No More Weekly Store Updates

Hello readers, the Fall/Winter season comes upon us, things tend to get busy around here. And, as you may have seen, starting with last night's This Week in Fringe, we're going to have a bigger focus on weekly features and exclusive reviews instead of just reporting news/updates.

For me, one of the biggest pains every week was posting the Nintendo Download, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Live Marketplace weekly updates. Why? Because even though a bulk of it is just copy/paste from the shop update releases themselves, there's a lot of reformatting I need to do for something that most readers can easily just find elsewhere. The XBLM update specifically was most troublesome because it's a case where I have to check daily, and actually search to see what's new each day.

So, starting this week, we will no longer be posting the updates for digital stores. Sorry if this bothers you, but hopefully the increase in original content will be appreciated.

Nintendo Download - 9/14/09

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Academy: First Semester 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)

Oscar in Toyland 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Virtual Playground, Players: 1, E)

WiiWare
Texas Hold’Em Poker 600 Wii Points (Gameloft, Players: 1-6, T)

Spaceball: Revolution 800 Wii Points (Virtual Toys, Players: 1-2, E)

Mart Racer 800 Wii Points (JoJu Games, Players: 1-4, E)

Virtual Console
Crash ‘N The Boys Street Challenge 500 Wii Points (NES, Aksys Games, Players: 1-2, E)

It was pretty amusing to see Crash ‘N The Boys on the release list today, as some of you may know, it was the inspiration for the fake band in Scott Pilgrim, Crash and the Boys (though by Volume 3, they rename themselves as The Boys And Crash). Well... I thought it was amusing at least.

Nintendo Download - 9/7/09

What's Nintendo got in store for Labor Day?

WiiWare
Contra Rebirth - 1,000 Wii Points (Konami, Players: 1-2, E10+)

ColorZ - 700 Wii Points (Exkee, Players: 1-3, E)

Virtual Console
Super Return of the Jedi - 800 Wii Points (Super NES, LucasArts, Players: 1, E)

Nintendo DSiWare
Clubhouse Games Express: Family Favorites - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1-8, E)

Nintendo Download - 8/31/09

Wow, the last update of the Summer... how weird this feels.

WiiWare
Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 2 - 1,000 Wii Points (Telltale Games, Players: 1, E10+)

3-2-1, Rattle Battle! - 500 Wii Points (Tecmo, Players: 1, E)

Virtual Console
Phantasy Star - 500 Wii Points (SEGA Master System, SEGA, Players: 1, E)

Nintendo DSiWare
Puzzle League Express - 500 DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)

Well, so much for that. Not that it's a bad selection, but it's nothing I'll go out of my way for.

Nintendo Download - 8/24/09

Completely fogot to post last week's update.. so here's this week's, reasonably on time.

Virtual Console
Super Empire Strikes Back - 800 Wii Points (Super NES, LucasArts, Players: 1, E)

WiiWare
Mr. Driller W - 800 Wii Points (Namco Bandai, Players: 1, E)

Nintendo DSiWare
Pop+ Solo - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nnooo, Players: 1, E)

Yawn..........

Nintendo Download - 8/10/09

WiiWare
NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits - 1,000 Wii Points (Over The Top Games, Players: 1-2, E)

Rock N' Roll Climber - 800 Wii Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)

Virtual Console
Super Star Wars - 800 Wii Points (Super NES, LucasArts, Players: 1, E)

Nintendo DSiWare
Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)


Yes, you read that right, Super Star Wars. In fact, according to a Nintendo press release, this is the first in a month of Star Wars promotions on the Wii [reasoning unknown]. Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi will both arrive later this month on the VC; and a surprise twist, the Check Mii Out and Everybody Votes channels will also feature Star Wars themed polls and contests. The press release ends with "Additional classic LucasArts games for Virtual Console will be announced in the future." so hopefully that means we can look forward to some non-Star Wars titles in the realm of ... I don't know... Monkey Island? But i doubt it.

Nintendo Download - 8/3/09

WiiWare
OVERTURN - 800 Wii Points (Studio Zan Inc., Players: 1-4, E10+)

Sexy Poker - 500 Wii Points (Gameloft, Players: 1, M)

Virtual Console
TECMO BOWL - 600 Wii Points (Virtual Console Arcade, Tecmo, Players: 1-4, E)

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style: precipice - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)

Also tonight, you'll be able to update your DSi firmware to utilize the Facebook Upload tool announced at this years E3; I'll try it out, but doubt it's anything to write about. At least we actually got a Virtual Console release this week!

Nintendo Download - 7/13/09

Looks like six games a week is Nintendo's new standard. I'm not complaining!

Nintendo DSiWare
Brain Challenge - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Gameloft, Players: 1, E)

WiiWare
Bit Boy!! - 600 Wii Points (Bplus, Players: 1-2, E)

Incoming! - 500 Wii Points (JV Games Inc., Players: 1-2, E)

Ant Nation - 700 Wii Points (Konami Digital Entertainment, Players: 1, E 10 +)

Virtual Console
Secret Command - 600 Wii Points (SEGA Master System, SEGA, Players: 1-2, E 10+)

Pulseman - 900 Wii Points (SEGA Genesis, GAME FREAK, Players: 1, E)

If you're wondering why this week's Virtual Console prices are more pricey than usual, it's because they're both import titles. In fact, Pulseman was only released in North America via that old Sega Channel... ah, crazy concepts of the 90s.

Nintendo Download - 7/6/09

First update of July, let's see...

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style: BASE 10 - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1-2, E)

Asphalt 4: Elite Racing - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Gameloft, Players: 1-4, E10+)

WiiWare
BIT.TRIP CORE - 600 Wii Points (Aksys Games, Players: 1-2, E)

BUST-A-MOVE Plus! - 600 Wii Points (TAITO, Players: 1-2, E)

Heracles Chariot Racing - 800 Wii Points (Neko Entertainment, Players: 1-4, E)

Virtual Console
California Games - 500 Wii Points (Commodore 64, Commodore Gaming, Players: 1-5, E)

Whoa there Nintendo, now you're giving us six titles? Keep it coming please!

Nintendo Download - 6/29/09

Last update for June, has Nintendo delivered?

Nintendo DSiWare
SUDOKU MASTER - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Hudson Entertainment, Players: 1, E)

WiiWare
Water Warfare - 800 Wii Points (Hudson Entertainment, Players: 1-8, E10+)

Reel Fishing Challenge - 500 Wii Points (Natsume, Inc., Players: 1, E)

Silver Star Reversi - 500 Wii Points (Agetec, Inc., Players: 1-2, E)

Virtual Console
Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa - 500 Wii Points (SEGA Master System, SEGA, Players: 1, E)

Well, that's another week of five titles at least, though I can't say anything strikes me as a "must buy"...

Nintendo Download - 6/22/09

DSiWare
Art Style: BOXLIFE - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, Players: 1, E)

WiiWare
Drill Sergeant Mindstrong - 800 Wii Points (XSEED Games, Players: 1-4, E10+)

NEVES Plus - 600 Wii Points (YUKES Company of America, Players: 1-4, E)

Family Mini Golf - 500 Wii Points (Aksys Games, Players: 1-8, E)

Virtual Console
SimEarth: The Living Planet - 800 Wii Points (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, Hudson Entertainment, Players: 1, E)

Whoa there Nintendo! Five games and none of them are clocks or calculators?! What's the occasion?...

Nintendo Download - 6/15/09

Nintendo DSiWare
Mario Calculator - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo)

Mario Clock - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo)

WiiWare
Eduardo the Samurai Toaster - 800 Wii Points (Semnat Studios, Players: 1-4, Rated E)

Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! - 800 Wii Points (TAITO, Players: 1-2, Rated E)

Let's CATCH - 1,000 Wii Points (SEGA, Players: 1-4, Rated E)

Virtual Console
Space Harrier - 800 Wii Points (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, Players: 1, Rated E)

I'm not sure what the occasion is, but usually we've been getting only 3 titles a week, not 6. But, can you really count more clocks and calculators as content? Also, Eduardo the Samurai Toaster, by name alone sounds like the most awesome thing ever!

Nintendo Download - 6/8/09

No press release, so I had to look these up manually...

Nintendo DSiWare
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again - 800 Nintendo Points

WiiWare
Swords & Soldiers - 1000 Nintendo Points

Fish'em All! - 800 Nintendo Points

Virtual Console
Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (SNES) - 800 Nintendo Points

Press release next time Nintendo, thanks...

Nintendo Download - 6/1/09

All this E3 business and writing the album review made me totally forget about the Nintendo shop updates, sorry!

Nintendo DSiWare
Mighty Flip Champs! - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (WayForward Technologies, 1 player, Rated E)

WiiWare
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years - 800 Wii Points (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E)
Texas Hold'em Tournament - 500 Wii Points (Digital Leisure, Inc., 1-6 players, Rated T)

Virtual Console
Boulder Dash - 500 Wii Points (Commodore 64, 1-2 players, Rated E)

via Nintendo Press Room

Nintendo Download - 5/25/09

What's in the Shops for Memorial Day?

Nintendo DSiWare
American Popstar: Road to Celebrity - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone)

Photo Clock - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player)

WiiWare
BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! - 600 Wii Points (TAITO, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone)

ADVENTURE ISLAND® The Beginning - 800 Wii Points (Hudson Entertainment, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone)

Virtual Console
Clay Fighter - 800 Wii Points(Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen)

via Nintendo Press Room

Seriously?! That Photo Clock sounds like it should've been included with the system to begin with, or at least a free download. Give us a break, Nintendo.

Nintendo Download - 5/18/09

Today mark's the release of the Virtual Console's 300th title, oh snap!

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style: PiCTOBiTS - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, )

WiiWare
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 - 800 Wii Points (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

Silver Star Chess - 500 Wii Points (Agetec, Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Suggestive Themes, )

Virtual Console
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - 1,000 Wii Points (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

via Nintendo Press Room

Nintendo Download - 5/11/09

Late, I know, I had no obligation to wake up for once.

Nintendo DSiWare
Real Soccer 2009 - 800 Nintendo DSi Points (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone)

WiiWare
Family Pirate Party - 500 Wii Points (Aksys Games, 1-4 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older)

Virtual Console
Galaxy Force II - 800 Wii Points (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

via Nintendo Press Room

Nintendo Download - 5/4/09

So, how's Nintendo decide to open up May?

Nintendo DSiWare
Animal Crossing Calculator - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player)

Animal Crossing Clock - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player)

WiiWare
Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish! - 800 Wii Points (Gammick Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone)

Virtual Console
Tower Toppler - 500 Wii Points (Commodore 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

via Nintendo Press Room

Ew... really? I mean, I'm cool with apps and stuff, but two bucks for a clock and an additional 2 for a calculator? Couldn't they have just made one Animal Crossing app with both functions, for $2?

Nintendo Download - 4/27/09

So how does Nintendo close out DSi's first month?

Nintendo DSiWare
Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1-8 players, Rated T for Teen)

Paper Airplane Chase - 200 Nintendo DSi Points( Nintendo, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone)

WiiWare
Cocoto Platform Jumper - 700 Wii Points (Neko Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone)

Virtual Console
Nobunaga's Ambition - 800 Wii Points (Super NES, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone)

via Nintendo Press Room

Well, certainly not the way I would've closed out the month..

Nintendo Download - 4/20/09

What do we have here?

Nintendo DSiWare
Dr. Mario Express - 500 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche - 200 Nintendo DSi Points (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

WiiWare
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R1 - 800 Wii Points(SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone)

Virtual Console
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair - 900 Wii Points (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone)

via Nintendo Press Room

A decent selection, but what's with these pay-to-play Master of Illusion demos, huh Nintendo? If you want to push the franchise, then maybe you should have actually advertised the original DS game when it released, considering it sits in bargain bins now for fourteen dollars... and that's with a deck of cards.