After a several-week hiatus, Nintendo's Virtual Console service has finally returned, and what better way to return than to offer players a relatively unknown game from the 16-bit era?
Aero the Acro-Bat was originally released back in 1993 for both the SEGA Genesis and the Super Nintendo, and it was essentially Sunsoft's attempt at cashing in on the "Mascot with an attitude" theme that was pioneered by Sonic the Hedgehog; many game developers tried to replicate Sonic's success afterwards with mascots of their own, although none ever really achieved that level of fame and acceptance with gamers. Nonetheless, Aero the Acro-Bat is a competent game, and it is a classic platformer in every sense of the word; it's a bit difficult and cheap, yes, though what platformer wasn't back during the 16-bit wars? For 800 Wii Points, it's a nice trip down memory lane, and much more so for gamers who remember ol' Aero.
To give you an idea of what the gameplay is like, Sunsoft has released a trailer showcasing the game in action:
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You can check the details for this week's Nintendo downloads below:
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: NEW GAME DOWNLOADS DELIVER GOOD TIMES BY AIR, LAND AND SEA
July 26, 2010
From dizzying heights to watery depths and everywhere in between, downloadable games for the Wii™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems can take you to some unforgettable places. New arrivals for the WiiWare™ service include the undersea adventure of Dive: The Medes Island Secret and the intense arcade-style action of Heavy Fire: Special Operations. Fans of the Virtual Console™ service can now enjoy high-flying fun from the Super NES™ era with AERO THE ACROBAT™. And for fresh gaming kicks on the go, check out the camera-based controls and customization options of Face Pilot™: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! or tangle with legions of battle-ready beasts in Crystal Monsters, both available via the Nintendo DSiWare™ service.
We've also got one last update for the "Big Name Games" section of the WarioWare™: D.I.Y. series, which features downloadable microgames from some of the industry's most talented figures. This week's additions come from the Treehouse, Nintendo's game localization team. All "Big Name Games" are available to download for zero Nintendo DSi Points™ to anyone with broadband Internet access and a copy of either WarioWare: D.I.Y. for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems or WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase software for the WiiWare service. Visit the Nintendo Channel on your Wii system today to learn more about these games.
WiiWare
Dive: The Medes Island Secret Publisher: Cosmonaut Games Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence Price: 1,000 Wii Points™ Description: During the past five centuries, hundreds of ships flying every ensign have succumbed to the power of the ocean. Merchant boats, pirate ships, navy vessels – all have ended up covered in coral at the bottom of the ocean. All of them guarded secrets that remained hidden... until now. In Dive: The Medes Islands Secret, you are John Sanders, a treasure hunter and experienced diver who spends months planning and documenting a major expedition to locate and recover several ships of different ensigns around the world.
Heavy Fire: Special Operations Publisher: Teyon Players: 1-2 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Blood, Violence Price: 500 Wii Points Description: Join an elite army unit in Heavy Fire: Special Operations, an arcade shooter for the WiiWare service. Play challenging missions in the Middle East from the ground, Humvee or Blackhawk. You will need a quick trigger finger to finish extremely dangerous levels. Rise through the military ranks and accumulate more powerful weapons with different features and controls. Replay the game to improve your best score and submit it to the world rankings. Make combos and smash the environment to get more points. You can take out enemies in a single-player mode or with a friend in multiplayer mode. The Wii Zapper™ accessory is supported but not required.
Virtual Console
AERO THE ACROBAT Original platform: Super NES Publisher: Sunsoft Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief Price: 800 Wii Points Description: The madman industrialist Edgar Ektor has seized control of the World of Amusement. He and a deranged cast of fairground freaks threaten the circus. The only hope for survival is the high-flying, death-defying Aero the acrobat! Spine-tingling terror unfolds as Aero tackles Ektor's wicked henchmen. Bungee-jump into a battle against evil. Skydive toward the danger below. Hang on for the ride of your life as you rise and plunge on a roaring roller coaster. Tiptoe across a terrifying tightrope. Power-drill and twist Aero right through every sinister circus enemy imaginable. All the while, the show must go on. It could become a carnival of carnage in the World of Amusement. Because the evil Ektor isn't clowning around … and there's nothing amusing about that.
Nintendo DSiWare
Face Pilot™: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! Publisher: Nintendo Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points Description: With the innovative game Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera!, you can soar through the sky in a hang glider from the comfort of your sofa. Not only will you put your face into the game with the Nintendo DSi Camera, but Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! also tracks your head movements to give you complete control of your glider. Simply tilt your head sideways to steer left or right, lean back to climb and bend forward to dive. Choose from two play styles and fly through three different types of game play: bursting all of the balloons in a variety of courses, throwing balls at targets for a high score and trying for a fast time in the high-speed challenge. Also, look out for hidden medals that help to unlock new courses and even new gliders. If you're looking for a truly unique and inventive game, schedule a flight to experience Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! for yourself. The only thing missing is the wind in your hair!
Crystal Monsters Publisher: Gameloft Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points Description: There are two kinds of people in this world: those who can see monsters (called Neo-Seeds) and those who can't. Neo-Seeds wield extraordinary power and battle using tamed monsters in grand tournaments. As a Neo-Seed who has just discovered his ability, you're about to set off on an amazing journey to collect more than 160 monsters and become the greatest Monster Breeder. Explore a vast world, meet new friends and rivals, and engage in dynamic battles that require skill and strategy. Master the nine elemental types, train your monsters through battle, teach them new moves, use team attacks and fuse them together to unlock their true potential. You can even customize three of your favorite monsters by putting friends' faces on them using the built-in camera.
Puffins: Let's Race! Publisher: Other Ocean Interactive Players: 1-4 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points Description: Get ready to challenge the speediest puffins on the island for the title of Fastest Flyer in Puffins: Let's Race! Race against the clock or go head-to-head with your opponents in a battle to the finish line. Use cleverly placed power-ups like the squawk shot to get ahead of the pack and claim victory. Race through four different game modes on eight different tracks to prove your skill, or challenge up to three of your friends via local wireless play. Do you have what it takes to become the race champion of Puffin Island, or will you be left behind with the rest of the flock?
Petz® Hamsterz® Family Publisher: Ubisoft Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points Description: Adopt your very own family of hamsters! Care for them, teach them fun tricks and unlock new toys and accessories to give them lots of love! Care for your hamsters by feeding them, playing with them and keeping them clean and warm. Discover your hamsters' unique personalities – watch them react with cute and funny facial expressions. Teach your hamsters fun activities like bowling or running on ramps and watch them progress. Earn coins that can be used to unlock new toys and accessories for your lovable hamsters.
Absolute BrickBuster Publisher: Tasuke Players: 1 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points Description: Classic brick game action is here on the Nintendo DSi system. There are two modes of play: Free Play and Challenge. Pick one of eight characters and set special items to play at your own pace in Free Play Mode. The special items include different balls with special attributes, expandable paddle and paddle tilt. There are 10 stages in all. Each even-numbered stage gives you a mission, the result of which will determine the level of the next two stages. In Challenge Mode, different levels of missions are given – clear them to advance in the game.
