“Although a price cut is expected in the short term for the Wii, there will likely remain considerable scope for additional price cuts which will help extend the shelf life of the console well beyond what Nintendo has historically achieved with its TV consoles. This price cutting potential [of Wii] will likely be realised over at least three years and quite possibly longer obviating the need for an early introduction of a new console. However, Nintendo may elect to move to a dual product strategy with overlapping TV consoles (as Sony does) targeting different demographic and geographic markets. If it does go down that route then 2011 would appear a reasonable target for a new platform launch.” – games industry analyst Nick Gibson from Games Investor Consulting
Earlier this week, Square Enix’s president offered his thoughts about a new Wii, predicting that the system would arrive in 2011. So, that particular year seems to be the general opinion of when the next console will launch. But if Nintendo elects to follow a dual product strategy, the Wii will not disappear. There would be a situation in place similar to that of the PS2/PS3.
We’ve been hearing all sorts of rumblings surrounding a Wii price cut in North America, but the UK may be receiving a bundle instead. The rumored bundle will supposedly include Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, a Wiimote/nunchuck, MotionPlus, and the Wii console. As was previously mentioned, the bundle would allegedly cost the same price, but consumers who would have been interested in purchasing Wii Sports Resort could save a decent amount of money.
Playable
Inazuma Eleven 2
Professor Layton and the Demon’s Flute
Ni no Kuni
Video
Danbol Senki
Atama no Taisou 3/4
Inazuma Eleven Future
Sloane & MacHale’s Mysteries 2
Mystery Room
Minna no Sukkiri (PSP) – 7/8/7/8
Inazuma Eleven 2 (DS) – 8/8/8/9
Chara-Chinko (DS) – 5/6/6/7
MySims Agents (DS) – 7/7/6/7
Gran Turismo (PSP) – 8/8/8/8
Macross Ultimate Frontier (PSP) – 8/9/8/9
Tales of Vesperia (PS3) -?9/9/9/8
Nina Gaiden ?2 (PS3)?9/9/9/8
Halo 3? ODST (360) – 8/8/8/9
Shin Sengoku Musou MULTI RAID Special (PS3/360) – 8/8/8/8
Dead Space Extraction (Wii) – 8/7/7/6
MySims Agents (Wii) – 7/6/7/6
Trinity Universe (PS3) – 6/8/8/7
Will be updating this post if/when more scores come in…
Surprise, surprise. A Taiko no Tatsujin peripheral was found in the Japanese trademark database, which was filed by Namco Bandai. The accessory is composed of soft material, though, unlike the most recent drum add-on. Images provided in the patent show that the Wiimote can be placed inside the drum and then, by lightly knocking it, notes can be played. This new peripheral makes more financial sense than the plastic drum for Namco Bandai. Because it’s inflatable, it’ll cost less to produce.
“As all I take part in is the Prime series, I am not capable of commenting on the whole Metroid series. But we will keep considering multiplayer for the Prime series. For instance, I think I can come up with some unique ideas using the Morph Ball, which is a specific skill of Samus.” – Nintendo producer, Kensuke Tanabe
“To be fair, there’s been a number of releases from Retro Studios since 2004. Metroid Prime 2 was launched worldwide in 2004 and 2005. Metroid Prime 3 was launched in late 2007 in the U.S. and Europe, 2008 in Japan, and the current launch of Metroid Prime: Trilogy, worldwide in 2009. Efforts and resources involved supporting NTSC, PAL and Japanese launches are considerable. That’s been a busy schedule and it’s kept us very engaged.” – Nintendo producer, Kensuke Tanabe
“And the new title of Retro is of course, under development. Hopefully we can address some information in the next year.” – Nintendo producer, Kensuke Tanabe
There’s a few other interesting tidbits from this interview as well. According to Tanabe, “localization requires much more time and workforce than you can imagine.” Retro has, technically, worked on 10 different versions. And that’s not including the TGS demo of the Wii prototype.
