Wii-kly WiiWare And Virtual Console Update - 3/23/09

It's import week on the virtual console with two TurboGrafx-16 games that never made it outside of Japan. The first is Bomberman '94, which is often considered one of the best of the series (second only to Saturn Bomberman) and introducing Rooi the kangaroo for Bomberman to ride granting him special abilities. Although Bomberman '94 did eventually appear outside Japan in the Genesis/Mega Drive port Mega Bomberman, the TurboGrafx version features better music and slightly improved graphics. We're also getting the classic vertical shooter Detana Twinbee. The series is huge in Japan, but never quite took off the same way in the US, so hopefully the import virtual console release will bring in some new fans.

WiiWare also is getting an update with the non-import Pop 'em Drop 'em SAMEGAME. Samegame has been released in many forms before but this looks to be the most complete package with three multiplayer modes for up to 4 players.

WiiWare

• Pop 'Em Drop 'Em SAMEGAME (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): SAMEGAME is a simple yet engrossing puzzle game where you must clear matching blocks in sets of two or more. Score high by clearing out more blocks at once. If you manage to clear the entire grid, you can keep on playing with a whole new layout. Getting rid of all those blocks is the key to racking up points. Adjust the difficulty level in a one-player game by trying different grid sizes and multiple colors. Up to four players can face off in any one of three multiplayer modes. "Fame Game," the most straightforward choice, is similar to the one-player version. "Shame Game" turns the tables by forcing players to go for the lowest score. "Blame Game" is a free-for-all as everyone vies for blocks on one big grid. Choose from different block styles, background graphics and music to customize your playing experience.

Virtual Console

• Bomberman '94 (TurboGrafx16, 1-5 players, Rated E for Everyone--Comic Mischief, 700 Wii Points): Bomberman has arrived to restore peace on the planet, which has been split into five parts by an evil hand. In addition to the nine members of the Bomber Family, the character Rooi shows up to lend a hand. Jump on the eggs that appear from destroyed soft blocks and you can ride one of five types of Rooi. Each Rooi has different special abilities--use them well and you'll ride to victory.
• DETANA TWIN BEE (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone--Mild Cartoon Violence, 700 Wii Points): It's the popular vertical-scrolling shooter renowned for its cute and comical world. Here come Twinbee and Winbee on a mission to save the planet from evil alien invaders. Standing in their way are six stages full of goofy enemies. Play as Twinbee in single-player mode, or team up with Winbee in two-player cooperative mode. With powerful attacks like Big Shot, or Twin Attack and Burst Attack in two-player mode, there's plenty of sting in their arsenal. Use your Shot to transform Bells into items with various effects. Stock up on these bad boys to expand your attack range and really have a blast.