[VIDEO GAMES] WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

April 30, 2007Vampires and ninjas and Shockmen, oh my! This week the Wii Shop Channel takes a trip into the world of ghoulish creatures, mystical curses and professorial abductions. See if you can remember which of these games sparked the whip-carrying craze of the late-’80s! For the best retro gaming around, it’s time to pay a visit to the red-hot Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel.

The three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Castlevania® (NES®, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on Earth. You’ve arrived at Castlevania, and you’re here on business: to destroy the curse of the Evil Count, once and for all. Make your way through six monstrous floors filled with bats, ghosts, zombies and every kind of ghoulish creature you can imagine. Use the legendary whip Vampire Killer and a host of deadly weapons to battle your way to Dracula’s chamber and the ultimate duel of good vs. evil.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In The Legend of The Mystical Ninja, take control of Kid Ying and Dr. Yang in an action adventure through feudal Japan. A curse has stricken the village of Horo-Horo, and its beloved princess has vanished. Together Kid Ying, a daring young mystical ninja, and Dr. Yang, master of the invincible spirit transformation, must overcome 10 levels of the Dragonbeast to save Princess Yuki. Each stage contains intense 3-D and 2-D zones where the duo must perform dozens of attack moves and solve magical problems and puzzles before advancing. Battle humorous enemies like the Carp Meister, who stuns victims with poisonous fighting fish, Tanaka-U-Out, a knockout artist who wallops opponents with a bone-crushing hammer, and the Sumo Tag Team, kings of the unbeatable belly-buster crunch. Collect coins to buy new equipment and to receive clues, spend some time playing minigames in the arcade or try your luck and increase your fortune at the Quiz House and Horse Races.

Shockman (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): It’s been two years since Arnold and Sonya were made into Shockmen. A message from the professor to return to their bodies has them head to his laboratory, but they are ambushed by a mysterious enemy along the way. After narrowly defeating the enemy, they catch a TV news flash announcing the Ryo Empire invasion. They find that the professor has been abducted and set out to rescue him. Shockman is a side-view action shooter that has eight stages, including Action Stages, where you jump and use special techniques, and side-scrolling Shooting Stages. This game expands on the well-paced story from the previous version and contains cooperative elements like shared life and a powerful Team Shockbeam that can be used during two-player simultaneous play.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com

 

[VIDEO GAMES] NINTENDO NEWS: POKEMON HOTTER THAN EVER

One of the video game industry’s most celebrated franchises is officially hotter than ever. Within just five days of availability, more than 1 million copies of Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl for the portable Nintendo DS™ have sold in the United States since Sunday’s launch; a faster rate than any previous Pokémon games since the franchise’s U.S. introduction, almost a decade ago. To date, more than 155 million copies of Pokémon games have sold worldwide.

Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are poised to become two of the top-selling games of 2007 in the United States. More than one half million people pre-ordered the games before launch. Additionally, thousands of people attended the kickoff launch event in New York, and demand for the games continues to be off the charts. These latest versions of Pokémon games were introduced in Japan on Sept. 28, 2006, and have already been purchased by more than 5 million video gamers there.

The two games include a number of features that make them particularly attractive to gamers, including:

• More than 100 new Pokémon.
• A 3-D look that makes Pokémon jump off the screen.
• Worldwide wireless battling and trading using Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection.
• Voice chat functions that let players talk wirelessly with their friends.

Later this year, these two titles will also help expand the Pokémon universe for the first time to Wii™, Nintendo’s new home video game system. Diamond and Pearl owners will be able to use their DS hardware units as controllers for Pokémon Battle Revolution (launching June 25), the first Pokémon game available for Wii. Players also will be able to export characters to the Wii game.

For more information about Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, visit www.Pokemon-Games.com.

 

[JAPAN] TOP 10 SELLING VIDEO GAMES (April 9-15)

The top 10 selling video games according to MediaCreate for April 9-15 are:

1. Gyakuten Saiban 4 – DS / 250,186
2. Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 Mini Mini Daikojin – DS / 92,017
3. Wii Sports – Wii / 41,035
4. YOSHI’S ISLAND – DS / 40,974
5. Hajimete no Wii Pack – Wii / 28,394
6. Layton Kyouju no Fushigi na Machi – DS
7. Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training Motto Eigo Duke – DS
8. Musou Orochi – PS2
9. Professional Baseball Spirits 4 – PS2
10. Watashi no Relaxuma -DS

 

[VIDEO GAMES] WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

April 23, 2007 – Admit it.  Somewhere deep inside, you’ve always wanted to go for the gold, take down Monster World, and have people call you Vic Viper.  How cool would that be?  Well, pay a visit to the popular Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel, and all those fantasies can now come true.Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Gradius®III (SNES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points):
Return as the pilot of the Vic Viper starfighter to battle the onslaughts of the Bacterion Empire. Blast through 10 action-packed levels in space, destroying everything in your path. Customize and power up your ship with weapons and upgrades including speed-ups, missiles, lasers, options, and shields.

Wonder Boy™ in Monster World (Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points):
Monster World was a peaceful, happy place until one dark day when an army of BioMeka monsters invaded. As a young man named Shion, you’ve vowed to defeat the hostile foes and make the land peaceful again. You’ll attack enemies with swords and spears and guard against incoming projectiles with shields and armor. As you travel through the many different regions of Monster World, you’ll talk to the townspeople, collect money to buy items, and gather a large variety of weapons and magic. The further you venture, the more powerful your weapons and equipment, including suits of armor and boots, will become.

Battle Lode Runner® (TurboGrafx 16, 1-5players, 600 Wii Points):
This upgraded edition to the famous Lode Runner series includes a 5-player versus mode. Gold funds have been stolen from the Time Machine Research Center, and the group responsible used a time machine to escape and hide the gold throughout time.  The center sends an elite team of “Runners” to go and retrieve the gold.

In addition to the familiar Puzzle mode, the game features Battle mode, where up to 5 players can compete, and Edit mode, where you can create your own original stages.

You can enjoy Battle mode in a number of different ways. Be the last one standing to win in Survival. Grab items from enemies and escape to win in Escape. With 4 players, you can separate into two teams to do battle in Tag Match.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

 

[VIDEO GAMES] Japan-based firm Ongakukan to release train simulation game based on Taiwan’s bullet train

In a recent article on Mainichi Shimbun, Japan-based firm Ongakukan will be releasing a train simulator video game based on Taiwan’s new bullet train for the PS3 in July.

According to the article, “The software reproduces high-definition camera footage showing the scenery along the Taiwan High Speed Rail network that began operating in January, as seen from the driver’s seat. Ongakukan worked with Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. and authorities in Taiwan to shoot footage that could be used in the game.”

More on this article 

 

[VIDEO GAMES] NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO STAYS NUMBER ONE

April 19, 2007 – Nintendo once again claimed the top two spots among the best-selling new video game systems in America in March, according to independent sales data gathered by the NPD Group.  Despite widespread shortages for both systems, more than half a million buyers snapped up the portable Nintendo DS™, and Wii™ was once again the top-selling new home video game console.With the first quarter of 2007 now completed, Wii has already notched over a million systems sold in America this year, while the DS now stands just shy of 1.25 million for the same period.  Wii remains the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade, based on NPD sell-through information over the first five months of availability.
So far this year, Nintendo has sold more video game systems than all other manufacturers combined.

“The message delivered by both Wii and Nintendo DS is the same one,” says Reggie Fils-Aime, president, Nintendo of America.  “Innovation is compelling both current gamers and new gamers to experience a new way to play. Nintendo is bringing gaming back to the masses.”

While shipments of Wii hardware are expected to grow this month due to increased production, demand for the system remains at unprecedented levels.  And it’s destined only to intensify with the just released Super Paper Mario™ and the impending release of Mario Party® 8, which brings a new experience to the classic mini-game series using the Wii controllers.  For Nintendo DS, the year’s most anticipated software release so far this year comes with the arrival of Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon® Pearl arriving at retail on Sunday.

For more information about Nintendo, please visit Nintendo.com.

 

[VIDEO GAMES] NINTENDO ADVISES POKÉMON FANS: PRE-ORDERS TOP 500,000

April 18, 2007Pre-orders for the upcoming Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon® Pearl video games for the portable Nintendo DS™ have topped one half million in the United States, and Nintendo is advising fans to brace themselves for the next wave of Poké-mania. Based on the huge pre-sales for Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, Nintendo expects them to be among the top-selling games for all of 2007.

With four days to go until they arrive, more than 533,000 pre-orders have been taken for Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl. Already these games have more than doubled the pre-sale numbers of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen, which launched in 2004. Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen went on to sell more than 3.4 million combined in North America.

Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl have consistently ranked among the top-selling video game products on Amazon.com, and there are still four days until launch.

Pokémon became a nationwide hit the instant it arrived in the United States in 1998. Now a new wave of Pokémon excitement is on its way, complete with more than 100 new Pokémon characters, the ability for players to battle wirelessly on Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and voice-chat abilities, which act like a cell phone but with connection among friends only.

The Official Nintendo Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Player’s Guide also will be available at retail on April 22. For more information about the games, visit www.Pokemon-Games.com

 

[VIDEO GAMES] WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

April 16, 2007 Three classic games from three classic systems. The only problem you’ll have this week is deciding which one to download first. For the best retro gaming around, it’s time to pay a visit to the popular Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are: Punch Out!!® Featuring Mr. Dream (NES®, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): As young boxer Little Mac, players have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to battle the big guys of the World Video Boxing Association circuit. Take them on one by one, starting with skinny Glass Joe. Battle up through King Hippo and all the way to the WVBA Champion himself. Players use their best jabs, hooks and power uppercuts to knock out opponents, but must pay attention to subtle changes in their body position to dodge jaw-breaking blows. With great graphics, addictive action and a touch of humor, this game will keep players entertained for hours. Virtua Fighter™ 2 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Virtua Fighter was the very first 3-D fighting game in the industry and introduced six unique characters, each with their own martial arts style. In Virtua Fighter 2, the intrepid fighters return to the World Fighting Tournament. Players take to the stage to see who will claim the championship title. Will it be Lau Chan, Kage-Maru, Wolf Hawkfield, Jeffry McWild, Akira Yuki, Jacky Bryant, Sarah Bryant or Pai Chan? The answer lies within. Players immerse themselves in this technically challenging game and see if they have what it takes to be the champion of the second World Fighting Tournament. Bonk’s Revenge (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): The “hardheaded” hero is back for more in the second installment of the Bonk series. Taking place in the Monster Kingdom, Bonk the Caveman makes his way toward King Drool III. Bonk’s Revenge is a side-scrolling action game in which players Jump and “Bonk” (head-butt) their enemies while they make their way to the goal at the end of each stage. Double, even triple, attack power by eating the meat that appears in a stage. There are eight different hidden bonus stages, and the Dinosaur Train that appears after players defeat a boss will change depending on how many Smileys they’ve collected. With new actions such as the Triangle Jump and the ability to climb trees, as well as seven variety-packed stages, Bonk’s Revenge will keep players playing over and over. For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

 

[VIDEO GAMES] NINTENDO NEWS: FULL INTERNET CHANNEL NOW AVAILABLE FOR WII

April 12, 2007 – Search, surf and shop with family and friends, all from the comfort of your living room with the Internet Channel on Wii™. Featuring a number of enhancements to improve the user experience as well as a host of added extras, the full version of the Internet Channel powered by Opera is now available for free download across North America.Fans of the innovative Wii channels already will be familiar with the Internet Channel, which delivers their high-speed Internet access via their television sets. Based on feedback from Wii owners, Nintendo has created a new and enhanced version of the browser featuring improvements to the user experience as well as a performance upgrade.

Users of the trial version will notice the improved usability of the full version. The browser now features a manual zoom, in addition to the automatic mode available in the previous version, allowing more viewing flexibility. When zooming in and out of a page, text is kept crisp and readable at all sizes. The new version of the Internet Channel also features improved scrolling functionality, as well as the collapsible toolbars and multiple on-screen cursors.

As search functions have become an essential part of our everyday Internet experience, the Internet Channel now features a built-in function allowing users to search without having to select a search engine each time. Wii owners are given the choice of either Google or Yahoo! Search as a pre-selected search engine to power their built-in search button. The selection can be changed at any time, or a different search engine can be used by typing in that search engine’s address. Users also will have the ability to easily access Nintendo, Yahoo!, Google and My Opera from pre-loaded bookmarks.

The full version of the Internet Channel is available as a free download through June 30, after which it will cost 500 Wii Points. Once downloaded, the Internet Channel is free for the lifetime of the system.

 

[VIDEO GAMES] WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

from Nintendo Press Do you have an itch to blast bug-shaped space fighters? Have you ever wondered whether Dr. Bomb was a medical doctor or a Ph.D.? Do you resolve all your disputes with a heated round of Rock, Paper, Scissors? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll want to pay a visit to the popular Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are: Galaga™ (NES®, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Players control their fighters, with their unique ability to combine with other fighters and shoot down the invading aliens. Aliens attack in formations using a variety of attack patterns. Rescue a captured fighter to combine with it, forming a Dual Fighter with twice the firepower. Earn Perfect Bonuses more easily by using a Dual Fighter on the Challenging Stages. Galaga was released in 1981 and became an instant classic with its innovative fighter-combination system and varied enemy attack patterns. BRAVOMAN™ (Turbografx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): The village of Nitta has been invaded by the army of Dr. Bomb, an evil scientist who is plotting to take over the world. Facing this crisis is Bravoman, who received his powers from Alpha Man to stand up against Dr. Bomb in the name of justice. The village of Nitta consists of 22 stages – action stages that take place on the ground and shooting stages that take place underwater. Action stages use a unique control system in which the height of a jump and the distance of an attack changes depending on how long players hold down the button. Players collect the Luck Symbols that appear when they defeat enemies and give them to Lottery Man to get recovery and power-up items. Stop Dr. Bomb and bring peace to the village of Nitta and the rest of the world. Alex Kidd™ in the Enchanted Castle (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): When King Thor was kidnapped, his son, Alex Kidd, held out hope that his father would return to their kingdom on Planet Aries. Finally, it was revealed that he was being held captive on Planet Paperock. As Alex, players race to his rescue through 11 levels, battling enemies and avoiding obstacles while winning coins that will buy special items and vehicles. At the end of each level, players encounter a boss and enter into a match of “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” Throwing the right symbols puts players ever closer to bringing King Thor home; throwing the wrong symbols squashes them beneath a heavy weight. For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

 

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