This week's North American Wii Shop Channel update isn't going to stand up to one of Japan's best weeks ever, but it's not going to come close either. While these are two great games, you can't help but think of what could have been. One WiiWare game and one Virtual Console game this week, folks.

The WiiWare game this week is Magetica Twist, already released in Japan and Europe as Minna de Puzzloop and Actionloop Twist, respectively. It is the latest evolution of the original Puzz Loop ...

"The allure just isn't there anymore for the Final Fantasy titles and we have to ask why. Loyal fans try to create hype, but the games are just not combining new and old expectations. Maybe it's because every game, we have to warm up to new characters and worlds. Square sets itself up for hit and miss titles with no character regularity. The only motif running through the series I can identify is a blond guy and clueless protagonists. Most of the recent Final Fantasy games (dare I say Square ..."

"Packing a launch portfolio containing some surprisingly compelling titles, WiiWare, as the new service is called, certainly has all the right ideas behind it. It's intended to support smaller developers in much the same way as competing services on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Distributing games directly to consumers via digital download services cuts out both publisher and retailer, meaning developers can afford to take more risks, and -- in theory -- give consumers like us a better deal.

Try it..."

"Kingdom builders who've grown fond of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King have something else to be thankful for today. Square Enix has put up a new site for the game, called Everyone's Kingdom, and it's got a lot of content for people to enjoy.

Requiring a sign-in to Square Enix Members to access, the Everyone's Kingdom website puts you in the shoes of an adventurer rather than as a king. Inside the website, you'll be able to download free stuff, send messages to the game'..."

"Australians did not have to wait long after their overseas cousins for Nintendo's WiiWare service, with the first downloadable games available on the Wii Shop Channel from today.

Whereas Nintendo's Virtual Console service allows consumers to download classic games from systems like the SNES, N64 and Megadrive, WiiWare offers brand new titles and is an opportunity for video game developers to create innovative new games."

After first launching in Japan, and two weeks ago reaching North American shores, WiiWare, Nintendo's new development platform now makes its way to European shores, bring it six games available at launch, with all of the games drawing from Nintendo of Europe's released list of launch window games.

The six titles made available for European WiiWare are the following:

Dr. Mario & Germ Buster, Nintendo, 1-4 Players, 1000 Points

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Square Eni...

WiiWare, Nintendo's new development platform, is now available. Much akin to the Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Store, WiiWare allows developers and teams with smaller budgets to bring their unique ideas for the Wii to fruition. WiiWare has already launched in Japan.

There are six titles available at launch for WiiWare:

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Square Enix, 1 Player, 1500 Points

LostWinds, Frontier Development, 1-2 Players, 1000 Points

Defend Your C...

"If you're familiar at all with the Mother series (Only the second game was released outside Japan, as EarthBound) you should know it's got an enormous cult following. In fact, EarthBound was the number one wanted VC game in the Nintendo Power poll just a few days ago! Fans have pleaded for Nintendo to release the other games in the series, Mother and Mother 3 in the West, or at least give the series some more attention, but to this day, their wishes still haven't been satisfied. That is all c..."