I’m suitably impressed with how Mario Kart Wii is shaping out. It looks suprisingly solid.
The only exception, of course, is the Wii Wheel control. I’d definitely have to try it out before making a set judgement, but even by looking at it it looks discouraging. Gamecube controller is here to stay.
Wii Folder via GoNintendo
An original IP is a rare thing to come across. A good original IP is even rarer. So it was with some app
rehension that I picked up Nintendo and Level-5’s adventure puzzle game Professor Layton and the Curious Village. I did a very positive preview of the game about a month before it came out, but a verdict can’t be made until I play it for myself. Good news folks: Professor Layton is an amazing game that every DS owner needs to play.
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Nanostray 2 is a fairly traditional shoot ‘em up on the Nintendo DS. Taking clear inspiration from games like R-Type or Gradius, the first one was a fairly solid throwback to the classic genre. This sequel only adds on the foundation set by the original. But the first had some problems that kept it from fully living up to the games that inspired it. With additional features and content, does this sequel add enough to allow Nanostray 2 to stand beside the great arcade classics?
“The social interaction and addictive nature of the Rock Band experience is a perfect fit for the Wii and will undoubtedly be fun for the entire family,” says Steve Singer, licensing VP from Nintendo.
While it was confirmed a while back, and rumoured much longer, we finally have some more information regarding Rock Band for the Wii. Here’s the skinny.
Rock Band Wii will release June 22nd in North America for US$169.99. 63 songs + 5 Wii-Exclusive “bonus” songs.
Want some more good news? No friend codes. Wonderful, n’est pas?
N’est pas.
The reason there aren’t any friend codes is because there isn’t any online. No online support whatsoever. You might be thinking oh yeah, I don’t mind. It’s more fun in person anyway and I’d agree with you, yeah, except that this means no downloadable content. You’re stuck with the 68 songs that it ships with and that’s that. No access to the plethora of downloadable songs that the 360 and PS3 versions are treated to. Basically, it’s a straight-up, straight-down, straight-across, straight-’n-narrow port of the PS2 version, which is pretty sad. There’s also no character creation, and no Mii support. Meaning the hours I spent creating The Beatles Miitles have been completely wasted.
One more thing. Your Guitar Hero III Wii guitars that you forgot you owned since you already gave in and bought Rock Band for the 360? They’re not compatible. Meaning you really do have to buy another Rock Band guitar if you want your band to have a bassist.
But if you don’t mind owning a gimped version of Rock Band, and you haven’t picked it up for another system, or don’t have any friends that own it for another system, or don’t have any friends, this might be something to look into.
Full Press release after the jump!
Some of you may have discovered this little easter egg, or found out about it online. In Brawl, while fighting as Snake in the Shadow Moses Island arena, repeated taunting reveals a special taunt. Snake turns on his Codec and talks to his team about his opponent.
Some of these are kind of lame, but some are suprisingly funny, if you like Snake’s sarcastic and horny personality.
I won’t spoil it for you but make sure to watch the whole thing (or just fast forward to 17:55 to spoil it for yourself), as we get a special cameo appearance from one of Nintendo’s most annoying beloved characters!
And I know you just skipped right to 17:55. Don’t try to pretend like you didn’t. I bet you were the kind of kid who looked all over the house and found your presents a week before Christmas and then spent hours perfecting your “suprised” look.
Virtual Console
King’s Knight, NES, 500 Points
Powerball, Genesis, 800 Points
This Week’s Releases
Tuesday, March 25th
Wii
Obscure: The Aftermath
Octomania
Opoona
DS
Backyard Baseball ‘09
Harvest Moon DS Cute
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
Friday, March 28th
Wii
King of Clubs
DS
Powershot Pinball Constructor
Gee, it only took you guys a decade to figure out that the game is only fun from a 2D perspective with smatterings of 3D thrown in.The game is called Sonic Unleashed, maybe, and it might be coming out on Wii, and other consoles. Basically it’s all rumor and speculation, this isn’t even an official video. But between this and Sonic Chronicles, could we finally be in the Sonic revival? Please?
From the team that brought you the critically-acclaimed flight game, Ace Combat, Sky Crawlers is a new IP from Project Aces. Based off of the novel and upcoming film of the same name (directed by Mamoru Oshii), the team promises the flying game we’ve all been hoping for on Wii. Using a very WWII-inspired style, the game certainly looks impressive. Can’t wait to see more.
Sky Crawlers is set to fly onto shelves in August in Japan. No word if it’ll be coming over to North America, but chances are if Ace Combat saw a release here, we’ll see one too.
Click here for some impressive screens. Note, they’re a tad dark.
You don’t think I could just let Kevin bring back a feature and receive no competition? Absolutely not! My arrogant jerkiness won’t allow it. And so, the Console Classica returns. So what’s the game we’ll be looking at now? How about one of the greatest successes on the N64, and one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises? I’m talking about Super Smash Bros. for the N64.
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Tada! A Closer Look is back! So maybe it isn’t every week, but hey, I’m a busy guy. You’d better be glad I’m here to inform you about the games you haven’t heard about at all. Today I take a look at the first game from Steve Spielberg: EA’s Boom Blox.
