I got Wii Music!

Remember how I bashed Wii Music in the past after the horrid E3 conference? Well I ended up changing my mind after seeing Nintendo's videos on the Nintendo Channel. Now don't go calling me a casual because I own Wii Fit & Wii Music...I'm still a core gamer...honest!!! Anyway, I'm gonna go play Wii Music now, hope it's fun! ^_^

Animal Crossing City Folk & Wii Speak Bundle

I was wondering when it was going to be revealed. Amazon has a page up featuring the box bundle, looks the same as the one from Japan. The bundle will run $69.99 on Amazon. Rumor has it that the price will be $49.99-$59.99 on GameStop, but no word yet on the release. You can check out the Amazon order page by clicking here.

SEGA is publishing The Conduit

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON, Oct 29, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — SEGA(R) of America, Inc. and SEGA(R) of Europe Ltd. today announced a worldwide partnership with High Voltage Software to publish and distribute the Wii(TM) home video game system-exclusive title, The Conduit. The first-person shooter garnered multiple awards at E3 2008, including Best Wii Game by GameTrailers and three awards from IGN: Best Shooting Game (Wii), Best Graphics Technology (Wii) and Best Overall Wii Game. The Conduit is a stunning, futuristic title powered by a new game engine technology that delivers remarkable visuals and effects, as well as a rich interactive experience that is unlike any other title on the Wii.

“The Conduit is one of the most talked-about Wii games this year and High Voltage Software has only scratched the surface of the game in terms of what they have shown so far,” says Simon Jeffery, President of SEGA of America, Inc. “They have proven that graphical and technological innovation can be exciting to the Wii market, and SEGA is thrilled to partner with a team that truly shares our belief in the Wii’s gaming potential beyond the casual market.”

“High Voltage Software’s partnership with SEGA to publish The Conduit represents an important milestone for this studio,” said Kerry Ganofsky, CEO and founder of High Voltage Software, Inc. “SEGA shares our vision for the title and its tremendous potential, which is why we chose them from a long list of potential partners. With their support, we are confident that The Conduit will deliver the definitive shooter experience that Wii fans have been waiting for.”

The Conduit takes players into a dark story in Washington D.C. after a vicious alien invasion has rocked the country. An organization called the Trust has sent in Secret Service agent, Mr. Ford, to go up against the insect-like alien race known as “The Drudge.” Armed with an array of futuristic weaponry and an intelligence-gathering device simply called the “All-Seeing Eye,” players follow an intricate storyline filled with conspiracy, shady government activity and terrifying aliens.

The Conduit’s detailed control system allows players to customize and configure look sensitivity, turning speed, the dead zone and much more. As players delve further into the mystery behind the extraterrestrial invasion, shocking details reveal that the invasion may have been brought on with help from the government itself.

Powered by High Voltage Software’s groundbreaking Quantum 3 engine, The Conduit ensures that players will experience single and multiplayer gameplay with graphical fidelity never seen before on the Wii. The Conduit will also support the recently announced Wii Speak peripheral, allowing online multiplayer gamers the ability to chat as they destroy aliens in each terrifying level. Additionally, the game will take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus for optimal control.

The Conduit, exclusively for the Wii, is slated to ship in spring 2009. For more information on the game, please visit www.conduitgame.com.

Wii-kly Update 10/27/2008

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Rock and roll! Hurting for cash, Strong Bad sets out to dominate the “Battle Royale of the Bands.” Can he rule the stage and win the big prize? Or will he be drowned out by the competition? Find out in this high-voltage episode.

Art Style: ROTOHEX™ (Nintendo, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Use colored triangular panels to create a vibrant mosaic of stained glass in Art Style: ROTOHEX. As triangles fall from the top of the screen, rotate them to group six panels of the same color and create a matching hexagon, or HEX. Once the HEX has been formed, it will disappear, allowing the existing panels to shift and more panels to fill the playing field. A clear-cut goal and two different styles of intuitive controls allow you to focus solely on the game play-which is vital, as the playing field will be full of panels before you know it. With multiple modes (unlock more as you progress further in SOLO mode), special item panels at your disposal, and the ability to play cooperatively or competitively with a friend, there will always be another HEX to create.

Virtual Console

Earthworm Jim (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Jim was an ordinary earthworm who did very earthworm-like things, such as flee from crows and eat dirt. One day, during an outer space fight, a suit drops to Earth and falls around Jim. It mutates him into a large and intelligent (at least by earthworm standards) superhero. Play as Jim in this Sega Genesis classic. When Jim learns of the evil plans of Psy-Crow and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt, he decides to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name. Run, gun, swing on hooks by your head and launch cows at the interesting characters you meet along the way, such as Major Mucus, Chuck and Fifi, Evil the Cat, and Bob the Killer Goldfish.

Sears gets Limited Edition DS Lite's on Black Friday

Do I even need to say words? We aren't sure if this is Sears exclusive yet. I doubt it is) Nintendo is trying to push the DS Lite through the holiday season so I doubt they will give it to only one retailer. This makes me want to buy another DS Lite for myself. I already own the Dialga & Palkia DS Lite from Japan and just bought my brother the Cobalt/Black DS Lite so.

Wii-kly Update 10/20/2008

WiiWare

Tetris Party (Tetris Online, Inc., 1-6 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,200 Wii Points): Tetris Party is a deceptively simple, totally addictive puzzle game that is sure to keep you and all of your friends and family entertained for hours on end. The WiiWare game features 10 never-before-seen single-player and multiplayer variations of Tetris, including Field Climber, Stage Racer, Shadow and Wii Balance Board-enabled modes (Wii Balance Board™ accessory sold with Wii Fit™). Several of the modes give users the chance to take advantage of the unique point-and-shoot capabilities of the Wii Remote™ controller. The party doesn't stop there, though. Take the Tetris fun online via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, where you can play multiplayer Tetris against up to five friends at a time. You can also see how your Tetris Party skills stack up against the rest of the world using the global ranking system.

The Incredible Maze (Digital Leisure Inc., 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Get lost in The Incredible Maze! Simply tilt your Wii Remote controller to navigate a series of exciting and twisted mazes. Entering the maze could not be easier, but finding your way out will require a keen eye and a steady hand. Obstacles and traps are around every corner, so move your ball around the maze without falling off the edge. But watch out, there are lots of surprises in store. You can hunt for gems in a timed challenge, or test your abilities in a race against the clock. The Incredible Maze is also compatible with the Wii Balance Board, so you can really put your weight into it. This is the way in, but you'll have to find your own way out.

Virtual Console

Digital Champ Battle Boxing (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Mild Violence, 700 Wii Points): Set in the near future, Digital Champ Battle Boxing is a first-person-perspective boxing title that plunges players into the raw intensity of the ring! Determined to thwart Mother Computer's plot to conquer mankind, you infiltrate the enemy's domain, using your boxing skills to vanquish your foes. Each round is three minutes, with a total of 12 rounds to a match. Advance to the next contest through either a KO or by flattening an opponent three times in a round for a TKO. Utilize an arsenal of left and right jabs, hooks, power-charged crosses and three different kinds of "Devastator" punches. Deftly block and slip your opponent's attacks, and look for your chance to lay them out. Master these techniques and take down the greatest opponent of them all, DIGITAL CHAMP!

GRADIUS® II GOFER NO YABOU (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): This shooter is the sequel to the seminal masterpiece, GRADIUS. Two years after its last epic battle, the GRADIUS army recommissions the VIC VIPER super-dimensional warplane to combat the invasion of a new nemesis known as GOFER. Piloting the latest model of the VIC VIPER, players can select between multiple WEAPON MODULES and SHIELDS to tackle the varying stages and enemy attack patterns they come up against. With a total of nine stages, this perfect port of the original boasts one of the longest adventures in the series and features more of its trademark fast-paced background music to accompany the intense action.

Tatsunoko VS Capcom Trailer

I know I never posted a story about this game, but it features anime characters from the anime company Tatsunoko and Capcom videogame characters, in a fighting game. I know fighting games can't beat Brawl...but this one certainly looks good for an "anime" style fighting game. Hopefully Capcom manages it to bring it to the US, licensing issues aside.

Mother 3 Fan Translation out now!

The long awaited fan translation of Mother 3 (Earthbound to the western world) is now out. You'll have to patch a rom of the game yourself, but it is a very simple process. Click here to see the news story and get the patch for your rom. You'll have to find your own rom somewhere on the internet, but because it's against terms of service I cannot post a link to roms.Happy camping! Nintendo doesn't seem to be against the idea, the fan translation group has been featured in Nintendo's own magazine, so I don't think this will be shot down. Besides, they aren't selling the game!

No More Heroes 2

OMG YESSSS!!!!! I have been waiting for this game to happen and it is happening. Thank you SUDA51, you rule! I am so happy right now. No More Heroes is my favorite 3rd party game on the Wii and looks like I'll have another one. I am so happy that I am not even pissed about Disaster: Day of Crisis anymore!!! ^_^

Sonic and the Black Knight - TGS Trailer

Wow this game actually looks pretty good. It looks much better than Secret Rings already, and looks like Sonic is actually running at full speed instead of that slow motion thing he does in Secret Rings. Somehow the game is almost looking better than Sonic Unleashed. Hopefully these 2 games will help put Sonic back on the map...but I doubt it because Sonic still has slowdown moments like the Werehog in Unleashed and beat-em-up style of Black Knight. Oh well they look fun to me anyhow :)

Nintendo releasing less games in US

Anyone notice how Disaster Day of Crisis still hasn't officially been revealed for US release? Well I certainly have. I mean the game was announced before Wii was released for the US then it disappeared off the radar. Then just a couple weeks/months ago it fly's into the radar once again so we were all expecting it to be released soon.

Well, the game has been released in Japan (Sep. 25th) and coming to Europe on October 24th. Nintendo just had a stripped down media conference of what was announced in Japan (DSi and tons of other games.) Now the only games revealed for release for next year on DS is Mario & Luigi 3, Rhythm Heaven, and Fire Emblem: Shadow Light. For Wii next year...only Sin & Punishment 2 and Punch Out Wii. Nintendo announced like 13 games for Wii they are publishing in Japan, and we only get 2 of them, what the ****!?

Anyone notice how Europe is starting to get alot more games before the US, after years of neglect by Nintendo of Europe. Now that NOE is getting games, looks like the US is getting the short end of the stick.

Also, notice how tons more games were localized in 2006 than in 2007, and it's gotten even worse in 2008. Nintendo going on without several months of game releases? I think part of it is to blame on our weak economy, which makes the dollar weak. The housing market collapsed, and we are in a recession. I also think there is another unknown reason why Nintendo is releasing less and less here. Maybe for fear of oversaturation of the market? Where are all those cool DS games that came out in Japan like We Are Fossil Diggers, Glory of Heracles, Card Hero, etc? Also, why the heck hasn't Pokémon Platinum been announced for the US? >_>;

Today Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, was asked about Disaster Day of Crisis & Fatal Frame IV. Reggie stated that they are waiting to see how Disaster does in Europe before they consider US release. (The game is set in America, has an American former marine character, and American English voice acting, seriously WTF?.) He also said to ask the Publisher about Fatal Frame IV. If one recalls the past, Tecmo told the fans to ask the Publisher about Fatal Frame IV (Nintendo) So which is it...who the hell is bringing over Fatal Frame IV if at all?

This rant was inspired by this topic over at the NeoGAF forums.

Nintendo US Conference Fall 2008

Nintendo Announces 'Significant Increase' in Q4 Wii Supplies over 2007

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 2, 2008 – Nintendo today disclosed a number of surprises, including new games, the ability to use the Wii™ console to chat with friends near and far, and the expansion of the popular Club Nintendo rewards program to North America.

Continuing its commitment to supply new game experiences for every level of player, Nintendo revealed a wide range of games for the 2008 holiday season and beyond. A number of games are slated for 2009, including a new Punch-Out!! ™ and Sin & Punishment 2 for Wii, and Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon and Mario & Luigi™ RPG 3 for Nintendo DS™. Consumers also can expect a new "Personal Trainer” series of titles designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways.

Nintendo also announced that North American supplies of the Wii video game console between October and December will see a significant increase from 2007's levels, and that Nintendo DS will also be available in greater abundance than ever before.

"We have new games and new experiences for every kind of player this holiday season, and that will certainly fuel increased interest in Wii and Nintendo DS,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "While there's no way to gauge total demand for our hardware systems, we're trying to satisfy as many of those players as possible.”

The new Wii Speak™ Channel arrives on Nov. 16 and uses the Wii Speak™, a microphone that sits on top of your television. This accessory is sold separately at an MSRP of $29.99. People who buy the microphone are given a code that allows them to download the Wii Speak Channel from the Wii Shop Channel at no charge. The Wii Speak lets people in up to four locations who have traded Friend Codes chat with one another at no extra cost. When you use Wii Speak in real time, your Mii™ appears on your TV screen and mimics your chat. You also can leave audio messages for your friends and family members or use Wii Speak to narrate captions for your photos.

Gamers have longed for the expansion of Club Nintendo to North America for years, and now Nintendo is making it a reality for everyone. Club Nintendo rewards Nintendo loyalists who complete surveys and register Nintendo products with loyalty coins that can be redeemed for exclusive items available only to Club Nintendo members. Club Nintendo is set to debut in North America this holiday season.

Key software available for Wii this holiday season includes:

• Wii Music™: It's a new Wii experience that launches on Oct. 20 and gives you the ability to play a wide variety of musical instruments by using the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers to mimic the motions used to play real instruments. Everyone in the family will enjoy jamming together, while music fans will enjoy creating their own fresh, stylized takes on a variety of songs. Songs range from classical favorites like Beethoven's "Ode to Joy,” to pop hits like "Material Girl” or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to Nintendo standards like the Super Mario Bros.® theme.
  
  
• Animal Crossing™: City Folk: This game lets you live your life in a virtual community that's all your own. You can interact with the fun characters in your town, customize everything from your house to your clothing and even chat with other friends in the game using the Wii Speak. Animal Crossing: City Folk launches on Nov. 16.
  
  
  • WiiWare delivers great new games directly to Wii consoles that are connected to the Internet. Nintendo's downloadable game service will see games like:
    
    
  • Tetris Party: This game will feature 18 game modes, including 10 never-before-seen single-player and multiplayer variations of Tetris. Some modes will use the unique capabilities of the Wii Remote and the Wii Balance Board™.
    
    
  • Strong Bad Episode 3: This third episode in the series features humorous story-driven game play, music-themed collectibles and achievements and an old-school side scrolling shoot 'em up mini-game, as well as a special celebrity guest appearance by rock gods Limozeen!
    
    
  • World of Goo: This title is an award-winning, physics-based puzzle/construction game. Grab living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins and giant tongues.
    
    
  • Cave Story: This title is an action-adventure game with new, exclusive content and features created only for the WiiWare version.
    
    
  • Boingz: Developed by the award-winning studio NinjaBee and published by RealNetworks®, Inc., Boingz introduces players to bendy, stretchy little critters who've found themselves scattered about an alien world. Using the Wii Remote, players can grab, stretch and fling the rubber-band bodies of the Boingz to bounce them around the environments and help them find their way home.

Key games planned for Wii in 2009 include:

• Punch-Out!!: Nintendo is reviving one of its most storied and popular franchises with the first new Punch-Out!! boxing game in 15 years. Players will once again follow the exploits of the up-and-coming challenger, Little Mac, and take on a series of opponents, including favorites from the past like Glass Joe and King Hippo.
  
  
• Sin & Punishment 2: The announcement of a sequel to one of the most popular Japanese import titles ever is a dream come true for avid Nintendo fans. This new sequel blends intuitive Wii Remote pointing controls with the shooting and sword-swinging game play that made the original an instant classic and fan favorite.

Some Nintendo products available this fall for Nintendo DS include:

• Personal Trainer™: Cooking: This title launches on Nov. 24 as the first in Nintendo's new Personal Trainer series. Personal Trainer: Cooking includes more than 200 recipes from around the world and transforms the Nintendo DS into an electronic, interactive cookbook, complete with a glossary of terms and even instructional videos. In 2009, the Personal Trainer series will expand with Personal Trainer™: Math, a collection of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division drills based on the Kageyama method. Meanwhile, Personal Trainer™: Walking will introduce a wireless pedometer, letting consumers not only track every step they take, but also turn walking into interactive entertainment.
  
  
• Pokémon™ Ranger: Shadows of Almia: On Nov. 10, this new installment in the Pokémon Ranger series allows you to use the power of Pokémon to protect nature and help people in need as you strive to become a Top Ranger. Use the DS stylus to encircle and capture Pokémon with the "Capture Styler” as you explore the vast new Almia region.

Key games planned for Nintendo DS in 2009 include:

• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon: A reinvention of the original NES™ titles with revamped graphics and intuitive touch control, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon will finally introduce longtime fans to the stories that gave birth to the series nearly 20 years ago in Japan, while introducing the Fire Emblem franchise to a broader audience of strategy and chess fans. Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon also reveals the back story of Marth, the original lead character in the Fire Emblem series introduced and made popular in North America by the Super Smash Bros.® series of fighting games.
  
  
• Mario & Luigi RPG 3: The acclaimed Mario & Luigi series returns with another hilarious action role-playing game. Join the Mario Bros. as their travels take them far and wide.
  
  
• Rhythm Heaven™: If you can snap your fingers in time to music, you're ready to play this simple but infectious rhythm game. Just tap your stylus on the touch screen to the beat of the music.

Nintendo has a strong lineup of legacy games and accessories that have continued selling well, even a year after they launched. These include Super Mario Galaxy™, the Wii Zapper™ accessory, Wii Fit™, Super Smash Bros.™ Brawl and Mario Kart™Wii. These five products are expected to remain in high demand as shoppers look for ways to make their holiday dollars go further.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about these and other Nintendo products, visit www.Nintendo.com.

Now the real question is after all that news is...where is the US release date for Disaster: Day of Crisis? The game is out in Japan, coming to Europe & Australia this month, but no US date still >_>;

Wii Software Lineup

2008 Games
Wii Music (Nintendo) 10/16
Animal Crossing: City Folk (Nintendo) 11/20
The Melancholy of Haruhi (Kadokawa Shoten) 11/27
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Capcom) 12/11
428 (Sega) 12/4
Samba de Amigo (Sega) 12/11
Let’s Tap (Sega) Dec. 2008
Cooking Mama 2 (Taito) 12/4
Rygar: Muscle Impact (Tecmo) Dec. 2008
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Activision) 10/16
Karaoke Joysound Wii (Hudson) 12/18
Sky Crawlers (Bandai-Namco) 10/16
Happy Dance Collection (Bandai-Namco) 10/23
Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard (Bandai-Namco) 11/13
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (Bandai-Namco) 12/4
Taiko Drum Master Wii (Bandai-Namco) 12/11
Tenchu 4 (From Software) 10/23
Harvest Moon: Exciting Animal March (Marvelous) 10/30
Rune Factory Frontier (Marvelous) 11/27
Shape Boxing (Rocket Co.) 10/30

2009 Games
Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) Spring
Start w/ 100 Conversations! English Conversation (Nintendo) 2009
Punch-Out!! (Nintendo) 2009
Trace Memory: R, Gateway of Memory (Nintendo) 2009
Kensax (Nintendo) 2009
Cosmic Walker (Nintendo) 2009
Spawn Smasher (Nintendo) 2009
Dynamic [illegible] (Nintendo) 2009
Takt of Magic (Nintendo) 2009
Sin & Punishment 2 (Nintendo) 2009
Forever Blue 2: Beautiful Ocean (Nintendo) 2009
Everyone’s the Star on the NHK Red-and-White Quiz Battle (Nintendo) 2009
Line Attack Heroes (Nintendo) 2009
Castlevania: Judgment (Konami) Winter 2008-2009
Dead Rising: Zombies’ Sacrifice (Capcom) Winter 2008-2009
FFCC: Echoes of Time (Square-Enix) 1/29
Sonic and the Black Knight (Sega) Spring
Fragile (Bandai-Namco) Winter 2008-2009
Arcrise Fantasia (Marvelous) Winter 2008-2009
Oboro Muramasa (Marvelous) Spring

Nintendo DS Software Lineup

Wagamama Fashion Girls' Mode (Fashion game from Nintendo)
Aruite Wakaru Seikatsu Rhythm DS (Game with Pedometer)
Hoshi no Kirby: Ultra Deluxe (Kirby Super Star Ultra)
Sekai no Gohan Shaberu! DS O-Ryouri Navi (Version of Cooking Navi that features Cooking Guide Recipes)
Taboo: The Sixth Sense 2K9! (fortune telling, tarot card)
Tomodachi Collection (Mii Interaction game)
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (Mario & Luigi saga continues!)
Made in Wario (WarioWare)
3D Picross

Plus all of the 3rd Party Games

Nintendo DSi

Yes, I know I am late with this, but Nintendo revealed yet another DS redesign, called the "Nintendo DSi", which totally looks like it is copying the iPod revolution.

This new DS features 2 built in cameras, built in web browser, SD card slot & support, built in memory, DS Store (download apps and games that are free, 200, 400, or 800 Nintendo Points), music playback, bigger screens, synch with Photo Channel on the Wii, and a new interface. The system is also thinner, and thus the GBA slot was cut from the system. :(

The DSi will be released in Japan on November 1st, with the rest of the world to receive it sometime next year. It will be launched in two colors, White, and Black.

Nintendo has stated that the system is not a priority for the US at this time, due to the sales of the Nintendo DS Lite still being strong. The system has lacked sales in Japan for a while now, so Nintendo has announced this new DS in order to gain more sales over competitors.

I got Sonic Chronicles

Well, my mom went and picked up Sonic Chronicles for me yesterday from GameStop. I also got the preorder bonus. I'm hoping this game turns out to be really good :)