^ Not that I can find, all Wii Shop titles aren't revealed unless the publisher decides to announce a press release for that specific title or unless the info is leaked. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for Monday morning every week to find out. But you can check to see if ESRB has even rated that game you're waiting for. Usually when ESRB updates it means the game's coming soon for release.
The Wii Shop releases are different regionally, and this thread is based on the North American releases, of course, but some Japanese releases are mentioned. If in case the game you're looking for is released on a foreign system, you can try changing your Country/Language in the Wii option settings.
Dr. Mario® Online Rx (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): The doctor is in! Mario™ takes a break from his adventuring ways and once again dons his stethoscope for a new generation of germ-battling mayhem. In addition to the classic mode of using vitamins to exterminate viruses, you’ll find two battle modes and an online multiplayer mode where you can hone your skills against players from around the world. Feel like challenging a friend who doesn’t have Dr. Mario Online Rx? Then the WiiWare-exclusive Friend Battle Demo is just what the doctor ordered. Or maybe you’d like some help taking on those nasty viruses? Try out Virus Buster, where four players can simultaneously move capsules simply by pointing at them with a Wii Remote™ controller. Any way you look at it, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a prescription for fun that everyone can enjoy. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Mario_Online_Rx
Family Table Tennis (Aksys Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): It’s time for some good old family fun, and what’s more fun than table tennis? Just like a real family, choose your character from a cast of four, which includes Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy. There are four table tennis-tastic stages where it doesn’t matter if you’re an indoors or outdoors table-tennis player. Pick your poison from a gymnasium, a forest park, a beach or even an amusement park. Choose from Single or Versus mode, or select a minigame to play. In Versus mode, you and a friend can play against each other to see who is the better table-tennis player. And if Single and Versus modes aren’t enough, select between three minigames, which include Target Table Tennis, Thrilling Table Tennis and Matching Table Tennis. The appealing cell-shaded graphics and endearing music, on top of the super-fun game play, will have you and your family playing from morning till night. Get your paddles ready. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Table_Tennis
City Connection™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, Tobacco Reference, 500 Wii Points): Based on the arcade hit, a young man born in California sets out to tour famous sites and cities around the world. As he drives the highways surrounding these locations, the road is painted white as proof of his visit. Only once all sections of the road have been painted will he move on to the next location in his world tour. Not surprisingly, the local police will chase the driver and do their best to stop him from completing his goal. In addition, cats roam the highways and spikes lie in wait for unsuspecting drivers. To combat these dangers, the driver’s customized car can jump, fire cans of oil and collect balloons to warp to a new stage. It’s the ultimate road trip. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Connection
Metal Slug (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen - Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1996 by SNK, Metal Slug is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players control Marco and Tarma, both members of the special-ops force Team Peregrine Falcon (commonly known as Team PF), and battle their way through stage after stage of intense action. The goal is to try to overthrow General Morden and win back the stolen weapon, the Metal Slug. Players must blast through waves of enemies and machines (while also jumping over any obstacles in the way) to advance through the stages. It’s not as hopeless as it might sound, though—weapons such as heavy machine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers and flamethrowers, as well as the Metal Slug itself (which appears frequently in the game), will make the battle easier. Take on General Morden with a friend to lighten your load and ramp up the excitement even more. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Slug
*Due to my Wii being out of memory, I'm not able to download any new WiiWare or VC games this week. But if I were to pick one for this week, it would be Dr. Mario Online Rx which is a classic puzzle built on the same engine as Tetris: Grand Master. Also, the neat thing about it is you can send demos to your Wii friends to try and play 2P online. Sort of invitation-only thing.
----------------- This week's North American Wii releases: Monkey King: The Legend Begins Wiki; 1UP Emergency Heroes1UP Death Jr Root of EvilWiki; 1UP
This week's North American Nintendo DS releases: Super Dodgeball BrawlersWiki; 1UP; YouTube
----------------- Alright, time for some old news.
LostWinds is becoming quite popular, and is still my current favorite WiiWare title. Now there are new screenshots and artwork of the next episode here at: http://www.wiiz.fr/article.php?a=17999
----------------- Samba de Amigo [Wii] details
- 40 songs, most new, some from the Dreamcast version - Some of the modes: solo, quick-play, classic, battle, survival, hustle, mini-games, and more - online rankings included - 2 player local multiplayer (co-op or versus)
----------------- Daigasso! Band Brothers DX details, Wii connectivity
- download a "Speaker Channel" to your Wii, via the Wii Shop channel - Speaker Channel allows you to play your music through the TV - no confirmation on price of channel, may be free - upload compositions to a server in order to share your work with others
New Nintendo DS Lite colors are arriving for the summer. Red, Turquoise and Green Nintendo DS Lites hitting shelves across Europe on 13 June 2008 and Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What To Eat? arriving on 20 June 2008.
For North America, we will be getting the Metallic Rose version of the Nintendo DS Lite, this time as a single release without the Nintendogs pawprint on the front. You can watch the promotional commercial featuring America Ferrera and Carrie Underwood on the Nintendo Channel.
------------------ So the clues of that full moon on last month's issue of Nintendo Power was actually leading to the new Castlevania. Konami finally announced Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for Nintendo DS which will due out Fall 2008.
Press: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia exclusively for Nintendo DS™. Introducing the all-new Glyph attack system, players will be able to use special attack combinations as they attempt to defeat Dracula and his horde. Also introduced to the series are new outdoor locales ranging from forests to the ocean, giving players the chance to explore outside of Dracula’s Castle. Developed by legendary Castlevania producer Koji “Iga” Igarashi, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is poised to set a new standard for side scrolling action on DS™.
"We have always felt that the Castlevania franchise has been an excellent fit on Nintendo DS, and based on the popularity of the DS classics, Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin, our fans agree,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We fully expect Order of Ecclesia to ignite the fan base once again as it combines the classic Castlevania gameplay with an all-new combat system and outdoor environments."
In Order of Ecclesia players take the role of a member of the Ecclesia, an organization that has sworn to defeat the evil forces of Dracula. By using the new Glyph attack system, players can unleash more than 100 different combinations to battle Dracula’s minions throughout 20 explorable areas. Utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection™, players can choose to compete head-to-head, or trade items and equipment they have found while exploring the environments. Multiple endings that can be unlocked depending on how the player completes the game adds even more replay value to the game with plenty of addictive exploration, combat and items to discover.
Developed by Konami, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is planned for release on Nintendo DS™ in Fall 2008. For more information on the games, please visit: www.konami.com.
--------------------- Mega Man Zero: Official Complete Works (art book) hits stores today. UDON, the guys who have worked on many a project related to and for Capcom, including the art for the upcoming Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, are releasing an English version of the same book in America, which will be available in stores on May 28th. Capcom has begun taking orders for it, as well as Amazon, and you may be able to order it through outlets such as Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, or even your local comic book store (be sure to check first, just to be sure).
Critter Round-Up (Konami, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 1,000 Wii Points): The critters have escaped, and the barnyard is in chaos! It’s up to you to quickly corral the animals in this puzzle-action challenge. You’ll have to mend fences in a hurry to keep all the critters safe and satisfied. But the fun doesn’t stop with the farmland; more than 50 challenging levels take you to several exotic locations, including the outback, the icy Arctic and more. There’s even a series of minigames for when the critters get you down: Snowball Soccer, Predator Rampage, Chicken Catch and Fence Trap. Up to four players can compete or cooperate as the critters run wild. So roll up those sleeves and grab a friend—those critters won’t catch themselves. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critter_Round-Up
Star Soldier R (Hudson Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Star Soldier R is a new kind of shooter where players aim for the best scores within a two- or five-minute time limit. Develop various scoring strategies, and pump out those points within the breakneck time frame. Assembled in record time to counter the advance of a powerful enemy, the mysterious Brain Forces, the “Caesar” starfighter takes off to fight for the very future of mankind. Shoot down countless enemies, upgrade your ship to the max with power-ups hidden throughout the levels and wage an all-out assault against the core of the enemy fortress. Combining the excitement of shoot-’em-ups with in-depth scoring strategies, this state-of-the-art competitive shooter will keep you coming back for more. Upload your best scores with Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, and pit your skills against the world’s best fighter pilots from the comfort of your living room. Hone your skills and show the world who’s boss. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Soldier_R
------------------ Nintendo Channel Introducing the Nintendo Channel, an interactive guide to what's new in the world of Nintendo - now available for easy download to your Wii from the Wii Shop Channel. Watch trailers, mini-documentaries, product demonstrations, and gameplay videos. Browse the game guide pages to get useful information about your favorite games on Wii and Nintendo DS. You can even click to buy straight from your Wii, if you have the Internet Channel installed. The DS Download Service lets you download game demos right onto your Nintendo DS.
------------------ Nintendo’s new Wii Fit™, launching today, combines fun and fitness in ways that will have people getting up off their couches, moving around, having fun and maybe even breaking a sweat. Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making enjoyable physical activities a part of their daily routines. Wii Fit even tracks users’ progress, which lets people see how they have improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.
At an MSRP of $89.99, Wii Fit comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory, a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. The Wii Balance Board connects wirelessly to the Wii™ console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 fun activities that challenge users in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. Helpful virtual trainers in the game talk users through the different activities and make suggestions for improvement.
"Wii Fit will get you moving whether you’ve been playing video games for years or this is your first time," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Wii Fit is easy for anyone to try and is yet another example of how Nintendo continues to expand the world of video games to new audiences."
To celebrate the launch of Wii Fit, Nintendo is holding an interactive release party today for the public in the southwest corner of New York’s Central Park, near the Merchants’ Gate. "We’re looking for everyone to ‘get on board’ and get excited about their fitness," said celebrity trainer Ashley Borden, who will be on hand to do personal Wii Fit demos and training.
Wii Fit, which has sold more than 2 million in Japan, starts with a simple measurement that calculates an adult user’s Body Mass Index, or BMI. From there, the Wii Balance Board accessory can be used as a platform for twirling a virtual Hula Hoop®, shredding on a virtual snowboard, performing leg extensions or doing a downward-facing dog yoga pose. Wii Fit contains a wide variety of fun games and physical activities that target the body’s core.
Different people in the same household can use Wii Fit and track their progress separately. Users’ Mii™ caricatures even reflect their fitness levels and change as people become more proficient at the activities.
Wii is the first video game system ever included in the President’s Challenge, a program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports that encourages all Americans to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. Wii Fit builds on that honor by encouraging people to keep their bodies moving.
Wii Fit is available today exclusively at the Nintendo World store in New York, and will be at retail stores across the country May 21.
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 Wii Fit, visit WiiFit.com.
Here's a photo from the Wii Fit launch event that's happening right now at NYC:
^My words about the current Nintendo is that they are "Back to Basics" with gaming. Simplicity is now the key. So simple and minimal.
It's kinda like Trance music. You notice some tunes are bringing back the old school 99/00 era of Trance while keeping it modern at the same time. Aly & Fila sure is doing a great job at that. Other smaller artists like Andy Blueman and perhaps a modern classic like Daniel Kandi. I guess that goes to a lot of the current music today in general.
--------- Let's welcome the launch of WiiWare for North America! \:D/
WiiWare, which launches today, provides a service for the Wii much like Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network do for those other systems: it gives developers a lower-cost means of distribution, which is vital to independent developers on a shoestring budget, and it gives gamers a means to purchase games without leaving the living room. Next-Gen.biz sat down with David Braben of Frontier (LostWinds), Dave Grossman of Telltale Games (Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People), and Bill Swartz of Mastiff (Major League Eating: The Game), to hear about their experiences in working for the platform.
The developers' general consensus seems to be that the primary reason to use WiiWare over XBLA or PSN is the controller; that WiiWare distribution is good for small development teams; that the Wii's memory limitations aren't an issue; that WiiWare pricing is a secret Nintendo blood ritual; and that while WiiWare might eventually get loaded down with crap, their game won't be among it.
WiiWare Launch Titles: FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.
LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand – from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You’ll wield your Wii Remote™ controller to power Toku’s jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds’ novel, intuitive and playful control system.
Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone – Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?
Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone – casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.
V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software®, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen – Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.
TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you’ll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.
To celebrate today’s launch of the new WiiWare™ downloadable game service for Wii™, there will be no Virtual Console™ games added today. But don’t worry – next week the Wii-kly Update will be back to its regular Monday schedule, bringing Wii owners information about the best classic Virtual Console titles and coolest new WiiWare games.
I've uploaded a couple of my own gameplay footage of LostWinds on YouTube. 1. Intro play and Story:
-------------- Due to finals this past week, I haven't been up to par with updating, so by mid-week I'll be back on track. Thank you for your patience! \:D/
