Timeless, Winter Games

WiiWare-Bang!, Texas Hold'em Tournament, Bubble Bobble Plus!, Adventure Island: The Beginning, Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure

DSiWare-Art Style: Decode, Real Football 2009

Total: 57 in North America only, 17 in EU/AUS only, 14 in EU only, 9 in NA and EU, 1 in NA and AUS.
 
Contra ReBirth will be released on WiiWare in Japan next week along with the Art Style games.

On VC they're getting Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki da yo Zenin Shuugou (FC), SimEarth: The Living Planet (PCE CD) and The Tower of Druaga (Arcade).
 
Cosmonaut X said:
I'm getting married on Saturday so updates from here through to next week may be a bit slow, but I'll try and keep up when I can.

Hey, congrats!

So does your better half also enjoy playing video games? Or at least doesn't have an issue with you doing so?
 
Updated the OP with Contra Rebirth and Capndrake's other additions.

Thanks again for the best wishes - much appreciated :-) My other half does enjoy games as well - she's in the middle of Broken Sword DS - so apart from having to wrestle the Professor Layton cart away from her there's no trouble there!
 
Late, Cosmonaut, but congratulations on your impending nuptials. Marriage is truly awesome when it's to the right person.

Also: Where the hell are all the good games, man? I want my damned Art Style games NOW, Nintendo!!!!!@3af

EDIT: Okay, Swords and Soldiers I'm buying. Forgot about that one.
 
We have about 40 minutes left. Here are my predictions.

My predictions for Wii are these.


Super Mario Kart
Smash Bros
Kirby Super Star
Yoshi's Island
Donkey Kong for VCA
MARIO'S FUCKING PICROSS!!!!!! (I have learned now that this one is a no-hoper sadly)
Devil World
Outrun


For DSi, here are my predictions.


Mighty Flip Champs
Planet Puzzle League EXPRESS
Art Style: Decode
Katamari Puzzle
Moving Memo

I see no reason why at least one of my DSi predictions would not happen.
 
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