Gamers get six new titles to download this week. Starting today, Nintendo fanboys can pick up "Art Style PiCTOBitS" (500DSi Pts), "Crystal Defenders R2" (800Wii Points), "Silver Star Chess" (500Wii Points), and "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" (1,000Wii Points).
On Wednesday Xbox 360 gamers can pick up "Blazing Birds" (400MS Points/$5) and "Gel: Set and Match" (800MS Points/$10). After getting "Zen Pinball" last week, PS3 gamers are back to their normal weekly offering - nothing.
Hit the jump for all the fine print.
Related Links: Be sure to answer our most recent question of the week, and check out our reviews of Space Invaders Extreme and Family Pirate Party.
Virtual Console
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points™): Link™ must save the world! This time, he finds himself trapped in Termina, an alternate version of Hyrule that is doomed to destruction in just three short days. Link must race to recover the Ocarina of Time(which allows him to manipulate time in multiple ways), defeat challenging bosses in dungeons spread across Termina and discover the key to the mystery of Majora’s Mask. Along the way, he’ll obtain new weapons and items and help other characters (some strangely familiar) in their everyday lives. In addition, Link must use a wide assortment of masks scattered throughout Termina, each with its own specific use or power. Never before have three days offered so much in the way of action, mind-boggling puzzles and depth. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is an adventure unlike any other!
Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style™: PiCTOBiTS™ (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points™): Your goal in Art Style: PiCTOBiTS is simple: clear large blocks that fall from above (“megabits”) by combining them with “bits” (square blocks) of the same color. Add in the ability to pick up bits and place them anywhere on the touch screen, and you’ll quickly find that strategy is critical to your success. By clearing the bits, you gradually reveal each stage’s hidden game character – look for favorites from classic NES™ titles – and earn coins that can be spent to unlock DARK stages or to listen to the game’s soundtrack in MUSIC mode. This grand mix of familiar elements and new game play leads to the uniquely enjoyable experience that is PiCTOBiTS.
WiiWare
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): In CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2, you must deploy various units, such as Fencers and Black Mages, to stop waves of encroaching monsters from escaping the area with your party’s crystals. There are many types of units to choose from: Some specialize in powerful short-range attacks, some wield far-reaching magicks and still others are equipped with bows, enabling them to bring down aerial foes. Deploy units in strategic locations to take full advantage of their traits. Each time an enemy breaches your defenses and reaches a map’s exit, your party will lose crystals. When all your crystals are gone, the game is over. CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 offers several new, challenging maps containing multiple entrances and exits. It also introduces three varieties of Power Crystals, allowing you to enhance the abilities of your units, while new jobs, including Flintlock and Tinker, set the stage for even more complex strategies. Can you defend all the maps without losing a single crystal?
Silver Star Chess (Agetec, Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Suggestive Themes, 500 Wii Points): Silver Star Chess has two modes: 1-Player and 2-Player. 1-Player mode allows you to play a chess match against the computer opponent. 2-Player mode allows you to play against another person. In 1-Player mode, you can select one of five different computer opponents, as well as turn the background music off, adjust sound effects and access in-game help features. Also, during the match, you can redo your last move, save the game at any point or resign from the game. After the match has ended, you can review each move made during the match. While reviewing the match in this way, you can resume that match at any point.
XBLA
Gel: Set & Match offers brain-busting fun for everyone with its unique take on puzzle gameplay. Match colored blocks together and they melt, but throw a melting block into another one and the chain continues! In Puzzle Mode, blocks are arranged to test your wits. Action mode throws in a side-scrolling twist and challenges you to clear a path. Battle mode puts you up against your friends in fast-paced multiplayer showdowns. Jiggle up, and get ready for fun!
Unique gameplay: It's a puzzle/action hybrid where Puzzle Mode provides brain-bending mental challenges, and the Action Mode is an innovative combination of side-scrolling action with puzzle matching gameplay.
Multiplayer modes: Xbox LIVE® co-op play is in both Action and Puzzle modes, and Battle Mode features competitive online multiplayer play.
Customization: Customize your character with the huge array of options through the game's Item Store.
Compete in the sport of robot badminton in Blazing Birds. Challenge sixty computer controlled opponents over three levels of difficulty. Invite your friends to play multiplayer matches or round robin tournaments with up to twenty players. The unique control scheme allows for blazing fast action and quick responsiveness. Score points using smash, drop, and clear shots with either manual or automatic aiming. Unleash seven deadly power shots including Meteor Strike, Firecracker, Hyperspace, Lightning Bolt, Dragon Flight, Hunting Season, and Wormhole. Only the best will face Signum IV.
Great gameplay: Play sixty levels of artificial intelligence spanning three modes of difficulty.
Multiplayer action: Compete in round robin style multiplayer contests with up to twenty players.
Pick up and play: It's quick and easy to play, and the fast and responsive controls feature seven powerful specialty shots.
Dream.Build.Play winner: Blazing Birds was announced as one of the winners in XNA's 2007 Dream.Build.Play contest. Now you can play it on Xbox LIVE Arcade!
