Messages

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

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TalkBack / MadWorld Director Interested in Sequel

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:27:32 PM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Nintendo Details Winter World Hobby Fair Plans

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:25:00 PM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Game Arts Working on Another Downloadable Title

« on: January 12, 2010, 04:22:02 PM »

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Re: Dragon Quest IX Becomes a Budget Title in Japan

« on: January 13, 2010, 12:19:27 AM »

Does this mean the game is a failure?

Hardly. The game keeps constantly selling each week, and according to Media Crate it was one of the best selling titles in 2009.

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

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TalkBack / Dragon Quest IX Becomes a Budget Title in Japan

« on: January 12, 2010, 01:50:17 PM »

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Re: Metroid Prime Trilogy No Longer Being Distributed

« on: January 12, 2010, 03:51:49 PM »

From my knowledge, Nintendo discontinues games all the time, especially smaller and niche games. I think this is a big deal because the game is only a few months old and nothing was mentioned about this being available for only a limited time.

Someone correct me on this, but I was under the impression that all game companies discontinue their games if there's no demand for it.

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

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TalkBack / Metroid Prime Trilogy No Longer Being Distributed

« on: January 12, 2010, 07:05:41 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Tatsunoko vs. Capcom to Feature Updated Endings

« on: January 11, 2010, 11:23:52 PM »

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / EA Officially Announces NBA Jam for Wii

« on: January 11, 2010, 10:57:29 PM »

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

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

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

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

No other details about the game have been revealed.    

BOOOOOOM-SHAKA-LAKA! EA ANNOUNCES NBA JAM    

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / This Week in Nintendo Downloads

« on: January 11, 2010, 03:07:21 PM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan. 11, 2010    

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

WiiWare™    

Phoenix Wright™: Ace Attorney    

Publisher: Capcom    

Players: 1    

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

Price: 1,000 Wii Points™    

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

Chronos Twins DX    

Publisher: EnjoyUp Games    

Players: 1    

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

Price: 1,000 Wii Points    

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

ShadowPlay    

Publisher: Deep Fried Entertainment    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Alcohol Reference    

Price: 800 Wii Points    

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

  Nintendo DSiWare™    

Touch Solitaire    

Publisher:Nintendo    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™    

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

Jazzy Billiards    

Publisher: Aksys Games    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points    

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

Word Searcher    

Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.    

Players: 1    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points    

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

Virtual Console™    

Shanghai® II: Dragon's Eye    

Original platform: Genesis    

Publisher: SEGA    

Players: 1-2    

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)    

Price: 800 Wii Points    

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

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 11, 2010, 12:19:48 AM »

Had they tried to use a Gaga song, an artist that is extremely popular around the world right now

Is that so? This is only the second time I've heard of her, the first being from a Saturday Night Live incident.

I didn't heard of her either until her infamous MTV Awards appearance. I then heard that she has a huge fanbase, and created an online meme of sorts thanks to her crazy outfits.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 10, 2010, 09:32:41 PM »

So can we expect a copyright infringement lawsuit sometime soon?

Not really, since "Just Dance" is an universal expression no one owns. Now, if Ubi had covered Gaga's song without permission then it would be an issue.

Something I just realized about the soundtrack. There are very few modern songs in the game. All the songs are from the early to late 80s/90s, from artists that are no longer performing due to retirement or because they were one hit wonders. These songs are likely easier to use because their royalty fees are cheaper, and the game is extremely cheap. Had they tried to use a Gaga song, an artist that is extremely popular around the world right now, they would have to pay her a pretty penny, something Ubi wasn't ready to do for this game.

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

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TalkBack / REVIEWS: Vegas Party

« on: January 10, 2010, 09:28:41 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pros:
       

The stereotypical characters are somewhat amusing

       Cons:
       

Poorly-designed board-based gameplay

 

The game isn't properly explained

 

Watered-down versions of real world gambling games

 

Very few mini-games

 

Low-quality character models and textures

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 10, 2010, 04:55:59 PM »

Yes, I too was surprised at Gaga's absence despite the title.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

« on: January 10, 2010, 12:56:16 AM »

The Wii version does have multiplayer. I'll be reviewing that version soon.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 09, 2010, 09:12:09 PM »

Yeah, MotionPlus and Balance Board support would have also helped the game out immensely. Just Dance feels like a true dancing game. Other dance games just have you stepping on arrows or patterns. The games tries to change this by actually making the player dance and even learn choreography.

The idea is there, but the controls hinder it.

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

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TalkBack / REVIEWS: Just Dance

« on: January 09, 2010, 11:34:09 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

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

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

Pros:
       

Unique gameplay

 

Great party game

 

Soundtrack features original master tracks

       Cons:
       

Motion sensing doesn't work as well as it should

 

Not a lot of modes to choose from

 

Soundtrack features some very cheesy tracks

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers

« on: January 08, 2010, 03:48:07 PM »

I think having a second opinion of this game would help things out a bit. Right now it seems that Crystal Bearers is a love it/hate it kind of game, with the biggest complain being that its very different for a Final Fantasy.

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TalkBack / Re: Shantae Meets the Mario Bros.

« on: January 07, 2010, 11:15:32 PM »

The second picture is brilliant in its comedic timing... XD

[The unique WiiWare puzzler will have MotionPlus Support.]

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TalkBack / ShadowPlay Arriving On WiiWare Next Monday

« on: January 07, 2010, 08:17:59 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Features:  

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

 

Wii MotionPlus compatibility!

 

Local Co-op mode allows for collaborative fun

 

Full manipulation of 3-D objects for complete control

 

Bonus FreePlay Mode where you can create your own shadows!

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

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TalkBack / Nintendo Stages New Super Mario Bros. Wii Tournament

« on: January 07, 2010, 08:17:59 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Capcom Reaffirms Multiplatform Development

« on: January 07, 2010, 07:36:52 AM »

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

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

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

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

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

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TalkBack / Re: Capcom Discusses Darkside Chronicles Sales, Looming Handheld Difficulties

« on: January 07, 2010, 01:40:05 AM »

I have to be honest about this whole fiasco...


Yes, the Capcom French Representative is mistaken in some of his remarks. But the fact is that the Wii does have a hard audience to appeal to, due to having both expanded audience gamers that only bought the Wii for Wii Sports and Wii Fit and Nintendo fans who shun any game not made by Nintendo.


I hate it how fans are quick to say "Oh the game didn't sell because it sucked/it was an on-rails shooter etc.". First of all, quality means nothing here. Capcom, EA, Sega, ANY company could make a groundbreaking, stunning game with some of the best motion controls ever seen on the Wii and it would have likely flopped because the audience either doesn't care or doesn't know about it.


Also, I refuse to think that these mature games are mediocre, thus the main reason they didn't sell. They all received good to excellent reviews from the major gaming outlets. They did a lot considering the weak Wii hardware and tried to re-invent the genre they were working on.


About Wii gamers getting sick of on-rails shooters, then what is going on with the PS3 and 360 fanbase? They too get games that generalize their gaming tastes with constant FPS games that "appeal" to the fanbase, yet I don't hear anyone complaining nor sales dropping.


What I will agree about is that they could have done a lot more when it came to marketing. Most of the marketing done for these games were done on online sites and forums, with the company hoping that would be enough to generate "word of mouth" sales. Its a proven fact that this doesn't always work. Most gamers solely rely on game reviews and forum opinions for their game purchases. If they hear the game sucks they will not bother with it. What they need to do is to widen their marketing muscle and focus outside the typical online forum and get people to blindly buy the game based on only good faith.


So long story short, yes, these companies made their share of mistakes when release these titles on the Wii. But I also think its unfair of them to claim its ALL their fault when the fanbase they are working in is fickle, because the Nintendo fanboys don't want to support them and the expanded audiences are out of the loop or too intimidated by these new games.


Its a frustrating thing, and don't blame them for ranting about it.

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TalkBack / Re: New Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Character Revealed

« on: January 07, 2010, 01:25:03 AM »

Between the fact that Capcom has done nothing but give out empty promises to the Wii fanbase (aka us), and the fact alot of the anime characters are generally unknown to the North American front, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom has a lot to cover.

Sucks, but this is the reality third parties have put themselves in. This is not Nintendo's fault they spew bull****.

And yet, out of ALL the games Capcom has released on the Wii, the ones that fans wanted the most was a new VS. game. It didn't matter than half of the character roster was from an obscure anime company. It was a game we wanted, period. And they deliver.

I'm more anxious to see how fans adopt it, because this is right up their ally...

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TalkBack / Re: Iwata Discusses the Next Nintendo Portable and Zelda

« on: January 06, 2010, 03:20:16 PM »

Nintendo isn't doing a lot with MP either. So far there are three Nintendo games confirmed for it: Dynamic Slash (Regein whatever the game is), Span Smasher and Zelda Wii.