by Tim
Today Atari announced that a new Godzilla game is in development for the Nintendo DS, PSP, and the Nintendo Wii.
Titled Godzilla: Unleashed and is described by Atari as a fighting game on a large scale. Godzilla: Unleashed stars everyone's favorite radioactive lizard along with several of his monstrous buddies in an all out brawl taking place in the shadows of skyscrapers, well at least until they level them all.
I can't see much being done with the Nintendo DS and PSP version but this game could really shine on the Wii. I'm still skeptical about how any kind of fighting game will work with the WiiMote but Godzilla: Unleashed may just be arcady enough to take true advantage of the Wii's controls. Also I always thought that Godzilla hated mankind for awaking him from his deep slumber but according to Atari Godzilla's mission in Unleashed is to save the world? I say go the "Planet of the Apes" route and just blow the damn thing up.
This remind anyone else of Rampage?
by Tim
If you have spent any time on the internet chances are you have heard of Home Star Runner, or at least one of their mascots, the cheat, Strong Bad or the infamous TROGDOR! The Burninator. The boys at Home Star Runner have always been a huge fan of video games and tech in general, littering their cartoons with Visual Basic and Atari 2600 jokes. So it comes as no surprise that they have developed a couple of flash games specifically for the Nintendo Wii.
The games are played using the Wii’s Opera powered browser and make great use of the WiiMote. The games are also great classic throwbacks invoking memories of brown coloured basements with the Atari “Adventure” like “Secret Collect”, and one of gaming’s worst blunders the Virtual Boy with the red vector graphics of “STRONGBADZONE”.
The big surprise is, that the games are actually really good, simple as they are they still provide good times at a price that can’t be beat. The pixilated foot racing game “Kid Speedy” even has online play. (Although it may be a joke, at Nintendo’s expense of course) My favourite is the mysterious “Population: Tire” which takes place in an empty yard populated by… um well….a tire. It reminds me of summer camp when I was young where I would spend hours keeping a balloon aloft while the other kids were playing some game with foot balls and flags, I never really understood camp.
If you still haven’t found anything that tickles your fancy on the Virtual Console or even if you have, defiantly check these babies out best of all they are totally free with more titles to come.
Wii Console………………………………………………279$
Internet Connection ……………………………….50$
Wireless Router ………………………………………65$
Wii Opera Browser……………………………………0$
StrongBad on your Wii………………………….priceless
If you don’t happen to have a Wii just yet you can play the games in your regular web browser using your mouse cursor. Go to http://www.videlectrix.com/vii/ and enjoy.
by Tim
A new trailer for Sonic and the Secret Rings showed up on GameTrailers today.
Video after the jump Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
As soon as the Wii was announced people were speculating about one game that would truly showcase the console’s unique controls, that game was Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. As the game debuted around the world it shot up the software sales charts before finally landing in the number 2 spot right behind Capcom’s sci-fi shooter Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. Yes I must admit even I was anxious to try out its quirky gameplay for myself. Well after spending just over a week with it I’m going to say that I am incredibly thankful I didn’t shell out 59.99 CDN$ for this “fun for five minutes” micro game-a-palooza.
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is exactly that, fun for about five minutes after which it becomes repetitive, insignificant and just plain dull. I completed the main story mode in about two hours, without even breaking a sweat. To be honest I found Brain Age to be more of a challenge than any of the micro games found in WW: SM. There is some redemption to be found in the multiplayer but after playing with my friends they were asking for Wii Sports after about 20 minutes. I did spend a bit of time playing darts with my buddy but after a couple games we began to look for ways to change the settings, trying to add more difficult mechanics like, doubling out or increasing the score, alas there was none to be found; just straight up 301 first to 0 wins….. “Yawn”.
Yes it is a good effort to showcase the fun of playing the Wii but defiantly not worth the full retail price even for a party game. I recommend giving it a go but save some money and give it a rent, trust me you will see everything that WW: SM has to offer before it’s even due back at the rental store.
by Tim
the earth says hello!
It’s Monday and that means its Virtual console update time. This time around I’m on the ball, no more confusing European press releases leading to crazy digg fiascos. This week I decided to forgo the press release and simply check with my own two eyes.
The following games are 100% confirmed, and available on the Wii Shop channel here in North America.
Mario Kart 64 (N64-1000 points)
Comix Zone (Genesis-800 points)
Bonanza Bros (Genesis-800 points)
Contra 3: The Alien Wars(SNES-800 points)
As we all know those lucky chaps in the UK and Europe got Mario Kart on Friday, all we need now is some online lovin’ from Nintendo and we’ll have a party on our hands. Shifting gears now, this past weekend I finally managed to complete Zelda: Twilight Princess. I am about 62% complete after finishing the final boss. Speaking of which did anyone else notice that during the final boss battle the music in the background keeps chanting “EVIL…..EVIL….EVIL”. I also noticed that during the ending credits, there is location shot of a grotto with snake heads on the wall. I don’t remember happening across this location while I was adventuring through Hyrule. Anybody know where it is?
by Tim
Another crazy week at Wii Rally has come and gone. A disappointing VC Monday, a Nintendo Six flags partnership and a controversial digg story were all party of this week’s action on Wii Rally.
Quite a few users on digg figured that I should have mentioned that Mario Kart 64 was available only in Europe in my headline but I think that would have made for a ridiculously long headline. Apparently people on digg only read the first six words of a story and then judge it. Meah what ever floats your boat diggers.
Anyway here are the stories for this week.
Monday
Wii Wish
Tuesday
Virtual Console Letdown
Fun meets Fun at Six Flags
Wednesday
Nintendo Announces Q1 Wii Line-up
Thursday
Video Thursday Vol. 2 Q1 Edition
Feature Friday
Hardcore Wii Update [v2.0]
Feature Friday: News Channel
My mission this weekend to finally finish Zelda: Twilight Princess I think I have two dungeons to go, than I get to go back and try and 100% this epic adventure. How far have you gotten? If you’re unsure you can check out the Twilight Princess Progress Calculator. I’m about 42% complete.
by Tim
Well by now you have probably heard either from another gaming blog or via one of the 90 submissions to Digg.com that Nintendo’s Wii News channel is up and running. What better way to talk about this new application than by making it the subject of this weeks Feature Friday.
Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
Wait! Stop reading if you are visiting this story via digg and live in North America then please go here for the most up to date story regarding the Virtual console. If you don’t care please read on.
With the West coast still asleep in their beds and the East coast still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, I shout WAKE UP there’s Mario Kart to be played. That’s right Mario Kart 64 for the Wii’s virtual console will be available on the Wii Shop Channel this morning. Originally rumored to be released Monday Nintendo seems to have jumped the gun and released this defining classic early. My guess is they are trying to get people excited about the first version of the News Channel which should be available tomorrow morning. Well Mario Kart 64 is one hell of a bone. There’s a couple of other updates, a a new NEC/PC Engine a.k.a TurboGrafx 16 game is also hitting the VC today Soldier Blade joins the ranks of Moto Roader and Bonk’s Adventure.
I’ll be up bright and early tomorrow anxious to try out the news channel and will post as soon as it’s available. Say goodbye to TV forever, now your Wii can do almost everything……except play DVDs but trust me Nintendo is working on that.
Don’t miss out on the finest Mario Kart in the series, you can spare 1000 Wii points can’t you.
UPDATE[2.0]*NOTE* This is only confirmed for the UK and Europe.
Hit the jump for the press release. Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
Going off of yesterday’s press release I decided to track down some video footage for the more interesting titles that should be hitting the Wii over next few months.
I had some trouble digging up the first video. Ubisoft Montreal is developing a TMNT game to coincide with the new CG film being released this year. TMNT will be released for all platforms, but even multi-platform ports tend to play different on the Wii. Most websites have this game hitting store shelves in early March but upon doing some searching I found no mention of the game on Ubisoft’s official website Hmm. The video shows some early gameplay footage combined with kind of a behind the screens look at the development, Enjoy.
Videos are available following the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
Word is coming out of Redmond, WA (NoA’s home) about the next 3 months of new releases for the Wii.
Most Wii owners are already placing their pre-orders for Wii Play which comes out on February 14th. As an added bonus Wii Play comes with a WiiMote controller bundled in.
“Our tremendous worldwide launch shows people, from experienced players to non-players, are hungry for the kinds of entertainment only Wii provides,”
Says NoA President Reggie Fils-Amie. There is some really interesting stuff on this list, including a new Prince of Persia game from Ubisoft, and everyone’s favorite bubble shooter Bust-A-Move which has 8 way multiplayer.
Feb. 14 Wii Play with Wii Remote Nintendo
March 27 Disney’s Meet the Robinsons Buena Vista
March Bust-A-Move Bash Majesco
March Prince of Persia Rival Swords Ubisoft
March TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Ubisoft
March Bionicle Heroes Eidos
March Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII Ubisoft
Q1 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 EA
Q1 SSX Blur EA
Q1 The Godfather Blackhand Edition EA
Q1 Medal of Honor Vanguard EA
Q1 Sonic and the Secret Rings Sega
There are a couple things that trouble me about this list. Why are there no games being released between Feb 14th and March 27th? Also this list only contains two actual dates the rest of the titles are dated simply “March” or “Q1″. Doesn’t anyone like to give dates anymore? One small bonus they do mention in the press release that Mario Kart 64 is coming to the Virtual Console very soon, like possibly next week soon. Great Mario Kart comes out and I’m stuck here waiting for Punch Out! Where’s the justice.
Source: GamesPress
by Tim
Nintendo and Six Flags Amusements announced today that the Nintendo Wii is the “official” gaming console of Six Flags Amusement Parks. The deal includes Nintendo’s sponsorship of the parks and the availability of “Wii Play Kiosks” that will be found at various Six Flags parks all over the united states.
Neat idea on Nintendo’s part, they have a fun console and what better place to showcase this console than in an environment where people’s fun meters are already nearing max. Fun overload? Is that even possible. This may also mean that you maybe seeing plush Nintendo characters as prizes at games throughout the parks. Up here in Canada we don’t have Six Flags so I guess we’re stuck with Paramount Canada’s Wonderland but no one really goes there anyway, except for maybe that Tomb Raider ride they have.
Source:Joystiq
by Tim
Yesterday was “Virtual Console Monday” the one day a week that Nintendo updates the Wii Shop channel with new software to download for your virtual console. Normally there are a few games released each Monday; last week three games were made available. A rather disappointing number but I thought to myself “Three is better than one” well that was confirmed yesterday. I thought that there would be at least three or four titles released but I woke up to find only one available for download. Then I came across this press release from yesterday.
Wii-kly Update: Classic Zelda Game Announced For Wii Shop Channel
Jan. 22, 2007
Today Nintendo adds one of the most popular games in its library of classics to the Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. The Legend of Zelda™: A Link to the Past™ goes live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Super NES®, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Return to an age of magic and heroes. When an evil magician named Agahnim begins kidnapping young maidens in Hyrule in a quest to break the imprisoning seal on Ganon, a young boy named Link is called upon to stop him. Link must venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests as he searches for the maidens and Princess Zelda. Traversing both Light and Dark Worlds, he must navigate eight dark dungeons, fighting evil enemies and huge bosses. Help our hero prevent Ganon and Agahnim from shattering Hyrule forever.
Is this how it’s going to be? Nintendo puts three third party games up one week but when it’s a first party game we only get one. If that’s Nintendo’s plan than I am sorry but Wii Rally does not approve. Yes “A Link to the Past” is a great game, but to be honest I played it recently on my GameBoy Advance and am in no rush to grab it. I feel the same way about “Ocarina of Time” I played it on my GameCube about a month ago. Now give me “Majora’s Mask” and I’ll be happy but as long as there are at least two other games available at the same time.
I think the real shaft here is given to Sega who had three games slated for release yesterday but they were never put online, now what’s up with that? My message to Nintendo is get your act together or it won’t be worth the ridiculous 29.99$ they charge for Wii Points cards up here in Canada.
by Tim
The video game industry moves at an incredibly fast pace, especially since most of the news can be around the world in…..oh about six minutes via the internet. The fact that it’s a fast paced industry makes it hard to look to the future but Wii Rally will at least give it a shot.
Today I am introducing a new feature here at Wii Rally called “Wii Wish” where I and all you readers can dream, speculate, even inspire future Wii software. Is there a game that you think could particularly benefit from a rebirth on the Nintendo Wii? How would you use the new controls to add to the experience? I am opening up this feature to all you readers out there if you have your own “Wii Wish” than email it to me, along with a description of the controls and a brief bit about the gameplay and you may see your idea on a future segment of “Wii Wish”
I’ll get the ball rolling tomorrow with the very first “Wii Wish” so all of you can see what I’m talking about. Keep your eyes open for that and much much more.
Aside:
Today is also Virtual console Monday but Nintendo seems to be moving at a slug’s pace today. Head on over to 1pStart to see BB and his list of virtual console titles that should be released today. As of this post I can only confirm that Legend of Zelda a Link to the Past is available on the Wii Shop channel. aLttP is Wii Rally recommended and everyone should give it a download, play the game that caused so many to fall in love with the series including yours truly. That’s all for now I’m heading back to Twilight Princess, damn shadows.
by Tim
It’s time again for the Wii Rally Wiikend Wrap Up. Some crazy news this week, we got some follow up information in the Wii Contest Fatality case…… a sad sad state of affairs. BB from 1pStart has posted the actual audio from the “Morning Rave” radio show on 107.9 ‘the end”. Head on over and take a listen, it may sway your opinion or reinforce it.
It’s kind of a big weekend for Wii Rally. I am hosting my first “Wii Party” to mark the release for the latest party game “Wario Ware: Smooth Moves” A couple of my friends are coming by to try it out and see if the game is more fun in a large group. Look for all the details on the “Wii Party” including pictures coming next week.
That’s next week well lets see what happened on Wii Rally this week.
Monday
Monday VC Update
Tuesday
Wii Peripherals A-Plenty
Welcome to Tama Town
Wednesday
Wii Contest Fatality Update
Thursday
Video Thursday vol. 1
Feature Friday
More Answers to Come in Wii Contest Death [Update]
SSX Blur Control Walkthrough
by Tim
Nicolas Guerin from EA Montreal takes you on a ride with SSX Blur. He explains how you will control you character with the WiiMote and nunchuck as you trick down the mountain slope. It’s defiantly interesting use of the WiiMote and nunchuck. You will be using the WiiMote to draw shapes n the screen to execute special moves. Get “Amped”(pun intended) for this one.
Video after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
