by Lynn Little
Rock Band for the Wii is indeed in the works. Back in Rock Band was first announced in April 2007, it was alluded that Rock Band would be developed for the Wii. No updates have been given on the progress or even if Rock Band was still in the works for the Wii until now.
EA’s chief executive John Riccitiello let news of an upcoming launch of Rock Band for the Wii slip during a conference call. That is all Riccitiello let slide. No word on a time frame or release date. It will probably be like most video game release dates: it will be ready when it’s ready.
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by Lynn Little
Atari has shipped its latest game for the Nintendo Wii. My Horse and Me will soon be available and will sell for $29.99.
Live the equestrian lifestyle from the comfort of your own living room. Take care of your horse as well as take part in many different activities. The championship mode will challenge you to take part in indoor and outdoor events at venues from around the world.
My horse and me will also be available for the Nintendo DS and PC.
by Lynn Little
While the effects of second hand smoke on humans might be up for debate, for the Nintendo Wii it could be very bad.
Dust particles on the Wii’s laser will cause disc read errors. Apparently this is problem plaguing Japanese Wii owners. So much so that Nintendo has offered to clean the Wiis for free.
So, Wii owners might want to either light up outside or knit a tea cozy for their Wii.
by Lynn Little
Two new games are added to the Wii shop this week. One is full of action as you set out to free hostages. The other offering is to bury your competitor with jewels.
OPERATION WOLF™ (NES®, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Use of Tobacco and Violence, 500 points)
Columns III™: Revenge of Columns (Genesis, 1-5 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 points)
by Lynn Little
For Christmas, I received some Wii points as a stocking stuffer. Eager to use those points to buy a couple of virtual console games, I fired up the Wii and selected the Wii shop channel.
I received a message that a system update was available and that I must download it before continuing. No problem. So, I start the process, accept the user agreement, and the download begins. About 30 seconds pass when I receive an on screen error code 32004 and a little message that the Wii can’t proceed and to try again later. After digging up the error code on Nintendo’s support page, I learn that possibly the Wii servers are receiving a high amount of traffic and to try again later. It also gives advice on router channel settings. I try that out but still get the error. I decided to try to update another day.
Since this was right after Christmas, I thought that all those folks who got a Wii for Christmas must be updating their system. In a few days it wil be better. Boy was I wrong.
After a month of trying to update, tonight it finally worked. I was beginning to think that I would have to take my Wii somewhere to have it download since I had read mixed reports of the Wii update working with satellite Internet. In fact, Nintendo even says on their support page that the updates do not work with satellite Internet. But it updated before with no problem, so I wasn’t sure what the culprit was.
I guess the new Christmas Wiis might have been the hold up after all. Now I can finally spend those Wii points.
by Lynn Little
It’s the ultimate “What If” for video game fans as they can take on some of the most well known characters head to head. Now this popular franchise is coming to the Wii. Super Smash Bros. is set to be released in early March.
The Wii version will allow up to four players to brawl at the same time. There are many familiar characters like Link, Mario, and Pikachu. Players will duke it out in one of several locales that will be familiar to fans. In single player mode, the world of Smash Bros. is invaded, and it’s up to you to put things right again. In past games, when enemies were defeated, they turned back into stone but not in this version. The Ancient Minister, who is in the invader, turns characters into trophies to harness their power. Eventually, all the characters must work together to defeat the invading creatures.
But the heart of this game is the multiplayer game where players can choose their favorite character and do battle. Players will be able to customize the game experience like so players choosing how often items appear or adjust musical scores.
Here are some of the characters who will be Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Mario, Samus, Bowser, Donkey Kong®, Solid Snake, Meta Knight, Kirby™, Pikachu®, Zero Suit Samus, Link, Zelda™, Pit and Wario™.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be available March 9th and will retail for $49.99.
by Lynn Little
European gamers will soon to be able to buy an alternative to the Wiimote. sunflex Europe will sell the snakebyte Riimote, a wireless controller for the Nintendo Wii. The Riimote will be available February 8 for 39,99€. It comes in either lipstick pink or glossy black. Also available this spring from sunflex will be a Nunchuk as well as classic controller for the Wii.
by Lynn Little
Who doesn’t dream of creating their own monster and then taking that monster out into the world? Everybody, right? Well, in Monster Lab you can do just that at least in the confines of your own home.
In Monster Lab, you play an apprentice scientist who creates his own monster to explore Uncanny Valley. It’s a land ruled by the evil Baron Mharti. It’s your job to find parts to make more monsters while battling those you come across in your quest.You and your monsters must liberate the land by ousting the evil Baron Mharti, ending his reign of terror.
You can also take your monster online to fight other created monsters. Monster Lab will be released sometime this year for both the Nintendo Wii and DS.
by Lynn Little
Looking for the ultra geeky gift this Valentine’s Day? How about a Mii Valentines?
The chocolate Mii figures are about the size of a large candy bar. The Miis come in a special console-shaped box. There are less than 40 of these boxes still available and will ship February 6th.
by Lynn Little
Slim pickens for new virtual console games today. Only one new game to report about.
1080°® SNOWBOARDING (N64®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points) - Think of it as the safe way to snowboard. More game information:
Hit the slopes for some serious shredding in one of the first truly realistic snowboarding games ever created! Start in the lodge and select from five characters, each with his/her own particular attributes and special tricks. Then take a look at the wide assortment of available boards and choose one that best suits your rider and style. Once you’ve got the gear, six different modes of play, including Match Race, Trick Attack, and 2-Player Versus, await. Pick a course and get ready to experience a sensation of speed that’ll make you forget all about the cold—but it might just send a shiver down your spine. Throw in hidden characters and boards, varying weather and snow conditions, multiple paths through each course, and a variety of tricks to master—topped off with rock-solid play control—and you’ve got a recipe for winter fun that you can enjoy any time of the year. It’s all the fun and excitement of the sport, without the bruises and frostbite!
by Lynn Little
There are a few words that come to mind when I think of WarioWare Smooth Moves. Fast, chaotic, strangely addictive. Warioware: Smooth Moves is full of 3-5 second micro-games that challenge players to do crazy tasks like pick someone’s nose or balancing a broom in the palm of your hand.
There is a story behind all the chaos. Here it is from the Nintendo website:
While pursuing a strange creature that stole his snack, Wario accidentally stumbles into an old building called the Temple of Form. Inside, he finds a mystical treasure called the Form Baton, which looks suspiciously like a Wii Remote. He discovers that the Form Baton gives him special powers depending on his “form” - the way he holds and moves the baton. Wario decides to pocket his new treasure, and soon the form craze spreads through Diamond City.
To advance in the game you have to clear those wacky micro-games that change how you use the Wiimote. Be ready to adapt your game play really fast.
I had recommended WarioWare to friends because I thought that they would enjoy playing it. Apparently they didn’t and were very disappointed with it. So I guess the game antics aren’t for everyone. So, if you like crude humor and short games, WarioWare Smooth Moves might be worth checking out.
by Lynn Little
There are a few new games for the Wii this week. Most notably No More Heroes, a Cowboy Bebop-like story of an anime fan flung into an Assassin’s organization.
Kawasaki Jet Ski - $19.99 - Everyone
No More Heroes - $49.99 - Mature
One Piece Unlimited Adventures - $39.99 - Teen
Endless Ocean - $29.99 - Everyone
by Lynn Little
Americans aren’t the only ones enamored with the Wii as the latest sales figures show Europeans love it too. Here are some of the figures:
European Wii sales (sell-through estimate) figures at a glance as of beg Jan 2008:
Product Total European Cumulative Sales to date (Sell through estimate as of beg Jan 2008)
Wii Over 6 million units
Wii Play 2.3 million units
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 1.3 million units
Mario Party 8 1 million units
Super Mario Galaxy 1.3 million units
The figures are provide through independent research companies.
by Lynn Little
Fans of the books Wizardology and Dragonology will be thrilled to learn that these very popular title are coming to the Wii. Dragonology will be the first ology game released for the Wii and will be released sometime in the second half of 2008.
Dragonology explores the study and conservation of dragons, while Wizardology is a manual of spells and magical information, supposedly written by Merlin. The game will make good use to the Wiimote. The Wii games will offer something for younger kids who are likely to be fans of the books and also offer something of a challenge for older kids.
NiK NaK, known for creating games for young players, will develop this game for Codemasters.
by Lynn Little
After reading all the praise for the new Mario game for the Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, I finally decided last week that it was time to play this game that is being touted as the best Mario game in years.
After playing Super Mario Galaxy for a little less than a week, I’m beginning to see what all the fuss is all about. I knew at the opening scene that I would like this game. It’s almost as if “you had me at Mario” moment. My only trepidation with the game for the Wii was that I would have to use the nunchuk and the Wiimote in the game, something I feared would be too much coordination for me. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy I mastered moving Mario with the nunchuk while also using the Wiimote to make him jump and to capture star bits. Star bits are important since you can feed stars or fight enemies using them. You can also earn 1ups when you collect 100 star bits.
This will not surprise Mario fans to know that at the root of the premise of the game is to save Princess Peach. Bowser has stolen something that allows him to travel through time and space. So, it’s up to Mario to set everything straight, as always.
The worlds of Super Mario Galaxy are quite different from the standard Mario game. There’s still enough of the game like Mario’s patented moves or the retro music mix to remind players that this is indeed a game starring the Italian plumber.
The only downside I have found so far to the game is the camera angle is somewhat clunky at times. You can use the Wiimote to move the camera around but can take a little getting use to.
Overall, Super Mario Galaxy is a great addition to the Wii line of games. It’s fun and provides a lot of entertainment.
