Wii Shop releases: Space Invaders Get Even, Pit Crew Panic!, Metal Slug 2

8:06 AM on 12.01.2008   |   Nick Chester

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What better time to invade than when North Americans are just waking up from their turkey comas?

Space Invaders Get Even (1 player, 500 Wii Points), Taito's WiiWare title that turns the tables of the classic Space Invaders franchise by putting players in control over UFOs. I had a chance to play the game at Tokyo Game Show and it played out mostly like a point-and-click affair, with the nunchuck's analog stick controlling the UFO and the Wii Remote pointing determining where I fired; Earthlings didn't stand a chance. The game has been out in Japan for awhile and just recently hit Europe, so if you've dropped some cash on it already, let us know what you think.

A game Hamza just recently went hands-on with, Pit Crew Panic! (1-4 players, 800 Wii Points) also makes it way to Nintendo's digital download service today. Controlling an all-female pit crew, you'll be tasked with repairing an assortment of cars powered by incredibly random s**t, including wedding cakes and the Golden Gate Bridge. As Hamza noted, "Pit Crew Panic! is weird. Like, really weird."

Finally, Metal Slug 2 (NeoGeo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points) is available on the Virtual Console today. Great game, to be sure. But when you can pick up a new copy of Metal Slug Anthology (which contains seven Metal Slug games, including this sequel) for $19.99, it seems a bit pointless to spend nine of your hard-earned dollars on the Virtual Console title. Or am I missing something here?

Press release after the jump.

Wii-kly Update

Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel

After a long, lazy holiday weekend, it’s time to shake off your post-Thanksgiving daze. Need some suggestions for boosting your activity level back into the red? Let the latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel be your guide: Take command of a UFO in an epic space battle, get your engine revving as the leader of a frenzied pit crew, or storm the battlefield in a high-tech military mêlée. With all this excitement, you may be ready for another vacation day sooner than you think.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare™

SPACE INVADERS GET EVEN (Taito, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): The Space Invaders are back, and this time they’re out to get even. Take control of a UFO and make those Earthlings pay by unleashing your fleet of heroic invaders against their puny tanks, fighter jets and artillery—but watch out for the massive boss awaiting you at the end of each stage. Use your invaders’ five attack types and the might of the mother ship to rack up high scores, then upload them via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and see where you stand in the global rankings. (Note: Router and broadband access required for online play. For more info, visit www.nintendo.com.)

Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Pit Crew Panic! is a frantic, action-packed game that unfolds on the racing circuit. During the game, the pit crew is not only faced with repairing vehicles, but also various WHATSITs. Handling the WHATSIT repairs is a pit crew made up of legendary beauties. The controls are simple: Just grab a member of the crew with the Wii Remote™ controller’s A Button, then release the button when the Pointer is over the damaged PART, and that crew member will begin repairs. Assign repairs to the members of your team and provide support using the Wii Remote to send a fully repaired WHATSIT out of the pit as quickly as you can. The game features Normal mode, which can be played using one of two rules: Abnormal mode (players split into two teams and compete against each other) and Ranking mode (compete with players around the world for the top record). Each mode can be played with a maximum of four Wii Remote controllers, allowing you to team up with friends and family. Your teamwork could lead to outstanding records.

Virtual Console™

METAL SLUG 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Blood and Gore, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1998 by SNK, METAL SLUG 2 is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players choose from Marco, Tarma, Eri and Fio, setting their sights on wiping out Morden’s newly remobilized Rebellion Army. Just like the original METAL SLUG, players blaze a trail by shooting and jumping, but METAL SLUG 2 adds a new arsenal for you to command, including a heavy machine gun, a shotgun and even a laser gun, providing players with rich variety. Battle effects are packed in, as well—players turn into mummies after getting caught in poison gas coughed up by mummies. After picking up too many food items, characters turn fat, but they get an attack-strength upgrade. Two-player action is supported, too, so players can have a blast with their friends.