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Redesigned Wii Not Coming To America

Justin Berube — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:47:56 +0000

Nintendo of America has just issued a statement that they currently have no plans to release the redesigned Wii console in North America. The statement is as follows:

“Nintendo of America does not currently have any plans to release the Wii bundle that was announced by Nintendo of Europe on Aug. 17. Consumers in the United States can currently purchase a Wii console bundled with the Mario Kart Wii game and Wii Wheel accessory for a suggested retail price of $149.99. The Wii Party game is available separately for a suggested retail price of $39.99.”

With that said I still consider it a possibility for North America to get this redesign eventually. I just wouldn’t bet on it happening before 2012.

Want to stay up to date on the latest Nintendo news, information, editorials, and more? Follow me on Twitter @KingNintendoFan or Like Me on Facebook. Be sure to let me know what you think about this redesigned Wii news!

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These Are All The Missing Wii Games of North America and The World

Justin Berube — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:00:47 +0000

The recent developments with the fan movement to get Nintendo of America to localize Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora’s Tower got me thinking. Nintendo of America has been especially selective on what games have been getting localized over the last few years.

Many people out there will be quick to say that Nintendo has been doing this for years and they are right. Mother 1 + 2, as well as Mother 3, were both games that had a large fan movement to beg Nintendo to localize these Japan only titles but as we know that never happened.

Other titles in Nintendo’s past that never got localized and released in North America, that I personally wanted at the time, include Sin & Punishment (N64), Nintendo Puzzle Collection (GCN), Giftpia (GCN), Doshin the Giant (GCN), multiple Starfy Games (AGB/DS), multiple Fire Emblem games (most notably AGB/DS), a few F-Zero titles and expansions, many NES Classics (AGB), Band Bros. (DS), Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland (DS), Chibi-Robo 3 (DS), and much much more. Now that I think about it the list of games that have gone missing from Nintendo is really staggering and I feel that many of these titles would have some sort of audience here.

With that said this article is going to take a look at those Wii titles that just didn’t make it from Japan to North America, and those that didn’t make it to the rest of the world.

Missing in North America

Disaster: Day of Crisis
Regions Released: Japan, Europe, and Australia

The first game on this list has two things in common with Xenoblade Chronicles. First, Monolithsoft, which is a subsidiary of Nintendo, developed both games. Second, both games will have been released in Europe but not North America.

Disaster: Day of Crisis is a third person action adventure game where the player must do whatever it takes to survive. The game features shooting elements, and puzzle elements. Disaster: Day of Crisis also allows players to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuck in fun ways like performing CPR to save lives.

From my understanding even the Japanese version of this game featured English voice acting, which makes the localization process even less taxing. For more information on this game check out part of a feature I used to run known as Lost Nintendo Games where I discussed Disaster Day of Crisis in greater detail.

Another Code: R
Regions Released: Japan, Europe

Another Code: R, a point and click style game, is the sequel to the Nintendo DS title known as Trace Memory. Trace Memory did come out in North America and was an ok game. It wasn’t game of the year but it wasn’t garbage and I know for a fact that it had an audience.

The developer behind Another Code: R is the now defunct studio known as Cing. Another one of Cing’s games was published by Nintendo in Japan and Europe but not North America. What game? Last Window: The Secret of Cape West. Last Window was a sequel to the DS title Hotel Dusk: Room 215, which did get released in North America and had a few fans.

New Play Control! Pikmin 2
Regions Released: Japan, Australia, and Europe

Yes it’s just Pikmin 2 with Wii controls, but this game is fantastic. North America was lucky enough to get New Play Control! Pikmin. Sadly we were unable to get the sequel meaning people here can play the first game with the new controls but not the second. It sounds unfair and I’m sure it wouldn’t take very long to get this game localized at all. No excuses for this one honestly.

Missing Internationally

This section will look at various Wii games that didn’t see a release outside of one or more regions. The games may have been released only in Japan, or just didn’t make it to select regions. It’s also worth noting that Another Code: R, mentioned earlier, never made it to Australia.

Fatal Frame IV
Region Released: Japan

The forth installment of the Fatal Frame series was published by Nintendo in Japan. Unfortunately it never saw its way overseas at all. There have been numerous fans that I have talked to that were upset that this title wasn’t localized.

I’m even aware that fans have translated the game and an imported version of the game can be hacked, or modified in some way, to play the fan translation. I don’t know if doing so requires a hacked or modded Wii but the real question is why do fans need to go to these great lengths at all?

New Play Control! Chibi-Robo
Region Released: Japan

Yet another New Play Control! game that I didn’t get to try. I was really hoping for this title to come out all over the world since Chibi-Robo was a great GameCube game that came late in the consoles life and many people didn’t get a chance to play it.

Nintendo also didn’t release the third Chibi-Robo game, for the DS, outside of Japan.

Zangeki no Reginleiv
Region Released: Japan

Zangeki no Reginleiv is one of the few Wii titles that actually took advantage of the Wii Motion Plus, so it never coming overseas is clearly upsetting. This title is rated CERO: D in Japan, which is equivalent of an M rating in North America.

I feel like part of the reason many of these games don’t come out in North America is because they may be somewhat violent and Nintendo of America is worried about their image. In this era of Nintendo seeing a game like Conker’s Bad Fur Day would be impossible.

(MORE ON PAGE 2)

Nintendo Of America Finally Comments On Missing Wii Games

Justin Berube — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:31:01 +0000

Earlier this week RipTen reported on the fan movement to get Nintendo of America to localize Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora’s Tower and how Nintendo would be commenting on this fan movement known as Operation Rainfall. Well, Nintendo of America has finally responded with this official statement:

Thank you for your enthusiasm. We promised an update, so here it is. We never say “never,” but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time. Thanks so much for your passion, and for being such great fans!

So there you have it. Nintendo of America still isn’t planning to release these solid Wii titles in North America.

If you are like the many that want to do something about it, check out the official Operation Rainfall site to join the movement!

Nintendo of America To Comment On Missing Wii Games Later Today! (Update: By Wednesday?)

Justin Berube — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:02:16 +0000

Nintendo Wii fans in North America have teamed up due to Nintendo of America’s lack of localization announcements on several key Wii titles. One title, known as Xenoblade Chronicles, has already been announced to be released in Europe but currently it doesn’t look like it will be released in North America for whatever reason.

These Nintendo fans have started a campaign known as Operation Rainfall. The goal of this “operation” is to get Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora’s Tower released in North America. The group has already pushed Xenoblade Chronicles, also known as Monado: Beginning of the World, to a #1 pre-order on Amazon.

Nintendo of America has taken notice of the fan movement by saying more news is coming soon. Well that news is coming today if we are to believe Richard George of IGN who recently Tweeted:

Nintendo will have a comment on @OpRainfall “Missing Wii games” movement later today. Stay tuned to @IGN and well have it for you. #myign

Nintendo fans have tried similar things in the past to get games localized, most notably for Mother 3, but these attempts have failed. Hopefully Nintendo of America has some good news to deliver today.

For more on Operation Rainfall be sure to visit their official site here: http://oprainfall.blogspot.com/

Additionally if anyone from Operation Rainfall is reading this I think you guys should really push to get Disaster Day of Crisis localized as well.

UPDATE:

It’s getting late in the day and Nintendo has still not made an announcement. Richard George of IGN had the following to say on Twitter:

Might have been a bit optimistic in hearing statement from Nintendo today. Should still happen but… it’s getting late. Patience! #myign

@Chadboban If I don’t get it in the next hour or so, I’m thinking it doesn’t arrive until tomorrow or even Wednesday.

This announcement can’t come soon enough. I’m sure everyone is hoping for the best.

escapeVektor: Chapter 1 Impressions (WiiWare)

Justin Berube — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:48:50 +0000

A few days ago I was fortunate enough to meet up with the fine folks at Nnooo to take a look at their upcoming game escape:Vektor: Chapter 1 for WiiWare. escape:Vektor has an awesome, simplistic, retro look which really drew me in as soon as I saw it.

In escape:Vektor the player takes control of Vektor and attempt to escape the Wii’s CPU. So basically you’re playing inside the Wii! That’s the story anyway.

The objective is to have the player navigate Vektor across the all the white lines that makes up the level. As Vektor crosses the lines they will turn purple indicating that the player has already been there. This concept may sounds easy, and it is at first, but the challenge slowly builds up throughout the course of the game.

Things that add to the challenge are the eventual introduction of various in game enemies and obstacles. At times players have to interact with the stage by running through gates that may start or stop a fire barrier. If Vektor gets hit by any enemy or obstacle once the level must be played over from the start.

The player is, however, given two ways to fight back. Vektor can use a limited boost, which can be restored by playing the game, to move faster than most enemies and to help him navigate in a speedier way. Vektor also can earn the use of bombs that can be used to kill enemies.

escapeVektor also offers multiple level exits in some stages and encourages players to get a higher score. If players get a higher score on a stage they will earn medals that can earn extra stages. A higher score can be obtained by not traveling over areas in which Vektor has already passed.

While this game is extremely simple I kept coming back to the demo because it was so much fun. escapeVektor: Chapter 1 is the first in a four part series and I can’t wait to try them all. For the low price of 500 Nintendo Points this is a title that will be well worth its value especially for those that simply need to unlock everything the game has to offer!

Nintendo Download 5/30/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:13:13 +0000

The Nintendo Download has once again revealed the latest digital software coming to Nintendo platforms. Today WiiWare will see the release of FAST – Racing League and a Demo Version of BIT.TRIP VOID. Wii owners can also look forward to the SNES game Super Adventure Island coming to the Virtual Console. The DSiWare service will also get three new titles, House M.D. – Globetrotting, B Team- Episode 1: Dust & Steel, and Valet Parking 1989.

For more information on these digital titles be sure to check out the official Press Release below.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: FAST CARS AND A FEISTY DOCTOR DELIVER FRESH DOWNLOADABLE FUN

This week’s new downloadable games for Nintendo systems include two different ways to get behind the wheel – one futuristic, the other retro. In FAST – Racing League for the WiiWare™ service, players can fast-forward 100 years into the future to experience antigravity racing thrills. In Valet Parking 1989™ for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, they can jump back a couple of decades to strategically handle a host of vintage ’80s automobiles. For those who prefer hospitals instead of hot rods, House M.D. – Globetrotting gives Nintendo DSi™ owners a way to immerse themselves in a rich medical drama. And for timeless console fun, the Super NES™ classic Super Adventure Island is now playable on the Wii™ system via the Virtual Console™ service. Whatever your gaming appetite demands, these great new downloads can help you kick off your summer with a smile.

WiiWare™

FAST – Racing League
Publisher: Shin’en Multimedia
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: In the year 2112, the masses are fascinated by extreme high-speed races. The latest antigravity racing technology introduced phase-shifting. Perfectly phase-matching tracks and racing machines is the key to survival. Prepare yourself for a whole new racing experience at breakneck speeds. Push your skills to the limit to win races and beat records. Challenge your friends to an all-out split-screen competition. Compete against ruthless opponents and race to the top of all leagues. Warm up your engines – the future is now.

BIT.TRIP VOID (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 600 Wii Points
Description: BIT.TRIP VOID is the third installment in the retro-arcade BIT.TRIP saga. BIT.TRIP VOID is a synesthetic exploration of rhythm and music as they pertain to our everyday lives and moods. In a control scheme that’s new to the series yet wholly familiar to gamers, players are given complete freedom to move about the screen wherever they desire and interact with the music in new ways. The classic game-play aesthetic remains – color and the absence of color are explored to the fullest. Trip out in four-player co-op and get lost in the beat with a friend. See if you can survive the onslaught of Beats and further your own BIT.TRIP.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Virtual Console™

Super Adventure Island
Original platform: SNES
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Adventure Island is a mysterious and beautiful land that has many hidden dangers. The hero of the island, Master Higgins, protects its inhabitants from many deadly creatures. He has restored peace to the uncharted island on many occasions. But something terrible has happened. While Master Higgins and Jeanie Jungle were stargazing, a dangerous entity known only as Dark Cloak turned Jeanie to stone. Master Higgins must venture toward Dark Cloak’s castle at the foot of Ice Mountain to rescue her.

Nintendo DSiWare™

House M.D. – Globetrotting
Publisher: Legacy Interactive
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Drug Reference, Sexual Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Whenever a patient is dying and no one can find any answers, the elite Diagnostic Medicine department at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital must follow all leads to uncover the truth. Patients and family members lie to protect their own peculiar secrets, and the most unlikely clues sometimes can lead to answers. Dr. Gregory House and his team race to unravel a new medical mystery. An aging TV host seems to care less about his own health than his fame and reputation. Track down the correct diagnosis by interviewing and examining the patient, running lab tests and even performing surgery. Every piece of evidence reveals part of the solution, so careful observation and analysis are key. The clock is ticking – be prepared for multiple twists and turns as you solve the case.

B Team – Episode 1: Dust & Steel
Publisher: Subdued Software
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Use of Tobacco, Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: B Team – Episode 1: Dust & Steel is a humorous, action-packed squad-based shooter in which players control a small private army whose soldiers were hired from all over the world. Lead your platoon through an onslaught of commandos, voodoo warriors, dangerous guerillas… and that’s just the beginning. When the action gets too intense to manage on your own, hook up with a friend in multiplayer mode to battle your way through the bullets. While intense action is the game’s chief focus, its multiple weapons, upgradeable equipment and destructible environment further enrich the experience.

Valet Parking 1989
Publisher: Zordix AB
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Valet Parking 1989 combines fun driving with the humor and style of the late 1980s. Park and deliver cars as fast as possible in this time-management puzzle game. The setting is California, where glamorous celebrities let you park their radical sports cars and luxurious limousines. Play the movie-like story mode to unlock levels for endless play. Earn money to buy a cool car and drive it to the beach in style. Don’t let the VIP guests wait any longer. Put on your vest and push the pedal to the metal.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

The King Nintendo Fanboy’s E3 2011 Wii Predictions

Justin Berube — Mon, 30 May 2011 13:00:37 +0000

Trying to predict Nintendo’s E3 plans is usually impossible. Everyone knows Nintendo is very secretive and keeps their lips unusually tight regarding unannounced titles. With that said it’s still possible to make some educated guesses on what Nintendo is planning to showcase at the show.

Project Cafe Predictions

Nintendo 3DS Predictions

Nintendo DS Predictions

Nintendo Wii

This will likely be the Wii’s last significant year at E3 as the device is reaching the end of its product life cycle. There is, however, the potential for the Wii to have an excellent first party showing at E3 2011.

The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
Probability: 100%

There is no doubt that Nintendo will be showing off the Wii’s most anticipated title at E3 this year. Nintendo offered a hands on demo last year and I expect an even better demo to be shown this year. This Zelda title will be the most interactive entry in the series to date and I expect a lot of Wii Motion Plus activities to be shown off.

Wii Play: Motion
Probability: 100%

Nintendo announced this mini game collection only a few weeks ago and it’s scheduled to be released in North America on June 13^th, 2011. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will have this title, which takes advantage of the Wii Motion Plus, on the show floor.

Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident
Probability: 100%

Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident was announced at the same time as Wii Play: Motion. Nintendo was also able to give this title a release date of June 27, 2011. With the game coming out so soon I would bet a lot of money on it being shown off in some way at E3 2011.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Probability: 100%

Nintendo is publishing this game in Japan, which is why it’s on the list. This is yet another given to be shown off at E3 2011. Kids love the Mario & Sonic series and Nintendo and Sega would be foolish not to show it off to the press and investors at the big show.

Kirby Wii
Probability: 90%

Kirby Wii was announced earlier this year for Japan but still very little is known about the title. Unlike Kirby’s Epic Yarn, which released on the Wii last year, this Kirby title is more traditional. I feel that Nintendo will announce that this game is coming out in regions outside of Japan at be playable at E3 2011.

Xenoblade Chronicles
Probability: 75%

Xenoblade Chronicles is an RPG for the Wii developed by Monolith Soft. This game was first shown off at E3 2009 and came out in Japan last year but was just called Xenoblade.

Xenoblade Chronicles has been announced for a release in Europe, but North America is waiting. I’m worried that this title may end up being one of those Wii games that is released in every region in the world but North America, but only time will tell.

Nintendo of America has pulled this off their release North American forecast in their financial reports which worries me. If this title isn’t shown off at E3 2011 I think North American can say goodbye, but I’m still somewhat hopeful.

The Last Story
Probability: 60%

The Action RPG developed by Mistwalker and AQ Interactive known as The Last Story could also be seen at E3 2011. The director of this title, Hironobu Sakaguchi, is famous for creating the Final Fantasy series. The Last Story released in Japan earlier this year.

Nintendo hasn’t said much about this title making its way overseas. Nintendo has, however, registered TheLastStory.com and it currently redirects visitors to Nintendo.com. This little fact is what made me boost the probability of it at E3 from 50% to 60%.

Many RPG fans around the world want to play this title and I hope Nintendo doesn’t let them down.

Rhythm Heaven
Probability: 50%

Rhythm Heaven is a crazy rhythm game that is a ton of fun! I feel that the DS version is amongst the best titles the system has to offer and I would love to see Rhythm Heaven make it overseas for the Wii.

With that said, Rhythm Heaven wasn’t the biggest seller on the DS, but it didn’t do too badly either. There is still a chance that this title will make it out on the Wii and I really hope it does.

Pandora’s Tower
Probability: 40%

Pandora’s Tower is another Action RPG. For whatever reason, I just don’t feel like this one is going to make it outside of Japan. It would be nice to see it, and it’s certainly possible, my guy just tells me no. That is why I’m only giving Pandora’s Tower a 40% probability of showing up at E3.

Pokémon Wii
Probability: 50%

This game hasn’t even been officially announced, just officially mentioned. Nintendo stated that they were working on new Pokémon titles for both Wii and 3DS months ago, so it’s very possible that we will see the new title at E3 2011.

Dragon Quest Collection
Probability: 75%

This collection, meant to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Dragon Quest, is supposed to have the NES and SNES versions of Dragon Quest, Dragaon Quest 2, and Dragon Quest 3 on one disc. Nintendo has been publishing many of the Dragon Quest games in North America so it wouldn’t surprise me if Nintendo announced plans to publish it at the show.

Dragon Quest X
Probability: 35%

Dragon Quest X was announced to be coming to the Wii in 2008. Not much news has been heard about the project since, but I think having it release during Dragon Quest’s 25^th anniversary would be nice.

It is also likely that Nintendo could be publishing this title outside of Japan which is why it made this list. The odds of seeing this title at E3 are low, but I thought it deserved a mention.

Nintendo is also likely to have a few Wii surprises up their sleeves for E3 this year. The Big N has previously stated that they will be celebrating Zelda’s 25^th Anniversary this year in some way, so some sort of compilation is possible amongst other things.

Pikmin 3 is also a distinct possibility but I think that Nintendo may push this semi announced Wii title over to Nintendo’s next home console, currently known as Project Café.

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Capcom Cutting Back On Nintendo Support

Justin Berube — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:49:56 +0000

It would appear as though Capcom is going to be cutting back on Nintendo support throughout the year. This information comes directly from Capcom whom revealed their sales expectations today for the 2012 Fiscal year. The number of Capcom releases for Nintendo platforms over the last few years can be seen below.

	2009	2010	2011	2012
Wii	14	8	5	2
DS/3DS	37	12	11	9

As the above chart illustrates, Capcom will indeed be cutting back on Nintendo offerings for the 2012 fiscal year. While this may look bad to many hardcore Nintendo fans such as myself, it can probably be explained in a business sense. For starters, Capcom could have shifted some of their resources over to Nintendo’s next home console, currently titled Project Cafe. Additionally both the Wii and DS are reaching the end of their product life cycles and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that support for the hardware is being cut.

As far as the 3DS goes, it’s a new hardware platform that is still gaining momentum. There is no reason for Capcom to flood the small current userbase with 37 titles like it did for the classic DS in 2009.

While technically Capcom is cutting back on Nintendo support I feel that, for the most part, it’s just business as usual and Nintendo fans shouldn’t worry about Capcom forgetting about the Big N anytime soon.

Nintendo Download 5/23/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:18:11 +0000

Nintendo has once again announced the latest downloadable titles that will be hitting their digital service today! The Nintendo DSiWare service will see the release of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, 99Bullets, and 3D Twist & Match. The Wii’s WiiWare service will get Overflow. For more information on these titles be sure to check out the official press release below!

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: SPRING CLEANING TAKES NEW FORMS ON NINTENDO GAME SYSTEMS

May 23, 2011

Spring cleaning is a lot more enjoyable with the latest downloadable game offerings from Nintendo. Instead of sprucing up your home, you’re invited to dispose of supernatural enemies and unusual messes, and the only cleanup tools you’ll need are your Wii™ or Nintendo DSi™ systems. In Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, you’ll need to wipe away an undead menace that threatens to destroy their kingdom. In Overflow, now available for the WiiWare™ service, your task is to clean up a colorful but dangerous fuel spill. Some of the action in these games may get messy, but you’ve got everything it takes to restore order.

Nintendo DSiWare

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Publisher: 1st Playable Productions
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords delivers classic puzzle action combined with an epic story of good versus evil. Enter the world of Etheria, a land that is quickly becoming swamped with evil. Help protect the kingdom of Bartonia from the undead invasion and seek out the source of these vile creatures to ensure the safety of your countrymen. Challenge your skills in single-player campaign mode or battle your friends via wireless multiplayer (broadband Internet access required). Match gems and unleash devastating spells to defeat your opponents. Complete more than 150 quests in the expansive and immersive story mode.

99Bullets
Publisher: EnjoyUp Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: 99Bullets is a fun space shooter with a retro look. The galaxy IRATA 2601 is threatened by Black Eye and his minions, but V-99 is ready to stop him with his 99 bullets. Control V-99 by avoiding, shooting and taking care of the 99 bullets available on each level. The game features more than 10 levels, incredible final bosses and an Arcade Mode.

3D Twist & Match
Publisher: Sanuk Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: How quickly can you rotate 3D objects to match their silhouettes? Challenge your spatial visualization skills and make optimal moves to build combos. With its intuitive controls, 3D Twist & Match is easy to pick up, yet its intense, frantic game play will have you coming back again and again. The game features 10 themes: Beach, Halloween, Christmas, Jungle, Food, Vehicles, Tools, Music, Sports and Electronics. Game modes include Classic, Rush and Practice. There are three levels of difficulty, 200 objects to match and oodles of trophies to unlock.

WiiWare

Overflow
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points™
Description: Professor Lexis just finished his greatest and most energy-efficient machine yet. However, the moment he flipped the switch for the first official test, the machine exploded and sprayed all of the professor’s new multicolored fuel everywhere. He now needs your help to collect the precious fuel and repair the damage before the worldwide energy symposium begins. Twist your Wii Remote™ controller to place wooden planks, funnels and particle transportation portals to guide the fluids back to the correct collection channels and repair the damage in 30 warped levels. The professor will even have you tackling the dangerous task of mixing fluids to create new fuel colors. Just be sure to contain the spill before you cause an overflow.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Nintendo Download 5/16/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:28:29 +0000

Nintendo of America has just announced the latest titles that will be available on their digital services today. The Wii’s Virtual Console service will see the release of CHRONO TRIGGER, formerly for the SNES. Wii fans can also look forward to getting Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove: Monster Mix and a demo version of Lead the Meerkats for the WiiWare service. DSiWare will also see the release of Big Bass Arcade, Word Searcher 3, and Hellokids – Vol. 1: Coloring and Painting.

For more information on these titles be sure to check out the official Press Release below.

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: GET TANGLED IN TIME OR ANGLE FOR A BIG CATCH WITH THE LATEST GAME DOWNLOADS

May 16, 2011

Ready to switch up your routine – or even your century? With the arrival of the Super NES™ favorite CHRONO TRIGGER® on the Virtual Console™ service, Wii™ owners can liven up their living rooms with a classic time-twisting adventure. For the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, Big Bass Arcade invites players to cast away boredom by casting a line in search of mighty fish, while Word Searcher 3 offers fresh puzzle-solving challenges that can be enjoyed anywhere. Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove: Monster Mix for the WiiWare™ service sets monster-themed fun to an irresistible beat. Delightful deviation from the norm is just a download away.

Virtual Console

CHRONO TRIGGER
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: Square Enix
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points™
Description: A young man is transported into the past, altering the course of history and the outcome of the future. He has to find his way home, but first he must travel to the outer edges of time to repair the world’s chronology. On the way, he encounters strange friends and foes, uses incredible devices and vehicles, and penetrates and neutralizes the fortresses of the past, present and future. A paradox has been created. If he does not restore the order of time, nothing will ever be the same. He is the one who will become a hero. He is Crono.

Nintendo DSiWare

Big Bass Arcade
Publisher: Big John Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Big Bass Arcade is all about the action where the bass are biting and fighting. Catch a boatload of fish and take a shot at the world-record bass. The game is packed with features: seven different lakes, nine lures, three multiple-lake tournaments, 42 events, high scores for each event and the elusive world-record bass. Big John Games brings 17 years of fishing game experience to Big Bass Arcade to create incredible fish behaviors, spectacular animations and second-to-none fish AI. Putting the fun back into hand-held fishing is the name of the game. Players choose from two control options – stylus or +Control Pad – for casting, reeling and controlling the fish-fighting action. Big Bass Arcade appeals to fishing enthusiasts and gamers alike by capturing the adrenaline rush of fish-fighting in an arcade-style game.

Word Searcher 3
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: You’ll need a keen eye and a quick mind to complete 100 themed word-search puzzles. Word Searcher 3 contains fun words from multiple categories including astronomy, currency and rivers. Packed with a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there’s sure to be a puzzle anyone can enjoy. Keep your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills sharp with these challenging puzzles. Keep track of – and try to beat – your own play-through times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play.

Hellokids – Vol. 1: Coloring and Painting
Publisher: BiP Media
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Imagine a coloring book on your Nintendo DSi™ system, add the ability to create your own drawings and to draw over photos, and you’ve got Hellokids. Color and draw using the Nintendo DSi stylus. Enjoy more than 150 drawings you can color with three difficulty levels, including a “color containment” assistant. A Freehand Drawing mode includes simple, practical tools, such as an automatic fill function, a color palette and decorations. You can also draw on a photo you’ve taken or uploaded from your Nintendo DSi album. Hellokids is a great pocket companion for all budding artists.

WiiWare

Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove: Monster Mix
Publisher: Natsume Inc.
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Join Gabrielle and her monster friends as they dance along to a spooktacular selection of songs. Grab your Wii Remote™ controller and dance along as you shimmy, shake and spin in time to the music. There’s trouble in Monster Town: Vlad the Vampire’s loyal zombies have disappeared. Gabrielle and her monster friends will have to bust some serious moves on the dance floor in order to lure them back. Along the way, maybe they can uncover the identity of the mysterious creature that’s terrorizing Monster Town’s zombies. Up to four players can show off their best moves in the game’s multiplayer mode. (Additional accessories are required for multiplayer mode and are sold separately.) Short and full versions of songs let you dance as much as you want. Unlock tons of outrageous outfits and items.

Lead the Meerkats™ (demo version)
Publisher: Lapland Studio
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Animated Blood, Mild Violence
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 1,000 Wii Points
Description: In Lead the Meerkats, you are a young meerkat who has a lot to accomplish. You’ve been separated from your pack, and the time has come for you to form your own meerkat pack. Are you ready for the challenge? Name your pack and its meerkats. Dig burrow networks and enlarge your territory. Forage for food and grow your pack size. Stay on guard and be ready to make quick decisions. Run to the safety of the burrows or fight your enemies. Go head-to-head with a rival meerkat pack. Lead your pack to victory and rule the savanna. Lead the Meerkats is the first game to simulate the exciting life of meerkats. Lead your pack and enjoy the company of these lively and endearing animals. Lead the Meerkats offers fun game play for animal lovers of all ages.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Chrono Trigger Coming To North American Wii Virtual Console May 16th

Justin Berube — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:53:01 +0000

Square Enix, Inc. has just announced that Chrono Trigger, the SNES classic, will be arriving on the Wii’s Virtual Console May 16th, 2011. For more details be sure to check out the official press release below!

CHRONO TRIGGER TELEPORTS ONTO NINTENDO’S VIRTUAL CONSOLE

The Past, Present and Future are in Your Hands…

LOS ANGELES (May 12, 2011) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, announced today that CHRONO TRIGGER® is headed to Nintendo’s Virtual Console™ service for the Wii™ console on May 16, 2011.

Originally released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System™, CHRONO TRIGGER was created by a talented development team – Yuji Horii (script creator), creator of the DRAGON QUEST® series, Akira Toriyama (character design), creator of Dragon Ball®, and the creators of FINAL FANTASY – all of whom were key contributors to the game’s success.

CHRONO TRIGGER has been hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by critics and fans alike. With a unique and multifaceted storyline, the game revolutionized the world of RPGs with never-before-seen features, including an unprecedented soundtrack and multiple endings determined by side quests and the player’s actions.

In CHRONO TRIGGER, the notion of time is turned upside down as players race against it like never before, while all the decisions made along the way will affect the past, present and future.

STORY

When a newly developed teleportation device malfunctions at the Millennial Fair, young Crono must travel through time to rescue his unfortunate companion from an intricate web of past and present perils. The swashbuckling adventure that ensues soon unveils an evil force set to destroy the world, starting Crono’s race against time to change the course of history and bring about a brighter future.

FEATURES

A masterpiece with an engaging and unparalleled storyline, leading to the discovery of multiple epic conclusions to a journey that transcends time

An inspiring musical score created by Yasunori Mitsuda

An intriguing battle system made possible by the unique combination of the Active Time Battle (ATB) system and Tech skills

Famed character designer Akira Toriyama lends his signature art style to create the vibrant world that has captivated gamers around the world

CHRONO TRIGGER is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. For more information, please visit the official website: http://dlgames.square-enix.com/na/vc.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 57 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na.

Nintendo Download 5/9/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:29:06 +0000

The latest games for Nintendo of America’s digital services have been announced. DSiWare fans can look forward to Mighty Milky Way, GO Series Tower of Deus, and Wack-A-Friend. WiiWare is also seeing a new title this week, MDK2. For more information on these titles be sure to check out the official Press Release below!

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: AT HOME OR ON THE GO, SPACE IS THE PLACE FOR DOWNLOADABLE ADVENTURE

May 9, 2011

Whether you’re roaming the city or camped out in the comfort of your living room, this week’s new downloadable games invite you to virtually venture toward outer space for some wild intergalactic action. Mighty Milky Way for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service sends players on a planet-hopping mission filled with intrigue and adventure. Meanwhile, on the WiiWare™ service, MDK™2 features a trio of unlikely heroes who must join forces to protect Earth from a sinister alien threat. For fresh hand-held fun without the interstellar obstacles, a new retro-styled platformer and an irreverent picture-based game also make their Nintendo DSiWare debut this week.

Nintendo DSiWare

Mighty Milky Way
Publisher: WayForward
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Are you ready to pulse some planets and soar through space? With a pocket full of planet candy and a heart full of ennui, green-skinned cutie-pie Luna needs your help to accomplish her secret mission. Prepare for fever-pitched puzzles in another mighty game from WayForward. Luna uses her magical staff to create and destroy planets on a whim. Explode vicious space monsters, avoid sizzling electric barriers and grab all the delicious planet candy you can. But watch out for the T-Rex, Luna’s arch-nemesis. His laser eyes are matched only by the awkwardness of his sketchy past.

GO Series Tower of Deus
Publisher: Gamebridge
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Overcome a deadly curse as you race to the top of the tower in this dark, atmospheric 2D platformer. The only way to release the curse is to reach the top before the clock runs out. Tower of Deus is modeled after an old-fashioned 2D platform game from the 1980s. Take control of a cursed man and race upwards. Go higher and higher inside a tower in a desperate race to break the curse. You’ll need to overcome hordes of ghastly creatures and demons that lay in wait. Run, jump and fly your way to the top as time ticks away. There are 40 eerie levels with 10 types of gothic-style graphics – not for the faint-hearted.

Whack-A-Friend
Publisher: Agetec, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Crude Humor
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Players are able to use their Nintendo DSi™ systems to capture a picture of a friend or anything else they desire. The picture will be then used in targets that pop up from various holes. Players must use the stylus to tap them back into their holes. The faster this can be done – without making mistakes – the more combos are achieved. As players continue to earn combos, the picture on the top screen will begin to display graphical changes such as bruises, bugs, black eyes, bandages and scars. The simple game design and easy, intuitive controls make it a game that the whole family can enjoy.

WiiWare

MDK2
Publisher: Interplay
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Kurt Hectic must save the universe. He has teamed with the ingenious Dr. Hawkins and a six-legged, gun-toting robotic dog named Max. Together they must out-sneak, out-blast and out-think their enemies as they attempt to reclaim Earth from a vile alien menace. Play as all three characters, each with its own distinct style of game play. Save the world with unique gadgets and weaponry such as the Black Hole Grenade and the Sniper Shield. Ten massive environments will immerse you in an eccentric and wacky world. A captivating and humorous storyline unfolds through each level, all the way to the grand finale. Sniper mode allows you to shoot an enemy in the eye from more than a mile away. Solve puzzles to create deadly weaponry with the brilliant mind of Dr. Hawkins. Sneak, snipe and shoot with Kurt’s suit, which is equipped with a cloaking device.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Wii Price Drop And Nintendo Selects Announced

Justin Berube — Wed, 04 May 2011 13:25:11 +0000

Nintendo of America has just confirmed that starting May 15th, 2011 the Wii will now be $149.99. Additionally the Wii’s bundled at this price will no longer come with Wii Sports, but instead will include Mario Kart Wii and come with a Wii Wheel that will match the hardware (white or black).

Nintendo of America has also announced a new budget line of Wii software, known as Nintendo Selects, which will be available starting May 15th, 2011. These games will be sold for $19.99 and include Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and being sold by itself for the first time at retail Wii Sports.

Nintendo has also revealed that the Black Wii Wheel accessory will be sold separately for $9.99.

For more information on this price drop be sure to check out the official press release below!

NINTENDO UNVEILS NEW WII PACKAGE AT $149.99, LAUNCHES ‘NINTENDO SELECTS’ $19.99 WII GAMES

Having Fun with Family and Friends Just Became More Affordable than Ever With New Suggested Retail Pricing

REDMOND, Wash., May 4, 2011 – Nintendo is dropping the suggested retail price of its Wii™ system to $149.99 and including a Mario™ game with the Wii hardware. Starting May 15, the newly priced Wii system will come in either black or white with the Mario Kart™ Wii game and a matching colored Wii Wheel™ accessory, replacing the previously included Wii Sports™ and Wii Sports Resort™ games.

Also on May 15, Nintendo launches the new Nintendo® Selects collection of Wii games, a set of popular games that millions of people have already experienced, at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The four must-own games in this collection are The Legend of Zelda™: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing™: City Folk, Mario™ Super Sluggers and Wii Sports, which is available for the first time as a separate software purchase. Parents and video game fans can now easily expand their library of fun, family-friendly Wii games.

“From the day it launched, Wii has let players of all ages and experience levels have fun with one another,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The new suggested retail pricing for both the hardware and select games will help create more of these magical moments for even greater numbers of people.”

With Mario Kart Wii now included with the Wii hardware, players will be able to enjoy fun go-kart racing with Mario and all his Mushroom Kingdom pals right out of the box. The Wii Remote™ Plus controller, Nunchuk™ controller and Wii Wheel included in the package will all match the hardware, meaning they will be either black or white. The new black Wii Wheel will also be available separately at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.5 billion video games and more than 577 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Nintendo Download 5/2/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:32:39 +0000

Nintendo of America has just announced the latest digital games coming to their download services. Today WiiWare fans will be able to download BINGO PARTY Deluxe, and a demo version of BIT.TRIP RUNNER. Wii fans will also be able to get RIVAL TURF! for the Virtual Console. And finally DSiWare will see the release of Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 – From The Abyss -, Ikibago, and Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist. For more information on all of these titles be sure to check out the official Press Release below!

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: ACTION IS IN FULL BLOOM WITH NEW GAME DOWNLOADS FOR NINTENDO SYSTEMS

May 2, 2011

Spring flowers aren’t the only new arrivals you’ll want to savor as May gets underway. The latest downloadable games for the Wii™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems include action-packed fare that’s sure to keep your adrenaline pumping. For the WiiWare™ service, a new demo version of BIT.TRIP RUNNER invites players to discover the fast-paced, retro-flavored platforming fun of the BIT.TRIP series for zero Wii Points™. On the Virtual Console™ service, RIVAL TURF! delivers classic street-fighting kicks from the Super NES™ era. And for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 – From The Abyss - plunges hand-held gamers deep in the heart of a rich dungeon-based adventure.

WiiWare

BINGO PARTY Deluxe
Publisher: Ateam Inc.
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: In BINGO PARTY Deluxe, play with up to four players in 75-Ball BINGO, 90-Ball BINGO or BINGO PARTY game modes. (Additional controllers are required for multiplayer game play and are sold separately.) The more you play, the more BINGO points you collect. Keep collecting BINGO points to unlock fun goodies such as new game modes and BINGO card patterns. All BINGO game modes can also be played with computer players, and the difficulty setting can be easily adjusted to match your skill level. The exclusive BINGO PARTY game mode adds excitement by having players compete to find and stamp BINGO numbers on multiple BINGO cards, eventually completing patterns to earn big points. Players can also enjoy the classic 75-Ball BINGO and 90-Ball BINGO game modes. There’s plenty of fun for everyone.

BIT.TRIP RUNNER (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 800 Wii Points
Description: Race across the moon, kicking down crystal walls and sliding under chomping moon-slugs. Bound through the Robotic Mines and face off against the MinerMech. Dash through the Big City on a quest to find friends and defeat the final boss. BIT.TRIP RUNNER is the fourth entry in the award-winning and critically acclaimed BIT.TRIP series. Players control CommanderVideo as he runs, jumps, slides and kicks through more than 50 levels. Chiptune supergroup Anamanaguchi makes a guest appearance. Join CommanderVideo on his most epic journey yet.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Virtual Console

RIVAL TURF!
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: Jaleco
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Take back the streets with RIVAL TURF!, the classic two-player action game that originally launched on the Super NES. Clean up the streets in a fast and furious display of tag-team street-fighting action. Get your licks in with a range of attacks, from body slams and leg sweeps to jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Go it alone in single-player mode, fight alongside another player, or go head-to-head and toe-to-toe in the special Versus Mode. This could be the toughest fight of your life, so you’d better start swinging.

Nintendo DSiWare

Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 – From The Abyss -
Publisher: Sonic Powered Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Discover an action-packed RPG set inside an infinitely extending dungeon. Sweep away the monsters wriggling in many places and defeat a strong boss monster lurking in the deepest part of the dungeon. Even after the boss monster is defeated, the dungeon automatically re-creates itself, so players can try new games over and over. Using a skill called Soul Capture, the male character can take magic and other skills away from the monsters, as well as weapons and shields to power up. It’s exhilarating to strengthen your character by combining equipment and skills, and then crush the monsters in a sweep.

Ikibago
Publisher: Neko Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Alcohol Reference
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Play the role of a pirate and set out to discover the lost treasure of Ikibago in this fascinating puzzle-action game. Differently colored barrels move from left to right. Your objective is to align at least three barrels of the same color in one column before they disappear from the screen. Use the stylus to switch the barrels while anticipating different traps. Bonuses are available – be sure to use them carefully to succeed in the game’s 121 missions.

Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist
Publisher: 505 Games US Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Thanks to Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist, your hairdresser will always be with you. Have fun inventing new hairstyles for cartoon characters or for yourself and your friends. Take a picture of yourself and see how you look with a new haircut. When you find the right style, save it to your Nintendo DSi system’s photo album. You can also import pictures from the album and use them to create new styles. Enjoy thousands of combinations of styles and makeup.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Nintendo Download 4/25/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:50:10 +0000

The latest round of new releases for Nintendo’s digital services is here! Coming to the DSi’s DSiWare service this week is Airpot Mania: First Flight, Inchworm Animation, and Ubongo. The Wii’s WiiWare will be seeing the release of World Searcher Deluxe and a demo version of Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 3. For more information on these titles be sure to check out the official Press Release below!

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: AVIATION AND ANIMATION SPREAD DOWNLOADABLE ELATION ACROSS THE NATION

April 25, 2011

Which sounds more fun to you: soaring through the skies or creating brilliant animated shorts? The latest arrivals on the Nintendo DSiWare™ service invite you to try your hand at both. The bustling, high-flying world of airline travel comes to life in Airport Mania®: First Flight, while the new Inchworm Animation puts an arsenal of powerful painting and animation tools within easy reach wherever you go. Check out all of this week’s additions to the WiiWare™ and Nintendo DSiWare services and set a course for instantly downloadable fun.

Nintendo DSiWare

Airport Mania: First Flight
Publisher: Lemon Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Pack your bags for a trip through the skies in Airport Mania. Travel through eight amusing airports while you land a variety of planes, purchase upgrades and avoid delays. Stay on your toes, as some planes carry precious cargo and will need to land in a hurry, while others might need a trip to the repair shop. With good planning, you’re sure to make it to the gate on time. With unique challenges and whimsical characters that will put a smile on your face, this is one flight you don’t want to miss.

Inchworm Animation
Publisher: Flat Black Films
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Inchworm Animation is a full-featured paint and animation system for the Nintendo DSi™ system. Five years in the making, Inchworm Animation lets you create mind-blowing digital paintings and animations in the palm of your hand. Use the Nintendo DSi Camera application to record video, stop-motion animation and time-lapse photography. Paint with transparency and smooth anti-aliased brushes. Create images up to 9,999-by-9,999 pixels. An easy-to-use pattern editor lets you make cool repeating patterns. Other tools include onion skin, six-level zoom, cut/paste/rotate, undo and shape primitives. Inchworm Animation‘s sophisticated layer system allows you to create structured animated scenes. Each layer can have its own independent frame loop. You can even draw on your animation as it plays. Comprehensive tutorials will show you the ropes. Export your finished masterpieces to an SD card (sold separately) as Flash or BMP image sequences.

Ubongo
Publisher: Korner Entertainment
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Language
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Ubongo‘s mechanics are very simple. Just solve as many puzzles as you can and get gems of the same color. The player who has more gems when time runs out will be the winner. Game modes include History Mode, Quick Game, Time Attack and Multiplayer Mode. The original board game is a blockbuster in many countries.

WiiWare

Word Searcher Deluxe
Publisher: Digital Leisure Inc.
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points™
Description: You’ll need a sharp eye and a quick mind to complete 100 themed word search puzzles. Word Searcher Deluxe contains fun words from multiple categories, including palindromes, pirates and painting. With a huge assortment of subjects to choose from, there are puzzles for everyone to enjoy. Test your vocabulary, memory and problem-solving skills with these challenging puzzles. Keep track of – and try to beat – your own play-through times again and again as words are scrambled every time you play.

Learning with the PooYoos: Episode 3 (demo version)
Publisher: Lexis Numérique
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 500 Wii Points
Description: Welcome to the first fun, poetic brain-trainer for children aged 3 to 6. With the PooYoos, a merry band of adorable baby animals, children will have fun while learning the basics for development, including numbers, letters, lateralization, shapes and colors. Children get to dance with their new friends and earn lovely interactive rewards. With two levels of interactivity, children of any age or level can play the activities based on plants and music. This game has been designed for use by children who have not yet grasped reading. The instructions are spoken in French, English or Spanish, depending on the language setting of your Wii™ console.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Pandora’s Tower – New Screens And Art

Justin Berube — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:52:47 +0000

Some new screenshots and artwork for Pandora’s Tower have surfaced. Please keep in mind that at this time Pandora’s Tower hasn’t yet been confirmed to be coming out in regions outside of Japan. Enjoy the screens and art below!

Source

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Coming to Wii / 3DS

Justin Berube — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:52:44 +0000

SEGA and Nintendo have just announced that Mario & Sonic will be coming back in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Games for Wii and 3DS. The game, which is being developed and published by SEGA, will feature new sports never before seen in the series. For more information on this new title be sure to check out the official press release below!

Want to stay up to date on the latest Nintendo news, information, and more? Follow me on Twitter @KingNintendoFan or Like Me on Facebook. Be sure to let me know what you think about Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games!

TOKYO (April 21, 2011) – SEGA® Corporation and Nintendo Co., Ltd. today announced that the record breaking partnership of Mario™ and Sonic™ will once again join forces on the Wii™ home video game system and, for the first time ever, on the Nintendo 3DS™ . Over 19 million people worldwide have bought video games from the Mario and Sonic series, and now the much loved duo are heading to London to participate in the officially licensed Olympic-themed video game, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™.

A host of exciting new headline events, including football and equestrian will debut on the Wii version appearing alongside classic Olympic disciplines, such as athletics, aquatics and table tennis. These new sports are sure to ignite even more fierce competition between friends and family in both single and multiplayer modes! The all new roster of Dream events that are set in popular Mario and Sonic worlds make for a truly unique sporting experience that can only be found in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™.

Arriving on Nintendo’s new handheld system for the first time ever Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ contains over 50 original Olympic themed events playable in both single and multiplayer modes. Bringing a whole new dimension to the Mario & Sonic universe, the glasses-free 3D visuals and the unique control systems mean there are plenty of new and exciting ways to compete for a coveted gold medal!

As with its predecessors, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS is being developed by SEGA Japan and is published by SEGA® across Europe and North America, and by Nintendo in the Japanese market. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Mario and Sonic have had a phenomenally successful partnership and we are extremely proud to be able to recreate this once again with Nintendo and ISM for the London 2012 Olympic Games” commented Naoya Tsurumi, Chairman for SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “It is truly exciting to be in the position to develop interactive entertainment software titles based on the Olympic Games, and for Sonic and Mario to once again be a part of this historic event.”

“The London 2012 Olympic Games will be a sporting showcase that will embrace the world and we are delighted to have Mario and Sonic competing once again, this time in the largest number of Olympic sports ever” says Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

“These games bring together two of the most beloved characters in the history of the video game industry in Mario and Sonic,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “As veterans of both video games and Olympic games, they’ll arrive in London as a formidable team to provide fun, competitive sporting activities that friends and family members can enjoy together.”

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ will be available on the Wii™ home video game system and the Nintendo 3DS™. A launch date will be announced later in the year.

Source

Wii Sports Resort And Wii Party Soon To Be $39.99

Justin Berube — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:39:05 +0000

Nintendo has just announced that both Wii Sports Resort and Wii Party will be getting a price cut starting April 25th, 2011. Both games, which were originally $49.99 USD, will now be sold for $39.99 USD. Be sure to check out the official press release detailing these price drops below.

Want to say up to date on the latest Nintendo news, information, editorials, reviews, previews, and more? Follow me on Twitter @KingNintendoFan or Like Me on Facebook. Be sure to let me know what you think about the new price for Wii Sports Resort and Wii Party.

WII SPORTS RESORT AND WII PARTY TO DELIVER BIG SOCIAL FUN AT AN EVEN BIGGER VALUE

April 18, 2011

From sparking instant social fun with friends to putting an interactive twist on family gatherings, Nintendo’s Wii Sports Resort™ and Wii Party™ games are surefire ways to get groups of all ages on their feet and laughing together. Starting April 25, each of these two must-have games for the motion-controlled Wii™ system are now even more accessible at a new suggested retail price of just $39.99. Both games offer hours of multiplayer enjoyment that friends and family members can share together, regardless of their age or prior experience with video games. Once the games get going, everyone wants to join in.

With a dozen resort-themed activities that maintain the wide-ranging appeal of the original Wii Sports™ game, Wii Sports Resort transports players to the tropical paradise of Wuhu Island. While there, every member of the household can get in on fun activities such as golf, basketball, archery, wakeboarding and Swordplay. As they swing the Wii Remote™ Plus controller (or a Wii Remote controller with a Wii MotionPlus™ attachment) like a golf club or wave it like a sword, players can watch their movements precisely replicated on-screen for an immersive, instantly enjoyable experience. Since launching in 2009, Wii Sports Resort has sold more than 10.7 million units in the United States alone.

Wii Party packs 13 party game modes and more than 80 minigames that will keep friends and family smiling and having a blast. Best of all, the game allows every player to take a turn in the spotlight by placing his or her customized Mii™ characters at the center of the action. Some of the included games put an interactive twist on popular board games like bingo, while others use the speaker and vibration functions of the Wii Remote to move the action beyond the TV screen and into the living room. In Hide ‘n’ Hunt, for example, players must locate Wii Remote controllers that have been hidden around the room, while Animal Tracker challenges them to pick up the Wii Remote making the correct animal sound.

Additional controllers are required for multiplayer modes and are sold separately.

For more information about Wii Sports Resort and Wii Party, visit http://www.wiisportsresort.com and http://www.wiiparty.nintendo.com.

Nintendo Download 4/18/2011

Justin Berube — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:24:10 +0000

Nintendo has just announced the latest set of games coming to their digital services. This week the Wii’s Virtual Console is getting one of my personal favorites, Mega Man X for the SNES. The WiiWare service will be seeing the release of My Little Baby and a demo version of BIT.TRIP.CORE. And finally DSiWare will be getting GO Series Captain Sub, DodoGo! Robo, and Music on: Learning Piano Volume 2.

For more information on these new release be sure to check out the official Press Release below!

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: MEGA MAN X MARKS THE SPOT FOR NINTENDO’S LATEST DOWNLOADABLE GAME LINEUP

April 18, 2011

Originally released in 1994 for the Super NES™ console, Mega Man™ X is widely recognized as a classic of the 16-bit gaming era. Starting this week, Wii™ owners can discover – or rediscover – the game’s timeless platforming fun via the Virtual Console™ service. For a different brand of retro-styled action with a contemporary twist, players can also try out a demo version of BIT.TRIP CORE, now available for download on the WiiWare™ service for zero Wii Points™. Meanwhile, new hand-held game offerings for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service include GO Series Captain Sub, a treasure-seeking underwater adventure that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere on the portable Nintendo DSi™ system.

Virtual Console

Mega Man X
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: The future of Mega Man has arrived. Hundreds of years after his death, Dr. Light’s final creation is discovered. Released from his capsule by Dr. Cain, X is born into a future world where robot rebellions are a thing of the past. But when Dr. Cain tries to implement Dr. Light’s designs into a new series of Reploids, something goes horribly wrong. Now the future lies on the brink of destruction, and X must use all of his newfound powers and abilities to hunt down the maverick Reploids and their leader, Sigma, before the human race is wiped from the planet.

WiiWare

My Little Baby
Publisher: dtp young entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Have you always dreamed of having a cute little baby to lovingly care for? Now is your chance. Your little bundle of joy smiles at you gleefully, and you have to do everything you can to make sure it develops and grows in a healthy manner. Changing, bathing and feeding are as much a part of your duties as shopping, preparing meals, rocking your baby to sleep, playtime, dressing and teaching it to crawl and walk. But above all, what your little angel needs is your love and attention. All this, plus an enormous selection of toys, clothes and other objects, will make your little one the happiest baby in the whole wide world.

BIT.TRIP CORE (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 600 Wii Points
Description: BIT.TRIP CORE continues the BIT.TRIP saga in this retro-arcade-style game. BIT.TRIP CORE is an exciting action/rhythm game that’s best played while zoning out on the tunes and letting the visuals swallow you whole. The experience is inspired by games from the ’80s, but with a modern twist. The game play is entirely new to the series, leaving the single-axis controls of BIT.TRIP BEAT behind in favor of the ability to control two axes. If the difficulty gets you down, grab a friend and play cooperatively in two-player multiplayer mode. (Additional controllers are required for multiplayer features and are sold separately.)

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Nintendo DSiWare

GO Series Captain Sub
Publisher: Gamebridge
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Search the depths of the sea for lost treasure in this charming underwater adventure. Take control of a yellow submarine equipped with a mechanical arm that can grab treasure off the sea floor. Explore an underwater labyrinth of caverns and caves littered with treasures but surrounded by deadly sea creatures. Fire missiles forward to attack creatures in front and launch missiles upward to fend off dangers from above. Keep an eye out for keys that can unlock doors to deeper caverns as you gradually make your way to the hidden chamber where the giant underwater boss awaits.

DodoGo! Robo
Publisher: Neko Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Entertaining and accessible to everyone, DodoGo! Robo is a puzzle game in which you have to use your head to avoid getting broken. There’s no need to have any knowledge of previous games to explore this new installment in the DodoGo! series. Become the well-known Robo-Egg and collect the maximum number of icons scattered around new puzzle levels. Use the stylus to help your Robo progress, then click on the Play button to see the result. You can even change your route until your Robo picks up all the icons for the level you are playing.

Music on: Learning Piano Volume 2
Publisher: Abylight
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: The entire orchestra follows your performance of 15 great classics. By playing each day, your ability may increase. Earn the bronze, silver and gold medals for each song, completing all different levels. A simplified music score is shown on the upper screen and a full piano keyboard appears on the touch screen, guiding beginners note by note. Songs include classic compositions by Bach, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Nintendo Announces And Dates Two New Wii Titles

Justin Berube — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:49:57 +0000

Nintendo of America has just announced two new, and never before seen, titles for the Nintendo Wii. The first title, Wii Play Motion, is a sequel to the highly successful Wii title, Wii Play. Wii Play Motion will require players to use the Wii Motion Plus or Wii Remote Plus devices, but those without one won’t have to worry since the game will come packaged with a Black Wii Remote Plus when it hits store shelves on June 13th, 2011.

Nintendo has also announced Mystery Case Files: Dust to Dust for the Nintendo Wii which will be available on June 27th, 2011. Nintendo has published a Mystery Case Files game before on the Nintendo DS, Myster Case Files: MillionHeir.

To read the official press release blurbs for both titles look below!

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With the June 13 launch of Wii Play: Motion, Wii owners will be twisting, turning and enjoying themselves like never before, whether they’re newcomers to the console or have already discovered the fun of the popular Wii Play game. From catching a gust of wind by tilting an umbrella to fending off garden pests by swinging a mallet, each of the 12 included games will have players smiling wide as they use their Wii Remote Plus controller (or Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus™ accessory) in a variety of interesting, sometimes unexpected ways. Wii Play: Motion comes packaged with a Wii Remote Plus controller – which combines the original Wii Remote controller with the precision of Wii MotionPlus – to deliver great value, precise motion control and immersive social fun that anyone in the household can pick up and instantly enjoy.

Mystery Case Files: Dust to Dust brings the intrigue and sleuthing of Big Fish Games’ Mystery Case Files series to the Wii system for the first time. The game transports players to the enigmatic Malgrave Island, where they must hunt for hidden objects and solve puzzles to collect a magically powerful dust scattered across the island. Anyone can delve quickly and easily into the game’s rich seek-and-solve action, using the Wii Remote controller to examine multi-layered hidden-object scenes, locate cleverly concealed items and obtain inventory items that will help to overcome brain-teasing obstacles. Multiplayer features allow players to team up and crack the case together or face off in a competitive hunt for hidden objects. (Additional controllers are required for multiplayer features and are sold separately.) No matter who’s playing, it’ll take sharp eyes and a keen mind to get to the bottom of Mystery Case Files: Dust to Dust.

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