Today's Special Archives: November 2007

News Archives Index Smash Bros. Update - Classic Melee Stages [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Another nice surprise from Sakurai over at the Dojo today, as it has been revealed that many classic stages from the original Super Smash Bros. Melee will be returning for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The first stage revealed is the Hyrule Temple, arguably Melee's most popular battleground. While Sakurai and his team tried to make an exact replica, he does admit that some sections won't be perfect. Also, while most of the classic stages will have the exact same music as their Melee incarnations, a few will have their music changed. For example, there is the new Temple theme, which you can check out by hitting the source link. It combines Melee's Temple theme with the theme from Zelda II's final dungeon, which the stage was based upon. Check out some screens of the new Temple below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 30 2007 12:17 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Events Mode [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update is all about Events Mode, making its return from Super Smash Bros. Melee. In Brawl, players will be able to battle through a series of predetermined situations, each with different criteria to win. The battles now have pictures on the menu to make them easy to understand, as well as three different difficulty settings - Easy, Normal, or Hard. Here's a sample of a few of them: Two Trouble Kings - Playing as Mario, do battle against King Dedede and Bowser. Pink Ball Repulsion - As Meta Knight, try to keep Kirby from reaching Battleship Halberd by defeating him in a certain amount of time. Cleaning House in Skyworld - As Pit, break all of the platforms in the Skyworld stage, while battling Wario. Sleeping in the Eggs - As Yoshi, use his Egg Lay move to trap bot Pikachu and Kirby in eggs. Dark Link Duel - As Link, face off with Dark Link in a Stamina match. Check out some screens below Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 29 2007 16:04 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Wario's Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update brings us the Final Smash finishing move of Wario. After he grabs a Smash Ball and wolfs down a clove of garlic, Wario transforms into the ultimate defender of all that is disgusting, Wario-Man! As Wario-Man, Wario can still use all of his normal attacks and special moves, now with added enhancements. For example, he can pummel opponents with boxing gloves, unleash a powerful shoulder tackle (taken from the Wario Land games), and even fly using his aerial attacks. One move you shouldn't use, however, is his motorcycle attack. Doing so makes the cycle go so fast, it's nigh impossible to stay on the stage. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 29 2007 1:45 AM [Top] Everyone's Nintendo Channel Launches in Japan [ Nintendo of Japan ] Nintendo has officially launched the Everyone's Nintendo Channel for the Wii in Japan. The channel allows for Wii owners to download trailers for upcoming Wii titles, and also open up a DS download station to check out demos of new and upcoming Nintendo DS games. While no word has been given on a US release of the channel, you can expect one will be coming soon. Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 28 2007 1:02 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Widescreen Mode [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. update reveals something that wasn't entirely unexpected - the fact that Super Smash Bros. Brawl will support 16x9 Widescreen for HDTVs. With this, you'll be able to see more of the playing field, and no worries, the left and right boundaries will remain the same no matter which mode you play in. Choosing between the two is extremely simple, and can be done from the options menus. Make sure you don't choose the wrong mode, as Sakurai shows with a helpful visual aid. Also, we get a nice little music update as well. Although he wasn't revealed on the initial roster of composers, Nintendo's legendary Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka will be debuting a brand-new mix of the classic Donkey Kong theme, taken from the original arcade classic. For screens, click below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 28 2007 0:30 AM [Top] VC Update - Gambling, Basketball, and...Dolphins? [ Nintendo ] DOUBLE DRIBBLE (NES, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the first 5-on-5, full-court home basketball game, is pure hoops action at its finest. While still a surprisingly accurate basketball game for its time, the frantic action keeps you on your toes as your players run from one end of the court to the other. Choose from a handful of teams and multiple levels of difficulty as you take on the computer alone or challenge a friend and see who has the better skills. Take the ball and sink shots from locations all over the court, or get in your opponent's face and do your best to block the shot. Better yet, drive the lane and rock the rim to see one of the game's trademark slam-dunk cut scenes. He shoots, he scores! Vegas Stakes (Super NES, 1-4 players, rated E for Everyone – Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points): Feel like taking a road trip to Las Vegas? Let your inner high roller go wild as you try your luck at five different games-blackjack, slots, poker, craps and roulette. Start with only $1,000 in your pocket and play your way through five casinos, each with a different theme and varying limits. But no one wants to gamble alone, right? Not a problem, as you'll be able to choose one of four friends to tag along and offer advice when you need it. Further enhancing the experience is the fact that you'll be presented with a slew of interactions with random casino patrons. Best be careful, though-your choices in these situations could either get you closer to the millions of dollars you're after or cost you a pile of that hard-earned cash. Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit or stand-do whatever it takes to stake your claim in Vegas and beat the house! Ecco Jr. (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The aquatic adventures of Ecco come to life for a younger generation of gamers. Perfect for kids, Ecco Jr. finds our young hero heading out to sea with a variety of tasks he must perform in order to get there. Along with his friends Tara the baby orca and Kitnee the young Atlantic dolphin, Ecco Jr. will interact with sea lions, sea horses and other aquatic life as he makes his journey to the Big Blue. Introduce your kids to the classic series of Ecco the Dolphin titles by downloading Ecco Jr. today. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 26 2007 21:41 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Control Configurations [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update goes into detail on Super Smash Bros. Brawl's many different styles of control. As has been previously revealed, the game will make use of four different forms of control, with the Wii Remote by itself, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Wii Classic Controller, and GameCube controller all being compatible with the game. In addition, players will be able to completely configure the controls to their liking, no matter with control style they choose. Players using either the Classic or GameCube controllers will be able to turns on and off the "Tap Jump" option, which toggles the ability to jump by pressing up on the control stick. This allows players to perform up moves easier, while still allowing players to jump using the X and Y buttons. Also, players using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk combo will be able to choose the "Shake Smash" option, which allows the player to execute a smash attack by shaking the Wii Remote. This is the first time we've heard motion controls being confirmed for use in Brawl. After selecting the scheme they think is right for them, players can them quickly demo the controls by hitting the button, or the Start button on the GameCube controller. Also, it looks like Sakurai has made good on one of his previous promises - players will be able to name their custom control scheme and save it to their Wii Remote, to bring it over to a friend's house. Yes Sakurai, it looks like you really have thought of everything. Screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 26 2007 21:38 PM [Top] Namco Gets Fragile [ Namco Bandai ] Namco Bandai has officially announced its plans for a Wii-exclusive RPG set to be released next year. Entitled Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, the game is being developed by tri-Crecendo, the same company behind Baten Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins for the GameCube, and more recently Eternal Sonata for the Xbox 360. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the entire planet is covered by an evil fog, where a boy named Seto must find survivors after the massive catastrophe. The Wii Remote will be used as a flashlight, used to see through the fog and solve puzzles. It will also be used as a metal detector, with which to discover treasure. To check out the game's official site, featuring a teaser trailer for the game, click the source link. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 26 2007 18:51 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Double Update A-Go-Go [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Brawl update is another two-for-one deal, with a look at the Final Smash of one of the game's many new characters, as well as another "How to play" feature for newbies to the series. Lucas's Final Smash is the PK Starstorm, which unleashes a mighty psychic attack that rains pure energy on all opponents. Due to the attack's relatively short range, it works better on small stages rather than larger ones. Today's other update is a look at charging up special attacks. As in previous games, certain attacks, such as Link's Hero's Bow and Pikachu's Skull Bash, can be charged up to increase their attack power. Also, other moves, like Samus's Charge Shot and DK's Giant Punch, can be charged to the max and then saved to unleash later. Check out some new screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Eric Jones -- Posted on Saturday, November 24 2007 14:05 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Saki Amamiya [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Break out the turkey and the stuffing - it's time for a Thanksgiving edition of the Smash Bros. Dojo update. While he doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving (you know, being Japanese and all), Masahiro Sakurai has seen fit to reveal a surprising new character who will appear from the game's Assist Trophy item. Saki Amamiya, the lead character from Sin & Punishment (released only in Japan on the N64 and recently released for the first time in the US on the Wii's Virtual Console), will pop out of the trophy on occasion and leap around the battlefield, using his trademark Cannon Sword weapon. He will attack all opponents without mercy, with moves that rival any main character. In fact, Sakurai wanted to make him a playable character, but couldn't include him. Still, he fits in pretty well. Check out some screens of Saki in action below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Artwork Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 22 2007 14:07 PM [Top] Super Mario Galaxy Rules the World [ Nintendo ] Could Super Mario Galaxy be the best video game of all time? If you ask critics and consumers, the answer is a resounding yes. Reviewers for video game and mainstream media alike are responding with high marks to the boundless sense of wonder and fun the game brings to both experienced and novice players. Independent review-tracking site GameRankings.com now lists Super Mario Galaxy for Nintendo's Wii system as the best-reviewed game of all time, and another review-tracking site, Metacritic.com, lists Super Mario Galaxy as having "Universal Acclaim," with a score of 98 out of 100. "Super Mario Galaxy had the strongest one-week debut of any Wii game to date and has also become the best-selling Mario title ever in its first week, with U.S. sales of more than 500,000, based on internal sales figures," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "It makes an easy gift choice as the holiday shopping season kicks off." Wii Café's own review of Super Mario Galaxy is forthcoming, so stay tuned. Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 21 2007 18:09 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Color Changes [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo details another popular returning feature in Super Smash Bros. Brawl making a return from its Melee incarnation - additional colors for the game's playable characters. Like in Melee, each character will have about six different colors to choose from, but this time around the color choices are more detailed. Mario will not only see the return of his Reverse, Wario, and...uh...Brown Mario color choices, but players will also be able to select Fire Mario as well. DK will appear in white for his Yeti DK form, while Link will don all black (and we mean ALL black) for a new version of Dark Link. Samus will make an appearance in her Fusion Suit (or, at least her power suit colored to resemble it), while Dark Fox will also be an available choice. Pikachu will retain its trademark hats, while Princess Zelda will have two new forms: Classic form, with blonde hair and pink accents on her dress, and the never-before seen Dark Zelda, with a black dress and white hair. Pit will appear in both a Gold and Dark form - I guess you could call them Archangel and Fallen Angel forms respectively. Ike will don the colors of an ordinary Fire Emblem soldier, while one of Snake's colors sees him in...leopard print? Anyway, this is only a sample of what we will see from different colors for the game's characters. To check out some screens, click below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 21 2007 18:00 PM [Top] New Zelda and Nintendogs DS Lite Bundles Official [ Nintendo ] Starting Nov. 23, Nintendo gives the holiday season a fresh blast of color with the launch of two special-edition Nintendo DS bundles. Each pairs a custom-color Nintendo DS system with one of the platform's hottest titles. The new Gold edition comes with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, while the Metallic Rose Nintendo DS comes with the "Best Friends" version of Nintendogs. The glimmering Gold edition of the Nintendo DS shows the world your passion for excellence and grandeur, since it comes bundled with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – the year's biggest hand-held adventure game – and is emblazoned with the series' signature Triforce logo. It's a shiny nugget that any gamer – girl or guy – would be proud to show off. For those looking for a different kind of dazzling color, the new pretty-in-pink Metallic Rose edition puts a futuristic sheen on your color scheme. It's bundled with Nintendogs, the acclaimed puppy-interaction software that lets players select, train and play with their own canine companions. And the hardware comes accented with a distinctive pink puppy paw print. Images: Legend of Zelda DS Lite Bundle Nintendogs DS Lite Bundle Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 21 2007 17:27 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Smart Bombs and Training [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's good ol' Smash update is another 2-for-1 deal, detailing both an item new for Super Smash Bros. Brawl and a mode returning from Super Smash Bros. Melee. The new item is the Smart Bomb, coming from the Star Fox series. As you may expect, you merely throw the bomb at an enemy, and a massive explosion occurs that nearly engulfs the entire stage, including everyone on it. Sakurai also takes this time to let us know that certain explosive items, such as the Smart Bomb, will randomly be duds and not explode. The same can also be said for certain exploding Pokémon, such as Electrode. The other update today reveals that the Training mode will return from Melee, allowing Smash newcomers to get a feel of the characters before stepping into the fracas. Pausing the game in Training allows players to tweak the situation to how they want to train, including having 2-4 dummy or computer-controlled opponents, as many items as necessary, and in a cool new feature, put the action in slow-motion to work on timing dodges and combos. Check out some screens of all the new stuff below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Artwork Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 21 2007 1:57 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Ice Climbers' Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update features the Final Smash finishing move of the Ice Climbers. Called the Iceberg, the attack is, as you'd expect, a giant iceberg appearing and encompassing the entire stage. The attack freezes the entire stage, making the platforms slippery and difficult to move on, and also damages and occasionally freezes opponents. Check out the screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 20 2007 1:05 AM [Top] Birthday Fun on the Virtual Console [ Nintendo ] Nintendo celebrates the Wii's birthday with three classics from three different systems today featuring Mario, Luigi, Sonic, and more. Check them out: Wrecking Crew (NES, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): In the days before Mario and Luigi became sports stars in their downtime between plumbing and saving the Princess, they tried their hands as one-man wrecking crews. With a hammer as their only tool, players take control of the brothers and set out to destroy ladders, rip out pipes, knock down walls and detonate explosive devices. But make sure to plan your path of destruction carefully, as each building is designed as its own clever puzzle—if you're not careful, you can easily trap yourself in a dead end. Adding to the excitement and challenge are fireballs, enemies and an angry foreman roaming the buildings. They're all trying to stop you from moving on to the next stage. With 100 buildings to demolish and the ability to construct your own, it's a wonder Mario and Luigi ever got back to saving the Mushroom Kingdom. Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The evil Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) stumbles upon an alternate dimension where some odd birds called Flickies have the ability to travel anywhere. In order to get help in his search for the Chaos Emeralds, Dr. Eggman transforms the Flickies into robots that will help him track down his coveted gems. Of course, it's up to our favorite blue hedgehog, Sonic, to step in and save the day. Jump into this 3-D adventure as Sonic or his buddy Tails, and collect the golden rings to help free the Flickies and defeat the doctor. Super Air Zonk (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): Zonk is back in Super Air Zonk, the sequel to the shooting game spin-off of the Bonk series, Air “Zonk.” Now moving to a rockabilly beat and able to transform into nine different characters, Zonk lets loose through seven action-packed stages in another battle against his arch nemesis, SandroVitch. Power up Zonk with the classic Meat item, eventually turning him into the champion of justice, Ultra Zonk, or the fearsome Tyrano Zonk in the latter stages of the game. After rescuing his friends from enemies, Zonk can also morph with them to combine powers. Fight enemies with killer tunes belted out from a trusty microphone. Hurl freshly made sushi at them. With its variety of wacky attacks, Super Air Zonk has a sense of humor all its own. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Monday, November 19 2007 10:44 AM [Top] Happy Birthday, Wii! [ Wii Café ] Has it really been so long already? Today, our favorite little console turns one year old, and is sitting on top of the world, with no signs of letting up any time soon, on pace to become the biggest home console in history. It's really kind of redundant to talk about the console's success at this point, as we all know about it. So fire up Mario and give your Wii some attention today; I know I will. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Monday, November 19 2007 10:42 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Spectator Mode [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Sakurai has been saying that Super Smash Bros. Brawl would have some unique online modes, and now, we have another one to add. Spectator mode will allow players the chance to view Smash matches taking place over Wi-Fi in the "with anyone" mode, as they sit back and enjoy the brawl. Match selection is completely random, and no information about the brawlers' personal data is displayed. While this sounds rather lame, you can in fact bet coins (obtained in Classic mode) on which character you feel will win the match, with the possibility of a bigger payout with more players. Also, losers will still get some stickers. If you don't want spectators to view your matches, you can turn the option off in the Wi-Fi options menu. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Eric Jones -- Posted on Sunday, November 18 2007 16:18 PM [Top] Family Ski Uses Wii Balance Board [ Joystiq ] A lot of people were pretty flabbergasted to find that NamcoBandai's "Family Ski" for the Wii did not use the upcoming Wii Balance Board peripheral. It seems the higher ups were listening though, and now they've announced that indeed it is compatible with Family Ski. There is no U.S. release scheduled at the moment, but it is due to Japan late 2007 to early 2008, just in time for winter. Joe McCollum -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 15:34 PM [Top] Ghostbusters Announced for Wii and DS [ Sierra ] Sierra Entertainment and Sony Pictures Consumer Products jointly announced today development of Ghostbusters™ The Video Game, based on the classic films that have transcended and entertained generations of audiences. To deliver a special gaming experience to the tremendous Ghostbusters' fan base around the world, the game will feature the original film cast from Columbia Pictures' classic Ghostbusters films, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, back again for the first time in more than 20 years. Supporting the ghost busting crew are the talents of Annie Potts, Brian Doyle Murray and William Atherton. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets, players will hunt, fight and capture a wide range of supernatural villains in a funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague. Good news for Ghostbuster fans: Dan Akyroid and Harold Ramis will be writing the script for the GhostBusters game. Ghostbusters will be haunting the Wii and DS Fall 2008. Joe McCollum -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 15:29 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Meta Knight Double Update [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update deals with the special moves of another new character, Meta Knight. Although his moves were revealed in a previous update, this updater goes more in-depth with exactly what Kirby's rival can do. Meta Knight's standard special attack is the Mach Tornado, which sucks up foes in a whirlwind and sends them flying. You can also rise off the ground a bit by tapping the button. For his side special, Meta Knight executes the Drill Rush, which allows him to spin like a drill to the left or right, attacking all in his way. You can also tilt up or down on the control stick to change your trajectory. Meta Knight's up special is the Shuttle Loop, which makes him rise up with a quick sword slash. He can also link this into a glide. His down special is the Dimensional Cape, which makes him disappear quickly, then reappear to either the left or right, depending how you tilt the control stick. If you tap the attack button before you reappear, Meta Knight will then execute some rapid-fire sword attacks. Fortunately, a reiteration of some old info wasn't the only thing we got for today's update. There's also a brand-new music update, this time featuring the theme from Meta Knight's Halberd stage. It's a redone version of Meta Knight's theme from Kirby's Super Star, and this jazzy, uppity tune doesn't exactly mix well with the drama of Meta Knight's stage, but oh well. Check that out by clicking the source link. Also, check out some new screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 1:56 AM [Top] Master of Illusion Screenshot Sets [ Nintendo ] Did you know Nintendo DS was magic? It is now, as Master of Illusion first teaches users how to perform incredible magic and card tricks, then acts as an assistant as they perform for others. Once users learn how to secretly read the enclosed cards, they'll become master magicians in no time. Master of Illusion puts an entire magic show in the palm of your hand. Master of Illusion contains step-by-step tutorials on more than 20 different tricks, allowing budding magicians to master the nuances of performance long before show time. Tricks use all facets of Nintendo DS – magicians will draw faces that speak the name of the audience's card, or audibly instruct a dog to fetch a selected item. There are also several solitaire games for downtime between performances. Amaze, and be amazed! Many of the tricks are auto-performing, so users will be wowed long before they learn how it's done. Once they do, they can hand the DS off and watch others be amazed as well. Check out five sets of screens from the game below. Each shows in sequence the game's various tricks Images: Master of Illusion Screenshot Set 1 Master of Illusion Screenshot Set 2 Master of Illusion Screenshot Set 3 Master of Illusion Screenshot Set 4 Master of Illusion Screenshot Set 5 Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 1:32 AM [Top] Professor Layton and the Curious Village Boxart and Logo [ Nintendo ] Professor Layton and the Curious Village is one of the most unique games coming out for any console next year, combing the storytelling and narrative of an RPG with the brain-twisting mind teasers of a puzzle game. The game has an impressive pedigree, as it is being developed by the highly-lauded Level 5, who previously worked on Dragon Quest VIII, Rogue Galaxy, and the Dark Cloud series (all for PS2), and is currently in the works with Dragon Quest IX for the Nintendo DS. Check out the game's boxart and logo below. Images: Professor Layton and the Curious Village Boxart Professor Layton and the Curious Village Logo Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 1:26 AM [Top] Endless Ocean Boxart [ Nintendo ] Nintendo has released the official boxart of the upcoming diving simulator Endless Ocean. Although little is known about the game, we do know it will feauture a multitude of sea creatures large and small to interact with, as well as online co-op. Check out the box below. Images: Endless Ocean Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 1:02 AM [Top] Super Smash Bros. Brawl High-Res Boxart [ Nintendo ] Finally, Nintendo has released a high-resolution version of the boxart for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. As you may very well know by now thanks to the constant updates, the game is going to likely be the Wii's defining multiplayer experience, and it's going to absolutely rule. It launches, as you probably know by now, on February 10th, 2008. Check out the boxart below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl High-Res Boxart Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 16 2007 1:00 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Handicaps [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's good ol' Smash Bros. Update deals with the game's handicap system. Like in previous titles, Super Smash Bros. Brawl will allow you to give yourself a handicap to even out the playing field, when facing inexperienced players. However, it's how the handicap is administered that's been changed: instead of weakening your character, the Brawl handicap system will start players off at a set amount of damage that you can choose. When you die, you'll restart at that same point. In addition, you can choose the "Auto" command, which will gradually increase your damage as the fight goes on. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 15 2007 0:12 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Multiple Taunts [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] In a nice little addition to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Dojo has revealed that each character will now have three different taunts to use in the heat of battle, each executed by pressing a different direction on the D-pad. For example, with Link, hitting up on the D-pad executes a couple of slashes before dramatically sheathing his sword. Hitting left or right will make a fairy appear and disappear, and hitting down will use his pose from the N64 Super Smash Bros. You can also execute the different taunts with the Wii Remote/Nunchuk controls by hitting either the 1 button, the 2 button, or both buttons together. The Dojo also reveals some of the new taunts for the game's characters. Mario removes his hat and does a quick spin, Zero Suit Samus curls her body around, Fox gives a quick shout, Wario unleashes a "W" salute, Ike thrusts his sword into the ground and crosses his arms, Sonic spins his feet and says "too slow!", and Snake, as expected, hides under his trademark cardboard box. Oh yeah, and as an added bonus, you can add a short message to each taunt. Screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 11 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 13 2007 20:18 PM [Top] Mario Shoots For The Stars in Super Mario Galaxy [ Nintendo ] The amazing new Super Mario Galaxy game launches for Wii in T-minus 3 … 2 … 1. The hottest game for the hottest system fills players and observers with an otherworldly sense of wonder, and demonstrates the skill and imagination of legendary Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Video game icon Mario launches into space and encounters a multitude of crazy creatures on unbelievable planets. Players master the changing gravities they encounter while exploring each planet and collecting Power Stars. For the first time, Super Mario Galaxy lets a second player lend a hand in "co-star" mode. Using the revolutionary motion-sensitive Wii Remote, the co-star can point at the screen to collect starbits to shoot at enemies, deflect incoming attacks or stall enemies to help Mario. It's a way for the newcomers that Nintendo has brought into the world of video games to play right alongside their more experienced peers. In the game, Bowser crashes the star festival and carries Princess Peach's castle into space. On a curious new planet, Mario learns a powerful spin move that players pull off by shaking the Wii Remote. Mario also has an arsenal of new transformations at his disposal, including the Boo Mario, which causes him to float and fly through walls, and Bee Mario, which turns him into a beyond-adorable flying bee. Super Mario Galaxy is Rated E for Everyone. Once you pick up a copy and you're in the mood to throw a party to show it off to all your friends, you should check out the new Mario-themed Evite at Evite.com. It shows how Mario's look has changed through the years, and it's a great way to rally your friends for a Wii party. Also, if you reserved the game at your local retailer, you get an official Super Mario Galaxy Coin when you pick up your game. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 12 2007 18:33 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Ike's Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] It's time for another Final Smash finishing move to be revealed over at the Dojo, and this time it's Fire Emblem's Ike who gets the nod. Ike's Final Smash, the Great Aether, is, as you'd expect, a more powerful version of his standard Aether attack. For Great Aether, Ike executes a quick fire slash with his sword, then leaps into the air with his opponent and executes another upwards slash. He then slashes downward, driving his opponent into the ground, then launching them skyward. Great Aether works against multiple enemies, but if Ike misses with the initial slash, then the attack is lost. Finally, if another opponent is on the ground, they can attack the opponent caught in the Great Aether for extra damage. Screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 12 2007 18:29 PM [Top] Hey Kids! It's Monday's VC Update! [ Nintendo ] Volleyball (NES, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Step onto the court in one of the first volleyball games ever made. Select either the men's or women's competition, choose from one of eight available countries to represent, and prepare for some intensely fun game play. The straightforward controls include all the moves you'll need to effectively direct your six-person team. Take some time mastering them in the training mode, though, because you'll need all the practice you can get when competing against challenging computer opponents. If you feel like some multiplayer action, take on a friend in the two-player mode and see whose skills are more polished. Block, set and spike your way to victory. AXELAY (Super NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Mysterious aliens have invaded the Earth-like planet of Corliss, slowly draining the planet's resources. Take control of the prototype Axelay ship and use its wide range of advanced weaponry to battle enemy forces. Play through multiple stages of action —from other planets to space stations — all on your way to destroying the alien headquarters. You are Corliss' last line of defense, so be careful not to be too distracted by the excellent graphics (including great scrolling effects) and rocking music. Pilot the Axelay using Konami's famously tight play control and experience what many consider to be a classic of the shooter genre. BLUE'S JOURNEY (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 900 Wii Points): The planet of Raguy has been invaded by the Daruma tribe, changing it from a beautiful and peaceful place into one filled with pollution. Released in 1991, this horizontally scrolling action game tells the story of an insectarian named Blue and his quest to save the planet and keep its inhabitants from being turned into slaves. Use Blue's main weapon, a leaf, to flip enemies onto their heads and then throw them at other members of the Daruma tribe, defeating anyone in your way. Additional weapons, such as bombs and boomerangs, are also available, or you can collect flowers to purchase other special items like honey or swim fins. Blue also has the special ability to change his size at will — if he's too big to fit in a particular area, then shrink him. The bright, colorful graphics, combined with lots of hidden items to find, ensure an enjoyable experience with plenty of replay value. Help Blue muster all his strength and eliminate the Daruma tribe. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 12 2007 13:30 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Norfair [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] A new stage is revealed in the latest Smash Bros. Brawl update: Norfair! As is typically the case with Metroid stages, Norfair is not without its hazards. Waves of lava will wash upon the stage every so often, and there is only one safe spot. Players will obviously be duking it out, scrambling to get to this safe spot before having their faces melted off. Check it out below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Joe McCollum -- Posted on Friday, November 9 2007 17:29 PM [Top] Brawl Gets a Rating [ ESRB ] No huge news here, just though you guys might like to know that Super Smash Bros. Brawl has officially received a T (Teen) rating from the ESRB for "Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor." What does this mean? It means that the game is practically complete and the next three months until release will be devoted to just making it better - that plus it's highly unlikely that there will be another delay beyond February. In other ESRB news, fans of the classic NES puzzle/actioner Bubble Bobble can expect to see it showing up on the Virtual Console at some point, as TAITO has submitted it for to the board and received an E rating (no surprise), so keep your eyes open for that one. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Friday, November 9 2007 12:19 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Lucas's Special Moves [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update concerns another of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl's new fighters, Mother 3's Lucas. As expected, Lucas will play similarly to Ness, with his normal and smash attacks being powered mentally. He also grabs using a rope snake, which was a weapon he utilized in Mother 3. For Lucas's special moves, he is armed with more moves that are similar to Ness, such as his side special, the PK Fire. Lucas is also armed with the same PK Thunder and PSI Magnet attacks, the former with the ability to be used as a recovery move my using the attack on yourself. Lucas's new move is his standard special, the PK Freeze. It shoots up into the air, can be controlled, and freezes opponents on contact. However, this info does come with some bad news. In the update, Ness, who appeared in both previous Smash Bros. titles, is referenced as a character who appeared "until now." Unless Sakurai is pulling our collective chains, this means that Ness will not return for Brawl, making him the first character confirmed to be leaving the Smash series. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 11 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 8 2007 13:49 PM [Top] Check Mii Out Coming Nov. 11 [ Nintendo ] It's no secret that fans of Nintendo's Wii system love their Mii characters – those adorably cartoonish caricatures of friends and family members that can be used in games like Wii Sports. Some of the more artistic fans have even taken it upon themselves to make Miis of celebrities, politicians and fictional characters. Nintendo supports consumers' creative spirit with the Nov. 11 evening launch of the Check Mii Out Channel. This free new channel can be downloaded from the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel by people who have their Wii systems connected to the Internet. In the Posting Plaza, users can submit, exchange or just browse Miis posted by others in their region or worldwide. The channel offers the ability to look at a random selection of 1,000 Miis or to see just the current or all-time favorites. Players have a variety of ways to search for specific Miis, including by the name of its creator or by a number specific to each Mii. Once users have found that "special Mii," they can even tag their favorites or import them to their own Wii systems. The contest section of the Check Mii Out Channel challenges users to submit Mii creations to represent a specific person, character or theme. These could include historical figures (Abraham Lincoln or Vincent Van Gogh), fictional characters (the Tooth Fairy or the New Year's Baby) or descriptive themes ("the biggest bully ever" or "the overbearing boss"). Users can then vote on Miis submitted by others to determine the Mii that best fits the challenge. Each contest will generally last two weeks: one for creating and submitting Miis, and the second week for people to vote on the results. The Check Mii Out Channel is the latest addition to other fun, interactive informational channels, such as the News Channel, Everybody Votes Channel and Forecast Channel. Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Thursday, November 8 2007 10:58 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Gray Fox and Grabs [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's ye old Dojo update features both a brand-new assist trophy as well as a little bit of Smash 101 for new players. The new assist trophy is rather notable: it's Gray Fox, aka Frank Jaeger: the famed cyborg ninja from the original Metal Gear Solid. Gray Fox marks the first time that a third-party character has showed up as an assist trophy, and certainly paves the way for other third-party characters (Tails? Knuckles?) to make appearances. For his attack, Gray Fox unleashes a bevy of powerful slashes, and can also deflect projectiles. For today's Smash 101 segment, Grabbing and Throwing is discussed. In Brawl, players will be able to grab by holding the block button and pressing the attack button. From their, they can whack their opponent around a bit, launch them, and then unleash more combos. Check out some new screens of the game below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Artwork Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, November 7 2007 19:35 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Returning Items [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Long-time Smash fans should take heart, as several of the series' classic items and weapons will be returning in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. First up is the Beam Sword, which now has a longer range. Also returning are the Fire Flower, Freezie, and Home Run Bat, the latter giving every fighter their own individual batting stance. Last up are the Party Ball, which still contains items, and the Super Mushroom, which makes characters giant-sized. Of course, this is only a few of the returning items. There's still more to come. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 9 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, November 6 2007 19:24 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - A Double Update! [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] It's time for yet another double update over at the Dojo, but this time there's not a screenshot in sight, oddly enough. Instead, there's two new updates, one video, one music. First up is a brand-new cutscene from the game's Subspace Emissary adventure mode. This one features Diddy coming across what will be apparently be one of the game's bosses, the powerful legendary Pokémon Rayquaza. Fortunately for that little monkey, Fox comes to the rescuse, and looks pretty badass doing so. Even more badass is today's music reveal: a fully-orchestrated version of the theme from Fire Emblem, complete with a full choir. For series fans, this is a hell of a treat. You can check out both the new video and the new song by clicking the source link to head over to the official Super Smash Bros. Brawl site. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, November 5 2007 21:44 PM [Top] "Greatest Game Ever" Added to VC [ Nintendo ] Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Remember when no one had ever heard of a Tanooki Suit or knew that Bowser had a clan of Koopalings? The game that made these things common knowledge is also considered by many to be one of the best ever made. Bowser and the Koopalings are causing chaos yet again, but this time they're going beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into the seven worlds that neighbor it. Now Mario and Luigi must battle new enemies, returning favorites and a new Koopaling in each unique and distinctive world on their way to ultimately taking on Bowser himself. Luckily for the brothers, they have more power-ups available than ever before. Fly above the action using the Super Leaf, swim faster by donning the Frog Suit or defeat enemies using the Hammer Bros. Suit. Use the brand-new overworld map to take the chance to play a minigame in hopes of gaining extra lives or to find a Toad's House where you can pick up additional items. All this (and more) combines into one of gaming's most well-known and beloved titles—are you ready to experience gaming bliss? Alien Soldier (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10 for Everyone 10 and Older –Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): As Epsilon-Eagle, you are an alien soldier who has been genetically engineered to produce maximum intelligence and strength. You were once a member of the criminal organization Scarlet, but when you decided to break from the group, you were forced into a showdown with Scarlet's new leader Xi-Tiger, who kills a hostage in his attempt to destroy you. Now it's up to you to take revenge against the bad guys in this side-scrolling action game! Choose from six different weapons and battle the bosses of Scarlet until you reach the final confrontation with the ultimate secret weapon! Power Golf (TurboGrafx16, 1-3 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Power Golf sports a perfect combination of simple-yet-realistic controls and beautiful graphics. Swing away on 18 lush holes in one of three different game modes: the single-player STROKE PLAY mode and the multiplayer MATCH PLAY and COMPETITION modes. Enter tournaments as one of three different characters—beginner, intermediate and advanced. Wind strength and the slope of the green add extra challenges to each hole. Compete against other players in the standard NORMAL MATCH or ante up one of your clubs in the unique CLUB MATCH. Up to three players can play in COMPETITION mode, and a handicap feature is included to help novice players pull off breathtaking shots just like their advanced rivals. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Monday, November 5 2007 11:19 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - On-Screen Appearances [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update features something making a long-awaited return from the original Super Smash Bros., that being individual entrances for each character. Rather than popping into the match from nondescript ethereal elevators, each character will appear at the beginning of each match in a unique way. For example, Mario pops in from a pipe, Fox dashes in from his Arwing, the Ice Climbers fly in on a condor, Pit rides down from the heavens, Lucas appears via Mr. Saturn's tea table, Ike appears via warp magic, and Snake sneaks in using his optical camouflage, among others. There's still more to be revealed, of course. Check out some screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, November 2 2007 14:52 PM [Top] Mercury Meltdown Revolution [ Review ] Carl reviews a game based on a generic blob of goo with no personality. A game based on Josh Hartnett? No way! Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Friday, November 2 2007 0:18 AM [Top] Nintendo Becomes World's Biggest Software Maker [ Bloomberg ] According to Bloomberg, through industry researcher ISuppli Corp, Nintendo has officially passed Sony as the world's number one software maker. In Q3 of 2007, which ended in September, sales of Wii and DS software hit $1.2 billion, compared to $1 billion from Sony's PlayStation line, and $317.8 million for games for Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360. ISuppli expects Nintendo to maintain this lead through the holiday season, with 200 additional titles to be shipped by years end. ISuppli expects Wii Fit to be a big sales boost for the console, which launches in Japan on December 1st. Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 1 2007 15:43 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Meta Knight's Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update is another Final Smash finishing move, that of Meta Knight. His move, the Galaxia Darkness, apart from being really hard to say, involves Meta Knight sweeping out his cape to capture enemies. If it misses, well, you just wasted your Final Smash. If it captures an enemy, however, the field fades to black, and Meta Knight unleashes a super-powered slash on the hapless combatant. Also, if any opponents are close to Meta Knight when he pulls off the attack, they get slashed too. In other words, while the attack has a short range, it is extremely powerful. Check out some screens of the Galaxia Darkness below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 2 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 3 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 4 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 5 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 6 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 7 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, November 1 2007 14:40 PM [Top]