Nintendo has updated the Wii Karaoke U application in Japan, bringing the download to version 1.2.0.
Three key elements are featured in the update. Users can now experience Wii Karaoke U off-screen, dress their Miis in new costumes, and display lag checking.
Screenshots of the update are posted above.
Earlier this month, we mentioned a new Kickstarter campaign going by the name “Road Redemption”. The Road Rash-esque project would be considered for Wii U, but hadn’t been officially confirmed for the platform.
Developer Dark Seas Games has now revealed that it will in fact be releasing Road Redemption for Wii U along with the previously announced PC, Mac, and Linux versions.
Project spokesperson Daniel Balazs said:
“The Wii U userbase values great gameplay and unique experiences. We believe that the Wii U is a great fit for Road Redemption.”
Dark Seas Games feels strongly about the Wii U’s technical abilities and GamePad, noting that “it has great potential for local multiplayer gaming without the need for a splitscreen.”
Balazs added:
“Nintendo has reached out to independent game developers by wholeheartedly embracing the Unity 4 gaming engine for Wii U development. This was definitely a factor in our decision since we are already working with Unity 4 for the PC, Mac, and Linux versions of Road Redemption. We are proud to add the Wii U to the list of Road Redemption’s platforms, and we plan to release Road Redemption on Wii U shortly after releasing on PC, Linux, and Mac. We’re bringing Road Redemption to Windows PC, Mac, Linux, and now the Wii U. We’re building it, from the ground up, to be an amazing experience on mouse, keyboard, and gamepads.”
You can find a few more details here and the official Kickstarter page here.
This has been a busy week for Nintendo maintenance. All of the company’s digital stores were down for a good portion of the afternoon/evening yesterday, but the downtime isn’t stopping there.
Nintendo is also planning maintenance for the Wii U eShop on Thursday between 5 PM PT and 7 PM PT. The Big N could be using the time to push out the Wii U’s big update, which is now rumored to arrive on the same day.
Image & Form is bringing the intriguing-looking 3DS game SteamWorld Dig to the 3DS eShop. Thus far, the studio has had a very positive experience working with Nintendo, according to CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson.
Speaking with Cubed3, Sigurgeirsson said:
“Working with Nintendo on SteamWorld Dig has been very nice so far. They promptly answer our questions, and are both very professional and personal. I do think they’ve evolved, and their tools and processes are easier to work with. Obviously we are also better at asking for their help than before. When we made SteamWorld Tower Defense, we were very aware of the huge difference between tiny Image & Form and enormous Nintendo. But they’re naturally friendly people who do all they can to help.”
Could SteamWorld Dig make its way to the Wii U eShop as well? Sigurgeirsson seems to think that it could work:
“Well, the step is not that huge. Both consoles are D-pad-friendly, and Nintendo is taking measures to make it easier to port 3DS titles to Nintendo Wii U.”
Two big Wii U items are due this week: the first of two major updates, and the Virtual Console.
The update was initially expected yesterday followed by the VC service today, but we know that isn’t the case. So when are both coming?
According to Emily Rogers, who has proven to be mostly reliable thus far, the firmware update will be available on Thursday. The Virtual Console will come on Friday, one day later.
And here’s one additional element thrown into the mix: Miiverse will apparently launch for mobile and PC platforms sometime this week. You may be able to access the social network through your browser here.
We’ll keep you updated on any additional developments…
Two Tribes has wrapped up work on a first patch for Toki Tori 2. A number of issues are addressed in the update, which could be out within a couple of weeks.
Patch notes are as follows:
- More hints
- Improved the flow of the game after reaching the room with the ‘thing’
- Added another super-secret area
- Fixed a bug where Toki Tori was invisible after returning to the game
- Fades between levels now fade the audio too
- Simplified the puzzle in the underwater passage
- Fixed an issue when the TokiDex was completed in the photo room
- Some back- and foreground elements got a fresh coat of paint
- When all the collectibles in a level (or the entire game) are collected a melody will play to notify the player
- Fixed a rare bug where the player completed the game, but the end scene wouldn’t trigger
- Various level tweaks, based on Miiverse feedback
Two Tribes is also planning a second patch, “but that will take a lot more time, as it will be more involving.”
Assassin’s Creed III – Tyranny of King Washington – The Redemption launches for Wii U on May 16. Pricing should be set at $7.99.
Darksiders has a new home – an unexpected home, but a home nonetheless.
THQ is transferring the IP to Nordic Games, who seems to be interested in continuing the series. A message was posted on the company’s forums asking for feedback with a resulting thread that is already 15 pages long.
Along with fans, two former Darksiders developers offered some advise to Nordic.
First up is former Vigil co-founder Ryan Stefanelli:
As one of the co-founders of Vigil and the lead level designer/principal designer on both games, all I can say is… make it adventurous.
And do what we would’ve done: let people know what happens when those other three comets land on Earth! Four player co-op or bust!
Good luck to you guys. You’ve adopted our baby.
Lead combat designer Ben Cureton also weighed in, and even offered to take the Darksiders IP off of Nordic’s hands:
If you actually ever go forward with the Darksiders franchise, be sure to focus on the things that made DS and DS2 cool. Things like… that feeling of adventure (that Ryan mentioned), the fast-paced combat, the sense of scale, quality voice acting, and don’t forget that Strife and Fury need to be BADASS… whatever you do, don’t forget to crank the BADASS meter up to 11. If you are ever in doubt of what to do… just add more skulls!
Oh yeah… it has to be 4 player. It’s a must!
That being said, if you decide you don’t want to continue making games for the series, let me know. We’d be more than happy to take the IP off your hands. In fact, you can even have all of the money that DS1 and DS2 continue to generate!
