News

Nintendo fleshes out its release schedule a bit

Posted by: Sean Colleli at 6/29/2008 5:43 PM - Comments (0)
More On: Nintendo
Nintendo is holding its good cards until E3 next month, but they're laying down a few meager announcements to fight the blistering summer drought.  In addition to the previously announced Wario Land: Shake It, Nintendo is also working on Kirby Super Star Ultra, a DS remake of the SNES classic.  The Mystery Case Files series comes to DS with MillionHeir, and Nintendo's mascots finally appear in baseball with Mario Super Sluggers, the last major sport Mario has yet to spam with his friends appear in.  I'm still waiting for Super Mario Curling, though.

These titles are probably just appetizers; I hope at E3 they give us Kid Icarus, or something completely new.


Nintendo’s Wario, Kirby Bring the Fun; Sleuths Get a New Mystery Case Files Game

New Experiences on the Way for Wii and Nintendo DS

NOTE:  Multimedia available below

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- While the game world awaits the E3 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles next month, Nintendo isn’t waiting to announce new titles for its mushrooming libraries for the Wii™ console and Nintendo DS™. Classic Nintendo characters like bad-boy Wario™ and pink powerhouse Kirby® will star in their own platform games. A new Mystery Case Files™ game brings the best-selling Big Fish Games franchise to Nintendo DS for the first time. These games join the recently announced Mario™ Super Sluggers baseball game for the Wii console.

“Nintendo’s game libraries continue to grow at a rapid pace,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wario stars in a great new platformer, Kirby enthusiasts get an updated version of a fan favorite, there’s a new mystery for Mystery Case Files aficionados and baseball gets a few new Mario-style twists.”

Wario Land™: Shake It!, a classic side-scroller for the Wii console launching Sept. 29, stars Wario, the smelly, bad-mannered alter ego of Mario™. With the Wii Remote™ controller turned sideways like an old-school controller, veterans and newcomers alike can run, jump and smash their way through hectic side-scrolling stages. Players shake the Wii Remote to help Wario take down his enemies, empty bags of treasure or cause earthquakes. Best of all, there are numerous stages each offering multiple missions to keep players coming back again and again to unlock everything, collect more coins or just improve their best times.

Kirby Super Star™ Ultra for Nintendo DS, launching Sept. 29, re-imagines one of the most beloved Kirby games of all time. Kirby Super Star Ultra features new graphics and fully rendered animated cut scenes. With so many adventures waiting to be unlocked, there will never be a dull moment as Kirby runs, floats, copies enemies and uses Helpers to fight King Dedede and Meta Knight. New modes like Revenge of the King and Meta Knight Ultra await, along with classics like The Great Cave Offensive and Milky Way Wishes. On top of the main modes, there are also three new touch-screen-controlled mini-games that can be played with up to three friends via DS Download Play. Not only that, but players can go on Kirby adventures with a friend via local wireless as well.

Mystery Case Files™: MillionHeir™, launching Sept. 8, uses the unique Nintendo DS interface to expand upon the seek-and-solve game play of the popular series from Big Fish Games. Players seek out cleverly hidden items in a multitude of painted scenes. Players progress through an interactive detective story investigating a cast of characters and uncovering new evidence to find the rightful heir to a million-dollar fortune. This new portable installment is available only for Nintendo DS. With interactive logic puzzles that use both the touch-screen interface and built-in microphone and include the first ever multiplayer mode for a Mystery Case Files game, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir presents a new generation of seek-and-solve games for casual gamers and franchise fans.

Mario™ Super Sluggers, launching Aug. 25 for the Wii console, stars the ever-lovable Mario and his crew of friends. It builds on the social-gaming fun and movements people learned in Wii Sports™ and turns them into a full-fledged baseball game that can be played by every member of the household. Players make a throwing motion with the Wii Remote controller to pitch the baseball and make a swinging motion to swing at the pitch. The game boasts more than 30 playable Nintendo characters and all the madness of a Mario sports game. Just like Mario Kart® Wii, it bridges the gap between experienced players and those new to the Wii console, with fun challenges and beautiful graphics.

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

For more information about these and other Nintendo products, visit Nintendo.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 2.7 billion video games and more than 460 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like 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, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.

New DS color launches today

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 9/7/2008 1:35 PM - Comments (0)
September 7th marks the release of the Metallic Silver DS Lite, so if you still don't have Nintendo's strangely popular portable this is another excuse to finally get one.  The silver DS joins a host of other colors already on the market, including a very limited edition gold Legend of Zelda DS.  I can imagine the lucky collectors with that piece of swag are comparing their DS bling to the new silver model.  Personally, I'll stick with my jet black DS, at least until Trauma Center makes me wear out the touch screen. [READ MORE]

New Puzzle Quest website launches

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 9/7/2008 1:30 PM - Comments (0)
D3 Publisher is gearing up to release the latest game in their popular Puzzle Quest series, Galactrix.  To get the fans excited and keep them informed, D3 has relaunched the Puzzle Quest website.  There is now comprehensive info for all the games in the series and preview material for Galactrix as well.  There is also a section dedicated to strategies for the XBLA expansion pack.  It's nice to see D3 supporting their fan base this much, and I know I'm looking forward to the new release even more. [READ MORE]

Dean Takahashi details the RROD problem

by: Chuck - posted: 9/6/2008 3:55 PM - Comments (0)
Dean Takahashi has published a long, in depth article that details the reasons behind the RROD problem that caused so many Xbox 360's to fail.  It's a long read (6 pages) but it's worth it just to get a look inside what went on and why there are so many defects.  There's some new information but the core reason of why the device failed was because Microsoft rushed it to market to beat Sony, even though they knew there were problems with the Xbox 360 when it shipped. 

While it certainly makes Microsoft look bad it's worth noting that the strategy seems to have worked as Microsoft is currently leading the PS3 right now.   The real question now is will people still line up to buy the next Microsoft gaming system when it comes out or will they wait until Microsoft fixes all the issues (real or perceived). 

Sierra demonstrates l33t Gin Rummy skills in new video

by: Chuck - posted: 9/6/2008 1:19 PM - Comments (2)
Gin Rummy was released on Xbox Live last week and the folks at Sierra have put together a little video showing off some tips and tricks for how to play the game.  Personally I'm not much of a card game guy (no guns, not enough explosions) but the video does provide some sound strategies for the game if you're into that kind of thing.

What we're playing this weekend

by: Chuck - posted: 9/6/2008 12:21 PM - Comments (0)
Ben Berry
Seeing as my fiance already downloaded it, I am going to give Pirates of the Caribbean Online a try. A little Rock Band will probably be mixed in as i anxiously await the two NHL titles due on Tuesday.

Elliot Bonnie
Not much time for gaming this weekend, but what time I do have will be spent blowing up stuff in Mercenaries 2.

Dave Gamble
I'm reliving the Summer Olympics with Summer Athletics for the Wii.  Between events, I'm racing Dodge Vipers around famous European race tracks with Simbin's new racer, GTR Evolution.

Charles Husemann
It's going to be a quiet weekend of gaming for me as I get revved up for Spore and the NHL games next week.  I'm hoping to get in a little more Pixel Junk Eden this weekend and maybe a little Rock Band.

Randy Kalista
There are over 3.3 million creatures and vehicles uploaded into Spore's online Sporepedia.  I wish I was kidding.  I'm entirely too lazy to sift through all that player-created content to find just the right creations to import into my own world.  So I'll be spending a little more time with the Spore Creature Creator myself.  Plus, on Sunday, I'll try and help everyone crash the GOG.com server by rushing in for a download of Fallout 2.

Dan Keener
Looks like I can get my 360 back from Sean Cahill, so that means I can finally download Castle Crashers and the Rock Band Rush masters.  Toss in some more Oblivion, and time to do some serious testing with the Polk Audio iSonic.

Matt Mirkovich
I've gone back to Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow on the Nintendo DS. I've also picked up Infinite Undiscovery for the 360. It's RPG-mayhem at my place as I've also got Disgaea 3, and the Tales of Vesperia limited edition begging to be played. I've also got to get practiced up for my Forza Racing League, our final race is Monday and I'm looking to finish in solid 5th.

Nathan Murray
I have been playing Gutiar Hero III in preparation for the festivities this friday. I will be bringing my nifty new phone that has a 2 megapixel camera and an expandable memory card slot. What does that mean? That means recorded mayhem that will show up on my blog later this week mwah ha ha. Anyway I'll probably be playing more Call of Duty 4 this weekend. remember user name frophey is your ticket to a quick death.

Tyler Sager
I'll be waiting for the gathering gaming storm scheduled to arrive later this month, so I'll just be fiddling around with some old titles.  I've been playing a bit of Half-Life 2 and Portal lately, along with some strategy favorites. 

Eva Sines
After I get through canning crabapple jelly and crabapple butter, I hope to get in some solid time leveling my hunter on Silverlode in Lord of the Rings Online.  We'll also be playing D&D 4.0 Sunday evening.

GamingNexus writer appears on Game on! podcast (it's not Chuck)

by: Chuck - posted: 9/6/2008 9:16 AM - Comments (0)
Our own Eva Sines has graced the Game On! podcast with her presence this week to talk about MMO's and other gaming goodies.  Normally that's my role but Eva does have a special relationship with one of the hosts of the show.  Good stuff and well worth the listen.

Give me FUEL, give me fire, give me the screenshots I desire

by: Chuck - posted: 9/6/2008 9:08 AM - Comments (1)
Here are five pre-alpha screenshots from Codemaster's upcoming off-road racing game FUEL.  Codemasters has been on a bit of a tear with their racing games lately as last year's GRID was excellent.  I do wonder why they insist on capitalizing the name of the game though.
[READ MORE]

News Roundup: Skate Things On Wheels

by: Randy - posted: 9/6/2008 3:13 AM - Comments (0)
DEMOS, PATCHES
VIDEOS
SCREENSHOTS
ARTICLES Thanks to 3DXtreme, AtomicGamer, Cryptic Studios, TheTechLounge, Legit Reviews, Digit-Life, Techgage, and Tweaknews for today's News Roundup.

Several ESPN shows now taking a page from new EA Sports Virtual Playbook

by: Randy - posted: 9/6/2008 2:58 AM - Comments (0)
In a convergence of video game graphics and ESPN television, EA Sports Virtual Playbook launched today and will integrate into ESPN's Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live shows, and will debut this Sunday, September 7th, on Sunday NFL Countdown.  "EA Sports Virtual Playbook is born out of our deep football heritage at EA Sports and our drive to expand the impact of our innovative sports technologies beyond gaming," said Peter "F*** You, Yuji Naka" Moore.  And, not to get lazy, but I'll let the EA press release try and explain what's going on, in typically-convoluted EA language:
EA Sports Virtual Playbook is created using feeds from in-studio real-world cameras as well as an in-game camera that captures EA Sports in-game graphics depicting real game scenarios.  The real-world studio and game images of virtual characters are combined to create the effect of "augmented reality" -- virtual players appearing in the studio alongside real life hosts and analysts.  Both real and virtual people are able to move realistically around the studio set to demonstrate plays and scenarios.  The system accommodates, and in fact is controlled by, the multiple real-world cameras that are typical in today's sports analysis television programs.
Essentially, the aforementioned programs will use the EA Sports Virtual Playbook to analyze game matchups, demonstrate offensive and defensive schemes, and highlight mismatches. [READ MORE]

Rock Band DLC for next Week is All that Remains

by: Dan - posted: 9/5/2008 9:05 PM - Comments (0)
Well, Harmonix announced in their forums today that we will be getting another week of speed metal crap at a discounted price. Hopefully Harmonix is just cleaning out the coffers prior to releasing Rock Band 2 later this month when some real songs will start to show up.  For those that care, the All that Remains 3-pack will be 80 pts each or 240 for the pack for the first month (What...no discount!?!)

ALL THAT REMAINS 3 PACK - $2.99 (240 Microsoft Points) 

THIS CALLING - $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)
CHIRON $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)
TWO WEEKS $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)

Origins '08 late but still great interview: D20 Pro

by: Nathan - posted: 9/5/2008 7:10 PM - Comments (0)
What is D20 Pro? It is one of the greatest examples I have ever seen of the evolution and blending of traditional table top game with the interactive software experience. D20 Pro is software that gives players the ability to play Dungeons and Dragons or similar D20 (a specific type of table top game) games on a virtual game board. The software doesn't just look good but this very functional and can be a very powerful tool for any Game Master. The greatest advantage though of using D20 Pro is the ability to play online with anyone over a secure line making table top gaming possible from across the country. Now that's what I call progression. Check out the software at D20Pro.com
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Chronicles of Spellborn Music Featured in Black Symphony DVD

by: Eva - posted: 9/5/2008 6:01 PM - Comments (0)
The Chronicles of Spellborn MMO features three songs written by gothic-rock band Within Temptation. Spellborn International has alerted gamers that live performances of "The Howling", "Hand of Sorrow" and "The Heart of Everything" are featured in the band's upcoming CD/DVD release Black Symphony performed by Within Temptation and the Metrople Symphony. The full story behind the landmark fusion of a videogame developer and band is retold on the Within Temptation site. Here's an excerpt from the page:
In the end of 2005 Within Temptation started a corporation with game developer ‘The Chronicles of Spellborn’. This is the first time in history a rock band and the developers of a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game have announced such collaboration, marking a new era in the fusion of the arts of music and making games.

"The Chronicles of Spellborn" is a MMOR- Playing game, players from all over the world will be able to interact through the internet with each other in an original fantasy setting, experienced through a unique graphic style.

Robert Westerholt comments:”Since there are quite a few game fanatics in our band we didn't hesitate long when we were given the opportunity to work together with a game-developer on the music for a videogame. Especially since a game like 'The Chronicles of Spellborn' is graphically, as well as story-wise, very inspiring.”
The Black Symphony DVD will be available in Europe September 22 and September 23 in the US. You can get the latest information on The Chronicles of Spellborn at the official website which will be relaunching later this month.

Personally, I would like to see more collaborations of this type in the future. It just builds a more solid foundation for both the music and games industries as well as being a big win for gamers. I leave you with the trailer for Within Temptation's Black Symphony.

Warhammer Online Ushers in Age of Reckoning with Preview Weekend Plus

by: Eva - posted: 9/5/2008 5:55 PM - Comments (0)
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is ringing in the Open Beta by extending its preview weekend event. Preview Weekend Plus starts today Friday, September 5th and runs until the September 7th kick off of the Age of Reckoning.
In order to make this world-wide event the best it can be we're welcoming all Preview Weekend attendees back for two more days to rev things up and get the party started. We invite all Preview Weekend players to join us for Preview Weekend+ this Friday, 9/5 and Saturday, 9/6 starting tomorrow morning.
As a reminder, this event is for Closed Beta participants, Collectors Edition Pre-Order customers, and the first lucky 50,000 Standard Edition Pre-Order customers to register their accounts in the new Mythic Account Center. All of you lucky qualifying gamers gird yourselves for battle to usher in the Age of Reckoning. The rest of us will join you Sunday.

Weekly PSN store update

by: Chuck - posted: 9/5/2008 12:41 PM - Comments (0)
It's not a bad week on PSN this week as you can purchase NFL Head Coach 09, download a demo for NHL 2K9, and check out the latest edition of Qore magazine (which includes access to the MotorStorm Pacific Rift demo) along with a host of other goodies.

Achilles wonders if you are entertained in new Rise of the Argonauts video

by: Chuck - posted: 9/5/2008 12:37 PM - Comments (0)
Rise of the Argonauts was one of the games that surprised me the most at E3 this year.  The re-working of classic mythology stood out and it doesn't  hurt that the game looks fantastic.  If you don't believe me check out this new footage from the game that shows of Achilles having a little gladiator fun.

Gaming Gibs for 9/5/2008

by: Chuck - posted: 9/5/2008 12:30 PM - Comments (0)
Here are a few things I missed while learning how to operate a super-collider:
  • Atari lists the things that are different in the PS3 version of Alone in the Dark, I hope fun is one of them
  • Sins of A Solar Empire sells 500,000 copies, costs less than $1M to make, and is the case study for how to treat your customers  with respect
  • Respect for Peter More ++
  • Resistance Fall of Man 2 gets more awesome
  • Destructoid talks about how to not look like an idiot in Castle Crashers
  • Devs have concerns about Gamers Bill of Rights
  • Publishers talk about their side of the game journalism business
  • Blu Ray only has 5 years of life remaining according to Samsung, probably more like 7 but digital is certainly the way to go
  • Edge lists the top 50 ZOMG events in gaming history

MSNBC offers advice on getting you girlfriend into gaming

by: John - posted: 9/5/2008 10:48 AM - Comments (1)
Say you have a girlfriend and you want her to game. Well MSNBC has some words to help you out. But why follow their advice when you can read one of old alum's article. Charlie Sinhaseni wrote this piece four years ago and gives you his advice on getting your girl to play games with you.

Volition shows off the joys of environmental kills in Red Faction: Guerilla

by: Chuck - posted: 9/5/2008 8:20 AM - Comments (0)
One of the main reasons Volition switched from a first person to a third person view in Red Faction: Guerilla was because people were blowing stuff up and having it kill them in the game and didn't realize they couldn't see things taking them out (check this interview if you don't believe me).  Here's a short video on the game that shows you how you'll be able to use the environment to kill others and hopefully not yourself. 

Origins '08 late but still great interview: Warhammer Online

by: Nathan - posted: 9/5/2008 2:42 AM - Comments (0)
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning may have already gone gold but you may still be a doubter or just starving for more details about this new MMORPG.
At the Origins 08 games fair I got to talk with a representative from Mythic and ask some detailed questions about the game.
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Origins '08 late but still great interview: Beyond Protocol

by: Nathan - posted: 9/5/2008 2:37 AM - Comments (0)
The interview for the Origins 08 games fair are editing and ready for your listening pleasure. Check ‘em out!

A little bit about Beyond Protocol developed by the Beyond Protocol Team :
Talk about ambitious projects. Beyond Protocol is an MMO of epic proportions, a RTS where the players have control over almost every aspect of an entire galaxy! To check out some videos and to get into the beta (requires a pre-order) you can head over to their site.
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Update (Chuck) - We just heard that the game's release has been pushed back to November 21st to allow for some more QA and polish.

An open invitation to party with the band of brothers!

by: Nathan - posted: 9/5/2008 2:30 AM - Comments (0)
Gearbox Software the developers of  Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway and Samba de Amigo are holding a party open to the public. Now kids don't get too excited because this one is for adult's only and you 18,19,20 year olds are also SOL because attendees must be 21 or older. The party is in Dallas, Texas at the Palladism Ballroom and will feature musical guests and probably alchol consumption. Any fans of Gearbox can RSVP HERE . But you got to act fast since the party is September 5 at 8:30 pm and once enough people RSVP they won't be taking anymore. Now should I pack my M1 or my Maracaes? hmm.... [READ MORE]

War Journal from the development lines

by: Nathan - posted: 9/5/2008 2:21 AM - Comments (0)
The developers and designers at 1C Company are writing their own war journal (of sorts) that follows the action behind the development for the game Theatre of War 2: North Africa 1943. Now by action I mean excuses, setbacks, and self promotion; you know office type warfare tactics. I might be a little harsh or I might not. You could just read it youreslf and decided if I'm full of myself or a mister know it all.
Theatre of War 2 is scheduled for release this winter and will only be available via download from battlefront.com [READ MORE]

New Skate 2 footage released, continues to look good

by: Chuck - posted: 9/4/2008 11:49 PM - Comments (0)
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the biggest skateboarding fan in the world but Skate 2 is really starting to look like another solid game for EA. I really dig the music and vibe from the trailer and the painful wipeouts never get old.  I guess it's easy to see why Tony Hawk is taking this year off.

News Roundup: American McGee's Grimm Renaissance

by: Randy - posted: 9/4/2008 11:40 PM - Comments (0)
DEMOS
  • Death Track: Resurrection v1.2 Demo (combat racing)
VIDEOS
SCREENSHOTS