consoles

The Wii needs a storage solution--and fast

With yesterday's launch of the WiiWare service, it's now easier than ever to fill up your Wii to the point of full capacity. It doesn't take much to fill up those 2,163 blocks (about 512MB)--between additional channels, the virtual console, and now WiiWare, you're going to need to be doing some serious maneuvering if you want to experience everything the Wii has to offer. So why hasn't Nintendo come up with a solution that can allow owners to expand the storage capacity?

While the SD card slot is nice, for many Wii owners it has become strictly a way to back up game saves. You can't directly access it in-game nor can you play virtual console or WiiWare games directly off of it. Why not enable this? Surely this can be accomplished with a Wii system update. And by limiting the memory capacity, Nintendo is essentially preventing customers from buying more virtual console and WiiWare titles.

Rumors of a storage add-on have come and gone, with nothing ever manifesting. If Nintendo plans on adding a new WiiWare title every Monday--in addition to the new virtual console titles they release each week as well--something needs to be done to address this growing concern.

While we'd all like for the SD card slot to allow in-game read and writing capabilities, or for the ability to connect a USB flash-drive, we're guessing it will probably be a Nintendo-branded… Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

This week's downloads feature a classic Pok?mon puzzler and a beat-'em-up game from 1988.

Pokémon Puzzle League (2000, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii points): Departing from the usual Pokémon game formula, Pokémon Puzzle League combines fast action puzzle games along with battling. Players must match like-colored blocks in order to gain an advantage over their opponent. Renegade (1988, NES, 500 Wii points): Renegade tells the classic video game story of one-man-versus-everyone. Fight against bikers and gang members as you attempt to restore peace to the city.

What games do you think … Read more

Monster machine copies 60 USB drives at once

Remember that Aleratec "USB Copy Tower" that replicates 11 thumb drives at a time? Virtual Console's "USB Flash Drive Duplicator" would bury it alive then spit on its grave.

This beast can make digital copies of 60 1GB drives in just over 2 minutes, claiming to be the fastest device of its kind, according to Slippery Brick. And if you're making the copies on an espionage mission behind enemy lines, the machine can encrypt files as they're being duplicated and create a unique key for each one. All that's missing is an … Read more

Wii virtual console release for this week

There's only one game available for download on the virtual console this week, but it's a classic!

Double Dragon (1988, NES, 500 Wii points): Double Dragon is the ultimate side-scrolling action game. What started as a phenomenon in arcades eventually made its way onto the home console, which, in turn, lead to countless sequels. In this classic original, you'll take on a group known as The Black Warriors as you make your way through various stages with nothing but your martial arts training to save you.

What games do you think are missing from the Wii virtual … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

This week's virtual console releases feature a classic beat-'em-up along with a sci-fi RPG--what do they have in common? Both games have you chasing the bad guys so you can get your girl back.

River City Ransom (1989, NES, 500 Wii points): River City Ransom is a classic beat-'em-up action game that takes you into the fictional town of River City. A dude named Slick has taken your girlfriend and the rest of River City hostage. Take him on solo or with a friend. Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (1990, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points): In … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Two classic NES games are available for download this week on the Wii virtual console. Choose between a classic baseball-arcade sim and a puzzler inspired by everyone's favorite dinosaur sidekick.

Yoshi's Cookie (1992, NES, 500 Wii points): Nintendo really tried to cash in on the whole Tetris era by developing many Nintendo-branded spin-offs. In Yoshi's Cookie, you'll take on 100 stages of cookie-themed puzzle action. Bases Loaded (1988, NES, 500 Wii points): A true classic, Bases Loaded brought arcade-style baseball into the home. Great gameplay combined with innovations, such as the first-ever view from the pitching … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Today we get some love from an arcade racing classic along with everyone's favorite caveman boy in distress.

Cruis'n USA (1996, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii points): While many would argue that Cruis'n USA doesn't do its arcade counterpart justice, there's still plenty of racing to enjoy without the need for a roll of quarters. Enjoy three difficulty levels as you enjoy scenic races across the country. Wonder Boy (1987, Sega Master System, 500 Wii points): In Wonder Boy, you'll play as Tom-Tom, a caveman child forced to free his kidnapped girlfriend. Collect fruit … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Two new virtual console games for download today representing both ends of time. A classic knight tale and a futuristic sports game make up this week's offering.

King's Knight (1986, NES, 500 Wii points): Battle your way through five stages of ruthless enemies as you try to free the princess from her capture. Powerball (1991, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points): Control one of eight futuristic teams in Powerball. The game is more like a combination of rugby and football played on a normal 100-yard field.

O Mother, where art thou?

Super Smash Bros. Brawl launched last week, and according to Nintendo it's already sold over 1.4 million copies. It features the biggest roster to date in the series, with major additions such as Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. It also includes Lucas, a psionically powered child with abilities comparable to series veteran Ness.

Ness comes from Earthbound, a Super Nintendo role-playing game that has become a cult classic because of its quirky sense of humor and simple, cartoony art style. Earthbound was originally launched in Japan as Mother 2, the sequel to an NES RPG called Mother … Read more