Today's Special Archives: November 2005

News Archives Index Egypteers Hits Newgrounds [ Newgrounds ] Egypteers has finally hit Newgrounds! Head on over there and show your support for my animated series by voting 5. The better I do the more I'll be inspired to do some more animating! Thanks to all you who've supported my work! Keep checking back soon for a few exclusive Screening Rooms. A.B. Osborne -- Posted on Wednesday, November 30 2005 18:14 PM [Top] Super Mario Strikers Kicks Some Serious Grass [ Nintendo ] Perhaps more people in the United States would be soccer fans if the field were surrounded by an electrified fence, players were armed with giant attack shells and goals were scored with explosive force. Rest assured, you won't find any boring scoreless ties in the new Super Mario Strikers, which launches Dec. 5 in the United States, Canada and Latin America, exclusively for Nintendo GameCube. This isn't your usual Mario game. Up to four players can battle in aggressive five-on-five soccer matches that would elicit red cards from the most lenient of referees. Tackling and power shots are all part of the fun. If players gets in your way, just slam them into the electric fence that marks the out-of-bounds area. But such attacks come at a price: If you strike a player who does not have the ball, you reward the opposing team with a special Power-Up item that could be used against you. "People have described this frenetic game as soccer meets Super Smash Bros.," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Soccer remains one of the most popular sports in the world, and Super Mario Strikers gives players the tools they always wished they could unleash on their opponents." Super Mario Strikers features classic Nintendo characters, but with some serious attitude. Players can battle against friends or work their way up through the rankings to unlock bonus features like new stadiums and hidden cheats. The game, Rated E for Everyone, will be available Dec. 5. Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 30 2005 9:29 AM [Top] New Super Mario Strikers Character Art [ Nintendo ] The superstars of the Mario universe now play soccer with major attitude. The look, feel and play are more aggressive than what everyone expects from a Mario sports title. Slide, tackle or die... Introducing Mario characters in a new type of Mario sports game. Select a captain, build a team with favorite characters from the Mario universe and hit the field for five-on-five soccer action in an easy-to-learn, fever-pitched soccer blowout. Armed with an arsenal of power-up items like giant shells, exploding bananas, freeze shells and many others, blow a path downfield and go for the goal. But watch out – that red shell flying downfield has your name on it. Play Grudge Match games against a buddy or grab some friends and extra controllers for fast-paced four-player action. Cup Battles Mode pits a player's team against all others in an electrifying, multi-tiered competition for the coveted Cup Trophy. Play through four different levels of difficulty as the challenge and action continue to build. Check out the latest character artwork for this GameCube sports title below. Super Mario Strikers hits stores for the GameCube in a mere week, on December 5th. Images: Super Mario Strikers Character Art 1 Super Mario Strikers Character Art 2 Super Mario Strikers Character Art 3 Super Mario Strikers Character Art 4 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:44 PM [Top] Final Fantasy IV Advance Logo and Boxart [ Nintendo ] At the orders of the king, a city burns. Torn by guilt, the dark knight Cecil, commander of the Red Wings of Baron, must choose between loyalty and justice. Previously released as Final Fantasy II for the Super NES, Final Fantasy IV Advance features improved graphics, enhanced music and an expanded storyline. Players test their skills in a new, 50-level dungeon, or strengthen their characters in the training dungeon. Study foes with the Bestiary, or listen to the legendary score using the soundtrack player. Experience never-before-seen story sequences as party members are switched. Check out the logo and boxart to this hotly-anticipated GBA title below. The epic adventure begins on December 12th. Images: Final Fantasy IV Advance Logo Final Fantasy IV Advance Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:37 PM [Top] Super Princess Peach Boxart and Logo [ Nintendo ] Bowser's up to no good again, but this time it's Peach to the rescue. Bowser's finally gotten wise and kidnapped Mario, figuring that since he's the guy who normally does the rescuing, no one will be around to rescue him. He's in for a big surprise, though, because Peach is armed (with a parasol) and dangerous. Besides whacking Bowser's minions with her parasol, Peach can channel emotional vibes into special abilities: floating through the air when she's happy, burning through bridges when she's mad or making vegetation grow with her tears. Join the princess as she runs, jumps, floats and fights her way through eight worlds to where Mario's being held. Super Princess Peach hits stores for the Nintendo DS on February 27th. Check out the boxart and logo for the game's US release below. Images: Super Princess Peach Logo Super Princess Peach Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:34 PM [Top] Electroplankton Boxart [ Nintendo ] In Electroplankton, art and music collide to create a wildly fresh interactive audio experience. Players will encounter 10 unique species that respond to their touch and voice to create unforgettable sounds and melodies. Interacting with this wide and wild variety of Electroplankton is as simple as sliding the stylus across the touch screen. Toy with Tracy plankton and listen to their music as they swim along drawn lines. Players clap their hands or use their voices to lead a microscopic synchronized swimming team of Nanocarp. There are 10 fascinating plankton to play with in all. The latest work by world-renowned Japanese media artist Toshio Iwai, Electroplankton bursts to life exclusively on the Nintendo DS. A new interactive music and media experience awaits – watch it, touch it, listen to it...and feel it. Electroplankton will be released for the Nintendo DS on January 9th, exclusively to online retailers and at the Nintendo World Store in New York City. Check out the game's boxart below. Images: Electroplankton Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:29 PM [Top] New Dr. Mario & Puzzle League Character Art [ Nintendo ] Addictive puzzle action is coming to the palm of your hand with Dr. Mario & Puzzle League – two fantastic puzzle games on one game pak. Dr. Mario requires equal parts strategy and speed to achieve victory. The object of Dr. Mario is to delete viruses by throwing vitamin capsules into a bottle. To delete the nasty critters, players must form a row of four or more same-colored capsules or viruses. Since many viruses are trapped at the bottom of the bottle, players must plan ahead in order to eliminate them. The object of Puzzle League is to form a chain of three or more same-colored blocks. The blocks will rise from the bottom of the screen, forcing players to make decisions in the blink of an eye. When players match up shapes, the blocks on top will fall onto other matching blocks, creating a very satisfying combo effect. This game also has unusual depth in terms of options and settings, such as adjusting the speed of the cursor or the kinds of blocks on the screen, which let players create a custom game experience. Check out some character art of Dr. Mario's famous viruses below. Dr. Mario & Puzzle League hits stores for the GBA today, so go and get it if you're a puzzle game freak you know where to be. Images: Dr. Mario & Puzzle League Character Art 1 Dr. Mario & Puzzle League Character Art 2 Dr. Mario & Puzzle League Character Art 3 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:28 PM [Top] Drill Dozer Boxart and Logo [ Nintendo ] The fiendish Skullker gang has attacked your father, the head of the Red Dozer band of thieves, and stolen your precious red diamond. Now it’s up to you to hop into your powerful Drill Dozer robot and lead the Red Dozers on a destruction-filled quest to get it back. Players use the devastating Drill Dozer to demolish walls, rooms, furniture, enemies and almost anything else they can think of. They experience classic side-scrolling platformer action as they jump across chasms, bore through blocks and latch onto lifts to reach secret treasures. With the right equipment, the Drill Dozer can even fly or operate under water. Explore every inch of the world in search of hidden gears that’ll make the Drill Dozer even more powerful. Players also can grab piles of Chips and spend them at the shop to buy devastating new drill tips, energy tanks and more. Drill Dozer drills into stores for the GBA on February 6th. Check out the logo and boxart below. Images: Drill Dozer Logo Drill Dozer Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:22 PM [Top] True Swing Golf Boxart and Logo [ Nintendo ] Experience the feel and finesse of real golf...the way it was meant to be played. In this realistic golf game, swing control mimics real life. Players simply slide the stylus across the touch screen to strike the ball and send it flying. They can even curve their swing to slice or hook shots and alter the angle of the club head for sharpshooter-like accuracy. More than 15 impressive 3-D courses, all with their own hazards and strategies, test players' skills. Players earn better gear by winning tournaments to help them compete. With several game modes, character customization and wireless multiplayer support for up to four players with just one game card, there's something here for all golfers, no matter what their skill levels. True Swing Golf swings out of the bunker and onto the Nintendo DS on January 23rd. Check out the logo and boxart below Images: True Swing Golf Logo True Swing Golf Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:11 PM [Top] Chibi-Robo Boxart and Logo [ Nintendo ] Chibi-Robo is a gift to a little girl whose father wants her to have the best birthday ever. Chibi-Robo isn't just a toy, though. He's a household helper whose sole task is to bring happiness to his family. Chibi is only 3 inches tall, but he's capable of some impressive feats. Chibi is more than just a chore-bot: his goal is to bring happiness to his family. He has a whole house to explore however he wants, looking for wrongs to right and ways to make his family members' lives better. However, his battery life is limited, so he needs to recharge by plugging into wall outlets. Certain tasks require more energy, and Chibi must watch his power levels carefully. Check out the logo and boxart for this unique GameCube title below. Chibi-Robo says "domo arigato" to US stores on February 6th. Images: Chibi-Robo Logo Chibi-Robo Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 29 2005 14:09 PM [Top] Egypteers: Episode 1 [ The Screening Room ] Finally, I've completed another animation for posting on the site and its the start of an original series with an original cast of characters. Stay tuned for more episodes in this series, but also a few GCCafe exclusive Nintendo animations in the upcoming months. Now, check out the Egypteers, suitable for all audiences. A.B. Osborne -- Posted on Sunday, November 27 2005 0:07 AM [Top] European DS Sales Numbers [ Nintendo of Europe ] Over 2 million consumers across Europe have already purchased a Nintendo DS since its launch earlier this year. However, for the last three weeks, sales of the DS have skyrocketed, exceeding 100,000 units per week, and last week alone sales topped 120,000 across Europe. Hit releases like Nintendogs are also having a massive impact on Nintendo's hand-held popularity, reaching new gamers and creating an overnight phenomenon. Since its launch on October 7th in Europe, over 1 million copies of the game have been sold. Nintendogs has become like gold dust across Europe with stocks flying off shelves as soon as they arrive in store. Mario Kart DS has now launched and is the first Nintendo game to offer Wi-Fi gaming through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. With the combination of Mario Kart fun and simple Wi-Fi play, sales of Nintendo DS are expected to accelerate into Christmas. The Nintendo DS is available for around £89. Mario Kart DS is available now at the estimated retail price of around £30 and the Mario Kart Pak (including a copy of Mario Kart DS and a silver Nintendo DS) is available at the estimated retail price of around £99. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Saturday, November 26 2005 21:44 PM [Top] Burnout Legends Trailer [ GameCube Café ] Burnout Legends hit stores for Sony's PSP earlier this year, and now is hitting the DS in all of its glory. Featuring jaw-dropping 3D graphics that push the DS to the limit, a new indicator revealing your car's area-specific damage, tracks from all across the Burnout series' history, wireless multiplayer support, and the most awesome crashes you can handle! Burnout Legends, developed by Criterion Games, will hit stores for the Nintendo DS in less than a week, on November 29th. Check out the trailer for the game below by clicking in your browser to view or right-click to save toy your hard drive. Video: Burnout Legends Trailer (2.9 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 24 2005 22:27 PM [Top] Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Gameplay Trailer [ Ubisoft ] I'm not going to bore you with the same old Ubisoft summary for the game that you get every time we have a new trailer for this game. Chances are, by now, if you care what the story is, you already know, and if you don't know, you don't care. The Prince comes home, Kaileena dies, sand infection, lots of swords, a chain, a dark Prince, people get killed, yadda yadda. This is a new gameplay trailer. Watch it. It's Quicktime, so it'll work in any browser. Video: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Gameplay Trailer (7.84 MB) Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Thursday, November 24 2005 12:44 PM [Top] Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance [ Reviews ] The Café's RPG whore checks out the first Fire Emblem title for the GameCube. Does the path burn brightly or does it fizzle out? Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 24 2005 1:13 AM [Top] Mario Kart DS Races Up The Charts [ IGN DS ] IGN is reporting, via Nintendo, that in a single week Mario Kart DS has already sold a whopping 112,000 copies in the US alone. More impressive still, is that of those copies sold, over 45% of the players who purchased the game have taken it online with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. "We are ecstatic with the results, and this definitely sets the standard for future Wi-Fi online gaming," said Nintendo's PR head Beth Lewellyn. "Mario Kart should easily be a million seller in its life cycle, and we'd love for everyone with the game to touch the Wi-Fi experience. We've got Animal Crossing just around the corner, and Metroid Prime Hunters next year, with more to come." IGN also states that in comparison, only 18% of gamers who purchased Halo 2 for the XBox last year went online through XBox Live. If you haven't gotten Mario Kart DS, what the hell are you waiting for? Pick it up today, and keep it here at the Café as Nintendo reveals more games that will support Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 21 2005 23:15 PM [Top] New Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Trailer [ GameCube Café ] The Prince of Persia makes his way home to Babylon, bearing with him Kaileena, the enigmatic Empress of Time, and unspeakable scars from the Island of Time. But instead of the peace he longs for, he finds his kingdom ravaged by war and Kaileena the target of a brutal plot. When she is kidnapped, the Prince tracks her to the Palace - only to see her murdered by a powerful enemy. Her death unleashes the Sands of Time, which strike the Prince and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Cast to the streets, hunted as a fugitive, the Prince soon discovers that the Sands have tainted him, too. They have given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit gradually possesses him. The latest trailer from Ubisoft gives insight on the return on one of the series' most beloved characters, Farah. It also shows off some more of the game's combat and other moves in action, and needless to say, it looks amazing. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones will hit stores for the GameCube on December 1st. Video: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Trailer (12.0 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Sunday, November 20 2005 22:25 PM [Top] Super Smash Bros. Revolution Gets a Director [ Famitsu ] While little to nothing is known about games for the Nintendo Revolution, the latest issue of Famitsu reveals a bit of insight on what is arguably the system's most anticipated title. The sequel to the GameCube's most popular title, Super Smash Bros. Melee, which was announced last E3, will be directed by none other than Masahiro Sakurai, former employee of Nintendo 2nd party developer HAL, creator of Kirby, and the current head of Q! Entertainment, the company behind such games as Meteos. Sakurai was a huge part of Melee, and was personally asked this year at E3 by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata if he'd like the chance to work with Nintendo on the upcoming Revolution sequel. While Sakurai did not reveal anything more about the game (except for the known wi-fi online play), his involvement certainly piques our enthusiasm as to how this game will turn out. Look for more information on Super Smash Bros. Revolution as it becomes available. Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 16 2005 17:52 PM [Top] Nintendo Takes Game Ratings to the Next Level [ Nintendo ] Nintendo of America today announces it will include a play control system in its next home video game system, code-named Revolution, coming in 2006. By using a password-controlled setting, adults can decide what flexibility they'll allow younger players to have in playing video games rated E (Everyone), E10 (Everyone 10 and Older), T (Teen) or M (Mature). The system also ensures that dedicated adult gamers can opt to play without limitations. How does it work? The actual game software will contain a code indicating the rating, which will activate the control system to remain locked or unlocked. The feature will be included in every Revolution console worldwide. "Even though many Nintendo games are rated E, E10 or T, we believe this kind of feature should be included in the hardware. It's the right thing to do," explains Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "Game ratings are on the front and back of every game package, so families can easily make a decision about whether a game is right for them." Matthew Silver -- Posted on Wednesday, November 16 2005 9:23 AM [Top] Nintendo Signs Deal for FMV on DS and GBA [ Actimagine ] Actimagine has announced that Nintendo has licensed its video codecs to integrate video sequences in video games for the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo DS handheld video game systems. It will be provided at no charge in Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS Software Development Kits (SDK). It will allow all Nintendo’s game developers to enrich their games with attractive video content. On the Nintendo DS, Actimagine software video codec can achieve full screen 256x192 video up to 30 frames per second from 100kbps to 700kbps, with stereo sound from 8KHz mono to 48KHz stereo. Dual screen can be supported up to 15 frames per second. Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt and Jump Super Stars are the first two games using those outstanding video capabilities. In 2004, Actimagine had previously licensed to Nintendo its video compression technologies allowing Nintendo to deliver up to 90 minutes of TV-like video titles on 32MB cartridges on its range of hand-held consoles: Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP and Nintendo DS. This is a purely software-based solution, making the video cartridges compatible with the vast installed base of Nintendo handheld consoles that are already in the market. Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 15 2005 15:56 PM [Top] Mario Kart DS Launches With Wi-Fi Gaming Service [ Nintendo ] That sound you hear is the thunder of video gamers worldwide revving their engines for the launch of Mario Kart DS and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. For the first time ever, the online gaming service for Nintendo DS lets users connect wirelessly to race. From the very start, users can log on easily to shoot shells and burn rubber against opponents from all around the world. "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection removes the barriers that have prevented many mainstream players from going online," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "We have made the service incredibly simple to use and free at select hotspot locations – but this is just the beginning." The Mario Kart franchise has sold more than 11.1 million games in the United States alone. Mario Kart DS offers racers more than 30 courses, including classic tracks from Super Mario Kart, Mario Kart 64, Mario Kar: Super Circuit and Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Favorite Nintendo characters cruise in dozens of classic and custom karts as they use weapons like bananas, bombs, lightning and squid ink to gain a competitive advantage. When racing using a wireless local area connection, up to eight players can play, even if only one of them has a Mario Kart DS game card. When using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, up to four players across the world can join a race. Friends share their DS Friend Code to find one another online using their friend roster. Images: Two Icons Meet for the First Time Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 14 2005 20:50 PM [Top] Animal Crossing: Wild World [ Previews ] What's better than Animal Crossing? ONLINE Animal Crossing! Eric hangs out with dogs, raccoons, and super-deformed humans to give you this preview of Animal Crossing: Wild World. Eric Jones -- Posted on Sunday, November 13 2005 22:49 PM [Top] New Peter Jackson's King Kong Trailer [ GameCube Café ] Embark on an epic adventure created in collaboration with Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson, and based on the upcoming bloackbuster film from Universal Pictures. Playing as both Jack Driscoll and the legendary ape himself, gamers will experience the action and thrills of a first-person shooter with tactical aspects, as well as battle with all the power and brute strength of the mighty lord of the jungle. Featuring incredibly detailed graphics, ultra-realistic AI, and an innovative new system that automatically adjusts the game's difficulty based on the skills of the player as they progress through the game, Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, promises to be one of this holiday season's biggest hits. The GameCube version of the game will hit stores on November 21st, with the GBA version, Kong: 8th Wonder of the World, hitting stores the same day. A version for the Nintendo DS is also in the works, set for release by the end of the year. Check out the latest trailer below by downloading it to your hard drive. Video: Peter Jackson's King Kong Trailer (15.4 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Saturday, November 12 2005 1:35 AM [Top] Get Fat and Race With Mario [ Nintendo ] McDonald's hosts the launch event for Mario Kart DS and the revolutionary Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Experience the video game as the legendary franchise hits the Nintendo DS on its first day in the hands of the public at the Mario Kart DS “Pit-Stop.” No setup is required as gamers simply launch the game in the proper mode on this ground-breaking day – made possible by Nintendo's latest agreement with Wayport. The union brings free access, via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, to millions of Nintendo DS users in more than 6,000 McDonald's restaurants across the United States. Players will be avoiding banana peels, homing Red Shells and Chain Chomps as they are some of the first to become part of Nintendo's worldwide online community. The life-size legends themselves, Mario and Ronald McDonald, flipping the switch to turn on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and cheering on players as they zip around the virtual racetrack along with members of Team Nintendo – the lucky folks who make their living playing video games. Matthew Silver -- Posted on Friday, November 11 2005 16:55 PM [Top] Reggie Talks Revolution, New DS? [ CNN/Money ] In an interview with CNN, Nintendo's popular vice president of sales and marketing, Reginald Fils-Aime, saw fit to clarify some details about the upcoming Revolution console, including Nintendo's plans to properly market and produce the system. First and foremost, Reggie confirmed that the Revolution will be priced significantly cheaper than the XBox 360 and Playstation 3, but the exact price point has yet to be decided. He believes that Nintendo has learned a lot of lessons since the release of the GameCube, with it's childish (to some) design and lack of high-profile software at launch. While Nintendo plans to make these changes next gen, one thing it will stand firm on is its refusal to support high-definition resolution (720p and up) in the console. Reggie claims that doing so would greatly increase load times, and also claims that the casual, average consumer, whom Nintendo is pursuing with this console, will not care about the graphics as long as the games are fun. "What we'll offer in terms of gameplay and approachability will more than make up for the lack of HD," says Reggie. Last but not least, Reggie drops a tidbit that is certainly interesting, stating that Nintendo has been looking at ways to "tweak the DS visually" since launch. Since Nintendo is no stranger to new versions of existing consoles (the GBA SP and GBM are perfect examples), could we see a redesigned DS coming soon, possibly as soon as E3? Stay tuned. Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 11 2005 1:29 AM [Top] New Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones 3D Screenshots [ Ubisoft ] The Prince of Persia makes his way home to Babylon, bearing with him Kaileena, the enigmatic Empress of Time, and unspeakable scars from the Island of Time. But instead of the peace he longs for, he finds his kingdom ravaged by war and Kaileena the target of a brutal plot. When she is kidnapped, the Prince tracks her to the Palace - only to see her murdered by a powerful enemy. Her death unleashes the Sands of Time, which strike the Prince and threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Cast to the streets, hunted as a fugitive, the Prince soon discovers that the Sands have tainted him, too. They have given rise to a deadly Dark Prince, whose spirit gradually possesses him... Ubisoft has released something totally cool for the upcoming release of the game: a pair of 3D screenshots giving viewers a 360-degree look at a speedkill for both the Prince and Dark Prince. They act as a Quicktime video, so you can either click on the link to view them in your browser or right-click to save to your hard drive. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones hits stores on December 1st. Video: Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones 3D Screenshot 1 (7.4 MB) Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones 3D Screenshot 2 (10.0 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 11 2005 1:10 AM [Top] SEGA Announces Two for DS in 2006 [ SEGA ] SEGA of America has announced it will be bringing two titles to the Nintendo DS in early 2006, from two critically-acclaimed franchises. First up, the sequel to the beloved DS launch title Feel the Magic: XY/XX, Where Do Babies Come From?, will be hitting stores in the US with a decisively less racy title. The game, now entitled The Rub Rabbits, will be released in February 2006, and will feature a slew of new minigames, as well as a feature the first game lacked: multiplayer. Also, the recently-revealed Super Monkey Ball DS will be hitting US stores next year, now titled Super Monkey Ball: Touch & Roll, complete with stylus control and tons of multiplayer modes. The simian fun kicks off in March 2006. Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 10 2005 18:46 PM [Top] Updated Info for Dr. Mario & Puzzle League (GBA) [ Nintendo ] Addictive puzzle action is coming to the palm of your hand with Dr. Mario & Puzzle League – two fantastic puzzle games on one game pak. * Dr. Mario requires equal parts strategy and speed to achieve victory. The object of Dr. Mario is to delete viruses by throwing vitamin capsules into a bottle. To delete the nasty critters, players must form a row of four or more same-colored capsules or viruses. Since many viruses are trapped at the bottom of the bottle, players must plan ahead in order to eliminate them. * The object of Puzzle League is to form a chain of three or more same-colored blocks. The blocks will rise from the bottom of the screen, forcing players to make decisions in the blink of an eye. When players match up shapes, the blocks on top will fall onto other matching blocks, creating a very satisfying combo effect. This game also has unusual depth in terms of options and settings, such as adjusting the speed of the cursor or the kinds of blocks on the screen, which let players create a custom game experience. How to progress through Dr. Mario: If capsules touch the top of the bottle, it's game over. If players can clear all the viruses, they will go to the next stage and receive a new bottle. Dr. Mario has multiple game-play modes, including Classic, Vs. CPU, two-player Vs. and Flash, and players can compete with a friend by using the Game Boy Advance Game Link cable. How to progress through Puzzle League: If the stack of blocks reaches the top of the screen, the game will end – so keep clearing them. There are tons of fun modes in Puzzle League, including Marathon, Vs. CPU, Garbage, Line, Timed and Flash, players can play with a friend by using the Game Boy Advance Game Link cable. Dr. Mario & Puzzle League release on December 5 in North America. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Thursday, November 10 2005 13:03 PM [Top] Get the Revolution Controller Early...Sort of [ Nintendo of Japan ] When Nintendo finally revealed the controller for their upcoming new console, codenamed Revolution, back in September, fans were skeptical of how the unique device would feel when playing games. Now, gamers will get their chance...well, kind of. Nintendo has announced that, in a special offer exclusive to Platinum and Gold members of Club Nintendo, the Japan-only membership club for Nintendo fans, they will release a universal remote control designed after the upcoming Revolution remote. While it will be only good for changing channels and not for gaming, the remote should give users a good idea of how the Revolution controller will feel when the console is released next year. Nintendo has not announced if the controller replica will be released in the US as well, but we'll keep an eye on that. Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 9 2005 0:25 AM [Top] Super Mario Strikers Screenshots [ Nintendo ] The superstars of the Mario universe now play soccer with major attitude. The look, feel and play are more aggressive than what everyone expects from a Mario sports title. Slide, tackle or die. Characters drawn from the Mario universe play over-the-top, attitude-inspired soccer unlike anything previously seen in the Mushroom Kingdom. Players hone their skills as they work their way up the ranks – they'll have to bring their best game to win the ultimate Super Cup Battle. Super Mario Strikers will be released on December 5th (along with many other Nintendo titles). Hit the links and check out the screens. Images: Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 1 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 2 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 3 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 4 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 5 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 6 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 7 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 8 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 9 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 10 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 11 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 12 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 13 Super Mario Strikers Screenshot 14 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 14:12 PM [Top] Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshots [ Nintendo ] Players can test their backhand in this role-playing tennis adventure. In this sequel to Mario Tennis for Game Boy Color, players have to train hard in the Royal Tennis Academy if they want to be champions. Players gain experience and improve skills through lessons and tournaments, but in the end, they have to beat Mario at his own game if they want to rise to the top of the ranks. Play as Mario, Peach, Waluigi or Donkey Kong® in a slew of wild modes. As players advance through the story, they unlock even more characters, all with their own power moves. Link up with a friend or three for even more frantic fun. Mario Tennis: Power Tour will be released for the Game Boy Advance on December 5th. Hit the links for the screens. Images: Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 1 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 2 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 3 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 4 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 5 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 6 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 7 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 8 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 9 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 10 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 11 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 12 Mario Tennis: Power Tour Screenshot 13 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 14:06 PM [Top] Mario Party 7 Screenshots [ Nintendo ] Grab seven of your closest friends and get ready for the wildest, craziest party ever. With six new boards, two new characters and dozens upon dozens of new minigames, Mario Party 7 will keep you rockin'. Toadsworth has invited Mario and all his friends to go on a luxury cruise aboard the MSS Sea Star. However, someone gets left behind: Bowser. Furious at being omitted from the exclusive guest list, the Koopa King vows revenge. When the cruise ship arrives at its first destination, the passengers discover that Bowser has turned their vacation paradise into a stress-filled madhouse. Mario Party 7 was shipped yesterday and should be in stores today or sometime later this week. Look at the screens and then get your ass out there and go buy it, slacker. Images: Mario Party 7 Screenshot 1 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 2 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 3 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 4 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 5 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 6 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 7 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 8 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 9 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 10 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 11 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 12 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 13 Mario Party 7 Screenshot 14 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 14:02 PM [Top] Mario Kart DS Screenshots [ Nintendo ] Drawing on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series – not to mention tons of new ones – the true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits finally will be crowned. Turbo power-drifting and item tossing is the order of the day, whether players are racing around an obstacle-filled track or battling in an arena. Use familiar items taken from every game in the series like Green Shells, homing Red Shells, Bananas, Bombs, Lightning and the destructive Spiny Shell, not to mention new ones like the Blooper. The touch screen features a map that shows items being fired at players, who can even tap it with their fingers mid-race to zoom in or out. Mario Kart DS will be released next Monday, the 14th. Hit the links and check out the screens. Images: Mario Kart DS Screenshot 1 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 2 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 3 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 4 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 5 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 6 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 7 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 8 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 9 Mario Kart DS Screenshot 10 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:58 PM [Top] Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshots [ Nintendo ] Dr. Mario/Puzzle League is set to release on the Game Boy Advance on December 5th. This is a pretty straight forward game, it is classic Dr. Mario and Puzzle League. If you never played Dr. Mario it is very easy to sum up, it is Tetris with Mario and pills. If this is still to hard to understand, then just hit the damn links below and look at the screens. Images: Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 1 (Box Art) Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 2 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 3 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 4 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 5 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 6 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 7 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 8 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 9 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 10 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 11 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 12 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 13 Dr. Mario/Puzzle League Screenshot 14 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:55 PM [Top] Animal Crossing: Wild World Screens [ Nintendo ] Players make their own stories. A player and up to three friends move into a village and just live life, extend a home, interact with their neighbors and explore the village. Much of the cast of the original Animal Crossing returns, including animals of all shapes and personality types: K.K. Slider, Tom Nook, Blathers, Mr. Resetti and more. There are also a number of new characters. New to this game is the fact that all the neighbors have hobbies, so helping them collect fish, bugs or other things will become a fun pastime. Animal Crossing: Wild Ones will be released on the Nintendo DS on December 5th. Hit the links to check out the new images. Images: Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 1 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 2 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 3 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 4 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 5 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 6 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 7 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 8 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 9 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 10 Animal Crossing: Wild World Screenshot 11 Matthew Silver -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:42 PM [Top] Updated Info and Screens for True Swing Golf (NDS) [ Nintendo ] Players pick one of eight characters (four male and four female), select a personality and hit the tour. From there they can play in tournaments, practice, play a quick round or play in local wireless mode with pals. * Touch Swing control: In this realistic golf game, swing control mimics real life. Players simply slide the stylus across the touch screen to strike the ball and send it flying. They can even curve their swing to slice or hook shots and alter the angle of the club head for sharpshooter-like accuracy. * More than 15 impressive 3-D courses, all with their own hazards and strategies, test players' skills. Players earn better gear by winning tournaments to help them compete. * With several game modes, character customization and wireless multiplayer support for up to four players with just one game card, there's something here for all golfers, no matter what their skill levels. Characters: Four males and four females. Each can have a “cool” or “wild” personality. How to progress through the game: Play tournaments to go up in the rankings, which earns more money to buy better gear. As players customize their characters' clubs, spikes and other gear, their game will improve and they will unlock more and more courses. Special powers/weapons/moves/features: The intuitive control of the game is the true special move, as it quickly immerses veteran golfers and novices alike. Players simply touch the screen to switch clubs, aim their shot, view camera angles or make menu selections. Once they're ready to swing, they just touch the club head, draw it back and swing it forward to make contact. Adjusting the angle of the club face allows players to hook or slice the ball, and a precise swing will always pay off in the end. For multiplayer games, players can play with up to four people over local wireless with a single game card using DS Download Play (or with multiple ones for more options in DS Local Area Network). Players also can download a demo to other Nintendo DS systems. True Swing Golf, formerly Touch Golf, hits the links on January 23. Images: True Swing Golf Screenshot 1 True Swing Golf Screenshot 2 True Swing Golf Screenshot 3 True Swing Golf Screenshot 4 True Swing Golf Screenshot 5 True Swing Golf Screenshot 6 True Swing Golf Screenshot 7 True Swing Golf Screenshot 8 True Swing Golf Screenshot 9 True Swing Golf Screenshot 10 True Swing Golf Screenshot 11 True Swing Golf Screenshot 12 True Swing Golf Screenshot 13 True Swing Golf Screenshot 14 True Swing Golf Screenshot 15 True Swing Golf Screenshot 16 True Swing Golf Screenshot 17 True Swing Golf Screenshot 18 True Swing Golf Screenshot 19 Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:09 PM [Top] Updated Info for Super Princess Peach (NDS) [ Nintendo ] After Bowser gets hold of something called a magical Vibe Wand, he kidnaps Mario and Luigi and heads back to his castle on Vibe Island with an emotional troop of minions in tow. Intent on rescuing the Mario Bros., Peach gives chase, only to find herself affected by the emotional vibes given off by the island. Using these newfound vibes to channel special abilities, she sets off to rescue Mario and Luigi. (Note that area and item names are not final) * Bowser's finally gotten wise and kidnapped Mario, figuring that since he's the guy who normally does the rescuing, no one will be around to rescue him. He's in for a big surprise, though, because Peach is armed (with a parasol) and dangerous. * Besides whacking Bowser's minions with her parasol, Peach can channel emotional vibes into special abilities: floating through the air when she's happy, burning through bridges when she's mad or making vegetation grow with her tears. * Join the princess as she runs, jumps, floats and fights her way through eight worlds to where Mario's being held. Characters: Peach, her magical parasol, Parry, Bowser. Mario and Luigi have minor roles, as they've been kidnapped. How to progress through the game: Players play through eight areas, each composed of several stages and a boss, as they search out imprisoned Toads and collect coins. While running and jumping through stages, players must use Peach's vibes to break through impediments, conquer impossibly high cliffs and defeat enemies. To build up Peach's vibe powers, players collect gems or pick up enemies with her magic parasol and absorb them. Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Peach can run, jump and slide, not to mention use her parasol to whack things, pick items up and even float across water. Besides that, she has four vibes that give her special abilities. -Joy: Peach whirls about like a cyclone, creating air currents that will spin windmills, clear away enemies or even lift her high into the air. -Rage: Peach catches fire, burning enemies and wood impediments. -Gloom: Peach weeps and runs incredibly fast, during which time she's invincible. Her tears can cause plants to grow, among other things. -Calm: Peach becomes invincible and slowly regains health. (Note that vibe names are not final) Super Princess Peach comes to North America on February 27. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:06 PM [Top] Updated Info for Odama (GCN) [ Nintendo ] A main character in Odama is Yamanouchi Kagetora, a young general struggling to avenge his clan and preserve the Way of Ninten, a philosophy that puts the greater good above the individual's needs. With this philosophy to guide him, he finds that his individual soldiers can band together to create a force strong enough to defeat even the most powerful enemy, here a general named Genshin who killed his father. Kagetora exacts his revenge, using only limited resources against a vast army. One of these resources is a sacred object protected by his clan: a legendary weapon called the Odama. * Using giant flippers, players aim the giant Odama ball to bowl over enemies, shatter their defenses and wreak havoc on the battlefield. * With the Nintendo GameCube Mic, players command men to charge the enemy, defend positions, seize the enemy gates and much more. How to progress through the game: The L and R buttons control the flippers, which operate exactly like those in any pinball game: they smack the Odama back into the battlefield, directing it into targets and away from soldiers. Players also can tilt the battlefield, allowing them to alter the course of the Odama once they've hit it into the fray. Using the Nintendo GameCube Mic, players will direct soldiers by giving voice commands to them. The goal is to shatter the enemy gates with the Odama and direct a crew of men carrying a giant bell to pass through the opened gates. Players' soldiers will defend their crew and seize enemy positions to protect their men on the mission. Special powers/weapons/moves/features: The Nintendo GameCube Mic is the most important addition to this title. By holding down the X button on the controller, players activate the microphone. There is a vast array of commands that Odama can understand, allowing players to order their soldiers to charge through the enemy ranks, retreat, line up in formation or carry items, just to name a few. Odama is slated for a March 6 release. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 13:00 PM [Top] Updated Info and Screens for Final Fantasy IV (GBA) [ Nintendo ] The king of Baron has directed his loyal Red Wings armada to steal the sacred crystals from the neighboring nations. When the king commands his dark knight, Cecil, to destroy the village of Mist for its crystal, Cecil abandons the king and vows to put an end to his madness. Taking his friends and Rydia, the sole survivor of Mist’s destruction, Cecil embarks on a quest to set the world right and to make amends for the atrocities he committed in the king’s name. * Players test their skills in a new, 50-level dungeon, or strengthen their characters in the training dungeon. * Study foes with the Bestiary, or listen to the legendary score using the soundtrack player. * Experience never-before-seen story sequences as party members are switched. How to progress through the game: Players wander freely on the “world map,” getting into random monster battles and fighting their way from location to location, discovering more of the story as they go. The battles take place on a separate screen. Players enter their attack commands, and when their opportunity to attack comes, their characters perform the attacks, which range from sword strikes to magical blows. Players can swap out the characters in their parties, so that they can use black or white mages, lance-wielding dragoons, knights and paladins and thieves, to name a few. Each character has a unique set of attacks and abilities. Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Final Fantasy IV introduced the Active Time Battle system, a variation on the turn-based combat system of standard RPGs. Time passes during battles, and if players do not input a command, enemies will attack repeatedly without waiting for players to take their turn. FFIV launches December 12 of this year. Images: Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 1 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 2 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 3 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 4 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 5 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 6 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 7 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 8 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 9 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 10 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 11 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 12 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 13 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 14 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 15 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 16 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 17 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 18 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 19 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 20 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 21 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 22 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 23 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 24 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 25 Final Fantasy IV Advance Screenshot 26 Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 12:59 PM [Top] Updated Info and Screens for Electroplankton (NDS) [ Nintendo ] In Electroplankton, players poke, rub and draw on the touch screen to stimulate odd aquatic plankton and create their own music. Each of the 10 unique Electroplankton features a completely different sound and visual style: -Tracy: Draw lines through the water and listen as the plankton swim along the path to create mysterious music. -Hanenbow: Launch adorable plankton through the air and listen to the music they make as they bounce from leaf to leaf. -Luminaria: Tap arrows to create intricate paths the plankton will follow to create mesmerizing songs. -Sun-Animalcule: Use the stylus to plant plankton eggs. Marvel as they emit sound and light as they grow. -Rec-Rec: A plankton that acts as a sampler, allowing players to record up to four sounds and layer them over drum loops. -Nanocarp: Players clap their hands to set microscopic synchronized swimmers into action. -Lumiloop: Spin donut-shaped sea creatures with the stylus to hear them emit warm, humming tones. -Marine-Snow: Stir these delicate snow-crystal plankton to create haunting piano melodies. -Beatnes: Players tap these wriggling creatures to create their own funky NES remixes. -Volvoice: Players use this plankton to record their voices (or any other sound they can think of), then warp and twist them beyond recognition. Electroplankton comes Stateside on January 9 Images: Electroplankton Logo Electroplankton Screenshot 1 Electroplankton Screenshot 2 Electroplankton Screenshot 3 Electroplankton Screenshot 4 Electroplankton Screenshot 5 Electroplankton Screenshot 6 Electroplankton Screenshot 7 Electroplankton Screenshot 8 Electroplankton Screenshot 9 Electroplankton Screenshot 10 Electroplankton Screenshot 11 Electroplankton Screenshot 12 Electroplankton Screenshot 13 Electroplankton Screenshot 14 Electroplankton Screenshot 15 Electroplankton Screenshot 16 Electroplankton Screenshot 17 Electroplankton Screenshot 18 Electroplankton Screenshot 19 Electroplankton Screenshot 20 Electroplankton Screenshot 21 Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 12:53 PM [Top] Updated Info and Screens for Drill Dozer (GBA) [ Nintendo ] Jill is the spunky daughter of the big boss of the Red Dozers, a friendly band of thieves. She may be a little girl, but she’s a skilled Drill Dozer robot pilot. Her father is in critical condition after being attacked by the Skullker gang. During the attack, the gang also steals her most prized possession, a red diamond given to her by her deceased mother. While her father recuperates, it’s up to Jill to take over as the big boss, demolish the Skullkers with her Drill Dozer and get her red diamond back. * Players use the devastating Drill Dozer to demolish walls, rooms, furniture, enemies and almost anything else they can think of. * They experience classic side-scrolling platformer action as they jump across chasms, bore through blocks and latch onto lifts to reach secret treasures. With the right equipment, the Drill Dozer can even fly or operate under water. * Explore every inch of the world in search of hidden gears that’ll make the Drill Dozer even more powerful. Players also can grab piles of Chips and spend them at the shop to buy devastating new drill tips, energy tanks and more. How to progress through the game: Players use the Drill Dozer to smash through walls, doors, blocks, furniture, enemies and anything else that gets in their way. Use the L and R buttons to rotate the drill either direction and press Up or Down on the Control Pad to drill up or down. Hunt for gears hidden throughout the areas to power up the drill and bore through even tougher materials. Pick up Chips that fall from defeated enemies and demolished items and use them to buy upgrades at the shop. There are six areas to explore in all, each with multiple stages. Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Two extra gears are scattered throughout every area – finding them allows players to shift up and spin their drill at blazing speeds. They also can find special equipment that gives them the ability to fly or operate underwater. Players spend hard-earned Chips at the shop to buy new drill bits that allow them to drill through hardened and metal blocks or extra energy tanks that allow them to take extra punishment. They also can purchase maps that unlock access to bonus levels. Look for Drill Dozer to hit stores on February 6. Images: Drill Dozer Screenshot 1 Drill Dozer Screenshot 2 Drill Dozer Screenshot 3 Drill Dozer Screenshot 4 Drill Dozer Screenshot 5 Drill Dozer Screenshot 6 Drill Dozer Screenshot 7 Drill Dozer Screenshot 8 Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 12:49 PM [Top] Updated Info for Chibi-Robo (GCN) [ Nintendo ] Chibi-Robo is a gift to a little girl whose father wants her to have the best birthday ever. Chibi-Robo isn't just a toy, though. He's a household helper whose sole task is to bring happiness to his family. Chibi is only 3 inches tall, but he's capable of some impressive feats. *Use items like the Chibi-Copter and Chibi-Blaster, among others, to accomplish tasks such as getting to hard-to-reach places, cleaning litter, and scrubbing stains off the floor. * Chibi finds special costumes throughout the game. By putting on the costumes, Chibi can do even more: Dressing like a frog allows him to speak to frogs. Dressing like Space Hunter Drake Redcrest allows him to join Drake on his nightly patrols. Dressing as a dog allows him to speak with the family canine, while wearing his pajamas allows him to jump from day to night. * Chibi's goal is to bring happiness to his family. He has a whole house to explore however he wants, looking for wrongs to right and ways to make his family members' lives better. However, his battery life is limited, so he needs to recharge by plugging into wall outlets. Certain tasks require more energy, and Chibi must watch his power levels carefully. Game Storyline: For her eighth birthday, little Jenny receives a very strange gift from her toy-fanatic father – a little robot named Chibi-Robo. But Jenny's mother isn't happy, because Jenny's father has just quit his job at a robotics plant for reasons he won't explain. Chibi-Robo helps around the house, doing whatever he can to bring happiness to this troubled family. When the robotic Spydorz show up, it's up to Chibi-Robo to protect his family from the evil plans of Macroware Robotics, Inc. Chibi-Robo launches on February 6 in North America. Images: Chibi-Robo Screenshot 1 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 2 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 3 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 4 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 5 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 6 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 7 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 8 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 9 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 10 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 11 Chibi-Robo Screenshot 12 Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Tuesday, November 8 2005 12:46 PM [Top] New GUN Trailer [ GameCube Café ] Set in the untamed West of the late-1800s, GUN is a free-roaming action-adventure game that takes players to a world without laws where greed, lust and murder are rampant. As Colton White, a vengeful gunslinger, players must straddle the line between good and evil as they showdown against corrupt lawmen, a murderous preacher, renegade army psychopaths, merciless outlaws and unforgiving Native Americans, while waging war on horseback, collecting bounties, and commandeering trains. Players travel through an action-packed landscape of high mountain wilderness, deserts and bustling territorial towns in an epic story of betrayal, greed, and revenge. GUN hits stores for the Nintendo GameCube on November 15th. Check out the latest screenshots of what's sure to be a huge title by hitting the link below. Video: GUN Trailer (29.1 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 23:35 PM [Top] New True Crime: New York City Screenshots [ Activision ] Players wield the ultimate power as a rogue street cop in True Crime: New York City, the first in a two-part series of True Crime games set in New York. Gamers assume the role of Marcus Reed, a former criminal turned cop, and use and abuse their authority to hunt down the murderer of Marcus’ mentor while also cleaning up Manhattan neighborhoods from Harlem to Chinatown. Undercover investigations weave players through a murderous web of gangs and deceit as they battle crooks, Marcus’ past and everything else the city throws at them. The game will also feature a special secret: Rapper Redman will not only be featured in the game, but unlockable as a playable character. Check out the latest screenshots of Redman in action below, and watch for True Crime: New York City to hit stores November 15th. Images: True Crime: New York City Screenshot 1 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 2 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 3 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 4 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 5 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 6 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 7 True Crime: New York City Screenshot 8 Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 23:09 PM [Top] New Final Fantasy IV Advance Trailer [ GameCube Café ] The king of Baron has directed his loyal Red Wings armada to steal the sacred crystals from the neighboring nations. When the king commands his dark knight, Cecil, to destroy the village of Mist for its crystal, Cecil abandons the king and vows to put an end to his madness. Taking his friends and Rydia, the sole survivor of Mist’s destruction, Cecil embarks on a quest to set the world right and to make amends for the atrocities he committed in the king’s name. Previously released as Final Fantasy II for the Super NES, Final Fantasy IV Advance features improved graphics, enhanced music and an expanded storyline. Final Fantasy IV introduced the Active Time Battle system, a variation on the turn-based combat system of standard RPGs. Time passes during battles, and if players do not input a command, enemies will attack repeatedly without waiting for players to take their turn. Final Fantasy IV Advance will hit stores for the Game Boy Advance on December 12th. Check out the first trailer from the highly-anticipated remake by clicking the link. Video: Final Fantasy IV Advance Trailer (5.9 MB) Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 22:59 PM [Top] Mother 3 Finally on the Way [ Nintendo of Japan ] It's been delayed, thought to be cancelled, and rumored to be released for every Nintendo console since the SNES. Now, it's finally official - Mother 3 (the sequel to the game known in the US as Earthbound) is officially in development. Shigetsao Itoi confirmed in his blog at Nintendo's official site that the game is not only being worked on, but is very close to complete, with a release confirmed for early next year on the Game Boy Advance. It remains to be seen if Nintendo will localize the title to the US, but with the thinning GBA release lineup it's very likely. Click the source link above for a teaser website for the upcoming title. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 20:57 PM [Top] Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Site Officially Opens [ Nintendo ] Nintendo has officially launched the website for it's upcoming Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, and it looks to be jam-packed with all the features the Wi-Fi Connection will offer. The website will be a great resource for gamers to find friends to play with, check out their standings among racers, statistics, and also to access their player profile via their Nintendo.com account. The site also features a vast troubleshooting system to check information about router compatibility, hotspot locations, and help with connection and other problems. The Nintendo Wi-Fi website will be a great resource for all gamers when the service officially launches next week with the releases of Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk's American Sk8Land, on November 14th. To check out the site, click the above source link. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 20:44 PM [Top] Mario's Passport To Fun [ Nintendo ] Imagine your closest friends embarking on a cruise ship to some of the most awe-inspiring destinations around the world and the great times they surely have in store for themselves. Now, imagine you get left behind. As the story goes, Toadsworth invited Mario and all his pals to take a luxury voyage aboard the MSS Sea Star. Bowser finds himself absent from the guest list and begins conniving to ruin their excursion. After all – if he can't have fun, no one should have fun. With the Nov. 7 launch of Mario Party 7 for Nintendo GameCube, see what trouble he stirs up. The Mario Party series has sold more than 5 million copies in the United States, putting it in the ranks of the most popular video game franchises of all time. Playing like a virtual board game, it has also been highly popular among college students. And now, for the first time ever, with Mario Party 7, it can bring an entire family together with its eight-player action. The game promises to be a great value with a special offer for the holidays. A bundle will be available for a limited time that includes a Nintendo GameCube, two controllers and Mario Party 7, all at an MSRP of just $99.99. Two new characters, Birdo and Dry Bones, join the party, while the video game features 86 new mini-games, 11 of which use the included Nintendo GameCube Mic that allows players to control the action with their voices. It's like 86 games merged into one, with playable characters that include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Daisy, Wario, Waluigi, Boo, Toad and Toadette. Players explore the world with six new game boards that serve as exotic ports of call, including Pyramid Park, Pagoda Peak, Grand Canal, Windmillville, Neon Heights and Bowser World. Bowser has made a mess of traditionally lovely vacation spots, as he has other plans for his friendly sightseers while he turns the vacationing paradise into a tension-filled madhouse. Matthew Silver -- Posted on Monday, November 7 2005 13:00 PM [Top] Mario Kart DS Site Launches [ Nintendo ] Nintendo has opened the official site for the Nintendo DS's biggest fall release, Mario Kart DS. The website gives yo