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GB Review: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (DS)

Solomon Lee — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:42:14 -0500

Echoes of Time is a fun hack n slash multiplayer game. The game improves upon its Ring of Fates predecessor with a greater emphasis on multiplayer combat and teamwork. Though the Wii version leaves much to be desired, the game is still a solid title on the DS to be enjoyed with friends. Square Enixs efforts to allow both DS and Wii players to connect and play together are admirable, but one that definitely needs to be tweaked concerning the Wiis control scheme. Echoes of Time should keep fans happy for some time until the arrival of the upcoming Wii title, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers.

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

Ring of Fates was Square Enixs follow-up to their Gamecube title: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. After receiving fairly positive reviews, Square has returned to tweak the multiplayer features with a greater emphasis on combat in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time. Though the gameplay is similar, the ability to play with your friends over a Wi-Fi connection on both the DS and Wii versions is a welcome addition to the series. Echoes of Time combines the best of Ring of Fates and its Crystal Chronicles Gamecube brethren into a fun, light-hearted RPG for both casual and experienced players.

The story tells the tale of a young hero who reaches his or her sixteenth birthday. According to village customs, every young villager participates in a special ceremony by defeating hordes of monsters in the dark forest that surrounds the village. The victorious are crowned with a glowing crystal found in a forest clearing guarded by Sherlotta, a fellow villager. However, a village girl falls gravely ill on the brink of the villages celebration that sends the hero on a mission to acquire the items needed for a cure.

Combat in Echoes of Time is similar to the earlier Ring of Fates DS title. You can attack, pick up and drop and jump in the open field in battle. There are four tribes are available: Clavats, Yukes, Selkies and the Lilties. You can engage the enemy with standard attacks, charge attacks (powerful attack that leaves you temporarily vulnerable) or magic attacks by acquiring various spells. This time around, you can either grab your friends or partner up with the A.I. to form a party. At the start, you can customize your party with as many warriors, mages or tribe kinsmen and kinswomen as you like. Towns and villages hold save crystals with most locations situated around a trotted path on the world map. A diary is kept by the main character that contains the chronology of events and adventures throughout the game.

You can assign different tactics for your A.I. party members in battle that includes Protect Yourself, Do Your Best, Just Follow Me and Go Nuts With Magic. You can add and drop party members at the Adventurers Guild in town prior to your quest. For multiplayer coop, you can team up with your friends via Nintendos Wi-Fi connection. You can easily communicate with your party members with a communication panel that features phrases like Attack Together, Ill take this one and Hit it. Phrases are customizable with a total of twelve phrases available for you to create your own unique message.

Echoes of Time allows you, just like its predecessors, to pick up and drop items, barrels and enemies at will. This is necessary on various quests to solve puzzles and unlock doors. Fighting enemies helps not only to gain experience but also helps you to acquire materials to place custom orders in town. By doing this, you save lots of money that would otherwise be spent on scrolls and materials at Custom Fabrications.

Visually, the game has polished character designs and detailed environments. After a short run, the Wii version is essentially a ported DS game. The graphics are only slightly improved with a rather mediocre control scheme using the Wii remote. Between the Wii and DS version, the latter is preferable as Echoes of Time was originally designed with Nintendos handheld in mind. The soundtrack is soothing and accompanies the game quite well with its light hearted and relaxed musical tunes.

Regrettably, the A.I. party members are more trouble than they are worth as they will often miss platform jumps, fall into lava pits and stand around idly while your enemies are attacking you. Echoes of Time shines in the multiplayer aspect as the single player adventure mode is very short-lived. Regarding the portability and the convenience to play with your friends, both Wii and DS owners can connect online with one another for quests. However, I personally recommend the DS version as the Wii online interface to join other quests is not very user-friendly at all.

Virtual Console Update For 2-16-09: Evasive Space, Life Force

Zach Lott — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:03:44 -0600

The weekly Virtual Console and WiiWare updates are here, making available two new games for download: Evasive Space, a new WiiWare title, and Life Force, a classic NES shooter. The former is 1,000 Wii points, while the latter will cost you 500.

Hit the jump for details on each title.

WiiWare

Evasive Space (Yukes Company of America, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Launch a one-of-a-kind mission to rescue the stars. The universe is going dark, and it's up to you, Konki the Stellar Guardian, to set things right. Dr. Dark Matter and his roving band of space thieves have stolen many of the Constellation Stones that make up the heavens. It's time to suit up, power up, recover the Stones and once again bring light to the night sky. Using the Wii Remote controller's unique pointer capabilities, simply point and thrust Konki through 20 dangerous time- and collection-based missions in the harshest of environments. Navigate through narrow, mazelike astral caves riddled with space worms, steam pipes and mining drills. Explore vast space stations while avoiding turret fire, mines and huge crushing gears. Weave through cluttered asteroid fields and gaseous planetary rings. Evade the hazards, pick up precious items and ship upgrades, and save the Constellation Stones before the night sky is lost forever.

Virtual Console

Life Force (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): This classic shooter, originally ported to the NES in August 1988, is a spin-off of the seminal Gradius series. Pilot the Vic Viper through six stages of intense action, alternating between horizontally and vertically scrolling environments, and take on wave after wave of enemies. Destroy particular enemies throughout the game (which takes place within the body of an enormous alien) to release power-up capsules and equip your ship with your choice of more powerful weapons, extra speed and shields. Utilize the power-ups carefully, though, as a fearsome guardian lurks at the end of each stage and won't be easily defeated. You can go it alone or bring along a friend to take on the challenge simultaneously. Do you have what it takes to save your planet?

Nintendo Constructing New R&D Center

Zach Lott — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:23:12 -0600

The news out of Japan is that Nintendo, despite forecasting lower profits for 2009, is set to begin construction on a new research and development center, according to Kotaku.

The center will be built on a 40,000 square meter lot that was formerly a golf range and was procured last year for 12.8 billion yen.

Nintendo is planning on integrating it with their existing R&D complex and will use it to develop new software and do research for new hardware. It should be interesting to see if they use it as a casual games division or for something else.

Japanese Metroid Website Reveals Potential Prime Spinoff

Zach Lott — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:50:42 -0600

Excellent news for Metroid fans: 1up has discovered a banner on the official Japanese Metroid website that declares that "Another Side Story" set in the Metroid universe is "coming soon."

Furthermore, the Japanese text below translates to "Follow Metroid Prime's history from the perspective of the Space Pirates," most likely meaning that the project, if a game instead of a manga, as 1up points out, would let players play as a space pirate instead of Samus.

Don't get too excited in case Nintendo later reveals it to be an online manga similiar to what they've done in the past, but stay tuned, as if this turns into a game, we'll let you know.

Mario Kart Wii, GTA IV Among 2008's Top Sellers (Editorial)

Zach Lott — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:20:56 -0600

Over at Joystiq they're reporting that the NPD, Enterbrain, and GfK Chart-Track numbers for software sales from the past year have been compiled, revealing the industry's top-selling titles for 2008 in the U.S., U.K. and Japan:

Mario Kart Wii - 8.94 million
Wii Fit - 8.31 million
Grand Theft Auto IV - 7.29 million
Super Smash Bros. Brawl- 6.32 million
Call of Duty: World at War- 5.89 million

Also, according to the report, the U.S. and U.K. markets both saw significant gains in sales at 15 and 26 percent, respectively, and the Japanese market took a big dip, dropping 13 percent.

It's not surprising that the best-selling games were either first-party Wii titles or established core games that appeal to a broader audience, seeing how creativity hasn't lent itself well to high sales figures over the past few years.

Overall, though, the industry is doing better than ever from a sales standpoint, but whether it's in good condition or not is a highly debatable topic depending on how you feel about the impact of the casual player upon gaming.

Many of these gamers aren't the kind of people that are willing to take risks on innovative new titles that aren't from an established franchise or developer, opting instead to stick with name recognition. However, there's a growing number of core gamers who are doing the same thing, and this is stifling innovation and creativity in the gaming community.

Of course, part of that is the fault of the gaming media, because we don't always give enough time and space to games that don't have that name recognition that demands attention from gamers. We have to do a better job of letting everyone know about fresh and exciting games coming down the pipe, but it's also fair to expect gamers to be willing to take the chance on a new game that may not get much press coverage but seems like it's doing something innovative.

If these kinds of games don't sell, then their developers either have to shift focus to something more bland and played-out or shut down, and that's not good for the industry, for us as gamers, or for anyone else. So please, take a chance. Be willing to support creativity in gaming, because this great cornerstone of design is quickly being lost.

GTA Chinatown to be "Far Bigger" than PSP GTA Titles

Zach Lott — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:47:52 -0600

The Grand Theft Auto games have been known for their massive worlds, and according to Rockstar Leeds president Gordon Hall, that isn't going to change with Chinatown Wars, the upcoming portable GTA title for the DS that is going to be even bigger than the PSP's Liberty City and Vice City Stories games.

Chinatown Wars is much bigger than anything we have ever done before [in terms of scope]: more odd jobs, deeper missions, and more moments of over-the-top action," Gordon said in a recent issue of Nintendo Power according to Nintendo Everything. "We have a huge interaction with the Rockstar Social Club, a massive [narcotics trafficking] game that would stand alone on its own. The list goes on and on; this thing is huge. We are very proud of all of the PSP games we have made, especially the two GTA games, but this game is far bigger.

It's also worth noting that the game's map is supposedly as large at that of GTA IV's, which could easily make this the largest handheld game yet. It'll be hitting retail shelves on March 17.

NeoGAF strikes awesome again. Prototype Thread.

Ryan Fulton — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:09:44 -0600

In the interest of not ripping off other people's work please visit the link. In the interest of getting people interested in clicking the link: You'll find prototypes of Microsoft's 360 (pictured above), several Nintendo systems throughout the years including the quashed fruits of their abandoned collaboration with Sony, lots of Sega stuff, some NEC stuff, many Sony prototypes, and well... since it's a thread, assumedly much more in the future. Many of the things are garish, gaudy, or naked, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying a glimpse of what may have been. Think of it like a box of Christmas presents that you'll never get to enjoy.

Toys "R" Us in Times Square Opens Dedicated Nintendo Department

Zach Lott — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:42:40 -0600

It's been four years since the launch of DS and two years since the launch of the Wii, but it seems like neither system is showing any signs of slowing down when it comes to the sales charts, and that's never been more apparent, as the Toys "R" Us in Times Square has opened an entire department dedicated to everything Nintendo.

MarketWatch has an article up about the new department, which is around 1,000 square feet and is located on Level One of the store. It features a slew of Wii and DS demo stations along with a gallery containing images from throughout Nintendo's history.

"What we've been seeing all year long is the expansion of video game fun to people of both genders, and all ages and tastes--there's literally something for everyone," said Nintendo's Cammie Dunaway about the partnership. "But in recent weeks, Nintendo products appear to be appealing to even more people, as every form of fun is being measured against a price tag. And that's what makes this experience in Toys"R"Us so compelling--all the fun and information is available right at your fingertips."

This is just further proof of Nintendo's unprecedented success this generation, and it's hard to imagine that Nintendo has turned things around on the console front in just two years. Sony and Microsoft can't even begin to compete with Nintendo at this point, and that's a shocker considering how dead Nintendo appeared to be at the end of the last generation.

However, it seems that Nintendo's plan to ensnare the mainstream has worked beautifully, even if it has disillusioned some of their existing fanbase. It doesn't matter, though, because they're laughing their way to the bank.

GB Review: Samba de Amigo (Wii)

Zach Lott — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:20:43 -0600

While it was a great idea to bring Samba de Amigo, an old Dreamcast game in which you play Latin songs with two maraca peripherals, to the Wii, the final product suffers greatly from absurdly imprecise controls. It's difficult to have fun playing various tracks when you're frustrated to the point of violence at how hard it is to line up the Wii remote and nunchuck's cursors with the symbols on screen. Stay away unless you are really itching for yet another rhythm game to play.

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

Let me be honest: I never played the original Samba de Amigo. I don't know how fun it was, nor do I know whether or not this Wii port does a good job of replicating the original's gameplay. What I do know is that this version of the game isn't good.

My complaint has nothing to do with the colorful, friendly presentation or the cheesy Latin music or the dancing animals or the core gameplay element itself, even if it is a little antiquated in this new era of rhythm games. Nay, all my problems with this game boil down to one thing: controls. This game controls horrendously, and it makes what could be a great experience into a nightmare.

The way the gameplay is set up is that you have six circles on the screen arranged in a hexagon, with each colored pair representing a target area. The nunchuck controls the circles on the left side while the remote controls the circles on the right side. Each has a cursor that shifts to different circles based on where in the air you hold them (high, middle, and low). Notes appear in the center of the hexagon and shoot out to the various target areas, and once they enter the center of a circle you can shake your controller in order to play them. There are also poses and dances that you must perform throughout certain songs with the controllers.

However, the problem with this is that the controls are insanely imprecise. The game refuses to properly recognize what target area your controllers are pointed at, and it's because of this that the game becomes so frustrating. It's not so bad when you play on the easy and normal modes, as the rhythmic patterns are simple enough that you can easily earn the "C" rank needed to pass your playthrough of a track, but once you start playing on the higher difficulty levels you must quickly change through the high, middle, and low positions while playing more difficult rhythms. It is when this occurs that the game becomes unplayable.

There's a few extra features, such as downloadable tracks and some mini-games as well as some useless unlocks, but these can't do anything to fix the fundamental control problem that ruins this game. While you may enjoy the game with a friend if you play on moderate difficultly levels, I can't recommend that you buy this title. There are games out there that are far more deserving of your money.

Jimi Hendrix DLC not coming to Wii

Zach Lott — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:55:15 -0600

Turns out that the Wii won't be getting this week's Guitar Hero World Tour Jimi Hendrix pack after all, as a representative from Activision Blizzard has confirmed to MTV's Multiplayer Blog that the console won't be getting the download pack.

Due to technical or licensing restrictions, the DLC offerings will not be the same for every console platform, the representative told Multiplayer's Patrick Klepek. For example, certain artists prefer to keep the integrity of the track pack rather than releasing singles and the Wiis infrastructure only allows us the ability to release single songs as DLC.

This kind of occurance isn't doing Nintendo any favors when it comes to competing in the online space, but when your console is printing money, what does it matter?

Battle of Giants Dinosaurs Pounds Into Stores

Tim Grube — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:13:15 -0600

Ubisoft announced today that Battle of Giants Dinosaurs has shipped to retailers nationwide and is available exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, Battle of Giants Dinosaurs will allow players to choose from 25 unique dinosaur species, explore and conquer a variety of terrain maps and fight against other dinosaurs.

Key features:

Choose your dinosaur
Select between 25 different species including ravenous predators, cunning scavengers, horned territorials, mighty tanks and peaceful herbivores.
Challenge other dinosaurs!
Experience an exciting and accessible combat system based on dexterity that rewards speed and accuracy, not luck, in battle.
Fully customizable dinosaurs
Unlock and equip your dinosaur with special attack and defense features.
Add spikes, feathers and bones to your dinosaur and then change their color and stripe patterns!
Three exciting game modes!
Play solo in Adventure and Quickmatch or take on up to six of your friends in Multiplayer Tournament!

Battle of Giants Dinosaurs is rated "E for Everyone and has an MSRP of $29.99.

Mother 3: If You Want Nice Things, Sometimes You Just Have to Do It Yourself.

Ryan Fulton — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:12:22 -0500

Glorious news for those of you eager for information concerning the perennially disappointing handling of the Mother series by Nintendo. No, Nintendo hasn't announced that they're translating and releasing the title. If you're the sort of person who has been waiting for a new Earthbound, you're the sort of person who knows that Nintendo will never release a new Earthbound.

For several people who were faced with that stark reality the solution became apparent, if the masses were to ever have any hope of Mother 3 getting an English copy they would have to do it themselves. So thusly, they embarked upon an epic journey involving translating squiggles into slightly more recognizable characters and attempting to pay service to Shigesato Itoi's legendary writing ability.

Fortunately for them and for the rest of us who were not blessed with such multi-lingual functionality, their work is nearly at an end and the patch for an English Mother 3 is ever closer to release.

Thanks to Shannon of Ganza Watching for the amazing picture.

Nintendo Announces Punch-Out!! Wii

Zach Lott — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:57:29 -0500

One of the more exciting announcements to come out of Nintendo's latest press conference was the revelation that Punch-Out!! Wii is in the works. Besides the 2009 release date, there aren't any details to be had, but a trailer has been made available. Check it out after the jump.

Club Nintendo Turns its Baleful Eye Towards American Soil.

Ryan Fulton — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:36:24 -0500

Wide spread panic ensues as word of Club Nintendo setting up point-shop stateside reaches the general populace. This is not a joke, lock up your wives and daughters because Americans may soon be exposed to such things as: Tingle's Balloon Fight, Zekkyō Senshi Sakeburein, and the exceedingly awesome Super Famicom classic controller. Granted, it's not likely that these will be released in America, but we can only hope.

In other regions the club is known for making available otherwise unreleased games, and for doling out exclusive accessories. The club's opening date is undisclosed, but it's said to be sometime this holiday season.

Nintendo DSi Announced, 2009 North America Release

Tim Grube — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:07:34 -0500

It was promised to be announced and it is finally here. Nintendo unveiled the next unit in the DS line, entitled Nintendo DSi, via a press conference in Japan this morning.

It will feature a three megapixel camera positioned on the back bottom left side as well as a camera centered on the front, a slimmer body, and a new interface.

Nintendo also revealed that the unit will not integrate any GameBoy Advance slot into the Nintendo DSi - a fact that should not surprise those who have fantasized about possible DS redesigns. Instead, the company will insert an SD Memory Card slot so gamers can easily bring in their videos and music, as well as a place to store their downloaded items. The company will also introduce the first DS Internet browser, which you can use to purchase items directly from the new DSi store utilizing Nintendo Points (formerly Wii Points).

The Nintendo DSi will launch in Japan on November 1 for ¥18,900 ($178) with both white and black finishes as well as 1000 free Nintendo Points until March 2010. Other releases are set for a 2009 release. Expect a more "exact" date very soon here in North America. Pictures at the jump.

Virtual Console Update For 9-29-08: Art Style Orbient, Bomberman Blast, Super Terrican 2

Zach Lott — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:08:09 -0500

The weekly update for the Wii's Virtual Console is here, featuring two new WiiWare titles: Art Style: Orbient and Bomberman Blast, priced at 600 and 1,000 Wii Points, respectively.

For the Virtual Console, Nintendo released Super Terrican 2 (Super NES) for 800 Wii Points.

Hit the jump for a list of details for all the games.

WiiWare

Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn't empty, though, and you'll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.

Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for EveryoneMild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone--from those who've never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.

Virtual Console

Super Turrican 2 (Super NES, 1 player, Rated E for EveryoneViolence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine's forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy's last hope. Are you up to the challenge?

Monster Jam: Urban Assault Debut Trailer

Tim Grube — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:35:39 -0500

Activision is almost set to release Monster Jam: Urban Assault and today they released the debut trailer showing off some of the visuals and gameplay. The game is due out in stores October 28 for the Wii, PSP, DS, and PS2.

Jay Leno Makes A Wii Joke

Tim Grube — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:39:16 -0500

Some jokes that air on TV from Jay Leno are sometimes really stupid. Recently, Jay Leno made a joke regarding Nintendo's Wii by stating you can, "open a book and flip pages" Whoopiee. I think I fell out of my seat watching this.......

Bioware Considering Mass Effect DS

Zach Lott — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:07:17 -0500

Are you interested in a DS version of Mass Effect? So is Bioware, as Miles Holmes, lead designer for Sonic Chronicles, has spoken to Eurogamer about the possibility of new iterations of several of Bioware's key IPs hitting the DS, stating that the company is interested in "basically anything that reinforces the franchises."

Holmes also said that Bioware has "a lot of big plans for Mass Effect" and that "a DS version would be an awesome way to keep interest alive." He also pointed out that Bioware's handheld division's current role is to reinforce major title releases and that they plan to have the capacity to work on three projects at once in the future. That should lead to plenty of interesting announcements once Bioware decides what they want to work on.

Rumor: Silver DS Lite To Hit US In September

Zach Lott — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:08:01 -0500

Here's a story for those of you who are obsessed with having yet another color of the DS Lite: 1up is reporting that the metallic silver DS Lite may become available in the U.S. on September 7.

The rumor originated from Kotaku, who received a blurry picture from an anonymous employee showing the street dates for three products, including the silver DS Lite, which has been available in Europe and Japan for a while now. Kotaku has since received word from various readers claiming to be GameStop employees that the store will be the exclusive seller of the new DS Lite.

We'll let you know if this becomes official in the coming weeks.

Wii Virtual Console Update: Starring Sonic The Hedgehog

Solomon Lee — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:29:38 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Wild West Guns (Gameloft, 1000 Wii Points).

For the Virtual Console, Sonic The Hedgehog (Master System) and SplatterHouse 2 (Genesis) is priced at 500 and 800 Points respectively.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

WiiWare

Wild West Guns (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated T for TeenViolence, 1,000 Wii Points): Draw your revolver to see if you're the fastest gun in the West. Adjust your speed and precision as targets or enemies appear in front of you. Point and shoot to earn more points. You can aim at anything, so be sure to explore the environment for elements that will earn you more shooting points. Identify your enemies among the characters you encounter, but don't shoot at innocent citizens. Take part in an Old West-style train attack, or challenge your skills in a variety of increasingly difficult shooting challenges in other beautiful, classic and lively Western environments. As you progress through challenges, you'll earn medals and rewards, making for nonstop, addictive action. Play in a two-player multiplayer mode where you and your partner can combine points, or play against each other to find out who's the fastest gun in the West.

Virtual Console

Sonic The Hedgehog (Sega Master System, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Based on the original Sega Genesis version, Sonic The Hedgehog was re-created as the first Sonic game for the Sega Master System. Not just a straight port, this version includes new stages, bosses, some different zones and a level map. The most noticeable difference, however, is that the Chaos Emeralds have to be found within certain stages other than the Special Stages. Dash through six Zones (including special zones that were only available for the Sega Master System version) and face Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik) at the end of every Zone.

SPLATTERHOUSE 2 (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated M for MatureBlood and Gore, Violence, 800 Wii Points): SPLATTERHOUSE 2 is the sequel to SPLATTERHOUSE, released only on the Sega Genesis. A few months after escaping from the first mansion in SPLATTERHOUSE, the main character, Rick, once again encounters the Terror Mask and must use its powers to rescue his beloved Jennifer. Rick will need to punch, slash, smash and even chainsaw his way through a haunted mansion against unspeakable horrors and terrifying bosses to make it out alive.

A Wii VC Update For 07/21/08: Starring Pirates: The Key of Dreams

Solomon Lee — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:25:49 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen Games, 1000 Wii Points).

For the Virtual Console, Super Fantasy Zone and Gley Lancer (Genesis) is priced at 900 Points each.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

WiiWare

Pirates: The Key of Dreams (Oxygen Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Pirates: The Key of Dreams is a frantic nautical shoot-'em-up. Sail your way across the Caribbean, cannons blazing, looting booty, running blockades and ultimately battling Blackbeard himself. The player takes control of a navy captain sent deep undercover as a ruthless pirate in order to seek out and retrieve the Key of Dreams, a valuable and dangerous cursed artifact. Rescue castaways to bolster your ship's crew, gaining performance increases to your navigation, weaponry, structural integrity and cartography skills. Collect increasingly powerful weaponry including rockets, mines, chain shot, saw blades and a flamethrower to hurl destruction into the path of your enemies. Play against three of your scurvy friends or A.I. opponents in pitched multiplayer battles over 35 levels, set in seven themed environments. Choose from different ship types that reflect your play style. Play in turbo mode if you're pirate enough.

Virtual Console

Super Fantasy Zone (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points): The last entry in the Fantasy Zone series, this side-scrolling shooter puts you in the shoes of main character Opa-Opa, who is on a mission to avenge the death of his father. To do so, you'll have to battle a variety of Enemy Generators to clear out the various levels and finish off the Menon Guardian at the end of the level. Eliminating your enemies will let you rack up some gold, which you can use to buy even better weapons, upgrades and other equipment. Spend your gold wisely, as each different boss you need to defeat presents a unique challenge.

Gley Lancer (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): In the year 2025, a war breaks out between humans and a hostile alien race, and 16-year-old Lucia and the rest of the starfighter pilots in the Earth Federation must join the battle. When Lucia's father is kidnapped by the aliens, she decides to take action and hijacks a brand new prototype starfighter, the Gley Lancer, in order to try to save him. In this side-scrolling shooter, step into the cockpit of the Gley Lancer as Lucia, rescue your father and destroy the evil aliens that are bent on destroying the human race.

E3 2008: Miyamoto Confirms Pikmin 3

Zach Lott — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:36:30 -0500

"We're making Pikmin."

That's what Shigeru Miyamoto told those who attended Nintendo's developer roundtable tonight. The announcement came during a Q&A time only when veteran journalist Chris Remo pressured Miyamoto into slipping the news with a question about core gamers and whether or not games like Pikmin are coming.

This news comes after Miyamoto hinted to IGN that the Pikmin team could be making something, and it now looks like that certainly is the case. We may not know anything specific for a while, but it should be exciting to see if Nintendo divulges any details in the coming months.

E3 2008: Miyamoto Hints At Possible Pikmin, Mario Games

Zach Lott — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:47:43 -0500

Gamers' reactions to Nintendo's press conference haven't been pretty, as many have expressed disappointment on message boards about the lack of announcements for the core titles that Nintendo is known for.

However, IGN may have the answers that gamers have been searching for, as their interview with Nintendo's design genius Shigeru Miyamoto has yielded a ray of hope for the future.

When asked about the possibility of Pikmin 3, Miyamoto said that there wasn't anything that could be announced now, but that Nintendo would "probably do something with it" and that the Pikmin team would perhaps "have something to talk about before too long."

IGN then asked about a sequel to New Super Mario Bros., with Miyamoto commenting that the game's team is hard at work on something. However, he also said that Nintendo's tendency to refrain from announcing largely unfinished products prevents him from sharing information about the team's project. It may be a New Super Mario Bros. 2, but there's no way to know for now.

It should be interesting to see what comes of this information, as a new Pikmin and Mario game could easily help relieve gamers who are worried about Nintendo's dedication to their core franchises. If and when Nintendo announces these games, we'll let you know.

E3 2008: Dragon Quest IV Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:56:27 -0500

Check out the new screens of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen for the Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Dragon Quest IV

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E3 2008: Final Fantasy IV Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:47:53 -0500

Launch Gallery: Final Fantasy IV

(6 images)

E3 2008: Wii Music Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:31:27 -0500

Check out the new images of Nintendo's Wii Music.

Launch Gallery: Wii Music

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E3 2008: Izuna 2 Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:22:55 -0500

Atlus has revealed new images of Izuna 2 on the Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Izuna 2

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E3 2008: Call of Duty: World at War Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:15:25 -0500

Check out these new images of Call of Duty: World at War on the Wii and Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Call of Duty World at War

(11 images)

E3 2008: Wii Sports Resort Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:10:20 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Wii Sports Resort.

Launch Gallery: Wii Sports Resort

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E3 2008: Wario Land: Shake It Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:06:39 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Wario Land: Shake It! on the Wii - enjoy.

Launch Gallery: Wario Land Shake It

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E3 2008: Animal Crossing: City Fok, Wii Speak Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:00:11 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Animal Crossing: City Folk on the Wii, including two shots of the new Wii Speak accessory.

Launch Gallery: Animal Crossing City Folk

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E3 2008: Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars Announced

Tim Grube — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:05:20 -0500

The folks over at Rockstar Games today announced the development of Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS.

"This is a game that will deliver a rich, fast-paced and intense 'Grand Theft Auto' experience that will be truly unique to Nintendo's handheld platform," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "Rockstar Leeds, along with the team at Rockstar North, has built upon a decade of progressive design on Grand Theft Auto, and has created something fundamentally fresh and immersive."

The game is set to be released in Winter of this year.

E3 2008: The Sims 2 Apartment Pets Screenshots

Tim Grube — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:22:43 -0500

Launch Gallery: The Sims 2 Apartment Pets

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E3 2008: Duke Nukem Trilogy Announced

Tim Grube — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:01:14 -0500

Deep Silver and Apogee Software today announced an agreement to co-publish the Duke Nukem Trilogy episodes for the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP in North America and Europe.

"We were seeking a strong global publishing partner to herald the eagerly-anticipated return of Duke Nukem," said Terry Nagy, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Apogee. "We have indeed found that partner in Deep Silver."

"Since we launched the Deep Silver label, we've aggressively pursued the best properties to bring to market," said Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. "Apogee has produced some of the greatest franchises in the history of gaming, none of them more popular than Duke Nukem."

Deep Silver is exhibiting at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit on July 14 - 17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the Showcase Pavilion, Booth #401.

E3 2008: Official Image of Wii MotionPlus

Aaron Dunlap — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:47:33 -0500

From the press release:

Nintendo's upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo's commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.

E3 2008: Nintendo Announces New Wii Remote Accessory

Zach Lott — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:49:47 -0500

Nintendo's press conference isn't until tommorow, but they've already dropped an interesting announcement regarding the Wii remote, as IGN reports that a press release revealing the existance of a new remote accessory dubbed "MotionPlus" has been issued.

MotionPlus is a plug-in device that will hopefully improve games by "more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space." It works in conjunction with the accelerometer and the sensor bar to allow more precise movements with the remote.

Although details are scarce and probably won't be revealed until tommorow, this sounds like it could greatly improve controls for shooters and and other games requiring a lot of pointing. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

E3 2008: Nintendo To Announce Animal Crossing Wii, Punch-Out!!?

Zach Lott — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:51:55 -0500

Nintendo may soon be announcing some long-awaited titles, as Joystiq reports that European magazine NGamer is saying that Animal Crossing Wii and Punch-Out!! Wii may be revealed at E3 next week. Animal Crossing is supposedly done and will make heavy usage of Wi-fi while Punch-Out!! may allow players to use the Wii Balance Board to dodge their opponents' punches.

Stay tuned, as we'll surely be able to confirm or deny this in the coming days.

E3 2008: Hell's Kitchen: The Video Game

Tim Grube — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:29:25 -0500

Ubisoft announced today that it will publish Hell's Kitchen: The Video Game, for Wii, Nintendo DS, PC and Mac this September. The game is currently being developed by Ludia and is said to allow players to experience the show's high-pressure kitchen and dining room challenges as a faithfully rendered 3D Chef Ramsay watches their every move.

"I had a great time doing the voice for my own animation, said Gordon Ramsay. "Being in a video game is a new experience for me and I'm very pleased with the results.

After executing the three phases of an order preparation, cooking and service Chef Gordon Ramsay will score each meal. As they progress through the game, players will be rewarded with access to recipes from Chef Ramsay's own repertoire.

"Hell's Kitchen has everything a great video game needs: pressure, excitement and intense competition, said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft North America. "We are very excited to be bringing the intensity of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the Hell's Kitchen experience to the virtual world this fall.

Wii Virtual Console Update: Starring King of the Monsters

Solomon Lee — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:21:44 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring SPOGS Racing (D2C Games, 1000 Wii Points).

For the Virtual Console, the SNK game, King of the Monsters (NEOGEO) is priced at 900 Wii Points.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

Excerpt:

WiiWare

SPOGS Racing (D2C Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Coming at you full throttle is SPOGS Racing, an all-new racer from D2C Games featuring classic arcade racing, pick-up-and-play controls, all-new racing vehicles and Crash N' Grab instant upgrades. Jump in, gear up and modify your ride on the fly as you compete head-to-head for a totally outrageous arcade racing experience on your Wii console. Whether you're a casual gamer or hardcore racer, SPOGS Racing features fun for all and is a must-have download for your WiiWare digital game library.

Virtual Console

KING OF THE MONSTERS (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released by SNK in 1991, KING OF THE MONSTERS is an action/fighting game that features city-destroying battles between huge monsters. Choose one of six monsters and travel around Japan, stopping to fight in various famous cities with the aim of becoming the ultimate winner. In addition to punches, kicks and other regular moves, each character has the ability to use more devastating maneuvers, like throwing flames and shooting laser beams, to defeat opponents. Wrestling elements are also incorporated, as you must completely exhaust your opponent and get a three-count to pin him and be victorious. Along with the player-versus-computer game, multiplayer options allow you and a friend to enjoy one-on-one matches and two-on-two tag-team matches against the computer. Take on the challenge and claim the title of King of the Monsters.

First Chrono Trigger DS Trailer

Zach Lott — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:20:13 -0500

The Japanese trailer for the recently announced DS remake of Chrono Trigger is now available:

Things are looking good. The game is expected to hit store shelves by the end of the year.

Chrono Trigger Announced For DS

Solomon Lee — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:10:48 -0500

Square Enix has officially announced that Chrono Trigger is coming to the DS. The game will feature an "all new dual-screen presentation and touch screen functionality" in addition to the inclusion of a new dungeon. Chrono Trigger for the DS is set for release this holiday season.

Those that wish to visit the site can do so here.

A Wii VC Update For 06/30/08: Starring Fatal Fury 2

Solomon Lee — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:26:13 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Magnetica Twist (Nintendo, 1000 Wii Points).

For the Virtual Console, the SNK fighting game, Fatal Fury 2 (NEOGEO) is priced at 900 Wii Points.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

Excerpt:

WiiWare

Magnetica Twist (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The classic puzzle game Magnetica is now available on WiiWare , putting its own unique "twist" on the puzzle-game experience. You're surrounded by marbles, marching slowly but surely down a track. Use a launcher (piloted by a Mii of your choice) to shoot marbles with matching colors and wipe them out before they reach the end of the track. Control couldn't be simpler, as all you need to do is twist the Wii Remote controller to aim and press the A button to shoot. And the game play remains as addictive and deep as you've come to expect in Nintendo's puzzle games, with five varied play modes, advanced mechanics such as the ability to lob marbles, and a never-ending supply of combos. This definitely isn't your typical game of marbles.

Virtual Console

FATAL FURY 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1992 by SNK, FATAL FURY 2 is the second installment in the renowned fighting-game series. In addition to Terry, Andy and Joe, who appeared in the original game, another five distinctive fighters gather from around the world to compete for the championship title. Also newly added are stage-specific hazards and the ability to perform desperation attacks when a character's strength is low. These particularly deadly techniques create the chance for a come-from-behind victory achieved with a single strike. Moreover, the innovative two-line battle, which proved popular in the previous version, also has been radically enhanced. Pressing the weak-attack and strong-attack buttons simultaneously enables players to move their fighters to another line themselves, or to launch an attack that pushes opponents back to another line. This game mechanic, unique to this title in the series, allows the player to take advantage of the depth of the screen and create even more exciting bouts. Can you prove yourself the king of fighters again?

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2 Hits Store Shelves

Zach Lott — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:41:25 -0500

Strategy fans rejoice, as Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift, the sequel to 2003's original Tactics Advance, hits store shelves today.

Boasting new jobs and races, a new clan system, and enhanced gameplay mechanics over the original, the game has seen generally positive feedback from the gaming press and is designed to appease fans of the original while appealing to those new to tactical RPGs.

You can pick it up for $39.99 on the DS.

Wii Virtual Console Update: Starring Alex Kidd

Solomon Lee — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:02:39 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Gyrostarr (High Voltage Software, 700 Wii Points).

For the Virtual Console, the platformer, Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Sega Master System) and the side scrolling title, Burning Fight (NEOGEO) is priced at 500 and 900 Wii Points respectively.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

Excerpt:

WiiWare

Gyrostarr (High Voltage Software, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 700 Wii Points): Gyrostarr challenges you and up to three additional players to pilot your ships through a series of twisting, turning technoplasma tracks while battling a variety of deadly alien foes at ever-increasing speeds. While fighting and maneuvering, you must collect enough energy to activate the ancient warpgate at the end of each track. Succeed, and you can journey to the next, even deadlier track. Fail, and the gate will slam shut, destroying your ship. Enhance your ship with weapon pickups, coordinate attacks with your friends to fire powerful combined blasts and use your grapple to snag energy and pickups in the midst of combat. Control your ship with the Wii Remote controller, Nunchuk controller or Classic Controller, or use the "paired" control system that allows two players to use a connected Wii Remote and Nunchuk or Classic Controller at the same time. Offering 50 levels of intense action, powerful pickups, high-speed bonus levels and mayhem for up to four players, Gyrostarr is a killer arcade challenge.

Virtual Console

Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Sega Master System, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): In this platformer from the 1980s, you're Alex Kidd, looking for your lost brother Egle. In order to find your brother, you'll have to contend with the evil Janken the Great, who will send his henchmen and monsters at you to thwart your progress. One aspect of this adventure is that you'll have to play the classic game of "rock, paper, scissors" against the henchmen in order to defeat them. With 16 different levels to conquer in order to save Egle, this classic is sure to test your skills and your wits at the same time.

BURNING FIGHT (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1991 by SNK, BURNING FIGHT is a side-scrolling hand-to-hand-combat action game. In pursuit of Casterora, leader of a huge syndicate that has escaped from New York to Osaka, the protagonists are three detectives: Duke, Ryu and Billy. Each character fights using a combination of punches, kicks and jumps, plus his own particular special move, activated by simultaneously pressing the jump and attack buttons. These lethal techniques have enormous destructive force, but they also consume a great deal of energy. For this reason, players must use their special moves with skillful timing. Luckily for the detectives, new weapons and additional health can be found by breaking things like phone booths and street signs along the way. A boss, who must be defeated in order to continue the mission, awaits players at the end of each stage. You can also take on the gang with a friend, but beware-attacks by one player can damage the other, so keep an eye on where your partner is in the heat of the battle. End Casterora's reign of terror once and for all.

GameStop To Offer FREE Rare Pokemon Download

Zach Lott — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:56:34 -0500

If you've been waiting for a chance to snag a rare, event-only Pokemon for your copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pearl, now is your chance, as GameStop is going to offer a free download of the legendary Pokemon Deoxys.

Those interested in downloading Deoxys can bring their DS with a copy of Diamond or Pearl to GameStop from June 20-22 and June 27-29.

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 Ships!

Tim Grube — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:20:01 -0500

Namco Bandai Games announced today that Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 has been shipped to North American retailers for Nintendo DS.

Based on the popular virtual pets, gamers can run over a dozen shops with adorable Tamagotchi pals. Team up with fan-favorite Tamagotchis: Violetchi, Mametchi, Memetchi or Kuchipatchi, and get behind the counter of more than 12 different stores.

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 is a great way to teach the responsibility of running a business in a way that everyone can enjoy, said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at NAMCO BANDAI Games America. Its fun mini-games, distinct art style and atmosphere will bring a smile to anyones face.

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 is rated E for everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

A Wii VC Update For 06/16/08: Starring Samurai Shodown

Solomon Lee — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:40:01 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Block Breaker Deluxe (Gameloft, 800 Wii Points) and Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 700 Points).

For the Virtual Console, the arcade fighter, Samurai Shodown (NEOGEO) is priced at 900 Wii Points.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

Excerpt:

WiiWare

Block Breaker Deluxe (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Suggestive Themes, 800 Wii Points): Prepare for the frenzy of the coolest block-breaker game ever. Block Breaker Deluxe is a reinvention of the classic arcade brick-breaker game with a trendy graphical style, fun atmosphere and an exclusive multiplayer mode. Lively characters and amazing graphics provide distinctive settings of the jet-set nightlife, including a cool bar, dance club, casino and more. Special bricks, multiple bonuses, secret weapons, paddle size options and ball-speed variations make this fascinating game even more challenging. The Block Breaker Deluxe rage has arrived.

Cocoto Fishing Master (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Welcome to the adventures of Cocoto, Fishing Master. Get ready for a completely new experience on Wii. Play the role of Cocoto and travel the world to find five millennial fish. Only they can stop the magic cauldron from overflowing with lava and prevent the world from being destroyed. Thanks to Cocoto Fishing Master for Wii, fishing has never been such fun. Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers like a real fishing rod to catch more than 30 different fish. Discover five enchanted lakes in five different worlds from Cocoto's universe. Confront gigantic bosses to collect each fragment of the statuette that will allow you to wake the great god Geo from his slumber. Meet Cocoto's friends, sell your fish to Baggy and buy new fishing equipment from Neuro's shop.

Virtual Console

SAMURAI SHODOWN (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Animated Blood, Crude Humor, Violence, 900 Wii Points): This first entry in the extremely popular and revolutionary fighting-game series was released in 1993. Choose from 12 swordsmen with highly individualistic characteristics and fight furiously, ultimately confronting the evil Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. Each character wields his or her own specific weapon, but you must be careful not to lose it during the heat of battle. Some of the fighters also bring an animal companion into the fray, offering a unique aspect to the quick-paced action. Another significant feature of the game is the anger gauge, which indicates the level of anger felt by each of the combatants as they suffer repeated injuries. If the anger reaches its maximum level, the attacking ability of the character increases, leading to even more intense confrontations. Through it all, the refined camera system smoothly zooms in and out of the playing field, presenting the frenzy of the battle while showcasing the lively background (watch as the referee scores hits). Awaken the samurai spirit within and get ready for a new kind of fight.

Wii Virtual Console Update: Starring Toki Tori, Ninja Combat

Solomon Lee — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:34:22 -0500

Nintendo has published the weekly update for the Wii's WiiWare featuring Protöthea (UbiSoft, 1000 Wii Points) and Toki Tori (Two Tribes, 1000 Points).

For the Virtual Console, the side-scroller, Ninja Combat (NEOGEO) is priced at 900 Wii Points.

Hit the jump for the full list of game details.

Excerpt:

WiiWare

Protöthea (UbiSoft, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Protöthea is a top-down scrolling shooter game with free movement that puts players in complete control of a last-generation spaceship. The mission is to destroy the asteroid called Maqno 01 and finish with the plans of The Core. UbiSoft's Protöthea introduces new concepts to a beloved, classic game style while mixing genres and utilizing the full capabilities of the Wii console, from graphics to controls. Players of all ages and experience levels will enjoy taking command of their ship, blasting through four different worlds in 10 challenging missions. Use your weapons arsenal and the special bonus items to help you accomplish your mission, and don't forget to slow down time and take an edge over the enemy.

Toki Tori (Two Tribes, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Toki Tori is his name, and collecting eggs is his game. In this puzzle/platform game, players use a variety of items such as the Telewarp, InstantRock and Slug Sucker. Clever use and combination of these items are needed to solve all the game's levels, of which there are more than 70. Levels range from easy to brain-teasingly hard, resulting in dozens of hours of puzzle play time. Toki Tori makes the most of what Wii has to offer. It uses the Wii Remote for a unique control scheme, which offers players a new and more relaxing play style. A second player can help you out by drawing hints while you are playing. The game even uses the Wii Message Board in a unique way.

Virtual Console

Ninja Combat (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1990, Ninja Combat is a side-scrolling combat-action game. Take control of the ninjas Joe (one player) and Hayabusa (two players), and enter into battle against a group of evil ninjas called the Kage Ichizoku. Make your way into their home fortress, Ninja Tower, which dominates a big city of the near future. Fight using normal attacks, jumps, special movements and ninja materials that deliver damaging blows to all enemies on the screen. In addition, you'll find weapons and items to aid you along the way. Even better, as you progress in the game, reliable allies such as Musashi, Kagerow and Gembu will emerge to fight alongside you, allowing you to choose a new character in each stage. Ninja Combat also supports simultaneous play with two players, so you can grab a friend and defeat the Kage Ichizoku together.

Analyst Claims That US Wii Fit Shortages Are Deliberate

Zach Lott — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:35:14 -0500

The name of the game for the Wii over the past year and a half has been supply shortages. Nintendo's focus on a more casual market has yielded a demand for the Wii that far outstrips available supply. Many have accused Nintendo of intentionally holding back shipments, and, according to GameSpot, this may be the case with software as well as hardware, as Wii Fit has been unusually scarce here in the US since its release last month.

The game has also been in short supply in Europe, but Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter believes that the region has received far more units of Wii Fit than America. In a story published by the LA Times, he estimated that Nintendo has shipped 2 million units of the game to Europe while only shipping 500,000 units to North America. He cites the strong euro over the weakened dollar as the main cause.

"The shortage demonstrates one consequence of the weak dollar. We're seeing companies ignore their largest market simply because they can make a greater profit elsewhere. They know that Americans will be just as fat a few months from now," he said.

Even though the game has been actively marketed in the US, it looks like the headaches for people who just want to enjoy the Wii aren't over yet.