Wii-U News

Pokemon Black & White to Feature Video Chat

If someone told you that Pokemon was getting video chat, surely you’d think they were trying to mess with you, right? That’s not the case, reports Serebii. Serebii, a website that focuses on Pokemon, received a pamphlet detailing the new features such as the aforementioned  video chat and “pass by” mode, both only available to players using DSis or, once launched, 3DSes. “Pass By” Mode is where two active 3DSes/DSis will sync up while in a pocket for unknown bonuses. Video chat will allow 2 players to video chat over Wi-Fi or up to 4 players locally… you know, in case you’re sitting far across from one another and you don’t want to speak loudly cause there’s a baby in the room… or because sending a text message costs too much if you’re trying to say something about someone else in the room without them knowing. 

Metroid: Other M Theater

Do you fancy cinema scenes but hate all that video game playing nonsense? Would you rather video games and movies be separated like church and state? Well, if so, then the creators of Metroid: Other M have a solution for you. Upon completion of the game, a feature becomes unlocked where you can view every cut scene as a streamlined two-hour movie.

Okay, so the feature, named Theater Mode, isn’t about separating movie from game, and is not for those who hate playing video games; obviously. In a 1up interview from Wed. with series co-creator, Yoshio Sakamoto states, “We placed just as much weight on enjoying the story as we did on the action aspects of this game, but it’s hard to fully communicate a storyline in a video game with just one playthrough. At the same time, though, it’s asking a lot of players to beat the game twice to get it all, so that’s where the idea for that mode came from.”

3DS in the Year Two Thousand…Eleven

American Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime recently appeared on Jimmy Fallon (someone who often features video games) to show off the newest Donkey Kong game & announce the American release date window for the 3DS. And, much to the dismay of people looking forward to more 3D gaming, it won’t come out until sometime next year. Many people predicted it would be out for the holidays this year, but unfortunately that’s not the case.

Cheaper Wiis at K-Mart?

According to an article over at Joystiq, the Nintendo Wii is now on sale for $180 instead of it’s typical price of $200. Joystiq hasn’t personally confirmed the rumor either way, but the website still lists Wiis at $200. This could either debunk the rumor or just lead to the sale being exclusively an in-store bargain. If this sale does exist, then it’s only going to be around until August 2nd. So if you haven’t already purchased a Wii, make your way to your local K-Mart and buy one plus a renewal to your World of Warcraft account, because you know you want to start playing again before Cataclysm hits. Note to self: Stop looking at Cataclysm stuff.

R4 Banned in UK

Gamers, generally, are not the wealthiest of clientele. By this logic, a large portion of gamers would, if they had the opportunity, rather play many games for the price of one. Unfortunately, the quick solution to this problem is our good friend piracy. Arguably, no piece of piracy software is more popular today than the R4 for Nintendo’s DS. Unless that is, you live in the UK where the R4’s popularity will undoubtedly start to wane do to officially becoming illegal to sell, advertise and import the device as of today.

DS Fire Emblem Sets Japanese Charts Ablaze

Despite the Wii getting beat by 360 sales in North America, Nintendo still holds a stranglehold in the handheld and Japanese markets. During this week, Nintendo’s software finished on top in Japanese sales. Interestingly, on the top for software was Fire Emblem New Mystery of The Emblem for the DS. Surprisingly, PSP held the top spot for hardware sales while the DS and Wii held second and third place respectivley.

Fire Emblem New Mystery of The Emblem, ironically, isn’t actually all that new. The DS game happens to be a remake of the original SNES Fire Emblem. Though, it isn’t all old news as there are new features such as character creation and the ability to turn off permanent deaths.

The Week of July 18th in Nintendo Downloads

Another week, another exciting list of Nintendo downloads (although Virtual Console is mysteriously missing again). As usual, this is taken straight from the Nintendo Press Release. Enjoy. The selection of downloadable games for the WiiWare™ service and the Nintendo DSiWare™ service keeps on growing, this time with a zoological twist.

New Metroid: Other M Trailers

In a little over a month from now, on Aug. 31, Metroid: Other M will be released in North America. For gamers who have no idea how rapidly that date is approaching, and for those who are just want to wet their tongues, Nintendo has a solution. Starting with Monday of this week, Nintendo will be releasing a new trailer everyday via website CVG.

So will there finally be a solid gameplay trailer we have been waiting for? Will we really dig deep into Samus’s origin? Will there be blood? Well, yes, no, and maybe so.

3DS Strong Against Piracy?

As if the 3DS could not garner any more news, one of it’s lesser known features is drawing praise from developers. Aside from being impressed by the well-working 3D screen, the intuitive analog, and numerous developers backing it, one could also note the 3DS’s strong anti-piracy features. Well, at least if you are THQ’s VP of global marketing, Ian Curran. Thus, in a Jul. 9 interview with CVG, Curran stated “What excites me even more is that there is technology built in that device to really combat piracy.”

3DS Shines at Game Critics Awards

Although E3 is over and done with for the year, following it every year is the prestigious Game Critics Awards. Despite some ridiculous acts of mother nature, and an even more ridiculous oil spill, 2010 is just like any year before it. Therefore, a week ago the nominees were decided on, the votes were finally tallied, and the big winners are Nintendo’s 3DS and id’s Rage.

Despite only winning two of eighteen awards, the 3DS received arguably the strongest awards with wins in the Best of Show and Best Hardware categories. In a similar fashion, Rage dominated the software front and was granted three awards: Best Console Game, Special Commendation for Graphics and Best Action Game.