Thrustmaster Glow Sabers and gun

Thrustmaster Glow Sabers and gun

After their last Wii abomination, Thrustmaster have bounced back and made some accessories which actually look kinda good.

Thrustmaster Glow Sabers and gun

These are Glow Sabers, clearly modeled after the ones in Star Wars, they come in red and blue. They're lit up by 17 LEDs and use 3 AAA batteries for power. The plastic is curved for safety, so if you want to have someone's eye out you'll really need to put some effort in.

Thrustmaster Glow Sabers and gun

This is the Dual Trigger Gun, so known because it has two triggers. The Nunchuk can also be clipped on when appropriate. Most of the cabling is contained in an storage hatch, it's a slick piece of equipment. Retail price $17.99.




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Professor Layton to star in movies

Professor Layton to star in movies

Information from a conference held by Factor 5 states that popular character (in Japan at least) Professor Layton is to feature in two movies. One of these will be a live-action film, and the other an animation.

I've a feeling the animated one will be better. I mean the in-game cutscenes are pretty enjoyable. If you're unfamiliar, Professor Layton stars in a trilogy of puzzle games on the DS.

Professor Layton and the Curious VillageProfessor Layton and Pandora's BoxProfessor Layton and the Last Time Travel

At the time of writing though, only the first game has made it to the US.




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Music for Nintendo Stars
Gravity trailer

Bomberman Blasts WiiWare

Bomberman Blasts WiiWare

A mix of WiiWare games and Virtual Console today, including an unexpected title from Big N.

Bomberman Blast (WiiWare)Art Style: ORBIENT (WiiWare)Super Turrican 2 (SNES)

There we have it, what do you make of these releases?




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Music for Nintendo Stars

Music for Nintendo Stars

Nintendo fans in Europe with spare stars can now choose to swap them for music if they want to. A new service called emusu.com has launched allowing this. The conversion rates look like this:

1 song - 350 stars2 songs - 700 starsalbum - 3,000 stars

Me, I'd probably spend them on WiiWare instead.




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Gravity trailer

Puzzle fans take heed, a new trailer for Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity has been released. Graphically it's not going to set the world on fire, but the gameplay looks like it has potential. For the right price I'd give it a try.




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De Blob commercial

De Blob is now out at retail, and so far it's getting a positive buzz. The Official Nintendo Magazine gave it a score of 92%. To coincide with the release there's a commercial promoting the game:

Has the ad persuaded you to get blobby?




Kirby clouds over Kirby
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Mega Man 9 and Strong Bad in Europe

Mega Man 9 and Strong Bad in Europe

Europe has three new WiiWare games to choose from this morning. Happy times.

Mega Man 9 (WiiWare)Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (WiiWare)Helix (WiiWare)

Back Monday with more WW/VC news for the US. Have a weekend.




Mega Man 9 hits USA
Strong Bad ep 2 and Mega Man 2
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Capcom remaking original RE

Capcom remaking original RE

Capcom has revealed they'll be porting another aging RE title over to the Wii. This time it's the original Resident Evil from the Gamecube (which was itself a remake..).

Wiimote controls will be added, for example shaking to draw your weapon, but the Gamecube controller will also be supported.

Like the other port, Resident Evil Zero, it's said this game will stay inside Japan.




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Proto Man DLC in Mega Man 9

Proto Man DLC in Mega Man 9

Capcom has already revealed the first downloadable content for Mega Man 9. For 200 of your Wii Points, you can choose to play as Proto Man.

First appearing in Mega Man 3, Proto Man has many similarities to the blue bomber, but also some different abilities.

Proto ManAbility to slide and perform charge shots.Deflect smaller bullets with the shield.Actual contact with bullets has more impact on Proto Man.

Proto Man is said to be downloadable on October 6th.




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Cars in NFS Undercover

Cars in NFS Undercover

Car nuts (enthusiasts?) might appreciate this full list of cars available to drive in the upcoming Need for Speed Undercover.

Need for Speed Undercover carsAston Martin DB9Acura Integra LSAcura RSXAudi RS5Audi S3Audi Le Mans Quattro/R8BMW M6Bugatti Veyron 16.4Cadillac CTS-VChevrolet Camaro ConceptChevrolet Camaro SSChevrolet Cobalt SSChevrolet Chevelle SSChevrolet Corvette C6Dodge Concept Viper GTS-RDodge Viper SRT-10 CoupeFerrari EnzoFord Escort RS CosworthFord GTFord Mustang GTFord Shelby GT500Honda S2000Infiniti G35Jaguar XKJaguar XJ-220Koenigsegg CCXLamborghini Gallardo SuperleggeraLamborghini Murcielago LP640Lexus IS350Lotus EliseMazda RX-7Mazda RX-8Mazda Mazdaspeed 3Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-TMitsubishi Lancer EVO 10Mercedes-Benz SLR MclarenNissan GT-R ProtoNissan 240 SXNissan 350ZNissan Skyline R34Nissan SilviaOpel SpeedsterPagani Zonda FPlymouth Hemi CudaPlymouth Road RunnerPontiac FirebirdPontiac GTOPontiac Solstice GXPPorsche Cayman SPorsche 911 TurboPorsche 911 GT2Porsche 911 GT3Porsche Carrera GTSeat Leon CupraSubaru Impreza WRX STIToyota SupraVolkswagen Golf GTI


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Undercover soccer

Kirby clouds over Kirby

Kirby clouds over Kirby

Kirby shapes took to the skies in four locations across the US on Thursday, in a special event previously mentioned. As suspected, it was promoting the release of Kirby Super Star Ultra on DS, which comes out on September 22nd.

Created by machines, thousands of these Kirby-forms were released. They were made out of bubbles and helium. Some video footage and pictures are available below.

Kirby clouds over Kirby

Kirby clouds over Kirby

There's also a commercial for the game, dubbing Kirby the "Super Tuff Pink Puff".




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Kirby special event
Fan-Favorite Nintendo Characters Wario and Kirby Get Some Time to Shine

Fan-Favorite Nintendo Characters Wario and Kirby Get Some Time to Shine

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 22, 2008 – Today, two popular Nintendo characters launch their new video games on a rare dual-launch day. Conniving Wario appears in Wario Land: Shake It! for the Wii console, while "super tuff pink puff" Kirby arrives in Kirby Super Star Ultra for Nintendo DS. Both characters have millions of fans, and each game plays to the strengths of its lead character.

Wario Land: Shake It! looks like a hand-drawn cartoon that players can control. It's a classic-style side-scrolling game in which players navigate Wario through a series of enemies and hazards. The game features motion controls: Players shake the Wii Remote controller to help Wario shake down his enemies, free coins from treasure bags and even cause earthquakes. Wario's narcissistic personality is on full display as he sets out to get his hands on the Bottomless Coin Sack.

What Wario is to greed, Kirby is to kindness. But the little pink powerhouse is not to be trifled with. Fans know that Kirby has the ability to inhale enemies and copy their abilities, a trait used to progress through the game and defeat anyone who gets in the way. Kirby Super Star Ultra for the Nintendo DS updates the beloved Super NES classic including new graphics, new adventures and new challenges. In local wireless mode, up to four Nintendo DS owners can compete, even if they only have one game card.

"Nintendo has one of the largest stables of beloved video game characters on the planet," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Kirby and Wario's new games will give veteran players challenges to enjoy while introducing novice players to these iconic video game personalities."

For more information about Wario Land: Shake It!, visit www.WarioLandShakeIt.com. For more information about Kirby Super Star Ultra, visit www.KirbyKirbyKirby.com. Both games are rated E for Everyone.

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.




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Wii-kly Update: Two WiiWare Games and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

What does your Wii library say about you? Are you fanatical about one style of game, or do you favor a brimming variety of sports, puzzle and fantasy titles? Fortunately for gaming fans of all kinds, the Wii Shop Channel makes it easy and fun to expand your collection in any direction. A few waves of the Wii Remote controller will introduce you to the latest Virtual Console and WiiWare offerings this week, featuring classic sci-fi adventure and some invigorating twists on familiar pastimes.

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
Mega Man 9 (CAPCOM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Mega Man fans, the wait is over! The classic Blue Bomber that debuted in 1987 is back with the ninth installment in the classic series. It's a new adventure for Mega Man done in an 8-bit style-graphics, music and gameplay are all like you remember them.

PLTTCHEN twist 'n' paint (Bplus, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): PLTTCHEN twist 'n' paint is a crazy, challenging puzzle shooter that delivers more than 100 hours of fun, supporting up to eight players simultaneously. Guard the birth of ZeLeLi and free them from the menace of the evil black Shadow Plttchen. Play as one of the countless FantasyMEs and fight as an astronaut, butterfly, car or football against sharks, cowboys, asteroids and skulls in numerous, fabulous fantasy Worlds. Use items and multipliers in combos to fight yourself to the top of the high scores and find the perfect way to solve a level. Go wild in three completely different game modes of PLTTCHEN twist 'n' paint with more than 300 levels. Twist cooperatively with your friends or compete through many multiplayer modes.

Virtual Console
Super Dodge Ball (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): In Super Dodge Ball, you take control of the USA Dodge Ball team and travel the world in an effort to become the best dodge ballers around. Step onto playing fields in countries all over the globe and use a combination of normal and super shots to help take down your opponents. But be careful, as some destinations have surfaces that can affect your footing. Manage the team as you think best, and swap out characters with other players that better fit your playing style. Two players can enjoy a head-to-head game or play a spirited round of Bean Ball, a six-character free-for-all. Three difficulty levels are available (Easy, Medium, and Hard); which one you choose will depend on your skill and courage. Do you have what it takes to lead Team USA to the ultimate prize and win the world championship of dodge ball?

Vectorman (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): In the year 2049, mankind is forced to abandon an over polluted Earth and seek out other planets for colonization while the mechanized Orbots stay behind to clean up the mess. When the Orbot leader, WarHead, starts blowing a few circuits and causes a war among the mechanical brethren, a sludge pilot named Vectorman is the only one willing to step up and fight him. You'll morph into a speeding train, a power drill, a mechanical fish and a mighty dune buggy in this action-packed adventure. Equip yourself with weapons, pick up morphs and power-ups to defeat WarHead, and restore peace on Earth.

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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Shocking wireless nunchuk

Shocking wireless nunchuk

They say playing the Wii makes you work out, well it's about to get even harder with this embarrassing Nunchuk-shell from Thrustmaster.

The T-Nchuk Wireless Adapter encases your regular Nunchuk with a compartment for batteries and a wireless transmitter. A small receiver then slots into the base of the Wiimote.

It will be hitting retail in the US during October, be sure to look out for it.

Mega Man 9 hits USA

Mega Man 9 hits USA

A big day for fans of the old Mega Man games, also some good titles on Virtual Console.

Mega Man 9 (WiiWare)Plattchen: Twist 'n' Paint (WiiWare)Super Dodge Ball (NES)Vectorman (Genesis)

More VC/WW news on Friday with the European/Australian releases.




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Nickelodeon Puts Wii Fit Family Challenge Finalists In Prime Time

With gold medal fever still fresh in American viewers' minds, Nintendo and Nickelodeon are giving fitness fans another heart-pumping event to cheer about. Olympic skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi will host the finals of the first-ever Wii Fit Family Challenge, a fun-packed competition in which three families will compete for the title of Wii Fit Fittest Family by proving their prowess at Nintendo's innovative Wii Fit. Highlights from the Challenge will air on Oct. 9 on Nick at Nite, interspersed between its prime time programming.

The Wii Fit Family Challenge will feature teams twisting and tilting atop the motion-sensing Wii Balance Board in a series of aerobic, yoga, strength training and balancing activities. Finalists in this extraordinary competition have already been awarded a Wii video game system, Wii Fit software from Nintendo and a Nickelodeon expense-paid trip to Orlando for the Sept. 17 event taping.

The Nickelodeon Family Suites in Orlando, Fla., plays host to this entertaining and interactive fitness showdown, culminating in the crowning of the Wii Fit Fittest Family, who'll win a Nickelodeon and Nintendo grand prize package.

Nintendo's Wii Fit has already sold more than 1.8 million units in the United States alone since its May 19 release. With the included Wii Balance Board accessory, the game lets every member of the household enjoy a personalized at-home workout, and track progress over time.

For more information about the Wii Fit Family Challenge, please visit www.WiiFitFamilyChallenge.com.




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Nintendo's Famous Anti-Hero, Wario, Invades Six Flags This Summer

Nintendo and its favorite antagonist, Wario, have teamed up with Six Flags to take over 10 theme parks throughout the country this September. In celebration of the release of Wario Land: Shake It!, the new game for the Wii console, Nintendo will be giving park guests the opportunity to check out the game and win prizes.

Wario Land: Shake It! plays like a classic side-scroller, but incorporates motion-controlled elements: Players shake the Wii Remote controller to help Wario shake down enemies for coins or tilt it to help him decide where to toss them. The game launches exclusively for Wii on Sept. 22.

"Wario Land: Shake It! is a game that everyone from veterans to newcomers can enjoy," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Partnering with Six Flags to bring the title to theme parks nationwide is a great opportunity for consumers to experience the game and rediscover the franchise at a place that is designed for fun."

As part of the theme park takeover, Wario Land: Shake It! game-play interactives will be available at the 10 Six Flags parks' Wii Experience areas to allow Wario fans and park guests the chance to experience the game first-hand and reconnect with the long-running Wario franchise.

In addition, on Sept. 27, Nintendo will host a competition at two Six Flags locations: Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles and Six Flags St. Louis. Running concurrently at both parks, competitors will play through a level in Wario Land: Shake It! as fast as they can, just as Wario must race through various levels in the game. At the end of the competition, the player with the best overall time will be Nintendo's guest on a holiday trip to New York and a visit to the Nintendo World store. In addition, one person at each park with the best overall time will win a "Bottomless Coin Sack" containing:

a Wii system and a copy of Wario Land: Shake It! a Nintendo DS system a gift certificate for Six Flags merchandise fun premium items

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 Wario Land: Shake It!, visit www.WarioLandShakeIt.com.

Participating Parks and dates include:

Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, N.J.) – 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, Calif.) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Ill.) - 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, Texas) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, Ga.) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, Texas) - 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags New England (Agawam, Mass.) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, Calif.) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags America (Bowie, Md.) - 10/4-5, 10/11-12

Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka, Mo.) - 9/27-28, 10/4-5, 10/11-12

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii and Nintendo DS systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.7 billion video games and more than 470 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii and Nintendo DS, as well as the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Super NES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokmon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

About Six Flags, Inc.

Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Founded in 1961, Six Flags has provided world class entertainment for millions of families with cutting edge, record-shattering roller coasters and appointment programming and special events like the weekly Summer Concert Series, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Now 47 years strong, Six Flags is recognized as the preeminent thrill innovator while reaching to all demographics — families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike — with themed attractions based on the Looney Tunes characters, the Justice League of America, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE:SIX) headquartered in New York City.




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Nintendo DS Becomes the Hot Tech-Cessory for Fashion-Conscious Women

Women who prefer the hottest designer handbags draped over their arms will now be able to have the hottest portable video game system at their fingertips as well. Nintendo has partnered with From Bags to Riches, a popular online handbag-rental service, to include stylish and colorful Nintendo DS systems and games with some rentals through the end of 2008.

From Bags to Riches subscribers will have the chance to borrow a Nintendo DS and games, free of charge, with a 30-day rental of one of From Bags to Riches' featured handbags from such coveted designers as Prada, Tory Burch, Gucci and Juicy Couture. Consumers can choose the handbag and Nintendo DS that best suit their taste on FromBagstoRiches.com. After the conclusion of the rental period, consumers simply return the Nintendo DS along with the bag.

The designer handbags will be accompanied by a variety of chic Nintendo DS colors, including Metallic Silver, Metallic Rose, Onyx, Crimson/Black or Cobalt/Black. Subscribers will also be able to select from a collection of popular games such as Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day and Nintendogs.

"In today's fashion world, carrying customized accessories means everything," said Kara Richter, CEO and founder of From Bags to Riches. "With the addition of the stylish Nintendo DS, Nintendo brings to fashion accessories what Prada brought to stylish messenger bags."

"Almost half the Nintendo DS systems sold in the United States last year belong to women," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "With From Bags to Riches, we can help the growing population of female gamers test drive some great Nintendo DS games – and look good while they're doing it."

More information about the promotion can be found at www.frombagstoriches.com. For more information about Nintendo DS, visit www.NintendoDS.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii and Nintendo DS systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.7 billion video games and more than 470 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii and Nintendo DS, as well as the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Super NES, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokmon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com.

About From Bags to Riches: Since launching in 2004, the company has seen tremendous success and expects the future to continue to skyrocket. With offices located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the retailer is run by founders Kara Richter and Samuel Mangiere. More information about renting luxury designer handbags and the partnership with Nintendo can be accessed at www.frombagstoriches.com.




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On Oct. 20, Nintendo's Wii Music Makes Maestros of Everyone

Wii Fit got even more people interested in fun and fitness.

Now Wii Music builds on that inclusive legacy by letting people turn their living rooms into fun concert halls. It brings the experience of performing music to people who think learning an instrument is too difficult. Wii Music launches exclusively for the Wii console on Oct. 20 and aims to bring a deeper love and appreciation of music to everyone.

Players can improvise jams on the fly with more than 60 instruments. You will find rock favorites like the electric guitar; orchestra standards like trumpet, saxophone and clarinet; and even international instruments like steel drums, marimba and sitar. Players simply select their instruments, and then move their Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers as though they were playing the real thing. Wii Music turns players' movements into great music, even if you've never picked up an instrument before.

Budding musicians can play along to the beat of a diverse array of more than 50 songs from a variety of genres including popular, licensed, classical and Nintendo songs. Or players can improvise by adding new beats or creative twists to the songs. The combinations are endless, and it's all for the joy of creating fun new tunes.

Once players have their song the way they like it, they can forward it to friends who are also playing Wii Music via the Wii Message Board. Those friends can then put their own spin on the tune and send it back – or pass it along to their friends.

For more information about Wii Music, please visit www.WiiMusic.com.




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SPRay

SPRay now has a box art, this is the version for North America. Does it make you feel ill?




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Kirby special event

Nintendo has issued a press release talking about some kind of Kirby-based special event. It's taking place later today (Thursday September 18th, 2008), onlookers will need to "look to the skies" within a one mile radius of the following places:

Kirby Middle School - Birmingham, ALKirby Historical Mill - Medford, NJKirby Park - Kingston, PAKirby Gate Shopping Center - Memphis, TN

Best viewing hours are described as:

8:30am - 12:30pm CDT9:30am - 1:30pm EDT

Other than that it's a mystery, but this is thought to be a promotion for Kirby Super Star Ultra on DS.




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SimAnimals trailer

EA have put up a new trailer for SimAnimals. If you've ever wanted to see a fox chase a bear, this is the one for you.




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Tatsunoko vs Capcom Wii

According to Famitsu magazine in Japan, Capcom are porting Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes onto Wii.

Similar to other "vs" titles, it's a 2D beat-em-up featuring characters from Capcom's back catalog facing off against some from Tatsunoko Production.

Tatsunoko is an animation company, well known in Japan. They've worked on things like Battle of the Planets and Neon Genesis Evangelion, although neither of these will feature in the game. Some characters to be expected are listed below:

Capcom charactersRyu (SF2)Chun-Li (SF2)Batsu Ichimonji (Rival Schools: United By Fate)Alex (SF3)Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalkers)Soki (Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams)Rock Volnutt (Mega Man Legends)PTX-40A (Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions)Tatsunoko charactersKen the Eagle (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman)Casshan (Neo-Human Casshan)Tekkaman (Tekkaman: The Space Knight)Yatterman-1Hurricane PolymarGold Lightan (Golden Warrior Gold Lightan)Doronjo (Yatterman)KarasDaimao (Hakushon Daimaou)

Not many familiar faces there to me personally, but it's still likely to be popular among fans of the genre. Capcom USA are currently evaluating whether or not to bring this over to North America.




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Geon coming to Wii

In a press release just now, game publishers Pinnacle announced Geon is on its way to Wii.

Originally released on Xbox Live! Arcade, Geon is an arcade action title. Players control 'Geon' cubes, picking up pellets strewn across the level with the aim of putting them in opponents' goals.

Strawdog Studios, developers of the original, are handling the Wii game too. These features are specific to the new version:

16 new Duel-mode grids.Updated game rules.Attack and defend with a single button press.Duel league mode.Time Attack mode is now a game of pure speed.Tutorial helps ease the player's learning curve.32 avatars for player profiles.Wiimote functionality offers the ability to perform 'jumpbash' attack moves by flicking the controller like a drumstick.Up to 4 person multiplayer split-screen.

Geon is set to come out during February 2009. For box art and screenshots see the game's page.




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Guitar Hero World Tour track list

The full track list included on the Guitar Hero: World Tour disc has been revealed in a press release by Activision.

311 - Beautiful Disaster30 Seconds To Mars - The KillAirbourne - Too Much Too YoungThe Allman Brothers Band - Ramblin' ManAnouk - Good GodThe Answer - Never Too LateAt The Drive-In - One Armed ScissorBeastie Boys - No Sleep Till BrooklynBeatsteaks - Hail to the FreaksBilly Idol - Rebel YellBlack Label Society - StillbornBlack Rebel Motorcycle Club - Weapon of ChoiceBlink 182 - DammitBlondie - One Way or AnotherBob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Hollywood NightsBon Jovi - Livin' On A PrayerBullet For My Valentine - Scream Aim FireColdplay - ShiverCreedence Clearwater Revival - Up Around The BendThe Cult - Love Removal MachineDinosaur Jr. - Feel The PainThe Doors - Love Me Two TimesDream Theater - Pull Me UnderThe Eagles - Hotel CaliforniaThe Enemy - AggroFilter - Hey Man, Nice ShotFleetwood Mac - Go Your Own WayFoo Fighters - EverlongThe Guess Who - American WomanHush Puppies - You're Gonna Say Yeah!Interpol - Obstacle 1Jane's Addiction - Mountain SongJimi Hendrix - Purple Haze (Live)Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries MaryJimmy Eat World - The MiddleJoe Satriani - Satch BoogieKent - Vinternoll2KoRn - Freak On A LeashLacuna Coil - Our TruthLenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My WayLinkin Park - What I've DoneThe Living End - Prisoner of SocietyLos Lobos - La BambaLost Prophets - Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (Live)Mars Volta - L'Via L'ViaquezMC5's Wayne Kramer - Kick Out The JamsMetallica - Trapped Under IceMichael Jackson - Beat ItModest Mouse - Float OnMotorhead - OverkillMuse - AssassinNegramaro - Nuvole e LenzuolaNirvana - About a Girl (Unplugged)No Doubt - SpiderwebsNOFX - Soul DoubtOasis - Some Might SayOzzy Osbourne - Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne - Mr. CrowleyParamore - Misery BusinessPat Benatar - HeartbreakerR.E.M. - The One I LoveRadio Futura - Escuela De CalorRise Against - Re-Education Through LaborSex Pistols - Pretty VacantSilversun Pickups - Lazy EyeSmashing Pumpkins - TodaySteely Dan - Do It AgainSteve Miller Band - The JokerSting - Demolition Man (Live)The Stone Roses - Love SpreadsStuck In The Sound - Toy BoySublime - SanteriaSurvivor - Eye of the TigerSystem of a Down - B.Y.O.B.Ted Nugent - StrangleholdTed Nugent's Original Guitar Duel RecordingTokio Hotel - MonsoonTool - ParabolaTool - SchismTool - VicariousTrust - AntisocialVan Halen - Hot For TeacherWillie Nelson - On The Road AgainWings - Band on the RunZakk Wylde's Original Guitar Duel Recording

Something there for everyone?




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Strong Bad ep 2 and Mega Man 2

A strong showing for WiiWare and Virtual Console today should ensure that plenty of people are happy:

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (WiiWare)Potpourrii (WiiWare)Mega Man 2 (NES)

More news of downloadables on Friday when we take a look at the Euro/Aussie releases.




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WiiWare gives you crabs

If you enjoy catching crabs, publishers Konami have just the thing for you. Their new game titled Sandy Beach is coming to WiiWare.

Seemingly influenced by Defend Your Castle, the experience revolves around building yourself a sandcastle. You do this using various tools, such as buckets, spades.. etc. Then in 'crab mode' you use cannons to protect the castle from marauding crabs.

You can hit the sandy beach this Fall.




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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.




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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.




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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.




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

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.




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Pokémon Puzzle League and Renegade Now Available on 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.




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August 2008 NPD sales figures

US console sales figures for the month of August are in, according to the NPD this is how they look:

Nintendo DS - 518,300Nintendo Wii - 453,000PSP - 253,000Xbroke 360 - 195,200Sorry Imitation 3 - 185,400

Another clear win for Big N. POW!




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Wii Music

GameFly are the first to reveal what is expected to be the real box art for Wii Music.

That's one long note.




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Three WiiWare games hit European and Aussie shores this morning.

Bomberman Blast (WiiWare)Plattchen: Twist 'n' Paint (WiiWare)Midnight Pool (WiiWare)

See you Monday for more downloadable game news, have a nice weekend.




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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.




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

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 Land Shake it euro trailer

Everyone's favorite disgusting wretch Wario can be seen here shaking his thing, in an European trailer for Wario Land: Shake it.




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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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Nintendo's Wario, Kirby bring the fun; Sleuths get a new Mystery Case Files game

While the game world awaits the E3 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles next month, Nintendo isn’t waiting to announce new titles for its mushrooming libraries for the Wii console and Nintendo DS. Classic Nintendo characters like bad-boy Wario and pink powerhouse Kirby will star in their own platform games. A new Mystery Case Files game brings the best-selling Big Fish Games franchise to Nintendo DS for the first time. These games join the recently announced Mario Super Sluggers baseball game for the Wii console.

“Nintendo’s game libraries continue to grow at a rapid pace,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wario stars in a great new platformer, Kirby enthusiasts get an updated version of a fan favorite, there’s a new mystery for Mystery Case Files aficionados and baseball gets a few new Mario-style twists.”

Wario Land: Shake It!, a classic side-scroller for the Wii console launching September 29, stars Wario, the smelly, bad-mannered alter ego of Mario. With the Wii Remote controller turned sideways like an old-school controller, veterans and newcomers alike can run, jump and smash their way through hectic side-scrolling stages. Players shake the Wii Remote to help Wario take down his enemies, empty bags of treasure or cause earthquakes. Best of all, there are numerous stages each offering multiple missions to keep players coming back again and again to unlock everything, collect more coins or just improve their best times.

Kirby Super Star Ultra for Nintendo DS, launching September 29, re-imagines one of the most beloved Kirby games of all time. Kirby Super Star Ultra features new graphics and fully rendered animated cut scenes. With so many adventures waiting to be unlocked, there will never be a dull moment as Kirby runs, floats, copies enemies and uses Helpers to fight King Dedede and Meta Knight. On top of the main modes, there are also three new touch-screen-controlled mini-games that can be played with up to three friends via DS Download Play. Not only that, but players can go on Kirby adventures with a friend via local wireless as well.

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir , launching September 8, uses the unique Nintendo DS interface to expand upon the seek-and-solve game play of the popular series from Big Fish Games. Players seek out cleverly hidden items in a multitude of painted scenes. Players progress through an interactive detective story investigating a cast of characters and uncovering new evidence to find the rightful heir to a million-dollar fortune. This new portable installment is available only for Nintendo DS. With interactive logic puzzles that use both the touch-screen interface and built-in microphone and include the first ever multiplayer mode for a Mystery Case Files game, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir presents a new generation of seek-and-solve games for casual gamers and franchise fans.

Mario Super Sluggers, launching August 25 for the Wii console, stars the ever-lovable Mario and his crew of friends. It builds on the social-gaming fun and movements people learned in Wii Sports and turns them into a full-fledged baseball game that can be played by every member of the household. Players make a throwing motion with the Wii Remote controller to pitch the baseball and make a swinging motion to swing at the pitch. The game boasts more than 30 playable Nintendo characters and all the madness of a Mario sports game. Just like Mario Kart Wii, it bridges the gap between experienced players and those new to the Wii console, with fun challenges and beautiful graphics.

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 these and other Nintendo products, visit Nintendo.com.




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Seek and Solve: Mystery Case Files Comes to Nintendo DS

Popular Franchise Makes its Portable Debut with Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir

There's a mystery afoot, and only someone with a keen eye and attention to detail can solve it. Today's launch of Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir brings a new style of puzzle-solving adventure game to the portable Nintendo DS. The game begins with instant intrigue: Eccentric millionaire Phil T. Rich has disappeared and only you – the Master Detective – can find him. Players progress through an interactive detective story, visiting more than 30 richly illustrated environments to find more than 1,000 cleverly hidden objects in an effort to find the rightful heir to Phil T. Rich's fortune.

"Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir is an interactive seek-and-solve scavenger hunt that everyone can enjoy," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The compelling story paired with the enchanting graphics and unique seek-and-solve style of game play will appeal to hard-core gamers, casual gamers and franchise fans alike."

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir is part of the popular Big Fish Games franchise. This new mystery was developed exclusively for Nintendo DS.

"Our partnership with Nintendo is very exciting. The game play in Mystery Case Files is perfectly suited for the touch screen," said Patrick Wylie, Big Fish Games' vice president of Studios. "Just tap it with the stylus to find objects, rub it to brush dust off of evidence or use the microphone to clear cobwebs."

Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir is a fun addition to family game night. Using multiplayer modes, players can challenge up to three Nintendo DS owners to see who can find the most objects or work cooperatively to solve a puzzle.

To top off a "MillionHeir" look, players may want to pick up the newly released Metallic Silver-colored Nintendo DS.

Nintendo has even more good news for fans of puzzles, games and mysteries. Today Nintendo will re-release both Clubhouse Games and Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for Nintendo DS. Clubhouse Games is a collection of more than 20 classics, like chess, poker and darts. Up to eight players can join in on the action. For some grittier action, check into Hotel Dusk: Room 215, a film noir-type detective story that puts players in the middle of the novel. Players even hold their Nintendo DS systems sideways like a book. Engage in conversations and unravel the clues until you figure out what really happened in Room 215.

For more information about Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, visit www.nintendo.com/mcf.




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