Messages

[Missile returns from Phoenix Wright, but as a cute Pomeranian instead of a police dog.]

301

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

« on: June 17, 2010, 07:51:28 AM »

Missile returns from Phoenix Wright, but as a cute Pomeranian instead of a police dog.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23426

 Ghost Trick is based in a fantasy world with it own rules, in a similar manner to Phoenix Wright. The main character becomes a ghost at the very start of the game, with no memories of his life and he is thrown into the ghost world, listening to the thoughts of the ghosts around him (as ghosts can't talk) and learning about the strange situation he has been put in. This discovery continues throughout the story of the game, which has a lot of narrative mixed with gameplay.    

He gets drawn into saving lives as a ghost, in each level he starts out inhabiting a particular object, and from there he can "Ghost" to move around to other objects in the same area. Selecting Ghost mode pauses time and takes you to a mode that shows you the nearby objects that can be possessed, and their "Tricks", the possible interactions when time is restarted. Using "Ghost" and "Trick" to work your way through the level, you can change fate and use actions to affect the outcome of the scene.    

Each scene shows a passage through time, usually four minutes before a death occurs, and you must work to stop the death occuring. Moving through the level, you can find out more information about how to bring about a new outcome by possessing objects and seeing what actions you can use. There is an element of trial and error, and you can retry the level if you miss a cue for a trick. A lot of the time, it is important to time your trick exactly to be able to move where you want to or prevent something from happening. After you have solved one problem and created a fate change, you can restart from that point rather than from the beginning. It feels rather more like a point and click adventure at that point.    

There is a text bubble at the top where you can read thoughts from the main character and those in the scene when more information is available. This gives you clues on how to approach the level and what the outcome should be, without giving too much awayon how you should go about it.    

Looking at the game, with it's comic book art style and immediate comparisons to Phoenix Wright, I didn't expect the game mechanic how it was at all. I think a lot of people missed it as the first level takes some time to complete, yet there is little real gameplay as it's a tutorial and never went on to the second level. I have to admit, I didn't figure out the final solution myself. There are many items you can trick that aren't the right solution, some make irreversible changes to the level that prevent you from progressing, and some just give you a hint.    

It is a really intriguing game, and I am looking forward to playing more of it.

[If you're wondering what 3DS titles Nintendo is showing at their E3 booth, wonder no more.]

302

TalkBack / List of 3DS Titles at Nintendo's Booth

« on: June 17, 2010, 10:54:18 AM »

If you're wondering what 3DS titles Nintendo is showing at their E3 booth, wonder no more.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/23419

For those curious about the 3DS games that are at Nintendo's booth this year, here's a quick list that we compiled.

Playable

Pilotwings Resort

Xevious

Star Fox 64 3D

The Sims 3

DJ Hero 3D

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle

Steel Diver

Tech Demo: Target Shooting

Nintendogs + Cats

Ridge Racer

Face Ace

Hollywood 61

Tech Demo: 3D Jumping

Tech Demo: 3D Camera

Tech Demo: 3D Paddle Ball

Tech Demo: 3D Challenge

Non-Playable Video Demos (some have camera tilt)

Mario Kart Preview

Metal Gear Solid 3D: The Naked Sample

Paper Mario

Dead or Alive 3D

Kingdom Hearts 3D

Samurai Warriors 3D

Kid Icarus Uprising

Animal Crossing

Resident Evil Revelations

Classic Collection

Nintendo 3DS Demo

Studio Movies

How to Train Your Dragon 3D

Tangled

The Legend of the Guardian

We should have impressions of all of these by the time the show is over.

[Play with dogs, throw things in 3D.]

303

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Nintendogs + Cats

« on: June 16, 2010, 11:41:19 PM »

Play with dogs, throw things in 3D.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23412

 I played with two of the three dogs available, beagle and labrador. The environment and dogs looked the same as the ones on the current Nintendogs games. The menu was different, with a list of supplies to choose from. There were a few toys including frisbee and boomerang, and then several outfit options such as a Mario hat and sunglasses. There were no supplies for feeding or cleaning. This limits interacting with the Nintendogs to fetch and dress up, and calling the dog closer for petting.    

I didn't find that the 3D made it any more interesting. There wasn't much to explore in the demo, and we will have to wait and see what happens when the more interesting activities and cats are added to the mix.

[An impressive target shooting game that uses your environment as the background and changes it on screen.]

304

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Tech Demo: Target Shooting

« on: June 16, 2010, 11:06:09 PM »

An impressive target shooting game that uses your environment as the background and changes it on screen.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23407

 This augmented reality application was one of the most intriguing concept games on display in the 3DS area. A piece of paper with wood grain printed onto it was placed on the table, and a card with a question mark on it placed in the middle. I held the 3DS up so that the card was in the camera viewfinder and the 3DS read the distance to the card and waited until I had moved backwards until I was approximately 14 inches away from the card.    

The game mode then began with the wood background morphing into a wooden box with targets placed onto it. The box came out of the wood and the sides folded up, along with the 3D effect this looked very good. Targets were placed around the box and required stepping to the side to be able to aim and shoot at them. Basically you strafed around the card on the table, following the effects shown on the 3DS screen. After the box, the scenery changed and now there looked like there was a giant hole in the table, with targets around and inside it.    

The boss that appeared was a segmented dragon, and you were required to shoot each section several times to defeat it. As the dragon was moving around, some parts would become covered, and actually moving around would help to shoot at the correct piece.    

If someone walked past, this would erase the image and the game would pick up again when it could find the question mark card. Moving too close would erase the image until you moved back to the right distance.

[Layton returns, complete with hat.]

305

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future

« on: June 16, 2010, 07:50:39 PM »

Layton returns, complete with hat.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23373

 The final game in the Professor Layton series follows the familiar formula we have seen in the past. The introductory video and scripts were a little longer, with a few more characters. I played up to the fourth puzzle and found only small differences to the first two games. The mystery this time is a time travelling machine, at the same time it was invented, several scientists started to disappeared. Layton and Luke are present at the unveiling of the time machine, where the town mayor is asked to assist. Things go wrong though and the machine explodes, and the investigation begins.    

   

The tutorials at the beginning are extensive and assume you have never played the game before, so there would be no problem playing this game before the others. Within the puzzles, the memo mode has changed to include colours and a choice of line thickness for the pen.    

It's a difficult game to play on the show floor, even though Nintendo provided noise-cancelling headphones so that Luke and Layton's voices could be experienced in all their glory.

[All the articles in one place.]

306

TalkBack / E3 News Listing 15th June

« on: June 16, 2010, 05:23:57 AM »

All the articles in one place.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23359

 In case you missed any of yesterday's news, as some stories are no longer on the front page, you can find the links below for your convenience. Our impressions and previews page both show articles by date, so you will find the newest posts from E3 at the top of the listing.    

Wii Party E3 Trailer
 PokePark: Pikachu's Adventure E3 Trailer
 NBA Jam E3 Trailer
 Ocarina of Time 3D in the Works!
 Golden Sun: Dark Dawn E3 Trailer
 Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies E3 Trailer
 Donkey Kong Country Returns E3 Trailer
 Kid Icarus: Uprising E3 Trailer
 Kirby's Epic Yarn Developed By Good Feel
 Metroid: Other M E3 Trailer
 Mario Sports Mix E3 Trailer
 Kirby's Epic Yarn Trailer
 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Trailer
 Nintendo Press Conference E3 2010 Summary
 Square Enix Announces Two 3DS Games
 Tecmo Koei Announces Four 3DS Games
 List of Upcoming 3DS Software
 Nintendo Discusses 3DS Game Lineup
 Nintendo Officially Unveils Nintendo 3DS
 Retro Studios Bringing Donkey Kong to Wii
 Nintendo Unveils Kirby's Epic Yarn for Wii
 Nintendo Confirms GoldenEye 007 for Wii
 Nintendo Announces Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for DS
 Nintendo Announces Mario Sports Mix for Wii
 Nintendo Names Zelda for Wii, Discusses Release Date
 Nintendo E3 2010 Press Conference Twitter Feed
 Tournament of Legends E3 Trailer
 Tony Hawk: Shred Revealed
 EA Sports Active 2 Gets a Name Change, Release Date

[An all-round better experience.]

307

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Super Scribblenauts

« on: June 16, 2010, 03:53:26 AM »

An all-round better experience.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23355

 Having played the first Scribblenauts, I was excited to hear that the latest version would have refined controls, as I found the "reversed" controls of the first game to be confusing and would frequently run into holes accidentally. I am happy to say that the control option of having the D-pad for movement and stylus for looking around the level improves the experience very much, although it is a little inconvenient switching between the B button for jumping and the stylus for input of words etc.    

   

The format of the levels has been changed, giving more of a "game" feel to it. There is no par for each level, the counter that limited to you a certain number of items per level to earn bonus Ollars, the currency used for purchasing new levels. Rather, you earn bonuses for each new item that is used in a level, more items are actively encouraged.    

Most levels are puzzle based, and hints are provided in case you are stuck on a certain level. The goal is still to complete the objective and earn a Starite. For example, the first level of the demo shows a queue of people waiting to purchase the new Scribblenauts game, and you must make your way to the front without pushing, which would make you fail the level. The hints, which are purchasable, say that you need to give each person a gift. So, you need to bribe them with items that you generate. The postman took a parcel, the body builder some weights, the barbarian a turkey, and so on.    

A new feature is adjectives. If you choose an adjective that doesn't work with the item you choose, A couple that worked well were "robotic" and "fire breathing" and I generated an army of friendly robotic monsters to battle, but they weren't interested in combat. The robotic dragon required befriending before I could ride it. Another useful adjective was "immovable", allowing objects to remain suspended in the air.    

   

The game still has many hidden features and easter eggs that will take a long time to completely discover. The time machine from the title intro playgrounds is back, and this time can take you to six different levels. The final game will feature a level editor for designing your own playgrounds for the title screen.

[The next installment of Golden Sun matches up to the previous versions.]

308

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

« on: June 16, 2010, 03:48:17 AM »

The next installment of Golden Sun matches up to the previous versions.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=23354

 The Golden Sun demo on the show floor had two sections, each taking around five minutes to complete. The first was Adventure Mode, showcasing the puzzles encountered in the world as you go through each part of the map. The character could be controlled with either the control pad and buttons, or stylus and on-screen icons to select powers. The puzzles combine obstacles that need to be tackled to get through to the next part of the level with rescues of small creatures (Djinn).    

   

The first puzzle was simple and requires setting fire to a sign in order to light a fuse that lowers the drawbridge. The Fireball power can be selected using the R button or by tapping with the stylus, and the direction is controllable. Next was a series of logs and a statue that needed to be moved. The Move power is used to move the statue from a distance, with a limited radius where it is effective. With a combination of moving statues and setting signs on fire, you reach the end of the level.    

After completion of this level, the demo shows a small area of a dungeon where there are sections that require moving statues to create paths to reach the end.    

The other mode displayed was Battle Mode, showing three battles against several monsters from the game. The format and powers are similar to those from the earlier Golden Sun games. Attacking is turn-based. Attacks, charged attacks that use up PP, or Djinn, the small creatures, are selected for each of the characters before each side launches attacks in turn. The first battle is against smaller enemies and the final battle a larger boss.    

The award for winning the battles is a village area of the game where you can walk through and talk to characters. The demo concludes with this area.    

The graphical style was quite detailed and matched the game style well.    

   

[Find out more about the Nintendo Press Conference. Here are most of the announcements from earlier in one convenient article.]

309

TalkBack / Nintendo Press Conference E3 2010 Summary

« on: June 15, 2010, 08:56:34 AM »

Find out more about the Nintendo Press Conference. Here are most of the announcements from earlier in one convenient article.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23313

 Earlier today, Nintendo's E3 press conference brought us news of new titles for Wii as well as the official unveiling of the 3DS and its.. President of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime, took to the stage and started the presentation with a slide that was clearly focused at their competitors. He said that while technology is useful, it is just a tool and it is the game experience that matters.    

The first game demonstrated was The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, announced for a 2011 release. Miyamoto appeared on the monitors discussing the Zelda series and what he wanted to do with it. The sword and shield from Twilight Princess made a reappearance as he described how he wanted players to be able to control Link. Bill Trinen was introduced on stage, and made an attempt to show off the new play controls. Miyamoto thought he wasn't up to the job, though, and came bursting through the wall onto stage, where he started to give a demonstration. Unfortunately, technical problems, possibly caused by wireless interference, hindered the demonstration and caused the controls to jump around when they weren't supposed to, but we were assured that the game controls worked very well and we would be able to try this out on the show floor.    

Reggie Fils-Aime returned, and next came the sports title announcements. Third party games Madden, Pro Evo, MLB 2K10, NBA Jam were mentioned before a trailer for Mario Sports Mix, with a release in 2011, was show. Games in the trailer included volleyball, , hockey, dodge ball, and basketball.    

He continued with sales figures. Last December, America set an all-time record for sales of any video game system of any kind in a single month. More games were sold for Wii than any other platform ever. Wii owners play their systems more often, and more people intend to buy Wii in the future than any other system. Nintendo wants to create more "bridge" games.. With this statement, a trailer for Wii Party was then shown. It is an all-new party game with many different party game modes. Board game, balance mode, house party modes were shown. There are 13 party games and 70 different mini-games. The title will be released this holiday season. Following this was Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2, the sequel to last year’s surprise hit dance title.    

Back to Nintendo titles, a new trailer was shown for Golden Sun Dark Dawn for DS, stating that the game’s original world had been reborn in this new iteration of the RPG series.    

The next announcement was Goldeneye 007, developed by Eurocom and published by Activision. Features mentioned were split-screen and online multiplayer, 8 classic Bond characters, and 16 game modes. The face of Bond in this version of Goldeneye is Daniel Craig, the actor who has been playing James Bond in the last few years.    

Continuing with third party software, Disney's Epic Mickey was demonstrated on stage by Warren Spector and Adam Creighton from Junction Point. The landscape is a world populated by retired, forgotten Disney characters and attractions. Characters in the demo included Smee and the pirates from Peter Pan, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and the Enchanted Tiki Room. Mickey draws and erases parts of the world by using paint and paint thinner. The Wii Remote is used as a paintbrush. Play style matters, and quests can be solved with different solutions. Some zones have side-scrolling, platforming levels inspired by classic Disney cartoons. A Steamboat Willie stage was shown to demonstrate this gameplay element. More information can be found online in the edition of Iwata Asks with Warren Spector.    

Next was a new Wii game announcement. The new Kirby game by Masahiro Sakurai game is titled Kirby's Epic Yarn. It looks very different to past Kirby titles and the main concept is that Kirby, enemies and surroundings are all made from thread that can unwind and reform in different shapes. The trailer concludes with a holiday release date.    

A release date was given for Dragon Quest IX followed by a new trailer for Metroid: Other M with a release date of August 31. The next game was Donkey Kong Country Returns by Retro Studios, rumoured before the game’s unveiling, with gameplay very reminiscent of the Super Nintendo games developed by Rare. Donkey Kong Country Returns will be released this holiday season.    

The conference moved onto handhelds with the unveiling of the Nintendo 3DS by Satoru Iwata. A lifestyle video showed how it feels to play the 3DS. It featured Satoru Iwata, Shigeru Miyamoto and Reggie Fils-Aimed being sucked into the system. The 3DS has two cameras on the outside, a 3D depth slider, 2D touch screen on the bottom, an analog slide pad, motion sensor, and gyroscope. Iwata also confirmed that the 3DS was capable of playing 3D video, and mentioned that movies from Disney, DreamWorks and Warner Bros. would be available.    

Iwata then announced the 3DS’s third party titles, which included , The reveal of Project Sora (Sakurai's group) soon followed. They were formed for the reason of creating a game for 3DS. That title was Kid Icarus Uprising. The trailer featured 3D gameplay while Pit himself looked like his Super Smash Bros. Brawl counterpart. Eggplant Wizard was also seen at the end of the trailer.    

Other games announced included Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Saints Row, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Samurai Warriors, Dead or Alive 3D, Ninja Gaiden, Resident Evil Revelations, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Batman, Assassin's Creed Lost Legacy, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, Ridge Racer, and Metal Gear Solid. A video was also shown with some of the developers of these games giving their opinions on the 3DS.    

Wi-fi features of the 3DS were then revealed, with communication possible in sleep mode allowing exchange of data such as leaderboard scores. The online services will have no monthly fee.    

The show closed with Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and 3DS images for demonstration. More information on these can be found in our impressions, and more detail on the press conference in the E3 2010 event images, so please check out the rest of our coverage.

310

TalkBack / Activision Preview Event Summary

« on: June 14, 2010, 09:24:45 PM »

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blogArt.cfm?artid=23262

  Among the pre-E3 festivities today was Activision's preview event. While we will bring you coverage of the other events as soon as we can, we wanted to share these photos with you. The preview event did not follow the traditional press conference format, but promoted the games with various related artists.    

Please follow the link below to find the photos and captions.    

Activision Preview Event 14 June 2010 (E3 2010 Photos)

[Nintendo investigates working conditions in response to recent suicides at the production firm.]

311

TalkBack / Nintendo Launches Probe on Foxconn Working Conditions

« on: May 28, 2010, 07:54:51 AM »

Nintendo investigates working conditions in response to recent suicides at the production firm.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23158

 MarketWatch has reported that the Japanese business daily Nikkei confirmed that Nintendo will be joining companies including Apple in investigating the working conditions at Foxconn, the company responsible for assembling Wii consoles. This is in response to the recent suicides at the Shenzhen facility, operated by Foxconn Technology Group.    

An article published on Times Business goes into further detail, suggesting that due to fears about company image, clients including Nintendo, Apple, Sony, Hewlett Packard, and Dell are all running investigations in parallel, with Nintendo’s investigation said to have started this year. There have been ten suicides over the last few months at Foxconn’s largest factory, with workers there under severe conditions.    

Nintendo has special guidelines in place for outsourced production, and will be conducting a special survey of the factory to establish whether the factory still meets requirements.

[The first original Final Fantasy game for DS will come to North America on October 5.]

312

TalkBack / Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light Announced

« on: May 27, 2010, 04:36:51 PM »

The first original Final Fantasy game for DS will come to North America on October 5.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23149

 Today, Square Enix announced Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light for release in North America.    

This original Final Fantasy title for DS was released in Japan in October 2009, and is a classic style RPG with vibrant storybook artwork elements, bringing new technology to the traditional RPG experience. The Japanese version was sold out within two weeks of release.    

The gameplay brings new features to the series, including an Action Point Combat system that allows the player to save up action points during battle for powerful attacks. This system is in addition to the random encounter, turn-based battles of the series and takes the place of magic points.  Also featured is  the Crown Job System, allowing players to choose from up to twenty jobs while keeping custom abilities. Multiplayer mode is included and allows up to four players to join in cooperatively.    

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is coming to North America on October 5, 2010, and Europe in Autumn 2010.
   

 WRITE YOURSELF INTO THE STORYBOOK WORLD OF   FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT ON OCTOBER 5, 2010

 Square Enix Announces North American Launch of the   First Original FINAL FANTASY Game for Nintendo DS

    LOS ANGELES (May 27, 2010) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that it is releasing FINAL FANTASY®: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT™ in North America on October 5, 2010. Developed exclusively for Nintendo DS™, this role-playing game is the first original FINAL FANTASY title for the platform.

    With FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT, the FINAL FANTASY series is rendered anew as an epic storybook adventure by the creators of the FINAL FANTASY III and FINAL FANTASY IV Nintendo DS remakes. Players will enter a beautiful fairy-tale world featuring illustrations and character designs by acclaimed character designer Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY III for DS, FINAL FANTASY XII).

    In addition to the vibrant artwork, this title introduces several all-new features to the franchise, including an Action Point Combat System that allows players to unleash their most powerful attacks by saving up their action points during battle. Players will also have over 20 jobs to choose from and dozens of abilities to master with the Crown Job System – a system that also changes the appearance of characters as they are equipped with new weapons and armor.

    The game tells the tale of a young boy who sets out on a journey of self-discovery with his friends, only to be tasked with saving the world from an unexpected evil. With both single and multiplayer modes, FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT challenges players to take on the roles of four endearing characters who do not always see eye to eye. The multiplayer mode allows up to four players to work together and become the Heroes of Light as they travel alongside their friends on a journey to save the world.

    Story:
 In the small kingdom of Horne, Brandt awakes on the morning of his 14th birthday.  Today is the day he becomes an adult, and the custom of the realm says that he must go to the castle to present himself to the king.

    Yet when he arrives at the castle, he finds the king distraught and the youngest princess missing, abducted by the Witch of the North. With no one else to turn to, the king makes a shocking request: will Brandt save the princess?

                                                                                                                                                And thus Brandt’s adventure begins...

    Features:
 The first original FINAL FANTASY title for Nintendo DS brought to life by the development team behind the Nintendo DS remakes of FINAL FANTASY III and FINAL FANTASY IV.  Charming storybook visuals crafted under the guidance of art director and character designer Akihiko Yoshida (FINAL FANTASY III for DS, FINAL FANTASY XII).
 Combat is fun and intuitive with a battle system that operates on Action Points. Requiring nothing more than a simple selection of commands, players can dive right into a classic turn-based RPG battle experience.
 The Crown Job System offers a selection of over two dozen jobs to choose from. Players can freely customize a character’s abilities and magic skills no matter which crown they have equipped. The possibilities are endless!
 Help friends advance in their adventure, or join forces to conquer tough dungeons. The multiplayer mode enables cooperative play for up to four players.

   

FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY: THE 4 HEROES OF LIGHT will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $34.99. The official website can be found at http://ff4heroes.com/na.    

313

TalkBack / Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva Preview

« on: May 21, 2010, 07:54:23 PM »

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blogArt.cfm?artid=23114

  Today I watched the animated feature film version of the Professor Layton games, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, at a pre-screening. It was the first time in Europe the film has been shown, and as the voice overs have yet to be recorded for the English release, it was shown in Japanese with subtitles, using the voice cast from the games.    

       

The film is produced by Masakazu Kubo, executive producer of the Pokemon films, together with Akihiro Hino from Level-5 who wrote the script. The story follows on from the third game, and watching it from the point of view of having played the first two games, I felt I missed some of the references. It plays out like any of the games, with the Professor invited to witness a puzzling event and being drawn into the strange happenings that have been taking place, even solving puzzles to make progress. I do enjoy the stories from the Professor Layton games, and thought this worked well on the big screen. As there is so much animation in the DS games already, the characters are instantly recognisable and it's not unlike watching the game cutscenes. Of course the animation is of higher quality than in the games and at times there is a lot of attention to detail. The story stays interesting enough to keep your attention until the end, with a few comical moments here and there.    

       

There will be an additional London screening at the National Film Theatre on the 23rd May. The European DVD release will be Fall 2010 with the original voice cast from the DS games. Yes, you can look forward to a whole hour and forty minutes of the original Luke.

314

TalkBack / Re: 2 in 1 Padded Puppet Pouch: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

« on: May 09, 2010, 06:21:05 PM »

Shame on you for not reading the press release where it is clearly stated that it's a puppet. That picture of it upside down cracks me up, I can just imagine it's tiny vestigial limb wiggling in the air, two shakes, one shake, gone, gone, gone.

[While Nintendo's sales and profits have both declined since last year's report, total DS sales are now greater than total Game Boy sales.]

315

TalkBack / Nintendo: Profits Down, Still Setting Sales Records

« on: May 08, 2010, 03:33:28 PM »

While Nintendo's sales and profits have both declined since last year's report, total DS sales are now greater than total Game Boy sales.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23042

 Nintendo's recent fiscal report for the year ending March 31, 2009 holds some interesting data. Notably, sales of the DS series, including the DSi and DSi XL, came to 12.29 million units in the Americas and broke the annual hardware unit sales record. Worldwide DS sales were 27.11 million units this fiscal year, bringing the total units sold to 128.89 million units.    

This year's DS sales figures were in fact less than last fiscal year, but that didn't stop total sales beating those of the Game Boy (and Game Boy Pocket, and related models) and Game Boy Color, which had combined lifetime sales of 118.69 million units worldwide.    

Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver's 8.4 million units sold and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks' 2.61 million units, along with the Japan-only Tomodachi Collection with 3.2 million units, have helped to increase the number of DS million-sellers to 114 from 91 as of the last fiscal year.    

Sales of Nintendo hardware lagged until the holiday season. The combination of a Wii price reduction, fewer strong software releases, and appreciation of the yen meant that total sales were down 22% at 1,434.3 billion yen. Sales outside of Japan came to 1,206.6 billion yen, accounting for 84.1% of total business.    

This meant that total Wii hardware sales worldwide were 20.53 million units for the fiscal year, giving a total of 70.93 million units sold to date. This is the best sales performance for a Nintendo console in history. On Wii, million-selling titles increased to 79 from 54 last fiscal year, pushed by 10-million-plus sellers Wii Sports Resort (16.14 million worldwide), Wii Fit Plus (12.65 million worldwide), and New Super Mario Bros. Wii (14.7 million worldwide).    

Despite a pessimistic media reception to these sales numbers, Iwata stated that selling 20 million Wii consoles (with plans to sell 18 million more next fiscal year) was still a good sales performance that would be a "high hurdle" for the company to beat in the future.    

Iwata clearly stated his feelings on the matter.  "I'm not pessimistic, and this is not a pessimistic forecast."

[Spend your days working as the sole animal supplier and caregiver in a town where no one has owned a pet before.]

316

TalkBack / REVIEWS: My Pet Shop

« on: April 29, 2010, 09:33:12 AM »

Spend your days working as the sole animal supplier and caregiver in a town where no one has owned a pet before.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22995

 My Pet Shop is surprisingly well-polished for a game aimed at a younger, casual audience. The graphical style is bright and cheerful, with characters reminiscent of those from the Cooking Mama series, and detailed pets.   The game starts off with you and your mother moving to a new town from the city.None of the people have pets in this town, so it is up to your pet shop to provide the citizens with cats, dogs, rabbits, and even penguins and tigers. The main aspects of the game are collecting these animals, caring for them, and staging animal contests.   Each day, you are limited to a certain number of tasks, so after the maximum has been reached you must rest and your allowance and customer bonuses are paid. You're free to end the day whenever you wish.   Money can be used to buy animal clothing, food, and lure items. The fastest way to make money is by completing tasks set to you by the townspeople. At first these tasks consist of going out and catching animals from locations outside of town. Animals are randomly encountered by shaking bushes, trees, rocks, and similar. Then the catching process begins, with options to step forwards, back, or stand still, and to use food or lure items or your animal pet to help.   When you have provided the right animal to each person, they return constantly to ask for you help in taking care of the animal. The care activities, such as washing, brushing, training, and walking, are basic stylus-controlled actions, simpler than those from the Nintendogs series. They will also ask you for help in the animal contests, which have similar touch screen actions.  The gameplay is well thought out, with everything from the number of tasks you can accomplish per day to the locations you can search gradually expanded as the game goes on. If you cannot figure out how to move the story forward, there is an advice mode that gives you a suggestion of the activity that needs to be done. There is a lot of variety as more locations are unlocked each with different animal species, along with new items, and there is quite a lot of detail in the tasks and the town interactions.   Unfortunately, one of the main aspects of the game quickly becomes tiresome.  The animal fetching is actually quite difficult, especially for rare species that can take over thirty minutes of gameplay to show up once, depending on your luck. As you have no experience with new species, it requires trial and error to find out what food and tools can lure them. Rare animals are also harder to catch in the first place, as they are usually scared and run off. It's not uncommon for it to take over two hours to catch certain species.   My Pet Shop is a very well-presented game that should appeal to all new gamers, not just the younger ones. People that are used to a more complex game are likely to find it repetitive and not very engaging. The difficulty of catching rarer species, some of which are integral to advancing the storyline, is a real dampener on a game that would otherwise be highly recommended to the Cooking Mama crowd.

Pros:
       

Cute graphics

 

Controls are responsive and easy to understand

 

Lots of variety in locations and animals

       Cons:
       

Catching animals can be very difficult

 

Tasks become repetitive

 

The tiger could take you years to catch

               Graphics:  7.0
       The pet models in the care mode are detailed, and the cartoons of the characters and buildings give the game a bright and cheerful style.

               Sound:  6.5
       There's nothing noteworthy, but there are some nice sound effects for each of the animals. This helps in animal catching as each animal and breed of animal has a different call.

               Control:  8.0
       Everything is controlled on the touch screen with the stylus. This control scheme is very responsive and easy to understand.

                      Gameplay:  5.0
       The tasks in themselves are a little repetitive, but there is a decent amount of variation in the activities included. If only it wasn't for the very difficult pet catching mode.

 

       Lastability:  8.0
       Seeing that it takes hours or even days to catch some of the animals, it will be a while before everything is completed by the average player. The gradual unlocking of components and the progression of the story line also extend the game.

 

       Final:  6.5
       My Pet Shop DS will provide some enjoyment for those that can cope with a few hours spent here and there on wild goose chases. It compares favourably to DS games of a similar style.      

[Watch the Legends from Sega's upcoming Tournament of Legends for Wii.]

317

TalkBack / Tournament of Legends Trailer

« on: April 29, 2010, 02:45:57 PM »

Watch the Legends from Sega's upcoming Tournament of Legends for Wii.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22994

 Sega has released the first in a series of videos showing the Legends from the 3D dueling game, Tournament of Legends.    

This trailer introduces the Gladiator, Marcus Antonius, Hero of Rome and the Minotaur, and BraveHoof, The Defender of Nature. Marcus Antonius and BraveHoof are two of the mythological fighters you will be able to play against in 3D Weapon and Magic Duels.    

 

[The most recent Sims game on PC will make the move onto consoles this fall.]

318

TalkBack / The Sims 3 Announced for Wii and DS

« on: April 28, 2010, 10:17:15 AM »

The most recent Sims game on PC will make the move onto consoles this fall.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22993

 EA announced that The Sims 3 is in development for consoles including Wii and Nintendo DS, and is due for launch this fall. It will be based on the PC/Mac game of the same name.      

The Wii version will include an exclusive beach town with unique residents and characteristics. There is also the possibility of playing with friends, competing in the "Life Moments" game to earn rewards. In addition to these features, there are several adventure quests within the towns.    

The DS version will be the first to allow full stylus control for building homes and customizing furniture, and for character creation in sculpting faces and choosing clothing, hairstyles, and personalities in an extended Create a Sim mode. The Story mode lets players control a family of Sims  and play through challenges.

[Also, Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is getting pushed back to late June, and a number of WiiWare and DSiWare titles are given release dates.]

319

TalkBack / Metroid: Other M Delay Official, Photo Dojo Free to Download

« on: April 23, 2010, 05:28:19 PM »

Also, Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is getting pushed back to late June, and a number of WiiWare and DSiWare titles are given release dates.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22957

 Today, Nintendo announced an update to the summer release schedule for Wii. Sin & Punishment: Star Successor will now launch on June 27, and Metroid: Other M is now confirmed for August 31. Previously, the titles were set for a June 6 and June 27 release respectively.    

Nintendo also offered release dates for several WiiWare and DSiWare titles, including the free-to-download Photo Dojo (May 10), Earthworm Jim DSiWare (May 10), BIT.TRIP Runner (May 17), Metal Torrent (May 24), and X-Scape (May 31).  The full set of releases is below.    

   Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Wii, June 27): The incredible new  shooter game from legendary developer Treasure, Sin & Punishment: Star  Successor features nonstop action with two playable characters and  international online leaderboards to track high scores. Using the Wii  Remote™ pointer functionality, the game offers unprecedented precision  in the shooter genre. Broadband Internet access is required for online  features.    

Metroid: Other M (Wii, Aug. 31): Developed for the Wii console  through a collaboration by Nintendo and the world-renowned Team Ninja,  this newest installment of the Metroid saga looks at the classic  franchise from a new perspective: While much of the game is  reminiscent of 2-D side-scrollers, players can switch the perspective  into 3-D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a  derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic,  never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran's past. This new  approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote  controller, held sideways, to battle enemies and navigate the  expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim  at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in  first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.    

Photo Dojo (Nintendo DSiWare, May 10): Get ready for some seriously  fun Kung Fu action – starring you! Create your own characters and  record the sound effects using the Nintendo DSi system's camera and  microphone. Use your imagination to set the stage for a fun-filled  fight to the finish. In a special introductory offer, Photo Dojo will  be available for free download via the Nintendo DSi Shop from May 10  to June 10. Starting June 11, the game will be available for download  for 200 Nintendo DSi Points.    

Earthworm Jim (Nintendo DSiWare, Gameloft, May 10): The classic  action platformer is back with a never-before-seen feature,  exclusively on the Nintendo DSi system. Run, gun, swing from hooks  with your head, launch cows, bungee jump, rocket through speed levels  and more, in crazy universes that offer huge game-play possibilities.  Earn bonuses with facial expression-based challenges that track your  face using the Nintendo DSi camera. Put on a smile, frown or make a  variety of other faces to mimic Jim.    

BIT.TRIP RUNNER (WiiWare, Aksys Games, May 17): Marking the first  character-based adventure for CaptainVideo, the newest installment in  the BIT.TRIP series features rhythm-based action platforming, more  than 50 challenges to complete and a pounding chiptune-inspired  soundtrack.    

Looksley's Line Up™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 17): In this unique take  on hidden picture games, Looksley the rabbit needs your help to find  inspiring objects so he can finish the story he's writing. The objects  are hidden in 3-D dioramas made up of cutout layers that shift as you  move the Nintendo DSi system. Unique Nintendo DSi camera-based  controls let you peer deep into the game's scenes and hunt for hidden  objects just by moving the Nintendo DSi.    

Frogger Returns (Nintendo DSiWare, Konami, May 17): Frogger Returns  takes the challenge of the arcade classic Frogger and brings it to the  Nintendo DSiWare service for the first time. Classic top-down 2-D  game-play is updated with colorful 3-D graphics, a new perspective,  new levels, new enemies and game-changing power-ups to dodge and grab.    

Metal Torrent™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 24): Compete with players  around the world for the highest score in this new action game  inspired by classic arcade shoot-'em-ups. Convert enemy bullets into  score-generating cubes. Continuously absorb cubes to create  score-accelerating combos. Download replay videos from top players via  Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, or if you make the top five scores, upload  your own video.    

X-Scape™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 31): Take on an epic space adventure  in X-Scape. As captain of the VIXIV, a highly advanced space tank,  you'll roam the surface of dozens of alien worlds, battling the forces  of an empire that is out to destroy you. The touch screen makes  controlling your vehicle a snap, and your helpful robot companion is  there every step of the way to help you with advice and weapon  upgrades.    

Hero of Sparta (Nintendo DSiWare, Gameloft, May 31): Battle like the  fierce Spartan warrior you are to avoid a tragic death as you journey  through mythical lands and even probe the depths of the Underworld.  You will fight the most phenomenal monsters from mythology, defy  Minotaurs and the Cyclops, and challenge the gods themselves!    

Flametail™ (Nintendo DSiWare, June 7): Clean up the space lanes of  floating garbage with the starship Flametail. As you wind your way  through the mind-bending obstacle course, your flaming tail will  ignite the piles of rubbish to eliminate them. But be careful to not  get caught in a dead end, or let the barrier that's following you  reach your tail. This puzzle action game is easy for anyone to pick up  and play.    

A Kappa's Trail (Nintendo DSiWare, June 14): Guide a little mythical  river spirit to the human world with your Nintendo DSi stylus in this  puzzle adventure. Draw a trail, and the little "kappa" will follow.  It's up to you to ensure he makes it through the gauntlet of enemies  and treacherous paths of the Kappa Trail.  

[A new power up is revealed and more possibilities are promised in the cooperative mode.]

320

TalkBack / Super Mario Galaxy 2 to Have Cloud Mario, Extended Co-Op

« on: April 16, 2010, 06:40:50 PM »

A new power up is revealed and more possibilities are promised in the cooperative mode.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22917

 An update on Nintendo's Japanese website for Super Mario Galaxy has revealed a host of screenshots and videos for new features. Exploring the microsite gives you a handful of screenshots of the new enemies, videos of the red, yellow and blue Yoshis and their various interations and some of the new gameplay.    

As with the original Super Mario Galaxy, it will be possible for a second person to play cooperatively with an additional remote. The below image, taken from the microsite, seems to show the second player controlling a red Luma to help squash a Goomba. The text describes the two player cooperative mode as even more convenient, with more to do than before.    

       

  In addition, Official Nintendo Magazine has revealed artwork of a new power-up, Cloud Mario. This power seems to give him the ability to walk on steps formed from clouds.    

   

[The toy and TV franchise will be released by Konami on Nintendo consoles this year.]

321

TalkBack / Gormiti : The Lords of Nature Coming to Wii and DS

« on: April 15, 2010, 05:22:12 AM »

The toy and TV franchise will be released by Konami on Nintendo consoles this year.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22914

 Konami announced a new action-puzzle game for Wii and DS that based on the Gormiti TV show on Cartoon Network.    

Gormiti : The Lords of Nature includes characters and locations from the television series, following the story of Razzle and the Lords of Nature as they work to save Earth from the evil Magmion.    

The game has a story and arcade mode, shared by the Wii and DS versions, with the Wii version including a cooperative mode. Players control each of the Lords of Nature, using their unique skills in battle, fighting Magmion's minions with 'Super' melee attacks and long-range moves. The puzzle mode includes jigsaw and sliding tile games.    

The characters in the FMV sequences are voiced by the actors from the TV show, with a total of forty minutes of action that can be unlocked and watched together.    

The games are due to be released during Q3 2010.    

  KONAMI ANNOUNCES GORMITI: THE LORDS OF NATURE!    

  Popular European Toy and TV Franchise is Konami's Latest Adaptation  Coming to Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ Systems in 2010    

El Segundo, Calif. - April 12, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Gormiti: The Lords of Nature!, a new action puzzle game for the Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ systems. Created and first launched by Giochi Preziosi in 2005 as an action figure product line, the highly successful Gormiti toy brand and TV franchise will be expanding to interactive entertainment systems later this year.    

Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! features characters and locations from the popular Gormiti TV show, now airing on Cartoon Network, co-produced by Marathon Media & Giochi Preziosi. The action starts as a character named Razzle, while cleaning the library, accidentally knocks some old books into a Portal. These books tumble down to the 'Island of Gorm' where a never ending battle is going on between vast armies inspired by the elemental forces of nature. The books eventually land at the feet of Magmion, the evil Lava Gormiti. Magmion reads the book and learns of an old legend which talks about reuniting five sacred amulets which have been scattered across Gorm. Once reunited these amulets allow the holder to open an inter-dimensional portal to Earth! The Lords of Nature need to use all their unique powers to hinder Magmion's plans and save Earth. The game recreates the beautifully illustrated island of Gorm, where the Lords of Earth, Sea, Air and Forest are charged with stopping the evil Magmion from wreaking havoc.    

"The Gormiti license has grown tremendously since created in 2005 and we are excited at the opportunity to deliver the first interactive gaming experience for fans of the franchise," said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "The development team is looking forward to adapting the Gormiti storyline into a rich and entertaining video game that will allow players the ability to interact with their favorite characters in a new way."    

Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! will feature a story and arcade modes that both versions share, with the Wii version allowing two players to play together co-operatively. Both the Wii and DS titles feature a wealth of key landmarks from the television series, as players directly control three of the Lords of Nature within a group. Using the individual skills of each Lord, players battle Magmion's minions using melee 'Super' attacks, or powerful long-ranged moves, and can switch between their various skills with ease. Gameplay is enhanced featuring jigsaw and sliding tile puzzle games, wherein tiles or jigsaw pieces relating to each of the main characters must be collected and assembled. When completed, the image then reveals an interactive 3D interactive character. All FMV sequences in Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! are voiced by actors from the cartoon show, and once unlocked, a full 40 minutes of action can be watched together.    

Gormiti: The Lords of Nature! is scheduled for release in Q3 2010 for Nintendo Wii  and DS systems.

[On June 8, prepare for an entire game disc worth of Green Day tracks.]

322

TalkBack / Green Day: Rock Band Track List Revealed

« on: April 14, 2010, 04:21:51 PM »

On June 8, prepare for an entire game disc worth of Green Day tracks.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22899

 Green Day, Harmonix, MTV Games and Reprise/Warner Bros. are bringing Green Day: Rock Band to Wii. The game is a standalone disc for the Rock Band series, and will feature specialized videos for each song. The track list includes the albums Dookie and American Idiot, and by combining the disc with already available DLC, a third complete album, 21st Century Breakdown can be played in its entirety.    

Three part harmonies, as introduced in The Beatles: Rock Band, are supported for all tracks, including the Green Day DLC that can be imported from the Rock Band library. All Rock Band instruments and most instruments from Guitar Hero and third parties are supported.    

The 47 on-disc tracks are split between three venues. The game also features unlockable footage and photos of the band.    

Pricing for the Wii version is set at US MSRP $49.99; €39.99 / £29.99, with a release on June 8.       

Green Day Rock Band track list:    

   

The Warehouse: A fictional venue that captures the feel of early Green Day shows and performances.    

Dookie (1994)  

 
• "Burnout"  
• "Having a Blast"  
• "Chump"  
• "Longview"  
• "Welcome to Paradise"  
• "Pulling Teeth"  
• "Basket Case"  
• "She"  
• "Sassafrass Roots"  
• "When I Come Around"  
• "Coming Clean"  
• "Emenius Sleepus"  
• "In the End"  
• "F.O.D."  

   

  Milton Keynes: The UK concert made famous by Green Day’s 2005 movie for  "Bullet in a Bible".      

American Idiot (2004)  

 
• "American Idiot"  
• "Jesus of Suburbia"  
• "Holiday"  
• "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"  
• "Are We the Waiting?  
• "St. Jimmy"  
• "Give Me Novacaine"  
• "She’s a Rebel"  
• "Extraordinary Girl"  
• "Letterbomb"  
• "Wake Me Up When September Ends"  
• "Homecoming"  
• "Whatsername"  

   

Warning (2000)  

 
• "Minority"  
• "Warning"  

   

Nimrod (1997)  

 
• "Hitchin’ a Ride"  
• "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"  
• "Nice Guys Finish Last"  

   

Insomniac (1995)  

 
• "Brain Stew" / "Jaded"  
• "Geek Stink Breath"  

   

The Fox Theater, Oakland: The place where Green Day performed an intimate show for the band’s most recent album.      21st Century Breakdown (2009)  

 
• "Song of the Century"  
• "21st Century Breakdown"  
• "Before the Lobotomy"  
• "Last Night on Earth"  
• "Peacemaker"  
• "Murder City"  
• "¿Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)"  
• "Restless Heart Syndrome"  
• "Horseshoes and Handgrenades"  
• "The Static Age"  
• "American Eulogy"  
• "See the Light"  

   

  Downloadable Content  The following tracks are already available in the Rock Band Music Library of downloadable content giving players the chance to complete the full 21st Century Breakdown album, view unique performances and venue visuals, and unlock exclusive collectible content!  

 
• "21 Guns"  
• "Know Your Enemy"  
• "East Jesus Nowhere"  
• "Last of the American Girls"  
• "¡Viva La Gloria!"  
• "Christian’s Inferno"  

   

[Win a WiiWare game from Ghostfire Games through Twitter, U.S. and European versions included.]

323

TalkBack / Win Rage of the Gladiator from Ghostfire Games

« on: April 09, 2010, 07:36:38 PM »

Win a WiiWare game from Ghostfire Games through Twitter, U.S. and European versions included.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22879

 Ghostfire Games announced a contest to win free copies of Rage of the Gladiator for WiiWare through Twitter messaging. The U.S. contest is open from April 1 to 15, and one free game will be given away each day.    

To enter the contest, add them on Twitter (@GhostfireGames) and send the following message on Twitter:    #rageofthegladiator is available now on WiiWare!  I want Rage of the Gladiator!  My Wii friend code is XXYYZZ! @GhostfireGames    

For the European contest, send the following message between April 9 through 15:    #rageofthegladiator WiiWare-EU Apr 16 I want Rage of the Gladiator! RT+follow @GhostfireGames chance to win FREE copy      

Full details of the contest are available on the website, http://www.ghostfiregames.com. Be sure to check out our recently posted review to learn more about the game.

[Freestyle over hip hop tracks in the first exclusively hip hop music game.]

324

TalkBack / Konami Brings Def Jam Rapstar To Wii

« on: April 09, 2010, 07:31:23 PM »

Freestyle over hip hop tracks in the first exclusively hip hop music game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22878

 Konami announced that they will distribute Def Jam Rapstar, a hip hop-focused music game.    

The game makes you the star of the show, using a microphone to freestyle and rhyme in videos, made using a compatible camera. Videos can be shared with the integrated community online. No specifics about the Wii version have currently been released.    

Def Jam Rapstar is developed by 4mm Games, Terminal Reality, and Def Jam Interactive. It will be available on consoles including Wii in fall 2010.    

A sample of the tracks is listed in the press release below.    

  Konami and DefJam Bring the Noise!   Konami joins forces with Autumn Games, 4mm Games, and Def Jam Interactive as Def Jam Rapstar takes the mic...  Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced it has agreed an exclusive distribution agreement with Autumn Games, 4mm Games, and Def Jam Interactive for the upcoming music videogame Def Jam Rapstar.    

Developed by 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive, Def Jam Rapstar is the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience for consoles, and will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 and Wii™ in Autumn, 2010.    

Designed as the ultimate MC experience, Def Jam Rapstar is the only music game that focuses exclusively on Hip Hop. With a track list boasting over 40 of the greatest Hip Hop songs around, including region specific music for the UK and Europe, Def Jam Rapstar makes you the star. Using a mic controller, players rhyme, make videos using a compatible camera, and upload their efforts to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community at www.defjamrapstar.com. Def Jam Rapstar also offers you the chance to freestyle over tracks by some of the world’s hottest Hip Hop producers and have members of the community vote on your uploaded videos.    

Initial confirmed Def Jam Rapstar gameplay tracks include:    

ARTIST - SONG    

2 Pac - I Get Around
 50 Cent - I Get Money
 Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg - Nuthin’ But a "G" Thang
 Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx - Gold Digger
 Lil’ Wayne - A Milli
 Notorius B.I.G. - Juicy
 Slick Rick - Children’s Story
 T.I. featuring Rihanna - Live Your Life
 Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
 Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West - Put On
   

"For 30 years, Hip Hop music has re-defined the sound, boundaries and culture of popular music," said Kunio Neo, President, Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "We look to explore that ambition by pushing the boundaries of music games with Def Jam Rapstar. The combined power of 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive will bring a music game experience like no other seen to date, and we are excited to be a part of such a unique game."    

"Hip Hop is a global phenomenon that has permeated pop culture to become the most important youth movement of our generation. We are proud to deliver the first authentic Hip Hop music experience to gamers that will undoubtedly change the way music games are played," added Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. "It is an incredible opportunity to work with the Konami, 4mm Games and Terminal Reality teams in developing Def Jam Rapstar. Our partnership with Konami ensures that everyone around the world will have an opportunity to compete with the best of the best. So show us what you got!"    

"4mm was founded with the intent of bringing the experience of Constantly Connected Gaming™ to the next generation of gamers," said Nick Perrett, CEO of 4mm Games. "We look forward to providing Hip Hop fans worldwide a powerful example of that vision this year with Def Jam Rapstar." Def Jam Rapstar is being co-published by Autumn Games, and represents the publishers' first major release as part of its ongoing efforts to provide a new way for top-flight developers to independently make and release games that challenge traditional boundaries.  

[Nintendo's president chats about fishing, graphics, Classic Controller Pro and bundling the game with the black Wii.]

325

TalkBack / Iwata Asks Capcom about Monster Hunter Tri

« on: April 07, 2010, 09:58:12 PM »

Nintendo's president chats  about fishing, graphics, Classic Controller Pro and bundling the game with the black Wii.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22868

 In the latest translated edition of Iwata asks, Satoru Iwata questions the Capcom duo Ryozo Tsujimoto and Kaname Fujioka, producer and director of Monster Hunter Tri for Wii.   They discuss some of the gameplay aspects such as the online world with freedom to choose to do your own thing, as it's not required to hunt monsters and take on quests all the time to learn strategies from others. Talking about fishing and cooking meat reminds Iwata of Nintendo's own Animal Crossing, and dives into the topic of fishing.    

The feature then focuses on the graphical aspect of Monster Hunter Tri. The team share  their experience with minimizing or even removing one aspect to be able to get better results in another, for both artwork and programming. Iwata comments that the Zelda team is under great pressure to deliver a great presentation after this game.    

For this series, Capcom found they had to think deeply about adapting the controls of the series for the Wii remote, as there are far fewer buttons than usual. During this process, Nintendo revealed the Classic Controller Pro, and for the first time in history they collaborated with a third party on the hardware design.    

The full transcript is available at Nintendo UK, with embedded videos of Monster Hunter Tri gameplay. Below is a small extract from the article:    

 Iwata:
 We had the Classic Controller Pro go on sale the same time as Monster Hunter Tri, but Nintendo would like it from now on if other software developers made use of it. We also released a new colour of the Wii console along with Monster Hunter Tri.

 Fujioka:
 I was really surprised when I heard that, too.

 Tsujimoto:
 I’ve talked about this with Fujioka before, but we wanted to make Tri one of those titles you buy together with hardware.

 Fujioka:
 We had a strong desire to make a game that gamers would want to buy the hardware for.

 Tsujimoto:
 About the time we were talking about that, we heard Nintendo was really going to bring out a black Wii. At first, we thought, “Really?” (laughs)

 (Editor’s note: In Japan the black-coloured Wii console was released simultaneously with Monster Hunter Tri. In Europe, the black Wii first became available in November 2009).

 Iwata:
 It was something you could not believe right away? (laughs)

 Tsujimoto:
 Yeah. Then when we saw it, the colour change made for quite a different impression.

 Fujioka:
 It makes you want to sit the console in certain locations. And the colour really goes well with the blue slot illumination. It’s very cool.

 Iwata:
 However, when we tried to make the black hardware, the materials didn’t exist to satisfy Nintendo’s standards, so we had to make them. When I heard from the developers, I was flabbergasted. They said it was taking more than two and a half years to develop the materials. We just barely made it in time.