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    European Nintendo downloads: Pilotwings (finally)

    August 21, 2009 - 12:15pm

    Without a doubt, the highlight of this week's WiiWare, Virtual Console, and DSiWare offerings in Europe is Pilotwings, the SNES launch title that should have been on the Virtual Console in 2006. It has finally arrived in PAL territories, and we have high hopes for a North American release soon. (Which we really shouldn't.) The other new additions are actually pretty great as well: Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Pop! Plus Solo are now up on DSiWare, and two distinctly different paddle games, Bit.Trip: Core and Arkanoid Plus, are on WiiWare:

    • Pilotwings (SNES, 800 Wii Points)
    • Bit.Trip: Core (WiiWare, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
    • Arkanoid Plus (WiiWare, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
    • Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again (DSiWare, 1 player, 800 DSi Points)
    • Pop! Plus Solo (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

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    DJ Hero coming Oct. 27 in US, 'late October' worldwide

    August 21, 2009 - 10:00am


    Speaking to Joystiq at GamesCom, Activision has officially confirmed what retailer listings have indicated for quite some time: DJ Hero will wind up on shelves starting October 27th in the US and "late October" elsewhere -- likely the week of the 27th. However, the retailer-derived price of $120 (and $200 for the pictured "Renegade Edition") has yet to be confirmed.DJ Hero will come with 93 mixes, comprised of 100 individual tracks. The game's guitar mode will be compatible with Rock Band axes and microphones. Yes, microphones. Though plugging in a microphone offers no major gameplay additions, the peripheral can be handed to the drunkest person in the room for random shoutouts and other foolish remarks. USB mics are a go, but we're following up to see if wireless mics will also be accepted.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Red Steel 2 walkthrough highlights ninja juggling

    August 20, 2009 - 11:00pm

    Ubisoft has unleashed a developer walkthrough of Red Steel 2, where creative director Jason Vandenberg takes us through one of the game's levels. There's plenty of context-sensitive prompts to ogle and lots of swordplay, not to mention that super strong double-barreled shotgun, but the real value is in juggling those ninjas. We can definitely see ourselves having fun playing clay pigeon with a few ninjas.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Mad Catz making Wii, DS peripherals with licensed characters

    August 20, 2009 - 9:45pm


    Third-party accessory developer Mad Catz has announced a non-exclusive agreement with Nintendo to create and market licensed accessories for the Wii, DS and DSi which include the "select use of Nintendo's intellectual property." According to a press release, the new Mad Catz line will include cameos from Nintendo's beloved stable of characters, such as Donkey Kong, Zelda, Link, Mario, Luigi, Wario, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Princess Peach and Metroid's Samus Aran. No further details on the upcoming products are available, but we're currently preparing a petition for a Philips takeover of Mad Catz and a CD-i revival. We're kidding; that would signify the end of times.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Video: TMNT: Smash Up's crazy environments

    August 20, 2009 - 8:15pm

    If there's one thing worth pointing out in this TMNT: Smash Up trailer from GamesCom, it's those lovely environments. Sure, there's some gameplay and we get to see several different characters lay the smack down, but that collapsing rooftop and intruding Technodrome really add a welcome dose of chaos to the experience. Look for TMNT: Smash Up on September 22.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Video: The pretty, violent locations of Muramasa

    August 20, 2009 - 7:15pm

    Ignition has released a new video of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. The video highlights the game's locations, all set in beautiful feudal Japanese backdrops. Of course, the problem with beautiful feudal Japanese backdrops is they're always being ransacked by ninjas, demons and evil snow witches. You're just walking along, admiring the cherry blossoms, and then it's like, bam: Snow witch. Happens every time. Watch the trailer and see for yourself.

    Muramasa hits shelves next month.
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    Rabbids don't go home, go to Leipzig

    August 20, 2009 - 5:30pm

    In their usual crazy style, the rabbids have invaded GamesCom this year with hilarious results. But, it seems they missed the memo about where this year's show is located (Cologne, duh) and instead made the trip to Leipzig. Hey, what do you expect from a species that thinks it belongs on the moon?Additionally, Ubisoft has released actual gameplay footage from Rabbids Go Home (available past the break). The gameplay looks just as fun as what we've already experienced and highlights include a stolen jet engine and a pack of crazed chihuahuas. Yo quiero waaaaah!

    Continue reading Rabbids don't go home, go to Leipzig

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    Your first look at Your Shape's camera

    August 20, 2009 - 5:00pm

    [Update: Trailer has been removed at Ubisoft's request. You see, it was only approved for European consumption due to lack of an ESRB rating ... on the world wide web.]

    Ubisoft has released a video for GamesCom highlighting Your Shape, the Jenny McCarthy-endorsed, camera-focused exergame for Wii. The video highlights the game's camera, giving us a good look at the device and an explanation behind the technology powering it (hint: it's not rocket science). While it bares resemblance to Project Natal, unlike Microsoft's peripheral, Ubisoft's device and Your Shape will actually be out this year -- more precisely, this December. We know, it's a crazy concept for a game to release during the 2009 holidays.Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Lego Rock Band DS is peripheral-free

    August 20, 2009 - 3:58pm

    Warner Bros. has finally revealed the first screenshots and information about the mysterious DS version of Lego Rock Band. Unlike its DS Guitar Hero counterparts, Lego Rock Band doesn't make use of any peripherals beyond the standard DS stylus. Instead, it's an experience similar to Rock Band Unplugged on the PSP, also developed by Backbone -- in which players use the buttons to hit notes, switching between instrumental tracks throughout the song. This is wonderful news for those of us who loved Frequency and Amplitude.The major differences between Lego and Unplugged include, of course, the Lego styling and character building options, as well as the ability to hit notes using either buttons or the stylus. Lego Rock Band includes multiplayer for up to four people, and will be out Holiday 2009 along with the other platform versions. Check after the break for the first known tracks!

    Continue reading Lego Rock Band DS is peripheral-free

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    Just watch this trailer, and then Just Dance

    August 20, 2009 - 3:30pm

    The trailer for Ubisoft's just-dancing game Just Dance puts forth a pretty upbeat philosophy about life. No matter where you are -- the office, the convenience store, the, uh, 1950s -- it's the perfect time to turn on some dance pop from twenty years ago, turn into a glowing cartoon, and --Just Dance. Of course, Ubisoft would prefer that you just dance at home, by playing the Wii game this trailer is promoting, but you don't need to worry about details like that. You have one solitary obligation, and that is to dance. Due to its use of the Wii Remote, this game seems to emphasize arm movements in dance, contrasting with Dance Dance Revolution, which is based primarily on foot movements. We can't wait to see someone play both simultaneously.
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