Topics

[The director doesn't mind making another mature game on Wii.]

176

TalkBack / MadWorld Director Interested in Sequel

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:27:32 PM »

The director doesn't mind making another mature game on Wii.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20769

 In a recent interview with Official Nintendo Magazine, MadWorld director Shigenori Nishikawa has expressed interest in creating a sequel to the violent brawler.    

"I think MadWorld was very well received and was acknowledged for its innovative graphical style and gameplay. We would definitely be interested in making a sequel in the future", he told to the magazine.    

He also expressed that he didn't see a problem with making another mature title on Wii. His comments were made a few days after Sega expressed the desire to  scale back M-rated releases on the platform. MadWorld has also had has issues with low sales.    

The full interview will be in the January issue of ONM.

[New Super Mario Bros. Wii will be the highlight of Nintendo's booth.]

177

TalkBack / Nintendo Details Winter World Hobby Fair Plans

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:25:00 PM »

New Super Mario Bros. Wii will be the highlight of Nintendo's booth.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20768

 Nintendo has announced their plans for the Winter World Hobby Fair in an information page for the upcoming event.    

Set to start on January 17 in Osaka, Japan, Nintendo will have New Super Mario Bros. Wii on display. It will also be the only title available for play at Nintendo's booth. Japanese players will be able to select their favorite course, and participate in either single or multiplayer battles.    

In addition to the demo on display, Nintendo will hold a coin battle tournament in which up to four players battle to collect the most coins.    

Other cities that will hold the Winter World Hobby Fair include Nagoya, Tokyo and Fukuoka.

[The creators of The Magic Obelisk are working on their second downloadable title.]

178

TalkBack / Game Arts Working on Another Downloadable Title

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:22:02 PM »

The creators of The Magic Obelisk are working on their second downloadable title.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20767

 Game Arts, creators of the recently released The Magic Obelisk and the Lunar series, told Siliconera that they are working on their second downloadable title. Magic Obelisk Producer Takahiro Nishi expressed to Siliconera that, “our development team is now engaged in the next downloadable game.” When asked about the platform the title would appear on Nishi was only willing to say, “we would like you to look forward to the announcement.”    

The Magic Obelisk is available for WiiWare for 500 Wii Points ($5).

[The blockbuster DS title will join Square Enix's Ultimate Hits lineup.]

179

TalkBack / Dragon Quest IX Becomes a Budget Title in Japan

« on: January 12, 2010, 01:50:17 PM »

The blockbuster DS title will join Square Enix's Ultimate Hits lineup.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20764

 Starting March 4, Dragon Quest IX will be available as a budget title. As part of Square Enix's Ultimate Hits initiative, the title will be available for ¥2,940 (31 dollars in American currency). Other titles that will join Dragon Quest IX in the Ultimate Hits Lineup include Dragon Quest IV, Final Fantasy IV, and Dragon Quest V. They will also be available for the same budget price.    

In addition to the news about Dragon Quest IX's lower pricing, Square Enix announced that as of December the Ultimate Hits series has sold over 2.5 million copies.

[Nintendo confirms that they have ceased production of Metroid Prime Trilogy.]

180

TalkBack / Metroid Prime Trilogy No Longer Being Distributed

« on: January 12, 2010, 07:05:41 AM »

Nintendo confirms that they have ceased production of Metroid Prime Trilogy.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20763

 After realizing that Amazon.com and many retailers were no longer carrying Metroid Prime Trilogy, gaming blog Coffee with Games contacted Nintendo about the situation. They have confirmed that the title is indeed no longer being distributed. The official Nintendo statement is as follows:    

"Thanks for your e-mail. The earlier response regarding Metroid Prime Trilogy was correct: it is no longer being shipped. When first introduced, it was announced that there would be limited availability. However, a reason for this was not announced. That being said, you may still be able to locate a copy via stores that specialize in previously played or used games."    

Copies of the game are still available at various web retailers, but they are becoming noticeably scarce.  Check out our forum thread dedicated to the game for more information.

[UDON is making 26 new endings for the upcoming Wii fighting game.]

181

TalkBack / Tatsunoko vs. Capcom to Feature Updated Endings

« on: January 11, 2010, 11:23:52 PM »

UDON is making 26 new endings for the upcoming Wii fighting game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20759

 Comic book studio UDON has announced through their blog that they have created 26 new ending cards for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.    

The original Tatsunoko vs. Capcom release featured ending cards by Tatsunoko. The UDON blog post gives a preview of Morrigan's (of Darkstalkers fame) updated ending. It is not explained if the updated release will retain the animated endings that followed the ending cards animated by Tatsunoko.    

UDON has collaborated with Capcom in the past. They have created various Street Fighter comics, as well as Final Fight and Darkstalkers comics. They have also contributed artwork for Super Street Fighter II: HD Remix and the limited edition Street Fighter IV comic book.

[EA will revive the classic NBA franchise in 2010.]

182

TalkBack / EA Officially Announces NBA Jam for Wii

« on: January 11, 2010, 10:57:29 PM »

EA will revive the classic NBA franchise in 2010.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20758

 After being revealed by ESPN, the NBA Jam revival, exclusive to Wii, has been officially announced by EA Sports.    

The title, set for 2010 release, will aim to deliver the classic gameplay seen in the earlier titles while including new gameplay modes and characters.    

NBA Jam was first released in the arcades in 1993 and was originally developed by Midway. The game  received many ports across multiple gaming platforms thanks to Acclaim.    

No other details about the game have been revealed.    

BOOOOOOM-SHAKA-LAKA! EA ANNOUNCES NBA JAM    

  New Take on Classic Game to Appear on the Wii in 2010    

  GUILDFORD, UK,. – 11th Jan, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) announced today that EA SPORTS™ is developing one of the most popular and culturally influential arcade basketball games ever made -- NBA JAM -- for the Nintendo Wii™. EA SPORTS NBA JAM revives the classic franchise with vintage NBA JAM gameplay, and all-new features that deliver a fresh new take on the game. Featuring the sights and sounds that fans of the franchise will instantly recognize, EA SPORTS NBA JAM mixes the old school with the new, to deliver a one-of-a-kind sports presentation on the Wii.    

  "NBA JAM is one of the most recognizable franchises in videogame history," said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. "Diehard fans of the original game have been asking for a remake for more than a decade. We're very excited to give them their wish this year with the return of this iconic franchise."    

  Featuring gameplay that is true to the original, NBA JAM will have players spinning with ankle breaking moves to the basket and on the way to high-flying, backboard-smashing dunks. In addition to the classic experience, EA SPORTS NBA JAM will also introduce new game modes, characters and gameplay depth.    

  NBA JAM brought an all-new visual style to the sports videogame genre when it debuted in 1993. Now, the new EA SPORTS NBA JAM re-defines the visuals for a sports game yet again by bringing true-to-life body types, updated physics, and visible player emotion to the over- the - top experience.    

  EA SPORTS NBA JAM is currently in development at EA Canada in Vancouver, BC and will be available for the Nintendo Wii videogame system in 2010. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.

[You won't object to this week's downloadable offerings.]

183

TalkBack / This Week in Nintendo Downloads

« on: January 11, 2010, 03:07:21 PM »

You won't object to this week's downloadable offerings.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20755

 WiiWare and DSiWare highlight this week's update with three new games each, while the Virtual Console only receives a lone update.    

First up for WiiWare is Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney from Capcom. The series first began its life as a Gameboy Advance franchise in Japan, with the first game in the series making its North American debut in 2005 as a DS port. At 1,000 Wii Points ($10), The WiiWare version retaind the first four cases, while the DS-exclusive fifth case will be sold separately at 100 Wii Points ($1).    

From EnjoyUp Games comes Chronos Twins DX, an action/adventure title featuring an innovative control system in which you control the main character in two different scenarios at the same time. This unique game is selling for 1,000 Wii Points ($10).    

Closing WiiWare for this week is ShadowPlay from Deep Friend Entertainment. ShadowPlay is a puzzle title in which players recreate shadow figures using several objects. The title features over 100 unique puzzles, and also includes a free play mode that lets players create their own shadow figures. ShadowPlay is also the first WiiWare title to use MotionPlus, which gives players more acccurate control over the objects. ShadowPlay costs 800 Wii Points ($8).    

DSiWare begins the week with Touch Solitaire from Nintendo. At 200 DSi Points ($2), players will get two card games: Spider and Klondike. Both games feature various difficulty levels, so players of all skills can get in on the card game action.    

From Digital Leisure Inc. comes Word Searcher. As the title implies, Word Searcher has players searching for words in over 100 puzzles. The WiiWare version of this title was released in North America on October 5, 2009. The DSiWare version will be sold for 500 DSi Points ($5).    

The final DSiWare game for the week is Jazzy Billiards from Aksys Games. A billiards simulator, Jazzy Billiards features the billiard game of 9-ball. The title features Stage Mode, in which players defeat players of ascending difficulty; Versus Mode, the game's main multiplayer component; and Challenge Mode, where players defeat various challenges. Jazzy Billiards is available for 500 DSi Points ($5).    

Ending the week is one title for Virtual Console. For the Sega Genesis there's Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye. The title is a Mahjong simulator featuring two versions of the Chinese board game: Classic and Dragon's Eye. The title sells for 800 Wii Points ($8).    

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: WHEN YOU SEE THIS WEEK'S DOWNLOADS, YOU WILL HAVE NO...OBJECTION!    

Jan. 11, 2010    

Courtroom intrigue with everyone's favorite Ace Attorney leads this week's Nintendo Download. For the first time, players can use the Wii Remote™ controller to help them balance the scales of justice. Six other games join this week's lineup, including some temporal adventures and a puzzle game based on shadows, not to mention new twists on solitaire, billiards and word searches. A classic Genesis mahjong video game rounds out the list.    

WiiWare™    

Phoenix Wright™: Ace Attorney    

Publisher: Capcom    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence    

Price: 1,000 Wii Points™    

Description: Meet Phoenix Wright, the rookie defense lawyer new to the scene with the wildest cross-examination skills in town. Take on four intriguing cases to reveal dramatic, stunning and even comical court proceedings. Use the Wii Remote controller to investigate the crime scenes, question witnesses and present shocking evidence.    

Chronos Twins DX    

Publisher: EnjoyUp Games    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence    

Price: 1,000 Wii Points    

Description: Enter into the original world of Chronos Twins DX to live a fantastic adventure full of innovative ideas. Thanks to its Dual Gameplay game system, you'll be able to control Nec in two temporal scenarios at the same time. Chronos Twins DX mixes action, platforms, adventure and puzzles to challenge your intelligence and ability.    

ShadowPlay    

Publisher: Deep Fried Entertainment    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Alcohol Reference    

Price: 800 Wii Points    

Description: Welcome to ShadowPlay. Let your imagination run wild when light meets everyday objects to create fascinating shadows. Play and experiment, make a monster out of a pineapple, a dolphin out of a banana - the only limit is your imagination. ShadowPlay challenges players by transforming shadows into more than 100 exciting, unique puzzles. As more challenging puzzles are unlocked, players will have to find more creative ways to solve problems. You will never look at a slice of pizza the same way again! Winning a round will allow players to advance to the next level as well as score another item to use in the Free Play Mode, where you can unleash your imagination and create your own shadow art. Family and friends can also jump in to help tackle a puzzle at any time using Local Co-op Mode. ShadowPlay will provide tons of brain-racking fun for players of all ages. How do you ShadowPlay?    

  Nintendo DSiWare™    

Touch Solitaire    

Publisher:Nintendo    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™    

Description: Touch Solitaire features two of the most popular versions of the world-famous card game - Spider and Klondike - with simple touch-screen controls and an easy-to-understand interface. In Spider, the aim is to arrange cards in piles of a single suit from King down to Ace, thereby removing the pile from play. When all cards are removed, you win the game. The goal of Klondike is to arrange cards from Ace to King in piles, one for each suit, on the four foundations. You win when all cards have been moved to the foundations. Various difficulty levels are available for Spider and Klondike, allowing beginners or experts to enjoy the game at their own pace.    

Jazzy Billiards    

Publisher: Aksys Games    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points    

Description: Challenge intelligent computers or even your friends to a traditional game of 9-ball while enjoying mind-soothing music with Jazzy Billiards. Take advantage of the intuitive stylus mechanic to aim and hit the cue ball with varying strength to sink the other balls. Defeat your opponents by being the first to sink the 9-ball. Jazzy Billiards' Stage Mode features nine different stages, each with an opponent of ascending difficulty. Find out how many computers you can defeat in a row with Challenge Mode, or challenge your friends to a game of 9-ball in Versus Mode.    

Word Searcher    

Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points    

Description: You'll need a sharp eye and a quick mind to complete these 100 themed word search puzzles. Word Searcher contains fun words from multiple categories including anatomy, world cities and U.S. presidents. Packed with a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there's sure to be a puzzle anyone will enjoy. Help improve your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills with these challenging puzzles. Keep track of, and try to beat, your own play-through times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play. Get your thinking cap on and conquer all 100 today.    

Virtual Console™    

Shanghai® II: Dragon's Eye    

Original platform: Genesis    

Publisher: SEGA    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 800 Wii Points    

Description: The ancient pastime of mahjong solitaire is reinvented as an interactive video game where each tile you remove may be your last. Discover enchanting music, fun animation and exciting obstacles that are built in to this intriguing board game that will keep you engaged for hours. This classic title challenges you to clear the board by removing matching pairs of tiles. Play the traditional Shanghai® II or take the game to a new dimension with Dragon's Eye. Don't let the simple rules deceive you - the depth and intricacy of this challenge will become your new obsession very soon.

[If Nintendo's Vegas Stakes and Mario Party got together and had a baby, it wouldn't be Vegas Party.]

184

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Vegas Party

« on: January 10, 2010, 09:28:41 AM »

If Nintendo's Vegas Stakes and Mario Party got together and had a baby, it wouldn't be Vegas Party.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20752

 Vegas Party is a game with an interesting concept: combine the appeal of luck-based gambling games, the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, and the fun of board games to make a Wii party game. It's a neat idea that sounds good on paper, but its execution leaves a lot to be desired.    

The main game, which is called "The Strip", is the Vegas-themed equivalent of Nintendo's Mario Party series. Up to four players participate in a turn-based board game. Each player rolls the dice andmoves up or down the board according to the number they roll. Each space has an effect, either positive or negative, such as bad luck spaces. The most important of these spaces is the Casino space. When you land on these you are taken to a casino where you choose from three gambling mini-games. Depending on how well you perform in these games, you are awarded tokens. The player with the most tokens at the end of the game wins.    

As simple as this sounds, Vegas Party actually has issues explaining to players exactly how it all works. Unlike Mario Party, in which everything is explained to a nearly excruciating level of detail, Vegas Party just tosses players into the game, barely explaining the rules and game mechanics at all. For example, it took me a while to realize that the number on the dice is accumulated to another set of dice numbers. So for example, if you have already rolled a seven and you roll four, you move up 11 spaces on the board. This is a mechanic that the game fails to explain. It doesn't even tell how many turns have passed or how many turns the game lasts, and you can't even alter the game's options or choose how you want to play, or even choose from multiple boards. It's perhaps one of the most limited board games I have ever played.    

Worse are the mini-games themselves. Due to the game's four-player nature many of the games, which are designed to be played alone, have been altered to accommodate multiplayer gameplay. An example of this is the Slot Machines mini-game. Instead of allowing the player to bet on each line, all players choose only one line and hope it’s the winning line, taking a game already about luck and making it even harder to win.    

The card games, such as Poker, are well-implemented, even if their rules have been dumbed down for casual play. This is more than obvious when played in single play mode. You cannot play them with the traditional rules. You only get 10 games to choose from, meaning that during the board game a lot of gambling games are repeated.  In terms of controls, Vegas Party keeps thembasic; pointing the Wii Remote is used for selecting most options, as well as aiming for the darts mini-game. There's also some motion control used for shaking the dice before each turn. Overall, the controls in Vegas Party won't impress, but they don't get in the way either..    

Vega's Party's main source of amusement comes from the highly stereotypical characters you can play as on "The Strip". You'll see everything from a completely decked-out rapper to a James Bond wannabe and even the gambling addict old lady. But the enjoyable presentation ends with the characters;  the rest of the game looks like it could be a scaled-down WiiWare title, with low-resolution textures and low-polygon models. The only saving grace is that the mini-games actually look like the real games themselves, with authentic-looking cards, roulette wheels, and playing tables.    

Vegas Party's music and sound fares much worse. The game barely uses any voice acting, but considering how stereotypical the characters are this could be seen as a good thing. The music, however, is highly generic, failing to capture the fun and excitement of Las Vegas.    

Overall, the Wii has much better multiplayer based mini-game collection titles, and you can find better gambling simulators online. Vegas Party fails at both, with gameplay that lacks coherence and proper explanations combined with simplified versions of the games that don't allow the player to play them with real rules. For true Vegas fun, a trip to the actual city is recommended instead.

Pros:
       

The stereotypical characters are somewhat amusing

       Cons:
       

Poorly-designed board-based gameplay

 

The game isn't properly explained

 

Watered-down versions of real world gambling games

 

Very few mini-games

 

Low-quality character models and textures

               Graphics:  4.0
       Vegas Party looks like a low-budget title, with the only element of value being the stereotypical characters that amuse just because of how bad they are.

               Sound:  3.0
       There are very few vocal effects, and the music fails to inspire fun and originality.

               Control:  7.0
       There are no real issues here. The controls do their job well, whether it's pointing and aiming or shaking the Wii Remote to simulate rolling the die. Just don't expect anything exciting when playing.

                      Gameplay:  4.0
       It's important to teach players how a game works. Vegas Party actually fails to properly introduce them to its own mechanics, leaving them to learn the hard way. It doesn't help that the mini-games are very poor representations of the real world games, with many of them butchered to accommodate four-player gaming.

 

       Lastability:  3.0
       Once you play through the main game you won't find much of a reason to come back to it. There are very few options to keep the player engaged, and due to the simplicity of the mini-games, their mileage is very limited.

 

       Final:  3.0
       In all honesty, Vegas Party is a neat idea. Unfortunately, it fails to create engaging multiplayer gaming with shoddy presentation, poor player instruction,  and lazily-implemented interpretations of the famous Vegas games. The Wii has much better games than this.      

[An interesting take on the dance genre that's not as polished as it should be.]

185

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 09, 2010, 11:34:09 AM »

An interesting take on the dance genre that's not as polished as it should be.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20747

 A good friend of mine once said, "No matter how you dance, you are a better dancer then the one who is standing still." In a way, this sums up Ubisoft's Just Dance. Just Dance is a dancing simulator that focuses on busting a move, no matter how bad you do it or what song you're doing it to. It's all about partaking in the fun of dancing. It has some good ideas, but also some flaws that keep it from being truly amazing.    

The object of Just Dance is a simple one. An on-screen dancer does a routine based on a song, and  the player must replicate the dance moves in time to the beat of the song. This is done according to how the player is holding the Wii Remote, and how much movement he or she is putting into the performance. Movements such as arm thrusts, claps, arm shakes, swaying, hip shakes, and more are detected by the Wii Remote. This design is similar to how We Cheer 2 and the dancing mini-game in Ubisoft's own Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party implement dance choreography with the Wii Remote.    

There are two main gameplay modes. The first is Quick Play, which has you select a song and perform it in order to get the highest score possible. Each song is rated in two categories: difficulty and effort. The more stars the song has, the more effort will have to be put into the performance. The second mode of play is Challenge. Challenge provides three gameplay modes: Regular (which works like Quick Play), Strike a Pose (a group dance variation of the game Red Light, Green Light), and Last One Standing (the player with the least mistakes wins). All modes can be played with up to three other players.    

Another option is Warm Up. Just Dance recommends players to warm up before taking on the game. It works like the main game, except the movements you do are for warm up purposes. A very clever and much appreciated addition, especially since Just Dance also works as an exercise game due to how it encourages players to get up and put as much energy as possible onto their performances.    

That said, a lack of multiple gameplay options puts a hurt on Just Dance's overall package. You'll truly see what the game has to offer in less than 30 minutes, surely turning off music and rhythm game fans that are used to very robust music games on the Wii.    

Instead of using two Wii Remotes or the Nunchuk for more accurate gameplay, Just Dance uses only one Wii Remote. This leads to some confusion when it comes to doing a dance move with the controllerless hand.  Motion detection is also spotty. Timing is everything, so you have to pay attention to the dancer on screen and mimic the moves. Just Dance mentions that it detects the motion of your body, and how much energy it detects is based on how your movements match those of the on-screen dancer.  However, even if your timing is spot-on the game fails to register your movements at times.    

More confusion is created by the pictogram on-screen cues. While it's obvious that you have to mimic the choreography of the virtual dancer, the bottom of the screen also features scrolling poses indicating what you need to do. The confusion comes from the fact that the instructions sometimes contradict themselves, making it look like timing relies on the pose you make rather than the movements you do. This, however, can be properly mastered with practice, and its design makes it a complex task. While  gameplay is not as polished as in Namco Bandai's We Cheer 2, it is very easy to learn initially.  Once you "get it", Just Dance becomes very enjoyable, very enduring, and extremely silly and fun.  It's the closest thing to a dance simulator on the Wii.    

   

  Just Dance features over 30 songs, all of them master tracks from the original recordings. With the game being all about fun, the songs selected reflect that almost to a fault, diving deep into one-hit wonder territory. Some of the songs include Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out",  "Wanna Be" by the Spice Girls, and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger". Needless to say, if you are not a fan of pop songs then Just Dance's song list will be a huge turn off. There are no other unlockable songs and there's no option to download more.    

The overall presentation is colorful but extremely minimalistic. The menus feature vibrant neon colors reminiscent of 80s fashion. The biggest graphical flourish in Just Dance are the on-screen dancers. Instead of 3D models, they are presented in a manner similar to the dancing shadow people from the famous iPod commercials, and it gets the job done while not being overly distracting.    

In a way, Just Dance is just like an up- and-coming dancer. It's very rough but shows promise, especially when played with friends. It doesn't have that many gameplay options, and the song list may make the game embarrassing to play for some. But if you put aside your inhibitions, turn off your pride, and pick up a Wii Remote you are likely to forget everything, have some fun, and do as the title says… Just Dance!

Pros:
       

Unique gameplay

 

Great party game

 

Soundtrack features original master tracks

       Cons:
       

Motion sensing doesn't work as well as it should

 

Not a lot of modes to choose from

 

Soundtrack features some very cheesy tracks

               Graphics:  6.0
       They're very simple, but they present the concept well enough. The colors are eye-popping, and the shadow dancers liven things up a bit.

               Sound:  7.0
       Just Dance uses the original recordings, so no cover songs are present. However, the songs used are often of the cheesy, guilty pleasure kind. They fit the fun theme well, but gamers who aren't fans of the pop genre could be turned off by it.

               Control:  6.5
       The game only uses one Wii Remote for movement detection, and while it generally worksthere are times in which it will not properly detect movement no matter how well you mimic the choreography.  However, it works most of the time so it doesn't ruin the overall gameplay.

                      Gameplay:  6.5
       This game is a unique one in that it aims to be more than just your typical music game; it's more of  a dance simulator. The idea is slightly hindered by some motion control issues and a lack of additional game modes. But with enough practice, the right audience, and the right atmosphere, Just Dance is very enjoyable.

 

       Lastability:  6.0
       There are only two modes of play, and with only 32 tracks you will see what the game has to offer very quickly. Its replay value, however, lies in group play. Just Dance will enjoy a lot of play time with the right group of friends.

 

       Final:  6.5
       Just Dance is a commendable effort from Ubisoft that tries to do something new. It's very rough, and a little more polish could have made it something special.  With an over-abundance of band games on the Wii, Just Dance proves to be a breath of fresh air, even if it's very silly and likely to become a guilty pleasure for many.      

[The unique WiiWare puzzler will have MotionPlus Support.]

186

TalkBack / ShadowPlay Arriving On WiiWare Next Monday

« on: January 07, 2010, 08:17:59 AM »

The unique WiiWare puzzler will have MotionPlus Support.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20732

 Deep Fried Entertainment Inc. has announced the release of their first WiiWare title, ShadowPlay. The puzzle title will be released on January 11.    

ShadowPlay has players moving objects such as balls and clothes pins in order to cast specific shadows. There will be over 100 transforming shadow puzzles. The Wii Remote is used to manipulate the objects in order to replicate a shadow on a wall. MotionPlus support is available for full 3D control of the objects, but the Nunchuk can also be used.    

Players can also create their own shadows in a bonus FreePlay mode. The game also offers co-op play, allowing others to jump in at any time to help a player complete a puzzle.    

Deep Fried Entertainment Inc., an independent video game developer, is proud to announce its first WiiWare™ title, ShadowPlay, an entertaining puzzle game that will have you thinking about common household objects in a different light! The game is available exclusively on WiiWare service for Nintendo’s Wii™ system, and will be released January 11th, 2010.    

ShadowPlay challenges players by transforming shadows into 100 exciting, unique puzzles. By using the Wii Remote™, players manipulate their given objects one by one to create a cumulative shadow that matches the goal. As more challenging puzzles are unlocked, players will have to find more creative ways to solve problems. You will never look at a slice of pizza the same way again! Winning a round will allow players to advance to the next level as well as score another item to use in the FreePlay Mode where you can unleash your imagination and create your own shadow art. Try creating a bike out of a pineapple or a dolphin out of the shadow of a pear. Family and friends can also jump in to help tackle a puzzle at any time using Local Co-op Mode! ShadowPlay will provide tons of brain-racking fun for players of all ages!    

What is even more awesome is that ShadowPlay is the first independent WiiWare game to take full advantage of the Wii MotionPlus™, which means you can experience full maneuverability of objects and have even more fun! Of course, the game still works with the Nunchuk™ controller and will provide loads of entertainment.    

“ShadowPlay is a unique game introducing a new way to solve puzzles. Playing with shadows is present in almost every culture in the world, in some form or another, and I think this game taps into a really creative way to express ourselves. I particularly love the FreePlay mode!” says Brenda Bailey Gershkovitch, DFE’s C.O.O.    

Key Features:  

100 intriguing puzzles, lots of unique objects for manipulation and 10 themes with various challenging levels provide entertainment for all players of all ages!

 

Wii MotionPlus compatibility!

 

Local Co-op mode allows for collaborative fun

 

Full manipulation of 3-D objects for complete control

 

Bonus FreePlay Mode where you can create your own shadows!

[Japanese Mario fans will be able to partake in a national tournament featuring the latest Mario game.]

187

TalkBack / Nintendo Stages New Super Mario Bros. Wii Tournament

« on: January 07, 2010, 08:17:59 AM »

Japanese Mario fans will be able to partake in a national tournament featuring the latest Mario game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20731

 In a recent Kyodo News Service broadcast, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo has plans to host a New Super Mario Bros. Wii tournament over the next two months in order to find the best players in Japan.    

Tournaments will be held in Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Sendai, and Tokyo beginning in February. The winners will be invited to participate in the final round in Tokyo on March 27.    

The object for the tournament is for players to collect the most coins. The players will be divided according to age, but families willing to participate will be able to do so by participating in team battles.

[Capcom emphasizes its commitment to supporting all game platforms.]

188

TalkBack / Capcom Reaffirms Multiplatform Development

« on: January 07, 2010, 07:36:52 AM »

Capcom emphasizes its commitment to supporting all game platforms.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20728

 In a recent interview with Capcom France Executive Antoine Seux, he expressed that Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles was performing well below sales expectations. He also lamented that the Wii market is a difficult one to sell traditional games to, and foretold a development shift towards PS3 and Xbox 360, especially since motion control will soon be available on both platforms.  He also stated that Capcom had "never been strong" on the DS, and felt that tough times were ahead for handhelds.    

Today Capcom released a statement refuting these comments, reaffirming their commitment to supporting all gaming platforms, Wii and DS included. The company stated that, “Further to comments made in a recent article on French website Gamekult, Capcom would like to confirm its commitment as a multi-platform developer and publisher of interactive software."    

Capcom has several high-profile Wii titles approaching release, including Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars and Monster Hunter 3. It is not known, however, if they will continue to offer mature-rated games on the console after the underwhelming initial performance of Darkside Chronicles.    

Seux's comments came on the heels of Sega Studio Director Constantine Hantzopoulos telling 1UP that his company was unlikely to produce M-Rated Wii titles going forward.

[Capcom discusses the underwhelming sales of Darkside Chronicles, and their expectation of difficulties for the DS.]

189

TalkBack / Capcom Discusses Darkside Chronicles Sales, Looming Handheld Difficulties

« on: January 06, 2010, 07:12:41 AM »

Capcom discusses the underwhelming sales of Darkside Chronicles, and their expectation of difficulties for the DS.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20726

 In a recent Google-translated interview from Capcom France, executive Antoine Seux commented on various aspects of the company and its performance on Wii. When asked about the sales of Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, Antoine expressed that sales were good but well below expectations, with only 16,000 copies sold since its release in December. He elaborated that "One feels that there is a problem very clear on this style of game on the Wii, where gamers are obviously moved on" and that "the customer of this console has turned to something much broader audience. It is a disappointment."    

When compared to the sales of Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, Antoine stated that “Resident Evil 4 on Wii had worked well, but he was released in June 2007, when the market had nothing to do! This year the Wii was very difficult with an oversupply, and a gamer market that has radically changed." He went on to compare the sales of broad-appeal titles like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games to games like Madworld, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, and other titles that have sold poorly. "We note that the games called “gamer  games” are selling less and less on the Nintendo console", Antoine explained. "Whether MadWorld, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, The House of the Dead: Overkill … scores were not extraordinary. Compared to 140,000 pieces sold Resident Evil 4 on Wii at the time, it is very far away. There is clearly a concern to this level.”    

Part of the problem regarding sales of Darkside Chronicles is that the game wasn't supported by French retailers, its 18+ rating preventing wider sales. "Unfortunately, this is a game rated 18 +. The advertising campaign was not visible at peak times by the general public, and that’s what counts at this time of year."    

When asked why Capcom hasn't supported the DS in France, Antoine replied that "Capcom has never been strong on DS".  He continued that Capcom expected handheld gaming to see difficult times in 2010, explaining that "This will be a difficult year for the handheld in general, DS or PSP. We should see the rise of the PS3 and Xbox 360, with, hopefully, expansion of game styles, open to a wider audience".    

Finally, Antoine expressed his sentiments about how the Monster Hunter franchise is performing in Europe.  He admitted that while sales aren't as big as in Japan, there's an interest for the games, and that sales expectations are high for Monster Hunter 3 on Wii.

[Nintendo hardware and software performed very well during the Holiday season across all regions.]

190

TalkBack / Nintendo Comments on Healthy December Sales

« on: January 05, 2010, 08:41:26 PM »

Nintendo hardware and software performed very well during the Holiday season across all regions.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20717

 In a recent announcement by Nintendo, president Satoru Iwata presented sales data that showed Nintendo hardware and software performing very well during the month of December. While the official NPD numbers won't be released until January 14, Nintendo is pleased with the early sales numbers for December.    

Nintendo estimates that Wii sales for December will surpass 3 million units sold, while they estimate that the DS and DSi set an all-time calendar year sales record. The software side is also estimated to have performed well, with the estimates putting New Super Mario Bros. Wii at four million copies sold in the month of December.    

Nintendo has experienced success throughout the holiday season. In Japan, after experiencing a decline in Wii sales which Iwata classified as "not being healthy", Media Create confirmed that New Super Mario Bros. Wii dominated the sales charts for the last week of December, with over 2 million copies sold since its launch.    

In November, Nintendo saw considerable success as well. The Wii's price cut drove sales up to 85% after experiencing a sales lag in the month of September due to the PlayStation 3's own price cut. Thanksgiving week sales also saw significant sales for both the Wii and DS, with the Wii selling 550,000 units and the DS selling over a million. The official NPD numbers for November put the Wii and DS selling over a million units, with New Super Mario Bros. Wii selling more than 2 million copies.    

In Europe, both the Wii and DS have broken sales records. The DS has sold over 40 million units, making it the best-selling video game system in Europe. The Wii has become the fastest selling console as well, reaching 20 million units in just three years. In addition to its record-breaking sales numbers, Nintendo also released numbers for Wii Sports Resort. The MotionPlus-enhanced title has sold 5 million copies since its release in July, while the Wii Fit series has sold over 9 million copies.    

Special thanks to forum user BlackNMild2k1 for the news tip. Visit our forums for further discussion of Nintendo's sales data!    

  NINTENDO ANNOUNCES HEALTHY HOLIDAY SALES FIGURES  Jan. 5, 2010  As everyone looks ahead to the possibilities in store for 2010, Nintendo of America is looking to extend the glow of the holidays with some fresh December sales information. The following items were announced by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata in Japan:    

Although official U.S. sales data for December and all of 2009 will be announced by the NPD Group on Jan. 14, it appears that U.S. consumers responded enthusiastically to Nintendo's Wii™ home console in December. Nintendo estimates that December sales in the United States will exceed 3 million units.

   

Nintendo estimates that the portable Nintendo DS™ lineup, including the Nintendo DSi™ video game system, set a new all-time calendar-year U.S. sales record for any console or hand-held system.

   

Nintendo software also continued to perform well. Although the NPD Group will provide the full sales numbers for each game, Nintendo estimates that lifetime U.S. sales of New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii are approaching 4 million. The game, which is the first Super Mario Bros. game to include simultaneous four-player action, launched in the United States on Nov. 15.

   

"The millions of people who bought Nintendo hardware during the holidays can look forward to enjoying great games on those systems now and in the future," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for Nintendo DS, and Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii are all currently providing Nintendo fans with amazing experiences and fun adventures for the whole family."    

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

[The last full week of 2009 are taken over by the plucky plumber and the hero of time, as well as other Nintendo titles.]

191

TalkBack / Mario and Zelda Dominate Japanese Year-End Sales Charts

« on: January 04, 2010, 09:38:15 AM »

The last full week of 2009 are taken over by the plucky plumber and the hero of time, as well as other Nintendo titles.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20710

 According to Japanese Media Crate data, New Super Mario Bros. Wii was the best-selling title for the week of December 21 to the 27th, selling 506,000 copies.  The latest Mario title has sold 2.44 million copies since its release in Japan on December 3rd.  The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks debuted in the second spot with 291,000 copies sold.   In the number 3 spot was another Nintendo title, Friend Connection for the DS. The title managed to sell 227,000 copies, for a total of 2.317 million copies sold. In the fifth spot was Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver with 125,000 copies sold, for a grand total of 3.456 million copies sold.   Other Nintendo titles in the chart include Inazuma Eleven 2, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, and Professor Layton and the Demon's Flute.  Taiko Drum Master Wii 2 was the only third-party Wii title to make an appearance.    

The full Media Crate chart is as follows:    

   




• 1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo, Wii): 506,000 (2,440,000)
   




• 2. Zelda Spirit Tracks (Nintendo, DS): 291,000
   




• 3. Friend Collection (Nintendo, DS): 227,000 (2,317,000)
   




• 4. Final Fantasy XIII (Square Enix, PS3): 189,000 (1,690,000)
   




• 5. Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (Nintendo, DS): 125,000 (3,465,000)
   




• 6. WiiFit Plus (Nintendo, Wii): 114,000 (1,315,000)
   




• 7. Inazuma Eleven 2 (Level-5, DS): 99,000 (908,000)
   




• 8. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo, Wii): 72,000 (1,568,000)
   




• 9. Taiko Drum Master Wii 2 (Namco Bandai, Wii): 64,000 (200,000)
   




• 10. Professor Layton and the Demon's Flute (Level-5, DS): 64,000 (559,000)
   

[Ring in the new decade with seven new games.]

192

TalkBack / This Week in Nintendo Downloads

« on: January 04, 2010, 11:28:26 AM »

Ring in the new decade with seven new games.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20699

 The first weekly downloads update for 2010 arrives with seven new games: three for WiiWare, three for DSiWare, and one for Virtual Console.    

 Heron: Steam Machine, a puzzle game from Triangle Studios in which you must help factory employee Ron by connecting the steam pipes in order to successfully manufacture rubber duckies, leads the charge on WiiWare. The game is a modern take on the classic computer game Pipe Dreams. It is available for 500 Wii Points ($5). It's been available in Europe since October 16.    

Next up is Pub Darts from Big Blue Bubble Inc. The game is a simple darts simulator that includes various versions of the sport, including 501, Cricket, and Around the Clock. It is available for 500 Wii Points ($5).    

Closing the WiiWare lineup for the week is Fast Draw Showdown from Digital Leisure, a live-action arcade shooter with strong emphasis on quick draw matches. The title is a spinoff of Mad Dog McCree, which was recently re-released as a Wii title. It was originally released as a Laserdisc arcade game in 1994. It is priced at 500 Wii Points ($5).    

Nintendo welcomes in the New Year on DSiWare with Trajectile, a puzzle title that is developed by Q-Games, who are responsible for the popular PixelJunk series and the 2009 DSiWare release Art Style: Digidrive. The object of the game is to line up a series of missiles for the perfect shot. The title is priced at 500 Nintendo DSi Points ($5). The game is known as Reflect Missile in Europe and has been available in that region since November 27.    

Animal Puzzle Adventure, a puzzle game in which you lead animals to their respective barns, is also out for the portable service and is published by Aksys Games. It is available for 500 Nintendo DSi Points ($5).    

Finally, Hell's Kitchen Vs., based on the popular TV show with host Gordon Ramsay, hits DSiWare. It replicates the competitive nature of the show in duel based battles. The game is available for 800 Nintendo DSi Points ($8). Hell's Kitchen also appeared as retail Wii game with similar gameplay mechanics.    

Virtual Console has one lone release, Final Fight 3 from Capcom for the Super Nintendo.  The title was originally released in North America on March 13, 1996. With this release, all SNES Final Fight titles are available for download on the Virtual Console. It is available for 800 Wii Points ($8).    

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: A NEW DECADE BRINGS SEVEN NEW DOWNLOADABLE NINTENDO GAMES  Jan. 4, 2010  Should old acquaintance be forgot? We can't remember. But what we can remember is that this week's downloadable lineup from Nintendo asks a lot of questions. The Nintendo DSiWare™ service wonders if you can master missiles with Trajectile™, lead animals to their proper pens with Animal Puzzle Adventure or match wits with TV chef Gordon Ramsay in Hell's Kitchen Vs. The WiiWare™ service puts you in charge of maximizing your rubber duckie output with Heron: Steam Machine, asks you to aim for the bull's-eye with Pub Darts and wonders if you have an itchy trigger finger with Fast Draw Showdown. Finally, Final Fight™ 3 on the Virtual Console™ service makes you wonder if the fight is ever really final.    

Nintendo DSiWare    

Trajectile
  Publisher: Nintendo
  Players: 1
  ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
  Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
  Description: Trajectile is a puzzle game that's as much about firepower as it is about brainpower, requiring you to line up your shot and launch a flurry of missiles at enemy targets. Three types of missiles are at your disposal, each one with its own characteristics - but all of them can bounce off walls on their path to smash, blast or drill through enemies and blocks. Along the way, you'll find item blocks just waiting to be destroyed so that you can obtain special power-ups ... and cause even more destruction. Be careful though, as missile type and position are predetermined and you get only a limited number of launches per stage. Complete multiple classes containing numerous individual stages, earning medals when you clear stages in fewer than the given number of turns. Are you ready to take aim at becoming aTrajectile master?    

Animal Puzzle Adventure
  Publisher: Aksys Games
  Players: 1
  ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Suggestive Themes
  Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
  Description: Animal Puzzle Adventure is a simple puzzle game where you have to lead various animals to their respective barns placed on the map, while avoiding pitfalls and cliffs and using the objects on the field to your advantage. There are 10 stages per level with a total of five levels, creating 50 stages in all. After clearing a stage, you unlock a piece of a photo. Once you clear all 10 stages in a level, the wallpaper for that level becomes unlocked and you can then view it in the gallery. With so many puzzles to unravel, you'll find yourself immersed in the puzzle-riffic world of Animal Puzzle Adventure.    

Hell's Kitchen Vs.
  Publisher: Ludia
  Players: 1-2
  ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
  Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
  Description: Hell's Kitchen Vs. is based on the U.S. TV phenomenon where world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay puts aspiring chefs through rigorous culinary tests. The game recreates the show's pressure-cooker atmosphere as two players battle head-to-head in an arcade-style kitchen challenge. Try to conquer your opponent in each time-management test, while taking the heat of Gordon Ramsay judging and rating your performance at every stage of the game.    

WiiWare    

Heron: Steam Machine
  Publisher: Triangle Studios
  Players:1-4
  ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
  Price: 500 Wii Points™
  Description: Heron: Steam Machine is a game about a factory where rubber duckies are being produced by a large steam engine. On this steam engine, there are four different gauges which you will have to watch carefully. By connecting the pipes, you will earn points and relieve some of the pressure, keeping the machine running just a little bit longer. If one of the gauges reaches its maximum, the machine will eventually blow up, and the game is over. If you were lucky enough to achieve a high score, make sure you enter your name in the list so other players can compete with you. In Multiplayer, you are able to cooperate with friends in maintaining the steam machine. When you play with two, three or four players, the screen is divided into sections with different background colors. Each player is able to solve his or her own part of the puzzle. Players are restricted to their own section of the screen, so you will have to work together to make the pipes fit properly. (Additional accessories are required for multiplayer play and are sold separately.)    

Pub Darts
  Publisher: Big Blue Bubble Inc.
  Players:1-4
  ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Alcohol Reference
  Price: 500 Wii Points
  Description: Pub Darts is a simple darts simulation which uses the Wii Remote™ controller's unique controls to mimic dart-throwing motion. The game is set in a local pub where the players will settle in to play some of their favorite dart games, including 501, Cricket, Around the Clock, Killers and Baseball. Controls function just like throwing a real dart. Players are able to create their own personal profiles, including selecting their avatar image from a collection of creative characters and the design they would like displayed on the dart flights.    

Fast Draw Showdown
  Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
  Players: 1-2
  ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Alcohol Reference, Violence
  Price: 500 Wii Points
  Description: When it comes to fast draw there're only two types of people: the quick ... and the dead! Now you have the chance to find out where you stand, or lie, as the case may be. You'll go up against the best quick draws in the business, including one of the world's fastest, Wes Flowers. Unholster your Wii Remote controller and show 'em who the fastest draw really is, in this live-action shooter. You can even take on a friend in multiplayer modes, and see which of you has the quickest draw. You'll need some serious speed and awesome accuracy to take on these gunslingers ... so get ready for some real fast draw action.    

Virtual Console    

Final Fight 3
  Original platform: Super NES™
  Publisher: Capcom USA
  Players: 1-2
  ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Animated Violence
  Price: 800 Wii Points
  Description: Following the defeat and subsequent disappearance of the Mad Gear Gang, a small group known only as "Skull Cross" is responsible for a new uprising of vandalism, terrorism and death. The government of Metro City is at a complete loss. Metro City's mayor, Mike Haggar, and Guy are prepared to take on the new gang, but before they can act, the door bursts open, revealing Lucia, Cody's old friend. "Metro City is under attack!" she shouts, "Skull Cross is loose, and they've got something up their sleeves." But before any of them can move, a mysterious man appears in the doorway. "My name is Dean," he says. "I know Skull Cross inside-and-out, and I hate them more than anything. I can help you, and you can help me. We must go!" All four fighters vow to bring Skull Cross down. It will be a tough assignment, and may even be their final fight!    

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 orNintendoDSi.com.

193

TalkBack / When Nintendo and the Wii Invade Commercials

« on: January 03, 2010, 10:29:24 AM »

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/blogArt.cfm?artid=20678

  It's always surreal watching Nintendo being celebrated or parodied on TV and movies. It's even weirder when Puertorican advertisements pay nod to the beloved company in unexpected ways. These two commercials pay tribute to two of Nintendo's most popular products: The Wii and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.    

The first commercial is for Taco Maker, a Mexican fast food restaurant. What they parody here is the Mii Channel. Note that the creators of this commercial paid very close attention to the original channel and replicated it in nearly every aspect, right down to the multiple face options and minor details like the plus and minus signs and the Wii pointing hand:    

   

Translation: Make my mouth bigger, more, more, exaggerate it, more, there!    

There is a longer version of this TV spot which has the guy talking to his girlfriend and going through more Mii options.    

The second commercial comes from Radio Shack, and out of the two commercials this is the most cultural. The TV spot announces a special Three Wise Men sale and advertises the Nintendo DS at 129.99. In order to drive the point across, the commercial starts with the Three Wise Men jumping around in a Mario like level. This is of course a parody of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, due to how there are three characters jumping around the screen:    

   

To give you a better perspective of the commercial, the Three Wise Men are collecting shoe boxes filled with grass, leaving behind a present (these presents happen to be products from Radio Shack). In Latin American culture, there is a celebration called The Three Wise Men day. Like Christmas, children receive presents from the Three Wise Men on January 6. As part of the tradition, children leave a box filled with grass for the camels to eat, much like how children leave cookies and milk for Santa. Its these details that make the TV spot a fun and weird one.    

Hope you enjoyed this. My apologies for the video quality, but I don't have a video capturing device.

[The Zelda producer wants to create a sequel to the Wii Zapper title with emphasis on multiplayer.]

194

TalkBack / Aonuma Wants Link's Crossbow Training Sequel

« on: December 30, 2009, 07:48:31 AM »

The Zelda producer wants to create a sequel to the Wii Zapper title with emphasis on multiplayer.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20664

 In an interview with Games Magazine, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma confessed that he wishes to create a sequel to Link's Crossbow Training, a title included for free with the Wii Zapper. In the interview he expressed his desire to expand what the team created with the first title, explaining that "I thought that we should do something more and better in the field of the first person shooter, based on our experience of the first game."    

Aonuma also mentioned that if a sequel is created, a stronger focus would be placed on its multiplayer component. "For example, I was thinking that maybe we could intensify the multiplayer mode. The original game was really just a solo game but I thought that we could add a true multiplayer mode with multiple users playing together, from remote areas, over the Wi-Fi Connection."    

Despite these ideas, it wasn't enough to persuade Nintendo's management, according to Aonuma. He mentioned that they prefer him working on Zelda titles rather than on title such as Crossbow Training.

[The entire franchise will be represented in the upcoming fighting game.]

195

TalkBack / Namco Bandai Announces Ultraman Title for Wii

« on: December 30, 2009, 07:17:35 AM »

The entire franchise will be represented in the upcoming fighting game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20662

 Namco Bandai has announced a new Ultraman title for Wii called Daikaiju Battle Ultra Coliseum DX: Ultra Senshi Daishuketsu.    

The title is a fighting game that will feature Ultraman characters from various series, up to the movie Great Kaiju Battle Ultra Galaxy Legend. The following characters have been confirmed to be in the game:    

 
• Ultraman
 
• Ultraman Zero
 
• Ultraman Belial
 
• Ultraman Mebius
 
• Ultraman Dyna
 
• Ultraseven
 
• Ultraman Leo
 
• Astra
 
   


Daikaiju Battle Ultra Coliseum DX: Ultra Senshi Daishuketsu is set to be released on February 25, 2010.

[Wii and DS software dominate the ASCII's best-seller list for 2009.]

196

TalkBack / Nintendo: Top Software and Hardware Seller in 2009 in Japan

« on: December 28, 2009, 07:42:43 AM »

Wii and DS software dominate the ASCII's best-seller list for 2009.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20639

 Japanese publisher ASCII Media Works have released their list of the top 30 best-selling games in 2009. The list shows that Nintendo software dominates the charts, with DS and Wii titles from Nintendo and third parties.    

Square Enix's Dragon Quest IX for the DS is the top-selling title for the year, listing more than 4 million units sold. At number two is Nintendo's Pokémon Heart Gold/Silver, a DS remake of Pokémon Gold and Silver, selling 3.3 million units in 2009. Friend Connection, a DS life simulation title from Nintendo, comes at number three with more than 2 million units sold. At number four is the first Wii title in the chart. New Super Mario Bros. Wii enters the chart with a little less than 2 million units sold. Closing the top five is Wii Sports Resort with 1,499,058 units sold.    

Previously released titles also make an appearance as the best sellers of 2009. The original Wii Fit is at number 15 with 499,251 units sold, for a total of 3,470,235 copies sold since its release in 2007. Mario Kart Wii is in 18th with 404,751 copies sold for a lifetime sales total of 2,447,964 copies sold.    

The complete ASCII chart is as follows:  

1. Dragon Quest IX (Square Enix, DS): 4,089,136

 

2. Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (Pokemon, DS): 3,301,873

 

3. Friend Collection (Nintendo, DS): 2,059,236

 

4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo, WII): 1,897,089

 

5. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo, Wii): 1,499,058

 

6. Final Fantasy XIII (Square Enix, PS3): 1,455,505

 

7. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo, Wii): 1,205,424

 

8. Monster Hunter 3 (Capcom, Wii): 949,095

 

9. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G PSP the Best (Capcom, PSP): 878,880 (1,080,715)

 

10. Inazuma Eleven 2 Fire/Blizzard (Level-5, DS): 851,175

 

11. Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!! (Nintendo, DS): 708,311)

 

12. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Square Enix, DS): 571,981

 

13. Resident Evil 5 (Capcom, PS3): 552,553

 

14. Yakuza 3 (Sega, PS3): 552,826

 

15. Wii Fit (Nintendo, Wii): 499,251 (3,470,235)

 

16. Professor Layton and the Demon's Flute (Level-5, DS): 481,311

 

17. Phantasy Star Portable 2 (Sega, PSP): 415,522

 

18. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo, Wii): 404,751 (2,447,964)

 

19. Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Koei, PSP): 397,080

 

20. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Sky Battalion (Pokemon, DS): 383,226

 

21. Taiko Drum Master Wii (Namco Bandai, Wii): 375,895 (625,391)

 

22. Winning Eleven 2010 (Konami, PS3): 370,831

 

23. Rhythm Heaven Gold (Nintendo, DS): 361,292 (1,763,270)

 

24. Tales of Vesperia (Namco Bandai, PS3): 352,961

 

25. Tales of the World Radiant Mythology 2 (Namco Bandai, PSP): 339,523

 

26. Pokemon Platinum (Pokemon, DS): 325,911 (2,536,712)

 

27. Gundam VS Gundam Next Plus (Namco Bandai, PSP): 323,531

 

28. Wagamama Fashion Girls Mode (Nintendo, DS): 314,832 (861,393)

 

29. Ace Attorney Investigations (Capcom, DS): 313,891

 

30. SD Gundam G Generation Wars (Namco Bandai, PS2): 306,985

   

In terms of hardware, Dengeki's sales data reports that there was a 16.3 percent drop in hardware sales in 2009, dropping to 9.86 units sold. Software sales dropped to 4.3 percent to 65.05 million units sold. In this regard, the DS was the top performer in both hardware and software sales.

[With Twilight Princess as a starting point, Aonuma promises "sheer grand scale" for the next Zelda title.]

197

TalkBack / Aonuma's Twilight Princess Regrets

« on: December 28, 2009, 01:53:22 PM »

With Twilight Princess as a starting point, Aonuma promises "sheer grand scale" for the next Zelda title.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20638

 In an interview with Edge Magazine, Zelda director Eiji Aonuma details his experiences working with the franchise and explains what we can expect in future Zelda titles. When asked about Twilight Princess and its reception, the director explains that their intentions were to create a realistic game of a grand scale, but feels that the team didn't accomplish this. The next Zelda title will focus on a grand scale using the previous game as a starting point.    

"For Twilight Princess we used the adult Link and one of the interesting things about that was how we considered the precise proportions of Link and the world. The scale is because we aimed for a more realistic quality in the size of the environments of Hyrule and what that Link faced," Aonuma said. "But the question is whether or not we were able to incorporate any and all of the interesting game ideas that were able to take advantage of that kind of sheer grand scale within the Zelda universe. I am afraid that definitely no, we were not able to do all the things that perhaps with hindsight we had the capabilities to do."    

His biggest regret when creating Twilight Princess, however, is the discrepancy between imagination and representation, and uses the recently released Spirit Tracks as an example:    

"In the case of Spirit Tracks it was relatively easier, because regardless of the actual proportions between the player character and the other objects, we can simply concentrate upon the many game ideas we want to realize. But in the case of trying to depict a relatively photorealistic three-dimensional world, we have to be very careful to adapt the ideas so that they seem to perfectly fit with that world."

[THQ will own the WWE license for the next eight years.]

198

TalkBack / THQ Reaches WWE Deal with Jakks Pacific

« on: December 27, 2009, 07:00:22 AM »

THQ will own the WWE license for the next eight years.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20621

 THQ has finally reached a deal regarding the use of the WWE franchise. They have signed a 13.2 million deal with the WWE that will give them use of the franchise for eight years. THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell stated that, "This agreement ensures that WWE games will continue to be an important cornerstone of THQ’s annual release schedule for the long term".    

Both companies have expressed desires to continue their deal, but they first had to work out a solution with Jakks Pacific over royalty rates. According to the deal, THQ will pay 20 million over the course of four years, and their joint venture will expire at the end of this year.    

WWE COO Donna Goldsmith concludes that "As one of the most successful video game brands, WWE is excited to work directly with THQ to translate WWE’s colorful characters and ever-changing content into exciting and fresh video games for our fans."

[Nicalis promises that Cave Story will be released soon, and offers new details.]

199

TalkBack / Cave Story to Finally See Release in 2010

« on: December 27, 2009, 01:43:48 PM »

Nicalis promises that Cave Story will be released soon, and offers new details.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20620

 In a recent blog post on Nicalis' official site, new details about the WiiWare version of Cave Story have surfaced. The game is finished, and is waiting for Nintendo's approval for release on the service.    

Cave Story will have three save files and updated graphics and music. The game's original PC graphics and music will also be featured as a bonus. The Classic Controller will be supported, and the game will have three difficulty levels: easy, normal and hard.    

There will also be support for downloadable content, with Nicalis possibly taking requests from fans. The game will also feature an updated script, with permission from original creator Daisuke Amaya.    

After further apologizing for the game's delay, Nicalis ended their blog post by offering special holiday remixes of Cave Story's music by Dustin Kulwicki.

[Intel is rumored to be in talks with Nintendo for a possible next generation partnership.]

200

TalkBack / RUMORS: Next Nintendo Console May Use New Intel Processor?

« on: December 27, 2009, 01:40:58 PM »

Intel is rumored to be in talks with Nintendo for a possible next generation partnership.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rumorsArt.cfm?artid=20619

 Japanese technology Impress Watch writer Hiroshige Goto has written an article speculates that chip maker Intel is in talks with Nintendo to form a partnership for their next generation console.      

According to Goto, Intel is trying to convince Nintendo to use their latest graphics processor, Larrabee, in the Wii's successor. Based on the timing of the talks, the chip would have to be used in their next console rather than the rumored Wii HD system (said to be coming in 2010).    

Goto, however, doesn't provide any more information about the talks, explaining that the Larrabee's push for technology might conflict with Nintendo's more conservative approach.  There are a number of problems with Nintendo using Larrabee from power consumption to cost to architecture compatibility.    

Larrabee was cancelled as a discrete product earlier in the month. While they are still working on the technology, it is at this point very far behind their competition at ATI and Nvidia.