UPDATE: READ MORE ABOUT THIS HERE.
Hey there, I know I've been inviting you to buy Wii Ware titles, but I just discovered something last night that has got me bothered: you can only play a Wii Ware title on the Wii to which it was downloaded. In other words, you cannot copy a Wii Ware title to an SD card and play it on your friend's Wii. Same for Virtual Console. Even worse, it appears as though Nintendo is hesitant to replace these games in case of hardware malfunction or upgrade.
I have reached out to some developers and Nintendo to get some more information, so watch here for a more detailed write up. In the meantime, please remember this important information before you download anything from the Wii Shop Channel.
Anyone had an experience with Nintendo regarding this issue? Sound of in the comments!
--Demo Gamer
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
NEWS: SpaceChem discounted!
SpaceChem, my favorite PC puzzler as of late, has been marked down 25%! Get it here! You can read my review of the demo here. Don't miss out!
--Demo Gamer
--Demo Gamer
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wii Demo Roundup - 02/21/11
Welcome back, Demo Gamer faithful. This week, we have a new pair of demos up on Wii Ware: "Rage of the Gladiator" and "Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1". Yeah, about that.
Rage of the Gladiator
Rated T for Teen; 1 Player; Wii Remote; or add Nunchuk; or add Nunchuk and MotionPlus
In 5 words: violent, medieval, fantasy, level-up, meh
The "Rage of the Gladiator" demo comes across as a sort of medieval "Punch Out". It is a fighting game set in first person perspective with limited movement. Attacks come by way of a waved Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Dodging and parrying requires the use of buttons. There are a variety of combo attacks available that are pretty impressive, and "Rage of the Gladiator" even incorporates a system that allows you to "upgrade" your character after successful fights. The demo starts out easy and progresses nicely to a difficult third and final contest. There are 21 fights in the full game. The graphics look good and the music does not detract from the experience.
The "Rage of the Gladiator" demo is fairly violent and deserves its T rating. It took me about 15 minutes to play through the demo. The full game costs $10.00 which comes out to just under $0.50 per fight. The demo is fun, and the full game should be also, but I was not sold on it. A solid "meh" from me, not my type of game, I guess. If you like first-person fighting games, this demo is surely worth the download, however.
Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1
Rated E:C (everyone, children), 1 Player, Wii Remote only
In 5 words: cute interactive learning cell-shaded cartoon.
It's like Nick Jr. but on the Wii, and mildly interactive. I don't have much more to say about this one. If you've got a young kid around the house, download the demo and let them play around with it. If anything, it's a good way to help them get an early handle on the Wii Remote. There are 3 episodes, each one costing $5.00.
Well, this week was a bit of a letdown after last week's Chick Chick BOOM demo. Hopefully we'll get something good next week. Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments!
--Demo Gamer
Rage of the Gladiator
Rated T for Teen; 1 Player; Wii Remote; or add Nunchuk; or add Nunchuk and MotionPlus
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| Courtesy ghostfiregames.com |
The "Rage of the Gladiator" demo comes across as a sort of medieval "Punch Out". It is a fighting game set in first person perspective with limited movement. Attacks come by way of a waved Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Dodging and parrying requires the use of buttons. There are a variety of combo attacks available that are pretty impressive, and "Rage of the Gladiator" even incorporates a system that allows you to "upgrade" your character after successful fights. The demo starts out easy and progresses nicely to a difficult third and final contest. There are 21 fights in the full game. The graphics look good and the music does not detract from the experience.
The "Rage of the Gladiator" demo is fairly violent and deserves its T rating. It took me about 15 minutes to play through the demo. The full game costs $10.00 which comes out to just under $0.50 per fight. The demo is fun, and the full game should be also, but I was not sold on it. A solid "meh" from me, not my type of game, I guess. If you like first-person fighting games, this demo is surely worth the download, however.
Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 1
Rated E:C (everyone, children), 1 Player, Wii Remote only
 |
| Courtesy Nintendo.com |
It's like Nick Jr. but on the Wii, and mildly interactive. I don't have much more to say about this one. If you've got a young kid around the house, download the demo and let them play around with it. If anything, it's a good way to help them get an early handle on the Wii Remote. There are 3 episodes, each one costing $5.00.
Well, this week was a bit of a letdown after last week's Chick Chick BOOM demo. Hopefully we'll get something good next week. Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments!
--Demo Gamer
Saturday, February 19, 2011
DEMO: Kaptain Brawe: A Brawe New World (Steam/Windows & Mac)
Kaptain Brawe for Steam: Windows and Mac
In 5 words: Dated, Humorous, Short, Customizable, Eye-Candy
This week's demo is "Kaptain Brawe: A Brawe New World". It's been awhile since I played an adventure game like "Kaptain Brawe", but it took little time to get into this demo.
Anyone who is familiar with games like "Monkey Island" and the old Indiana Jones adventures will be very comfortable with "Kaptain Brawe". The game is set in a technologically advanced 19th century and Kaptain Brawe comes across as more of a top-heavy space-cadet than a competent captain. The demo shines in one major way: it is not a groundbreaking game, but it is amazingly well-drawn. The art and animations are gorgeous, have plenty of character/humor, and are very immersive. I could expand upon this, but just click on the picture above and then if you want to see more, visit this media gallery. Aside from the impressive visuals, however, the "Kaptain Brawe" demo has little to offer.
It took me about 10 minutes to finish the demo. It felt short, but not too short. Had I not been playing on my laptop touchpad, it would have been shorter. The dialogue is funny and clever at times and the demo and full game offer two different modes of play: core and casual. In core, you have no hints and you are left entirely to your own wits and devices. In casual, the game helps you along. I chose casual and I found myself consulting the hints a bit at first, but the puzzles are not terribly difficult. Before long, I had clicked all the way through to the end of the demo.
I currently have no plans to purchase "Kaptain Brawe", but I cannot deny that the demo may be worth your time, especially if you are fond of games in this genre. The game is very easy on the computer and should play well on many older systems.
Demo Gamer Stats:
Age range: 10 and up
Demo length: 5-15 minutes
Demo worth playing? If you like graphical adventure games
Full game worth buying? For me, probably not, but at this price point, the game could be worth it, especially if Kaptain Brawe is half the character Guybrush Threepwood is.
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| Courtesy cateia.com |
Genre: Adventure
Full Game Price: $20.00
No. of Players: 1
In 5 words: Dated, Humorous, Short, Customizable, Eye-Candy
This week's demo is "Kaptain Brawe: A Brawe New World". It's been awhile since I played an adventure game like "Kaptain Brawe", but it took little time to get into this demo.
 |
| Courtesy cateia.com; click me! |
It took me about 10 minutes to finish the demo. It felt short, but not too short. Had I not been playing on my laptop touchpad, it would have been shorter. The dialogue is funny and clever at times and the demo and full game offer two different modes of play: core and casual. In core, you have no hints and you are left entirely to your own wits and devices. In casual, the game helps you along. I chose casual and I found myself consulting the hints a bit at first, but the puzzles are not terribly difficult. Before long, I had clicked all the way through to the end of the demo.
I currently have no plans to purchase "Kaptain Brawe", but I cannot deny that the demo may be worth your time, especially if you are fond of games in this genre. The game is very easy on the computer and should play well on many older systems.
Demo Gamer Stats:
Age range: 10 and up
Demo length: 5-15 minutes
Demo worth playing? If you like graphical adventure games
Full game worth buying? For me, probably not, but at this price point, the game could be worth it, especially if Kaptain Brawe is half the character Guybrush Threepwood is.
Have you played "Kaptain Brawe" yet? Let us know what you think about it by sounding off in the comments!
--Demo Gamer
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wii Demo Roundup - 02/15/11
This week's new releases, the "Chronos Twins DX" and "Chick Chick Boom" demos prove that you don't have to stray far from simplicity while keeping things fun, and that trying (too) new ideas can be risky.
Chronos Twins DX
Rated E10+; 1 player; Wii Remote/Nunchunk, Classic Controller, or Gamecube Controller required
In 5 words: confusing, demanding, frustrating, novel, underwhelming
"Chronos Twins DX" is an interesting game, but it is also annoying. Maybe I'm too old, but I could not get into this demo. It consists of a split-screen setup where you play in the present and the past at the same time. You face different obstacles and enemies in the different timelines and you must be constantly switching your focus from the top view to the bottom view in order to progress. The controls are not easy to master, but would get better with practice. The graphics and platformer/shooter style of play feel like a throwback to the Gamecube.
The demo plays for anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes and features 4 levels, but it left me without a clear idea of what the game's potential actually is. There is mention of "the power of split", but this is not featured in the demo. The gameplay concept of "Chronos Twins DX" is certainly novel, but the demo left me asking if it is little more than a gimmick. The only way I could ever see it working is in a 2-player cooperative mode, but "Chronos Twins DX" is single player. With the full game clocking in at $10.00, I have a hard time recommending this game, but if you like side scrolling platformers, give the demo a try. I guarantee you have not played anything quite like it.
Chick Chick BOOM
Rated E10+ (why, I don't know), 1-2 players (demo), 1-4 players (full game), Wii Remote required
In 5 words: fun, simple, funny, clever, bargain
The "Chick Chick BOOM" demo shows how you can take a bunch of simple concepts and stitch them together to form a raucously fun and diverse gaming experience. Everything here works: the art, the music, the characters, the attacks, the defense, the humor...this is a fun game! It's like "Angry Birds" meets "Bomberman" meets "Worms: Armageddon". With attacks ranging from carnivorous plants to UFOs, a bonus piñata that gets bigger as the damage increases, and CornCobMan, this demo is a must play.
The "Chick Chick BOOM" demo lasts between 20-30 minutes and is worth every second. The full game is priced at a paltry $8.00 and looks to add plenty to the fun and excitement that the demo provides. The addition of up to 3 more players can only make things more entertaining. "Chick Chick BOOM" is now at the top of my Wii "to-buy" list.
There's no telling how long these demos will be on the Nintendo Shop channel, so do yourself a favor and at least go get "Chick Chick BOOM" sometime this week. You won't regret it! Feel free to share your experiences with these demos by sounding off in the comments.
--Demo Gamer
Chronos Twins DX
Rated E10+; 1 player; Wii Remote/Nunchunk, Classic Controller, or Gamecube Controller required
 |
| Courtesy Nintendo |
"Chronos Twins DX" is an interesting game, but it is also annoying. Maybe I'm too old, but I could not get into this demo. It consists of a split-screen setup where you play in the present and the past at the same time. You face different obstacles and enemies in the different timelines and you must be constantly switching your focus from the top view to the bottom view in order to progress. The controls are not easy to master, but would get better with practice. The graphics and platformer/shooter style of play feel like a throwback to the Gamecube.
The demo plays for anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes and features 4 levels, but it left me without a clear idea of what the game's potential actually is. There is mention of "the power of split", but this is not featured in the demo. The gameplay concept of "Chronos Twins DX" is certainly novel, but the demo left me asking if it is little more than a gimmick. The only way I could ever see it working is in a 2-player cooperative mode, but "Chronos Twins DX" is single player. With the full game clocking in at $10.00, I have a hard time recommending this game, but if you like side scrolling platformers, give the demo a try. I guarantee you have not played anything quite like it.
Chick Chick BOOM
Rated E10+ (why, I don't know), 1-2 players (demo), 1-4 players (full game), Wii Remote required
 |
| Courtesy tons of bits |
The "Chick Chick BOOM" demo shows how you can take a bunch of simple concepts and stitch them together to form a raucously fun and diverse gaming experience. Everything here works: the art, the music, the characters, the attacks, the defense, the humor...this is a fun game! It's like "Angry Birds" meets "Bomberman" meets "Worms: Armageddon". With attacks ranging from carnivorous plants to UFOs, a bonus piñata that gets bigger as the damage increases, and CornCobMan, this demo is a must play.
The "Chick Chick BOOM" demo lasts between 20-30 minutes and is worth every second. The full game is priced at a paltry $8.00 and looks to add plenty to the fun and excitement that the demo provides. The addition of up to 3 more players can only make things more entertaining. "Chick Chick BOOM" is now at the top of my Wii "to-buy" list.
There's no telling how long these demos will be on the Nintendo Shop channel, so do yourself a favor and at least go get "Chick Chick BOOM" sometime this week. You won't regret it! Feel free to share your experiences with these demos by sounding off in the comments.
--Demo Gamer
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wii Demo Roundup - Postponed!
I guess today is some special day or something, so the Wii Demo Roundup is being supplanted by romantic movie night. Blame Cupid!
I'll be rounding up the demos tomorrow, so check back then. In the meantime, enjoy your day!
--Demo Gamer
I'll be rounding up the demos tomorrow, so check back then. In the meantime, enjoy your day!
--Demo Gamer
Saturday, February 12, 2011
DEMO: Guardians of Graxia (Windows/Steam)
Guardians of Graxia for Windows/Steam
Genre: Turn-based Card Strategy
Full Game Price: $10.00
No. of Players: 1
In 5 words: Complex, Fun, Fantasy, Magic, Deep
Steam is an awesome service. If you've used it, you know this. If you haven't, and you play on Windows or Mac, you should get to know it. They have an entire section of their store dedicated to demos, with hundreds available. "Guardians of Graxia" is one of the latest demos released on Steam, and it is fun!
I am a strategy game nut. I absolutely love them: turn-based, real-time, whatever. It was for this reason that I decided to download the "Guardians of Graxia" demo, which is short and to the point (I played through it in about 10 minutes). It introduces you to a small map consisting of offset square tiles and walks you through a quick battle. The gameplay is "Magical", or in other words, if you've ever played Magic: the Gathering, you'll be right at home here. Most everything is card-based and it feels like playing a tabletop game (there's even a tabletop version of the game available)...a tabletop game with a fun, epic soundtrack, nifty animations, and the added benefit of the computer doing all the math for you.
I gave up Magic: the Gathering when I was a teenager, but I had some fun playing it. "Guardians of Graxia" looks to recapture and expand upon that fun. I can only imagine how elaborately entertaining this game can be, seeing as how the demo is so short. The full game is only $10.00, although there is a variety of expansion material that costs extra. You can find the full breakdown here.
Did the demo sell me? At first, yes, I was interested, but I could have used a little more meat, perhaps another battle or two. Still, the demo should give you an idea if this is the game for you or not. For me, "Guardians of Graxia" currently sits at the top of my Steam "strategy-to-buy" list, but the priority of said purchase is not high.
Demo Gamer Stats:
Age range: 10 and up
Demo length: 10-15 minutes
Demo worth playing? If you like fantasy, strategy, and card games
Full game worth buying? I can't really say, but at this price point, there is certainly promise.
Have you played "Guardians of Graxia" yet? Look like something you could get into? Sound of in the comments!
--Demo Gamer
(System Requirements: Windows XP, Vista, 7; 2 GHz Pentium 4; 512MB RAM (1GB for Vista/7); 256MB Graphics Memory w/ Shader 2.0, DirectX 9.0c; 600MB hard drive space)
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