A fan-favorite from the SNES age joins the Virtual Console lineup today, along with a surprise entry on WiiWare from Zoonami studio.
Bonsai Barber (WiiWare)Super Punch Out (SNES)Check back on Friday for the Euro/Aussie releases.
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
Bonsai Barber (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The village residents are hungry for the latest in foliage fashion, and it's up to you, the new barber, to fix them up. Use the tools of your trade: scissors, clippers, spray can, and more in this humorous, first-of-its-kind "first-person-groomer" game. Bonsai Barber features a colorful cast of 12 intriguing customers, including a temperamental shallot starlet (don't call her an onion), an oddball strawberry boffin, a cactus cowboy, a daredevil carrot, and a suave banana with top-secret clearance. Each day, five customers arrive to test your stylistic skill. If the customer requests a specific style, you'll plow that furrow, or you can rely on your expertise to pick from more than 30 popular fashions. Or, why not turn over a new leaf? Be creative and see how they react. They're a demanding bunch, so if you miss an appointment, you'll hear about it-on your Wii Message Board. If you do a good job, you may receive a gift or even a postcard from an exotic destination as your happy customers travel to distant lands and show off their exquisite coifs.
Virtual Console
Super Punch-Out!! (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Featuring the tight game play and humor the series is known for, this sequel to the NES classic sees Little Mac return to the ring with the World Video Boxing Association belt once again at stake. Slug your way through the grueling, sweat-pounding matches of the Minor, Major and World Circuits as you face off against some of Little Mac's greatest rivals, such as Bear Hugger, Bald Bull and Super Macho Man. With a cast of new challengers waiting, do you have what it takes to identify their unique patterns and exploit their weaknesses? Go to your corner and come out fighting, but remember what Doc Louis would say: "It's not about brawling-it's about finesse!"
Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access.
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.
Just one new WiiWare games released in PAL territories today, although four arcade games were released on Virtual Console earlier in the week.
Texas Hold'em Tournament (WiiWare)More downloadable news on Monday (hopefully). Have a good weekend.
The latest firmware update 4.0 for the Wii console brings what many have been calling for since launch. SD card support is now much more operational and games can be launched from the cards.
Nintendo has also added support for high capacity (SDHC) cards, allowing for over 2Gb to be used.
What does this all mean?
It was announced at GDC '09 that arcade games will be hitting the Virtual Console in future, and the first batch are already available.
Gaplus (Arcade)Mappy (Arcade)The Tower of Druaga (Arcade)Star Force (Arcade)They all cost 500 points, besides Gaplus which is 600. Good news? What arcade titles would you like to be downloading in the coming weeks?
Over at the Game Developers Conference, Nintendo has announced a new Zelda game for the DS handheld. Cel-shaded Link is making a return in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
Using similar touch-screen controls to Phantom Hourglass, this new adventure sees Link getting to places on a steam train.
Further details are sketchy, but the first video is already out, showing off some gameplay.
This is the cover art for Deep Silver's Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis on Wii.
The developers claim this sequel will improve on the original's problems (namely the voice acting) and should be a boon for fans of adventure games. Ehehe "boon".
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata today revealed surprises for consumers and an expanded palette of video game development opportunities for the industry during his keynote address at the Game Developers Conference. Iwata announced a new storage solution for Nintendo’s Wii home console and showed video highlights of a new Nintendo DS game from The Legend of Zelda™ franchise.
Video game developers now have expanded opportunities given that worldwide shipments for the Wii system surpassed 50 million units and worldwide shipments for the Nintendo DS franchise are at more than 100 million units. Iwata said, “It is in the power of game developers to invent things that gamers have never seen – or even imagined – before.”
Nintendo also noted several key initiatives that are on the way for consumers, some of which are available at the Nintendo GDC booth.
Nintendo DSi
The new portable Nintendo DSi system goes on sale in the United States on April 5. For the first six months after launch, consumers who buy the system and connect to the Nintendo DSi Shop will automatically receive 1,000 Nintendo DSi Points, which can be redeemed for downloadable Nintendo DSiWare™ games and applications through the Nintendo DSi Shop. In order to receive the free Nintendo DSi Points, consumers must access the Nintendo DSi Shop by Oct. 5, 2009, and the Nintendo DSi Points can be redeemed at any time after that (wireless broadband access required). Similar to how the WiiWare service works in the Wii Shop Channel, the Nintendo DSi Shop will feature a variety of downloadable Nintendo DSiWare™ games and applications. These games and applications will be available at four different price categories: free, 200 points, 500 points, and 800+ points. Consumers can purchase Nintendo DSi Points in the Nintendo DSi Shop with a credit card or by purchasing a Nintendo Points Card™ at retail locations for redemption in the Nintendo DSi Shop. All points from one Nintendo Points Card will need to be redeemed at the Nintendo DSi Shop. Nintendo Points Card will start to become available at select retail locations beginning Apr. 5. Iwata gave conference attendees a glimpse into some of the upcoming Nintendo DSiWare games and applications such as Moving Memo (name not final) and WarioWare ™ : Snapped! . Moving Memo (name not final) lets users create animated digital flipbooks of their own design, while WarioWare: Snapped! uses Nintendo DSi Camera functionality for a fresh gaming experience. On the show floor, conference attendees are able to experience some of the Nintendo DSiWare games and applications that will be available soon. Bird & Beans ™ and Art Style ™: Aquia ™ are fun mini games that will be perfect to play on-the-go.Nintendo DS & Nintendo DSi Software
The new The Legend of Zelda™: Spirit Tracks game that Iwata announced will utilize the intuitive touch control of Phantom Hourglass in an all new adventure that will please longtime Zelda fans while keeping the game accessible to all DS owners. The concept behind this Zelda game includes utilizing a steam locomotive to travel around the world, switching Phantom and Link to explore the dungeons, and solving puzzles using new items.Wii
As the library of downloadable WiiWare and Virtual Console games continues to grow, Wii owners have asked Nintendo to provide easy, expanded storage space. Starting today, Wii owners will be able to save downloaded WiiWare, Virtual Console video games, and Channels directly to High Capacity SD cards, in addition to SD memory cards. To play games that have been saved to SD cards, consumers will be able to select and launch them from an SD Menu icon on the Wii Menu. (Note that when launching games or channels from an SD card, an equivalent amount of internal Wii memory is required. To clear space from the internal memory, users can transfer games or channels from the Wii Menu to the SD card). This feature is included in the latest version of the Wii System Menu Update, which owners will receive immediately after performing a system update today. Gamers will be glad to have that additional storage space, as the Virtual Console will expand to include the arcade versions of classic third-party games like STARFORCE by Tecmo Ltd., and Mappy, Gaplus and Tower of Druaga by Namco Bandai Games Inc. starting today. Upcoming games Punch-Out!! and Excitebots: Trick Racing are available to play at Nintendo’s booth. Excitebots: Trick Racing , a new and refreshing take on the classic Excitebike series from the arcade and NES days, is slated to launch on April 20, while a new game in the classic Punch-Out!! series will be on store shelves on May 18.WiiWare
To highlight new development opportunities for independent developers, Iwata unveiled a game for the WiiWare downloadable game service called Rock N’ Roll Climber ™, which uses the Wii Balance Board accessory to help users simulate the experience of rock climbing. The game is being developed by Vitei.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 Nintendo, visit www.Nintendo.com.
The latest batch of songs to hit the Wii version of Rock Band 2 are listed below.
R.E.M. - Losing My ReligionRichard Thompson - The Way That It ShowsThe Offspring - All I WantThe Offspring - The Kids Aren't AlrightThe Who - Amazing JourneyThe Who - Behind Blue EyesThe Who - Eminence FrontThe Who - Going MobileThe Who - Leaving HereThe Who - Real Good Looking BoyThe Who - Sea and SandThe Who - Who Are You
This Summer we'll see a new WiiWare game from Hudson, dubbed the "first person soaker" here are the first details of Water Warfare.
Players must go head to head or team up, running around locations like playgrounds and beaches with water guns.
Useful items that can be picked up include:
Raincoats.Umbrellas.Towels.According to the press release, Water Warfare has 8 player online multiplayer. Movement is controlled with the Nunchuk and aiming uses the [WIIIMOTE]. It's been rated E10+ by the ESRB and so is suitable for most of the family.
Nintendo has released the first proper trailer for Punch-Out!!, showing Lil Mac kicking all kinds of ass.
Opponents featured include Glass Joe, Von Kaiser, Disco Kid and King Hippo.
Looks good, right?
Monday rolls around, bringing with it some new WiiWare and Virtual Console games.
Pop Them, Drop Them SAMEGAME (WiiWare)Bomberman '94 (TG-16)Detana TwinBee (TG-16)Note that some might know Bomberman '94 as "Mega Bomberman" instead.
Are you immune to this season's rampant basketball fever? If so, the Wii Shop Channel invites you and your friends to set up an action-packed tournament of your own with a fresh crop of downloadable games. This week brings an instantly irresistible puzzle game to the ever-expanding WiiWare library, plus a pair of classic TurboGrafx16 import titles for the Virtual Console – one a vintage vertical-scrolling shooter, the other featuring the beloved Bomberman. Draw up your brackets, grab those Wii Remote controllers and shoot for the top spot.
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
Pop'Em Drop'Em SAMEGAME (Hudson Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): SAMEGAME is a simple yet engrossing puzzle game where you must clear matching blocks in sets of two or more. Score high by clearing out more blocks at once. If you manage to clear the entire grid, you can keep on playing with a whole new layout. Getting rid of all those blocks is the key to racking up points. Adjust the difficulty level in a one-player game by trying different grid sizes and multiple colors. Up to four players can face off in any one of three multiplayer modes. “Fame Game,” the most straightforward choice, is similar to the one-player version. “Shame Game” turns the tables by forcing players to go for the lowest score. “Blame Game” is a free-for-all as everyone vies for blocks on one big grid. Choose from different block styles, background graphics and music to customize your playing experience.
Virtual Console
Bomberman'94 (TurboGrafx16, 1-5 players, Rated E for Everyone—Comic Mischief, 700 Wii Points): Bomberman has arrived to restore peace on the planet, which has been split into five parts by an evil hand. In addition to the nine members of the Bomber Family, the character Rooi shows up to lend a hand. Jump on the eggs that appear from destroyed soft blocks and you can ride one of five types of Rooi. Each Rooi has different special abilities—use them well and you'll ride to victory.
DETANA TWIN BEE (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Cartoon Violence, 700 Wii Points): It's the popular vertical-scrolling shooter renowned for its cute and comical world. Here come Twinbee and Winbee on a mission to save the planet from evil alien invaders. Standing in their way are six stages full of goofy enemies. Play as Twinbee in single-player mode, or team up with Winbee in two-player cooperative mode. With powerful attacks like Big Shot, or Twin Attack and Burst Attack in two-player mode, there's plenty of sting in their arsenal. Use your Shot to transform Bells into items with various effects. Stock up on these bad boys to expand your attack range and really have a blast.
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.
A survey conducted by Netflix shows that they're considering launching a Nintendo Wii-based service for their subscribers.
" Imagine that, as an added benefit to DVDs by mail, Netflix offers its members the ability to watch movies and TV episodes instantly on their TV via their Nintendo Wii, choosing from a library of over 12,000 titles ".
If this launches on Wii, the requirements will be:
An active subscription to Netflix.A NetFlix Instant Streaming Disc, sold for a one time fee of $9.99, this has to be inserted into the Wii to watch anything.Wii must be connected online.Streaming of TV and movies from Netflix is currently active on the Xbox 360. Is this something you'd like to see on Wii?
February 2009 sales figures for North America are in, courtesy of NPD Group. It's not shock any more, but Nintendo dominates the chart again. This is how things turned out:
Nintendo Wii - 753,000Nintendo DS - 588,000Xbox 360 - 391,000Sony PS3 - 276,000Sony PSP - 199,000Big N also put in a good showing in the software chart:
Wii Fit (Nintendo) - 644,000Street Fighter IV Xbox 360 (Capcom) - 446,000Street Fighter IV PS3 (Capcom) - 403,000Wii Play (Nintendo) - 386,000Killzone 2 (Sony) - 323,000Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) - 263,000Call of Duty: World at War (Activision) - 193,000Mario Kart DS (Nintendo) - 145,000New Super Mario Bros (Nintendo) - 144,000Guitar Hero World Tour (Activision) - 136,000
Well nobody saw this coming. Just the one title for Virtual Console in PAL regions today, but Nintendo fans should be happy with it.
Super Punch Out (SNES)More on Monday with the US release(s). Have a stylin' weekend.
In a promotional stunt for the British release of MadWorld, publishers Sega have strewn fake amputated arms through UK cities - each one soaked in blood and holding a copy of the game.
The severed limbs have been created in black and white, in homage to the game's style and as not to cause offense to the public. So far these things have been spotted in locations like London's Tower Bridge and Carnaby Street.
MadWorld's UK release date is March 20th, 2009.
Wii Play , a collection of nine mini-games, has now sold more than 10 million units in the United States alone since its debut in February 2007, according to figures released today by the independent NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States. Wii Play, now the top-selling software on all consoles and portable systems in the United States, comes packaged with a Wii Remote controller.
" Wii Play mini-games are fun and they get people playing together," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Even if you believe people are buying Wii Play solely for the controller, that indicates that there are now more than 10 million people who have an extra Wii Remote controller in their homes. When added to the 12.7 million Wii Remote controllers that have sold separately, this reinforces the growing 'social gaming' trend we have been seeing where friends and family use their Wii games as a social hub – both in person and online."
Wii system sales were up about 74 percent over February 2008, and Wii and Nintendo DS finished February as the top-selling hardware systems. Wii sold nearly 753,000, bringing its lifetime U.S. sales to nearly 19 million, while Nintendo DS sold nearly 588,000 for a lifetime U.S. total of nearly 29 million.
Nintendo DS demonstrated continued strength, as "evergreen" games like Mario Kart DS (launched November 2005) and New Super Mario Bros. (launched May 2006) again placed among the top sellers for February. The strong showing for Nintendo DS hardware and software demonstrates continued consumer interest in the portable system as the United States preps for the April 5 launch of the Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the hardware.
Five games made for Nintendo systems finished in the top 10 best-sellers of February. These include Wii Fit at No. 1 with nearly 644,000 sold, Wii Play at No. 2 with nearly 386,000 sold, Mario Kart Wii at No. 6 with nearly 263,000 sold, Mario Kart DS at No. 8 with nearly 145,000 sold and New Super Mario Bros. at No. 9 with more than 144,000 sold.
Third-party Wii and Nintendo DS games also posted strong sales, with titles from LucasArts, Ubisoft, Majesco, Disney Interactive Studios, Electronic Arts and Activision/Blizzard all placing in the top 30 for the month.
For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.
Houston, we've got more mini-games. In a press release Activision has announced a party title called Space Camp heading to Nintendo Wii.
Allegedly crammed full of "accessible space age mini-games" and options for multiplayer, Space Camp puts you in the moonboots of a wannabe astronaut learning the ropes.
" After rocketing yourself to the moon, you must engage in a series of futuristic, furiously fun missions in order to return home to Earth ".
Space Camp launches this June.
Ubisoft has released a promotional video for the upcoming adventure game Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars (Director's Cut) on Wii.
Wow, now that's a trailer!
The cover art for Overlord: Dark Legend has been revealed by publishers Codemasters.
This game is expected for release in June.
Reports are suggesting that SNES classic Super Punch Out will be hitting the Virtual Console in Europe and Australia tomorrow, on March 20th.
First released in 1994, Super Punch Out sees Little Mac taking on 16 opponents, including the likes of Bald Bull, Mr Sandman and Super Macho Man.
This is likely to help build up hype for Wii's own Punch-Out!! game, which is coming in just over a month's time.
A press release from Swedish developers Legendo Entertainment says they're bringing their game The Three Musketeers: One for All to WiiWare.
Originally intended only for the PC, Musketeers is a platform game with Wiimote swordfighting, puzzles and traps to avoid.
Locations featured include forests, dungeons, castles and the town of Normandy. Screenshots are up on the game's page.
Priced at $2 each, here are this week's downloadable tracks for the Wii version of Rock Band 2.
Average White Band - Pick Up the PiecesEarth Wind & Fire - Shining StarJames Brown - Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine Pt 1Against Me! - Thrash UnrealThe New Pornographers - All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and EarthThe New Pornographers - Use ItPapa Roach - Last ResortPapa Roach - LifelineThe Who - My Generation (LIVE)The Who - Summertime Blues (LIVE)The Who - Young Man Blues (LIVE)
Know what this ominous looking thing is? No it's ok, the Wii doesn't want to gas you in your sleep. Pictured above is the JTT Mute Mic, a microphone designed for karaoke games in situations where the noise level needs to be kept down.
The microphone plugs into the USB slot at the back of the console, and comes with a detachable, cleanable (don't want cooties) muffler.
It's selling in Japan at an RRRP of 3,480 yen ($35 USD), but the resulting silence is allegedly golden.
The House of the Dead: Overkill has set a new record in the Gamer's Edition of the Guinness World Record book.
The on-rails shooter from Sega made it in under the "most swearing in a video game" category, with 189 different uses of the F-word. Gaz Deaves from the GWR commented:
" This record category pre-existed for movies, music and television, but House of the Dead: Overkill is the first video game to be awarded the title in the Gamer's Edition. It's a mark of the times ".
The times they were a changin'. The record is expected to stay intact until Singstar: Gangsta Rap is released later this year.
Old-school action is the main attraction at the Wii Shop Channel this week. With a wealth of underground buzz already surrounding it, a brand new WiiWare title uses vintage-looking graphics and 8-bit sounds to create a rhythm-based game that's loaded with retro cool. Find out if you have enough skill to create order from chaos in a game that is as mesmerizing as it is challenging. Meanwhile, the latest addition to the Virtual Console lineup brings a Commodore 64 classic to the Wii console, proving that fans of international sports events needn't wait until 2012 to get their track-and-field fix. Even if you're too young to remember the original days of 8-bit gaming, these awesome titles provide timeless 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
BIT.TRIP BEAT (Aksys Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): BIT.TRIP BEAT is a rhythm game that brings retro action into the present, letting you use the motion-sensing Wii Remote controller to bounce beats. Retro visuals, classic game play, four-player multiplayer and an 8-bit soundtrack will get you in the zone and rock your world. The challenges are mighty, but if you can stay cool as the difficulty increases, you'll discover the beginnings of the BIT.TRIP saga.
Virtual Console
Summer Games II (Commodore 64, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): A thousand athletes. A hundred countries. Billions watching around the world as you enter the stadium, marching confidently among your nation's strongest, fastest and boldest young men and women. Your gaze sweeps the crowd as you realize the scope of your achievement. You are about to compete against the world's best athletes in a 3,000-year-old competition. This is the pinnacle of athletic achievement: the Summer Games. Summer Games II challenges your competitive skills with a series of athletic contests for one to eight players. Experience the excitement and realism of eight different events: cycling, equestrian, fencing, high jump, javelin, kayaking, rowing and triple jump. Practice each event to sharpen your skills, then choose from the 18 countries you can represent in the competition.
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.
The March 22 launch of the Pokmon Platinum Version video game for the Nintendo DS system is almost upon us, and Pokmon fans are already buzzing with anticipation. This new game in the storied franchise brings a host of new features, including the mysterious new Distortion world, never-seen-before forms of powerful Pokmon, exciting online games in the new Wi-Fi Plaza and strategic battles that are the hallmark of the main Pokmon game series.
"The Pokmon franchise has been a force since it came to the United States more than 10 years ago," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "To date, our two most recent games in the core Pokmon series, Pokmon Diamond and Pokmon Pearl, have sold more than 5.3 million in the United States alone. Pokmon Platinum Version brings fans a set of new challenges, fun and entertainment."
On March 21, Nintendo will host a blowout launch celebration for the game at the Nintendo World store in New York. Pokmon fans will be able to demo and purchase the game a day before it's available in other retail stores. Rockefeller Plaza will become a Pokmon fan's paradise with a myriad of Pokmon activities, including game-play kiosks showing off the game and its online capabilities, the "Pokmon Platinum Plunge," where Pokmon fans will get a chance to win a copy of the Pokmon Platinum Version video game, and opportunities to take photos with their favorite Pokmon characters.
Consumers enjoy Pokmon games, in part, for both their social aspect and their re-playability. For instance, in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, up to 20 players with wireless broadband access from around the world can connect together to experience mini-games, take part in parades and even see a fireworks show. And players who visit the Global Terminal can post their Pokmon for trade to other players around the world. This allows for a greater variety of Pokmon that a player can collect, and also allows players to get Pokmon from other countries, which have become sought-after by many fans. Also the new Global Terminal allows players to use a new item, the Vs. Recorder, to save and post "videos" of their best battles online for everyone to see.
For more information about Pokmon Platinum Version, visit www.PokemonPlatinum.com.
Today's downloadable games seek to take you on a trip down memory lane. Even the WiiWare title has a retro theme going on, Bit.Trip Beat from Aksys is a rhythm game with an 8-bit soundtrack and graphic style.
Bit.Trip Beat (WiiWare)Summer Games 2 (Commodore 64)Here's a trailer:
More on Friday with the Euro/Aussie releases.
The full list of 25 exercises used in Active from EA Sports has been confirmed on the product's official website.
Basic DanceBasketballBattingCardio BoxingCardio DanceFast DanceHigh StepsInline SkatingJumpKick-UpsKickboxLateral RaisesLungeLunge JumpPitching and CatchingPunch BagPunch TargetReps Side LungeRunServeSquat/CalfSquat JumpTennisVolleyballWalkFeeling the burn? Active is being released on May 19th.
EA has announced that tennis legend John McEnroe will be a playable character in their upcoming sports game Grand Slam Tennis. He commented:
" It's great that EA Sports is embracing tennis into its family of games. It's a solid sign the sport is thriving, I hope it will continue to generate more excitement and interest in tennis. Wimbledon being exclusive to this game is huge because it's such a special tournament, for the sport and for me personally ".
Well known in the 80's for his aggressive personality, McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles. Having retired from the pro circuit in 1992, he now spends his time in the commentary box and playing in seniors events.
Today's Wii Shop update for Europe/Australia comprises of two WiiWare games.
Family Table Tennis (WiiWare)Jungle Speed (WiiWare)Anything there you'll be picking up? More downloadable news on Monday for the US releases, have a good weekend.
According to a blog entry by Nicalis (the ones bringing us Cave Story), at a developer summit Nintendo announced Flash support for companies wanting to make WiiWare games.
No doubt this makes WiiWare a viable option to a whole host of new developers, but the worry is that a slew of shovelware could follow?
As revealed by the latest issue of Famitsu magazine, Capcom are hoping to appease Wii gamers with a new Resident Evil title. Described as a direct sequel to Umbrella Chronicles, this one is called Resident Evil: Dark Side Chronicles.
Again, it's an on-rails shooter. The action takes place in Raccoon City, where things have gone awry thanks to the dastardly T-Virus. Some scenarios from Resident Evil 2 are reenacted, with players taking control of Clare Redfield and Leon Kennedy.
Development is being handled by Cavia, the same guys who made Umbrella Chronicles. This time they're using the Havok engine, supposedly allowing for more realistic physics. No release date is known at the moment.
Publishers Capcom have released the first trailer for Resident Evil: Dark Side Chronicles.
Note that RE is known as Biohazard in Japan. How does it look?
Majesco has unveiled another game in its "Go Play" series. If you're not interested in being a lumberjack, perhaps Go Play City Sports will appeal more.
Based in an urban setting, the street kid in everyone will appreciate classic games such as:
StickballKickballHandballRooftop hockeyShootout soccerJump ropeDrive-by shooting ** may or may not appear in the final product.
City Sports can be played by up to four players at the same time, and support for Wii's Balance Board is also offered in addition to the usual Wiimote waggling. It's coming out in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Check out this sweet looking console skin themed on MadWorld.
There's no word on whether these will be available to buy yet. Some will be given away as prizes through a competition on the official Sega blog (Europe).
Yesterday we heard about an unnamed project that WayForward has going on. Today the lid has been blown off to some extent, as a few details emerge.
The game is called Mighty Flip Champs and it's an exclusive to DSiWare. It's being directed by Matt Bozon, the creator of Shantae.
Players take control of a girl called Alta, guiding her through a series of chambers which "flip" like pages of a book. The action takes place on the top screen, while the touch screen displays a preview of the next chamber and where Alta will appear.
No release date or pricing info is available at this stage.
According to a Harmonix developer on the official Rock Band 2 forums, these are the DLC tracks coming to Wii today:
Radiohead - My Iron LungWolfmother - Joker & the ThiefKISS - Calling Dr. LoveDavid Bowie - Moonage DaydreamMetallica - BlackenedMetallica - Ride the LightningThe Clash - Train in VainSonic Youth - Kool ThingGarbage - Why Do You Love MeDrive By Truckers - 3 Dimes DownLucinda Williams - Can't Let GoNeko Case - People Got a Lotta NerveOld 97s - Time BombSteve Earle - Satellite Radio
A listing on Craigslist shows that the well known "Zelda car" is up for sale.
For a sum of $500 (rupees not accepted), the buyer gets a 1978 Ford Fairmont with 110,000 miles on the clock and a detailed map painted across the top. The brakes, tires and shocks are all new, but the paint job needs some work.
The owner is based in Corvallis, Oregon.
Likely a good week for fans of retro-shooters as a new Gradius game from Konami hits the WiiWare service in North America.
Gradius Rebirth (WiiWare)Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (Master System)WiiWare/VC news for Europeans and Aussies coming on Friday.
WayForward recently sent out a newsletter to their fans. At the end it teases of an original new game from them, the star of which looks like this:
Her name is Alta and she has a powerful scepter. That's as far as the details go, no information on which platform it will be available for or anything.
WayForward are the developers behind solid efforts like LIT and Shantae, so perhaps this new game will be something to look forward to (...way forward!).
EA has released a trailer for Boom Blox: Bash Party.
The sequel boasts a number of improvements over the original, including twice as many multiplayer challenges, all-new team challenges, new types and shapes of blocks.
Remember when Grandma used to mark your height on the wall every so often, just to see how fast you were growing? Well, if the Wii Shop Channel had its own growth chart, she'd be impressed at how the selection of great games keeps getting bigger and bigger each week. Take a look at the latest additions and you'll discover a pair of different yet equally engaging titles: a thrilled-packed WiiWare shooter and a classic SEGA adventure for the Virtual Console. Thanks to this steady stream of new games, your own library ought to be growing up fast, too.
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
Gradius ReBirth (Konami, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Blast your way through levels filled with alien spaceships and otherworldly creatures in this retro side-scrolling shooter. Pick your weapons carefully and upgrade them to create a devastating arsenal of space-aged weapons that will aid you in your challenging mission. Players can post their high scores to worldwide leader boards via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and see where they rank against all the other Gradius ReBirth players. Test your skills with Gradius ReBirth and see if you have what it takes to beat this action-packed arcade shooter.
Virtual Console
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, Crude Humor, 500 Wii Points): In this platformer from the 1980s, help Alex Kidd in a race against time to find the 12 missing zodiac signs hidden in six challenging levels-including toyland, the robot factory and an outer-space level-all complete with crazy enemies.
For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.
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Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.
Unique motion-sensing controls have already helped to make Wii the nation's top-selling video game console. With today's launch of the New Play Control! series from Nintendo, Wii owners can use those same fun, intuitive controls to discover – or rediscover – some of the coolest and most well-received games made famous on the Nintendo GameCube system, each updated with a new wireless, active control scheme and a widescreen presentation.
New Play Control! Pikmin and New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis are the first two games in this new series, taking all the action and imagination of the originals and giving them a new control scheme. Not only do both new games make use of Nintendo's simple-to-use Wii Remote controller, but they're also presented for the first time ever in an eye-pleasing 16:9 widescreen format.
“On all of its platforms, Nintendo has consistently delivered irresistible games that fans can enjoy for years on end,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With the New Play Control! series, we're giving Wii users new ways to tap into some great titles using the latest and greatest controls.”
New Play Control! Pikmin puts players in the role of Captain Olimar, a space traveler who's stranded on a strange alien planet. Only an army of quirky creatures called Pikmin can help him repair his ship and survive the elements. With New Play Control! enhancements, players can now maneuver and command up to 100 Pikmin with a point of the Wii Remote controller, dodging obstacles and foes while working toward a heroic escape. Visit www.Pikmin.com to learn more.
New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis finds Nintendo's superstar plumber storming the court for some outrageous tennis action, joined by a roster of his unpredictable pals. Building on the skills they've honed with the Wii Sports video game, players can now use the Wii Remote controller like a tennis racket to make characters hit forehand or backhand, applying spin and charging up to perform devastating special moves. Seasoned pros can even attach the Nunchuk controller for added precision as they play their way through traditional matches, mini-games and crazy Gimmick Courts. Visit www.MarioTennis.com to learn more.
Forthcoming New Play Control! titles include New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, scheduled for release on May 4. Whereas the original version had players beating on a pair of bongos to drive Donkey Kong through wild jungle activities, the New Play Control! edition lets players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to enjoy the game's rollicking rhythmic challenges.
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.
This news is hardly surprising, but the secret project by developers Monster Games previously talked about is in fact Excitebots: Trick Racing. Monster's president Richard Garcia commented:
" Yes, Excitebots is our game. I didn't know that it was going to be announced. Unfortunately, I can not discuss the title or future plans of ours. If you liked Excite Truck, you will find a lot to enjoy in Excitebots ".
So that's another mystery cleared up.
A listing on Amazon has revealed what the new all-purpose Nintendo Points Cards will look like:
These bad boys go on sale on April 5th and can be used for buying:
Virtual Console gamesWiiWareDSiWare
