An unusually timely Nintendo 64 game joins the ranks, along with nine other downloadables.
DSiWare: Maestro! Green Groove, 500 Nintendo Points
This downloadable game bills itself as a “musical platformer”; everything you do adds a little bit to the game’s melody, including collecting items and defeating enemies. Take on Staccato the Spider and see which of you has the greater musical ability. Once you beat the game, you can activate “Sing/Whistle” mode, or else you can just play around in Improvisation mode.
DSiWare: Date or Ditch, 500 Nintendo Points
This dating game allows both guys and girls to try their hand at the dating scene. See how you’d do with tricky conversations, or answer quizzes for fun. Go on dates with significant others, or watch drama unfold as ex’s storm in, puzzlingly. You can use the DSi Camera to add your face into the game, or else try out the Love Test to see if you and another person are a good match.
DSiWare: Animal Color Cross, 500 Nintendo Points
This title mixes up the standard Picross formula, introducing different colors into the mix. Every box has some color, and using the number clues around the puzzle, you need to figure out which color goes where. There’s a tutorial mode and 72 puzzles to keep you busy for up to 50 hours of play.
DSiWare: Ancient Tribe, 500 Nintendo Points
In this title, you are the god of Savage, and you need to guide a tribe to prosperity. Lead them to food and resources, and watch the population grow. Upgrade your tribe, or upgrade your godly powers through sacrifice. Watch as your tribe explores, battles animals, gathers food, and builds a temple to your mightiness.
DSiWare: Brain Drain, 500 Nintendo Points
As with the WiiWare version, you need to take elements of a puzzle and arrange them according to the example on the top screen, while contending with malicious other effects that will slow you down. Play 200 pre-made puzzles in Challenge mode, or just veg out with Random mode.
DSiWare: Battle of Giants: Mutant Insects – Revenge, 800 Nintendo Points
The Battle of Giants series produces another entry, focused on unusually large insects. The Mutant Queen is forcing her will onto the world’s giant insects, and so you need to find the Scorpion Champion to defeat her. Customize your insects as you play through ten levels, or duel your friends.
WiiWare: Jett Rocket, 1,000 Nintendo Points
This 3D platformer has you playing as Jett Rocket, trying to free the land of Yoroppa from the Power Plant Posse. Ride a number of vehicles, like the Jet Boat, the Jet Snowboard, or the Jet Turbine, as you explore the landscape and take out enemies.
WiiWare: Pong Toss Pro – Frat Party Games, 600 Nintendo Points
Pong Toss is out, and Pong Toss Pro is in. As in the previous title, you use the Wii Remote to toss your ping pong balls, but now you can do so in Tournament Mode, for up to eight platers. Collect powerups as you toss to take out your opponents.
WiiWare: Robin Hood: the Return of Richard, 500 Nintendo Points
King Richard is gone, and now the country is in turmoil. Play as Robin Hood in this light-gun (light-bow?) shooter, playing through twelve action-packed levels and trying to put the country back in order. Look for hidden objects and try to get the high score.
Nintendo 64: Mario Tennis, 1,000 Nintendo Points
As an eleven-hour tennis match takes place elsewhere in the world, Nintendo’s offering a highly addictive classic tennis offering of their own. Play as one of sixteen characters on one of three normal courts, or head to specialty stages like the Bowser Stage, filled with items. For more fun, play four-player.
I loved playing Mario Tennis back when it came out, and I’m also intrigued by Animal Color Cross and Jett Rocket, the latter of which looks like fun from previews I’ve seen.
