Nintendo Channel launches in Europe

The pally PAL regions of Europe and Australia can now use the Nintendo Channel, which allows access to news, videos and downloadable DS demos. The initial selection of stuff looks like this:

Wii videos

Shigeru Miyamoto discusses Wii FitDiscover Wii FitWii Fit TV CommercialWii Fit Launch EventMario Kart Wii TournamentMario Kart Wii TrailerMichael Owen & Ian Wright play PES 2008 Wii

DS videos

Zelda Phantom Hourglass TV Commercial 1Zelda Phantom Hourglass TV Commercial 2Nintendogs TV commercial 1Nintendogs TV commercial 2

WiiWare videos

Have you heard about WiiWare?WiiWare Media Summit

DS demos

Big Brain AcademyDr.Kawashima's Brain Training42 All-Time Classics (Checkers)Mario Kart DSProfessor Kageyama's Maths TrainingSight TrainingPicross DS

I hope you keep a clean fridge.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US

Wii overtakes Xbox 360 in the US

According to VGChartz, Nintendo Wii has now overtaken the Xbox 360 as the most popular home console in North America. The Wii, depicted as a blue line above, has been gaining ground fast since its launch in November 2006.

The figures determined by VGChartz aren't entirely accurate, but it's expected next month's NPD numbers will confirm this news. Note these statistics are focused on the US. In worldwide terms, the Wii has been number 1 for a while.

Kore and the gang

Snowboarding with Shaun

Earlier today, Ubisoft confirmed that Shaun White, Olympic Gold Medalist and 8 time X-Games gold winner would put his name to a snowboarding title on Wii - that name namely being the name Shaun White Snowboarding namely name name. Ubisoft's Tony Key spoke:

"Shaun White Snowboarding will turn all of the traditional ideas and experiences of past action sports titles upside down. The combination of Ubisoft's innovative approach and the influence of Shaun's lifestyle and perspective make this gaming experience like no other".

This is a multi-platform effort, the Wii's version being built from scratch and will offer support for the Wii Balance Board. Some screens are already up on the game's page.

WiiWare launch titles in Europe

SimCity Creator on Wii

Japanese magazine Famitsu has revealed some information about a new SimCity game on Wii called SimCity Creator.

Similar to previous games in the series, this one has you building a city on a grand scale. In addition to regular cities, a number of 'themes' are available, including:

GreekEgyptianJapanese (traditional)FuturisticCrystalSweet (cakes and candy etc)Las VegasJungleHinduMediterranean

Many types of buildings can be created - residential homes, shopping centers, sport stadiums. It's not all smooth sailing though, as your city will be attacked by a number of strange phenomenon. These include the likes of dinosaurs, UFOs and asteroids - all with the potential to wreak great havoc and give your citizens a bad time.

The game aims to take advantage of the Wii's unique capabilities. Players will trace roads, lay tracks and cables using the Wiimote. When you're satisfied with your work, you can fly around your creation in the Mayor's helicopter. There's also the option of using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to post your city online and have it rated by others.

Eeeexcellent

SimCity Creator hits Japan this September. A 2008 release for the US is likely.

Hitler gets blue-shelled
Picross coming to WiiWare

Rabbids invading the airwaves

The most recent issue of Nintendo Power reveals that a new Rabbids game is coming, this time without the Rayman branding.

Raving Rabbids TV Party is the title (for now at least), and it focuses on the Rabbids' attempt to take over TV. Some snippets of info are known:

65+ minigames.In Story Mode, players play through a week of television, where new games are shown each day.Wii Balance Board is used in a number of games, one where you sit on it and use your ass to guide a wild animal.Ubisoft focusing more on single player this time around.Some first-person shooting games still included.No FMV.Music will play a big role. There's also a Weather Channel, Movie Channel and "Trash TV".Rayman not very involved, reduced to cameo appearances.Online leaderboards will feature.

Raving Rabbids TV Party should be out during the fourth quarter of this year.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

Kore and the gang

A title previously intended for the original Xbox is now being overhauled for the Wii. KORE (previously known as The Kore Gang) is a wacky action platformer.

The previous developers went out of business and so the Xbox project was canceled. Now ZOINK and SnapDragon Games have taken the helm, adding more features and graphical sheen.

The story revolves around three characters: Pixie, Madboy and Rex, all of whom are trapped inside a metal suit and have varying skills. They set out to save the world from the evil Krank brothers. Here's an old trailer from the Xbox days:

ZOINK are currently seeking publishing partners to help distribute the finished game. Creative Director of ZOINK, Klaus Lyngeled commented:

"KORE stands out not only for its rich gameplay experience and signature art style, but also for its wacky scenario and sense of humor. During the last years, a vast amount of work has gone into the design as well as into the story and cinematics. I'm sure the audience will appreciate the way we poured our heartblood into it".

You heard the man. Heartblood.

EA wants you to get fit too
Wave to Mummy

Picross coming to WiiWare

According to the official WiiWare page, a version of Picross titled Drawing Logic will be available in Japan tomorrow, on May 27th.

The game has been developed by G-Mode and will cost 500 Wii Points. Cheap you may think, but over the next few months at least five additional puzzle packs will be made, costing 300 Points each.

Picross is a logic puzzle game where players fill in a grid to make up a predetermined picture.

Beer Pong on WiiWare
Happy WiiWare day!

Did You Know? Game Developers Conference Honors Nintendo with a Game Developers Choice Award

The 2008 Game Developers Conference has honored Nintendo with a Game Developers Choice Award. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for Nintendo DS won for Best Handheld Game of the Year. The game continues to enjoy strong momentum in the U.S., with more than 1.1 million copies sold since its Oct. 1, 2007, release.

Nintendo received nominations in three categories: Best Game of the Year (Super Mario Galaxy), Best Handheld Game of the Year (The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass), and Best Game Design (Super Mario Galaxy). The awards were presented during an annual ceremony the night of Feb. 20, 2008, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. The awards are among the highest honors in game development, acknowledging excellence in game creation.

High Voltage slams lazy Wii developers

Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel

Today begins a new phase for the Wii-kly Update. From now on, we’ll have all the information about the arrival of both WiiWare and Virtual Console games. So basically you’re getting access to the best games of the past and the coolest creations of the present. With this week’s releases you can blast space-based enemies with your starfighter, fly the not-always-friendly skies or even corral some cute critters in the barnyard.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

WiiWare

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.
For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.
For the latest WiiWare games, click here.
Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

Happy WiiWare day!
Beer Pong on WiiWare

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09

The latest installment of the Tiger Woods franchise, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, now has a European box art showing the man himself in all his swinging glory (not that kind of swinging).

I think that's a good shot.

Yea, it's not very exciting. How about this?

Miles Edgeworth DS game
Hitler gets blue-shelled

Crosswords DS Challenges Players to Fill in the ______(6 Letters)

REDMOND, Wash., May 5, 2008 – Mario’s parent company (8 letters). Letter-based puzzles (10 letters). Dual screen, abbr. (2 letters).

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.

“Crosswords DS brings crossword puzzles into the 21st century in a way that’s accessible to everyone,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “And because Nintendo DS is so light and portable, you can play it anywhere at any time.”

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.

Crosswords DS, with its quick and accessible word challenges, is the latest in the Touch Generations line of Nintendo DS games. Previous games include Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day, Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day and Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day.

For more information about Crosswords DS, visit www.NintendoCrosswords.com.

Nintendo Enters a World of Riddles with Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Line Rider 2 happening on Wii

Link crowned most popular Brawler

Well it's been a long running poll, but after more than 2440 votes, Link is clearly the most popular brawler out there. When approached for comment he was clearly delighted, uttering these immortal words:

"........".

An honorable mention must go to Sonic, who wasn't that far behind. Commiserations to the Ice Climbers and Diddy Kong, who were dead last.

Time for a new poll now, it asks one simple question - which WiiWare game are you most interested in? The options include some already released titles, and some which hopefully will be in future. It's not a comprehensive list by any means, but it's getting late.

Take the poll! (if you dare)

Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournaments Storm the Country

Beer Pong on WiiWare

Frat Party Games, a division of JV Games Inc say they're bringing college-style titles onto WiiWare, starting with Beer Pong in early June.

Beer Pong is a drinking game where teams stand on opposing sides of a table, and attempt to throw/bounce ping pong balls into alcohol-filled cups. After a successful throw, the defending team must drink out of the cup.

Is Nintendo really going to allow this? If you're into party games, Beer Pong could be one to look out for. Me, I think it'll be a load of balls.

Happy WiiWare day!

Nintendo's New Wii Fit Makes Fitness Fun

REDMOND, Wash., May 19, 2008 – 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 will get you moving whether you’ve been playing video games for years or this is your first time,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wii Fit is easy for anyone to try and is yet another example of how Nintendo continues to expand the world of video games to new audiences.”

To celebrate the launch of Wii Fit, Nintendo is holding an interactive release party today for the public in the southwest corner of New York’s Central Park, near the Merchants’ Gate. “We’re looking for everyone to ‘get on board’ and get excited about their fitness,” said celebrity trainer Ashley Borden, who will be on hand to do personal Wii Fit demos and training.

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.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

For more information about Wii Fit, visit WiiFit.com.

EA wants you to get fit too
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

NPD Reports Nintendo's Solid U.S. Sales for February

The latest video game industry sales figures reported by the independent NPD Group show that Nintendo DS and Wii topped the U.S. charts for February. Nintendo DS sold nearly 587,600 units and Wii sold nearly 432,000.

“Our momentum has not let up since the holidays and we expect it to continue throughout the year,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We have the industry’s strongest lineup of games for everyone from core to casual gamers.”

February sales, according to NPD, in the United States:

Nintendo sold more than 1 million hardware units combined, accounting for nearly half (47.6 percent) of all hardware sold. Nintendo DS games topped all software sales, with more than 3.6 million units sold. Consumers purchased nearly 2.9 million software units for Wii. Four of every 10 games sold were for Nintendo systems. Three games in the top five sellers for February play on Nintendo systems, including two from third-party publishers. Nearly 1.7 million accessories were purchased for Wii, more than for any other system. More than 1.2 million accessories were sold for Nintendo DS as well.


Super Smash Bros. Brawl Smashes Nintendo Sales Records
Nintendo Asks U.S. to Address Video Game Piracy Problems Worldwide

Lost in Blue game on Wii

Konami has revealed they intend on bringing the Lost in Blue franchise onto the Wii. Previous games have been on the DS handheld.

Lost in Blue sees you stranded on a desert island, the immediate focus is on survival and exploration, with an eventual goal of escaping. You look after several aspects of the main character, including hunger and thirst. In all it's something like "The Sims" meets "Cast Away" (or indeed, The Sims 2: Castaway -.-'). Konami's Anthony Crouts spoke:

"Building upon the success of the previous Lost in Blue DS titles, we wanted to give fans an extended experience in the first console version of the series. Bringing the series to Wii will ensure fans receive the most exciting, immersing survival adventure game to date".

Around 40 survival tasks can be undertaken, all using the Wiimote. The game has a working title of Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked and should be coming out this Fall.

Hitler gets blue-shelled
WiiWare launch titles in Europe

Westin Hotels Want to Play...Westin Announces Industry-First Partnership with Nintendo

REDMOND, Wash., and WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – 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.

“We jumped at the chance to be the first hotel to partner with Nintendo and add interactive entertainment to our successful WestinWORKOUT program,” said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “We think our guests will be eager to make Wii a part of their workouts during their stay with us.”

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.

“Delivering an active entertainment experience is what Wii is all about,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Games like Wii Sports and the upcoming Wii Fit are ideal for business travelers and families who want to stay energized while on the road.”

Eight additional Westin properties will join the program in May: The Westin Hilton Head; The Westin Crown Center, Kansas City; The Westin Harbor Castle, Toronto; The Westin Diplomat, Hollywood; The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco; The Westin St. Louis; The Westin Galleria, Houston; and The Westin Savannah Harbor. Westin plans to roll out additional Wii systems following guest feedback from the initial hotel pilot.

WestinWORKOUT was developed in partnership with worldwide fitness leaders to develop the travel industry’s most extensive fitness and wellness program. Last month WestinWORKOUT was extended with the addition of BrainBody Fitness, a program connecting mental and physical fitness through a series of original exercises distributed at each Westin throughout North America. By placing expert-recommended mind and body stretches in a variety of strategic hotel touch points, including the front desk, guestrooms, public spaces and WestinWORKOUT fitness centers, Westin is providing guests with simple and effective ways to sharpen their thinking and calm their minds and bodies for better health.

WestinWORKOUT state-of-the-art equipment and high-performance workouts provide the perfect solution for people committed to maintaining personal wellness. Customized WestinWORKOUT guestrooms feature full-body equipment for all levels of performance where guests can elevate their well-being with a challenging and exhilarating workout. Also available at select hotels is runWESTIN, a complimentary program offering guided, scenic three-mile morning runs three days a week. Led by Westin’s trained Running Concierge, the run includes a warm up session with training tips and can be customized into a fun individual or group run.

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
Nintendo Channel launched in the US

High Voltage slams lazy Wii developers

The founder and CEO of High Voltage Software, Kerry Ganofsky, has spoken out against Wii developers for weak efforts in using the machine's true capabilities.

"We think it's a real shame that publishers and developers aren't taking advantage of the technical possibilities of the Wii platform. Most Wii games don't even look as good as the later day PS2 titles and that's a real slap in the face to consumers. We believe that third-party developers need to step up to the plate and deliver. The Wii platform is capable of a lot more than what consumers have seen so far. We're hoping to raise a new bar. Most of the games on the Wii look like crap, and we want to change that".

Bold words indeed, but as the developers of the cool looking game The Conduit, as well as WiiWare titles like Gyrostarr and Animales de la Muertes, High Voltage are fast gaining a buzz in Wii circles.

The Conduit stunning trailer
Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

Jump into the Next Pokmon Adventure Early and Get a Free Guide

Two new Pokmon adventures for Nintendo DS are on the way, and Nintendo plans to reward fans for ordering early with guides to help them navigate the games. Starting March 16, fans who place an order for either Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time or Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness will receive a free, limited-edition Pokmon Mystery Dungeon Explorer's Guide*. The guide contains an exclusive collection of tips, interviews and an original manga by Ken Sugimori, main art director of Pokmon video games.

In these two new games, players journey through time and darkness as actual Pokmon as they attempt to find out why they’ve been turned into a Pokmon. Their epic quest leads them through countless, randomly generated dungeons, encountering more than 490 Pokmon. Players also have the option to send rescue alerts to their friends via e-mail or mobile text message when they are connected to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. These two new Dungeon games give Pokmon fans another excuse to upgrade to Nintendo DS, which also plays all their favorite Game Boy Advance games in single-player mode.

Pokmon games remain as popular as ever. Last year’s release of Pokmon Diamond Version and Pokmon Pearl Version for Nintendo DS sold a combined 4.33 million copies to date in the United States alone.

For more information about Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness, please visit Pokemon-Games.com.

*Deposit may be required. See retailer for details. While supplies last.

Fans Can Actually Become a Pokémon with Two New Nintendo DS Games

Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournaments Storm the Country

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 13, 2008 – Attention all Smash fans: Put up your dukes! Just before the launch of the much-anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario and friends are hosting four regional Wii tournaments. The competitions will visit Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and finally New York for a Midnight Madness Launch event at the Best Buy store at 622 Broadway in New York. All of the 256 participants at each location will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a custom-designed, crystal-covered Wii, a home theater system from Best Buy and other prizes.

“Super Smash Bros. is one of the world’s most popular game franchises because it draws in characters from across the Nintendo universe and beyond for some all-out fighting fun,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. “Super Smash Bros. Brawl has extreme appeal among our core audience, but these tournaments are a great way to get new fans involved as well – before the game is even available in stores.”

Each regional tournament will provide the first 256 people in attendance the chance to “brawl” one-on-one with other contestants in a single-elimination tournament to determine a winner in each market. Regional winners will face off in a final multiplayer “brawl” at the New York City tournament.

The grand prize winner will receive a crystal-coated Wii with a design from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a home theater system from Best Buy and a copy of the game. The second-place finisher will receive one Wii system and Wii Remote, one copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and a $1,000 Best Buy gift card. The third-place finisher will receive a Wii and Wii Remote, a copy of the game and a $500 Best Buy gift card. The fourth-place finisher will receive a Wii, an extra Wii Remote, a copy of the game and a $250 Best Buy gift card. For more information about the tournaments, visit Nintendo.com/smashbros.

The tournaments will take place at the following times and locations:

Feb. 16
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Feb. 23
Doors open at 2 p.m.
Ten15 Folsom
1015 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

March 1
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Olden Hall
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609

March 8
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Best Buy (NOHO)
622 Broadway
New York, NY 10012

Super Smash Bros. Brawl features dozens of Nintendo characters, from Mario to Link to Pikachu, as well as new characters like Solid Snake, a gritty soldier from Konami’s hugely popular Metal Gear series, and Sonic The Hedgehog. The combat-filled game lets characters of all kinds brawl until only one is left standing. Its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, was the best-selling game of all time for Nintendo GameCube. Super Smash Bros. Brawl has more characters, more features and more action-packed fun. What’s more, Super Smash Bros. Brawl uses Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which allows up to four players to simultaneously brawl no matter where they are based. For a complete list of characters and features, visit www.SmashBros.com.

At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!

Hitler gets blue-shelled

Nintendo are looking to police Wi-Fi Connection users more stringently, starting by banning all Miis using a Hitler name. Up until this point, Hitlers have been rife, causing possible offense to many.

Apparently it's still ok to have a Mii bearing the resemblance, but using the name is a no-no. This does raise the question, what if your name genuinely is Hitler?

Schnell ya later.

Is it about time Nintendo did this? Are they taking censorship too far? Ye be the judge.

Shut your cakehole
Ultraviolent MadWorld

The Conduit stunning trailer

The Conduit is a game under development by High Voltage Software, a technically advanced FPS for the Wii. It's being built from scratch using the Quantum3 engine to take full advantage of the Wii's hardware. The control scheme has been inspired by previous successes like Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Medal of Honor Heroes 2.

Impressive to put it mildly. High Voltage are currently seeking a publisher for this game, here's hoping they find one. In addition to this, they also have some promising WiiWare titles lined up, such as Gyrostarr and Animales de la Muerte. Rock on.

MadWorld trailer
Miles Edgeworth DS game

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Smashes Nintendo Sales Records

REDMOND, Wash., March 17, 2008 – After just one week on store shelves, Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii has become the fastest-selling video game in Nintendo of America’s history. Since its launch on March 9, the feature-packed fighting action game has sold more than 1.4 million units in the United States, including more than 874,000 on March 9 alone. It has sold at a rate of more than 120 units per minute between launch and March 16.

“Super Smash Bros. Brawl has made the leap from video game to cultural phenomenon,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Game reviewers and the public alike praise its fun game play and extensive, inventive content.”

Super Smash Bros. Brawl features a nearly limitless variety of options for players. Dozens of classic Nintendo characters like Mario and Pikachu are joined by industry icons like Sonic The Hedgehog and Metal Gear’s Solid Snake for all-out four-player battles. The endless customization keeps players coming back for more. The previous game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Melee, became the best-selling Nintendo GameCube game of all time with more than 7 million copies sold worldwide, so it’s no surprise to see this latest installment racking up record numbers.

“It’s important to remember,” Dunaway said, “that we have lots more fun on the way: Upcoming titles like Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit will keep our momentum going strong.”

Mario Kart Wii launches April 27 with the Wii Wheel, which lets players drive their speedy karts with the intuitive feel of a wireless steering wheel. It’s another “bridge” game like Wii Sports that lets video game novices and veterans play and have fun together. Wii Fit arrives May 19 with the Wii Balance Board to combine fun and fitness. It lets users track their progress over time, and it’s an easy way for every member of the family to keep active and play together.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

For more information about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, visit www.SmashBros.com.

At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!
Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

MadWorld trailer

A few days ago we had news about a new game called MadWorld, a violent fighting title from Platinum Games. Set in black and white, it's been said to have a Sin City-esque vibe to it. As he makes his way through the harsh color-less world, the main character Jack brings pain on his enemies using chainsaws, street signs and god knows what else.

Likely to be one of those love-it-or-hate-it games, but to me it looks freakin sweet! MadWorld is penned for release during Q1 2009, so there's a while to go yet.

Miles Edgeworth DS game
Ultraviolent MadWorld
Nintendo Asks U.S. to Address Video Game Piracy Problems Worldwide

Nintendo Asks U.S. to Address Video Game Piracy Problems Worldwide

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 14, 2008 – Nintendo of America Inc. has asked the U.S. Trade Representative to encourage specific governments around the world to take a more aggressive stance to combat piracy of Nintendo video games and systems. Nintendo filed its comments under a “Special 301” process, in which the U.S. Trade Representative solicits input from the public to underscore specific areas of concern.

While China remains the primary source of manufacturing pirated Nintendo DS and Wii games, Korea has emerged as the leader in distributing illegal game files via the Internet. Despite aggressive anti-piracy actions taken by Nintendo, Brazil and Mexico remain saturated with counterfeit Nintendo software. Meanwhile, Paraguay and Hong Kong continue to serve as major transshipment points for global distribution of illegal goods.

“The unprecedented momentum enjoyed by Nintendo DS and Wii makes Nintendo an attractive target for counterfeiters,” said Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America’s senior director of anti-piracy. “We estimate that in 2007, Nintendo, together with its publishers and developers, suffered nearly $975 million USD worldwide in lost sales as a result of piracy. Nintendo will continue to work with governments around the world to aggressively curtail this illegal activity.”

Below is a summary of Nintendo’s filing:

OVERALL: Nintendo recommends stronger laws in all countries against the circumvention of technological security measures. Video game pirates have developed DS game-copying devices and modification chips to target the security found in Nintendo’s hardware systems and allow the play of counterfeit software or games illegally downloaded via the Internet.

CHINA: China must pursue criminal prosecutions against people involved in large-scale piracy operations. Nintendo works with Chinese authorities, who seized more than 1 million fake Nintendo products in China during the past year. But not one counterfeiter has been prosecuted.

KOREA: Nintendo supports the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, but suggests that it must be ratified immediately to address service providers who are profiting from the uploading and downloading of illegal Nintendo content. Korea is an important market for Nintendo, and Internet piracy is seriously affecting the growth of the video game industry in the country.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA: Latin America remains a haven for piracy. Evidence supporting this claim includes escalated violence in Mexico against police conducting anti-piracy raids, extraordinarily high tariffs and taxes placed on the sale of authentic video games in Brazil and widespread corruption in Paraguay. During the past year, Nintendo assisted local authorities with more than 65 actions that resulted in the seizure of approximately 230,000 counterfeit Nintendo games in Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay alone. Despite Nintendo’s efforts, the piracy levels continued to rise. Nintendo is calling for significant changes to laws and to the enforcement regimes in those countries.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

Nintendo loses $21M lawsuit

Nintendo has been ordered by the courts to pay 21 million dollars to Anascape, a smalltime developer based in Texas. The ruling comes after deciding that Big N infringed on 12 patents filed by Anascape to make these controllers:

Wii Classic ControllerWavebirdGameCube Controller

The patents included things like "Analog Sensors with Snap-Through Tactile Feedback" and "Remote Controller with Analog Pressure Sensors". Charlie Scibetta, a spokesman for Nintendo said they are looking to appeal the decision and cut down the $21M sum considerably.

Anascape also filed a similar lawsuit against Microsoft, who settled the case for an undisclosed amount.

Buckle Up! Mario Kart Wii Puts Everyone in the Driver’s Seat
At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!

Fans Can Actually Become a Pokémon with Two New Nintendo DS Games

REDMOND, Wash., April 23, 2008 – For more than a decade, fans of Pokmon video games have caught, trained and battled Pokmon. Now Pokmon fans will have the chance to experience life from a Pokmon’s point-of-view with Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness, two new games available this week for the top-selling Nintendo DS. Furthering the spirit of exploration, Pokmon fans are invited to an online sweepstakes where they will have the chance to uncover their very own treasure – a prize package filled with Pokmon and Nintendo goodies.

Between April 23 and May 21, Pokmon fans can visit www.PokemonMysteryDungeon.com, where they will be able to enter the Pokmon Mystery Dungeon Explorers online sweepstakes for a chance to win one of two Pokmon-inspired prize packages, including a limited-edition Pikachu Nintendo DS, a Wii console, a high-definition television and assorted Pokmon video games, including Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness, and more great Pokmon merchandise. For Pokmon loyalists looking for even more adventure, the Pokmon Mystery Dungeon Web site is home to an online scavenger hunt where players will be tasked with discovering hidden icons to get access to an exclusive Pokmon wallpaper, giving their computer some extra flair.

“The new Pokmon Mystery Dungeon series delivers the most transformative Pokmon experience yet – the chance to become a Pokmon character,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Both new and returning players will relish the opportunity to embark on an endless journey through randomly generated dungeons on their Nintendo DS and discover their own hidden treasure through the online sweepstakes.”

In this new pair of epic adventures, Pokmon Mystery Dungeon players are transported to a secluded land inhabited only by Pokmon. After taking a personality test that determines which Pokmon best represents their own personalities, players will experience their adventure and explore the land as an actual Pokmon. In the course of their journey, players are charged with discovering why they’ve been turned into a Pokmon, all the while trying to thwart a Pokmon bent on stopping time and plunging the world into darkness.

Pokmon players in need of assistance have a great new way to call for help using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Rescue friends in trouble, or send out an SOS Mail if you are in need of rescue! You can even receive friend rescue-notification e-mails on your PC or cell phone so you always know when a friend is in trouble.

To satiate Pokmon fans looking for new adventures at every turn, the games feature randomly generated dungeons that make every mission unique. And with more than 490 Pokmon populating both games, players are sure to find their favorite Pokmon, giving them limitless options when forming their teams in preparation for their next journey.

The new Pokmon Mystery Dungeon titles are exclusively available for the Nintendo DS system. The compelling storyline and enhanced graphics of these new Pokmon titles provide even more reasons for Game Boy Advance owners to upgrade to Nintendo DS.

Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness for Nintendo DS are rated E for Everyone. For more information about these new titles, visit www.PokemonMysteryDungeon.com.

More than 175 million Pokmon games have been sold worldwide. For more information about these games, visit www.Pokemon-Games.com.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

Ultraviolent MadWorld

The latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu has some details of a new game called MadWorld. Published by Platinum Games, they say it will focus on fun, extreme comical violence.

More interesting still, the entire game is in black and white. The only exception being the bright red splatters of blood.

All around me are familiar faces

At a recent press conference a segment of gameplay was shown off where the main character Jack uses a chainsaw to carve up enemies. Attacks are done by swishing the Wiimote.

Platinum Games is made up from many former members of Clover Studios, the people behind cult classics like Okami, Viewtiful Joe and Godhand. So the potential is there for this to be awesome.

Rogue Trooper approaching
Shut your cakehole
Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

Line Rider 2 happening on Wii

A press release from Genius Products LLC confirms that Line Rider 2: Unbound is heading to the Nintendo Wii.

This ain't your daddy's Line Rider though, what started out as a simplistic Flash experience now looks much more like a fully fledged game (as it ought to for $29.99).

Line Rider 2 follows the sledding antics of Bosh, trying to save his true love Bailey from the hands of the wily 'Chaz'. This Story Mode features over 40 puzzles to complete, designed by TechDawg, who is known as the world's best Line Rider player. The game will also let you create your own puzzles to share online.

Features: Story mode with 40+ puzzles.Wiimote functionality used fully.Puzzle Creation mode - design and share your own puzzles.Freestyle mode - create things in the classic way.New easy to use interface.New types of line - accelerators, decelerators, scenery lines, trampoline lines and trap doors.New tools - pixel perfect eraser, flag markers for saving.Library of sounds and visual effects.

Q2 2008 is the expected release period for Line Rider 2 on Wii. Some screenshots are up on the game's page.

Nintendo Enters a World of Riddles with Professor Layton and the Curious Village
At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!
Shut your cakehole

Buckle Up! Mario Kart Wii Puts Everyone in the Driver's Seat

REDMOND, Wash., April 28, 2008 – Since the invention of the automobile, kids have pantomimed driving with pretend steering wheels. Since the dawn of the video game age, people of all ages playing racing games have twisted and turned their controllers to steer their vehicles, even though it had no effect on the action on the screen. Now, Mario Kart Wii makes these fantasies a reality and brings a new level of immersion and interaction to video games.

The raucous driving game, which launched Sunday, comes packaged with the Wii Wheel steering wheel accessory that houses the Wii Remote controller and lets players steer just as though they were driving a real car. The accessory has been specifically designed and engineered so that even someone who has never played a video game before can pick up the Wii Wheel and start racing instantly.

“Just like Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii will have everyone in the household playing together, laughing and having fun,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With the Wii Wheel and ability to race with Mii caricatures, Mario Kart Wii literally puts players directly into the game.”

While newcomers will find it easy to hop into a race, Mario Kart Wii holds plenty of challenges to keep veterans busy. Mario Kart Wii features 16 new tracks, as well as 16 retro tracks from previous Mario Kart games. Dozens of characters from the Mushroom Kingdom are present, and each has his or her own collection of customized vehicles to race.

For the first time in the Mario Kart series, racers can compete on either motorbikes or karts as they find shortcuts, grab power-ups and take down other racers in a frantic free-for-all. In addition to the Wii Wheel, players can also choose from three other control configurations, such as the Nunchuk and Wii Remote controllers, Nintendo GameCube controller or the Classic Controller, so everyone will find a suitable setup.

Four people can compete on a single Wii system, or up to 12 people near or far can race via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo’s online gaming service. A new Mario Kart Channel on the Wii Menu lets players compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.

For more information about Mario Kart Wii, visit www.mariokart.com. Remember that the Wii console features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!

Shut your cakehole

In a press release earlier today, Majesco announced a new game in the popular Cake Mania series, namely Cake Mania: In the Mix, exclusive to Wii.

Cake Mania is aimed at the casual market and focuses on time-management skills. The player takes control of the lovely Jill, who owns and runs her own bakery. Gameplay involves customers coming in and placing orders for cakes. Jill must complete the order before the customer becomes enraged and leaves (no one likes waiting for their cakes!).

Extra depth will be added to the Wii game, allowing gamers to control every aspect of their bakery business, from cake serving to advertising and taking phone orders. The unique capabilities of the Wiimote are put to use when frosting and baking. Token mini-games will also be afoot.

"In The Mix" is set to release early in 2009, distributed by Codemasters.

Rogue Trooper approaching
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
EA wants you to get fit too

WiiWare launch titles in Europe

The WiiWare service goes active on May 20th in Europe, Nintendo has now revealed which games will be around to welcome users:

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Square Enix)LostWinds (Frontier)Pop (Nnooo)Star Soldier R (Hudson)Toki Tori (Two Tribes)Dr Mario & Germ Buster (Nintendo)Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen)TV Show King (Gameloft)

Looks like a pretty good lineup to me, LostWinds and Toki Tori interest me in particular. Note that these games are coming in the launch period, but some may not make the actual launch day.

Happy WiiWare day!
Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

Nintendo Reveals Its Next Engaging Experiences

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 20, 2008 – The Game Developers Conference in San Francisco attracts the top creative minds in the video game industry. With that audience on hand, Nintendo announces news that reinforces its commitment to provide entertaining and enriching experiences for veteran and new gamers alike. WiiWare, Nintendo’s new downloadable game service, launches May 12 and expands development opportunities for developers the same way Wii expanded the world of video game players. Wii Fit, the upcoming title for Wii, launches May 19 and introduces the Wii Balance Board peripheral. And Super Smash Bros. Brawl draws in fans of all kinds.

“We are excited to participate in the Game Developers Conference this year to share with developers and consumers alike our upcoming unique services and products,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We are hopeful that they will appreciate our offerings of WiiWare, Wii Fit and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which represent a trio that will continue to attract new players to the world of video games.”

At the conference, Nintendo speakers will outline a number of plans for the coming months on their respective panels:

WiiWare: Nintendo’s upcoming WiiWare changes the way both developers create and consumers access video games. Through WiiWare, Nintendo hopes to offer developers a virtual laboratory that serves as a breeding ground for new games, which encourages great ideas that creators always wanted to develop. The combination of low development barriers and unique game experiences found only on Wii should enable developers to try new ideas with lower risk in a quicker, more creative and affordable way.

Meanwhile Wii owners can download a multitude of cool new games from different genres, including some that are unprecedented, which can be purchased from home at a dynamic price range. WiiWare also empowers consumers to determine with their Wii Points which games have the right stuff to become the next big thing.

WiiWare will be a repository for all types of experiences – literally, something for everyone. Early WiiWare games will come from celebrated developers like Square Enix, which is creating FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King, a simulation game for all ages. Also watch for games from up-and-coming developers like Frontier with its fresh, enchanting platform adventure LostWinds and a new episodic game series from Telltale. The first U.S. WiiWare games will be available on May 12.

Wii Fit: Wii Fit demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to gamers of all kinds. It combines fun and fitness for every member of the family to keep active and play together. Wii Fit launches May 19 in the United States and comes with the weight-and-motion-sensing Wii Balance Board that Nintendo representatives demonstrated could hold great promise for future game development as well. Third-party publishers are already working on new games and applications that will make use of the Wii Balance Board. Additionally, Wii Fit includes access to the Wii Fit Channel, an interactive channel that lets users check in each day to track their fitness progress through weight and BMI. In Japan, Wii Fit has sold more than 1.4 million units since its Dec. 1 launch.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl: This action game launches March 9. With dozens of characters, settings, options and ways to play, it has something for everyone. The game includes characters from all across the Nintendo universe. The previous installment in the franchise went on to become the best-selling game of all time for Nintendo GameCube.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!
Happy WiiWare day!
Nintendo Channel launched in the US

Rogue Trooper approaching

Publishers Reef have announced they'll be bringing an enhanced port of Rogue Trooper: The Quartz Zone Massacre onto the Wii, thanks to a deal with the game's developers Rebellion.

Rogue Trooper is a 3rd person shooter game, based on a UK comic book. Set in Nu Earth (it's the future), the main character is a genetically modified soldier seeking revenge on a traitor. Originally released on PC and consoles in 2006, it scored favorably with critics - averaging around 7/10 in reviews at the time.

Reef says the Wiimote will bring the control scheme to another level of accuracy, making this the definitive version of the game. The expected release window is Q4 2008.

Miles Edgeworth DS game
EA wants you to get fit too
Wave to Mummy

Happy WiiWare day!

The WiiWare service goes live today in North America. Nintendo have added some new info to their official page which can be seen here.

For the uninformed, WiiWare is a download service where you can pick up original games using Wii Points. The starting lineup looks like this:

LostWinds - 1000 PointsFinal Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - 1500 PointsDefend Your Castle - 500 PointsPop - 700 PointsTV Show King - 1000 PointsVIP Casino: Blackjack - 700 Points


Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

Nintendo Enters a World of Riddles with Professor Layton and the Curious Village

REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 11, 2008 – Move over, Sherlock Holmes! There’s a new Brit in town. The Feb. 10 launch of Professor Layton and the Curious Village brings a world of riddles, secrets and brainteasers to the portable Nintendo DS. The puzzle-filled game provides hours of mind-bending game play, thick story plots, funny, eccentric characters and a double murder-mystery.

In the curious village of St. Mystere, a wealthy baron passes away. His will reveals that a treasure is hidden someplace inside the village. Unable to locate the treasure, the baron’s family calls upon renowned archaeologist and puzzle expert Professor Layton for help. Upon his arrival, the search for the treasure is interrupted by the suspicious death of another member of the family. Now with two mysteries on his hands, Professor Layton must work his way through the village’s many challenges to get to the truth.

“Professor Layton and the Curious Village combines a mix of clever storyline and brainy twists,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. “Like the Brain Age titles before it, this new puzzle genre requires players to use their minds as much as their thumbs. The strong story, charming hand-drawn animation and fully voiced movies appeal to hard-core gamers and casual gamers alike.”

Players will tackle brain twisters ranging from mazes and riddles to logic and sliding puzzles as Professor Layton progresses through an engaging 19th century anime-styled mystery. Touch-screen controls make working through the game a snap for players of all skill levels. What’s more, for a limited time new puzzles will be available weekly for download via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for extended replay value. The Professor Layton series is already a smash hit in Japan, where each succeeding game outsold the one before it. For more information about the U.S. game, visit www.ProfessorLaytonDS.com.

Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel
Nintendo Channel launched in the US
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

Which is more important: brains or brawn? Before you answer, check out this week's awesome additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel, which give you ample opportunity to flex both. One game features frantic puzzle action with a Pokmon twist, while the other invites players to brawl and battle in the name of justice. If you're anxious to test your mental mettle or your action-adventure muscle, these classic titles are just the ticket.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Pokmon Puzzle League (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Get ready for a new kind of Pokmon battle where the power and speed of your brain are just as important as the strength of your Pokmon. Join Ash, Brock, Misty and many more characters from the Pokmon animated series as they gather in Puzzle Village to compete for the title of Pokmon 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 Pokmon 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.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!
Wave to Mummy
Miles Edgeworth DS game

Wave to Mummy

Mummies, arguably the most useless monster ever conceived of, will be plodding their way onto Wii and DS in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. This is to tie in with the new movie starring Brendan Fraser and Jet Li (he is the one).

Published by Sierra, their VP of Marketing Al Simone commented:

"We're pleased to partner with Universal to deliver an exciting extension to this popular film franchise. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor video game will add another opportunity for players to experience the thrill and excitement of this adventure favorite".

Some screenshots are already up on the game's page. This Mummy game is coming out on July 22nd.

EA wants you to get fit too
Miles Edgeworth DS game
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
Nintendo Channel launched in the US

At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!

REDMOND, Wash., March 10, 2008 – When Mario appears in a new game, people perk up. But when loads of characters from across the Nintendo universe battle alongside such video game icons as Sonic The Hedgehog and Solid Snake, people take charge! The March 9 launch of Super Smash Bros. Brawl quickens the pulse of even the most jaded veteran gamer. Featuring a host of playable characters, special items, stages and music, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is an encyclopedia of Nintendo's video game history, making it the biggest and deepest brawl of them all.

This innovative fighting game, the first Super Smash Bros. game for Wii, ups the ante with several exciting new modes and wireless features. By logging onto Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players can now enjoy online battles with friends near and far. An extensive new single-player mode is perfect for solo brawlers who want to hone their skills. A sprawling adventure mode called “The Subspace Emissary” lets players jump and brawl their way through enemy-packed side-scrolling levels, meeting up with other characters, watching incredible cinematics and taking on massive bosses — solo or in a cooperative two-player mode. And, of course, there’s the series hallmark: elaborate, action-packed battles that pit up to four players against one another in a brawl to see who’s the last one standing.

“The excitement around Super Smash Bros. Brawl is contagious,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “It’s a delight to see how the creators have taken an already irresistible series and made it even deeper and more fun for Wii. We’re just as thrilled as the fans are.”

Online battles aren’t the only wireless boost in this latest Super Smash Bros. installment. With Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players also have the ability to share photos, swap replays, team up for challenging minigames and even create their own stages to share with friends or submit to Nintendo. Every day, Nintendo will offer one of these fan-created stages for players everywhere to try out.

For an even more customized Brawl experience, players can select their favorite music and choose the control scheme they like best, whether it’s the Wii Remote alone, Wii Remote with Nunchuk, Classic Controller or Nintendo GameCube controller. All these options give players a virtually endless amount of ways to play, a fact that makes Super Smash Bros. Brawl one of the most anticipated games of 2008.

The previous installment in the series, Super Smash Bros. Melee, was the best-selling game of all time for Nintendo GameCube with 7.09 million copies sold worldwide. For more information about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, visit www.SmashBros.com.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

Nintendo Channel launched in the US
Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
Miles Edgeworth DS game
Yamauchi richest in Japan

EA wants you to get fit too

EA revealed earlier today that they too have a fitness game in the works, one which uses the balance board like Wii Fit.

Peter Moore, EA's President commented that their game would take a western approach to fitness, with activities that are more strenuous and work the heart harder.

"I need to have a point of difference. We also need to make sure we're delivering something that's truly exercise. I'll call Wii Fit more eastern fitness, where it senses weight and balance, like Tai-Chi. It's more about holistic fitness. I don't think the board is going to take a pounding. We need to look more at western fitness in which I can actually be moving and start to sweat a little bit, and that's what we are working on right now".

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
Miles Edgeworth DS game
Nintendo Channel launched in the US

Nintendo Channel launched in the US

As of today, the Nintendo Channel is available to download and use in North America. It aims to provide promotional information on new Wii and DS releases like videos, interviews with Shigsy and game demos.

Nintendo are also using this channel to collect your feedback, after playing a game for half hour or more you can give it a rating. If your Wii has the Internet Channel, you can also click through and order games.

Some shortcuts can be used while in the Nintendo Channel:

+ and - buttons: go backB trigger: scroll on pages1 and 2 buttons: pause videosB trigger: seek in a video

Europe will also be getting this channel in just over three weeks, on May 30th.

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP
At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!
Yamauchi richest in Japan
Miles Edgeworth DS game
EA wants you to get fit too

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

In anticipation of the U.S. launch of Wii Fit, the new interactive fitness game for the popular Wii system, Nintendo of America Inc. has announced pricing details for this groundbreaking release. Available at Nintendo World store starting on May 19, Wii Fit and the innovative Wii Balance Board accessory will be bundled and sold together at a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Boasting a dynamic mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities, Wii Fit provides consumers with a fun, easy and affordable way to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Using the included wireless Wii Balance Board accessory, every member of the household can step up and stay active, setting individual fitness goals and tracking their progress over time.

Consumers in the New York area who pre-order Wii Fit from the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Plaza will receive a special bonus item. From April 18-20, the first 1,000 consumers who place a $5 deposit for Wii Fit will receive a limited edition Wii Fit T-shirt featuring the image and reproduced autograph of legendary Nintendo video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.

Through mid-February, Wii Fit had sold more than 1.4 million copies in Japan since its Dec. 1, 2007 launch. For more information about Wii Fit, please visit www.WiiFit.com.

Yamauchi richest in Japan
Miles Edgeworth DS game

Yamauchi richest in Japan

80 year old Hiroshi Yamauchi, the former President of Nintendo is now the richest man in Japan according to Forbes.

Yamauchi was Nintendo's third President, and he maintained that position for 53 years. Since stepping down in 2002, he has kept a low profile but still owns shares in Big N, helping him triple his net worth since the success of the Wii and DS.

Don't get too excited ladies, he's married with kids.

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP

Miles Edgeworth DS game

Fans of Phoenix Wright / The Ace Attorney series on DS might be pleased to know that the prosecutor Miles Edgeworth is getting his own game.

Miles Edgeworth: Perfect Prosecutor (tentative title) seems to focus more on investigation than on courtroom battles. Detective Dick Gumshoe also plays an important role in the game - so you'd better get used to it, pal. Here's a Japanese trailer:

Wii Fit to Keep Americans Moving at $89.99 MSRP