Nintendo's Live Arcade-'beater', the game download service, has now been released in Japan, alongside nine new games.

The WiiWare service is also set for release in North America, and will be known as 'Wii Software' in Europe.

No Euro-date has been offered, but the service will hit the States come May 12th. Nintendo's third-party developers have spoken of a 'secret war' with the Arcade, the Big N hoping to outdo Microsoft's rival service.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, Star Soldier R and Pokémon Ranch count among the new releases, with prices ranging from 500 points to 1500 points.

Here's the list of new games in full:

  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (1500 Points)
  • Lonpos (1000 Wii Points)
  • Okiraku Ping Pong (500 Wii Points)
  • Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan (1000 Wii Points)
  • Dr. (1000 Wii Points)
  • Saku Saku Animal Panic (1000 Wii Points)
  • Star Solider R (800 Wii Points)
  • Tenshi Solitaire (500 Wii Points)
  • Pokémon Ranch (1000 Wii Points)

By Luke Guttridge