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 Wiiâ„¢ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. The Legend of Zeldaâ„¢: A Link to the Pastâ„¢ 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 Raveâ€? 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 »
by Tim
This story continues to develop. The Sacrament County Sheriff’s Dept. is launching a criminal investigation into the suspected “water intoxication” death of Jennifer Strange who died while participating in 107.9 The End’s “Hold your wee for a Wii” contest.
Apparently the hosts of the “Morning Rave” show the were told by many listeners that the contest was not a good idea and that there was a real danger in participating in such an activity. Most listener comments were met with the arrogance and the “I’ll do what I want on my show” attitude common among morning show hosts. One Dj’s response to the criticism was “Yeah, they signed releases, so we’re not responsible. We’re OK.” Still think their termination wasn’t justified?
The Sacramento county coroner has also confirmed that water intoxication was the cause of death in the Strange case, Confirming earlier reports.
Kotaku posted a picture of Jennifer Strange and her family to accompany their post but I decided against it. If you guys would rather see the picture of the women and her family drop a comment, and let me know.
Source:Kotaku & Officer.com
[UPDATE] Added Physiology of water intoxication
What is water intoxication?
Hit the jump to find out
Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
I hate Thursdays! I mean really hate them, way more than Garfield hates Mondays. Anybody can hate Mondays it’s so easy but it takes a special cookie to hate a day so close to the weekend. So in the interest of impartiality and not writing a scathing post on whatever issue in gaming is bugging me, I’m proud to introduce “Video Thursdays”. Every week I will try and find some of the best Wii videos on the net. I hope that will save you all from my coffee fueled “I’m in the worst mood possible” rants. Trust me on this one you do not want to see my ugly side.
My girlfriend Jen and I have been together for just over 3 years, that said me and video games have been together for about 15 years. Now there isn’t any competition between the two loves of my life but once in a while, I like to combine them and play games with my girlfriend. Sometimes that can be difficult. Jen never really left the 2D era of games she is waaaay better than me at Super Mario and can even hold her own with many of the other classics, Mega Man being one of her favorites. So it’s hard to find 3D games that she would enjoy, at least until I introduced her to “Mario Party”. She loved the simple gameplay of the mini-games and the game board mechanic, plus any game where she can play as Daisy puts a smile on her face.
According to IGN “Mario Party 8″ is due to hit stores sometime in March with more mini-games than you can shake a WiiMote at. So I’ve compiled a series of videos showcasing the gameplay of probably on of the best multiplayer games that will hit the Wii this year, enjoy.
Videos after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
Earlier this week I and many other gaming news websites reported on a story about a women in California who died from suspected “water intoxication” while participating in the “Hold you wee for a Wii” contest well according to a post I found on Kotaku 10 employees of radio station 107.9 “The End” have been let go by the station. Kotaku commenters have already weighed in on the news of the dismissals and the reaction is mixed. Some readers feel that it was a dumb idea for a contest and they should get fired. Others feel it is unfair to terminate employees when the women’s official CoD (Cause of Death) is still under investigation. What do you think? Is 107.9’s reaction 100% right? Should the employees be blamed for the women’s untimely death? Or is 107.9 a little premature in their actions. I throw this one into the court of public opinion.
Everyone is also entitled to my opinion.
Read the rest of this entry »
by Tim
Remember in grade school when all the girls were carrying around those little plastic egg things? I do, in fact I remember that no girl would ever let me touch their Tamagotchi for fear that I would snuff out its little digi-life. Well get ready to experience that all over again thanks to Namco Bandai.
“Tamagotchi Party On! is a seamless blend of both party game and board game as players swing, shake, and turn their Wii controllers in order to control their favorite Tamagotchi,� said Naruo Uchida, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s Vice President of Localization. “It’s the wackiest and cutest popularity contest ever as up-to-four players compete in fun mini-games to become the president of Tamagotchi planet.�
Tamagotchi is coming to the Wii and has a little more to offer than just eating and pooping. Take “Mario Party” mix in some “Animal Crossing” add a dash of politics and you come pretty darn close to the formula. Will it be a winner? That remains to be seen but the original Tamagotchi did open the gaming flood gates to many of the female gamers I know today. So guys get ready to share that Wii once more.
Check out some of the screen shots after the jump.
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