Iwata on Nintendo's next console

In an interview with Forbes, President Satoru Iwata gave some insight on the development of Nintendo's next home console after Wii.

"We're always preparing for the next hardware. We are under development. But the hardware is a kind of box that consumers reluctantly buy in order to play our games, so every hardware needs some revolutionary features. This time around, it happened to be we had a revolutionary user interface. Will it be the same for the next generation? I really can't tell. It's natural for the current customer to expect Nintendo is going to once again do something different. If the people are expecting so many different things from Nintendo, it's going to be difficult for us to go beyond that expectation again".

Of course this is in the distant future, but which direction will Big N take for the Wii's successor? I would expect HD graphics is a given. Better online gaming? Mind control? The truth is out there!

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Helix on WiiWare

According to an email I've received, Ghostfire Games are developing a rhythm game for WiiWare. Titled Helix, it challenges you to follow the on-screen movements of a robot using your arms. This game doesn't support the Nunchuk because the cord is apparently too short to do some of the moves. So if you want to use both hands you'll need a second Wiimote.

Ed Roman, the CEO of Ghostfire, has put up an in-depth developer video talking about the game.

Summary of features26 songs sourced from independents across the US and Europe.Three levels of difficulty for each song.Moves performed include punches, circles, backfists and hooks.Will help you burn off some calories.

Ghostfire Games is based in Austin, Texas. Helix is currently awaiting final approval from Nintendo and may be released soon.

Pong Toss now on WiiWare
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WiiWare and Gromit

Telltale Games (the guys behind Sam & Max, and SBCG4AP) have issued a press release. It says they intend on bringing a "Wallace & Gromit" game onto WiiWare and PC.

Released in an episodic fashion, Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures will follow the escapades of extravagant inventor Wallace and his doggy companion Gromit. Already a popular movie series created by Aardman, the characters are made of clay and are animated by hand.

You'll take control of both Wallace and Gromit, as they explore new worlds and assemble inventions to get themselves out of trouble.

How do you feel about games being released as a series of small episodes? It can mean that the overall cost of the game rises. On the other hand it motivates the creators to keep quality up (e.g. if an episode sucks ass, less people will buy the next one).

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

If variety is the spice of life, we’ve got an extra-spicy lineup for you this week on the Wii Shop Channel. From bouncing balls to out-of-control cars to hardcore fisticuffs, the latest game additions offer an incredibly diverse mix of Wii thrills. So if you’ve been saving up your Wii Points for something new and different, here’s your opportunity to cash in and kick up some serious fun. Enjoy!

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
Pong Toss—Frat Party Games (JV Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Language, 800 Wii Points): Pony up—it’s Pong Toss time. Compete against your friends or the computer in this ultimate party-game favorite. Play on a regulation table with up to four players. Make consecutive shots for the Fireball bonuses and Roll-Backs as you or your team try to dominate the table and reign as Pong Toss champs. In Speed Pong, up to three challengers can compete at the same time. Speed and strategy are the keys to this fast-paced game. Jack up your opponents by using a slew of power-ups that will slow them down. The first one who sinks the last cup wins it all. Be fast. Be furious. Be victorious.

Virtual Console
Chase H.Q. (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Drug Reference, Mild Violence, 600 Wii Points): This is a different style of racing game in which you attempt to catch criminals by chasing them and ramming their cars off the road. Playing as two cops from the NYPD special “CHASE H.Q.” unit, the first half of each stage involves you maneuvering your unmarked car in a heated chase, followed by an action sequence in the latter half. Once you reach the target vehicle, you flip on your lights and siren, and then try to stop the culprits by repeatedly colliding with them. Use your different gears wisely as you make your way through streets and around corners, and be careful not to hit objects or other cars, or you’ll lose speed. Also at your disposal are turbo units for temporary extra speed and ramming power.

ART OF FIGHTING 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1994 by SNK, ART OF FIGHTING 2 sees 12 characters compete for the title in the toughest fighting contest of them all: King of Fighters. Each character has a range of deadly techniques in his or her arsenal, and players must use these lethal techniques to fight their opponents. As in the original ART OF FIGHTING, however, using a deadly technique lowers a character’s mental-energy gauge. For this reason, players must use these techniques carefully. Meanwhile, players can taunt an opponent to exhaust his or her mental energy, and even suppress their opponent’s techniques if successful. This type of mental-energy offense and defense gives ART OF FIGHTING 2 a uniquely enjoyable spin on the fighting-game genre. Further adding to the strategy required to win, an attack will become stronger or weaker depending on exactly when the button is pressed. And even if a player is thrown, defensive action is possible with the timely press of a button. All of this adds up to an intense and nail-biting fighting-game experience not found anywhere else.

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.

Soulcalibur IV Limited Edition Fighting Stick available for pre-order
Pong Toss now on WiiWare

Pong Toss now on WiiWare

One new WiiWare game today. Sadly it's still not SBCG4AP, but we hear that has been submitted to Nintendo for final approval. Maybe next week. Two Virtual Console games are here as well, to make up the numbers.

Pong Toss: Frat Party Games (WiiWare)Chase HQ (TG-16)Art of Fighting 2 (Neo-Geo)

Pong Toss started out with the title of "Beer Pong", but it looks like that was too alcohol-related and got changed. See you Friday for the PAL releases.

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Beer Pong on WiiWare
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Red Steel 2 using MotionPlus

One of the directors at Ubisoft has revealed that Red Steel 2 will be using Nintendo's newest addon the MotionPlus. This should allow for much more realistic swordplay in the game.

"Red Steel 2 has been in development for many months now, and this new device will help us be even more precise in what we do with the product. The Red Steel brand is strong - I think we released it on year one, and that people understood it was a first try on new technology, technology that wasn't completely finished".

Ubisoft has been pleased with the level of sales generated by the original Red Steel game and hope to build it into a successful brand.

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Sanyo contactless Wiimote charger

Over in Japan, Sanyo are bringing out a new charger and battery pack for use with the Wiimote. Unlike others before, this pair offers 'contactless' charging, meaning it doesn't charge through electric plates. It's also the first charger to be officially licensed by Nintendo.

One potential advantage of this is that you won't have to take off your Wii Remote jacket (if you use one) before charging. You simply put the whole thing into the charger dock. It works by using eneloop cells inside the battery pack, they charge up through induction (magnetic fields).

In terms of pricing it's set to be more expensive than other chargers. Japanese buyers can expect to pay around 5,500 Yen for the privelege (that's around $50), and it will only charge one remote at a time.

The Sanyo contactless charger hits Japan on August 25th. Currently there are no plans to release it in other regions.

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Fun Fun Minigolf

Shin'en Multimedia has revealed they're working on a minigolf game for WiiWare. You may remember them from such hits as "Maya the Bee", and "Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends".

Fun! Fun! Minigolf boasts 27 holes to play, 9 from each of the following continents:

AmericaAsiaEurope

The game is said to include multiplayer options as well as single player, and is 'suited for all ages' (isn't that always the case with minigolf?).

Picross coming to WiiWare
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FujiFilm Wii Channel

Nintendo has partnered up with photography company FujiFilm to launch a new Wii channel over in Japan.

The new channel allows users to load in photos via SD card and purchase prints (30 yen) or whole albums (1,575 yen). Interestingly, "Mii business cards" are also available.

According to reports, it's likely a similar channel will be launched in the US and Europe further down the line.

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Nintendo Channel launched in the US

Iwata apologizes for E3

Nintendo big-man Satoru Iwata has issued an apology to fans, after a general feeling that the E3 conference was not all it could have been. Nintendo's E3 was mainly focused on Wii Music and Animal Crossing: City Folk, leading many to think there wasn't much for the 'core' gamers.

"If there is any perception that Nintendo is ignoring the core gamers, it's a misunderstanding and we really want to get rid of that misunderstanding by any means. We are sorry about media briefings, specifically for those who were expecting to see Nintendo show something about 'Super Mario' or 'Legend of Zelda'".

"However, the fact of the matter is the so-called 'big titles' need a long, long development period. We really didn't think this year's E3 media briefing was the time to do so".

I'm not sure too many people were expecting to see a new Mario or Zelda game at E3, something like Star Fox or Kirby would have been nice though. That said, I don't think there's a need for this apology. Nintendo are doing a great job covering both core and casuals in my book.

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Big Kahuna Party on WiiWare

In a press release earlier today, Reflexive Entertainment announced they intend on bringing Big Kahuna Party onto Nintendo's WiiWare service.

With a total of 99 levels, Big Kahuna Party builds on previous titles released on the PC. In addition to the usual single player mode, it's said to be multiplayer focused, with both coop and competitive styles of play for up to 4 players.

The "Big Kahuna" series are puzzle games themed around marine life, they're already popular with casual PC gamers. Reflexive claim that using the Wiimote alone, or Wiimote + Nunchuk combo, players will be able to swap tiles faster than ever. The game's producer commented:

"When we made the Big Kahuna games on the PC, we added a feature that allowed players to play together using multiple mice, and in the office it was a smash hit. Unfortunately, most people don't have multiple mice connected to their computer, so not enough people have gotten to experience the frantic fun of multiplayer Big Kahuna. For WiiWare, we've made multiplayer the focus".

A release date is expected soon. Currently, the release date has no release date. Some screens are up though.

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

Which do you prefer: sailing the ocean or soaring through the sky? With the latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel, players can choose between seafaring action and high-flying thrills. Unleash your inner pirate with a new WiiWare adventure, or check out a pair of side-scrolling Sega Genesis classics making their Virtual Console debut. By air and by sea, big fun is on the way.

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
Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Pirates: The Key of Dreams is a frantic nautical shoot-'em-up. Sail your way across the Caribbean, cannons blazing, looting booty, running blockades and ultimately battling Blackbeard himself. The player takes control of a navy captain sent deep undercover as a ruthless pirate in order to seek out and retrieve the Key of Dreams, a valuable and dangerous cursed artifact. Rescue castaways to bolster your ship's crew, gaining performance increases to your navigation, weaponry, structural integrity and cartography skills. Collect increasingly powerful weaponry including rockets, mines, chain shot, saw blades and a flamethrower to hurl destruction into the path of your enemies. Play against three of your scurvy friends or A.I. opponents in pitched multiplayer battles over 35 levels, set in seven themed environments. Choose from different ship types that reflect your play style. Play in turbo mode if you're pirate enough.

Virtual Console
Super Fantasy Zone (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points): The last entry in the Fantasy Zone series, this side-scrolling shooter puts you in the shoes of main character Opa-Opa, who is on a mission to avenge the death of his father. To do so, you'll have to battle a variety of Enemy Generators to clear out the various levels and finish off the Menon Guardian at the end of the level. Eliminating your enemies will let you rack up some gold, which you can use to buy even better weapons, upgrades and other equipment. Spend your gold wisely, as each different boss you need to defeat presents a unique challenge.

Gley Lancer (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): In the year 2025, a war breaks out between humans and a hostile alien race, and 16-year-old Lucia and the rest of the starfighter pilots in the Earth Federation must join the battle. When Lucia's father is kidnapped by the aliens, she decides to take action and hijacks a brand new prototype starfighter, the Gley Lancer, in order to try to save him. In this side-scrolling shooter, step into the cockpit of the Gley Lancer as Lucia, rescue your father and destroy the evil aliens that are bent on destroying the human race.

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.

One WiiWare Game and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel
One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel
Matchman enters the side-scrolling shooter arena

Dead Rising Wii info

A few days ago Capcom announced that Dead Rising was being brought over onto the Wii. In an official press release they've added a subtitle to its name, so now it's called Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop.

Christian Svensson from Capcom has stated that it's not a port as we originally thought, but created from the ground up using the same engine as Resident Evil 4 (Wii version). Hopefully that will address the clunky aiming system that featured in the original, because it pretty much ruined the game.

They're also improving on the "save" functionality, meaning you probably won't have to go find a restroom just to save the game.

On the flip side, in Wii's version there will be significantly less zombies on the screen. To make up for this, the zombies may act more aggressively. Judging by the screens, there's still quite a lot of them though.

He's behind you!

As expected, you'll control Frank using the Nunchuk and Wiimote. The remote's motion sensing capabilities will be used to aim and shoot firearms, throw or swing melee weapons and shake off zombies when they grab you (cool!).

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop should come out later this year, sometime during the fourth quarter.

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Dead Rising on Wii

Sonic & The Black Knight Wii exclusive

The latest Nintendo Power magazine brings news of a brand new Sonic the Hedgehog game (newer than Unleashed even), exclusive to Wii.

It's called Sonic and the Black Knight, for now anyway. There aren't many details to go on, except that Sonic will probably be wielding a sword.

So he was a werewolf, and now he's a knight. Right, ok. Guess what's coming next year.. "Sonic Tycoon". You heard it here first.

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Sonic cameo appearance

Kirby Superstar Ultra clip

This is DS news, but Kirby's a good guy (apparently). Kirby Superstar Ultra is an enhanced port of his popular title from SNES days gone by. It also adds some mini-games that make use of the touch screen.

Shamefully I still haven't played a single Kirby game, but this is the one to get me initiated.

Rabbids do Euro 2008
Mario Super Sluggers gameplay footage
Diablo III Official at Blizzard World Wide International

Sonic cameo appearance

Gaming legend/has-been Sonic the Hedgehog will be making a cameo appearance in the upcoming maraca-fest Samba de Amigo by Sega.

Not content with that, he will have his own entire bonus stage set in Green Hill Zone, with chao and all sorts in the background. Presumably Samba-Sonic will move in time with the music as you shake your stuff.

"BUY UNLEASHED! PLZ!"

Good old Sonic, you never know what he's gonna do next.

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Wii officially #1 in the US

According to a press release issued by Nintendo, the Wii has now officially forged ahead of the Xbox 360 and is the best selling home console in the US. This being based on reliable NPD numbers.

"Equaling its status on a worldwide basis, Wii has become the best-selling video game console in the United States. According to independent sales tracking information from the NPD Group, over 666,000 Wii consoles were sold for the month of June, and nearly 10.9 million have been sold in the US during the 20 months following its November 2006 launch. The system is credited with breaking down the psychological barriers between gamers and non-gamers".

This news has sparked further rumors that it does, indeed, print money. That is all.

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Gradius coming to WiiWare

Konami, the popular funsters behind such hit games as "Frogger Beyond", "Fisherman's Bait 2", "Hyper Athlete" and "Nagano Winter Olympics '98" have announced their first delicate steps onto WiiWare.

The game they'll be releasing is Gradius Rebirth, it's not yet clear whether this is a remake of an older title or a new effort. The Gradius franchise is one of side-scrolling shmups, players take the helm of a ship called the Vic Viper.

Gradius Rebirth is set to hit Japan sometime this Summer. So that's pretty soon.

Introducing Wii MotionPlus, Nintendo's upcoming accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote

Nintendo's upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo’s commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.

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Dead Rising on Wii

Wow, Dead Rising has been revealed for the Wii. Apparently the sales figures of Resident Evil 4 Wii have been high enough to make Capcom look at what other zombie games they could bring over.

It's being ported from the original Xbox 360 version, the publishers say they're hoping to match the looks as much as they can.

For those unfamiliar with the game, it takes place in a shopping mall packed with zombies up the wazoo (like the movie Dawn of the Dead). The main character is a photographer called Frank West. Controlling Frank, you run amok in the mall for 3 days (6 hours of game time) using almost anything as a weapon, trying to survive, take pictures, rescue survivors and take out psychopath bosses.

Some waggle attacks using the Wiimote will be incorporated, similar to RE4. Worryingly, Capcom say they're taking the needs of "casual gamers" into consideration. No release date is known as yet.

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Nintendo again redefines game control, puts spotlight on community building

At the E3 Media & Business Summit today, Nintendo unveiled an enhancement for its iconic Wii Remote controller and new games that promise to further enrich and engage players around the world. These offerings build on Nintendo’s ongoing efforts to remove the barriers between expert and novice video game players, an approach that has been instrumental in creating a paradigm shift for the industry since the advent of the Nintendo DS portable system and the Wii home console.

“Much has been reported about the ‘expanded audience’ for games, but what’s really at play is an expanded experience,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “People of all ages having fun together—whether in the same room or from remote locations—puts smiles on faces and drives millions of new players into video game entertainment.”

Wii SportsResort is not just a simple sequel to one of the world’s most popular console games, Wii Sports. It is the first title to make use of another Nintendo advance, the Wii MotionPlus accessory, which plugs into the base of the Wii Remote controller to provide an incredibly realistic motion experience. Scheduled for release in spring 2009, Wii Sports Resort includes new game experiences such as Sword Play, Power Cruising on a water scooter and Disc Dog, along with the new Wii MotionPlus accessory and Wii Remote Jacket at no additional cost. The Wii MotionPlus enhances precision and player immersion for the Nintendo-pioneered motion-controlled gaming trend that has drawn millions of new people to the world of video games.

On Nov. 16, Animal Crossing: City Folk lets players move into a fun community populated by quirky animals. Players can improve their community, chat with the locals or just spend the day fishing and collecting fossils. There is also the opportunity to catch a bus into the new urban city area. Though you’ll never see other players in the city, you can connect with them in new ways using WiiConnect24, such as bidding on your friends’ items at the auction house or visiting the Happy Room Academy headquarters to see the top-rated player house. Another new feature in Animal Crossing: City Folk is the ability to visit friends’ towns and chat with one another using the new WiiSpeak microphone. The WiiSpeak microphone is sold separately at an MSRP of $29.99 and allows Internet voice chat among Wii Friends – not just from person to person but from room to room.

Wii Music makes it easy for people to jam to tunes, even if they don’t know anything about music. Wii Music transforms the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers into more than 60 different instruments, including a violin, steel drums, electric guitar – even a cowbell. Players strum, shake, tap and drum along to the music in a pressure-free musical playground where there are no mistakes. They can improvise on their arrangements by skipping a note – or adding 10. The music always sounds great, but it’s up to players to come up with creative arrangements that they can then send to friends and family who have Wii Music. Those Wii Friends can then put their own spin on the arrangement and send it back and forth over WiiConnect24. Wii Music will be available in the United States for the holidays.

In the portable category, Nintendo DS remains on top. Nintendo DS has sold more than 20 million units in the United States and more than 70 million worldwide. Third-party publishers continue to take advantage of that installed base. Coming this winter exclusively to the Nintendo DS is Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a new entry in Rockstar Games’ award-winning and hugely successful Grand Theft Auto franchise. Activision’s exclusive Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades makes its anticipated debut this fall, as does a collection of wild and wonderful critters from Electronic Arts’ Spore™ Creatures.

To view a video of Nintendo’s E3 2008 media briefing, please visit e3.nintendo.com.

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Wii Sports sequel announced

At the E3 Conference a follow-up to the immensely popular Wii Sports has been announced by Nintendo.

It's called Wii Sports Resort, the Wii MotionPlus accessory we talked about yesterday will come bundled in with the game. This gives 1:1 motion, meaning your exact movements will be used in-game. A longer Wiimote jacket will also be included in the package.

Some of the events include:Sword PlayPower Cruising (jetski)Disc Dog (throwing a Frisbee)

Wii Sports Resort is set to come out in Spring 2009.

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Animal Crossing to support voice chat

The latest incarnation in the Animal Crossing series has been revealed by Nintendo at this year's E3, it's called Animal Crossing: City Folk and will be playable on Wii.

It will be the first game on Wii to support voice chat, through a microphone device known as WiiSpeak. Rather than being a headset, it sits on top of the TV, having more of a 'speakerphone' effect. Unfortunately it's not bundled with the game, and is sold separately at $29.99.

ACers can also connect with each other in some ways using WiiConnect24, like bidding on items at the auction house and visiting Happy Room Academy HQ to view the best rated player houses.

Animal Crossing: City Folk is expected for a Q4 release later this year.

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

Enjoying a nice hot dog, tending to your flowers-not exactly the hallmarks of an adventurous lifestyle, right? Think again. This week's additions to the Wii Shop Channel feature action and excitement in unlikely settings, from super-charged eating contests to a greenhouse that's been invaded by a certain world-famous ape. We've also thrown in a classic scrolling actioner for those who prefer a more familiar brand of fist-flying combat. For WiiWare lovers and Virtual Console devotees alike, it's a great week to get some unexpected kicks.

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
Major League Eating: The Game (Mastiff, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Crude Humor, 1,000 Wii Points): The ultimate chomp-off is about to begin. Grab your Wii Remote controller and dig into 12 different foods as you compete against the greatest major-league eaters in the world. This isn't just a race to stuff your face-you'll need strategy to master a smorgasbord of digestive attacks, defenses and counters. These include the Mega Burp, Gas Attack, Antacid and more. And don't forget to keep an eye on your Barf-O-Meter, because if the food hits the plate twice, you're out. Unlock more than 10 characters in single-player career mode, go gut-to-gut against your friends in versus mode, or compete online using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Online play supports friend codes, random matchmaking and leader boards.

Virtual Console
Donkey Kong 3 (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Based on the third game in the enormously popular arcade series, Donkey Kong 3 introduces an exterminator named Stanley as he desperately tries to protect the flowers in his greenhouse from Donkey Kong. Armed only with a can of bug spray, Stanley must force Donkey Kong higher and higher into the greenhouse rafters until Donkey Kong is off the screen and the next stage is reached. Not surprisingly, Donkey Kong isn't going to move without a fight, so he sends wave after wave of bugs, bees and other creatures toward Stanley. Not only must Stanley repel the insects in order to save the flowers, but he'll also have to keep an eye out for projectiles thrown by Donkey Kong himself. If Stanley is good enough, he'll be able to grab a can of more powerful bug spray and really get Donkey Kong moving. It all adds up to frantic fun that anyone can enjoy.

NINJA COMMANDO (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Language, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): NINJA COMMANDO is a vertically scrolling action game released by ADK in 1992. Players choose from among three ninjas-Joe, descended from the Koga ninja; Rayar, a woman who has learned the ways of the Iga ninja; and Ryu, descendant of the famous ninja Fuma Kotaro-as they pursue the merchant of death known as Spider, who plans to use a time machine to bring havoc to the world. The battle spans seven time periods, including the Stone Age, the Egyptian era and the Japanese Civil War era. Each hero features a variety of attack options in addition to their own normal attacks, including a deadly attack that inflicts damage upon all enemies on the screen, special ninja-arts attacks performed by inputting specific commands, and a powerful attack unleashed by taking on the "shape of the beast" when three scrolls have been collected. The game also supports two-player cooperative play, so you're welcome to bring a friend and enjoy taking on the evil Spider together.

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.

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MotionPlus accessory gives 1:1 moves

A small accessory that connects to the base of the Wiimote has been announced. It's called the MotionPlus and promises to bring true 1:1 motion to Wii games, as opposed to shakes and waggles.

The MotionPlus combines with the remote's accelerometer and the sensor bar to offer more advanced movement detection.

"Every slight movement players make with the wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their gameplay. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms the Nintendo commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone".

More details are expected at the E3 conference tomorrow.

Ninja Commando on Virtual Console

It's a Neo-Geo Friday for Virtual Console users in Europe and Australia.

Seems to me like this system and the TG-16 get a LOT of VC releases considering they weren't exactly the most popular consoles. I don't even know anybody who owned either. So how about some games that.. y'know.. were playable on NINTENDO! HNNNNNGGGGG \m/ >_< \m/

Anyway..

Ninja Commando (Neo-Geo)Art of Fighting 2 (Neo-Geo)

See you Monday for the US releases, and have a chipper weekend. Ehehe.. "chipper".

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Mega Man 9 trailer

Classic Mega Man is back, in the year 20XX no less. The first English trailer for Mega Man 9 has now been made available.

It shows off a few of the new gameplay mechanics and enemies, including a robot elephant and dragon. Those damn robots, they're always going wild. ROBOT HOUSE!

Mega Man 9 first footage
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Logic 3's Wii Keyboard

Accessories maker Logic 3 are bringing out a keyboard specifically designed for the Wii. Although details are still hard to come by, it's currently listed on Amazon UK.

The product description has no size dimensions, but being only QWERTYUIOP keys wide, it's likely to be quite small. Something you could more easily fit on your lap while using the Internet Channel for example.

Beauty or beast?

The Wii Keyboard will be released in the UK on July 18th.

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Redneck kitchen line, no deal

A host of cover arts for the latest (but not greatest) Wii games. These are all for North America.

Redneck Jamboree. The best events in life are usually 'redneck inspired'.

Hell's Kitchen. Enjoy this cook-em-up while angry chef Gordon Ramsay berates you for not cleaning a mushroom properly.

Most likely the best game in this sorry lineup is Line Rider 2: Unbound.

Deal or No Deal. Die-hard fans of the show will be delighted.

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Madden 09 soundtrack

The list of tracks appearing in Madden NFL 09: All-Play has been released. It's pretty much a mix of rock and rap, and looks like this:

Airborne - Stand up for rock 'n rollBusta Rhymes ft. Linkin Park - We made itDisturbed - Inside the fireFranz Ferdinand - Lucid dreamsFrom First to Last - Worlds awayGym Class Heroes - I'm homeHollywood Undead - UndeadIn Flames - The mirror's truthIzza Kizza - MillionaireInnerpartysystem - Don't stopK'NAAN - ABC'sKardinal Offishall ft. Lindo P - BurntKidz in the Hall - BlackoutKOVAS - Wax on, wax offMindless Self Indulgence - Never wanted to danceRev Theory - Hey yeahSenses Fail - Wolves at the doorShinedown - DevourThe All-American Rejects - The real worldThe Fashion - Like knivesThe Offspring - HammerheadTrivium - Into the mouth of... we marchTyga - Diamond lifeUnderoath - Desperate times, desperate measuresWale ft. Southeast Slim - BreakdownYoung Dre The Truth ft. Good Charlotte - Workin'

Madden 09 is all set for release next month, on August 12th. Hut hut!

Madden NFL 09 Trailer
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No More Heroes goes mobile

No More Heroes goes mobile

Gamers in Japan will soon be able to head for the garden of madness while on the go, or taking a dump. This is thanks to publishers Marvelous releasing a series of cellphone games based on No More Heroes.

Naturally the storyline, gameplay, graphics, sound and anything else the original had worth mentioning has been scaled down severely. These games are 100 Yen a pop (approximately 93 US cents), based on Flash technology.

The first sees Travis Touchdown taking on the UAA and notable characters like Shinobu with his beam katana.

The second one has Travis riding the Schpel Tiger, in a frantic mix of mowing down assassins, jumping ramps and avoiding holes.

Currently there's no news on whether these games will be available outside of Japan. I'm also 562% certain they will fail.

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

This week's additions to the Wii Shop Channel are bigger, stronger and faster. It's all about excess with these electrifying titles. A new WiiWare offering puts you behind the wheel of a high-octane racer with no regard for speed limits. A classic Virtual Console game transforms you into a larger-than-life beast with a massive appetite for mayhem. Whichever you choose, there will be no skimping on the action.

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
SPOGS Racing (D2C Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Coming at you full throttle is SPOGS Racing, an all-new racer from D2C Games featuring classic arcade racing, pick-up-and-play controls, all-new racing vehicles and Crash N' Grab instant upgrades. Jump in, gear up and modify your ride on the fly as you compete head-to-head for a totally outrageous arcade racing experience on your Wii console. Whether you're a casual gamer or hardcore racer, SPOGS Racing features fun for all and is a must-have download for your WiiWare digital game library.

Virtual Console
KING OF THE MONSTERS (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released by SNK in 1991, KING OF THE MONSTERS is an action/fighting game that features city-destroying battles between huge monsters. Choose one of six monsters and travel around Japan, stopping to fight in various famous cities with the aim of becoming the ultimate winner. In addition to punches, kicks and other regular moves, each character has the ability to use more devastating maneuvers, like throwing flames and shooting laser beams, to defeat opponents. Wrestling elements are also incorporated, as you must completely exhaust your opponent and get a three-count to pin him and be victorious. Along with the player-versus-computer game, multiplayer options allow you and a friend to enjoy one-on-one matches and two-on-two tag-team matches against the computer. Take on the challenge and claim the title of King of the Monsters.

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.

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

Mega Man 9 first footage

The first video of Mega Man 9 (known as Rockman in the east) in action has been released.

Long-time character designer Keiji Inafune has confirmed this will be taking Mega Man right back to his roots, scrapping his fancier moves of later games in favor of the more simplistic style of Mega Man 2.

"There are many gamers who claim Mega Man 2 is their absolute favorite of all. I took this as an indication that Mega Man is not all about the moves. The beauty of Mega Man actually lies in its simplicity and a fine mixture of simple gameplay, puzzle-like thrill of maneuvering tricks at the last minute, and battles".

The video has some Japanese scribbles over it, but still, enjoy.

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Mega Man 9 for WiiWare
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One WiiWare Game and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel

You want fireworks? Look no further than the Wii Shop Channel, where vibrant bursts of classic gaming action and fresh WiiWare content will help fill your living room with a flurry of ooohs and ahhhs. Puzzle-game mavens can enjoy a wild new addition to the WiiWare library, while the Virtual Console brings a truly classic fighting game to the fore. For an added holiday-week blast, fans of the WiiWare hit FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King can enhance the action with new Add-On Content.

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
Magnetica Twist (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The classic puzzle game Magnetica is now available on WiiWare , putting its own unique "twist" on the puzzle-game experience. You're surrounded by marbles, marching slowly but surely down a track. Use a launcher (piloted by a Mii of your choice) to shoot marbles with matching colors and wipe them out before they reach the end of the track. Control couldn't be simpler, as all you need to do is twist the Wii Remote controller to aim and press the A button to shoot. And the game play remains as addictive and deep as you've come to expect in Nintendo's puzzle games, with five varied play modes, advanced mechanics such as the ability to lob marbles, and a never-ending supply of combos. This definitely isn't your typical game of marbles.

Virtual Console
FATAL FURY 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1992 by SNK, FATAL FURY 2 is the second installment in the renowned fighting-game series. In addition to Terry, Andy and Joe, who appeared in the original game, another five distinctive fighters gather from around the world to compete for the championship title. Also newly added are stage-specific hazards and the ability to perform desperation attacks when a character's strength is low. These particularly deadly techniques create the chance for a come-from-behind victory achieved with a single strike. Moreover, the innovative two-line battle, which proved popular in the previous version, also has been radically enhanced. Pressing the weak-attack and strong-attack buttons simultaneously enables players to move their fighters to another line themselves, or to launch an attack that pushes opponents back to another line. This game mechanic, unique to this title in the series, allows the player to take advantage of the depth of the screen and create even more exciting bouts. Can you prove yourself the king of fighters again?

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.

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

Castlevania Judgment

In an official press release today, Konami has confirmed a new Castlevania game heading exclusively to the Wii. What you may find surprising, is that it's a 3d Fighter.

Castlevania Judgment is being developed under legendary Castlevania guy Koji "Iga" Igarashi. It's set to feature a heap of characters from the franchise's 22 year history. Anthony Crouts, VP of marketing at Konami said:

"We wanted to take this addition to the signature Konami franchise in a direction that really sets it apart from the previous Castlevania titles in the series. The Wiimote and Nunchuk capabilities, along with the iconic characters, make this game the ideal entry point into the fighting game genre. This combination is certain to thrill old and new fans of the franchise".

Castlevania Judgment lets you choose sides in an epic battle of good vs evil. The motion controls of the Wiimote will be used for a number of actions, such as stabbing, slashing and of course whipping.

Some online action is in there too, players can challenge each other in head-to-head battles over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Additionally, connecting to the DS game "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia" lets you unlock bonus content.

North America should see Castlevania Judgment on the shelves in Autumn 2008.

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Axe Shredders Hit the Road With New Nintendo DS/Guitar Hero: On Tour Bundle

REDMOND, Wash., June 12, 2008 - Most musicians dream of one day reaching platinum success. A new Nintendo DS bundle lets aspiring axe shredders claim that coveted status right from day one. The new Silver/Black Nintendo DS branded with the Guitar Hero logo will be available exclusively as part of a limited-time bundle with Guitar Hero: On Tour. For the first time, this smash-hit franchise is playable on a portable video game system using the revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral and fully tapping into the distinctive abilities of the Nintendo DS hardware.

Available on June 22, 2008, at North American retailers nationwide, the bundle provides a cool combo package for grads about to head off to college as well as summertime, road-tripping rockers of all ages.

"This one-of-a-kind bundle makes Nintendo DS even more appealing to our ever-growing audience of players," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Like Nintendo DS itself, the Guitar Hero franchise has attracted millions of new players to the world of video games."

"We are thrilled to be the first third-party publisher to partner with Nintendo on this unique offering," said Dusty Welch, Head of Publishing for RedOctane. "With the Guitar Hero-branded Nintendo DS and our Guitar Hero: On Tour game and peripheral, this amazing bundle delivers gamers a complete Guitar Hero experience they can enjoy anytime, anywhere."

Using the revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral and a custom-designed Guitar Hero pick-stylus, Guitar Hero: On Tour leverages the unique abilities of Nintendo DS to bring a new dimension to hand-held gaming. Featuring a wide variety of music, including tracks from blink-182, No Doubt, Jet, Nirvana, Bloc Party and many others, players can rock out in career mode, join together in co-op or go head-to-head in a "Guitar Duel" using Battle Items unique to the DS platform.

For more information about Nintendo DS, visit www.NintendoDS.com. For more information about Guitar Hero: On Tour, visit www.GuitarHeroOnTour.com.

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Wario frames his lost TNA avatar

Box arts are like buses. You wait, and then five show up at once. Yea.

Badboy Wario makes another showing on the Wii, this time in a side-scrolling 2D platformer with added motions, Wario Land: Shake it.

This is Fatal Frame IV, some kind of spooky adventure fresh out of Japan.

WILSON! I'M SORRY! ;_;. Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked lands you on a desert isle. Do you settle down for the long term or escape?

TNA iMPACT. Better buy this, dude on the cover looks angry.

Avatar: Into the Inferno. Angry bald Aang and his endless string of mediocre games.

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Spyro in hospital

CustomPlay Golf 2009 on Wii

UK publishers Lexicon have announced they'll be bringing CustomPlay Golf 2009 onto Wii, as well as PC.

The press release talks a big game. CPG 2009 will include fifteen full 18-hole courses to play on, realistic physics, swing mechanics and customization of your golfer.

A major feature is the editor, which allows you to make your own golf courses. These can be a variety of types, including:

Crazy GolfMini Golf (there's a difference?)Par 3Pitch and PuttDriving Range

Lexicon's President Christopher Allcroft commented:

"We're excited to be working with the CustomPlay Golf team as their knowledge and experience in creation of a golf title is exceptional. Lexicon feels they can create a new unique benchmark as they truly understand the most important nuances of this great sport and we believe a golf title that will have gamers coming back for more".

Yeesh, "coming back for more", how tired is that. The Wii version is expected for the first quarter of next year.

Get your golf on
Nintendo working on storage