news/reviews/previews

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:57 pm

Dr. Mario & Virus Buster
Also known as: Dr. Mario Wii, Dr. Mario Wii Ware, Dr. Mario & Saikin Bokumetsu (JPN)

Dr. Mario Wii is a remake of the classic Dr. Mario puzzler. You can make your Mii appear in place of the Mario characters, and can challenge friends over Wi-Fi. The game includes the Saikin Bokumetsu game from the Japanese Brain Age 2, which can now be play cooperatively with four players.

Published by: Nintendo

Developed by: Nintendo

Genre: Puzzle
Number of Players: 1-4
Release Date:
US: TBA
Japan: March 25, 2008
Europe: TBA

Features: Online

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:58 pm

Pokemon Farm
Also known as: Pokemon Wii Ware, Pokémon Farm, Pokemon Bokujou (JPN), Pokemon Ranch (EU)

An exclusive title for Nintendo's Wii Ware downloadable gaming service, this game lets you transfer your Pokemon over from Pearl and Diamond. You can then raise your little friends in a farm-like environment. You're free to bring your Mii and your family's Miis to your ranch and can do things like taking pictures of your Pokemon which can then be sent to friends.

Published by: Nintendo

Developed by: Nintendo

Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: TBA
Japan: March 25, 2008
Europe: TBA

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:00 pm

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
Also known as: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Wii Ware, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Chiisa na Ousama to Yakusoku no Kuni (JPN)

Exclusively available for Wii Ware, this game tells the story of what happened after the original Crystal Chronicles. The Little King of the subtitle, who lost his kingdom due to the events of the first game, gains from the crystals the power to build things. He uses this to revive his fallen kingdom. The game's genre is "Country Building RPG."

Developed by: Square Enix

Genre: Adventure
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: TBA
Japan: March 25, 2008

Features: Game Share Multiplayer

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:01 pm

Star Soldier R
Also known as: Star Soldier Wii Ware

Part of the Wii Ware service for downloadable games, Star Soldier R brings back Hudson's classic shooting franchise with new 3D graphics.

Published by: Hudson Soft

Developed by: Hudson Soft

Genre: Shooter
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: TBA
Japan: March 25, 2008

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:01 pm

Tenshi no Solitaire
Also known as: Tenshi no Solitaire Wii Ware

Developed by: G-mode

Genre: Card
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: Unreleased
Japan: March 25, 2008

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:02 pm

Mojipittan Wii
Also known as: Mojibittan

Part of the Wii Ware downloadable gaming service, this is a version of Namco's Japanese word puzzle game series.

Published by: Namco

Developed by: Namco

Genre: Puzzle
Release Date:
US: Japan only
Japan: TBA 2008

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:03 pm

Saku Saku Animal Panic Hands-On
Break dancing crocodiles: what WiiWare is all about.
by Daemon Hatfield
March 25, 2008 - Konami has a charming little game available from the Japanese WiiWare called Saku Saku Animal Panic. It's part Zoo Keeper, part Qix, and totally cute. Each level takes place in a pen with a variety of animals. The object is to fence in the beasts and separate them by species. Apparently, animals are all xenophobes because they do a happy dance when they are secured in a gated community with their own kind. Konami is obviously making a bold statement on modern race relations.

Don't be fooled by the adorable critters and their break dancing -- these savage beasts will tear you apart if you so much as brush against them. The bigger brutes (your bears, your crocodiles) will chase after you if you get too close. But even the bunnies and penguins will end your life if you come into contact. You have three lives to work with, but when they're gone you'll need to start the level over -- not a big deal, as each stage only lasts a couple minutes.

The animal threat doesn't end with you. They will eat each other if you don't fence them in fast enough. Each varmint devoured will lower your score for the level. When eaten, their spirits float away in a ghost cloud, a la Pikmin.

Visually, Animal Panic does not impress. While the graphics are cel-shaded, they clock in at about Nintendo 64 quality. The main character isn't very well animated, and overall the game lacks polish. Objects simply disappear when picked up, without any visual cue or sound effect. Still, as stated before, the game's lighthearted feel and delightful animal dances won us over. Each species has its own moves, and it's a nice recognition of the player's efforts.

Presents will appear on the playing field to aid in corralling your critters. It may be a carrot to lure the horses into their pen or a steak to get the bears' attention or a squirt gun to get the sheep where you want them.

The music is a variety of guitar-based tunes, from bluesy jams to metal riffs. It's enjoyable for the most part, and includes quirky touches like the guy who shouts "yeah!" when you complete a level.

In the short time we spent with Animal Panic we encountered a large variety of animals through Farmyard, Outback, Forest, and Arctic areas. There appear to be around 50 levels in all. It was developed by an American studio, so a U.S. release is likely.

Saku Saku Animal Panic
Also known as: Saku Saku Animal Panic Wii Ware

Published by: Konami

Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1-4
Release Date:
US: Unreleased
Japan: March 25, 2008

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:04 pm

Lonpos
Also known as: Lonpos Wii Ware

Developed by: Genki

Genre: Puzzle
Number of Players: 1-4
Release Date:
US: Unreleased
Japan: March 25, 2008

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:17 pm

React Recharge Dock for Wii Review
We check out React's stylish new charging kit.
by Scott Lowe
March 25, 2008 - There are few things more aggravating than settling down for an eight-hour session of Super Smash Bros. Brawl with some friends and finding that one or more of your Wiimotes are drained. Granted, the average Wiimote AA battery lifespan averages about 30 hours, but for avid Wii fans, 30 hours can pass in an instant. Recognizing the Wii's massive appeal and fanatical following, manufacturers have been quick to produce a range of rechargeable Wiimote batteries and charge stations since the system's launch. Many early battery/charge station combos were limited to only two charging slots for added space efficiency, as seen in the Thrustmaster T-Charge All NW and the Nyko Wii Charge Station. But, as a largely multiplayer-oriented system with up to four players on one console, most Wii users require more charging capabilities than manufacturers have recently offered. Heeding the call, multi-platform accessory manufacturers React Gamer Inc. recently released a new, four Wiimote charge station kit.

React's aptly dubbed Recharge Dock kit comes with four rechargeable battery packs and a stylish base station. Like most Wii accessories, the React charge station and battery packs adhere to the Wii's white aesthetic. The React battery packs vary slightly and feature an off-white tinge in order to distinguish them from the stock AA packs and prevent any potentially hazardous misplaced charging. The base station adds some unique flare to the typical Wii scheme by including a blue LED dock illumination. However, the Recharge Dock's distinguishing feature is also one of our primary gripes. While the base station's LED illumination is visually titillating, it lacks an on/off switch. The continual illumination proves to be distracting and placing the base within the visual scope of your television is subsequently inadvisable. In addition to the blue LEDs, the base also features LEDs built into each respective Wiimote docking slot that glow red when charging. As we discovered with Nyko and Thrustmaster's charge stations, Wiimote straps tend to dangle to the side of the React base station and users must use added care to ensure that the straps do not block the charger connection.

One particularly noteworthy advantage to the React Recharge Dock is its Wiimote weight reduction. The included Wiimote lithium polymer battery packs are significantly lighter than stock AA packs and reduce the strain of prolonged gaming sessions. In regards to lifespan, we managed to squeeze about 20 hours of use out of a single charge of the React battery pack. While charges tend to last slightly shorter than an AA battery pack, if recharged every other day users are unlikely to ever encounter a dead Wiimote. Individual user experience with battery lifespan is sure to vary by game title, vibration effects, and nunchuck use. However, we are confident that the lithium packs will last for a reasonable duration.

Overall, the React Recharge Dock is an effective piece of third party Wii hardware. The price, coming in at roughly $50, while more costly than other two-Wiimote charge stations is proportional to the number of charge slots. Plus, users will surely save when no longer having to shell out cash for the ever-growing cost of AA batteries. The base station is pretty solidly constructed and, with a few minor aesthetic gripes aside, functions pretty well. The React Recharge Dock is available through online retailers and at Best Buy locations nation wide.

IGN's Ratings for React Recharge Dock for Wii
Rating Description
out of 10
9.0 Performance
Recharges Wiimotes simply and without effort.
7.0 Build Quality
Soundly constructed and seemingly durable.
9.0 Ease of Use
As simple as plug in and charge up.
8.0 Value
Although pricier than competition, the charging capacity is on par with the cost.
8.5 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:17 am

Lonpos Expansion Delayed
WiiWare paid download content will have to wait.
by John Tanaka
March 25, 2008 - With all the talk about WiiWare micro-transactions of late, you might be wondering what it's like to actually pay some cash to update your WiiWare games. Unfortunately, we can't tell you just yet because there isn't any actual downloadable updates available for the Japanese version of the service at the moment.

Originally, Genki's Lonpos puzzle title was scheduled to launch alongside a set of booster packs. That's what got all the micro-transaction talk started, as Genki priced the updates at 500 Wii Points each, making them half the price of the main game.

Lonpos is now available for the WiiWare service, but the booster packs are nowhere to be found. They've officially been delayed by Genki to an undisclosed date.

As previously announced, the booster packs will add 25 puzzles to the main Lonpos game along with a custom visual theme. Genki was scheduled to release nine booster packs for the game which, with a bit of math, would add up to a total price of 5,500 Wii Points to get the whole package.

Other WiiWare titles confirmed to have future paid downloads include Crystal Chronicles and Mojipittan. Specifics have et to be revealed by Square Enix and Bandai Namco.

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:17 am

Block Breaker Announced for WiiWare
This one has some hot competition.
by John Tanaka
March 26, 2008 - Let it be forever known that WiiWare was available for exactly one day in Japan before someone decided to announce something a bit naughty for the service.

Game Loft announced today a WiiWare version of Block Breaker Deluxe. This updated version of the company's mobile Breakout clone will feature Wiimote controls and support for two player simultaneous play. But of even more interest are the hot girls who act as your in-game rivals.

We have to admit that we'd have totally preferred a version of the company's other mobile Breakout clone, Ecchi na Onesan Kuzushi, where naughty anime chicks are the main attraction. But this should be much better than the angels of Angel Solitaire and the nothing of Lonpos.

Block Breaker Deluxe will hit the Japanese service in April at 800 Wii Points. Game Loft is also planning releases in North America and Europe.

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:18 am

Opoona, KOEI's Role-Playing Game for Wii in Stores Now
Opoona is ready to take you on an out-of-this-world role-playing adventure.
March 26, 2008 - KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that Opoona, a new Role-Playing Game (RPG) exclusively for Wii is available now in store and online through retailers across North America including: Amazon.com, Game Crazy, Gamefly, and GameStop.

About Opoona

While on an interplanetary family vacation, the young boy Opoona crash lands on Planet Landroll after his family's spaceship is involved in a mysterious accident. Separated from his family, Opoona is forced to live alone. On the planet, Opoona must find a job, search for his siblings, and defend himself and the people of Landroll against creatures known as the Dark Rogues. Luckily for Opoona, he is the descendant of a long line of warriors known as the Cosmo Guards. Thus, Opoona's adventure begins as he struggles to establish a new life and reunite his family.

The game's action-oriented battle system lets players use powerful "Energy Bonbons" against their enemies. Using just the Nunchuk, players can manipulate an Energy Bonbon's trajectory in a number of different ways. All of Opoona's commands are also controlled by the Nunchuk, to allow a complete "single-hand control" of the game.

The gameplay in Opoona is not just about battling; it is a "Lifestyle RPG." As Opoona, players must adapt to a new environment, meet new people, and contribute to society through work, all while becoming aware of the precious world and people around him. As the game progresses, Opoona will develop relationships and uncover a broader range of activities including new jobs and clues to new adventures.

The unique characters and a modern fantasy world created by Art Director, Shintaro Majima, are sure to fascinate gamers. From futuristic buildings to ancient ruins and strange rock formations in the wild, the world of Opoona is a remarkable fusion of both contemporary design and whimsical fantasy.

Developed by ArtePiazza, the team behind four installments of the best-selling Dragon Quest series of RPGs, Opoona showcases the talent of some of today's most creative game designers including: Art Director Shintaro Majima, Planning Director Sachiko Sugimura, and Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto, acclaimed for his contribution to the Final Fantasy XII soundtrack.

Opoona is rated "E10+" (Everyone 10+ - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. Opoona is a single player game. For updates on Opoona, please visit www.koei.com/opoona.

About KOEI Corporation

Based in Burlingame, California, KOEI Corporation established operations in 1988 as the North American subsidiary of KOEI Co., Ltd. of Japan. KOEI is respected worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and simulation games, and is the innovator of the Tactical Action genre. The company's Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series of games have generated a combined 15 million units in global sales.

KOEI develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software for video game systems and personal computers. For fiscal 2006, KOEI posted worldwide revenues of $206 million. KOEI maintains operations in Japan, the U.S., the UK, France, Canada, China, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Lithuania. More information about KOEI and its products can be found at www.koei.com.

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:17 pm

Wii Remotes being used to defuse bombs?

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No this is not some bomb defusing game someone is shooting forth, the US military has really been using Wii remotes to operate bomb defusing robots in real life war-zones. It seems that the controllers motion sensor is the main reason for this.

Quote:
"Made by iRobot in Burlington, Massachusetts, the robot, called the Packbot, uncovers explosives, locates landmines for soldiers in the field, and disposes of bombs. And it's controlled by the Wii Remote because the controllers are more instinctive, allowing users to focus on data processing."

Maybe we will see a bomb defusing game arrive soon?

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:33 pm

WiiWare Karaoke Detailed
Thousands of songs coming to the Japanese Wii.
by John Tanaka
March 28, 2008 - One of the first titles announced for the Japanese WiiWare service last year was Karaoke Joysound, a karaoke program that promised downloadable music for the Wii. Today, at a Tokyo press conference that also saw the unveiling of new WiiWare games like Alien Crush and Blue Oasis, Hudson shared specifics on this potential killer app for Nintendo's new download service.

Hudson appears to have some ambitious plans for Karaoke Joysound Wii, as the program is currently being called. The company hopes to have 20,000 songs available at the start of service, with 1,000 additional songs added every month.

Although it's being referred to as a WiiWare title, Joysound is a bit different from the rest of the WiiWare lineup. Users download the Joysound program from a server that's being exclusively set up for it. This server will also house the songs for downloading.

Hudson is currently considering a billing system based not on a per song rate, but on a subscription rate. Users will presumably be able to download as much as they want over a set period of time.

As previously announced, Joysound will be released both as a WiiWare download and as part of a package version. The package version will include a USB microphone, and may include lesson modes and more elaborate displays during songs. For those who do opt for the WiiWare version, Hudson plans on offering the microphone separately.

Sadly, specifics beyond this were not shared today. However, Hudson reps did state that they expect a Japanese release by this summer.

Subject: Re: news/reviews/previews Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:42 am

Gameloft Calling WiiWare
Mobile ports and original content on the way.
by Daemon Hatfield
March 31, 2008 - Gameloft, best known for its mobile offerings, has announced it has a quadrilogy (word: no, fun to say: yes) of games on the way for WiiWare. Three are ports of existing mobile games, and there is one original trivia title in the works.

Block Breaker Deluxe, Midnight Pool, and Midnight Bowling are all self-explanatory games that have been best-sellers on cell phones. Gameloft is enhancing these titles with new graphics, features, and Wii Remote support.

TV Show King will be an exclusive WiiWare title testing players' general trivia knowledge.

Block Breaker on iPod and Midnight Bowling on mobile phones.Gameloft's games will arrive on the WiiWare service in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.