My Nintendo Wii

Deck the Halls with Mario Party 2 and Other Downloadable Delights

Posted by Walter E. Hicks Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 4:13 PM

If there's one guest who's welcome at any holiday party, it's Mario. This season, the Virtual Console service invites you to join Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom crew for the classic, family-friendly fun of Mario Party 2, now playable on the Wii system for the first time ever. You'll also find new additions to the WiiWare service to help keep your days merry and bright: the unique sci-fi strategy of Inkub and the funky robot challenge of Frobot. (A demo version of Frobot is available for zero Wii Points.) If you aim to fill your holiday week with hand-held adventure, take a look at the latest arrivals for the Nintendo DSiWare service, including Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp and Cosmo Fighters. No matter where the season leads you, here's hoping it's a warm and happy one.

Virtual Console
Mario Party 2
Original platform: Nintendo 64TM
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Get ready to party like it's the year 2000 all over again, complete with fancy costumes, bags of surprises and games galore. Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom friends return for a new round of Bowser-bashing board game action in Mario Party 2. Each of your favorite characters dons a differently themed outfit to take part in five fun-packed Adventure Boards: Pirate Land, Western Land, Space Land, Mystery Land and Horror Land. Then battle BowserTM on his own specific board - if you're brave enough. Up to four players (additional accessories required, sold separately) can travel around the boards and compete in minigames for coins while also using items to gain an advantage. Win the most stars and become the ultimate victor: the Super Star. Or, if you just feel like proving your minigame mettle, visit Mini-Game Land. Head to the Mini-Game Stadium and replay your favorites, including the Item, Battle, Duel and Chance Time minigames.

WiiWare
Frobot
Publisher: Fugazo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 1,000 Wii Points; demo version available for 0 Wii Points
Description: Frobot is programmed to make love, not war. But when his five foxy girlfriends get botnapped, he doesn't skip a beat in taking the fight to the streets. Blast your way up from the Funkytown Slums to the BotBlocker HQ and save them. In Burn Baby Burn mode, earn powerful weapons including the Robo Hustle dash and the Jivestalker disco ball to help take on the Man. In The Big Payback, journey through a story mode filled with action, adventure and fro-frazzling physics puzzles to rescue your girlfriends. In Superfreak, find hidden power picks and upgrade your style. It's a fight to the last Fro in Frobot's multiplaya arena. Face off with up to three of your friends on one screen to see who will earn the spotlight. In It's Raining Guns, access an expanded arsenal of funky weapons, including the Bass Bomb grenade and the Heartstopper shield. And in Do the Hustle, you can unlock multiplaya maps by beating single-playa levels in record time.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Inkub
Publisher: Cosmonaut Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: In Inkub, you are responsible for the defense of incubators, each one connected to a life support system by means of transparent carbon tubes. For years, different organisms, viruses and bacteria have formed colonies that attack the species in each incubator. Your objective is to repel the attacks of these organisms and keep the eggs in the incubators safe. To do this, you have an arsenal of weapons, mines and blockers available. Different weapons will be unlocked as you progress through the game, including laser canons, projectiles, blockers, mines and speed inhibitors. Use them by placing them throughout the tube to repel enemy attacks.

Nintendo DSiWare
Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Suggestive Themes, Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Princess Daphne has been spirited away to a wrinkle in time by the evil wizard Mordroc, who plans to force her into marriage. Only you, Dirk the Daring, can save her. Transported by a bumbling old time machine, you begin the rescue mission. But you must hurry, for once the Casket of Doom has opened, Mordroc will place the Death Ring upon Daphne's finger and she will be lost forever in the Time Warp. Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp is a fully animated arcade classic from legendary animator Don Bluth. You'll make your way through time by using your Nintendo DSiTM system to move and wield your sword. Beware of your foes, for they are numerous. Only you can save Princess Daphne.

Cosmo Fighters
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: There's a battle to fight in outer space, but before you meet your fate, train yourself against the CPU to master all the tricks and combos. Whether playing one-on-one or against a group of three, your training will pay off once you challenge your friends and foes. Anyone can play, but only the well trained will win. Send your friends a demo via DS Download Play to allow them to play solo or in a Versus mode. Finding opponents for the Multiplayer mode is easy because only one player needs to have the game loaded onto his or her system. Let the fight begin!

Paul's Monster Adventure
Publisher: Agetec, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Prepare to embark on an epic adventure and enter a land where monsters known as bosses once ruled with an iron fist. The local inhabitants have rebelled against the bosses by stealing their food supply. Now the bosses are slowly dying from starvation, and it's up to you to save them. Explore and discover magical items that will aid you on your adventure. Interact with intriguing monsters that desperately need your help to regain their energy. Be warned: The inhabitants may consider your heroic efforts to be a threat and become aggressive if you are caught with food. Do you best to avoid them, but if you need it, you're equipped with a powerful hammer that will temporally knock out the inhabitants. It's time to step up to the challenge and restore order to this chaotic land.

Just SING! Christmas Vol. 2
Publisher: dtp young entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: You are the star! Prepare yourself for the next edition of Christmas karaoke. Holiday classics such as "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Deck the Halls" are waiting for you. Enter the festively decorated stage in a fancy Santa costume, then sing into the built-in microphone of your Nintendo DSi system to instantly capture the magical Christmas spirit. Hit all the right notes and sing in time to reach the top of the high-scores list.

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.

Fire Up for February with Fresh Downloads for Nintendo Systems

Winter blues got you down? Bid farewell to January and say hello to a new batch of downloadable games for Wii and Nintendo DSi systems.

2011-01-31

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

2011-01-25

Deck the Halls with Mario Party 2 and Other Downloadable Delights

New Downloads Challenge Players to Conquer, Search and Score Jonah Hill Says ‘21 Jump Street’ Will Be His Next Movie

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

Posted by Walter E. Hicks Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 5:07 PM

Whether creating the perfect sandwich or stepping into the boxing ring with wild animals, the latest additions to the WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare downloadable game services are anything but ordinary. Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time treats Wii owners to a wild time-traveling adventure with an industrious, snack-happy hero. A demo version of the acclaimed BIT.TRIP BEAT game for WiiWare lets players sample its dazzling retro action for zero Wii Points. For hand-held gaming fans, Glory Days – Tactical Defense brings rich military strategy to Nintendo DSiWare, while Animal Boxing pits the player against a passel of pugilistic critters against one another in the squared circle. Visit the Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop every Monday to discover an inventive, ever-growing variety of games.

WiiWare
Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time
Publisher: Stickmen Studios
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Have you fallen off a cliff? Are you burning in lava? Did your latest invention just get crushed by a frozen polar bear? Avoid these misfortunes with Doc Clock's amazing Time Slider. Enjoy the first Doc Clock time-travelling adventure. Invent almost anything using the items you find, from catapults to incredible flying machines. Travel through time with Doc Clock as he battles mad, misguided robots to save his beloved cat and invent the perfect toasted sandwich machine.

Urbanix
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Welcome to Urbanix, a game inspired by classic computer games. You play as Urbanix, a tiny little tractor that has to build a town on an empty field. Avoid enemies and chase away house crashers – they will try to spoil your game. Play on Earth, in the North Pole or on the moon – each location has its own unique game-play mechanics, so you'll have to adapt your strategy. Be accurate, be quick and collect bonuses on your way. Enjoy 150 levels plus an intense multiplayer mode.

BIT.TRIP BEAT (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 600 Wii Points
Description: The retro action of rhythm game BIT.TRIP BEAT challenges you to use the Wii Remote controller to bounce beats. Retro visuals, classic game play, a four-player multiplayer mode and an 8-bit soundtrack will get you in the zone and rock your world. Pay attention, though – as with most classic games, the challenges are mighty. If you can stay cool as the difficulty increases, you'll discover the beginnings of the BIT.TRIP saga.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo DSiWare
Glory Days – Tactical Defense
Publisher: odenis studio
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Howling sandstorms blaze across the barren plains. A violent storm is brewing on the horizon. Get ready to repel waves of enemies amid the finely orchestrated chaos. As the ground trembles, artillery is being massed in the distance. If you're outnumbered, move your units to high ground for a strategic advantage. Use your AAA to shoot down enemy planes, fight off tanks with your guns and sink subs with your missile launchers. Master the battlefield by using the "Big One," a gun that will terrify and cause devastation among all units, enemies and friends alike. Expect your units to suffer losses under enemy fire. Repair and improve them because the show must go on. When the dust settles, you may have attained glory, even if the battle is lost. Special features include 3D field management, a 60-frames-per-second 3D engine, dynamic music and up to 300 units in real time.

Animal Boxing
Publisher: Gammick Entertainment
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Animal Boxing is one of the first games to require players to invert the Nintendo DSi system. Use the stylus for motion-based controls. Throw jabs, hooks and uppercuts with simple stylus movements. Step into the ring against 50 wild fighters with different fighting styles. Go toe-to-toe against opponents such as Lee the cat, Sauda the rhino and Fore the bull. Build your own male or female character, then step into the ring in eight unique environments. Customize fighter attributes like gloves, clothing and hairstyle. Face off against another Nintendo DSi player using a local wireless connection.

The Seller
Publisher: CIRCLE Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Once a big-time boss, you are now down and out, forced into the small time after your company was driven into bankruptcy by an underhanded competitor who stooped lower than even you would dare. Of course, revenge is a dish best served cold – over a drink at an expensive club, which is where the game takes place. Rebuild your fortune and show your competitor who's really the boss. This is a witty card game with a few simple rules to test your intelligence. Starting with a small amount of resources, money and action cards, try to use those cards to cunningly step forward until you have sold all of your resources to others. Set strategies in motion to increase the value of your resources. Don't forget: Your ultimate goal is to introduce your competitors to bankruptcy.

Alien Puzzle Adventure
Publisher: Mastertronic
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Alien Puzzle Adventure is a fast-paced, colorful and cartoonish puzzle game that combines Match 3 game play with a humorous and quirky storyline. The player sets out to save the world from a mysterious chemical attack. Armed with Professor Weinstein's Pseudo-quark Generator Gun, the player must neutralize packs of differently colored quarks over the course of 35 stages by matching three quarks of the same color. Can you help stem the tide and save the world? Your adventure starts today.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

2011-01-25

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

When it comes to downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems, you never know what each day might have in store.

2011-01-24

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99

2011-01-19

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

New Downloads Challenge Players to Conquer, Search and Score Kristen Stewart’s ‘Breaking Dawn’ Vampire ‘Scared’ Elizabeth Reaser

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Posted by Walter E. Hicks Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 3:20 PM

The upcoming Pokmon™ Black Version and Pokmon White Version games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems feature more than 150 never-before-seen-Pokmon™. No matter which version players choose, they're sure to have fun with an array of expanded features for taking their Pokmon into battle, either in the game's main adventure, or head-to-head against friends.

Triple Battles debut in Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version , giving players more ways than ever to battle their customized team of Pokmon. Conducted in three-on-three format, Triple Battles introduce even more strategy to the game's already deep battle system. Depending on a Pokmon's placement in the battle lineup, it will only be able to attack certain Pokmon from an opponent's trio, providing an exciting new way to battle. For example, a Pokmon in the center of a player's lineup can attack any of its three opponents. However, a Pokmon positioned on the left or right of the formation can only attack the Pokmon in the middle of the opposing lineup, or directly in front of it.

The new C-Gear device in Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version gives players an easier way to battle with others, and multiple ways of interacting with friends. Using IR Communication that's built into the game card, players can quickly connect with friends to battle and trade Pokmon faster than ever before. Even exchanging Friend Codes is easier, with only a tap of the stylus needed to add them to your list. C-Gear also grants players a variety of game play and communication tools that utilize a local wireless connection and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service (broadband Internet access required). Players have the option to always utilize the C-Gear while playing, allowing for instant access to other players around them — even displaying what nearby players are doing in the game.

Another new feature in Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version is the Wi-Fi Random Matchup, which allows players to battle others from around the world over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service without needing to exchange Friend Codes, opening up even more opportunities for players to test their teams in battle.

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version will launch on March 6 and are now available for pre-order from major retailers throughout North America for a suggested retail price of $34.99 each. A deposit may be required for pre-orders. See individual retailers for details.

For more information about Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version , visit http://www.pokemonblackwhite.com.

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

When it comes to downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems, you never know what each day might have in store.

2011-01-24

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99

2011-01-19

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

2011-01-17

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokémon Black version and Pokémon White version launching in North America on March 6 ‘Let Me In’ Director Matt Reeves Talks Deleted Scenes

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

Posted by Walter E. Hicks at 3:20 PM

When it comes to downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems, you never know what each day might have in store. One minute you'll be throwing elbows and speeding around the track in Jam City Rollergirls for the WiiWare service. Next, you'll travel back in time for classic arcade-style air battles in 1942 for the Virtual Console service. Then it's back to the present, where you've got to stay cool under pressure as an air traffic mastermind in Airport Mania: Non-Stop Flights for Nintendo DSiWare. Just when things start to settle down, Rocks N' Rockets will inspire you to step up and fight off an onslaught of deadly meteors using your Nintendo DSi stylus. With hundreds of downloadable titles to choose from - plus demo versions of select WiiWare games for zero Wii Points - you'll never face another humdrum afternoon again.

WiiWare
Jam City Rollergirls
Publisher: Frozen Codebase
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Mild Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Blast off into the wild world of roller derby. Lace up your skates and join up with real-life roller derby teams the Texecutioners, Dairyland Dolls, Brewcity Bruisers, Rat City Rollergirls and Gotham Girls Roller Derby as they skate hard and hit harder in a battle for flat-track dominance. Create your own custom roller derby skater and level up as you progress through the season, or play as one of the readymade stars of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. Choose from five tracks and skate forward, backward, by yourself or with a friend. Skaters, refs, fans and gamers will be thrilled by the fast, furious game play.

Furry Legends (demo version)
Publisher: Gamelion
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief, Mild Language
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 1,000 Wii Points
Description: The legend starts here. Play Furry Legends, a dynamic platform adventure with the most fur you've ever seen. Start the crazy adventure and solve fun, physics-based puzzles in a fantastic 3D world called Furland. Furland is a humorous and weird place, populated by funny creatures such as five-eyed crabs, round cows, crazy rabbits and, of course, the lovely Furballs. The player controls fluffy characters with special skills such as the ability to manipulate time, which can influence the physics-driven environment. Save the Furballs from their doom and keep Furland safe from Lord Squarie.

Fish'em All! (demo version)
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 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 have found places where crazy fish leap out of the water all day long - the perfect place for a spot of fishing. It's a shame the other strange creatures aren't going to make things easy. In this surreal action game, you will experience the excitement of the great arcade classics on your Wii console. Hold on tight to your Wii Remote controller and fish 'em all. The game features nine colorful scenarios and three game modes. In Arcade mode, catch as many fish as possible within the time limit. In Challenge mode, note how many fish of each color you need to catch. In Fishtris mode, match three or more fish of the same color to make them disappear.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Virtual Console
1942
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: This classic, vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up is perhaps Capcom's finest moment of the pre-Street Fighter era. Spawning a million clones and reappearing throughout the history of gaming, 1942's biplane action needs no introduction. The original and best version is now available on the Wii console for the first time.

BLACK TIGER
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: Everyone (Everyone) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Fight your way through colorful, action-packed levels in this 1987 arcade classic. Explore huge, sprawling levels as a powerful barbarian seeking to defeat menacing bosses. Plus, upgrade your character with one of the first inventory and power-up systems ever built.

Nintendo DSiWare
Airport Mania: Non-Stop Flights
Publisher: Lemon Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Hundreds of airplanes are on their way to your airport. In Airport Mania: Non-Stop Flights, you'll face the challenge of coordinating an endless number of incoming flights for as long as you can. You'll need to care for each plane by bringing it safely to the airport. Send each one to a gate to drop off and pick up passengers, then schedule them for a runway to ensure an on-time departure. Doing all this will maximize both customer satisfaction and your score. Upgrade your airport at any time to make sure you're ready for every color and type of plane. Enjoy frantic time-management action with an airport twist that you won't want to miss.

Rocks N' Rockets
Publisher: TikGames, LLC
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Are you ready to take the hero's seat in this mesmerizing arcade game? Civilization is threatened by a terrifying, multi-phased meteor attack - thousands of strange meteors are heading toward Earth. Your mission is to protect our cities by controlling a rocket launcher that is built to protect each city. Experience waves of increasingly destructive meteors, innovative power-ups and more than 100 exciting levels.

Digger Dan & Kaboom
Publisher: Virtual Playground
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Digger Dan has always loved digging. That's probably how he got his name, although nobody knows for sure. He also loves gems, and he just happens to have found a ton of them. However, all of the gems are in some pretty nasty caves, so you're going to have to help Dan get them out. Dan has sent Kaboom, his pet gopher, into the caves to find the best place to start, but he hasn't returned. Kaboom has a habit of falling asleep, though, so it looks like Dan is going to have to rescue him too.

Ante Up: Texas Hold'em
Publisher: MonkeyPaw Games
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Simulated Gambling
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: It's time to let your inner gambler get a turn at the table. While poker has always been a part of Western culture, the ease and accessibility of Texas Hold'em has brought the game to the masses, whether on TV or in casinos. Ante Up: Texas Hold'em makes poker fun portable with realistic mechanics and a compelling story to keep you stimulated and playing for hours. The game is graphically superb, and the players are realistic portrayals of uncanny casino characters. Choices include an undercover vice cop who practices what he patrols and an aspiring actress with a daring streak. You'll find 12 characters in all. Best of all, the game is based on the authenticity of poker and the algorithms that produce a natural falling of the cards. You'll swear you're in Vegas as you face the pressure of making a call or daring a bluff while your money sweats it out on the table.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

2011-01-25

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99

2011-01-19

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

2011-01-17

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

New Downloads Challenge Players to Conquer, Search and Score Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’ Trailer: How Does It Stack Up?

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Posted by Walter E. Hicks at 3:20 PM

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2011 - The company that changed the world of video games with touch-screen gaming in 2004 and motion-controlled gaming in 2006 now pioneers the next dimensional shift. On March 27, Nintendo introduces portable entertainment in 3D - without the need for special glasses. The Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in either Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue, and will have a suggested retail price of $249.99. Pricing outside the United States will be established by the local markets, but offer similar consumer value.

"Nintendo 3DS is a category of one - the experience simply doesn't exist anywhere else," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "You have to see Nintendo 3DS to believe it. And it's like nothing you've ever seen before."

Nintendo 3DS includes two screens. The bottom touch screen makes use of a telescoping stylus that is stored in the unit itself. The top screen displays 3D visuals to the naked eye. Looking at the screen is like peering through a window into a world where characters and objects have true depth. The system also has a 3D Depth Slider that lets players select the level of 3D they enjoy the most. The 3D effect can be ratcheted up to the highest level, scaled back to a more moderate setting or even turned off completely, depending on the preference of the user.

In addition to the familiar + Control Pad and button controls found on previous Nintendo hand-helds, Nintendo 3DS now also includes a Circle Pad, which provides a full 360 degrees of direction, giving it the freedom and precision needed to play games in 3D worlds. It brings the same degree of responsiveness that gamers enjoyed when Nintendo introduced an analog control stick to navigate Mario™ through Super Mario 64™ on the Nintendo 64™ system.

A built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor can react to the motion and tilt of the system, so whether players are twisting their systems side to side or moving them up and down, their motion-compatible Nintendo 3DS games respond instantly. No other system includes so many tools for game developers to create new and fun experiences for players.

Two features will allow owners to stay connected in new ways. Both deliver bonus content to owners as they move around during their daily lives, so users might open up their systems at any moment to find new surprises. For owners who choose to activate it, the StreetPass™ feature is capable of exchanging game information with other Nintendo 3DS systems as owners pass one another. Small packets of information can be exchanged using this data-transfer method, such as Mii™ character data, maps for games or high scores and custom character data for different games. The SpotPass™ feature can connect to compatible public hotspots and through a wireless broadband Internet connection at home, even if the system is in Sleep Mode. Once connected, the Nintendo 3DS system will receive new content and updates on a regular basis.

Each Nintendo 3DS system comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun games, applications and features, such as Nintendo 3DS Camera. Nintendo 3DS has three cameras. One camera points at the user, while two additional cameras point outward. These two outer cameras take photos in 3D. The fun, built-in game Face Raiders™ asks users to shoot at funny depictions of their own faces. Nintendo 3DS, when put into Sleep Mode, can act as a pedometer, while letting users earn Play Coins for the steps they take that can then be traded in for additional content in compatible games and applications. By accessing the Activity Log, users can check their steps as well as their play time. With Nintendo 3DS Sound, users can enjoy sound-manipulation tools or rock out while listening to their MP3 or AAC music files. An upgraded Internet browser will also be available via a system update.

The Mii Maker™ application gives users new tools to create Mii™ characters even more easily: Users can either import Mii characters from their Wii systems using an SD memory card or use the camera to take a picture of a person and have an automatic Mii character created. Users can even save their Mii characters to an SD card as pictures, which enables them to be used any way a digital photo would for personal use, such as a profile picture on social-networking sites.

The Nintendo eShop, through a system update, will offer access to downloadable games, including Nintendo DSiWare™ and ones specifically made for Nintendo 3DS. Also, just as the Virtual Console service on Wii makes retro games available for download, the Virtual Console games on Nintendo 3DS will be pulled from classic Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color games. Players will be able to view game videos, download demos for select games and see how other consumers rated the games. The Nintendo eShop will use a cash-based system. Users can either input credit card information in the shop or purchase a Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card at retail locations.

Nintendo 3DS comes with six augmented-reality cards, called AR cards. When the two outer cameras are pointed at the cards, they read the cards and superimpose images and animations onto the scene. So users shouldn't be surprised if they see a dragon popping out of their kitchen tables. Developers can also use this technology to add creative new experiences to their games.

Built-in parental controls can be used to limit Internet access or some of the wireless functions. By using a PIN code, parents also can turn off the 3D function altogether, or limit the ratings of the games that their kids can play.

Fans of online play will be happy to learn that the friend codes for Nintendo 3DS are specific to each Nintendo 3DS system, not each game. Once friends trade hardware codes, at any time they can check their friends list to see which of their friends are online and what they are playing.

Nintendo 3DS can also play Nintendo DS game cards with their original 2D visuals. The system also includes a slot for an SD memory card. To help users get started, every system comes with a 2GB SD memory card (though owners can provide whatever size they like). Using a service that will be provided after the hardware's launch, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ owners will be able to transfer games downloaded from the Nintendo DSi Shop onto their new Nintendo 3DS systems.

During the launch window (between the March 27 launch date and the E3 Expo in early June) more than 30 games will be available to Nintendo 3DS owners. These include Nintendo-created games like Pilotwings Resort™, which has players soaring acrobatically over iconic Wuhu Island; nintendogs™ + cats, a new version of the Nintendo DS classic with a feline enhancement; and Steel Diver™, a side-scrolling submarine adventure that gives the illusion that the player is peering into an aquarium. Other Nintendo 3DS games in the works include The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, Star Fox 64™ 3D, Kid Icarus™: Uprising and new installments in the Mario Kart™, Animal Crossing™ and Paper Mario™ series.

Nintendo 3DS also enjoys some of the strongest third-party support of any system launch. A partial list of titles coming soon to Nintendo 3DS includes Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked from Atlus; Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D from Capcom; Madden NFL Football from EA SPORTS; The Sims™ 3 from Electronic Arts; Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D from Konami; LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars™ from LucasArts™; Ridge Racer 3D and Dual Pen Sports™ from Namco Bandai Games America Inc.; Super Monkey Ball™ 3D, Thor™: God of Thunder and CRUSH™ 3D from SEGA; BUST-A-MOVE™ UNIVERSE from Square Enix, Inc.; Samurai Warriors Chronicles and Dead or Alive Dimensions from Tecmo Koei America Corp.; and Asphalt™ 3D, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, Combat of Giants™: Dinosaurs 3D, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D, Rayman 3D and Rabbids Travel in Time from Ubisoft.

For more information about Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.nintendo3ds.com.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

2011-01-25

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

When it comes to downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems, you never know what each day might have in store.

2011-01-24

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

2011-01-17

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

New Downloads Challenge Players to Conquer, Search and Score ‘Avatar’ Headed Back To Theaters With Extra 3-D Footage

The Critics Love Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

Posted by Walter E. Hicks at 3:20 PM

Critics of all kinds have been having a blast with Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem™! From Kotaku to the New York Post, they’ve been going nuts for this hard-to-put-down puzzle game. See what they have to say!

“Score: 9 out of 10 - I can't stress enough, though, that it is a pure joy to play. It's absolutely adorable, and the clever puzzles are satisfying to work out even if they won't always make your brain break a sweat.”

– IGN.com

“Grade: A - This the most awesome, challenging, and addictive game that has ever graced my DSiXL's screen.”

– New York Post

“Rating: 4 out of 5 - Really, you can't go wrong with "Mini-Land Mayhem"; it's the latest in a long line of standout Mario games.”

– New York Daily News

“Rating: 4 out of 5 - Befitting the platform, Mario vs. Donkey Kong's interface is simple and intuitive.”

– Joystiq.com

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

Pokmon Black Version and Pokmon White Version Introduce Evolved Battle Systems

2011-01-25

Brace for Busy Airports, Biplane Battles, Meteor Showers and Roller Derby Melees

When it comes to downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems, you never know what each day might have in store.

2011-01-24

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99

2011-01-19

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

2011-01-17

Mini-Land Mayhem!

‘Harry Potter And Deathly Hallows - Part 1′: The Reviews Are In!The Critics are Going Bananas for Donkey Kong Country Returns

Why wait for Jan. 1? Survey shows active-play video games can get people moving now

Posted by Walter E. Hicks Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 1:52 PM

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 8, 2010 – A new survey from the American Heart Association shows that playing active-play video games can lead players to participate in more real-world physical activity. According to the survey, 58 percent of people who play active-play video games have begun a new real-life fitness activity like walking, tennis or jogging since they started playing the games. Additionally, 68 percent of people who play active-play video games say they are more physically active since they got involved in video games.

Inspired by these results, Nintendo and the American Heart Association are combining fun and fitness this holiday with “12 Days of Getting Active." A series of daily tips starting today will help make it easy for people to get active, even when they are challenged with busy schedules and sweet temptations. The tips will be posted at http://www.activeplaynow.com, the joint American Heart Association-Nintendo online information center, and will focus on how active-play video games can get everyone in the family engaged in fun, physically active behavior leading into and through the New Year.

"We are looking at active-play video games as part of a realistic approach to fitness," said Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D., Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan and an American Heart Association volunteer. “We are finding that they often act as a gateway to other forms of physical activity. So as people get up off the couch to play Wii games, they’re likely to stay up and do more – like walking, jogging or playing tennis.”

“We’re encouraging people to use their time together during the holidays to get moving with active-play video games,” said Marc Franklin, Nintendo of America’s director of Public Relations. “Games like Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort get the whole family up off the couch and staying active while having fun.”

The survey also showed that 82 percent of those who engage in active-play video games now play more with family and friends, suggesting that these types of video games inspire social fun. The holidays are a great time to keep this trend going.

In addition, the survey revealed interesting insight into the difference between men and women, what motivates them and how they play active-play video games. Men are more likely than women to play active-play video games with their children (men 65 percent vs. women 56 percent). Men are also more likely than women to play active-play video games with someone else on the same console (men 51 percent vs. women 36 percent). However, women like active-play video games more than men for a number of reasons. They can stay active at home (61 percent), can play day or night (49 percent), can try things they wouldn’t normally do, like skiing (47 percent), and can push their physical limits (24 percent).

The American Heart Association and Nintendo of America are engaged in a first-of-its-kind, multifaceted strategic relationship aimed at helping people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play. The two organizations are working together on multiple fronts to help consumers discover how active-play video games contribute to healthy living. The iconic American Heart Association brand appears on boxes for the Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort software and for the Wii system itself. For more information about Nintendo’s strategic relationship with the AHA, visit http://www.activeplaynow.com.

The survey was conducted Oct. 25- Nov. 1, 2010, by the American Heart Association and included a total of 2,284 male and female respondents ages 25-55.

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99

2011-01-19

Time-Twisting, Beat-Tripping, Battle-Packed Adventures Await You

2011-01-17

Squishy Cars, Classic Ghosts and Cuddly Pets Set to Invade Nintendo Systems

Whether you enjoy gaming in the living room or on the move, you're in good company with this week's new downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSi systems.

2011-01-10

Why wait for Jan. 1? Survey shows active-play video games can get people moving now

Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Big Bang’ Video Might Become Movie New Research Reveals Importance of Creativity Among Americans

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