• Wii News & Updates 2008.08.26

This week has quite a set of wonderful releases namely HELIX [WiiWare], Samurai Shodown II [VC], Captain Rainbow [Wii Japan], and Mario Super Sluggers [Wii].
Congratulations to those lucky enough to meet and get an autograph from Charles Martinet, voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, at Nintendo World Store for Mario Super Sluggers [Wii] launch last Sunday.

WiiWare


Helix (Ghostfire Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Helix is one of the most innovative music-rhythm games ever designed for the Wii console. Use the Wii Remote controller to do dozens of exciting moves, including punches, circles, back fists, hooks and more. Be mesmerized by the eye-popping background visuals, which pulse to the beat of the music. Enjoy incredible replay value with 26 songs to play and three difficulty levels. Try to unlock all of the songs. This game is great for getting exercise plus having fun. No buttons are required, so it's easy for anyone to pick up but difficult for even the best players to master.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix_(video_game)
Official Website: http://www.ghostfiregames.com/helixhome.html
Official YouTube trailer:

Direct Link

Virtual Console


Ys Book I & II (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Ys Book I & II chronicles the first adventures of Adol Christin, a young, red-haired swordsman on a quest to unlock the secrets of an ancient kingdom. As Adol, you search the island of Esteria, gathering clues to unravel the mystery of Ys. Fight monsters that lurk in caves and towers with physical or magical attacks, and use your brain to make your way through dangerous areas filled with traps. In Ys Book I & II, the first titles in the Ys series were put together as a single TurboGrafx CD-ROM. They awed players with their gripping story lines accompanied by fully orchestrated soundtracks, wonderful voice acting and amazing special effects. Don't miss out on your chance to experience this wonderful piece of gaming history.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ys_Book_I_%26_II
Official Hudson page: http://vc-pce.com/usa/e/title/ys.html


SAMURAI SHODOWN II (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen-Blood, Language, Tobacco Reference, Violence, 900 Wii Points): First released in 1994, this fighting game follows 15 samurai in their individual quests. The rage system, which was popular in the first game, has been further enhanced. Not only does attack power rise when the gauge is full, but the player can also use a special technique that can break the opponent's weapon and force the opponent to fight unarmed. The game also allows for more movement techniques such as back-stepping, rushing forward and ducking, allowing for even more strategies. A fun and important detail of this game: One of the new characters, Cham Cham, was voiced by voice actress Reiko Chiba, an idol in the gaming community.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai_Shodown_II
Official Neo-Gro review: http://www.neo-geo.com/reviews/neo-reviews...2/samurai2.html

Wii

Mario Super Sluggers Official Website; Cards Collection Game; IGN; Wiki; YouTube (all 4 GCI movies)
Tiger Woods PGA 09 All-Play Official EA Tiger Woods site; IGN; Wiki
Kidz Sports: Crazy Mini Golf IGN
Spy Fox In Dry Cereal IGN
Pajama Sam: Don't Fear The Dark IGN
Freddi Fish: Kelp Seed Mystery IGN
Ford Off Road Racing IGN
Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli IGN

Nintendo DS

N+ Official N and N+ Website; Official Atari page; IGN; Wiki; YouTube: Trailer 1, Trailer 2
Harvest Moon Island Of Happiness Official Natsume Website; IGN; Wiki; Trailer on YouTube
MLB Power Pros 2008 IGN
From The Abyss IGN; GameSpot; Trailer on YouTube
The Sims 2: Apartment Pets IGN
The Quest Trio IGN
PictoImage IGN
Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli IGN

-------------
HELIX [Wii] developer video (Explains everything about the game):

Direct Link

HELIX tracklist:
* Arabian Sky
Synthetic Man
* Battle for Planet Earth
Tokyo Robot Gangsters
* Blow It Away
Resonance & Marshall Whyler
* Chain Reaction
Synthetic Man
* Degree of Love
ILONA EUROPA
* Destination Sunshine
Balearic Bill
* Dreamcatcher
Andy Duguid
* Dreamland
NeoClubber
* Enchant
Oneilio
* Energy Bomb
Alex Gold
* Evil Within
Oneilio
* Falling In Love
ILONA EUROPA
* Get Your Groove On
Spooky Rockstar
* LA Today
Alex Gold
* L'Esperanza
Airscape
* Lights Out
Oneilio
* Live Forever
ILONA EUROPA - NeoClubber Remix
* Love Radio
NeoClubber
* Love Sensation
NeoClubber
* Mindstate
Outsource
* No One's There
Ronnie Rokk
* Rainy Season
NeoClubber
* Source of Dreams
NeoClubber
* Sunshine
Dance Nation
* Turn on the Light
Solovox
* Xtreme
Martek Vongod

The bold ones are some of my favorite classic Trance tracks. (I wish my tracks were on it.. maybe Helix 2)
The game's pretty good. If there's a part 2, I hope it'll have:
- Mii support
- DLC including background/theme changing,
- more robots (customizable), costumes,
- and of course new songs,
- or perhaps even custom songs via MP3 from SD card 'cause I want to be able to play with my songs on there!
- And if possible online multi-player is important.

Expect a live feed by me soon on my Ustream
Available now on at the Wii Shop channel!

--------------
Bomberman Blast [WiiWare]

Official website is open with new screenshots and item descriptions.
All details about the game are mentioned on the site.
Mii support, Wi-Fi battles with up to 8P! Craziness! \:D/

Official website: http://www.hudson.co.jp/ww/bombermanblast/usa/e/

--------------
Captain Rainbow [Wii] is out now in Japan!
Official website now updated with lots of gameplay footage and character infos.
Hardcore Nintendo fans may recognize some of them below who aren't as well-known as the likes of Mario and Link.

Translation of the trailers is available on YouTube (Annotations may not work on Wii's Internet Channel)

Direct Link


Click to enlarge

The story is you run TV show that used to be popular. To gain back popularity for the show, you go on a mission to help out old Nintendo characters.

As you can see from the collage I made there are characters including Little Mac (from Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! [NES]) where he's now fat and you gotta train him to get him fit so he can fight again. I guess you can call him Big Mac (McDonald's) in the meantime, haha.
There's also Birdo/Catherine (in Japan) you see there (from Super Mario Bros. 2 [NES]), and I believe she/he'll help you throughout the entire mission to get you to Cloud9 after getting the Rainbow Road to show up.
There's the Devil from Devil World [NES] who wishes to be the greatest villain in hell, a soldier infantry unit from Famicon Wars [FC] from the Nintendo Wars series, a girl from the side quest of Zelda: Link's Awakening [GB], Ossan the golfer from Golf [NES], and a few other characters whose games are on the Famicom.

Official Website: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/r7cj/index.html
Official Japanese Wii page: http://wii.com/jp/articles/captain-rainbow/index.html
Order It @ Play-Asia

---------------
Quantum of Solace (James 007) [Wii]

Confirmed Details:
* Paying special attention towards making the game one of the most graphically stunning titles on the Wii, Quantum of Solace: The Game is filled with armed combat, massive explosions and vertigo-inducing chases. Gamers are further drawn into epic movie moments with theatrical camera angles, split screen effects, picture-in-picture sequences, and visually stunning real world locations such as Montenegro, Venice, Bolivia and Austria.
* Players fully immerse themselves into the Bond universe utilizing controls designed specifically for the Wii. Players may choose to use the unique Wii Remote and Nunchuk control scheme to seamlessly target and engage their enemies or they can leverage the Wii Zapper to truly step into the shoes of James Bond.
* Bringing James Bond to the Wii for the first time, gamers now have the ability to battle their friends in online multiplayer battle. Players can also engage with up to four players in split screen local multiplayer games, a mode that is exclusive to the Wii platform.

Source

Official Website: http://007thevideogame.com/
IGN Wii page: http://wii.ign.com/objects/826/826185.html
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_of_Solace_(video_game)

-------------
Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 2 [Wii]

Confirmed Tracklist:
1. All Good Things (Come To An End)
2. Come Rain Come Shine
4. My Destiny
5. Umbrella
6. Makes Me Wonder
7. Everybody Dance
8. Red Alert
9. Tribulations
10. Black Or White
11. Can’t Help Falling In Love With You
12. Tootsee Roll
13. Walking On Sunshine
14. We Got The Beat
15. I Want Candy
16. Bust A Move
17. Don’t You (Forget About Me)
18. I Ran
19. Obsession
20. You’re The One That I Want
21. Scramble
22. 5 O’Clock
23. Call On Me
24. Night Runner
25. D.A.N.C.E.

Details @ Source

-------------
B Team: Metal Cartoon Squad [NDS]

Details:
* Over 35 intense missions on 4 varied locations
* Squad-based shooter - a new game style on the Nintendo DS
* Fully destructible environment
* Cooperative multiplayer mode via Wi-fi
* Highly challenging end boss fights
* Upgradeable equipment
* Cartoonish graphics, hilarious characters, humorous animations and visual gags
* Special visual effects (explosions, rain, snow)
* Hi-score system and tons of unlockable extras

Source

Trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD1GeV3YbP4&fmt=18

-------------
*Homebew Section

In Homebrew news, a homebrew application for Twitter is now available for your Nintendo DS, simply entitled DSTwitter.
Go to Source for instructions on how to download and install, etc.

Source

I've uploaded a mirror download for R4-ready users.
Download

-------------
Strongbad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 2 [WiiWare] trailer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39131.html

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood [NDS] official YouTube trailer Episode 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdCDKdaxn2Y&fmt=18
Episode 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBm8G9XMrsY&fmt=18
Episode 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gFIkAvY52I&fmt=18

Rogue Troopers: The Quartz Zone Massacre [Wii], gameplay footage at GC 2008:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6is9v_ro...c-08_videogames
Source: http://www.gamershell.com/news_50202.html
Screenshots: http://www.gamershell.com/wii/rogue_troope...creenshots.html
Official IGN page: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14253232.html

-------------
After a few months of hiatus, the Super Smash Bros. DOJO!! has been updated.
Now there's a list of World Records for Target Smash!! and Home-Run Contest.

Official Website: http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/info/info08.html

-------------
Tokyo Game Show has updated their website with a full list of exhibitors.
Head over to their website and click Attendee Info.

Official Website: http://tgs.cesa.or.jp/english/

------------

Catch up of previous Wii News & Updates at my Blogspot, Xanga, or Multiply.
See you all next week! \:D/


// Roth

• Wii News & Updates 2008.08.24

I was on vacation this previous week but I am back now with some nice souvenirs including a classic 8-bit Mega Man T-shirt:


WiiWare


Midnight Pool (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points): Take a trip across America to make your dreams come true in a pool tournament worth millions. Visit the most colorful bars and meet seven of the coolest players on the circuit, from country music star Travis to Alison the biologist and John the sheriff. Learn the tricks of the trade through tutorials along the way, while advanced players can take on challenges to show off their trick-shot abilities. Keep things interesting with three sets of rules.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Pool
Official Nintendo Page: http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail...NS7x1kVleRYFgU

Virtual Console


Mega Man (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Join the blue bomber in his first-ever adventure as he battles the evil Dr. Wily and his robotic henchmen to restore peace to a troubled world. Mega Man is a super-robot created by the genius scientist Dr. Light. When Dr. Wily goes rogue with an army of six of his own devious robot masters, it's up to Mega Man to put a stop to his nefarious plot by traversing a series of stages rife with enemies, traps and perilous platform challenges. At the end of each stage, conquer one of the robot masters and claim his weapon as your own, using it to your advantage in subsequent fights.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Man_(video_game)
Official Capcom Page: http://megaman.capcom.com/index.php
Official Nintendo Page: http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualc...jrugkee1ee6rfw


NEO TURF MASTERS (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): This is a golf game that was first released in 1996. The player picks one of six available golfers and competes on a number of golf courses around the world, including Japan (Fujiyama Oriental Golf Club), America (Grand Canyon Golf Course), Australia (Blue Lagoon Golf Course) and Germany (Baden Golf Course). The game features two modes of play. The first is Stroke Play, in which the player attempts to get the best score by playing all 18 holes. The second is Match Play, in which two players compete to see who can win more of the 18 holes. Grab a friend and get ready to hit the fairway.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Turf_Masters
Official Nintendo Page: http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualc...MggGCpn4Rxk8rB

Nintendo DS
Commando: Steel Disaster IGN; Official Website; GameTrailers

--------------
1UP's Retronauts Episode 48: Nintendo Heaven View/Download:
http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3156908

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 2 [WiiWare], Official IGN page including hands-on preview, and screenshots:
http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14246169.html

Cursed Mountain [Wii], teaser video of an upcoming survival horror, leaked footage caught with camera:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38797.html

Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop [Wii], debut trailer at Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig, Germany:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38590.html

MadWorld [Wii], new trailer titled 'Blood Hungry' shown at GC 2008:
http://wii.ign.com/dor/objects/14253...GC_082008.html

The Conduit [Wii], GC 2008 trailer:
http://wii.ign.com/dor/objects/14248...er_082108.html
new screenshots: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14248157/imgs_1.html

Captain Rainbow [Wii], lots of new gameplay footage (wish, fishing, battle, folk dance, shooting star, etc.):
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38936.html

Castlevania: Judgement [Wii], GC 2008 trailer, more gameplay footage:
http://wii.ign.com/dor/objects/14262...er_082008.html
Official IGN page: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14262760.html

Sky Crawlers [Wii], more screenshots:
http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/100/100628/

de Blob [Wii], GC 2008 trailer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38969.html

Kororinpa 2 [Wii] (more details below), debut trailer:
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k2tVadqgdaQMgOJLGF
new gameplay footage captured from Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig, Germany:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-TZ3mU42wI

Samba de Amigo [Wii], 'Song Pack' trailer:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21043

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood [NDS], 'Combat' trailer:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21042

Tornado [NDS] 'Racoon' trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ezkNKj4ls&fmt=18

Dragonball DS [NDS], trailer #2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkGTxjQuvbk&fmt=18

--------------
Dragon Ball: Orgins [NDS] will be the US and European title to Dragonball DS.
IGN has a preview of the game straight from Games Convention 2008:
http://ds.ign.com/articles/902/902341p1.html

Screenshots: http://media.ds.ign.com/media/142/14255195/imgs_1.html

IGN page: http://ds.ign.com/objects/142/14255195.html

--------------
Dr. Slump [NDS], as based on the Anime and Manga of the same name created by Akira Toriyama (best known for Dragonball, DBZ series, Blue Dragon, etc.) and part of the Weekly Shonen Jump, and featured on the Jump Super Stars / Jump Ultimate Stars games, now has its own debut video game coming to Nintendo DS.
- release date revealed: October 30th, 2008 for Japan
Official Website now open! http://b.bngi-channel.jp/ds/dsa/game.html

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Slump

--------------
More details are mentioned on the latest issue of Nintendo Power about Animal Crossing: City Folk [Wii]

- city area does not show players that are online
- auction house lets you bid on items posted by other users
- happy academy room shows rooms from houses that are decorated especially well
- the city "is a place for people who you have registered as Wii Friends."
- DS to Wii linkup "you can actually take your travel data and download it to your DS."
- take photos, transfer them to SD, email, or Wii friends
- Jingle the Reindeer is back for Toy Day
- Zipper T. Bunny is a new character for 'Bunny Day'
- DLC "We’re thinking of a service where you download new furniture, new wallpaper designs… that sort of thing,"
- all free
- no mention on more motion controls
- once again, Wii Speak is not bundled with the game

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Crossing:_City_Folk

--------------
Theresia [NDS], an adventure horror game on Nintendo DS

details:
- developed by Workjam
- help two characters escape a maze by solving puzzles, and combining items
- one character, a young girl that "loves her mom.. a lot"
- other character is Martel, a doctor that found a vaccine for fevers in young children
- both characters are connected, and there is more to learn about both their stories
- Martel paid a price for the vaccine, which we will learn about
- Japan: September 11th, 2008 NA: October 21st, 2008

Source

Boxart and Screenshots: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/...0807/there.htm
Official Website: http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/theresia/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresia

-------------
Moon [NDS], a Metroid Prime: Hunters-like first-person shooter title on Nintendo DS, has the release date of November 18th, 2008.
- official website now updated and gone Live!

Official Website: www.moon-game.com
IGN page: http://ds.ign.com/objects/142/14215698.html
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_(video_game)

-------------
Kororinpa 2 [Wii] has just been announced at Leipzig GC 2008.

Details:
- 4 player mode
- Level Editor (share levels via WC24 once game is beaten)
- Design your own ball
- Mii support
- balance board support
- 10 stages for balance board, 100 for Wiimote control
- story added concerning an ant’s quest for a sunflower seed
- Konami publishing in Europe, first quarter 2009

Screenshots: http://www.dpadmagazine.com/2008/08/...pa-2-unveiled/

Official Website: http://www.kororinpa.com/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kororinpa

------------
Samba de Amigo [Wii]

Release dates:
Europe: Sept. 19th
North America: Sept. 23rd

Day-on release DLC:
* Mambo Mambo – Lou Bega
* I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
* Are you Going to Be My Girl – Jet

New songs revealed:
* Baila Me – Gipsy Kings
* Papa Loves Mambo – Perry Como*
* Mambo No. 8 – Perez Prado
* Conga – Miami Sound Machine*
* Low Rider – War
* Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega*
* Oye Como Va – Santana*
* Asereje – Las Ketchup*
* Arriba Allez – Bellini
* Magalenha – Bellini and Mondonca Do Rio
* Ran Kan Ran – Tito Puento*
* Groove Is In the Heart – Dee Lite
* Jump in the Line – Harry Belafonte*
* Do It Well – Jennifer Lopez*
* Como Ves – Ozomatli
* Cha Cha – Chelo
* Pon de Replay – Rihanna
* Smooth – Santana*
* Mexican Flyer – Ken Woodman*
* Borriquito – Charo
* Un Aguardiente – WaveGroup
* Solo Tu – WaveGroup
* Tango With Me – WaveGroup

Source

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_de_amigo#Wii_version
Official IGN page: http://wii.ign.com/objects/966/966047.html

------------
MadWorld [Wii]

More details:
- amount of blood on-screen does not impact main character or enemies (you will not slip and fall)
- final length of game is undecided, but don’t expect a long game
- New minigame: Death Press - fill a hole with enemies as a giant spiked arm comes down and crushes them
- motorcycle is for travel between towns only. You will fight and go through different sequences when you ride
- dev team has no idea how the game will be launched in Japan, but the game will be kept as it was always meant to be

*Due to its violent nature, SEGA recently announced that the game is now banned from release in Germany after its exposure during GC08, Leipzig.

New MadWorld trailer titled 'Blood Hungry' shown at GC 2008:
http://wii.ign.com/dor/objects/14253...GC_082008.html

Official IGN page: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14253678.html
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madworld
Official UK website: http://www.sega.co.uk/platinumgames/...hUK/index.html

-----------
Cursed Mountain [Wii]

- upcoming survival horror/adventure
- takes place in the late 1980s in the Himalayas
- site open!

Official Website: http://cursedmountain.deepsilver.com/us/agegate.php
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursed_Mountain

-----------
World Of Goo [Wii]

Official 2D Boy (developer) Blog update:
- "Translations into 5 languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German) is 91% done. I hope one day we'll be able to do Japanese too.."
- Cut-scenes: finishing up the very last end-of-game sequence, and the credits movie
- OCD: "We're putting in "OCD Flags" for each level, "Obsessive Completion Distinction", received if you complete a level under under extremely difficult criteria (ie. extremely high ball count, very fast, etc.)"
- Playtesting: we’re having friends and family play through the whole game, on camera, so we can tune level difficulty, find out if objectives are unclear, confusing, etc.

More details:
- Euro publisher is RTL Games
- Final retail price: 39,99€
- delayed to Q1 2009 for Europe
- NA to see WiiWare release this year
- new chapter added: The Moon
- each chapter has a unique theme (fanboyism, marketing, other tongue-in-cheek themes)
- 50+ levels.
- Online leaderboards: your stats are represented by a cloud on the Tower of Goo.
- Info shown: country with a flag, score, position, height
- one of the devs is provides voices for the game
- no Wiimote speaker use, dev team doesn’t like it
- rumble supported
- TV advertisements being discussed (most likely for retail version)
- Nintendo has been “wonderful” and “Very honest”
- 4 player co-op remains intact

Source

Official 2D Boy blog: http://2dboy.com/2008/08/14/leipzig-...i-goo-updates/
Official Website: http://2dboy.com/games.php
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Goo

-----------
Tactical Assassins 2 [WiiCade] is now available for play at WiiCade.com, a flash-based game to play via your Wii's Internet Channel.
Link: http://www.wiicade.com/playGame.aspx...20Assassin%202

Source

-----------
Capcom has posted a final update concerning the Okami [Wii] special replacement cover art redemption.

Bad news: It may take a little longer for them to send the prints (including a confirmation email)
Good news: Since it took so long, they are shipping all 3 pieces of art to those who asked for replacements.

Capcom's Blog: http://www.capcom-unity.com/cferris/...__final_update

-----------

Catch up on my previous Wii News & Updates as well as other video game related topics at my Blogspot, Xanga, or Multiply.
Recent news about me:
- Got my prizes for winning the WiiNin Mario Kart Wii online tournament: Chopper Commandos T-shirt, Pokemon Diamond stylis, Wii-ID battery cover.
- Mega Man T-shirt Get! Photos
- Got one of those echochrome looking art figures


// Roth

• Wii News & Updates 2008.07.30

WiiWare

Frat Party Games: Pong Toss™ (JV Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Language, 800 Wii Points): Pony up—it’s Pong Toss time. Compete against your friends or the computer in this ultimate party-game favorite. Play on a regulation table with up to four players. Make consecutive shots for the Fireball bonuses and Roll-Backs as you or your team try to dominate the table and reign as Pong Toss champs. In Speed Pong, up to three challengers can compete at the same time. Speed and strategy are the keys to this fast-paced game. Jack up your opponents by using a slew of power-ups that will slow them down. The first one who sinks the last cup wins it all. Be fast. Be furious. Be victorious.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frat_Party_Games:_Pong_Toss
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfpB9nH150&fmt=18
Official Website: http://www.fratpartygames.com/

Virtual Console


Chase H.Q.® (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Drug Reference, Mild Violence, 600 Wii Points): This is a different style of racing game in which you attempt to catch criminals by chasing them and ramming their cars off the road. Playing as two cops from the NYPD special “CHASE H.Q.” unit, the first half of each stage involves you maneuvering your unmarked car in a heated chase, followed by an action sequence in the latter half. Once you reach the target vehicle, you flip on your lights and siren, and then try to stop the culprits by repeatedly colliding with them. Use your different gears wisely as you make your way through streets and around corners, and be careful not to hit objects or other cars, or you’ll lose speed. Also at your disposal are turbo units for temporary extra speed and ramming power.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_H.Q.


ART OF FIGHTING 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1994 by SNK, ART OF FIGHTING 2 sees 12 characters compete for the title in the toughest fighting contest of them all: King of Fighters. Each character has a range of deadly techniques in his or her arsenal, and players must use these lethal techniques to fight their opponents. As in the original ART OF FIGHTING, however, using a deadly technique lowers a character’s mental-energy gauge. For this reason, players must use these techniques carefully. Meanwhile, players can taunt an opponent to exhaust his or her mental energy, and even suppress their opponent’s techniques if successful. This type of mental-energy offense and defense gives ART OF FIGHTING 2 a uniquely enjoyable spin on the fighting-game genre. Further adding to the strategy required to win, an attack will become stronger or weaker depending on exactly when the button is pressed. And even if a player is thrown, defensive action is possible with the timely press of a button. All of this adds up to an intense and nail-biting fighting-game experience not found anywhere else.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_Fighting_2

Wii
Summer Athletics Official Website; IGN; YouTube
MLB Power Pros 2008 Official Website; IGN; Wiki
King Of Clubs: Mini Golf IGN; GameSpot

Nintendo DS
Professor Brainium IGN; GameSpot
Puzzler Collection IGN
Suzuki Superbikes II: Riding Challenge IGN

--------------
Free Wii system with Comcast Preferred Plus Triple-Play Offer ends Aug. 17

Some of you may have seen the commercial ad on TV that Nintendo is partnering with Comcast.
Comcast will be giving away a limited supply of free Wiis in an upcoming promotion. The offer is good for new Comcast Triple-Play subscribers signing up July 28-August 17th in select markets. The promo will be good around certain areas such as Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and some other markets too. In valid markets where Triple-Play is not available, Double-Play subscriptions are eligible.

--------------
Nintendo has also recently teamed up with photo company Fujifilm to bring you the "Digicam Print Channel", which is a photo-printing service out now in Japan. This one allows Wii owners upload photos to the Wii Photo Channel and print them via the console. Also available are "Wii Name Cards", which are essentially business cards, and "Wii Photobooks."



The service is expected to go global, but no dates are set yet.

Video demonstration on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCKMB5hWB88&fmt=18
Read more details @
Source

--------------

Nintendo's unusual new Wii project, Captain Rainbow, from the developer behind GiFTPiA and Chibi-robo, Skip Ltd., is set to hit Japan on August 28th and at last some new concrete details have emerged from a Japanese retailer and have now been translated.

Completely out of the blue Nintendo revealed that it had a game called Captain Rainbow heading to Wii and that it would be out much sooner than anyone could have guessed, despite a trademark for the game's name appearing earlier in the year. Now information is starting to pour out of Japan at a spectacular rate as Nintendo attempts to quickly build up sufficient hype to help the game sell. Below are two new trailers from the game, showing off characters like Little Mac and Birdo, as well as the translated details from the NeoWing retailer website.

Watch all 3 trailers @ http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14265257/vids_1.html

More about this game @ IGN: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14265257.html#aboutThisGame
or Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Rainbow

Source

--------------
Ragnarok Online DS

- gameplay remains closely related to PC title
- offline story mode is main focus
- Play as Ares, “a mild-mannered kid who wants to start up his own guild and be a great adventurer like his father
- recruit party members
- takes place in the realm of Rune Midgard
- build up characters to gain new jobs, skills
- mostly stylus control
- tap to pick up items, attack enemies
- draw circles and more for spells
- two brand-new jobs (Dark Knight can do special moves that drain HP, Shaman has various magic skills)
- Online play: three people team up to take on the Tower of Mirages, a 50 floor random dungeon
- December 18th release in Japan
- no US plans yet

scans from Famitsu magazine:
Page 1, Page 2

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnarok_online_ds

Source

-------------
Winds of Nostalgia

- produced by Keisuke Kikuchi (Fatal Frame)
- developed by Matrix Software
- play as Eddie “a young London native who’s decided to adventure off to unknown lands in search of his missing father”
- travel the world with crew mates such as Pad and Melody (witch)
- locations: Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Africa, Northern Europe and more
- certain characters are better with certain weapons
- travel via airship, which is outfitted with armor and weapons
- airship battles are a major part of the game
- each character has specific skill sets that can be power-ed up and branched-out upon

Source

------------
Fire Emblem DS

more details:
1. Most classes remain the same
- Pegasus Knights = Dragon Knights.
- Thieves, Lords, other special classes cannot change

2. Class-swap as much as needed, but with some limitations
- no swapping to unique classes (Lords, Commandos, etc
- limited to amount of each class

3. Class change uses an item called the Master Proof
- class change to the upper classes allows you to swap between the upper classes
- Warrior and Berserker classes added

4. Wi-Fi battles
- voice chat
- Fog of War
- rule settings
- team of 5 units

5. 6 difficulty levels
- Normal and Hard open from the beginning
- Enemy reinforcements at beginning of enemy phase

Source

-------------
Tetris Party [WiiWare]

Details:
- due out this Fall
- 18 new modes
- balance board support confirmed
- 10 never-before-seen single/multi Tetris variations (point-and-shoot, balance board, and more)
- play online with up to 6 players
- World Battle and Friend Battle

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_Party

screenshots and more @
Source

-------------
TrackMania DS - new trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHUYuiyR9lw&fmt=18

Fire Emblem DS - trailer+TVCM from Everybody's Nintendo channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTIdLNwwsEw&fmt=18

MadWorld - IGN E3 Live Wire demo: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14253678/vids_1.html

The Conduit - IGN E3 Live Wire demo: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14248157/vids_1.html

Mega Man 9 - IGN E3 Live Wire demo: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14260822/vids_1.html

Naruto: Clash of the Ninja Revolution 2 - IGN E3 Live Wire demo: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/965/965447/vids_1.html

Tenchu 4 - trailers: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14258123/vids_1.html

Captain Rainbow - trailers: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/142/14265257/vids_1.html

Wario Land: Shake - Hi-res artwork gallery at my Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/rothsothy/WarioLandShakeIt

Fatal Frame IV
- New full-length trailer (featuring theme song and creator's voice): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cruZeTUAddU&fmt=18
- Gameplay footage now with some translation by Stormbringer (NeoGAF): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yM3dJK9VvM&fmt=18

-------------
Fatal Frame IV / Zero ~Mask of the Lunar Eclipse~ Experience Page now open:
http://wii.com/jp/articles/zero/

Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop - official website now open:
http://www.capcom.co.jp/deadrising_wii/

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
- official website now open: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/kingdom/days/
- translation: http://www.khinsider.com/latest/358-2-days...site-opens.html

LEGO Batman - official website now open:
http://www.legobatmangame.com

------------
Penguin United announced their upcoming 4X Quad Charge Station for Wii.

Details:
- charge up to 4 Wii Remotes simultaneously
- now with set of rechargeable Li-Ion batteries for longer lasting than Ni-Mh
- up to 13hrs of play each remote
- LEDs on each dock will indicate when batteries are in need of charge around 25%
- full charge in less than 4hrs
- 4 colored wrist straps included
- price: $44.99

Source

-------------
LiveMove 2 is a brand new product that fully supports the Nintendo Wii MotionPlus accessory. AiLive collaborated with Nintendo to design the MotionPlus hardware and is offering LiveMove 2 to help game developers take full advantage of its capabilities. LiveMove 2 can knock at least six months off the time required to integrate the basic functionality of the new device into your game. For advanced use, you simply won't find anything else like it!

Exciting new features such as:
– Fully supports the Wii MotionPlus;
– 1:1 tracking of both position and orientation;
– Snap-to-fit extends tracking indefinitely, allows chaining of moves
and can instantly map player movements to in-game animations;
– Even easier to use, with a more intuitive GUI and improved debugging facilities;
– Classification of two-handed, coordinated motions;
– Classification can use additional MotionPlus data to improve performance.

Demo Videos and more info @
http://www.ailive.net/lm2.html

-------------

Catch up on previous Wii News & Updates at my Blogspot, Xanga, or Multiply.
See you all next week! \:D/

// Roth