This week's Nintendo Download features two new downloadable titles for your DSi, a Pitfall adventure on the Virtual Console, and the most unfortunately timed pirate game release ever.
It's week two of the DSiWare invasion, with two new titles dropping for Nintendo's slight step up. We've already told you about Mixed Messages from Activision (500 points), a drawing game for up to 21 players. It's joined this week by Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games (200 points), which includes a couple more card tricks to impress your friends and family.
The Virtual Console sees the return of a classic gaming icon in the not-so-classic Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure for the Sega Genesis (800 Wii points), which stars Pitfall Harry Jr., searching for his kidnapped father.
By far the most unfortunate game this week, however, is Party Fun Pirate by Tomy for WiiWare (500 Wii points). Based on the children's toy Pop-Up Pirate, one to four players take turns sticking swords into a barrel that a pirate captain is hiding in. Thrusting a sword into the wrong hole (shush) causes the pirate to pop out of the barrel, at which point Navy sharpshooters put a bullet in his head.
Of course they don't actually shoot your pirate, which is sad, because I would have purchased the game in a heartbeat if they did. Check out the official descriptions of the latest crop of Nintendo downloadables below to make sure I didn't dream up any other cool omitted features.
Nintendo DSiWare™
Mixed Messages (Activision, 2-21 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points): Mixed Messages is the hilarious party game of mixed-up miscommunication. Sketch a picture to capture your friends' sentence, or try to figure out what in the world they've drawn. You might start with, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" and end up with "A crazy surfer outruns flying sticks of dynamite while his fans cheer!" Two to 21 players take turns writing sentences and drawing pictures to pass along a message. This isn't a game about winning and losing - it's all about the funny miscommunications that happen along the way. You'll laugh when you see just how wacky things can get. Get together with your friends and mix it up.
Master of Illusion™ Express: Shuffle Games (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Master of Illusion Express titles are mind-boggling magic tricks pulled from the popular Nintendo DS™ game. Learn the illusions, practice up and amaze your friends. Master of Illusion Express: Shuffle Games will boggle your audience members' minds as they try to figure out how you know exactly what they're thinking. Also included is the bonus Vanishing Card trick, which the Nintendo DSi system performs for your enjoyment.
WiiWare
Party Fun Pirate™ (TOMY Corporation, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): Based on the popular Pop-Up Pirate toy, players take turns thrusting swords into a barrel that holds your captain captive, trying to see who can insert the most swords into the barrel. Thrust a sword into the wrong hole and you'll send your captain flying, which means it's game over for you! Unique Wii features add to the excitement, making for a fun-filled party game. Try swapping out the captain and putting your custom Mii character in the barrel for some real laughs!
Virtual Console
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated T for Teen - Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a side-scrolling action game in which you play adventurer Pitfall Harry Jr. in search of his father, Pitfall Harry. Pitfall Harry has been taken captive by the dreaded warrior spirit Zakelua: Lord of Evil. Armed with only a trusty sling and his father's journal, young Harry Jr. must now venture into the unknown to rescue him … before it's too late! Bungee jump and boomerang your way to safety as you battle through treacherous Mayan jungles, waterfalls and deserted mines. With 13 levels of fast, gripping action, you will need to be attentive and quick - or prepare to die …