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    EA: Boom Blox always meant for Wii, Bash Party built with game's level creator

    May 19, 2009 - 5:00pm


    Some things in this world were just meant for one another. Peanut butter and jelly, America and gladiators, and the Wiimote and Nunchuk are just a few of these things, but now EA producer Amir Rahimi would like to toss Boom Blox and the Wii into this prestigious club. In speaking with Ars Technica, Rahimi says that "Boom Blox is a Wii game through and through." He says EA always had the Wii in mind and that the team never considered the possibility of bringing it to another console. If it were to make its way onto another platform, Rahimi says EA would have to "significantly reconfigure and redesign the core mechanics, but currently we have no plans to do that."As for sequel Boom Blox Bash Party, Rahimi noted something interesting. Speaking about the improved level creation, he said that the team built the level editor first this time, and used it to create every level in the game, whereas in the first title, the team built the game and level editor simultaneously. This means that the exact tools available to gamers when the title ships will be those the team used to create Boom Blox Bash Party. How cool is that?Oh, and if you're worried about all of your Wii's memory (or SD card) being taken up by huge files when downloading custom maps, don't. Rahimi says that each file size will only be in the kilobytes, allowing folks to download plenty of maps quickly and without pain. You'll even be able to sample them in the game before committing them to your memory, so you can try before you don't buy. You know, because it's all free.[Via Go Nintendo]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    MySims Racing into stores June 12

    May 19, 2009 - 4:00pm

    Are you getting tired of playing MySims and MySims Kingdom over and over again? Maybe you need something to help bridge the gap between MySims Party and MySims Agents. Good news: EA has dated MySims Racing, the MySims game that is about racing. The kart racer starring the almost intolerably cute MySims will be out in North America on June 12.EA sent out new screenshots for the Wii version of the game, demonstrating some of the wacky powerups you can use against your opponents. A few standouts from EA's list of in-game items: the Melon Accelerator (which shoots a watermelon at the closest car ahead of you), the Seed Thrower (shoots a seed at the ground that instantly grows into a tree), and, uh, Bunny Luv (invokes a Cupid-esque bunny to block opponents vision with cartoon hearts).
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    DJ Hero gameplay, controller options detailed in latest Game Informer

    May 19, 2009 - 3:50pm


    Scans of the latest issue of Game Informer detail controller options and gameplay for Activision's upcoming mixmaster sim, DJ Hero. According to the scans (via Raging Gamer), gameplay will feel at home for Guitar Hero fans, setting tunes upon a three-note track with the outside tracks (green and blue) crossfading left and right. As a note track shifts in position, players must use the crossfader switch on the controller to correctly play the note (think of it as drawing within the lines). Similar to drum fill sections in Rock Band, DJ Hero allows players to customize certain sections of gameplay with an effects dial on the controller. Certain note tracks will ask players to scratch the controller's platter to successfully complete the note. Also, a rewind setting allows gamers to replay sections of a tune and, of course, the game includes a Star Power-esque multiplier (dubbed "Euphoria"), activated by a button.Left handed gamers can also join in on the fun as the two-piece controller can be separated and swapped. Looks like Activision is pro-mutant. Kidding, lefties! For all the info make sure to check out the latest issue of Game Informer -- which you probably have nine subscriptions to... and don't even know it.
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    Rolling stones and cymbals: 505 Games announces Rolling Stone: Drum King

    May 19, 2009 - 3:25pm


    Well, it's been quite some time since we last touched on 505 Games' We Rock: Drum King. The game seems to have spent a majority of its time in the shadows working toward a deal with Rolling Stone magazine, as the music mag and 505 Games just dropped press releases into our inbox introducing Rolling Stone: Drum King. Looks like somebody's been staying awake in their Synergy 101 class!The game is planned for a spring release, and still tasks players with keeping smooth timing by mimicking drumming through use of the Wiimote and Nunchuk. It will also feature local multiplayer support for you and a friend, and has over 30 "top quality cover tracks" inspired by real bands. Head past the break for the full list and a trailer snagged from the Amazon product page for the game.

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    Bleach DS 4th: Flame Bringer brings platforming, slashing

    May 19, 2009 - 2:50pm

    Unlike most game series, there was no way to tell even which genre Sega's fourth DS Bleach game would be, after the company jumped abruptly from 2D fighting games to a tactical RPG. Video footage of the new Bleach DS 4th: Flame Bringer, spotted by Siliconera, reveals the new game to be yet another departure from previous works -- this time, in the form of a side-scrolling action-platformer.The two videos, visible after the break, show Ichigo Kurasaki traversing levels that scroll both horizontally and vertically across both DS screens, and performing crazy sword combos. Flame Bringer is out August 6 in Japan. We'll have to wait just a bit, since its predecessor has yet to be released in North America.[Via Siliconera]

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    High schoolers learn life-saving lesson from Mario Kart Wii

    May 19, 2009 - 1:55pm

    How do you keep kids from getting distracted? One school thinks Mario Kart is the answer. In order to teach kids about the dangers of texting while driving, Colorado's Vail Christian High School has introduced the "distracted and drowsy driving program," in which kids play Mario Kart Wii while answering and sending text messages, in order to see how phone use adversely affects driving skill. As a bonus, the program teaches awareness of hazards like banana peels and turtle shells.The program, which also includes deterrents like a chair that simulates a 5MPH collision and a golf cart that simulates drunk driving, is part of Vail Christian's entry in a National Organization for Youth Safety contest. The school stands to win a $10,000 award if its program wins. Students who successfully demonstrate understanding of how dangerous texting while driving is will also earn college credit in Obvious Studies.[Via GamePolitics]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    VC Tuesday: Cyber Deer Hunt

    May 19, 2009 - 12:50pm

    This week, the lone WiiWare release is a deer hunting game from Arc System Works. We would have expected such a game to come from an American publisher first, so we're a bit surprised to see ASW premiere it in Japan. Not surprised enough to pay that much attention.Our attention is fixed, instead, firmly on the Virtual Console. Between the proto-strategy game Famicom Wars and Namco's arcade arena combat game Cyber Sled, it's a pretty awesome week to have a Wii in Japan. Even if we're pretty sure the Virtual Console Arcade version of Cyber Sled can't have multiplayer (since the arcade game used separate cabinets for each player).Virtual Console:

    WiiWare:

    • Shikagari (Hunting) (1-4 players, 500 Wii Points)

    [Image via The Arcade Flyer Archive]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Max and the Magic Marker draws our attention

    May 19, 2009 - 11:45am


    Max and the Magic Marker is one of those titles that walks on the scene with charisma ... now it just needs to back its eraser up with solid gameplay. The first footage of game looks impressive and gives off a Commander Keen meets Duck Amuck surrealism -- with a little bit of Harold and the Purple Crayon.The game is expected this autumn on WiiWare. We've contacted Press Play to find out if it plans on exhibiting at E3 or any time before launch. Check out the video after the break![Via GoNintendo]

    Continue reading Max and the Magic Marker draws our attention

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    Stretch it out with Daisy Fuentes Pilates for Wii

    May 19, 2009 - 10:45am


    Sega recently announced Daisy Fuentes Pilates, the first Pilates program for the Wii, hosted by the former MTV personality (who has aged like a fine wine). At the age of 42, she's ready to get you house-spouses in shape with "customizable workouts, fitness tracking, real-time coaching and interactive feedback." Is Fuentes ready to become the Jane Fonda of the interactive age?The exer-gaming title will release in late summer. If the game does well, Fuentes' developers might be able to afford some graphics for the next game. Seriously, the images and character models look like leftovers from some porn games we've seen heard about.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Joyswag: Strategic double pack

    May 19, 2009 - 10:16am


    For our DS fans, we've got two strategy games up for grabs in our latest Joyswag giveaway: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (ARV $30) and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (ARV $30). It's a pretty sweet combo, if we may say so ourselves, and should provide you with hours upon hours of distraction. So, check out the rules below to enter and best of luck to you!

    • Leave a comment telling us what your favorite tactic is (examples: stealth, guns blazing, hang in the back and hope your team doesn't die, etc)
    • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
    • Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day
    • This entry period ends at 2:59 pm ET on Thursday, May 14
    • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon ($30) and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift ($30)
    • For a list of complete rules, click here

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