Nintendo Teases Wii Shop Channel 'Surprise,' Releases Two Space Shoot 'Em Ups

Alongside word of the two new Wii Shop Channel games, Nintendo interrupted its usual Monday announcement to tease that "a fun surprise" is coming soon to the Wii Shop.

WiiWare
• Evasive Space (High Voltage Software) / 1,000 Wii Points ($10)

Virtual Console
• Life Force (Konami, NES) / 500 Wii Points ($5)

And here's what Nintendo has to saw about the forthcoming surprise:

We can't tell you the secret just yet but maybe we'll offer you some hidden clues. From AZ to NC, if you're a fan, your applause could rattle your walls, windows, door. You might enjoy this news whether you live in a brick house or Vanderbilt dorm. Even people living along Route 286 in rural Pennsylvania ought to be excited. It'll feel like a bunch of birthday greetings and, really, who could ask for more?

Many speculate that this points to the impending debut of downloadable Commodore 64 games, as the text makes numerous references to songs by The Commodores.

Both of today's Wii Shop releases are now available for purchase within the Wii's online storefront. For more details on each, read on for the official descriptions.

Evasive Space

High Voltage Software

1-4 players

Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence

1,000 Wii Points ($10)

Launch a one-of-a-kind mission to rescue the stars. The universe is going dark, and it's up to you, Konki the Stellar Guardian, to set things right. Dr. Dark Matter and his roving band of space thieves have stolen many of the Constellation Stones that make up the heavens. It's time to suit up, power up, recover the Stones and once again bring light to the night sky. Using the Wii Remote controller's unique pointer capabilities, simply point and thrust Konki through 20 dangerous time- and collection-based missions in the harshest of environments. Navigate through narrow, mazelike astral caves riddled with space worms, steam pipes and mining drills. Explore vast space stations while avoiding turret fire, mines and huge crushing gears. Weave through cluttered asteroid fields and gaseous planetary rings. Evade the hazards, pick up precious items and ship upgrades, and save the Constellation Stones before the night sky is lost forever.

Life Force (NES)

Konami

1-2 players

Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence

500 Wii Points ($5)

This classic shooter, originally ported to the NES in August 1988, is a spin-off of the seminal Gradius series. Pilot the Vic Viper through six stages of intense action, alternating between horizontally and vertically scrolling environments, and take on wave after wave of enemies. Destroy particular enemies throughout the game (which takes place within the body of an enormous alien) to release power-up capsules and equip your ship with your choice of more powerful weapons, extra speed and shields. Utilize the power-ups carefully, though, as a fearsome guardian lurks at the end of each stage and won't be easily defeated. You can go it alone or bring along a friend to take on the challenge simultaneously. Do you have what it takes to save your planet?