This Week at the Wii Shop: repair, rampage, and REVENGE

Doctor Setebos · 12-01-2008, 07:55 AM

Nicely done, Nintendo! A week where I might actually end up going broke. We have the excellent Metal Slug 2 available on the VC (for those of you that don't already have Metal Slug Anthology, which I wholeheartedly suggest you pick up if you haven't already). The deceptively simple puzzle game Pit Crew Panic! that Hudson has been raving about for a couple of weeks now. And the (not so) instant purchase courtesy of Taito: Space Invaders Get Even. You take control of the seminal invaders, and exact your revenge on the pitiful beings of Earth. Ultimate destruction with an online leaderboard and only five bucks? ~~Most excellent.~~ (The game only comes with the first two levels, you have to purchase all the others separately. Not excellent. Ed.)

The next few weeks should see some interesting releases on the Wii Shop, so, just like on Thanksgiving, try to pace yourself. And enjoy!

WiiWare

SPACE INVADERS GET EVEN (Taito, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): The Space Invaders are back, and this time they're out to get even. Take control of a UFO and make those Earthlings pay by unleashing your fleet of heroic invaders against their puny tanks, fighter jets and artillery-but watch out for the massive boss awaiting you at the end of each stage. Use your invaders' five attack types and the might of the mother ship to rack up high scores, then upload them via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and see where you stand in the global rankings. (Note: Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, visit www.nintendo.com.)

Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Pit Crew Panic! is a frantic, action-packed game that unfolds on the racing circuit. During the game, the pit crew is not only faced with repairing vehicles, but also various WHATSITs. Handling the WHATSIT repairs is a pit crew made up of legendary beauties. The controls are simple: Just grab a member of the crew with the Wii Remote™ controller's A Button, then release the button when the Pointer is over the damaged PART, and that crew member will begin repairs. Assign repairs to the members of your team and provide support using the Wii Remote to send a fully repaired WHATSIT out of the pit as quickly as you can. The game features Normal mode, which can be played using one of two rules: Abnormal mode (players split into two teams and compete against each other) and Ranking mode (compete with players around the world for the top record). Each mode can be played with a maximum of four Wii Remote controllers, allowing you to team up with friends and family. Your teamwork could lead to outstanding records.

Virtual Console

METAL SLUG 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Blood and Gore, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1998 by SNK, METAL SLUG 2 is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players choose from Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, setting their sights on wiping out Morden's newly remobilized Rebellion Army. Just like the original METAL SLUG, players blaze a trail by shooting and jumping, but METAL SLUG 2 adds a new arsenal for you to command, including a heavy machine gun, a shotgun and even a laser gun, providing players with rich variety. Battle effects are packed in, as well-players turn into mummies after getting caught in poison gas coughed up by mummies. After picking up too many food items, characters turn fat, but they get an attack-strength upgrade. Two-player action is supported, too, so players can have a blast with their friends.

TrackZero · 12-01-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Setebos

And the instant purchase courtesy of Taito: Space Invaders Get Even. You take control of the seminal invaders, and exact your revenge on the pitiful beings of Earth. Ultimate destruction with an online leaderboard and only five bucks? Most excellent.

You'd think that'd be the case, but no. Sometimes research helps:

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3169779&p=44

"Get Even costs only five dollars to download, and the purchasing screen indicates the game will include level packs. What it neglects to mention is that you need to download a $5 level pack to play beyond the first stage. In other words, the initial download is actually a paid demo; the full game works out to be about $20. This is a somewhat iffy strategy on publisher Square Enix's part, as it takes very little time (about 10-15 minutes if you're good) to breeze through the first stage."

If you want a real Space Invaders game, get Extreme.

Gorvi · 12-01-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackZero

You'd think that'd be the case, but no. Sometimes research helps:

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3169779&p=44

"Get Even costs only five dollars to download, and the purchasing screen indicates the game will include level packs. What it neglects to mention is that you need to download a $5 level pack to play beyond the first stage. In other words, the initial download is actually a paid demo; the full game works out to be about $20. This is a somewhat iffy strategy on publisher Square Enix's part, as it takes very little time (about 10-15 minutes if you're good) to breeze through the first stage."

If you want a real Space Invaders game, get Extreme.

Calling that iffy is being nice, that's just bullshit right there.

And of course, I'm now reminded that I need to get around to picking up Space Invaders Extreme some time.

Doctor Setebos · 12-01-2008, 09:01 AM

Ah, so according to WiiWare World, SIGE was apparently originally supposed to be a full retail game, but Square Enix decided instead to put it on WiiWare. So, it ends up as a $20 game that I can purchase in installments. That's actually not a bad idea.

TrackZero · 12-01-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Setebos

Ah, so according to WiiWare World, SIGE was apparently originally supposed to be a full retail game, but Square Enix decided instead to put it on WiiWare. So, it ends up as a $20 game that I can purchase in installments. That's actually not a bad idea.

Yes, yes it is actually. Enjoy playing that single level.

Edit: Sorry Doc, my annoyance at this is when Space Invaders Extreme is available for the same price and is by far the superior game, people should be off buying it instead of this hacked up Wiiware title. To me, there's no real defending this level of nickel and diming unless you're letting your fan mode tug at your decision making.

Doctor Setebos · 12-01-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Yes, yes it is actually. Enjoy playing that single level.

Edit: Sorry Doc, my annoyance at this is when Space Invaders Extreme is available for the same price and is by far the superior game, people should be off buying it instead of this hacked up Wiiware title. To me, there's no real defending this level of nickel and diming unless you're letting your fan mode tug at your decision making.

Actually, I think this is a pretty shitty business model, as well. I just like seeing how easily I can get a rise out of you.

TrackZero · 12-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Setebos

Actually, I think this is a pretty shitty business model, as well. I just like seeing how easily I can get a rise out of you.

It's not hard, I'm easily aroused.

(You can quote that out of context if you want.)

Mike Kelehan · 12-01-2008, 12:11 PM

I love the idea of breaking a $20 game into 4 $5 parts. It's just important that they be upfront about it, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Doctor Setebos · 12-01-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

I love the idea of breaking a $20 game into 4 $5 parts. It's just important that they be upfront about it, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

It also matters that each individual element is worth $5 by itself. I bought Art Style: Cubello for $5 and it's easily worth $8-$10. If each part is truly only 10-15 minutes of playtime with only relatively little replayability, it might be hard to see the value, even if the total package is only $20.

MagGnome · 12-01-2008, 12:32 PM

That's a tempting sig right there Track!

Space Invaders sounds like a pretty crappy deal. I'm sure some Wii fans will eat it up though.

Evil Avnovice · 12-01-2008, 01:14 PM

Oh man....two out of three (Metal Slug 2, Space Invaders Get Even). I might have to hold out, as there are some other WiiWare releases I'm waiting on.

Mike Kelehan · 12-01-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Setebos

It also matters that each individual element is worth $5 by itself. I bought Art Style: Cubello for $5 and it's easily worth $8-$10. If each part is truly only 10-15 minutes of playtime with only relatively little replayability, it might be hard to see the value, even if the total package is only $20.

Yes, of course, but whether the whole package is worth $20 is another discussion entirely. The controversy here is about $20 versus 4 x $5.

Variable Gear · 12-01-2008, 02:29 PM

Do not get Space Invaders! I repeat, do not get Space Invaders!

TrackZero · 12-01-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variable Gear

Do not get Space Invaders! I repeat, do not get Space Invaders!

Holy shit. VG is agreeing with me.

Ravenlock · 12-01-2008, 08:39 PM

Strangely, even at the nickel-and-diming rate, Chris Kohler seemed to really like the game (I link him not because his opinion has any particular weight, it's just the most in-depth review of the gameplay I've seen so far).

Haven't decided yet whether I want to go in on it myself. The gameplay premise does entertain me, and I've got no problem paying an extra $15 if I end up liking the experience enough to think it's worth $20. Other games have done the nickel and diming worse - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King was an excellent game at the base price of $15, but if you wanted to buy all the extras the total price was very nearly $40. (I did not.) And let's keep in mind that Star Soldier R was literally 7 minutes of gameplay (a 5 minute mode and a 2 minute mode) for $8.

So again, I dunno. I'm not inherently offended by the pricing model. I would greatly prefer it if the Wii had downloadable demos for free, so that nobody would ever get burned buying something that ended up sucking (somewhere out there, somebody bought Spogs Racing), but since it doesn't, a $5 taste of a $20 game doesn't seem so terrible.

JayVe · 12-01-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

I love the idea of breaking a $20 game into 4 $5 parts. It's just important that they be upfront about it, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

I've enjoyed the Strong Bad episodes at $10 a piece. If I was going to buy all 5 of them at once, that's like getting a $50 game. Sounds fair.

That said, $5 for the first level ONLY is gonna piss a lot of people off.

12-01-2008, 07:55 AM	#1
Doctor Setebos Xenosetebos Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,257 Blog Entries: 10	This Week at the Wii Shop: repair, rampage, and REVENGE Nicely done, Nintendo! A week where I might actually end up going broke. We have the excellent Metal Slug 2 available on the VC (for those of you that don't already have Metal Slug Anthology, which I wholeheartedly suggest you pick up if you haven't already). The deceptively simple puzzle game Pit Crew Panic! that Hudson has been raving about for a couple of weeks now. And the (not so) instant purchase courtesy of Taito: Space Invaders Get Even. You take control of the seminal invaders, and exact your revenge on the pitiful beings of Earth. Ultimate destruction with an online leaderboard and only five bucks? ~~Most excellent.~~ (The game only comes with the first two levels, you have to purchase all the others separately. Not excellent. Ed.) The next few weeks should see some interesting releases on the Wii Shop, so, just like on Thanksgiving, try to pace yourself. And enjoy! WiiWare SPACE INVADERS GET EVEN (Taito, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): The Space Invaders are back, and this time they're out to get even. Take control of a UFO and make those Earthlings pay by unleashing your fleet of heroic invaders against their puny tanks, fighter jets and artillery-but watch out for the massive boss awaiting you at the end of each stage. Use your invaders' five attack types and the might of the mother ship to rack up high scores, then upload them via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and see where you stand in the global rankings. (Note: Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, visit www.nintendo.com.) Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Pit Crew Panic! is a frantic, action-packed game that unfolds on the racing circuit. During the game, the pit crew is not only faced with repairing vehicles, but also various WHATSITs. Handling the WHATSIT repairs is a pit crew made up of legendary beauties. The controls are simple: Just grab a member of the crew with the Wii Remote™ controller's A Button, then release the button when the Pointer is over the damaged PART, and that crew member will begin repairs. Assign repairs to the members of your team and provide support using the Wii Remote to send a fully repaired WHATSIT out of the pit as quickly as you can. The game features Normal mode, which can be played using one of two rules: Abnormal mode (players split into two teams and compete against each other) and Ranking mode (compete with players around the world for the top record). Each mode can be played with a maximum of four Wii Remote controllers, allowing you to team up with friends and family. Your teamwork could lead to outstanding records. Virtual Console METAL SLUG 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Blood and Gore, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1998 by SNK, METAL SLUG 2 is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players choose from Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, setting their sights on wiping out Morden's newly remobilized Rebellion Army. Just like the original METAL SLUG, players blaze a trail by shooting and jumping, but METAL SLUG 2 adds a new arsenal for you to command, including a heavy machine gun, a shotgun and even a laser gun, providing players with rich variety. Battle effects are packed in, as well-players turn into mummies after getting caught in poison gas coughed up by mummies. After picking up too many food items, characters turn fat, but they get an attack-strength upgrade. Two-player action is supported, too, so players can have a blast with their friends. Last edited by Doctor Setebos; 12-01-2008 at 02:42 PM..

12-01-2008, 09:01 AM	#4
Doctor Setebos Xenosetebos Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,257 Blog Entries: 10	Ah, so according to WiiWare World, SIGE was apparently originally supposed to be a full retail game, but Square Enix decided instead to put it on WiiWare. So, it ends up as a $20 game that I can purchase in installments. That's actually not a bad idea. __________________ Nerdflood \| It's Dangerous to Go Alone! Facebook \| Twitter \| Tumblr \| Steam \| Backloggery Now Playing: Muramasa: the Demon Blade Wii \| Trine PC Follow my Ficly365 project where I write a new (extremely short) story every day of 2010!

12-01-2008, 01:14 PM	#11
Evil Avnovice W.D.F. Rarebreed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dengeki Online ~ 4Gamer Posts: 4,117	Oh man....two out of three (Metal Slug 2, Space Invaders Get Even). I might have to hold out, as there are some other WiiWare releases I'm waiting on. __________________ Tales of Graces ~ Estpolis: The Lands Cursed by the Gods Etrian Odyssey III ~ Red Seeds Profile

12-01-2008, 02:29 PM	#13
Variable Gear Anarchy in the Galaxy! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Santa Destroy, CA Posts: 2,424 Blog Entries: 12	Do not get Space Invaders! I repeat, do not get Space Invaders! __________________ I have a blog... Also, check out my twitter profile!/Gamertag: Variable Gear/Currently Playing: Wii: M:TDB & MPT GC: SSBM, CR & VJ. DS: TWEWY, KSSU, & C:OoE. 360: TB:RB, DG:TA, H3:ODST & RB2.

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12-01-2008, 12:11 PM	#8
Mike Kelehan Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA Posts: 2,471	I love the idea of breaking a $20 game into 4 $5 parts. It's just important that they be upfront about it, and that doesn't seem to be the case here.

12-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#15
Ravenlock Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,088	Strangely, even at the nickel-and-diming rate, Chris Kohler seemed to really like the game (I link him not because his opinion has any particular weight, it's just the most in-depth review of the gameplay I've seen so far). Haven't decided yet whether I want to go in on it myself. The gameplay premise does entertain me, and I've got no problem paying an extra $15 if I end up liking the experience enough to think it's worth $20. Other games have done the nickel and diming worse - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King was an excellent game at the base price of $15, but if you wanted to buy all the extras the total price was very nearly $40. (I did not.) And let's keep in mind that Star Soldier R was literally 7 minutes of gameplay (a 5 minute mode and a 2 minute mode) for $8. So again, I dunno. I'm not inherently offended by the pricing model. I would greatly prefer it if the Wii had downloadable demos for free, so that nobody would ever get burned buying something that ended up sucking (somewhere out there, somebody bought Spogs Racing), but since it doesn't, a $5 taste of a $20 game doesn't seem so terrible.