Pop-Powered Adventures Bubble Up through the Clay

With summer just around the corner, this Monday finds an especially hot mix of downloadable game offerings for the WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare services, as well as for the Virtual Console. Nintendo DSi users can become world-famous pop stars or use a new photo application to view their pictures in interesting new ways. Wii owners can transform into bubble-bursting dragons or hunt for melons on a mysterious island. And be sure to check out this week's Virtual Console debut, which features clay figures and stop-action animation to create a comedic twist to the street fighting genre.

Nintendo DSiWare
American Popstar: Road to Celebrity (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 800 Nintendo DSi Points): This is your enthralling and interactive success story as a young hopeful in the music milieu. The adventure begins when you get the chance to audition at your Hollywood high school. But the road to celebrity isn't an easy one: Your secret crush is also auditioning, and so is your evil rival. This unique mix of music-themed gaming and social adventure will let you show your talents to the world, take your best photo with the Nintendo DSi system's built-in camera and meet lots of people who may help you build your career. You're about to become the greatest pop star in the world. Talk, share activities and be friendly or unfriendly with numerous characters. Customize your character's name and appearance, and develop skills and personality through your actions. Four musical mini-games include Guitar, Singing, Drums and Dance. Record your voice, take your own photos and sign autographs.

Photo Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Photo Clock allows you to enjoy the photos taken with your Nintendo DSi Camera application in a new way. Watch your images appear on the top screen of your Nintendo DSi system according to your chosen display settings (specific photos or all photos; in order or randomly displayed). Select from either an analog or digital clock, using the system's internal clock or offsetting the time however you like. Program up to three alarms – with snooze functionality for those who need it – and assign them a preset ring or use a sound created in Nintendo DSi Sound. Experience all the enjoyment of a photo album while ensuring you won't lose track of the time.

WiiWare
BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! (TAITO, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 600 Wii Points): BUBBLE BOBBLE Plus! is a simple yet exhilarating action game where you control the bubble-blowing dragons Bub and Bob, trapping enemies in bubbles and then popping them. You can play all 100 of the Standard Mode rounds, which faithfully recreate the nostalgic arcade game, or try 100 new Arrange Mode rounds, which allow up to four players to play on stages with exciting new features such as new enemies and stage layouts. There are also Super Mode rounds for you to enjoy. Determine the true ending by solving puzzles hidden on each stage to defeat the final boss. In Ranking Mode, players with broadband Internet access can use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service to compete with players from around the world. Enjoy an additional 100 rounds and face off against new boss characters by purchasing “Expert Mode 1” and “Expert Mode 2” add-on content.

ADVENTURE ISLAND The Beginning (Hudson Entertainment, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence and Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): ADVENTURE ISLAND The Beginning comes to the Wii console with exciting new skills and elements. Learn how to use new skills while exploring Adventure Island from coast to coast. Search for Golden Melons hidden throughout the stages and mini-games. When obtaining Golden Melons, you'll be able to purchase various items to help you on your adventure. These items can increase your attack power or enable you to reach places you couldn't get to before. Fulfill certain requirements while playing in any of the modes to achieve a “Master Higgins Feat” and you'll be awarded a Master Higgins costume.

Virtual Console
Clay Fighter (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen – Comic Mischief and Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this zany 2-D fighter, it's just another day for a humble traveling circus troupe when a meteor crash-lands in their camp. The otherworldly orb, made entirely out of interstellar clay, contaminates all the circus employees, turning them into bizarrely superpowered versions of themselves. Choose from among the unique clay creatures, such as Bonker, the cheerfully manic clown, or Blue Suede Goo, the mild-mannered Elvis impersonator turned violent vocalist. Master their “Claytalities,” like the operatic Helga's deadly high note and Bad Mr. Frosty's fists of snowball fury!

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Nintendo's Newest Star Shines in The Legendary Starfy

The newest hero on the block might not seem like a powerhouse at first blush, but don't let him hear you say that. Starfy has long been a five-pointed hero in Japan. The Legendary Starfy, a new game now available for the portable Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems, marks Starfy's U.S. debut and proves that good looks and toughness make a star-studded match.

The Legendary Starfy asks players to help Starfy make his way through a variety of challenges in and around the ocean. Starfy is on a quest to help a mysterious character named Bunston, who crashed through Starfy's ceiling. Players must figure out how to navigate Starfy to the end of each stage by swimming, jumping and bouncing him over, under and through obstacles.

"Starfy makes a great addition to Nintendo's roster of iconic characters," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Starfy's underwater adventures have long been enjoyed by fans in Japan, and his U.S. debut is sure to provide families with hours of summer fun."

Starfy's abilities keep players engaged and bad guys running for cover. His Star Spin, for example, lets him burst through walls and barriers, or power through strong ocean currents. When Starfy teams up with Bunston, he can change into four powerful forms that help him overcome any hindrance and defeat enemies who dare to float in his way. Starfy can become Monstar, a dragon that spits fire; Starpedo, an Arctic seal with acrobatic abilities; Starfright, a spooky specter or Roostar, a super-squawking chicken that lays sonic eggs.

The Legendary Starfy also includes multiplayer options that let up to four friends or family members link up and play a variety of fun mini-games. Players can also team up to play through many of the game's stages cooperatively as Starfy and his sister, Starly. There's enough action to keep everyone busy during summer travel excursions. Starfy's ready for action anytime, anywhere.

For more information about The Legendary Starfy , visit www.Starfy.com.

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Epic Mickey Wii concept art

A few months back there were rumors of Warren Spector, a designer famed for titles like Deus Ex, working on a Mickey Mouse/Disney platformer game. Concept art from this has now made it onto the web.

Codenamed "Epic Mickey", the art direction is pretty dark stuff and doesn't seem like the kind of thing Disney would be up for.

They'll do anything to hang onto visitors these days.

Epcot's seen better times.

The studio behind Epic Mickey is called Junction Point, the online resume of one of their developers (Tony Pulham) states the game is/was intended for Wii:

Without confirmation either way, it may be that "Epic Mickey" never made it past the concept stages and could have been canned. Here's hoping that's not the case though.

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Bakugan Toys'R'Us edition

A new press release from Activision says that a special edition of Bakugan Battle Brawlers will be available in Toys'R'Us stores.

This version will have a slightly modified box art (pictured), but the differences don't stop there. Exclusive in-game characters are present too. Namely these ones:

Ravenoid: A humanoid looking Bakugan completely covered in armor. Uses his large wings to swoop down upon his opponents in battle. His large, clawed feet can also squeeze victims in a vice-like grip.Manion: An enigmatic sphinx with golden armor protecting his head, back and forearms. Using a huge wingspan, he can attack from above. His ultra sharp claws can also tear at any enemies.

Bakugan fans can preorder this special edition online at the Toys'R'Us website, currently priced at $49.99.

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Do the Math - Animal Apps, Toppling Towers and Hungry Penguins

Fans of the popular Animal Crossing series can enjoy a pair of downloadable—and practical—debuts this week via the Nintendo DSiWare service. Whether you're telling time or doing arithmetic, these handy applications will give your daily number-crunching a critter-friendly boost. A new WiiWare game also takes a fun peek into the animal kingdom, while the latest Virtual Console release sends players underwater for classic Commodore 64 action.

Nintendo DSiWare
Animal Crossing Calculator (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Need to figure out what you owe Tom Nook or the amount in your savings account? Animal Crossing Calculator features the full functionality of a traditional calculator, including a Memory key and the ability to display up to 13 digits, adding a layer of atmosphere unique to Animal Crossing. Use the Unit Converter to turn one unit of measure into another (such as length, weight, volume and age), or track the history of calculations you've performed. Listen to the Animalese pronunciation of numbers when you press them, and watch for a favorite Animal Crossing character to appear when your result meets certain criteria. Get ready for an inventive and practical way to experience the charm of Animal Crossing.
Animal Crossing Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Enjoy the atmosphere of Animal Crossing in a whole new way with Animal Crossing Clock. Select from either an analog or digital clock and set up to three alarms (with snooze functionality for those who need it). Make your own Town Tune or use sounds created in Nintendo DSi Sound, then assign them to the alarms you've set. Use the system's internal clock or offset the time however you like. Then sit back and watch as different characters from Animal Crossing appear and the color of the sky changes as time passes. You'll never miss an important appointment with one of your Animal Crossing friends again.

WiiWare
Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish! (Gammick Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The penguins are hungry and need your help. Catch all the fish you can before someone steals them from you. Strategy is fundamental in this exciting game. Keep moving ahead of the other penguins so you don't get trapped, and try to get to the ice floes that hold more fish. One to four players can play Penguins & Friends at the same time, provided they can handle the polar cold. The board is made up of ice blocks with a set number of fish under them. The ice blocks are hexagonal and form a structure like a beehive. The starting position of the ice blocks can change, creating different game boards.

Virtual Console
Tower Toppler (Commodore 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Weird things are happening on Planet Nebulus. Someone or something has begun building huge towers on the sea floor without a construction license. Your mission is to ascend each of the eight cylindrical towers, passing various obstacles along the way, and to trigger the tower's destruction mechanism to demolish the evil threat. Praised upon its original 1987 release for its graphical innovation, this is considered to be the most outstanding game from Hewson. Don't miss out on this classic favorite.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Nintendo Celebrates First Anniversary of WiiWare Downloadable Game Service

WiiWare, the downloadable video game service for Nintendo's Wii home console, launched one year ago today. It arrived with a promise to provide a venue for game developers to showcase their ideas, while delivering to consumers the newest, most interesting games available at accessible prices, directly through the Wii Shop Channel in their Wii consoles. With 81 games in its library, WiiWare ensures that there's something for everyone. But beyond quantity, WiiWare offers quality games and experiences for all types of Wii owners.

WiiWare removes barriers that make console game development expensive, and helps developers connect directly with consumers. WiiWare games have been created by more than 40 different development studios, from large companies to small startups. In fact, more than half the games in the WiiWare library were created and self-published by small independent studios, many with five or fewer employees.

"The first anniversary of our WiiWare service is a milestone that marks how far the service has come and how much great content is currently available," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "We encourage everyone to get their Wii consoles connected to the Internet so they have access to the full range of WiiWare games."

Nintendo's roster of quality WiiWare games stands as an example of what creative minds can accomplish. Titles range from completely original creations to names that are instantly familiar and beloved. Just look at a small sampling of what has been accomplished in just one year's time:

• World of Goo from 2D BOY won numerous industry awards after showing that a small development team with a big idea could make an incredible physics-based goo construction game.
• Tetris Party from Tetris Online, Inc., introduces a new version of the classic game, complete with multiplayer options, new game modes and support for the Wii Balance Board (sold separately with Wii Fit).
• Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People from Telltale Games, the first episodic series on a console, is a hilarious five-part adventure game series featuring the popular Homestarrunner.com characters.
• The critically acclaimed retro-styled BIT.TRIP BEAT from Aksys Games and Gaijin Games reminds longtime video game fans of their gaming roots
• LIT from WayForward Technologies is a stylish horror action puzzle that has players fending off creepy – and creeping – darkness.
• The beautifully enchanting LostWinds from FRONTIER lets players use the Wii Remote controller to control the power of the wind.
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King from SQUARE ENIX brings a unique adventure from the hugely popular franchise to WiiWare.
• Mega Man 9 from CAPCOM returns a classic franchise to its old-school, retro looks and lets players relive the glory days of gaming.
• Dr. Mario Online Rx from Nintendo brings online multiplayer game play to everyone's favorite virus-busting puzzle game.
Bonsai Barber from Nintendo is the first-ever first-person grooming game that requires players to give haircuts to a colorful cast of oddball and demanding plant-based characters.

Looking ahead, consumers can anticipate yet another year of interesting WiiWare games, including:

• Cave Story from Nicalis, arguably the best-known indie game of all time. Cave Story takes players into a world where a race of rabbit-like creatures runs free on a serene island.
• Icarian Kindred Spirits from Over the Top Games, where players control Nyx, an enigmatic winged girl, who must descend from heaven in search of her missing friend Icarus.
• Super Meat Boy from Team Meat, an indie game in which players take the role of a cube of raw meat who must save his princess from the clutches of evil.
• BIT.TRIP CORE from Aksys Games, the follow-up to the well-reviewed BIT.TRIP BEAT with a similar graphic style and rhythm component, but featuring a completely different retro game mechanic.
• Final Fantasy IV: The After Years from SQUARE ENIX, the long-awaited sequel to Final Fantasy IV that takes place over a series of nine episodes.

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 www.Nintendo.com.

For more information about WiiWare, visit www.WiiWare.com.

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Rabbids go lunar

Another short clip featuring a Raving Rabbid (or Lapins Cretins as they appear to be called in France).

Maybe the moon isn't as Rabbid-friendly as they thought.

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New Club Nintendo gifts in Japan

Club Nintendo in Japan (carubo nintendo-o?) has made available some supercool gifts for its members to redeem for between 150 and 350 points. These include a Kirby Frisbee, Zelda posters, DS cart wallets and a CD with music from Mario & Luigi RPG.

Want.

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Bit Boy's Incoming Secret Pulse Commands Pose a Brain Challenge for the Ant Nation

This week Nintendo offers three new WiiWare games, including a trip through video game history, a strategic tank battle and a virtual twist on an ant farm. Download fans will also find two Virtual Console SEGA classics and a Nintendo DSiWare game designed to keep the brain sharp.

WiiWare
Bit Boy!!
Publisher: Bplus
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Get ready for the most spectacular journey through time in the history of video games!! Accompany Bit Boy Kubi through a crazy pixellated adventure and battle hordes of nasty monsters in 4-bit dungeons, 8-bit caves, 16-bit strongholds, 32-bit labyrinths, 64-bit arenas and 128-bit worlds!! Rescue Kubi's friends!! Set off in the ultimate pursuit of fruits and high scores!! Grab a friend for even more fun in Cooperative mode!! The Wii Remote is your joystick – let the arcade adventure begin!!

Incoming!
Publisher: JV Games Inc.
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The goal of Incoming! is to defeat your opponents by destroying their tanks using the arsenal you have at your disposal. Advanced arsenals become available at different levels of the game. Incoming! is great fun for two people to play competitively. Can you defeat your opponent's tanks before they conquer yours? Collect power-ups to give your arsenal that tactical advantage. Your firing must be quick and your aim true to claim victory.

Ant Nation
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E 10 + (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 700 Wii Points
Description: The beloved childhood pastime of lazy Sundays spent with a magnifying glass and an ant farm finally arrives in its most mischievous form via the WiiWare service. You must train your colony of Super Ants using a devilishly fun toolset. Zap, torch and manipulate your ants to make them numerous enough and tough enough to survive a variety of increasingly difficult challenges.

• Zap your ants with lasers, fry them with your trusty magnifying glass, send down lightning and much more to build them to be the strongest Ants on the block.
• Send your ants into war against local bullies like spiders and ladybugs. Is your colony ready for the fight?
• 100 missions keep you busy facing a smorgasbord of fun and wacky tasks.
• Bonus mode features 20 additional challenges that allow you to get crazy with all your favorite weapons of ant destruction.
• Use your Wii Remote controller to drop a virtual hammer on your ants, use your Wii Remote like a metal detector to find in-game gold and much more.

Virtual Console
Secret Command
Original platform: SEGA Master System
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Play as a lone warrior, armed to the teeth, sent on a top-secret commando mission behind enemy lines to liberate your comrades at arms. Released on the SEGA Master System in Europe as Secret Command, players will battle frenzied attacks from enemy soldiers, rocket troops, tanks and other enemies doing everything they can to stop you from saving the hostages. Use your trusty machine gun and a compound bow, equipped with explosive-tipped arrows, to pave the way to victory. Let nothing stand in your path. Play it with a friend in two-player mode for double the fire power.

Pulseman
Original platform: SEGA Genesis
Publisher: GAME FREAK
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Violence
Price: 900 Wii Points
Description: When noted 21st-century scientist Doc Yoshimaya fell in love with one of his C-Life artificial-intelligence creations, he uploaded himself into his computer, where her program core merged with his DNA, and half-human/half-C-Life Pulseman was born. Doc Yoshimaya's mind twisted as he emerged back into real life, and he became evil Doc Waruyama. Use Pulseman's ability to harness electricity as a weapon with his Volteccer attack as a means of rapid transport to fight Waruyama's Galaxy Gang across seven crazy stages. Find out why this SEGA Channel classic was widely regarded as one of the best-looking games for SEGA's MEGA DRIVE (Genesis) on release.

Nintendo DSiWare
Brain Challenge
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Just like your body, your brain needs exercise to stay in shape. Brain Challenge is a simple, entertaining solution for stimulating your neurons that goes way beyond logic tests. Thanks to a complete range of 48 mini-games, Brain Challenge provides an exceptional variety of exercises. Not only can you train your brain for Math but also for four other categories: Logic, Focus, Memory and Visual. Plus an original Stress Mode, featuring multitasking and authority challenges, Plus, you can now personalize your profile and some exercises with your own photos.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Dash, Shuffle and Flip Your Way to Fantasy

This week's downloadable game releases include a spellbinding new installment in the FINAL FANTASY series. This first true sequel to FINAL FANTASY IV is sure to get RPG fans' blood pumping. Nintendo DSiWare users will find a challenging new puzzle game to help keep their minds spinning. A slick new poker title from the WiiWare service raises the stakes for virtual card sharps, while the Virtual Console debut of a classic Commodore 64 game puts players in pursuit of precious gems. With so much variety on the Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop, your odds of having a humdrum summer are getting slimmer by the hour.

Nintendo DSiWare
Mighty Flip Champs!
Publisher: WayForward Technologies
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Are you ready to become a Mighty Flip Champ? Take control of Alta and page-flip through a series of action-packed mazes. The touch screen reflects a preview of the next chamber and shows Alta's projected destination within it. When it's time to flip, use Alta's Magical Warp Wand to replace her world with the next one. Will she land safely on solid ground or be crushed under it? By cycling endlessly through room after brain-busting room, you'll match wits with some of the most devious traps in puzzle/platforming history.

WiiWare
FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Alcohol Reference, Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS is the sequel to the hit RPG FINAL FANTASY IV. The story takes place many years after the original and centers on a young man named Ceodore, son of the paladin Cecil and the white mage Rosa, who, along with their loyal and steadfast friends, once saved the world from evil born of the second moon. Now, monsters are reappearing in a world that had finally attained peace. The second moon has returned anew. What tidings does this ominous harbinger bring? Familiar faces and new allies join the battle to save the Blue Planet once more.

Texas Hold'em Tournament
Publisher: Digital Leisure, Inc.
Players: 1-6
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Simulated Gambling
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The deck is shuffled and the blinds are in – it's your move. Call, raise or even bluff your way "all in" with Texas Hold'em Tournament. You'll start off in the small Nevada gaming halls and work your way up to the Las Vegas Championship. Multi-round, no-limit hold'em game play ensures hours of serious poker action. Think you're the best poker player out there? Using broadband Internet access and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, start climbing the worldwide rankings by winning online tournaments, and see how your poker skills stack up by viewing the online leaderboard. Texas Hold'em Tournament also lets you play multiplayer poker with up to five friends, and with full Mii character support, you can truly bring yourself to the table.

Virtual Console
Boulder Dash
Original platform: Commodore 64
Publisher: Commodore Gaming
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Originally released in 1984, Boulder Dash is one of the big computer-game classics. It is one of the very few computer games ever to be ported from home computers to arcades, not the other way around. The hero of the game is the brave prospector Rockford. He must dig through caves to collect diamonds while avoiding various types of dangerous creatures and obstacles such as falling rocks. He is in constant danger of being crushed or trapped by an avalanche or killed by an underground explosion. Strategy and planning are the keys to mastering Boulder Dash. Once enough jewels have been collected, the door to the mysterious escape tunnel is revealed and Rockford can explore another cave.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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MotionPlus unfeasible to begin with

In an interview with the Telegraph newspaper, Shigsy rapped about why the MotionPlus addon couldn't be a part of Wii when it first launched.

" It was not technically feasible for the technology to be realized with such a compact size. The fact we are now being able to sell MotionPlus at this price, at this size, is the result of technological advancements in the field of micro electromechanical systems, which took place after the Wii launched ".

Technology, there's no telling what it'll do next.

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Super Monkey Ball steps and rolls

Rumors of this game surfaced a few weeks back, but publishers Sega have now gone ahead and confirmed a new Balance Board compatible Super Monkey Ball title.

It's called Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll, no other details are availabubble but there is a teaser video to show Ai-ai trying out the new controls:

FALL OUT!

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Art, Cards and Crystals Have Gamers Seeing Spots

Looking for a big name to bolster your downloading agenda this week? We've got two words for you: FINAL FANTASY. The latest additions to the ever-growing WiiWare game library include the new FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord, plus a fast-paced poker title and a brain-teasing party game that everyone in the household can enjoy. Also this week, the Nintendo DSiWare service welcomes a slick new installment in the Art Style series, mixing extraordinary sounds and visuals to create a captivating puzzle game.

WiiWare
FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild
Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Step into the royal shoes of the Darklord's daughter as she installs traps and monsters inside her tower to fight back the endless waves of invading adventurers in this world-conquest RPG. Known as Artifacts, these monsters and traps are your only hope in keeping the adventurers from destroying the Dark Crystal on the top floor. Fly your tower across the land and conquer every stage on your way to dominating the entire world.

Battle Poker
Publisher: Left Field Productions
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Battle Poker is a family-friendly card game with up to four players battling against the clock to make the best five-card hand possible. Battles are played across multiple rounds, and points are scored for each round based on the quality of the hand. Each player uses a Wii Remote controller to point and click on a standard deck of cards on the screen. The first click flips the card over, at which point it can be grabbed by anyone else. You've got to have fast fingers and eyes to grab the cards you need before someone else snatches them.

5 Spots Party
Publisher: Cosmonaut Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Have fun with the entire family and compete in three different play modes. 5 Spots Party is a game of skill for all ages based on the popular game of finding five differences. The goal is to find the greatest number of differences in the pictures shown. In the party modes, you must compete with other players and find as many mistakes as possible. In the 1-Player mode, you must find the differences before time runs out in order to beat the game's highest scores. How far do you think you can go?

Nintendo DSiWare
Art Style: ZENGAGE
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Do you dream of relaxing with a great puzzle game? Art Style: ZENGAGE revolves around sliding cells (squares) to match colors with cores (beads) located on the board. Clear each stage by matching all of the cores and cells. As you progress through the game's 100-plus stages, you'll encounter cells with special characteristics, such as immovability, which further add to the challenge. To truly master ZENGAGE, you must keep your mind sharp and employ careful strategy to complete stages in as few moves as possible. Combining wistful graphics and mesmerizing sound, ZENGAGE creates a surreal world that should be experienced by all puzzle gaming fans.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Nintendo Introduces New Social Entertainment Experiences at E3 Expo

For decades, Nintendo has endeavored to provide the most creative and immersive experiences in the world of video games and to lead the industry in new directions. At its media briefing in advance of the E3 Expo, the video game industry's premier trade show, Nintendo announced products for social entertainment that stretch far beyond the current notion of what a video game can be, all while continuing to provide avid gaming fans with the challenges and thrills they desire.

"Nintendo continues to challenge how both new and longtime players perceive – and play – video games," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "From modern updates of our most iconic franchises to the introduction of inventive devices, we are continuing to add entirely new dimensions to the video game experience."

A summary of Nintendo's major announcements:

Wii

• Wii MotionPlus: Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus accessory offers motion-controlled precision when combined with specially designed games. When connected to the Wii Remote controller, it delivers on Nintendo's promise to provide even more immersive physical reality in its games. The device senses subtle motion and can locate where and how players hold the Wii Remote controller in 3-D space. It pushes active gaming to new levels of immersion and a new standard of control. Wii MotionPlus will complement a host of third-party games launching in the next few weeks.

• Wii Sports Resort: Nintendo showcased the versatility of the Wii MotionPlus accessory in demos of some of the activities included in Wii Sports Resort, an immersive, expansive active-play game. Wii Sports Resort includes a dozen fun resort-themed activities that maintain the wide-ranging appeal that attracted millions to the original Wii Sports. Wii Sports Resort is easy to pick up and play, but comes coupled with deeper levels of play that are sure to challenge even the most experienced gamers with precise controls. The Wii MotionPlus accessory will help players come much closer to the physical reality of engaging in the actual sports. The Wii MotionPlus accessory launches June 8 at a suggested retail price of $19.99, and comes bundled with Wii Sports Resort on July 26 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

• Wii Fit Plus: Wii Fit attracted millions of new players to the world of video games, and now Wii Fit Plus offers a range of new features and enhancements, along with exercises and balance games designed to keep workouts fun. Players will find an additional dimension to the Wii Fit experience as they easily set their own customized daily workout routines or choose 20-, 30- or 40-minute workouts based on how much time they have available. Users will also be able to choose from specialized workout routines that help players strive toward specific objectives, like toning tummies, tightening arms or even reducing stress. Workouts combine the original Wii Fit activities and selections from 15 new balance games and six new strength training and yoga activities. Wii Fit Plus will come packed with the Wii Balance Board accessory, and also will be sold separately as software for people who already have a Wii Balance Board at home. Both will be available in fall 2009.

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Developers at Nintendo have dreamed of creating a simultaneous multiplayer Super Mario Bros. game for decades. The Wii console finally makes that dream come true for everyone this holiday season. Now players can navigate the side-scrolling worlds alone as before or invite up to three others to join them at the same time on the same level at any point in the game for competitive and cooperative multiplayer fun in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. With the multiplayer mode, the newest installment of the most popular video game franchise is designed to bring yet another type of family entertainment into living rooms and engage groups of friends in fast-paced Super Mario Bros. fun.

• Super Mario Galaxy 2: This upcoming adventure for the Wii console marks the first time a second 3-D Mario game has arrived in the same console generation. In the game, Mario rides his trusty dinosaur companion, Yoshi, to new stars and the fantastic worlds found there. This 3-D platforming adventure provides longtime video game fans with a fresh round of out-of-this-world challenges in the style introduced in the critically acclaimed original. The game is planned for 2010.

• Metroid: Other M: Nintendo showcased a trailer for a new installment in its acclaimed Metroid franchise for the Wii console. Metroid: Other M marks an unprecedented collaboration with world-renowned developers Team Ninja, and provides fans with high-energy, action-packed game play as it delves deeper into the back story of famed deep-space bounty hunter Samus Aran. This game is scheduled for release in 2010.

• Wii Vitality Sensor: Nintendo's newest groundbreaking product, the Wii Vitality Sensor, expands the appeal of video games. It will initially sense the user's pulse and a number of other signals being transmitted by their bodies, and will then provide information to the users about the body's inner world.

Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!: This game marks the third installment of this franchise and, more importantly, the first Nintendo DSiWare game to let players design levels from the ground up. Mario will need to dodge obstacles to confront his longtime nemesis Donkey Kong, but this time the players will have full control over where to set traps, enemies and a host of power-ups in the construction zone. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! will be available in the Nintendo DSi Shop beginning Monday, June 8, for 800 Nintendo DSi Points.

• Integrating Photos with Facebook: For its Nintendo DSi system, Nintendo announced the ability for users to upload pictures taken with the system's built-in camera and interactive lenses directly to Facebook. Using Facebook Connect, the integration will be available this summer with a Nintendo DSi system update, making it even easier for people to personalize and share their photos with friends and family on Facebook.

• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story: Nintendo revealed Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, a new chapter to the popular role-playing franchise that places players into the belly of the beast – literally. Players will get to enjoy trademark hilarious dialogue in the fall of 2009 as they juggle two concurrent storylines. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is playable on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems.

• Golden Sun DS: After going dark six years ago, 2010 will see a new dawn. Golden Sun DS updates the popular portable Golden Sun role-playing series with an impressive graphical style. This installment follows the story of the previous heroes' descendants and immerses players into the magic of its adventure by pushing the boundaries of intuitive touch-screen controls. Golden Sun DS is playable on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems.

• WarioWare D.I.Y.: This game, which puts the concept of user-generated content on center stage, allows players to design their own micro-games from scratch. Every element, such as the characters, the environment, the actions and even the purpose of the micro-game itself, is controlled entirely by the player. Players will then be able to share their completed micro-games with other WarioWare D.I.Y. owners. The latest game in the WarioWare series is playable on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems.

Nintendo-published games available to play on the show floor:

Wii:
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii
• Wii Fit Plus
• Wii Sports Resort
• Sin and Punishment 2
• Endless Ocean 2
• Line Attack Heroes
• Span Smasher

WiiWare:
• PictureBook Games: Pop-Up Pursuit
• You, Me & the Cubes
• Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
• BIT.TRIP.CORE
• Icarian: Kindred Spirits
• Sword & Soldiers
• Military Madness: Nectaris
• Cave Story

Nintendo DS:
• The Legendary Starfy
• The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
• Fossil Fighters
• Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
• Pokmon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
• Style Savvy
• Glory of Heracles
• Golden Sun DS
• Picross 3D

Nintendo DSiWare:
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
• Flipnote Studio
• Animal Crossing Clock
• Animal Crossing Calculator
• Photo Clock
• Mario Clock
• Mario Calculator
• Six in One Translator (working title)
• Crash-Course Domo
• White-Water Domo
• Hard-Hat Domo
• Rock-n-Roll Domo
• Pro-Putt Domo

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.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, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo has sold more than 2.9 billion video games and more than 496 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi, 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.

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Spyborgs box art

This swish looking box art is Spyborgs from Capcom.

The latest build of Spyborgs will be available to play for the first time at Comic-Con in San Diego, with the full release expected for September 29th.

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Wii's Waldo

If you've been wondering where Waldo was, it turns out he's been hard at work on a new video game for Wii, DS and PC. Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey is being published by Ubisoft and is said to be an interactive adventure for the whole family.

Where's Waldo? has been a cultural phenomenon for over 20 years, with fans of all ages on the hunt for the elusive world traveler in the red-and-white striped shirt and hat. We are looking forward to bringing an interactive Where's Waldo? adventure to fans of the highly-acclaimed book series and introducing an entirely new generation to the pop culture icon.

In addition to finding Waldo in the standard way, there will also be a multiplayer mode where you face off against another person, grabbing power-ups along the way to help yourself and hinder them:

Paint - Give your opponent's half of the screen a paint job, obscuring their view.Thunder - Shake the screen around.Frost - Freeze the search screen in place.Sparkles - Look for glitter effects to find items.

Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey will be hitting US shelves sometime in September. A screenshot or two are up now.

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New Punch-Out!! Game For Wii Packs a Nostalgic Wallop

Today the world of video game boxing returns to its roots with the launch of the new Punch-Out!! game for Nintendo's Wii console. The game brings immersive motion controls to an iconic franchise that has been around since the days of the NES. Players are invited to step into the ring as underdog Little Mac as they go toe-to-toe with an array of memorable characters, including familiar faces like Glass Joe, King Hippo and Don Flamenco.

The motion-sensitive Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers turn the swings players make in real life into on-screen punches. Both novice and veteran gamers can pick up Punch-Out!! and punch their way to the top. The optional Wii Balance Board accessory (sold separately with Wii Fit) can be added to provide an extra challenge for advanced players who want to literally bob and weave through their fights. For those who insist on old-school Punch-Out!! purity, the game also can be played with classic NES-style controls by turning the Wii Remote controller sideways.

Even players who have battled through the original games hundreds of times will find new challenges with Punch-Out!! for Wii. For instance, once Little Mac (with the help of trainer Doc Louis) has pummeled his way through all the contenders, they return to offer him new challenges in Title Defense Mode. Only this time, their traditional weaknesses have been eliminated and players must find new ways to achieve victory. In this mode, the once-harmless Glass Joe now wears headgear, and King Hippo's vulnerable belly is protected behind a manhole cover. The new twists ensure fans enjoy a completely new play experience.

For the first time in the Punch-Out!! series, a head-to-head multiplayer mode lets players compete against one another. Both players take on the role of Little Mac and match wits as they trade uppercuts, jabs and body blows. With a series of well-placed punches, Little Mac transforms into the gargantuan Giga Mac, who can land more powerful blows and is more difficult to take down.

"Punch-Out!! is back, keeping all the charm of the original while delivering a knockout punch with new twists to experience and enjoy," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "As part of one of Nintendo's most storied franchises, this new Punch-Out!! game will surprise and delight fans with even more ways to enjoy its timeless game play."

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 Punch-Out!!, visit www.PunchOut.com.

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Take a Drive on the Wild Side with Excitebots: Trick Racing for Wii

Not even the craziest morning commute can compare to the outrageous behind-the-wheel action of Excitebots: Trick Racing, launching today exclusively for Nintendo's top-selling Wii console. Combining high-speed racing thrills with gravity-defying stunts and support for online action via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the game pushes the full-throttle fun of the Excite franchise into the red.

Expanding upon the fast-paced action of Excite Truck, Excitebots: Trick Racing puts players in command of wild robotic vehicles styled to look like animals and insects. Players must drive, sprint and fly around the track to earn stars, performing wild stunts to boost their score while racing with an incredible burst of speed. The game puts the built-in wireless features of the Wii system to use, allowing as many as six friends to compete online using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players can also trade ghost data via WiiConnect24 and challenge each other to outdo their most dazzling tricks. Excitebots: Trick Racing uses the Wii Wheel accessory to let drivers pick up and play with ease, combining familiar steering motions with unique special moves such as turbo bursts, power slides and huge jumps.

As if tearing around the track wasn't entertaining enough, Excitebots: Trick Racing also engages players in a set of wild in-race mini-games. Drivers may find themselves smashing through a set of bowling pins, hitting a clown in the face with a pie, hitting a baseball or assembling a sandwich by twisting the Wii Wheel to maneuver their racer through a series of specific ingredients - all while navigating the track and trading paint with opponents for position. For longtime gamers and newcomers alike, these unexpected twists help to distinguish Excitebots: Trick Racing from other racing titles and extend the game's replay value well beyond the finish line.

"Excitebots: Trick Racing offers a perfect blend of action and imagination," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The fast-paced game play and competitive challenges will satisfy racing fans, while the unique vehicle designs and unexpected mini-games make it unlike any other driving game."

Wii owners without a Wii Wheel accessory can play Excitebots: Trick Racing using a standard Wii Remote controller. Broadband access is required for online play.

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.

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NPD figures June 2009

Nintendo may have already sent out a press release shouting about their latest win, but it's still good to see some numbers, courtesy of the NPD Group.

June 2009 US salesNintendo DS - 766,500Nintendo Wii - 361,700Xbroke 360 - 240,600PS Triple - 164,700PSP - 163,500

Ballin'! This is the 21st month in a row where Wii has been the top selling home console.

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System Update 4.1

If you're seeing a blue glow on your Wii it could mean that system update version 4.1 is waiting for you to download.

The new firmware has reportedly been issued to patch up a bug found in Wii Sports Resort. Some other minor improvements to efficiency could be included as well.

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Poker, Planes and Platform Games Fuel Players' Ambition

The table is set for card-flipping fun with this week's release of Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics on Nintendo DSiWare, while the new Paper Airplane Chase packs portable challenges for fans of airborne action. WiiWare users will find Cocoto Platform Jumper, a wildly imaginative new platformer populated by mysterious creatures. Last but not least, Nobunaga's Ambition, a classic strategy game from the Super NES system era, finds its way to the Virtual Console.
As an added bonus to help celebrate the recent launch of the new Nintendo DSi system, Club Nintendo members now will be able to earn coins for registering, linking and providing feedback about their Nintendo DSi systems. They also will be able to earn coins for providing feedback about Nintendo DSiWare titles, which will be automatically registered on their Club Nintendo account when they link their Nintendo DSi Shop to their Club Nintendo account.

Nintendo DSiWare
Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics (Nintendo, 1-8 players, Rated T for Teen - Simulated Gambling, 500 Nintendo DSi Points): Clubhouse Games comes to Nintendo DSiWare with a collection of five fun card games in Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics. Play familiar favorites like Blackjack and Five Card Draw, or test your ability in the fast-paced Last Card, Last Card Plus and President. DS Download Play allows players to host as many as seven friends.
Paper Airplane Chase (Nintendo, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): In Paper Airplane Chase, glide your virtual paper plane through an increasingly tricky slalom course. Take it slow in Endless mode or zip through several Time Attack courses. The two-player Race mode allows friends to race each other using a single Nintendo DSi system.

WiiWare
Cocoto Platform Jumper (Neko Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 700 Wii Points): A long time ago in a faraway land, strange little creatures lived in the depths of Abyss. Cocoto, his little devil friends and the mysterious Fairy protect the secret of the magma — the source of their power — in a magic cauldron. Meanwhile, Zaron, the god of lightning who lusts after this force, is up to something. He can count on the rulers of the other kingdoms that Cocoto must cross. The tragic kidnapping of Shiny, Baggy and Neuro has left Cocoto alone to watch over the cauldron. Refusing to leave his friends, he will set out to find them with Fairy.

Virtual Console
Nobunaga's Ambition (Super NES, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone - Violent References, 800 Wii Points): Nobunaga's Ambition is a game set in Japan's Warring States period, a turbulent age when feudal warlords battled for control of the country. As the ruler of a fief, the player chooses his or her own path to conquest: Will you wage war on your neighbors or rely on diplomacy? Use economic sanctions or send ninja assassins? Use all of your ingenuity and resources to unite Japan under your banner.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Nintendo Systems Account for 58.4% of Video Game Hardware Sold in March

Nintendo's Wii home console and the Nintendo DS portable video game system comfortably led U.S. sales in March, according to data from the independent NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States. Pokmon Platinum Version for Nintendo DS emerged as the No. 2 video game of the month, with nearly 805,000 units sold.

Wii tallied sales of nearly 601,000 in March, while Nintendo DS sold more than half a million, even in advance of the April 5 launch of the new Nintendo DSi system. Both Wii and Nintendo DS extended their lead as the best-selling video game systems of this generation.

"Nintendo systems accounted for 58.4 percent of the video game hardware sold in March, more than all other systems combined," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Consumers continue to be attracted to the wide range of software available and the great value of Nintendo systems."

Four games published by Nintendo finished in the top 10 best-sellers of March. These include Pokmon Platinum Version at No. 2, Wii Fit at No. 3 with more than 541,000 sold, Wii Play at No. 8 with more than 281,000 sold and Mario Kart Wii at No. 9 with more than 278,000 sold.

Early U.S. sales of the new Nintendo DSi hand-held system are ahead of those for Nintendo DS Lite, according to Nintendo's internal tracking numbers. In its first week, Nintendo DSi sold 435,000 in the United States. After the same amount of time on the U.S. market after its launch, Nintendo DS Lite had sold 226,300 systems. These numbers demonstrate that the Nintendo DS brand remains strong, and that consumers continue to look for the best new experiences on their portable video game systems.

So far this year, video game industry revenues are on par with 2008, but Nintendo remains a key driver. Without Nintendo products, the industry would be down 14 percent for the year, according to the NPD Group.

For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.

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Doc Louis gets in the ring

Some prizes have been made available for Club Nintendo members who reached Gold or Elite status. Gold members can enjoy this Nintendo Calendar for the year 2010:

Platinum members though, get something a little more exciting. They can choose between a Mario hat, or a downloadable version of Punch-Out!! where you take on the trainer Doc Louis (and only him).

Note you don't need to own the Punch-Out!! retail game to enjoy this one-on-one bout. Screens of which can be seen below:

What would you choose?

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Bit Boy hits US WiiWare

Today it's North America's turn to get the dubious pleasure of Bit Boy's company, along with two other WiiWare games and two for Virtual Console.

Bit Boy (WiiWare)Incoming (WiiWare)Ant Nation (WiiWare)Pulseman (Genesis)Secret Command (Master System)

Stay tuned for more downloadable game news on Friday with the PAL releases.

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March, Fight and Fish Your Way to World Domination

With this week's additions to the Nintendo DSi Shop and Wii Shop Channel, fun truly comes in all shapes and sizes. A new Mario vs. Donkey Kong title on Nintendo DSiWare features miniature versions of the world's most famous video game icon, while a pair of fresh WiiWare releases invite players to wield a fishing rod or storm a sprawling battlefield. For king-sized thrills, the latest Virtual Console offering lets players don the boots of one of the world's biggest warriors.

Nintendo DSiWare
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Thanks to the runaway success of Super Mini Mario World, Mario and Pauline have expanded their toy-filled theme park and invited everyone to the opening celebration – everyone, that is, except Donkey Kong, who was too late to get in. Donkey Kong decides to crash the party and kidnaps Pauline along the way. Can Mario and his Mini Marios rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong's clutches yet again? Make sure to explore the Construction Zone, where you'll find all the tools needed to make your own original levels. You can then share your masterpieces or download levels created by others, via a local wireless connection or with broadband Internet access and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

WiiWare
Swords & Soldiers
Publisher: Ronimo Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Rewrite history as you take control of the brutal Vikings, the devious Aztecs or the crafty Chinese in their global quest to win the favor of the Gods. Swords & Soldiers is a side-scrolling strategy game that lets you control an entire army and wield devastating magical abilities. Demolish your enemy's castle at the end of these two-dimensional battlefields and lead your troops to victory. Featuring hours of single-player campaign game play and challenging skirmishes, the game also offers frantic local multiplayer matches that let you take the fight to your friends. If that still isn't enough for you, there are several unlockable challenge modes that will test your abilities even further.

Fish'em All!
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Here's an arcade game with real coin-op flavor. Jack and Walter are two old fishermen in a fantasy world. They've found places where crazy fish leap out of the water all day long – perfect for fishing. It's a shame the other strange creatures aren't going to make things easy. In this surreal action game, you'll experience the excitement of the great arcade classics on your Wii console. Hold on tight to your controller and fish 'em all, featuring nine colorful scenarios, three game modes (Arcade, Challenge and Fishtris) and one- or two-player action.

Virtual Console
Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: KOEI
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: In Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf, unite the scattered Mongol tribes under your banner and conquer the world as Genghis Khan. Choose from two riveting scenarios: Mongolia and all of Eurasia. It's up to you to take your fledgling empire from humble beginnings on the Mongolian plateau and expand your borders across the land. As your rivals look enviously upon your domain, you must struggle to weather the assaults of your opponents and carve out a living for your people. Engage in diplomacy to forge alliances and organize your troops to defend the prosperity of your empire. If you can manage to spread the borders of your empire to the corners of the world, all will pay homage to your might.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. For the latest WiiWare games, click here. Click here for a list of games available on Virtual Console.

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Starfy Makes a Splash at New York's Rockefeller Plaza

WHAT:
Already beloved by gaming fans around the world, the charming and powerful Starfy will celebrate the launch of his first game in the United States, The Legendary Starfy for Nintendo DS, at a unique retail event inside New York's Nintendo World store. Making his debut appearance at the Nintendo World store, Starfy himself will be available for photo opportunities with fans of all ages in a special underwater-themed area. The July 11 celebration will also feature face painting and a chance for attendees to play The Legendary Starfy and win fun Starfy prizes.

Released in the United States on June 8, The Legendary Starfy places its charming, five-pointed hero at the center of a wild adventure as he completes a series of challenges that highlight his incredible bravery and impressive underwater moves. Nintendo's newest standout character, Starfy, is one fierce friend that everyone will want to meet.

WHO:
Kids, tweens, teens, parents, video game enthusiasts and consumers of all kinds

WHEN:
Saturday, July 11, 2009
1-3 p.m.

WHERE:
Nintendo World store
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
www.NintendoWorldStore.com

VISUALS:
• Attendees posing for photos with a life-size costumed Starfy character
• Fans showing off Starfy-themed face paintings, clothes and balloons
• Kids and their parents playing The Legendary Starfy together
• Attendees vying for Starfy-themed prizes
• B-roll available

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Hudson Calling, anyone there?

A press release from Hudson confirms the existence of, and explains a bit about, a new survival horror game titled Calling. Some videos of this were previously leaked, but were shut down.

The Black Page

Rumor has it that you will die if you visit the Black Page website and see "something" in the site. Anyone can visit the page, but only a few can actually see things within it. The website is literally all in black and just shows a counter. Some say it is a hoax, a prank, or a marketing ploy. A few people say the site is a bridge to something sinister and the counter indicates the number of people who have died after seeing the site.

Main Characters


Those who see something in the Black Page begin to stray somewhere between life and death. There are multiple characters who are present throughout the game. The Calling revolves around these characters and their fight for survival.




In-Between Space

The spirits of the dead go to the space-between-space where the Calling revolves around. This place is made up by the memory of dead characters and various locations in the space such as houses, schools and hospitals. Someone or something is drawing the living to this space for a reason that becomes apparently horrifying once the characters discover the truth.

FeaturesTraditional Survival Horror: No rocket launchers, no chainsaws, no armor suits. Calling is a story that revolves around real people in their fight for survival.Intuitive controls designed for using the Wiimote to navigate the characters throughout the world.Equipment such as flashlights, notepads, radios that you can use to escape the Calling.

Calling is penciled in for a Spring 2010 release. Official screenshots are up on the Calling page.

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Walk It Out says Konami

If Yoga or Pilates aren't your thing, Konami invites you to just walk instead, with their latest fitness offering Walk It Out.

This up-tempo game/regime features over a hundred music tracks from artists like Black Eyed Peas and a glut of mini-games. A number of control schemes are supported too, including the Balance Board, Konami's Dance Pad and plain Nunchuk/Wiimote.

Graphs and statistics will chart how many calories you've burned, giving you an immense feeling of well-being and a positive glow which the opposite sex will find attractive. In no time at all you'll be healthy, wealthy and popular. Ker-ching!

Autopilot in more Nintendo games

Nintendo to Set Summer '09 Ablaze with Wii Motionplus and Wii Sports Resort

Nintendo is setting the stage for a blockbuster summer with the announcement of two hotly anticipated product releases. The new Wii MotionPlus accessory will hit U.S. retailers on June 8, taking the motion-sensing controls of the popular Wii system to new levels of precision and performance. What's more, these control enhancements will be on vibrant display when the Wii Sports Resort game launches on July 26, offering a beach-themed follow-up to the groundbreaking Wii Sports game. Wii Sports comes packed with the Wii console. It grew into a worldwide phenomenon and continues to attract millions of new players to the world of video games. Each Wii Sports Resort game comes packed with a single Wii MotionPlus accessory.

When used with specially designed games, Wii MotionPlus tracks players' movements in finer detail and with greater accuracy than ever before, building upon the innovative wireless function of the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller. Even the slightest twist of the wrist or turn of the body is replicated exactly on the TV screen, allowing users to become even more immersed in Wii game play. Designed for easy attachment to the Wii Remote controller, the Wii MotionPlus accessory will be offered at an MSRP of $19.99.

Wii Sports Resort takes the inclusive, fun and intuitive controls of the original Wii Sports to the next level, introducing a whole new set of entertaining and physically immersive activities. With the deep control enhancements of Wii MotionPlus, veteran Wii users and newcomers alike can enjoy unprecedented gaming precision as they cruise on a water scooter, duel with swords, throw a Frisbee and much more. Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus will be offered together at an MSRP of $49.99.

"Wii MotionPlus represents a new evolution in video game control. The variety of fun games in Wii Sports Resort show off its incredible precision," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Developers around the world are busy working on new ways to incorporate Wii MotionPlus controls into inventive experiences for consumers."

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.

Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour Takes Creative Hand-Held Fun from Coast to Coast

Nintendo DSi Joins Lineup at the 2009 All Good Music Festival

WHAT:
When festival goers flock to this year's All Good Music Festival, they'll have a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with a remarkable newcomer in hand-held entertainment. Appearing July 9-12 at the festival's idyllic site on Marvin's Mountaintop in Masontown, W. Va., the Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour invites consumers to board an interactive tour bus loaded with portable Nintendo DSi systems and software. Visitors and spectators can experience the unique features and creative fun of Nintendo DSi. With help from on-site Nintendo ambassadors, consumers can use Nintendo DSi to take and manipulate photos, tweak sound recordings and enjoy a wide variety of games. Visitors can print their original souvenir photos on the bus or store them online and download them from home.

As the latest evolution in Nintendo's popular line of hand-held video game devices, Nintendo DSi features two built-in cameras, audio recording and playback functions, and access to a wealth of downloadable games and applications from the online Nintendo DSi Shop. Players can use 10 different interactive "lenses" to tweak photos in unusual ways and share them over a local wireless connection, or have fun with their favorite music by using different audio filters to alter recorded voices or change the tempo of a song. Since launching in April, Nintendo DSi has sold more than 1 million units in the United States.

WHO:
Pittsburgh-area adults, teens, festival fans and consumers of all kinds

WHEN:
Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 12
Noon – 10 p.m. daily

WHERE:
All Good Music Festival
Route 7
Masontown, WV 26542
(The Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour bus will be located in the Village area.)

VISUALS:
• Consumers trying the new Nintendo DSi for the first time aboard a customized interactive tour bus
• Festival attendees snapping and manipulating photos of each other with a Nintendo DSi system
• Spectators gathering around the Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour bus for live demonstrations from Nintendo ambassadors
• Visitors enjoying unusual photos they created using Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour Takes Creative Hand-Held Fun from Coast to Coast‘Harry Potter’ Star Emma Watson On ‘Awkward’ Kiss With Rupert Grint

Autopilot in more Nintendo games

The autopilot mode we talked about being in New Super Mario Bros Wii, will also feature in other games according to a report by Nikkei.

Referred to as "Skip Functionality", it will allow the player to pause the game and select a menu option to turn on automated play. It's claimed that Nintendo plan on using this feature in action games on both the Wii and DS handheld. They hope that it will stop players getting frustrated and quitting out, allowing them to experience the full game.

‘Harry Potter’ Star Tom Felton Talks ‘Iconic’ Villain Draco MalfoyNintendo DSi Mobile Tour Takes Creative Hand-Held Fun from Coast to Coast

Black Wii packaging

That's the packaging for the new black Wii console, now available in Japan for preorder. It's set to be released on August 1st. Looks hawt?

Mario Calculates the Time Needed to Catch Toasted Rainbows in Space

Mario Calculates the Time Needed to Catch Toasted Rainbows in Space

WiiWare

Eduardo the Samurai Toaster

Publisher: Semnat Studios

Players: 1-4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence

Price: 800 Wii Points™

Description: Fight your way through 13 diverse locations on your own or with up to three friends in this frenetic and stylish side-scrolling action game. Play as Eduardo and his fellow toaster buddies as you fire an assortment of pastries at all kinds of dastardly food products. Hop onto laser-mounted scooters and fly across the screen in rocket packs, and learn to cooperate with your teammates or simply annoy each other in an awesomely fun way by throwing each other around the screen. The choice is up to you.

RAINBOW ISLANDS™: TOWERING ADVENTURE!

Publisher: TAITO

Players: 1-2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief

Price: 800 Wii Points

Description: In Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!, players control the rainbow-magic-wielding Bubby or Bobby as they climb the seven seamless areas of a tower reaching the heavens while defeating enemies with their rainbow powers. Bosses controlled by the scientific genius Dr. Crescent await players at the end of every area. Race through every area within the allotted time to meet the rainbow-colored Holly's Comet. There are three game modes: Story mode, which tells the tale of Holly's Comet; Challenge mode, where players attempt to climb as high as they can; and Time Attack, where players select an area and see how fast they can climb it. Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure! is an exhilarating action game where you use rainbows to climb into the heavens.

Let's CATCH™

Publisher: SEGA

Players: 1-4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief, Mild Suggestive Themes

Price: 1,000 Wii Points

Description: Play catch with friends in multiplayer party games and compete for high scores using your Mii character and others. Choose from six different single and multiplayer modes such as Speed Catch, which tests your ability to catch a fastball, and Bomb Catch, an elimination party game for up to four players. Select from a variety of characters or use your Mii character to play other favorite catch games. Unlock special features when you own both Let's TAP and Let's CATCH.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mario™ Calculator

Publisher: Nintendo

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: N/A

Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points

Description: Mario and Luigi take a break from their normal adventures to dedicate their heroic talents to working with numbers. Mario Calculator features the full functionality of a traditional calculator, including a Memory key and the ability to display up to 13 digits, and adds a layer of atmosphere reminiscent of the original Super Mario Bros. Use the Unit Converter to turn one unit of measure into another (such as length, weight, volume, age and others), or track the history of calculations you've performed with ease. Listen to the Mario-related sounds and watch the coins fly as calculations are performed. Now, back to adding up those high scores...

Mario™ Clock

Publisher: Nintendo

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points

Description: Turn back time and enjoy a bit of classic game play based on the original Super Mario Bros. with Mario Clock. Help Mario and Luigi collect more coins than ever (POW block anyone?) while they run through a variety of stages. Gather enough coins and you'll be treated to another scene bound to bring back fond memories for many. Mario Clock includes both analog and digital clocks that use the system's internal clock or allow you to offset the time however you like. Program up to three alarms (with snooze functionality for those that need it) and assign them a Mario-related sound or use one created in the Nintendo DSi Sound application. You'll find yourself thinking "Just a few more coins..." in no time!

Virtual Console

Space Harrier™

Original platform: Virtual Console Arcade

Publisher: SEGA

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Animated Violence

Price: 800 Wii Points

Description: "Welcome to the Fantasy Zone. Get ready!" This is the greeting given to you as you start Space Harrier, but you don't have much time to take this advice. Even as the words are being spoken, your Harrier warrior is already charging into battle. Toting a huge laser gun under his arm, the Space Harrier can either run along the checkerboard ground or freely fly through the sky. Either way, he's always heading forward into the hostile 3-D world. As you progress, hordes of strange creatures and robots fly toward you. Fast reflexes are required to dodge their incoming fire. Environmental hazards can be a problem, too. Take care not to run into any trees or stone structures. If you need a bit of a morale boost, just defeat a boss, and the narrator will remind you that "you're doing great!"

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Nintendo DSi Mobile Tour Takes Creative Hand-Held Fun from Coast to Coast