These are some scans from an Chinese magazine that revealed the existence of a Clone of the Nintendo Wii, Called Vii

More About: Nintendo Wii, Vii

This is an excerpt from the Preview of the Nintendo Wii game Opoona by 1up

We also ran into some random battles outside town with whimsical creatures, and we later noticed a “save stand” and a place to “refresh” set together for maximum convenience, looking almost like a gas station.

Popping open the menu yields a dense stack of categories ranging from regular types of items to “secret keys,” whose purpose is yet to be determined. Despite the adorable, almost Fisher Price toy look, this appears to be a serious RPG. We didn’t really get a taste of the specialized licenses that Opoona takes on throughout his travels, but that’s something to look forward to. Opoona’s date has been pushed back in Japan until November 1, but we in the U.S. will still be holding out.

Full Preview

More About: Preview, Nintendo, Wii, Opoona

Official US press release - Turbo CD to be added as a “Virtual Console™” platform on Wii™

September 17, 2007– Hudson Soft Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Hidetoshi Endo) is pleased to announce that Turbo CD and Super CD game software will be available for download via the Virtual Console™ feature on Nintendo’s Wii™. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download these classic games through the Wii Shop Channel. Soon, Wii™ owners will be able to enjoy even more software titles previously released on other platforms. These titles will be available for download beginning in October of this year in Japan, and thereafter will extend to North America, Europe and Australia. Now Wii™ gamers will be able to play games originally created specifically for CD-ROM media, in addition to TurboGrafx-16 game titles already available via Virtual Console™.

Players will simply select their favorite games in the Wii Shop Channel to download the software via the Internet. Each Turbo CD and Super CD download will be priced at 800 Wii Points, which can be purchased either by credit card or through a Wii Points Card which are available at various retail locations.

*1 Wii Point = JPY1 = USD0.01 = EURO0.01 = AUD0.01

In November 2006, Hudson Soft launched its Virtual Console™ business in North America, extending the service to Japan and Europe in December and to Australia in July of this year. As of the end of August 2007, 49 titles were available in Japan, and an impressive amount of titles were being distributed outside Japan (including third-party software). Hudson Soft will continue adding to the lineup of popular games for Virtual Console™.

About the download service for Turbo CD and Super CD games

Price per download: 800 Wii Points per title

Projected distribution: over 5 games in 2007, over 10 games in 2008

Source: Press release email

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Alien Syndrome by 1up

Of course, many action-RPGs are only as good as their multiplayer, and Alien Syndrome’s co-op (up to four players) is as insipid as the rest of the experience. The “shooting things” half of the game is fine with a few friends, if not a bit busy, but the “wandering around for a key card/computer terminal” half is even more tedious with company. It’s a big game, and it could potentially last quite a while if a few friends really got into it, but that’s the only way you’re going to get close to your $50 worth. For what you’re getting and how low budget the game appears, it’s unthinkable to consider it otherwise for any more than a $20 price point.

Full Review 

More About: Review, Nintendo, Wii, Alien Syndrome

SAN MATEO, Calif. – June 19, 2007 – Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Resident Evil® 4 Wii Edition for the Wii™ video game system from Nintendo has shipped to retail stores across North America. RE 4 Wii Edition is a new version of the award-winning game that incorporates the control functionality of the Wii Remote™. The incredibly successful Resident Evil® series has sold more than 30 million games worldwide. The game carries an “M” rating for mature audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Resident Evil® 4 is one of the highest rated games on Game Rankings.com and Metacritic.com, garnering dozens of awards and nominations for its amazing game play and incredible re-invention of the “survival-horror” genre. This celebrated game now comes to the Wii with added Wii Remote and Nunchuck™ support, allowing players to immerse themselves in the game as never before. With RE4 Wii Edition, Capcom is offering new and more immersive sense of control to players, while keeping all of the game’s incredible game systems intact. As Leon Kennedy, players will explore a town overrun by cultists, mutants and mind-controlled villagers, using the Wii Remote to aim, fire, slash and avoid oncoming adversaries with intuitive motions and movements. RE4 Wii Edition also contains the additional content included in the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system version of the game.

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree by AMN

If you’re looking for a simple but strangely addictive multiplayer Wii game, Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree is it. It’s easy enough that non-gamers can play it and still entertaining enough that even the snobbiest hardcore gamers will get sucked in. The small number of problems in Wii Degree is a disappointment, and ultimately it keeps it from being something much greater (it’s the game’s biggest problem, really). Unfortunately, the entry price is a bit high considering this. But the game is a lot of fun while it lasts and is the recipe for laugh-out-loud multiplayer gaming sessions to unite non-gamers with just about any kind of gamer out there.

Full Review 

More About: Review, Nintendo, Wii, Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree

Family Fun Comes Home This Fall With Disney Channel Video Games:

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Families have a lot to look forward to with all-new video game adventures based on hit Disney Channel series coming to consoles and handhelds this fall. Published by Disney Interactive Studios, the video game lineup includes Hannah Montana: Music Jam on Nintendo DS™, Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour on Wii™ from Nintendo, The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations on Nintendo DS and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies on Nintendo DS. Additionally, fans of all ages will be singing along with the gang in High School Musical: Sing It! on Wii and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and showing off their dance moves in High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut on Nintendo DS. And finally, action-lovers will battle enemies alongside renowned heroes in Power Rangers: Super Legends on Nintendo DS, PC and PlayStation 2 system.

“Whether they aspire to dance and sing with the characters of ‘High School Musical’ or save the world with the heroic Red Ranger, kids, tweens and families will have plenty of options with our lineup of video games based on popular Disney Channel properties,” said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “We understand parents are looking for games that are appropriate for the entire family, and we’re providing a line-up of games that are positive, safe and fun for every member of the family.

Get those vocal cords ready! Based on the phenomenally successful Disney Channel original movie “High School Musical,” Disney’s High School Musical: Sing It! features songs, sets and characters from the original film and “High School Musical 2” premiering in August. Available for Wii and the PlayStation 2 system, this karaoke video game allows fans to interact with the movies’ stars for the first time on any gaming console. With 30 songs to choose from, along with 30 minutes of “High School Musical” bonus footage and cast interviews, High School Musical: Sing It! will be the karaoke game of choice for fans, kids, tweens and families. Players can also choose their favorite backdrop and belt out hit songs from other popular Disney Channel favorites. High School Musical: Sing It! will be available in August and rated “E” for everyone. On Wii, the product will be $59.99 bundled with a microphone. For the PlayStation 2 system, the game will be $49.99 bundled with a microphone and $39.99 without the microphone.

High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut! on Nintendo DS tests players’ dance and rhythm skills as they compete in a cross-country musical competition, choreographing and dancing to the well-known songs from “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2”. In this addictive rhythm-based game, fans play as any of the six “High School Musical” stars (or their own customized character) as they dance to the beat and travel across America. Additionally, players can create their own music videos and share them with friends via the Nintendo DS’ wireless capabilities. High School Musical: Makin’ the Cut! will be available in August for a $29.99 MSRP with an “E” for everyone rating.

Power Rangers fans play as the ultimate super heroes on an action-packed adventure to save the world from evil in Power Rangers: Super Legends. Players battle enemies, solve puzzles and explore an interactive world as some of the most beloved Power Ranger heroes from the original Mighty Morphin squad to the current Operation Overdrive team. The game combines fast-paced, martial arts combat with super moves and gravity-defying aerial combos. In the spirit of the series, players can team up with a friend for cooperative missions and massive Zord battles. Power Rangers: Super Legends will be available in November on the PlayStation 2 system, Nintendo DS and PC. Anticipated prices include $29.99 for Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2 system, and $19.99 for PC with an anticipated E10+ rating for everyone 10 and older for all platforms.

In Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour for the Wii, players tour the world as the pop princess herself and live the dream of rock stardom. Players dance with their Wii controllers as Hannah dances with you on stage to earn devoted fans worldwide. Off stage, players design the look of each show, including stage settings and wardrobe, and even special effects and pyrotechnics. Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour will be available in October for $49.99 with an anticipated E for everyone rating.

In Hannah Montana: Music Jam on the Nintendo DS, girls are transported into the exciting and sometimes crazy world of Miley Stewart and her alter ego Hannah Montana. Playing as both characters, kids practice their musical talents, coordinate high fashions and live out their dreams of becoming a pop star in Hannah’s greatest musical challenge yet. To help her win this competition, players use their Nintendo DS touch screen to master instruments including lead, bass and rhythm guitars, along with drums. On top of everything else, a new and mysterious pop-star blasts onto the scene to steal Hannah’s thunder. Hannah Montana: Music Jam will be available in October for $29.99 with an anticipated E for everyone rating.

The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations brings the pop star life to girls on the go in an all new adventure featuring the “cheetah-licious” Disney Channel stars. Available on the Nintendo DS, The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations takes advantage of the handheld’s touch screen and microphone allowing players to dance with the stylus and sing along to the official Cheetah Girls soundtrack. Players help Galleria, Chanel, Aqua and Dorinda practice their unique talents of song writing, singing, fashion and dance. Girls also take on the role of stylist, selecting new outfits for the Cheetahs and sharing them with friends. The Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensations will be available in October for $29.99 with an anticipated E for everyone rating.

The popular characters of the hit Disney Channel Series “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” take on their biggest mystery yet in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies for Nintendo DS. The game transports players beyond the Tipton Hotel to the St. Mark, a rival hotel where clues lead to the discovery of a secret spy organization. Players will take on the role of Zack and Cody encountering characters from the show, plus new personalities such as “The Magician.” Cool gadgets and entirely new places including a mysterious traveling carnival combine for a unique experience, with all the mischief, mystery and hilarious fun that fans of the show expect. Also, for the first time, fans will be able to play as Maddie and London in fun mini games. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of Spies will be available in October for $29.99 with an anticipated E for everyone rating.

More About: Disney Channel Video Games

YouToo lists a Wii version of Freeloader for preorder. here

Key Points:

- Wii is really popular and is sold out a lot (even at NOA Company store)

- Wii Remote is cheap to make
Accelerometer: $2.50
Basic Memory Chip: $0.25
Audio Amplifier: $0.50
Data Converter: $0.50
Rumble Pack: $2.50
Bluetooth Chip: $2.00
Audio Translator: $2.00
Plastic Casing: Unknown
Wrist Strap: Unkown

- $50 profit per Wii

- $5 Million to develop Wii game vs $20 Million for PS3 game

-Ubisoft says Nintendo is best console maker to work with

- EA says Nintendo is a pioneer

- Wii’s success has done little to convince Microsoft execs that they’rs on the wrong course (Peter Moore: “I love the experience, the price point and Nintendo content of the Wii, but Microsoft provides experiences that Nintendo cannot provide”)

- CEO of SCE America says give credit to Nintendo but points out that Sony have a innovative controller as well, technology doesnt go backwards and the Wii is a re purposed gamecube

- Sony views the world through the eyes of an engineer while Nintendo takes its cues from the outside world (eg. Pikmin from Miyamoto’s garden)

FUTURE
- Nintendo could stick with the current tech for a few years and then introduce a Wii 2.0 with PS3 tech but cheap

- cut $50 of Wii price to compete with future price cuts for MS and Sony

- relationship between Mac/PC - iTune - iPod could be like Wii - DS

- needs more stock, did not expect Wii to be so popular….currently making 1M a month but want 1.5M - 2M but its difficult

QUOTES
We were losing to the TV remote. So we thought what kind of controller can we create that wont make people afraid to touch it? - Miyamoto

We are not competing against Sony or Microsoft. We are battling the indifference of people who have no interest in video games - Iwata

My name is Reggie. I’m about kickin’ ass, I’m about takin’ names, and we’re about makin’ games” - you know who

The company says its rush to deliver Wii launch titles resulted in quality issues; promises better games to come. (more…)