Today's WiiWare release brings the long-anticipated Bomberman Blast to US shores. But it also brings an unexpected new title called Art Style: Orbient. Published by Nintendo, this is the first anyone has heard of it. What is this strange new title?
Described by Nintendo as a game where you "take control of gravity and anti-gravity to carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies." The game also allows you to absorb other stars, and capture satellites. The challenge is to avoid hazards like black holes or other, larger stars in your quest to become the biggest fish in the proverbial pond.
This is bit Generations Orbital. Is
this the genesis of Art Style: Orbient?
While not much else is known about this game, many commentators have noted that Orbient sounds awfully close to a little-known GBA game called bit Generations Orbital. The bit Generations series is a Japanese-only collection of games released for the Game Boy Advance. These games are fairly simplistic in nature and were primarily released to Club Nintendo members.
Handheld site MoDojo imported the title and had this to say about it:
Art Style: Orbient
In Orbital, you control a small planetoid as it floats through space. You start out as one of the smallest objects on the screen, but by merging with objects a size larger, you increase your own size and gravitational pull.
Sound a lot like Art Style: Orbient? We thought so. But is the game any good? MoDojo went on to say:
Orbital is the best of the bunch. It has every bit of the polish that Dialhex had, the inspired gameplay of Dotstream, and is startlingly original to boot. If you only import one bit Generations title, make it this one. 5 stars.
At 600 Wii Points, this title may be the cheapest WiiWare title short of Defend Your Castle. Given the positive reviews of its predecessor, this may be a true sleeper hit from Nintendo.
The full press release from Nintendo follows:
WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND ONE VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Sept. 29, 2008
Auspicious debuts and the return of a classic franchise top the list of new additions to the Wii Shop Channel™ this week. Art Style™: ORBIENT™ is the first in a new game series from Nintendo, combining deep game play with atmospheric flair and simple, elegant controls that anyone can pick up and enjoy. With two more Art Style titles scheduled for release in October, this is your chance to be the first to enjoy this truly remarkable gaming experience.
Bomberman makes his WiiWare™ debut in Bomberman Blast, taking the frenzied multiplayer action the series is known for online. Or if you just feel like saving the galaxy again, take on the Machine in Super Turrican 2.
Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time 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:
WiiWare™
Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn't empty, though, and you'll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.
Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote™ controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii™ caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone--from those who've never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.
Virtual Console™
Super Turrican 2 (Super NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Violence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine's forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy's last hope. Are you up to the challenge?
For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.
Update: We've found footage of the original bit Generations Orbital game! Check it out and decide for yourself if it's the same game or not.
