Spring Break
Good Game: Nintendo Unveils Sonic In New 'Super Smash Bros.'
Fernando Dutra
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Focus
At about 1 p.m. somewhere in Japan, Nintendo made a flurry of announcements - both positive and potentially negative - regarding the Nintendo DS handheld and Nintendo Wii console. After touting the success of both of these platforms, Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, announced a few of the upcoming titles for Wii Ware, a Wii channel that will offer original downloadable games alongside the retro-serving Virtual Console. The first is "Pokémon Farm", which allows owners of "Pokémon Diamond" and "Pearl" to import their Pokémon onto the Wii and care for them with your Miis. There isn't much information about the gameplay at this time - if there is any actual gameplay to speak of.
"Dr. Mario" is a remake of the classic Nintendo game and will feature online competitive play. Iwata also announced an upcoming Square Enix Wii Ware title named "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land," in which players create their own country. This game will cost $15. The Wii Ware service will begin in March.
Two new channels for the Nintendo Wii were also announced, scheduled for release in Japan in November. The first channel, which was previously displayed at E3, is the Mii Contest channel, in which people can display their Miis and vote for the best one. Everybody's Nintendo Channel will allow the Wii to become a DS kiosk currently seen in EB Games in the US, allowing the transfer of playable demos for the DS to the DS within anyone's home. There has been no official announcement about when the channels will be released in the United States.
Sonic the Hedgehog was unveiled as a playable character in the upcoming "Super Smash Bros. Brawl."
Also, online co-operative play was confirmed, though to what extent was not told. Also, the release date for Japan was pushed back to Jan. 24, 2008, and the North American target release date for the title is now Feb. 10, 2008. Maybe now Nintendo can add in headset support for the title.
"Monster Hunter 3," originally a Playstation 3 exclusive, has jumped ship and will now be coming to the Nintendo Wii. In media interviews, the developers cited costs of creating the game for the PS3 as the reason for the shift.
"Wii Fit" will be released in Japan on Dec. 1 for roughly $75. While this holds little significance for America, it means that the game, which includes a balance board, will most likely be available by early next year.
"Wii Music," originally used alongside "Wii Sports" to showcase the Wii, is scheduled for release sometime in 2008.
"Mario Kart" for the Wii, originally planned for an early 2008 release, has been pushed back to a spring release. Nintendo also announced that the game will feature motorbikes, which is something new for the racing series.
Further U.S. announcements are expected to arrive at the "E For All Expo" taking place on Oct. 18.
"Dr. Mario" is a remake of the classic Nintendo game and will feature online competitive play. Iwata also announced an upcoming Square Enix Wii Ware title named "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land," in which players create their own country. This game will cost $15. The Wii Ware service will begin in March.
Two new channels for the Nintendo Wii were also announced, scheduled for release in Japan in November. The first channel, which was previously displayed at E3, is the Mii Contest channel, in which people can display their Miis and vote for the best one. Everybody's Nintendo Channel will allow the Wii to become a DS kiosk currently seen in EB Games in the US, allowing the transfer of playable demos for the DS to the DS within anyone's home. There has been no official announcement about when the channels will be released in the United States.
Sonic the Hedgehog was unveiled as a playable character in the upcoming "Super Smash Bros. Brawl."
Also, online co-operative play was confirmed, though to what extent was not told. Also, the release date for Japan was pushed back to Jan. 24, 2008, and the North American target release date for the title is now Feb. 10, 2008. Maybe now Nintendo can add in headset support for the title.
"Monster Hunter 3," originally a Playstation 3 exclusive, has jumped ship and will now be coming to the Nintendo Wii. In media interviews, the developers cited costs of creating the game for the PS3 as the reason for the shift.
"Wii Fit" will be released in Japan on Dec. 1 for roughly $75. While this holds little significance for America, it means that the game, which includes a balance board, will most likely be available by early next year.
"Wii Music," originally used alongside "Wii Sports" to showcase the Wii, is scheduled for release sometime in 2008.
"Mario Kart" for the Wii, originally planned for an early 2008 release, has been pushed back to a spring release. Nintendo also announced that the game will feature motorbikes, which is something new for the racing series.
Further U.S. announcements are expected to arrive at the "E For All Expo" taking place on Oct. 18.
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