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.
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.
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.
When it comes to how great a game is, there are many components that people discuss. Most players attribute the greatness of a title to the addictive gameplay, beautiful graphics, a compelling story, or fluid controls. Most reviewers in this day and age would follow suit, arguing that gameplay is the most important, followed (in no strict order) by graphics, story, and controls. Music in video games however, often fails to hold a candle to other elements of gaming in terms of importance. This week in the Unsung Heroes column, my aim is to demonstrate that video game music is far better than most people give it credit for.
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.
Violence and the Wii; two things rarely ever combined. Even Nintendo executives would probably agree that the Wii is not necessarily geared to the more blood-hungry, arguably more mature, gamers. However, eager to fill the void, developer Platinum Games and publisher Sega released the action packed Madworld on March 29, 2009.
To start with, Madworld‘s story is equally confusing and mysterious. First we are greeted with scenes of Varrigan City in crisis and the Mayor giving an urgent press conference. Terrorists have simultaneously released a deadly virus and usurped the transportation and television facilities. Soon thereafter, the screen cuts to our protagonist Jack as he confronts a masked assailant. Immediately after Jack dispatches the foe, the mysterious Agent XIII contacts Jack and acts as his sponsor for the terrorist created show Death Watch. Finally after a confusing beginning, we are thrust into Madworld.
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.
