Today's Special Archives: December 2007

News Archives Index Smash Bros. Update - Dragoon and Sharing [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update is yet another two-for-one, detailing a pivotal new item and a new feature for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's online play. The new item is the Dragoon, taken from Kirby's Air Ride on the GameCube. The item is one of the most unique in Smash history, as it is collected in three parts: the nosecone, the hull, and the tail. If a player manages to collect all three, they unleash the power of the Dragoon, allowing the player to target one opponent. If it hits, its an instant KO. However, players can lose the pieces by getting hit hard, or being defeated in battle. To help with keeping track of what parts you have, helpful icons will appear near your life icon for each piece you obtain. Next, the Dojo has gone more in-depth on how Brawl players can receive data from Nintendo and other Wii owners. To do so, set the "Smash Service" option to on, activating WiiConnect 24 and allowing you to receive screenshots, videos, and other data Data direct from Nintendo can be accessed from the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode, and downloaded direct from the service. What's more, these files will be deleted over time, so there's no need to worry about disk space being filled up. As for data from friends, you'll be notified when it has been received by a helpful message from your Wii Message Board. When you turn on the game, the data will be automatically available for you. However, this data will not delete over time, so you need to watch your disk space, or the data will not appear. You can save data to an SD card in order to save space. Also, in regards to sending data, it's now been revealed that you can send it to multiple friends at once. Also, some sad news to report, as it seems that the Smash Bros. Updates will be taking a bit of a hiatus. Sakurai and his team are taking a well-deserved week off to celebrate New Year's, and thusly there will be no updates next week. The updates will resume on January 7th. Check out a bunch of 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 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 10 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 11 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 12 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 13 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 14 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 15 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 16 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 17 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 18 Eric Jones -- Posted on Saturday, December 29 2007 13:02 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Coin Launcher [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Super Smash Bros. Brawl update details the brand-new Coin Launcher, which replaces the Trophy Lottery from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Rather than obtain trophies through the luck of the draw, in Brawl, trophies are obtained by a shooting mini-game similar to a vertical scrolling shooter. Using coins as bullets, players attempt to shoot down enemy targets, obtaining a trophy or sticker for each one defeated. When you hit many enemies in succession, a green gauge will fill up - you obtain Rapid-Fire mode at full strength. Also, missles will occasionally attack you. You can shoot them down before they hit, but if they do, you lose coins. You can quit by hitting the cancel button, after which you will see your results and what trophies and stickers you obtained. Check out screens of the new mode 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 Thursday, December 27 2007 21:04 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Trophy Stands [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update debuts a new special feature available for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary adventure mode. In order to obtain the trophies of the mode's villains, players must utilize Trophy Stands, obtainable within the game. When an enemy is sufficiently weakened, the player can toss the stand at them to attempt to capture them, Pokémon-style. The attack can be done on all enemies, whether they be standard, common ones or boss battles. Fortunately, the game's levels and bosses are able to be replayed, so you don't need to worry about getting the trophy your first time through. Check out some screens of Trophy Stands in action 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 Thursday, December 27 2007 2:15 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Sonic's Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] For today's Christmas edition of the Smash Bros. Update, Santa Sakurai has seen fit to give us...something everybody already knew about. Either way, Sonic's Final Smash finisher is still pretty cool, as it involves him summoning the power of the seven Chaos Emeralds to unleash his ultimate form, Super Sonic. In this form, he's very difficult to control, but he also obtains insane amounts of speed and power. In addition, there's a new music update, featuring Sonic's brand-new theme from the game, based upon the Angel Island Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Jun Senoue, a composer from SEGA, has created an exclusive version of the track just for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and it sounds pretty sweet. Also, for those wondering, the song "Live and Learn" from Sonic Adventure 2, used in Sonic's Brawl announcement trailer, will also be in the game in its full form. For the song, click the source link. For screens of Super Sonic in action, 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 Tuesday, December 25 2007 22:58 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Classic Wario [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] It may be only Christmas Eve, but Sakurai has decided to give us a bit of an early gift for the holiday season with today's Smash Bros. Brawl update. By popular demand, Wario will be the only character with two separate outfits to choose from - his new Wario Ware costume, and his classic yellow outfit. To select this mode, keep hitting the X or Y button past Wario's color changes for his standard costume. As an added bonus, Wario's classic outfit also has four color changes of its own. Not half bad for a pre-Christmas warm up, but let's hope the Dojo gives us something extra special for tomorrow. 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 Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 24 2007 10:17 AM [Top] Christmas Eve Virtual Console Update [ Nintendo ] BLADES OF STEEL (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): With stick in hand and confidence brimming, you are looking to bring home the cup, win the MVP award, get on the covers of major sports magazines and date a beautiful model (not necessarily in that order). But soon you will learn that, in this league, nothing is ever given to you, and before you can reach your goals, you'll have to put the puck in the net and score some. You'll need both the artful skills of a finesse player and the bone-crushing brutality of an enforcer. Defend your own goal against unrelenting power plays, or put the pressure on your opponent's goalie and try a slap shot of your own. Don't forget to defend yourself when anger flares because the gloves come off and fists start flying. So strap on blades of steel and prepare to either make a name for yourself or be put on ice. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (Super NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Revisit Donkey Kong Island and join the Kong family for their latest adventure. The Kremlings have a mysterious new leader named KAOS and are up to their usual mischief, even capturing Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. Now it's up to Dixie Kong and the newest Kong, a giant infant named Kiddy, to rescue the two missing apes. They'll travel across previously unseen parts of the island in their search, and even take to the skies in a rocket at one point. Lucky for them, Dixie and Kiddy's powers complement each other (including Kiddy's talent for rolling like a barrel), so they form a powerful team capable of major Kremling damage. They're not completely on their own, either, since returning favorites like Funky Kong and Enguarde the swordfish provide help along the way. And in a series known for its abundance of secrets and high replay value, this entry doesn't disappoint, with enough hours of game play to satisfy Donkey Kong himself. Anyone else have a sudden urge for some bananas? Rolling Thunder 2 (Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this follow-up to the original classic, you are once again a member of Interpol's Rolling Thunder task force, and it's up to you to stop the return of the evil Geldra organization. Now known as Neo-Geldra and led by a newcomer named Gimdo, the bad guys are bent on destroying several valuable outer-space satellites. In this one- or two-player game, you can play as Leila or Albatross-both characters from the original-as you venture through several different levels, trying to put a stop to the nefarious efforts of Gimdo and the rest of Neo-Geldra. Use your bullets wisely and make Rolling Thunder proud. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 24 2007 9:09 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Subspace Emissary Trailer [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update is a brand-new trailer for the game's "Subspace Emissary" adventure mode. While it doesn't show off much footage that we haven't seen, it does show off a few new stages to the mode, as well as being pretty sweet to boot. To check out the trailer for yourself, click the source link. Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, December 21 2007 17:45 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Kirby's Special Moves [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update features the special moves of returning character Kirby. Or rather, "special move", because only one of his moves is featured - his trademark Inhale attack. With it, he can suck in an enemy and steal their powers, as well as their likeness. The update also gives us a look at some of Kirby's new forms, including Zero Suit Samus Kirby, Pit Kirby, Wario Kirby, Meta Knight Kirby, and yes, Snake Kirby (complete with goatee). Screens below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 1 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 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 12 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 13 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 14 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 15 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 16 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 17 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 18 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Screenshot 19 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, December 20 2007 15:39 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Team Healer [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] The Smash Bros. Dojo's latest update features a new item exclusive to team battles, the Team Healer. Like in Melee, players of Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be able to compete as teams, with the ability to select three different color-coded teams per match. However, there will be an item appearing only in these matches, which fully heals your ally. Problem is, to use it, one player needs to grab it and successfully hit the other player by throwing it at them, easier said than done. What's more, if an opponent intercepts the toss, they become healed. Check out some screens of this new item 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 Eric Jones -- Posted on Wednesday, December 19 2007 23:52 PM [Top] New Dates From Square-Enix [ Square-Enix ] Square-Enix revealed today its first offerings for 2008, with entries that will launch fans into a fast-paced, action-packed new year. DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors Platform: Wii Genre: Action-Adventure ESRB: T (Teen) Ship Date: February 26, 2008 Developed from the ground up to take advantage of the Nintendo Wii and its motion-sensing technology, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is set to slice its way onto Nintendo's next-generation platform. Use the Wii Remote to slash, parry and blast your way through a land filled with trademark DRAGON QUEST foes! Developed with both long-time fans and casual players in mind, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is poised to take video gaming to an entirely new level of fun and interaction. FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates Platform: Nintendo DS Genre: Action-RPG ESRB: E10 (Everyone 10 and older) Ship Date: March 11, 2008 Few titles epitomize the essence of multiplayer camaraderie like the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series. Released in 2004 as an innovative title that took advantage of the Nintendo GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance connectivity, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES pioneered an entirely new gameplay experience that expanded the horizons of conventional RPG gaming. Primed for a release on the Nintendo DS, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates is poised to continue this tradition by providing fans with two distinctly unique games: a fully fleshed single-player RPG experience and an addictive multiplayer element for up to four players. THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU Genre: Action-RPG ESRB:TBD Ship Date: Spring 2008 THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU, is an exciting new title developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld system. Previously known as Subarashiki Kono Sekai (It's a Wonderful World) on its release in Japan, THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU is an innovative new title from Square Enix that fully utilizes the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, and takes major influence from Japan's modern day culture including its people, music, clothes, food and design. Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, December 18 2007 14:58 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Frigate Orpheon [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Because you knew they couldn't just have one Metroid stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Dojo has announced that a second stage from one of Nintendo's superstar franchises will be making an appearance. The Frigate Orpheon, taken from the original Metroid Prime, has players battling on a large stage in front of the game's first boss, the Parasite Queen. Occasionally, the lights on the stage will go out, forcing players to fight in near-total darkness. Also, a siren will begin to wail at some point during the battle, followed by the entire stage rotating 180 degrees. Players can jump into the air to avoid being knocked away, however. Check out some screens of the new stage 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, December 18 2007 14:52 PM [Top] E3 Comes Home [ ESA ] The 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit will take place from July 15 – 17, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. The event will continue to focus on the business of the computer and video game industry, with an emphasis on press events and small meetings with media, development, and other key sectors. While there will be opportunities for game demonstrations, the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit will still not feature the large trade show environment of previous years. The event will be open to ESA members and non-members alike. Companies involved in console, PC, online, and mobile game publishing and developing, as well as makers of video game hardware and peripherals will be eligible to participate. Attendance at all events, meetings, and demonstrations will be by invitation only. Additional details about the Summit will be forthcoming in the next few months. Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, December 18 2007 13:56 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Co-op Events [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update reveals yet another new feature in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Co-op Event Mode will feature its own separate events from single player mode, allowing you and a buddy to take on these challenges together. However, there will be less events to choose from. Here's a summary of some of these events. Two Trouble Kings - As Mario and Kirby, take on both Bowser and King Dedede. Master the Pokémon Tag Battle - Squirtle and Charizard team against Ivysaur and Pikachu. Fastest, Shortest, Sudden Death - Defeat the most enemies in 10 seconds, everyone having 300% damage, including yourselves. ALL MINE! - Wario and Bowser team up to get the most coins. This is a coin battle, confirmed for the game for the first time. Also, Target Smash can be played in co-op as well. 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 Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, December 18 2007 2:07 AM [Top] Mario Kart Wii: Sooner Than We Expected? [ ESRB ] The latest ESRB update for the Wii shows one interesting new rating: Mario Kart Wii, rated E for Everyone. What this means is that the game is all but complete, meaning we may see it sooner than the projected Spring release date, or at least that it could come in early Spring rather than late. Also, this indicates that the final title likely will be Mario Kart Wii, and that it is not a "Working Title" as has been noted on most press materials for the game. Also of note, Sega's House of the Dead 2 and 3 remake for the Wii was given an M rating; no surprise there, but it shows that the game will likely meet its early 2008 projections. Carl DeNovio -- Posted on Monday, December 17 2007 20:45 PM [Top] This Week's VC Update [ Nintendo ] Cybernator (SNES, 1 player, rated E 10 for Everyone 10 and Older - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): It is the near future. Resources are dwindling, and the major powers of the world are in dispute over territory. Pilot the Cybernator G5-E for the 95th brigade of the mechanized marines and throw yourself into the war. Get briefed before each mission to confirm your targets, and then do your best to clear each of the seven stages, freely using the suit's equipped tools and four types of weaponry. By collecting the "power chips" left by defeated enemies, it is also possible to reinforce each weapon up to a maximum of three levels. It is left to your judgment as to whether to reinforce a specific weapon or to power up all weapons simultaneously, adding a bit of strategy to the nonstop action. The powerful background music, military-like atmosphere (look for bullet marks on the walls and the strained communication during combat) and intense story development combine to give the world of Cybernator a gritty, sci-fi feel that you won't soon forget. Alien Storm (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated E 10 for Everyone 10 and Older - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Shape-shifting aliens have infiltrated the city, creating chaos and panic! Fortunately, a trio of heroes called the Alien Busters has agreed to wipe out the invading creatures. The members of the team wield their own special attacks, and they unload a world of hurt on the Martian menaces from the city streets to the mother ship. Gordon, a tough guy with a bazooka, has a special gunship attack, while Karla has a flamethrower for alien crisping, though she prefers to use her special ballistic-missile attack. Finally, Slammer the robot can self-destruct at will and attacks the intruders with an electric whip and other devices. Take the aliens by storm and save your city. Monster Lair (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): Join young Adam and Laura as they embark on a fantastic adventure in this comical action/shooting game. Featuring beautiful music brought to life by the power of the CD-ROM, the game consists of 14 rounds packed with cute monster enemies. Players can either play alone as Adam (or play with a friend controlling Laura) as they battle their way through round after round. The first half of each round is the action scene, where players must avoid obstacles and pits. Use your Power Boost weapons against enemies and restore your Life Force with food as you head for the gate at the end. The second half is the exhilarating shooting scene, where players must shoot down flying enemies. Take out the boss at the end to clear the round and move to the next one. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 17 2007 13:51 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Stafy and Waluigi [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. update features the reveal of two new Assist Trophies, Stafy and Waluigi. Stafy, the prince of the heavenly seas, is the lead character of the Japan-only "Legend of Stafy" video game series. He bounces around the stage, executing a spin attack to any opponents he comes across. However, he's also extremely weak, and can be fended away with attacks. As for Waluigi, Wario's brother (I think?) runs onto the stage stomping helpless opponents into the ground, then finishes them off with a mighty kick or a swipe from his tennis racket (a reference to his very first appearance in Mario Tennis on the N64). Check out some art and screens of both of the new Assist Trophy additions below. Images: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Artwork 1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Artwork 2 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 Friday, December 14 2007 17:59 PM [Top] Nintendo Announces Wii Raincheck Program [ IGN Wii ] In a conference call held earlier today by Nintendo president Reginald Fils-Aime, it was revealed that Nintendo is setting up a Raincheck program for those unable to procure a Wii for this holiday season, starting the week of December 21st.. To sign up, interested shoppers need simply go to a participating Gamestop location, then pay for the full value of a Wii system, obtaining a special certificate. They can then exchange the certificate for the console when it becomes available for pickup starting in January. The supplies for this raincheck will number in the "many tens of thousands". Good to see Nintendo looking out for the consumer, especially considering their console is still outright impossible to find. In addition to this announcement, Reggie also commented on the Wii's lack of online voice chat. While he agrees that adding it into the system is certainly possible, it would be a matter of properly implementing a microphone and tweaking the features through system updates. Reggie also says he wouldn't be surprised if we see it soon, due to the fact that the technology is already available on Nintendo DS. Eric Jones -- Posted on Friday, December 14 2007 17:03 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Mario Circuit [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's update details something we've seen in previous trailers, but has never been revealed until now. The Mario Circuit stage, taken from the Mario Kart series, will feature Shyguys on karts wreaking havoc with the stage, You can see where they're coming from the back, so be sure to watch out. Also, if you're swift, you can knock them out before they can attack you. Check out some screens of the stage 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 Friday, December 14 2007 1:31 AM [Top] Atlus Goes Baroque [ Atlus ] Atlus today announced Baroque, a new dungeon-crawling action RPG for the Wii. Dark, addictively challenging, and totally immersive, Baroque is a pure RPG experience, highly regarded by Japanese gamers and now finally scheduled to arrive in North America! Baroque is currently slated for release in February 2008. You awaken to find the world in ruin, your heart beset with unexplained guilt. A cataclysm has destroyed the cities and empires of men and disfigured the spirit of humanity. In this nightmare, it falls to you to descend a mysterious tower in search of absolution. Battle merciless foes through treacherous dungeons, scour for new items to aid you in your travels, and unlock the secrets of a devastated land. You will find death in the depths, yet learn that death is not the end of the story; in the twisted world of Baroque, it is only the beginning. * Hardcore dungeon-crawling RPG action! With its many ever-changing levels, each teeming with perverse monsters and tormented souls, the world of Baroque is a frightening and unforgiving realm. * Death is not the end - Take part in a unique story progression system in which the end of your life only serves to drive the adventure forward. Each time your character dies, more secrets about the forsaken world are revealed! * Deep customization options – The player has full control over how they shape their character and how they play the game. Find and equip a vast assortment of weapons and items, some with a variety of uses. Acquire powerful stat-boosting parasites and combine them to multiply their potency. Only the resourceful will survive! Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, December 13 2007 0:35 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Options Menu [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update reveals an essential part of the Brawl gaming experience, the options menu. In this menu, viewable from the main menu, players can set the various options to their liking. First, you can turn on and off the Deflicker option, which will make the game appear sharper or smoother, depending on preference. Second, there's the Rumble feature, which allows players to choose to turn the rumble feature on and off if they are using the GameCube controller, Wii Remote, or Wii Remote Nunchuk configurations. Next up is the sound test, which is unlocked from the start in Brawl, rather than needing to be unlocked. Here you can listen to all the songs and sound effects in the game, as well as balance between how they sound in-game. Lastly, there's the Erase Data feature, which is pretty self-explanatory. Also, the Options menu is the hope to the Screen mode, Control options, and My Music menus, which have been covered in previous updates. As a special bonus, a new song has been revealed as well. The theme from the Summit stage is a remix of the classic Ice Climber theme, with some new twists reflecting the changing nature of the stage. To check that out, click the source link. 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, December 13 2007 0:29 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Rotation Mode [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update reveals a cool new addition to the game, Rotation Mode. Ever been playing Melee with more than four players and lose track of whose turn it is or lose track of the battles you're playing? Rotation mode fixes all of that, by setting up the game so groups of more than four players can set up their Brawls easily. After selecting "Rotation", you can set up just how many people will take part, up to 16 individuals. You can then select if either the winners or losers will swap out after a given match, as well as select how many players do so. Then you can log your name, choose your control style (and settings), and get ready to fight. If you need a break, you can also sit out a match to go to the end of the queue. Check out some screens of Rotation mode 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 Tuesday, December 11 2007 19:34 PM [Top] Nintendo Releases New Wii Update [ Nintendo ] A new update has just been launched for the Wii Console, which you can download by going to the "System Update" option in the Wii System menu. The update brings two new features to the Wii - first, the "Wii Gifting" feature can be used to purchase Virtual Console games and send them to your friends as a gift. Plus, you can download the new Wii Photo Channel, which allows you to set a photo as the icon of the channel in the Wii's main menu. However, the update also disables MP3 playback in the channel, so don't download it unless you're willing to lose that. Eric Jones -- Posted on Tuesday, December 11 2007 3:58 AM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Bonsly [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Smash Bros. Update features yet another new Pokémon set to pop out of the Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Bonsly may be small, but he's extremely heavy, and players can pick him up as he wanders around the stage. Carrying him slows down the player, but being hit by him when he's tossed does heavy damage. However, Bonsly's technically a projectile, meaning he can be deflected by those with the ability to. Check out some screens 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 Monday, December 10 2007 22:27 PM [Top] 2K Sports Announces Don King's Prizefighter [ 2K Sports ] 2K Sports today announced the spring 2008 release of Don King Presents: Prizefighter, the most realistic boxing video game simulation, for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo's DS. This in-depth, documentary-style title will provide the deepest, most authentic and entertaining experience ever seen in a boxing video game. Developed by Venom Games, the 2K studio that brought Rocky and Rocky Legends to the Xbox and PlayStation 2, Don King Presents: Prizefighter will bring the realism of live action match-ups and the true tactics of the sweet science together for the first time. More than just a night at the fights - players will be responsible for building a career by overcoming adversity, avoiding temptation, and balancing their commitments to train and promote, all while focusing on the goal of ultimately winning and defending the title belt. The story will be told by a revolutionary sports documentary-style narrative never before seen in a video game. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 10 2007 17:24 PM [Top] Pokémon Snaps Onto Wii VC [ Nintendo ] Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): As one of the most unique games in a renowned series, Pokémon Snap was the first truly 3-D Pokémon game and introduced the phenomenon to the Nintendo 64. Travel to Pokémon Island and meet Professor Oak to begin a safari, taking the best possible photographs of 63 different Pokémon as they exist in the wild, undisturbed by humans. This is not as easy as it sounds—the island has many types of climates and environments to explore, along with secret activities and hidden passages to discover. Plus, some of the Pokémon can be a little shy and won't pose for the camera unless you tease them with special items. After you're done, submit one picture of each Pokémon to Professor Oak, and he'll judge it based on size, pose, technique and number of Pokémon captured. This Pokémon photographic adventure comes with a special Wii bonus: It now includes a special feature that allows players to post pictures they take in the game to their Wii Message Board and send them to friends with whom they've traded Friends Codes. Ghosts'n Goblins (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Animated Violence, 500 Wii Points): Ghosts'n Goblins was a popular arcade game before it made the leap to the NES in 1986. Like later games in the series, Ghosts'n Goblins presents quite a challenge to players brave enough to take on the role of Arthur and delve into the realm of demons and monsters to rescue the kidnapped princess. Choose your weapons wisely and take advantage of their strengths to deal with the situation at hand. Pass through the six gates that stand between you and Astaroth, and teach him a lesson in chivalry he'll never forget. Demonstrating a high level of technical prowess for a game of its era, Ghosts'n Goblins presents a unique and unforgettable universe. The stage for adventure is set. Are you up to the test? BASEBALL STARS 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): Lace up your cleats and step onto the diamond with the pros of BASEBALL STARS 2. You'll find everything you'd expect in a classic game of baseball, but with an arcade feel and intense action that distinguish it from the pack. Pick one of six unique teams from cities around the world, then get ready for nine innings of excitement, whether you're taking on the computer in a 15-game tournament or squaring off against a friend. There are two modes of game play, so even the most inexperienced player can compete at the major-league level (with a little computer-aided fielding). Watch as the game develops through split-screen views and close-up shots worthy of any highlight film, and see if you can catch the numerous over-the-top animations of the large and detailed player models. Think you have what it takes to win the pennant? Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 10 2007 15:05 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - With Anyone Mode [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update sheds a little more light on Super Smash Bros. Brawl's "With Anyone" online mode. After connecting to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and selecting "With Anyone", players are sent directly to the Character Select screen, with no need to choose a room. After selecting your character (with a time limit of 45 seconds), players choose a stage and what items they want turned off, which are decided by a random lottery of the players. While waiting for the other players, you can practice on Sandbag. Then, the game starts. As has been said, players will not know one another's names and messages cannot be sent in this mode. Also, if any one player cuts out of the match, the CPU will automatically take over that player, as if they never left. This will only happen in "With Anyone" mode. Last but not least, as an aside, Sakurai confirms Brawl will have some hidden fighters that can be unlocked through Subspace Emissary mode. Since the characters will likely be spoiled before the game even releases, he isn't too worried about online players battling against characters they haven't unlocked yet. 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 Friday, December 7 2007 18:44 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - King Dedede's Final Smash [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Time for another Final Smash to be revealed over at the Dojo, and this time it's newcomer King Dedede's turn. King Dedede uses the Waddle Dee Army, which is basically a souped-up version of his Waddle Dee summon attack. When activated, a group of Waddle Dees rush onto the stage at high speed, attacking everything in sight and sweeping players off of the screen. Also, a spiked Gordo will occasionally appear, causing heavy damage. 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 Eric Jones -- Posted on Thursday, December 6 2007 12:55 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - More on Smash Balls, Music [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update gives us a bit more insight on one of Super Smash Bros. Brawl's biggest new additions, the new Smash Ball item and the Final Smash moves. As has been previously revealed, Smash Balls must be attacked to be activated, with the winning player obtaining a bright orange glow when he grabs it. Hitting the B button will activate the move. Since some Final Smashes are easy to dodge, it's best to save the move, rather than use it immediately, for the proper time to attack. However, it is possible to lose your Smash Ball power if you are hit hard by another player. Also, a couple new elements were revealed in regards to Smash Balls. If a certainly player is getting beat up on within the match, they have the chance to receive a Pity Smash Ball, where they will automatically have the Final Smash power when they respawn on the battlefield. Also, players can limit the appearance of Smash Balls in play, and also turn them off entirely. Last but not least, a new music update reveals that Super Smash Bros. Brawl will have some surprising musical numbers. The long-forgotten Japan-only Game Boy classic X will have a new version of its "Tunnel Scene" theme appear in the game, simply due to the fact that Sakurai is a fan of the game and thinks the song is cool. Apparently there will be several songs in the game that don't have a corresponding stage or player, and will really dig deep into the annals of Nintendo's library. Check out some screens below. For the music, click the source link. 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 Wednesday, December 5 2007 17:24 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Returning Pokémon [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's update is a short one, giving us insight on which Pokémon will be returning to Super Smash Bros. Brawl from previous installments in the series. Suicune, Lugia, Entei, Staryu, Bellossom, Ho-Oh, Wobbuffet, Togepi, Snorlax, Celebi, and Mew will all be appearing in the game, each retaining their abilities from Melee. Also, Celebi and Mew, due to their rarity, will have a new ability: they drop CDs and other collectible items when they appear. 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 Tuesday, December 4 2007 19:04 PM [Top] Activision Merges With Blizzard and Vivendi [ Activision Blizzard ] Activision and Vivendi today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to combine Vivendi Games with Activision, creating the world’s largest pure-play online and console game publisher. The new company, Activision Blizzard, is expected to have approximately $3.8 billion in pro forma combined calendar 2007 revenues and the highest operating margins of any major third-party video game publisher. On closing of the transaction, Activision will be renamed Activision Blizzard and will continue to operate as a public company traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ATVI. To go along with the blockbuster merger, the newly-formed company announced new installments of the ultra-popular Call of Duty and Guitar Hero franchises. While there's no guarantee either will come to Wii, it's certainly possible. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 3 2007 19:25 PM [Top] Smash Bros. Update - Friend List [ Smash Bros. Dojo ] Today's Dojo update gives a few more details on Super Smash Bros. Brawl's upcoming online mode, which will allow players the world over to do battle over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. As with all Nintendo online titles, Brawl requires players to register each other's friend codes in order to appear on one another's friend lists. In Brawl, you can write your own comment to appear on a friend's list, as well as choose your own personal icon. You can also show off your personal taunt messages, mapped to each direction. To start up an online game, one player creates a game room, which his friends then enter. Once four players enter, the match begins. Simple, and easy. 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 Monday, December 3 2007 18:41 PM [Top] Nintendo Owns Black Friday [ Nintendo ] In the first week of the 2007 holiday shopping season, Nintendo of America has sold more Nintendo products than at any other time in its history. This includes more than 653,000 Nintendo DS portable video game systems, 350,000 Wii home systems and millions of games and accessories throughout the United States - and the season is just getting started. Nintendo DS set a new all-time sales record for Thanksgiving week, eclipsing the previous mark of 600,000 Game Boy Advance systems sold during the same period in the United States in 2005. Nintendo DS remains on track to be the top-selling video game system of 2007. Nintendo's 350,000 Wii systems represent the highest one-week U.S. sales total outside of its launch week one year ago. Wii has been dubbed the must-have gift of the 2007 holiday season and has been placed at the top of numerous gift lists. Nintendo has repeatedly increased its shipments and its fiscal-year sales forecast for Wii in an attempt to meet soaring demand. Wii reached 5 million sold in the United States faster than any video game system in history, after only 12 months of availability there. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 3 2007 17:26 PM [Top] VC Update - The Week of Obscurities [ Nintendo ] ZANAC (NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): ZANAC is a vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up game that was released in November 1986. Take control of the state-of-the-art fighter, ZANAC, with the objective of destroying the bases of the mechanized enemy forces. Use your full array of regular weapons as well as eight special weapons to clear the 12 intense areas of the game. Be careful, though, as the game changes the degree of difficulty in real time based on how well you play. This ensures that it feels like you're experiencing a new game every time you play. Eternal Champions (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): This 2-D fighting game introduces a cast of different characters that met untimely deaths in their lives on Earth. Now they have been given a chance to compete against each other, with the winner taking on the Eternal Champion, the ultimate fighter in the universe. The reward for defeating the Eternal Champion is a return to Earth for the opportunity to avenge death and restore balance to the universe. Choose from nine unique characters with a variety of fighting styles, and bring your best moves to defeat all comers in your quest to topple the Eternal Champion. The Dynastic Hero (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG featuring a cast of insect characters. The story begins with the invasion of their peaceful homeland of Tarron by the evil Drilkor Empire. Rushing to the insects' aid is Dyna, the prince of Beetras. Take control of Dyna as he battles through action-filled stages. Equip weapons and items to vanquish the relentless foes, and acquire special items that enable you to brave the journey across the perilous desert or open sea. But it's not just all action. Correctly answer multiple-choice quizzes, and play the ocarina to find the right melody to open doors. Plus, there are countless traps and other puzzles packed into this fun game to keep you entertained and ensure you continue coming back for more. Eric Jones -- Posted on Monday, December 3 2007 17:23 PM [Top]