Tech Shout!

This week, as part of Nintendo’s ‘Wii-kly’ update, lucky Wii gamers will be getting two cult classics. Okay, but be prepared, because these two games cover topics ranging from farming (yes, it’s true; you can manage a farm using your Wii console!) to shooting enemies to heavy-metal tunes.

The new games added to the lineup are Harvest Moon and Lords of Thunder. Just don’t get the two mixes up, since most farm animals don’t dig heavy metal and it takes more than just turnips to defeat fire-spewing sea serpents.

Harvest Moon: So, you have got yourself a farm and now the time has come to roll up your sleeves and start working. The fresh air and beauty all around might captivate you; but there’s a lot more to be done to generate working capital. There are buildings on your property, but they are in need of livestock. You have a modest house, but if things get lonely in the field, it’s going to take a remodel to woo a female farming companion. Your challenge is to dig in and build your life as a farmer from the ground up. How you manage will determine the outcome, but remember: You always reap what you sow.

Okay, now that you for the gist of Harvest moon, you must also be informed that it is a single player game. Harvest Moon will cost you 800 Wii Points.

Lords of Thunder: Also a single player game, this game combines fantasy with violence. If you think that isn’t a very good combo, then read on because the storyline will surely captivate you, and make you want to play this game. Lord of Thunder also costs 800 Wii Points.

Lords of Thunder is a side-scrolling shooter that has you take on the role of a legendary warrior, blasting enemies to heavy-metal tunes. Your enemies are plotting to revive Zaggart, “The Dark One,” who was sealed beneath the six continents of Mistral. It’s up to Landis, descendant of the heroic Dyu, to stop them. Choose the order in which to attack the six stages. Before each stage, select one of four magic armors and use crystals you’ve collected during your battles to buy items. Selecting the right armor for each stage is the key to your ultimate victory. Then get ready to face awesome enemies like a fire-spewing sea serpent or a giant insect. Whether it’s the fast-paced shooting or breaking into the fortress of a stage boss, you’ll be blown away by the intensity of Lords of Thunder.

Like all of Nintendo’s Wii-kly line-ups, these two games have also been made available at 9 a.m. PT on Monday.