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    Rumor: GameFly shows Mad Dog McCree setting sights on Wii

    March 31, 2009 - 7:15pm


    If it weren't the day before April Fool's day, then we'd be willing to bet that a rumor regarding 19 year-old laserdisc game Mad Dog McCree coming to the Nintendo Wii is nothing short of malarkey. As it stands, however, the listing at GameFly is pretty compelling evidence.We'll concede that the game would most certainly have a place on the Wii, with the Wiimote's IR sensor performing just as well, if not better, than a DVD remote. But, it's a 19 year old game. And not even a good game, at that. Why would they port it to Wii? Oh, right ...We've put word in to Majesco (the publisher listed at GameFly) concerning the game and will be sure to update as soon as we receive a response.[Via Siliconera]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Nyko's Metal Pedal now available, includes splitter for double bass

    March 31, 2009 - 5:39pm

    click to enlarge
    Are you bored of only using one foot in your music games? Did you decide not to slap down the cash for a Guitar Hero: Metallica pre-order? If you answered yes to both of these question, then this post is for you! Nyko announced today that it has released its Metal Pedal, a replacement bass pedal that's compatible with all Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum kits on all platforms. Sure, the pedal's metal-plated construction should make it attractive to all the leadfoots out there, but there's another addition worth noting. The Metal Pedal comes with a splitter that allows players to hook up two bass pedals to either Rock Band or Guitar Hero drum kits. A quick note on compatibility: According to Nyko, the Metal Pedal splitter can be used with the standard bass pedal for Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero drum kits. The splitter functionality does not work with Rock Band 1 drum kits. Keep in mind that this only applies to the splitter, the Metal Pedal by itself is still compatible with all existing Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum kits.The Metal Pedal is shipping now and will retail for $19.99.
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    The Pokemans, we want you to follow them

    March 31, 2009 - 5:00pm


    With the popularity of Twitter exploding everywhere, it was bound to happen -- Pokemon are now twittering. If you've ever wanted to follow the daily musings of your favorite characters, then Twitter is the place to be. Pokefan David Cole has compiled a detailed list of all current twittering Pokemon, focusing specifically on those who tweet in character -- like the filthy mouthed Primeape, above. If ever there was a reason to join Twitter ... well, this isn't it. But it's a great time waster.[Via Darkzero]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Even Wii games not immune to dilution of industry profits

    March 31, 2009 - 3:43pm


    Get this: Game publishers would be charging more for their console games if it wasn't for your consumer choice. Despite continued sales growth in the game industry, its biggest companies are still losing money. While ballooning production costs are certainly to blame ($25 million is a typical bill before marketing), the proliferation of low-cost games -- and means of distribution -- has been singled out as the underlying culprit of profit dilution, according to a NYTimes.com report. And these cheapo games are also keeping price tags low (at least, lower than big companies would like).And let's be clear: Low-cost games aren't the ones sitting in the Wii rack at your local retailer. Even a Wii game needs to sell at least one million units to be profitable, by Reggie Fils-Aime's estimates. (And Only 16 out of 486 Wii games have crossed that threshold as of March 1, by NPD estimates.) So who's gobbling up all the pie? Well, just about anyone. Have you searched "free games" in the Apple App Store lately -- or just googled it? To counter the proliferation of consumer gaming options, companies are bringing down production and marketing costs (laying off, outsourcing, recycling IP, etc.) and tapping additional revenue streams (e.g., subscriptions, in-game ads, and DLC). So what's our professional takeaway? Here, we'll give it to you for free: We see big-budget sequels (made in Egypt) and many, many casual games (made by Joe the Developer) in your future. [Via Eurogamer; image credit: hyperscholar]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    VC/WiiWare Tuesday: New first-party WiiWare and other things worth exclaiming

    March 31, 2009 - 3:30pm

    It's a very exciting day for game downloads in Japan! Not just because one of the Famicom's most infamously difficult games, Beat Takeshi's Takeshi no Chousenjou, is out, though that is exciting! Three new WiiWare games are available today, every one of which bears at least one exclamation point! In fact, Nippon Ichi's Let's Zenryoku Hitchhike features no fewer than nine! Tecmo's Atsui 12 Games Furifuri Party is the Playshake prototype from TGS, made more adorable, but still based on furious shaking! Most exciting, however, is Asoberu Ehon Tobida-Suguroku! (Playable Picture Book: Suguroku Flies Out), a multiplayer board game from Nintendo itself, based on the same Monopoly-like board game as Family Pirate Party! There's a long trailer up on Wii.com that demonstrates the gameplay!Virtual Console:

    • Takeshi no Chousenjou (Famicom, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
    • Samurai Ghost (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)

    WiiWare:

    [Image via 4Gamer]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Be the King Hippo of your own home with the Punch-Out!! Heavyweight Contender Kit

    March 31, 2009 - 2:30pm

    The new Punch-Out!! features motion controls, sure, but that may not be enough immersion for you. Luckily, Nintendo and Amazon have just the thing for you if you want to really feel what it's like not only to fight King Hippo, but to be King Hippo. Or even to fight one King Hippo on the screen and another on your desk, while dressed as King Hippo!The Amazon-exclusive Punch-Out!! Heavyweight Contender Kit includes a replica King Hippo crown and boxer shorts (belly-button bandages not included), as well as an inflatable desktop King Hippo punching bag and a "Doc Louis Remedy Chocolate Bar." It's like an extra-cool limited edition version of Punch-Out!!, except that it, uh, doesn't include Punch-Out!! The kit sells separately for $34.99, and will be available concurrently with the game on May 18.[Via GoNintendo]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    PSA: Go buy Okami for $20 at the Capcom Store

    March 31, 2009 - 2:00pm


    It's okay, we can wait. Just head over to the Capcom Store and buy your copy of Okami right now. It's only $20. What's that? Oh, yes, that price applies to both the PS2 and Wii versions. Seriously, Capcom lowered the price to $20. We know, right? What? You say you haven't even played Okami yet? You'd better hurry up and buy it before someone finds out. It's okay, we won't tell anyone.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    No official DSi launch event in the UK

    March 31, 2009 - 1:27pm

    In the US, Nintendo fans can celebrate the DSi's launch at the Universal CityWalk GameStop in Los Angeles. In Australia, early adopters can go to a launch party at the "Nintendo Experience" on Melbourne's Swanston St. Melbourne. Nintendo just announced that there will be no such event in the UK to celebrate the April 3 launch of the DSi.A Nintendo spokesperson told Eurogamer that no such event is planned "because the handheld is an evolution of the hardware - and not a replacement," in a baffling instance of Nintendo downplaying its own product. Why not just tell people, "Hey, it's just another DS, don't worry about buying one, guys!"According to the Nintendo spokesperson, even though there's no "official" shindig, you'll still be able to pick up a system at one of the 200 GameStations, 55 GAME stores and "select HMV outlets" that mistakenly think the DSi is a big product.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Codemasters signs Ken Block for DiRT 2

    March 31, 2009 - 12:00pm

    Taking up duties as the face of the DiRT franchise, popular rally driver Ken Block tells us why he wanted to be involved in Codemasters' racer in the video above. Taking inspiration from the late (and sorely missed) Colin McRae, the new kid on the block regales his story of getting involved in the sport of rally racing and how he hopes to fill the gigantic shoes left behind. The video isn't all sitting around and talking, however, as it also shows Ken's influence in the sequel, with some brief snippets of gameplay. Expect plenty of big air opportunities in DiRT 2, as is Ken's style.DiRT 2 is drifting toward a Fall release on the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, ColecoVision, DS, Virtual Boy, and PC.
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    Bob's (playable) Game: Homebrew demo released

    March 31, 2009 - 10:40am

    We're a bit shocked to see that Robert Pelloni has done something in relation to Bob's Game other than release fake news. In fact, the release of a real, playable demo goes a long way in our minds toward faking an alien abduction. Maybe. At the very least, it's finally something we can believe -- who could ever tell if anything Bob (or the character "Bob") said was real?The demo is an NDS file and thus requires either a flash cart or a DS emulator. The Bob's Game website says that the game works in NO$GBA. Now here's the really freaky part: we haven't loaded it up yet, but based on early reports from sites like Infendo, it's ... pretty cool! Bob seems to be delivering on the idea of a game about growing up with Nintendo, combining a real-world RPG about "Bob" with Retro Game Challenge-style, Nintendo-inspired minigames.[Thanks, Sean!]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments