REDMOND, Wash., June 1, 2007 – Nintendo is giving video game fans a way to access their favorite classic games, all without leaving the comfort of their homes. And gamers have responded en masse as the library of downloadable game classics continues to grow. The upcoming addition of Zelda II™ – The Adventure of Link® on June 4 marks the 100th classic game available on the Wii Shop Channel. And since going online Nov. 19, owners of Nintendo’s hot Wii™ video game system have downloaded more than 4.7 million classic games from Wii’s Virtual Console, a rate of more than 1,000 games every hour since launch. The top five classic game downloads globally to date, and their original system are:

1) Super Mario Bros.® (NES®)
2) Super Mario 64® (N64®)
3) Mario Kart 64™ (N64®)
4) Super Mario World® (SNES®)
5) The Legend of Zelda® (NES®)

Wii lets players visit the Wii Shop Channel to redeem Wii Points™ to download classic video games from the original Nintendo Entertainment System®, the Super NES® and the Nintendo® 64, and the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx16 consoles. These games are nostalgic totems to veteran gamers, and simultaneously, new, easy-to-play entries for younger players. These games demonstrate Nintendo’s staying power across generations by letting veteran gamers relive their glory days while their children play them for the first time. The addition of Zelda II – The Adventure of Link brings a fourth Legend of Zelda® game to the Wii Shop Channel from three classic Nintendo platforms, providing exciting adventures that span the decades. Additional classic games are added to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday.

“With an Internet connection rate reaching 40 percent, Wii owners have more options than ever to find the kinds of games they love to play,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Beyond the Wii Shop Channel, all types of people are getting connected and checking out the information and entertainment options available on the Wii Menu. Whether voting, creating a Mii or just checking the weather, everyone has a favorite channel.”

The Wii Shop Channel is one of the many entertainment and informational channels that are available via the Wii system. Others include the Forecast Channel, the News Channel, the Mii Channel, the Everybody Votes Channel, the Photo Channel and the Internet Channel. Each of these broadens the appeal of Wii to new audiences and draws in consumers who might not otherwise be interested in a video game system.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.4 billion video games and more than 409 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.

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More About: Nintendo, Wii, Virtual Console

GameTrailers Updates:

• Resident Evil 4 Cube Vs. PC
• Video Game Vault: Karnov
• Need for Speed ProStreet announcement trailer
• Dewy’s Adventure trailer
• Manhunt 2 “bad memories”
• Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer developer interview
• Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer “fearsome foursome”
• Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer “clobberin’ time”

GameVideos Updates:

• Need for Speed ProStreet “drift”
• Mario party 8 “at the chomp wash”
• Dewy’s Adventure “controls”
• Super Mario Bros. blooper reel
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• Wiimote as an Xbox 360 controller
• Prototype for Pollen Sonata
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary “dev diary 5?
• Punch-Out!! Michael Jackson

GameSpot Update:

• Mushroom Men art
• Tamagotchi Party On! review
• Activision’s results meet record expectations
• The BIGS swings on Wii
• Tamagotchi Party On! videos

IGN Updates:

• Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl screens
• Manhunt 2 footage
• Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition trailer
• Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles trailer (link broken right now)
• Dewy’s Adventure trailer
• The BIGS in-game soundtrack
• EU Big Brain Academy Opens in July
• New York Assembly Restricts Game Sales

Mario Strikers Charged updated fact sheet

Mario Strikers™ Charged
Format: Wii™
Launch Date: 07/30/07
ESRB: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Game Type: Sports
Players: 1-4
Developer: Next Level Games
Game Information

KEY INFORMATION

* The captains from Super Mario® Strikers are back, joined by four new ones, and now players can create their own original teams by mixing and matching their captain with a new cast of sidekicks. All characters have their own sets of special abilities, making each one play completely differently from the others. New captain super-abilities and sidekick skill-shots add a new level of depth to already crazy soccer battles on the most unpredictable and hazard-filled pitches in the Mario™ universe. Each field features its own set of interactive hazards that alter game play during the course of the game.

* There are tons of new single-player modes, from tournaments to challenges to tutorials, but the game truly shines in multiplayer. The game features a robust multiplayer mode: Up to four players can battle locally, or they can go on Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection for one-on-one matches.

* Building on the frantic fun of Super Mario Strikers, this game gets players into action only possible on Wii. Primary game-play controls use both the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers. Players use the Nunchuk to control their characters and deploy items. Flick the Wii Remote to perform the defensive “Big Hit” move and flatten foes. To defend against a “Mega Strike” goal attempt, use the Wii Remote to point at the screen and manually defend against multiple balls as they rocket toward the screen.

Game storyline: Characters from the Mario universe clash in a sensational battle-sport based on Super Mario Strikers. In the Road to the Striker Cup mode, players take their favorite captain and compete through a set of tournaments. Players must first battle their way through the Fire Cup and the Crystal Cup, eventually reaching their goal of competing for the Striker Cup. The competition is fierce, and the difficulty grows as they battle their way through the tournament ladders on their way to the Striker Cup.

How to progress through the game: There is tons of fun to be had just playing a single match in single-player or multiplayer modes, but players also can settle into tournament play in the Road to the Striker Cup. Or they can try to finish 12 of the toughest game situations in Striker Challenges. Beating either of these modes will unlock new stadiums, new captains and player cards useful for game cheats.

Characters: Mario Strikers Charged welcomes eight new characters to the field of play: Petey Piranha, Diddy Kong®, Bowser Jr. and Bowser are the new captains, and Dry Bones, Boo, Monty Mole and Shy Guy join the roster as sidekicks. Back from the first Strikers are Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario™, Donkey Kong®, Waluigi, Yoshi®, Daisy, Koopa, Toad, Birdo and the Hammer Bros.

Stadiums: Mario Strikers Charged features 17 total stadiums. Nine of them are new, each with its own terrain and set of perils that affect the game play. New stadiums include the Sand Tomb, Thunder Island, the Vice, the Lava Pit, Galactic Stadium, the Wastelands, Crystal Canyon, Storm Ship Stadium and the Dump. Also included are the classic stadiums updated from Super Mario Strikers and a new Strikers 101 field.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Mario Strikers Charged is all about maximizing the abilities of the different characters, as each character has a unique set of abilities and skills, not to mention super-abilities like Donkey Kong”s Thunder Wham or Bowser”s Fire Storm. Charging a ball provides a more powerful shot for both the captain and sidekick characters. A fully charged captain shot will result in a devastating Mega Strike goal shot. A successful Mega Strike can split into six different balls, all of which must be blocked by the defensive players by using the Wii Remote to point at the screen. Practice passing and charging the ball to increase the chance of scoring. The player can charge the ball by completing a series of successful passes and avoiding steals, or by holding the B button to charge the ball quickly. The interactive stadiums, each with its own pitfalls, make each game an exercise in chaos.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Play: Players climb the rankings boards as they compete on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection specific to the region they are playing in. They earn ranking points by scoring goals, posting game wins and even just competing. Players can earn up to 20 points total: 10 points for a win, 1 point for a loss and 1 point per goal, to a maximum of 10 points. With a positive structured rankings system, players are rewarded for playing games in their entirety, creating better online experiences for all participants. The ultimate reward is watching a player”s rank climb the leader board. Players are matched up with opponents of similar skill levels through a rankings-based matchmaking system. The player who has earned the most points for that day will be rewarded the title of Striker of the Day. To keep the ranking system honest, players earn points only when competing in ranked games, not when playing against friends.

Community: Mario Strikers Charged will offer a strong sense of Wii community, as players will be able to create Mario Strikers Charged profiles using Mii™ characters for their online identity and create Friend Roster to manage their social community. Using their Mii profiles, players can track their progress on the ranking leader board and their performance against their friends specifically. The goal is to build a community that is accessible and friendly to new players, yet also rewarding for more advanced players.

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More About: Mario Strikers Charged, Wii

GameTrailers Updates:

• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 “baseball challenge”
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• My Word Coach DS to Wii connectivity
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 trailer
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• Rayman Raving Rabbids “burger serving”
• Rayman Raving Rabbids “rodeo demo”
• Cosmic Family trailer
• Tomb Raider Anniversary “enter the tyrant”

GameVideos Updates:

• Mario Paint “Sonic theme”
• Mario Paint “Tetris theme”
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GameSpot Updates:

• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 becomes Wii, DS exclusive
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 interview
• Rayman Raving Rabbids multiplayer demo hands-on
• My Word Coach Wii screens
• Horsez 2 Wii screens
• Cosmic Family screens
• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Wii screens
• Boogie trailer 2
• Carnival Games hands-on
• The Bigs hands-on

  IGN Updates:

• Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 hands-on
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl screens
• Ubisoft announces Horsez 2 Wii
• Wireless axes confirmed for Guitar Hero III
• Cosmic Family comes to Wii
• ESRB updates
• 35 Million Wiis by 2012?
• Harry Potter developer diary videos
• Mario Party 8 videos
• Paper Mario headed to VC?

GameSpot Updates:

• Emergency Mayhem resuscitated for Wii
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IGN Updates:

• Eidos Talks Wii Lara Croft
• Dragon Quest Swords trailer
• Wii mailbag
• Go Duck Hunting on Wii
• Tony Hawk Has Something to Prove
• Ninja Gaiden VC review
• Pac-Man VC review
• Ninja Spirit VC review
• RUMOR - Nintendo Power shutting down
• Eidos: Games Alienating Potential Customers
• Google to track in-game behavior?
• Mario Strikers: Charged Football Online Hands-on
• PaRappa Creator Planning Wii Game
• Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase Announced
• Nintendo Counts Down to Smash Bros.
• More VC Support Imminent
• WayForward Jumps on the Wii Bandwagon
• Square Enix party swag

GameTrailers Updates:

• Dragon Quest Swords Japanese trailer 2
• Pac-Man VC footage
• Ninja Gaiden VC footage
• Ninja Spirit VC footage
• NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams screenshot gallery
• Mortal Kombat Armageddon fighter of the Wii-k
• Dewy’s Adventure trailer 2
• The Wiicast Ep 41
• Projector Rygar announcement trailer
• Harry Potter Wii developer walkthrough
• GameOne EA event overview
• GameOne EA studio tour

GameVideos Updates:

• Alien Syndrome developer diary 2
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Join the party this summer with Mario Party 8 when it launches across Europe on 22nd June 2007

10th May 2007- You’d better be in the mood for fun, as Mario Party is back! This classic party game series provides hours of fun for everyone regardless of age or gaming ability and Mario Party 8 is no exception. This fast paced and crazy game is the first Wii installment of the popular series and is the perfect game to play with family and friends. Join the party this summer with Mario Party 8 when it launches across Europe on 22nd June 2007.

All the old favourites including Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi are back in this latest Mario Party installment, along with a couple of new faces, such as Blooper and Hammer Bro, who previously appeared for the first time in the original Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Players must move around the board by throwing a dice and at the end of each turn they are faced with a humorous yet challenging mini-game. This really is the perfect game to play against friends and family thanks to the multiplayer mode which allows you and your friends to team up against each other in both two versus two and one against all challenges.

Combine this zany board game action with the Wii Remote and Mario Party 8 makes for a highly-charged, dynamic experience, with unique and exciting gameplay styles on offer for each mini-game. Such mini-games include a snowboard race, a race on a tight rope, a boat rowing race and even a cake decoration contest. The Wii Remote adds a new level of comfort and novelty to gameplay as some mini-games require holding the Wii Remote vertically, sideways and even like a TV remote pointing at the screen. It also enables the player to cruise seamlessly through the game’s numerous different modes. What’s more in certain modes, players can use their very own personalised Mii characters within specific mini-games.

The game’s main mode, Party Tent, challenges players to take on the computer or up to three friends in a turn-based battle. Each board features different challenges but as a general rule, players have a set number of turns to collect as many stars as they can. Mini-games played in party mode vary depending on the number of players.

If you just can’t get enough of the many mini-games, you can devote your time entirely to playing them in the Mini-Game Tent, moving from game to game and honing your skills. Elsewhere players can put their skills to the test in the Star Battle Arena where they must take on and defeat the computer. Other zones include the Extras Zone and the Fun Bazaar all of which add fun and diverse elements to the classic game.

In addition, aspiring Mario Party 8 masters can use the game’s multiplayer capabilities to play with up to three other people. Friends and family can battle it out in Party Tent mode, Mini-Game Tent and the Extras zone.

The newest installment in the Mario Party series sees the latest developments in technology combined with a classic gaming formula and is set to become the best in the series yet! Mario Party 8 parties its way into stores across Europe on 22nd June 2007 at an estimated price of around £40.

Wii console is available at the estimated retail price of around £179 and comes bundled with Wii Sports.
For further information please contact the Nintendo Press Office on 020 7307 3103

Click onto www.Wii.com for all of the most up to date official information on Wii.

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More About: Mario Party

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