Author Topic: RE: Nintendo announces new games, rewards (Read 6388 times)

NewsBot · « **on:** August 07, 2003, 06:11:40 AM »

Nintendo drops a few tidbits, looking to defuse the negative press over GameCube sales...

Revealed in a management meeting Thursday in Japan, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata announced that the company has several games in the works, as well as a new product "which will be surprising and unique" to be revealed in the spring. This mention was made in conjunction with discussion of Sony's PSP project, but it's not yet clear if it will be a hardware product, such as a new handheld device. It's suspected that this may be Iwata telegraphing when they will make their announcement of specifications for the successor to Nintendo's GameCube console.

Among the announcements this morning was the revelation that the Donkey Kong franchise for GameCube is being developed in partnership with Namco, the same company Nintendo is working with on the next Star Fox game. Also announced was a GameCube version of "Made in Wario", known as Wario Ware: Mega Microgame$ in the US. The quirky title was an instant hit on GBA, due to its fast and furious gameplay and simple controls.

Finally, Nintendo announced a rewards program, similar to airline frequent flyer miles, called "Club Nintendo". Similar to a system employed by Nintendo in Europe, you earn points buying Nintendo products and are able to trade in these points to earn limited edition Nintendo products, such as unique controllers that will not be sold in stores. Nintendo says that the program will commence by the end of the year in both the United States and Japan.

BlkPaladin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2003, 06:47:10 AM »

Well, I guess this announcement was blowen a little out of proportion. But at least it kind of tells us when we will be hear these announcments that are suppose to be soon. Also isn't CES in the Spring also, (and the bigger convention in Texas, but I forgot what its called.)

Here's a little tidbit that most may know, Nintendo was the one company that helped E3 out when it first was introduced. The planners didn't recieve much support until they said they were ditching the CES for support of E3.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2003, 07:06:35 AM »

I hope this rewards thing is open to Canadians as well since it's the same market as the US.

I'm not too excited about hearing that Namco is working on Donkey Kong. I've been very disappointed with what I've seen of Star Fox so far and if they can't cut it with that game then I don't want them working on a bigger Nintendo property.

I think it's a possibility that Nintendo may show off their new console at E3 2004. Realistically they don't really have anywhere else to debut it since they don't have Spaceworld anymore and E3 2005 is cutting it too close for a full out debut.

SuperLink666 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2003, 07:33:00 AM »

Nintendo gets two exclusive RPGS (Tales of Phantasia, Baten Katos?) and Pac-Mac rights

Namco gets Star Fox, Donkey Kong, and Link in Soul Calibur II exclusive for GCN

Anything else I missed? Seems like a fair 3 for 3 trade

Fammy2000 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2003, 07:40:34 AM »

Sounds like all players in this round are going to have an earlier go in the next generation that perviously hoped. I hope that this shortened cycle for a generation of hardware doesn't hold true past this one.

Sounds like this was teh MEGADUD!!!111

thecubedcanuck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2003, 07:48:46 AM »

I also hope this rewards offer is open to Canucks.
I also wonder if the 17 games I already own will count towards it?

RickPowers · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2003, 09:25:41 AM »

Some people are overlooking a small drawback to "rewards" programs like this. It's going to make importing titles just a little more painful.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2003, 09:32:01 AM »

Heh. I was thinking about importing European games just so that I could get more stars with my NOE account.

I have like 1000 stars, and I don't even live in Europe.

joeamis · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:19:04 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane

I'm not too excited about hearing that Namco is working on Donkey Kong. I've been very disappointed with what I've seen of Star Fox so far and if they can't cut it with that game then I don't want them working on a bigger Nintendo property.

I think it's a possibility that Nintendo may show off their new console at E3 2004. Realistically they don't really have anywhere else to debut it since they don't have Spaceworld anymore and E3 2005 is cutting it too close for a full out debut.

Can't cut it with Starfox? Are you living on the moon or something, the game was so early at E3 it didn't even have single player mode shown. Looking at the game it was very obvious it was an extremely eary build. Namco is quality, just look at the other games they're making for GCN- SC2, BK, TOP. Besides, Namco is working with Nintendo, not alone. Don't have Spaceworld anymore? I wish I had some of what you're smoking. They have Spaceworld, they have just chose not to hold it the last two years. If they wanted to debut their next console in that timeframe, they would just hold another Spaceworld again...

ruby_onix · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:46:50 AM »

I thought NOA (and Canada) already had a "rewards" system. Those "Super Power Stamps" and the Power Supplies catalog that comes with Nintendo Power.

I have no idea how many of those stamps I've accumulated over the years.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2003, 11:53:25 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: ruby_onix
I thought NOA (and Canada) already had a "rewards" system. Those "Super Power Stamps" and the Power Supplies catalog that comes with Nintendo Power.

I have no idea how many of those stamps I've accumulated over the years.

This is different. You get rewards based on the number of games that you buy.

joeamis · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2003, 12:24:35 PM »

you get points on all nintendo products you buy, according to the announcement

cooldude32 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2003, 12:40:44 PM »

So what could the "New Product" be?

Knoxxville · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2003, 02:09:59 PM »

I got a feeling that Nintendo might be looking to go straight portable. Iwata even made a statement something to the effect of people have less time or something. It is obvious that portable gaming is much more lucrative for Nintendo than console gaming is. I think they are going to debut a radical new handheld that might somewhat resemble the smallest of portable DVD players. If you want to, yoiu can hook the damn thing up and use it like a console (and it would have controller ports to support muliplay and play without having to hold the unit), but it will be a portable unit 1st and foremost. Throw a Game Boy Cart slot in there somewhere and KABLOOEY!....it's a wrap!

....but that's just what I think......

ruby_onix · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2003, 02:20:26 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja
Quote
Originally posted by: ruby_onix
I thought NOA (and Canada) already had a "rewards" system. Those "Super Power Stamps" and the Power Supplies catalog that comes with Nintendo Power.

I have no idea how many of those stamps I've accumulated over the years.

This is different. You get rewards based on the number of games that you buy.

Why not just start putting the stamps inside games?

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2003, 02:21:36 PM »

Knoxxville, I think that's Nintendo's end goal, but I don't think that we are there yet. We still need home consoles.

cubedcinder128 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2003, 04:03:52 PM »

Awesome stuff there, especially with word that Namco is making a Donkey Kong game for Nintendo. Geez... we have Soul Calibur 2 with Link, a Pac-Man game with GBA connectivity, the new Star Fox game coming next year, and now this new DK game! Namco must really like Nintendo, and vice versa, if you ask me. ;-)

And it'll be interesting to see a GC version of Wario Ware. That game is infinite amounts of fun on the GBA!

Internet Nomad · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2003, 09:08:11 PM »

The thing that surprised me the most about this whole thing is that Wario Ware is going to be released in October and DK at some point before the end of the year. Wario Ware seems a pretty simple game to put together, but Donkey Kong is high-budge, high-profile stuff. And it's going to be released within four months? Maybe we're being thrown for a loop. There's the ARCADE version of Donkey Kong too, and Namco has already "given" Pac-Man to Nintendo. Could this be a trade of '80s coin-op games?

Knoxxville · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2003, 10:07:40 PM »

It would also double as a home console.....so much so that it could in fact stand on it's own as either or....that will be it's major selling point.

Berny · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2003, 03:50:01 AM »

I'm shaking with excitement! Namco is definitely on of Gamecube's biggest supporters and they're handling two Nintendo franchises now. That and the REWARDS program... Not only do we get some quality games but we get Frequent Gamer Miles! Or Points. I'm happy, but I hope this does what it's supposed to do, sell Cubes.

Super Mekman · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2003, 04:38:04 AM »

Boy I think this is great!

Especially with the announcement of Wario Ware for Game Cube!

I could not be happier as a Gamecube owner .

Finally! Nintendo is bringing some of the GBA's "heat" to the GC.

Advance Wars and Golden Sun will follow hopefully someday!

If Nintendo is hell bent on getting some of their Gameboy Fans to adopt a GC, this is how!

Not simply through connectivity.

Of course connectivity for GC versions of Nintendo's more popular GBA titles wouldn't be such a bad idea, and very likely few players would complain about using the GBA's limited button layout as a method of control.

Cool beans!

ruby_onix · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2003, 12:11:47 PM »

Quote
Advance Wars and Golden Sun will follow hopefully someday!

Actually, it would be "GameCube Wars" if it was on the GameCube.

News:

Author Topic: RE: Nintendo announces new games, rewards (Read 6388 times)