Bplus might not have had the most auspicious start to WiiWare publishing, but you have to give this tiny independent developer credit for sticking at it. Today the studio has announced its second WiiWare title, called Niki – Rock 'n' Ball.
Here's the glorious details, straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak:
Niki – Rock 'n' Ball is a new interpretation of the unforgettable Arcade classics, where the only goal is to vanquish all opponents to reach the next stage, with a completely innovative and unique gaming mechanism and beautiful 2.5D graphics.
Roll along with Niki Ball through fantastic worlds, find all the ZeLeLi pearls and liberate your village from cuddly as well as evil monsters before it is too late!
Timing is everything! Jump in the nick of time to avoid landing amidst barbs and hop about across the stages, thanks to the realistic gaming physics. Snap on the ZeLeLi amulet, transform yourself into Niki Rock and force even the most obstinate monster to its knees!
Explore all the stages and win valuable medals dribbling through them alone or along with a friend.
Play Niki – Rock 'n' Ball with all the familiar controls in the Retro style or experience the novel controls in the Wii™ style!
Key Facts:
- Genre: Jump 'n' Roll
- Players: 1 or 2 Player cooperative
- Control Styles: Wii Remote™ only - Retro or motion controlled
- Presentation: 2D gameplay, 3D graphics and animations, 60 fps
- Video Modes: 480p, 16:9 widescreen
It all sounds very promising, but having been badly burned by the arm-straining disappointment that was Plattchen, we’re reserving judgment until we see a bit more information. Still, Bplus clearly has some talented people, so if they can keep the idea simple and fun this time around, then this might turn out to be quite special.
You can check out the details on Bplus’ site.
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1. Corbie
01 Dec 2008, 14:35 GMT
It looks really cool. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
2. Bass X0
01 Dec 2008, 14:35 GMT
more shovelware? certainly looks like it is a quickly and cheaply produced game.
3. siavm
01 Dec 2008, 14:49 GMT
I don't know if this one will be good or not. But hopefully it is good.
4. gameking23
01 Dec 2008, 14:53 GMT
I hope this game is good it would be a shame if Bplus produced another dud.
5. Auntman
01 Dec 2008, 15:07 GMT
Hopefully this one's better than Plättchen. Seeing small developers games not being sold makes me sad
6. bwaybuddy26
01 Dec 2008, 15:12 GMT
You've gotta give Bplus for at least making their games with love. Both of their games are really fun to look at and have a certain enthusiastic quality. Hopefully the game mechanics will be VASTLY improved from Twist-n-paint...
7. KnucklesSonic8
01 Dec 2008, 15:22 GMT
Cool. Good to hear being the Plattchen fan that I am.
8. ATRUEZELDAFAN
01 Dec 2008, 16:04 GMT
Hmm.Intresting concept. I hope this turn out better than their last project.
9. Robster!
01 Dec 2008, 17:08 GMT
I'm one of the few people who actually liked Plättchen but this looks truly horrible. Playing this must be a whole lot of fun to make up for the headache inducing visuals...
10. Wiiloveit
01 Dec 2008, 17:30 GMT
Lookin' funkeh so far. Hopefully they won't overcomplicate it this time.
11. KnucklesSonic8
01 Dec 2008, 18:21 GMT
high fives Robster for liking Plattchen
12. KDR_11k
01 Dec 2008, 18:41 GMT
Wait, a blob? Physics? "Rock" mode? It's GISH!
I sure hope they don't do too much pointless innovation this time, as Einstein said "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction.".
13. calculon
01 Dec 2008, 18:56 GMT
I'd like to leave a positive comment. I really would. I wish Bplus the best of luck with this one though.
14. Wiiloveit
01 Dec 2008, 19:02 GMT
I might have tried Plattchen if it was a bit cheaper and it was a little less complicated. Once there's a WiiWare drought (or when Europe starts to get games such as Pit Crew Panic and VIP Casino), I'll try to check it out though.
15. maka
01 Dec 2008, 19:09 GMT
There's a trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGizNM1o8Pg
I did enjoy Platchen, but I'm not too sure about this one... reminds me a bit of the ball mode in MaBoSi but more complex.
16. Crazynoodle
01 Dec 2008, 20:01 GMT
Ummmm...... Im not sure whats going on in the pics, i hope it does well, but im waiting for MaBoShi
17. slambert215
01 Dec 2008, 20:10 GMT
Return of WiiBoy perhaps if this gets a good review?
18. Tony
01 Dec 2008, 20:21 GMT
I hope this game is complex and has a steep learning curve
19. shadows262
01 Dec 2008, 21:03 GMT
what are you supposed to do in the game?
WAAAIIIT!!! IS THIS ANOTHER PUZZLER?
20. Wiiloveit
01 Dec 2008, 21:16 GMT
@slambert215: Here's hoping. I've said this a million times now, but here I go again: WE WANT YOU BACK WIIBOY!
21. Objection_Blaster
01 Dec 2008, 22:02 GMT
Maybe they can turn their reputationa round with this one..but I'm not that impressed...
22. Starwolf_UK
01 Dec 2008, 22:21 GMT
I hope BPlus have learned from their two main mistakes with Quizzlestick (that is my pet name for Plattchen); Too expensive and too confusing.
23. Tides of Chaos
01 Dec 2008, 22:40 GMT
Judging from the video, it still looks like the control scheme involves a lot of wrist movement. Probably not as strenuous as Plattchen but I haven't tried either game so I can't really say for sure.
24. Virus
02 Dec 2008, 00:55 GMT
Control looks hideous in the trailer, but it might fly. I wish BPlus the best of luck, but from my initial views, this doesn't look like their lucky hit.
25. Hydroswimmer12
02 Dec 2008, 01:58 GMT
BPlus will never get it right >_< *
26. Draygone
02 Dec 2008, 03:16 GMT
Woo, glad to hear BPlus hasn't given up. And hey, this looks interesting. Looking at the video, it reminds me of Super Buster Bros.. (Reread: I didn't say Mario)
And not to worry about the controls, as the article does mention that regular (non-Wiimote swinging) controls are possible.
27. Stratos
02 Dec 2008, 03:45 GMT
I can't make too much sense of the screen shots but if it is a platformer then I am interested.
Also, I don't know if anyone has noticed but Paint-n-Twist dropped to 1000 points in US a while back.
28. KDR_11k
02 Dec 2008, 07:18 GMT
Hm, the game looks a bit uncontrollable, it seems as if the player is being thrown around by the physics more than he controls himself.
29. WarioFan63
02 Dec 2008, 15:32 GMT
Also, I don't know if anyone has noticed but Paint-n-Twist dropped to 1000 points in US a while back.
Thats what it was when it was initially released here.
Unless thats what you meant. Sorry.
30. Ricardo91
02 Dec 2008, 16:35 GMT
I wonder if they'll send Wiiboy or another BPlus goon to hype up THIS one to the breaking point.
31. MARTRACE1
02 Dec 2008, 17:42 GMT
PLEASE I WANT BEST GAME ON BOXING DAY.
32. Starwolf_UK
02 Dec 2008, 20:47 GMT
Judging from the video, it still looks like the control scheme involves a lot of wrist movement.
It does have "retro controls" so I'm guessing that is the D-pad as an alternate.
33. PeGe
02 Dec 2008, 23:25 GMT
It would be so much fun if it failed as miserably as Plättchen did. Maybe Bernd will rethink his ideas and start working on real games, then.
34. Killraven
03 Dec 2008, 00:00 GMT
from the video, it doens't like like creatures are much of a threat. to the point where i wonder why they are there at all.
35. Twilight Crow
03 Dec 2008, 19:20 GMT
Well, for what I saw in the trailer, this one looks like fun to me, I'll be keeping an eye on this one; I like Plattchen too so I guess Bplus games simply appeal to me.
36. gameking23
04 Dec 2008, 02:56 GMT
I hope that this game is better than Plattchen. It does look like it could actually be fun. (fingers crossed)
37. ShadowPower
07 Dec 2008, 18:03 GMT
Wow, way to be optimistic people >.>
It has Retro Controls which is probably using a D-Pad
I'm probably gonna get it regardless of the review, so if it's good I can gloat XD
38. XCWarrior
08 Dec 2008, 04:08 GMT
Looks somewhat promising. Be interesting to hear the review. Looks retroy good, so that's a plus.
39. Wiiloveit
08 Dec 2008, 21:38 GMT
NEW Bplus interview RE: Niki and PLATTCHEN
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