Wednesday Download Wrap Up 8/18/10

A lot of websites have been making a big deal about the Virtual Console this week. Some have charts others are just angry. Most agree that the Virtual Console is dead. That the idea of weekly releases for it are long gone and while a few games probably will come out it’ll be a once in a while kind of thing. I personally don’t think it’s dead. Nintendo has made a lot of money off the thing and a few games have sold a million copies on the service. Selling a million copies of games that are almost all 20 years old and required very little work to get to play on the service is still an attractive idea to developers. Low risk high reward. Personally I think it’s a sign of the times. Thousands of people have been laid off at game companies and even though it would require little work to get games on the Virtual Console, it does take some work. And developers just don’t have the extra man power right now. Perhaps in a year if the economy upticks then we may see a glorious return to the service. Well one can hope I guess.

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Nintendo
WiiWare

Space Trek
Price: 700 Wii PointsTM
Description: As Captain Jay, you take control of a space jet deployed on an alien world. The planet you’re on is inhabited by the Knagar, a race of big, green, self-important bullies. You must fight your way through, outsmart them and save the survivors. Fortunately, Jay can always throw a nice punch line when things get ugly. Fight floating drones, destroy Knagar ships, attack turrets and deal with gigantic worms before they swallow your ship or electrocute you. Access your handy map to avoid getting lost on one of six big levels. Pick up keycards, deactivate force fields, save survivors and collect power-ups. Rearm your ship to use one of six weapons, including the Quark Dispeller, Anti-Matter Thrower and Mega Rockets. Recharge your ship’s battery by flying over heat-bursting volcanoes. Then use the surplus to power your weapons or energy shield. Enjoy humorous dialogue that accompanies players throughout the game.

A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The planet Monsteca is no longer the harmonious world it once was. It’s been overrun by a robotic army that’s determined to rule and conquer. Monsteca natives known as the Stompies have no choice but to run. Unable to defend themselves against such heavy machinery, the Stompies must rely on the strength of their herd to work together and defeat the meddling robots. Take control of the Stompies, cute and not-so-bright monsters who need help to avoid being captured by invading robots. It’s your duty to guide them successfully through each level. This fun, full-3D strategy game has a strong sense of flow, offering 20 levels to conquer and many hours of game play.

Nintendo DSiWare

Divergent Shift
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi PointsTM
Description: Divergent Shift is a puzzle platformer. You’ll run, jump and flip over obstacles, but you also may have to put on your thinking cap to figure out how to complete some of the levels. There are two primary mechanics in the game: the Reflection Mechanic and Shadow Mechanic. In both, you control two characters – one on each screen – at the same time. If you jump, both characters will jump; if you run, both characters will run. The only way to beat the game is to use the two screens together.

3D Mahjong
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Relax your mind with the ancient game of tiles. 3D Mahjong features 50 layouts of the traditional tile-matching game in 3D, each with millions of different shuffles to play. The game’s style and interface has been designed for easy and intuitive operation with the stylus or control pad. The graphics can be customized with six fabulous tile sets and backgrounds. Sit back, relax and enjoy the endless challenge with this Mahjong game collection. Additional brain-sharpening challenges come in the form of extra mini-games: “Memory” and “Matching.”

myNotebook: Carbon
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: myNotebook allows you to take notes wherever you are. Just pop open your Nintendo DSiTMsystem and jot down your thoughts. Make a list and cross it off, or even play your favorite pen-and-paper games (games not included). You can even personalize your notebook by drawing on the cover and changing the paper type with 24 unlockable squared and lined paper styles. Use the pen or pencil to make notes or doodles, and then erase the bits you don’t like. With five ink colors, you’ll always be able to make your notes and doodles look stylish. myNotebook also includes 128 pages to write on and the ability to export your pages to your Nintendo DSi Photo Album.

Just SING! National Anthems
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: It is the greatest sporting event of 2010: the World Cup! All eyes are on South Africa, and all ears are on you in the karaoke game of the year. Enter the hallowed turf and display your talent by singing a selection of national anthems. There are five national anthems to choose from: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Japan and the United States. It’s karaoke fun at its best. All text is displayed, and the game features optimum voice recognition. Just sing into the built-in microphone of your Nintendo DSi system. Don your jersey and step out onto the pitch – to sing!

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Sony
PSN

Top Gun ($14.99)
Top Gun is a free-flying air combat shooter based on the film. In Top Gun, players enroll in the Academy as Maverick with their RIO Goose to go up against the best for top honors. Following graduation, players fly into the danger zone with fellow US Navy pilots, where they shoot down enemy jets, attack bases and engage in large-scale dogfights. Top Gun also features 5 multiplayer modes, allowing 16 players to battle it out online.

PSP

Ys Seven ($29.99)
The legendary action RPG series returns, this time exclusively for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Join Adol and Dogi for their largest adventure ever! Discover the many mysteries sealed away in the vast country of Altago, and awaken the Five Great Dragons to save the world! New Original Story, Same Ys Legacy.

PSP Mini

Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter – Minis ($3.99)

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Microsoft
Games On Demand

The Outfit
Price: Check pricing in your region
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions except Asia
Dash Text: (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”. Combining intense squad-based combat with the freedom of total destruction, The Outfit takes players behind enemy lines, battling the Nazi War Machine through a variety of combat missions. Choose from three playable squad leaders – each with their own skills and abilities, as you lead a squad of battle-forged soldiers on missions ranging from reconnaissance and rescue to search and destroy. With interactive and fully destructible environments, you have the freedom to shoot, blow up or demolish anything in your path! Use “Destruction On Demand™” (D.O.D.) to order in everything from tanks, jeeps, halftracks and other combat vehicles to machine gun nests and anti-tank guns, squad reinforcements, even air strikes and artillery!

MotoGP 08
Price: Check pricing in your region
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions except India and Japan
Dash Text: (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”. MotoGP™ 08 brings the premier motorcycling championship into your home! Speed down 18 official tracks all over the world including Indianapolis and Laguna Seca. Pit your riding skills against players from across the globe in a number of online modes. Customize your experience with different tires, bikes, and racers as you take risks and build your reputation. Delivering an unparalleled racing experience and featuring easy-to-learn controls, MotoGP 08 is the most accessible motorcycle racing game to date.

GUILTY GEAR 2
Price: Check pricing in your region
Availability: Unites States
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”. The 2D fighting phenomenon is now an intense action strategy game! Build and command your troops while simultaneously fighting alongside them to clear a path to victory in the next evolution of Guilty Gear! There are no refunds for this item.

ァンタシースターユニバース
Price: Check pricing in your region
Availability: Japan
Dash Text: (このゲームの取扱説明書をダウンロードするには、http://marketplace.xbox.com でゲームを探し、[取扱説明書] を選択してください。 オンラインプレーをお楽しみ頂くには、無料でダウンロード可能な拡張コンテンツ「イルミナスの野望」とガーディアンズライセンス（月額料金）が必要です。ご了承下さい。はるか遠い宇宙…グラール太陽系では、３惑星の同盟締結100周年を祝う式典の最中、謎の巨大流星群…『ＳＥＥＤ』が突如襲来した！世界が戦乱の闇に包まれていく中、惑星間警護組織『ガーディアンズ』に入隊した「イーサン・ウェーバー」の物語が始まる…！美しい映像と壮大なストーリーのSFファンタジーRPG! イーサンが主人公の「ストーリーモード」と自分だけのキャラクターを作成して、沢山のプレイヤーとともに協力して冒険できる「ネットワークモード」。同じ世界で密接に絡んだ２つのモードで、無限の冒険を楽しもう！ このアイテムの払い戻しはありません。詳しくは http://www.xbox.com/live/accounts をご覧ください。

XBLA

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Price: 1200
Dash Text: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is the first ever co-op multiplayer action/adventure game featuring Lara Croft. This brand new adventure combines the hallmarks of the Tomb Raider franchise, including exploration and discovery, platforming, and puzzle solving combined with character progression, fun fast-paced combat, and elements of human cooperation and competition.

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Also, I just wanted to add that with this weeks release of Lara Croft marks the end of this years Summer of Arcade event. Don’t feel bad XBLAers because next week reportedly will see the release of Shank and Scott Pilgrim (the game based on the recent movie flop).