VC Friday: The adventure begins

Europeans lucked out - I hope Hudson brings this to the US soon. As a resident Hudson Soft fan, I figure I'll try to help potentially interested parties w/ a few links.

The English site is up, and really shiny (but the video says "coming soon"):

http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/adventureisland/eur/e/index.html

The Trailer is quite substantial and can be found at the Japanese site:

http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/boukenjima/jpn/j/

The best coverage of it so far & a great interview of the legendary Takashi Meijin himself, can be found here: http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/news/2009/03/takahashi_meijin_interview_hudsons_adventure_island

For anyone wondering how this game relates to the original series and the Gamecube/PS2 remake from '04, here's the deal. That title was Vol. 4 of the "Hudson Selection" series of re-makes of their top selling Famicom titles. It stuck to the "Wonderboy" gameplay of the original, and all the original levels, just w/ new sprites & sound... Despite it's simplicity, it rec'd pretty glowing reviews, one of which can be found here:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/review/R72676.html

The re-make's official website, which has screenshot comparisons between the NES & GCN/PS2 games, here: http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/adventureisland/eur/e/index.html

And awesome wallpapers here:
http://www.hudson.co.jp/gamenavi/gamedb/softinfo/hu_select/advi/dl00.html

Adventure Island: The Beginning, the Wiiware title is NOT a remake or port of the GCN/PS2 title. It's ground up, with new character models for Master Higgins / Takahashi Meijin and the baddies, all new levels, new music, new abilities for Higgins (Tails/SMB3-esque gliding, Ghouls & Ghosts-esque double jumping, new power-ups, etc.), mini-games (no, not the crappy kind, but the kind that fans of the series would like -- i.e. multiplayer, a 3D take on the classic skateboarding, and a "shooting watch" challenge), customizable clothes & rewards for Higgins, and a low $10 pricetag.

Most importantly, it looks to have precise, almost shooter-like gameplay for the axe-throwing, and the really tight platforming of the NES/TurboGrafx original, w/ a touch of influence from the later adventurey titles.

No, I don't work for Hudson... I just think that as one of the legendary 2-D Sidescrolling franchises, this series should get the attention it deserves!

For anyone wanting to know about Real Football DSi

This is surprisingly a very good game. Has over 200 teams, not all read club names (you get Manchester Red) but the players names are all real.
The graphics are pretty crisp and clear. Not the greatest though, but you can clearly see the animations and whats happening.
There is plenty of gameplay modes available, various cups, and leagues to take part in. No type of career mode.
The DSi enhanced stuff is being able to take a photograph and add it to the ball/player/crowd flag/big tv screen. It works really well. (I took a photo of the beach near mine for a "beach ball" feel :D haha)
But the gameplay itself is what matters. And this game is just as good and enjoyable as the old Fifa's on the Mega Drive.

On a personal note I hardly buy football games. I find them to be very hit and miss. I only picked this up as I had some spare points left over from when I topped up the over week. And I am very pleased that I downloaded this game. There is a lot of polish that has gone in to this. It's not buggy or a half finished game. It's actually really well done.

So for any big football fans (sorry I know this is an American site but I still can't say soccer) or even mediocre football fans this is definitely worth the tiny 800 points it is going for.

Wii Points are now called Nintendo Points, and they've increased in price. Is this a Europe wide phenomenon or is it only us Brits who face being lashed with the rod? Either way, this is just another sign that Nintendo are increasingly out of touch with the genuine fan. Next generation is going to be a real shock for the boys in Japan.