Wii Gets Castlevania 3, Jungles and Pachinko Today

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Continuing the recent trend of two new WiiWare games and one retro re-release, Nintendo has detailed today's update to the Wii's online Shop Channel.

Along with the side-scrolling, vampire-slaying antics of Castlevania, Wii owners get a jungle-themed card game and a dog-finding, laser-using pachinko effort.

    WiiWare
    • Jungle Speed (Playful Entertainment) / 1000 Wii Points ($10)
    • Planet Pachinko (Allied Kingdoms) / 500 Wii Points ($5)
    Virtual Console
      Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Konami, NES) / 500 Wii Points ($5)

All three games are now available. For more details on the games, check below.

Jungle Speed
Playful Entertainment Inc.
1-8 players
Rated E for Everyone
1,000 Wii Points ($10)

Jungle Speed is a lightning-fast card game for the entire family, where quick reflexes and a keen eye will put you on top. Flip your cards, watch your opponents and grab the totem at the right moment to win the game. Just when you think you've got it down, a new card can temporarily change the rules and keep you on the edge. Play starts when the first person flips a card. Moving around the table, symbols are revealed until two of the exposed cards match. Players with matching cards must then scramble to grasp the totem in the middle of the table; the loser gets the winner's cards and anything in the pot. With paws flying, be the first person to get rid of all your cards and win the game.

Planet Pachinko
Allied Kingdoms Inc.
1-2 players
Rated E for Everyone--Fantasy Violence
500 Wii Points ($5)

Can you survive the Pachinkeet Temples of Planet Pachinko? In the future of the future, an ancient civilization has sealed away its riches in elaborate temples dedicated to the game of pachinko. Now the Robot family must fight through these dangerous temples in search of their lost puppy. Using their rockets, lasers, grenades and slime launchers, will they be able to survive the challenges? They aren't the only ones adventuring through the temples. The pirate Vile Vill and his minions are looking to loot the temples and take on the Robot family. Play in single-player mode or with a friend in exciting two-player co-op.

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES)
Konami
1 player
Rated E for Everyone--Fantasy Violence
500 Wii Points ($5)

This is the third game in the popular Castlevania series and the last of the franchise released on the original NES console. Take on the role of Trevor Belmont, forefather of Simon, and battle Dracula in a time long before the events of the first two Castlevania games. In addition to his trusty whip, Trevor has a previously unseen power--the ability to transform into one of three different companion spirits that he meets during his quest: Syfa, a young vampire hunter capable of powerful magic; Grant, a ferocious pirate who can climb on walls; and Alucard, forgotten son of Dracula, able to shoot fireballs and transform into a bat. Use an assortment of weapons (some specific to each character) as you choose which path to follow in your fight against Dracula and his army. Loaded with replay value and featuring some of the best platform action ever, this title is not to be missed.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    January 12, 2009 11:06 AM

    Castlevania 3!? The rest of you can keep your Wii Fits and Mario Galaxies and No More Heroeses. THIS is a reason to turn on my Wii!!

    • reply
      January 12, 2009 11:35 AM

      And when I eventually get a wii... the classics like this will probably take up most of my time as well.

    • reply
      January 12, 2009 11:58 AM

      The Virtual Console has its fair share of crap, but its gems shine bright enough for me! I love playing old favorites.

    • reply
      January 12, 2009 12:13 PM

      Agreed. One of the best games for the system, no question.

    • reply
      January 12, 2009 12:43 PM

      what a great game!

    • reply
      January 12, 2009 1:13 PM

      memorizing the passwords for castlevania 3 was one of my favorite past times.
      i used to write them down but my mom would find them and tell me that i spent
      too much time playing video games. pfft what does she know?

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