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| Nintendo Channel Finally Hits the U.S. |
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Posted by: ManaBurnX - 05-07-2008 12:00 PM
- Replies (50)
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See that flashing blue light on your Wii? No, it's not more spam from WiiLoaded's Cloud. The Nintendo Channel has finally been released in the U.S. and can be purchased for free from the Wii Shop Channel. Once you've installed it you will be shown a short intro video that contains various game footage as well as info about the upcoming WiiWare service. After you get past the video and are brought to the main interface you will see pages of videos that you can browse. Each video pertains to a specific service or game for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, or the Virtual Console. The videos that you see are streamed from Nintendo's servers. There are controls for the video that allow you to control the volume, view the video in full screen mode, as well as selecting a particular section of the video. There is also the option to continue browsing while you watch the video and if you choose to do so the video will shrink and move to the top of the screen with the list below it. It will remain that way until you select another video.
The Nintendo Channel has more than one function and another function is being able to browse the library by filtering the results. You can select the videos to be shown by title, category, or type of gamer you are such as 'casual' or 'hardcore'. These filter options can be found by clicking on the "more information" button that is located underneath each video. After you have set up your preferences you will be taken to a page that will list items that fit your profile. There you will find some links to the products that are listed and they can be viewed in the Internet Channel by clicking on them.
A third function is the ability to rate a game. If there is a game that you have played for more than one hour that is on the list then you can give that game a rating. You will then be asked some questions about the game such as "who do you think would enjoy this title?" and Nintendo will use your answers to make the filtering more reliable. It's not really about if the game is great or not because you've only been playing it for an hour but is just there to give others an idea of what they have to look forward to and if it's the kind of game that they are interested in.
The fourth and last feature is a big one. You can send demos of DS games to your Nintendo DS. Gamers have been asking for this for quite a while now and their prayers are finally answered. You can now try out the demo that you've been on the fence about. Currently there are not so many titles available for download but the channel has just gone live within the last couple of hours and there will be more content added later. So what are you waiting for? Get to downloading!
Reported By: Will S. |
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| You Know You're Getting Old When You Complain About Something New |
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Posted by: TheCosmicFrog - 05-05-2008 06:13 AM
- Replies (14)
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Did Nintendo Bring This Revolt Upon Themselves?
Many of us have been boarding the console train consistently for a long time now. Much of us have owned dozens of games for a similar number of consoles. Since the first ever "boom" in the gaming industry with Nintendo NES, it can be argued that its following hardware has stayed well inside the borders of creativity. Nintendo pioneered the 3D Stick and the shoulder buttons with Nintendo 64 and SNES respectively, but the attention of most companies was focused not on what is in our hands, but what is on the screen before our eyes.
Did Nintendo create this form factor?
Perhaps; there is no doubt spared by my mind that Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Nintendo 64 both visually surpassed their respective rivals, the SEGA Genesis and the Sony PlayStation, but could Sony have made popular the trend of increased manipulative input from the user? There is a clear influence from the PlayStation DualShock in Nintendo's GameCube controller, and even more in the controller from the Microsoft Xbox.
Will Nintendo be the ones to reinvigorate the entire user input side of gaming with Wii?
We've already seen interest from Microsoft to develop their own "Wii Remote", but if we've learned anything from Wii it's that an overwhelming percentage of its software can be categorized as "shovelware", with Nintendo no longer handing out their "Nintendo Seal of Quality", like they once did.
Have we been crippled so much by the gaming industry in the last decade that we can't even see why we played video games in the first place?
I have never heard someone nostalgically talk about their gaming past, of how Super Mario World's "graphics were cinematic and visually stunning", and nor did I ever believe this! However, with all great power comes great opportunities, yet a responsibility to follow-through on these opportunities is hardly ever taken onboard by game developers. Super Mario Galaxy was a good game, but did it give you the thrills you once experienced with the aforementioned Super Mario World?
Why are we so resistant to change?
One of the common complaints about modern video games is their relatively easy difficulty. This is prevalent in Wii games, as a much higher number of Wii consumers are under the age of 10 than that of PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. While many of us have fond memories of, say, being stuck in a particular part of a game for months before finally realizing that there was a "secret door" hidden in the level, many of video game's much-loved secrets have been rendered impossible due to the push of three-dimensional virtual environments. A high number of Wii owners take offence to the often found "straight-line dynamics" behind some of its software, particularly that created by third-parties. Does this mean that Nintendo has made itself an enemy of its culminated fanbase?
Should we embrace what Nintendo has brought to the market with Wii?
In short, yes. While the epidemic of tacky, half-finished party games involving the Wii Remote is still quite airborne, this will naturally settle down with time. Eventually, game developers will start to "get it", as Konami have with Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. The problem which I have noticed more than anything else by third-party developers is that they view the Wii Remote as a roadblock. These culprits are often found finding ways to map button controls onto waggle-commands, an example of which being EA's FIFA 08. There is cash to be milked from the Wii brand, and as long as this is comprehended by developers then we should start to see high-quality games progressing their way onto Wii.
Are we getting older?
As with any transience of life and time, yes we are! However, that has given us the experience of gaming's golden days. We should continue to use this experience by demanding more from modern game consoles and their associated companies.
Should we complain about something new?
Was there ever a time we didn't?
Written By: Aaron Hastings |
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| "No Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe on Wii Because of Unreal Engine 3" |
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Posted by: Snake - 05-05-2008 05:42 AM
- Replies (5)
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"Dear Epic,
I tend to think we, the gaming populace, have been fairly civil today. Sure, there've been a few incensed comments about your Wii-bashing (and subsequent coining of the term "wiggling" in relation to the Wii -- thanks for that), and your lack of a Gears of War 2 demo, but for the most part, we've taken things in stride, shoulders slack and face contorted into a picture of nonchalance. But guys, you've crossed the line this time. Through a series of decisions concerning the Unreal Engine 3's non-presence on the Wii, you unintentionally and indirectly diffused any hopes we had for a Wii version of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. What's next, huh? You gonna kick sand in our faces? Punch a few toddlers? steal someone's Unreal Tournament 3 map (citation needed)?
Look, cynicism aside, Epic, you've done us wrong. A gore-less, non-spine-rending Mortal Kombat, replete with a smattering of freshly-inked comic book heroes seems like a perfect match for the Wii -- a console that, let's face it, skews younger than its next-gen competition. Plus, Midway (MK vs. DC's developer) is all for creating a Wii version of the game; they just need your toolset. Hope still breathes, though its grasp on life is tenuous at best. All we request is that you port the Unreal Engine 3 to the Wii. If you grant us this simple request, Midway will send MK vs. DC charging through the Wii's formerly un-breachable walls, and we will return your cat happily wrap our hands around the fruits of their labor.
Your friends,
The gaming populace."
Despite this guy overreacting slightly, he has a point. Since the newest version of the Unreal Engine doesn't officially exist for the Wii, Developers thought it would be too challenging to bring Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe to Nintendo's little white box. Who's to blame? Well no one specifically. If Nintendo put more power into the Wii it would be capable of using the latest version of the Unreal Engine, but if Epic Games were bothered to make an Engine compatible with Wii then we could have chance to play it. Does anyone care about this title to begin with?
Written By: Billy Hudson |
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| WiiLoaded Podcast #3 |
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Posted by: Kindrik - 05-05-2008 01:54 AM
- Replies (10)
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OK, I have to admit. Not even I thought we'd actually get another podcast done after that last atrocity we called a podcast but it seems like we built a head of steam and went from there. Once again it is Dume and I (oddly enough our real names are absent from this podcast) discussing pretty much whatever we found interesting, except that things sound much better now and won't drive you to stabbing forks in your ears.
This time around we discuss Mario Kart yet again, except this time we've both had some time with the game and are actually able to let you know what we think of it and the wheel. You also may have noticed WiiLoaded's pick for Game of the Month in April and as expected it was met with a bit of controversy. We discuss the reasoning behind the pick and more importantly the reason why Mario Kart Wii did not win. Moving on from there we touch upon many subjects such as external Wii flash memory, Nintendo's WiFi plans, WiiWare, and more.
The one disappointing aspect to the whole podcast was only the lack of email we received. Not a single email came in and we're hoping to fix that for next time so send us something (podcast@wiiloaded.com). We really wanted to keep this podcast short but things snowballed out of control and we came close to hitting the one hour mark but didn't really go that far. And yes, if you pick it up I know I said "High Voltage Games" instead of "High Voltage Software"; my mistake.
P.S: Make sure you listen all the way to the end.  Download Now! (MP3 - 44.2 MB)
Right click and select "Save Target as..." or "Save Link as..." Opening song: Twister - The World Ends With You |
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| Nintendo Confirms 2008 Release Schedule For Europe |
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Posted by: The Fan Of Zelda - 05-04-2008 05:44 PM
- Replies (4)
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Well here is the Nintendo release schedule for Europe. It might just be a release list, but it gives us a chance to see what Nintendo has in store for us this year.
So, do you see anything you like?
Wii Software 2008 Release Date
- Alone In The Dark (ATARI) Q1 2008
- Godzilla: Unleashed (ATARI) Q1 2008
- Worms: A Space Oddity (THQ) Q1 2008
- Yamaha Supercross (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q1 2008
- Wii Fit (with Wii Balance Board accessory) (Nintendo) 25th April
- Radio Helicopter (505 Games) 25th April
- Legend of Sayuki (505 Games) 9th May
- Top Spin 3 (2K Sports) May 2008
- Monster Truck Jam (Activision) May 2008
- Boom Blox (EA) May 2008
- Speed Racer (Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment) May 2008
- DRAGON QUEST® SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of
- Mirrors® (SQUARE ENIX) End May 2008
- Hannah Montana – Music Jam (Disney Interactive Studios) Spring 2008
- Iron Man (SEGA) Spring 2008
- Ford Off Road Racing (Empire Interactive) 6th June
- Family Ski (Namco Bandai / Nintendo) 13th June
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo) 27th June
- Lego: Indiana Jones the Original Adventures (LucasArts / Activision) June 2008
- Monster Lab (Eidos) June 2008
- Wacky Races (Eidos) June 2008
- Mummy Tomb of the Emperor (Vivendi Games) July 2008
- Blast Works – Build, Trade, Destroy (Majesco / Eidos) Q2 2008
- de Blob (THQ) Q2 2008
- Sports Island (Hudson Soft / Konami) Q2 2008
- Chess Crusade (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Garfield Gets Real (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Garfield’s Fun Fest (ZOO digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Jeep Let’s Off Road (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Margots Word Brain (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts / Activision) Summer 2008
- We Love Golf (Capcom) Summer 2008
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Disney Interactive Studios) Summer 2008
- Pipemania (Empire Interactive) 14th September
- Brave: A Warrior’s Tale (SouthPeak Games) Q3 2008
- Crash (tentative title) (Vivendi Games) October 2008
- Spyro (tentative title) (Vivendi Games) October 2008
- Bratz Kids (The Game Factory) Q4 2008
- Build-A-Bear Workshop (The Game Factory) Q4 2008
- RUBIKS (The Game Factory) Q4 2008
Wii Channels 2008 Release Date
- WiiWare (Nintendo) 20th May 2008
- Nintendo Channel (Nintendo) 30th May 2008
Nintendo DS Software 2008 Release Date
- Godzilla: Unleashed (ATARI) Q1 2008
- Fish Tycoon (Majesco / Eidos) Q1 2008
- Holly Hobbie (Majesco / Eidos) Q1 2008
- Nancy Drew (Majesco / Eidos) Q1 2008
- Crayola: Treasure Adventures (Ignition) Q1 2008
- GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE (Ignition) Q1 2008
- Teenage Zombies (Ignition) Q1 2008
- Mystery Mansion (505 Games) 4th April
- Draglade (505 Games) 11th April
- Mystery Detective II (505 Games) 18th April
- Starz (505 Games) 18th April
- King of Clubs (Oxygen Games) 18th April
- Dream Pinball 3D (SouthPeak Games) 18th April
- The World Ends With You (SQUARE ENIX) 18th April
- Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice (Capcom / Nintendo) 9th May
- Subbuteo (505 Games) 30th May
- Monster Truck Jam (Activision) May 2008
- Race Driver GRID (Codemasters) May 2008
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Disney Interactive Studios) May 2008
- City Life (Monte Cristo Multimedia) May 2008
- ArchimDS (Rising Star Games) May 2008
- Ecolis (Rising Star Games) May 2008
- Speed Racer (Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment) May 2008
- Hannah Montana – Music Jam (Disney Interactive Studios) Spring 2008
- Iron Man (SEGA) Spring 2008
- Etrian Odyssey (Atlus / Nintendo) 6th June
- Code Lyoko 2 (The Game Factory) 9th June
- Bratz Ponyz 2 (The Game Factory) 11th June
- Pipemania (Empire Interactive) 20th June
- Cooking Guide: Can’t Decide What to Eat? (Nintendo) June 2008
- Lego: Indiana Jones the Original Adventures (LucasArts / Activision) June 2008
- Looney Tunes (Eidos) June 2008
- Monster Lab (Eidos) June 2008
- Wacky Races (Eidos) June 2008
- Zoo Hospital (Majesco / Eidos) Q2 2008
- Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams (Empire Interactive) Q2 2008
- New International Track & Field (Konami) Q2 2008
- Nanostray 2 (Majesco) Q2 2008
- Chess Crusade (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Margots Word Brain (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Shining Star (ZOO Digital Publishing Ltd) Q2 2008
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (Nintendo) 4th July
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness (Nintendo) 4th July
- Mummy Tomb of the Emperor (Vivendi Games) July 2008
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (LucasArts / Activision) Summer
- 2008
- Bratz Kidz (The Game Factory) Q3 2008
- RUBIKS Classic (tentative title) (The Game Factory) Q3 2008
- Brave: Shaman’s Challenge (SouthPeak Games) Q3 2008
- Ninjatown (SouthPeak Games) October 2008
- Crash (tentative title) (Vivendi Games) October 2008
- Ghostbusters (Vivendi Games) October 2008
- Spyro (tentative title) (Vivendi Games) October 2008
- ELEMENTS (The Game Factory) Q4 2008
Written By: Michael S. |
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| Wiikly Releases - May 4, 2008 |
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Posted by: Kindrik - 05-04-2008 03:04 PM
- Replies (4)
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Europe and Australia may be getting the short end of stick as far as amount of games goes this week but at the very least there's some quality present as North America is inundated with shovelware and a game from Steven Spielberg whom you may believe is still unproven as a game designer but it may be worth noting that he came up with the concept behind the Medal of Honor series.
North America
Looking through the list of North American releases this week there's really nothing eye catching worth talking about, aside from maybe Boom Blox. With the only available media review has come from Nintendo Power (8/10) it is difficult to judge whether Spielberg's latest crack at gaming was a hit or a miss.
- Boom Blox - May 6
- Speed Racer - May 6
- The Dog Island - May 6
Europe (UK)
Not only does Europe get Boom Blox this week but also Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (you have to ask yourself why they'd pick such a long title), the latest spin off from Square Enix's Dragon Quest series. If those two aren't exactly your cup of tea there's always Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection because who doesn't like paying for virtual pinball when there are probably equally good pinball games online for free.
- Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection - May 4
- Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors - May 9
- Boom Blox - May 9
Australia
How much can be said about one game, especially when that one game is Wii Fit? I suppose it's worth mentioning that Wii Fit will be the latest in the short list of games to release in Australia before North American's can get their hands (and feet) onto it. Regardless of whether you're hardcore or casual there is lots of untapped potential in the Wii Balance Board and the reaction to Wii Fit has actually been pretty good so it's worth giving a try. Unless of course you're one of those people who seem to love bashing the game then you may resume virtually bludgeoning other people and other hardcore things like that.
Note: All dates are subject to change and may not remain the same as listed. Check with your local retailers to confirm dates. |
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| North American Virtual Console Releases May 5, 2008 |
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Posted by: Wii_Rulez - 05-04-2008 02:59 PM
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This week's Virtual Console Releases is all about Pokémon and the dangerous life of a renegade. This week North America will get the Pokémon series' twist on the a classic puzzle game that will drive any Pokémaniac nuts, while Renegades is looking to show you the dark side of New York City. Both titles bring a whole new twist to their genres.
Pokémon Puzzle League (N64, 1000 Wii Points)
Ash, Misty, and Brock have made a stop in Puzzle Village in order to win the title of Puzzle Pokémon Master. Matching three or more colored blocks is all you will need to do to achieve that prestigious title. Pokémon Puzzle league features six different game modes including time, story, continuous and more. Challenge a friend and experience the Pokémon world from a whole new perspective.
Renegade (NES, 500 Wii Points)
Chaos has struck the streets of New York City. You play as a renegade street rat who fights against countless gangs. Pick up fast food and hearts to boost your stats as you traverse the dangerous streets of NYC all in order to save your kidnapped girlfriend.
If you like these...
Comix Zone (Sega Mega Drive, 800 Wii Points)
Golden Axe II (Sega Mega Drive, 800 Wii Points)
The Adventures of Lolo 2 (NES, 500 Wii Points)
Coming Soon
Nintendo has always been incredibly reluctant in releasing anything Mother related outside of Japan with the most recent example being the removal of the Mother demo from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Well Mother fans can celebrate as Earthbound aka Mother 2 and the only game in the series to be released outside of Japan has been rated by the ESRB in North America for Wii meaning its impending release on the Virtual Console. Keep your eyes peeled because the game could hit any week now. |
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| Wiiloaded Game of the Month - April 2008 |
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Posted by: Kindrik - 05-04-2008 02:23 PM
- Replies (9)
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Unlike last month's no-brainer choosing April's top Wii game was no easy task. It came down to either Okami or Mario Kart Wii and in the end Okami would come out ahead.
Regardless of it being a port of a PS2 game already one and a half years old and all that talk of IGN watermarks, Okami is one of the best games you will find on Wii and one of the best adventure games the system has to offer, second only to maybe Zelda. That being said the game does have a very Zelda inspired feel to it with music, characters, and other elements that seem like they would have been right at home in Twilight Princess. Where Okami sets itself apart from Zelda and other similar adventure games is its Celestial brush techniques and unlike Twilight Princess the experience feels fresh and new instead of just being just another adventure game.
Despite being nearly two years old Okami fails to show its age and its beautiful cel-shaded art style is visually stunning and has often been described as watching a moving painting. Whether you want to see it as a good or bad thing Okami is still able to hold its own visually against many other games we've been seeing on Wii. Don't let the fact that it is a port spoil the experience for you as not all ports are always bad. You need look no further than The Godfather, Resident Evil 4, and now Okami as proof of that.
Runner up - Mario Kart Wii
There's no doubt that Mario Kart Wii may not only have been the more popular Wii game in April but has and will wind up selling more than Okami. Regardless Mario Kart Wii, while still a good and extremely fun addition to the series, feels as though its taken the franchise a couple steps backwards. Each step taken in the right direction seems to be matched by one in the other with an additional two back. There's no doubt that Mario Kart is just as fun as ever and the addition of a very solid online play system is great however Nintendo's willingness to please the casual crowd has led to a dumbed down Kart and one that over just isn't as fun as some previous installments, and that's without even mentioning how imbalanced items have become.
A Second Take - SexyCappin-Y
There were many reasons to choose Okami this month with its originality is outstanding for a start. Its distinctive art style is pulled off excellently and looks amazing, and it has an intriguing story that fits right in with the style and pulls you in. The controls worked well on the PS2 original but with the Wii version the controls worked almost perfectly with a few minor hiccups here and there. Personally Mario Kart would have been my choice due to a need of some sort of online multiplayer game, there is still no reason for you to overlook Clover's swan song which will hopefully move away from being nothing more than a cult classic now that it has received a second shot on Wii. |
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| PAL VC Releases 2nd May, 2008 |
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Posted by: SexyCappin-Y - 05-03-2008 11:47 AM
- Replies (2)
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This week PAL gamers are in for a treat as the Hanabi Festival returns with three more imports for us to feast upon! I, like many, was expecting the hit beat 'em up Renegade but I doubt they'll be many complaints about the releases! All the games will be priced higher than the average game for its system due to it being an import.
Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (TurboGrafX-16 - 900 Wii Points)
Leading the trio this week is the Japan only sequel of the popular NES shooter Gradius, Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (Ambition of Gofer). The game was released on the NES and the TurboGrafx-16 in Japan but we're receiving the superior TurboGrafX-16 version. Gradius comes across as your standard horizontal shooter set it space however play it and you'll realize some of the depth that this game holds. There are seven levels for you to shoot your way through as enemies will drop power ups and you can choose which you wish to use. The updated system allows for four different power up sequences which give you the ability to use several different weapons to kill your enemies.
Final Soldier (TurboGrafX-16 - 700 Wii Points)
Final Solider is a top down vertical shooter from the famous Star Soldier franchise and it was the only game in the series to not be released outside of Japan. You defend the galactic empire in your star fighter which can use several power ups in which you can switch mid-game through the 'gun pod' system which maps each pod/power up to a button on the remote.
Columns III: Revenge of Columns (Sega Mega Drive - 900 Wii Points)
Columns III is the third title in the Columns franchise, it is a puzzle game very similar to Tetris and was in fact created as Sega's answer to the immensely popular puzzle game on Nintendo's systems. Jewels fall from the top of the screen and you have to line up 3 or more in a row to make them pop and increase your score, never allowing the big pile of jewels to hit the top. The game has a few features added in such as attacks and the crush metre but all in all it isn't really the best puzzle game on the VC right now.
If you like these...
Gradius (NES - 500 Wii Points)
Blazing Lazers A.K.A GunHed (TurboGrafX-16 - 600 Wii Points)
Columns (SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis - 800 Wii Points)
Coming Soon
Nintendo has always been incredibly reluctant in releasing anything Mother related outside of Japan with the most recent example being the removal of the Mother demo from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Well Mother fans can celebrate as Earthbound aka Mother 2 and the only game in the series to be released outside of Japan has been rated by the PEGI for Wii meaning its impending release on the Virtual Console. Keep your eyes peeled because the game could hit any week now. |
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| Westin Hotels Add Wii Fit to Workout Rooms |
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Posted by: Kindrik - 05-03-2008 10:45 AM
- Replies (3)
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Eventhough Nintendo had always push Wii Fit forward not so much a game but as an exercise utility it still feels a bit surprising to see a company such the Westin Hotel chains adding the little white thing you stand on to their exercise areas.
Hotel patrons will be able to get in a round of Wii Sports in between their weight training or possibly stretch out with Wii Fit before their big workout. No word on if Westin plans on adding other waggle intensive games such as WarioWare to their workout regimen.
Reported by: Marko K. |
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