Final Fantasy Crystal Chonicles: The Crystal Bearers - site open, new wallpaper

The website also has the trailer that we've all seen about a month or so ago. Nice to see that we are finally seeing more of the game and a release will be soon.

Site here

Arc Rise Fantasia - new trailer

I'm liking the trailer and the game looks epic. I'm not too sure that I like the color schemes on the characters, but this is a Japanese game so wacky colors (from my point of view) are to be expected.

The Conduit - new video interview

Nice to see a long indepth look at the first level of the game. I was getting tired of seeing the same old two levels all the time. Again, this game looks fantastic in videos.

Wii system update 4.0 brings 32GB SDHC support

Yesterday the Wii got the most important system update since it was released in 2006. The ability to store games on a 16-32 GB SDHC card and making the process of transferring games over easier, and even better giving us the option to play off the SD card and save downloads directly to the SD card. For once we can say "thank you" to Nintendo for finally giving us this, or we can say "its about time!". Either way we got it now, and here are some SDHC card solutions for you to consider:




Head over to Fry's electronics to see more.

I'll be getting one myself, I'm just not sure if I will even need the 32 GB card yet. However with the rumored Netflix support coming to the Wii, it is uncertain if we will be able to download movies in full from them or if it's only streaming content.

Guitar Hero Metallica - interview

The guys talk about how interesting it is introducing their music and other bands to a new generation of fans.

Wii to top 50 million sold in a few weeks

This month the Wii will pass the 50 million mark for consoles sold worldwide. This is a milestone and a record, the previous record was Playstation 2 which sold 50 million systems 8 months later than the Wii will.

Yet developers are still treating the Wii like a 3rd tier system. Granted some are coming around in a big way like Sega, but others are trying to look like they are supporting the system in full force but aren't fooling anyone (Capcom, EA). So my suggestion to Third Parties is to support the Wii in full, or risk loosing more money or going out of business (Factor 5, Free Radical) by staying with Sony and Microsoft they are just wasting a lot of their resources.

Punch Out!! Wii - new trailer

It's nice to see a lot more of the game after that huge press release from Nintendo. If you weren't excited about this game before, are you now?

Monster Hunter 3 - graphics you haven't seen yet on Wii

(be sure to click the above image and save it for your desktop!)

Capcom:

“As for Monster Hunter Tri…We’ve got some amazing stuff in it. The graphics for the Wii are like nothing you’ve seen on the system before. It’s a really pretty game. In addition, we now have underwater combat which is brand new to the series. So there are lots of sea monsters and things like that you can go after. Fans of Monster Hunter are going to be really impressed with what we accomplished with Monster Hunter Tri.”

Link

So I guess that would include The Conduit as well. I wouldn't' doubt it either since the art style blows The Conduit away and the effects and lighting look amazing for a Wii game. Also, we haven't seen nearly as much of Monster Hunter 3 as we have of The Conduit so it will be interesting to see how much better it looks in end.

The Conduit - new screens

This game looks amazing in videos, but in screens....not so much. I guess the reason sits with the fact that most Wii games just don't photo very good (like Metroid Prime 3). The Conduit looks like a jaggy mess in most of these screens when you click on them, however we know how great the game looks in motion so I wouldn't be too worried.

Punch Out!! Wii - Tons of new info

Category: Boxing
Age rating: 7+
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo
Release date: 22/05/2009

The legendary Punch-Out!! is back with a vengeance on Wii, but this time it packs an even bigger punch! Featuring all of the well-known characters from Glass Joe to Von Kaiser, superb duck and weave action, and the addition of enhanced functionality for Wii, the game returns for another assault on Europe on 22 May 2009.

After a flawless fight record on the NES and Super NES, Punch-Out!! revives the story of Little Mac as you follow his journey from up-and-coming boxer in the Bronx, NY to undisputed World champion. The game reunites the much-loved mean men of the World Video Boxing Association, who Little Mac must challenge and defeat one-by-one. The truly international line-up of characters includes all the wacky favourites from Von Kaiser, to King Hippo and tireless trainer Doc Louis.

The game brings the tactics and skills of boxing to Wii as you spot weaknesses in your opponent’s armoury – such as changes in their body position – and exploit them with your best upper cuts, hooks and jabs. However, this time the game packs even more power with bold new 3D graphics and the introduction of the motion sensing controls of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to give a more instinctive boxing experience as you weave, bob and duck your way to the top!

Punch-Out!! on Wii offers great new control opportunities, utilising both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to let you mimic the movements of the left and right hands as you let the leather fly. Meanwhile, the “classic” control system, invites you to use the Wii Remote in a sideways position to simulate the original NES controller and gives the real retro fight feel that Punch-Out!! fans love.

Punch-Out!! Will certainly bring the thrills of the big ring to Wii and will give you the chance to experience fight night in the comfort of your own living room. It’s seconds out and time for round one!

——————————

Get your gloves on and return to the ring – Punch-Out!! is making a comeback! Originally a hit on the Nintendo Entertainment System back when boxers still fought for 15 rounds, the newest installment in the series comes out swinging on Wii.

An intuitive control scheme takes you closer to the action in the ring than ever before! Unleash hooks, uppercuts and Star Punches by swinging the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or flip your controller sideways to enjoy the classic NES control scheme.

As big-hearted Bronx brawler Little Mac, you’ll have to launch a one-man assault on the boxing world as you bid to become undisputed champ of the Minor, Major and World ranking organisations. Along the way you’ll lock horns with the likes of Glass Joe, Don Flamenco and the hard-hitting King Hippo. A total of 13 flamboyant fighters stand in your path, every one with a creative new way of trying to make sure you end up face-down on the canvas.

Thankfully, Little Mac can fight back. Armed with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, punching is a simple case of taking a swing at your opponent whilst holding different combinations of buttons. Soften them up with jabs by pressing up on the Nunchuk Control Stick when you punch, or crash home a super-charged Star Punch by holding the C or A Buttons as you let your hands go.

Of course, if you intend to master the sweet science you’ll have to learn how to hit and not get hit. Punch-Out!! calls on you to keep a close eye on your opponents and learn their attack patterns – hopefully leaving them swiping at fresh air and open to a crashing counter. If it all sounds like a lot to remember when the leather starts flying, you’ll be glad to know the game features a helpful tutorial mode to make sure you get to grips with the basics before you climb through the ropes.

Ultimately, you’ll no doubt want to make sure you’re rightfully recognised as the pound-for-pound king of the ring. Punch-Out!! includes a multiplayer mode that lets you and a friend slug it out to the bitter end. As in the single player mode, you’ll want to land punches at the right moment to build up Star Punch points that translate into almighty haymakers! Landing and dodging blows in Head-to-Head mode also builds up a Giga Mac gauge. Once full, your fighter is ready to inflict some serious damage.

Have you always thought you could have been a contender? Then get ready to rumble in the all-action Punch Out!! for Wii.

* Fight it out in Career and Exhibition modes or challenge a friend in Head-to-Head mode.
* Play using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk for a hard-hitting and immersive experience!
* Go retro by holding the Wii Remote sideways like a NES controller and pounding home punches with a simple press of the 1 and 2 Buttons.

-Nintendo of Europe Press Release

Link

Well it looks like Europe is getting the game on May 22nd of this year; so what about the US? The game sounds great after reading all this new info; with the different control schemes and multiplayer head -to-head match-ups which is a first for the series. Can't wait to hear more!

Mad World - Platinum Games interview

This game has some hilarious dialogue that goes back and forth between the announcers, it was written very well but I think the delivery is the most important thing to making it sound believable.

I'm still having a blast with Mad World, how many of you have beaten the game already and are heading to Hard Mode?

The Conduit - new screens

The detail in Mr. Ford's face model is very impressive. This is the first time that High Voltage has shown him outside of art renderings. I'm thankful that they keep showing the same few levels because there is still 3 months until The Conduit will be released and I'd hate for them to ruin the game before that time.

More Third Party devs threaten to leave Sony for Nintendo

Sony Corp. is under pressure from video-game publishers to cut the price of the PlayStation 3 console or risk seeing more development funds shift to Nintendo Co.’s Wii.

Sony, which has resisted calls for lower prices, is likely to shave $50 to $100 off the PS3 this month or next, said Mike Hickey, an analyst with Janco Partners Inc. in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Starting at $399.99, the PS3 is $200 more than the lowest-priced Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp. and $150 more than the market-leading Wii.

Three years into the latest generation of game consoles, Sony is stuck in third place, data from the manufacturers show. The Tokyo-based company, once the dominant player, has half the worldwide users of Wii, even though the PS3 has earned praise for its processing power, graphics and Blu-ray movie player. U.S. sales of the PS3 have declined for three straight months.

“If they can’t meaningfully increase their install base, then you will likely see a capital reallocation,” Hickey said.

In 2008, Activision Blizzard Inc., the world’s largest game company, generated 32 percent of its console revenue from Wii titles. That compared with 19 percent for PS3, according to Activision.

Electronic Arts Inc. is releasing some titles solely for Wii as part of a push to stem two years of losses, and showcased games for the Nintendo player at a company event last week.

“You can’t ignore the guy who has half the market,” said Peter Moore, head of sports games at Redwood City, California- based Electronic Arts, maker of the “Madden NFL” series.

‘A Ways to Go’

“Sony obviously still has a ways to go with their pricing,” Moore, a former executive in Microsoft’s Xbox division, said in an interview. Electronic Arts is committed to the PS3 and expects a cut eventually, he said. PS3 games increased to 27 percent of the company’s console sales last quarter, bolstered by a popular soccer title.

Sony has no immediate plan to reduce prices, said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America in Foster City, California.

“Everybody in the development community would love for the PS3 to be free, so they could just sell razor blades,” Dille said in an interview. Sony is concerned with profitability, as well as the installed base, he said.

Sony, the world’s second-largest consumer-electronics maker, is in the middle of a corporate overhaul, cutting 16,000 jobs and closing factories. Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer took over the main electronics business last month and named Kazuo Hirai, who leads the game unit, to head a new division combining Vaio computers, the Walkman and the PlayStation.

Exclusive Games

Sony is benefiting from exclusive titles for PS3, including the recently released “Killzone 2,” and non-gaming deals like the one announced March 10 to deliver movies and television shows for NBC Universal over the PlayStation 3, Dille said.

Earlier this month, PS3 weekly sales in Japan topped Wii and Xbox ahead of the release of Capcom Co.’s latest “Resident Evil” installment, the Web sites GameSpot and IGN Entertainment reported, citing researcher Media Create.

Not everyone predicts a big shift in spending, because PS3 and Xbox 360 share many titles and costs. Game companies who fail to commit enough money to PS3 risk losing business, said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games Inc., the Cary, North Carolina-based maker of “Gears of War.”

“You make very good money on PlayStation 3 if you develop a good game,” Rein said in an interview. “You can very easily take that game to Xbox 360 or PC.”

Seventh Generation

Sony climbed 1.1 percent to close at 1,913 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It has lost 54 percent in the past year.

The seventh generation of game systems began hitting stores in November 2005 with Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Sony and Kyoto-based Nintendo followed a year later. At the end of December, Sony had sold 21 million PS3s worldwide, compared with Nintendo’s almost 45 million Wii players and Microsoft’s 28 million-plus Xbox 360s, according to the companies.

PS3 sales in the next 12 months are likely to total 14 million, compared with 28 million Wiis and 9.7 million Xbox 360s, according to the Daiwa Institute of Research, a Tokyo-based researcher and consultant.

Price cuts have an immediate impact.

Sony reduced the PS3 price from $499.99 in October 2007 and sales more than doubled in the next month. In September, Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft released its lowest-priced Xbox 360, at $199.99. The company almost doubled Sony’s U.S. shipments from October to January after trailing PS3 in the prior three months, NPD data show.

Two Directions

“Anytime a console manufacturer reduces the price, software publishers benefit,” Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer of Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Europe’s largest video-game maker, said in an e-mail.

Game makers now focus development in two directions: one for the top-selling Wii and the other for Xbox 360, PS3 and personal computers.

Titles for Microsoft and Sony are typically more expensive to produce. Sony posts a loss on each console it makes at the current price, according to researcher iSuppli Corp.

“The publishers need the PS3 install base to grow in order for most of these games to be profitable,” said Evan Wilson, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities in Portland, Oregon. “It’s an easy equation for them, but it’s very different from the one that Sony has to take on.”

Link

In my opinion it would take a drastic move on Sony's part to really even begin to cut into Nintendo's lead with the Wii. More power never meant more sales....

Arc Rise Fantasia - battle gameplay video

The game looks fun and very "RPG". The graphics on some of the characters look kinda basic but the effects look nice. The fighting looks like it might be some kind of fusion between real-time and turn based, but I'm just guessing.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - video interview

At least he says that they are trying some new things with the "shooter genre" with the latest on-rails Wii game.

How are you enjoying Mad World guys? I for one am having a blast with it, I can't believe some of the gruesome stuff you can do (all in the privacy of your own home!). It's really a fun game and should not be missed by any Wii owner.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - new screens

Again nice looking game, very nice even. Capcom should just include an unlockable mode where you can see your character and be able to move around the environment freely....

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - debut trailer

(If you are having trouble viewing the trailer on this page just double click on the movie box to go directly to Youtube)

The game looks very good graphically. I'm excited for the engine that Capcom is using; if only it were for a true Resident Evil game.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles - new screens

Why did Capcom have to make this game look so good graphically? With the money put into the tech of the game, they should have made it a more traditional game (Resident Evil 4 controls for God's sake). I just don't understand it. On-rails shooters don't have the length or depth of traditional games. These pictures show that your partner is visible through out and Capcom has said that being able to see your partner will play a vital role in this game (except in 2-player co-op which you won't see them). It's not too late to make us "very very happy" Capcom, just change the game to anything that's not on-rails.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles announced for Wii

PR Email below:

"March 11, 2009 - Pull out your zappers and get ready to hit the pavement as Capcom, an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, announces Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles for Wii^TM. The latest title in Capcom's successful motion-based video games for the whole family, Darkside Chronicles recreates the experience of shooting zombies in a vast urban playground where manhole covers double as shields. The all-new compilation allows players to compete against the best zombies in six classic modes, including pin the tail to the zombie, waggle wafflemaker feed a zombie. And the startling pie throwing zombie mode.

Darkside Chronicles takes full advantage of the Wii's capabilities in order to bring these timeless Resident Evil moments from the streets to the living room. Players use the intuitive aiming of the Wii Remote^TM to rule the streets and stake their claim as king of the block. However, just like on the real street, they must dodge obstacles like zombie vomit, fire hydrants and zombie dogs as they try to earn trophies and unlock items such as new outfits, minigames and equipment. The game supports up to two players in both head-to-head or team-based games, while single player mode allows gamers to fully explore the expansive urban environment of a guided first person experience. Darkside Chronicles is a fun, competitive game for players both young and old!"


Gee guys is this the Resident Evil game you were hoping for??? Look Ma, on-rails gameplay! Seriously, this is a horrible announcement by Capcom and an insult to every Wii owning Resident Evil fan. Umbrella Chronicles was enough for a distraction but another game!? Give me a break.....well there is always other franchises to look forward to, like Mad World and The Conduit.

Mad World and Nintendo get slammed by the NIMF

Looks like The National Institute on Media and the Family is disappointed with Nintendo for letting a game like Mad World be released on one of their systems. Look at some quotes:

"The release of Mad World for the Wii brings violent video games to a once family-friendly platform," said Dr. David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family. "In Mad World, gamers use the Wii Remote to make the necessary physical actions to chainsaw an opponent in half, impale an enemy with a signpost or decapitate a victim with a golf club. MadWorld is another reminder that parents need to make sure they watch what their kids watch and play what their kids play.

"In the past, the Wii has successfully sold itself as being the gaming console for the entire family and a way to bring family-game nights back into people's living rooms. Unfortunately, Nintendo opened its doors to the violent video games genre. The National Institute on Media and the Family hopes that Nintendo does not lose sight of its initial audience and continues to offer quality, family-friendly games."

Link

From reading that it's obvious that the NIMF doesn't really know Nintendo at all, Nintendo has been trying desperately for the past 8 years since the Gamecube launched to get developers to believe in them and make Mature games for their systems. While it started to happen a little with the Gamecube, it is really starting to happen on the Wii now that it's the market leader. Mad World is a strong indication that more games like this are on the way for the Wii. Nintendo lets the other guys worry about Mature content while they focus on what they've always done: making great games for people of all ages and not just the kiddies.

Mad World - IGN video review

Convinced yet? For some of you that will complain about the 5 to 6 hours to beat the game, remember that this is only on Normal mode and doesn't include the Challenges, 2-player Co-op or Hard Mode. This sounds like it will have plenty of replay value to me. Besides, just one level of this game is probably better than a lot of entire Wii games.

Mad World & Resident Evil 5 - which are you most excited for?

Ah hype, it can help and also ruin a game. RE5 and Mad World have both been hyped so much that anything less than amazing is going to disappoint most people. Some reviews that are out on RE5 have been a little critical of the game for straying too much from the suspense that Resident Evil games are known for and focusing a lot on action, even more so than Resident Evil 4.

Mad World on the other hand hasn't really been criticized at all and that in itself kinda scares me, since no game is going to be perfect. Potential is something that this game has an advantage over Resident Evil 5 in my opinion. For me, I know which game I'll be playing this week.....

If you are a owner of a Wii and a Xbox 360 or PS3, which game are you more excited for?

Capcom to announce new Resident Evil Wii game on March 12th?

Looks like March 12th which is the release party for Resident Evil 5 might be the day where Capcom finally makes us all happy and announces the next Resident Evil game for the Wii. Even if that is not the day, one of the representatives from Capcom said that Resident Evil fans who are Wii owners will be very happy soon. It may in fact be a new Code Veronica game (please for the love of God let it not be a port of the old game) The proof is below:

While submitting that Resident Evil 5 "pushes the boundaries of graphics and gameplay," Capcom's Associate Product Marketing Manager, Matt Dahlgren, had something more to say when prodded about a Wii version. "It was made for the Xbox 360 and PS3," he told our correspondent, at a recent Capcom event in Toronto. "That being said, Nintendo Wii fans will be very happy very soon."

Link


"Game Focus: One of the staff here loves Code Veronica (Fale) and was wondering if we would see a XBLA or PSN release of this game.

Matt Dahlgren: Nothing is planned for the game regarding a remake on PSN/XBLA, but what I can say is if you are a fan of Code Veronica you should pay attention in the next couple of weeks there is some news you should be very pleased with. Tell him to pay attention on the 12th (March)."

Link

"Resident Evil 5 Launch Party!To celebrate the release of Resident Evil 5 on Friday, March 13th, Capcom and our friends at GameStop are throwing a launch party! On the eve of the launch, Thursday the 12th, meet us at Union Square in San Francisco to usher in Resident Evil 5. The event kicks off at 8pm and ends at midnight when you will be able to pick up your game- in-between we’ll have plenty going on to keep you busy. For starters, there will be a whole tent dedicated to the game where tons of kiosks will be set up and players will get a chance to get their hands on the game before grabbing it at midnight. You’ll also have the chance to win prizes and giveaways, meet the development team including co-producers, Takeuchi-san and Kawata-san and hang out with the motion capture/voice actors that played Chris, Sheva and Josh. To top it all off there will be new game announcements, stage shows, and Resident Evil activities all through out the night."

Link

So one can conclude from all the above information that Capcom is going to be announcing a new Resident Evil game for the Wii on March 12th, with Code Veronica being the likely choice. So for me if that is true, I'm hoping for one thing: A new game. Not a remake or a port of the original but a complete new game. It can have Code Veronica in the title as long as it's a different game from the original. I'm tired of remakes and ports being made to use Wii control, just give us a new game. Hopefully Capcom knows this and is doing just that after seeing the failure that is Dead Rising on Wii.

Best case scenario: Completely new game made from the ground up for the Wii.

Average case scenario: Remake of Code Veronica made from the ground up on Wii.

Worst case scenario: Port of Gamecube version of Code Veronica X (which was a Dreamcast port already) with Wii controls.

The Conduit - new trailer

So not until summer will we finally get our hands on this game. I'm happy that the animations on the human enemies have been improved (finally) and that the game keeps looking better. I think we're ready for it.

Kizuna - new trailer

Link

This is looking like a dark action RPG of sorts. Looks very nice. No word on a release date but if I hear anything I'll let you guys know.

Sonic & The Black Knight gets 3.9 from IGN

IGN gave Sonic & The Black Knight a 3.9 very recently and a lot of people are extremely angry about this. I have not yet played the game myself, but I've watched "Justin.TV" play over an hour live on the Internet and from the live chat with the users there, it seems that this is actually a good game. Also if you liked The Secret Rings, you're gonna probably like this as well.

Now here is a very amusing quote from a disgruntled IGN reader who was really fed up with Matt's (seemingly) biased bad reviews for 2 of the 3 Sonic games on the Wii(Unleashed was not reviewed by him):

"Listen here you motherfuckers, I've had it with these awful fucking reviews, especially when you didn't get half way through Unleashed! I demand you give The Black Knight a fair review! You're just a bunch of biased dickheads who think they're clever with their shitty jokes. I hope you all die in a fucking fire, and your families are murdered you fucking pieces of shit!"

Link

Wow......


Who here has played the new Sonic game and feel that IGN and Matt have grossly let you down? Or could you care less about what one guy thinks?

I'll be playing the game in a few days and will let you know what I think about it soon.

Excitebots: Trick Racing - screens

These are small screens that IGN scanned from Nintendo Power, but you get an idea of how it looks. Stunt Race FX meets Excite Truck? Looks fun.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade - new screens

This game is still looking very nice with a unique art style. 2D gaming is still alive and well on the Wii.

Mad World - hands on previews

Each and every one of you should be buying this game next week. Anyone who is not please give me some good reasons why not.

Sonic & The Black Knight - new trailer

The Legend of Zelda....er I mean Sonic & The Black Knight is looking really good. If you don't mind Sonic taking on a fantasy role (even more so than the Secret Rings) then it looks like this game will be awesome. I've heard that the controls seem to work better than Secret Rings (and I liked that game a lot) so it looks like a win win.

The graphics look amazing with some nice motion blur, Dynamic real-time lighting and a silky smooth framerate. The art style is nice as well and as we know with games on the Wii, that is very important.