E3 has begun and Nintendo’s press conference is just hours away. That leaves us just enough time for some final guesses on what they will announce.
With the Wii MotionPlus already unveiled in a sneak preview on Nintendo’s website, they are bound to have a game to go with it, much like they did with the Wii Zapper and Link’s Crossbow Training. It could be another simple game bundled with the device (Link’s Sword Training perhaps?) or we could have the dream announcement of a brand new full Zelda title that uses the MotionPlus for true 1:1 sword control. They may also have a new version of the Wii Remote that has the MotionPlus built in, but that will more likely be something for the future.
It’s widely believed that a new Animal Crossing is on its way, with some speculating that it will have MMO elements. Personally though, I think it is more likely to be an evolution of the previous games, but with the ability to send gifts and visit other players’ villages online. I’m also expecting this to be the first retail title to feature downloadable content, as Nintendo have already used with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on WiiWare.
I think we can look at Super Smash Bros Brawl for clues to returning franchises (no, they aren’t going to bring back R.O.B.). Kirby has suddenly been joined by two other main characters from the series, along with Captain Olimar from Pikmin, despite neither having a home console release in four years. Rumours of an unreleased Kirby title on Gamecube being moved to Wii have been around for a long time, and the Wii Remote seems perfect for controlling Pikmin, so either could make a comeback.
Something I’m not expecting is different coloured Wiis. As much as we may want them, Nintendo won’t waste them while the Wii is still selling as well as it is. They will probably be at next years E3 when sales have started to slow.
Finally, there has to be a solution for the storage problem, especially as E3 is bound to see a barrage of new WiiWare titles. My gut feeling is that they will use SD cards, but there is still a chance they will go for a hard drive. If they do, I picture it being a similar size and shape to the Wii itself, and that it would come with a new silver base to replace the one you get with the Wii, that would hold the console and hard drive next to each other.
Ultimately though, I’m expecting the unexpected. Nintendo have a habit of blindsiding us with products that no one saw coming (who predicted the Wii Remote or Wii Fit?) and there’s no reason why this year should be any different. Tune in later for all the news from the show.
Yeah! As If I wasn’t excited enough Ninja Commando, Major League Eating: The Game is coming out on WiiWare! All you guys out those plates, hot dogs, and water and get ready to chow down!
WiiWare
Major League Eating: The Game (Mastiff, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Crude Humor, 1,000 Wii Points): The ultimate chomp-off is about to begin. Grab your Wii Remote controller and dig into 12 different foods as you compete against the greatest major-league eaters in the world. This isn’t just a race to stuff your face-you’ll need strategy to master a smorgasbord of digestive attacks, defenses and counters. These include the Mega Burp, Gas Attack, Antacid and more. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your Barf-O-Meter, because if the food hits the plate twice, you’re out. Unlock more than 10 characters in single-player career mode, go gut-to-gut against your friends in versus mode, or compete online using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Online play supports friend codes, random matchmaking and leader boards.
Virtual Console
Donkey Kong 3 (NES, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Based on the third game in the enormously popular arcade series, Donkey Kong 3 introduces an exterminator named Stanley as he desperately tries to protect the flowers in his greenhouse from Donkey Kong. Armed only with a can of bug spray, Stanley must force Donkey Kong higher and higher into the greenhouse rafters until Donkey Kong is off the screen and the next stage is reached. Not surprisingly, Donkey Kong isn’t going to move without a fight, so he sends wave after wave of bugs, bees and other creatures toward Stanley. Not only must Stanley repel the insects in order to save the flowers, but he’ll also have to keep an eye out for projectiles thrown by Donkey Kong himself. If Stanley is good enough, he’ll be able to grab a can of more powerful bug spray and really get Donkey Kong moving. It all adds up to frantic fun that anyone can enjoy.
NINJA COMMANDO (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Mild Language, Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): NINJA COMMANDO is a vertically scrolling action game released by ADK in 1992. Players choose from among three ninjas-Joe, descended from the Koga ninja; Rayar, a woman who has learned the ways of the Iga ninja; and Ryu, descendant of the famous ninja Fuma Kotaro-as they pursue the merchant of death known as Spider, who plans to use a time machine to bring havoc to the world. The battle spans seven time periods, including the Stone Age, the Egyptian era and the Japanese Civil War era. Each hero features a variety of attack options in addition to their own normal attacks, including a deadly attack that inflicts damage upon all enemies on the screen, special ninja-arts attacks performed by inputting specific commands, and a powerful attack unleashed by taking on the “shape of the beast” when three scrolls have been collected. The game also supports two-player cooperative play, so you’re welcome to bring a friend and enjoy taking on the evil Spider together.
Link
If you haven’t heard yet, Nintendo has just announced a new add-on for the Wii. Called the Wii MotionPlus, and don’t just shrug this one off because this is the add-on which will literally change the way we play games. The new peripheral, according to Nintendo, will allow 1:1 like movements on screen. Allowing us all to play that star wars game, or golf like game we’ve been dreaming of since, well… forever! With this being said, we could think of hundreds of different game franchises that could use this controller, and use it well. But lets narrow it down to the top 5 game franchises that we would like for them to use this brilliant new add-on to the already wonderful Wii-mote.
Number 5: Tiger Woods PGA tour
We’ve all wanted that perfect golf game with the Wii-mote, but frankly, we were never going to get it. Until now! While we haven’t seen what this new peripheral can do until E3 tomorrow (which we will be covering extensively) what Nintendo has said is surely promising and we’ll take their word for it. Imagine, being in front of your TV screen, you slowly move you arm back getting ready to take the shot, and the character on-screen does exactly what your doing. Then you quickly strike forward with a powerful blow and at the same time your character mimics you. You get a feeling of control over a game you’ve never felt before and for a second there you actually felt like Tiger playing at the PGA tour. The possibilities are endless and with 1:1 gameplay, this could definitely be a hit if used alongside the Wii MotionPlus.
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Good news for Wii owners…we too will get the pleasure of spending $300 on the Ion Drum Rocker set, if we want to. This snippet comes from the official site…
The Xbox 360 version of Drum Rocker will be available first, in mid-September. We’re also working hard on Playstation and Wii versions, which we expect to ship later in the year. Check back soon to pre order the Playstation or Wii Drum Rocker.
Link
On Nintendo’s site this morning, an “E3 Sneak Preview” revealed a brilliant accessory for the Wii Remote that no one thought of yet: the Wii MotionPlus.
The MotionPlus accessory takes the initial issues critics found with the Wii Remote, in terms of the actual motion-sensing technology, and shatters them with enhancements that will make any lightsaber-esque game worthwhile, and incredibily realistic.
Nintendo’s announcement below:
Nintendo’s upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo’s commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.
1:1 Response, 3-D space, this is shaping up to be an accessory that ISN’T a headscratcher from Nintendo, but their best addition to the system yet. And the small device also has a port on the bottom for Nunchuk action. Tune in tomorrow for more details on this exciting new product.
Chris | July 14, 2008
