Nintendo Media Summit 2010: The Recap Post
The 2010 Nintendo Media Summit has come and gone, and sent a wave of huge Nintendo news through the industry. We had hands-on time with some of the Wii’s biggest upcoming titles, screenshots for almost everything on Nintendo’s 2010 calendar and a big ol’ sack full of new videos. In case you missed anything, we’ve wrapped it all up and have it here for you in one tidy little package.
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Nintendo Media Summit 2010: The Recap Post originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Monster Hunter 3: No Friend Codes Confirmed
We had heard for a little while that the North American and European versions of Monster Hunter 3 would likely not be hampered by Nintendo’s friend codes system. But now, thanks to statements by Nintendo’s sales and marketing EVP, Cammie Dunaway, we can officially confirm this rumor.
During Nintendo’s Q1 Media Summit in San Francisco this week, Dunaway confirmed the lack of a friend code requirement in the upcoming Capcom title for the Wii, stating, “We felt that this was the best way to deliver [Monster Hunter Tri].”
This means that not only will the title have free online play and text and voice-based chat (available through Wii Speak) when it arrives in the U.S. on April 20, but the game will allow you to group with anyone, and evidently, speak with anyone via text or even Wii Speak. Hello annoying 12-year-olds!
So why the exception to the usual rule of “make it free, make it easy, make it safe” in regards to Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection service? After all, friend codes were part of the keep it safe idea since they would “create an online environment free of harassment.” Without friend codes in place, I could very well run into this lovely kid.
Dunaway is quoted as saying, “With each title we’ll make the right determination.” So I guess that means if you have a good enough game Nintendo will let you fudge the rules a bit.
But Nintendo’s voice chat has an interesting feature: it’s based on a table top – er, TV top – microphone that picks up every nearby voice in the room. So let’s say a pre-pubescent little foul-mouth gets pissed at me for not killing that massive water-dwelling Lagiacrus and starts throwing out every available curse word in the English dictionary. Not only would his parents likely hear everything I say back, but I would hear everything his parents say him, including any subsequent scoldings and/or beatings. Youtube is going to love this.
I’ll report back in April with my findings on the unhampered voice chat soon to be flooded by Nintendo fans. We’ll see if they behave themselves any better than certain Xbox Live gamers, though I’m not holding my breath.
Source: Gamasutra.
WiiWare First Look: Art Style series Light Trax, Rotozoa
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WiiWare First Look: Art Style series Light Trax, Rotozoa originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hands-on: Nintendo DSi XL
Left to Right: DSi XL, DSi, DS Phat
Perhaps it was no coincidence that Nintendo stopped by New York City to show off the Nintendo DSi XL, one day after Apple made its not-so-earth-shattering iPad announcement. Like the iPad, the DSi XL is a larger version of an already successful handheld device, but unlike the iPad, the DSi XL promises no added functionality, nor does it alter the electronics landscape in any way. It is, quite succinctly, a bigger DSi.
One can’t help but question why the device exists in the first place. To whom does the DSi XL appeal? Certainly, its gargantuan size makes it stand out as the least portable handheld system we’ve seen in quite some time, taking a completely opposite approach to that of Sony’s PSP Go. Thanks to its larger screen size, it takes up even more space than the original DS Phat — strange, considering one of the primary complaints held against the Phat was its unwieldy girth.
What the XL excels at (sorry!) are games that require extensive use of the stylus. The massive stylus that’s included with the system is easy to handle, making earlier stylus pens feel cheap and flimsy. The larger screen real estate makes it easier to draw on the system, perfect for intense Pictochat sessions or a round with WarioWare DIY.
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Hands-on: Nintendo DSi XL originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nintendo Release Dates Galore
Nintendo’s 2010 Media Summit is fully underway, and with it has come a wealth of information on upcoming games and the larger DSi model, the DSi XL. Here is a breakdown of the information from Nintendo’s press release:
- The DSi XL launches March 28 at an MSRP of $189.99. Will be available in both Burgundy and Bronze colors, and comes loaded with the following software: Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock, as well as two free applications: the Nintendo DSi Browser and Flipnote Studio. The system also includes the larger pen-like stylus.
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 launches May 23 for the Wii. Aside from Yoshi, the game will feature a drill that lets Mario tunnel through solid rock.
- Metroid: Other M launches June 27. Nintendo has confirmed that “While much of the game is reminiscent of 2-D side-scrollers, players can switch the perspective into 3-D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic, never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran’s past. This new approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote controller held sideways to battle enemies and navigate the expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.”
- Nintendo will publish Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies in the Americas some time this summer.
- Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) will launch April 20. Free online has been confirmed, and Wii Speak support has been confirmed as well.
- Sin and Punishment 2, the sequel to the Japanese-only Nintendo 64 title, has been renamed Sin and Punishment: Star Successor. It will launch June 7 and feature international online leader boards.
- FlingSmash is a new Motion Plus-only title for the Wii launching this summer that “will test players’ Wii Remote skills as they bounce a ball-like hero through countless side-scrolling stages, combining the precision of racket sports with the unpredictable fun of pinball.”
- Picross 3D is launching for the DS on May 3 and will offer more puzzles to download via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection after launch.
- 100 Classic Books will launch for the DS on June 14 and will be highlighted by 100 works from authors such as William Shakespeare, Jules Verne, Jane Austen, Mark Twain and more. Readers can adjust the size of text, place bookmarks and even download new content via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.
- Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands from Ubisoft will launch May 18 on both the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms. As an added bonus, the Wii version of the game will exclusively include the 1992 Super NES version of the original Prince of Persia game.
- Disney Guilty Party is the official title of the first collaboration between Disney Interactive Studios and its recently acquired studio, Wideload Games. The mystery party game is set for release in the second half of 2010, exclusively for Wii.
- Majesco’s Nintendo DSi exclusive Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal uses incredible augmented reality technology through the Nintendo DSi Camera. Launching this October, the game lets players become a ghost hunter as they interact with the paranormal.Nintendo also announced a variety of games available to download directly to the Wii console from the Wii Shop Channel via the WiiWare service, and directly to the Nintendo DS via the DSi Shop and DSiWare services.
- Mega Man 10 launches on WiiWare March 1.
- Max & the Magic Marker launches on WiiWare March 8.
- Cave Story launches on WiiWare March 22.
- WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase launches on WiiWare March 29.
- Nintendo’s Art Style: light trax and Art Style: Rotozoa launch on WiiWare this Spring.
- Rage of the Gladiator will launch on WiiWare this spring and utilizes Motion Plus.
- And Yet it Moves launches this spring on WiiWare.
- Super Meat Boy launches this summer on WiiWare.
- Nintendo’s Photo Dojo launches on DSiWare this spring.
- Nintendo’s Metal Torrent launches on DSiWare this spring.
- Nintendo’s X-Scape launches on DSiWare this spring.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokewalker caught on video
If you’re hoping to learn more about the device which you’ll soon be hiding within your deepest, darkest pocket, filling you with terror that, while withdrawing your keys, you’ll accidentally expose the accessory, bringing your reticent Pokémaniacal tendencies to light, forcing you to … wait, what were we talking about again? Oh, yes, the Pokéwalker accessory which comes with HeartGold and SoulSilver was recently demoed in a video released at the Nintendo Media Summit, and posted above. Looks like it has some neat functionality beyond just step-counting.
Oh, the games themselves also received their own trailer, which is posted after the jump. We’ve seen most of the footage shown there before — though the music is new, and totally triumphant.
Continue reading Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokewalker caught on video
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pokewalker caught on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Picross 3D shaping up for May 3 release
If you’ve been looking for a way to tease your brain into an overloaded, catatonic state while on the go, Nintendo and HAL Laboratory will soon deliver an application that should aid in your endeavor. Picross 3D, the DS puzzle game that hit Japanese retail last March, will be released on May 3 in North America.
The announcement came during today’s Nintendo Media Summit and added that the game would receive DLC in the form of extra puzzles, à la Professor Layton. With continued support like that, Picross 3D could be capable of frying our brains for the foreseeable future. We can’t wait.
Picross 3D shaping up for May 3 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Catch Jirachi at your local GameStop on February 27
Is your elite Pokémon fighting force lacking a certain adorability factor? Starting this coming Saturday, February 27, GameStop will have the perfect remedy to your problem — the retailer will offer a free download of the legendary Psychic/Steel-type Jirachi for anyone who treks to the store with a copy of Pokémon Pearl, Diamond or Platinum in tow. The promotion will run until March 13 — the day before HeartGold and SoulSilver hit store shelves.
As an added bonus, trainers who have Jirachi in their collection will have access to a special training route on HeartGold and SoulSilver’s bundled accessory, the Pokéwalker. That might just be enough to give us the courage required to suffer the judgmental looks of our local GameStop’s customers and employees.
Catch Jirachi at your local GameStop on February 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nintendo wins R4 piracy suit in Australia: Pay up, pirates!
Nintendo’s march against the R4 mod cartridge for the DS rolls on this week, as the company has won a lawsuit against an Australian distributor of the now-illegal device, according to iTNews. RSJ IT Solutions, which sold the R4 through gadgetgear.com.au, was ordered to stop selling the device and fined $520,000 ($466,752 USD) in damages payable to Nintendo. Two other respondents named by Nintendo in the suit, Patrick Li and James Li, were also ordered to stop selling the R4 in Australia and fined $100,000 ($89,760 USD). Furthermore, the two are required to disclose the names of their R4 suppliers.
This marks Nintendo’s second major blow to piracy in Australia this month. Last week, Nintendo was successfully awarded $1.5 million ($1.3 million USD) in damages to be paid by a remorseful Australian man, who was found to be the first to upload New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the internet. Lest any potential pirates out there haven’t figured it out yet — especially those in Australia — Nintendo isn’t messing around.
Nintendo wins R4 piracy suit in Australia: Pay up, pirates! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nintendo re-applies for Eternal Darkness trademark
Nintendo has filed for a trademark on the phrase “Eternal Darkness,” the title of the GameCube’s Silicon Knights-developed psychological horror game. It tricked us by doing things like pretending to reset the console or lowering a fake volume indicator on the TV screen, due to a low in-game “sanity” meter. Apparently the trademark lapsed recently, and while we’d love to tell you that this means someone is working on a brand new version of Eternal Darkness for the Wii, it likely just means that Nintendo is covering its trademarked bases.
Besides, if you just want a Wii game that will drive you nuts, try some SPOGS Racing. That game is so bad it’s crazy.
Nintendo re-applies for Eternal Darkness trademark originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Top 10 Best Selling Games
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