Today there is good news for all the Operation Rainfall supporters.
Nintendo has officially confirmed that Xenoblade Chronicles is coming to North America in April 2012. The reveal was teased earlier today with a gallery of artwork that appeared on Facebook although no news was attached at the time. It also seems to appear that Xenoblade Chronicles will be a GameStop exclusive.
With the localization of Xenoblade, Operation Rainfall supporters can now focus on getting Nintendo to release the other two RPGs on their wish-list,The Last Story and Pandora's Tower, here in North America.
This is good news for all Wii owners as well. It seems like there is a reason to keep the system hooked up after Skyward Sword is completed after all.
Remember how the original print run of The Legend of Zelda on the NES had the game's cartridge in gold paint? Oh, or how about when Nintendo followed suit with select copies of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask years later? Yeah, those cartridges were indeed special to us kids. It was as if our purchases were more valuable than before, despite the fact that it was just gold paint.
Well, with disc-based media now the standard (and with digital downloads becoming the next wave of game distribution), the subtle joy of gold-painted cartridges is a thing of the past it seems. However, today Nintendo officially announced a limited edition bundle for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which will include a gold Wiimote complete with a sweet-looking Triforce engraving. Sure, it's just a controller with a gold paint finish, but it's the thought that counts, people. Plus, some people, including myself, never really bought a Motion Plus peripheral at the start. Whoops!
The Skyward Sword bundle will retail at $69.99 and will also include a music CD with select recordings from the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary concert tour. The tour is slated to begin this fall. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is slated for release on November 20, 2011.
So, with this Zelda bundle officially announced, does this further make it a first day purchase?
2011 marks the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda and Nintendo is not taking that it lightly. They have big games coming out this year and even announced a series of Zelda-themed concerts and special soundtracks. The highlight for this year is naturally the big new title, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which many gamers worried wouldn't make its way to the Wii. Today during Nintendo's Press Conference they announced that Skyward Sword is indeed still a Wii title and that it will be releasing this holiday.
Nintendo also announced that the 3DS version of Ocarina of Time will be launching next week. The new game has features both for old and new players. It has hint videos for people who get stuck in the Water Temple and anywhere else. For pros it offers a mirrored Master Quest and a Boss Challenge mode.
Nintendo is also bringing back The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening as the first Game Boy Color title available on the 3DS. The final Zelda title is basically a thank you to Zelda fans around the world. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is going to be available this fall as a download on DSi for absolutely free.
With concerts, soundtracks and plenty of games to play it seems like 2011 is going to be a truly great year for Zelda fans.
After days of rampant rumors, Nintendo has confirmed that they will be releasing a new game console sometime in 2012. The company also announced that their next-gen, which is speculated to be codenamed "Project Cafe," will make its debut at E3 this June.
"We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles," the company said in a brief statement.
No additional details were announced from Nintendo, but the past week has led to many claims of what their next console will look like and how powerful it will be. Everything from a tablet-shaped controller, to being "significantly more powerful" than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have been cited from various unknown sources.
According to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, the company would like to propose "a new approach to home video game consoles" with the Wii's successor. Whether or not this means that Nintendo's next console will utilize downloadable-only content remains to be a mystery. With E3 2012 set for June 7-9 in Los Angeles, we could be seeing another great show in the making. More information about Nintendo's next home console are sure to trickle in as E3 approaches.Let the rampant speculation continue.
With less than two weeks until the release of Metroid: Other M for the Wii, many have been wondering how the marketing for Samus Aran's next adventure would be treated. Would these advertisments resemble the Metroid Prime spots that were well recieved but failed to created huge sales numbers or would Nintendo of America simply not put any more effort toward Samus' appeal. Well, Nintendo has stepped up Ms. Aran's marketing appeal to a huge extent. A day after releasing a Metroid retrospective video online, Nintendo has released a one-minute trailer for Other M that's sure to scream Halo-esque. The trailer depicts Samus in her trademark zero suit as she walks past pivotal moments during her days as a Galactic federation recruit and as the bounty hunter that space pirates fear (bonus points for showcasing moments from Metroid II and Super Metroid).
The Other M TV spot is also accompanied by Samus' narration (which has divided fans on whether or not her voice actress does the character justice), along with bits of gameplay that's sure to make the Metroid fandom inside of me get all excited and jumpy. The commercial certainly shows that Nintendo of America wants this installment of the long-running series to succeed, but will it convert new fans as well? Implementing Samus with a voice, a back story and emotions is sure to be a risky gamble, but from the looks of this commercial the game seems to be in good hands with Team Ninja. We'll have to wait for August 31 to find out if Metroid: Other M has the staying-power to make some noise for Wii-owners.
There seems to be a pattern developing here. First we have Epic Mickey coming to Wii this fall and now we have a new Kirby abetly titled, Kirby's Epic Yarn. Not to be cheesy, but all signs point to an epic holiday season for Nintendo in 2010. With Kirby's Epic Yarn, we see the pink puffball's first starring roll on a Nintendo home console in seven years. What's interesting is the new art style, which has Kirby and his surroundings rendered in yarn and fabrics as if they cut from a cloth. The trailer showed off our farite pink-colored hero on a 2.5D plain, as the puffball whipped enemies with his own pieces of yarn. It may be assumed tha the Wiimote will act like a whip for Kirby's new abilities.
The footage also showcased Kirby battling various ships from a car and blimp and all the way to a screen-filling tank. Co-op play was also shown in the trailer, along with another playable character that we couldn't quite make out at first. Still, it's great to see one of Nintendo's characters get a much-anticipated return. With an intriguing art style that's sure to impress fans and newcomers, Kirby's Epic Yarn could reconnect us to the one pink puffster that we all love, even if the word "epic" is axed from the title.
Kirby's Epic Yarn is scheduled for release this fall according to Nintendo.
During Nintendo's E3 press conference, Reggie Fils-Aime did not hesitate to display one of the Wii's most-anticipated third party exclusives: Epic Mickey. The game is tapping into 80 years worth of history from Disney's mascot, including taking the game into darker territory. Epic Mickey looks to be the one third party exclusive title for the Wii that will cater to the hardcore and Disney fanatics alike.
While being demonstrated, the player is in control of saving a world that is now a complete wasteland. The game mechanic system implemented will be the use of paint to regain control of Mickey's world. For example, paint is used to create, whereas thinner is used to erase. If the player uses paint, then he or she can gain friends for their journey, while the thinner resorts to mere pixie dust.
Further along the demo, there were several other Disney cameos, aside from the usual Donald Duck and Goofy. These cameos included several Disney theme park rides such as Swiss Family Robinson and the Tiki ride (I seem to not recall this ride, while visiting Disney World as a child). There are also classic 2D stages from Disney's beginnings, such as Steamboat Willie. Disney or Nintendo did not metnion any other classic stages, but they did state that there will be some surprises along the way. Hopefully, this is the beginning of further third party exclusives for the Nintendo Wii this fall.
Epic Mickey is slated for release for the Wii later this year.
It's been a long time since we have had a real Donkey Kong game and I could not be more excited. Nintendo announced today at their E3 press briefing that we will be getting the aptly named Donkey Kong Country Returns this hoilday for the Wii. This new edition is bringing Donkey Kong back to the basics in a side-scrolling platform adventure just like the original series on Super Nintendo.
The lengthy video displayed many classic Donkey Kong Country elements like mine carts, collecting K-O-N-G and Diddy Kong sticking with Donkey Kong the entire way. Also seen was a boss fight against some sort of horned toad and a pitch dark level with the only colors being the duo's red tie and red hat. Perhaps the most interesting thing shown was a part where the two were shot from a barrel further into the screen on a different plane.
Donkey Kong Country is one of my all-time favorites and I'm really glad to see him making a comeback.
After leaked footage was found and later taken off by Activision yesterday, Nintendo has announced a revival of classic N64 first-person shooter, Goldeneye. The reimagining of the classic game will be available exclusively for the Wii this holiday season. The game received a uprorous applause from the audience for its updated visuals and classic gameplay, but to one's examination, you'll notice that Pierce Brosnan is nowhere in sight. The exlcusion may have to deal with the Activision wanting to use current Bond, Daniel Craig, as the star; how inconveinent of them.
Aside from the absence of Mr. Brosnan, Goldeneye will include split-screen and online multiplayer, eight classic characters, and 16 classic game modes, incuding paintball and the always nostalgia-inducing single player campaign. Sadly, the banning of Oddjob from multiplayer was not mentioned.
[Update] - The press release just revealed that the game will support the Classic Controller Pro. Score! Hit the jump to see the full press release.
Nintendo's E3 press conference got off to a surprising start with the first reveal of the newest Zelda for the Wii, titled The Skyward Sword. At first glance, the game borrows the art styles from its predecessors, Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, all while retaining a much older Link. Zelda creator, Shigeru Miyamoto (via green screen) first demonstrated what would be new in Link's newest adventure, until the famed game designer did his best teleportation illusion. Donning a sword and shield like he did during the unveil of Twilight Princess in 2004, Miyamoto showed off Skyward Sword's newly designed gameplay and HUD.
Despite some Apple-esque Wi-Fi problems during the demo, Miyamoto was able to display the control design of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Players use the A and B buttons on the Wii Remote, and the C and Z buttons on the Nunchuk. Realistic motion control action takes care of the rest. So, the player will target with the Z button and slice and dice in whatever direction they choose with the Wiimote. As mentione by Nintendo, the game will utilize Wii MotionPlus to enable the player to feel as if they're in control of the famed Master Sword.
Given the time Nintendo had to show off the full-length demo of The Skyward Sword, Miyamoto looked as if he had trouble with the 1:1 control scheme. The demo may have been butchered, but the game looks to be more vibrant, yet adult. The game is being heralded as a "turning point" in the series' history.
We'll have a full-length trailer for The Skyward Sword once it becomes available.
The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword is slated for release in 2011.
Nintendo is making legions of fanboys excited today via its Media Summit event. First came the announcement that Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be arriving in May. Now comes the announcement that another of Nintendo's classic franchises will be making an appearance before Summer is over. Metroid: Other M, the collaboration between Nintendo and Team Ninja, is now set to roll onto retail shelves on June 27th in North America.
The game is thought to be a sort of prequel, diving into the early years of intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran. The "other metroid" reference ar the end of the original might be of significance to establishing when this game takes place in the franchise's timeline. That's only a theory of course. Either way, we will find out in only a few short months.
Oh, Nintendo. You so crazy. When I heard that Super Mario Galaxy 2 was in the works, I figured this would be a nice holiday release for the big N to capitalize on. Seems Nintendo doesn't want to wait that long. They announced today, at their Media Summit event, that Mario will be back in action (and in 3D) on May 23rd in North America.
Hopefully Nintendo has a game to position this holiday season as the next "must-have" like New Super Mario Bros. Wii was for them last year. Is this an indicator that the next Legend of Zelda game will be released in 2010? Something must be on the horizon (hopefully not Wii Music 2) if they are sending out Mario so early in the year.
In just seven weeks, New Super Mario Bros. Wii has hit the 3 million units sold mark in Japan, making it the third Wii title to do so. In reality, this is the first "real game" to hit that mark. The other two big-sellers were Wii Sports (which is included with the system,) and Wii Fit (a guided workout experience). Could New Super Mario Bros. Wii be the "killer app" that Nintendo is looking for? Even though the Wii has sold more units than the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, Nintendo's system has no real appeal to mainstream gamers. If they would start putting out software that we core gamers were interested in, then Nintendo might be unstoppable.
Well here is a story I never thought I would see. The NY Times is reporting that Netflix and Nintendo have reached a deal to bring instant streaming to the Wii sometime in the Spring. Like the PS3, a disc will be required for playback of Netflix's instant stream library. Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, said, "from Day 1, we always had other capabilities within the console." The deal with Netflix, he said, "is a continuation of an effort to bring more and more entertainment to consumers who interact with the Wii."
The Wii has sold over 26 million units in North America since it launched in November 2006. Seems like a no-brainer for Netflix to go after this audience to get some more subscriptions to its service. But I must point out the elephant in the room - the Wii does not support HD. Thus, the instant streaming will only support SD programming. Will the Wii audience even care that they won't be able to stream content in HD? Or is Nintendo giving a signal that the Wii HD is closer than we thought? Time will tell.
Seems EA is really getting into the habit of releasing arcade-style sports titles. First came titles like 3 on 3 NHL Arcade and Madden NFL Arcade on the downloadable front. Now comes an announcement that they are working on a reboot of the classic basketball franchise, NBA JAM, for the Nintendo Wii.
"NBA JAM is one of the most recognizable franchises in video game history," said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. "Diehard fans of the original game have been asking for a remake for more than a decade. We're very excited to give them their wish this year with the return of this iconic franchise."
EA has promised to combine the classic gameplay with all-new features and a fresh take on the series. EA SPORTS NBA JAM will be "bringing true-to-life body types, updated physics and visible player emotion to the over-the-top experience."
No word yet if this will make it's way onto XBL or PSN in the future. For now it is being treated as a Wii exclusive with a very vague 2010 release date.
