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[Based on the Rubik’s Cube license, Rubik's World is slated to release this fall.]

301

TalkBack / Rubik’s World to be Released on Wii and DS

« on: May 02, 2008, 11:09:14 AM »

Based on the Rubik’s Cube license, Rubik's World is slated to release this fall.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15897

 The Game Factory announced that Rubik's World is being developed exclusively for Wii and DS. Rubik's World is a 3D puzzle game that "keep the Rubik’s Cube[‘s] core values alive."    

Featuring online play across the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, both versions will allow players to connect to a community of Rubik's World players. The Wii version will support up to 4 players and will also feature an online message board.    

Rubik's World will be available this Fall for both Wii and DS at $39.99 and $29.99 respectively.    

THE GAME FACTORY SNATCHES RUBIK’S CUBE FOR THE NINTENDO DS™ AND WII™ SYSTEMS AND SECURES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH SEVEN TOWNS LIMITED    

New 3D Puzzle Games Allow Players to Step 'Inside' the Iconic Rubik’s Cube  SANTA MONICA, Calif. – May 01, 2008 – The Game Factory, an international publisher of family-friendly and casual videogames, today announced it has signed a licensing agreement with Seven Towns Limited to publish Rubik's World, a 3D puzzle game experience for the Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ systems, both inspired by the Rubik’s Cube.    

"The Rubik’s Cube is one of the most well known icons in the gaming and entertainment industry," said Henrik Mathiasen, president of the Game Factory. "We’re honored that Seven Towns Limited has chosen us to take the Rubik’s experience to the next level with Rubik’s World. We feel confident that we have created a concept for the whole family that is innovative, challenging and addictive, offering a new twist in the puzzle genre while keeping the Rubik's Cube core values alive."    

"We’re pleased to be working with the Game Factory to enhance the Rubik's brand with Rubik's World," said David Hedley Jones, for Seven Towns Limited, a London-based company that has introduced hundreds of successful original games and toys throughout the world in the past 35 years. "We’re confident that everybody will enjoy this video game experience."    

Step Inside the Cube with Rubik's World    

For those who have always wondered what the inside of a Rubik's Cube looks like, the Game Factory will deliver Rubik's World in the Fall of 2008. Designed for players aged eight and older, this otherworldly game will look and play like no other game on the market. A collection of extremely addictive, easy-to-play puzzle games will increase in difficulty as the player delves deeper into this 3D world. Each version of Rubik's World will host its own unique and original series of games. Players will test their brainpower by constructing 3D shapes and objects, navigating through mazes and even creating their own soundtracks. The DS™ version will allow players to connect to a community of Rubik's World enthusiasts through the platform’s wireless connection. The Wii™ version accommodates up to four players and will feature an online message board.    

Rubik's World for the Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ Quick Facts:    

Release Date: Fall 2008
  Platform: Nintendo Wii™ and DS™
  Rating: RP
  Developer: Two Tribes
  Publisher: The Game Factory
  Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 for the Wii™$29.99 for the DS™
  Genre: Puzzle

[Lapel pins depicting popular characters found to contain unsafe levels of lead paint.]

302

TalkBack / Lead Paint Causes Nintendo to Recall Lapel Pins

« on: April 30, 2008, 05:48:15 PM »

Lapel pins depicting popular characters found to contain unsafe levels of lead paint.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15876

 Lapel pins sold by Nintendo at its two stores, the Nintendo World Store in New York City and the Nintendo “Fun & Games” Employee Store in Redmond, as well as pins distributed across the country as promotional material, have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead paint.    

Nintendo began distribution of these pins in April 2004 and completed distribution this past November 2007. But it was not until now that Nintendo realized that the pins, which they purchased from an outside supplier, contained lead exceeding the levels permitted by US regulations.    

If you have purchased or obtained any of these pins, Nintendo is offering to replace them free of charge. Pin owners can reach Nintendo toll-free at 1-800-431-0971 to arrange replacement of any pins containing the lead paint.

[The newest iteration of the popular Kart racer is available at retail outlets packaged with the brand new Wii Wheel.]

303

TalkBack / Mario Kart Wii Available in Stores

« on: April 28, 2008, 04:11:16 PM »

The newest iteration of the popular Kart racer is available at retail outlets packaged with the brand new Wii Wheel.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15867

 Mario Kart Wii is now available in stores and comes packaged with the brand new Wii accessory, the Wii Wheel. The Wii Wheel is a holder for the Wii Remote that allows players to use it similar to a steering wheel.    

Mario Kart Wii features: 16 new tracks as well as 16 revived tracks from previous Mario Kart entries, online racing, Mii integration, and support for all Wii control schemes.    

Mario Kart Wii packaged with the Wii Wheel is available in stores now for $49.99.    

BUCKLE UP! MARIO KART WII PUTS EVERYONE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT    

New Wii Wheel Brings Motion Controls to Nintendo's Racing Franchise    

REDMOND, Wash., April 28, 2008 – Since the invention of the automobile, kids have pantomimed driving with pretend steering wheels. Since the dawn of the video game age, people of all ages playing racing games have twisted and turned their controllers to steer their vehicles, even though it had no effect on the action on the screen. Now, Mario Kart® Wii makes these fantasies a reality and brings a new level of immersion and interaction to video games.    

The raucous driving game, which launched Sunday, comes packaged with the Wii Wheel™ steering wheel accessory that houses the Wii Remote™ controller and lets players steer just as though they were driving a real car. The accessory has been specifically designed and engineered so that even someone who has never played a video game before can pick up the Wii Wheel and start racing instantly.    

"Just like Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii will have everyone in the household playing together, laughing and having fun," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "With the Wii Wheel and ability to race with Mii caricatures, Mario Kart Wii literally puts players directly into the game."    

While newcomers will find it easy to hop into a race, Mario Kart Wii holds plenty of challenges to keep veterans busy. Mario Kart Wii features 16 new tracks, as well as 16 retro tracks from previous Mario Kart games. Dozens of characters from the Mushroom Kingdom are present, and each has his or her own collection of customized vehicles to race.    

For the first time in the Mario Kart series, racers can compete on either motorbikes or karts as they find shortcuts, grab power-ups and take down other racers in a frantic free-for-all. In addition to the Wii Wheel, players can also choose from three other control configurations, such as the Nunchuk™ and Wii Remote controllers, Nintendo GameCube™ controller or the Classic Controller™, so everyone will find a suitable setup.    

Four people can compete on a single Wii™ system, or up to 12 people near or far can race via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's online gaming service. A new Mario Kart Channel on the Wii Menu lets players compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.    

For more information about Mario Kart Wii, visit www.mariokart.com. Remember that the Wii console features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

[Rapping Trees with rainbow fros can’t even save this game.]

304

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Octomania

« on: April 26, 2008, 06:11:41 PM »

Rapping Trees with rainbow fros can’t even save this game.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=15863

 Apparently, there is trouble in the land of Lonronpia and you are charged with bringing order back. Octopi have overrun this world, due to the shoddy spell work of Kari who was simply trying to summon her favorite treat. Naturally, none of this really matters as it is all a big excuse for a puzzle game based around eliminating octopi from the world.    

Octomania is a puzzle game with a very simple premise: move octopi of the same color onto the various grills that are located at random spots on the screen. In the middle of each grill, a number is prominently displayed, this represents the number of identical colored octopi which must be placed on the grill in order to eliminate it and the octopi alike. Upon destruction of the group of octopi and the grill, a gaseous substance is released in its place. Other octopi of the same color can be placed against the substance to be destroyed as well, further expanding the gaseous remainder. Performing this move will begin a combo chain which will boost your point tally.  Naturally when the screen is filled, at the count of three, the bout will end.    

Two different control schemes are available. The default option features use of the IR capabilities of the Wii Remote, the secondary allows you to hold your Wii Remote on its side a la the NES controller. In either case, you control a 2x2 grid on the screen that allows you to rotate any objects contained within it clockwise or counterclockwise. A similar mechanic was featured in the Japan only title No No No Puzzle Chailien and proves to be an interesting way to control the action on the screen once you acclimate yourself to the mechanic. Reconfiguring your brain to think in clockwise/counterclockwise can take a while to get used to, and even longer to master, giving the game a definite learning curve. Playing the game with the default control scheme won’t help you much either. Pointing at the screen to move the 2x2 grid around is clunky and ineffective for the blisteringly fast pace that matches tend to move at on higher difficulty settings. After a few matches, using the D-Pad and the 1 and 2 buttons on the Wii Remote proved to be absolutely necessary to remain competitive.    

Essentially, Octomania only offers two unique gameplay modes: Endless Mode and Battle Mode. Battle Mode is used for the majority of the game, including  the Nintendo WiFi Connection and Adventure Mode.  Adventure Mode simply follows the shallow story line of the game, stringing together Battle Mode type matches while mixing in some of the worst voice acting since House of the Dead 2. Battle Mode will pit you against an opponent where you try to create combos to fill up your opponent's screen with sea urchins and keep yours as tidy as possible. Sea urchins can only be destroyed by moving them next to the gas created after an octopi grill has been filled. This will not contribute to your combo tally, but merely rid your screen of the unwanted excess. To its credit this mode tends to be good frantic fun when you are in the full swing of battling. Unfortunately, you can lose the match without a moment's notice if your opponent happens to have the right octopi land on the screen in the right places. All of a sudden, regardless of how well you have played for the match, sea urchins will rain down upon you, completely burying you and eliminating all possibilities of winning. Other situations could cause you to dominate your opponent so badly that octopi will fall too slowly and you won’t even have the opportunity to complete a single grill, essentially making you a sitting duck.    

One would naturally assume that Endless Mode would fix these problems by removing your pesky opponent, however it simply creates new ones. Endless mode is simple because you are no longer battling the constant onslaught of falling sea urchins. Here you can take your time in equipping each grill with the needed number of octopi, easily making combos and removing octopi. The mode is truly endless because losing takes forever.    

Octomania is not by any stretch a terrible game. It is a very lightly featured game with absolutely no frills and a decently fun battle mode that can provide a nice experience at times. However hindrances with the core formula tend to get in the way at times, and even the decent core concept of the game wears thin after no time at all. Even at the value price it is hard to recommend Octomania to even a puzzle game fan. The title would’ve been an ideal fit for Nintendo’s upcoming WiiWare service at an even lower price point.

Pros:
       

Battle Mode is usually fun, especially online

 

Voice acting so bad it’s hilarious

       Cons:
       

Entertainment is short lived

 

Battle Mode can be won on pure luck

 

Endless Mode

               Graphics:  5.0
       The graphical presentation is extremely barebones. All of the assets in-game have very few animations. The graphics get the job done, but definitely don’t try to do anything extra.

               Sound:  4.0
       Hilariously bad voice acting and an uninspired soundtrack. The voice acting only becomes annoying during combos when characters only speak parts of phrases for each string of the combo.

               Control:  7.0
       The default control scheme of the game is horrendous. The IR pointing of the Wii Remote is not well suited for the gameplay. The secondary control scheme works just fine, allowing use of the D-Pad for movement.

                      Gameplay:  6.0
       The core of Octomania is often fun. During Battle Mode you can really get absorbed in the game, especially if you are facing off with an equally skilled opponent. However, given that octopi can just happen to fall into the right places, a match can be ended regardless of how well you have been playing.

 

       Lastability:  5.0
       Octomania has no frills whatsoever. Unless you are a high score nut and you can tolerate Endless Mode, there is little to come back to in the game. The Nintendo WiFi Connection allows you to play random people online, which would be the only other reason you might play this game on a second sitting.

 

       Final:  5.5
       Don’t expect much from Octomania, because there isn’t much to be had. Though the value pricing may make it a tempting purchase, don’t give into the temptation. If you are a fan of puzzle games, look into a purchase when it is around half the price that it is now.      

[Due to strong demand and sales, Iwata reports that there are no plans for price cuts this fiscal year.]

305

TalkBack / Nintendo Has No Plans to Cut Price of Wii or DS this Year

« on: April 26, 2008, 07:35:53 AM »

Due to strong demand and sales, Iwata reports that there are no plans for price cuts this fiscal year.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15862

 Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata reported in an interview with Reuters that Nintendo currently has no plans to decrease the price of either the Wii or the DS this year.    

The already computed earnings projections for the year were not calculated with any price cuts in mind, according to Iwata.  Strong sales of both consoles along with strong consumer demand leads Nintendo to believe that price cuts for either system are unnecessary.    

Analysts are predicting that Nintendo’s posted earnings projections for the year are actually on the conservative side and earnings will surpass the numbers projected by Nintendo.

[Interplay to use revenue from Virtual Console sales to bankroll future projects.]

306

TalkBack / Interplay Bringing 16-Bit Classics to the Virtual Console

« on: April 25, 2008, 01:08:50 AM »

Interplay to use revenue from Virtual Console sales to bankroll future projects.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15857

 Interplay recently announced that they will be bringing some of their classic titles to the Virtual Console. These titles include Earthworm Jim, Earthworm Jim 2, Boogerman and Clayfighter. Rather than the SNES versions of the games, the Genesis versions will be made available.    

After the recent sale of the Fallout license to Bethesda, Interplay is pursuing a strategy of low debt and operational costs while they seek funding to bankroll their upcoming projects.    

No release date has been revealed for the four announced titles.    

  Four Interplay Classics Arrive on Wii Virtual Console    

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 21 -- Interplay Entertainment Corp. announced today that four of its franchise titles for the classic Sega Genesis videogame system will soon appear on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console.    

Earthworm Jim, Earthworm Jim 2, Boogerman, and Clayfighter, all popular Interplay titles on the Sega Genesis in the 1990s, will be available later this year on the Wii Virtual Console.    

Nintendo's Virtual Console makes some of the greatest video games in history available for Wii. Users can download and play many favorite NES, SNES, N64, NEOGEO, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx 16 titles.

[In light of the recent discovery that the game's box art has the IGN watermark on it, Capcom is offering replacement art for those who have already purchased the game.]

307

TalkBack / Capcom Offering Replacement Okami Box Art

« on: April 24, 2008, 08:01:14 AM »

In light of the recent discovery that the game's box art has the IGN watermark on it, Capcom is offering replacement art for those who have already purchased the game.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15848

 As of last week, it was discovered that the recent release of Capcom’s PS2 port Okami had the IGN watermark on the cover of the box. It is not clear as to how the cover art error came about, but Capcom is seeking to amend the situation with replacement box art regardless.    

Rather than just offer a new piece of art sans the IGN watermark, Capcom is giving customers a choice. Aside from the replacement box art, two alternate pieces of art are being made available. If you have purchased the game, fill out the small form on the Capcom website and make your choice. Within the next few weeks a new piece of box art will be delivered to your door.

[Coinciding with the release of the sixth movie in the Harry Potter series, the Half-Blood Prince will be available this holiday season.]

308

TalkBack / Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Coming to Wii and DS

« on: April 23, 2008, 03:41:49 PM »

Coinciding with the release of the sixth movie in the Harry Potter series, the Half-Blood Prince will be available this holiday season.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15840

 EA revealed today that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be seeing release later this year on the Wii and DS, as well as a number of other platforms. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth entry in the book, movie and game series. The game will follow the basic storyline provided by the book, offering Harry and crew the chance to engage in a number of extra-curricular activities including Potion Making and Quidditch.    

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be available this holiday season for both Wii and DS corresponding with the film of the same title.    

EA AND WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE VIDEO GAME    

Fans will relive the thrills, action and excitement of the movie this holiday season    

Guildford, U.K. – April 22nd, 2008 – EA's Casual Entertainment Label and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ video game will be released later this year to coincide with the Warner Bros. Pictures film based on J.K. Rowling's sixth Harry Potter book.    

"We believe that the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince video game represents a milestone in the movie tie-in genre," said Harvey Elliott, Head of EA Bright Light studio in the UK where the Harry Potter franchise has its home. "Building on the technological advancements of previous games in the series and with a particular focus on the unique control system of Nintendo's WiiTM, the team here is working closely with the filmmakers to create an immersive interactive experience that captures the story, the action, the excitement and, above all, the fun of the film."    

"Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans a compelling Harry Potter video game, one which captures the thrilling storyline and high visual quality of the movie," said Scott Johnson, Vice President, Business Development for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "The adherence to the rich fiction is a trademark of this franchise and with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince fans will experience the most authentic and enjoyable game in the series to date."    

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.    

In the game of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron's romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.    

Under development by EA Bright Light Studio, the team behind the worldwide success of the Harry Potter library of games, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is scheduled for release in time for the movie launch this fall for the Wii™, PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360™, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Nintendo DS™, Windows PC, Macintosh and mobile devices.

[In an effort to match the Rock Band experience, Activision CEO reveals that new iterations of Guitar Hero will feature more than just guitars.]

309

TalkBack / Future Versions of Guitar Hero to Include Vocals and Other Instruments

« on: April 22, 2008, 04:16:05 PM »

In an effort to match the Rock Band experience, Activision CEO reveals that new iterations of Guitar Hero will feature more than just guitars.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15832

 Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that the developers of Guitar Hero, NeverSoft, are working on bringing new instruments and vocals to future iterations of the Guitar Hero franchise.  The revelation came in an interview with the business magazine Conde Nast Portfolio. It is currently unclear as to whether or not this will include the soon to be released Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.    

EA upped the ante with the release of Rock Band and Activision is clearly looking to stay in the competition with their popular Guitar Hero series.

[The arcade light gun shooter is now available in stores featuring the brand new Justice Mode.]

310

TalkBack / Target: Terror Now Available In Stores

« on: April 22, 2008, 04:01:19 PM »

The arcade light gun shooter is now available in stores featuring the brand new Justice Mode.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15831

 Target: Terror, Konami's new Wii light gun shooter has shipped to retail outlets. It is now available now in North American stores.    

The game is a rerelease of its classic arcade counterpart, featuring the new Justice Mode. In Justice Mode players get to dual-wield weapons. Target: Terror also features unlockable mini-games and updated controls optimized for the Wii Remote.    

Target: Terror is rated "M" for Mature and is available for $39.99.    

TARGET: TERROR™ SHIPS TO RETAIL    

Arcade Classic Returns on the Next-Gen Console Utilizing Wii Zapper™    

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - April 22, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Target: Terror has shipped to retail stores across North America.  Developed for the Wii™, Target: Terror brings to North America the classic arcade shooter with features including unlockable mini games and the new "Justice Mode," allowing a single player to use two weapons.  Fans can experience this classic one-of-a-kind game with updated controls for the first time in their own living room.    

"Konami is excited to bring Target: Terror to the Wii," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.  "Fans of the original arcade classic can experience this thrilling light-gun shooter on a next-generation console while maximizing the gameplay experience with the Wii Remote."    

Target: Terror puts players in the place of an elite counter-terrorist agent who is charged with protecting the U.S. from all terrorist activities.  With a full-scale assault spanning the entire U.S., players are given the chance to show terrorists who's in charge by eliminating the seemingly endless waves of enemies with an assortment of high-tech weapons in their arsenal.    

Utilizing the motion sensing controls of the Wii Remote™, fans can experience a seamless transition of the arcade's light gun to the Wii. The arcade experience is enhanced when used with the Wii Zapper™ peripheral to provide total immersion in the game by replicating both the arcade light-gun as well as the elite, tactical weapons used by counter-terrorist agents.    

Target: Terror is rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB and available for an MSRP of $39.99. For more information, please visit www.konami.com.  

[After a year and a half of waiting, Korea can finally get their waggle on.]

311

TalkBack / Wii to Launch in Korea This Week

« on: April 21, 2008, 09:04:54 AM »

After a year and a half of waiting, Korea can finally get their waggle on.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15824

 This Saturday, April 26, Wii will be available in Korean retail outlets. Debuting at 220,000 won (approximately $224 USD), the Wii will launch without Wii Sports packed-in.    

Wii Sports will be available at retail, however, along with eight other titles including Wii Play with remote, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, FIFA 08, Elebits, Namco Museum Remix, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and Super Swing Golf Season 2. Games will cost anywhere from 38,000 won (around $39 USD) to 88,000 won (around $90 USD) for Guitar Hero 3 with the guitar controller.    

The Virtual Console will also be available at launch with titles ranging from 400 to 800 Wii points. The titles available at release include Mario Kart 64, Contra III, Cybernator, Super Metroid, Super Mario World, Gradius III, Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario Bros., Antarctic Adventure, and Donkey Kong.    

The launch of Wii was pushed back from last October when it should have originally been released. Nintendo has stated that the release of Wii will begin a greater involvement in the Korean market. There are already several DS games translated and released in Korea.

312

NWR Forums Discord / Mario and Luigi - TWINSIES

« on: April 21, 2008, 01:24:53 PM »

They look so god damn like the same person. I would say to them, "you want ice cream cone?" Both of them say yes.

[The port of the popular engine has been completed with optimized support for Wii and the Wii Remote.]

313

TalkBack / Torque Engine Port for Wii Completed

« on: April 20, 2008, 08:55:57 PM »

The port of the popular engine has been completed with optimized support for Wii and the Wii Remote.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15818

 GarageGames and Pronto Games have completed the port of the Torque Engine to Wii. The engine has been fully optimized for Wii and includes extensive Wii Remote support.    

The Torque Engine has been used for the development of the popular Xbox Live Arcade Game, Marble Blast Ultra, as well as the upcoming title, Penny Arcade Adventures. It will also be used for the Wii exclusive The Destiny of Zorro, in development by Pronto Games.    

GarageGames is making the engine available for Wii developers as long as they are a certified Nintendo developer. They also offer a WiiWare specific license at a discounted cost. GarageGames is targeting WiiWare developers with their 2D drag and drop game creation features and built-in scripting language support, easing development for smaller game developers.    

Though there is a strong push to WiiWare devs, the Torque Engine is scalable for use with larger titles as well.

[A futuristic first-person shooter that aims to be “a Wii game that looks like a 360 title.”]

314

TalkBack / High Voltage Software Aims at Wii with The Conduit

« on: April 18, 2008, 09:37:50 PM »

A futuristic first-person shooter that aims to be “a Wii game that looks like a 360 title.”
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15812

 The Conduit, introduced by High Voltage Software, is a futuristic FPS that is drawing influence from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Medal of Honor: Heroes 2, and is being built on top of http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15811">Quantum3, the engine built by the same team from the ground up for Wii.    

The Conduit takes place during present day and is set in Washington, D.C. The capital has been attacked by extraterrestrials, and it is the job of Agent Ford, our story’s protagonist, to discover the truth hidden behind the attack. The game will be a straight run-and-gun shooter with advanced enemy AI and some simple puzzle solving involving what the studio calls the “All Seeing Eye.”    

High Voltage Software aims to have the game running at 60 frames per second with graphics that parallel those found on the Xbox 360. The company also plans to smash the preconceptions that Wii owners are not looking for great graphics and visceral shooter gameplay.    

There is currently no word on a release date for The Conduit.

[High Voltage Games is focusing their energy on making poor Wii graphics a thing of the past.]

315

TalkBack / Quantum3 Engine in Exclusive Development for Wii

« on: April 18, 2008, 01:35:58 PM »

High Voltage Games is focusing their energy on making poor Wii graphics a thing of the past.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15811

 High Voltage Games, the team behind the brand-new title The Conduit is creating the Quantum3 engine to power their new FPS experience. Featuring “real-time normal mapping, reflection and refraction, post process full screen effects, real-time shadows, projected lights and textures, specularity and fresnel effects, emissive and iridescent materials, interactive water, [and] morphing,” all purportedly running at a smooth frame rate.    

High Voltage says the Quantum3 engine will provide Wii developers a solid system to develop Wii games that are on par with the graphical offerings of the Xbox 360. The company is making it their personal mission to set a trend in the Wii community where games include more than just a unique play experience, but also offer top-notch graphics.

[Izuna is back for more dungeon crawling with a new TAG team system]

316

TalkBack / Unemployed Ninja to Return to the DS This Summer

« on: April 17, 2008, 01:48:18 PM »

Izuna is back for more dungeon crawling with a new TAG team system
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15809

 Atlus announced today that Izuna, the Unemployed Ninja would be making a return to the DS for another RPG dungeon crawling experience. Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns will offer more depth, options and content than its predecessor while maintaining the same character found in the original title. Amongst these new features is the TAG team system that will allow the player to bring any two party members into dungeons for greater combat strategy.    

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns will be available in stores July 22.    

ATLUS FIRES IZUNA, CLEARS HER SCHEDULE FOR IZUNA 2: THE UNEMPLOYED NINJA RETURNS ON NINTENDO DS      Romp Some Dungeons with the Cutest Ninja-for-Hire Around    

IRVINE, California - April 16, 2008 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns for Nintendo DS™, starring everyone's favorite careless, jobless, and penniless female protagonist with a love for dungeon crawls. Combining zany characters and hilarious dialogue with hardcore dungeon RPG gameplay, Izuna 2 stands out from the crowd with its unique and memorable RPG experience. This sequel offers more game content, combat options, and RPG depth. Also, the lead character's a sexy, self-absorbed ninja.    

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns is currently scheduled to release on July 22.    

  Key Features:

  - Play hardcore with Izuna - Get in the action by combining down-and-dirty old-school dungeon RPG play with the cutest girl ninja ever, for a "stimulating" RPG experience.
 - TAG team system - Take any two party members into a dungeon for a greater range of combat strategy. Combine power to unleash fierce TAG attacks.
   - More Izuna than ever before - Get everything that made the original game a fan favorite, plus more! This bigger, better package includes more dungeons, items, enemies, characters, as well as a wacky new story, side quests, and TAG team system.    

Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns has been rated "T" for Teen with Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.    

About Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns    

Izuna and her gang are back - and just in time for a wedding! Lured by the promise of free food (Why else would Izuna attend?), the festive event becomes a puzzling mystery when Izuna's sidekick Shino suddenly disappears, off in search of her long-lost sister. And making matters worse, the foreign gods have also arrived on Japanese soil, and they aren't very happy with the meddlesome, unemployed ninja. With disgruntled deities on the warpath, a sidekick to track down, and a missing sister out in the wild, it could all shape up to be one of Izuna's more exciting adventures. Sounds like a lot of work for a girl out of a job!

[The follow up title to Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin has been revealed by both the ESRB and the US Patent and Trademark Office.]

317

TalkBack / Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Rated by the ESRB

« on: April 15, 2008, 08:15:30 PM »

The follow up title to Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin has been revealed by both the ESRB and the US Patent and Trademark Office.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15792

 Just a few weeks ago, Konami registered rights to the title Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia under use for video game software. Along with the filing for the title, was the official logo for the game. At that time, it was uncertain as to what systems the game was planned to be made for. As of today, the ESRB has listed a rating of T (Teen) for the title, and listed it as a DS title.    

   

With this information revealed by the ESRB, it is safe to say that this is the game that Koji Igarashi hinted at last October in an interview with GayGamer.net at the E for All convention. This would also make it the spiritual successor to the other DS Castlevania titles, Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin. Both titles followed the Metroid-esque style first presented in Symphony of the Night on the Playstation.    

Some cursory analysis of the title reveals the word Ecclesia. The term ecclesia is often used in the Greek version of the New Testament of the Bible as a synonym for the word Church. By replacing Ecclesia in the title with Church, it may hint at a focus of the story behind the game.    

Currently little else is known about this title. Stay tuned for more information as the story develops.

[Featuring five game modes and more than seventy levels, players will need to control the flow of flooze in this upcoming puzzle game.]

318

TalkBack / PC Classic Pipemania Coming to Wii, DS

« on: April 15, 2008, 02:55:14 AM »

Featuring five game modes and more than seventy levels, players will need to control the flow of flooze in this upcoming puzzle game.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15783

 Empire Interactive is bringing the classic PC puzzler, Pipemania, to Wii and DS this summer. Pipemania features a tiled grid which players must populate, with a preselected set of pipes, in order to keep the constantly accelerating Flooze flowing through the pipes without any overspill.    

Pipemania will feature five modes including: World, Arcade, Bonus, Classic, and Multiplayer. The original Pipemania will also be featured alongside the new title. In the single player mode players will have more than 70 levels to conquer with seven different themes at their disposal. The multiplayer mode will include co-op and competitive play for 2 players.    

Pipemania will be available in stores this summer for both Wii and DS.    

FLOOZE WILL FLOW WITH THE RETURN OF PIPEMANIA ACROSS A MULTITUDE OF GAMING PLATFORMS    

The Popular Puzzle Game is Sure to Please New and Seasoned Gamers Alike    

AUSTIN, Texas - April 14, 2008 - With a new twist to classic favorite, Empire Interactive will heat up the puzzle game genre with the summer release of Pipemania for the Nintendo DS™, Wii™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system, PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system and PC. As they race against time, puzzle game fans of all ages and experience will be able to enjoy hours of brain-teasing fun in this frantic series of quests and puzzles that uses updated gameplay mechanics to build on one of the most poplar franchises of all time.    

"The current generation of gaming platforms presented a great opportunity to re-create Pipemania with all-new features that are sure to challenge players of all ages and skill-level," said Karim Farghaly, vice president of sales, Empire Interactive. "We are certain new and old fans alike will find it hard to put down the mayhem packed into the new installation of Pipemania."    

Pipemania is a fast-paced puzzle game in which players lay down a pre-ordained set of pipes on a tiled grid in order to keep the Flooze, a constant flowing substance that speeds up with progression, moving through the pipes as long as possible without overflowing. Players will need to be fast with their fingers and utilize quick and forward thinking, precise coordination, and keen awareness if they plan to survive the time constraints, pressure and accuracy needed to navigate through the game. There is no chance for players to let their guard down, as complication increases with new elements as players progress through the game.    

Pipemania tests players' skills in five different game modes - world, arcade, bonus, multiplayer, classic, and best of the all - the original Pipemania game. Players will navigate through more than 70 levels with seven different themes in order to build their Island World. The frantic puzzle game offers hours of entertainment with enhanced visuals, new play mechanics, multiple attacks and damages, various Floozes, and an army of characters for players to help and hinder along the way. The entire game can be played in single player or in co-op for competitive play between two players.    

The original version of Pipemania was released in 1989 and followed by Pipe Dreams in 1991. It has been ranked as one of the most popular games of all time and delivered exceptional sales with more than 4 million units worldwide, making it one of the most successful puzzle games in history.

[Yet another shoot ‘em up and the sister title to Super Turrican.]

319

TalkBack / This Week’s Virtual Console

« on: April 14, 2008, 09:08:07 PM »

Yet another shoot ‘em up and the sister title to Super Turrican.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15772

 This week on the Virtual Console we see the release of yet another shoot ‘em up, Fantasy Zone. We also see the release of yet another Turrican, Mega Turrican, the Genesis sister title to the SNES title Super Turrican. Both games are horizontal shooters, one in a spaceship and the other on foot.    

Fantasy Zone puts you in control of the spaceship Opa-Opa and places you in an extremely colorful world unlike the settings typically featured in space shooters. As Opa-Opa you must destroy the enemy bases in each level, and defeat the stage boss to progress. Along the way you will earn currency to purchase ship upgrades to counter the challenges presented in each level.    

Mega Turrican is the sister title to the already released Super Turrican, featured on the SNES. Both titles were developed in tandem and feature similar graphical styles and settings. Mega Turrican puts the player in the Turrican Assault Suit and charges them to complete 15 levels in order to defeat The Machine which has enslaved the galaxy.    

WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL    

April 14, 2008 - Danger may not be your middle name, but you'll find plenty of it in this week's additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel. Two classic side-scrolling action titles invite players to blast and battle their way to a thrilling climax. In a spaceship or an assault suit, it'll take all the grit and gusto you can muster to survive these perilous, heart-pumping adventures.    

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:    

Fantasy  Zone (Sega Master System, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Take command of the spaceship Opa-Opa and blast your way through various fantastical levels as you try to take out all the enemy bases in each stage. Once you've destroyed the bases, you'll have to beat the stage boss in order to move on to the next level. By using your guns and bombs wisely, you'll be able to take down your enemies and explore each of the crazy environments in this side-scroller. You can also buy upgraded weapons for your ship by accessing the shop. Various Sega games through the years have referenced the Opa-Opa-now you can play the game that started it all.    

Mega Turrican (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): The Machine has enslaved the galaxy under its tyrannical rule. As Bren McGuire, the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the evil forces of the Machine that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use the weapons and power-ups of your Turrican Assault Suit, including the incredible Plasma Rope, to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies and find the health and power-ups that will keep you alive. Fifteen levels of chaos and destruction stand between you and freedom.    

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

[The action-adventure title based on the popular Japanese manga will feature an original story line and new characters.]

320

TalkBack / Square Enix Brings Soul Eater to Wii

« on: April 14, 2008, 09:06:49 PM »

The action-adventure title based on the popular Japanese manga will feature an original story line and new characters.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15771

 The most recent issue of Famitsu Weekly revealed that the popular Japanese manga, Soul Eater, will be receiving the video game treatment in the form of Soul Eater Monotone Princess for Wii.    

For those unfamiliar, the Soul Eater Manga revolves around the story of 6 students at a shinigami school. Half of the students are human weapons, while the other half are partners of each of the weapons. Each pair seeks to consume the souls of 99 evil humans and the soul of one witch in order to become the proper shinigami.    

Soul Eater will be presented as an action-adventure game where players make use of the Wii remote for direct control over the featured characters.  Square Enix has teamed up with Atsushi Okubo, the manga’s creator, to bring an original story line and characters for Monotone Princess.    

Currently the game's release date in Japan is unknowing and there is no word of an international release.

[The makers of Gunstar Heroes and Sin & Punishment are currently creating two 3-D Wii games.]

321

TalkBack / Treasure to Bring Two New Titles to Wii

« on: April 14, 2008, 09:01:34 PM »

The makers of Gunstar Heroes and Sin & Punishment are currently creating two 3-D Wii games.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15769

 In an interview with CNET Japan, Treasure president Masato Maegawa revealed that since finishing Ikaruga for the Xbox 360 and Bangai-O Spirits for the DS they have set their sights on Wii. Currently two games are in the works, both featuring a three-dimensional presentation as opposed to Treasure's more traditional two-dimensional offerings. Maegawa also noted that both titles would take special use of the Wii remote.    

No other information was provided on either title, nor when they could be expected in stores.

[The Gameboy Color classic from Two Tribes gets a remake for the launch of WiiWare.]

322

TalkBack / Toki Tori Coming to WiiWare

« on: April 13, 2008, 07:00:11 PM »

The Gameboy Color classic from Two Tribes gets a remake for the launch of WiiWare.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15743

 Toki Tori was a well received, but fairly unknown, Gameboy Color game from 2001. Developer Two Tribes is taking advantage of Nintendo’s WiiWare service to revive this sleeper hit.    

The title will feature new content along with a new look and a brand new control scheme, leveraging the features of the Wii Remote. Players will be able to take use of ten tools and weapons across sixty levels to find lost eggs in this puzzle-platformer.    

Toki Tori is set to release May 12 in the US alongside the WiiWare service. Information on pricing has not been revealed.    

  Two Tribes Announces Toki Tori For WiiWare    

HARDERWIJK, The Netherlands, April 10th 2008    

Two Tribes, the Dutch game developer behind “Worms: Open Warfare 2“ for Nintendo DS, today announces the imminent release of Toki Tori for Nintendo Wii. The game is to be made available through the upcoming WiiWare downloadable game service.    

Toki Tori for Nintendo Wii marks the entry of Two Tribes into the world of home-console games. Based on the critically acclaimed Game Boy Color game, this update improves the original on every front. Sporting a new look, updated content and a completely overhauled Wii Remote control scheme, the game offers players of all ages a classic gaming experience while making the most out of Nintendo's Wii console.    

The gameplay in Toki Tori is a blend of two genres. While it looks like a platform game, it's a puzzle game by heart. Players will have to look and plan ahead carefully while using a variety of items, such as the Telewarp, Freeze-o-Matic and InstantRock™ to name but a few.    

Toki Tori will be made available through Nintendo's WiiWare service, which is scheduled to launch on the 12th of May in the USA. Availability in Europe and Australia will depend on the roll-out of WiiWare in those territories.    

More information about "Toki Tori" for WiiWare can be found at: http://www.twotribes.com/tokitori and http://www.tokitori.com

[Controller to release sometime this month.]

323

TalkBack / Nintendo to Re-release White Gamecube Controller in Japan

« on: April 10, 2008, 01:58:24 PM »

Controller to release sometime this month.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15726

 According to Nintendo’s Japanese website, a White Gamecube Controller is due out this month in Japan. The controller will be released at a 2,000 Yen (approximately $20) price point. The cord will now be three meters long, 50% greater than the length of the original GameCube controllers.    

Currently the Gamecube controller is used for a variety of functions on Wii. These functions range from playing Gamecube games on Wii, use in select Wii games, and use with downloaded Virtual Console games. Advertising for games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart has flaunted the compatibility of the games with many different control schemes, including the GameCube controller.    

There is no word of release in other territories at this time, or any mention of a re-release of the wireless Gamecube controller, the Wavebird.

[Coming this June to Japan, Band Bros. DX for Nintendo DS will feature fifty instruments and over one hundred downloadable tracks.]

324

TalkBack / Band Brothers DX Revealed

« on: April 09, 2008, 07:08:02 AM »

Coming this June to Japan, Band Bros. DX for Nintendo DS will feature fifty instruments and over one hundred downloadable tracks.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15721

 Famitsu Weekly has just revealed that Nintendo has been working on yet another Band Bros. title for Japan. Band Bros. DX is set to be released June 26 for the Nintendo DS.    

According to Famitsu, Band Brothers DX will feature more than 30 classical and J-Pop tracks, with an additional 100 tracks available as downloadable content. Players will have 50 instruments at their disposal, one of which is the NES. A guitar featured in the game will playable with a strumming gesture on the DS touch screen, and all of the songs both on the cartridge and downloaded will feature a karaoke singing mode.    

In addition to the single player mode, a local jam mode will be available where up to six different people can rock out together.    

Currently there is no word on release outside of the Japanese market.  The original Band Brothers, also known as Jam With the Band, was never released in Western territories.

[Coming July 1, this direct sequel will put you back in the role of Derek Stiles to deal with the after effects of GUILT.]

325

TalkBack / Back to the Operating Room with Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2

« on: April 08, 2008, 09:28:26 AM »

Coming July 1, this direct sequel will put you back in the role of Derek Stiles to deal with the after effects of GUILT.
 http://nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15718

 Derek Stiles is back for a direct sequel to the popular DS operation sim Trauma Center: Under the Knife. Players will once again assume the role of the master surgeon, this time dealing with the after effects of the eradication of the GUILT virus.    

Featuring an improved tool utility, a new easy-play mode, and clearer directions, Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 will be available in the US July 1, 2008.    

  ATLUS TO INJECT NINTENDO DS WITH TRAUMA CENTER: UNDER THE KNIFE 2    

The Operating Room is Portable Again this July  IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 7th, 2008 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced Trauma Center(R): Under the Knife 2 for Nintendo DS(TM), a direct sequel to the 2005 smash hit. The fast-paced medical action that made the handheld original a classic is back, along with all of your favorite Trauma Center characters. Rejoin Derek and Angie as they deal with the unpredictable aftereffects of GUILT. With numerous enhancements, including new difficulty modes and new operations, handheld surgeons have a lot to be excited about.    

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 is currently scheduled to release on July 1.    

About Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2    

GUILT is no more. Dr. Derek Stiles and Nurse Angie Thompson faced humanity's greatest threat and triumphed. Now, in the aftermath, they find themselves in unknown territory, forced to deal with the disastrous consequences of the killer virus. Join them as they scramble to address questions left unanswered and put an end to the mystery behind the disease.    

Key Features    

- True sequel to Under the Knife
 - Scrub back in to Nintendo DS for the next chapter of the award-winning Trauma Center: Under the Knife that returns to the tactile stylus-based experience that made the original a smash hit.
 - Derek and Angie are back - Caduceus' preeminent surgical team returns to confront the aftermath of the devastating GUILT epidemic in a brand new story.
 - Just what the doctor ordered - With a new easy-play mode, improved tool utility, and clearer directions, playing doctor has never been so much fun.

   

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 has been rated "T" for Teen with Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, and Mild Violence by the ESRB.