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The new Nintendo DSisystem has been on store shelves for just a week now. Today Activision’s Mixed Messages becomes the first third-party downloadable game for the new system. Mixed Messages is a game of electronic telephone that can accommodate a whopping 21 players. On the WiiWare™ side, fans will find a game based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate™ toy that might have players sticking virtual swords into their Mii™ characters. And classic character Pitfall Harry Jr. makes his debut on the Virtual Console.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ or Nintendo DSi Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All Nintendo Points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems. This week’s new games are:

Nintendo DSiWare™

Mixed Messages (Activision, 2-21 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points): Mixed Messages is the hilarious party game of mixed-up miscommunication. Sketch a picture to capture your friends’ sentence, or try to figure out what in the world they’ve drawn. You might start with, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” and end up with “A crazy surfer outruns flying sticks of dynamite while his fans cheer!” Two to 21 players take turns writing sentences and drawing pictures to pass along a message. This isn’t a game about winning and losing – it’s all about the funny miscommunications that happen along the way. You’ll laugh when you see just how wacky things can get. Get together with your friends and mix it up.

Master of Illusion™ Express: Shuffle Games (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Master of Illusion Express titles are mind-boggling magic tricks pulled from the popular Nintendo DS™ game. Learn the illusions, practice up and amaze your friends. Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games will boggle your audience members’ minds as they try to figure out how you know exactly what they’re thinking. Also included is the bonus Vanishing Card trick, which the Nintendo DSi system performs for your enjoyment.

WiiWare

Party Fun Pirate™ (TOMY Corporation, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate toy, players take turns thrusting swords into a barrel that holds your captain captive, trying to see who can insert the most swords into the barrel. Thrust a sword into the wrong hole and you’ll send your captain flying, which means it’s game over for you! Unique Wii features add to the excitement, making for a fun-filled party game. Try swapping out the captain and putting your custom Mii character in the barrel for some real laughs!

Virtual Console

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated T for Teen – Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a side-scrolling action game in which you play adventurer Pitfall Harry Jr. in search of his father, Pitfall Harry. Pitfall Harry has been taken captive by the dreaded warrior spirit Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Armed with only a trusty sling and his father’s journal, young Harry Jr. must now venture into the unknown to rescue him … before it’s too late! Bungee jump and boomerang your way to safety as you battle through treacherous Mayan jungles, waterfalls and deserted mines. With 13 levels of fast, gripping action, you will need to be attentive and quick – or prepare to die …

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com orNintendoDSi.com.

Take Aim for the Top Online Leaderboards Score in this Instant Classic Arcade-Style Shooter 

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Gradius ReBirth, the latest entry into the Gradius game franchise, is now available for download on WiiWare. Making its original debut in arcades in 1985, the Gradius franchise is reborn in this latest addition to the arcade classic franchise. Gradius ReBirth enables players to blast their way through many levels full of alien space ships and other space creatures in this action packed side scrolling shooter.

Gradius ReBirth features a robust arsenal of upgradable space-aged weaponry that will aid players in their challenging missions to defeat the alien hordes. Watch out for the epic boss battles as they will test your shooting skills in classic, retro arcade style. Players will be able to post their high scores to worldwide leaderboards and see where they rank against all the other Gradius ReBirth players.

Rated “E for Everyone” by the ESRB, Gradius ReBirth is now available for download on WiiWare at an MSRP of 1000 Wii Points. Wii Points can be purchased through the Wii Shop Channel. Users will need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. For assets and never-before-seen gameplay footage, please visit: http://www.konami.com/downloads/.

Remember when Grandma used to mark your height on the wall every so often, just to see how fast you were growing? Well, if the Wii Shop Channel had its own growth chart, she’d be impressed at how the selection of great games keeps getting bigger and bigger each week. Take a look at the latest additions and you’ll discover a pair of different yet equally engaging titles: a thrilled-packed WiiWare shooter and a classic SEGA adventure for the Virtual Console. Thanks to this steady stream of new games, your own library ought to be growing up fast, too.

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 week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Gradius ReBirth (Konami, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Blast your way through levels filled with alien spaceships and otherworldly creatures in this retro side-scrolling shooter. Pick your weapons carefully and upgrade them to create a devastating arsenal of space-aged weapons that will aid you in your challenging mission. Players can post their high scores to worldwide leader boards via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and see where they rank against all the other Gradius ReBirth players. Test your skills with Gradius ReBirth and see if you have what it takes to beat this action-packed arcade shooter.

Virtual Console

Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars™ (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, Crude Humor, 500 Wii Points): In this platformer from the 1980s, help Alex Kidd in a race against time to find the 12 missing zodiac signs hidden in six challenging levels-including toyland, the robot factory and an outer-space level-all complete with crazy enemies.

In like a lamb and out like a lion, or vice-versa? Whether March finds you digging out from a late-winter blizzard or reeling in the spring thaw, the fun is both mild and wild at the Wii Shop Channel. Even the littlest lambs in your household can take part in a cool new family-friendly WiiWare game, while strategy-loving gamers will be roaring like lions as they battle evil foes in a classic Virtual Console title.

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 week’s new games are:

WiiWare™

Family & Friends Party (Gammick Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Have fun with all your friends and family as you take on some very exciting challenges. This is an interactive board game for as many as eight players of all ages. The goal is to be the first to complete a series of challenges. During each turn, a challenge will be played by one or two players per team depending on the type of challenge you’ve been given. (Other players on your team can still help and support you). There are six different “Single” challenges that must be played cooperatively by members of the same team. Family & Friends Party can also suggest “Versus” challenges, which must be played competitively by all teams at the same time.

Virtual Console™

Ogre Battle™: The March of the Black Queen™ (Super NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): It’s up to you to defeat the Empire. It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since the Zetegenian Empire first conquered the Kingdoms of Zenobia with a wrath of fear and bloodshed. You are the leader of a band of rebels who’ve fought to preserve the last shred of honor in this desperate time of treachery. Manage the ranks of a full-blown rebel army, complete with hundreds of characters, magic items, weapons and mystical Tarot cards. You must succeed in ousting the evil usurpers-your fate, and that of the entire population, depends on it.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

That’s right kids, my favorite gaming platform when I was a kid was the Commodore 64 (C=64 for my homies!). 3 games out, and it’s sweet to see The Last Ninja being released on any platform! Wonder if it’s gonna have the old “load *.* ,8,1″ screen before you play each game. That would just be awesome!

Wii Weekly Update: 1 WiiWare (first ever FPS on WiiWare), and 3 VC titles this week along with C=64 emulation!

Hang onto your hats – and your Wii Remote controllers – as we unveil a set of exciting firsts for the Wii Shop Channel this week. For starters, the new Onslaught marks the first-ever first-person shooter to be released via the WiiWare service. Using the intuitive wireless controls Wii is known for, the game puts players at the center of a pulse-pounding adventure that fans of futuristic sci-fi and multiplayer action will love.

The other big news this week is the hotly anticipated launch of Commodore 64 game titles on Virtual Console. Starting with two classic martial arts games and an awesome car racing title, we’re thrilled to add yet another old-school gaming platform to the mix. Virtual Console already offers classic games that originally appeared on a variety of platforms, and with the addition of Commodore 64, Wii owners can expect even more vintage games to rediscover and enjoy. (Congratulations to those of you who deciphered our hidden hints in last week’s Wii-kly Update – you’ll find a key to all the clues at the end of this installment.)

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 week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Onslaught (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Onslaught is an FPS that puts you in the middle of a futuristic war between humans and insectoid aliens. Become part of the Elite Interstellar Strike Force and fight against an overwhelming onslaught of alien life forms. Enjoy the rush of mowing down wave after wave of aliens with machine guns, grenades and more. Feel your heart pound as you battle gigantic boss aliens. Beyond the normal game, Onslaught includes additional modes that let you play with rivals from around the world using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Team up with as many as three other players in Free Battle mode, or compete on special maps to see who can get the most points by killing enemies before time runs out in Ranking Battle mode. (Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, go to www.nintendo.com.)

Virtual Console

The Last Ninja (Commodore 64, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Animated Blood, Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): The evil Shogun Kunitoki has long envied the powers of the Ninja brotherhood and would do anything to acquire their knowledge. To this end, he has sworn an oath to their total destruction. Once every decade, all Ninja must travel to the Island of Lin Fen, where they pay homage to the Shrine of the White Ninja and receive further teachings from the Koga Scrolls. Seizing the opportunity, Kunitoki summoned forth all the spirits from the depths of the Nether World and flung their full force against the amassed Ninja. None escaped the wrath of Kunitoki. Word of this unnatural disaster soon reached Armakuni, the last Ninja. Gathering all his courage, he has sworn to wreak a terrible revenge on the Shogun and all his followers. What unforeseen hazards await him?

INTERNATIONAL KARATE (Commodore 64, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): INTERNATIONAL KARATE is a simulation of a karate tournament in which one person can play against the computer or two players can compete against each other. During the game, you’ll fly to various locations around the world. In all stages of the game, a wise old judge will watch over you and award you either a half-point or a full point, depending on how successful a hit has been.

Pitstop II (Commodore 64, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Pitstop II was the first game that brought serious auto racing action to the computer screen-the thrill of battling an opponent, the excitement of fighting for the lead out on the track, and the suspense of struggling to be the first out of the pits. Third-person graphics and a split-screen display allow one or two players to experience the challenge of car racing head-to-head. Six of the world’s toughest tracks are waiting, from Brands Hatch and its hairpin turns to the mile-long straight of Vallelunga. You can practice against the computer, but nothing will compare to the fun of racing against another person. Indeed, Pitstop II proves that car racing was never meant to be a solo sport.

As promised, here’s a list of the Commodore 64-related clues that were embedded in last week’s newsletter:

In the second paragraph, each sentence contains exactly 64 letters and numbers (not counting spaces or punctuation).
U.S. Route 64 runs from Arizona to North Carolina.
The third sentence ends with a comma and the word “door,” hinting at the name Commodore.
“Brick House” was a hit for R&B group The Commodores.
The athletic teams of Vanderbilt University are known as the Commodores.
Pennsylvania’s Route 286 passes through a town called Commodore.
The phrases “birthday greetings” and “who could ask for more?” are found in the classic Beatles tune “When I’m 64.”
For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Now Available for Download Through the Wii Shop Channel

Akinai Games, the downloadable games division of leading videogame publisher YUKE’S Company of America, today announced the launch of Evasive Space for Nintendo’s WiiWare game service. The new top-down space adventure title features a unique control scheme utilizing the Wii Remote controller’s infrared capabilities to maneuver your ship in ways never before seen on a home console. Armed with only your deft piloting skills, fly Konki on a race to save the stars from the evil Dr. Dark Matter before the night sky is lost forever. Evasive maneuvering is the key to survival while you traverse through asteroid fields, space stations, and astral caves, all without firing a single shot.

Key features include: 
- Guide Konki through 20 hazardous space missions spanning four worlds 
- Deftly pilot your ship with innovative use of the Wii Remote’s infrared pointer capabilities 
- Pick up items and ship upgrades to enhance skills and increase your chances for survival 
- Four person multiplayer matches locally on your home console 
- Compete for the best times with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection online leaderboards

Evasive Space is now available for download through the Wii Shop Channel for 1,000 Wii Points and has been rated “E” for “Everyone” with Mild Fantasy Violence by the ESRB.

To learn more about Evasive Space, visit the official website atwww.evasivespace.com.

Outer space meets inner space at the Wii™ Shop Channel this Presidents Day. A new WiiWare™ title will have you soaring across the astral plane, while a vintage NES™ shooter for the Virtual Console™ invites you to battle your way through the innards of an alien creature. Choose a hot new WiiWare game or a Gradius spin-off. It’s what the presidents would have wanted.

In other news, the Wii-kly Update has a fun surprise coming soon for all our fans. We can’t tell you the secret just yet but maybe we’ll offer you some hidden clues. From AZ to NC, if you’re a fan, your applause could rattle your walls, windows, door. You might enjoy this news whether you live in a brick house or Vanderbilt dorm. Even people living along Route 286 in rural Pennsylvania ought to be excited. It’ll feel like a bunch of birthday greetings and, really, who could ask for more? But that’s about all we can say for now, so be sure to check future Wii-kly Updates.

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 week’s new games are:

WiiWare

Evasive Space™ (Yukes Company of America, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Launch a one-of-a-kind mission to rescue the stars. The universe is going dark, and it’s up to you, Konki the Stellar Guardian, to set things right. Dr. Dark Matter and his roving band of space thieves have stolen many of the Constellation Stones that make up the heavens. It’s time to suit up, power up, recover the Stones and once again bring light to the night sky. Using the Wii Remote™ controller’s unique pointer capabilities, simply point and thrust Konki through 20 dangerous time- and collection-based missions in the harshest of environments. Navigate through narrow, mazelike astral caves riddled with space worms, steam pipes and mining drills. Explore vast space stations while avoiding turret fire, mines and huge crushing gears. Weave through cluttered asteroid fields and gaseous planetary rings. Evade the hazards, pick up precious items and ship upgrades, and save the Constellation Stones before the night sky is lost forever.

Virtual Console

Life Force (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): This classic shooter, originally ported to the NES in August 1988, is a spin-off of the seminal Gradius series. Pilot the Vic Viper through six stages of intense action, alternating between horizontally and vertically scrolling environments, and take on wave after wave of enemies. Destroy particular enemies throughout the game (which takes place within the body of an enormous alien) to release power-up capsules and equip your ship with your choice of more powerful weapons, extra speed and shields. Utilize the power-ups carefully, though, as a fearsome guardian lurks at the end of each stage and won’t be easily defeated. You can go it alone or bring along a friend to take on the challenge simultaneously. Do you have what it takes to save your planet?

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

No matter what you’ve got planned for Valentine’s Day, the latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel have what it takes to get your heart pounding. A new WiiWare game transports you to an eerie high school haunted by supernatural villains, while a classic Virtual Console title puts you in the heat of battle as a heroic mercenary. And remember: Just because these games are made for single-player action doesn’t mean you can’t share the excitement with your special someone.

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 week’s new games are:

WiiWare

LIT (WayForward Technologies, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Violence, 800 Wii Points): Dark creatures have taken over Jake’s high school, and it’s up to you to guide him through each classroom in order to be reunited with his girlfriend Rachael. Existing light sources must be used smartly to create bridges of light for Jake to cross. One false step and Jake gets pulled into the darkness. Along the way he’ll encounter twisted versions of his school’s faculty, which must be battled in order to advance. LIT is a horror/puzzle game that requires the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. It contains 30 levels, five boss battles, replay modes and several unlockables, including multiple endings, Dark Mode timed challenges and an unlockable character.

Virtual Console

Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS (SEGA GENESIS, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Violence, 800 Wii Points): Following a rash of terrorism outbreaks and increasing opposition from guerilla fighters, the U.S. government has decided to hire a group of professional mercenaries to undergo secret missions, battling through enemy lines to go where no ordinary soldier would dare to go. Based on the popular arcade game, the SEGA GENESIS version of MERCS lets you play as a MERC and also adds an original mode, allowing players to choose from five different characters. Take no prisoners as you shoot, drive jeeps and tanks, and clash against huge bosses to accomplish your mission.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Snowboard Riot Combines Snowboarding and Combat into One Exciting WiiWare Experience

Hudson Entertainment announced that Snowboard Riot, a snowboarding experience unlike any other snowboarding game players have ever encountered, is now available for WiiWare. Snowboarding will reach new heights when players take to the slopes with action-packed racing utilizing weapons such as homing bullets and invisibility!

Gamers have several control options to carve their way to a dominating victory, via the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or the Wii Balance Board. Just like a real snowboard, players can lean left and right on the Wii Balance Board, providing a realistic snowboard experience. Boarders can also choose from four characters to bomb the slopes with, and can customize their look with Oakley apparel and goggles to improve their performance.

After practicing with a friend in 2-player local multiplayer, gamers can use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to compete with up to 4 snowboarders online as they race and blow away the competition. Weapons such as mines and turbo are available to give players an edge fighting it out on the mountain.

“Snowboard Riot packs a huge punch of adrenaline-filled content for players,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “In this tiny WiiWare download, you have online and offline multiplayer, Wii Balance Board support, character customization, and more. We’re giving gamers a very robust experience in Snowboard Riot.”

Snowboard Riot is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

Prepare for Evasive Action Beginning February 16 on WiiWare

Akinai Games, the downloadable games division of leading videogame publisher, YUKE’S Company of America, today announced a February 16th release date for Evasive Space for Nintendo’s WiiWare™ game service. The new title, developed by High Voltage Software, is a top-down space adventure featuring unique use of the infrared capabilities of the Wii Remote™ to pilot your ship. As Konki, race against the clock on collection-based missions to rescue the stars from the insidious Dr. Dark Matter. Evasion is the key to survival as your goal is not to blast adversaries, but to skillfully avoid them while traversing through a variety of hazardous intergalactic environments for an experience that will challenge your reflexes.

Key features of the game include: 
- Guide Konki through 20 hazardous space missions spanning four worlds 
- Deftly pilot your ship with innovative use of the Wii Remote’s infrared pointer capabilities 
- Pick up items and ship upgrades to enhance skills and increase your chances for survival 
- Four person multiplayer matches locally on your home console 
- Compete for best times with Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection online leaderboards

Evasive Space will be available for download on February 16th through the Wii™ Shop Channel for 1,000 Wii Points™, and has been rated “E” for “Everyone” with Mild Fantasy Violence by the ESRB.

To learn more about Evasive Space, visit the official website atwww.evasivespace.com.