Fastbilly's recent foray into Wiiware titles

[fast]

I recently discovered that between about five of my friends they have almost all of the Wiiware titles. So me being an overbearing ass...well if you have specfic questions about any title mentioned just ask. I plan on working through all of them that sound interesting over the next few months.

Bomberman Blast – A contender for the console Bomberman crown?
Bomberman Blast has been released both as retail and as a Wiiware title. The Wiiware title is missing the single player adventure but at a $20 discount from the retail version that is ok. But to break it down:
- 10 stages (12 retail)
- 6 game modes
- 8 Player – 4 wiimotes & 4 cube controllers
- Online play – WifiConnect so yes friends codes
- Widescreen support
- Good single player in retail version
- Playable Miis in retail version
So for $10 (1000 wiipoints) you get a fantastic little package. Sure it does not have dinosaurs like the Saturn title, but it is widescreen and 8 player on large stages. Unlike Saturn Bomberman where there is only one Large stage – styled after the standard map, in Blast all maps have a standard and Large configuration and the all important random stage option. So one game might be on the speed map, the next might be on the large open field one. Is it better than Saturn? Well no, but it is damn close.

Bubble Bobble Plus – A unique remake of an arcade staple.
If you, or your significant other, likes Bubble Bobble you probably already have this, but for those who don’t:
- All 100 stages from the original
- 100 new stages in Arranged mode
- All original and arranged maps with different challenges - ie more or different enemies
- 2 downloadable map packs adding another 200 stages
- 2 player in original game, 4 player in arranged mode
- Wiimote controls only
- Remixed music and 2.5d graphics
The only two things that harm this game are the Wiimote controls only – I want to use an arcade stick, and the remixed music. It is in a similar vein as the original, but is a bit of a letdown. I mean the original was a perfect sound loop, this remix is worse than some of those featured on OCremix. But it does not take away from the game enough to not go for it if you like the game. 4 player Bubble Bobble is something really awesome.

Contra Rebirth – Contra 4.5, nuff said
Ok so this one was off the Japanese Wiiware, but to ease yalls minds while waiting for the US release. Take the best parts of Contra 3, many of the best parts of the original, a smidgen from Contra 4, throw the Neo Contra universe on top of it, and lock it in at solid framerate and you have Rebirth. It is difficult, awesome in coop, and it has remapable buttons. I don’t want to say too much because I know a lot of you are anxiously awaiting the US release, but trust me, if you like Contra III you will like this. And yes, you will be able to play it with the SNES controller - either via adapter or the official one. I play with the Hori arcade stick.

[racketboy]

The Bomberman is that good, huh? Bubble Bobble sounds good too! Personally, I'm not a huge Contra fan.
One day, we'll have to work on a best Retro-on-Wii feature...

[Harvey]

Bomberman Blast was the first Bomberman game I've played, and I really just didn't like it. I don't know if it is because I wouldn't like any Bomberman game or what, but I felt like I wasted $10 on this one.

I like your comments, though, fast, and look forward to reading about your other forays into WiiWare games.

My favorite WiiWare games that I own are World of Goo (predictably), Tetris Party, LostWinds, and Bit.Trip Beat, and MoBoShi's Arcade. I also like the FPS Onslaught, though I'm really bad at it and can't get past the second big boss.

[fastbilly1]

Yeah Harvey, if you dont like Blast you probably wont like any of the other. They are mostly the same with small to medium nuances that make them different experiences. But overall they are the same games. Personally I am a big Bomberman fan, they are alot of fun with groups. Did you try it with a bunch of friends?

I will admit that I only personally own Dr Mario and Lost Winds, both I view as top notch and while Lost Winds was good, Dr Mario is excellent through and through. And if it had the fourplayer version that the Gamecube version had it would be the only version to buy. I do not like buying games digitally, but I do want Gradius Rebirth...

[racketboy]

While it's interesting in concept, I was quite disappointed with LostWinds. Guess it's good if you like puzzle platformers and motion controls...

[fastbilly1]

It was very interesting how it handled the motion controls, I do wish it had a jump button though. But yeah, heavy puzzle platformer.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

My favorite WiiWare games that I own are World of Goo (predictably), Tetris Party, LostWinds, and Bit.Trip Beat, and MoBoShi's Arcade. I also like the FPS Onslaught, though I'm really bad at it and can't get past the second big boss.

I love Bit.Trip.Beat. it's like some kind of ultra pong with seizure inducing visuals.

[Harvey]

Yeah Harvey, if you dont like Blast you probably wont like any of the other. They are mostly the same with small to medium nuances that make them different experiences. But overall they are the same games. Personally I am a big Bomberman fan, they are alot of fun with groups. Did you try it with a bunch of friends?

Nah...I just played it solo and online. It feels like a game I should like based on my gaming preferences, but it just doesn't do it for me.

As to LostWinds, the motions controls hurt my wrist a little bit, but the puzzles were all solvable without a guide, which is something I appreciate.

[elvis]

Contra Rebirth looks fantastic. I wonder how long I'll have to wait for a PAL release?

[alienjesus]

nice reviews. Just an extra point on bomberman is that you can also play online with random opponents, so you dont always have to deal with friend codes.