Price: 1,200 Wii Points
Release: N/A
System: Nintendo 64-i
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: Nintendo

As many of you already know, whenever a Nintendo 64 game is released, I become ecstatic. To me, Nintendo 64 games bring something to the table that no other console supported on the Virtual Console can do; 3D. No matter the title or price, I'll buy anything with 'Nintendo 64' slapped on it. I guess one can call me obsessed with Nintendo 64.

When Sin and Punishment was released though, I was overwhelmed with excitement. For one, a Nintendo 64 game was being released, a very rare commodity on Virtual Console, and two, the debut of imports. Personally, I think a lot of people were a little depressed when they saw the price of the game - 1,200 Wii Points for just one game. Underneath that disgusting price tag though is one of the best games on Nintendo 64 and Virtual Console.

For 1,200 points, gamers are getting a three hour adventure taking place in a futuristic Tokyo setting. Over the course of the game, players take control of Saki and Airan, two young Japanese teens. Mankind's population has increased dramatically, resulting in food shortages across the globe. Japanese scientists create a new organism for food, known as a Ruffian, and place a large herd of them in northern Japan. The species eventually evolves into a threat for mankind, launching an attack on the people of Japan. A peacekeeping organization referred to as Armed Volunteers try to stop the attack but fail.

Of course, that's only the beginning of this epic adventure. Over the course of the game, many dramatic events unfold. Seeing as I don't want to spoil the adventure, I thought I'd only mention some basic information about the game. Since the game is an import, all the text found within the game is in Japanese, with the exception of the menus. In order to truly understand what's happening, players will need to listen carefully as all of the story is voice acted in English.

Essentially, Sin and Punishment is a rail shooter in which the player's role is to aim and fire at enemies, sidestep, roll, and jump. The are two types of targeting - a purple targeting reticle allows lock-ons where the red reticle doesn't. Though the purple one is more accurate, it deals less damage. Besides shooting, Saki or Airan can use a powerful energy sword to slash enemies within range and to fire projectiles back at foes. To do this, the fire button must be pressed just as the enemy or projectile comes within close contact.

By no means should you assume that Sin and Punishment is a walk in the park. For starters, let me mention that the game is made by the legendary Treasure, the people that brought you games such as Dynamite Headdy and Gunstar Heroes. Secondly, as you're rampaging through clusters of enemies, a timer is ticking at the top of the screen. By completing various objectives, the timer will rise a little, but keep in mind though that it can't pass 99.

Just when you think the game can't get much better, it does. By using the game's multiplayer mode, two players can control Saki or Airan and save the world together. To do this, one player controls the character's movement while the other controls the reticle. Though the single player experience is a lot better for people wanting to actually complete the game, the mutliplayer mode will truly make you laugh.

Graphically, Sin and Punishment is one of the finest looking games on the Nintendo 64 and the frame-rate is very consistent throughout the game. From a sound perspective, Sin and Punishment boasts some amazing pieces. It's just so hard to explain how they sound because it's one of those things that you need to hear in order to believe.

At the end of the day though, Sin and Punishment will always be one of the best games released this decade, or at lease from my perspective. If the length has you worried, don't let it. The game boasts unlimited replay value because of the game's scoring system, so once you've completed the game once, you can go back and complete it on a higher level. On top of this there's also an extra difficulty mode. No matter who you are or what genres you like, this game should be owned. Did I forget to mention that I hate this genre yet adore this game?

WII-KLY UPDATE: ONE WIIWARE GAME AND TWO VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Aug. 11, 2008

If your idea of a superhero is someone with an invincible ego who can type e-mails while wearing boxing gloves, then the Wii Shop Channel has great news for you. The legendary Strong Bad (from the popular Homestar Runner Web series) makes his eagerly anticipated WiiWare debut this week. For even more laughs and clever gaming kicks, you'll also find a satirical space-age shooter on the Virtual Console, along with a classic billiards game for those who prefer to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated T for Teen-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Charming. Suave. Awesome. These are the words Strong Bad would use to describe himself. In a world gone mad, only one man can be trusted to save the day. A man with an attitude. A man called Strong Bad. As the star of the Homestar Runner Web cartoons, Strong Bad has been answering e-mails (in boxing gloves), pranking his friends, pummeling his enemies, and making people with questionable taste snort milk out of their noses for years now. And he's branched out to star in Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, a monthly five-episode series. In Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner, Strong Bad's plans to beat the snot out of Homestar backfire, and he ends up with an unwanted houseguest cramping his style. Now he needs to get life back to normal by any means possible. But wait, there's more: Teen Girl Squad comics, achievements, funny costumes and arcade games. You can even send pictures and messages to Wii Friends using Strong Bad's computer. So how about it? Can you handle Strong Bad's style?

Virtual Console

Break In (TurboGrafx16, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Tobacco Reference, 700 Wii Points): Gather up to four players for an authentic game of pool right in your own home. Choose from six billiards games including 9-Ball, Rotation and Carom (a game played without pockets). Use Simulation mode to calculate the perfect shot, or select Action mode and check out what went wrong with your missed shots. With all that to choose from, Break In gives players-from beginners to experts-all the elements necessary to enjoy a great game of pool. But it doesn't stop there. Select Technique to practice your angles or even go for a trick shot. Get some help from the CPU and hone your skills. With Break In, you'll be a pro in no time.

Star Parodier (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points): Star Parodier is the hilarious spoof of the classic Hudson shooter Star Soldier. In this parody, there are three playable ships for players to choose from: the ingratiating PAROCEASER, the hot-headed BOMBERMAN, and the ever-so-introverted PC-ENGINE. Players control one of these unique and original ships and set off to blast their way through eight stages on the planet PAROSON. The comical characters take the color and flavor of the Soldier series to the next level and are guaranteed to leave players mesmerized. In addition to the normal game mode, there are also the familiar two-minute and five-minute attack modes, making Star Parodier the complete package that is sure to have players coming back for more.

Platform: Wii
Developer: Two Tribes
Publisher: Two Tribes
Release Date: June 2nd, 2008
Genre: Puzzle
Scores:
1. Graphics: 8/10
2. Sound: 8/10
3. Interface: 8/10
4. Replay: 7/10
5. Gameplay: 8/10
6. Stability: 8/10
7. Overall: 8/10

In 2001, a little chicken by the name of Toki Tori made his video game debut in a self-titled game on the Game Boy Color. Unfortunately though, by the time the game found a publisher, the Game Boy Color era was drawing to a close and the Game Boy Advance era had already commenced. Despite this, Toki Tori was met with fairly positive reviews. Know, over half a decade later, Toki Tori makes his triumphant return in Toki Tori, a remake of the original.

Perhaps what made the original so great was how unique the game really was. Using his special abilities, Toki Tori must search the lands collecting his buddies which are trapped in eggs. Once Toki Tori comes in contact with the egg, the chicken inside of it is let free. In order to pass each stage, all of the eggs must be collected. Using his abilities, Toki Tori will be able to rescue all his buddies in no time, or so it seems. As the game progresses, the difficulty level increases at a constant rate. Eventually the game gets a little too difficult, resulting in you spending a bit more time with each level.

Levels are comprised of a variety of things, ranging from towering waterfalls to wooden ladders. Each level is designed to capitalize on one or more abilities that Toki Tori acquires throughout his journey. The first ability Toki Tori acquires allows him to construct bridges in order to cross spaces. This ability repeatedly keeps getting build on throughout the game. In the first few levels, it's pretty easy to know where the bridge(s) have to. In the later levels, you'll need to do a little more thinking before you decide to build one. Once it's build, there's no reversing it and since most abilities have limited uses in each level, you may have to do a little thinking before finally figuring out what to do.

Besides abilities, Toki Tori has some basic moves that he has access to in each level. When he encounters a ladder, the option is there to climb it. If he encounters a small ledge, he can hop up on it. By pointing and clicking a spot on the screen, Toki Tori will run there, but if it's impossible to get there by foot, he'll remain stationary. To solve this problem, you can use one of his abilities to get there. By using the directional pad, you can switch between his abilities. All of the abilities and quantities of each ability are shown at the bottom of the screen for easy reference. Besides the Wii Remote held vertically, the game also allows you to play with the nunchuk or classic controller attached. Though I prefer the Wii Remote by itself, the other two control schemes may be worth looking into for players who dislike just the Wii Remote.

In total, Toki Tori boasts four worlds that Toki Tori can explore: Forest Falls, Creepy Castle, Slime Sewers, and Bubble Barrage. Each level in each world looks practically identical, with a few minor exceptions. Though the game is a little dark in color, it makes it easier for you to be able to see Toki Tori.

Like many other video games, Toki Tori also plays home to some monsters. Each world has a unique type of monster that suits the area well. Creepy Castle plays home to some spooky ghosts while Forest Falls plays home to some porcupines. Using Toki Tori's abilities, he can easily rid the area of monsters that try to stop him in his quests to save his buddies.

Unlike the original, the remake brings a new concept to the table. If you find yourself in a situation where you just can't seem to find out how to complete a puzzle, players can use a wildcard to get out of the mess. Wildcards will automatically allow you to skip over the level so you can progress to the next level. Be warned though, Toki Tori has access to only one wildcard. Once used, you'll need to finish the level you skipped in order to reacquire it. Since there are over forty levels in the game, you're probably going to have to use the wildcard quite frequently, especially in the higher levels.

Graphically, Toki Tori improved upon the original by miles. Everything has been given a whole lot of color and detail that look incredible in 480p.The soundtrack is also pretty impressive, despite that some of the pieces in the game are repeated for practically an eternity. Overall though, Two Tribes has really taken advantage of WiiWare in order to deliver a puzzle game that looks and sounds great.

All in all, Toki Tori is an excellent attempt at remaking the original. Though the difficulty level of the game can turn some people off, the six or more hours you'll actually spend playing the game are well worth it. Besides that minor conflict, the game is a must-have title for puzzle fans. Even if you're not a puzzle fan, it may still be worth your time and money to invest in this game.

Wall, NJ - July 31, 2008 - SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, the U.S. publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, announced today the forthcoming release of SAMURAI SHODOWN II for Wii Virtual Console on August 4th 2008.

Regarded as one of SNK's greatest games ever produced, SAMURAI SHODOWN II successfully integrated a brand new, dynamic fighting system that was years ahead of its time. The fighting system introduced players to several new offensive and defensive maneuvers including the ability to roll both forwards and backwards, ducking to avoid high attacks, hopping to avoid low attacks and the implementation of a 'parry' system that would allow players to deflect incoming attacks at the last second if performed successfully. In addition to the newly revised fighting system, SAMURAI SHODOWN II also features 16 unique playable characters, hidden bosses, a two player versus mode and of course all of the wonderful translations fans have grown to love.


SAMURAI SHODOWN II will be available for Wii Virtual Console™ for only 900 Wii Points and has been rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.

SNK PLAYMORE USA also plans to release SAMURAI SHODOWN ANTHOLOGY for Wii in Q4 of 2008 for $29.99. The collection will consist of 6 SAMURAI SHODOWN games: SAMURAI SHODOWN, SAMURAI SHODOWN II, SAMURAI SHODOWN III, SAMURAI SHODOWN IV, SAMURAI SHODOWN V, and SAMURAI SHODOWN VI.

For more information regarding the Wii Virtual Console, visit the Nintendo Virtual Console Information Page at www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/features/virtual_console.htm

Platform: Wii
Developer: Mitchell Corporation
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: June 30th, 2008
Genre: Puzzle
1. Graphics: 7/10
2. Sound: 8/10
3. Interface: 8/10
4. Replay: 7/10
5. Gameplay: 8/10
6. Stability: 7/10
7. Overall: 8/10

Great puzzle games seem to be a rare commodity these days. It seems as though a lot of puzzle games lose their spark after a few hours and leave you asking for more. That's why whenever I consider buying a puzzle game, I do some extensive research on it before I buy it. Of course there are always a few exceptions to that statement. Some puzzle games, most notably Professor Layton and the Curious Village, don't require me to do this simply because there's just simply something about the game that I adore. For Professor Layton and the Curious Village, the unique style of the game coupled with the game's unique storyline led me to buying this great game. Over the past few months, there have only been a handful of games that I would recommend buying. One of them is Magnetica Twist a unique puzzle game in which you have to break balls to order to increase your score.

Released in Europe under the name Actionloop Twist, Magnetica Twist puts you in a launcher that is capable of shooting colored balls. Marbles roll down a path and your goal is to destroy them before they reach the end of the path or else it's game over. To destroy the marbles, players will fire colored marbles to marbles of the same color on the track. However, the marbles will only disappear if three of the same color collide. That means if you fire a red marble at another red one, you'll need to launch one more before they disappear. Marbles of the same color are magnetically attracted to each other over any wide open space, and allowing for chains of disappearance to occur.

As the difficulty of the game increases, more colors of marbles will rapidly start to move out of the dispenser, making it even harder to create large combos. However, this is where the strategy aspect of the game starts to kick in. Instead of firing marbles at random places, players will need to think about the situation before they actually fire. The think is, you only got a second to think about things. Before you know it, the path will be full of marbles. You got to think and fire rapidly if you want to progress to the next level.

On the right hand corner of your screen is a gauge that measures which level you're at. In Magnetica Twist, the more marbles you destroy, the quicker it will be for you to progress to the next level. Once you manage to destroy ten levels worth of marbles, a rocket will appear and push the marbles to the end of the path. In this scenario, there are several things you can do. For starters, you can fire a marble at the rocket to destroy it. You can also use a special marble and fire it at a color marble that you want eliminated. Once this unique marble comes in contact with a marble, all the marbles of that color will be destroyed. Using this method, you can rack up a lot of points.

You're problem thinking now that Magnetica Twist lacks depth. "How can a cheap downloadable puzzle game with simple gameplay have depth?" Well surprisingly, Magnetica Twist offers more depth than a lot of other WiiWare games. In total, there are five different modes players can engage in: 1-player easy, 2-player easy, 1-player hard, 1-player, and multiplayer. Though I've already talked about the first three modes, the remaining two haven't been touched yet.

In challenge mode, players will be required to select and complete missions. In each level there are three missions, but in order to progress you only need to complete one of these missions. Each mission is harder than the others, so novice players will most likely choose missions at the bottom of the screen whereas veteran players may decide to complete the missions on the top. And for those who just can't make up their mind, there's even a normal difficulty level.

Finally, we come to multiplayer, perhaps the most chaotic experience of all. One player destroying marbles is bad enough, but not it's time to throw in upwards of three more people. You might expect multiplayer to be easier than the single player modes, but trust me, it's not. You may try to score a combo and just when you fire the marble, somebody else messes it up. However, that makes it all the more fun. After seeing somebody ruin your idea, you then have to think of another one.

Perhaps the best thing about multiplayer is the wide array of options the mode has. After selecting your Mii and confirming who you want to play with, you can then select if you want to do a battle or a team activity. If you select to do a team activity, more options will come up on what you would like to do. Options such as fixed colors and clear will appear. In my opinion, this makes the game quite enjoyable. Even playing with the AI is quite enjoyable.

Now you're probably wondering where the 'twist' comes into the game. Well the twist to the game is that you actually twist the Wii Remote to move your launcher. Though it can get a little gimmicky in places, the twisting aspect works pretty well. The only major problem I had was when I had to rotate the launcher 180 degrees and then rotate it back to where I started, things didn't exactly turn out the way I wanted them to. Trust me, it's not the easiest thing to do, but nevertheless, the controls make the game a very enjoyable experience.

Graphically, Magnetica Twist isn't anything special, but personally, I like how the game looks. The approach the developers took by making the game look simple really payed off in the end. If the game were to have complex graphics, I just don't think the game would be quite as enjoyable. The same thing can be said about the sound, too. Though nothing special, the music really brings out the best of the game. There's just something about the music in the game that gives the game a lot of personality and makes the game enjoyable.

All in all, Magnetica Twist is an awesome game that unfortunately, many people have yet to download. If you have any interest whatsoever in downloading WiiWare games, this should be an automatic download. Why? Simply because the game brings forth a simple concept and offers an enjoyable experience, both alone or with friends. What else can I say? If you haven't downloaded this game yet, go download it now. It's one of the best ways to spend 1,000 Wii Points.

July 28, 2008

Wii-kly Update

One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

If variety is the spice of life, we've got an extra-spicy lineup for you this week on the Wii Shop Channel. From bouncing balls to out-of-control cars to hardcore fisticuffs, the latest game additions offer an incredibly diverse mix of Wii thrills. So if you've been saving up your Wii Points for something new and different, here's your opportunity to cash in and kick up some serious fun. Enjoy!

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Pong Toss—Frat Party Games (JV Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Language, 800 Wii Points): Pony up—it's Pong Toss time. Compete against your friends or the computer in this ultimate party-game favorite. Play on a regulation table with up to four players. Make consecutive shots for the Fireball bonuses and Roll-Backs as you or your team try to dominate the table and reign as Pong Toss champs. In Speed Pong, up to three challengers can compete at the same time. Speed and strategy are the keys to this fast-paced game. Jack up your opponents by using a slew of power-ups that will slow them down. The first one who sinks the last cup wins it all. Be fast. Be furious. Be victorious.

Virtual Console

Chase H.Q. (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Drug Reference, Mild Violence, 600 Wii Points): This is a different style of racing game in which you attempt to catch criminals by chasing them and ramming their cars off the road. Playing as two cops from the NYPD special "CHASE H.Q." unit, the first half of each stage involves you maneuvering your unmarked car in a heated chase, followed by an action sequence in the latter half. Once you reach the target vehicle, you flip on your lights and siren, and then try to stop the culprits by repeatedly colliding with them. Use your different gears wisely as you make your way through streets and around corners, and be careful not to hit objects or other cars, or you'll lose speed. Also at your disposal are turbo units for temporary extra speed and ramming power.

ART OF FIGHTING 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1994 by SNK, ART OF FIGHTING 2 sees 12 characters compete for the title in the toughest fighting contest of them all: King of Fighters. Each character has a range of deadly techniques in his or her arsenal, and players must use these lethal techniques to fight their opponents. As in the original ART OF FIGHTING, however, using a deadly technique lowers a character's mental-energy gauge. For this reason, players must use these techniques carefully. Meanwhile, players can taunt an opponent to exhaust his or her mental energy, and even suppress their opponent's techniques if successful. This type of mental-energy offense and defense gives ART OF FIGHTING 2 a uniquely enjoyable spin on the fighting-game genre. Further adding to the strategy required to win, an attack will become stronger or weaker depending on exactly when the button is pressed. And even if a player is thrown, defensive action is possible with the timely press of a button. All of this adds up to an intense and nail-biting fighting-game experience not found anywhere else.

If you're not up on Japanese games, you're probably aren't aware that late last month, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be publishing Captain Rainbow, a quirky and bizarre game from one of my favorite developers, Skip. Most people may know Skip through games such as Chibi Robo and Chibi Robo: Park Patrol, also published by Nintendo. However there a few games that Skip have been involved in that most people are unaware of. GiFTPiA is a Japan-only Nintendo Gamecube game that was developed by Skip and published by Nintendo. Though it was supposed to be released in North America under the name Giftopia, combing the words gift and utopia, it was late cancelled.

Then we have this, Captain Rainbow, Skip's next project. Though it may not have the words 'Mario', 'Pokemon' or 'Zelda' slapped on it, that doesn't mean it's not worth your time. Basically, Captain Rainbow takes all the forgotten characters in Nintendo's history and puts them all into one game. Like previous games developed by Skip, Captain Rainbow boasts vibrant and unique graphics, something Skip has been known for.

In Captain Rainbow, players take control of Nick, a boy coming from The Land of the Free. Nick's alter-ego is Captain Rainbow, a yo-yo wielding hero. Though it's not as popular as it use to be, Nick decided to come to Minmin Island with a dream of restoring his popularity. While on Minmin Island, Nick meets up with Birdo from the Super Mario Bros. series. Birdo game to Minmin Island to grow popular with the boys, but was wrongfully convicted of a crime and imprisoned. Also on Minmin Island is Little Mac from the Punch-Out!! series. Mac's dream was to become the world champion once again, but it seems as though his weight as taken over him. Hikari from Shin Onigashima, Takamaru from Nazo no Murasamejo, and Otsu-San from Famicom Golf are also on Minmin Island for various reasons.

Though details are scarce on this new title from Skip, three trailers have been released. Hopefully Nintendo of America will decide to release this game in North America. If they decide not to, I'll still be getting this game. Being a huge fan of Skip, I can't wait to see what else is in store. The game launches in Japan on August 28th, 2008.

Lake Forest, CA - July 23rd, 2008 - Reflexive Entertainment has always been a fan of multiplayer gaming and is excited to announce Big Kahuna Party, a special multiplayer focused version of one of its most beloved franchises, coming exclusively to WiiWare on the Wii.

Featuring both cooperative and competitive play for 2-4 players, in addition to single-player mode, Big Kahuna Party takes players on an exciting adventure through underwater reefs, captivating players as they discover new and exotic fish and explore all 99 levels. Each level has been carefully conceived to create an oceanic holiday for players as they match up sea-themed objects, and unlock 26 beautifully rendered and stunningly life-like fish.

With new intuitive Wii-specific controls, players can swap tiles faster and more fluidly than ever before using either just the Wii Remote™, or with both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk™. That speed will come in handy in the multiplayer modes, where the underwater matching madness can get intense.

"When we made the Big Kahuna games on the PC, we added a feature that allowed players to play together using multiple mice, and in the office it was a smash hit," said Lee Cooper, Producer of Big Kahuna Party. "Unfortunately, as most people don't have multiple mice connected to their computer, not enough people have gotten to experience the frantic fun of multiplayer Big Kahuna. For WiiWare, we've made multiplayer the focus. People can still enjoy the game by themselves, but after playing multiplayer we expect you'll only use single-player to brush up on your skills for your next competitive game night with friends."

Big Kahuna Party also features explosives, which have been one of the most popular additions to the Big Kahuna series. Created as players make matches of 5 or more, explosives come in various sizes from little sticks of dynamite to huge nuclear bombs that can be used strategically to clear out large sections or difficult to reach areas of each level. Explosives are especially useful in multiplayer competitive matches where players race to own the most territory on the board by clearing squares before their competitors.

With nearly a hundred levels sure to keep players entertained for hours and friendly casual game play that ensures everyone in the family can join in on the fun, Big Kahuna Party is an unbeatable way to take the family on a tropical holiday from the comfort of your own living room.

Big Kahuna Party is rated "E" for Everyone. A release date will be announced soon.

This actually looks pretty fun!

CAPCOM ANNOUNCES DEAD RISINGT: CHOP TIL YOU DROP
Wii Gamers Prepare For a Zombie Invasion

SAN MATEO, Calif. - July 21, 2008 - Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop is in development for the Wii home video game system. Based on the critically acclaimed Dead Rising, which has sold in excess of one million units since its release in 2006, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop is scheduled to hit store shelves this Winter.

Taking advantage of the same proven technology that brought Resident Evil 4 so successfully to Wii, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop delivers a more immersive, intuitive and interactive experience as players use the Wii Remote to shoot, slash and bludgeon their way through a zombie infested shopping mall, fighting for survival.

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop follows the harrowing tale of Frank West, an overly zealous freelance journalist on a hunt for the scoop of a lifetime. In pursuit of a juicy lead, he makes his way to the small suburban town of Willamette only to find that it has become overrun by zombies. Frank escapes to the local shopping mall, thinking it will be a bastion of safety but it turns out to be anything but. It will be a true struggle to survive the endless stream of enemies, but players will have full reign of a realistic shopping centre and its varied stores offering an endless supply of real and makeshift weapons to fight off the flesh-hungry mob. If Frank is running low on health he can pay a visit to one of the many restaurants or cafes for a meal in order to restore his energy and continue the fight.

The game is split into a series of individual cases, all of which Frank must complete in order to gain vital information that will allow him to piece together the truth behind the horrendous epidemic. In addition to the cases, players will be faced with the dilemma of deciding the rescue priority of the residents of Wilamette who also sought sanctuary in the mall. Depending on the player's skill, some may not be so fortunate as each rescue needs to be undertaken in a set time period, therefore players may need to delay completion of a case in order to save a fellow human.

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop's infectious humor delivers some welcome relief from the incessant tide of zombies with players able to dress Frank up in a variety of comedic costumes and take on the undead hordes with a selection of improvised and sometimes highly ineffective weapons such as a toy sword or a football.

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop includes the following features:
• Utilizes the same engine as Resident Evil 4 Wii edition.
• New level of interaction - aim and fire guns, swing and throw weapons and shake off zombie attacks with added Wii Remote functionality
• Huge environment - expansive indoor and outdoor areas of the mall provide a variety of different locations to explore
• Improved save functionality allows for more seamless gameplay
• Hoards of enemies on screen at once resulting in non-stop, pulse-pounding action
• Anything in the mall is at Frank's disposal
• Grab environmental objects like umbrellas and benches to use as improvised weapons
• Snatch items from different stores to use as weapons including golf clubs, lawnmowers, frying pans and more
• Consume food and drink to revive health

At E3 yesterday it was announced that the side-scrolling shooter series is coming to WiiWare. Titled Gradius Rebirth, the game boasts more modern visuals and is supposed to update classic gameplay into new. It's unknown whether Gradius Rebirth will be a new installment in the series or if it will be a remake. No release date has been announced.

The 2nd Mario Kart Wii tournament for July is now live! Though this months second tournament isn't that long, it certainly is one of the better ones.

My Best Time: 00:52.132

Lets see if anyone can beat that.

Platform: Wii
Developer: Ambrella
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: June 9th, 2008
Genre: Pokemon Simulation

1. Graphics: 3/10
2. Sound: 3/10
3. Interface: 3/10
4. Replay: 3/10
5. Gameplay: 3/10
6. Stability: 3/10
7. Overall: 3/10

The Pokemon phenomenon has debuted on WiiWare with the latest Pokemon simulation game, My Pokemon Ranch. Hayley, a young and kindhearted Pokemon Trainer, wants to make her dream of a farm full of Pokemon and Miis a reality. Using your Pokemon from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, help Hayley make her dream come true as you help her build a ranch full of Pokemon. Are you up for the challenge or will you let this young girl's dream be crushed?

When you first start your life at the ranch, Hayley will explain her dream; to have a ranch full of Pokemon. Seeing as she only has six Pokemon at the beginning of the game, she turns to you and asks if you would be able to help her dream become a reality. Seeing as you have no choice on whether or not to help her, you must select a Mii to represent yourself and let your life as a collector begin.

Your first day at the ranch is very dull aimply because you have only six Pokemon to interact with. If something bizarre happens, you can always snap a picture of it, but besides that, there isn't really anything else to do. If you decide to import Pokemon, you can only import 24 Pokemon because of the size of your ranch. If you want to import anymore, you'll need to wait until the ranch upgrades, which will be the next day.

On top of not being able to do much on the first day, you also can't roam around your ranch freely. It won't be until the second day that you're granted the ability to roam around freely. Then again, after roaming around freely for a small period of time you'll want to get rid of the option. The reason behind this is because the controls are so wonky. I can't even remember how many times I accidently clicked the button to take a picture. Once you've taken 20 photos, My Pokemon Ranch will start deleting your photos. If you have 20 photos and you click the button by accident, you can say bye bye to your precious photo(s).

By capturing Pokemon in your Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl game cartridge(s) and transferring them unto the ranch, you and the other Miis will be able to interact with the Pokemon. In addition to Miis interacting with your Pokemon, you can also watch your Pokemon interact with other Pokemon. At the ranch, Pokemon will behave like you haven't seen them before. If you awake one of your Pokemon while sleeping, you'll face the wrath of that Pokemon. When all your Pokemon are clustered together, a conflict may emerge and some of them may engage in a fight.

At the end of each day, Hayley will ask you a question; what Pokemon would you live to see at the ranch tomorrow? She'll ask you two things about which Pokemon to bring. For example, if she says do you want to see a purple Pokemon and you say yes, a purple Pokemon will arrive at the ranch the next day. If you say no, she'll ask you another question. Say no again and she'll just pick a Pokemon at random. Most of the time Pokemon that you haven't seen before arrive, but sometimes this isn't always the case.

Besides interacting with your Pokemon, there really isn't much to do in My Pokemon Ranch. If you want, you can always take pictures of Pokemon at the ranch and post them on the Wii Message Board. Then you can send them to all your friends and show them how great of a photographer you are. You can even s ave pictures to a SD card and upload them to your computer.

If you own Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl, Hayley will often send you on a quest to find a particular Pokemon. She'll provide you with the location of where the Pokemon can be found. If you successfully capture the Pokemon and upload it to My Pokemon Ranch, she'll even consider trading with you. Most of her Pokemon are weak and know pathetic moves so trading with her may be an idea that you should consider skipping.

Essentially My Pokemon Ranch is just a means of storing Pokemon. If you download the game without owning Pokemon Diamond or Pearl, you're out of luck. Seeing as you'll only be able to gain one or two new Pokemon each day, it's going to take awhile to obtain enough Pokemon to increase the level of your ranch. If you can't increase the level of your ranch, you also cannot bring anymore Miis to the ranch.

As the level of your ranch increases, you'll also be able to have more toys delivered each day. Toys are essentially items that your Pokemon can play with. Some items, such as the cannon, will allow your Pokemon to be blasted to different areas of the ranch. Toys are certainly a nice addition to the game because they allow you to take unique photos of your Pokemon playing.

Graphically, My Pokemon Ranch is probably the ugliest Pokemon game ever to grace a console. The Pokemon are composed of very few polygons, which make them look ugly, and they lack textures. On top of this, all the Pokemon are essentially the same size. Dialga and Palkia are roughly about the same size as Riolu and they're even smaller than a Mii. I really don't understand why they just couldn't keep the 3D models from Pokemon Battle Revolution. It would've made the game look a lot better. My Pokemon Ranch sounds just as bad as it looks too. The music is fairly simple and repetitive and since you spend most of your time interacting with Pokemon, you'll also spend most of your time listening to the annoying background music. Honestly, I would rather listen to a baby crying than the hideous background music in My Pokemon Ranch.

All in all, My Pokemon Ranch is a missed opportunity at a great game. The controls are wonky, the graphics are hideous, and even the sound is horrible. On top of that, you have the very shallow gameplay. Besides taking photos, there really isn't much to do. The game reminds me a lot of Pokemon Snap, with only a fraction of the fun. Honestly, if snapping photos is your thing, you'll love My Pokemon Ranch. Taking photos of your Pokemon making totem poles and marching around a campfire is a really enjoyable experience. If you don't have Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl, it'll just be a waste of time because you won't have enough Pokemon to do any of these activities. In the end, My Pokemon Ranch is a complete waste of money.