November 19th is an important date for Nintendo. It is on this day, two years ago, that their highly successful Wii system first emerged from its boxed womb to spread joy to gamers across the globe. Much like a new parent slowly learning how to care for a newborn, Wii owners slowly came to grips with its bold new motion-based gameplay. Mistakes were made, and lessons were learned, but we eventually figured out the basics of handling the Wii (wee-one) in our households.
Okay, enough of that.
In all honesty, the Wii has had a remarkable first two years, not just in terms of games, but also in sales. I doubt even the big N could have predicted that it would take this long for the system to be readily available.
So here's wishing a very happy birthday to the Nintendo Wii. Let's just hope that the "terrible twos" does not apply to pieces of plastic.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Nintendo Fan Network brings Gamers and Jocks Closer Together
Baseball fans in the Pacific Northwest now have a use for their Nintendo DS besides rescuing princesses and lowering the age of their brain. The Nintendo Fan Network has been available for download at Safeco Field since last season, but this season, the service is being offered for free for the first time, and will include many new features.
The main purpose of the service is to give DS owners the ability to track team and player stats and view updated scores from MLB games around the country. Fans stuck in the nosebleed section can get a better view of the action by watching the in-stadium television feed of the game on their handheld.
Other content on the service includes trivia competitions and chat-rooms for fans in the ballpark. Plus, it includes the ultimate feature for lazy people: the ability to order food and have it delivered to your seat.
As a fan of both baseball and Nintendo, I would be very interested in seeing this system adopted in stadiums throughout the nation. It would be great to have something to keep me occupied during slow innings, and may even give fans a reason to stay to the end of a particularly brutal team-beating.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the Nintendo Fan Network will expand. The system was implemented at Safeco Field due to Nintendo’s ownership of the Mariners. Unless the features are a huge success and draw demands from baseball fans from coast-to-coast, it is likely that Seattle residents will be the only ones lucky enough to combine these two pastimes.
The main purpose of the service is to give DS owners the ability to track team and player stats and view updated scores from MLB games around the country. Fans stuck in the nosebleed section can get a better view of the action by watching the in-stadium television feed of the game on their handheld.
Other content on the service includes trivia competitions and chat-rooms for fans in the ballpark. Plus, it includes the ultimate feature for lazy people: the ability to order food and have it delivered to your seat.
As a fan of both baseball and Nintendo, I would be very interested in seeing this system adopted in stadiums throughout the nation. It would be great to have something to keep me occupied during slow innings, and may even give fans a reason to stay to the end of a particularly brutal team-beating.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the Nintendo Fan Network will expand. The system was implemented at Safeco Field due to Nintendo’s ownership of the Mariners. Unless the features are a huge success and draw demands from baseball fans from coast-to-coast, it is likely that Seattle residents will be the only ones lucky enough to combine these two pastimes.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wii Fit Officially Priced
Some may argue that certain aspects of life, such as happiness and health, are priceless. Nintendo would beg to differ, insisting that being fit is easily worth $89.99.
That’s right. The game that has already become an overseas phenomenon will be sucking just under 90 bucks from your wallet come May 21. For those keeping track, that’s the equivalent of almost 30 Big Macs. Maybe the real trick to losing weight with Wii Fit is that it prevents you from being able to afford food anymore.
While the cost of the game may seem a little high, those who have played it do claim that it is a good investment. Even the news anchors on the Today Show seemed to have fun with it in a recent pseudo-news story. Plus it is important to remember that one of the most popular games in recent years is the equally expensive Guitar Hero. This proves that a slightly higher cost will not deter purchasers as long as the product is of high quality.
If 90 big-ones still seems like too high of a price to shape-up in front of the television, there are other alternatives. Allow me to recommend Richard Simmons - Sweatin’ to the Oldies…Suddenly $90 seems a lot more reasonable, doesn’t it?
That’s right. The game that has already become an overseas phenomenon will be sucking just under 90 bucks from your wallet come May 21. For those keeping track, that’s the equivalent of almost 30 Big Macs. Maybe the real trick to losing weight with Wii Fit is that it prevents you from being able to afford food anymore.
While the cost of the game may seem a little high, those who have played it do claim that it is a good investment. Even the news anchors on the Today Show seemed to have fun with it in a recent pseudo-news story. Plus it is important to remember that one of the most popular games in recent years is the equally expensive Guitar Hero. This proves that a slightly higher cost will not deter purchasers as long as the product is of high quality.
If 90 big-ones still seems like too high of a price to shape-up in front of the television, there are other alternatives. Allow me to recommend Richard Simmons - Sweatin’ to the Oldies…Suddenly $90 seems a lot more reasonable, doesn’t it?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Mario Baseball Wii Finally Acknowledged
It’s that time of year again. The weather is beginning to heat up, little leaguers are hitting the diamond, and gamers are staying inside to play baseball games. Of course, readers of this blog usually prefer their sports games to have a heavy dose of Italian plumber, and Nintendo has these people covered.
Mario Super Sluggers, the successor to the Gamecube’s Mario Superstar Baseball, was officially announced during Nintendo’s media summit this weekend. A Mario baseball title had been mentioned at previous events, but very little was known about the game.
The company revealed that the game will make use of the Wii’s motion-sensing remote to replicate real-life maneuvers, much like Wii Sports did at the system’s launch. Mario Super Sluggers is likely a stepping stone for expanded audience gamers who started with Wii Sports Baseball and are ready for a more in-depth gaming experience.
Unfortunately, a North American release date has yet to be announced, but an early to mid-summer launch seems likely, due to the game’s seasonal subject matter.
However, there is still the question of whether the many fans of Wii Sports will be anxious to pay upward of 50 dollars for a more detailed version of a game that was part of a free compilation. Mario Superstar Baseball failed to capture much interest from the gaming community when it was released, so this sequel may be a hard sell to the core gamers as well. Let’s hope that the developers are able to incorporate even more fun motion-controls and an impressive single-player campaign. Otherwise, all the lightning bolts and banana peels in the world wont keep this one from striking out at retail.
Mario Super Sluggers, the successor to the Gamecube’s Mario Superstar Baseball, was officially announced during Nintendo’s media summit this weekend. A Mario baseball title had been mentioned at previous events, but very little was known about the game.
The company revealed that the game will make use of the Wii’s motion-sensing remote to replicate real-life maneuvers, much like Wii Sports did at the system’s launch. Mario Super Sluggers is likely a stepping stone for expanded audience gamers who started with Wii Sports Baseball and are ready for a more in-depth gaming experience.
Unfortunately, a North American release date has yet to be announced, but an early to mid-summer launch seems likely, due to the game’s seasonal subject matter.
However, there is still the question of whether the many fans of Wii Sports will be anxious to pay upward of 50 dollars for a more detailed version of a game that was part of a free compilation. Mario Superstar Baseball failed to capture much interest from the gaming community when it was released, so this sequel may be a hard sell to the core gamers as well. Let’s hope that the developers are able to incorporate even more fun motion-controls and an impressive single-player campaign. Otherwise, all the lightning bolts and banana peels in the world wont keep this one from striking out at retail.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Virtual Console Monday - April 7
It has been almost a month-and-a-half since Nintendo has seen fit to bring one of their first-party games to the Virtual Console. That unfortunate streak has finally come to an end with this week’s releases. Today, Nintendo made Yoshi’s Cookie, originally a NES game, available for download.
Now, I was this close to going on a rant about how we Nintendo faithful put up with a six-week drought, only to be rewarded with a mediocre puzzle game, but then I realized that most of the important Nintendo games have already been placed on the console’s virtual shelves. Nintendo still has some work to do on their Nintendo 64 collection, but their selection of NES and SNES games is rather satisfactory. So I guess the addition of Yoshi’s Cookie is not quite the disappointment some may think it to be.
If friendly dinosaurs and falling puzzle pieces aren't your thing, perhaps you could celebrate the start of the new baseball season with Bases Loaded, the other game made available in today’s update.
Now, I was this close to going on a rant about how we Nintendo faithful put up with a six-week drought, only to be rewarded with a mediocre puzzle game, but then I realized that most of the important Nintendo games have already been placed on the console’s virtual shelves. Nintendo still has some work to do on their Nintendo 64 collection, but their selection of NES and SNES games is rather satisfactory. So I guess the addition of Yoshi’s Cookie is not quite the disappointment some may think it to be.
If friendly dinosaurs and falling puzzle pieces aren't your thing, perhaps you could celebrate the start of the new baseball season with Bases Loaded, the other game made available in today’s update.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Brawl Breaks Nintendo Record
Everyone knew Super Smash Bros. Brawl was destined to be a big hit, which is why it should come as no surprise to find that the title has officially been confirmed to be Nintendo of America’s fastest-selling video game. More than 874,000 copies were sold on March 9, the game’s launch date. As of this Monday morning, more than 1.4 million units have been sold.
The series’ previous installment, Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube, was the system’s best-selling title and could have been an even bigger hit had anyone actually owned the console it played on.
Despite rumblings that Brawl may be the final installment in the Smash Bros. series, these sales numbers make it almost painfully obvious that this is probably not the case. If there is one thing Nintendo knows how to do, it is milk a cash cow for all it’s worth, and Smash Bros. is mooing pretty loudly.
Expect a full review of the record-breaking Super Smash Bros. Brawl very soon.
P.S. Sorry this post is so short, but my game’s on pause.
The series’ previous installment, Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube, was the system’s best-selling title and could have been an even bigger hit had anyone actually owned the console it played on.
Despite rumblings that Brawl may be the final installment in the Smash Bros. series, these sales numbers make it almost painfully obvious that this is probably not the case. If there is one thing Nintendo knows how to do, it is milk a cash cow for all it’s worth, and Smash Bros. is mooing pretty loudly.
Expect a full review of the record-breaking Super Smash Bros. Brawl very soon.
P.S. Sorry this post is so short, but my game’s on pause.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Mario Kart Wii Racing to Stores Late April
After months of speculation, Nintendo officially confirmed today that Mario Kart Wii is set to release in the United States on April 27. This means that North American gamers will have to wait until after their counterparts in Japan, UK and even Australia gain access to the game in early April.
Mario Kart Wii is scheduled to borrow some concepts from the similarly blandly-titled Mario Kart DS. This includes online play and the inclusion of 16 classic tracks from previous entries in the series. Unfortunately, a recent article in Nintendo Power stated that the Mission Mode would not be making a return in this iteration.
The new addition to the series will also be bringing some new features to the race. For the first time in series history, the number of racers will change from eight to 12, making the famously frenzied races even more hectic.
Additionally, if you were never a huge fan of Mario characters or karts, you now have an alternative to both of those issues with the inclusion of bikes and the ability to play as your very own Mii.
Also, following in the footsteps of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii will allow for complete customization of how the game is controlled. Four control options are available; the GameCube controller, Classic Controller, Wii-mote and Nunchuk, or the included Wii Wheel. The latter is a holder for the Wii-mote, similar to the Wii Zapper, and is intended to replicate the feeling of actually using a steering wheel.
Expect a review of Mario Kart Wii shortly after its release date.
Mario Kart Wii is scheduled to borrow some concepts from the similarly blandly-titled Mario Kart DS. This includes online play and the inclusion of 16 classic tracks from previous entries in the series. Unfortunately, a recent article in Nintendo Power stated that the Mission Mode would not be making a return in this iteration.
The new addition to the series will also be bringing some new features to the race. For the first time in series history, the number of racers will change from eight to 12, making the famously frenzied races even more hectic.
Additionally, if you were never a huge fan of Mario characters or karts, you now have an alternative to both of those issues with the inclusion of bikes and the ability to play as your very own Mii.
Also, following in the footsteps of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii will allow for complete customization of how the game is controlled. Four control options are available; the GameCube controller, Classic Controller, Wii-mote and Nunchuk, or the included Wii Wheel. The latter is a holder for the Wii-mote, similar to the Wii Zapper, and is intended to replicate the feeling of actually using a steering wheel.
Expect a review of Mario Kart Wii shortly after its release date.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Games Dated and Awarded at GDC
The annual Game Developers Conference (where the industry gathers to party and discuss the development of games…but mostly to party) is currently underway in San Francisco and, as usual, Nintendo has a presence at the event. With that presence comes some interesting news tidbits.
Nintendo announced yesterday that they have officially set release dates for the North American launch of two items. Wii Fit, the game/exercise program that is already making record sales in Japan, will be released May 19; just in time for players to start getting in shape for the summer.
Also announced was that WiiWare will be available beginning May 12. The service, which allows Wii owners to purchase and download original gaming content, is expected to provide competition to Sony’s Playstation Store and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade. Nintendo is supporting their service with two announced games so far: Dr. Mario and Pokemon Farm. The former is an update to their classic NES puzzler and the latter is a virtual training space for Pokemon fans to raise their favorite critters. Both games are expected to launch simultaneously with the service, or soon after.
Nintendo’s presence in the gaming market was also present during the Game Developers Choice Awards. The industry voted The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass as the best handheld game of the year. Nintendo was also honored with nominations for Super Mario Galaxy in the Best Game of the Year and Best Game Design categories.
Nintendo Awesomeness will be sure to be updated with any other news that may be announced during the rest of the conference.
Nintendo announced yesterday that they have officially set release dates for the North American launch of two items. Wii Fit, the game/exercise program that is already making record sales in Japan, will be released May 19; just in time for players to start getting in shape for the summer.
Also announced was that WiiWare will be available beginning May 12. The service, which allows Wii owners to purchase and download original gaming content, is expected to provide competition to Sony’s Playstation Store and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade. Nintendo is supporting their service with two announced games so far: Dr. Mario and Pokemon Farm. The former is an update to their classic NES puzzler and the latter is a virtual training space for Pokemon fans to raise their favorite critters. Both games are expected to launch simultaneously with the service, or soon after.
Nintendo’s presence in the gaming market was also present during the Game Developers Choice Awards. The industry voted The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass as the best handheld game of the year. Nintendo was also honored with nominations for Super Mario Galaxy in the Best Game of the Year and Best Game Design categories.
Nintendo Awesomeness will be sure to be updated with any other news that may be announced during the rest of the conference.
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