On the Download: Week of December 14th

Welcome to the pre-Christmas edition of On the Download.  Let’s open some digital presents.

Wii Shop Channel

Four new WiiWare games arrived this week, although there’s still no sign of that Castlevania.  Perhaps we’ll get it before Christmas…or New Year’s, at this rate. 

Leading the pack is Rubik’s Puzzle Galaxy: RUSH, a sweet variation of the classic color-matching game.  It’s surprisingly good, and costs 600 points.  If you’re looking for something more gravity-defying, Natsume’s Moki Moki might do the trick for 800 points.  If shooting’s your speed, Diatomic is a fast-paced arcade retro shooter that takes place inside…um, Petri dishes.  It’s still worth a look for 800 points.  Rounding out the pack is the moderately enjoyable Stunt Cars, with its four championship cup circuits and driver achievement awards.

Meanwhile, if you’re up for some classic gaming, Blaster Master is now available for 500 Wii points.  This is still a great game, so whether you’re playing it for the first time or fondly remember it on the NES, get it.  Last but not least is Earthworm Jim 2, the sequel to one of the best platform games ever made.  Jim returns to take on his enemies once again, carrying pigs, answering trivia questions and riding automated chairs.  Oh, and he shoots stuff, too.

Xbox Live

There’s plenty of gaming to do on Xbox Live this week.  Over in Games On Demand, Atari’s Hawaii-based racing game, Test Drive Unlimited, and Microsoft’s Viva Pinata: Party Animals are sure to liven up your get-together.  They’re only $20 each.  If you’re looking for Arcade action, Tecmo’s mind-tickling Puzzlegeddon is good stuff, as is Team 17’s alien-blasting retro revamp, Alien Breed Evolution: Chapter One. 

Add-on content came out in droves.  The Rubber Soul album is now available for The Beatles Rock Band, along with new tracks for Guitar Hero 5, Rock Band and Lips.  In addition, the Hammer of Infinite Fate lets you destroy your enemies in Brutal Legend, and the Alien Warriors Pack gives you plenty of competition to smack around in Dragon Ball: Raging Blast.  Finally, you can check out EA’s upcoming Army of Two: The 40th Day demo. 

PlayStation Network

Square Enix fans have a nice pre-Christmas present waiting for them with Final Fantasy VIII for the PSOne.  It’s huge (1.78 GB) and costs four bucks more than the usual PSOne fare ($9.99), but it’s epic RPG playing at its finest.  Now if we can just get Vagrant Story next week.

Puzzlegeddon also came out, so you can shift puzzle pieces alongside your Xbox 360 brethren.  If you’re looking for demos, there are plenty, between the Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge, Army of Two: The 40th Day, TV Show King, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, Diner Dash and Puzzlegeddon. 

In addition, Red Jimmy is now available for Pain (although he looks out of place next to the Hoff and George Takei).  If you’re a SOCOM Confrontation player, you’ll enjoy the new Cold Front pack, with a new game mode and snow gear included.   Rounding out the DLC is the Brutal Legend Hammer of Infinite Fate, and the song updates for The Beatles: Rock Band, Guitar Hero 5 and Rock Band.

Prime Picks for the week

Wii Shop Channel:  Blaster Master.  Sunsoft is back, baby!

Xbox Live: Alien Breed Evolution: Chapter One.  Excellent job by Team 17.

PlayStation Network: Gran Turismo 5: Time Trial Challenge.  Take part, you could win a trip to the Indy 500.

We’ll return next Wednesday for a final pre-Christmas edition of On the Download, the last one before 2010.