Puzzle Bobble Wii -- wheee!
Another games tsunami hits the Japanese Wii Shop!
You know I just bought 6000 Wii points for the PAL service expecting a ton of new WiiWare and Virtual Console Arcade titles to appear imminently. I may be somewhat impatient, but it's extra disheartening to see two single-release Fridays in a row and then the nearly non-stop flood of content hitting Japan week after week.
Next week the Japanese shop will see four new WiiWare releases and three new Virtual Console releases including two for the new Virtual Console Arcade. It almost makes me wish I could transfer those points...
Anyway the WiiWare releases are as follows:
Shanghai Wii - Sunsoft 800 points. This has been rumoured for some time, but I'm still surprised to see it. This is also known as "mahjong solitaire" and is basically a tile-matching game using mahjong tiles stacked in various patterns that has been on computers and consoles for a very long time. Sunsoft hasn't released any of these outside of Japan in the past, but it's WiiWare so anything's possible, right?
I love Shanghai *awwwwww*
Puzzle Bobble Wii - Taito 800 points. I think we all knew this was coming, but I really didn't think it would be so soon! Very exciting and eases the desire for any arcade ports of it. Looking at screens it seems to be modeled on the original.
Adventure Island - Hudson 1000 points. I actually expected this to turn up in North America first for some reason...
Evasive Space - Torai Faasuto (Try First) 1000 points. So, High Voltage found a publisher in Japan for this game but not in Europe, eh?
VC releases include Legend of Zelda, Majora's Mask for the N64 for 1200 points (does this mean North America gets it on Monday?) and two VC Arcade releases: Cosmo Gang The Puzzle from Namco for 800 points and Space Invaders from Taito for 500 points.
1. Sean Aaron
03 Apr 2009, 14:56 BST
If anyone's interested in Wii Shanghai I've got a review of the disc release and a guide for it on my blog.
Oh, in case it isn't obvious I'll be buying Puzzle Bobble Wii and giving some notes on it next week. I might get Wii Shanghai as well, though since I have the disc game and there doesn't appear to be any online or other incentive besides new boards, I'm undecided...
2. Ren
03 Apr 2009, 14:57 BST
I'd actually be interested in Shanghai Wii. I've wasted so much time on my computer with it that it'd be nice to play it with more options and other people in my living room. Why do some get so much while others get so little? Hey crossed posts, perfect! I'll go check it out, thanks Sean.
3. Sean Aaron
03 Apr 2009, 15:00 BST
Actually I think Crave released some kind of board game package in North America that included solitaire mahjong ren:
http://www.amazon.com/Solitaire-Mahjong-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B001AR0D3G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1238767170&sr=8-1
So if Shanghai Wii never sees the light of day on the NA Shop you're sorted. People in PAL-land are hosed, though...
4. Firkraag
03 Apr 2009, 15:11 BST
I'm sorry Sean, but seeing as it's been for the last couple of months perhaps the wii-points are better bought once there is an actual release and not pre-emptively
And on topic, Puzzle Bobble looks wicked! Can't wait.
5. Ratengo
03 Apr 2009, 15:12 BST
@Sean: Majora's Mask costs 1.200 Wii Points in Japan. I will download Adventure Island Wii and Puzzle Bobble Wii but I'm hesitating for Shanghai Wii (don't know how a multi-player game works).
6. Rexy
03 Apr 2009, 15:26 BST
Ah, Puzzle Bobble. One of the most addicting puzzle games I ever played as a kid.
If that ever shows up on the Wiiware service, I'd definitely be downloading that for quickplay purposes.
Never mind lucky us - we should be screaming "lucky Japan"!
7. VGP
03 Apr 2009, 15:27 BST
Maybe this Monday we'll get super smash bros n64 and zelda majoras mask fingers crossed wii point cards ready
8. Starwolf_UK
03 Apr 2009, 15:45 BST
(does this mean North America gets it on Monday?)
Now I'm getting really worried about what will happen if North America doesn't get it. It should be almost certain now as the last Zelda game did a pretty similar thing.
I look forward to Puzzle Bobble impressions. In theory a complete Gamecube port of Super Bust a Move All Stars could have been possible as the disc only has 30MB of data (WiiWare limit is 40MB) but its nice to see things newly bulit (though part of me misses 4 player mode with its tiny gameplay windows)
Did you notice Puzzle Bobble Wii has the Pay and Play logo? I wonder what evil DLC Square-Enix-Taito has for plan?
9. sfog
03 Apr 2009, 15:46 BST
"Sunsoft hasn't released any of these outside of Japan in the past..."
Actually, they have. There was a US release of Shanghai from them on the GBC. There have also been a number of console versions from other companies over the years, primarily Activision.
10. Stuffgamer1
03 Apr 2009, 15:53 BST
Man, why can't western gamers get massive releases like this? So not fair...and Nintendo still acting like the Internet doesn't exist, so we can't find out how poorly we're being treated relative to their Japanese customers...
11. sponge
03 Apr 2009, 15:59 BST
dont envy any of those releases especially, except majora's mask of course, which will be everywhere very soon. adventure island would be cool, but i dont need it right away. its just a numbers game. id rather see quality, not quantity. not saying those are bad titles... just nothing im mad i cant have right now.
12. Rapadash6
03 Apr 2009, 16:12 BST
Okay, I fully expect Majora's Mask to hit the US this Monday now, even with Super Smash Bros. looming on the horizon . Maybe I'm crazy to think we'll get TWO N64 games in one month but maybe we're all a little crazy...
13. KnucklesSonic8
03 Apr 2009, 16:22 BST
Puzzle Bobble Wii was no surprise since it was planned for an April release plus it got rated last month.
I also expected NA to get Adventure Island: New Beginning first. Either that or EU but not Japan. I wonder if it'll be 1,000 when it comes here....
It's a slim chance but I suppose it is possible that at least one of the Mahjong games will come here.
Nice getting Cosmo Gang the Puzzle. I had expressed interest in that.
14. Sean Aaron
03 Apr 2009, 16:47 BST
@Ratengo: cheers for that; if some uber-admin can fix my wrong points total? With regard to the multiplayer I expect it to be similar to one or more of the disc release modes. It appears to be AI or human local and from screens separate boards with people competing to complete theirs first. The disc game allowed for team play as well. I may find out!
@sfog: The Activision games came first; Sunsoft licensed use of the name Shanghai and put out some arcade and games in Japan, but Sunsoft haven't released any for home consoles outside of Japan that I'm aware of (I didn't count the Gameboy Colour because it's a handheld, but I'm probably splitting hairs, so that's a fair cop).
15. gameking23
03 Apr 2009, 16:48 BST
As long as we get Equilibrio this month I'll be happy.
16. shinigami tidus
03 Apr 2009, 17:00 BST
Puzzle Bobble: fix buy
i want it next week with bit.trip:beat^_^
17. Ferret75
03 Apr 2009, 17:43 BST
OMG, Puzzle Bobble Wii?
NICE.
18. alvieao
03 Apr 2009, 18:28 BST
I want Puzzle Bobble Wii =D
19. Nintendo-Naut
03 Apr 2009, 18:28 BST
Me want Bust-a-Move!
20. jpfan1989
03 Apr 2009, 18:51 BST
I've been waiting for Bust-a-Move! for as long as Neo-Geo games have been available on the VC
21. MarkyVigoroth
03 Apr 2009, 19:27 BST
I want the original Puzzle Bobble...
...but the Wii version is fine, too!
22. gameking23
03 Apr 2009, 19:46 BST
Ya I just found out that Equilibrio is comming out this Monday. Here is the post from thier website. - 31/03/09 - Equilibrio Release
Equilibrio will be released in the US by the 6th of April and in Europe by the 10th of April.
23. Corbie
03 Apr 2009, 19:55 BST
I LOVE Shanghai. One of my all-time favorite games. Japan is getting some great stuff lately.
24. Shadx
03 Apr 2009, 19:57 BST
Wow, I need to get majora's mask. Then I'll have played every console zelda ever! GET OVER HERE MONDAY, DAMMIT!
25. Bahamut ZERO
03 Apr 2009, 20:11 BST
Lucky Japan
26. Atlantis1982
03 Apr 2009, 20:24 BST
Not looking forward to Monday at all. Even if it is Majoras Mask (good game), I ain't getting it cause I already have it. So to me, it'll be a wasted week.
27. donx998
03 Apr 2009, 20:29 BST
awsome puzzle bobble was one of my most favorite games next to tetris attack
28. Bahamut ZERO
03 Apr 2009, 20:47 BST
Im glad there are no Japanese guys on Nintendolife to constantly gloat in our faces
29. LEGEND MARIOID
03 Apr 2009, 21:05 BST
Puzzle Bobble Wii looks interesting.
30. Bendover83
03 Apr 2009, 21:20 BST
I have Majora's Mask Gold cartridge, but I'm looking forward to buying for VC just because its easier on me to play. I still have a N64, but its a pain to dig it out and hook it up. So hopefully it comes out this month.
31. Atlantis1982
03 Apr 2009, 23:12 BST
Forgot to mention this.
Some media publication really should get in Nintendo's faces (Not Japan) about the pure lack of just more games to release on Monday/Friday. Its ridiculous, and they can speed it up.
32. KnucklesSonic8
04 Apr 2009, 00:34 BST
Puzzle Bobble Wii was no surprise since it was planned for an April release plus it got rated last month.
I also expected NA to get Adventure Island: New Beginning first. Either that or EU but not Japan. I wonder if it'll be 1,000 when it comes here....
It's a slim chance but I suppose it is possible that at least one of the Mahjong games will come here.
Nice getting Cosmo Gang the Puzzle. I had expressed interest in that.
33. Bendover83
04 Apr 2009, 01:03 BST
Well I bought some more Nintendo Points just in anticipation for Monday or this month. I have 1400 on my Wii right now and I think I'll wait till the end of the month to use them. No telling what's coming out for both Wii and DSi.
Smash Bros. and Majora I both want and I might get Wario Ware Snapped with the extra 1000 points I'll be getting.
Ya I'm bored just thought to post that.
34. StarDust
04 Apr 2009, 01:54 BST
It's not fair that they give us a new platform and only 1-2 games/ week max
35. The Fox
04 Apr 2009, 02:49 BST
Yeah, compared to Japan, all other regions of the VC have been neglected worse than a meth heads baby, but what can you do? Japan almost always gets better treatment from Nintendo, even back in the 8-bit days. Still, I hope Nintendo freakin' picks up the pace.
36. SeniorDingDong
04 Apr 2009, 08:42 BST
Puzzle Bobble is a must get.
37. Objection_Blaster
04 Apr 2009, 15:47 BST
Those lucky Japanese! It's not like they make all these games!
38. Sean Aaron
04 Apr 2009, 16:02 BST
Well, let's remember the EU got Majora's Mask first; we're also getting Little King's Story first.
There is a little bit of give and take, though I admit I'm having to wrack my brain to come up with these examples! Really someone in the press should take Nintendo to task over it, though if you talk to NoJ, I'm sure they would say "Don't ask us, ask NoA or NoE why they're lagging!"
39. Egg miester
05 Apr 2009, 05:12 BST
damn japan always gets better wii ware games first and more then 1 at a time i'm jealous
40. Sean Aaron
07 Apr 2009, 11:12 BST
Downloaded Puzzle Bobble Wii this morning; 800 points plus two DLC level packs for 200 each just like Bubble Bobble Wii; unlike Bubble Bobble Wii they do in fact appear to be separate downloads of 135 blocks each (if I read that correctly).
Puzzle Bobble action tonight!
41. StarDust
09 Apr 2009, 14:08 BST
I want puzzle bobble
42. MauWii
09 Apr 2009, 20:11 BST
PUZZLE BOBBLE ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!! how many coins i have spent 10 years ago at the Bar
i love it !!
Leave A Comment
Please login to post a comment.