When you've got Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations for WiiWare, Earthworm Jim for DSiWare, and a fighting game where you're the combatant, who cares if the only Nintendo Download games are chess and a children's book?
DSi storybook Flips: The Enchanted Wood and Chess Challenge! for both WiiWare and DSiWare should be honored to be in such grand company this week. Everyone loves Earthworm Jim and Phoenix Wright, and Photo Dojo does make good use of the DSi's oft-neglected camera, so we've got three titles so compelling that people might accidentally see the less exciting half of this week's offerings by mistake. You can't pay for that sort of exposure!
Photo Dojo
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Violence
Price: Zero Nintendo DSi Points through June 10, 2010; 200 Nintendo DSi Points starting June 11, 2010
Description: Welcome to Photo Dojo, where you create a dojo filled with ruthless (or humorous) fighting machines using images of you and your friends. Use the Nintendo DSi system's built-in camera to take pictures of yourself and your friends in various poses, then use the built-in microphone to record sound effects and dialogue to give your warrior a voice. Choose one of the four available fighting styles, name your character and you're done. Better yet, repeat the simple, step-by-step process and create a lineup of up to eight fighters. Complete your game setup by customizing backgrounds and choosing from three awesome soundtracks, then prepare for battle. Two players can share one Nintendo DSi™ system to face off against each other in a one-on-one grudge match, while single-player mode offers the chance to pick your favorite fighter and take on relentless opponents of your own creation. If you're ready for some seriously offbeat kung fu action, Photo Dojo's unique twist on the side-scrolling beat-'em-up genre lets you use your imagination to set the stage for a fun-filled fight to the finish.
Earthworm Jim
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: The classic action platformer you used to play on the Super NES™ system is back in a remake that offers the essence and core game play of the original, plus a never-before-seen feature available exclusively on the Nintendo DSi system. Play as the grooviest earthworm in the galaxy. Run, gun, swing from hooks with your head, launch cows, bungee jump and rocket through speed levels in a dozen crazy universes. Earn bonuses with facial-expression-based challenges that track your face using the system's built-in camera. Put on a smile, frown or make a variety of other faces to mimic Jim.
Chess Challenge!
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Patience will be key if you want to score big in Chess Challenge! Perfect your chess skills by playing against the computer in multiple difficulty modes, or play against your friends in either shared or wireless play via DS Wireless Play. Start by practicing with some casual games, then work your way up in fully Elo-rated matches. You'll even be able to track all of your game-play stats – win, lose or draw. Chess Challenge! will keep both novice and expert players glued to the screen for hours.
Flips: The Enchanted Wood
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Players: 1
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Jo, Bessie and Fanny move to the country and find an Enchanted Wood right on their doorstep. In the wood stands the magic Faraway Tree, and in that tree live the magical characters that soon become their new friends: Moon-Face, Silky the fairy and Saucepan Man. Together they visit strange lands (the Roundabout Land, the Land of Ice and Snow, Toyland and the Land of Take What You Want) that lie at the top of the tree. Get ready for exciting adventures – and narrow escapes! The Flips series brings modern classics to the Nintendo DSiWare service. Readers can collect, solve, interact and learn as they progress through the various stories and challenges.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
Publisher: Capcom Entertainment, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Mild Blood, Mild Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Phoenix Wright is back as the third game in the popular Ace Attorney hand-held franchise comes to the WiiWare service. As Phoenix Wright, you'll play through five shocking new cases in first-person perspective. The game features two unique modes of play. In Investigations Mode you'll survey crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence. You'll then present findings, listen to testimonials and examine witnesses in Court Mode. TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS also includes the "Psyche-Lock" feature that allows Phoenix to use a line of questioning to reveal inconsistencies in witness testimony.
Chess Challenge!
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Patience will be key as you face the best players from around the world in Chess Challenge! for the WiiWare service. Perfect your chess skills by playing against the computer in multiple difficulty modes, or use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to start climbing up in the worldwide rankings (broadband Internet connection required). Win online matches and see how your rating stacks up against competitors around the world by viewing the online Leaderboard. If you don't have time to play your friends in a live chess game, Chess Challenge! also lets you play with up to five different Wii Friends using WiiConnect24™. With full Mii™ character support you can really bring your games to life. Start by practicing with some casual games, then work your way up in fully Elo-rated matches. With all of these game-play options, you're in for some serious chess action.