Topics

[Blockbuster and Capcom team up for a Resident Evil sweepstakes. Get all the info right here.]

226

TalkBack / Resident Evil Sweepstakes

« on: September 19, 2002, 08:43:47 AM »

Blockbuster and Capcom team up for a Resident Evil sweepstakes.  Get all the info right here.

CAPCOM ANNOUNCES THE RESIDENT EVIL.COM SWEEPSTAKES

FANS OF THE BLOCKBUSTER FRANCHISE  ARE A CLICK AWAY FROM WINNING COOL PRIZES    

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — September 19, 2002 ¾ Fear spreads across the world wide web as Capcomâ Entertainment today announced the introduction of the official Resident Evil franchise website with the “Ultimate Survival Horror Sweepstakes!”  The destination for all things ‘Evil’ gives visitors the opportunity to win one of many exciting Resident Evil prize packs and provides highlights for upcoming Capcom releases with exclusive game content and news.  

The sweepstakes offers fans of the blockbuster series the chance to win one of 10 grand prize packages.  The line-up of prizes include: a Nintendo GameCubeÔ, Resident Evil Game Carrying Case, Resident Evil Ø (Zero) T-shirt, and a full library of Resident Evil GameCube games – Resident Evil, Resident Evil Ø, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.  More than 50 other additional winners will receive secondary or third prizes consisting of a Resident Evil Ø game pack, T-shirt and game carrying case. The contest runs until December 31st and will be supported by a four-month marketing campaign.

“The website and promotion presents a one of a kind opportunity for Resident Evil fans! The events all build to the exciting upcoming release of Resident Evil Ø,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. “Millions around the world can now access the official Resident Evil site for the latest Resident Evil news and information with just a click of the mouse.”

No purchase is necessary in order to participate in the contest.  Potential winners can enter the sweepstakes by logging onto www.ResidentEvil.com and registering or they can mail in entries with a postcard printed with their name, address and phone number with the words “Enter on ResidentEvil.com to Win!”

Resident Evil Ø is the prequel to Resident Evil, the game that started it all. Utilizing the GameCube's advanced processing power, Resident Evil Ø promises to amaze players with flawless animation, living environments and the best graphics in a video game ever! Created by Shinji Mikami, Capcom's master of horror, the Resident Evil series is now exclusive to Nintendo's GameCube system and ready to scare fans around the world. The entire Resident Evil series has sold more than 20 million units since its introduction in 1996. Resident Evil Ø is rated “M” by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board).  The game is scheduled to release this November.  

 

 Capcom Entertainment, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capcom, Co., Ltd. of Japan.  A leading force in the multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment industry, Capcom’s legacy spans more than 22 years of entertaining video gamers.  Capcom develops, markets, and distributes home video games for the PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo® GameCube, and XboxÔ video game systems, Game Boy® Advance and Game Boy® Color Systems, personal computers, and coin-operated games. Worldwide recognizable product lines include the Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Breath of Fire, and Onimusha series.  World headquarters in Osaka, Japan, the company also has offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, and Sunnyvale, California.  The company is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange code number 9697.

[Ow, my back hurts.]

227

TalkBack / EA signs Marv Albert

« on: September 18, 2002, 06:37:09 AM »

Ow, my back hurts.

Marv Albert Gets "In the Game" with NBA LIVE 2003

Will Partner with Mike Fratello in Future Versions of the EA SPORTS LIVE Series

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2002--Legendary NBA announcer Marv Albert has said "YESSS!" to working with Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Albert will lend his voice to the highly anticipated NBA LIVE 2003 and future iterations of the game.

Albert, a broadcaster for more than 30 years, is entering his fifth season on Turner Sports' NBA coverage and was the voice of the "NBA on NBC" for 11 seasons. The award-winning broadcaster was inducted into the announcers' wing of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Albert will provide voiceover for NBA LIVE 2003 tutorials and handle play-by-play duties for future versions of the game. Joining Albert in next year's game as color commentator will be current TNT analyst and former head coach Mike Fratello. An NBA coach for 13 seasons, Fratello is only the 18th coach to win 500 games, with a career record of 572-462.

NBA LIVE 2003 allows players to get into the action and live their dreams of NBA superstardom. Totally enhanced gameplay brings the physical, fast-paced action of the NBA to life, while the new EA SPORTS(TM) Freestyle Control lets players express their game through the use of the right analog stick on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the right thumbstick on the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft. With the Freestyle Control, players can execute over 100 true-to-life moves such as the step-back move, Triple-threat moves, and pass interceptions, letting players feel the court action like never before and make their hoop dreams come true.

NBA LIVE 2003 will be released this fall for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube(TM), PC-CD and the PlayStation(R) console.

[Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions is officially coming to GameCube. The news is here.]

228

TalkBack / The GameCube gets Wreckless

« on: September 18, 2002, 06:34:56 AM »

Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions is officially coming to GameCube.  The news is here.

ACTIVISION ANNOUNCES WRECKLESS: THE YAKUZA MISSIONS™ FOR THE NINTENDO GAMECUBE

London, UK -- September 18, 2002 -- Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions™, its mission-based driving game for the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft, will shift into overdrive on the Nintendo GameCube™ this November.  

Like the upcoming PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system version, the Nintendo GameCube title will feature all of the ultra-realistic pulse-pounding missions of the Xbox game, plus 20 all-new missions, two-player action, 16 more vehicles to drive with mounted rockets, new sub-missions, interaction with pedestrians, 60 fps gameplay and a "Free Roam" mode. WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions for the Nintendo GameCube is currently rated 15+ by Elspa.

[So you've seen the new US commercial, but what about the Japanese version? Get your dose of Yoshi right here.]

229

TalkBack / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

« on: September 17, 2002, 07:50:47 AM »

So you've seen the new US commercial, but what about the Japanese version?  Get your dose of Yoshi right here.

We've uploaded the new Japanese commercial for Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3.  It's completely different than the US version, so all you Yoshi lovers out there...you'll want to check this out.

*Download the latest  Windows Media Player to view this files.

Yoshi's Island Japanese Commercial

Movie 1 (2.0mb Windows Media File)

 

[Ha HA! If these don't beat the crap out of the Super Mario Sunshine commercials I don't know what does. Take a look!]

230

TalkBack / Animal Crossing Commercials

« on: September 16, 2002, 10:07:34 PM »

Ha HA!  If these don't beat the crap out of the Super Mario Sunshine commercials I don't know what does.  Take a look!

Nintendo's started their new Animal Crossing advertising campaign, and we've got all the commercials for you.  We've uploaded all three of the new Animal Crossing commercials to our media server.  Our staff absolutely loves these, and we think you'll get a kick out of them as well.  Real World, eat your heart out.

*Download the latest  Windows Media Player to view this files.

Animal Crossing Commercials:

Movie 1 (12.9mb Windows Media File)
Movie 2 (8.7mb Windows Media File)
Movie 3 (9.2mb Windows Media File)

 

[It's unbelievable. Games that have been 5 bucks used for years are now new and exciting on paper!]

231

TalkBack / New e-Reader game announcements

« on: September 16, 2002, 06:44:45 AM »

It's unbelievable.  Games that have been 5 bucks used for years are now new and exciting on paper!

Nintendo's e-Reader Turns Trading Cards Into Video Games

New Way to Play Games On Game Boy(R) Advance

REDMOND, Wash.--Sept. 16, 2002--Nintendo is turning paper trading cards into electronic games for the Game Boy(R) Advance using the new innovative e-Reader.    When slid through the e-Reader, high-tech paper trading cards allow players to experience games in a number of ways, depending on the card. The e-Reader cards hold complete video games playable on Game Boy Advance, enhance game play on Nintendo GameCube(TM), and expand the play of traditional trading card games, all from just sliding one or a few paper cards.    The e-Reader, with a suggested retail price of $39.95, includes a set of cards with one classic NES(R) game, either Donkey Kong Jr.(R)-e or Pinball-e, and a sample pack of five e-Reader cards. The sample pack includes the Manhole-e Game&Watch game, one Animal Crossing(TM)-e card, which connects to the Nintendo GameCube, and three cards from the Pokemon(R)-e: Expedition series. Additional e-Reader card packs will retail from $1.95 to $4.95.    "The e-Reader creates a completely new experience for game players. It's the fun of collecting trading cards and the challenge of playing video games," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "Now anyone can carry their favorite games on just a few cards -- all they have to do is slide it and play it. It's technology on paper."    The e-Reader accessory connects to the Game Boy Advance via the cartridge slot and uses "dot code technology" to read optical data imprinted on the specially designed trading cards. The e-Reader hardware has a 64 Mbit Mask Rom to store up to one video game for continued play. The hardware also links to a second Game Boy Advance or a Nintendo GameCube. Animal Crossing for Nintendo GameCube uses the feature and upcoming products will take advantage of it in exciting and innovative ways.    Card sets for five classic games originally made for the Nintendo Entertainment System(R) (NES), Donkey Kong Jr.-e, Pinball-e, Balloon Fight(R)-e, Tennis-e, and Excitebike(R)-e cards, will be available at launch. Pokemon-e trading card game cards which also can be used as a stand-alone trading card game, will be distributed by Wizards of the Coast under license from Pokemon USA, Inc, will also be available on September 16th.    In Q4, a second series of NES cards will launch including Donkey Kong(R)-e, Mario Bros.(R)-e, Ice Climber-e, Baseball-e, and Urban Champion-e. Animal Crossing-e card packs will also be available to unlock features and enhance game play in Nintendo GameCube games.

   As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube(TM). Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.4 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.    For more information about any Nintendo product visit the company's Web site, www.nintendo.com.

[Check out a sample of Ubi Soft's upcoming cel-shaded FPS.]

232

TalkBack / XIII

« on: September 13, 2002, 07:51:53 AM »

Check out a sample of Ubi Soft's upcoming cel-shaded FPS.

Ubi Soft has released a very tiny 37 second clip of it's upcoming cel-shaded FPS XIII.  This file may be tiny, but it's a pretty slick movie showing off some of the games mechanics.  Neck snapping, knive throwing, and plenty of gun popping.  So far, it's looking pretty good.  XIII will be released on all platforms in March of 2003.

*Download the latest  Real One Player  to view this files.

XIII:

Movie 1 (783kb Real Media File)

[Imported PSO with the modem and want to know how to get it working so you can play online? Fear not!]

233

TalkBack / How the you going to set up that import PSO?

« on: September 13, 2002, 06:03:33 AM »

Imported PSO with the modem and want to know how to get it working so you can play online?  Fear not!

Phantasy Star Online for Dreamcast was one of the most import friendly games because it was so English friendly, and you could get Hunters Licenses easily.

The GameCube version of Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 & 2 is no different.  According to our sources, the Japanese GameCube modem works just fine with Modified US GameCubes, and within moments you can be one of the first people to be playing with your GameCube online.

Hunters Licenses are available in 2 increments: 30 or 90 day licenses.  The 30 day costs 600 yen ($5) and the the 90 day license will cost 1500 yen ($12).  The first 30 days are free to play before you need to get a license, so for now, you don't need to purchase a license.  This is good, because it's still unknown how to buy a license from outside of Japan.

For absolute detailed instructions in english with pictures on how to get your new GameCube modem dialing into your ISP, visit Ragol.com.

[Bloody. Creepy. Yummy.]

234

TalkBack / Biohazard 0 Promo

« on: September 12, 2002, 05:16:00 PM »

Bloody.  Creepy.  Yummy.

Capcom has posted a new Biohazard 0 (Resident Evil 0) promo movie.  Get a much better look at post train events, and see plenty of new monsters and bosses you'll be facing.  You'll also get to see the new mystery man in action.  One look at this movie will get the drool flowing again.

Don't forget to right click and save this file to your computer.

Biohazard 0:

Movie 1 (20mb MPEG)

[Even more wacky butt-ugly fun. Might as well get even nuttier and use words like poo poo, and tinkle to capture kids eyes.]

235

TalkBack / Butt-Ugly goes portable

« on: September 12, 2002, 06:46:11 AM »

Even more wacky butt-ugly fun.  Might as well get even nuttier and use words like poo poo, and tinkle to capture kids eyes.

The earth-loving Butt-Ugly Martians™ invade Game Boy Advance™ video game consoles

Inspired by the Hit Television Series, This Exciting Action Game Features Kids' Favourite Martian Heroes and Advanced Alien Gadgetry  

September 10, 2002 - The popular Butt-Ugly Martians™ star in their first arcade-style action title for the Game Boy Advance™, Butt-Ugly Martians™: B.K.M. Battles™ by Vivendi Universal Publishing Kid's Division. Kids aged six and older join their favourite Martian heroes - from the animated television series - to stop evil aliens from conquering planet Earth. Butt-Ugly Martians™: B.K.M. Battles™ features 28 levels of fast-moving game play and seven futuristic environments packed with gadgetry, devices and power-ups.

About the Game Emperor Bog intends to invade Earth with the help of a renegade army of robots in this side-scrolling action game. Kids will play as one of the heroic Butt-Ugly Martians™ and use amazing Martian technology to stop the hostile forces from taking over the planet. When battling the enemies and avoiding capture, players will go into Butt-Kicking Mode (B.K.M.) for maximum fighting power!

For extended entertainment with the Butt-Uglies, players can collect bonus items while playing Butt-Ugly Martians™: B.K.M. Battles™ and use them in Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ - the Nintendo GameCube™ racing game that will also be released in November - using the Nintendo GameCube™-Game Boy Advance™ cable.

The Butt-Uglies and Their Adversaries The Butt-Uglies are three unlikely heroes who defy their evil leader's orders to conquer Earth, and instead, fall in love with our planet and defend their adopted home against invading aliens. The courageous Martians and the bad guys they have to overcome include:

 B.Bop-A-Luna - The group's leader. Sharp, bright and impulsive. Sometimes guilty of not always thinking things out to their conclusion. Rough on the outside with a heart of gold.

 2-T-Fru-T - A Tech Commando. If something needs doing then 2-T's your man (or Martian). He can make or rig almost anything! Always ready and willing, but not usually the first to try something new.

 Do-Wah Diddy - Perhaps the most levelheaded of the three Martians. Kind-hearted, soft and sensitive. He won't strike until provoked, but when he does, watch out!

 Emperor Bog - Mean, rotten, vicious and unkind. These being his good qualities! Conquer and destroy are his favourite words and he adores himself. He can be naive and prone to believe the unbelievable.

 Stoat Muldoon - A professional alien hunter with his own TV show "Muldoon, Alien Hunter." He's a by the book, no nonsense kind of guy with zero tolerance towards any alien. All are a threat!

More Butt-Ugly Fun Other Butt-Ugly Martians games to be released this November by Vivendi Universal Publishing include Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ for the Nintendo GameCube™ and Sony PlayStation®2, and Butt-Ugly Martians™: Martian Boot Camp™ CD-ROM.  

About the TV Show Butt-Ugly Martians is set in the year 2053 and features three Martian heroes - B.Bop-A-Luna 2-T-Fru-T, and Do-Wah Diddy. The heroes land on planet Earth having been sent on a mission to invade by their evil leader Emperor Bog. There's just one thing: they really have no intention of taking over! In fact, they fought for the assignment because they wanted to experience Earth's great pop culture of fast food, video games and TV!

Pricing and Availability Butt-Ugly Martians™: B.K.M. Battles for the Game Boy® Advance video games consoles is available on 8th November 2002 from good high street software retailers for a suggested retail price of £29.99.

[Butt-Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom! to be released this November in Europe.]

236

TalkBack / Europe getting Butt-Ugly

« on: September 12, 2002, 06:36:35 AM »

Butt-Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom! to be released this November in Europe.

This autumn, the heroic Butt-Ugly Martians™ race onto Nintendo Gamecube™ and PlayStation®2

Out-Of-This-World Combat Racing Game Features Favourite Characters And Super-Slick Air Bikes From The Hit Television Series

September 10, 2002 - Race fast-moving, futuristic vehicles in a heart-pounding challenge to the ultimate finish line in Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ for the Nintendo GameCube™ and PlayStation®2. This story-driven, 3D action racing game allows boys ages six and older to choose from seven favourite characters - from the popular television series - each equipped with their own space vehicle.  

Released this November from Vivendi Universal Publishing Kid's Division, Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ will feature nine highly-differentiated racing tracks, two-player capability using split-screen simultaneous action, hidden bonuses and drag racing tracks, and a special "Assist Mode" option with simplified game controls and easier handling.

Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ will also include a unique "Taunts" system, an interactive game element which allows players to distract opponents and adversely affect their racing performance. Using this system, players can strategically taunt an opponent - which forces them to reply - breaking their concentration and temporarily causing their vehicle to lose speed.  

In-Your-Face Action! Emperor Bog is fed up with the Butt-Ugly Martians' antics, so in order to continue their assignment on Earth, the Butt-Uglies must win an interstellar racing championship, the Martian Conqueror's Cup. Players will taunt each other while fighting off enemy attacks at every turn - in super-slick O.M.A.B.s (One Martian Air Bikes) across nine intergalactic landscapes - as they race, chase and conquer opponents. Kids can victoriously pilot their way through the collection of outrageous races by becoming their favourite Butt-Ugly hero or as an evil alien bent on destruction.

Play As The Butt-Uglies and Their Adversaries The Butt-Uglies are three unlikely heroes who defy their evil leader's orders to conquer Earth, and instead, fall in love with our planet and defend their adopted home against invading aliens. In Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™, boys can choose to play as one of the courageous Martians or one of the bad guys they have to overcome.  

The seven playable characters include:

 B.Bop-A-Luna -- The group's leader. Sharp, bright and impulsive. Sometimes guilty of not always thinking things out to their conclusion. Rough on the outside with a heart of gold.  

 2-T-Fru-T -- A Tech Commando. If something needs doing then 2-T's your man (or Martian). He can make or rig almost anything! Always ready and willing, but not usually the first to try something new.

 Do-Wah Diddy -- Perhaps the most levelheaded of the three Martians. Kind-hearted, soft and sensitive. He won't strike until provoked, but when he does, watch out!

 Stoat Muldoon -- A professional alien hunter with his own TV show "Muldoon, Alien Hunter." He's a by the book, no nonsense kind of guy with zero tolerance towards any alien. All are a threat!

 Jax The Conqueror -- An incredibly boastful soldier driven by the need to conquer. Defeated by the Butt-Uglies in a previous clash, he's mega-dangerous and out for revenge!

 Gorgon -- A foul-smelling, shape-shifting alien from the Planet Gorg. He becomes extremely ferocious and easily annoyed when cornered, so Butt-Uglies beware!

 Chitzok -- A powerful alien warrior employed by Emperor Bog to speed up the Martian invasion of Earth. He considers the Butt-Uglies to be weak and unworthy of the invasion, and relishes nothing more than the chance to show he's the right alien for the job.

More Butt-Ugly Fun Other Butt-Ugly Martians games to be released this November from Vivendi Universal Publishing include Butt-Ugly Martians™: B.K.M. Battles™ for the Game Boy Advance™ and Butt-Ugly Martians™: Martian Boot Camp™ PC and Macintosh® CD-ROM.  

About the TV Show Butt-Ugly Martians is set in the year 2053 and features three Martian heroes - B.Bop-A-Luna 2-T-Fru-T and Do-Wah Diddy. The heroes land on planet Earth having been sent on a mission to invade by their evil leader Emperor Bog. There's just one thing: they really have no intention of taking over! In fact, they fought for the assignment because they wanted to experience Earth's great pop culture of fast food, video games and TV!

Pricing and Availability Butt-Ugly Martians™: Zoom or Doom!™ for the Nintendo GameCube™ and PlayStation®2 video games consoles are available on 15th November 2002 from good high street software retailers for a suggested retail price of £39.99 and £29.99 respectively.

[You knew it was coming. Get all the info right here…]

237

TalkBack / Microsoft swallows Rare

« on: September 11, 2002, 08:25:38 PM »

You knew it was coming.  Get all the info right here…

According to our sources inside Nintendo, Nintendo has officially sold it’s share of Rare to Microsoft.  Last year, Nintendo had the opportunity to purchase the company, and refused.  Rare put up the for sale sign and was looked at by both Microsoft and Activision.  Microsoft won the bidding war, and Nintendo cut it’s ties with Rare.  That’s what we do know.

Star Fox Adventures is still due out on September 23rd, but GBA titles like Sabre Wulf, Diddy Kong Pilot, and Banjo Kazooie are still an unknown.  We are assuming that at least 1 or 2 of these are already finished, and should be released by the end of the year, if not early next year.

This announcement is said to be made official at Microsoft’s X02 Europe event in Seville, Spain on September 24th.  Ironically, the day after Nintendo ships Rare’s one and only GameCube title.

We are expecting official comment from Nintendo sometime today.

[GBA Extreme Team member kite surfs across the Irish Sea. For the good of Nintendo!]

238

TalkBack / Now that's extreme GBA love

« on: September 11, 2002, 07:01:19 AM »

GBA Extreme Team member kite surfs across the Irish Sea.  For the good of Nintendo!

Kitesurf record set with Kirsty Jones' 70-mile Irish Sea crossing.

On Friday 6th September at 6pm, Nintendo Game Boy Advance Xtreme Team member Kirsty Jones, became the first person to successfully Kitesurf across the Irish Sea. Current British Ladies Champion, Kirsty made the gruelling 70 mile trip from Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, to Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire.  

This is the first time a crossing has been attempted and the money raised by Kirsty is going to the Ty- Hafan Children's Hospice, a Welsh charity caring for families who have children with life limiting conditions. She was supported by the "Dale Sea Safari" 28ft safety back up rig.

24 year old Kirsty, has pretty much lived in the water since she was born. From the age of 16 she has spent summers teaching water sports in West Wales and Ireland, and winters travelling the world in search of wind and waves.

Kirsty has competed in the world windsurfing championships, surfed for the Welsh team in the Europeans and achieved much success at both sports on a national level. Her passions for windsurfing and surfing led her naturally to kitesurfing in 2001. In her first few months of kitesurfing she began to compete on the British tour and at the end of the year became Women's UK Kitesurfing Champion before joining the Game Boy Advance Xtreme Team in 2002.

When Kirsty arrived safely back to Pembrokeshire, where she has just bought a house, she was tired but exhilarated by her unprecedented success. She said "I love challenging myself and I am very pleased at being the first person to have crossed the Irish Sea… maybe the Atlantic is next!"

[Dust off your pizza launcher because the Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming back. Let's just pray the leave Vanilla Ice out of it this time around....]

239

TalkBack / Konami Nabs the Turtles

« on: September 10, 2002, 12:03:33 PM »

Dust off your pizza launcher because the Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming back.  Let's just pray the leave Vanilla Ice out of it this time around....

Konami Back As Exclusive TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Video Game Creator/Publisher

New York, NY (September 10, 2002) - 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), the exclusive worldwide agent and co-producer of the all-new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES animated series, today announced that Mirage Licensing, Inc., the holder of the rights to TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, has licensed Konami Corporation as the exclusive worldwide developer and publisher of video games. This agreement is based on the upcoming all-new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES animated series, which is scheduled to debut on the FOX BOX in the first quarter of 2003.

The agreement returns Konami to the role the gaming giant held during the birth of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES phenomenon in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s, when the company created a dozen TMNT video games with gross cumulative sales of nearly half a billion dollars. With the first release planned for the 2003 holiday season, the all-new Konami-created TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES video games will be published across multiple game platforms.

Premiering September 14, 2002 on FOX, the FOX BOX is a Saturday morning children’s television block programmed by 4Kids Entertainment. In addition to co-producing the new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES television series, 4Kids also serves as the exclusive merchandise licensing agent for the property worldwide.

“We are delighted to welcome back Konami as publisher of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES video games,” said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. “We look forward to Konami repeating its success with the Turtles franchise.”

“4Kids’ and Mirage’ s exciting plans for the all-new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are designed to take this universally popular franchise to new levels of success,” said Kazumi Kitaue, Konami Corporation Executive Officer, CS Division. “The new Turtles television series offers extraordinary creative opportunities for video game designers.”

Gary Richardson, CEO of Mirage, said, “ We’ re thrilled to partner with Konami to produce video games based on the all-new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES series. With Konami back as video game publisher and Playmates Toys continuing as master toy licensee, we’ re excited to be working with the team that helped Mirage create the original success of the franchise. We can’ t wait to see samples of the new Konami TMNT video game on the big screen at E3 in May of 2003.”

The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES were created in May 1984 when Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman published a 40-page, black-and-white comic book. The original TMNT animated series debuted in 1987. It was the #1 children’ s television show throughout the late 1980’ s and early ‘90’ s. TMNT merchandise licensees, including Konami and Playmates Toys, were enormously successful, reportedly selling approximately $3 billion in toys, video games and other merchandise within all product categories worldwide to date.

[Counting the moments until you can build your new world in Animal Crossing? We've got just the thing you're looking for.]

240

TalkBack / Get yourself on Animal Crossing time!

« on: September 10, 2002, 10:52:33 AM »

Counting the moments until you can build your new world in Animal Crossing?  We've got just the thing you're looking for.

Can't wait to get yourself on Animal Crossing time?  We found a pretty cool download on NCL's website a while back that you might be interested in.  It's a clock that you can have on your desktop that looks exactly like the clock in Animal Crossing.  It even plays chimes at the hours, just like in the game.  Very cool, indeed.

The problem is, it's buring deep in NCL's website.  So you don't have to rummage through a heap of Japanese you don't understand, we've uploaded the clock to our server.

Click here to download this very cool clock!  Make sure you right-click and save to your computer!

Note:  This file only works on PCs.  Sorry Mac users.

[Want to win some free Nintendo and Panasonic gear? How about a free Animal Crossing screen saver?]

241

TalkBack / Deck out your room!

« on: September 10, 2002, 08:23:02 AM »

Want to win some free Nintendo and Panasonic gear?  How about a free Animal Crossing screen saver?

Nintendo has just announced the Animal Crossing "Deck Out Your Room" Sweepstakes.  This is what you could win! One Grand Prize winner will receive the “Deck Out Your Room” package, just what’s needed to outfit their room for gaming, playing and general entertainment, including:

• One (1) Panasonic Triple Play 27" diagonal TV/DVD/VCR Combo* • One (1) Panasonic ShockWave CD Player • One (1) Panasonic BrainShaker headphones • One (1) Nintendo GameCube™ video game system • Two (2) Nintendo GameCube WaveBird Wireless Controllers • One (1) library of five (5) Nintendo GameCube video games, as determined by Nintendo • One (1) Game Boy® Advance • One (1) library of five (5) Game Boy Advance video games, as determined by Nintendo • One (1) one-year subscription to  Nintendo Power® magazine

First Prize winners will recieve:

Five First Prize winners will each receive a Nintendo GameCube video game system, the Animal Crossing video game and a one-year subscription to Nintendo Power, the source for all things Nintendo.

Click here to register, and when you do you can download an Animal Crossing Screen Saver!

[Reports are coming in from around the country that Animal Crossing is already for rent at Blockbuster. Go home happy...EARLY!]

242

TalkBack / Animal Crossing hits Blockbuster early?

« on: September 06, 2002, 12:40:25 PM »

Reports are coming in from around the country that Animal Crossing is already for rent at Blockbuster.  Go home happy...EARLY!

I've gotten a couple reports from friends and readers that Animal Crossing is already available to rent at Blockbuster Video Stores.

Before you go driving 120 miles an hour to your local store, give them a call and double check.  We're not saying all Blockbusters have them, just some.

Time to start building your new town!

[Dying to get your hands on Capcom’s RE0 Japanese Demo for super cheap? Our partners in crime Lan Kwei can hook you up.]

243

TalkBack / Exclusive PGC RE0 Demo offer!

« on: September 06, 2002, 06:55:25 AM »

Dying to get your hands on Capcom’s RE0 Japanese Demo for super cheap? Our partners in crime Lan Kwei can hook you up.

Lan Kwei just got a pile of the Resident Evil 0 Japanese demo discs and are giving Planet GameCube readers a couple special deals.

Realize, you will need either a modified US GameCube or Japanese GameCube (or if you’re Wordalicious, a Panasonic Q) to play this demo.

If you order now, you can pick up the Resident Evil 0 demo for a measly $15.  Shipping internationally costs around five bucks.  So, for 20 bucks, you’re good to go.

If you don’t have an import GameCube or are in the market for one, or you're looking for one of the shiny new Panasonic Qs, Lan Kwei will give you the RE0 demo for FREE if you order a GameCube or a Q from them.  Free juice is always nice. 

So how does it all work?

1. Order either the RE0 demo alone, or a GameCube or Panasonic Q from Lan Kwei.
2. Tell them when you order that you are a Planet GameCube reader.
3. Get some zombie proof diapers.

That’s it!  Special thanks to Lan Kwei for hooking our readers up!  

[Sega spends mad bucks to promote Sega Sports titles.]

244

TalkBack / Sega's Multi-Million dollar Marketing Blitz

« on: September 05, 2002, 12:34:37 PM »

Sega spends mad bucks to promote Sega Sports titles.

SEGA ANNOUNCES EXPANSIVE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FALL MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR SEGA SPORTS GAMES

Reinforcing its Commitment to SEGA Sports, Company Increases Spend by 75 Percent

NEW YORK - SEGA Sports Summit - (September 5, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today reinforced its commitment to the SEGA Sports(TM) brand by announcing an expansive $35 million marketing campaign for the SEGA Sports 2K3 line-up of sports video games. Increasing its marketing spend by 75 percent this year, the aggressive SEGA Sports 2002 fall marketing program includes a massive advertising campaign, major sports sponsorships and national promotions with partner ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports. The campaign will support all SEGA Sports titles across all next-generation video game consoles including PlayStation (R) 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R) and the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

"SEGA Sports understands gamers' needs and continues to produce products that redefine the boundaries of realism within the sports simulation genre," said Tom Nichols, vice president of sports marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Our fall marketing initiatives are only the beginning of the major marketing muscle we will be placing behind these groundbreaking SEGA Sports games, as SEGA is fully committed to delivering compelling sports video gaming on all key platforms."

This year, the SEGA Sports line up delivers a truly emotional sports gaming experience with features that push the envelope of competition such as online gameplay, new ESPN presentation style graphics, the SEGA Sports Challenge and a fresh new Franchise mode. The competitive spirit will be evident throughout the entire 2K3 roster, especially in the national advertising program planned for this sports gaming season.

Below are highlights from the SEGA Sports 2002 fall marketing campaign:  

Advertising   Created by Leagas Delaney, San Francisco, SEGA Sports will kick off its television advertising season with the debut of five new and compelling spots for "SEGA Sports(TM) NFL 2K3," focusing on the spirit of competition and the preparation for athletic battle. Three 15-second ads have already hit the airwaves and the 30-second spots will launch tonight during the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers season opener on ESPN. The spots which will run on many national networks, and feature NFL greats such as Chicago Bears standout linebacker and "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" cover athlete Brian Urlacher, Tennessee Titans star Jevon Kearse and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Warren Sapp. These ads will convey to consumers the intensity of the NFL and how to get prepared for the highest level of competition. In addition, a hard-hitting print campaign will run in key publications that reach the SEGA Sports consumer and beyond. With an aggressive media buy, SEGA Sports will be everywhere, including peak times on ABC Monday Night Football, ESPN national broadcasts and other major networks such as CBS, MTV and Fox.

Leveraging the ESPN Partnership  

Because of its partnership with ESPN, SEGA has the unique opportunity to deliver the most realistic sports video games on the market in terms of gameplay, while at the same time leveraging unique new venues for reaching out to sports fans. This includes, integration of SEGA Sports video game gameplay within ESPN programming. SEGA Sports/ESPN co-marketing campaigns include the ESPN National College Tailgate Tour which will feature "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" and "SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Football 2K3" in one of the biggest college tours in the country. From early September through November, college students will be able to try SEGA Sports video games before and after key collegiate match ups. Another SEGA Sports/ESPN co-marketing venture is the ESPN National NFL Truck Tour, where a mobile vehicle that contains attractions such as a replica SportsCenter desk lets fans play sports anchor and take home their very own "Keep It Reel" audition tape. The tour will also showcase "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3," as the truck travels the nation from the NFL season opener to the Super Bowl, following key NFL match ups and NFL Flag Football youth tournaments.

Promotions and Events  

Finally, SEGA Sports will have sponsorships at a number of key events this year. This includes the return of the SEGA Sports Las Vegas Bowl, which will air on ESPN on Christmas Day. This sponsorship gives SEGA Sports significant television inventory and recognition as the title sponsor, as well as on-site exposure via signage, program advertising, VIP/hospitality packages and other in-game promotional elements. In addition, SEGA will also have a strong presence at key sporting events this year including the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game where SEGA Sports will host the third annual SEGA Sports NBA All-Star Celebrity Challenge.

The SEGA Sports Challenge  

To give gamers a closer look inside the SEGA Sports brand, SEGA re-launched the Segasports.com website in August. This innovative site is both sports and community focused, with in-depth information on all SEGA Sports titles, as well as photos and details on special SEGA Sports events. Brand new on Segasports.com is the SEGA Sports Challenge, which lets players measure how they "stack up" against other gamers through a newly-formed online community that posts individual gamers' rankings accumulated in offline games. Top gamers will be awarded with great SEGA Sports prizes.

As part of its commitment to delivering all key sports to all key platforms, SEGA Sports is shipping a compelling roster of new sports titles such as "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NBA 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NHL(R) 2K3," "SEGA Sports NCAA College Football 2K3," and hoops newcomer "SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Basketball 2K3." These video games are playable on PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. In addition, "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3," "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" and "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" will be playable online on Xbox and PlayStation 2, and "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" will be online for Xbox.

[There's a possibility that the Japanese GameCube modem might not be compatible with US GameCubes. Read on...]

245

TalkBack / Japanese modem not US compatible?

« on: September 05, 2002, 11:40:13 AM »

There's a possibility that the Japanese GameCube modem might not be compatible with US GameCubes.  Read on...

Online import store National Console Support posted a little tidbit to people importing PSO today.  It seems there's talk that the Japanese GameCube modem will not be US compatible.  

Overnight, a supplier asked us to reconfirm our reservation for GC PSO Episode 1+2 due to a rumored incompatibility problem with the Japanese modem. Apparently, the modem will not work on USA Gamecube consoles but we will research this further in the next few hours and post another update tomorrow morning. We are also waiting for news on the Japanese broadband adapter and whether or not it will work with USA consoles when it is released in October.     We would advise the many, many customers who have preordered PSO to not panic yet as the rumor may not pan out or the information may have been misconstrued by our supplier. At this time, this is all the information we have - do not email us asking for further clarification as we don't have any additional news and any updates we receive will be posted on Friday morning.

Whether the North American modem and broadband adapter will work in the Japanese systems is also unknown at this time.

[Billy LOUIETEHCAT, THIS IS YOUR LIFE. Well it is now. Take a look at over 10 minutes of direct feed Animal Crossing movies!]

246

TalkBack / Animal Crossing

« on: September 04, 2002, 04:14:07 PM »

Billy LOUIETEHCAT, THIS IS YOUR LIFE.  Well it is now.  Take a look at over 10 minutes of direct feed Animal Crossing movies!

We've uploaded a bunch of direct feed movies of Animal Crossing.  Get an inside look at Billy's Louie's Town...TwinPeak!

Don't forget to right click and save these files to your computer.

*You will need Windows Media Player to view this file

Animal Crossing:

Movie 1 (12.9mb Windows Media File)
Movie 2 (8.7mb Windows Media File)
Movie 3 (9.2mb Windows Media File)
Movie 4 (10.4mb Windows Media File)
Movie 5 (8.2mb Windows Media File)

 

[Dale gets the nod for appearing on the cover of Nascar Thunder 2003. Yeehaw!]

247

TalkBack / Dale Earnhardt Jr. new EA cover boy

« on: September 04, 2002, 01:13:58 PM »

Dale gets the nod for appearing on the cover of Nascar Thunder 2003.  Yeehaw!

DALE EARNHARDT JR. JOINS THE EA SPORTS FAMILY OF COVER ATHLETES ON NASCAR THUNDER 2003

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.- September 4, 2002-NASCAR® superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. of DEI Racing will become the official cover athlete for the EA SPORTS TM franchise NASCAR Thunder TM 2003.  Dale Jr. also contributed to the development of the game and his likeness will appear on all NASCAR Thunder 2003 packaging and merchandising.  

"I've been a long time fan EA games, so to be on the cover of the NASCAR Thunder 2003 is quite a thrill for me," commented Dale Earnhardt Jr.  "NASCAR Thunder helped me win the EA Sports 500 in Talladega this year and my first season on the circuit I would prepare for the upcoming event by racing my EA game over and over. NASCAR Thunder gives you the true experience and puts you 'in the game.'"

From the moment the 27-year-old Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasted on the scene in 1998, he was considered "the future of NASCAR."  Dale is in the midst of his third full year of NASCAR Winston Cup competition for the team and is positioned nicely for another top finish in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The 2001 season marked his first top-10 points finish in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing with the No. 8 team, while adding three victories and multi-million dollars in winnings to his brief but impressive racing resume.  This included his win at the EA SPORTS 500 at Talladega Superspeedway® on October 21, 2001.

"Dale Jr. embodies the spirit and competitive edge that EA SPORTS captures in our NASCAR Thunder video games," said Ed Martin, Director of NASCAR video game production, Electronic Arts. "His contribution to the product has been invaluable, giving us design feedback and ideas on improving features and gameplay, we couldn't have a better driver grace the cover of NASCAR Thunder 2003."

ABOUT NASCAR ThunderTM 2003 NASCAR Thunder 2003 surrounds you with the emotion, sound, fury, and risks of the high-speed, high-drama career of a NASCAR star. Feel the adrenaline rush, intensity, and passion of being a NASCAR driver on a quest to become a NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion.  Take on various real-life scenarios in Lightning Mode, complete with dramatic pileups, walls of smoke, and constant door-to-door, three-wide racing, to test your nerve and improve your racing skills.  Build a racing legacy over the course of 20 drama-filled seasons. The title is slated to ship in fall 2002 on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Playstation console, Xbox TM video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube TM and PC.  

EA SPORTS (www.easports.com) is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling franchises and games include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, NHL® hockey, Knockout Kings TM,  NBA LIVE basketball, Triple Play Baseball TM and NASCAR Thunder TM.

ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. EA markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS TM, EA GAMES TM, EA SPORTS BIG TM and EA.COM SM. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

[Now you'll know why Star Wars: Bounty Hunter will sound so deeeeeelicious.]

248

TalkBack / Bounty Hunter to feature Skywalker Sound

« on: September 04, 2002, 10:59:58 AM »

Now you'll know why Star Wars: Bounty Hunter will sound so deeeeeelicious.

SKYWALKER SOUND TURNS UP THE VOLUME ON  LUCASARTS' STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTER

Marin County, Calif. -- September 4, 2002 -- Seeking another outlet for its Academy Award-winning sound library, Skywalker Sound, a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, recently completed the sound design for Star Wars Bounty Hunter, a Sony PlayStation 2 game developed by sister company LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC.  This is the most recent endeavor into games for the legendary facility, which has been at the forefront of the audio post industry for more than 25 years.   "The gaming industry has made great technological leaps in recent years with regards to imagery, and it is only natural that sound design follow that curve," said Glenn Kiser, VP and General Manager of Skywalker Sound.  "This project was a lot of fun for us, and we plan on pursuing other ventures in this market."

The Skywalker Sound Effects Library currently contains more than 70,000 originally recorded sound effects, including master sound designer Ben Burtt's Star Wars catalogue, which supplied the raw materials for the Star Wars Bounty Hunter soundtrack.  Recent feature production credits include sound design and audio post-production for Minority Report, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Monsters Inc., Pearl Harbor, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, From Hell, Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy, Fight Club, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Jurassic Park III and Titanic. Inspired by events between Star Wars: Episode I and II, Star Wars Bounty Hunter presents an original, compelling third-person action game which establishes the bounty hunter Jango Fett's place in the Star Wars galaxy. Gameplay emphasizes intense combat and physical action in the relentless pursuit of prey across six fantastic worlds and 18 levels of play.

"It's a privilege for LucasArts to work with Skywalker Sound, who are world renowned for their sound design work," says Liz Allen, director of marketing for LucasArts.  "Skywalker Sound's expertise enriches the overall game play experience in Star Wars Bounty Hunter, and results in a greater and more realistic level of immersion into the Star Wars universe."    

About Skywalker Sound

Skywalker Sound has been associated with a total of seventeen Academy Awards for Best Achievement in Sound and Best Achievement in Sound Effects Editing. Located in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco, Skywalker Sound is a division of Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, which also includes

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).  Formed in 1993, Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC is dedicated to serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production.

[Take a stroll down memory lane!]

249

TalkBack / LucasArts celebrates 20th Anniversary

« on: September 04, 2002, 10:39:17 AM »

Take a stroll down memory lane!

LUCASARTS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF GAMING  WITH DYNAMIC ANNIVERSARY WEB SITE

Site Features Interactive Milestone Timeline, Classic Game Cutscene Theatre, Sweepstakes for Next Generation Video Game Consoles and More

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- September 4, 2002 -- In celebration of two decades as a leader in interactive entertainment, LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC has launched a special twentieth anniversary section on its web site.  The twentieth anniversary site can be found at www.lucasarts.com/20th/.  Among its many features are a twenty-year retrospective of LucasArts games, a flash-based interactive product timeline, and a special anniversary sweepstakes offering a chance to win a Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, or an Nvidia graphics card for Windows PC.   The site, which will be updated frequently throughout the remainder of this year, will feature an art gallery, trivia challenges, memorable moments and profiles of key LucasArts employees and a theatre of classic game cutscenes and trailers.   The theatre will highlight videos clips from a variety of LucasArts titles including Sam & Max Hit the Road(, Outlaws( and Full Throttle(. LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide.  Based in San Rafael, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts is one of five companies in the Lucas group which include Lucasfilm Ltd., Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, Lucas Licensing Ltd., and Lucas Online.  Lucasfilm is one of the leading film and entertainment companies in the world.  Lucasfilm's businesses include George Lucas' film and television production and distribution activities.  Lucas Digital, which consists of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound, provides visual effects and audio post-production services to the entertainment industry.  Lucas Licensing is responsible for the merchandising of all Lucasfilm's film and television properties.  Lucas Online is a digital destination for entertainment, education, reference and e-commerce for Lucasfilm's intellectual properties and business units.

[What would it be like if you attended the EA Play event, or ECTS last week? Take a look through the eyes of PGC's European correspondents!]

250

TalkBack / European event movies!

« on: September 03, 2002, 02:03:47 PM »

What would it be like if you attended the EA Play event, or ECTS last week?  Take a look through the eyes of PGC's European correspondents!

We've uploaded a few movies of the EA Play Event, and ECTS to give you an idea of what the events were like.  Note: There is little or no game footage in these movies.  These are walk thru's of the event to give you a taste of what European trade shows are all about.

*You will need Windows Media Player to view this file

EA Play Event:

EA Play Movie (6.2mb Windows Media File)

ECTS:

ECTS walk thru part 1 (10.2mb Windows Media File)
ECTS walk thru part 2 (11.9mb Windows Media File)