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VC Friday: Resistance is futile

by Chris Greenhough { Nov 7th 2008 at 8:55AM }

EX-TERM-IN-ATE! EX-TERM-IN-ATE! Wait, no, those are the other ones. But whatever. The point is: after hearing nothing about Space Invaders Get Even! for months, the game has randomly appeared on the European and Australian Wii Shops. We are unashamedly jigging with joy as we type this. And the extra-terrestial goodness doesn't stop there, for Alien Crush Returns has also joined the line-up. Needless to say, we wholeheartedly welcome our new rulers (of all our spare time).

The other game is Brain Challenge. Sorry, Brain Challenge.

Alien Crush Returns -- WiiWare -- 800 Nintendo Points
Brain Challenge -- WiiWare -- 1000 Nintendo Points
Space Invaders Get Even! -- WiiWare -- 500 Nintendo Points

Gallery: Space Invaders Get Even!

Continued →

Wii Fanboy Review: Alien Crush Returns

by JC Fletcher { Nov 5th 2008 at 10:50AM }

I've been a huge fan of Naxat Soft's Alien Crush and other Crush games since they came out. It's no exaggeration to say that the availability of Alien Crush on the Virtual Console factored into my decision to purchase a Wii. When Hudson revealed plans for a 3D WiiWare update of Alien Crush, it definitely captured my attention.

Alien Crush Returns, it turns out, is much more than an update: it is a direct sequel to Alien Crush, and a very different game. While the new version doesn't outshine the original, there's certainly more of it. And it finally brings online leaderboards to the series -- along with direct online competition!

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

Continued →

Alien Crush returns Home (Sweet Home) on WiiWare

by Ross Miller { Nov 3rd 2008 at 9:30AM }

Finding a way to combine pinball and H.R. Giger, Alien Crush Returns (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, 800 Wii Points) is now available on WiiWare. The remake to 1988's Alien Crush has you facing off against insectoid monsters from outer space, using only your flippers and a large metallic sphere. Sonic Spinball would be proud.

For the more faint of heart, this week also introduces to WiiWare Home Sweet Home (Big Blue Bubble Inc., 1 player, 1000 Wii Points), based on the casual PC title. It's all about bringing out the aspiring interior designer inside you, for when you want to live vicariously through the TV instead of getting off the couch to redecorate your actual living room.

Gallery: Alien Crush Returns

Retail and download releases for the week of November 3rd

by David Hinkle { Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:59AM }

This is a big week for fans of James Bond. Those who found themselves interested in the super spy's latest exploits will have a chance to nab Quantum of Solace this week. If you enjoy FPS games, or are looking for some people to play online with, we'd suggest Game Night. Of course, Quantum of Solace isn't the only game releasing this week. Head past the break and check out what else is on offer.

Continued →

Wii Warm Up: Flipping out

by JC Fletcher { Aug 28th 2008 at 8:00AM }

We're very excited about Alien Crush Returns, because, as you've noticed, we're all about the Turbografx-16 original and its pseudo-sequel, Devil's Crush. We need some more time to learn to love Jaki Crush, but we're definitely fans of that one too. But just because we're insane-o-crazy about this series doesn't mean we're avowed video pinball fanatics. For the most part, outside of Naxat's excellent games, we're unmoved by simulated pinball.

Are you a fan of pinball games? If so, are you also a fan of the noisy, clattering, awesome real thing? Also, what's your opinion of Crüe Ball?

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

North America soon to join in on the Alien Crushing

by JC Fletcher { Aug 26th 2008 at 3:29PM }

If you thought Hudson was done announcing WiiWare games, you were dead wrong. In fact, Bomberman Blast was just a warmup for the real WiiWare announcement, which we all knew was coming, but we're elated to see: Alien Crush Returns is coming to North America! A few new screens came with the announcement, which you can find in our gallery. Chris Kohler's impressions of today's Japanese release suggest that this news is, in fact, a good thing.

According to the press release, "Alien Crush Returns is the only pinball game for WiiWare that lets gamers compete head to head online." It also happens to be the only pinball game for WiiWare. As with Bomberman Blast (and Star Soldier R), Hudson will host periodic online tournaments, starting with one near the unspecified launch period.

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

[Via press release]

Alien Crush remake heading to North American WiiWare

by Jason Dobson { Aug 26th 2008 at 1:00PM }

Nintendo's WiiWare service has apparently sparked a renewed interest in developing games with one pixelated foot rooted in the past. Following both Capcom and Konami's head start, Hudson has likewise decided to dip into its archives, returning with news to bring the Wii-make of its TurboGrafx-16 sci-fi pinball game, Alien Crush, to North America.

Descriptively titled Alien Crush Returns, the download was released today in Japan and is based on the 1988 classic, which itself is available on WiiWare's sister service. While a date for the game's North American debut has not yet been announced, Hudson notes the follow-up will again be played across two screens and an unspecified number of boards, each no doubt filled with galactic baddies with a lust for silver balls. Most interesting, however, is news that Alien Crush Returns will support two-player online play as well as include online leader boards, with Hudson promising multiple online tournaments for the pinball-obsessed to throw down with their E.T. crushing skills.

Gallery: Alien Crush Returns

Alien Crush: new screens before it returns to Japan

by JC Fletcher { Aug 25th 2008 at 2:43PM }

Just one day before the Japanese release of Hudson's Alien Crush Returns, we're treated to new screens of the remake/sequel of the glorious Turbografx-16 pinball game. The one above appears to be one of the new boss levels (briefly seen in the trailer), in which you fire pinballs at a grotesque alien rictus.

Also highlighted: the two-player versus mode -- which is based on score and time, as far as we can tell, and not simultaneous multiplayer, but we doubt it, because that sounds amazingly insane -- interfering with each other's shots, sharing flippers, and generally just having a frustrating old time.

Just knowing that a new Crush pinball game is being released tomorrow somewhere makes the world seem like a happier, warmer place.

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

Alien Crush Returns to Australia

by JC Fletcher { Aug 9th 2008 at 3:00PM }

PAL regions got the first official release of the amazing pinball game Alien Crush just last year via the Virtual Console. According to the OFLC, the new WiiWare version is Australia-bound as well. Not to be too presumptuous, but this suggests a worldwide release as well. We never doubted that Hudson would make Alien Crush Returns available around the world, but it's nice to have some evidence.

Also rated: Tetris Party and something called Pit Crew Panic, another Hudson Wii game. We have no idea what that is -- some kind of racing-related thing, sure, but ... could it really be a whole game about replacing tires and such?

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

[Via Siliconera]

New methods of crushing aliens

by JC Fletcher { Jul 14th 2008 at 11:00AM }

The WiiWare sequel to Alien Crush is officially the hottest thing ever, even though we're not entirely keen on the new 3D look -- and even though we prefer Devil's Crush to Alien Crush. Among the many reasons it's super hot (reason the first: DUDE ALIEN CRUSH RETURNS) are the new ball upgrades. Reverse Ball allows you to instantly send the ball back the way it was moving. Split Ball enables multiball on the field. Boost Ball boosts the speed of the ball.

Strangely, these new "Action Balls" will be available as DLC. We don't know if they're otherwise unlockable, or if they'll be paid DLC or just time-released. They aren't the only Crush DLC, either -- new stages for the game's Story Mode will be available as downloads.

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

Alien Crush site goes live, offers up loads of content

by David Hinkle { Jul 11th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Hudson has just launched the official Japanese site for upcoming WiiWare title, Alien Crush Returns. Within the site, you'll find a lot of content, including a nice video, along with several screens. Also, if you have some knowledge on translating Japanese, you can find some nice control explanations right here. Overall, it's a pretty neat site that you should check out. Be sure to hit up our gallery below, as well.

Gallery: Alien Crush (WiiWare)

[Via Go Nintendo]

Takahashi Meijin: Hudson planning Adventure Island sequel

by JC Fletcher { Jun 26th 2008 at 9:15PM }

If there's one person who would know the future of Adventure Island's Master Higgins, it's ... Master Higgins himself. According to statements made by Takahashi Meijin (the real-life basis for the Master Higgins character) in a conference call a few minutes ago, Hudson is in the earliest stages of planning a new Adventure Island game, "probably" for WiiWare.

There are no details yet, but Takahashi expressed concern about "forcing" motion control into the game, saying it would "change what the game is about."

Regarding other Hudson WiiWare, Hudson's Mike Pepe said that between Alien Crush, Blue Oasis, and Karaoke Joysound Wii, "two out of three" would be localized for North America, and that more details would be known about a month before the release date. We don't know for sure which is excluded, but two of those games don't rely on multiple music licensing deals. We didn't get to ask about Bomberman or Tetris, but is there any doubt that Bomberman is coming out everywhere in the world?

In addition, Hudson is working on a "puzzle action" title that may use the Balance Board.

Japan won't see Bomberman until the fall

by Candace Savino { May 20th 2008 at 9:00PM }

With details on Hudson's two Bombermans making the games sound pretty irresistible, we were disappointed to hear that they've both been delayed. Originally meant to hit Japan in June, Hudon's website now reports that they're releasing in the fall.

Fortunately, Hudson's other hot titles (Tetris and Alien Crush, anyone?) seem to be right on schedule for this summer -- in Japan, that is. Still, we know the drill; the sooner games come out in the Far East, the sooner we get them elsewhere.

It's worth keeping in mind that none of these titles have actually been announced for localization yet. We'd be extremely surprised if such franchises (especially Bomberman and Tetris) don't release outside of Japan, though.

Gallery: Bomberman

[Via Siliconera]

Wii Warm Up: On the revised WiiWare roster

by David Hinkle { Apr 2nd 2008 at 9:00AM }

We know we had a WiiWare-centric Wii Warm Up recently, but with all the news of some new games hitting WiiWare that we weren't all aware of before (uh, hello Alien Crush sequel), we felt the topic needed to be revisited. Of course, we don't have to tell you how excited we all are for the sequel to Alien Crush.

What about you all, though? What WiiWare title excites you most? Are you down with the sequel like we are, or are you looking forward to something else? Tetris, perhaps? Dr. Mario? Block Breaker Deluxe? Where do you stand right now?

WiiWare now worthwhile: Hudson reveals Alien Crush sequel, more

by JC Fletcher { Mar 28th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Look at that. Look at it. That is a screenshot of a new Alien Crush game. Even if it is a little ugly, it's the most beautiful thing ever. If we didn't already have a Wii, we'd be camping out for one right now based on this alone -- seriously. And it's WiiWare! With online leaderboards! (Online leaderboards for Alien Crush? Where would you get an idea like that?) Just like with the Virtual Console, Hudson has proven that they know how to support a download service. Alien Crush is coming out in Japan in August, and it had better come out worldwide near that time. Including the stuff shown today (and Star Soldier R), Hudson has ten WiiWare titles planned.

This AMAZING NEWS was revealed at a Hudson event in a Brazilian restaurant in Shibuya, along with Blue Oasis, a virtual fish-tank type game that interacts with the Forecast Channel. It'll be out sometime this year. Hit the break for screens, as well as some new Tetris and Bomberman images!