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
• Manhunt 2 “perfect weapon”
• 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

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

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Mario Party 8 by IGN

Hudson and Nintendo really need to rethink the Mario Party formula, but will they? Not as long as these games keep selling, no. Discerning players will find this latest effort still has its moments, but also that they are fewer and farther between. The game includes a robust list of minis, boards and modes and yet you’ll quickly discover that little else has been changed. All of our complaints about previous games – the slow pace, the lackluster single-player affair, the loose attention to detail – all remain and with Mario Party 8 we can add another criticism: ignorance of the Wii remote. True, there are a dozen or more minis that do utilize Nintendo’s new controller in a unique and enjoyable way, but there are dozens more that don’t – that, in fact, were obviously born on GameCube and later ported to Wii with last-minute new motion systems added in. This lackadaisical approach to the franchise sequel bleeds over into the presentation, which doesn’t impress as a GCN effort, let alone a Wii one.

In spite of our issues with the game, people who loved Mario Party 7 will probably enjoy Mario Party 8, too, but we’ve chosen not to reward Nintendo with an undeserved high score for a copy/paste sequel.

Full Review 

More About: Review, Nintendo, Wii, Mario Party 8

Pokemon Battle Revolution updated fact sheet

Pokémon® Battle Revolution
Format: Wii
Launch Date: 06/25/07
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Fantasy Violence
Game Type: Battle
Players: 1-4
Developer: Genius Sonority
Game Information

KEY INFORMATION

* The game takes place on an island called Pokétopia. There are 10 different Colosseums to battle in. The objective is to win all the Colosseum battles and become the Pokétopia Master.

* Players use Pokémon from their Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon® Pearl games (sold separately) and battle them on the big screen. Pokémon Battle Revolution is the first title where players can link Wii with Nintendo DS. Players can connect Nintendo DS to Wii (compatible wireless router or Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector and broadband access required for online play).

* DS Battle Mode (requires DS systems for all players, sold separately): Four players can gather together and battle while using Pokémon from their Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl video games. All players use the DS as their controller in this mode, and it uses the same battle interface found in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

* Players can customize their Trainers in the game.

Colosseum Battle Mode: There are 10 Colosseums (Battle Fields) altogether throughout Pokétopia. Many will need to be unlocked by playing through the others.

Nintendo DS Battle Mode: This multiplayer mode is for those who also own Pokémon Diamond or Pokémon Pearl as well as Nintendo DS systems. Four players can get together and battle while using their very own Pokémon from their Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl games. All players use the DS as a controller in this mode. The same battle interface that is used in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl is used while battling with friends.

Battle Passes and Trainer Customization: Players can create and customize their own Battle Pass by transferring their favorite Pokémon onto the Pass. They can then save the Battle Pass to their Wii Remote™ and take it to a friend’s house to battle with them.

More About: Pokemon Battle Revolution, Wii

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.

The Article:

Nintendo press room

More About: Mario Strikers Charged, Wii

This is the Geometry Wars Galaxies Press Release

READING, ENGLAND (25, May 2007) – Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, announced today that Geometry Wars™: Galaxies, a 2D arcade shooter game, will be coming to Nintendo exclusively on the Wii Console and Nintendo DS system. The Geometry Wars: Galaxies videogame is developed by Kuju Entertainment (Surrey) and is the follow-up to Bizarre Creations’ Xbox LIVE® Arcade sensation, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.

The Geometry Wars: Galaxies videogame delivers an all new mission-based campaign where players blast-off on action-paced quests across the galaxy, defending solar systems one by one, defeating waves of alien enemies on new and classic Battle Grids. The controls have been optimized for Nintendo systems, allowing gamers to use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controller or DS touch screen to execute hotshot moves as never before.

For the first time ever, the Geometry Wars videogame will let players battle via hot seat, co-op, simultaneous and versus in multiplayer mode. Those that own both the Nintendo DS and Wii can link the game together using Wi-Fi to unlock bonus content. Elite players will be able to challenge the universe by posting high scores on the Wii’s online leader board.

The Geometry Wars: Galaxies videogame also includes the full version of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, winner of IGN’s 2005 Best XBLA Title of The Year.

“The Geometry Wars: Galaxies videogame is an entertaining title blending old-school arcade fun with next-gen gameplay and action,” said Al Simone, SVP of Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “We are excited to bring the Geometry Wars brand to the Nintendo platform as both the Wii and DS enable a fun and frenetic experience for gamers.”

For more information, please visit the game’s official Web site at http://www.sierra.com/geometrywarsgalaxies/.

More About: Geometry Wars Galaxies

Guitar Hero III Wii details - online play, wireless guitar and more!

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 23, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — After warming their amps in the basement garage to rocking sold out shows at Stonehenge, fans of Activision, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) wildly popular Guitar Hero™ franchise will now be able to shred like never before with the next iteration of the game that will be available this fall. The new game will be released on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Wii™ video game system from Nintendo.

Turning it up to 11, Guitar Hero fans will channel their inner rock god using Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul and Kramer models as the industry standard. In addition, players will experience an incredible number of newly added features and explosive content including a new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status.

While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the gnarliest rock songs ever recorded. Delivering more master tracks than ever before, strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels and publishers to allow unrivaled access to their deep history of music catalogs, along with supplying artists’ original recordings for even greater authenticity.

The initial list of face-melting awesomeness includes:

* Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
* Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
* Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
* The Metal (by Tenacious D)
* My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
* Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
* Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
* School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
* Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
* Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
* Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans will also be able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform. The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience. Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model will be the battle axe of choice, and an industry standard for all rock gods on the Xbox 360™, PLAYSTATION®3 system, and Wii™. After much anticipation, PlayStation®2 system fans will also be receiving a new exclusive shape as well, the classic Kramer guitar, also a Gibson brand, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics, and construction for furious finger fretting.

“The development team at Neversoft has been exceptional, and we’ve been able to incorporate a host of fresh new online and multi-player game play modes, along with exciting content into this version of Guitar Hero that our fans have been asking for. Also, many of the top bands and songs we’ve tried to get in the past are now on board, and we’ve definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least,” said Dusty Welch, head of publishing at RedOctane. “In addition, offering a new line of Gibson wireless guitars for each platform is going to truly add to the authentic rock star experience like no other.”
Source

More About: Guitar Hero, PLAYSTATION, Xbox, Wii

This is an excerpt from the Preview of the Nintendo Wii game DK Bongo Blast by CVG

There are bits of Bongo Blast that are still a mystery, such as who left the tanker-load of bananas lying all over the track, and how they relate to the ‘banana bar’ on the right of the screen. But we do know that four-player split screen is definitely in, and it’ll be a raucous racing punch-up awash with powerups (see right). And Wi-Fi? Surely it’s a no-brainer. Mario Kart DS online was so good that we inadvertently made little squeaking sounds with our mouth, and in the continued mysterious absence of a Mario Kart on Wii, we’d love to see Bongo Blast bring high-speed, barrel-flinging screaming ape battles to those information superhighways.

All this speculation will be moot in a few short weeks: Bongo Blast is pencilled in for Japanese launch on 28 June, and - we suspect - the minimalist translation needed (for “COOL!” to become “OH, SUPER!”) means the UK surely won’t be far behind.

The big hairy monkey of a question is whether Bongo Blast will suffer for having to crowbar its original bongo-slapping idea on to the Wii controllers - and if we’ll be left pining for Mazza, a tarmac racetrack and a pile of red shells as weepily as we are now.

Full Preview

More About: Preview, Nintendo, Wii, DK Bongo Blast

Atari Reveals 23 monsters on the roster for upcoming

godzilla®: unleashed

Who:               Atari, Inc announced today the meaning behind the mysterious countdown on the official Godzilla®: Unleashed web site. It was revealed today that there will be 23 monsters in the upcoming Wii™ title, many of which are making their debut in a game for the first time.  This is the largest number of playable monsters ever in the popular series and features two entirely new monsters created specifically for this title.

What:              Godzilla: Unleashed immerses players into a world where monsters are larger than life and the mother of all giants reigns.  Specially designed for the Wii controllers, the game stars the legendary Godzilla and a slew of the most renowned monsters to control, destroy and fight. Gamers are challenged to ultimately save the planet from mayhem and complete annihilation. Godzilla: Unleashed provides an environment perfect for epic worldwide obliteration with interactive 3D cityscapes, an innovative non-linear storyline, big destructible buildings, soaring skyscrapers and towering alien formations.  The title is also being developed for Nintendo DS™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.

Where:            For more information, please visit www.atari.com/godzilla.

This is an excerpt from the Review of the Nintendo Wii game Pirates Of The Caribbean by Aussie-Nintendo

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is faithful to the movies it pays homage to, yet although it’s a movie tie-in, it goes thankfully beyond what’s offered by its big-screen counterparts. As a game in its own right, it’s a fairly solid production, but one with a little too much focus on just one aspect of the Pirates franchise: swordfighting. While that works in the Wii version’s favour, making suitable and enjoyable use of the controller, things get a little too boring just a little too quickly, and a few gesture recognition hiccups hurt somewhat. There’s loads to unlock, and loads to satisfy true Pirate fans, but there’s just not loads of variety, and the overall story mode will last just hours. Although this version of the game’s inferior to its high definition rivals, it sports an impressive, sweeping and cinematic camera, and brings to life both the characters and locations in graphical quality that’s certainly at the better end of the spectrum in terms of what we’ve seen on Wii so far.

Full Review 

More About: Review, Nintendo, Wii, Pirates Of The Caribbean