And now for some good RPG news…
Square-Enix has annouced that Dragon Quest 4 (Current US release date of September 16, 2008) , 5, and 6 (Coming Soon) will be heading to the Nintendo DS!. Check out the [offical Site]
1 million Mario Kart for the Wii Sold…
[Games Industry] is reporting that Media Create has charted the Wii version of Mario Kart selling another 174,000 units in the past week pushing it over the 1 million sold mark.
the current top 10 in Japan is as follows:
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Well this goes to show that Nintendo is doing VERY well, with Sony trying to get 3rd place. But with only 1 PS3 title in the top ten.. wow. =/ Of course, the Xbox is no where to be found..LOL
New US Wii Channel…
According to the official [Nintendo web site] a new channel has launched for the the Wii.
Nintendo Channel is an interactive guide to what’s new in the world of Nintendo - now available for easy download from the Wii Shop Channel. Watch trailers, mini-documentaries, product demonstrations, and gameplay videos. Browse the game guide pages to get information about your favorite games on Wii and Nintendo DS. You can even click to order games straight from your Wii, if you have the Internet Channel installed.
Makes me wish I had a Wii. =( Hey! Nintendo!!! want to see more reviews and information on the Wii?! Seen me one! I’m a nice guy!! hehe
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith announced
In an announcement that may just usurp the throne from Electronic Arts as the king of milking franchises, Activision has announced plans for a new Guitar Hero title, casting aside the franchise’s reputation for offering a wide breadth of rocking tracks in favor of highlighting a single band - Aerosmith. The news echoes comments made by guitarist Joe Perry last year regarding the series’ next installment, at which time he said that the next Guitar Hero game would be dedicated to the band’s music.
The announcement comes following Activision’s promise earlier this month to return to well this year, with the newly announced Guitar Hero: Aerosmith currently expected to ship to retail in June with Neversoft handling the game for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and Vicarious Visions taking care of development on the Wii. Details remain nonexistent concerning what tracks we can expect to make the cut, with guitarist Joe Perry commenting only that the title is “based on the diversity of the Aerosmith catalog.” With a game dedicated to one — and only one — band, we have to assume that whatever songs do find their way onto the disc, they’ll be master tracks (they better be).
And if June seems to far off for those of you hugging your Steven Tyler doll while staring at the Pump tour poster on the wall, Activision has announced plans to release the band’s 1973 power ballad ‘Dream On’ as a download for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of GHIII (Sorry Wii owners, but you knew what you were getting into). The song will be free from February 16-18, so get it while it’s hot!
[Via Joystick]
NERF WiiMote?
Every once in a while, somebody takes two of my favorite things and manages to combine them together in happy unity. Case in point: Electric Arts (EA) new advancements in Nerf and Wiimote technology.
EA plans to release this Nerf/Wiimote combo in tandem with a new game called Nerf N-Strike. This contraption that you see to your left doesn’t yet have an official name, but it is a Nerf shooter as well as a Wiimote for first person shooter games.
EA has been working with well-known toy company Hasbro on many products. These two companies have been developing video game versions of its most popular games, including Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, Operation, and Monopoly Here and Now: World Edition.
Now I will finally be able to literally shoot something when I play Wii games, and I don’t have to worry about cracking the TV screen. I wonder if this blaster shoots Nerf disks or suction cup darts, because it would be cool to have the darts stick to your television screen.
I can’t help but wonder what kind of game Nerf N-Strike will be. If this product is targeted to the younger crowd, then “get ready for some family-friendly bloodless action!” I guess we’ll have to wait and see, as no release date or price has been set.
Hack the Wii Guitar Hero controller
A hack of Wii Guitar Hero Guitar so it can actually be played like an instrument, with up to 45 different pitches. Finishes up (with one or two minor mistakes) the verse, chorus and solo to “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, by Nirvana, to demonstrate this.
Therapists recommend Nintendo Wii
Therapists recommend Nintendo Wii
In the gaming and medical world, therapists are prescribing Nintendo Wii time. Amazing what a “simple” innovation in a gaming console can do, right?
The latest case is related to a man who had a stroke, and in order to recover his strength, he is simply playing Nintendo Wii. According to the therapists, the Wii is suppose to help patients build balance, coordination, endurance and upper and lower body strength.
NES Backback
I spent a great deal of my youth playing our Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Playing games like Super Mario Bros., Metroid, the Legend of Zelda, Mega Man and Final Fantasy. I whiled away both summer, fall, winter and spring days and nights trying to perfect my strategy against Metal Man or leveling up my Fighters, White Mage and Black Mage for that final battle with Ganon. I lived, breathed and ate that NES. Its controller has emblazoned itself onto my subconscious for all eternity.
So you can imagine my glee when I saw this NES Controller Backpack. This officially licensed Nintendo backpack is comprised of one large main compartment, three external zipper pockets and two net storage pockets. The backpack features a padded inside panel (good for toting around a laptop…or your NES console) and heavy-duty padded shoulder straps for comfort as you tote around your vintage Nintendo Power Magazine collection.
The bag measures about 12″ X 17″ X 6″ and features the original NES controller design prominently displayed on the back. It can all be yours for 40 Rupees (or $40).
Creators of ‘PaRappa the Rapper’ Return with Music-Based Video Game
Creators of ’PaRappa the Rapper’ Return with Music-Based Video Game Posted by William on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 12:53 pm under Nintendo, Nintendo Tagged: entertainment company, exciting news, game designer, majesco entertainment, masaya, matsuura, musician, nintendo wii, original music, parappa, press release, wii and york artist Majesco Entertainment Company announced today that they are teaming up with Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat to develop an original music-based game for the Nintendo Wii. Matsuura is a legendary multimedia musician and game designer. Greenblat is a famed New York artist. Matsuura and Greenblat are well known for their PaRappa the Rapper series. This is exciting news, although very few details have actually surfaced. The game they are developing will be released towards the end of 2008 for the Wii, which will be the first title they have ever developed for the system. Via Press Release
Creators of ’PaRappa the Rapper’ Return with Music-Based Video Game
Watch TV on your Nintendo DS
Seeking to make the Nintendo DS more than just a personal gaming platform, Nintendo has released the 1Seg TV Tuner which can not only allow gamers to watch their favorite shows, but also to bookmark where they are and review images from the program later like a picture book.
The 1Seg Tuner plugs into the game cartridge slot and enables gamers to watch VHF and UHF TV signals. In addition, the there an accelerometer built in which changes the aspect ratio automagically when the DS is rotated, giving the users options on how to watch their favorite shows. Also, users can also jot down notes as they watch. So, If students are watching a documentary, cooking show, or just about anything else, they can make note of interesting and important facts, web addresses, etc. to access later.
Viewers can also create a full screen or letterbox variant should they prefer a widescreen image.
Accessories include a special high gain antenna mount for areas with difficult reception.
Compatible with Nintendo DS™, Nintendo DS™ Lite, the 1Seg Tuner will sell for about $90 US and is available in Japan starting Black Friday, Nov 23, 2007.
Here’s a video of it in action:
Source: Engadget
