Wii-kly Update
Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel
Two is your lucky number at the Wii™ Shop Channel this week. You’ll find a pair of totally different yet equally awesome sequels on offer: the second installment in the outrageous Strong Bad game series on WiiWare™, and a memorable sequel from the classic Mega Man™ series on the Virtual Console™. Two is also the total number of WiiWare titles debuting this week, including an eye-popping new puzzle game that’s suitable for two players. And while it only takes one Wii™ console to access them, you’ll need two hands to applaud this ever-growing selection of great games.
Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Electronic Arts Inc. (”EA”) (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that while EA continues to have a high regard for Take-Two’s creative teams and products, after careful consideration, including a management presentation and review of other due diligence materials provided by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (”Take-Two”) (NASDAQ:TTWO), EA has decided not to make a proposal to acquire Take-Two and has terminated discussions with Take-Two.
John Riccitiello, Chief Executive Officer of EA, said: “EA is tracking toward a record breaking year. We’re launching 15 new games including award-winners like SPORE, Dead Space and Mirror’s Edge, great new titles from the Sims, new family titles with Hasbro, and the highest quality slate of EA SPORTS titles on this generation of consoles. We’re also expanding beyond our core business with a series of direct-to-consumer launches including Warhammer Online.
This past Thursday, Capcom released a shareholder report. One of the more troubling entities which was identified revolved around mutliplatform and exclusive titles. “All major titles launched during the next fiscal year or thereafter will be developed as multi-platform games,” read the report. However, Capcom is now attempting to partially mitigate the damage that the financial report has caused.
“Relax. I think the materials pretty much speak for themselves and we’re continuing to support all consoles with appropriate content,” said Capcom’s Christian Svnesson over at Capcom-Unity. “It just means things that in the past would have been timed exclusives to a single platform will no longer be exclusive to a single platform. It’s just better business decisions at play. I don’t think fans have anything to worry about. That said, I know nothing I say will keep people from freaking out, screaming ‘the sky is falling, OMG!’ So feel free to carry on assuming the worst. I suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you do so.”
Circuit City
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters Of The Chosen (DS) – Free $10 gift card with purchase
LEGO Star Wars: Complete Saga (Wii) – $39.99
Save up to $10 on the following Wii Zapper games:
WALL *E
Ghost Squad
The House Of The Dead 2 & 3 Return
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Target
Wiffle Ball (DS) – $9.99
Konami Releases New Screenshots for Sandy Beach
Konami has released new assets and information from its upcoming action-strategy title for WiiWareTM on the Nintendo WiiTM, Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach is a fully 3D sandcastle building game that utilizes the Wii remote to form and detail elaborate sand castles, images of which can then be captured and saved to your photo gallery. Players will be able enjoy co-op play as they design their sandcastle on the tranquil shores of Sandy Beach. Watch out for the invading crabs in Crab Battle mode as they storm your sandcastle. Players will need to strategically build their sandcastle and defend it with cannons as the crabs seek total destruction of your mighty sand creations. After successfully defending your castle use your metal detector to search for hidden treasures to adorn your sandcastle or even find additional cannon to aid in warding off the pesky crabs.
Key Features:
* All of the fun, excitement and artistry of building a sandcastle is brought home to the Wii
* Defend your sandcastle in Crab Battle mode as waves of crabs attempt to flatten your creation
* Capture pictures of your sandcastle and save them in the photo album
* Build by yourself or have a partner join you in co-op play as you play on the virtual beach designing your sandcastlesDeveloped by Frozen Codebase, Sandy Beach is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and is scheduled to be released Fall 2008.
Nintendo Wii
North America:
1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
2. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
3. Active Life: Outdoor Challenge (Namco Bandai)
4. Wii Play (Nintendo)
5. Rock Band (EA Games)
Japan:
1. One Piece Unlimited Cruise: Episode 1 – Nami ni Yureru Hihou (Bandai)
2. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
4. Wii Sports (Nintendo)
5. Hajimete no Wii (Nintendo)
UK:
1. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
2. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo)
3. Wii Play (Nintendo)
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 (EA Sports)
5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega)
Nintendo DS
North America:
1. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo)
2. Spore Creatures (EA Games)
3. Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Nintendo)
4. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
5. Brain Age 2 (Nintendo)
Japan:
1. Rhythm Tengoku Gold (Nintendo)
2. KORG DS-10 (AQ Interactive)
3. Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu No Hanayome (Square Enix)
4. Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (Nintendo)
5. Dokidoki Majo Shinpan! 2 (SNK Playmore)
UK:
1. Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo)
2. 42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo)
3. More Brain Training (Nintendo)
4. Scrabble 2007 Edition (Ubisoft)
5. Puzzler Collection (Ubisoft)
I thought I’d share this email I received with you guys…
“Nintendo’s products will be playable and sold through the Target store at E for All, so our attendees will have access to Nintendo’s great games and hardware. In fact, the Target store at E for All Expo will have many of the most popular and hard-to-find Nintendo games, hardware and accessories available. We are very excited about this opportunity for attendees — whether it’s Madden ’09 or the Nintendo Wii, the Target Store at E for All will be stocked.” – E For All statement
So, Nintendo as a company won’t be attending the event, but their games will be present at the event. And fortunately, gamers aren’t limited to just Nintendo. I’m positive there will be some strong third-party offerings at E for All.
