Mario Kart Wii to support text chat
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 3 Comments
The next generation of Mario Kart is blazing a new path on Wii! New tracks, new racers (including Miis), new rides and 12-player racing via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection makes for the ultimate Mario racing experience!
With all the new additions, don’t expect Mario Kart Wii to skimp on the details. All your favourite Mario Kart franchise features return, such as classic tracks, cup modes, battles, boosts and ghost data. Mario Kart Wii isn’t an update – it’s a breakthrough!
Similar to Mario Kart DS, players will be able to take full advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. You’ll be able to race against up to 11 other players from around the world in massive online races or race against your friends. You can create rooms for friends to join and even text chat while you’re waiting for other racers. The online function of Mario Kart Wii also lets you join a friend’s race in action and be a spectator until the next course launches.
If your Wii console is lighting up with blue, it means a new Wii update is available. This update is a bit more mysterious this time, however.
On Nintendo’s website, a note says that “this update does not affect any prominently-used features or menus; however it does provide some behind the scenes updates that will improve system performance.”
Europe SSBB fall date untrue, but will launch later than America
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 3 Comments
On the latest 1-up podcast, listeners were given the impression that Super Smash Bros. Brawl would be launching in the fall, according to a statement NOA President Reggie Fils-Aime said. However, it appears to be that Shane Bettenhausen, the one who had made the remarks about Reggie’s words did not provide completely accurate information. The game will not necessarily be releasing in fall, but it will be released after the American version, due to localization processes.
“While recounting some of the info that I learned from Nintendo of America’s President & COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, I implied that the European release of Super Smash Bros. Melee had been moved to the fall of 2008…that’s not quite accurate, as neither NOE nor Reggie has announced any official release date at this time. Reggie did tell me (and the other media present) that the release had been pushed out of the winter/spring time frame due to the amount of localization required to get the game up and running all the various European languages. But Reggie did not say WHEN Europeans will get Smash Bros., just that it would be at a later date than the U.S.” – Shane Bettenhausen
IGN Wii-k in review podcast summary
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 7 Comments
House of the Dead 2
– Basically two ports put together, but looks better – $29.99
– Gun calibration is good
– New feature: will talk about it next week
Sega Superstars Tennis
– Game looks very good, but slows down for some mini-games
– Essentially Virtua Tennis with Sega characters
– DS version isn’t as elaborate
– No online for both Wii and DS versions
– People can play with different controls against each other
Ninja Gaiden
– Craig doesn’t think it’ll do well (sales)
– Craig loves it so far – played training level
– Comfortable to hold as book setup
Mario Kart
– Not a pretty game: Craig, Bland look – Matt
– Fun – comparable to DS version
– Craig only played it for 10 minutes, feels there is a bit of a learning curve for Wiimote
– Control feels loser than Excite Truck
– Speed – very fast – 60 FPS. Good sense of speed, opportunities for boosting.
– Snaking seems to be gone because power slide is changed – Craig
– 12 people online. Can go online with friend at house (split-screen mode), 4-player local
– MANY stats in the game – 7 pages of stats
– 32 tracks (16 old, 16 new) – Mall level is crazy.
– Reggie feels Mario Kart Wii is a “bridge game.”
– Can choose from automatic/manual power sliding
Wii aids burn victims
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 2 Comments
It has been fairly well-known that the Wii has been infiltrating hospitals and nursing homes over recent months. However, a new way to use the Wii for beneficial reasons has been discovered – to aid burn victims. The Wii is a perfect fit for physiotherapy. Using the Wii with games such as Wii Sports Boxing enables those who are affected by burns to partially improve scarred regions of the body.
Nintendo 64 – Kirby 64™: The Crystal Shards
TurboGrafx16 – Psychosis
This week’s additions take players on a psychedelic trip down memory lane. Kirby® is back and armed with a bunch of new talents, including the option to combine abilities. Curious to find out what mixing the Burn and Cutter powers gives Kirby? We won’t spoil that for you here. If the colorful landscapes in the pink sphere’s world are too much for you and you’re looking for straight firepower instead, then try plunging your soul into the mind of a twisted demon. We’ll just see how you fare against wave after wave of bizarre enemy creatures in that kind of environment.
Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Reggie: No Brawl until fall for Europe?
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments
Europe has been known for receiving Nintendo games rather late. This bit of information led to the questioning of why Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit will be releasing in Europe before America. A discussion on the latest 1-up podcast talks about how Reggie replied to the Mario Kart Wii/Wii Fit release date confusion with “because they won’t get Brawl until Fall (Autumn).”
I don’t know if Mario Kart Wii/Wii Fit would be a reasonable substitution for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, especially because Autumn is rather late.
Best Buy
Free $10 gift card when you buy Jumper: Griffin’s Story (Wii)
Circuit City
Free pen stylus and screen protector 2-pack with purchase of a DS Lite
Target
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) – $39.99
Thrillville: Off the Rails (Wii) – $39.99
High School Musical: Sing It! (Wii) – $49.99
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Wii) – $29.99
Telltale game on WiiWare to be bigger than Sam & Max
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments
Although Wii owners who follow the Sam & Max games have requested the series to head to the Wii, Telltale will be cooking up something different for WiiWare. However, fans of Telltale should not be worried, as Kevin Bruner of Telltale explains that a new franchise – bigger than Sam and Max – will be coming to WiiWare.
“They’re big franchises, even bigger than Sam and Max. One will be on WiiWare. It’s been great to start with relatively small licenses like Bone, then move up to Max, then to these two new ones.” – Kevin Bruner (CTO of Telltale)
Wii would be Valve’s next choice
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments
During a recent interview, Doug Lombardi of Valve, who took part in the recent release of the acclaimed Orange Box, stated that the Wii would be Valve’s next system of choice to develop for.
“If Valve were to develop in-house for another format, it would be the Wii. It’s growing, there’s already a huge user-base, and it’s fun. Source is really scaleable. We can do that.” – Doug Lombardi
