Home

    Wii News

    Disney: Toy Story Mania! doesn't include 3D glasses (yet!)

    March 25, 2009 - 10:01pm


    Tipsters are pointing out that Toy Story Mania! -- the recently announced exclusive for the Nintendo Wii -- would include a pair of 3-D glasses when it shipped this fall. However, Disney tells Joystiq that it has yet to confirm any details on packaging. While Disney had previously confirmed the game (based on a 3D Disney Studios attraction) would include "bonus 3D features," no further details regarding the nature of the bonuses were revealed.When contacted for a clarification, Sunny Ing of Disney Interactive Studios told Joystiq the Disney folks were currently exploring options and "haven't come to a decision" whether or not to include such an item with the game. With the famed characters of Toy Story, we think a set of 3-D glasses would be the icing on the cake for fun, family entertainment. But, maybe that's just us.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09: DSi architect reveals unreleased Nintendo handhelds

    March 25, 2009 - 9:00pm


    Masato Kuwahara, project leader on the development of Nintendo DSi, provided a special treat during his GDC panel appearance today: a first-ever glimpse at two Game Boy spin-offs that never were. The first a hefty predecessor to the Game Boy Advance; the second a touch-screen GBA SP.Kuwahara says that the unnamed, would-be Game Boy Color successor was in development in 1995/96 and based on a 32-bit ARM RISC processor. The system, which evidently stalled in development due to poor graphics performance, is most likely the fabled Nintendo "Atlantis" project.The second, more recently scuttled R&D project was basically a Game Boy Advance SP with a touch-screen fitted over its flip-up display. The unit's innards, as Kuwahara explained, were actually from a Game Boy Color. With a deep, serious tone in his voice he recounted that it "was not well received" by Nintendo management. The reason? It wasn't backlit (being GBC tech) and the touch overlay made it even darker. Shigeru Miyamoto evidently liked the general concept, though; Kuwahara says he likes to think his ill-received creation influenced the eventual development of Nintendo DS. You can see it after the break.

    Continue reading GDC09: DSi architect reveals unreleased Nintendo handhelds

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    XSEED unleashing Drill Sergeant MindStrong on WiiWare

    March 25, 2009 - 8:45pm

    The ESRB ratings database has revealed the first WiiWare game from publisher XSEED: Drill Sergeant Mindstrong, which is, uh, a brain-training minigame collection. A weird one.The description of the game mentions minigames "in which players train and compete in math, rhythm, and reflex/timing drills guided by a trainer named Sergeant Mindstrong." The whole thing has a military theme, including a saluting minigame and one about marching in time. All the minigames will have "Hell" at the beginning of the title, like "Hell Roll Call." Siliconera speculates, because of the XSEED/Marvelous connection, that this is Discipline, the WiiWare game announced last year. The title fits, as well. However, Discipline is a sort of adventure about escaping from prison, and this is military brain training.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    MadWorld: If you flail, you may fail

    March 25, 2009 - 7:45pm


    In a blog post titled MadWorld vs. The Wii Remote, Shigenori Nishikawa recommends gamers "flick" the controller rather than "flail" in order to get the best experience out of MadWorld. Nishikawa, the game's director, wrote the blog to detail the development process behind bringing the bloody MadWorld universe to the Nintendo Wii. In order to maintain a consistent tempo between the on-screen action and the motions of the player, Platinum Games "adjusted the way" MadWorld detects swing strength. That means, gamers aren't required to "flail [their] arms around" to unlock maximum carnage. However, Nishikawa isn't stopping gamers from going crazy either, saying, "If you get into the Jack state of mind and want to swing for the fences, you are more than welcome to!" What else are you going to do with that discounted Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man you bought?Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09: Nintendo confirms DSiWare titles for US

    March 25, 2009 - 6:45pm


    Tucked away in a press release that Nintendo dished out following Satoru Iwata's GDC09 keynote earlier today, was confirmation that certain Japanese DSiWare titles would be making their way out of the Land of the Rising Fun. But that's not all, as Nintendo also revealed that Japan's pricing structure will also make its way over here, with apps and games falling into the following price brackets: free, 200 points, 500 points, and 800+ points.Art Style: Aquia and WarioWare: Snapped! are among the first titles mentioned for the US DSi Shop, along with Moving Memo (tentative titlel). A date for these titles has not been set, but we're hoping they'll be available around the launch of the DSi in North America on April 5.

    Not invited to GDC 2009? Don't worry -- we've got you covered on your DSi needs. Check out our unboxing of a Japanese system for a hands-on rundown of features, and have a look at the awesome DSiWare downloads that have come to Japan. Then torture yourself with the limited-edition FFCC: Echoes of Time DSi that probably won't make it here!Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09: DSi-only and DSi Enhanced cards announced

    March 25, 2009 - 6:16pm

    At Nintendo's GDC panel on the DSi's design, Project Leader Masato Kuwahara revealed a bit of news regarding DSi software. that will either terrify or thrill you based on the status of your DSi preorder. Two new types of DS cartridges are on the way: "DSi Cards," which will only work on the DSi, and "DSi Enhanced Cards," which work on all DS systems, but will have extra features when played on a DSi.We knew that Gameloft was planning to use some kind of hybrid DS/DSi card. But we didn't think that Nintendo would make DSi-only cards! And to be clear, by "didn't think" we mean "saw it coming a damn mile away." Confirmed: you're buying another DS.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09: Watch the Virtual Console Arcade announcement trailer

    March 25, 2009 - 5:46pm

    Available on the Nintendo Channel right now, the above trailer was shown during Iwata's keynote that revealed Virtual Console Arcade, a new platform expansion for the service. If you're wondering what these games are, yet don't feel like checking YouTube, then enjoy the brief snippets of each in the above trailer.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09: Watch The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks in action

    March 25, 2009 - 4:46pm

    If only knowing something exists is not enough for you, then we present you with evidence: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks' announcement trailer, which we've plucked from the Nintendo Channel. It's chock full of Link, trains, and dungeons. Pretty much everything you'd want from a Legend of Zelda game, except for maybe the trains bit. We're still not sure what to think of that one.
    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    GDC09 Joyswag: Rhythm Heaven (DS)

    March 25, 2009 - 4:00pm


    Update: The entry period has closed. Congratulations to our winners Gene and T.J.!Even if you weren't actually there, you can say you sat front and center at Nintendo's GDC keynote by showing off one of these: the one-of-a-kind, Extra Special Edition of Rhythm Heaven -- bestowed unto Joystiq after the event! ... Um, okay, technically it's not exactly "one-of-a-kind" -- actually, we have two copies -- since every attendee was handed the game upon exiting the theater. As for being the "Extra Special" edition? Well, on further inspection, these are exactly the same as the standard retail edition (in stories April 5). Oh well. At least these specific copies are blessed with the spirit of this momentous day in Nintendo history ... well, maybe not "momentous," but -- okay, you're right. Let's just get on with it!

    Continue reading GDC09 Joyswag: Rhythm Heaven (DS)

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Walkthrough: Wii System Menu 4.0's SD Card Channel

    March 25, 2009 - 2:41pm

    Well folks, it's finally here, and many of you likely can't wait to run home and check out the new functionality. Above, you'll find a video walkthrough of the new SD Card Channel in action, and below is a slide-by-slide walkthrough, if you're anti-video. So, check out the new Wii update and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
    Permalink | Email this | Comments