Another Monday, another update to the Virtual Console and WiiWare catalog. Helix (1,000 Wii Points) arrives on WiiWare as a new rhythm game. I find it difficult to get a clear image in my head of what it’s like t play this game from the press release, so I’ve posted some footage of it in action after the jump. It brings DDR to mind, but a bit simpler in its presentation and the use of the Wii controls to do things.

As for the Virtual Console, Ys Book I & II (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 800 Wii Points) and Samurai Showdown 2 (NEOGEO, 900 Wii Points) make a pretty attractive couple. I’ve always wanted to give Ys Book I & II a try, but didn’t always want to shell out the cash for the TG16 CD drive. At least the option to download and play it is not only easier, but a good deal cheaper, too.

For some hot fighting action, Samurai Showdown 2 will hit the spot. I’ve got it in one form or another, so downloading it on the VC would just be redundant. It’s been a long time since I’ve played, though. I kind of wonder how it holds up since the last time I played it about 3-4 years ago?

Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week’s VC update. For more information and footage of Helix, make the jump.

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Really, Nintendo ought to be embarrassed. I had always assumed that there was some technical reason (like copy protection) that was responsible for the Wii’s lack of DVD video playback. As it turns out, not so much.

Some enterprising hackers have combined elbow grease, Mplayer libraries, and the Twilight Princess executable-hack into a workable DVD player for the Wii. Full instructions can be found at Wii Fanboy. As long as you have an SD card, and a copy of Zelda: Twilight Princess, you can add this homebrew channel to your system without mucking anything up.

Which brings us to the aforementioned embarrassment: what the hell, Nintendo? You just didn’t want to pay the fee, or what? Some people would have loved this functionality at the outset. It worked wonders for the PS2. Sure, everyone and their dog has a DVD player these days, but a spare one for the kids’ room (or whatever) never hurts. And the fact that some people tinkering with MPlayer managed to make it work really reflects badly on them. It was always a pure software issue; nothing more.

Now, stay tuned for the announcement of “official” DVD support for the Wii, and the attendent crooning and swooning over the paradign-shifting company and their amazing new PS2-era feature. I’d bet significant money on that happening. They fucking hate it when people start fiddling with SD cards.

I’ve never played a Mega Man game! You may commence the throwing of stones, but that won’t stop me from posting the freshly announced bosses and weapons for the upcoming uuber-retro Mega Man 9. I am genuinely excited about it and had better get started on playing the previous entries. The Mega Man X games can wait for a little bit while I catch up. Anyways, make the jump to get acquainted with Mega Man’s latest foes and weaponry. Cheers!

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In the world of online entertainment, you’d be hard pressed to find something that has been as consistently funny as Strongbad. You’d also be hard-pressed to find something that has survived so long on the web. For 8 years now Mike and Matt Chapman have been churning out laughs and building a universe of their own. Such ongoing success is a testament to the strength of the franchise. No wonder they decided it was time to branch out into the world of gaming. So how did Homestar Runner, the first episode of StrongBad’s Cool Game For Attractive People turn out? SBCGFAP is the best game Telltale has done to date.

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I know this news is a couple of days old but it’s still worth noting since those of you who have been around a while might have noticed that Dan and I have a slightly disturbing little fascination with this series, despite never having played it. After announcing that there’s a Wii version heading stateside (which had immediately cemented my need for a Wii) they snuck in a North American Xbox 360 release, Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad. Here’s the feature list directly from D3’s site:

* Control Two Super Sexy Sisters and Their Sword Swinging Samurai Skills – Master sword swinging martial arts at their finest on the ground and in the air, slashing, swinging and thrusting into zombie enemy hordes.

* Exclusive Dress-Up Mode – Go behind the scenes to expose the hottest samurai wardrobe on the planet. Unlock an arsenal of customized clothing and looks to maximize and personalize the Onechanbara experience.

* Go Deep Inside Aya, Saki, and the Legend of Onechanbara in Multiple Gameplay Modes – In addition to the main Story Mode, players can experience the game in Free Play Mode, Survival Mode, Quest Mode and more to let gamers dive deeper into the Onechanbara experience.

* Killer Combat Control System – Each character has a variety of moves, weapons, and throws to combat enemies on the ground and in the air, and can unleash killer Rage Mode attacks when desperate and surrounded.

* Co-op Multiplayer – Invite a friend to join in the fight with Co-Op mode and try unique fighting styles together to rid the world of zombie infestation.

Dress up mode? “Go deep inside Aya AND Saki”? Sign me the fuck up.

I’ll be in my bunk…

This just in.. Roogoo, the puzzle game redefined what the falling block genre could be, will be hitting the Wii and DS later this year. What’s more, owners of both versions will be treated to some special cross-compatibility features. “Unique gameplay modes utilizing the DS as a controller for the Wii.” Sounds pretty basic, but I’d be curious to see what these unqiue gameplay modes are. Other additions sound like they’re in the works too, as the press release promises “new gameplay twists builds upon the addicting action found in the original.”

The Live Arcade version of Roogoo suffered from only one problem — the glare that came off it’s perfection hurt our eyes a little. Check out our review to see what I mean.

If you’ve somehow relegated yourself to the world of Nintendonlyism, you’ll soon be able to get you square peg on like the rest of us. Full press release after the jump;

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Man-o-man talk about violent… and this is on a Nintendo system?? Easily one of the most unique-looking games on the horizon, the stark black and white make the blood look all the more visceral. And there are buckets of the stuff. Buckets.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Mad World, and this below clip just kinda reinforces what we’ve already seen. Still, looks cool.