Virtual Console Games For 6-1-08

Ninja Combat (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild 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, you’ll 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.

Wiikly WiiWare Releases For 6-1-08

Protötheaâ„¢ (UbiSoft, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Fantasy 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. UbiSoft’s 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 don’t 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, InstantRockâ„¢ and Slug Sucker. Clever use and combination of these items are needed to solve all the game’s 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 Remoteâ„¢ 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.

Save Batteries With The Nyko Balance Board Energy Pak

In a household of five rabid Wii fanatics, we really rack up the hours on our games. That’s especially true for new games, and our Wii Fit balance board has already absorbed more hours of foot-time than I would have thought possible in just a week of use.

The Wii balance board requires batteries, just like any other game controller, and you know how quickly your devices can suck those AAs dry! Well, now there’s a handy rechargeable solution for the balance board: the NYKO Energy Pak.

The Energy Pak is small and easy to use. The lithium-ion battery fits flush into the existing battery compartment in the board. It’s attached to the charger port, which nestles snugly into the contours of the bottom of the board, and does not interfere with gaming.

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the initial charge was completed, and we were playing on the fully-juiced board in just a few hours. The Energy Pak comes with a 10 foot cord, so you can play while it’s charging, if needed. I prefer to charge it near the outlet and disconnect it for play, because I don’t need anything on the floor to trip me up while I’m trying to keep up with my Wii Fit step class.

The bottom line? The NYKO Energy Pak is easy to use, and for about $20, well worth the money.