This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

This weekend I got to review a fun little game from Majesco Entertainment on the Wii called Pirates Plundarrr. The game centers around a group of pirates who have had their precious booty stolen by a traitor pirate by the name of Rudebelly. Players fight off through over 40 stages of intense hack ‘N slash action as they tear through countless waves of enemies ranging from skeletons to a giant armadillo. Up to four players can band together to fight the evil Rudebelly in this epic quest for treasure.

The game in itself is a side-scrolling hack ‘N slash, but it also incorporates a few RPG elements in the mix. From the beginning there are 4 selectable characters to choose from: a Pirate Wench, a Buccaneer, a Sea Dog, and a Duelist. Each character has its strengths and weaknesses and seem to fit to different play styles. Players earn EXP by defeating enemies in each stage, and can level up through the journey. At each level gained the player gains a skill point, which can be used to upgrade skills once you reach the end of the stage in which the level was gained. Some of the skills range from damage for each specific weapon, to upgrading speed and unlocking a powerful thunder attack.

Located within the game are enormous amounts of weapons ranging from hams that are wielded like daggers to a large axe that is imbued with electricity. The player can equip two weapons at once and can switch between them at any time during the stage. Also, every weapon that the player picks up is stored within a stage in the beginning that can be accessed via the world map.

The enemy base in this game is huge. Players will encounter mediocre minions such as skeletons and amazon warriors, but will also come across large bosses such as giant skeleton warriors and an Amazonian shaman. Players will also unlock enemies that can be selected as playable characters within the game. These new additional characters, however, start at the level at which they were encountered. For example, the skeleton playable character was at starting level 2, so I had to level him all the way back up to the where I was at that certain point in the game.

Now that you have a general idea of what the game is about, let’s get to the pros and cons of the game itself.

To start off with, this game is very humorous. I rather enjoyed the fact that even if the game gets a little frustrating, the developers included a few jokes in each stage that make me laugh. In fact, while playing the game I found myself smiling and laughing a lot. Also the amount of stages in this game is incredible. There are over 40 stages throughout the game, short and long. There are stages where treasures can be found, and some stages where players can purchase items using the coins that enemies drop. Perhaps the most important pro to this game is the fact that it is very easy to pick up and play, even for those unfamiliar with the Wii, or even video games themselves. I found myself getting the hang of the game rather quickly, and this made the enjoyment arrive a lot faster than in other titles. The multiplayer in the game is exceptionally fun. I found a lot of the stages a lot easier when playing with someone else, and with 3 of my friends joining me this makes for a great social party game.

With every game that comes, though, there are the cons. Although it offers a lot of variety through stages, enemies, and weapons, the music has no variety at all. The same song plays on every stage repeatedly no matter what stage the player is on. The song, while a catchy tune, gets annoying after a while. The controls are also a bit sketchy. While offering easy-to-learn controls, I found one thing getting in my way: since this game utilizes the Wii-mote on its side like a normal controller, the B button is right behind the player’s middle finger on the left hand. I found my fingers pressing against this button constantly while I was running around the stage. Since B is the button to block, I would just stop mid-stride. When fighting a boss this often caused death for me. If paying attention, this can be avoided, but I found myself doing it again and again, and there is not an option to change the controls.

While the leveling system is a unique addition to the game, it is a bit short. By the twentieth stage or so I found myself almost maxed out. Specifically, if the player doesn’t utilize every weapon category, their skills will be maxed out quick. The loading screens also seemed to annoy me. After every stage players will see a large loading screen, especially if they die during the stage. The loading screens are not exactly long, but they are everywhere, which can get on players’ nerves. The gameplay does become repetitive, just as in most hack ‘N slash titles, and with all multiplayer titles stages can get a bit laggy. I found that in the beginning of each stage while more than one player is engaging the stage there is a huge lag. This happens on every stage, and got really annoying.

Just like with every video game that hits the shelves, there is the good and bad. Most of the cons to Pirates Plundarrr are mere annoyances that can possibly be overlooked. With a price tag of $20 I can see this title weighing itself out. It is a great social game, and I really enjoyed playing with my friends. Even though the game is rated E10+, I found it very amusing. If you have a Wii and are looking for a fun, social game with variety, I would definitely recommend Pirates Plundarrr to you.

[ Pirates Plundarrr ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

Continuing in a long line of confusing, awkward and utterly pointless gaming accessories like the Wii Bowling Ball and the Wings for Wii comes CTA Digital’s latest creation, an inflatable racing cart designed to take games like Mario Kart Wii to the next level. It includes a plastic steering wheel which will accommodate a Wiimote, just like the accessory that comes with the actual game, and while it’s listed as being “safe for both kids and adults” I just can’t see anyone over 15 comfortably fitting into it.

The accessory will be officially unveiled at E3 where attendees will have a chance to give it a go, but if you’re already sold on the idea you can pre-order one from Amazon right now for $39.99.

[ Inflatable Racing Kart for Wii ] VIA [ GoNintendo ]

If your TV is brimming with unused HDMI ports, but is suffering from a lack of available component connections, this dead simple HDMI adapter for the Wii will at least let you convert it over to the HDMI-side. Just jam it into the back of your Wii (installation techniques may vary) plug in an HDMI cable and you’re ready to enjoy all the glorious eye-candy that is 480p! It’s available from Neoya for $39.95 which isn’t incredibly cheap, but they let you tack on a 5 foot HDMI cable to your order for just $7.95 so it doesn’t seem like they’re trying to rip you off like other HDMI cable sellers.

[ Wii2HDMI ] VIA [ ChipChick ]

I haven’t played any of the new activities available in the Wii Fit Plus update, but apparently it includes a game called Bird’s-Eye Bulls-Eye where you flap your arms while standing on the balance board to guide your Mii (who’s dressed up in a chicken suit) to a series of targets to score points. I’m sure it’s occasionally a fun diversion to yoga poses, but apparently CTA Digital thinks it’s an important enough activity to warrant a set of strap-on nylon wings to “… add a sensation that you will not feel mimicking a flying chicken with your hands alone.” Unfortunately there’s no pricing info on the CTA Digital website, but anything over $1 would be a complete rip-off in my opinion.

[ Wings For Wii ] VIA [ Tiny Cartridge ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Back in January we told you that Netflix would be streaming to the Wii sometime in the near future. Out of the three, this would probably be my last choice to stream movies to. Not only can you not watch movies in HD (as the Wii doesn’t support HD output) but you’re going to be required to have a disc inserted at all times. Yes, this is exactly the same as the PS3, likely enforced due to a deal with Microsoft.

Well if you signed up for your Wii streaming disc from Netflix, you should be receiving it in the mail within a couple of days. If you haven’t done so already, hit the sign-up page here for your disc. I’m excited to see all three major consoles now supporting this. Depending on what consoles you have and where they’re placed, you could have Netflix streaming to every TV in your house.

[ Netflix ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Evan Ackerman

As if having to wave your arms around while playing Nintendo Wii games wasn’t hard enough, those Riiflex Wii weights that we heard about nearly a year ago are finally up for sale. Each weight adds two pounds to the already hefty burdens of the Wiimote and nunchuk, which last time I checked, was a lot for someone who’s used to stationary gaming and looks forward to games that don’t require any movement at all.

The Riiflex cases are ergonomic and are made of soft rubber (which sadly doesn’t make them any lighter), and you can get a set on Amazon in that ugly green color for $30.

[ Riiflex ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Man, it’s a good thing that Microsoft managed to snag that exclusive deal with Netflix back in August of last year. Otherwise PS3 and Wii owners might have the same access to the rental giant’s instant streaming library. What’s that, the PS3 already has it, and it’s just been announced for the Wii? Never mind then.

That’s right folks, despite whatever deal Microsoft snagged with Netflix, Nintendo has just announced that they will also offer the ability to stream Netflix movies to the Wii. As with the PS3, a special disc will be required in order to use this functionality, leading me to again believe that Microsoft’s “exclusive” deal technically only prevented the other companies from installing the software directly onto their consoles.

The discs will begin shipping out sometime this Spring, but you can sign up for them now. Aside from the minimum $8.99 unlimited streaming plan from Netflix you will not have to pay any additional costs. Again the trade-off is having to use a disc every time or paying for an Xbox Live subscription, personally I don’t mind popping the disc in my PS3.

There is one small drawback to using the service on the Wii, as opposed to the other two consoles. Since Nintendo’s console doesn’t output in HD, you will obviously be limited to watching movies in SD.

[ Netflix ] VIA [ Cnet ]

Yep, another one to add to the ridiculous Wii accessories list. This time it’s a 1:1 scale Heckler & Kock MP5 that Pocket-lint spotted at a trade show in Hong Kong. The controller was made by a Chinese company, and instead of having to find a place to stick your Wiimote and Nunchuck, the machine gun contains all of that functionality, as well as MotionPlus and a rechargeable battery, built-in. There’s no word on pricing or availability just yet, but the version pictured above with the orange tip was supposedly created for the US market so it wouldn’t look real or anything.

[ Pocket-lint - Wii gets custom-made Heckler and Koch MP5 controller ]

By Shane McGlaun

I spent many (many, many) a lazy summer day in my youth playing Punch Out on the Nintendo. There seemed to have been a Punch Out underground at the time. Everyone knew someone, who knew someone that knew a trick to beating the various fighters in the game, but no one knew the person who found the tricks directly.

Punch Out for the Nintendo Wii launched officially yesterday, and the game sounds like a workout. Like Wii Sports boxing, the game uses the Nunchuck and Wii remote to allow players to actually punch. The game can also utilize the balance board to let players duck and weave. If you are the type of gamer who likes to be slovenly, the game can be played with a classic controller as well.

Several play modes are offered in addition to the fight your way to the top mode we all know and love including multiple player and defend your title mode. In the defend your title you start at the top and have to fight the cast of characters with their weaknesses hidden. For instance, Glass Joe wears headgear and King Hippo hides his belly with a manhole cover. I wonder if the old Punch Out underground will reopen to pass on the tricks to beating the fighters in the new modes.

[ Punch Out ]

By Shane McGlaun

If you have never played Spore on the PC or Wii you are missing one of the coolest video games of all time. The original Spore lets players build their own creature and evolve it by adding new parts from a single cell organism to a creature, then to a space faring race.

EA has announced that two new Spore titles are coming to the Nintendo platforms this fall. The Wii will get Spore Hero and the DS will get Spore Hero Arena. Spore Hero lets players create their own hero with over 250 parts and unique abilities. Players complete puzzles and missions to save their planet as they upgrade their character.

Spore Hero Arena is an arena combat game for the Nintendo DS platform that allows players to create a gladiator hero and take them on a tour of the galaxy fighting other heroes. Special missions and wins will unlock new parts to upgrade the hero. Multiple players gaming over Wi-Fi is also supported.

[ Spore