Wii Node

Just like the Playstation Network and Xbox Live, there are a variety of downloadable games on the WiiWare network.  Most of these are arcade-like and can be played for short periods without requiring the time and dedication of regular titles.  However, there’s a large variety of quality apparent in the game selections as well.  If you don’t want to wind up wishing you had those Wii Points back, check out these titles first.

• Bit.Trip Runner: The previous entries in the Bit.Trip series were all time-wasters well worth the money, but Runner provides the most bang for your buck with over 50 platforming-style levels.  The soundtrack will slip into your head as well, provided by New York City chiptune group Anamanaguchi.
• Cave Story: Originally released as PC freeware in 2004, Daisuke Amaya aka Pixel’s Cave Story hit WiiWare in March.  It takes inspiration from classic platforming adventures like Castlevania and Metroid but stakes out its own unique personality through its characters and level designs.  The ability to upgrade weapons and the sheer length of the game will keep you hooked for hours. Click here to continue reading »

The Wii has long been the odd man out in the next-gen video game trifecta.  The more traditional Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are both straightforward upgrades of their previous systems (as is clear from the names), while the Wii has become more of a cultural phenomenon.  With its motion-sensor control, the system attracts people unfamiliar with traditional control styles.  Even parents have been attracted to programs like Wii Fit.  On April 20, though, true-believers were rewarded with the Wii Classic Controller Pro, available both individually and as part of a pack with the excellent Monster Hunter Tri.

The controller was available in Japan since last summer, but American fans had been left twiddling their thumbs.  The controller is similar to Sony’s Dual Shock controller for their Playstation systems, including two analog joysticks and two groups of shoulder buttons in addition to the familiar directional pad and four-button group.  The controller comes in black and white—odd considering we still don’t have a black Wii in North America. Click here to continue reading »

In most cases, when someone breaks off a relationship, their go-to excuse is, “It’s not you, it’s me.”  However, Fallout 3 and Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda has made no secret of the fact that, from their standpoint, the Wii just isn’t pulling its weight.  “The stuff we’re doing is a better fit on the other platforms,” according to executive producer Todd Howard.  This comes as a slap in the face to Wii fans who insist that the system can accommodate a variety of games.

The system’s family-friendly image isn’t hurting any with the recent announcement of an exclusive Glee game, based on the Fox musical drama that is a masterpiece according to fans, and annoying and bewildering according to everyone else.  However, Karaoke Revolution: Glee could work on its own merits, even if you ignore the franchise.  The game ships with a wired microphone and offers the ability to sing along to songs from the show.  Players are graded according to pitch and rhythm. Click here to continue reading »

“Hardcore” game players have sometimes derided the Wii console for its user-friendly nature, but any game where you run the risk of flinging the controller through the screen deserves some serious respect.  The wrist straps are fine and all, but for those who prefer not to be tied down, glass and ceramics maker Corning is now offering a solution.  So-called “Gorilla Glass” will be added to select HDTVs starting next year to protect against scratches, scuffs, and flying Wii remotes.  The glass has been used previously to protect smartphone screens, such as the iPhone 4’s.

Gorilla Glass was developed in 2008.  Corning also has produced the windows for all U.S. Space Shuttles.  Not content to work only in glass, Corning has made technological strides in other areas—for example, introducing a new optic fiber called ClearCurve in 2007.  This fiber used nanostructure technology to achieve small radii bending in telecommunications networks.  Other projects include lasers, microreactors, and photovoltaics. Click here to continue reading »

Wii owners do have one upcoming title to lord over the other systems, and that’s Eurocom’s upcoming Goldeneye 007.  The closest thing to call it is a “remake” of the classic 1997 N64 game, since it’s not exactly a sequel and nowhere near a port.  The game’s being updated to include Daniel Craig as Bond, along with a new story by the film’s original writer.

This may be one of the games where it’ll be useful to have a Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro to recreate the original N64 control scheme.  Players will also have the option of using a GameCube controller, Wii Zapper, or Wii Remote with Nunchuk.  The best part is that in multiplayer (with up to four players) each player will be able to choose the scheme that fits them best. Click here to continue reading »