WiiNintendo

Before I continue, I have to mention that it’s obvious that Nintendo is working on their next console. That’s simply how the production cycle works. Anyways, there’s a rumor now that Nintendo is showing early presentations of their next system to game developers. The sources have begun to refer to it as “Wii HD”, and have mentioned a few details. It supposedly has high definition visuals, a greater emphasis on digital content and backwards compatibility, some sort of storage medium (like a hard drive maybe), and places an emphasis on how the user will interact with the system rather than the console itself, like with Wii. To be honest, regardless of if this is true or not, all of this just seems like obvious news. I’m thinking that the earliest we may ever hear about Nintendo’s next console will be next year, but it could be later than that. I wonder how it will be more interactive than Wii. Maybe it’ll be similar to the mock-up picture above.

[Via Game On Nintendo]

According to the official Nintendo Press Release, 6 Marriott and Renaissance hotels will soon have access to Wii.  Nintendo has supplied them with specially designed Wii that have 20 games built in.  I’m curious how they have done this, considering the storage issue we are having…  Anyway, if you check into one of these hotels, please share your experience with this “specially designed Wii.”  And be sure to thank the hotel for partnering with Nintendo!

Click “more” for the entire press release…

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Gamespot recently launched a new wii friendly version of their site. The new site is only able to be visited from your wii console, so if you want to check it out from your pc, it won’t work. The new wii version of gamespot features the latest wii news, and the latest games. It also lets you find games and view screenshots, useing the left and right wiimote dpad buttons to change images. The new site also allows you to rate games by twisting the wiimote, the further towards the right you twist the wiimote, The higher your rating is.

Gamespot is also working on video support, which is coming soon

Note: in case none of you recognize me, I’m the new blogger JamesT.

At 9:30 pm eastern time tonight, we will be recording WiiNintendo’s weekly podcast, entitled The Wii-kly Fuse. Our main topic of discussion is Nintendo’s upcoming conferences this week, so hop on in while we’re recording and tell us your thoughts. Please note that all comments will not show up in the chat until they are approved by one of the panelists. This prevents spam and that way everything is more organized. The chat begins at 9:45 pm eastern time, so be there!

I just finished Area 1 of Wario Land: Shake It, and I have to say I am pretty impressed.  Initially, I did not think I would like it, being sold as a full game (so I rented).  I was not sure how a side-scroller could be good enough for a non-downloadable Wii game.  Because of my unexpected happiness, I decided this experience needed to be shared with others like me.

The game starts out really awkward.  I’m still wondering why Wario was the one asked to help this “Shake Kingdom.”  Anyway, the first stage is a basic tutorial.  I was pleased that it was not several pages of text showing you how to play.  There was a simple diagram on the wall, which showed you the buttons to push or the motion to make, and that was it.  I did get stuck on one part, but after some analyzing, I understood what was to happen.  I progressed through the first area in just under an hour, only repeating one stage trying to get a better time.  I also unlocked a secret map that was pretty difficult (as it hinted) compared to the other stages.  I also like how many stages allow you to prepare a way for your exit.  In doing so, you create a faster way of escaping after you rescue the “whatever-they-are-called.”  The escape gave it somewhat of a Metroid feel.  The graphics looked amazing on the Wii.  It felt like I was playing a cartoon, because the cell-shading was that good.  I definitely believe this was a good way to go.  (However, I do wonder what a “real-life” version would look like…)  The stages do not take too long to complete, as I think my longest one, so far, has been something like 5-6 minutes.  Overall, I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys platforming, especially old-school 2D side-scrolling platforms.

Gamekyo are reporting a rumor of an announcement coming at Nintendo’s conference this week. They claim that Nintendo will announce a new title for Wii that is a revival of a classic franchise. Here’s what they had to say:

“We can announce today that Nintendo will reveal a new game for the Wii during this event which is actually an old franchise that everyone is waiting for.”

Okay everyone, place your bets. Is it Kid Icarus or Punch-Out? I think it’s very likely it’s one of the two, and I’m going to have to guess Kid Icarus. I knew this conference would deliver (my predictions for this conference, posted on WiiFuse, just keep coming true) and it looks like it will.

[Via Gamekyo]

TV Show King Party is essentially an updated version of the WiiWare title, TV Show King. This time around though, it’s going to be a full-fledged retail release. TV Show King Party will feature eight categories of questions, including music, movies, history, sports, and science. It will also have four different multiplayer modes. They’re also using more of the Wii Remote’s functionality by including something called the “fun game wheel”, though no details are known about that yet. It’s heading exclusively to Wii this holiday season. I downloaded TV Show King, and I thought it was pretty good. To be honest, I don’t see how this game will be worth the full $50, so I have it’s less than that. (Note: The above screen is from the WiiWare title, but I’m sure the retail title will look basically the same.

[Via Destructoid]

DS Village claims that a source within Nintendo has revealed that the new DS model is indeed real and has a few more details. The software developer within Nintendo that they spoke to says he has seen the new DS model. Below are the tidbits he revealed:

- Larger and higher-resolution screens
- Still has a 4:3 display and not widescreen
- Has some new features, like the camera
- Camera is of “fairly high resolution” and is pointed away from the player

The developer said “he and his colleagues had fun pointing the camera at background objects so as to make it appear that the screens of the DS were transparent.” This sounds real enough to me and fits what we already know about the new DS model. Tomorrow night can’t come soon enough! (Note: The above picture is from a previous camera attachment for the DS, not of the new DS model)

[Via DS Village]

I found some screens on the upcoming Wii version of Resident Evil. I’m glad we’re slowly getting more adult-looking games for the Wii.

Some fresh blood splattered new screenshots for Resident Evil Wii.

Bring on the undead i say!

[WiiChat]

Here it is…  The NEW DS you’ve all been waiting for.  Who needs bigger screens, more powerful Wi-Fi, or even a digital camera?  All we need is a DS Lite that actually has a light and mirrored screens!  Even better, it can fit on your keychain.

Ok, hopefully you can tell I’m merely joking about this being the new model, but it is a pretty sweet keychain.  Below is a quote from Technabob, who wrote the article.  You can purchase these at Brando for $6.

While you can’t really play any games on these mini versions of today’s popular portable consoles, they do look cool dangling from your keychain, mobile phone, or a backpack. Or, if you’re feeling really whimsical, just hang one right from your PSP or DS.

[Technabob]

I have no idea how credible this is, but I figured I’d post it anyways. Some Japanese site known as Byokan Sunday posted two images of what are supposedly the new slightly larger screens from the new DS model. Of course, it’s pretty hard to tell since there’s nothing to compare them too, but I figured it would be interesting to post anyways. Check out the other picture after the jump.

[UPDATE 2] I have some clarification. Apparently the top screen is 3 inches like the DS Lite, while the bottom screen is 3.25 inches. Also, this website had these images up about a week before Nikkei’s article.

[UPDATE] I forgot to mention that the site says that the screen size is now 3.25 inches instead of 3 inches. It’s not widescreen, but that also means that it shouldn’t screw up any aspect ratios for previous DS titles. I’ll keep you posted on the latest regarding the new DS model.

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