Home

    Wii News

    Watchdog group: Brain Age doesn't help

    February 26, 2009 - 3:10pm

    Another organization is blowing an imaginary whistle on Brain Age and other similar products designed to sharpen minds. Consumer group Which assembled a panel of three neuroscientists to test the ideas that brain training games improve memory and help prevent dementia. The panel found "weak" or no evidence to support the claims."There is no evidence that using this product will have any functional impact on your life whatsoever," Dr. Chris Bird, one of the scientists involved with the study, said. The panel concluded that "surfing the internet or chatting to friends" would have the same prefrontal cortex blood flow effect as doing DS-based math. Basically, it means that, in terms of brain activity, Brain Age seems to work about as well as any other mentally-stimulating pastime."If people enjoy using these games, then they should continue to do so -- that's a no-brainer," said Which's Martyn Hocking (perhaps with pun intended -- emphasis ours). "But if people are under the illusion that these devices are scientifically proven to keep their minds in shape, they need to think again" (Hocking is just full of puns, isn't he?).Nintendo responded, saying that it has never claimed scientific proof of Brain Age's effectiveness: "What we claim is the Brain Training series of games, like playing sudoku, are enjoyable and fun. These exercises can also help keep the brain sharp." It also helps your organization make the news!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Here's the opening for MadWorld

    February 26, 2009 - 2:15pm


    After taxing our eyeballs for three minutes on the opening sequence of MadWorld, asking them to distinguish between different splotches of black and white, we can't say that we understand whatever is going on any better. Who's controlling the city? Who blew up those helicopters? Why is everyone so angry? We have absolutely no idea.That said, the opening did manage to send us frantically searching for our Wiimote and nunchuk, which we guess is the whole point. See if you don't have the same impulse as you watch the video right after the break.

    Continue reading Here's the opening for MadWorld

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    IGF-nominated Night Game is WiiWare exclusive

    February 26, 2009 - 1:15pm

    We've heard intermittently that Night Game (working title), the Independent Games Festival award-nominated action-puzzler from Knytt Stories' Nifflas, would appear on WiiWare -- an IGN interview with composer Chris Schlarb called it a WiiWare and PC game. Nintendo's huge press release this morning has made it official: not only is Night Game coming to WiiWare, it's a WiiWare exclusive. Night Game involves maneuvering a ball through (the silhouettes of) various environmental puzzles.Nifflas is directing Night Game -- which has "no enemies and no violence" -- for developer Nicalis, which you may know from another high-profile WiiWare project: Cave Story. Neither company has dated Night Game. For that matter, Nintendo didn't mention Cave Story in its press release outside of the blurb about Night Game. Hopefully that's still on track!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    The Dog Whisperer discusses his future in games

    February 26, 2009 - 12:15pm


    Games that let you pretend to care for dogs are nothing new, but there's been a dearth of games that really let you pretend to talk to dogs. Where are the games that let you get right down on their level and say "Hey. Hey there, dog. I may be a small Hispanic man, and you may have a brain the size of an underripe lemon, but I'm your brother."? Our one hope is Ceaser Millan, host of National Geographic TV program The Dog Whisperer who recently released DS and PC games. Well, he didn't release them. But you get the idea.Thankfully for us, he's not done. Millan talked with Reuters about his future games, saying "I feel that we started with something very general like fear, separation anxiety, hyperactivity and obsession/fixation with this first game, but I would like to move into advanced games down the line once people understand more about animal behavior."Our favorite quote from the story? "In fact, it was Nintendo game developer Shigeru Miyamoto's Nintendogs virtual puppy simulation for Nintendo DS a few years back that prompted Millan to enter the virtual world." ... We think we speak for everyone when we say no shit.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Rumor: Climax developing Silent Hill remake for Wii, PSP

    February 26, 2009 - 11:24am


    Our good friends at the rumor mill are at it again, this time churning out a most delicious prospect: a Silent Hill remake for the Wii and PSP. Supposedly under development at Climax, a report suggests that the return trip to Silent Hill is one of two Konami projects at the studio, the other being (according to job listings) a "ground breaking next-gen game for the PS3 and the Xbox 360."We've asked Konami and Climax for comment and we'll be sure to update you as soon as we receive a response.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Joyswag: Moon prize pack

    February 26, 2009 - 11:15am


    After receiving and reviewing it, our copy of Moon became lost in a box of, uh, other games waiting to be given away. Now that we've found it, we're making sure to not repeat the same mistake again. We're going to give it, as well as the extra styli and game cases that Renegade Kid hooked us up with, to one (1) lucky reader! Who's going to be the one to walk away with a new copy of Moon ($35) and these promo goodies? Check out the rules below and best of luck to all of you!

    • Leave a comment telling us what your favorite FPS of all time is
    • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
    • Limit 1 entry per person, per day
    • This entry period ends at 11:59 am ET on Wednesday, March 4. We'll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive one copy of Moon ($35) and 4 game cases/stylus packs (pictured)
    • For a list of complete rules, click here

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    PopCap following Peggle: Dual Shot with DS Bookworm, Bejeweled Twist

    February 26, 2009 - 10:45am

    Until now, perhaps the only people to be safe from PopCap Games have been DS owners: we have plenty of excellent, short-session, portable puzzle games that seem to preclude the need to seek out stuff like Peggle. But now Peggle: Dual Shot has found us, and PopCap isn't stopping there.The company told Forbes that it is planning DS versions of Bejeweled Twist, the latest iteration of its hit block puzzle game, and Bookworm, a block/word puzzle game about creating words from fallen tiles, for release this holiday season. No specifics were given, but these two small, casual puzzle games would certainly be killer apps for DSiWare.[Via Shacknews]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Excitebots: Trick Racing rolls onto Wii April 20

    February 26, 2009 - 10:10am


    If you've ever wished, as we have, that the Battle Bots could work their differences out in a more peaceful fashion, you'll be happy to hear that Nintendo has just announced that Excitebots: Trick Racing will be headed to the Wii on April 20.Now as for what, exactly, Excitebots: Trick Racing is, we're a little sketchy. We know it uses the Wii Wheel, "builds on the Excitebike and Excite Truck franchises" and contains "elements that make it one of the more unique racing games on the market." So, still a lot of questions at this point, but, for a time at least, there will be peace in the robot world. Isn't that the important thing?
    [Image]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Nintendo unveils tons of dates and a few new games

    February 26, 2009 - 9:57am


    Just moments ago, you heard about the impending release of Punch-Out!!, but Nintendo wasn't done with the dates by a long shot. In fact, you'll find a whole list of games and their accompanying release windows after the break, including can't-miss gems and ... well, other stuff.Of the latter category, our favorite right now is Garfield's Pet Force, but watch out! Jelly Belly Ballistic Beans is nipping at his lasagna-swollen heels! Check out the whole list right after the break.

    Continue reading Nintendo unveils tons of dates and a few new games

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Punch-Out!! uppercutting Wii on May 18

    February 26, 2009 - 9:42am


    Nintendo just announced a May 18 release date for Punch-Out!!, giving Little Mac plenty of time to find a pair of diminutive gloves just his size before he waggles back into the ring this Summer. The game is among the more hotly-anticipated efforts in Nintendo's coming lineup, promising a return to form as everyone's favorite underdog throws down against the likes of Soda Popinski and King Hippo. According to sources, both are downing crates of Jolt and cheeseburgers on their road to get back into fighting shape.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments