First Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Trailer [ Konami ]
Konami has released the first official trailer for Catlevania: Order of Ecclesia, coming exclusively to the Nintendo DS this fall. As you can see from the video, the game will eschew the anime style of games like Portrait of Ruin and Dawn of Sorrow in favor a new artistic, more gothic animation style. The player will control Shanoa, a female warrior who uses a hand-to-hand combat style making use of special items called glyphs. The game will also feature a multitude of enormous boss characters, including, yes, a giant enemy crab. You can see the full trailer, direct from YouTube, below.
Confirmed: New Prince of Persia Coming to Wii [ LiveWii ]
Just when we thought the Prince of Persia franchise had seen the last of Nintendo's current system with 2007's Rival Swords, word from the company's UbiDays event, reported by French gaming site LiveWii, reveals that the company is indeed in the works with a Prince of Persia spin-off game made exclusively for the Wii console. The Wii version joins the already announced DS version, which will also be a spin-off from the main game for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Ubisoft revealed that details on the game will come at E3 2008, and you can expect full coverage when that rolls around in July.
Confirming earlier rumors, Tecmo has officially confirmed that the DS won't be the only platform seeing a revival of the Tecmo Bowl franchise in the near future. The popular arcade football franchise will be coming to the Wii as well, with the company announcing a 2009 release for the game. No details on the build were revealed, but here's hoping the game shys away from the Wii Remote passing and kicking adopted by the Madden series and strives to make its own original game of football.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 29 2008 23:40 PM [Top]
Like most of the world, we here at Wii Café are jazzed out of our minds for the upcoming CGI-animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and its accompanying series). Well, it looks like those won't be the only mediums we'll be seeing the franchise in, as IGN reports that the back of the instruction booklet of the upcoming Lego Indiana Jones has an ad officially confirming a game based on the new Star Wars series, exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS. As one can assume, little is known about the upcoming games, but we'll be sure to have details as soon as they are available, most likely at E3.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 29 2008 23:23 PM [Top]
A pair of scanned fact sheets directly from Nintendo Japan has revealed more details on the just announced Wario Land Shake! and Rhythm Tengoku Gold. Wario Land Shake will be a 2D platformer for the Wii using completely 2D sprites, and controlled using the Wii Remote on its side. Apparently, Wario will be able to grab enemies and shake them (by shaking the controller, of course), to obtain items. He'll then be able to throw them by swinging the controller.
As for Rhythm Tengoku Gold for the Nintendo DS, the game will be played by holding the system on its side Brain Age-style. The gameplay will consist of tapping along to the music using the touch screen, as events unfold on the touch screen.
Check out both of the sheets below, and expect more detials (on Wario Land Shake, at least) at E3.
Arriving 30 May on Wii will be Nintendo Channel, an interactive guide to what’s new in the world of Nintendo. Downloadable free of charge via Wii Shop Channel, Nintendo Channel allows you to watch videos, search for games, download game demos to your Nintendo DS and recommend games you’ve played.
Watch videos – from trailers, mini-documentaries, TV commercials, product demonstrations and game play videos. When you access Nintendo Channel you can view the latest videos, simply click on the one you want to watch for it to play. More information about the video content will be forthcoming so stay tuned!
Search for games – browse the game guide pages to find information on your favourite Wii and Nintendo DS games. Search by release date, platform, publisher, genre, or by keywords. Once you find the game you’re looking for, click on the game’s title to find out more detailed information.
DS Download Play – using the DS Download Service, you can download game demos and videos on to your Nintendo DS! Choose a game demo, select ‘DS Download Play’ on your Nintendo DS, and moments later you’ll be playing the latest game demos. Your demos will be playable until the Nintendo DS is turned off.
Recommend games you’ve played – after you’ve played a Wii game for over an hour, the Nintendo Channel allows you to rate it. Everybody’s opinion counts! Enter your gender and age, rate the game, and recommend if you think it should be played alone or with friends. Results are then graphed and will be published on an ongoing basis to help you find games based on other people’s recommendations.
By accessing Nintendo Channel, you will be kept up-to-date on all the latest information for past, present and future games on all Nintendo platforms.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 29 2008 12:39 PM [Top]
EA today announced the first details for SimCity Creator, exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS. SimCity Creator is an open-ended, highly creative game with a sense of humor that allows players to utilize the distinctive gameplay aspects of the Wii and Nintendo DS to create, enjoy and destroy epic cities. The most accessible and light-hearted game from the SimCity franchise, SimCity Creator will ship on September 22, 2008 in North America and on September 19, 2008 in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. SimCity Creator is designed to be a city-game experience for families and players of all ages!
SimCity Creator for the Wii
Be a powerful mayor -- create, enjoy and destroy your ultimate city. Start by zoning your city, constructing homes, businesses, factories, skyscrapers, freeways, railroads, and much more. SimCity Creator is a visually exciting experience with a completely new user interface, designed specifically for the Wii and the Wii remote. You'll discover many ways to customize your city, including 13 city styles to explore, such as American, European and Asian themes. More city styles will be revealed, so stay tuned for more information!
You can also place a selection of more than 30 "Hero" buildings into your city to make it distinctive and momentous. Some of these iconic buildings are based on the current day, some on history and some on fantasy. The more city styles you explore, the more Hero building options you have.
For the first time, take the liberty to build transportation systems with free placement of rounded and curved roads and rail lines, taking your city to new creative and curvy heights. And get a new perspective on your cityscape from a helicopter, a jet or a propeller plane which you can use to fly over your creation. Check out what you've built in your aircraft of choice!
Disasters that players of SimCity always love remain an important and entertaining element in SimCity Creator. Using the Wii remote you can create earthquakes, tornados, call in destructive robots and monsters, create fires and discover many more ways to cause havoc. You created it, and now you can destroy it. With hours of fun and replayability, the fate of your city and its citizens are in your hands!
SimCity Creator for Nintendo DS
Guide your city from ancient times into the future with SimCity Creator for Nintendo DS. Evolve your city through time, starting with ancient times, the middle ages, modern times, present day and the future. Four play modes are available, Challenge, Free Play, Chance Encounter and Gallery, giving options to make the game as challenging or as creative as you want. Earn epic landmarks along the way to enhance your city and mark your progress into the next era. Choose your path through history and make a city for the ages.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 29 2008 12:35 PM [Top]
Tecmo has released the first official screens of Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff, the revival of the classic Tecmo Bowl franchise on the Nintendo DS. Based on the screens, the game will remain using its classic 2D perspective, with all of the action unfolding on the bottom screen. The top screen will show the score, as well as the classic "zoom-in" scenes from the original game. In addition, it is revealed that, as expected, that none of the teams will have official NFL licenses, thanks to EA's stranglehold of the rights. Even so, the game certainly looks like a fun, full-featured football title.
Today Ubisoft announced that it will publish Dogz 2008 exclusively on the Wii home video game system from Nintendo. Dogz 2008 gameplay will be designed to take advantage of the Wii system’s technology and full utilization of the Wii Remote. Dogz 2008 is scheduled for release in Holiday 2008.
In Dogz 2008, players can adopt a dog from 18 different breeds, train their dog to compete in races, dress him or her in more than 100 outfits, and engage their dog in different activities including jump roping and playing catch at the park. A new feature will also allow dogs to travel to other Wii consoles and interact with other dogs.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 19:36 PM [Top]
Shaun White Snowboarding Rides to Wii, Uses Balance Board [ Ubisoft ]
Today Ubisoft announces the development of Shaun White Snowboarding, a title destined to break all former action sports video game notions and redefine the action sports genre. The game will appear on the Wii, and is scheduled for release in Holiday 2008.
Shaun White Snowboarding is being developed from the ground up for the Wii system, taking full advantage of the Wii Balance Board accessory and featuring its own unique storyline and adventure with Shaun White.
Developed in close collaboration with Shaun White, Olympic Gold Medalist and eight-time X Games Gold Medalist, Shaun White Snowboarding allows players to enter a world of total freedom, where they can create their own experience and choose how, where, and with whom they want to ride.
Key features of Shaun White Snowboarding for the Wii system:
• Exclusive storyline: Everybody loves a road trip! You and your crew travel the world to participate in a variety of the largest and craziest events to become a world-renowned athlete. Life on the road to success wouldn’t be the same without the support of your friends, who will always be there to help you out and keep your head on your shoulders. Stand together with your friends - both in the game and in the living room - and you will be able to conquer the madness that fame brings.
• Go on a globetrotting adventure with Shaun White as your partner – Ubisoft worked in close contact with Shaun White in order to infuse the experience with the most authentic elements of his riding style, personality and sense of humor. Shaun will act as a good-natured friend and mentor to the player, hooking him up with the right friends to conquer challenges together, introduce him to new locales, or simply be around to share in a laugh.
• Wii Balance Board Integration – Get yourself into the game like never before by using the Wii Board to control your rider. Control your carves, jumps and grinds with the intuitiveness and fun of having a snowboard in your own living room.
• Everyone plays, no one waits – Engage in a seamlessly integrated multiplayer experience for two to four players, where every player is active in the game at all times.
• Get together your crew – In the world of snowboarding, it pays to have friends on your side. Your crew of friends will always be there to help you by offering you unique abilities to improve both your riding and keeping you grounded with friendly pranks; filming all the antics along the way.
• Fame and Respect - Getting your name out there by doing well as a pro snowboarder is bound to get you some recognition. As your fame grows, so too does your ability to take on bigger and bigger challenges, from new mountains to more prestigious events and competitions. Fame, however, isn’t everything. You’ll need to gain your friends’ respect by riding with style in order to gain their support; they will help you find hidden areas, share their favorite music tracks and keep you laughing.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 19:18 PM [Top]
Today Ubisoft announced that Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party will launch for the Wii system and Nintendo DS system this holiday season.
Following the tradition of Rayman Raving Rabbids titles showcasing fun and innovative use of the Wii controllers, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party will feature the Wii Balance Board accessory. The Rabbids plan to invade televisions worldwide, providing players with a variety of games and comedic exploits spoofing TV shows, pop culture and even advertisements.
To date, the Rayman titles have sold more than 22 million units worldwide with their unique ability to reach all ages and demographics through their family friendly, innovative game play mechanics.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 19:12 PM [Top]
Ubisoft's Ubidays press event ended today, with one final trailer featuring characters from the critically-acclaimed but commercially-disappointing Beyond Good and Evil. The trailer doesn't show much, but it's pretty and humorous. Check it out by clicking the source link. Disclaimer: Not for pro-fly or anti-pig enthusiasts.
While the worldwide race has been all Nintendo for months now, the North American market has been dominated by the Xbox 360 since the start of this generation. Now with the latest update of sales figures, there's a new king of the castle. Nintendo's little white box has finally overtaken Microsofts...big white box for overall sales in North America. The current standing is Wii with 11.7 million units sold (26.69 worldwide) and 360 with 11.53 (18.84 worldwide). Sony's PS3 lags way behind at 4.91 million (12.99 worldwide).
Nintendo fans, you may officially start gloating. Sure, it means nothing, but still, these bragging rights have been a long time coming.
Majesco Brings the Amusement Park to DS [ Majesco ]
Now you can bring the fun and thrills of the amusement park with you, as Majesco today announced Wonder World Amusement Park for Nintendo DS. The portable companion to the Wii title releasing this summer, Wonder World Amusement Park for DS is being developed by Majesco Studios and will be in stores this holiday season.
Wonder World Amusement Park for DS lets players experience a complete day at the park in the palm of their hands. Using the Touch Screen, players can toss, drive, shoot, whack, fish and spin in more than two dozen mini-games throughout five themed zones. Playing mini-games lets gamers access interactive rides and win tickets they can redeem for prizes and accessories for their characters. Other rewards include unlockable modes, games and a secret Park Zone! Whether playing alone or challenging a friend via local wireless connection, Wonder World Amusement Park offers a rich carnival game experience anytime, anywhere.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 13:06 PM [Top]
Pokémon fans get ready to rejoice and dust off that explorer hat as Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Darkness hit stores across Europe very soon! Having sold over 1.5 million copies globally following their launches in Japan and the US, this epic adventure, based in a world of mystery full of friends, enemies and hidden treasures, will give players the chance to live the life of a Pokémon. With the ability to communicate with friends via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the Nintendo DS Wireless Communication, or by sharing passwords, players will never be completely lost, no matter how deep the Dungeon may be. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Time and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Darkness launch across Europe on 4th July 2008.
With the first titles of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series selling over 1 million copies across Europe, Pokémon fans will not want to miss this next instalment. Once again heading into a world completely populated by Pokémon, players take a Personality Quiz to determine which Pokémon they will become. Will fans become their favourite Pokémon from the 16 potential Pokémon alter egos, including four Pokémon from Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, available? Players must also choose a Partner Pokémon to support them through the rollercoaster adventure ahead as their trusty sidekick. Accompanied by their loyal friend in this strange world, players embark on an epic journey through limitless and randomly generated dungeons, uncovering mystery after mystery to find out why they’ve become a Pokémon.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 12:56 PM [Top]
Activision Brings the Baja 1000 to Wii [ Activision ]
Activision today announced that it will be releasing the official SCORE International Baja 1000 video game version of the world’s most grueling off-road race. SCORE International Baja 1000 recreates the unforgiving conditions and blistering speeds that make this event the most recognized and entertaining off-road racing event in the world. Developed by Left Field Productions, the game will be available this fall for the Wii.
Sporting over 90 vehicles across multiple classes in the real Baja 1000 – including trophy trucks, class I, motorcycles, ATVs and more – the game challenges players to not only be first across the finish line, but also keep their machine intact! Hyper-realistic dirt and damage modeling in the game means players need to be crazy enough to take chances, but not so reckless that their vehicle is destroyed before the race is over.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 12:45 PM [Top]
Nintendo Japan Reveals Summer Lineup, New Games [ Nintendo of Japan ]
Nintendo has revealed its lineup for Japan for the summer months, and with it, has revealed a pair of new titles never before seen or heard about. First up is Wario Land Shake!, a brand-new Wii game which will presumably star everyone's favorite money-grubbing anti-hero, set for release on July 24th. The "Land" moniker makes us believe this will actually be a platformer rather than a new microgame excursion, but nothing has been confirmed. In addition, the popular rhythm-based GBA game Rhythm Tengoku will apparently be receiving a DS-based sequel, with Rhythm Tengoku Gold releasing on July 31st. The original was never released in America but became an import smash, so you can probably expect the same for this title.
As for games we already knew about, Mario Super Sluggers will hit stores on June 19th, Band Brothers DX will drop on June 26th, Resident Evil Zero: Wii Edition comes out on July 10th, Fatal Frame IV will scare its way to stores on July 31st, and finally, Fire Emblem's DS debut appears on August 7th. Of course, none of these games (sans Sluggers) have been confirmed for a North American release as of yet, but you can put money on us hearing more when E3 2008 rolls around this July.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008 12:26 PM [Top]
Dr. Mario Online Rx (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): The doctor is in! Mario takes a break from his adventuring ways and once again dons his stethoscope for a new generation of germ-battling mayhem. In addition to the classic mode of using vitamins to exterminate viruses, you'll find two battle modes and an online multiplayer mode where you can hone your skills against players from around the world. Feel like challenging a friend who doesn't have Dr. Mario Online Rx? Then the WiiWare-exclusive Friend Battle Demo is just what the doctor ordered. Or maybe you'd like some help taking on those nasty viruses? Try out Virus Buster, where four players can simultaneously move capsules simply by pointing at them with a Wii Remote controller. Any way you look at it, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a prescription for fun that everyone can enjoy.
Family Table Tennis (Aksys Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): It's time for some good old family fun, and what's more fun than table tennis? Just like a real family, choose your character from a cast of four, which includes Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy. There are four table tennis-tastic stages where it doesn't matter if you're an indoors or outdoors table-tennis player. Pick your poison from a gymnasium, a forest park, a beach or even an amusement park. Choose from Single or Versus mode, or select a minigame to play. In Versus mode, you and a friend can play against each other to see who is the better table-tennis player. And if Single and Versus modes aren't enough, select between three minigames, which include Target Table Tennis, Thrilling Table Tennis and Matching Table Tennis. The appealing cell-shaded graphics and endearing music, on top of the super-fun game play, will have you and your family playing from morning till night. Get your paddles ready.
Virtual Console
City Connection (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, Tobacco Reference, 500 Wii Points): Based on the arcade hit, a young man born in California sets out to tour famous sites and cities around the world. As he drives the highways surrounding these locations, the road is painted white as proof of his visit. Only once all sections of the road have been painted will he move on to the next location in his world tour. Not surprisingly, the local police will chase the driver and do their best to stop him from completing his goal. In addition, cats roam the highways and spikes lie in wait for unsuspecting drivers. To combat these dangers, the driver's customized car can jump, fire cans of oil and collect balloons to warp to a new stage. It's the ultimate road trip.
Metal Slug (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen - Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1996 by SNK, Metal Slug is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players control Marco and Tarma, both members of the special-ops force Team Peregrine Falcon (commonly known as Team PF), and battle their way through stage after stage of intense action. The goal is to try to overthrow General Morden and win back the stolen weapon, the Metal Slug. Players must blast through waves of enemies and machines (while also jumping over any obstacles in the way) to advance through the stages. It's not as hopeless as it might sound, though—weapons such as heavy machine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers and flamethrowers, as well as the Metal Slug itself (which appears frequently in the game), will make the battle easier. Take on General Morden with a friend to lighten your load and ramp up the excitement even more.
Gaming Blog Nintendo Revolution has revealed, via a translated press release from Nintendo's official German website, that the company will not be exhibiting at the 2008 Leipzig Games Convention. The move comes as a surprise since Nintendo has been a part of the last three Games Conventions, even using the opportunity to unveil a few new games on occasion. In lieu of Liepzig, however, Nintendo will be holding a "road show"-like promotional tour throughout Germany, showing off many of it's Wii and DS products at smaller, less centralized events. Nintendo also confirmed that the decision was not made due to any ill will between the company and the Games Convention staff. It was also not ruled out that Nintendo would attend the event in 2009 upon its move to Cologne, Germany, when it will be renamed GAMEScom.
Guitar Hero Confirmed to Go On World Tour [ Activision ]
When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of axe shredders, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with Activision's Guitar Hero World Tour. The latest installment from the #1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero World Tour will transform music gaming by marrying Guitar Hero's exhilarating guitar gameplay, with a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. The game will feature a slick newly redesigned guitar, a genuine electronic drum kit and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock and roll anthems, along with online Band Career and 8-player "Battle of the Bands."
Delivering the largest on-disc set list in a music-rhythm game to-date, Guitar Hero World Tour is comprised entirely of master recordings from some of the greatest classic and modern rock bands of all-time including Van Halen, Linkin Park, The Eagles, Sublime and many more. Additionally, the game will offer significantly more localized downloadable music than ever before on all of the next-generation consoles. Budding rock stars will also be given creative license to fully customize everything from their characters' appearance and instruments to their band's logo and album covers.
In addition to a newly designed more responsive guitar controller and microphone, Guitar Hero World Tour will deliver the most realistic drum experience ever in a video game with an authentic electronic drum kit. Featuring three drum pads, two raised cymbals and a bass kick pedal, the drum controller combines larger and quieter, velocity-sensitive drum heads with soft rubber construction to deliver authentic bounce back and is easy to set up, move, break down and store.
Guitar Hero World Tour delivers more ways to play than ever before. Virtual musicians can live out their rock and roll fantasies by playing either a single instrument, or any combination of instruments, in addition to the full band experience. In addition to all of the online gameplay modes from Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero World Tour introduces Battle of the Bands mode which allows eight players to join online and challenge each other band-to-band to determine who is the best of the best. In the Band modes, up to four players can jam together, online or off, as they progress through the game, and in single-player Career Mode, players can jam on any of the instruments in branching venue progression enabling them to rock out in the order of their choice.
The game's innovative new Music Studio lets players express their musical creativity by giving them access to a full compliment of tools to create digital music from scratch, utilizing all of the instruments, and then play their compositions in the game. Music creators will also be able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunes where other gamers can download their unique compositions and play them.
Guitar Hero World Tour is being developed by Vicarious Visions for the Wii. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB. Check out the first trailer, direct from YouTube, below.
Video:
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 22 2008 19:39 PM [Top]
SEGA today announced that PictoImage, a fun and challenging party game that will sharpen wit and drawing skills is coming to Nintendo DS. PictoImage is a pick-up-and-play puzzle game scheduled for release in August 2008.
PictoImage enables up to eight players to take turns drawing the image of a word generated from a large database while competitors race against the clock to guess the word first. Featuring eight multi-player game modes, players can compete against each other in a variety of party games including Picture Pass, a mode where a subject will be passed from player to player in an image and the last player has guess the subject based on all the drawings. In multiplayer mode players can also create a personal library of words to use when they square off against other players.
PictoImage will also include a single-player and two-player mode where players must guess an image from a library of 300 drawings created by people of all ages. The tutorial mode teaches players how to draw a variety of different images from four main categories (Animals, Objects, Food, and Other).
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 22 2008 17:38 PM [Top]
Beer Pong Coming to WiiWare...Yes, Really [ JV Games ]
JV Games Inc. is pleased to announce Frat Party Games – Beer Pong. Beer Pong, a game born on a college campus in the early 80s, has grown from a college drinking game to a competitive sport in bars across the country. In mid June 2008, Beer Pong is going to be available for WiiWare, Frat Party Games – Beer Pong is the first slated game in the Frat Party Games series.
Featuring two distinct competitive games, Frat Party Games – Beer Pong will offer a traditional tournament-style game of Beer Pong for one to four players and Speed Pong, during which two to three players compete at the same time, each trying to be the first to eliminate all of his or her cups.
Frat Party Games – Beer Pong has been designed exclusively for WiiWare, with accurate and easy to use controls. Frat Party Games – Beer Pong will feature three different play environments and allow players to choose from multiple tabletops to enhance the playing environment.
Dragon Quest Remakes Confirmed for North America [ Square Enix ]
Square Enix has officially confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo DS remakes of Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI will in fact be coming to North America. Each game will also receive a new subtitle, with the games now being called Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie. Only Dragon Quest IV has received an official release date, as it will be hitting stores on September 16th, 2008. For more details, click on over to the official site. Only the site for Dragon Quest IV is open at this time, but details on the other games is forthcoming.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 21 2008 12:27 PM [Top]
The path to fitness begins with a single step. Nintendo's new Wii Fit, launching today, combines fun and fitness in ways that will have people getting up off their couches, moving around, having fun and maybe even breaking a sweat. Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making enjoyable physical activities a part of their daily routines. Wii Fit even tracks users' progress, which lets people see how they have improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.
At an MSRP of $89.99, Wii Fit comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board accessory, a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. The Wii Balance Board connects wirelessly to the Wii console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 fun activities that challenge users in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. Helpful virtual trainers in the game talk users through the different activities and make suggestions for improvement.
Wii Fit, which has sold more than 2 million in Japan, starts with a simple measurement that calculates an adult user's Body Mass Index, or BMI. From there, the Wii Balance Board accessory can be used as a platform for twirling a virtual Hula Hoop, shredding on a virtual snowboard, performing leg extensions or doing a downward-facing dog yoga pose. Wii Fit contains a wide variety of fun games and physical activities that target the body's core.
Different people in the same household can use Wii Fit and track their progress separately. Users' Mii caricatures even reflect their fitness levels and change as people become more proficient at the activities. Wii is the first video game system ever included in the President's Challenge, a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports that encourages all Americans to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. Wii Fit builds on that honor by encouraging people to keep their bodies moving.
Wii Fit is available today exclusively at the Nintendo World store in New York, and will be at retail stores across the country May 21.
Critter Round-Up (Konami, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The critters have escaped, and the barnyard is in chaos! It's up to you to quickly corral the animals in this puzzle-action challenge. You'll have to mend fences in a hurry to keep all the critters safe and satisfied. But the fun doesn't stop with the farmland; more than 50 challenging levels take you to several exotic locations, including the outback, the icy Arctic and more. There's even a series of minigames for when the critters get you down: Snowball Soccer, Predator Rampage, Chicken Catch and Fence Trap. Up to four players can compete or cooperate as the critters run wild. So roll up those sleeves and grab a friend-those critters won't catch themselves.
Star Soldier R (Hudson Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Star Soldier R is a new kind of shooter where players aim for the best scores within a two- or five-minute time limit. Develop various scoring strategies, and pump out those points within the breakneck time frame. Assembled in record time to counter the advance of a powerful enemy, the mysterious Brain Forces, the "Caesar" starfighter takes off to fight for the very future of mankind. Shoot down countless enemies, upgrade your ship to the max with power-ups hidden throughout the levels and wage an all-out assault against the core of the enemy fortress. Combining the excitement of shoot-'em-ups with in-depth scoring strategies, this state-of-the-art competitive shooter will keep you coming back for more. Upload your best scores with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and pit your skills against the world's best fighter pilots from the comfort of your living room. Hone your skills and show the world who's boss.
Virtual Console
SKYKID (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Red Baron, from the freedom- and peace-loving nation of birds, Bird Land, faces off in the skies with his rival Blue Max in this side-scrolling shooting game. Defeat the many enemies that await you as you complete your mission, using moves like the loop-the-loop to shoot down enemies from behind. Fly low to pick up bombs placed in the stage and drop them on command posts, warships or other designated targets to destroy them. Then land safely at base to proceed to the next mission. Beware of enemy fire, though-it will cause you to crash, unless you're able to recover by rapidly pressing the buttons. You can even play with a second person and fly simultaneously, sometimes helping each other and other times competing against each other. Prepare yourself and take to the skies, but make sure that the catchy background music (which became an instant classic when this game was originally released) doesn't distract you from your goal.
We now have the first trailer for indie-dev High Voltage's Wii-exclusive sci-fi FPS The Conduit courtesy our colleagues at IGN. High Voltage is still looking for a publisher to distribute the game, but if the trailer is any indication, this should be something that really interests some of the major players in the industry. Check out the trailer below and keep your fingers crossed that someone picks it up.
After yesterday's report of SEGA and PlatinumGames' new stylized action game for the Wii, MadWorld, the companies have released the first actual trailer of the game on YouTube, which you can view below. Trust us on this, this trailer is one you absolutely have to see for yourself to believe.
Join your host MR. POTATO HEAD for fun and games with family and friends like never before. From Electronic Arts comes the fun-filled video game HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT, launching Autumn 2008 on Wii. Featuring six games including: BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, CONNECT FOUR, SORRY! and the all new, SORRY! Sliders, HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT is sure to become a valuable family favorite.
With the HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT digital experience, families can enjoy familiar classic Hasbro board games or throw in a fun spin with new versions like CONNECT FOUR Power Chips, BOGGLE Portal Cubes, Reverse YAHTZEE and BATTLESHIP Barrage – which add fresh dimensions and challenges to these legendary favorites. Play with up to four people in YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, SORRY! and SORRY! Sliders or up to two players in CONNECT FOUR and BATTLESHIP.
Players can deck out their very own distinctive digital game room in HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT by choosing a setting and adding earned trophies, cool furniture and decorations all themed to their favorite games. Not only can players customize where they play, but also how they play. HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT features a party mode that gives players the option to build a custom party game by choosing their desired game(s), number of players and setting a time limit. Party mode mini-game challenges include Match the Pattern, Shake for Words and Bomb Run.
Metallic Rose DS Lite Launches With Celebrity Help [ Nintendo ]
Nintendo is making Metallic Rose a regular part of the Nintendo DS color palette with the help of some celebrity spokespeople. Starting Monday, May 19, America Ferrera and Carrie Underwood will be featured in commercials for the Metallic Rose version of Nintendo DS. Metallic Rose debuted in late 2007 as part of a Nintendogs bundle and will be available as a standalone hardware system at retailers nationwide late this month. Liv Tyler also will appear in Nintendo DS commercials that feature the two-toned Crimson/Black version.
Nintendo DS continues to add new games and applications that make it the system of choice for moms on the go, longtime gamers, kids and travelers. The newly launched Crosswords DS, for instance, offers a fun, pick up and play experience for everyone.
Beyond Good & Evil Sequel On the Way? [ Jeux-Video ]
Perhaps one of the most beloved titles of last generation was Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil, an open-ended action-adventure game by Rayman creater Michel Ancel. While the game sold poorly, it's immense quality led it to become a cult hit, and the desire for a sequel has kept fans waiting for years. Well, those wishes might soon be coming true, as Ancel has confirmed to French gaming site Jeux-Video that he is in fact hard at work on a sequel to the 2004 game, and has in fact been working on it for a year's time. Don't get your hopes up for Jade's latest adventure to come anytime soon, however, as Ancel has stated that Ubisoft is yet to approve of the project, and until it is approved can it be released - and with the weak sales of the first, approval of the game might be a longshot. Here's hoping that this game eventually sees the light of day, no matter what console.
Konami today announced that the Lost in Blue franchise is hitting game consoles for the first time with Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked! (working title), scheduled to debut on Wii this Fall. The latest installment in the hit franchise, previously available only for Nintendo DS, will offer a survival adventure brimming with colorful 3D graphics and maximizing the interactive capabilities of Wii.
In Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked!, players will find themselves stranded on a mysterious island filled with lush forests, ancient ruins, and an active volcano. With the help of trusty pets and new friends, players can explore the mysteries of the island to find a way home, or make a new life for themselves and stay forever. Vibrant 3D graphics make the island environment, weather systems, and various items more life-like than ever. An island tutorial with a greater focus on exploration enhances the accessibility for new players.
Taking full advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls, Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked! allows players to realistically practice survival tasks, with more than 40 mini-games including fishing, carpentry, fire-making and other all-new cooperative games. Dependable pets provide players with an added entertainment feature by playing music or dancing throughout the game.
Konami Announces Rock Revolution For Wii and DS [ Konami ]
Konami today announced Rock Revolution, an unprecedented, authentic music-based video game that will re-define the rhythm genre. Rock Revolution provides an unmatched rock experience. Breaking new ground with its definitive drum experience, Rock Revolution also gives players a chance to rock out on the bass and lead guitar. Designed by musicians, Rock Revolution will be available with the most realistic drum peripheral on the market.
Rock Revolution features an extensive music selection on the game disc. Additionally, the title offers a variety of innovative single-player and multi-player modes.
A unique aspect of the Wii version is the interactive use of the controls with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for an air-drum and air-guitar experience. Rock out anywhere with the Nintendo DS version, using the stylus for intense rhythm matching sessions.
Rock Revolution is scheduled to launch this Fall for the Wii and DS systems from Nintendo.
SEGA Makes PlatinumGames Partnership Official [ SEGA ]
SEGA today announced a worldwide partnership with PlatinumGames Inc., the development studio recently formed by the team behind some of the most successful franchises in the video game industry. Under the agreement, PlatinumGames will develop three ground-breaking new SEGA titles - MADWORLD, Infinite Line and Bayonetta – covering a variety of game genres with innovative design concepts that explore the depths of today’s best-selling platforms. A soon-to-be-announced fourth title, being directed by legendary gaming icon Shinji Mikami, is also part of the agreement.
MADWORLD, the first title set for release in Q1 2009, is an inventive third-person action game exclusively for Wii. Produced by Atsushi Inaba, MADWORLD has a unique black and white style, depicting an incredibly sharp backdrop that straddles graphic novels and 3D worlds. As players battle opponents, they must master the use of various weapons and items found within their environment, such as chainsaws and street signs, while entertaining sports commentary adds to the third-person gameplay. With its irreverent humour and over-the-top violence, MADWORLD will deliver a unique core gaming experience currently missing on the Wii system.
Infinite Line (working title), a role playing game exclusively for the Nintendo DS portable handheld system, takes place in outer space and gives players the ability to control, build, outfit and customise more than 150 spaceships. Infinite Line stretches the DS hardware to the limit, offering over 200 characters and the ability to control multiple spaceships at any one time. Releasing in 2009 and currently being produced by Atsushi Inaba and directed by Hifumi Kouno (from developer Nude Maker), Infinite Line is one of the most complex RPG titles developed for the DS to date.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 15 2008 19:40 PM [Top]
Press Release for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia [ Konami ]
Konami today announced Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia exclusively for Nintendo DS. Introducing the all-new Glyph attack system, players will be able to use special attack combinations as they attempt to defeat Dracula and his horde. Also introduced to the series are new outdoor locales ranging from forests to the ocean, giving players the chance to explore outside of Dracula’s Castle. Developed by legendary Castlevania producer Koji “Iga” Igarashi, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is poised to set a new standard for side scrolling action on DS.
In Order of Ecclesia players take the role of a member of the Ecclesia, an organization that has sworn to defeat the evil forces of Dracula. By using the new Glyph attack system, players can unleash more than 100 different combinations to battle Dracula’s minions throughout 20 explorable areas. Utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players can choose to compete head-to-head, or trade items and equipment they have found while exploring the environments. Multiple endings that can be unlocked depending on how the player completes the game adds even more replay value to the game with plenty of addictive exploration, combat and items to discover.
Konami today announced three upcoming Dance Dance Revolution titles will ship this Fall in honor of the 10th anniversary of the franchise. Rounding out the Dance Dance Revolution 10th anniversary celebration is the release of Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 for Wii. Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 is sure to be the life of the party with 4 player multiplayer, Wii Remote and Nunchuk support, smash hits taken from the last four decades of music, entirely new modes and more!
The all-new soundtrack features big hits such as “I Want Candy”, “Umbrella”, “Black or White” and “We Got The Beat” ensuring that Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 will appeal to dance enthusiasts of all ages. The multiplayer function allows for head-to-head battles in the Dance n’ Defend Battle Mode where players use the Wii Remote to battle their opponents. Other new modes include the non-stop dance action in Course Mode, the ability to unlock hidden features in Groove Arena Mode and the all-new Hottest Training Mode. With brand new gimmicks, the incorporation of your Mii, enhanced motion capture, new characters exclusive to the game, and new stages with enhanced effects on more than 50 unique dance environments, there is no party like Hottest Party 2.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 15 2008 19:36 PM [Top]
Nintendo Hits Record Success in April [ Nintendo ]
Wii emerged as the top-selling console in April, according to the independent NPD Group, which tracks U.S. video game sales. Wii sold more than 714,000 units in April alone, bringing its lifetime sales in the United States to more than 9.5 million.
Other Nintendo highlights from April’s NPD report include:
* Mario Kart Wii finished as the No. 2 game of the month. (beating the PS3 version of Grand Theft Auto IV)
* Six of the top 10 games of the month are for Nintendo systems: Mario Kart Wii (No. 2), Wii Play (No. 4), Super Smash Bros. Brawl (No. 5), Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness (No. 7), Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (No. 8) and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (No. 9).
* Super Smash Bros. Brawl crossed the 3 million sales mark in the United States.
* Wii and Nintendo DS again finished as the two top-selling hardware systems.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Thursday, May 15 2008 19:28 PM [Top]
Activision announced today the upcoming release of Cabela's Legendary Adventures for Wii. The latest title in the best-selling Cabela's franchise will allow players to relive the greatest hunting stories ever told. The game will hit shelves in Fall 2008.
Players will hunt in different eras in search of trophies such as white-tailed deer, Yukon moose, Alaskan brown bear and Roosevelt elk in over ten of North America's top hunting locations, including Kodiak Island, the Yukon and the Rocky Mountains. Each location in Cabela's Legendary Adventures is a visually stunning open outdoor environment that encourages exploration and tactical variation. Shooting mechanics have been developed to reflect modern as well as historical hunting technology, so players relive the hunts complete with detail from specific time periods.
Under Cabela's guidance, the firearms, tactics and gear in Cabela's Legendary Adventures are as true to real life as a game will allow. The title will also include a large variety of additional hunts featuring over 30 species of other big game, small game, waterfowl, upland birds and turkey.
Hot on the heels of Game Informer's report that Guitar Hero would include drums and vocals for the fourth installment, a scan has revealed these drums to the world. Unlike Rock Band's 5-input drums (four pads and a bass kick pedal), Guitar Hero's drums will turn it up to 6, with three pads, two cymbal pads, and a kick pedal. Check out the scan below for the Xbox 360 version of these drums, but you can expect the Wii's version will be a lot similar (and perhaps a bit whiter).
TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher today announced NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 for the Nintendo DS. Everyone's favorite orange-clad ninja returns to the role-playing genre with Path of the Ninja 2, featuring an all-new original storyline, a huge roster of playable characters, an improved combat system and for the first time, exciting Wi-Fi battles. Based on VIZ Media's hit animated TV series NARUTO, NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 is scheduled to hit stores in September 2008.
NARUTO: Path of the Ninja 2 is set to give players a portable outlet for their inner ninja this fall. A deep, original storyline will allow players to access 30 major characters from the series, from standards such as Naruto and Sakura to unlikely allies like the weapons-based Tenten. The improved and intuitive battle system will make it easy for even the newest fighters to get into the combat, using the DS Touch Screen to unleash devastating melee and jutsu attacks on any opponent foolish enough to get in their way. The new Squad Leader and Ninja Tag systems provide even more squad-building options, while the Wi-Fi multiplayer feature offers aspiring ninja the chance to take on challengers from around the world.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 14 2008 23:05 PM [Top]
Confirming yesterday's reports, Famitsu magazine has revealed the upcoming titles developer Platinum Games (formerly known as Clover Studios) is working on with publisher Sega. While Bayonetta will not in fact be coming to a Nintendo system, both Infinite Line (for DS) and MadWorld (for Wii) will be heading our way in 2009.
Infinite Line is a science fiction-styled RPG set in the distant future, when massive ships roam the stars. Ships will be fully customizable with over 150 blueprints to choose from, and players will have over 200 crew members to interact with. In addition, the game will feature an active-time battle system (ATB) similar to the Final Fantasy series, and multiplayer battles.
MadWorld, as was shown in a leaked trailer, will be in a completely black & white, Frank Miller-esque game world, with red blood. The game will feature over-the-top, almost comical violence, with a remorseful main character trying to get out of his killing ways. It will be directed by Shigenori Nishikawa, a supervisor on Resident Evil 4.
For your first official look at both games, check out the scans below.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 14 2008 15:42 PM [Top]
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Confirmed [ Famitsu ]
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine has finally confirmed the third installment in the legendary Castlevania series for the Nintendo DS. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia will continue the 2D gameplay the series is known for, along with a brand-new feature: 2-player co-op. Whether this will be merely local or over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is unknown at this time.
Electronic Arts today announced first details for MySims Kingdom, the next experience from the creators of MySims. Launching exclusively on the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms, MySims Kingdom sets you on a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom. Launching globally in autumn 2008, MySims Kingdom for the Wii and Nintendo DS puts the creativity in your hands to make the Kingdom something to behold!
MySims Kingdom for the Wii
King Roland needs your help to make the Kingdom a better place. Throughout this tale to bring the Kingdom back to its former glory, you must help new and old friends alike, discover new lands and build to the limit of your imagination.
Your MySims Kingdom experience begins in The Capital, the majestic land at the center of your story-telling. Check out the Castle, explore this first land and begin to meet your first set of new friends, including King Roland, Princess Butter, and the Wizard Marlon. Find out more of what awaits you here and then get in your boat to sail to many more lands on the horizon!
Throughout your journey new characters, lands, and clever new contraptions will be revealed. Construct and do everything from tending your pigs to finding treasure chests. Newly-added building options will help you accomplish the tasks you’re challenged with along the way, including building broken bridges. In true MySims fashion, everything is customizable, allowing every creation within your world to have a signature look.
There is a lot more to discover in regions beyond The Capital, so stay tuned for more characters, contraptions and lands that are yet to be revealed!
MySims Kingdom for Nintendo DS
Take the Kingdom with you! MySims Kingdom on Nintendo DS adds a new chapter to the saga, challenging you to help the King thwart the plans of evil in a far flung corner of the Kingdom. Many new activities and mini-games are included to help you persuade the King that your island is the ultimate royal destination.
Eric Jones
-- Posted on Wednesday, May 14 2008 14:12 PM [Top]
Agetec is pleased to announce that its Nintendo DS game, Touch Darts, will be released in North America in June of 2008.
“This is not just your ordinary dart video game; Touch Darts really takes advantage of Nintendo DS’s unique touch screen and allows players to accurately simulate throwing darts with a simple flick of the stylus,” says Mark Johnson, producer at Agetec. “The developer, Full Fat, made sure to fine tune the controls so that even the most hardcore dart fanatic is happy with this game. It’s quite an achievement.”
Touch Darts comes with four classic dart modes: tournament, challenge, quickplay, and multiplayer. Quickplay and multiplayer mode gives up to four players the chance to square off on the board via single cartridge. Tournament mode includes four different levels of difficulty ranking from Rookie to Expert.
THQ today announced that Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise is scheduled for release this fall for Nintendo DS. The game is based on Microsoft Game Studios’ highly-rated original Viva Pinata game for the Xbox 360. Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise features an array of content exclusive to Nintendo DS and an intuitive control scheme designed to take full advantage of the DS touch screen and stylus, making it a breeze to navigate through the garden.
In Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise, players will inherit a neglected garden on Pinata Island and turn it into a pinata paradise by tending to all aspects of cleaning the garden, growing and maintaining vegetation, caring for and breeding pinatas, as well as attracting new pinata species. The game features seven all-new pinata species, each with new requirements, houses and unique cut scenes. Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise also includes twelve full motion video clips that serve as tutorial levels within the game. The videos feature the stars of the Fox 4Kids Viva Pinata TV series, including Hudson Horstashio, Fergy Fudgehog and Paulie Pretztail. The brand-new Playground mode allows players to create a lush garden full of exciting and exotic pinatas in a very short amount of time. In addition, certain rare pinatas can only be acquired by using the Nintendo DS local wireless connection, where players can transfer items from their garden to a friend’s garden.
The developer of LostWinds, which launched yesterday with Nintendo's WiiWare service to critical acclaim, has updated its website with a notice for interested gamers:
Click here to REGISTER FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION on Frontier's forthcoming LostWinds sequel containing amazing new gameplay as Toku and Enril's incredible adventure to save Mistralis continues - Frontier is registered under the UK's Data Protection Act and won't use your details for any other reason.
We will of course keep you appraised of what Frontier plans for the sequel to the unique 2D platformer.
Electronic Arts today announced Skate It, a new game in the award-winning Skate franchise that taps into the heart and soul of being on a skateboard. Designed exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS systems, Skate It has Nintendo players riding with the skate pros, owning the best spots in San Vanelona and pulling off the sickest tricks using the popular FlickIt controls. Loaded with all-new gameplay features, Skate It breaks new ground by introducing innovative support for the Wii Balance Board which gives players a fresh way to create their own signature skateboarding style.
Skate It unleashes the FlickIt revolution on to the Nintendo platforms, letting gamers use the Wii Remote or the Nintendo DS stylus to string together their best tricks for the ultimate skate line. The Wii Remote becomes a skateboard and reacts to gestures that mirror actual skate flips and moves. Players can also deepen this experience by planting their feet on the Wii Balance Board. Skate It brings the hit Skate franchise to a new level of creative ingenuity and gameplay excellence.
Skate It will ship in 2008. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. Check out the first screens from both the Wii and DS versions of the game below.
The latest issue of Game Informer has the first details on the return of one of gaming's biggest franchises, with Guitar Hero IV set for the Wii. For the first time ever, Guitar Hero IV will allow players to create their own songs, allowing players to create a song, name it, create an album art for it, and then upload it for other would-be rock stars to download. In addition, GHIV will take a page from Rock Band's playbook, adding a new drum peripheral so players can play the skins while fellow players jam on guitar and bass. Also, players will be able to choose their band's appearance, creating a custom guitarist, bassist, and drummer on stage. Finally, while Game Informer did not reveal a full song list, they did state that cover songs will finally be given the old heave-ho from the Guitar Hero series, with all songs being full master tracks. In addition, four of the world's biggest bands: The Eagles, Van Halen, Linkin Park, and Sublime, will all have songs in the game.
We'll have more details on Guitar Hero IV as they become available.
We've been hearing rumors of the newest Pokémon game being revealed in the pages of CoroCoro comics, and it looks like that time has come. According to a leaked cover of the magazine, the newest game will be Pokémon Platinum, which will be a remake of Diamond and Pearl with new additions, like Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald before it. Also, it appears that Legendary Pokémon Giratina will be taking the game's cover. That's all that's known about the game thus far, but we expect to here more soon. For now, check out a shot of the magazine below.
Activision announced today Pitfall: The Big Adventure for Wii is in development at Edge of Reality and will swing onto shelves this Fall. With more than 10 million Pitfall titles sold to date, Pitfall: The Big Adventure will introduce the franchise to a new generation of gamers while bringing a fresh Pitfall experience to long time fans.
Set in the Peruvian jungle, Pitfall: The Big Adventure combines the action of reptile dodging and vine swinging with clever puzzles. The game will feature over 60 levels spanning lush rainforests, creature-filled caves, and glacial mountains. Within these dynamic worlds, players will explore cavernous jungles, discover lost treasures, battle shamen, narrowly escape treacherous traps and outwit creatures using innovative, accessible game mechanics developed specifically to take advantage of the Wii motion sensing controls.
Platinum Games Announces Games, Deal with Sega? [ Kotaku ]
For some time now, we've been waiting for titles to be announced from developer Platinum Games, formerly known under Capcom's control as Clover Studios. Well, it appears that wait is over as Kotaku is reporting (via a dead link at videogaming247.com) that, according to the developer's Facebook page, the company has announced a publishing deal with Sega for three games. The games are as follows:
• Bayonetta, directed by DMC creator Hideki Kamiya, and is described by the site’s correspondent as a “stylish action game” with “a witch battling angels”. Apparently she has guns on her feet. • A science-fiction RPG for the DS called Infinite Line, where you play as a starship captain, customising your ship and crew. • A Wii game called MadWorld. ...it’s, “Black and white Sin City graphics, with red blood. Ultra ultra violent. Fatality moves like shoving a post through someone’s head. Chainsaw on your right arm.”
It's worth noting that no platforms were announced for Bayonetta, so it could still be coming Nintendo's way. We'll have more on this huge story as it becomes available.
VC Takes a Week Off, WiiWare Open for Business [ Nintendo ]
Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.
WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players everywhere. Newer, smaller teams now have an outlet for their creative ideas. The constantly growing WiiWare library will have a regular flow of unique video gaming experiences consumers might not otherwise have access to.
Today, the inaugural lineup of WiiWare games is just a taste of things to come:
FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.
LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand - from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You'll wield your Wii Remote controller to power Toku's jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds' novel, intuitive and playful control system.
Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?
Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone - casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.
V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen - Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.
TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you'll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.
THQ and Marvel announced today that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to create video games based on the burgeoning, kid-friendly Marvel Super Hero Squad franchise. Pursuant to the multi-year agreement, THQ has obtained the exclusive, worldwide rights to publish content for all current and next-generation consoles, handheld systems, as well as Windows PC. The initial Marvel Super Hero Squad game is scheduled for release in fall 2009.
The agreement fits perfectly in both THQ's and Marvel's growth strategies. For THQ, the addition of the Marvel brand further strengthens its position as the pre-eminent creator and publisher of kids video games. For Marvel, the relationship with THQ provides a premier interactive entertainment partner for its important Marvel Super Hero Squad franchise, which is designed to be an engaging introduction into the Marvel Universe for young kids.
2K Sports and Konami today announced the next iteration of the wildly popular baseball franchise, MLB Power Pros 2008, scheduled to be available for Wii this July, as well as Nintendo DS later this fall. As the highest-rated and top-selling baseball title in Japan, MLB Power Pros was available in North America for the first time last year. Its comedic visual appeal of miniature Major League Baseball player models has attracted a dedicated following through its easy-to-use controls and addictively fun gameplay experience.
With over ten different exciting game modes including the traditional Practice, Exhibition, League and Home Run Challenge modes, MLB Power Pros 2008 will bring fans closer to the action than ever before. Gamers also get the opportunity to act as general manager and control the destiny of their own franchise in Season mode, or engage in entertaining role-playing story modes such as Success and MLB Life modes. As general manager, gamers can trade, sign free agents, coordinate practice schedules, purchase new equipment, call up and send down players from the Minor Leagues, along with other management options to bring in fans, win playoff games and eventually, earn the title of World Series champion.
In Success mode, fans can participate in a story-based career of rising players in the Double-A Minor League system trying to improve their baseball skills and make an impression on baseball scouts while also having to balance various situations in their personal lives. Through a variety of amusing training and game challenges, players who complete Success mode will also be able to take their created player files into MLB Life as well, or also play as either an existing Major League Baseball player in Dream Mode, or start as a rookie in Major League Career mode. As a new feature in MLB Power Pros 2008, MLB Life is another story-based mode that will allow fans the possibility to simulate the exciting life and experience of being a Major League Baseball player over the course of a 20-year career. While continuing to play in games through the regular baseball season, players will also participate in a number of realistic situations such as signing contracts, purchasing houses and cars, making charitable donations, building up relationships with friends and teammates, picking up hobbies and much more.
With easy, pick-up-and-play hitting and pitching controls, along with intuitive Wii functionality, other new features in MLB Power Pros 2008 include support of 40-man rosters, change of ball speed, adjustment of defensive shifts, along with a real-time bullpen check functionality for substituting pitchers. MLB Power Pros 2008 will also support the option for players to import their Wii-based characters, Miis, from their Wii or Wii Remote to become part of the exciting action!
Financial news site Forbes has released its list of the 40 richest individuals in Japan, and one of Nintendo's legendary luminaries has topped the list. Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's biggest shareholder and retired former president, has been given the title with a net worth of 7.8 billion dollars, a full point higher than property mogul Akira Mori, who came in second. What's even more stunning is that the 80-year old Yamauchi's net worth increased a whopping $3 billion over the past year alone, and has tripled since 2006, thanks to the soaring popularity of Nintendo's Wii and DS consoles.
The latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine has revealed a few upcoming titles for Nintendo consoles. Here's details on all of them, with scans below.
Avalon Code (DS) - Published by Marvelous Interactive and developed by Matrix games, this is an anime-styled action RPG in a fantasy setting. The gameplay unfolds on the top screen, while the touch screen represents the player's inventory, which can be navigated like a book.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (Wii) - Based on the ultra-popular anime and manga (whose ending theme has become a YouTube sensation), this Wii game is apparently a sort of dance-based rhythm game, starring the show's characters. The game is set for release this year.
The Conbini (DS) - Developed by Nippon-Ichi, this is a SimCity-like simulation game where players manage a Japanese convenience store. It seems to be meant more as a training title. It also releases this year.
Powerful Pro Baseball 15 (Wii)- The latest installment of the long-running super-deformed arcade baseball franchise returns to the Wii from Konami. The last game made it to the US as MLB Power Pros, so don't be surprised to see this one make it over as well.
The latest addition to the Wii's menu system is now up and running, as Nintendo launches its self-titled channel. The channel offers game videos, interviews, DS downloadable demos, WiiWare previews, release date lists, and other cool stuff...check it out.
Detn8 Games Crashes the Party on Wii [ Detn8 Games ]
Detn8 Games and Italian game developer Twelve Interactive have announced a development deal to create Party Crashers, an original title for the Wii home video game system.
Set for release in April, 2009, Party Crashers is composed of 25 party games in one product, including a host of action games along with puzzle games, brain teasers, and a music-based game. Utilizing the crash-dummy characters from Twelve Interactive’s platform game CID – The Dummy, Party Crashers includes individual game titles such as Pie in the Face, Chinese Plates, Dummy Cannonball, Pizza Delivery, Treasure Island, and Dummy Dance. Some of the games will be unlockable by performing well in other games.
While a single player can enjoy the game, Party Crashers naturally lends itself to family/friend, multiplayer fun, taking full advantage of the motion features of the Wii Remote. The game is being designed specifically for the Wii.
Majesco today announced Zoo Hospital for Wii. As a recent Veterinary College grad, you must help your Aunt Lucy heal a myriad of exotic animals and save the once world-famous Zoo Hospital from a businessman’s bulldozer by attracting more visitors. Already a popular title for Nintendo DS, Zoo Hospital for Wii is developed by Torus Games.
Zoo Hospital is the first game of its kind on Wii that lets players experience a veterinarian’s job. Players can use the Wii Remote in surgical procedures to eliminate parasitic pests, perform dentistry, X-ray organs and remove foreign bodies like gallstones to restore the health of 48 ailing zoo animals, including dolphins, gorillas, macaws and camels. Soothing and feeding each animal via intuitive gestures, while following up on post surgical patients in their enclosures is as important as precise operations, since happy, healthy animals increase the Zoo Rating which in turn affects the number of customers visting the zoo.
Zoo Hospital allows players to experience a 3D zoo environment and enables up to two friends to treat animals together in cooperative multi-player mode. Aspiring vets can also unlock new animals, enclosures, medical mini-games, and plaques by successfully performing procedures and raising the Zoo Rating.
Nintendo Plans Wii Fit Launch at Central Park [ Nintendo ]
How will Wii Fit move you? Discover for yourself at New York’s Central Park Merchants’ Gate on May 19, as Nintendo hosts a spectacular all-day launch event for Wii Fit, the highly anticipated new program for the popular Wii home video game system that combines fun and fitness. The event doubles as a celebration of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, putting all kinds of bodies — young and old, big and small — in motion with live demonstrations of Wii Fit and the new Wii Balance Board.
For every attendee who “gets on board” for a Wii Fit demo, Nintendo will make a donation of $5 (up to $25,000 total) to the American Heart Association in support of its effort to help Americans live healthier. Expect crowds of people throughout the day, plus an appearance by celebrity trainer Ashley Borden.
Featuring more than 40 physical activities and the revolutionary Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit makes fitness fun for the entire household. Anyone can benefit from its mix of aerobic, yoga, strength training and balancing exercises. Following the phenomenal success of active-play titles such as Wii Sports, Wii Fit gets everyone active and playing together.
Today Ubisoft announced that Protöthea will be available in May for WiiWare in North America. The game is a 3D top-down vertical scrolling shooter game putting players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship via the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The easy-to-play game introduces new concepts to a beloved classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii system, from graphics to controls.
The compelling storyline immerses players into an adventure where they will need to destroy an asteroid called “Maqno 01” and sabotage the plans of a political faction called “The Core.” Players will quickly jump right in and guide their ship through multiple missions on futuristic planets where enemy AI is dynamic and will change based on the player’s actions – so there are no predictable enemy paths, and therefore always a different game play experience. Players will have a wide range of eight different air-to-air weapons and two different air-to-ground bombs at their disposal, and can attack however they choose. In addition, there is a special power that decelerates time, allowing players to easily avoid enemy fire while they are able to move rapidly and attack enemies.
Electronic Arts today announced plans to release Rock Band Track Pack Volume 1 for the Wii home video game console from Nintendo. The Rock Band Track Pack Volume 1 will be available on July 15th, 2008 for $29.99.
Tracks:
30 Seconds to Mars - The Kill
All-American Rejects - Move Along
Blink-182 - All the Small Things
Boston - More Than a Feeling
David Bowie - Moonage Daydream
Faith No More - We Care A Lot
Grateful Dead - Truckin'
The Hives - Die, All Right!
KISS - Calling Dr. Love
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme' Three Steps
Nine Inch Nails - March of the Pigs
Oasis - Live Forever
Paramore - Crushcrushcrush
The Police - Synchronicity II
Queens of the Stone Age - Little Sister
Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy
Smashing Pumpkins - Siva
Stone - Temple Pilots Interstate Love Song
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Wolfmother - Joker & the Thief
All 20 tracks utilize original master recordings and were previously available as DLC on competing platforms. Rock Band itself will be available for the Wii starting June 22, 2008.
Today's launch of Crosswords DS for the portable Nintendo DS video game system puts more than 1,000 crossword puzzles into the palm of your hand. Crosswords DS includes puzzles at multiple skill levels, so anyone from beginners to experts can give it a try. As you progress, the puzzles get bigger and more challenging. Because you write all your answers directly on the touch screen with your stylus, there's no need for erasers – just write your new answer over your old one. Crosswords DS also includes a sophisticated hint system if you get stuck. Just tap the Hint button with your stylus and choose to receive another clue, reveal a hidden letter or solve the whole word.
Crossword puzzles aren't the only classic word games found in Crosswords DS. There are also more than 200 Wordsearch puzzles that let you hunt for hidden words amid a jumble of letters. For more word fun, you can turn to Anagrams and construct almost endless combinations of words from a handful of letters
Pokémon Puzzlers and Renegades Join the VC [ Nintendo ]
Pokémon Puzzle League (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Get ready for a new kind of Pokémon battle where the power and speed of your brain are just as important as the strength of your Pokémon. Join Ash, Brock, Misty and many more characters from the Pokémon animated series as they gather in Puzzle Village to compete for the title of Pokémon Puzzle Master. Just match three or more blocks of the same color in any direction. Sounds simple, right? But the actual game play is surprisingly addictive and deep (chains and combos anyone?), especially when you're facing off against a human opponent. Choose from six different modes offering a wide range of action, from story or puzzle modes to continuous play or timed play. If that's not enough, take on the challenge in 3-D and get ready for more blocks than ever before. Featuring animated cut scenes combined with bright, fun graphics, there's enough to satisfy any fan of Pokémon or puzzle games.
Renegade (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E10 for Everyone 10 and Older – Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): Renegade follows the story of a vigilante who fights his way through countless gangs in order to bring peace back to his city. Battle your way through subways, parks, alleyways and parking lots. For added fun, there's a wild motorcycle ride to challenge you. Use your arsenal of kicks, punches (including the infamous sit-on punch) and jump kicks, as well as a variety of throws to knock your opponents into submission. Along the way, pick up items like a hamburger that restores your life, a heart that increases your lives by one, a power-up to increase your attack strength, and a speed item that gives you a speed burst while on your motorcycle. You'll need all the help you can get to take out your aggression on street punks, thugs, outlaw bikers, killer kung-fu females and an array of bosses standing in your way. Take the law into your own hands to defeat countless scumbags and take your city back like the renegade you are.
We usually don't report on new Virtual Console games heading our way, but this one is far too huge to pass up. The ESRB has just posted to its site that one of the true cult classic RPGs of the Super Nintendo, Earthbound, is coming to the Virtual Console as a download, marking the first revival of the franchise in North America outside of main character Ness's appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series. Hopefully the resurgence of popularity of this game will force Nintendo to consider a US port of it's Japan-only Game Boy Advance sequel, Mother 3. Stay tuned for more.
Tennis, anyone? Nintendo and Westin Hotels & Resorts announce a partnership today that will allow guests to experience the Wii sensation with a special version of the console ideally suited for use in the hotel environment. Westin Hotels is the first hotel company to partner with Nintendo for its Wii console and will feature this specially designed console as part of the brand's WestinWORKOUT program at 10 hotels across the United States. The special game console is pre-loaded with many popular games, including the groundbreaking Wii Sports game, and today debuts at WestinWORKOUT fitness centers at The Westin Times Square in New York City and The Westin Bellevue in Washington state.
Using the innovative motion-sensitive Wii Remote controller, WestinWORKOUT users can get both body and brain moving with a variety of interactive games, including Wii Sports (featuring tennis, golf, baseball, bowling and boxing activities), Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree and Wii Play and others, all played with natural, intuitive movements of the Wii Remote. The special Wii system will be updated automatically with hot new Wii games as they become available and includes features to simplify system management for the hotel property. A simple new game menu makes it easy to jump in and play without inserting game discs, and each property can manage what games are offered and how game data is stored.
With this partnership, Westin will be among the first hotel brands in the United States to receive delivery of Wii Fit, the highly anticipated interactive fitness game, set to release during the week of May 19 in North America. Using another Nintendo innovation, the Wii Balance Board accessory, hotel guests will be able to participate in a dynamic mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities.
Nintendo Starts Up Mario Kart Tournaments [ Nintendo ]
Nintendo has thrown down the gauntlet for Mario Kart® Wii racers worldwide. Now it's time to see who's up to the challenge, as players take on the world in Mario Kart Wii Tournaments.
Every few weeks, a new tournament will appear on the Mario Kart Channel, an online feature that not only allows players to compete in tournaments, but also exchange race data with friends. Tournaments might take the form of a challenge for players to race a certain course as fast as they can with specific characters, or to collect a number of coins on a course using the Wii Wheel accessory or another control setup. They can feature unique rules or obstacles on the course.
The first tournament, which appears today, directs racers to compete for the fastest time on the Mario Circuit. Look closely though – something may be different. Players can attempt the challenge as often as they like during the duration of the tournament. Their best time will be recorded and added to the worldwide rankings, allowing players to see how they stack up against the best racers from around the world.
Ben 10 Alien Forces His Way Onto Wii and DS [ D3Publisher ]
D3Publisher will plunge gamers into the world of Ben 10: Alien Force, the latest incarnation of Cartoon Network’s hit animated series about a boy who can become ten different alien beings. Ben 10: Alien Force The Game will be available in North America this fall for Wii and Nintendo DS. The first game based on the show, Ben 10: Protector of Earth, launched in October of 2007 and has sold more than one million units worldwide.
Ben 10: Alien Force The Game begins five years after Ben put away the DNA-scrambling Omnitrix. With Grandpa Max missing and a diabolical Highbreed alien plot threatening planet Earth, gamers must help Ben take the Omnitrix out of retirement and lead eight different playable characters—including cousin Gwen, enemy-turned-ally Kevin Levin and five of Ben’s brand new alien forms—in super-powered battle with the intergalactic invaders. New aliens Swampfire, Jet Ray, Humungousaur, Spidermonkey and Big Chill allow Ben to manipulate fire, swim underwater, grow more than 60 feet tall, stick to walls and fly at mach speed. Players will also be able to harness Gwen’s new talent to create an energy shield and use it to protect and attack, and Kevin Levin’s ability to absorb materials like concrete, wood and metal to create an impenetrable shell on his body.
Tecmo today announced TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF, exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Based on the most popular Tecmo Super Bowl, KICKOFF will deliver to long time fans and newcomers easy to employ controls, fun, huge plays and exciting cut-scenes. The classic, over-the-top, all-American football game enables players of all levels to engage in a fun filled, fast paced, arcade style of football.
TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF brings a host of new features that will further enhance the gameplay experience, including:
· Customizable Teams: Choose team colors, emblems, player names, team cities and abilities.
· Super Abilities: Tactically use over-the-top plays to take over a game.
· Wi-Fi and Wireless Multiplayer: Play against friends across the country or across the room.
· Stylus Control: Feel the action by using the stylus to control your player.
· Variety of Teams: Choose from 32 different teams.
· Cut-Scenes: All-new cut-scenes showing off the dramatic presentation of various plays.
· Customizable Playbook: Prepare for gridiron greatness by customizing your playbook.
· Music and Sound Effects: Turn up the heat on your opponent as you play the game to rock ‘n’ roll remixes of the most memorable tunes in football gaming history!
TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF is scheduled to launch Fall 2008. The game has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
First Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Trailer [ 
