Just like all other violent games, with the release of MadWorld, criticism about the game’s violence was certainly inevitable. The The National Institute on Media and the Family sent out a statement today expressing their disappointment with Nintendo over the release of SEGA’s new Wii title.

“[Nintendo has] shed its ‘family friendly’ reputation with MadWorld’s release.The release of MadWorld for the Wii brings violent videogames to a once family-friendly platform.In MadWorld, gamers use the Wii Remote to make the necessary physical actions to chainsaw an opponent in half, impale an enemy with a signpost or decapitate a victim with a golf club. MadWorld is another reminder that parents need to make sure they watch what their kids watch and play what their kids play. In the past, the Wii has successfully sold itself as being the gaming console for the entire family and a way to bring family-game nights back into people’s living rooms. Unfortunately, Nintendo opened its doors to the violent videogame genre. The National Institute on Media and the Family hopes that Nintendo does not lose sight of its initial audience and continues to offer quality, family-friendly games.” – Dr. David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family/NIMF press release

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Japan’s Most Famous Mushroom Sprouts up Today! BOING! DOCOMODAKE for Nintendo DS™

Glendale, CA – March 10, 2009 – Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction with AQ Interactive is pleased to announce the release of Boing! Docomodake for Nintendo DS.™ Based on the mascot of the leading Japanese mobile phone company, NTT DOCOMO, INC., Boing! Docomodake is a game of strategy and finesse, mixed with a little action and adventure, sprinkled with a splash of colorful fantasy. Shrooming across North America today at an affordable suggested retail price of $19.99, Boing! Docomodake is a fun and interactive game, sure to entertain gamers of all ages.

Set on the day of the annual festival held in the Docomodake Forest, the Docomodake family is nowhere to be seen! Gamers play as Papa Docomodake and guide him through various obstacles and challenges in order to find his family and get them to the festival on time. Papa Docomodake has a trick or two to help him on his quest . With a tap of the stylus he can release ‘Minis’ that aid him when the going gets a little tough. Remember, Minis make the impossible possible!

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– Has subtitle “The Beginning” because it’s been a long time since an Adventure Island game has been released, new generations play video games now
– Has been in development for about 8 months
– Can obtain Master titles in each level by meeting certain conditions
– Does not use the Balance Board after all
– Scheduled for a May release in NA/Europe
– Hudson would like to think about the revival of Bonk

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Vertigo to launch on the 3rd April; ball rolling action to feature Balance Board functionality

Play V has announced that it will be releasing Vertigo, a novel ball-rolling race and puzzle hybrid, for PC and the Nintendo Wii on the 3rd April 2009. Vertigo tasks players with controlling a rolling ball though over 50 levels of fiendish, high-tension action.

Supporting both traditional remote and Wii Balance Board control methods, Vertigo harks back to rolling-ball games of old with 54 tracks across nine environments. Three classes of ‘Xorb’ ball are available, each one with their own set of unlockable upgrade options, as well as the ability to customise and tune each ball according to the player’s preferred balance of speed and manoeuvrability.

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 10, 2009 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Little League® World Series Baseball 2009, the sequel to 2008’s acclaimed hit baseball game, will be released this June for WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM. The title is a natural progression for the franchise, offering Little Leaguers and their families more features and refined, accessible gameplay.

“We are very proud of the warm reception our first Little League baseball video game received last year,” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. “Little League® World Series Baseball 2009 aims to broaden the franchise’s appeal even wider, giving experienced gamers a sense of depth and to feel more challenged while still making it easy for parents or grandparents to pick up and play!”

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– Called Mighty Flip Champs
– Control Alta while she warps through a stack of maze-laden chambers
– Chambers flip past like pages of a magical book
– Main action can be seen on the top screen
– Touch Screen displayed preview of next room/Alta’s destination
– Magical Warp Wand used to replace world with next one
– DSiWare exclusive
– Directed by Matt Bozon
– No date/price point for now

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Rumors have been circulating the past few days that Wii MotionPlus might be delayed all the way past June. IGN’s Matt Casamassina, in a recent Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, said that Nintendo has been struggling to work out “a few hiccups.” Nintendo has finally responded to the speculation. A representative claims that “technically it can’t be delayed” because “no date was ever announced for MotionPlus.” While this is partially true, Nintendo did state that the peripheral would be available in the Spring.

Cambridge, Mass. – March 9, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of fourteen tracks, ranging across nearly all genres of rock, to the Rock Band® Music Store catalog of downloadable content for Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo. The lineup includes music from metal icons Metallica, songs from alternative bands Radiohead and Sonic Youth, as well as tracks from classic rock artists KISS and David Bowie. Rock Band Wii owners will also have access to music from punk band The Clash and rock bands Wolfmother and Garbage.

In addition, the offering features songs from five alternative country acts including Drive By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Old 97s and Steve Earle.

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