Go skydiving and more in Pilotwings!
An all-star lineup for Europe this week!
There's a total of 5 new releases this week - And all of them are highly regarded games! Among them are two new Nintendo games, which, as Nintendo claims, are both being released because of this week's German Gamescom event.
The Virtual Console finally gets a certain SNES launch title which strangely hasn't been made available yet - Pilotwings, a flight sim which makes heavy use of the SNES's Mode 7 3D effect. You can fly around with a variety of vehicles or gadgets, and will have to complete various objectives while doing so. It looks like a calm, simple game, but don't let that fool you - It can actually be quite challenging and anything but relaxing. We'll have a review of the game up soon.
DSiWare gets Nintendo goodness as well - This week finally sees the European release of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, the third game in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. Basically following on from the previous game, you once again have to lead Mini Marios safely to the exit in every stage, correctly modifying the stage layout while doing so to avoid them running into any danger. Contrary to what some people initially thought, it's not simply a rerelease of some stages from the previous game - These are completely new! There's also a level editor for the creative types, including online level sharing. You can read what we thought of the game here. The game will cost you 800 DSi Points.
Don't let Mario steal the spotlight away from tonight's other DSiWare release though - Pop Plus: Solo is the sequel to WiiWare launch title Pop, the addictive bubble bursting game. With new modes and of course the ability to now carry it with you anywhere you go we're sure it'll be even more addictive than the previous game. It's also only 500 DSi Points! We'll review it as fast as possible.
But this week's WiiWare lineup isn't exactly weak either - Bit.Trip Core is the sequel to the highly addictive Bit.Trip: Beat, and surprise surprise, it's just as good! This time you don't just deflect beats which come in from the right side of the screen - They'll be coming from all four sides while you're positioned in the center, so you've got to pay close attention the whole time. You can read what we thought here. It'll cost 600 Wii Points.
The other new WiiWare game on offer is Taito's next remake. For now, they're done with the Bubble Bobble series, so it's time to move on to other classic Taito games - Arkanoid Plus! is a remake of the classic ball-bouncing game Arkanoid, where the objective is to break all the blocks suspended in mid-air by bouncing around a ball using a paddle you can only move left and right. As usual, Sean already wrote some first impressions of the game when it was released in Japan a few months ago - You can read them here, and then wait for our review! As usual, it costs 800 Wii Points.
A lot of good games this week! Will you be picking up any?
1. Turkey Brutus
20 Aug 2009, 14:29 BST
Wow...what a brilliant update.
2. RaccoonMario
20 Aug 2009, 14:30 BST
That's a really great update.
3. Hyper Luigi
20 Aug 2009, 14:31 BST
This is riduculous! We Americans have not even recieve Super Smash Bros., and the Europeans now have Pilotwings!
4. Corbie
20 Aug 2009, 14:31 BST
Wow, that is a fantastic update. Best I've seen to date, as a whole.
And let's not begrudge the European gamers who typically are always the last to get many game consoles and game releases over the past years.
5. redflicky
20 Aug 2009, 14:32 BST
Never played Pilot Wings...
6. Roopa132
20 Aug 2009, 14:34 BST
I can't wait for Mario vs Donkeykong. Finally we get it
7. Token Girl
20 Aug 2009, 14:34 BST
MvDK is so good. Have fun europe!
8. Terranigma
20 Aug 2009, 14:37 BST
Sweet, that is one great update. I think I'd buy all of them if I had the points
9. Cheezy
20 Aug 2009, 14:42 BST
Wow good stuff! Our updates aren't nearly this good
10. LEGEND MARIOID
20 Aug 2009, 14:42 BST
At last, a good update. Arkanoid Plus, Mari v DK and Pop Plus are insta downloads for me and I even acknowledge the fact that Pilotwings SNES and Core are good games as well. Thank you NoE
11. Hyper Luigi
20 Aug 2009, 14:51 BST
I'm glad to hear you guys have Mario VS Donkey Kong 3, it is a wonderful game.
When Pop Plus comes over to America, it is an instant download for me.
12. ReZon
20 Aug 2009, 14:51 BST
Wow Euro... I hope you guys enjoy it!
(do want Arkanoid Plus!)
13. Digiki
20 Aug 2009, 14:52 BST
That is quite the good update.
14. Gh0stie
20 Aug 2009, 14:53 BST
Woo!
I actually want everything this week O__O
15. Aenaida
20 Aug 2009, 14:55 BST
16. Charlie The Unicorn
20 Aug 2009, 14:55 BST
This is the best (Non-Japan) download update I've even seen since it all began, and I'm so jealous! However, Corbie is right. Europe had to wait 6 months for the gamecube after we got it, and 4 months for the DS, so it's only fair that they get some good stuff first, like Pilotwings, Maboshi, SSB, and Majora's Mask.
Overall, Congratulations on your awesome update Europe, and I hope to see the remaining 3 arrive in American shores soon.
17. Sneaker13
20 Aug 2009, 14:59 BST
Nothing for me this week. If I had a DSi, I would probably get Mario vs Donkey Kong. Currently playing the DS retail version and I like it so far.
Still no LiT for WiiWare
. I want it. I want it. I want it.
18. LinktotheFuture
20 Aug 2009, 15:04 BST
Nice update, I look forward to giving Pilotwings a try when it comes to the US.
19. Smashbro99
20 Aug 2009, 15:06 BST
Please bring a good update like this to the U.S.
20. Tony
20 Aug 2009, 15:15 BST
Wow! what an update all of these games are worth a look. Nice job Nintendo of Europe. I wish Arkanoid was only 600 points though. And Pop Plus is finally out. I think that game will be a good fit for the DSi Ware
21. Djungelurban
20 Aug 2009, 15:23 BST
Nice update, but nothing for me...
22. Egg miester
20 Aug 2009, 15:51 BST
not a bad week for eu
23. dap594
20 Aug 2009, 16:03 BST
Finally!!! Europe gets Mario vs Dk this is an instant download
24. Starwolf_UK
20 Aug 2009, 16:15 BST
I wish Arkanoid was only 600 points though
If it follows the trend of all the Taito games (Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble) it will be...in North America.
Finally Bit Trip Core. I'm wondering if LiT and Mighty Flip Champs will ever come. At least NOE turned their sanity on and decided to release Maior vs. DK before the end of the year.
25. opeter
20 Aug 2009, 16:27 BST
Waoh, Arkanoid for me! And Bit.Treap Core! Great update!
26. Stevie
20 Aug 2009, 16:36 BST
Oh what a dilema, I just got Little King Story in the post today, and have been waiting for Pilotwings for a long time, what to play.
You wait ages for a bus then 2 come at once
27. Bass X0
20 Aug 2009, 16:39 BST
Must keep on runway! Stop! STOP! Noooooo! I went too far and crashed! ARGH!!
28. Kittsy
20 Aug 2009, 17:04 BST
Haha! Finally, Europe get something good! 8D
29. Kokstra
20 Aug 2009, 17:13 BST
Great update, but definitely not buying Arkanoid because Taito burned me twice with their Bubble Bobble releases when it launched in the US for 600 instead of 800 points.
30. jhuhn
20 Aug 2009, 17:15 BST
This might mean North America may get Arkanoid Plus! very soon as well.....for only 600 Wii points. I'll be downloading Arkanoid when it comes out in my area and the other two additional stages at 200 Wii points each. Pop+ Solo will also be another game I'll be looking forward to downloading on August 24 in my region.
Download title: Marios are winging it in an ark popping bit trippin' adventure.
31. KnucklesSonic8
20 Aug 2009, 17:25 BST
S'about time Arkanoid Plus came. Been wondering what was going on with it. Spectacular update.
32. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999
20 Aug 2009, 17:26 BST
Europeans never had to wait long after us Americans, this update is totally unfair! We never get good updates like that anymore!
33. Objection_Blaster
20 Aug 2009, 17:27 BST
Wow, nice update for EU. Hope NA gets good one too.
34. Alien Jesus
20 Aug 2009, 17:37 BST
All you americans complaining seem to forget that you have half these games already. Sure you'll have to wait a bit for arkanoid and pop and pilotwings, but you've had the other two a good month now. Seems fair that sometimes you get games first, sometimes we do, if you ask me. Especially since it wont cost you guys 800 points for arkanoid most likely XD
35. KDR_11k
20 Aug 2009, 18:13 BST
Time to punch a 2000 points card into the DSi.
36. HEMIII
20 Aug 2009, 18:26 BST
@SSBF'99 were you kept on the tit a little too long or what? All I ever see from you is whine whine whine. You need to change your avatar to a tear drop. BTW awesome update, Pilotwings was awesome when it first came out. @Bass yeah I remember yelling that too, ha.
37. WhoKnew
20 Aug 2009, 18:28 BST
@SSBBFan: See comments #4 and #16. Plus 2 of the 5 games we already have, and 1 has been confirmed for monday's update.
38. djshep1973
20 Aug 2009, 18:50 BST
Wow, I'd better stock up on some Wii points, this is an awesome update!
39. touffeboy
20 Aug 2009, 19:06 BST
Euh Alien Jesus, you say it's FAIR????!
No....
Sorry but just with SSB, Majora Mask and Pilotwings it's unfaire ;l
40. GabeGreens
20 Aug 2009, 20:12 BST
Amazing. I wish I had an animation of Captain Falcon giving a thumbs up!
41. Falk Sturmfels
20 Aug 2009, 21:14 BST
Arkaniod? Great, still have it on my C64 - with the Competition Pro hard to play. Maybe this works better.
Hey, I want Krakout - the music that day was awesome.
42. 20 Aug 2009, 22:04 BST
Super smash brothers fan1999 Yeah I agree we are now beginning to get the short end of the stick. No ssb for 2 months when uk got it wtf!? you know but start keeping that to yourself or these people will diss you no offense.
43. Metang
20 Aug 2009, 22:40 BST
Scratch that comment (which has now been deleted), Corbie (#4) is right. For several years we've had things come to us first, some of it not reaching EU at all: SMRPG, StarTropics 2, etc. (of course with the advent of Hanabi, they have all that now
) and even then, we're lucky to have the games run in 60hz without those ******* black borders!
We've been luckier than EU for years, looks like it's finally catching up to us @_@ Have fun Europe!
44. Ristar42
20 Aug 2009, 23:11 BST
I'm surprised - really good update! Getting Pilotwings and Arkanoid, Bit Trip can wait a bit!
45. Charlie The Unicorn
20 Aug 2009, 23:25 BST
Who's reviewing Pop+ Solo?
I predict that it will get an 8, or maybe even a 9.
46. Bass X0
20 Aug 2009, 23:41 BST
Pilotwings should get a 7 or 8. Its good but I don't feel it has enough content to score higher.
47. Metang
20 Aug 2009, 23:47 BST
If Gabbo reviews it, he'll most likely hand it a 7. Remember his little philosophy about comparing games to others in the series? And Pilotwings 64 is, after all, superior to the SNES original and an all-around better game.
48. cryptonic
21 Aug 2009, 00:15 BST
wow! cant wait until NA get pop plus solo
49. Nnooo
21 Aug 2009, 01:40 BST
@cryptonic not long now, check out the store on Monday
50. Nathan
21 Aug 2009, 02:09 BST
Excellent. Just as I have been recently complaining about about the lack of the Pilotwings games, here's the original SNES game. Thanks Ninty!
51. SmaMan
21 Aug 2009, 04:00 BST
@Falk #41
Amen brother! Krakout was awesome! I still have it on disc for my C64, but I would totally get it again. Especially now that I live on campus.
You know what would also be awesome? If Nintendo would give us Pilotwings next week (and really all of these!) Pilotwings was one of the games I wanted since the VC was announced!
52. Kobayashi
21 Aug 2009, 04:14 BST
Arkanoid Plus !! Yeah !!
53. Kenji510
21 Aug 2009, 05:15 BST
Good update for you guys EU and hope u will enjoy Arkanoid Plus, Pilotwings and especially Pop+Solo.. im waiting on that game and i cant wait now when it comes to Monday to hit the DSiWare store, wooooo!
54. Luigi78
21 Aug 2009, 07:39 BST
Great update.Never played Pilotwings before so that's an instant download for me.Who said the VC was dead.
55. Larkin
21 Aug 2009, 09:23 BST
sweet..
56. nix
21 Aug 2009, 12:30 BST
Bang goes my points in one hit Arkanoid, im coming for you doh, Pilot Wings, im flying high, and Diirt need to get my super sprint skills back. Great releases reccomended
57. nix
21 Aug 2009, 13:02 BST
sorry not diirt, but driift.
58. WolfLink22
22 Aug 2009, 02:15 BST
That's great for Europe and all but where are SSB 64 and Super Mario Kart for USA.I don't care which one comes first.I'd even settle for Tetris Attack or just something that was just as great Super Star Wars even if i did not buy it on the VC.
I just hope that we don't get another port of a game.I'm happy that we are still getting VC Games.I just don't feel that it should always be a port of an already released game.
In any case tho this was a great week for Europe.
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