News: September 2007 Archives

Check out these screenshots for what has to be the most anticipated Wii title to date. Marvel at Princess Peach giving Mario the brush off, Andross spitting out teeth, Zero Suit Seamus dangling and other shots. Keep an eye out for more Smash Brothers Brawl preview material. In the meantime these 8 screengrabs should mark a good start to the weekend.

(click on picture to enlarge)  

 

 

 

Nintendo Power magazine has revealed the first images of the Wii Zapper game, Link's Crossbow Training.

 

Bundled with the Zapper casing (which holds your wiimote and nunchuk in a casing that makes them operate as a functional zapper), this latest Link adventure is likely to be the 'learn the ropes' title, aimed at introducing gamers to the concept of the Wii Zapper.  Link can be seen shooting at targets & enemies in Hyrule, where we're used to seeing the green-clad lad.
 
The position of the gamer's view (camera) is set behind Link, looking over his shoulder.  Graphically, Link's Crossbow Training appears similar to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which is what everyone expected given that there has not really been enough time in the cycle to expect a new gaming engine for a Zapper 'how to' title.
 
Stay tuned for more pictures as Ninty churn them out and a review as soon as we get the game

Today, Nintendo have released more info on their game that will come packaged with the Wii Zapper casing (not an actual Wii Zapper but a housing that makes the Wiimote and Nunchuk become a functional Zapper):

Link's Crossbow Training

Launch Date: 19th November 07
ESRB: T (Teen): Fantasy Violence
Accessories: Wii Zapper - included (Wii Remote and Nunchuk NOT included!!!)
Players: 1-4 (turn-based)
Developer: EAD

Link returns to pick up the Wii Zapper and take aim at a host of targets in this shooting-gallery-style game.

Anyone can pick up the Wii Zapper and become a master marksman in the quick-play shooting galleries of Link's Crossbow Training. Dozens of stages offer a wide variety of game play, from shooting stationary targets to defending a supply wagon from onrushing hordes of enemies. Multiplayer modes let players and their friends share a Wii Zapper to shoot for the high score.

Link's Crossbow Training comes bundled with the Wii Zapper housing (not including a Wiimote and Nunchuk, you must purchase these). After a few rounds of Link's Crossbow Training, players will be more than ready to pick up any of the future Wii Zapper titles, like Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Ghost Squad and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

Bomberman games tend to appear like buses - three come along at once. Recently there have been a couple of titles up for grabs on other formats, so it's about time the Wii saw some of the action. Now we're being promised an exclusive Wii Bomberman game in January 2008, so is it time to get excited? Hudson has released the following bits of info on their 'explosive' Wii title: (Groan... -Ed)

Title: Bomberman Land
Launch Date: January 2008
Platform: Wii
Genre: Action
ESRB: Everyone / Cartoon Violence
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Developer: HUDSON SOFT

Game Description
Adventure, Mini-games, and Multiplayer Action.

Embark on a fun-filled, theme park adventure as you discover intrigue and a host of addicting mini-games throughout 5 unique Zones. Also included, is the original Bomberman Battle game. Battle up to 4 friends and find out who is king Bomberman.

Key Features

* 50 Mini-games - Extreme sports fan? Try your hand at the Skateboarding mini-game...Do you love Sci-Fi? Try out the Laser Ball mini-game. With 50 unique, addictive mini-games there's something here for everyone.

* Character Customization - Customize and create you very own Bomberman character with

* Fun-filled Adventure - Bomberman Land has broken into pieces, uncover the mysteries and restore Bomberman Land by collecting all the pieces and put Bomberman Land back together again.

* Multiplayer Action -Go head-to-head and battle up to 4 players in either all 50 mini-games or the original Bomberman Game.

* Original Bomberman Battle Game Included! - The Original Bomberman Battle game is included with all new maps and power up items. Multiplayer Strategy Action doesn't get better than this!

But, does it though? We think it does. Up until now, every single time a Bomberman game has veered away from what makes the franchise truly great (a square screen with players battling it out with bombs) it has, if you'll excuse the pun, bombed big time. So to Hudson, we say this:

Stick to what works well, and don't sell out to cheesy platform nonsense. Mini games work well, but the history of Bomberman platform games reads like a list of train wrecks.

So you've finally got Super Paper Mario on your UK Wii! But are you aware that despite waiting the extra six months for the UK release, the game contains a class A bug which will crash your Wii and force a total reset? If not, read on. If you know already, you may resume rolling your D10.

The bug crashes the game, forcing a complete restart of the Wii, losing all current positioning and sending you back to the last save point. Pretty serious? We think so. Somebody in Ninty QA is so getting fired.

But like the lovely chaps they are, Nintendo are already publishing this solution for all concerned gamers:

"At the start of Chapter 2-2, you will come across a character called Mimi. She will tell you to go to the farthest room on the first floor to meet a character called Merlee. Enter that room and press the green switch. A trap will be triggered, and a spiked ceiling will descend upon Mario. Before the ceiling reaches him, flip into 3D and jump on it to find a key.

"If you pick up the key, you won't run into any problems. Use it to open the locked door to Mimi's right. However, if you talk to Mimi without picking up the key, the game will freeze. You will then have to turn off your Wii console and start again from your last save point."

The glitch won't do any long term damage to your system nor the game, and if you wish to return your copy you can contact Nintendo and they'll soon advise you on their provision for this glitch.

So how do things like this happen, you may ask? Simple, actually. It's QA (Quality Assurance). Every major game has a team of either in or outhoused QA working on every version of the game before it goes gold (gold means that it has passed all publisher milestones and is ready to go to the publisher). A game like Super Paper Marion would almost certainly have in-house Nintendo QA working on it and frankly, this is a class A bug. No game should ever go gold with one of these intact, and it is QA's job to catch these a lot earlier than this. To make matters worse, it's actually a repeatable and therefore fixable bug, unlike some class A crashes which are much harder to trace down in the code as to what went wrong.

We think one too many late nights in the QA team and a few too many kebabs may have contributed to this error. Better get the Wii Balance boards out and start working it all off!

Today, news has appeared covering the results of the Manhunt 2 controversy. Some adult gamers want the freedom to choose if they wish to purchase Manhunt 2 or not in the UK, following the banning of it by the BBFC body, effectively banning the multi format title by refusing to fashion it with a rating. Games that are refused a rating are not permitted to be produced in the UK under current law.

Interestingly, Nintendo had already stated that if the game carried an 18 rating, it would not be produced for the Wii, before it was known that Manhunt 2 was not to receive even this high rating. However, 18 certified titles are available on the Wii - we've played Scarface: The World is Yours.

A petition was started, asking the government to restrict the BBFC's power following its decision not to rate Manhunt 2. Adult gamers felt their freedom to choose was being violated.

After 3000+ people signed the petition, the government issued this response:

"The Government is satisfied with the BBFC's procedure and with the provisions for appeal, and will not be intervening in this process. The Government has recently announced a review aimed at helping parents ensure that their children are protected from exposure to inappropriate material in games. This is not intended to restrict the choice of material available to adults."

So, we'll never know if Nintendo would have stuck to their guns or not. Had Manhunt 2 been rated 18/adult, would they have let Sony and Microsoft run away with the takings over their family image? Whatever happens, UK gamers will currently have to find an overseas option to play Manhunt 2.

We think it's very interesting to note that some adult gamers are more interested in their right to be able to buy extremely violent games than they are in child protection, since it is a known fact of life that in the current shopping climate, there is absolutely nothing to prevent a parent/sibling or other adult purchasing an 18/adult rated video game and then supplying it to a child of any age. It seems the Government understand that our current protection system is failing children, and have chosen to stand on that side of the fence with this issue.

 

Known for their innovation and flair for design, it's not often that Capcom produce a doozy.  Golf games have proven popular on all recent Nintendo formats, especially the Wii and DS.  So, why not join in with the fun?  Capcom seem to agree.

Announcing a partnership with Camelot Software, Capcom say they're planning to develop an all-new golf title for the Wii. If the Mario Golf series and Hot Shots Golf are anything to go by, this should be both playable and very
entertaining.

'We Love Golf' will transform the Wii Remote into a virtual set of golf clubs, allowing players to choose clubs, line up shots, swing and add fade and draw etc.  Due to the Wiimote's unique abilities, all these motions will be done using very little button pressing and movements of the wrist, hand and arm.

With many game modes, unlockable content and plenty of multiplayer action, so far we're liking the sound of 'We Love Golf'.  Can it compete with the likes of Tiger Woods and King of Clubs?  We think it's in with a shot (Sorry! - Ed)

Look out for We Love Golf in 2008, when nobody's short game will be left untested...

The President of LucasArts has spoken out for the first time on what Wii gamers - and indeed any gamer - has been waiting to hear since the dawn of the Wiimote.  Lightsabre action!
 
According to CVG, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is coming to Wii next spring and it'll allow you to wield the Wiimote as a Lightsaber.
 
You will also use the nunchuk to 'use the Force' against enemies - we're guessing this will involve fast waggling from side to side as seen in Twilight Princess to activate force moves. The storyline of the game is set during the era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV A New Hope, so there's plenty of scope for just about anything to happen, and all the major character cast should be available.
 
"Wii is a great platform for The Force Unleashed, because the console's motion-oriented controllers really bring the game to life," said Jim Ward, President of LucasArts. "We've worked hard to make the Wii version of the game unique in order to truly let you unleash the Force."
 
Krome Studios are developing the Wii version of the game, and have reported that there is an exclusive duel mode in which players can compete head on with other human players.
 
One of the first things to be said about the Wiimote when it was announced was "We can't wait for LucasArts to bring out a Star Wars game where you can use this thing as a lightsabre!"  It looks as though in 2008, that dream will be realised.  Roll on Spring!

The last time we had this good a chuckle was when they first announced the name change of Nintendo's Revolution as it was then known, to Wii.  It's happened again, and this time?  It's quite seriously, wee.

Wee DVD players have shown up in Japan, quite unapologetically using the same font and a very similar name to Nintendo's Wii.

Whilst the trained gamers' eye will never confuse the two (the wee is grey and the Wii white, for starters), it is worth watching out if you're expecting a Wii as a gift.  Ensure Granny, Auntie Jane or Mum understands that it is a WII you want, not a WEE.  Make sure they understand what to look for, because the last thing you'll want is a wee under the tree this Christmas!

 

Since the demise of the Saturn, very few games from the former Sega machine have retained as much respect in the minds of gamers as NiGHTS.  Some gamers even would own a Saturn just to play NiGHTS ...

The return of the NiGHTS brand to the current scene is receiving positive attention thus far, none more so than today - news has emerged to add to the already building excitement concerning a two player mode.

According to Sega sources, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams will feature a new two player mode.  Sega have confirmed that there will be a range of two player situations within the game, and that you'll be able to play them online using WiFi.

IGN have reported that there is to be a Duel mode, which probably means versus play between human players, based on score.  There will also be a race mode, probably time based which players battling to complete an area first.

This new addition to an established brand of game is exactly what Wii gaming needs and Wii gamers want.  Ports and rehashes, even dull and samey sequels aren't going to convince the more established gamer to pick up a Wii or a Wii game.  What we need are fresh outlooks on what we've known, so props to Sega for creating flavour within NiGHTS in this way.

Those lovely lads at Gamespot reported today that SNK Playmore have confirmed they are bringing a trio of early fighting games from the NeoGeo range to the Wii Virtual Console.  So far, this is only happening in North America, but with Wii hardware being practically universal in code and ability, we see no reason at all that SNK won't release the products in Europe & the UK too!

SNK compilation packs seem to have done well in the UK and Europe on PS2 and other formats. Tokyo's D4Enterprise will be releasing the games on the Wii's Virtual Console. SNK Playmore have stated that more titles will definitely follow "in the coming months", so expect a swab of titles early 2008.

This also bodes well for possible future releases from other great machines of the past; the unsung brilliance of the Sega Dreamcast, for example.  One word - Shenmue. If it's possible, we'd dearly love to see it!

Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting and World Heroes will be first out of the gates to appear in America on the Virtual Console by the end of the year, with an expected Wii point cost of 900 (around $9 or £4.50p).  Beat 'em up fans should be licking their lips, and this furthers the Wii's case as a gaming machine for the established gamer, which is never a bad thing.

Slight frustration may strike Wii-owning monster fans today, in the wake of Atari announcing that Godzilla: Unleashed will not be a Nintendo exclusive anymore.  The title that was previously coming to Nintendo Wii and DS will now release at the same time (Autumn 2007) on PS2.

In addition to this, Atari with developer Pipeworks have added new monsters to the PS2 version, though they're not saying how many.  We're guessing a handful, which will probably use coding from existing monsters.  Effectively, recolours. To programe and design completely new characters from scratch would probably take too long at this late stage.

Wii and indeed DS gamers can take some satisfaction from the fact that PS2 gamers won't be able to use the wiimote controls and access the wire free, tilt sensitive gaming in 3D space that they will.  DS gamers will also have the advantage of touch accurate gaming, with the DS stylus adding a unique twist to the game play controls.  In short, unless you're a card carrying Godzilla collect 'em all type, we'd still recommend getting the Wii or DS version anyway.

High quality cables for Wii look to be arriving at the end of September 2007, making the most of your HD or even standard TV sets.  Packaged in sleek, metal boxes, Blaze are working with Xploder to produce the cables along with cheat and media management software for your Wii.

The cable range consists of Premium Wii Component and Scart cables, all of which have been designed and produced using the latest AV technology.  Features and benefits seen throughout the range include:

* Superior visual and aural performance of your Game, DVD, HD-DVD and CD
collections.
* Support HD mode 480p for Wii
* Designed for HDTV sets
* Gold and metal plated connectors for enhanced signal transfer
* Superior picture resolution
* Enhanced Stereo sound

The Wii Component and Scart cables include a copy of Xploder Cheat Saves and Media Manager software.  The software lets you unlock new levels, have new items, secret characters etc.  Just download the saves to your Wii SD Card and they're ready to use. It'll also let you convert your PC movie files to the MJPEG format for playback on TV, as well as import and manage your music and movie files.

All in all, we think better technology support for the Wii can only help the new console to be taken seriously by more mature and hardcore gamers.  Whilst all this may sound fiddly to some, to others it really is an Aladdin's cave of legal possibilities (we know that Wii tech-heads have been working day and night since day one to find less legal and sensible ways to mash their Wii up). If you've got a nice TV and/or sound system in your living room, you might just want to take a look at these new cables.  Especially if you're a High Definition user (HD), ensure you're using component cables of some sort to get the very best out of your Wii.

According to Nintendo themselves, we've heard that the Wii Zapper will come packaged with Link's Crossbow Training. Remember Duck Hunt with the original NES Zapper and the six games that came packaged with the SNES Superscope?  Expect something along the same lines; a training game to establish the Zapper unit's abilities.  What really makes this a unique shooting addition though, is the fact that in effect, it's nothing.  This is a mould, that will hold your already purchased and paid for controllers (the Wiimote and the Nunchuk). In that respect, we suppose it's justifiable to package a small training tech demo with the unit, in order to charge a shelf cost.

It will be on sale in the US November 19th 2007 with a recommended store price-tag of $19.99. So far, support for the casing has come from pleasing corners of the games market; Capcom with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, EA with Medal of Honour and Sega with their arcade FPS, Ghost Squad.

As mature gamers, we're hoping that the Zapper casing and other recent advances in more mature games controllers for the Wii will usher in an era of mature titles; more first and third person shooters perhaps, some decent target blasting titles (remember the joys of Point Blank in the arcades?) and dare I say a throng of mature racing titles making use of some of the full racing kits developed by Thrustmaster of late.  Their new compatibility with the Wii means that developers can no longer shun the format when considering their driving titles based purely on the lack of wheel/pedal/paddle controllers.

80's children are ready to play your games on their Wiis, third party developers.  Now let's have some!
 

Thrustmaster, all giggling aside, are known for their production of solid, decent controllers for various formats, and are in the business of producing extra ways for you to scream around corners, or beat the living snot out of your hapless opponent.

So far, it's all good.  Wii gamers haven't seen too much of Thrustmaster though; some rubbery grippers and other little add-ons, nothing really to write home about.  But it seems that it's been all change in August with the release of the Universal Challenge Racing Wheel - with Wii compatibility!

This appears to be the first official, Wii compatible wheel kit with complete rig, including pedals.  Naturally this isn't a wireless controller, so you won't be holding your wheel in the air or plugging your wii-mote into it.  It's back to basics; grippy rubber wheel rims and pedals with traction to them, all set off against the formidable Ferrari yellow badge. The only obvious set back? You'll need some sort of tabletop in front of where you're playing your Wii, which will probably be a first for current Wii gamers.

Keep watching for our review of this piece soon, but if you just can't wait to return to real driving sensation, the wheel set went on sale late August, works with the Wii as well as PS2, PS3, Game cube and PC, includes on wheel gear paddles and should be yours for around £20 or €30.

At the moment, it seems Sega are still on track with Wii release dates; Ghost Squad has been confirmed to release on November 2nd, and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams is expected to fall within the winter 2007 period also.  Alien Syndrome made the call and released within the last week.

 

This still leaves Sega with a fairly low Wii gaming tally by the end of the year in comparison to their support of other formats, and one wonders if the introduction of serious racing and shooting accessories for the Wii (such as Nintendo's up coming Zapper unit, or Thrustmaster's complete wheel kit with pedals and gear paddles) could mean further support from the arcade-style games producer in 2008?

We certainly hope to see Sega releasing every type of gaming title on the Wii.  After all, why wouldn't Wii gamers want to play more games like Crazy Taxi? It's not all cute platformers, puzzle games and 'look Ma, no hands!' gimmicks.  Let's hope the boys at Sega notice that and make use in 2008 of the various Wii accessories that are coming.

Here is a list of the upcoming roster for Raw VS Smackdown 2008 now expected early next year from being pulled back from its Christmas release. Off the back of the Benoit family deaths, all signs of the former star have been utterly removed.  The list itself could be segmented into Raw, Smackdown and also ECW stars but as you know with WWE programming some wrestlers are sometimes transferred randomly from one brand to the next. Some of the talent who have parted ways with WWE over the course of this year (including Sabu, Cryme Tyme and Ric Flair) will remain in the game.

Ashley Misaro
Batista
Bobby Lashley
Booker T (as King Booker)
Candice Michelle

Carlito
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Masters
CM Punk
Edge
Elijah Burke

Fit Finlay
Gregory Helms
Jeff Hardy
John Cena
Johnny Nitro (likely to now be John Morrison)
JTG
Kane
Kelly Kelly
Ken Kennedy
Kenny Dykstra
Marcus Cor Von
Mark Henry
Matt Hardy
Melina
Michelle McCool
Mickie James
MVP
Randy Orton
Rey Mysterio
Ric Flair
Sabu
Sandman
Shad Gaspard
Shawn Michaels
Gene Snitsky
The Great Khali
Tommy Dreamer
Torrie Wilson
Triple H
Umaga
Undertaker
William Regal

It's exciting to come off the back of Games conferences such as E3 and Leipzig with a better sight of what promises to appear on the Nintendo Wii for the rest of this year and also in 2008.  Finally as gamers, we can start to see the shape of things to come in a feisty era of war between more formats than ever before!

One notable change is the upcoming Raw VS Smackdown 2008 which is being held back from a November/Christmas release for the sake of taking Chris Benoit out of the game. It'll also be interesting to see if the recently fired wrestler Eugene and tag team favourites Cryme Tyme will remain on the playable roster.

The Wii looks set to have a mixed assortment of games on the horizon with a little something for everyone whether you like movie licences, cartoon shows, sports or a second life experience (role players R us).  Don't forget also, the future looks to have gamers keeping fit through their little white box of tricks - something that is totally new to console gaming but a place Nintendo have already gone and made a lot of money - The DS has been incredibly successful in introducing educational and mental fitness programmes to gamers worldwide.

Does the games list excite you? As a traditional or hardcore gamer, do you feel left out in the cold by Nintendo's seeming focus on the new money in family, senior and girl/female gaming? Does the Wii fitness board leave you wanting a pint?  Let us know.

[Game titles and launch dates are subject to change, of course]

Boogie™ (EA) 31 August

Madden NFL 2008 (EA) 31 August

Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 2008 (EA) 31 August

Alien Syndrome (SEGA) 7th September

Super Paper Mario (Nintendo) 14th September

World Championship Poker Featuring Howard Lederer: All In Wii (505Games) 21st September

King Of Clubs (Oxygen Games) 28th September

Brunswick Bowling Pro (505Games) September

Bratz: The Movie (THQ) September

Godzilla: Unleashed (ATARI) Q3

Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe (Activision) 12th October

NBA LIVE 08 (EA) 12th October

Harvest Moon Magical Melody (Rising Star/Nintendo) 19th October

Sea Monsters

(ZOO Digital Publishing) 19th October

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Nintendo) 26th October

Arctic Tale (Zoo Digital Publishing) 26th October

Balls of Fury (Zoo Digital Publishing) 26th October

Crash Of The Titans (Vivendi Games) October

Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire (D3Publisher of Europe/Koch Media) October

Cars: Master-National (THQ) October

Endless Ocean (tentative title) (Nintendo) 9th November

Need For Speed™ Pro Street (EA) 1st or 2nd November

Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo) 16th November

Garfield Gets Real (ZOO Digital Publishing) 23rd November

Yamaha Supercross (ZOO Digital Publishing) 23rd November

Resident Evil™ The Umbrella Chronicles (Capcom/Nintendo) 30th November

Alan Hansens Sports Challenge (Oxygen Games) 30th November

Cheggers' Party Quiz (Oxygen Games) 30th November

M+M's Kart Racing (ZOO Digital Publishing) 30th November

Jenga (ATARI) November

Ben 10: Protector of Earth (D3Publisher of Europe/Koch Media) November

NiGHTS: Journey Of Dreams™ (SEGA) November

Ferrari Challenge (System 3) November

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (Disney Interactive Studios) November

High School Musical: Sing It! (Disney Interactive Studios) November

Power Rangers: Super Legends (Disney Interactive Studios) November

Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity (Game Factory / K.E. Media) November

The Golden Compass (SEGA) November

Avatar: The Burning Earth (THQ) November

WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2008 (THQ) November (Currentley held back)

CSI 4 Hard Evidence (Ubisoft) November

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Ubisoft) November

Nitro Bike (Ubisoft) November

Spyro: The Eternal Night (Vivendi Games) November

Pokémon Battle Revolution (Nintendo) 7th December

Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Capcom/Nintendo) 7th December

PDC World Championship Darts 2008 (Oxygen Games) 7th December

Showtime Championship Boxing (ZOO Digital Publishing) 7th December

Cocoto Funfair (Neko Entertainment) Q4

Catz (Ubisoft) Q4

Dogz (Ubisoft) Q4

Horsez (Ubisoft) Q4

My Word Coach (Ubisoft) (in-line with movie release) Q4

Surf's Up (Ubisoft) Autumn

Dewy's Adventure (Konami) Autumn

Lucky Luke Go West (ATARI) Autumn

My Horse And Me (ATARI) Autumn

EA Playground™ (EA) Autumn

FIFA '08 (EA) Autumn

Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games) Autumn

Asterix & Obelix Olympic Games (ATARI) Winter

Wii Chess (tentative title) (Nintendo) Winter

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

(SEGA) Winter

Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (ATARI) Winter

Bully "Scholarship Edition" (Rockstar Games) Winter

Ghost Squad (SEGA) Christmas

My Sims (EA) 2007

Battalion Wars 2 (tentative title) (Nintendo) 2008

Wii Fit (tentative title) (Nintendo) 2008

Mario Kart Wii (tentative title) (Nintendo) 2008

Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo) 2008