This week begins a new feature here at Bonus Level. So new a proper graphic hasn’t even been made! Every week quite a few games are released through digital distribution. From Nintendos WiiWare and Virtual Console to Sony’s Playstation Network. As this is a new weekly feature we are attempting to do around here there will be some growing pains. But the hope is that every Wednesday you can come to your favorite gaming site to catch up on the downloads you may have missed!
VC Releases – None!
To me with the vast libraries of 10 consoles there is no excuse why there are NO GAMES THIS WEEK. Look even a shitty throw away game is still a game. I’ve lamented before how when the VC first started I always looked forward to Mondays to see what was coming out. And now there are NO games this week? Not good Nintendo.
WiiWare – Two!
We get two new games for the WiiWare this week. Chess Challenge looks interesting to me to be honest. I always thought of myself as a Chess Person even though I am horrible at it. My elementary school used to have a chess tournament every year. Every year I’d sign up and loose horrible to some second grader. Not a bad thing when you’re in second grade but as a fifth grader this was horribly degrading. The game has worldwide rakings and allows you to use your Mii. So you can spend Five bucks on this or head over to http://www.chessclub.com/ and play against grandmasters and Howard Stern. Also this week is a Phoenix Wright game. I tried playing one of these games once. Once. I found them to be too anime in a bad way and just annoying. Plus it didn’t seem to follow any legal system I know. At least the game I played. I know my cousin Stephen loves these games and has talked about them often. But I honestly don’t get them which makes me feel like my Dad when it comes to any music I listen to that isn’t Frank Sinatra.
Chess Challenge
Patience will be key as you face the best players from around the world in Chess Challenge! for the WiiWare service. Perfect your chess skills by playing against the computer in multiple difficulty modes, or use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to start climbing up in the worldwide rankings (broadband Internet connection required). Win online matches and see how your rating stacks up against competitors around the world by viewing the online Leaderboard. If you don’t have time to play your friends in a live chess game, Chess Challenge! also lets you play with up to five different Wii Friends using WiiConnect24™. With full Mii™ character support you can really bring your games to life. Start by practicing with some casual games, then work your way up in fully Elo-rated matches. With all of these game-play options, you’re in for some serious chess action.
Cost: 500 Nintendo Points
Publisher: Digital Leisure
Genre: Board GamePhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations
Phoenix Wright is back as the third game in the popular Ace Attorney hand-held franchise comes to the WiiWare service. As Phoenix Wright, you’ll play through five shocking new cases in first-person perspective. The game features two unique modes of play. In Investigations Mode you’ll survey crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence. You’ll then present findings, listen to testimonials and examine witnesses in Court Mode. TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS also includes the “Psyche-Lock” feature that allows Phoenix to use a line of questioning to reveal inconsistencies in witness testimony.
Cost: 1000 Nintendo Points
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Adventure
DSiWare – Four!
I had a DS. I traded it in for a DS Lite because it was brighter and had a battery that still worked. I don’t have any plans on getting the DSi or the DSXL but for those who have it you got a ton of games to work from. Including the DSi version of Earthworm Jim! In face if anyone has that and is buying it please shoot me an email letting me know how it plays. Also if you thought playing Chess on your Wii sounded like a hoot then you will be pleased to know you can get it for your DSi as well! Since both games will only set you back 10 bucks for both it isn’t that bad of a deal. But then again you run the risk of being a pretentious jackass for buying Chess for your Wii and DSi.
Chess Challenge
Patience will be key if you want to score big in Chess Challenge! Perfect your chess skills by playing against the computer in multiple difficulty modes, or play against your friends in either shared or wireless play via DS Wireless Play. Start by practicing with some casual games, then work your way up in fully Elo-rated matches. You’ll even be able to track all of your game-play stats – win, lose or draw. Chess Challenge! will keep both novice and expert players glued to the screen for hours.
Cost: 500 Nintendo Points
Publisher:Digital Leisure
Genre:Board GamePhoto Dojo
Using your Nintendo DSi system’s camera, take photos of yourself performing punches, kicks and special moves, as well as victory and defeat poses. Next, add sound effects by recording your voice, or whatever you choose, with the microphone. Finally, snap a photo for the backdrop; the setting is entirely up to you. In just a few minutes you’ll have created your own personalised fighting game! Battle solo against hordes of enemies, or invite a friend to capture their own likeness and fight each other in a one-on-one grudge match. And, because both players share the same Nintendo DSi, you’ll be getting very up close and personal!
Cost: 200 Nintendo Points
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: SRD Co.
Genre: FightingFlips: The Enchanted Wood
And in the wood stands the magic Faraway Tree, and in that tree live the magical characters that soon become their new friends – Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, and Saucepan Man. Together they visit the strange lands (the Roundabout Land, the Land of Ice and Snow, Toyland and the Land of Take What You Want!) which lie at the top of the tree and have the most exciting adventures – and narrow escapes!Flips Interactive Books – the Fun New Way for Kids to Read
Cost: 500 Nintendo Points
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: EducationEarthworm Jim
The grooviest action platformer, originally released on Mega Drive, is back in a faithful remake enhanced with a never-before-seen feature, exclusively on the Nintendo DSi system.
Cost: 500 Nintendo Points
Publisher: Gameloft
Genre: Action
XBLA/PSN Releases – Two!
As far as I can tell there aren’t any PSN games being released this week. Though Playstation owners are on the verge of getting Castle Crashers which is one of the all time great downloadable games. Two games being released for the XBLA this week one of which (Things on Wheels) looks to be RC Pro Am on acid. Does anyone else remember RC Pro Am? It was a classic Rareware game that I adored as a child. See Nintendo THAT would’ve been a good game to release this week on the VC. Yes I know Rare is now owned by Microsoft but that shouldn’t black list there classic games forever now should it? So I’m at least getting the demo for that. The other game has Rocket in the title and apparently uses a Rocket Pack. That’s enough for me to get the demo.
Things on Wheels™ (ToW) is a fun and fast remote-controlled car racing game playable in single or multiplayer (with up to four players)! Drive miniature racers with various features–the agile Vintages, the powerful Muscles or the fast Sports cars–and compete in dozens of crazy races. The tracks are completely insane, loaded with shortcuts, ramps, loops and other surprises. Count on a lot of items to pick up to spice up the races even more and upset the final rankings!
Cost: 800 MS Points
Developer: Load Inc.
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Genre: Racing GameRocket Knight
Sparkster makes his triumphant arrival on next-gen consoles withRocket Knight, the newest entry in the beloved 2-D side-scrolling rocket action series. Our favorite opossum hero returns home after 15 years to find the kingdom of Zephyrus in shambles. Use your wits and Sparkster’s trusty rocket pack to dodge and defeat a menacing wolf army threatening the lives of the people.
Cost: 1200 Points
Developer: Climax
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Action
Games on Demand – Three!
Blah blah blah, cheaper used, blah blah blah. Look I agree that these On Demand games are overpriced. In some cases VASTLY over priced. But look at it this way. Most of these games are still selling new for at least 40 bucks. So there is a big discount there if you buy it this way. And unlike buying it used the Developers get a cut so they can quit their bitching about the secondary market. Any way three games I don’t really care about hit the service this week.
Endwar
This game supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. Experience World War III in your living room with Tom Clancy’s EndWar™, a revolutionary new war game built to maximize next-generation gaming consoles and completely controllable by voice. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Cost: $29.99
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Strategy & SimulationBattlestations Pacific
(Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) This game supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. Battlestations Pacific is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Battlestations Midway. Take the fight in the Pacific direct to the enemy in this epic action-strategy game where players command and take control of over 100 air, sea and undersea units. Fight in two massive historic single player campaigns and battle online in a deep multiplayer game featuring 5 unique modes across numerous battle scenarios. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Cost: $29.99
Developer: EIDOS Hungary
Publisher: Eidos
Genre: Action & Adventure, Strategy & SimulationRaiden Fighters Aces
(Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) This game supports English only. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. The hottest battle is back after the decade!The legendary shooting arcade game, [RAIDEN FIGHTERS] is back with Xbox360!The three titles in the RAIDEN FIGHTERS series is ported into one package,which includes some new functions like Score Upload or Game Clip.Get the highest score in the world via Xbox LIVE! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
Cost: $19.99
Developer: GULTI CO.,LTD.
Publisher: Valcon Games
Genre: Shooter
XBox Live Deal of the Week
For those of you who weren’t disappointed by GTA IV you can pick up the first expansion episode, The Ballad of Gay Tony for only 1200 points this week instead of the normally 1600 points it cost. I played GTA IV and sold it a few weeks later so I’m not a fan of the game. But if you are and haven’t gotten this add-on then this seems up your alley.
That’s it for this week!
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Freddie
Bonus Level Radio 127:
Saved By The Cell 53:
Pop Culture And Pilates 21:
Paperweights 08: