• Wii News & Updates 2008.09.08

WiiWare


Groovin’ Blocks (Empty Clip Studios, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): A music-based game like no other, Groovin’ Blocks adds innovative musical game play to an addictive action/puzzle game foundation. Play to the rhythm of the music to increase your score, and try to hit “Superbeats” to double your multiplier. Go for the high score in each of the 27 stages as you collect stars to unlock 15 levels of power-ups. Groovin’ Blocks features three skill levels, from the accessible Casual to the fiendish Hard mode. Play with your friends in co-op mode or against them head-to-head. Head-to-head brings it up a notch as the power-ups now become attacks on your opponent. Play head-to-head with people of all skill levels using a golf-style handicapping system.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groovin%27_Blocks
Official Website: http://www.emptyclipstudios.com/games/groovin-blocks/
IGN: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14279029.html
Direct Link

Virtual Console


Final Solider
TurboGrafx16
1 player
Rated E for Everyone—Mild Fantasy Violence
700 Wii Points
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Soldier


Cho Aniki
TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM
1 player
Rated E10+ for Everyone and Older—Mild Fantasy Violence
Mild Suggestive Themes
900 Wii Points
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cho_Aniki

Wii
NHL 2K9 Official Website; IGN; Wiki
Cabelas Legendary Adventures IGN
Hell's Kitchen IGN
Outdoor Challenge: Active Life (aka Family Trainer in Japan) Official Japanese Website; IGN; Wiki; WiiFolder's Video Tour
The Price Is Right IGN
Twin Strike Operation Thunder IGN

Nintendo DS
Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise Official Website; IGN; Wiki
Air Traffic Chaos IGN
Bratz Ponyz 2 (with Tiara gift and stickers with purchase) IGN
Hell's Kitchen IGN
Mystery Case Files: Millionheir Official Website; IGN; Wiki
The Price Is Right IGN
Rain Drops IGN

Special Reprintings of previously Hard-to-find titles now $19.99 at BestBuy:
ClubHouse Games Official Nintendo Page; IGN; Wiki
Hotel Dusk Room 215 Official Website; IGN; Wiki

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In some venues, silver is the color of second place. For Nintendo DS™, silver is No. 1. Starting Sept. 7, Metallic Silver joins the Nintendo DS color palette. The new Metallic Silver version makes a nice addition to any tech collection, whether you’re a gadget hipster or fashionista. Watch for the Metallic Silver DS to be featured in the new upcoming Nintendo DS print ad featuring actress Liv Tyler.

Nintendo Press

Yes, also known as Glossy Silver DS Lite in other regions.
I’ve been waiting for this particular item since DS Lite launch.
After its first appearance in Japan, then later in Europe, I knew it’s heading our way.
It’s finally within my grasp. I sure wish it'd be bundled with Pokemon Platinum. \:D/

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According to Famitsu, Nintendo of Japan just announced their Wi-Fi Router today for their region.
Pretty much a stand-alone router/bridge with AOSS support for the simpler people who may have computers at home but no router for internet access.
It'll be compatible with Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, or any other Wi-Fi or LAN enabled device. Looks like the product will be staying in Japan; no plans on it coming to Europe or America at any time. It's arriving September 18 for 5,800 yen.

Source
Official Japanese Nintendo Page: http://wifi.nintendo.co.jp/wap/

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According to Nintendo's presentation at the GameStop manager's conference in Las Vegas, Animal Crossing: City Folk and its Wii Speak will be bundled together for $69.99 when it ships this November.

Source

"The Wii Speak microphone is sold separately at an MSRP of $29.99 and allows Internet voice chat among Wii Friends – not just from person to person but from room to room. - Nintendo Press"

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Fragile [Wii] trailer 2:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39476.html
official Japanese website: http://fragile.namco-ch.net/

Wii Music [Wii] instruments demonstrations
electric guitar: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39540.html
folk guitar: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39294.html
piano: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39420.html
harp: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39450.html
violin: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39422.html
marimba: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39295.html
accordion: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39693.html
taiko: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39692.html
clarinet: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39676.html
congo: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39595.html
flute: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39412.html
snare drum: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39411.html
official Nintendo page: http://e3.nintendo.com/wii/wiimusic/index.html

Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop [Wii] Capcom interview:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39526.html
official website: http://www.capcom.co.jp/deadrising_wii/index_en.html

Rune Factory Frontier [NDS] more screenshots and artwork:
http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/102/102643/
official Japanese website: http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/wii/runefactory/

Ragnarok Online DS [NDS] more screenshots and artwork:
http://wiiz.fr/article.php?a=19619
http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1217750_1124.html
official Japanese website: http://www.gunghoworks.jp/game/RODS/

Metal Slug 7 [NDS] official website open, will include free soundtrack download soon:
http://www.metalslug7-us.com/

Gradius Rebirth [WiiWare] official website:
http://www.konami.jp/products/dl_wii_gradius_re_ww/
Out now on WiiWare Japan!

Gauntlet DS [NDS] first screenshots, official site:
http://www.backboneentertainment.com/produ...duct.asp?ID=379

Unsolved Crimes [NDS] screenshots:
http://media.ds.ign.com/media/142/14239378/imgs_1.html

Lock's Quest [NDS] game overview trailer:
http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14244131/loc...r_1.5_h264.html

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia [NDS] a few new screenshots:
http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ds3/
images @ IGN: http://media.ds.ign.com/media/958/958543/imgs_1.html

Disgaea DS [NDS] 'Prinny' trailer:
http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14239082/dis...nny_090808.html

Bleach: Versus Crusade [NDS] official Japanese site open including first footage:
http://bleach.sega.jp/
http://bleach.sega.jp/vs/

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood [NDS] 'The Vision' trailer:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21347

Chrono Trigger [NDS] gameplay videos:
Chrono: http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21358
Lucca: http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21359
Marle: http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21360

Naruto: Clash of the Ninjas Revolution 2 [Wii] "Face Off" trailer:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21363

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party [Wii] 'Big Brother' trailer HD:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21352

Samba de Amigo [Wii] 'Man v Monkey' trailer:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21339

Tomb Raider Underworld [Wii] 'BTS: Story' video HD:
http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21361

Disney Th!nk Fast [Wii] screenshots:
http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1217880_1124.html

Harvest Moon: Animal March [Wii] screenshots:
http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/104/104110/

Disaster: Day of Crisis [Wii] lots of screenshots and artwork:
http://media.wii.ign.com/media/826/826985/imgs_1.html
Japanese boxart: http://gamekyo.com/images0_4_28953.html
wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_day_of_crisis

Wario Land: Shake It! [Wii] official North American website now open!:
http://www.wariolandshakeit.com/prelaunch/index.html

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There's this one "Art game" called Aether that I was playing for a few minutes.
It looks like the developer, Armor Games, may be bring it to WiiWare as well as PC.
The game is based on gravity and force physics, and has got a neat artistic visual style to it much similar to Pixel Junkies' Eden.
I've managed to launch my creature/pet straight, and it's been flying nonstop in to space.
Here's a video of it: Direct Link

You can try out the game yourself at the official page:
http://armorgames.com/play/2153/aether

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// Roth

• Wii News & Updates 2008.06.24

WiiWare™


Gyrostarr™ (High Voltage Software, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Fantasy Violence, 700 Wii Points): Gyrostarr challenges you and up to three additional players to pilot your ships through a series of twisting, turning technoplasma tracks while battling a variety of deadly alien foes at ever-increasing speeds. While fighting and maneuvering, you must collect enough energy to activate the ancient warpgate at the end of each track. Succeed, and you can journey to the next, even deadlier track. Fail, and the gate will slam shut, destroying your ship. Enhance your ship with weapon pickups, coordinate attacks with your friends to fire powerful combined blasts and use your grapple to snag energy and pickups in the midst of combat. Control your ship with the Wii Remote™ controller, Nunchuk™ controller or Classic Controller™, or use the "paired" control system that allows two players to use a connected Wii Remote and Nunchuk or Classic Controller at the same time. Offering 50 levels of intense action, powerful pickups, high-speed bonus levels and mayhem for up to four players, Gyrostarr is a killer arcade challenge.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrostarr

Virtual Console™


Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Sega Master System, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): In this platformer from the 1980s, you're Alex Kidd, looking for your lost brother Egle. In order to find your brother, you'll have to contend with the evil Janken the Great, who will send his henchmen and monsters at you to thwart your progress. One aspect of this adventure is that you'll have to play the classic game of "rock, paper, scissors" against the henchmen in order to defeat them. With 16 different levels to conquer in order to save Egle, this classic is sure to test your skills and your wits at the same time.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Kidd_in_Miracle_World


BURNING FIGHT (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1991 by SNK, BURNING FIGHT is a side-scrolling hand-to-hand-combat action game. In pursuit of Casterora, leader of a huge syndicate that has escaped from New York to Osaka, the protagonists are three detectives: Duke, Ryu and Billy. Each character fights using a combination of punches, kicks and jumps, plus his own particular special move, activated by simultaneously pressing the jump and attack buttons. These lethal techniques have enormous destructive force, but they also consume a great deal of energy. For this reason, players must use their special moves with skillful timing. Luckily for the detectives, new weapons and additional health can be found by breaking things like phone booths and street signs along the way. A boss, who must be defeated in order to continue the mission, awaits players at the end of each stage. You can also take on the gang with a friend, but beware-attacks by one player can damage the other, so keep an eye on where your partner is in the heat of the battle. End Casterora's reign of terror once and for all.
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Fight

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Wii™

Alone In The Dark Wiki; IGN; Gametrailers
Rock Band Official Website; Wiki; IGN; YouTube
Guitar Hero Aerosmith Official Website; Wiki
Myth Makers Trixie In Toyland IGN
Big Beach Sports IGN


Nintendo DS™

Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Official Website; Wiki; YouTube
Mega Man Star Force 2 Zerker X (Saurian + Ninja) Wiki; YouTube
Gourmet Chef IGN
Cake Mania 2 IGN
My Weight Loss Coach IGN
Shining Stars Super Starcade IGN

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The Pokémon Company has announced Pokémon 151, a new brand intended for adult Pokémon fans. An official Web site opens Thursday, and Japanese Pokémon Center stores have begun selling four types of stylized T-shirts. In addition, a Diamond and Pearl battle tournament for ages 15 and up will be held at the Tokyo store July 4.

The four T-shirts currently available for pre-sale feature stylized designs of Hypno, Cubone, Articuno and Mewtwo, respectively.



The website is set to launch on the 26th!

Official Website: http://pokemon151.jp/
Source

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Daigasso! Band Brothers DX (out in Japan on June 26th! Pre-order)

Players will also be able to connect their game to a Wii console and utilize a game-specific Wii Channel called the Speaker Channel which will transmit the game's audio through the television. Players can also download up to 100 songs out of 200 onto the game, via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, as well as play locally with up to eight people using single-card download play.

more details:
- Create your own songs in composer mode
- store up to 100 songs on the card
- alter the wave of the tone via visual effecter.
- upload finished songs to Nintendo’s database, where others can hear your work
- 63 legally licensed songs for download including: One Night Carnival, Real Life Real Heart, Love Story wa Totsuzen ni, CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA, and Doremon's Dream.
- play guitar via touch screen
- sing via the Karaoke mode

IGN hands-on: http://ds.ign.com/articles/883/883169p1.html
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daigasso%2 … rothers_DX
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/axbj/index.html

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Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility

New Trailer on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/ … 82RKOG5TC0
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_Mo … ranquility

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Rune Factory Frontier

New site now open.
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.mmv.co.jp/special/game/wii/runefactory/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rune_Factory_Frontier

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More details on Blue Oasis [WiiWare]: http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14244081.html

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Oasis
Debut Trailer on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=G3D6-AEEtz8

Blue Oasis [WiiWare] should be released right now in Japan along with other titles such as Super Mario RPG [VC]

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


// Roth