VC & Wii Ware Releases 2/20

Evasive Space

Publisher: Yukes Company of America
Genre: Action, Adventure
Wii Points: 1,000




Life Force

System:
Genre: Shooter
Original Release: 1988
Wii Points: 500

VC & Wii Ware Releases 1/24

High Voltage Hot Rod Show

Publisher: High Voltage Software, Inc.
Genre: Racing
Wii Points: 1000



Family Glide Hockey
Publisher: Aksys Games
Genre: Sports
Wii Points: 500




MUSHA

System:
Genre: Shooter
Original Release: 1990
Wii Points: 800

VC & Wii Ware Releases 6/11

My Pokémon Ranch

Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Pokémon Interaction
Wii Points: 1,000





DIG DUG
System:
Genre: Action, Import
Original Release: June 1985
Wii Points: 600





BIO MIRACLE BOKUTTE UPA
System:
Genre: Action, Import
Original Release: April 1988
Wii Points: 600

5/31 WiiWare & VC Releases

Dr. Mario Online Rx

Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Puzzle
Wii Points: 1,000







Family Table Tennis

Publisher: Aksys Games
Genre: Sports
Wii Points: 500





City Connection

System:
Genre: Action
Original Release: May 1988
Wii Points: 500




Metal Slug

System:
Genre: Action
Original Release: April 1996
Wii Points: 900

5/23 WiiWare & VC Releases

Critter Round-Up (WiiWare)

Publisher: Konami
Genre: Puzzle Action
Wii Points: 1,000






Star Soldier R (WiiWare)

Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Genre: Shooter
Wii Points: 800





SKYKID (VC)

System:
Genre: Shooter
Released: August 1986
Wii Points: 500

5/9 VC Releases

Double Dragon

System: NES®
Genre: Action, Fighting
Wii Points: 500



Pokémon Puzzle League

System: N64
Genre: Puzzle
Original Release: 2000
Wii Points: 1,000




Renegade

System: NES®
Genre: Action, Fighting
Original Release: 1988
Wii Points: 500

VC Releases 4/26

River City Ransom

System: NES®
Genre: Action, Fighting
Original Release: 1989
Wii Points: 500



Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom

System: Genesis
Genre: RPG
Original Release: 1991

Wii Points: 800

VC Releases 4/19

Fantasy Zone

System: MASTER SYSTEM
Genre: Arcade
Original Release: 1986
Wii Points: 500



Mega Turrican

System: Genesis
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Release: 1994
Wii Points: 800

Mario Kart Wii - Explosive Launch Day Sales

Mario Kart Wii is showing unofficial launch day numbers of 300,000 compare that to Mario Kart DS did 160,000 at launch, while Mario Kart Double Dash did 180,000 on its first day.

Retrieved from:
http://kotaku.com/

Virtual Console Releases Monday March 5th

March 5, 2007

Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii™ video game system's Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Elevator Action (NES®, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): This is a multidirectional, scroll-type spy-action game that is a blast from the past. Control a spy and sneak alone into a building to steal the secret papers hidden there. Use a pistol, kicks, an elevator and even the lights to take out the building's guards. The gun-fighting action is full of thrills. Players will need speed and timing to get on the elevators, move between floors, steal the secret papers and escape from the basement parking lot.

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts™ (Super NES®, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): The third game in the legendary Ghosts 'n Goblins series of video games, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts follows Arthur in another quest to rescue the princess, his fair maiden and damsel in distress at large. Players take control of Arthur and defeat the creatures of the night to save the day once more. Discover what glory awaits those brave enough to take on the armies of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.

Sword of Vermilion™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Sword of Vermilion is about the role of Erik's son, who takes on a quest of revenge to defeat Tsarkon and free the world of Vermilion from evil. In the town of Excalabria, the people went about their business and tended to the fields. One day, vicious fighting broke out everywhere as the army of Cartahena, led by the wizard-king Tsarkon, swarmed all over the town. The townsmen were overwhelmed. The castle of King Erik V collapsed. Erik summoned his bravest, strongest and most faithful warrior, Blade, and gave him his infant son and an ancient family heirloom, the ring of wisdom. He ordered Blade to save himself and the child while the castle burned. Blade traveled to a small village named Wyclif, where he settled down and raised the child as his own son. Eighteen years later, the son of Erik begins his quest. Save the world of Vermilion and fulfill the prophecy of the Malaga fortune-tellers!

Zelda "Ocarina of Time" coming to VC

If you were to look at the top of GameRankings list of best games of all time, heck almost anyone's list, what would you see? Hint, it's coming to the Wii's virtual console on Monday.

That's right, Nintendo just dropped the bomb. Ocarina of Time is coming to the Wii's virtual console in North America too. So there Europe. The game will be on the site Monday for 1,000 points or $10 in real money. Hit the jump for the short but sweet release. Brian Crecente

Every form of entertainment has its artistic pinnacles. On Monday, Nintendo will make The Legend of Zelda®: Ocarina of Time available for download in the Wii Shop Channel of the hot new Wii™ video game system. Originally released in November 1998 for the Nintendo 64® console, the game is widely considered by critics and industry observers to be one of the greatest video games of all time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time inspired millions of players around the world with its in-depth game play, rich 3-D visuals and memorable adventures. It set the standard by which all other games have been judged. And now it's available once again, both for veteran gamers to relive their gaming glory days and for younger players to discover it for the first time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be available for 1,000 Wii Points™ when it goes live at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Feb. 26. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. The Wii Shop Channel now boasts more than 55 downloadable classic games, in addition to the dozens of new disc-based games available for Wii.

Virtual Console Releases 2-19-07

day Nintendo adds four new classic games to the popular Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Donkey Kong™ Country (Super NES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Donkey Kong Country is an incredible island adventure, and the first game to feature Donkey Kong’s sidekick, Diddy Kong®. Challenged by the crazed tribe of reptilian Kremlings, the Kongs face their cunning adversaries armed with lightning-quick moves, chest-pounding muscle and awesome aerial acrobatics. The duo also gets help from a host of friends and family, from Funky Kong™, Cranky Kong™ and Candy Kong™ to Rambi™ the rhino, Expresso™ the ostrich, Enguarde™ the swordfish, Squawks the parrot and Winky the frog. This game has more than 30 levels, plus dozens of hidden caves and secret rooms - more than 100 areas in all. Help the Kongs recover their stolen banana hoard!

The Legend of Kage (NES®, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): This classic ninja-action game first appeared in arcades in 1985 and became instantly popular. As the Iga ninja named “Kage,” players embark on an action-packed quest as they move toward a magic castle where the Princess “Kiri” is held captive by “Yohshirou Yukikusa.” To stay alive, players move vertically and horizontally through forest and castle environments and execute massive jumps, all the while using throwing-star knives and a sword to take down hordes of enemies.

New Adventure Island (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): On peaceful Adventure Island, the islanders are celebrating the wedding of Master Higgins and Tina, the “Miss Island Queen.” Suddenly, the celebration is interrupted by the appearance of Baron Bronsky and his henchmen, who kidnap Tina and the island children. Master Higgins must set out to rescue the children and his beloved Tina in this side-scrolling action game. Throw hatchets and boomerangs, hop on skateboards and guide Master Higgins safely to the goal in each area. New Adventure Island consists of seven exciting stages. Each stage is split into four areas, with a boss waiting at the end of the final area. Defeat all the bosses and release the kidnapped children. And waiting in the castle of the final stage - the wicked Baron Bronsky. Help Master Higgins defeat him and reclaim his bride.

Streets of Rage™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): The city was once a happy, peaceful place…until one day, a powerful secret criminal organization took over. This vicious syndicate soon had control of the government and even the police force. The city has become a center of violence and crime where no one is safe. Amid this turmoil, a group of determined young police officers has sworn to clean up the city. Among them are Adam Hunter, Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding. They’ve decided to put their lives on the line and take back their city through their special hand-to-hand combat abilities. They are willing to risk anything, even their lives, on the Streets of Rage.

Source Article

Everybody Votes channel up for download in Wii Shop Channel

I just downloaded it now, and am setting it up. I haven’t had time to update the Wii yet to get the channel to work, but reader Andy tells us what the channel does.

Alright – the new channel allows you to register your Miis as voters. Once that’s done, they have questions up (Nintendo-made and submitted!) that each of your registered Miis can vote on. Then, you also predict what you think the majority will vote for. It tracks these statistics by Mii as well!

Head to the Wii Shop Channel, then Wii Ware, and download! Thanks to everyone that sent this in (my email flooded with messages just as I was about to close it!).

Source Article

Mario Kart 64 Wii Virtual Console Release

Today Nintendo adds four classic games to the popular Wii video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Mario Kart 64
N64
1-4 players
1000 Wii Points
Put the pedal to the metal in this worthy successor to the Super NES classic, Super Mario Kart. Mario Kart 64 boasts great graphics, tons of unique power-ups and a stunning 3-D version of the legendary Battle Mode. With improved courses and a revolutionary head-to-head four-player mode, Mario Kart 64 is sure to win the heart of any race-driving fan. The game includes 20 different courses filled with dips, valleys, jumps, tunnels and bridges. Smooth, precise control - a trademark of all games from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto - will bring players back time and time again for freewheeling fun.

Contra III: The Alien Wars
Super NES
1-2 players
800 Wii Points
In the year 2636, the Alien War continues, and it’s up to two soldiers, Jimbo and Scully, to put a stop to the alien invasion. The aliens have ravaged the Earth with their powerful organic and technological weapons. Players can join with a partner and battle through six stages of nonstop run-and-gun action. Collect power-ups, including bombs, flamethrowers, spread shots, lasers and machine guns to take out the aliens. Control Jimbo and Scully as they travel through war-torn cities, race on air bikes, ride missiles and ultimately break into the alien base to defeat the alien boss once and for all.

Bonanza Bros.
Sega Genesis
1-2 players
800 Wii Points
Mobo and Robo Bonanza are enjoying their favorite television show when the picture crackles and the shadowy figure of a mysterious stranger appears on the screen. This figure asks them to collect certain items that he has placed inside various buildings to test his security force. If they return the items successfully, Mobo and Robo will be rewarded. The two of them state that they will get the job done in just three minutes. However, little do they know that each building is packed with security guards who will raise the alarm if they are caught red-handed. Fortunately both Mobo and Robo are equipped with bullets that can knock the guards unconscious for a few seconds. A huge reward will be given out if Mobo and Robo are apprehended. Help the infamous Bonanza Bros. infiltrate a number of different locations ranging from banks to mansions to casinos, and don’t get caught.

Comix Zone
Sega Genesis
1 player
800 Wii Points
Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day while Sketch is drawing, a huge thunderstorm strikes the city. A bolt of lightning hits Sketch’s image and brings it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniacal mutant who wants to become real and rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator’s life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes he is a superhero that came to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus’s hand. Now that he’s a comic book superhero, Sketch can really put the hurt on the bad guys. Instantly, Sketch can fight like a one-man mercenary platoon.

Retrieved from: Nintendo.com

IGN's Wii Predictions: 2007 Edition

US, January 26, 2007 - In just about two months, Nintendo has sold through almost four million Wii units, a few million games, and 1.5 million Virtual Console titles. Not a bad start for a little white console that many initially argued lacked the horsepower to compete with the big boys. With an original lineup of software married to an innovative new controller, Wii has already become a worldwide success story, not to mention both the hottest holiday must-buy and the most sought-after gadget in the new year. Indeed, even as some shipments of PlayStation 3s sit untouched on retail shelves today, Wii systems sell out the moment they come in. And the momentum hasn't slowed yet.

Clearly, Wii's launch couldn't have gone smoother, but what about 2007? What can gamers look forward to from Nintendo and third parties through the remainder of the year? There are some obvious answers, including the arrival of the first Wii online games around the globe, new Wii Channels, more third party support than a Nintendo home console has seen in years and big hits from established and new franchises. You don't need us to predict all of that.

We do, however, have some predictions for Wii this year. Some of these are straight up guesses - call them educated wishful thinking, if you want - and others are based on details we already know. Of course, even with that being the case, something that is true today may prove false tomorrow and hence we ask that readers refrain from taking any of our predictions as a form of fact.

New Wii System Colors Launch
When IGN.com polled more than 30,000 readers last year, they were split right down the middle on the subject of their favorite Wii colors: white and black. As we all know, Nintendo ultimately chose to go with white, paying homage to the clean, simple style that helped earn Apple Inc. $1 billion of pure profit last quarter alone. That said, a multi-color plan has always been in the pipeline for Nintendo's new console and we think 2007 will house the arrival of the first non-white Wii. And can you guess what new color might hit store shelves first? Yeah - it's black. Nintendo did the same thing with DS, rolling out white first and black later. If all goes as planned, you'll be able to pick up your shiny midnight Wii systems as a sleek, beautiful complementary piece to the holiday season - and maybe they'll even ship with a game that isn't Wii Sports.

Metroid Prime 3's Late Arrival
Retro Studios' third installment in the Metroid Prime franchise was all set to arrive for Wii in time for the system's launch, but then it got quietly delayed beyond the holiday season. It's not coming in the first quarter of 2007 and we've been told not to expect it through June. So why does a game that's originally scheduled to debut with Wii get delayed by more than eight months and when, exactly, will it finally release to the masses? Depending on who you talk to, the delay is 1) to add an online mode (which we hope is not true) or 2) for purely marketing reasons. Regardless, we wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo held it well into the third quarter. Oh, Samus, how we'll miss you.

Wireless Attachments
Not just any wireless attachments, either. How would you like to eliminate the pesky wire dangling from the bottom of your Wii remote all the way to your nunchuck peripheral? Uh-huh. We believe by the end of the year Nintendo - not third party manufacturers -- will have a wireless solution for you. If the publisher decides to keep the controls for titles like DK Bongo Blast in tact, you're also very likely to see wireless Wii bongos, in addition to other attachments like the classic controller. Finally, third parties have made mention of wireless base stations that simultaneously power two Wii remotes and enable gamers to use attachments from the comfort of their couch. Look, ma - no cords!

Lots of Exercising

Nintendo DS has your brain covered, but what about your body? Strap on your Wii remote and get ready to shed some unwanted calories (and eventually, pounds). The Wii Sports collection was just the beginning. In 2007, we think that Wii owners can look forward to a series of games that revolve around the process of making exercise entertaining. Not just from the Big N, which undoubtedly already has games in development, from a variety of third parties, too. Some of these titles may be the first two use dual-Wii remotes, representing both the left and right hands during "intense" workouts. Who needs a stamina bar when you've got the real thing? And as an added bonus, these offerings are sure to make Wii the videogame darling of the mainstream world, which is sure to embrace anything that keeps kids off the couch for a few minutes longer.

Back From the Dead Franchises
You thought it was dead. You can, in fact, barely remember it by name. But after a long hiatus from the videogame world, the franchise has returned from the great beyond. And damn it, doesn't it look good on Wii? We're not going to name names, but there are a number of videogame franchises that are ripe to be reborn on Nintendo's new console with brand new controls and enhanced graphics. Check some first- and third-party back catalogues of licenses sometime - it'll give you something to do this weekend. You might just stumble upon the next big Wii game.

The Return of Pikmin
Battalion Wars, we love you, but you'll never replace Pikmin, a series that is perfectly suited for Nintendo's new controller. In 2007, we expect Nintendo to announce Pikmin for Wii, a title that boasts not only predictably overhauled visuals, but fully re-worked controls mapped to the Wii remote and a robust cooperative online mode. Commanding armies of different colored Pikmin will be both more intuitive and quicker than ever before with the newfound accuracy and speed of the Wii remote. Nintendo, make this one a priority - your fans want it.

Massive Developer Outreach; Launch of Original VC Games
March 2007 is home to the Game Developers Conference and, we believe, one of the most important third party outreach programs in Nintendo history. The event will kick off with a monumental keynote from Shigeru Miyamoto himself and from there we expect Nintendo to pull back the curtain on a brand new Wii Channel in promotion of completely original Virtual Console games. These will, of course, exist in addition to the classic already available for download on the Wii Shopping Channel. Post GDC, we think Nintendo will aggressively encourage and work with third parties to secure original VC content for Wii.

Third Parties Reinvent Mii Faces
We love the Mii concept and have absolutely adored playing as virtual versions of ourselves in games like Wii Sports. That said, Miis are at best inappropriate for certain game types. A cute, simplified Wii face would, for example, be entirely out of place in the upcoming Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles. However, we think third parties will develop a custom Mii transformer tool that looks at and identifies the basic attributes of created faces and then translates them into something more befitting of a realistic setting. It's only a matter of time and the first studio to do it will undoubtedly be copied by others within months, if not weeks.

Wii Takes Japan
Wii is a hit around the world, but it's a smash in Japan. The console flew off store shelves in the Land of the Rising Sun when it debuted last year and it has continued to sell out on a weekly basis. Although Xbox 360 enjoys a strong sales lead in America and Europe, Microsoft's console has hardly made a dent in Japan. Wii has already obliterated it in sheer popularity and amazingly, Nintendo's system has for the last two months outsold PlayStation 3 in the homeland at a rate of almost three to one. With few major PS3 releases in the near future, we don't see how Sony can easily catch up, especially when Nintendo has everything from Cooking Mama to Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl looming.

Nintendo Holds Strong at Number Two Globally
Two years ago, we probably would have told you that nothing short of divine interference could stop PlayStation 3 from becoming market leader. Nowadays, we don't think anybody is going to squash Microsoft's Xbox 360 this year. (Next year, well, that could be another story.) That noted, if any console comes close, it'll be Wii and not PS3. The Big N has already sold almost four million systems and is expected to increase supply to retailers up to as much as one million units per month. If all goes well, Wii could topple 10 or 12 million units worldwide by the end of the year. Some analysts have pegged the console to sell even better than that. Regardless of how many people ultimately jump on the Wii bandwagon this year, one thing will remain a certainty: third party developers and publishers can no longer afford to ignore or dismiss Nintendo's hardware as niche or gimmicky. It's clearly here to stay.

Retrieved from: Wii.ign.com

WiiFox News Starfox on the Wii

Since Star Fox Command was released on the DS last August (check out our review here), Star Fox fans have bee salivating for some Wii love. The game's producer, Takaya Imamura, has hinted that Wii might be the next destination for the popular series.

In an exclusive VIP interview with Nintendo of Europe (registration required to view), when asked if a Wii version of Star Fox was likely, Imamura replies: "I wonder how the adventure of Fox and friends is going to go next time?! I have come up with some idea in my mind but it is still just a small one. I will try my best so that I can deliver it to you some time!"

Of course, Fox McCloud setting a course for Wii wouldn't be surprising in the slightest - it is a long-running Nintendo fan favorite, after all - but that doesn't detract from the fact that battling to save the Lylat System using Wii's wii-mote would be something to look forward to with starry-eyed optimism.

Those who want to see Fox in his natural environment should check out WarioWare: Smooth Moves. One of the 200-plus minigames happens to be the SNES Star Fox, controlled with the Remote and everything.

January 25, 2007

Retrieved from: Gamesradar.com

Nintendo Wii News Released Early PICS

Just for the heck of it, I performed a Wii system update at midnight (Friday morning PST) and lo and behold there was an update! But nothing was different. So I tried again and was again able to perform a system update! It took a really long time (more than 10 minutes) the second time around, so I figured the News Channel might be going live a little early. I was right! Here are some of the first shots of what the News Channel looks like.











Retrieved from: Playwii.com