This probably isn't the Toki Tori-related news at which Two Tribes hinted last week, but it's totally great for people who love a) Toki Tori, b) cuuuuuuute stuff, or any combination of the two. The developers have apparently desired the ability to produce toys of their WiiWare game's title character, but have been unable to do so due to prohibitive cost. Enter Shapeways, a company that uses a 3D printer to make figurines to order. The resulting Toki Tori model is perfect, aside from a lack of paint, of course. Now, with the experiment a success, Two Tribes' Collin van Ginkel has solicited fans' interest in owning one of these wonderful little birds. If you dream of having your very own Toki Tori, let them know! It would be, as far as we know, the first tie-in item for a WiiWare game since Mega Man 9's E-tank beverage.

In an interview with Game Music 4 All, Gaijin Games' Alex Neuse offered a potential launch window for the ultra-retro music game Bit.Trip: Beat. "We are madly scrambling to finish the game up as I type this," Neuse said. "Our hopeful launch will be in mid-February, but I will not promise a date yet. :)" Of course, even if there were a specific date, WiiWare launch dates are unreliable and infinitely mutable based pretty much on Nintendo's whims. We're just glad to hear that he's thinking it could come out soon! When it does come out, in addition to three original tracks included (which will build based on the player's performance, like Rez), two tracks from chiptune superstar Bit Shifter will be included in the game, as the menu and credits music! It's like Bit.Trip: Beat is the official game of chiptunes!Neuse gave a couple of vague hints about upcoming Bit.Trip sequels, as well. "Episode 2 of the BIT.TRIP saga will continue the story of CommanderVideo's mission and will also introduce an entirely new gameplay mechanic-still rhythm based of course, and still chiptuney." We knew it was going to be a series, but we didn't know they were all going to be rhythm games. This is wonderful.

Silently, so as not to disturb anyone, Nintendo has added eight new DSiWare games to their Japanese website, all of which come out on the 28th! As in two days from now. The games include:

• Solitaire DSi (200 Points)
• Nintendo DSi Tokei, a clock app that can display photos (200 Points)
• Hobonichi Rozenzu, a travel guide to Japan (500 Points)
• Art Style: PiCOPiCT, a chiptunes puzzle game! (500 Points)
• Art Style: SOMNIUM, a puzzle game about sliding rows of slots to match up with same-colored spheres (example screens here) (500 Points)
• Chotto Panel de Pon, a mini version of Planet Puzzle League (500 Points)
• Chotto Suujin Taisen, a Japanese board game (500 Points)
• Chotto Asobi Taizen: Jikkuri Trump, a card game (500 Points)

If you have a Japanese DSi, we are officially totally jealous. Think of us while you're totally not appreciating Art Style: PiCOPiCT as much as we would be. It's clearly the standout of the group, featuring new arrangements of 8-bit Nintendo classics by chiptune superstars YMCK!Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Last year's de Blob found a squishy, colorful place in all of our hearts and, more importantly, sold enough copies to make THQ keen on a sequel. Speaking to IGN, a representative for the publisher expressed pleasure at de Blob's performance worldwide, promising that we can "expect to see more of de Blob in the future." We'll hold you to that, THQ.Something else of interest in IGN's article: NPD data shows that de Blob sold 230,000 copies in North America between September 22 and the end of 2008, whereas Wario Land: Shake It! moved only 150,000 copies in the exact same period. de Blob isn't just a third-party "core" success -- it's even outsold a rival title from Nintendo![Via NeoGAF]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments