Crave

Nintendo's portable virtual console is going to the source.

(Credit: Wikipedia)

Nintendo's DSiWare service, like its WiiWare platform, are temptations and teases for the lovers of the independent and obscure. Because no boxes or cartridges/discs need be sold, the ability for much-loved indie titles to be finally unleashed or re-released seems to be too good to be true.

Making good on part of that promise, Nintendo has had a busy week announcing both downloadable versions of their retro Game & Watch series, as well as their cult-classic music/art title, Electroplankton.

For the uninitiated, Game & Watch was Nintendo's first electronic gaming platform, dating to the very early 80s. These black-and-white LCD standalone handhelds were what I grew up on, and they were lovingly re-created in a series of compilations on the Game Boy Advance (and in a Club Nintendo limited-edition DS cartridge). Nine of these games will be available for $2 each, a steal when you consider that's the same price as a Mario-themed calculator. Breaking them down to individual titles is also a smart move because it allows the fans to build their own collection instead of having it forced down their throats.

Electroplankton was a Japan-first project created by visual artist Toshio Iwai which synthesized music and motion into a collection of quirky aquatic visual toys. The 10-creature set will be broken down into three installments selling for $2 a piece, which is fantastic for deal-seekers--for a grand total of $12 you can own what previously cost over $20.

First of all, these better hit the U.S. shores. Second of all, we hope that this encourages Nintendo to explore other DSiWare avenues, including releasing the Japan-only bit Generations retro games that inspired the Art Style titles currently on DSiWare and WiiWare. And while we're at it, how about a proper DSi Virtual Console with GBA games galore?

This should be what downloadable games are all about--large catalogs of rare treasures, priced affordably. That, of course, depends on the whims of developers and publishers. Years after the Virtual Console debuted, many fans are still waiting for Mother 3.

What do you want on your DSi? Let us know (and maybe let Nintendo know, too) in the comments.

(Via Offworld)

Sometimes a video is so fascinating, so hypnotic, so awe-inspiringly strange, that it just doesn't leave your head. It stays for days and days, over a whole weekend, while the mind reels at the possibilities. Namco-Bandai's Muscle March is just such a brain injection of oddity.

Japan is a lucky country. It gets titles like Muscle March for WiiWare, while we get to watch YouTube videos instead.

Witness the rainbow-colored bikini briefs and posing polar bears...almost like Punch-Out!!, if Punch-Out!! involved slamming your shirtless body through walls while on psychedelics. The style is reminiscent of the best parts of Katamari Damacy, while not being as completely incomprehensible as Noby Noby Boy.

This conversion of an arcade game (we'll say it again: Japan is a lucky country) hits WiiWare on May 26. We eagerly await a U.S. release. If the Wii had more games like this, perhaps it'd be considered a bit more of a "hardcore" platform. Ahem.

(Via CNET Asia)

WiiWare

• Bonsai Barber (Nintendo, 1,000 Wii points): The first barber game we can recall, Bonsai Barber has you designing hair cuts for a variety of different customers. Use countless salon tools at your disposal to keep the clients happy.
  

Virtual Console

• Super Punch-Out!! (1994, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points): The sequel to the NES classic, Super Punch-Out!! has you reentering the ring to battle familiar foes such as Bear Hugger, Bald Bull, and Super Macho Man.
  

What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!

Last year we reported that a Nintendo Wii storage solution was upon us that will allow you to store and load games directly off of an SD card. At today's Nintendo press conference at GDC 2009, the company has just announced that an SD menu has been added to the Wii software, and is actually available right now for download via a system update.

The new feature will allow for SDHC cards up to 32GB to be used to store and play games. You'll also have the option to download games directly to your SD card via the Wii Shop Channel.

(Source: Kotaku)

Click images for larger shots.

(Credit: Kotaku)

(Credit: Kotaku)

WiiWare

• Pop'Em Drop'Em SAMEGAME (Hudson Entertainment, 500 Wii points): SameGame is a puzzle game that combines color-matching and reaction time. Enjoy various gameplay styles and modes along with up to four total players.
  

Virtual Console

• Bomberman '94 (1993, TurboGrafx 16, 700 Wii points): Bomberman must reassemble the planet after it's been split up. Along with the nine members of the Bomber Family, you'll be tasked with restoring the world's peace.

• Detana Twin Bee (1992, TurboGrafx 16, 700 Wii points): This Japanese import is a classic vertical-scrolling shooter. Six colorful and cartoon-inspired stages await you in two modes of gameplay.
  

What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!

Totally rad box-art!

WiiWare

• BIT.TRIP BEAT (Aksys Games, 600 Wii points): Retro-themed rhythm gaming at its finest! Use your Wii remote to control the beat alone or with up to four players total. The 8-bit soundtrack is sure to please gamers of all ages.
  
  

Virtual Console

• Summer Games II (1985, Commodore 64, 500 Wii points): 1985's Summer Games II puts you up against thousands of athletes from around the world. Compete in various events including cycling, equestrian, fencing, high jump, javelin, kayaking, rowing, and triple jump.
  

What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!

WiiWare

• Family & Friends Party (Gammick Entertainment, 1,000 Wii points): Up to eight people can play along in this interactive board game. Compete in single challenges or events that require multiple simultaneous players.
  
  

Virtual Console

• Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (1993, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points): Take down the evil Empire in this turn-based strategy game. It's your duty to lead a group of rebels to destroy the Zetegenian using magic weapons and Tarot cards.
  

What games do you think are missing from the Wii Virtual Console? Sound off at our discussion board!

With estimated unit sales approaching 100 million worldwide, Nintendo has proven itself time and time again as the industry ruler of the portable console market. With the DSi--the second refresh of the Nintendo DS--we're starting to see the company move in an evolutionary direction with its flagship handheld.

The DSi takes with it most of the features the DS Lite had to offer, but adds new multimedia capabilities. The DSi has been on sale in Japan since November 1 of last year and has already sold well over an astonishing 1 million units. Now that Nintendo has announced that the DSi will go on sale April 5 in North America, it certainly leaves everyone asking one big question, "Should I buy one?"

First, let's look at what exactly separates the new DSi from the DS Lite. In terms of actual form-factor, the difference between the two portables is negligible. The DSi is slightly slimmer, but you're not going to see the massive change in size like we saw when Nintendo upgraded the original DS to the DS Lite. What you may notice is that both screens are a quarter of an inch larger. The DSi hardware also actually eliminates the Game Boy Advance slot found on the Lite, so you won't be able to play older Game Boy Advance games or DS titles that make use of the port, such as "Guitar Hero: On Tour."

Up close with the Nintendo DSi