Virtual releases for the week of June 2nd: Joe the ninja edition

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What do spaceships, ninjas and egg collecting have in common? Unless you’ve managed to somehow combine these three things in some way previously, Wii’s virtual releases for this week may be the first time you’ll enjoy this triad of treats together. If you opt to just have a cheeseburger, though, I don’t blame you (I go for that nine times out of ten myself).
 
On the WiiWare release list this week, we have Protöthea (UbiSoft, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneFantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points), a top-down scrolling shoot-em-up that pits you up against an asteroid called Maqno 01. If the video above is a solid example of the title, I think it just might classify as “neo-retro“, which you may want to hear more about later when the new episode of RetroforceGO! goes up later today.
 
The second goodie for WiiWare owners is called Toki Tori (Two Tribes, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points) and was actually a Game Boy Color game back in 2001. Two Tribes has decided to revive the series with this WiiWare offering, in which you play a little bird who looks like he wandered right out of a of Pixar film in fifty levels of puzzle/platform action. If you like the cute stuff, this one is for you.
 
Last but hardly least, the Virtual Console gets a Neo Geo title: Ninja Combat (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and OlderMild Suggestive Themes, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points). In this side-scrolling game, you can play one player as Joe, which may the the shittiest name for a ninja to date, to take on the Ninja Tower. Some serious brainstorming must have gone into these names.
 
Will you download this week? Or will you fantasize about being a ninja with a much better name than Joe?

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

From family-friendly puzzles to crackling combat, this weeks additions to the Wii Shop Channel offer a mix of downloadable delights. Fight fans can even choose between futuristic space missions and retro-styled martial arts battles. Take your pick and kick off the summer with an invigorating dose of Wii action.

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 weeks new games are:

WiiWare

Protöthea (UbiSoft, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneFantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Protöthea is a top-down scrolling shooter game with free movement that puts players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship. The mission is to destroy the asteroid called Maqno 01 and finish with the plans of The Core. UbiSofts Protöthea introduces new concepts to a beloved, classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii console, from graphics to controls. Players of all ages and experience levels will enjoy taking command of their ship, blasting through four different worlds in 10 challenging missions. Use your weapons arsenal and the special bonus items to help you accomplish your mission, and dont forget to slow down time and take an edge over the enemy.

Toki Tori (Two Tribes, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Toki Tori is his name, and collecting eggs is his game. In this puzzle/platform game, players use a variety of items such as the Telewarp, InstantRock and Slug Sucker. Clever use and combination of these items are needed to solve all the games levels, of which there are more than 70. Levels range from easy to brain-teasingly hard, resulting in dozens of hours of puzzle play time. Toki Tori makes the most of what Wii has to offer. It uses the Wii Remote for a unique control scheme, which offers players a new and more relaxing play style. A second player can help you out by drawing hints while you are playing. The game even uses the Wii Message Board in a unique way.

Virtual Console

Ninja Combat (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and OlderMild Suggestive Themes, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1990, Ninja Combat is a side-scrolling combat-action game. Take control of the ninjas Joe (one player) and Hayabusa (two players), and enter into battle against a group of evil ninjas called the Kage Ichizoku. Make your way into their home fortress, Ninja Tower, which dominates a big city of the near future. Fight using normal attacks, jumps, special movements and ninja materials that deliver damaging blows to all enemies on the screen. In addition, youll find weapons and items to aid you along the way. Even better, as you progress in the game, reliable allies such as Musashi, Kagerow and Gembu will emerge to fight alongside you, allowing you to choose a new character in each stage. Ninja Combat also supports simultaneous play with two players, so you can grab a friend and defeat the Kage Ichizoku together.


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