– due out March 2009
– $60
– Wii exclusive
– uses a A.I. trainer
– running, boxing, and more
– EA Active Soccer version ‘down the road’, and more versions to come
– balance board not required, but supported
– includes peripheral that attaches Wiimote to your body
– endorsed by Bob Greene, Oprah’s trainer
– regular software updates
– more peripherals planned for new exercises
– packed-in nutrition book
– custom 30-day workout
– music player
– true 1:1 motion (says trailer)
– 2 straps included in box
– EA Trax program or EA’s Artwerk label music may come in the future
Following the success of Mega Man 9 and its classic style, Capcom was ready to discuss Mega Man X9 in the 16-bit style.
“16 bit style eh? Retro but not as retro as 8-bit. Neat idea and I’m not sure what Infaune-san is cooking up on that front at the moment. I think we’re still waiting to see what the trailing sales of MM9 look like before we evaluate any other projects of that nature.” – Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development
“XBLA and PSN will probably not happen, we just don’t think the controls would feel right. Mouse is great and so is the Wii remote. The DS would be a good platform for the game from a controls standpoint but the processor is not nearly strong enough for the physics simulation. We might be able to do a simplified version of the game, but we have no plans for that right now.” – Ron Carmel, 2D Boy
It might be interesting to see how World of Goo would work on the DS, but I personally believe it might be a better decision to move on to a brand new project. The physics part of World of Goo is one of the aspects that makes the game very entertaining.
Update: According to Square Enix PR, the game has actually not been canceled! Expect to hear an official statement sometime soon.
One of the rumors in the latest edition of EGM notes that Square Enix is “quietly canceling” Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for Wii. The Crystal Bearers was one of the first titles announced for Wii, though very little information has been heard over the past few months. The game was also absent from this year’s TGS showing. Square Enix plans on releasing Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, which may be the company’s way of replacing The Crystal Bearers.
The latest EGM review scores are as follows:
Wii Music: A-, B-, C
Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars: C
Mirror’s Edge: A-, B+, B
Far Cry 2: B+, B, B-
Need for Speed Undercover: B
Endwar: C, C-, C+
Fallout 3: A, B+, A+
Dead Space: B+, B-, B+
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows: C+
Little Big Planet: A+, A, A
Saints Row 2: B, B-, B+
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009: A-
Motorstorm Pacific Rift: A-, A, B+
Gears of War 2: A, A+, A
Fable 2: A, A-, A-
Valkyria Chronicles Chronicles: A-
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm: B-
Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts: A-, B-, C
Chrono Trigger: A
Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff: C, C+, B+
Korg DS-10: A-
Ninjatown: B+
DSiMail
DSiMode
DSiVision
DSiCommunication
DSArcade
DSBook
DSCreator
DSClub
DSCommunity
DSCooking
DSDiary
DSeye
DSFamily
DSFriend
DSLife
DSLive
DSLibrary
DSmobile
DSMap
DSNavi
DSNet
DSPhone
DSPlus
DSPoint
DSSchool
DSSpeak
These all could turn out to be downloadable applications for the DSi, but I think the most noteworthy listing on there is DSArcade. DSPhone could turn out to be interesting, too!
– With the new platform of the Softmax console game (family video game) business division posing a challenge, the company is set to enter the market through the localized release of a title for Nintendo DS.
– 2 types of Nintendo DS titles released in Korea this year (“Monster Farm DS,” “Hi! Hamtaro DS”)
Softmax (CEO: Jeong Yeong-won; www.softmax.co.kr) is making inroads into the game development business for Nintendo DS.
