Topics

[Kirby is back and better than ever!]

26

TalkBack / PREVIEWS: Kirby's Epic Yarn

« on: June 16, 2010, 07:40:47 AM »

Kirby is back and better than ever!
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=23364

 Kirby hasn’t appeared in a console platforming game in quite some time, but all that will change come this holiday as Kirby is back and better than ever.    

Perhaps the one of the most different things about Kirby this time around is his new look. Kirby’s Epic Yarn trades in his three-dimensional look in exchange for a colorful and playful look that somewhat resembles that of Yoshi’s Story. Still, despite the relatively childish look, the graphical approach that Good-Feel has taken has been welcome by many gaming fans.    

The visuals of Kirby’s Epic Yarn looks great, but it’s also very interactive. In its debut trailer, Kirby was shown pulling back a piece of material to reveal a new area. Whenever Kirby goes behind the scenes of a stage, the fabric bulges outwards to show his location.    

Yarn is a huge component of Kirby’s Epic Yarn and that can easily be seen in the debut trailer. In one boss fight, Kirby uses his yarn to haul on a dragon’s tongue and spin it into a ball. After yanking it as far he can, the mass that Kirby has created is whipped right back at the dragon, hurting him in the process.    

In another particular boss fight Kirby uses yarn in a very similar matter, but instead of yanking on a dragon’s tongue, he uses it to catch fireballs to send them back at a flying bird.    

Kirby can take the shape of a variety of powerful vehicles this time around, ranging from a fast car when on land, a submarine when underwater, and even a massive robotic tank and a UFO.    

Cooperative multiplayer is present this time around, which allows a second player to tag along and help out. The second player takes control of a different Kirby that wears a crown.    

Kirby’s Epic Yarn is everything that Kirby fans have been dying for. Kirby’s latest adventure is creative and simple, and many gamers will be anxious to hear that it hits store shelves this fall.    

[The Spectral Force series arrives on the Nintendo DS for the first time, but the end result is anything but great.]

27

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Spectral Force Genesis

« on: June 06, 2010, 06:42:20 AM »

The Spectral Force series arrives on the Nintendo DS for the first time, but the end result is anything but great.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=23202

 The Nintendo DS has plenty of strategy games to choose from, from Nintendo’s own Advance Wars to Square Enix’s Final Fantasy A2: Grimoire of the Rift. There is certainly no drought of quality titles available, hence the reason why niche games such as Spectral Force Genesis get overlooked. That’s not to say that all of those games are great, though.    

Spectral Force Genesis is set in the fictional land of Neverland, where the land is divided into 40 countries, and it is your goal to pick a nation and unify the remaining nations into large one. Although you are presented with a mere seven nations initially, completing the game will open up other nations and help build upon the story.    

Despite being a text-heavy title, Spectral Force Genesis does little to draw gamers in with its writing. Right from the start, the story is rather dull and bare-bones , leaving players bewildered. The entire storyline is rather  weak and never draws you into the action - it’s always a case of here’s the story, here’s the character, now play.    

Another major complaint with the game is that the actual gameplay is rather lacking. The battle sequences often consist of  just tapping a few buttons and watching how things unfold. There are several situations in the game where you are given the opportunity to collect tax money to improve the capabilities of your country, but it always comes down to  tapping a few buttons and letting things unfold - the game never goes that one extra step to get players  immersed in the experience, in terms of both gameplay and story. Even the simplest of tasks are made boring, such as leveling up your commander, as the overall quality of the title is not enough to engage players in the experience.    

While in combat, there are three different types of armies that resemble a rock-paper-scissors triangle, those being attack, defense, and magic.  As you play through a battle, an experience meter fills to enable a unique attack. The battle unfolds on the upper screen of the Nintendo DS, with basic 2D character models battling in simple fights. The bottom screen is where you are given the choice to select commands and plan out your turn.    

Each turn in a battle is divided into months, but a problem lies in that you don’t have complete freedom over what you can do each time - you are always limited to either fighting or collecting tax money. This strange restriction keeps you from becoming engaged with the battle, as the game basically tells you what to do each turn -- all you have to do is tap a few buttons to make it happen.    

From a visual perspective, Spectral Force Genesis is one of the simplest DS titles around. Both the upper and lower screen appear rather boring, and the simple 2D sprites  leave much to be desired as detail and style are notably absent. The backgrounds are rather bland, and the text does anything but make the game feel more lively and engaging.    

Spectral Force Genesis is described as a strategy-sim hybrid, but in the end the game ends up being underwhelming. The story is bare-bones right from the beginning, and the combat system does little to immerse players into the action. If that weren’t enough, there is  very little decision-making in the game –  - most of the game's battles are automatically laid out, and it’s up to you to tap a few buttons to make it happen. In the end, Spectral Force Genesis ends up being a rather disappointing title on all fronts.

Pros:
       

Nice to see a niche game brought over from Japan

       Cons:
       

Poor visuals.

 

Story is very bare-bones.

 

Little to no decision-making.

 

Gameplay is boring and bland.

               Graphics:  4.0
       The 2D battle sprites are dull and leave much to be desired, and the backgrounds could have used a little more color.

               Sound:  4.0
       The mediocre and repetitive background music is largely forgettable.

               Control:  5.0
       It would have been nice to be able to use the stylus more than the D-pad, especially considering that the stylus would have made the tedious button pressing feel more natural.

                      Gameplay:  3.0
       Much of Spectral Force Genesis is already planned out, and all you have to do is press a few buttons to make it unfold. It’s not exciting, but at least it’s accessible for newcomers to the strategy games.

 

       Lastability:  5.0
       Due to a weak storyline and some gameplay issues, Spectral Force Genesis is one of those games that you are probably going to want shelf after a couple of hours.

 

       Final:  3.5
       Spectral Force Genesis suffers from quite a few issues, and considering the amount of great strategy games on the Nintendo DS, it would be best to skip over this and check out something else.      

[Longtime favorites see huge dips in this week's Japanese sales charts.]

28

TalkBack / Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Falls From Number 1

« on: May 27, 2010, 10:11:03 AM »

Longtime favorites see huge dips in this week's Japanese sales charts.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23154

 Despite 13 new games debuting in the top 30 this week, with six of those being in the top 10, no game managed to exceed the 100,000 mark, though Lost Planet 2 for the PlayStation 3 came pretty close.    

In the top spot with sales of 85,000 was Lost Planet 2 from Capcom, followed by Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 with 62,000 units sold (down 51%). Three different versions of Konami’s latest Winning Eleven title debuted in top the 10, all for Sony’s consoles. The Wii counterpart started at position 15, with sales close to 10,000.    

Back in the top 10 though, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker occupied position 4, despite seeing a 46% dip to 34,000 copies. The Xbox 360 version of Lost Planet 2 sold 33,000 units, enough to find itself at 5. Fullmetal Alchemist: To the Promised Land started with 21,000, just ahead of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which saw a 4% dip to 18,000 copies. Rounding out the top 10 was Tomodachi Collection, which fell from 4 to 10 (14,000, down 13%).    

Next week will be one of the biggest of 2010, with Super Mario Galaxy 2 expected to debut in the top spot with sales between 250,000 and 400,000.

[New console Pokémon game due out soon.]

29

TalkBack / PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure Announced For Europe

« on: May 27, 2010, 09:58:29 AM »

New console Pokémon game due out soon.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23153

 Pokémon spin-offs are anything but rare on the Wii, with games such as Pokémon Battle Revolution, Pokémon Rumble, and My Pokémon Ranch being released over the past few years. Adding to that list of games is Creature’s unique take on the Pokémon franchise, in which Pikachu and pals find themselves in a mysterious area known as the PokéPark, where they must befriend other Pokémon to help aid those in need.    

PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure is a minigame compilation at heart, where different "attractions" are scattered across the land that resemble a unique mini-game. Mini-games can range from foot races to water slide courses, and aerial dogfights.    

PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure is due out in Europe on 9 July 2010. An American release has not been confirmed.

[The first Super Famicom entry in the series is DS bound.]

30

TalkBack / New Fire Emblem Announced

« on: May 25, 2010, 09:07:51 AM »

The first Super Famicom entry in the series is DS bound.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23136

 Nintendo updated the official Fire Emblem site yesterday with news that a new Fire Emblem game is coming to the Nintendo DS.      

Entitled Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo Hiktari to Kage no Eiyuu in Japan, the game is a remake of the third entry in the series, which was 1994’s Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo.      

One interesting piece of information is that the original Super Famicom version consisted of a remake of the original Fire Emblem, but seeing as the Nintendo DS has already seen a remake of that back in 2009, this new remake will likely focus on the "sequel" part of the Super Famicom title.   Not much else is known about the game, but a trailer can be seen at the official Fire Emblem site.

[The new edition is good enough to get into the finals, but not quite enough for first place.]

31

TalkBack / REVIEWS: 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

« on: May 24, 2010, 09:01:37 AM »

The new edition is good enough to get into the finals, but not quite enough for first place.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=23128

 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa was released across all three major video game consoles, with the HD versions slightly different to their Wii counterpart thanks to both the unique control schemes and additional content. Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or the Classic Controller for a more traditional experience, Electronic Arts has taken advantage of the Wii and implemented a motion-based control scheme that results in a very easy to pick-up-and-play type of game. By shaking the Wii Remote, players can take shots and pass to other teammates or defend free-kicks, penalties, and corners. The Nunchuk is primarily used to control your character, in the same way as the analog stick on the Classic Controller.    

Despite its family-friendly motives, 2010 FIFA World Cup still hinges heavily on strategy. Over the course of each game, players will find themselves building up the momentum meter, which can be accomplished through making quick passes and shots. The AI teams are also no walk in the park, so quickly rampaging up the field like you would in Mario Strikers Charged isn't going to work here. In order to secure the World Cup title, players will need to adjust to their team and figure out strategies that will help lead them to victory.    

Wii games aren't typically known for their great online modes, but Electronic Arts has done a great job of making use of the assets that they had. Those looking for a quick match with a friend on the other side of the globe will feel right at home as the menus are easy to navigate and the matches are lag-free.  There aren't any other modes outside of quick match, though.    

Another great thing about 2010 FIFA World Cup is the amount of options solo players have. Most gamers will find themselves playing the tournament mode more than the other modes, especially with the multiple difficulty levels that keep it compelling for seasoned players.    

In addition to a rather simplistic tournament-style mode, there is a mode called Zakumi's Dream Team, which allows players to compete in matches with nations participating in the cup. If your team wins, you are given the opportunity to select one of the opposite team's members to join your squad. In this way, you can attempt to build the ultimate soccer team.    

From a visual perspective, FIFA 2010 World Cup is clearly designed to appeal to young generations of soccer fans, hence the reason why the game has a somewhat youthful look to it. While the menus are vibrant and full of color, the soccer games themselves leave much to be desired as they appear rather bland. Still, despite that minor gripe, 2010 FIFA World Cup manages to maintain a realistic approach to the sport while also making it appealing to younger audiences.    

   2010 FIFA World Cup is a safe move as it doesn't bring too much new content to the table. Still, there's a fair amount of content present, ranging from an enjoyable tournament mode to a decent online experience. Electronic Arts has created a great soccer game, but for those who have already played a FIFA game for Wii, you probably won't find anything worth getting excited about. With that being said, fans of the franchise or sport should definitely consider this excursion to South Africa.

Pros:
       

Solo experience is quite enjoyable.

 

Family-friendly, easy to pick up and play.

       Cons:
       

Not much different to other FIFA games for Wii.

               Graphics:  7.0
       While the backgrounds are a little bland at times, 2010 FIFA World Cup maintains a very realistic approach offered by the tournament itself.

               Sound:  6.5
       The music is largely forgettable, but it does match the overall atmosphere of the game.

               Control:  8.0
       The Wii Remote and Nunchuk is the best way to go, but for gamers looking for a more traditional style of gameplay, the ability to use the Classic Controller is present.

                      Gameplay:  7.5
       2010 FIFA World Cup does exactly what it was suppose to do - create a great experience based off of the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

 

       Lastability:  7.5
       How long you stick with the game will ultimately hinge on whether or not you enjoy playing games by yourself. If you are more of a sociable gamer, it would probably be a wise idea to check out the HD versions of the game instead.

 

       Final:  7.5
       2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa is a great soccer game and a good title for families looking for pick-up-and-play type of game for their kids. Though not quite as in-depth as its HD counterparts, the Wii version will ultimately give gamers hours upon hours of great soccer matches.      

[The recently released box art reveals that the game will feature downloadable content.]

32

TalkBack / Dragon Quest Monsters Battle Road Victory Features Downloadable Content

« on: May 22, 2010, 11:27:57 AM »

The recently released box art reveals that the game will feature downloadable    content.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23118

 Dragon Quest Monsters: Battle Road Victory is due to be released in Japan in less than two months. The card based game is a port of the arcade game, Dragon Quest Monsters Battle  Road. Not much is known about how the Wii version will be different from the arcade version.    

Besides a different control scheme, one thing that the Wii version will boast is paid downloadable content, as revealed by the orange Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo on the box art. In addition to this, it also states that Wi-Fi combat will be free, with some extras available at a premium price.    

Dragon Quest Monsters: Battle Road Victory is slated for a July release in Japan.

[The third and final game in the first series of Professor Layton games could be heading overseas in the not too distant future.]

33

TalkBack / Next Professor Layton Game on the Way

« on: May 22, 2010, 04:10:37 AM »

The third and final game in the first series of Professor Layton games could be heading overseas in the not too distant future.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23117

 After the success of the first two Professor Layton titles, it should not be surprising to see that Level-5 and Nintendo have plans to bring the third game and final game in the first series of games overseas.    

Level-5 registered a trademark for Professor Layton and the Unwound Future lately, which suggests that this could be the English equivalent to Professor Layton and the Lost Time Travel. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but with E3 just around the corner, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future could be on store shelves before Christmas.

[Another slow week in the Japanese charts results in many games staying in the same position as last week, despite some large sales drops.]

34

TalkBack / Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Holds Onto No. 1

« on: May 22, 2010, 12:06:39 PM »

Another slow week in the Japanese charts results in many games staying in the same position as last week, despite some large sales drops.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23116

 As Golden Week concluded last week, game sales in Japan saw quite a large drop, with some games in the top 10 seeing a dip of up to 60%.    

Holding onto the top spot for a third consecutive week was Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2, selling 126,000 copies (down 50%), bringing its total to just over a million. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker saw a large drop of 55% (63,000), while New Super Mario Bros. Wii dipped to its lowest sales week since it launched back in December (19,000, down 59%).    

Tomodachi Collection, after a resurgence due to Golden Week, saw itself drop to sales of 16,000 (down 52%), while Mario Kart Wii also dipped after its sudden boom during Golden Week (13,000, down 60%). Elsewhere on the chart, Wii Fit Plus hangs out with a couple of PS3 games in the lower end of the top 10, a mere 12,000 units sold.    

Next week should see Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 fall out of the top spot as Super Mario Galaxy 2 is expected to debut at the top. It’s difficult to predict how much it’ll sell, but sales in the 100k range are all but guaranteed.    

   01. / 01. [NDS] Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (Square Enix) - 126,000 / 1,002,000 (-50%)    

02. / 02. [PSP] Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Konami) - 63,000 / 638,000 (-55%)    

03. / 03. [WII] New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) - 19,000 / 3.826,000 (-59%)    

04. / 04. [NDS] Friend Collection (Nintendo) - 16,000 / 3,207,000 (-52%)    

05. / 00. [PSP] Hakuouki: Yuugi Roku (Idea Factory) - 15,000 / NEW    

06. / 05. [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) - 13,000 / 2,784,000 (-60%)    

07. / 10. [PS3] NieR Replicant (Square Enix) - 13,000 / 109,000 (-18%)    

08. / 06. [WII] Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) - 12,000 / 1,903,000 (-49%)    

09. / 07. [PS3] Super Street Fighter 4 (Capcom) - 12,000 / 113,000 (-40%)    

  10. / 00. [PS3] 2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa (Electronic Arts) - 10,000 / NEW    

11. / 08. [NDS] Pokemon Ranger: Tracks of Light (Pokemon Co.)    

12. / 11. [PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

13. / 09. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)     14. / 14. [PSP] Monster Hunter Freedom Unite [PSP the Best Reprint] (Capcom)    

15. / 00. [NDS] Trick DS-han: Kakushi Kami no Sumukan (Konami)    

16. / 12. [NDS] New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)    

17. / 00. [360] Metro 2033 (Spike)    

18. / 13. [PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

19. / 16. [NDS] Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver (Pokemon Co.)    

20. / 00. [PSP] 2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa (Electronic Arts)    

21. / 20. [NDS] Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry   Skies [Ultimate Hits] (Square Enix)    

22. / 30. [PSP] Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact (Marvelous   Entertainment)    

23. / 17. [WII] One Piece: Unlimited Cruise 2 - Awakening   of the Hero [Everyone's Recommendation Selection]   (Bandai Namco)    

24. / 15. [NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo)    

25. / 25. [PS2] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

26. / 23. [360] Super Street Fighter 4 (Capcom)    

27. / 34. [PS3] The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the   Year Edition (Bethesda Softworks)    

28. / 18. [PS3] Fist of the North Star: Warriors (Koei)    

29. / 21. [NDS] Mario Kart DS (Nintendo)    

30. / 28. [WII] Taiko Drum Master Wii 2 (Bandai Namco)  

[New Art Style game planned for WiiWare later this month.]

35

TalkBack / Art Style: light trax Dated for May 24th

« on: May 13, 2010, 11:20:36 PM »

New Art Style game planned for WiiWare later this month.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23079

 Nintendo’s Art Style series has been known for its unique gameplay, and their latest addition to the series is certainly no exception. Come May 24, players will be in command of a white beam of light as it races against other colored beams down a dark track, avoiding obstacles and searching for power-ups along the way. It is very similar to the bit Generations game, Dot Stream, so those who missed out there can try the game on WiiWare this time.    

Art Style: light trax launches May 24 on WiiWare, alongside Nintendo’s Metal Torrent for the Nintendo DSiWare service.

[Iwata explains the purpose of "My First Super Mario Galaxy 2", a DVD bundled with the game in Japan and Europe.]

36

TalkBack / Iwata Details Super Mario Galaxy 2 DVD

« on: May 07, 2010, 08:56:12 PM »

Iwata explains the purpose of "My First Super Mario Galaxy 2", a DVD bundled with the game in Japan and Europe.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23040

 Super Mario Galaxy was not as big in Japan as it was overseas, as only one-eighth of its lifetime sales came from that particular market. To try and change that and avoid the possibility of the game's sales performing below the original, Nintendo has decided to bundle the game with a DVD entitled "My First Super Mario Galaxy 2" in both Japan and Europe.    

   

During a recent investors meeting, Iwata explained that the DVD will be ncluded to address the concerns that many gamers have with playing Mario in a third dimension. New Super Mario Bros. Wii has shown has that Japan loves two-dimensional Mario, yet his 3D outings have failed to match the sales of his more traditional titles.    

To combat this issue in Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo tried to make a 3D world where players would not be overcome or frustrated by the idea of having a sphere-shaped level design. The DVD includes tips that will help newcomers get a better handle on controlling Mario in the third dimension.

[Sequel to the highly-successful Wii-exclusive due out soon.]

37

TalkBack / Ubisoft Begins Search For Talent For Just Dance Sequel

« on: May 07, 2010, 03:17:04 PM »

Sequel to the highly-successful Wii-exclusive due out soon.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23036

 Just Dance was only released late last year and Ubisoft has already begun working on a Wii sequel.    

Having already sold 3 million copies worldwide, with one million of those coming from the United Kingdom, Ubisoft has already started promoting the game through a talent competition, in aims of finding three choreographers in the United States, France and United Kingdom, all of which are to be featured in the upcoming sequel    

A solid release date has yet to be announced, but you can guarantee that Just Dance 2 will get people up off the couch and moving to their favorite hits.

[Dragon Quest returns to the summit of the charts, followed by some old favorites that saw large increases this past week.]

38

TalkBack / Media Create Sales: April 26 - May 2

« on: May 07, 2010, 03:15:11 PM »

Dragon Quest returns to the summit of the charts, followed by some old favorites that saw large increases this past week.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=23035

 Golden Week is always one of the larger chart weeks in Japan, due largely to many companies releasing some of their blockbuster hits just before the holiday begins. This year was certainly no exception, as it saw five new games debut in the top 10, all of which managed to start off with sales of at least 24,000 units.    

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 was the biggest game released in Japan last week, and its numbers certainly mirror that statement. In a matter of days the game moved 624,000 units, which is roughly the same number the original managed to sell back in December 2006. It should be noted, however, that the first game was faced with severe supply problems as it fell to 7,000 units in its fourth week before rebounding to sell 100,000 copies the following week. Still, when everything was said and done, it managed to sell 1.5 million copies, so it isn’t unrealistic for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 to top out near the original’s lifetime total.    

Landing in the runner-up spot this week was Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker from Konami, opening with sales of 434,000 units. The re-release of Street Fighter IV for the PS3 and Xbox 360 open at number 3 and 5, with 81,000 and 28,000 copies sold respectively. The last and final game to debut in the top 10 was Katekyoo Hitman Reborn!, which starts with sales of 24,000.    

Longtime favorite New Super Mario Bros. Wii slips two spots to number 4, despite seeing a 53% sales increase. Mario Kart Wii, however, saw the biggest week-over-week increase at 105%, bringing its weekly total to an astonishing 28,000 units.      

On Nintendo’s other platform, Tomodachi Collection slips from 4 to 7 (27,000, up 37%). Rounding out the top 10 are Wii Fit Plus, which dips from 7 to 10 (20,000, up 31%), and NieR Replicant, which plummets from 1 down to 9 (21,000, down 65%).    

Next week should be interesting, as well as we will start to see which of the new games will have legs and which ones will crash and burn.    

   

01. / 00. [NDS] Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (Square Enix) - 624.000 / NEW    

02. / 00. [PSP] Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Konami) - 434.000 / NEW    

03. / 00. [PS3] Super Street Fighter 4 (Capcom) - 81.000 / NEW    

04. / 02. [WII] New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) - 44.000 / 3.760.000 (+53%)    

05. / 00. [360] Super Street Fighter 4 (Capcom) - 28.000 / NEW    

06. / 08. [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) - 28.000 / 2.739.000 (+105%)    

07. / 04. [NDS] Friend Collection (Nintendo) - 27.000 / 3.157.000 (+37%)    

08. / 00. [NDS] Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Fate of Heat III - Yuki no Shugosha Raishuu! (Takara Tomy) - 24.000 / NEW    

09. / 01. [PS3] NieR Replicant (Square Enix) - 21.000 / 81.000 (-65%)    

10. / 07. [WII] Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) - 20.000 / 1.867.000 (+31%)      

11. / 06. [PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

12. / 10. [NDS] Pokemon Ranger: Tracks of Light (Pokemon Co.)    

13. / 00. [360] Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction (Ubisoft)    

14. / 00. [PSP] Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact (Marvelous Entertainment)    

15. / 00. [PSP] Marriage Royale: Prism Story (ASCII Media Works)    

16. / 16. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)    

17. / 13. [PSP] Monster Hunter Freedom Unite [PSP the Best Reprint] (Capcom)    

18. / 12. [PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

19. / 21. [NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo)    

20. / 14. [PS3] Fist of the North Star: Warriors (Koei)    

21. / 22. [NDS] New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)    

22. / 17. [WII] One Piece: Unlimited Cruise 2 - Awakening of the Hero [Everyone's Recommendation Selection] (Namco Bandai)    

23. / 00. [PSP] Zettai Meikyuu Grimm: Nanatsu no Kagi to Rakuen no Otome (Karin Entertainment)    

24. / 18. [PS3] Yakuza 4: Heir to the Legend (Sega)    

25. / 23. [PS2] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

26. / 05. [PSP] Ys: Oath of Felghana (Falcom)    

27. / 28. [NDS] Crayon Shin-Chan: Obaka Daininden - Susume! Kasukabe Ninja Tai! (Namco Bandai)    

28. / 24. [NDS] Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies [Ultimate Hits] (Square Enix)    

29. / 11. [360] NieR Gestalt (Square Enix)    

30. / 00. [PS2] ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two (Comfort)    

[Another relatively slow week in Japan as New Super Mario Bros. Wii is bumped into the runner-up spot.]

39

TalkBack / Media Create Sales: April 19-25

« on: May 01, 2010, 11:07:12 AM »

Another relatively slow week in Japan as New Super Mario Bros. Wii is bumped into the runner-up spot.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22999

 Nintendo has been dominating the Japanese sales charts of late, and while that may still be true for the week ending April 25, this week they were prevented from claiming the top spot again. If it had not been for Square Enix, New Super Mario Bros. Wii would have made a third straight week atop the charts.    

Released simultaneously across the PS3 and Xbox 360, NieR Replicant for the PS3 debuted at the top of the charts with 60,000 copies being sold, while Nier Gestalt for the Xbox 360 landed just outside the top 10 with sales of less than 12,000.      

Inside the top 10, New Super Mario Bros. Wii lands in the runner-up spot with 29,000, followed by Tokyo Mono Harashi for the PSP with a debut of 22,000. Nintendo’s Friend Collection drops 2 to 4 (20,000, down 4%), while Wii Fit Plus climbs from 7 to 9 (15,000, up 2%). Ys: Oath of Felghana marks the third new addition to the top 10, with sales of 16,000, while The Elder Scrolls IV starts at 9 with 12,000. Rounding out the top 10 are Pokemon Ranger: Tracks of Light, which falls 6 to 10 (down 25%), and Mario Kart Wii, which rebounds into the top 10 at 8.      

Next week should see some big debuts, most notably Dragon Quest Monsters 2 and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.        

01. / 00. [PS3] NieR Replicant (Square Enix) - 60,000 / NEW    

02. / 01. [WII] New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) - 29,000 / 3.715,000 (-10%)    

03. / 00. [PSP] Tokyo Mono Harashi: Karasu no Mori Gakuen Kitan (Atlus Co.) - 22,000 / NEW    

04. / 02. [NDS] Friend Collection (Nintendo) - 20,000 / 3,131,000 (-4%)    

05. / 00. [PSP] Ys: Oath of Felghana (Falcom) - 16,000 / NEW    

06. / 03. [PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami) - 16,000 / 118,000 (-23%)    

07. / 09. [WII] Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) - 15,000 / 1,848,000 (+2%)    

08. / 15. [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo) - 14,000 / 2.711,000    

09. / 00. [PS3] The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition (Bethesda Softworks) - 12,000 / NEW    

10. / 06. [NDS] Pokemon Ranger: Tracks of Light (Pokemon Co.) - 12,000 / 409,000 (-25%)    11. / 00. [360] NieR Gestalt (Square Enix)    

12. / 04. [PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

13. / 11. [PSP] Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP the Best Reprint) (Capcom)    

14. / 05. [PS3] Fist of the North Star: Warriors (Koei)    

15. / 00. [360] Ketsui: Kizuna Jigoku Tachi Extra (5pb.)    

16. / 13. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)    

17. / 00. [WII] One Piece: Unlimited Cruise 2 - Awakening of the Hero (Everyone's Recommendation Selection) (Namco Bandai)    

18. / 10. [PS3] Yakuza 4: Heir to the Legend (Sega)    

19. / 00. [360] The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition (Bethesda Softworks)    

20. / 12. [NDS] Etrian Odyssey III: Caller of the Starry Seas (Atlus Co.)    

21. / 24. [NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo)    

22. / 16. [NDS] New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)    

23. / 14. [PS2] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

24. / 18. [NDS] Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (Ultimate Hits) (Square Enix)    

25. / 00. [PSP] Himawari: Pebble in the Sky Portable (Kadokawa Shoten)    

26. / 00. [PSP] Knights in the Nightmare (Sting)    

27. / 00. [NDS] Naruto Shippuden: Ninjutsu Zenkai! Cha-Crash! (Takara Tomy)    

28. / 26. [NDS] Crayon Shin-Chan: Obaka Daininden - Susume! Kasukabe Ninja Tai! (Namco Bandai)    

29. / 07. [PS3] No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (Marvelous Entertainment)    

/ 27. [NDS] Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver (Pokemon Co.)    

[Seth Killian, the Community Manager at Capcom, explains that the Wii brawler has performed better than they had anticipated.]

40

TalkBack / Capcom: Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom Beat Initital Sales Expectations

« on: April 28, 2010, 10:06:54 AM »

Seth Killian, the Community Manager at Capcom, explains that the Wii brawler has performed better than they had anticipated.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22992

 In a recent interview regarding the "Capcom Vs." series, Seth Killian, the Community Manager at Capcom, spoke about the sales of Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars:      

      "[Tatsunoko Vs Capcom] certainly beat the initial expectations. It didn't set any land speed records,  but it was a success. And that's really saying something considering that we're talking about a game  that was not only never coming out, but has a title that most people can't even pronounce."    

  After the failure Capcom had with Spyborgs, they had a lot riding on Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, so it is nice to see that the game turned out to be a success in their eyes. Who knows, maybe the success of the game will result in a sequel on the Wii.

[Another slow week results in New Super Mario Bros. Wii holding onto the top spo]

41

TalkBack / Media Create Sales: April 12-18

« on: April 22, 2010, 07:38:03 PM »

Another slow week results in New Super Mario Bros. Wii holding onto the top spo
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22956

 Video game sales in Japan have been on a decline as of late, and Media Create sales from the week ending April 18 certainly don’t show a bright outlook for the future.   For the second week in a row, New Super Mario Bros. Wii holds the top spot despite a 14% drop in sales. In the runner-up spot was Friend Collection, which is starting to see a steady decrease in sales. Still, each game managed to sell 32,000 and 21,000 copies, respectively.  Rounding out the top 10 was the latest Pokemon Ranger (16,000) and Wii Fit Plus (15,000).      

Outside the top 10, former number-one hit Etrian Odyssey dips from 7 to 12, while the Ultimate Hits edition of Dragon Quest XI falls to a modest 20 from 18. Longtime favorites such as Wii Sports Resort, Mario Kart Wii, New Super Mario Bros.,The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver continue to linger throughout the top 30.    

Next week should be a rather interesting battle for the top spot as both Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 are released. Both games should see debuts over 500k, easily making next week the biggest week of 2010.      

Full rankings:    

   

01. / 01. [WII] New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) - 32,000 / 3,687,000 (-14%)    

02. / 05. [NDS] Friend Collection (Nintendo) - 21,000 / 3,111,000 (-7%)    

03. / 03. [PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami) - 21,000 / 103,000 (-33%)    

04. / 04. [PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami) - 19,000 / 107,000 (-38%)    

05. / 02. [PS3] Fist of the North Star: Warriors (Koei) - 19,000 / 510,000 (-45%)    

06. / 06. [NDS] Pokemon Ranger: Tracks of Light (Pokemon Co.) - 16,000 / 396,000 (-21%)    

07. / 00. [PS3] No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (Marvelous Entertainment) - 16,000 / NEW    

08. / 00. [360] No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (Marvelous Entertainment) - 15,000 / NEW    

09. / 09. [WII] Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) - 15,000 / 1,832,000 (-2%)    

10. / 08. [PS3] Yakuza 4: Heir to the Legend (Sega) - 11,000 / 523,000 (-38%)      

11. / 10. [PSP] Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP the Best Reprint) (Capcom)    

12. / 07. [NDS] Etrian Odyssey III: Caller of the Starry Seas (Atlus Co.)    

13. / 16. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)    

14. / 11. [PS2] Pro Baseball Spirits 2010 (Konami)    

15. / 18. [WII] Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)    

16. / 17. [NDS] New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)    

17. / 00. [PSP] Sokukoku no Kusabi: Hiiro no Kakera 3 Portable (Idea Factory)    

18. / 20. [NDS] Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (Ultimate Hits) (Square Enix)    

19. / 00. [PS2] Clover no Kuni no Alice (Prototype)    

20. / 19. [PS3] God of War III (SCE)    

21. / 12. [NDS] Nicola Kanshuu: Model Oshare Audition (Alchemist)    

22. / 14. [PSP] Gundam: Assault Survive (Namco Bandai)    

23. / 13. [PSP] Atelier Judie: Guramnat no Renkinjutsu - Toraware no Morito (Gust)    

24. / 24. [NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo)    

25. / 21. [NDS] Pro Baseball Family Stadium DS 2010 (Namco Bandai)    

26. / 25. [NDS] Crayon Shin-Chan: Obaka Daininden - Susume! Kasukabe Ninja Tai! (Namco Bandai)    

27. / 26. [NDS] Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver (Pokemon Co.)    

28. / 22. [PSP] God Eater (Namco Bandai)    

29. / 28. [NDS] Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reviere (Square Enix)    

30. / 15. [PSP] Dead or Alive: Paradise (Tecmo)  

[Momotaro and One Piece join the already successful line-up.]

42

TalkBack / Nintendo Adds Two New Titles to Recommendation Line

« on: March 11, 2010, 10:28:07 AM »

Momotaro and One Piece join the already successful line-up.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22748

 It was only last month that Nintendo launched their "“Everyone’s Recommendation Selection"” budget lineup of games, which consisted of quality titles being released at budget prices. Many thought it would be a one- time thing, but Nintendo has surprised us once again by announcing that two new titles that are about to join the line-up come April.    

Priced at ¥2,800 each, the next two games to join the already successful line-up are Namco Bandai'’s One Piece: Unlimited Cruise Episode 2 and Hudson'’s Momotaro Dentetsu 16.    

Nintendo decides what titles join the line-up by looking at ratings given by players on the Nintendo Channel. To qualify, a game must achieve a rating of either bronze, silver, gold or platinum.    

Both of these games will come the line-up on April 22, bringing the total number of entries up to nine.

[Looks like the snow melted before these bears could play their dull selection of winter games.]

43

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games

« on: March 10, 2010, 10:46:16 PM »

Looks like the snow melted before these bears could play their dull selection of winter games.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22744

 The WiiWare service has seen quite a few strange titles, ranging from Super Meat Boy to the creepy Muscle March. Ranking up with those strange titles is Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games, a mini-game compilation in which you assume the role of a bear and progress through a variety Winter-themed mini-games.    

 Whenever the words ‘mini-game compilation’ and ‘Wii’ come together in the same sentence, the end result is usually anything but spectacular, and while Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games is certainly no mold breaker, the game takes a different approach on the genre by focusing on winter-themed sports.    

Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games is   designed to appeal to younger audiences, and chances are they’ll enjoy playing the game. Right from the start, players are given the opportunity to make their own bear using a large variety of clothing and skin templates. In this manner, players can craft the perfect teddy bear to play as.    

As a solo experience, the package is pretty dull. Of course the usual snow-themed games are present, such as snowball fights and snowman building; most of what the game has to offer is pretty forgettable. In the snowball fight, for instance, players use the Wii Remote in conjunction with the Nunchuk to try and hit as many rabbits as possible within a set time limit. Christmas tree decorating, as you’d expect, involves players decorating their very own Christmas tree, which probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, especially when Christmas is still quite a far bit away yet. Despite the gameplay being somewhat underwhelming, the motion controls actually work pretty well.    

Besides playing each of the games solo multi-player options have also been implemented, which is great due to the audience the game is being catered towards. The multi-player works primarily the same as in  single player mode, which means the repetitiveness carries over.    

Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games   is not a worthwhile investment. The game feels very rushed and repetitive, and it would’ve been nice to see Teyon spice up the game a little. Sure,  it is being aimed at five year-olds who no doubt will enjoy it, but it may get old for older players.  . In short, there are better mini-game collections on the Wii than this.

Pros:
       

Controls work well

       Cons:
       

Gameplay is dull

 

Graphics are ugly

 

Can get repetitive

               Graphics:  4.0
       Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so while five year-olds might adore the visual direction, it clearly has shovelware written all over it.

               Sound:  4.0
       Five year-olds will probably love the music, but everyone else will want to discard  it as quickly as possible.

               Control:  7.0
       Perhaps the most redeeming feature of Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games is that the controls actually work pretty decently. Besides the slight problem of some movement recognition, the controls work well for the most part.

                      Gameplay:  4.0
       Dull, repetitive, and cheap. Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games does the impossible by making snowball fights and Christmas tree decorating boring.

 

       Lastability:  3.0
       Just like everything else with Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games, five year-olds will find themselves enjoying the game, despite the lack of content.

 

       Final:  4.0
       It’s a shame that Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games turned out the way it did as it certainly had quite a bit of potential. In short, if you want a good winter-themed mini-game collection, maybe investing in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a smarter idea, as you’ll want to stay far away from Hubert and his winter games.      

[Does Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing pack enough speed to overtake Mario Kart DS as the best portable racing game?]

44

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing

« on: March 11, 2010, 06:02:20 AM »

Does Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing pack enough speed to overtake Mario Kart DS as the best portable racing game?
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22743

 When it comes to racing games, no one can do it better on the Nintendo DS than Nintendo themselves. After the highly-acclaimed and successful Mario Kart DS. it’s pretty surprising to see that other developers haven’t tried their hands on the genre by creating an appealing and fun racing title with an all-star cast of iconic characters like Nintendo has. That is, up until Sega came along with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.    

Judging from the title, it isn’t difficult to make the conclusion that the game is largely based upon Sonic, and while that may be true to some extent, the game more or less takes all of Sega’s iconic   characters and throws them into a racing title that is heavily based upon Nintendo’s own creation.    

There’s no doubt about it that Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is heavily influenced by the Mario Kart franchise, and for good reason, too. Like Nintendo’s own series, Sega and Sumo Digital have decided to trade in realism for an over-the-top, high-speed racing game, filled with items and a varied cast of characters, ranging from Sonic the Hedgehog himself to AiAi from the Super Monkey Ball franchise.    

One of the more notable racing techniques from the Mario Kart franchise, known as powersliding, finds its way into Sega & Sonic All-Stars Racing, in which the longer you drift, the more speed you’ll pick up. The driving mechanics are pretty solid for the most part as well, seeing as the game rarely slows down. Once you take off at the starting line, you’ll be going non-stop until the end.    

The Mario Kart franchise is known for its personality; from its beautifully crafted courses to its wide variety of unique items, it’s pretty difficult to find a racer with more character than Nintendo’s own. While Sega has attempted to capture that charm in their own racing creation, the end result is slightly below expectations. The items, for instance, are anything but original. In place of Mario Kart’s banana peels are traffic cones, while boxing gloves and rockets have taken the spots of shells.    

The courses also leave much to be desired. The tracks are certainly very diverse in terms of level design but can’t help but be noted that the screen size of the DS limits the visibility of the course. In this sense, players are constantly struggling with the idea of where to go as they don’t have a clear outlook of the course.    

Sure, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing may not be everything gamers have expected from it, but the end result is hardly worth bickering over. The core gameplay mechanics are set in stone and the addition of a set of achievements really helps propel the game from the mediocre range of racers. Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable title that’s likely to be overlooked by Mario Kart DS, but for those looking for a game that plays similarly to Nintendo’s own creation, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is the way to go.

Pros:
       

Large cast of characters

 

Plenty of content

 

Achievements add replay value

       Cons:
       

Can be repetitive

 

Tracks are sometimes too small as the screen size of the DS limits visibility.

               Graphics:  7.0
       The game are pretty decent and run pretty smoothly, but the game as a whole isn’t quite as vibrant and appealing as Mario Kart DS.

               Sound:  7.0
       While a step down from the console versions, the handheld version still manages to retain some enjoyable and upbeat tracks.

               Control:  7.5
       Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing on the DS plays great for the most part, but compared to Mario Kart DS, the game feels a little loose.

                      Gameplay:  8.0
       The size of the DS screen often limits players' visibility while racing, but for those who overlook that minor gripe, they’ll find a very deep and rewarding racing title.

 

       Lastability:  8.0
       There are 20 racers, 24 tracks, and over 60 missions to entertain solo players, while those looking for a competitive experience can hope online to race against the world.

 

       Final:  7.5
       Sonic & Sega All-Star Racings is a decent effort from Sega and Sumo Digital that is likely to be considered as a Mario Kart clone. Though there’s no denying that the game burrows heavily from Nintendo’s own franchise, Sega and Sumo Digital have served up a good alternative to Mario Kart DS. Those looking for an experience similar to that offered by Nintendo’s franchise should look no further than this.      

[Nintendo and Paon partner to bring another virtual aquarium to the WiiWare service.]

45

TalkBack / Paon Announces Aqua Living for WiiWare

« on: March 01, 2010, 12:38:00 PM »

Nintendo and Paon partner to bring another virtual aquarium to the WiiWare service.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22673

 My Aquarium is one of the best-selling WiiWare games to date and it’s rather surprising that other developers haven’t tried jumping on the bandwagon and releasing knock-offs of Hudson’s successful virtual aquarium program. All that’s about to change come next week as Nintendo and developer Paon have teamed up to release Aqua Living: The FIsh You Can Watch On Your TV.    

Scheduled for a release in Japan on March 2, Aqua Living is a virtual aquarium simulator in which you pick an aquarium and design it, right down to the fish and its layout.    

There’s also a decent amount of customization as well. Besides having a huge amount of control over your own aquarium, Aqua Living allows players to play the game from various angles. focus on particular fish, and add your Mii to your aquarium to swim around and interact with its surroundings. When using your Mii, you can even choose to feed your fish.    

Aqua Living is due out this Tuesday in Japan. No word on an international release has been planned, but due to the broad appeal of the game and Nintendo’s track record with localizing its WiiWare games, it would be rather surprising if it remained a Japanese exclusive.

[It's time to hit the trail and head for the beautiful state of Oregon.]

46

TalkBack / REVIEWS: The Oregon Trail

« on: February 25, 2010, 03:15:57 PM »

It's time to hit the trail and head for the beautiful state of Oregon.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22645

 Out of all the third-party developers to release games on the DSiWare service, Gameloft is unquestionably the biggest supporter of the service when it comes to both quantity and quality. Their latest title is certainly no exception as The Oregon Trail may just very well be the best title to come from the developer for Nintendo's handheld downloadable service.    

The Oregon Trail is often considered an educational title, and for good reason too; the game filled with historical information about many people's lives during the 19th century.  The Oregon Trail gets its name from a path that spread from the Missouri River to Oregon. It's a lengthy route that is filled with dangerous animals and events, and thankfully everything exciting about it carries over onto the handheld interpretation of the adventure.    

Your quest begins as you and your four other family members depart from the eastern side of America to the Pacific Northwest. The premise is simple: get to the other side of the country while keeping on schedule and maintaining a high level of health. You'll spend most of your time on the overworld screen in which you can observe your family and determine the rate at which you want to travel. Speeds run from a rapid run to a turtle's pace.    

And this is where the game starts to get exciting. If you decide to run fast, you'll deplete your food stocks a lot faster than you would if you take your time. On the other hand though, if you run fast you'll be able to stay ahead of schedule whereas you're more likely to fall behind if you move at a slower pace.    

Besides keeping an eye on your progress and your food stocks, which can be observed on the upper screen, you'll also want to keep observing your wagon's condition. A damaged wagon is more likely to cause problems for your family whereas a good quality one will make the ride a lot smoother. Your wagon will take small amounts of damage periodically on the way, but there are certain opportunities where it can take quite a hit, such as when you're giving the chance to travel around a rocky section or walk through it. By walking through it you're going to take a hefty amount of damage, but by avoiding it you'll keep your wagon in good condition and also lose a couple of days.    

The choices don't stop there either. Along the way you'll be given the chance to participate in some mini-games that will help you. There's a hunting mini-game that allows you to shoot a certain amount of prey within an allotted amount of time, while the berry-picking diversion requires you to tap fruit as it appears on screen. The mini-games aren't for everyone, but it's a good opportunity to try and restore some of your supply instead of having to buy it when you reach a town.    

The Oregon Trail is a great game, mainly due to the many decisions that gamers have to make along their journey to Oregon. Not only do you have to manage your time wisely but you also have to manage your resources. If your resources drop low enough, your family's health will go down with it, which can result in some of your family members dying.    

The overall design of The Oregon Trail is worth praising as it has a very cartoonish look to it. It isn't difficult to have fun with the game and the graphics certainly help enhance one's enjoyment as the style helps take realism away from the game, something you won't want to be feeling when one of your family members passes away.    

In case you weren't already aware, The Oregon Trail is a port of the iPhone/iPod Touch version, which means you're essentially getting the same experience for a couple of dollars more. On the bright side, the DSiWare version utilizes the camera, which allows you to take photos of yourself to publish in in-game newspapers.    

The Oregon Trail is a great premium-priced title on the DSiWare Store and stands out as one of the best titles on the service. Not only is the gameplay engaging and fun, but it's also educational. In short, The Oregon Trail is one game you're not going to want to miss, whether you like educational games or not.

Pros:
       

Engaging experience

 

Educational title disguised as an adventure game

       Cons:
       

Mini-games may not be everyone's cup of tea

               Graphics:  9.0
       The graphics have a nice cartoonish look that is very clean and polished.

               Sound:  7.0
       The game has typical western music that is a little repetitive at times.

               Control:  8.5
       The stylus control is great, especially in the mini-games.

                      Gameplay:  9.0
       The Oregon Trail gives players the opportunity to craft their own adventure due to all the decisions they make, and the core gameplay is  engaging and enjoyable.

 

       Lastability:  9.0
       The Oregon Trail is one of those games you can play through quite a few times thanks to the different decisions players make along the way. The addition of different difficulty levels further helps make replaying the game worthwhile.

 

       Final:  9.0
       The Oregon Trail is one of the best third-party efforts on the DSiWare service so far, and it is definitely worth investing it. If you're looking for a great adventure game, look no further than The Oregon Trail.      

[Trajectile is a repetitive but enjoyable action game from Q-Games.]

47

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Trajectile

« on: February 22, 2010, 03:52:56 PM »

Trajectile is a repetitive but enjoyable action game from Q-Games.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22605

 Since late last year, Q-Games has hopped onto the DSiWare bandwagon and released quite a few games. Already we've seen them take on the Art Style series with Art Style: Digidrive and head to the depth of outer space in Starship Defense. In their next title, Q-Games decided to take a trip down memory lane in a game that plays and feels very reminiscent to Arkanoid.    

Trajectile is a rather simple game in which the goal is destroy a set of targets that are mixed with blocks on the upper screen. Using the lower screen, players adjust the direction of a variety of missiles that can bounce off walls and smash, blast, or drill through targets and other blocks. Completing each stage is no easy feat either. Not only are players faced with the task of getting rid of blocks that surround targets, there are also multipliers scattered among some stages that can help boost your score.    

There is a lot of strategy in the game as well. Instead of just firing missiles at your own will, each level has a set amount of turns with different types of missiles at specific places each turn. There are only three different types of missiles: ones that bounce around the blocks, ones that drill through them, and bomb-like ones that explode the nearby area. It's nice to see different types of missiles included, but it does little to add variety to the gameplay.    

Still, Trajectile is a solid game. The game offers a large amount of stages in a variety of different categories, starting with the bronze class. There are 200 stages present in the game, which is quite a hefty amount and sure to be a delight to many gamers looking for a lengthy game.    

From a visual perspective, Trajectile has a very nostalgic look to it. It's certainly nice to see this design, but the stages all look a little generic. The only major difference between stage backgrounds is the background color, which can range from red to green to blue.    

Trajectile has quite a lot going for it, but it's ultimately flawed by a couple of minor problems. For one, the gameplay can be somewhat repetitive, as can the graphics. The hefty amount of stages is certainly nice, but it's useless when the game is repetitive. Still though, those who can adapt to that problem are sure to have a good time.    

Another minor complaint is that after successfully lining up your missiles to the direction you want them to fire, you have to keep it in place for a few seconds before releasing. When the grey projection turns white, you can lift up your stylus and see your missiles fly off. The problem with this is that you sometimes have to experiment a little before successfully finding the point where you want to fire. After finally finding it, it's a little difficult to keep it in place. Regardless though, this is only a small problem in an otherwise great game.    

After Starship Defense and Art Style: Digidrive, it was certainly nice to see Q-Games take a different approach with their latest game. While the repetitive nature of the game may discourage some players, those who stick to their guns are bound to find an enjoyable experience.

Pros:
       

Plenty of stages

 

Appealing retro look

       Cons:
       

Repetitive

 

Loose controls

               Graphics:  7.0
       The retro look of the game is pleasing, but can get somewhat repetitive.

               Sound:  7.0
       Some nostalgic tunes are present, but it is pretty forgettable and bland for the most part.

               Control:  8.0
       The stylus is pretty responsive for the most part, but can be a bit of a bother at certain points in the game, specifically when lining up shots.

                      Gameplay:  8.5
       Trajectile plays similarly to Arkanoid except levels are a lot shorter. Still, the core gameplay is decent and enjoyable.

 

       Lastability:  9.0
       There are 200 stages present, but due to them being pretty short and repetitive, it'll probably seem like a lot less.

 

       Final:  8.0
       There's no doubt about it that Trajectile is a great game, but it's flawed by its repetition. Those who manage to get past that will ultimately be rewarded with an enjoyable experience, but for everyone else, it'll be prove to be a little bit of a bore.      

[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games has surpassed six million units on Wii and DS as the real life event rages on.]

48

TalkBack / Latest Mario & Sonic Game Sells More Than Six Million Units Worldwide

« on: February 18, 2010, 07:12:08 AM »

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games has surpassed six million units on Wii and DS as the real life event rages on.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=22587

 Sega announced thatMario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games have sold more than six million units worldwide across both the Wii and Nintendo DS since its launch in October 2009.    

With 2010 Olympic Winter Games underway, Sega has promised to support the two games with increased marketing activity. New television campaigns have been scheduled for North America and other major European territories for the month of February.      

"The start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games is a perfect time to ensure Sega is at the forefront of the consumer's mind when it comes to recreating that Olympic Winter Games feeling in living rooms everywhere," said Mike Hayes, CEO for Sega America and Sega Europe. "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is one of the leading third party games for Wii and DS and we were confident the title would have longevity within retail."        

Mario & Sonic CONTINUE TO SHARE WORLDWIDE SUCCESS    

Official Olympic Winter Video Game Hits 6 Million Units Worldwide!    

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (February 19th, 2010) – SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. are thrilled to announce that the Nintendo platform-exclusive game – Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games™ - has sold over 6 million units worldwide since its launch in October 2009 and is available for the Wii™ system and the Nintendo DS™ handheld system.      

With the Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony on February 12th marking the start of the Games themselves, SEGA has big plans to support the title across the globe with increased marketing activity.  New television campaigns for the game are planned for North America (running from February 1st to 28th) and other major European territories including France, Benelux, Austria and the Nordic countries.  As Olympic Winter Games fever hits, SEGA will also be participating in events celebrating the Games around the world in cities such as London, Washington DC and San Francisco.      

“The original Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™ was a huge success for SEGA” commented Mike Hayes, CEO for SEGA America and SEGA Europe.  “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is one of the leading third party games for Wii and DS and we were confident the title would have longevity within retail.  The start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games is a perfect time to ensure SEGA is at the forefront of the consumer’s mind when it comes to recreating that Olympic Winter Games feeling in living rooms everywhere.”    

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is available on Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ systems exclusively.

[Intelligent Systems have managed to craft another excellent puzzle game.]

49

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Link 'n' Launch

« on: February 18, 2010, 11:46:16 AM »

Intelligent Systems have managed to craft another excellent puzzle game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=22586

 Intelligent Systems have developed quite a few impressive games, ranging from the popular Paper Mario series to the strategic Fire Emblem franchise. Besides these big-name titles, the developers are also known for developing niche games such as Planet Puzzle League. Their latest game is the DSiWare game Link 'n' Launch, and it is a worthy addition.    

Link 'n' Launch is a rather simplistic game in which your goal is to launch a rocket to a destination at the end of a course. To do this, you must move tiles scattered across the touch screen into a certain position so fuel can travel from a fuel cell on the bottom screen to the rocket on the upper screen.    

Doing this is easier said than done, though. For one, these pieces can't simply be dragged into position. In order to line up the pieces, they must be rolled around the course. But they must always be rolling along another object, whether it is a piece of land or another tile. Each tile also has a different shape engraved in them that symbolizes how it energy can move through it, ranging from one direction to four. Upon successfully creating a path from the fuel cell to the rocket at the top of the screen, it'll take off and head to the next part of the stage where you’ll have to do the same thing again except with a different arrangement.    

Another strategic element of the game is that the rocket can move vertically straight or to the left or right depending on which of the rocket's thrusters you connect the energy cell to. The purpose of this is that you can have a different experience each time you try a level, as each area that your rocket heads to boasts a different puzzle. If you connect it to the middle one, it'll move straight, and if you connect it to the right and it'll head to the left and vice-versa for the left side. Be careful though, as there are boundaries on the side of the course, and if you direct your rocket out of the course, you'll have to restart the stage. The purpose of this is that you can have different experiences each time you try a level as each area that your rocket heads boasts a different puzzle.    

Besides trying to get your rocket to the finish as fast as possible, the option is also available to try and connect screws scattered across each area. These items are easy to distinguish from the pack and work very similar to an ordinary tile except if you make the energy move through it, you'll gain the screw. By collecting three of these golden screws, you can upgrade your ship, which will increase its energy efficiency.    

Link 'n' Launch is definitely not an easy game. Besides the constant stress of trying to connect the tiles in order to make a path to one of the rocket's thrusters, players are also faced with a three-minute time limit. To extend the amount of time you get, there are special objects scattered across each stage that will help increase your time limit by a little.    

There are two different modes that compose Link 'n' Launch. There's a mission mode in which you attempt to propel your ship to a destination planet. This is where players will spend the bulk of their time, but the game's challenge mode is also a nice diversion. Players are presented with the task of using all the tiles in an area to provide the ship with energy. There are quite a few stages here too, making this a very worthwhile addition to the game.    

Link 'n' Launch may not be the most innovative new title from Intelligent Systems, but it's still a blast to play. Gamers are getting a rather hefty game that has quite a bit of replay value. If you're looking for a fun new take on the puzzle genre, look no further than Link 'n' Launch.

Pros:
       

Two different modes with plenty of content

 

Accurate and responsive controls

 

High amount of replay value

       Cons:
       

No multiplayer mode

 

Can get repetitive

               Graphics:  7.0
       The art direction is pretty nice for the most part, but most of the levels look rather bland after awhile.

               Sound:  7.0
       The background music is decent but forgettable.

               Control:  8.5
       Using the stylus is a breeze and feels very natural.

                      Gameplay:  8.5
       Link 'n' Launch is a rather entertaining game, but the gameplay can become a little repetitive.

 

       Lastability:  8.5
       There are quite a few missions in the game's main mode and the addition of a challenge mode further expands the replay value of the game.

 

       Final:  8.5
       While Link 'n' Launch plays well, it would've been nice to see a little more variety in the gameplay. Regardless though, what gamers are investing in is a solid puzzle game that can prove to be quite entertaining.      

[Get ready to blast some ghosts in this great budget-priced game.]

50

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Spotto!

« on: February 17, 2010, 07:32:53 AM »

Get ready to blast some ghosts in this great budget-priced game.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=21178

 The DSiWare Shop has been overflowing with great content since the New Year rang in, ranging from the strategic Number Battle to the family-friendly Me and My Dogs: Friends Forever. Developers are turning things up a notch by releasing quality titles are a small price. While Nintendo's latest title is certainly at a low price, does it pack enough content and appeal to justify the price?    

Spotto is a very simple game at heart. In short, players play as the world's marvelous "Bombirdier" known as Spotto in his self-titled game. His goal is to defeat ghosts in order to rescue Chikkie Wowwow, President Wowwow's daughter.    

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Spotto is the way the game plays. Being a Bombirdier, Spotto must fire bombs at ghosts in order to defeat them. To do this, players must adjust his aim using the stylus. On the lower screen, to the left of Spotto, who remains stationary throughout the game, is a dial that can be turned to adjust his aim, which is outlined in red on both screens. Once Spotto's aim has been adjusted, he'll fire away with a click of a button, hoping to defeat some of the ghosts.    

It's a simple concept overall that is made difficult by the limited amount of bombs that players are presented with. At the beginning of each stage, players are given a mere five bombs to shoot down all the ghosts in an area, which can range anywhere from two to five. If the bomb successfully falls into the mouth of a ghost, it'll explode and that bomb will be added back to their supply. On the other hand though, if the bomb falls to meet contact with the ghost's inside, you will lose it.    

Further complicating the mix are the obstacles that pollute each stage. Everything from wardrobes to bookshelves lingers in the air, and they must be utilized in some cases to get the bomb to reach a ghost's mouth. Ghosts and obstacles sometimes move too, making the game more difficult.    

Thankfully, the game starts players off slowly turns up the difficulty level. After some courses, players will face a boss, which players the exact same as any other stage except it's a much larger enemy.    

In terms of content, Spotto packs 50 stages, each of which is highly entertaining. Though the graphics are somewhat repetitive over the majority of the game, the visual appeal and simplicity of the visuals adds a very unique feel to the game.    

Besides the main story mode, which should last a couple of hours, there's also a challenge mode in which players progress through a variety of stages with a limited supply of bombs. The intention is to see how many stages you can get through before your bomb supply depletes. It's a nice addition to the game, but players will probably be spending most of their time with the story mode.    

While Spotto is a simple game at heart, the amount of enjoyment one can have playing the game is unbelievable.  If you're looking for a simplistic game, look no further than Spotto. Not only does it boast hours upon hours of replay value, but it's also priced at a mere 200 points.

Pros:
       

Simple, easy-to-learn concept

 

Very stylized

 

Tons of replay value.

       Cons:
       

Some backgrounds look generic.

               Graphics:  9.0
       Spotto is a very stylized game, though some backgrounds are a little generic.

               Sound:  6.5
       The music is made up of simple pieces that are pretty forgettable, but the the minimal amount of voiceover when you select "yes, sir!" or "maybe later" is very cute and appealing.

               Control:  9.0
       Using the stylus to control the angle at which Spotto will throw his bombs works great and feels very natural.

                      Gameplay:  9.0
       Spotto is an easy game to get into and very difficult to put down. It is an addicting and enjoyable game that's bound to keep you occupied for quite some time.

 

       Lastability:  9.0
       There are 50 stages in the story mode, and the challenge mode adds even more content.

 

       Final:  9.0
       Spotto is a highly enjoyable budget-priced game that's difficult to put down once you get into it. The stylized graphics are very appealing and the game has practically unlimited replay value. When everything is said and done, this is one game you're not going to want to miss.