Well, Nintendo has just gave "hardcore" gamers something to get excited for! In a Developer Roundtable at E3, Shigeru Miyamoto was asked if they were considering to revisit Pikmin, he dropped a little bombshell announcement:
Quote
"We continue investigating all types of games," Miyamoto responded. "When it's time to announce such a title, I'll announce it." Then he did. "We're making Pikmin."
OH HELL YES! Still not quite enough to make up for the atrocious press conference yesterday, but it bandages the wound a little bit.
Details about the upcoming Pikmin are not known as of right now. Hopefully Shiggy has something to say about it soon.
Nintendo has made their first announcement of E3. It comes in the form of yet another Wii accessory, Wii MotionPlus.
The device plugs right into the bottom of the Wii Remote and will deliver "more comprehensive tracking of a players arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion." The press release continues: "Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play."
Little is known about MotionPlus outside of the very brief press release issued by Nintendo earlier today, but this accessory sounds quite intriguing. Could it actually make a real swordfighting game possible on the Wii? What is Nintendo planning to do with MotionPlus? Check RF Generation for details on MotionPlus and everything else unveiled at Nintendo's press conference.
[img align=right width=150]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/63014CG7.jpg[/img] As you may or may not know, I tend to be skewed towards the world of Nintendo. I grew up on Nintendo, I supported Nintendo up to the Wii, and once the Wii was released Nintendo decided to defecate on every member of the Nintendo old guard and try to appeal to that elusive casual gamer. Theyre doing a great job, they really are. Meanwhile, I really, really want LittleBigPlanet, and well, we all know what system that is on. But yes! The Nintendo Connection! You see, the Wii has the dubious distinction of being home to more crap than one can shake a finger at. Strike that, one hundred billion fingers. The more depressing thing is that people are buying this stuff. Its really, really disappointing, and Ill tell you why.
[img align=right width=250]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/90401ohnootter2.jpg[/img]It seems as though some of you are pretty excited. Personally I am excited. It's certainly a throw back to retro roots, with graphics meant to imitate the original NES Mega Mans. In short, it's pretty damn cool, and hopefully the game play comes through. Time shall tell in that regard.
I imagine most of you expect Capcom to release this on all console digital distribution formats. Certainly, I sure did. You might notice that I said did. Yeah, about that... Kotaku and Ars both though have some troubling news. It appears that for you Sony and 360 Owners, Capcom currently does not desire your money, as it says that Mega Man 9 is only in development for WiiWare. Wow, that's a... shocker.
To mark this development, it's time to bring out the OH NOOOO! Otter. I imagine that lots of you really would like the opportunity to get this game, but have found their prospects of getting this retro odyssey somewhat... dashed. Perhaps Capcom has been misquoted, and meant to say it'll come out for other systems later. Perhaps they really meant what is being reported by folks like Luke Plunkett. You know, he writes for Kotaku, so he is part of that bunch of respectable game bloggers, so they wouldn't wrongly state something, would they? Well, regardless, the OH NOOOO! Otter feels your pain. Since I can't feel your pain because I own a Wii, at least the OH NOOOO! Otter can.
You know, I thought the "Mega Man 9 will be done in 8-bit graphics" was an exaggeration. Something... lost in translation. Those things happen. That's why we say crazy Japanese translations like "SUPER HAPPY CRAZY FUN TIME". But you know, Mega Man 9. Wow, was it for real? Surely someone was jerking our chain, Capcom would never go back to revisit a class style of game, would they? Eh? EH?
WRONG! Turns out Mega Man 9 is very, very real. Complete with robot masters like Magma Man and my personal favorite, Concrete Man. More importantly, they weren't lying when they said it would be in 8-bit graphics. It really, really is. A part of me is saying WTF, while the other 4/5 says "Holy shit that's awesome!" Seriously, absolutely awesome, like "I AM BUYING THAT" awesome. Truly, Mega Man 9 has the potential to be quite the throw back to old school Mega Man. Here's to that. By the way, pictures can be seen at Kotaku
[img align=right width=250]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/59727nights.jpg[/img]Wow, this is sort of sad. Nights, the game that a lot of fans asked for, came out, was declared mediocre, and now can be found new for $2.99. Of course, you have to live by a Meijer, which for those not in the know is a nicer, Midwest version of Wal-Mart. I have one three minutes from my house, and there is another Meijer probably 10 minutes from my house, if not less. Will I go out of my way to get this game on the cheap? Nah, that's alright, the game didn't really interest me, but perhaps you are and you live near a Meijer. If that is the case, then go buy your game on the cheap.
Did Nights really do that poorly? I've heard it sold 100000 copies, which is more than some other games, like Boom Blox. Does it deserve the $2.99 price tag, or is Meijer giving this game the shaft? It might be on clearance now, but regardless, this price tag is almost disgracefully low. Someone must have it out for this game at Meijer HQ. Perhaps their son told them it was stupid. That's just too bad.
Also, before you ask, no, I am not going to go buy the game for you.
[img align=right width=200]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/77287cg6.jpg[/img] You know, I happen to live in Cincinnati. Its sort of an advertising / marketing Mecca. Thats bound to happen when Procter and Gamble happens to be based in your city. You know, Ivory Soap, Tide, Pringles, Gillette, Old Spice, Febreeze, etc that company. Not to mention all of their recent divestures, we are home to the company who spends lots of money on their brands. In fact, they spend the most money of any company. So, certainly, we in Cincinnati have a company who knows how to do things right. God bless P&G. They make Cincinnati proud.
Some companies try very hard to be good at advertising. They try very hard to project an image. Theyre so good that they do so at the expense of royally ticking off their old fan base. Nintendo seems to be that brand. Its sad though, as they try to be just like Apple, but thats hard when you have people like Laurent Fischer.
Nintendo seems to be creating a niche market for ultra violent games, or at least games more violent than would have been seen on the GameCube. No More Heroes was amazing, and if you haven't played it you should check it out. Blueberry Cheese Brownie, anyone? What about Manhunt 2? Sure, it's (apparent) crap, but it's still super violent. Other violent games? Well, I can't think of any, except for one more that was just announced.
Turns out Platinum Games has a Wii title coming out called Mad World. Platinum Games, does that ring a bell to anyone? No? How about Clover Studios? In the mighty progression of development houses, it goes Clover -> Seeds -> Platinum Games. So, Platinum Games essentially created amazing games like Okami and Viewtiful Joe. I hope that you've played those games, especially Okami. Okami is everything that Zelda should have been. Too bad the Wii version of Okami doesn't make any references to the original developers, since one should always give credit where it is due, and well, Clover Studios created a masterpiece.
So, yes, I digress. There is a new game coming out from Platinum Games fort the Wii. It's called Mad World. Styled much like Sin City. It looks beautiful, and very violent. I urge you to do yourself a favor and check the game, after the jump. Be Warned, it's very violent.
Some of you may be die hard haters of other game consoles besides the ones that you own. For others, you might be such a fanboy that you need be reminded of reasons why you should curb your enthusiasm. Fortunately for you, Gamesradar wishes to fan the flames of console bashing during its hate week, where they harp about why you should hate everything. Thank God for that too, because I certainly could not think of my own reasons to be spiteful about the console manufacturers.
Shall we check out these videos? Because I am a nice guy, I'll start out with the company I tend to support heavily (aside from my latest Cynical Gamer piece), Nintendo. You can find Sony and Microsoft after the Jump.
We all knew it was coming. Sega Master System will be added as the next VC system over here. Here is what they have to say:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Wonder Boy and Fantasy Zone will be the first wave of many SEGA Master™ System titles that will soon be available for download on the Wii™ Shop Channel. Prices start at 400 Wii™ Points for SEGA Master System titles. Wii Points can be purchased online or at select retailers at an MSRP of $20 for 2,000 points.
WonderBoy - As Tom-Tom the Wonder Boy, it's up to you to rescue your girlfriend Tanya from the vile clutches of a monster that has kidnapped her. To do so, you must navigate through a series of worlds in a race against time to reach your goal, as you battle off foes and collect fruit that will add to the amount of time you have to complete your mission. You can also collect helpful power-ups from various eggs, but make sure to avoid the "bad" eggs and poisonous mushrooms that sap your precious vitality. Find the magic doll in each level that opens up the hidden areas, and make it to the very end to rescue your one true love!
Fantasy Zone - Take command of the spaceship Opa-Opa and blast your way through various fantastical levels as you try to take out all the enemy bases in each stage. Once you've destroyed the bases, you'll have to beat the stage boss in order to move on to the next level. By using your guns and bombs wisely, you'll be able to take down your enemies and explore each of the crazy environments in this side-scroller. You can also buy upgraded weapons for your ship by accessing the shop. Various SEGA games through the years have referenced the Opa-Opa - now you can play the game that started it all!
The Wii Shop Channel serves as the Wii's online storefront, where visitors can redeem Wii Points to download games and other items. Users need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. More Virtual Console games will come available every Monday following launch. Users buy Wii Points at retail or with a credit card online from the Wii Shop Channel and redeem their Wii Points to download the classic games." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I never had a chance to play SMS, so this might be fun. And only 400 points for a game is not bad.
Activision, while slow and quiet in their response, has stepped up and admitted they've made mistakes with the Wii version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock by taking appropriate actions to remedy the situation. As a thank you gift to those who have had to wait through the disc replacement process, they are sending a free guitar faceplate. Those who registered should recieve a note stating the faceplate will arrive a few weeks after the fixed edition of the game.
It seems a lot of things are shipped out only to break immediately in consumers' hands. Overheating 360s, breaking Rock Band guitars, and snapping Wiimote straps are just some of the things gamers have had to put up with in recent years, and the best one can expect is to have the shoddy product replaced after waiting for months. It is nice for a change that a company goes the extra mile to make up for the inconvenience. Things are looking better for RedOctane and Activision.
So... Guitar Hero III owners, does the freebie balance out the disappointment and hassle? Is RedOctane still cool? Who will gaff up next? Only time will tell.
The new upcoming Wiiplay title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My life as a King, will feature DLC.
The DLC so far will be new costumes that will be available for Leo and Chancellor Chime, such as a pirate set. You will also be able to download housing to gain more races such as the Yukes, Lilties or Selkies. Prices have not has a set price, but will be around 100-300 respectevely.
I am all for DLC on any game one the Wii after the Rockband news. And $3 is not bad for a whole new race in your game. Now all we need is an HD...
[img align=right width=200]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/180407488746fd6a4042c40Rock_band_cover.jpg[/img]Let's not kid ourselves. I really like music / rhythm games. As such, I really like games like Guitar Hero. So, when the next Harmonix game was announced and it was Rock Band, it was pretty damn exciting. Then, there was the revelation that the game was only coming out for the 360 and PS3, which made baby Jesus cry. I myself, was one sad panda. The pain was lessened a bit when I saw the associated price tag, but the game still was amazing, and deep down, I still wanted it.
Fortunately, Harmonix announced that eventually Rock Band would be coming to the Wii, and that was about it. No price, no release date... nothing other than that the game was coming to the Wii. Well, that's nice, but I want more concrete information. The Wii owners want more information. Would it be expensive like its brethren, or would it be slightly more affordable? Would it be a quick cash in like Guitar Hero / PS2 Rock Band, or would the content be more like the 360 / PS3 versions? Most importantly, when would it be coming out?
Well, there is a release data and price for the Wii version. June 22, 2008. $170. Price, not too surprising, but hey! We now have a date. Additionally, it will be a "Special Edition", with 63 songs, including 5 bonus songs. Oh boy, I can barely contain myself. Yay. Seriously.
So, the burning question of will this game be a gimped version like the PS2 version, or will the game be like the 360 / PS3 version has yet to be answered. Certainly, my excitement will either fall or rise with that announcement, and I can't wait to hear more about this version of the game.
While Americans get news that they have to wait until May 12, Nintendo of Japan is priming up their audience for upcoming Wii Ware releases later this month. Recently, Nintendo launched a page listing some of the titles announced along with some screenshots. A fair amount of second and third-party support is a welcome sight to continue Nintendo's diverse download offerings.
The current titles announced include:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
StarSoldierR
Word Puzzle Mojipittan Wii
Everyone's Pokémon Ranch
Dr. Mario's Virus Buster
Marubou Shikaku
Magnetica (Puzzloop)
Bomberman
Okiraku Ping-Pong Wii
Angel's Solitaire
Joysound Wii
There are a notable amount of previously announced titles missing from the current list, but it is expected that we'll see those as well as others on the Wii Ware service in the future. Judging by the screenshots we can expect to see a mix of single player and multiplayer games that appeal to a diverse audience.
Nintendo has made their first announcement of E3. It comes in the form of yet another Wii accessory, Wii MotionPlus.
While Americans get news that they have to wait until 
