Wii Fit Plus out Oct. 4 at a svelte $20 price point
During his keynote at the GameStop Manager Conference, Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime announced release details for Nintendo’s latest money generator, Wii Fit Plus. Current Wii Fit owners looking to add more arm-flapping and faux-Segwaying to their lives will be able to pick up the expanded version of the hit exercise game for just $19.99 on October 4.
For new owners, a Wii Fit Plus bundle will replace the existing Wii Fit bundle, which makes sense given that it’s the exact same game with added content. The Wii Fit Plus/Balance Board package will retail for $99.99.
Wii Fit Plus out Oct. 4 at a svelte $20 price point originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nintendo announces new Wiimote, DSi colors for North America
Nintendo just announced that you’ll finally be able to get a new color for your Wii … mote. Black. This holiday season the company will be making a black Wiimote bundle available with the Wiimote and Wii MotionPlus, including a black Wii jacket, which is very slimming. However, you’ll have to buy your black Nunchuk as a standalone, also available Holiday 2009.
According to the presser, “The Black bundle is the first new color for the Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus,” so let’s hope this means a rainbow of colors coming down the pipeline next year. Right now this has nothing to go with, especially since the Wii won’t be available in black over here, only in Japan. No mention of new console colors, nor of the blue Wiimote, seen recently at the World Hobby Fair. Will this be a case of having to chase down colors and accessories in different regions?
Nintendo is also bringing new DSi colors to North America, in the form of pink and white, available starting September 13. So we’ll now have black, blue, white, and pink DSi … why no funky colors like Japan? They get all the cool stuff.
Nintendo announces new Wiimote, DSi colors for North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Must Haves: Top September Titles for Wii
Seven games to kill back-to-school productivity
Recently, we combed through the list of upcoming releases for the next month, and decided to feature the cream of the crop. Of all the releases for September, this is what we consider the “Must Haves,” the games you should be paying more attention to than your schoolwork:
Note: all release dates courtesy of Amazon.
Guitar Hero 5 (Activision)
Release: September 1, 2009
$59.99 Stand-Alone
$99.99 Guitar Bundle
For those that aren’t yet tired of the barrage of music games we’re facing, it would be no surprise that you are interested in Guitar Hero 5. As the next game in the series, it’s no simple numeral add-on. Rather, Activision has made progressive changes for the Wii version. Players can now stream data like DLC off their SD cards, and download DLC in “packs,” as opposed to single tracks.
Developer Vicarious Visions also took a huge stride in how they handle Guitar Hero 5’s online system. Granting the wish of every Wii owner alive (minus the crazies), Guitar Hero 5 won’t be using any excessive friend codes. Instead, the game will tie itself to your console friend code, so Wii owners can see and use their list of friends on their console. To be fair, those that don’t have many console friends will find themselves typing in more 16-digit numbers than 12-digit ones this time around.
Hey, it’s Guitar Hero 5. You know what you’re getting out of this game. If you’re in dire need of specifics, check out the official track list. My personal favorites are “L.A.” by Elliott Smith and “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins.
Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Ignition)
Release: September 8, 2009
$49.99
I’d venture a guess that most people say “oooh, pretty,” when they lay eyes on Muramasa: The Demon Blade. With gorgeous hand-drawn visuals, how can’t you?
Created by Odin Sphere developer Marvelous and published by Ignition Entertainment (in the US), Muramasa puts players in the shoes of characters with stylish ninja skills. Gamers follow Kisuke and Momohime, two characters plagued with archetypal issues. Kisuke has lost his memory, including the memory of his criminal past. Momohime is possessed by a “dark spirit.” Normally problems of this nature are resolved by Federal Disability checks.
Instead, these two are going to fight it out against various enemy types, using over a hundred different swords (many of which can be forged). Thirty stages show inspiration from Japanese mythology, and can be enjoyed in three different modes: Unmatched, Carnage, and Insane Death. Unmatched and Carnage differ in whether they focus on RPG-style growth and action-style gameplay. Insane Death shows the game’s true replay value, limiting players to 1 HP for the entire game.
While Wii Remote control is default, the Classic Controller is also compatible, making this game even more appealing for Classic Controller lovers.
While there is still time, those who pre-order the game at GameStop will receive a wall scroll with artwork as beautiful as the game itself.
Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga (XSEED)
Release: September 8, 2009
$39.99
Let there be… an RPG? On the Wii, it is tough to find a good RPG. Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga promises to change that. The XSEED-published game takes players through the land of Eldar, comfortingly synonymous with “chaos and destruction.”
Not much has been heard of the game since its announcement (XSEED hasn’t even updated their website to reflect the game at all). Lonely explorers can team up online with another friend cooperatively to fight the baddies and go after the Spirit King. This third game in the Valhalla Knights series makes strides in taking out random encounters and battle screens, as players fight on the world map itself. A true action RPG. This game looks promising, and at a modest price.
The Beatles: Rock Band (MTV Games)
Release: September 9, 2009
$59.99 Stand-Alone
$99.99 Wireless Gretsch Controller Bundle
$99.99 Wireless Rickenbacker Controller Bundle
$249.99 Limited Edition Bundle
Basically everyone knows The Beatles. And basically everyone knows Rock Band. Put the two together and you’ve got a magical experience, no doubt.
The Beatles’ remaining members helped shape the experience of the game, which travels through the time periods of the band’s history, all the while recreating memorable settings and styles. It boasts the true history of the band, taking players both backstage at album recordings to onstage moments at legendary shows, all the while enjoying 45 Beatles tunes (plus additional downloadable content). Fans of the band will love it, and ‘lovers’ of the band will be enamored.
There isn’t much to add, except true Beatles fanatics may still find the $250 Limited Edition Bundle to be too steep to justify, especially for those that already own a working set of Rock Band-compatible instruments.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Activision)
Release: September 15, 2009
$49.99
Marvel Ultimate Alliance was one of the first Wii games I purchased. The thought of brawling with up to three other friends and using the powers of your favorite (and some less popular) comic heroes was wholly intriguing. The game was pretty well executed, but much more was desired.
This also means that another game is in order. Veteran players can expect greater control, hopefully without tying the Nunchuk’s accelerometer to the camera. Fusion attacks are possible by using two characters’ powers together. Storm’s electricity with Spider Man’s web, making an electric web? Yes, please!
Being a multi-platform game, there will be format-specific players in the roster. But let’s be honest, when you’ve got the Silver Surfer you don’t need anyone else, right? That is, of course, if he’ll be carried over from the first game.
This is certainly a game that will benefit from all the work done on the first title. Those as antsy as we are can follow the game’s development over at Activision’s official site.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up (Ubisoft)
Release: September 15, 2009
$49.99
The Turtles have a spotty history in video games. They recently got a $10 remake on XBLA of their (arguably) top game from the 16-bit days. Even so, Smash Up is poised to be something very, very new for the franchise.
The game acts and plays much like a Smash Bros. game, pitting Turtles and friends against one another in single-stage multiplayer (up to 4 players) combat. The gang show off their ninja ways (like we expect), gain health boosts from pizza (like we expect), while whomping on each other (not like we expect).
Sometimes, change is very, very good. Ubisoft decided to change the image of the Ninja Turtles, shying away from their over-the-top comical nature, while also keeping distance from recent, serious attempts. At this juncture, fans should find a happy medium in Smash Up, although the style of gameplay isn’t what any fan will expect. Interaction with the environment is key to the game, as an abundance of traps will keep the action going.
So, Ubisoft is basically making a Smash Bros. game behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license. If it plays well, then this game will be worthwhile for any fan.
Since it’s not worth the extra article, here are the confirmed playable characters for the game:
- April O’Neil
- Casey Jones
- Donatello
- Foot Ninja
- Fugitoid
- Karai
- Leonardo
- Master Splinter
- Michelangelo
- Nightwatcher
- Raphael
- Raving Rabbid
- Splinter Rabbid
- Shredder
- Cyber Shredder (may be an alternate costume)
- Utrominator
Hold on a second, Raving Rabbids and a Splinter Rabbid? Forget it, this game is a must-buy.
Dead Space Extraction (Electronic Arts)
Release: September 28, 2009
$49.99
Oh, Electronic Arts, how you woo my heart. Dead Space Extraction was met with immediate skepticism when it was announced as an on-rails shooter. Upon closer inspection, it looks like an incredible addition to the Wii lineup. In fact, just watch the trailer:
What else are we supposed to say about the game? As a prequel to the original, this game will scare the pants off you. Extraction follows the story of space colonists trying to escape from a mining colony. The mining colony, plagued by a horrific infection, provides an abundance of obstacles or monstrous proportions.
Dead Space Extraction also includes local co-op modes, letting players drag their friends along for a thrilling ride. There are plenty of puzzles, secrets, and branching paths to give this game a good amount of replay value. Even though the Wii has no shortage of good on-rails shooters, it is lacking in the good mature-games-department. With a dependable name like Dead Space, first-week buyers can’t go wrong.
Most people won’t be able to afford all of these games. Frankly, that’s a problem we’d rather be having, as opposed to a dull September. What game are you looking forward to the most?
Review: Brave: A Warrior’s Tale (WII)
Brave: A Warrior’s Tale
Developer: Collision Studios
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
Genre: Action Platformer
Release Date: 08/10/09
Pulling from the mythologies of the Native Americans, Brave: A Warrior’s Tale tells the story of Brave through a series of flashbacks and then through Courage, the young warrior set to take up Brave’s position as village hero. While the game sounds interesting, it’s an expansion of a game that came before it: Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer for the PS2 which came out in ‘05 in Europe and was brought over the US in ‘07. Will this one breathe new life into the series, or send it to live with its animal spirit in the afterlife?
Story/Modes
The story on this game is pretty wonderful. It uses a ton of references to Native American mythology and fells very rich as you play along, picking up different abilities and animal summons and learning more about your tribe. The story starts off with Courage, who can be a boy or girl depending on your playing preference, running to his village to listen to stories from one of the village elders who you come to find out is Brave, who the game is named after.
He starts telling the tale of how a great evil came to haunt his village and he had to learn to fight it by moving from one great spirit or shaman to the next to learn abilities and get new weapons all in the hopes of finding Spirit Dancer, who defeated the Wendigo the first time around. There is a little bit of humor here, and you can tell it’s geared for a younger crowd but it is entertaining.
Until you get to the new content. You see this is a slight conversion of the original PS2 title and has some new content added in, hence your character of Courage who you pick up at what should be the climax of the game and then have to start all over again with Courage learning how to get around and doing various mini-games that you’ve already went through with Brave. It’s frustrating and really kills the momentum that was building up.
If the new elements had been added in a different way instead of being shoe-horned into the later part of the game, maybe broken up Brave’s story a bit or had Courage do things at the beginning of the game to get past the learning part of Brave’s tale it could have gone smoother. As it is it feels like they have a good thing going and then you hit a brick wall of fetch quests.
Story/Modes Rating: Enjoyable
Graphics
Being a port of a PS2 game with new content, this game could really have used a go-over with some updated meshes and textures. The original title on the PS2 wasn’t exactly ahead of its time and this one is lagging behind with face meshes you can literally see the lines of the mesh in. It’s a bit distracting and really kills the experience.
On top of outdated textures and incredibly detail deprived character models and environments, the screen has a tendency to jerk around, especially in cut scenes, but even during gameplay. It’s like watching a movie on your PC only your PC really can’t read the DVD fast enough to keep the movie running smooth. Inexcusable, especially when the LAST generation of Nintendo console could outperform the aging PS2 system.
A bit more effort would have gone a long way here to making this look like a stellar title and less like the rest of the shovelware that has inundated the Wii.
Graphics Rating: Poor
Sound
I’d love to say that this is where the game really shines, but it’s only ok. The voice-acting isn’t bad, but not noteworthy. Nobody made me cringe and look for the mute button. The music was pretty driving and did it’s job pretty well. That is until you were moving into another area.
You see the game breaks up areas with long winding paths you have to make your way through to get to a new area and thy are pretty long. But whether it’s to let you know you’re in one of these areas or need to get to one, the music just stops. This is where music is needed as most of the trips are long and tedious and boring, except for the challenging ones like the canoe trip, but a little music would have held my interest besides just trudging along some unknown mountain or forest path.
Sound Rating: Good
Control and Gameplay
Let me get something out of the way here. The gameplay in this game is varied and fun and I’ll touch on it in a minute, but first we’re going to tackle the controls you have, or rather the LACK of them. The force is not with you in this game young padawan.
The controls use none of the wii mote’s abilities like you’d think. Instead you use the wii mote to look around in first person mode (which didn’t work very well at all and I ended up staring at the ground most of the time as I turned in a circle) and to light fires and to ice climb with. Firing arrows or throwing tomahawks is all done with the press of the down button and you have to hope that you’re facing an enemy enough to actually hit them.
You move with the analog stick on the nunchuk and can track things using the z button and the c button centers the camera. While we’re on the subject of the camera, it’s terrible and you will fight it the entire time you’re playing this game. Whether you’re meandering around a level or in first person view mode, the camera never behaves. It’s either too far back, too far up, not angled enough to see where you’re going to land when you’re jumping, stuck in rocks while you’re getting pummeled by a grizzly, or looking at the ground while you’re trying to get a good look at some furry woodland creatures.
All your other actions are separated amongst the wii motes buttons, like jumping, throwing your tomahawk, using a melee attack or firing off an arrow. Overall the controls aren’t tight either, so most of the time it registers your jumps but if you wait too long you won’t jump and will just end up falling off that cliff edge, or end up plowing into that log you thought you were going to be able to avoid in your canoe and end up sinking. The platforming with the awkward camera doesn’t help as you often end up over-shooting platforms you can’t really see or over-shooting ledges you thought were further away than they were.
This game does have quite a variety of gameplay options. The boss fights are all interesting and varied. The first is the grizzly bear and you have to chase and beat him with a stick that’s on fire. Another is a long chase while you’re riding on the back of a giant eagle like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, and one involves fighting a giant troll by summoning down lightning strikes with the aid of a wind spirit. You don’t keep your various weapons for long as you pick up something that’s better suited to whatever area you’re moving into. The only real recurring enemies you’ll bump into are some pretty big bugs and even then they’re not everywhere. There’s a nice variety to this game that I found great and well used, but the controls and terrible camera just ruin it. I really wish I could rate gameplay separately on this one.
Control and Gameplay Rating: Below Average
Replayability
You’re probably not going to want to play this one much after your first run through. There are some hidden totems you can collect in each area, but I don’t know why you’d torture yourself to play this over again to find them. Sure the story is cute and it’s nice to see something other than Greek mythology or futuristic guns blazing with an action title with some platforming in it, but really the camera and controls keep this title from being fun. Not to mention the lackluster visuals.
Replayability Rating: Pretty Poor
Balance
This game doesn’t really get harder as you go. It’s pretty much the same difficulty level as you move through it, you just have more at your disposal to get around things. The boss fights are all set up around the ‘avoid getting hit and unleash massive attack when time is right’ mechanic and they pretty much all follow that theme. Seeing as this game is aimed at a younger audience I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but people who enjoy having a challenge aren’t going to find it here.
The game is selling for $30 which is a bargain title, but for the same price you could grab the XBox 360 version that has slightly better graphics. Really, there are better older titles out there that fit the younger crowd’s action need that you can pick up cheaper. If you really have your heart set on this one, wait a bit and let the price drop.
Balance Rating: Mediocre
Originality
Sorry, but porting the game over and adding a few new control options and shoe-horning in some extra content does not a new game make. Sure the original had a lot going for it and if this one played better it would have to, but honestly they could have just brought over the game as it was on the PS2 and it’d have the same impact and maybe play better as they wouldn’t have had to spend so much time adding in new content.
Originality Rating: Bad
Addictiveness
I really did like playing this game. Or rather I wanted to if I didn’t have to fight with sloppy controls and a bad camera. Even with that I kept playing it in several hour chunks, and it’s not because I like inflicting pain on myself. There is an interesting and fun game in Brave: A Warrior’s Tale, they just needed to spend more time polishing it before unleashing its fury on an unsuspecting Wii crowd. This game has a lot of neat gameplay choices and mechanics in it, they just needed to be handled with a little bit more care.
Addictiveness Rating: Good
Appeal Factor
A nice family friendly title for the Wii that anyone could get enjoyment out of, if the above mentioned issues were taken care of. It’s decently priced for the most part, but it costing the same as its big brother XBox 360 version is a bit much and I can see people passing on it for that version if they have an option. Or if you have a PS2, pick up the original for $10 cheaper. It might have an audience, but really there are other titles out there that will get more attention.
Appeal Factor Rating: Poor
Miscellaneous
I really did want to like this game. The art style is a bit weird, and the graphics are way out-dated as well as all the control and camera issues. There’s something about the story that is fairly engaging until it hits the breaks later in the game. It’s really got me curious and I probably will play it again, if nothing else just for the variations on gameplay that make it so much fun.
The flight sequences were handled pretty well, which I thought was surprising after the disaster that was the canoeing section. There is a lot ot like in this game, it just needs some more love on the developing end to be a lot better than it turned out.
Miscellaneous Rating: Good
The Scores
Story/Modes Rating: Enjoyable
Graphics Rating: Poor
Sound Rating: Good
Control and Gameplay Rating: Below Average
Replayability Rating: Pretty Poor
Balance Rating: Mediocre
Originality Rating: Bad
Addictiveness Rating: Good
Appeal Factor Rating: Poor
Miscellaneous Rating: Good
FINAL SCORE: MEDIOCRE GAME
Short Attention Span Summary
An erratic and sometimes possessed camera along with ho-hum and lackluster controls really prevent this former PS2 game from shining on the Wii. The added content feels just like it is, tacked on, and really breaks up what should be a great climatic sequence in the game by hitting the breaks and basically running you through a bunch of hoops all over again. With this title on the XBox 360 for the same price as the Wii version I can’t see why you’d pick this one up if you own the 360. It is a fairly fun game and is definitely aimed at a younger audience. It just needed a little more work to make it something special and that just isn’t there.
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Rumor: DSi-only games coming this fall
Some DSi-enhanced games are out or on the way soon, mostly from Ubisoft. But nothing yet, aside from DSiWare, that requires the latest version of Nintendo’s handheld, despite an announcement at GDC that such games would be on the way.
According to a “retail source” who spoke to Kotaku, the first DSi-exclusive games will be out sometime this fall, which seems rather abrupt, since those games would have to be announced and then released in just a couple of months. Kotaku says that both the cases and the actual cartridges for DSi games will be white, to distinguish them from normal DS software.
Rumor: DSi-only games coming this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Check out more of Murmasa’s lovely gameplay in this new trailer
Muramasa: The Demon Blade’s US release is so anticipated around Joystiq HQ, our staff can constantly be spotted exchanging fist-pumps whenever it’s mentioned. Today, a new gameplay trailer has found its way online, showcasing more of the game’s beautiful action. Hopefully, when it hits stores Stateside on September 8, it will live up to our lofty expectations. If not, the only arm movement we’ll be making is when we throw elbows during our daily “abuse the intern” training exercises.
Check out more of Murmasa’s lovely gameplay in this new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rumor: Rock Band 2 will import LEGO Rock Band tracks
Along with this rumored feature, the site has posted a list of upcoming DLC, including 10 tracks from Queen and three from The Raconteurs due in October. Three songs from The White Stripes are listed for November release. Undisclosed material from Attack! Attack! and The Duke Spirit appears as undated Rock Band Network content.
When contacted for comment, Harmonix told Joystiq, “While we don’t comment on rumors or speculation with regards to our upcoming downloadable content, we can promise that the Rock Band platform is poised to remain the unchallenged best value and source of music for rhythm games.”
This supposed “leak” is very conveniently timed, given that Guitar Hero 5 releases tomorrow. Doncha’ think?
Rumor: Rock Band 2 will import LEGO Rock Band tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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This Week on the Nintendo Channel: A director and his boy and his blob
This week, WayForward’s Sean Velasco offers Nintendo Channel viewers a look at the delightful-looking A Boy and His Blob, describing the colorful sidescrolling adventure as “a sincere game in a cynical time.” We suppose that the level of interest the game inspires could be related to your own cynicism. In short, if the look of this game does nothing for you, you’re either too cynical or you’ve spent too much time playing the NES game.
FInd the video, as well as the list of DS demos and other new videos, after the break.
[Via GoNintendo]
Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: A director and his boy and his blob
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: A director and his boy and his blob originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jade Raymond now head of Ubisoft Toronto
Assassin’s Creed producer and Ubisoft’s very own cutie Jade Raymond has just moved up the ranks now that she’s been promoted to head of the new Ubisoft Toronto studio.
She will be working under Yannis Mallat, who is CEO to both the new Toronto Studio as well as the one in Montreal. Jade Raymond will be in charge of new studio, focusing on “AAA games and new intellectual properties.” Right now, she’s still busy with Ezio and “other Ubisoft projects” according to the announcement.
More on Ubisoft Toronto:
Ubisoft talks online in new TMNT: Smash Up dev diary
In the latest dev diary for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up, the publishing team at Ubisoft discusses the importance of an online mode and what gamers can expect from its new “brawler.” We say “brawler” because — according to the video — there is a major distinction between a standard fighting title and TMNT: Smash Up.
In Smash Up, up to four players can square off, “brawling” in massive free-for-all matches. If the Smash Bros-style of fighting is too hot for you to handle, players can also square off in two-on-two, or (standard fighting game) one-on-one matches. Developed by Game Arts — a team made up of a slew of former Team Ninja veterans — TMNT: Smash Up appears to be in good hands. Hands which you can then use to punch your opponent in the face with.
Ubisoft talks online in new TMNT: Smash Up dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Top 10 Best Selling Games
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