But on topic, there's been quite A LOT of news even I can't even keep up.
I update my blogs more often than I do on the forums.
So just check there to see what's new in case I'm not able to post here.
On with this week's releases:
WiiWare
Bomberman Blast (Hudson Entertainment, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A brand new addition to the Bomberman series is available on WiiWare. Up to eight players can battle online simultaneously via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Simple controls make this a great game for family and friends to enjoy anytime. You can trigger new items by shaking the Wii Remote™ controller, creating new levels of Bomberman excitement. You can even take the intensity up another notch by adding your own Mii™ caricatures to the mix. Battle results can be recorded on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Ranking, so you can see how you stack up against others around the globe. This title will prove to be a blast for everyone–from those who’ve never touched a Bomberman game to the Bomberman masters.
Features:
- 8P online
- 4P offline/local
- 3 New Items including Bomb Change (stealth disguise), Rocket (jump dodge), Shield (bomb block)
- WiFi battling with friend (w/ codes) or random (no codes)
- Online Leaderboards
- 10 Levels
- Mii support
- 480P, 16:9 Widescreen display
- Controllers include Wii Remote (NES style) and GameCube controllers
Official Website: http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/bombermanblast/usa/e/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomberman_Blast
Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. Space isn’t empty, though, and you’ll have to avoid bumping into obstacles or getting pulled into a black hole. If you feel like relaxing while still being challenged, this is the game for you. Its combination of simple controls, atmospheric sound and unique environment make for an experience unlike any other.
To my knowledge, it seems to be a remake of the Japan-only bit Generations game on the GameBoy Advance titled Orbital [GBA].
YouTube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snanVJdj6Kw&fmt=18
Virtual Console
Super Turrican 2 (Super NES™, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone—Violence, 800 Wii Points): As the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the Machine’s forces that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use weapons and power-ups to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies. Use special abilities like the Energy Wheel and Cyberfist to find secret areas and score extra lives. When your lives and continues are gone, the mission ends. You are the galaxy’s last hope. Are you up to the challenge?
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Turrica...urrican_1_and_2
Wii
Harvest Moon Tree Of Tranquility Official Website; IGN; Wiki
Army Men Soldiers Of Misfortune IGN
We Cheer IGN
Nintendo DS
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Official Website; IGN; Wiki
Unsolved Crimes IGN; Wiki
Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation IGN
Princess Debut IGN
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Fragile [Wii]
- old and new screenshots: http://gamekyo.com/newsen29126_fragile-new-screenshots.html
- Official Website: http://fragile.namco-ch.net/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragile:_Sayo...Tsuki_no_Haikyo
Phantasy Star Zero [NDS] *4P online and offline co-op
- new screenshots/scans from Nintendo Dream mag: http://gamekyo.com/newsen29119_phantasy-st...creenshots.html
- Official Website: http://phantasystar.sega.jp/pszero/
- IGN: http://ds.ign.com/objects/142/14279774.html
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasy_Star_Zero
Infinite Space [NDS]
- new screenshots: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080929/mugen.htm
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2
- Official Website: http://mugen.sega.jp/index.html
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Space
Arc Rise Fantasia [NDS]
- screenshots and art: http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/108/108911/
- Official Website: http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/wii/arcrise/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_Rise_Fantasia
Culdcept [NDS]
- cards and card guide: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080929/culd.htm
- Official Website: http://www.culdcept.com/ds/index.html
7th Dragon [NDS]
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4
- read announcement & details below
Gyakuten Kenji [NDS] (spin-off of the Ace Attorney series)
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyakuten_Kenji
Tales of Hearts [NDS]
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2
- Official Website: http://namco-ch.net/talesofhearts/index.php
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Hearts
Suikoden Tierkreis [NDS]
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4
- Official Website: http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/genso/tierkreis/index.html
- Translation website: http://www.duefiumi.com/tierkreis/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suikoden_Tierkreis
Chrono Trigger [NDS]
- old Famitsu scan: http://img136.imagevenue.com/img.php?image...p_122_660lo.jpg
- Official Website: http://na.square-enix.com/ctds/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrono_trigger
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia [NDS]
- "Dominance" battle trailer: http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21644
- Official Website: http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ds3
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania:_Order_of_Ecclesia
Castlevania Judgement [Wii]
- V-Jump mag scans: http://gamekyo.com/newsen29125_castlevania...-more-pics.html
- "Combatant" trailer: http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21645
- Official Website: http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_wii
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_Judgement
Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 3 [Wii]
- V-Jump mag scans: http://gamekyo.com/newsen29121_naruto-ship...creenshots.html
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto:_Clash_of_Ninja_(series)
Monster Hunter 3 tri- [Wii]
- new cam video clip: http://gamekyo.com/videoen13210_monster-hu...-new-video.html
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5
- Official Website: http://www.capcom.co.jp/monsterhunter/3/
- IGN: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14209897.html
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Hunter_3
- Capcom's Press Release: http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e071010.html
Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes [Wii]
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2
- Official Website: http://www.capcom.co.jp/tatsucap/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatsunoko_vs_Capcom
Ragnarok Online DS [NDS]
- old Famitsu scans: page 1, page 2
- new screenshots @ http://www.gunghoworks.jp/game/RODS/blog/
- Official Website: http://www.gunghoworks.jp/game/RODS/
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnarok_online_ds
Rygar: The Battle of Argus [Wii]
- new videos: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/905/905253/vids_1.html
- IGN: http://wii.ign.com/objects/905/905253.html
- Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rygar:_The_Battle_of_Argus
The Game of Life [Wii] from Hasbro, w/ Mii support!
- Famitsu screenshots: http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1217902_1407.html
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With the release of Bomberman Blast on WiiWare, Hudson Entertainment will offer several online tournaments, including one that coincides with the game’s launch. The first tournament will be a live, online, head-to-head competition between 49 randomly-selected entrants, hosted by Hudson Entertainment. Registration for the tournament and an associated sweepstakes begins immediately and runs until 5:00 p.m. PST on October 3, 2008. The competition itself will take place starting at 2:00 p.m. PST on October 6, 2008. For more information on the upcoming tournaments and to register, players can visit www.Hudsonentertainment.com.
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In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Harvest Moon franchise, Natsume is having a Harvest Moon Drawing Contest to coincide with the release of Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility [Wii]!
All entries must be postmarked by or before October 17th, 2008. The winners of the Harvest Moon 10th Anniversary Drawing Contest will be posted on our website on October 31st, 2008.
http://www.natsume.com/Newsletter/AnnDrawingcontest.html
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It looks like Wii Chess will finally be available outside of Europe. This week in Japan, Wii Chess will be available for download as a WiiWare title, though under the name of World Chess. World Chess will have the exact same features as Wii Chess which was released as a retail in Europe. Japanese players will be able to battle online with European players.
Official Wii (Japan) page: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/wauj/index.html
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Eternity’s Child and Eternity’s Child 2: Retro Child will be heading to WiiWare.
EC details:
- published by Alten8
- to be released this year
- Challenge Mode has been added
EC 2: RC details:
- based on the canceled GBA/SNES project coming to WiiWare
- Wii Remote (NES style)
- 2P co-op
- new flying/gliding moves
- new vehicles
- multiple endings
- story starts right after the end of the first game
- follow Angel as he is outcast from society. Due to a lack of wings, he is shunned by the people, and ends up living in a place inhabited by ‘Landians’. When Angel’s wings grow back, Landian hunters go after him as a target for death
- 16-bit style graphics
- Luc is the concept artist/producer, and he will handle some design aspects
- Shane Gil will be the director and lead designer
- development is underway
Luc Bernard is also working on a cartoon series based on the game as he takes a break from the industry.
Here is footage of the original canceled GBA game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngsA2UCWQI&fmt=18
and here's the trailer for the new version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgPdsUATH-8&fmt=18
Source
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"While unannounced, MTV Games has confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Wii version of Rock Band 2 will offer the same online functionality — i.e. song downloads and Internet multiplayer modes — as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 versions. The PS2 version, however, will not include online connectivity."
Source
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Taito is going to expand upon their hugely successful Cooking Mama series by presenting to you Gardening Mama. Mama will be expanding her horizons by making a comeback onto the Nintendo DS system.
details:
- water your garden
- pick healthy flower bulbs
- determine correct amount of fertilizer to use
- Wi-Fi multiplayer
Official Website: http://www.taito.co.jp/special/2008/tgs/
Also check out Cooking Mama: World Kitchen and Space Puzzle Bobble.
More details to come on these games as Taito will be appearing at this year's Tokyo Game Show 2008.
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SEGA has announced last week on Weekly Famitsu mag that their RPG team will be working a new title for the Nintendo DS entitled 7th Dragon.
details:
- produced by Rieko Kodama (known for Skies of Arcadia and the early Phantasy Star series)
- directed by Kazuya Niinou (Etrian Odyssey)
- music composed by Yuzo Koshiro (famous for countless titles incl. ActRaiser, Shinobi, Shenmue, and most recently Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Etrian Odyssey II)
- turn-based RPG
- create characters from scratch, assign them to a choice of seven classes
- DS's top screen depicts the action, bottom screen for map and status of the humans and the dragons
- Spring 2009 release in Japan
Official Website: http://dragon.sega.jp/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Dragon
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Capcom is looking to port the GameCube remake of Resident Evil (Biohazard) over to Wii and adding motion-sensing, joining Biohazard 4 [Wii edition] and Japan-only Biohazard Zero [Wii edition].
"At the moment, like Zero, this is Japan only. That could change but that’s the current situation. In Japan, Zero sold well indicating that many people have never played the title and there is demand for it. This project is a reaction to the sale of Zero." - Christian Svensson, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development
old Famitsu scan: http://img31.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=...I_122_718lo.jpg
Source
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Rumors
This has got to be the biggest and best rumor yet this year.
According to WIRED, there have been reports out of Japanese newspapers Saturday indicating that Nintendo is preparing to announce a new version of the Nintendo DS hardware in the coming days.
details:
- Digital Camera included
- Music playback function
- Better Wi-Fi connectivity
- Larger screen
- New types of games that use the camera (think Augmented Reality)
- Exchange data between Wii and DS using a SD card
- Releases this year in Japan
- Costs under 20,000 yen (Approx. $189 USD)
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/09/nikkei-new-nint.html
We received a response from Nintendo of America saying:
QUOTE
"The Nikkei newspaper wrote a recent story about a DS solely based upon their own research and speculation, without interviewing Nintendo. While Nintendo is always working on new hardware, we have not made any announcement about a DS and we cannot comment on the Nikkei story."
Source
"Nintendo has made no such announcement and will not comment on rumour and speculation." - Nintendo UK
Source
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Catch up on previous Nintendo News & Updates on my Blogspot, Xanga, or Multiply.
There will be lots of news this week as we uncover what's there to be seen at the Nintendo Conference this Thursday on October 2nd (including the official announcement of the new Nintendo DS model), and I'll be sure to post them as soon as they arrive.
// Roth
