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by: Sean Colleli -
More On: Wii
Some new additions to the shop channel--Gradius, Soldier Blade and Dungeon Explorer.  Check them out if you need a nostalgia fix.
Wii-kly Update: Three New Classic Games Announced for Wii Shop Channel

    Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii(TM) video
game system's Wii Shop Channel.  The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. 
Nintendo adds new games to the channel 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:

    Gradius(R) (NES(R), 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Across the galaxy, there
exists a distant planet known as Gradius.  Gradius' peaceful existence has
been brought to an end by an intense space invasion by a race known as the
Bacterion.  To save the planet, the hyperspace fighter Vic Viper has been
deployed to fight the Bacterion invasion.  Players pilot the Vic Viper through
seven stages, shooting and dodging through deadly obstacles, while using
various power-ups, including missiles, lasers, options and shields.  The Vic
Viper's target is the enemy fortress, Xaerous.  The only way to end the war is
to plunge deep through the enemy forces and destroy its very core.

    Soldier Blade(R) (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): A new shooter
in the "Star Soldier" tradition.  Players play as an SIA (Special Interception
Airforce) pilot flying the heavy assault fighter "Soldier Blade."  Players
face the Zeograd invasion force with weapon attacks that change each time they
grab a power-up item.  Players can unleash three different kinds of attack
depending on the color of the power-up item.  New features, such as the
"Gunbody" option for avoiding enemy attacks and the "Burst Out" system (which
has a different effect depending on the power-up level), add a strategic
element that requires players to make snap decisions about which items to grab
and when to use special attacks.  Awesome boss battles await players at the
end of each operation.  Playing in "CHALLENGE" mode requires players to try to
get as many points as they can in a limited amount of time.

    Dungeon Explorer(TM) (TurboGrafx16, 1-5 players, 600 Wii Points): Dungeon
Explorer is a multiplayer action/role-playing game where up to five players
can play at the same time.  The story takes place in underground dungeons. 
Players can choose from eight different character types: Fighter, Thief,
Warlock, Witch, Bishop, Elf, Bard or Knome.  Depending on the character, the
types of magic, attack strength and movement will all vary.  To survive,
players must know all about their enemies' weaknesses.  Players also must know
about the special attributes of each magic spell and use them to their
greatest advantage.  In team-play games, working together is the key to
victory.  Any combination of Wii Remotes and Nintendo GameCube(TM) controllers
can be used in multiplayer games.