Earlier today, Nintendo unveiled Cloud Mario, a brand new power-up that will be available in certain Super Mario Galaxy 2 levels. Strangely, no details were provided as to how it will work. Japanese retailer Neowing, however, states that players will be able to build clouds up and use them as platforms. I suppose that makes sense based on the concept art we’ve seen. We’re still waiting to hear about the actual control implementation for Cloud Mario, but I’m sure Nintendo will share additional information in the coming weeks.

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Casual gaming gets serious with the launch of Foreign Media Games’TM first three releases for Nintendo DSTM

Hilversum, Netherlands – April 16th 2010 – Foreign Media Games (FMG) has launched its first three games into the UK market, with Mystery Tales: Time Travel™, Casual Mania™ and GAMEHITS™ available today via retail channels. The Netherlands-based publisher and distributor has partnered with Connect International to manage sales and distribution in the UK region.

Mystery Tales: Time Travel, Casual Mania and GAMEHITS are quality titles targeted at Foreign Media Games’ heartland – the mass market casual gamer. Mystery Tales: Time Travel sees the player take on the role of Mélanie Cygnes to find hidden objects and solve riddles. Casual Mania brings you the best of casual gaming, featuring four of the most successful web-based game genres: Hidden Object, Match-3, Marble Popper and Time Management, all in one package. GAMEHITS is a collection inspired by hit video game classics, with a 3D overhaul for the modern gamer. Players will have the chance to eat their way around a labyrinth, shoot down spaceships, fill rows with the tessellating blocks, and direct a robot to safety.

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“Considering that the NPD sales only accounted for 12 days on the store shelves and that NPD doesn’t include all retailers we are looking forward to a complete month of sales data to see where we stand.” – Ubisoft spokesperson

These sales are only based on twelve days of data, as the game was released on March 23 in North America. Still, the sales are disappointing, and we know the game hasn’t performed well in the UK either. Red Steel 2 should be selling much more based on the title’s quality and commercials on television. Ubisoft seems to believe the game will sell better next month, though.

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We already had an idea that this is what the two-player mode would be like in Super Mario Galaxy 2, but now it has confirmed via the Japanese site. Quite an improvement over the original!

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1. God of War III (PS3) – 1.10M
2. Pokemon SoulSilver (DS) – 1.02M
3. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3) – 828.2K
4. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (36) – 825.5K
5. Pokemon HeartGold (DS) – 761.2K
6. Final Fantasy XIII (360) – 493.9K
7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) – 457.4K
8. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3) – 451.2K
9. Wii Fit Plus (Wii) – 429.6K
10. MLB 10: The Show (PS3) – 349.2K
11. Wii Sports Resort (Wii)
12. Just Dance (Wii)
13. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360)
14. MLB 2K10 (360)
15. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
16. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
17. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)
18. God of War I & II Collection (PS3)
19. Heavy Rain (PS3)
20. Mario Kart DS (DS)

Virtual Console:
-Mega Man 4 (NES, Capcom, 500 points)

WiiWare:
-Bloons (Hands-On Mobile, 500 points)
-Rage of the Gladiator (Ghostfire Games, 1000 points)

DSiWare:
-Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs – Fight for Survival (Ubisoft, 800 points)
-Mr. Driller: Drill Till You Drop (Namco Bandai, 500 points)
-Pocket Pack Words & Numbers (Mere Mortals, 500 points)
-System Flaw Recruit (Enjoy Gaming, 500 points)
-Game & Watch: Ball (Nintendo, 200 points)
-Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo, 200 points)
-Game & Watch: Flagman (Nintendo, 200 points)

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Siliconera is reporting that Konami has trademarked Harmony of Despair in Europe. Now, just what is this game you ask? Nothing is certain yet, but it’s possible that it’s a new Castlevania title. After all, Harmony of Despair follows the name format of previous Castlevania games. I’d be up for a new entry in the series on the DS – What about you guys?

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