WiiWare Gets Pong Toss, VC Gets Chase H.Q., Art of Fighting 2

Another casual title has been added to the North American WiiWare shop this week, the 'extra-spicy' Pong Toss - Frat Party Games. Meanwhile the Virtual Console is seeing the addition of two non-Nintendo classic titles: Chase H.Q. (originally on the TurboGrafx16), and Art of Fighting 2 (originally on the Neo Geo). Pong Toss, from developer JV Games, is a ping pong party game, emulating the bar backroom game while adding some console gaming sensibilities. Allowing four players to compete on a regulation table, the title offers a number of different playstyle modes. Straight competition allows you and friends to compete for the "Pong Toss Championship", while "Speed Pong" allows three people to play at the same time. The addition of power-ups and consecutive shot bonuses adds a layer of strategy to what is otherwise a straightforward title, available for 800 Wii Points ($8). Originally an arcade title published by Taito in 1988, Chase H.Q., this week's first VC addition, has been on numerous platforms over the years. It was converted to home computers in 1989, and saw release on numerous game consoles before reaching the TurboGrafx-16 in 1992. The Turbo-Grafx version is the one ported to the Wii Shop this week, available for 600 Wii Points ($6). In Chase, players attempt to catch fleeing criminals as part of a special squad in the NYPD. Gameplay is typical rear-view racing, with a brief starting timer extended by checkpoints throughout the chase. Chases occur through crowded city streets and typical flat green countrysides as players pursue criminals across five levels of gameplay. Joining Chase H.Q. this week is the title Art of Fighting 2. The 1994 sequel to the original Art of Fighting pits players against each other with a total of 12 characters and numerous special techniques. Every title in the AOF series has seen release on multiple platforms, and the Neo Geo version is the one appearing in the Wii Shop this week. The Art of Fighting series is known for its 'mental energy' system, which requires players to balance their use of their character's special moves vs. the flow of combat. Other moves, called taunts, can reduce an opponents mental energy. The end result is a typical beat-em' up with call for more caution than a simple button mashing experience. It's available for players to download at the cost of 900 Wii Points ($9).