“There’s no ‘percentage chance’ that I could give you [Viewtiful Joe this generation] that would at all be accurate. If it strikes someone of influence (a producer of note, Inafune, Takeuchi, perhaps even me) that it’s something that has potential (both gameplay and sales) then it could happen. If not, it won’t. I can’t predict who might or might not see that potential.” – Christian Svensson, Capcom’s Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development
The first Viewtiful Joe game was produced by the folks at Capcom, but the other titles in the series were created by Clover Studios (which has partially become Platinum Games.) Atsushi Inaba oversaw the development of all the Viewtiful Joe titles and is currently working for Platinum Games, so I suppose someone else would need to take the helm of development in the future.
The Conduit is shaping up to be the total third-party Wii package. The graphics, gameplay, and controls are all nailed down. Oh, and don’t forget online play. High Voltage Software is doing its best to deliver the best online experience, but is also interested in adding LAN play in the game. Speaking with 4 color rebellion, High Voltage Software’s Eric Nofsinger explained, “Our plan is to deliver a solid multiplayer experience both online and LAN.” You might also be interested in knowing that The Conduit was influenced by the likes of Halo and Golden Eye – two very huge and revered games!
Best Buy
My Spanish Coach (DS) – $14.99
New International Track & Field (DS) – $19.99
Petz: Bunnyz (DS) – $14.99
Petz: Dolphinz (DS) – $14.99
Imagine: Babyz (DS) – $14.99
Imagine: Fashion Designer (DS) – $14.99
Cheetah Girls: Passport to Stardom (DS) $29.99 – Save $10 with purchase of game and Cheetah Girls CD
Target
Madagascar (GBA) – $9.99
Wiffle Ball (DS) – $9.99
Strawberry Shortcake: Strawberryland Games (DS) – $14.99
Deal or No Deal (DS) – $14.99
Ultimate Spider-Man (DS) – $14.99
Circuit City
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) – $39.99
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Wii) – $39.99
Endless Ocean (Wii) – $19.99
Cooking Mama: Cook Off (Wii) – $19.99
Big Beach Games (Wii) – $19.99
Need For Speed: Carbon (Wii) – $19.99
Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge (Wii) – $19.99
The House Of The Dead 2 & 3 (Wii) – $19.99
Mario Party DS (DS) – $19.99
Super Mario 64 (DS) – $19.99
New Super Mario Brothers (DS) – $24.99
Kung Fu Panda (DS) – $19.99
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl (DS) – $29.99
Wow, there’s actually a ton of deals this week. Super Mario Galaxy is a steal at $39.99 and there are other notable games on the list including Super Mario 64 DS and New Super Mario Bros.
We brought you the scoop on Astro Ranch for the DS yesterday, but you might be delighted to hear that the developers of the game are looking into a way for players of the iPhone, N-Gage, and DS to be able to interact with each other. “Right now the connectivity aspect of the game is the biggest technical hurdle for us to overcome,” Paul Farley said. “Not only do we want players with iPhone’s to be able to connect to each other but for the connected features to be device agnostic meaning it won’t matter if you have an iPhone, N-Gage, DS or even mobile version of the game the same functionality will be available across them all.”
“Well it’s funny, I was at LucasArts a lot during E3 and it was the forefront of what we were talking about. I mean obviously this year we can’t, since the device isn’t coming out yet, and Force and Clone are both hitting by thanksgiving, so that’s out of the question. With the other stuff we’re working on now though, we’re definitely looking to incorporate it, so… I think next year it’s going to be really, really cool. You’re right though. The 1:1 control is on everybody’s lips now, and yeah, not this year, but for next year we’re definitely working on something. I’ll leave it at that.”
“Well… We’re doing at least two more Wii titles for next year; maybe three. You know, we did Spyro already on Wii, we’ve got Force as our second one, and Clone as number three, so we’ve actually done three this year as well. It’s a great console, it has performed really well in the marketplace, and Nintendo has created a device that people really want to play. They didn’t necessarily go after “bigger and better” in every way – the power of the system, for example – but they made something people want to play, and it’s paying off.”
– Robert Walsh, Krome CEO
Down the line, I’m sure Krome (or at least a different company), will attempt for 1:1 controlling options for Star Wars titles. Meanwhile, Clone Wars and The Force Unleashed seem like two very respectable titles.
“We still have a [censored] ace up our sleeve. It’s an ace, a [censored] ace… At TGS (Tokyo Game Show), the Capcom booth stage is going to make people’s balls pucker up. It’s going to be big.” – Ben Judd, Capcom
This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s Nintendo related, but after the news that Bionic Commando Rearmed won’t be seeing a Wii release (for the foreseeable future, in any case), I’m hoping that the Wii will end up with some sort of Bionic Commando title.
Bionic Commando Rearmed recently released on the PSN, PC, and XBLA, but the prospect of a WiiWare – or even Wii retail – version edition was never truly discussed. However, Capcom’s Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development was approached with a question regarding a possible Wii disc release and provided a lucid answer. “No plans at this time. Sorry.”
Nothing is ruled out for the future, it seems. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Bionic Commando Rearmed is a spectacular game; Moreover, it would be a wise purchase on XBLA, PC, or PSN.
1. NDS Dragon Quest V 864503 / NEW
2. PS2 Persona 4 264319 / NEW
3. PSP Gundam Battle Universe 193378 / NEW
4. WII Wii Fit 103971 / 2365304
5. NDS Daigasso! Band Brothers DX 103446 / 225629
6. PS2 Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 15 86950 / NEW
7. NDS Derby Stallion DS 75170 / 222328
8. WII Mario Kart Wii 74246 / 1600910
9. NDS Densetsu no Stafi: Taiketsu! Dire Kaizokudan 68570 / NEW
10. PS3 Initial D: Extreme Stage 67221 / NEW
11. PSP Monster Hunter Portable 2 G 51701 / 2352206
12. PSP Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki the 3rd 48737 / NEW
13. NDS Nanashi no Game 48705 / NEW
14. WII Super Mario Stadium: Family Baseball 48015 / 134257
15. WII Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World 47035 / 198173
16. WII Wii Sports 45907 / 3055599
17. PS3 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot 45216 / 621653
18. PS3 Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi 42319 / NEW
19. WII Resident Evil 0 41304 / NEW
20. PS3 SIREN: New Translation 36341 / NEW
