With WiiWare launching in North America last week, Nintendo's weekly Monday Virtual Console updates will now include WiiWare games, hence the change in the title from the usual "NA Wii Virtual Console".

This week's update will see two new WiiWare games, along with one Virtual Console game.

The first WiiWare game is Critter Round-up, developed by Epicenter Studios and Konami. The game features more than 50 levels as players try to build fences and corral the animals amidst barnyard chaos. Up to four players can get in on the action, either in competing or cooperating to get the job done. With several exotic locations and additional minigames, the game was also one of the WiiWare launch titles in Japan.

The other WiiWare game made available this week is Star Soldier R, the latest installation in the Star Soldier series. Take control of the ship "Caesar" as players try to shoot their way to a top score in a two- or five-minute time attack. Retaining the classic Star Soldier gameplay, Star Soldier R is a vertical shoot-em-up, with three adjustable ship speeds. There are two possible powerups: red and blue capsules, which augment the ship's offensive and defensive capabilities, respectively. Red capsules will eventually augment the ship's offensive capabilities into a five-way shot, while blue capsules will augment a shield surrounding the ship, which can be detached to attack enemies. High scores can be uploaded to online leaderboards on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.


The one Virtual Console game this week is Sky Kid for the NES. A horizontal shoot-em-up, the game originated in the arcades, before being ported to the NES. The goal of the game's missions is to bomb specific targets, with the player as the Red Baron or Blue Max having to pick up the bomb en route to the target. The game supports up to two players.


Recap:
WiiWare:

Critter Round-up, Epicenter Studios and Konami, 1-4 Players, 1000 Points

Star Soldier R, Hudson Entertainment, 1 Player, 800 Points
Virtual Console:

NES: SKYKID, 1-2 Players, 500 Points

As always, games go live Noon EST, 9 AM PST. Keep track of the latest VC releases with the 2008 edition of What's New on VC? in the Wii Virtual Console forum.

[Image Credit: Wikipedia]