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[The RPG series is heading for Wii in a new installment that promises gigantic monsters and online cooperative play.]

151

TalkBack / Valhalla Knights is Coming to Wii.

« on: October 06, 2008, 07:42:23 PM »

The RPG series is heading for Wii in a new installment that promises gigantic monsters and online cooperative play.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16883

 A recent issue of Famitsu, the Japanese gaming magazine shows that the K2 developed RPG, Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga is coming to the Wii. Two installments of Valhalla Knights have already been released on the PSP. The game features character creation, a cooperative Wi-Fi mode, and a great deal of monster killings.    

The story tells the tale of a world that has gone out of control after the return of magic. Players will join the armies of elves, dwarves, humans, and halflings on a quest to banish magic to a place known as Eldar.    

The game will have a deep character creation mode in which players can select attributes such as their job, hair color, strength, and intelligence. Uniquely the game is divided into two chapters, which are both selectable at the start of the game. Strangely it is only possible to create a new character whose gender and race can be something other than male or human after completing one of the chapters. Data from the first chapter completed will be carried over to the second.    

Like in the previous Vahalla Knights games, players will take on a wide variety of monsters that drop useful equipment and items. Elder Saga will have some of the largest and most fearsome monsters seen in the series. The game will also support the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection so that two gamers in separate households can play cooperatively. Part of the soundtrack is being composed by Motoi Sakuraba, who has written music for a number of games including the Star Ocean series, and Mario Golf.    

Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga will debut in Japan in 2009.    

Special thanks to James Charlton translation assistance.

[One of the most revered role-playing games of all time is on its way to the DS with a set of brand new features.]

152

TalkBack / PREVIEWS: Chrono Trigger

« on: October 03, 2008, 10:08:16 PM »

One of the most revered role-playing games of all time is on its way to the DS with a set of brand new features.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=16853

 In 1995, developer Square assembled a "Dream Team" of artists, featuring the creators of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, to make a new game. The game this collaboration brought to fruition was Chrono Trigger for the Super Nintendo.  Soon, a new generation of gamers will have a chance to play the time traveling RPG on the DS.      

Chrono Trigger sends players on a journey both forwards and backwards through time as the silent protagonist, Crono. He is swept into the adventure when his friend Marle is mistakenly sent back in time while testing a teleportation machine. Ultimately, Crono and his band of friends will find themselves on a quest to save the world.    

The game utilizes a version of the Active Time Battle system, which originated in Final Fantasy IV. Players also have special physical and magical attacks known as Tech skills. At certain times, party members can to combine the powers of their Tech skills to create a more powerful attack. In opposition to the randomly occurring battles found in Square Enix’s other RPGs, players can see and avoid enemies while traversing the world map. The game will also include the same multitude of possible endings found in the original rendition.    

Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS will be extremely faithful to the Super Nintendo original. The hand drawn art style of Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama, is kept intact. Composer Yasunori Mitsuda is supervising the DS port to make sure the music sounds as close as possible to the Super NES version.    

New features planned for the DS version include the ability to use the touch screen to choose your attacks. The touch screen can display menu options, your characters' remaining health and magic power, and a map of the current area. Players can also expect a brand new dungeon designed specifically for the DS, in addition to the bonus dungeon that was introduced in the PlayStation port. There is also a wireless mode that accommodates two players in a new monster battling mode.    

Chrono Trigger will be released on November 25 with a suggested retail price of $39.99.

[Prepare to slice and dice the undead in Capcom's latest survival horror video game.]

153

TalkBack / PREVIEWS: Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop

« on: October 03, 2008, 08:04:24 PM »

Prepare to slice and dice the undead in Capcom's latest survival horror video game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=16848

 Capcom is bringing their popular Dead Rising series to the Wii in a new game titled, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop. The original Dead Rising was released on the Xbox 360 in the summer of 2006. Players will take on the role of journalist Frank West, as he explores a zombie ravaged mall in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado.    

Running on the same engine used by Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, the game will allow gamers to target and shoot enemies using the Wii Remote. If a zombie succeeds in grabbing the player, they can shake the Wii Remote to throw the zombie off. Capcom has littered the shopping mall with a plethora of items that can be used against the zombies such as benches, umbrellas, golf clubs, lawnmowers, and footballs.  Swinging and throwing items at enemies is also possible with Wii Remote gestures.    

The origin of the zombie attack will be discovered by completing individual case files, which each give a piece of the story. While searching the mall, players will also run into other survivors who may need saving. The mall features a number of restaurants and shops where humorous costumes can be found and food can be devoured as extra health.    

Compared to the Xbox 360 game, Capcom has promised the inclusion of new enemies and a more robust save system.    

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop will be released this upcoming winter.

[Try to solve a hundred year old mystery in the new adventure game The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks, based on the popular book series.]

154

TalkBack / The Hardy Boys are coming to DS.

« on: October 03, 2008, 04:50:37 PM »

Try to solve a hundred year old mystery in the new adventure game The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks, based on the popular book series.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16844

 SEGA and Her Interactive are partnering to bring the mystery adventure, The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks, to the Nintendo DS.  The game, based on the classic children’s mystery novels, will send players on a quest throughout the European continent searching for treasure and for the well kept secret of the House of Romanov, the last imperial dynasty of Russia.    

Gamers will jump into the shoes of amateur detectives, Joe and Frank Hardy.   To solve the mystery players will need to solve puzzles, talk with passengers, and look around for clues aboard a locomotive traveling on the Royal Express train line.    

Developer Her Interactive is already very familiar with the adventure genre having created a number of Nancy Drew games for the Wii and PC.    

Expect The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks to be available for sale in Spring 2009 for $29.95.    

Ride the Rails to Royal Treasure as SEGA and Her Interactive Announce 'The Hardy Boys®: Treasure on the Tracks'    

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bringing another great mystery series to life, SEGA® of America, Inc. and Her Interactive Inc. today announced that they are collaborating on an exciting new Hardy Boys game for the Nintendo DS™ entitled, The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks. Hop aboard the Royal Express as the Hardy Boys take a journey to the past on a classic steam train through some of the great capital cities of Europe in the hope of discovering the secret of a lost princess and a priceless treasure hidden from the world for nearly 100 years.    

"We are excited to again partner with SEGA of America in bringing fans the very best in mystery/adventure games, and do so with such a powerful license as The Hardy Boys," said Megan Gaiser, president and CEO of Her Interactive. "With two great protagonists headlining a beloved series of mystery classics, we believe that The Hardy Boys is the perfect complement to our Nancy Drew series and will benefit greatly from our proven expertise in the genre."    

The longest running book series of all-time will make its debut on the Nintendo DS™ this coming spring with The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks. In the game, players assume the role of Frank and Joe Hardy who have been invited onboard the Royal Express, an extravagant rail line traveling from Paris to St. Petersburg.    

Following the mysterious trail of the Romanov Family treasure, the Hardy Boys venture across a rich European landscape with stops at Vienna, Paris, Prague, and St. Petersburg. While onboard, players will search for hidden clues, explore the train cars, interrogate passengers and solve interactive puzzles as they attempt to discover what happened to the 'lost' treasure and unlock the century old secret of the Romanovs.    

The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks will be available Spring 2009 on the Nintendo DS for purchase at retailers nationwide, as well as from the Her Interactive website for a suggested retail price of $29.95. More information about Her Interactive and the company’s entire line of games can be found online at www.HerInteractive.com.  

[Travelers at the hotel chains will soon be able to enjoy room service and the Wii at the same time.]

155

TalkBack / Wii Consoles Arriving at Select Marriot and Renaissance Hotels

« on: October 01, 2008, 02:27:12 PM »

Travelers at the hotel chains will soon be able to enjoy room service and the Wii at the same time.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16787

 Nintendo has teamed up with Marriott and Renaissance hotels to bring the Wii to hotel patrons. Using a Wii hotel console, guests will be able to play top-sellers like Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart Wii from the comfort of their hotel room without the need to insert discs.    

As reported earlier this year, Nintendo first introduced the Wii to a number of Westin hotels. Guests who stayed in rooms specially equipped for fitness could enjoy games like Wii Fit and Big Brain Academy.    

Currently, only six Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the United States feature the Wii, but more are likely once the pilot program ends. Only select rooms and lounges will include the Wii. Guests who stay in a room featuring the Wii will pay a slight premium, but will not be charged for time spent using the system. Guests can currently select from twenty games, but Nintendo plans to add new games upon their release.    

The Wii Games Begin at Marriott & Renaissance Hotels    

Marriott and Nintendo Bring the Fun Back to Business Travel and Pilot New In-Room Entertainment Options for All Generations    

   BETHESDA, Md. & REDMOND, Wash.—The Wii™ experience is just beginning for Marriott and Renaissance guests, who can now choose from 20 games, including the popular Mario Kart™ Wii, Super Mario Galaxy™, and Wii Sports™ as well as the revolutionary fitness game, Wii Fit™. In a lodging industry first, Marriott International, Inc. is piloting a new specially built Wii hotel game system from Nintendo in select guest rooms and lounges. Wii systems are available at six Marriott and Renaissance properties:    

* New York Marriott Marquis * Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square * Boston Marriott Cambridge * Bethesda (Md.) Marriott Suites * Annapolis (Md.) Marriott Waterfront * JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix (Lounge only)    

Wii has been a hit with every age group. The intuitive, motion-sensitive controls of the Wii Remote™ controller make the games easy to play, whether alone or in groups, making it an excellent fit for hotels and their guests. With Wii Fit, guests can even burn calories while having fun, all in the comfort of their hotel rooms.    

The new Wii hotel game system allows hotel guests to select from a library of games without inserting game discs. With the intuitive games menu, guests can just point the Wii Remote at a game and begin playing immediately. Popular new Wii games will be added to the menu as they become available.    

The Wii guest room packages include unlimited Wii access for the entire stay. To book a Wii guest room package at these six hotels, subject to availability, please go to www.marriott.com, select your preferred hotel, then click on the "Deals at this Hotel" link or insert promotional code XY0 (zero). There is a small premium for a room with a Wii hotel game system over the standard guest room rate.

[Gamers will be able to buy TV Show King Party for Wii this November, as well as Guitar Rock Tour and Real Soccer 2009 for Nintendo DS.]

156

TalkBack / Gameloft Announces New Games For Wii and DSes Lead In UK

« on: October 01, 2008, 09:21:26 AM »

Gamers will be able to buy TV Show King Party for Wii this November, as well as Guitar Rock Tour and Real Soccer 2009 for Nintendo DS.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16786

 Yesterday Gameloft announced three new games for Nintendo platforms. Guitar Rock Tour and Real Soccer 2009 will be appearing on Nintendo DS, while TV Show King Party is heading for the Wii.    

Guitar Rock Tour lets gamers simulate the feel of playing the guitar and drums using the Nintendo DS. The game includes popular songs like "Underclass Hero," "Rock You Like a Hurricane," and "Message in a Bottle." A version of Guitar Rock Tour has already been released on mobile phones.      

Real Soccer 2009 is the latest iteration of Gameloft's soccer simulation. The three dimensional soccer game will feature almost two hundred teams, authentic player names, and touch screen controls.    

TV Show King Party is a quiz show game designed to be enjoyable for the entire family. The game includes over a thousand questions spread across eight different categories like science or movies. Four different multiplayer modes and Wii Remote support are also included. The original TV Show King was a WiiWare launch title back in May.    

TV Show King Party, Real Soccer 2009, and Guitar Rock Tour will launch at retail this November, all for the suggested retail price of $29.99.    

Gameloft Announces TV Show King Party for Wii, Guitar Rock Tour(TM) and Real Soccer 2009(TM) for Nintendo DS    

NEW YORK, September 30, 2008 - Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of video games on consoles and mobile phones, announced today the launch of three exciting new titles for the holiday season: TV Show King Party for Wii(TM), Guitar Rock Tour(TM), and Real Soccer 2009(TM) for Nintendo DS(TM).    

TV Show King Party for Wii lets players test their smarts in an entertaining TV show game atmosphere. The title delivers innovative fun for players of all ages and families by featuring thousands of trivia questions in eight categories ranging from Music and Movies to History, Sports and Science. There are four multiplayer modes to vary the challenges and a variety of ways to use the Wii Remote(TM) within the three different quiz modes. Players can also test their luck by choosing to spin the fun game wheel that risks loosing everything or double their gains!    

Guitar Rock Tour for Nintendo DS(TM) is a fun-filled, music simulation game that lets players experience the blood-pumping exhilaration of stardom by playing guitar and drum instruments, to world famous tunes. Guitar Rock Tour lets both youth and adult audiences jam to an explosive track list mixing both recent hits like "Girlfriend," "Underclass Hero," "In the Shadow," as well as pop classics like "Beat It," "Rock You Like a Hurricane," or "Message in a Bottle."    

Real Soccer(TM) 2009 is the definitive soccer title designed specifically for Nintendo DS and its unique capabilities. The game offers a never-before-seen soccer experience with revolutionary yet accessible touch screen controls. With 198 teams using real players' names, dynamic AI opponents and 3D graphics that push the DS to the max, the player will feel as close to being a real professional soccer player as possible.    

Real Soccer 2009, Guitar Rock Tour and TV Show King Party will be available in November for US$29.99.  

[The Nintendo Wii has sold 2.5 million consoles in the United Kingdom in just the last year.]

157

TalkBack / New Data Shows the Wii With Strong Sales Lead In UK

« on: October 01, 2008, 01:14:13 AM »

The Nintendo Wii has sold 2.5 million consoles in the United Kingdom in just the last year.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16785

 According to new sales figures recently released by data researcher GfK Chart Track, the Nintendo Wii now has a large lead in the number of consoles sold in the United Kingdom. This was achieved when the Wii installed base grew a very impressive 2.5 million consoles in the last year.    

Sales have been so strong for the Wii that Nintendo commands almost 50 percent of console market with 3.6 million units sold compared to a combined total of 3.7 million units sold for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Nintendo is also having great success with the Nintendo DS whose total sales jumped from 3.8 million to 7.1 million units since last September.    

Overall, UK sales for all systems have virtually doubled in the past year to 17.3 million systems sold. Retailer The Game Group has predicted that by Christmas time the DS will have sold 8.3 million units, and the Wii will have climbed to 4.9 million units.

[More marble guiding fun is on its way in this sequel, plus online trading of user-created levels, multiplayer, and Balance Board support.]

158

TalkBack / Marble Saga: Kororinpa Coming Exclusively To Wii

« on: September 30, 2008, 05:02:57 PM »

More marble guiding fun is on its way in this sequel, plus online trading of user-created levels, multiplayer, and Balance Board support.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16777

 Hudson Entertainment announced today that they will be releasing a new entry in their Kororinpa puzzle-adventure series, Marble Saga: Kororinpa. Marble Saga is set to have a number of improvements over its predecessor, Kororinpa: Marble Mania, including 150 brand new levels, level creation and online trading, Miis, and support for the Wii Balance Board.    

Players will control Anthony the Ant's marble in a quest to find the Golden Sun Flower, the last thing that can save his colony. Forty different gadgets and gizmos will need to be leveraged throughout the levels in order for Anthony to complete his journey.    

Using the game's Edit Mode, players will now be able to create new stages. Furthermore, the game will utilize the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and Wii Connect 24 allowing players to trade their created levels with others. Hudson also intends to have new levels available for download after release.    

The Nintendo WiFi Connection is put to further use with the online leaderboards giving gamers the ability to compare their fastest times through the levels. Competing at home will also be possible thanks to the included local four-player mode.    

Finally, Marble Saga: Kororinpa will incorporate ten levels designed specifically for the Wii Balance Board, according to an earlier press release. Expect to see Marble Saga: Kororinpa in spring 2009.    

HUDSON ENTERTAINMENT'S MARBLE SAGA: KORORINPA ROLLS ONTO Wii NEXT SPRING    

Sequel to the Fun-Filled Puzzle Adventure Features Tons of New Levels, Multiplayer Gameplay, Wi-Fi Connection And Wii Balance Board Compatibility    

  REDWOOD CITY, CA - September 30, 2008 - Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, today announced that it is bringing Marble Saga: Kororinpa, an exciting puzzle adventure centering around a marble, exclusively to Wii next spring.    

  The sequel to Kororinpa: Marble Mania, Marble Saga: Kororinpa is full of new levels for gamers to explore, 4-person multiplayer gameplay, tons of customization features, the ability to connect and compete online and the use of the Wii Balance Board as features.    

  "Gamers will be amazed to see how much entertainment we have packed into Marble Saga," said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. "Whether players want to compete with each other through multiplayer or Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, explore more than 150 levels by themselves, or use the Wii Balance Board for additional fun, this game really will deliver an action-packed adventure for gamers of all ages."    

  The story takes place with players heading out on a journey with Anthony the Ant as he searches for the Golden Sunflower. By guiding Anthony's marble around the Ant World and searching for items which are valuable to help reach the Golden Sunflower, gamers will help Anthony save his colony. Along the way players will face dangerous mazes and use cool and amazing widgets and gadgets to guide Anthony to his objective. With multiple levels to explore and three difficulty stages within each level, no area is ever the same.    

Unique features in Marble Saga: Kororinpa allow fun customization for players. From designing the ball with attributes to helping players navigate through stages easier, to Miis and preset fun images, to an Edit Mode which allows for custom design of a unique stage, gamers can really make this entertaining experience their own. For a more competitive tone, a 4-person multiplayer mode allows players to compete with three other opponents on the same map as each races to the finish line. For more customization and group fun with others, the Wii Connect 24 feature allows gamers to share the unique stages they created with their friends or to receive extra stages from Hudson after the game's launch via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.    

  Additionally, Wi-Fi Leaderboards let players compete online against each other to see who can navigate through the world the fastest.   For those who can't live without gaming peripherals, the Wii Balance Board can be used as players navigate through the world as the ball with this new feature. In addition, gamers can utilize 40 innovative and useful widgets to help assist them in guiding their marble, including shrinking machines, movable bridges, vacuum tubes, cannon vaults and more!    

  Marble Saga: Kororinpa will be available at retail in Spring 2009.

[A racer that aims to blend music with driving in a unique way.]

159

TalkBack / BPM Racing Announced for WiiWare

« on: September 30, 2008, 02:45:52 PM »

A racer that aims to blend music with driving in a unique way.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16772

 Today, YUKE'S Company of America revealed that it will publish an innovative new driving game, BPM Racing for WiiWare. The game aims to combine high speed racing with adrenaline pumping electronic music to create an enjoyable, visceral experience.    

Keeping the rhythm during the race will allow drivers to go faster, have more control, and earn multipliers. Players can also gain the ability to mix up the games soundtrack.      

BPM Racing will be the first of a collection of titles YUKE'S Company of America plans to release onto Nintendo's downloadable service. At the moment, BPM Racing is expected to zoom onto WiiWare sometime in early 2009.    

BPM Racing Gets the Green Light    

YUKE'S Company of America To Bring Innovative Rhythm Racing Title To WiiWare    

CHICAGO - Sept. 30, 2008 - YUKE'S Company of America, the U.S. publishing arm of Japanese game developer YUKE'S Company Limited, today announced it will be publishing BPM Racing for WiiWare™. Set to turn heads out of the starting gate and turn up the volume on television sets, BPM Racing complements white knuckle racing with a pulsating, diverse electronic soundtrack for a complete visual and audio driving experience. Riders will be rewarded for staying in rhythm with increased speeds, handling, and score multipliers, even getting the opportunity to be the DJ by adding their own samples and effects to various soundtracks.    

"The racing genre is ripe for a new, innovative direction and increasing the aural experience seemed like an obvious choice." said Ken Koyama, Director of Business Development at YUKE'S Company of America. "BPM Racing will reinvent the relationship between a racing game and its soundtrack."    

BPM Racing isn't the only title being driven onto WiiWare by YUKE'S Company of America. "We have several titles in addition to BPM currently planned for WiiWare," added Ken. "The opportunity to be a part of Nintendo's surge into the online market is very exciting."    

BPM Racing is scheduled for release in early 2009.

[Ghouls 'N Ghosts is coming to VC, again.]

160

TalkBack / NEC SuperGrafx on Its Way to Virtual Console

« on: September 30, 2008, 04:34:57 AM »

Ghouls 'N Ghosts is coming to VC, again.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16769

 Nintendo, through an update of their Japanese Virtual Console release list, has unveiled that gamers will soon be able to play SuperGrafx games on the Nintendo Wii. The SuperGrafx, which was released exclusively in Japan back in 1989, is a minimally enhanced version of NEC’s PC Engine (TurboGrafx 16 for the rest of the world).    

The system will debut with a port of Capcom’s popular platformer, Ghouls 'N Ghosts. This will not be the first time Ghouls 'N Ghosts has graced the Virtual Console; the Genesis port was released last summer in North America and Europe.  The SuperGrafx port is known to have superior animation than the Genesis version.    

There will be very few future Virtual Console releases for the SuperGrafx, if any. In all, the system only had five dedicated games released, with an additional two PC Engine games, both versions of the shooter Darius, that had slight graphical upgrades when run on the SuperGrafx. Ghouls 'N Ghosts will retail for 800 Wii Points upon its Japanese release in October. There is no word yet if SuperGrafx games will be appearing in the rest of the world.