The flashing blue light can mean only one thing (well not really), Nintendo has put out a firmware update.
Firmware 4.2 is said to include behind-the-scenes improvements, one of which makes older game discs run more efficiently.
On the negative side for some, the update also completely removes the Homebrew Channel.
Just a week or so back we heard news of an Earthworm Jim game coming to WiiWare. We later learned it would be a remake of the Sega Genesis version, and it's being handled by Gameloft.
The game is being built from scratch without using any of the original code. Graphics are being spruced up a lot, as seen in this comparison pic:
That's taken from the iPhone version, but we can expect something similar on WiiWare too. Other features reported include:
Smoother animations.A number of difficulty settings."Big Bruty" level included (from the special edition on Sega CD).Neither Dave Perry nor Doug Nepal are involved with the project.Original music by Tommy Tallarico will remain.
Here's a comical teaser clip from the upcoming Ninja Captains on Wii.
Ninja Captains is billed as a frantic series of competitive mini-games, something similar to WarioWare.
Greek mythology, grid-based strategy, high-speed racing, classic arcade action and a hand-held art course - this week's additions to the Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop deliver a wildly entertaining mix. With new WiiWare, Nintendo DSiWare and Virtual Console games debuting each week, Nintendo offers downloadable games to please everyone under the sun, and the list keeps on growing. For Nintendo DSi users looking to grow their own game library, here's a valuable tip-off: Consumers can still receive 1,000 bonus Nintendo DSi Points by purchasing a new Nintendo DSi game system and connecting to the Nintendo DSi Shop by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Oct. 5, 2009. For full offer details, please visit DSiOffer.Nintendo.com.
Nintendo DSiWare
Art Academy: Second Semester
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Art Academy is a portable art course that anyone can enjoy. Art Academy: Second Semester provides new and returning students with a larger set of tools and in-depth lessons designed to encourage the creation of more complex artwork. By gaining an even deeper understanding of colors and techniques used by famous impressionist artists, you will be ready to take on more challenging themes that include moving objects, and vast landscapes with distant objects. The openness of Free Paint mode offers plenty of opportunities to hone your skills and boost your confidence as an artist.
DRAGON QUEST WARS
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: DRAGON QUEST WARS is a grid-based strategy game featuring all of your favorite quirky DRAGON QUEST monsters. Choose from several modes and get ready for battle. While the rules are simple, strategy is the key to victory. The game features single-player and DS Wireless Play, as well as battles with foes worldwide via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. (Broadband Internet access is required for online play.)
WiiWare
ARKANOID Plus!
Publisher: TAITO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: ARKANOID Plus! is an updated version of the original arcade blockbuster. Players must destroy colored blocks by guiding an Energy Ball around the screen using a spaceship called a VAUS. The game features a host of new modes and settings that radically alter the experience: Arcade Mode consists of 61 rounds divided into left and right versions, with two types of boss characters appearing in the last round; VS Mode lets players face off against a friend or the CPU; and the unfailingly frantic Time Mode challenges players to clear rounds within a strict time limit. With the subtle differences arising from the choice of "Lives" or "Barrier" rules, plus a plethora of exciting items, you're in for hours and hours of block-busting fun.
DRiiFT Mania
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: DRiiFT Mania is the ultimate top-down multiplayer racing experience. Challenge your friends in fast, exciting races and some totally crazy game modes. You'll need to adapt your driving skills to the different racing environments if you want to succeed.
Virtual Console
Altered Beast
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: "Rise from your grave!" When legendary Greek god Zeus brings you back to life with those famous words, you set forth on a mission to rescue his daughter, Athena, from the wicked God of the Underworld, Neff. To survive the gauntlet of mythological foes, you must hunt down the three-headed wolves that inhabit each stage and collect the Spirit Balls that they release. The Spirit Balls increase your strength and allow you to transform into a variety of forms, including a Werewolf, Weredragon, Werebear, Weretiger and the ultimate form, the Golden Werewolf. Each creature possesses powerful attacks to help bring an end to Neff's scheme.
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.
Wii Sports Resort is all about getting multiple people involved in friendly sporting competitions. Starting Oct. 12, consumers will have even more incentive to get in on the fun when Nintendo releases a special, limited-edition bundle of the Wii Sports Resort game and not one but two Wii MotionPlus accessories, which bring enhanced precision to games.
The bundle will be available at a suggested retail price of $59.99. Typically, Wii Sports Resort comes with a single Wii MotionPlus unit at a suggested retail price of $49.99, and additional Wii MotionPlus units are available at a suggested retail price of $19.99.
"Shoppers are looking for value as we head into the holiday season, and this Wii Sports Resort bundle is a gift that players of all ages and experience levels can enjoy,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Best of all, it instantly gets multiple members of the household engaged in playing as soon as the package is opened.”
The new bundle will be available while supplies last at most major retailers.
Through the end of August, Wii Sports Resort has already sold more than 1.25 million units in the United States alone, according to the NPD Group. Nearly 2.9 million Wii MotionPlus accessories are in the hands of the public. That includes all those sold with Wii Sports Resort, standalone sales of 1.36 million and an additional 257,000 bundled with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10.
For more information about Nintendo, please visit www.Nintendo.com.
Two more WiiWare games have been added to the Wii Shop Channel today, along with an arcade classic which will cost you a meaty 1000 Points!
Arkanoid Plus (WiiWare)DRiiFT Mania (WiiWare)Altered Beast (Arcade)Check out the DRiiFT Mania review to see what I thought of it. More downloadable news on Friday with the PAL region releases.
A fresh press release from Nintendo says the Wii console will undergo a price drop at retail, starting on September 27th. The new price point is $199.99.
The new $199.99 price delivers the full iconic Wii gaming experience, including the motion-sensing Wiimote, Nunchuk, Wii Sports software and furthers Nintendo's mission to expand the gaming universe by making video games accessible to more consumers.
Smart move by Big N?
