LTD console sales – UK
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 0 comments
DS – 7.1 million
Wii – 3.6 million
PSP – 2.9 million
360 – 2.3 million
PS3 – 1.4 million
BPM Racing announced for WiiWare
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 2 Comments
YUKE’S Company of America To Bring Innovative Rhythm Racing Title To WiiWare
CHICAGO – Sept. 30, 2008
YUKE’S Company of America, the U.S. publishing arm of Japanese game developer YUKE’S Company Limited, today announced it will be publishing BPM Racing for WiiWare™. Set to turn heads out of the starting gate and turn up the volume on television sets, BPM Racing complements white knuckle racing with a pulsating, diverse electronic soundtrack for a complete visual and audio driving experience. Riders will be rewarded for staying in rhythm with increased speeds, handling, and score multipliers, even getting the opportunity to be the DJ by adding their own samples and effects to various soundtracks.
“The racing genre is ripe for a new, innovative direction and increasing the aural experience seemed like an obvious choice.” said Ken Koyama, Director of Business Development at YUKE’S Company of America. “BPM Racing will reinvent the relationship between a racing game and its soundtrack.”
BPM Racing isn’t the only title being driven onto WiiWare by YUKE’S Company of America. “We have several titles in addition to BPM currently planned for WiiWare,” added Ken. “The opportunity to be a part of Nintendo’s surge into the online market is very exciting.”
BPM Racing is scheduled for release in early 2009.
World Soccer Winning Eleven 2009 (PS3, Xbox 360) Playable, Trailer
Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3) Trailer, Stage Event
Metal Gear Online (PS3) Playable, Trailer, Stage Event
Genso Suikoden Tierkreis (DS) Playable, Trailer, Stage Event
Tongari Boushi to Mahou no 365 nichi (DS) Playable, Trailer
Castlevania Judgement (Wii) Playable, Trailer, Stage Event
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) Playable, Trailer, Stage Event
Silent Hill Homecoming (PS3, Xbox 360) Playable, Trailer
ChaoticEden (PC) Playable, Trailer
MTV confirms Rock Band II DLC for Wii, retracts previous statements
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments
Last week, USA Today put up an article stating that Rock Band II will be absent of DLC downloads and Internet connectivity in the Wii version. MTV Games on the same day, however, promised fans that USA Today’s words were not true. Since then, USA Today has modified its original article and wrote instead, “While unannounced, MTV Games has confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Wii version of “Rock Band 2” will offer the same online functionality — i.e. song downloads and Internet multiplayer modes — as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 versions. The PS2 version, however, will not include online connectivity.”
Nintendo Voice Chat podcast summary
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, News, Wii | 7 Comments
Note: This is just a summary. Naturally, there have been some parts of the podcast that have not been included and there may be minor errors. Listen to the podcast here for all that was said.
DS rumors
– Nikkei spilled the beans on the potential of a future Nintendo DS
– Rumors have always been out there, but Nikkei is like the Wall Street Journal of Japan, so when they say something, you kind of listen.
– Updated version of Nintendo DS, adding a second touch screen, bigger screens SD card and mp3 support. Suggested faster Wi-Fi and alluded that Nintendo wants to have more connectivity like Safeco Field
– Also saying there’s a camera, Craig says the camera could also be used at the Wii’s i-Toy.
– Another theory from Craig: Save files off the Wii to the DS -> Wii’s storage solution. Bozon also thinks they’ll open up the SD card, like what Vicarious has been doing.
– Backward compatibility could be a problem with bigger screens
ORBIENT
– Orbient – grow big enough to attract the sun of each solar system, use bigger plannets to sling-shot yourself around
– Control with A + B buttons – Attract and repel
– Figure out how to use the momentum + gravity of the planets
– Can see where the repel and attract is coming from (gravity) – Can orient yourself better
– Based around the same levels, more hazards in the way
– Craig’s going to give it an editor’s choice, Matt’s enjoying the game
– Simple and cheap
– Matt was surprised to see a WiiWare game published by Nintendo
Bomberman Blast
– Daemon thinks it’s good, it’s a lot like Bomberman Live on XBLA
– Bozon wishes there was a completely top-down mode or more top-down
– Online is really fun, runs smoothly
– Get docked like a 1000 points for disconnecting online
– No costumes from 360 versions, can use your Mii locally when you play through the 11 maps
Sonic Chronicles
– Bozon isn’t a fan of the game
– A lot of fetch-quests
– Environments relatively small and you’re locked into them for a long time
– Walking around and retracing areas, enemies low-level but will still attack aggressively
– Not a crap-game but Bozon thinks only the hardcore Sonic fans will look past the fact that it isn’t a good core RPG game
– Visually looks good
SimCity Creator
– Had all of the parts in place but the control scheme wasn’t great
– Sim designs from MySims used to try to give the game personality but Daemon thinks it’s actually obnoxious
– Controls really hurt the game, nunchuck isn’t used
– Developers nailed the game from a technical standpoint
– Brothers in Arms – Matt says make sure you don’t buy that game. Bozon says Far Cry even has better controls than the game.
– Line Rider 2: Unbound basically like the DS + PC games. The things that are good + bad about those games apply to Unbound
Reader Questions
– Video games don’t have long shelf-life, especially compared to DVDs. If a game is worth reprinting again, it’ll happen.
– Chances of Sega putting 32X and Sega CD games on the VC – Matt wouldn’t rule it out, there’s a possibility that it can be done.
– No one on the Nintendo Team isn’t sure what Nintendo’s event is going to be about. Matt thinks maybe we’ll hear some DS news, Disaster and Fatal Frame for North America. Wii Music and Animal Crossing pretty much guaranteed. Matt thinks it’ll be good but not epic. Under embargo until next week, will be able to live-blog the first hour or so of the presentation.
– When you plug in MotionPlus you DO NOT lose the option to use the nunchuck
– Craig is hoping that Nintendo will bring all the Bit-Generation games to WiiWare, Nintendo Puzzle collection and Doshun the giant
– Not a high chance that third-party games will use WiiSpeak in 2008
– Nintendo Team is getting new playable levels of The Conduit tomorrow
– Maybe about a thousand or so of the Twilight Princess trailer carts from previous E3 out there
– IGN Wii playground will start happening again
– de Blob DS game probably won’t launch until next year
– Bozon isn’t sure where he died the most in Mega Man 9
– Everyone agrees that achievements on Wii would be a good thing
– Excitebike 64, Pilotwings would both be good choices for the 300th VC game
– IGN Nintendo Team isn’t getting motion sickness from de Blob
– Reason why Nintendo Team doesn’t like simple button controls being replaced with waggle: it’s unnecessary, doesn’t make it fun
MotoGP 08 for Wii production running late, no online reconfirmed
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 2 Comments
“The Wii version is running late production wise and it will not ship at the end of next month with the other SKUs. There are some improvements from the PS2, in particular the control mechanisms with the Wiimote, but It is true that there is no online play.” – Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development
I don’t really see how the lack of online play in the Wii version can be defended here. Both the PS3 and 360 versions of MotoGP 08 obviously have the feature included, with the only other console joining the no-online party is the PS2. To add insult to injury, MotoGP 08 for Wii isn’t even shipping in line with the other versions of the game. What’s a Wii owner to do?!
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii now available
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 1 Comment
Feel Like You’re Really Farming With the Nintendo Wii Remote!
Burlingame, Calif., September 29, 2008 – Natsume, a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii has officially shipped to retail for an MSRP of $49.99. The launch continues the ten-year anniversary celebration of the popular Harvest Moon franchise. The ten-year commemoration includes special anniversary packaging, various retail promotions with special collectible pre-order plush toys, an exclusive 10th anniversary DS Lite Kit, strategy guides, and many more specialty items.
“We are proud to release Harvest Moon for the first time on the Nintendo Wii platform,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “With the new setting, characters, motion-sensitive controls, and the most refined gameplay yet, we’re sure that both Harvest Moon fans and new players alike will be delighted with Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility.”
Long-time Harvest Moon fans as well as new players will find an exciting, involving storyline and plenty of activities to experience, including cultivating crops, caring for animals, and participating in festivals.
Hudson Entertainment’s Bomberman Blast now available for digital download on the Wii
Posted on 16 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 0 comments
Players Can Now Bomb It Up Against 8 Players With Online Multiplayer Combat And Mii Support
REDWOOD CITY, CA – September 29, 2008 – Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm for HUDSON SOFT, today announced the official launch of Bomberman Blast, an all-new Bomberman available for digital download on WiiWare for the Wii. Retaining many of the classic features that fans of the award-winning series have come to love, such as online multiplayer battles and numerous arenas, Bomberman Blast also incorporates exciting new gameplay elements like Mii support and 8-person online play.
“We are thrilled to deliver Bomberman Blast to the WiiWare gamers,”
said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “Hardcore fans and casual gamers alike will enjoy this new rendition of classic Bomberman created specifically for play on the Wii with three new Wii-specific items and Miis.”Bomberman Blast features 3 new shake-it-up items specifically created for play on the Wii. Each of these new items can be used by shaking the Wii Remote to add an entirely new aspect of play to multiplayer Bomberman battles. Players can use the Bomb Change to disguise themselves as a bomb, the Rocket to jump up high in the air to avoid bomb blasts and the Shield to block bomb blasts as long as they keep shaking the Wii Remote.
