Mario and Bowser Evolution

Brett Elston of gamesradar.com has an interesting post on “The Ever Changing Sizes of Mario and Bowser”, showing how the characters have evolved over the years.

         “If you study the duo’s evolution over the course
          of 23 years, it’s just plain funny how much Bowser
         has shifted sizes, from roughly comparable to
         Mario to Godzilla-sized beast of fury.”

Could this be the start of a Super Mario ‘roids scandal? Fun stuff. Check it out!

Super Mario Asteroids Widget

Just a quick post to let  everyone know that we’ve added a new widget to our site that let’s you play the classic Asteroids game with a Super Mario twist! Just click on the Super Mario Asteroids page below our logo and follow the instructions. Give us your feedback on what you think.

Enjoy!

Wii Storage Solution to be Addressed

There seems to be a push inside of Nintendo to really get their downloadble services working well. In our previous post, we mentioned they’ll be providing a download service for the Nintendo DSi. They are also looking at improving Virtual Console and the storage issue that currently plagues the Wii. During a press conference in Tokyo last week, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata outlined how Nintendo will be addressing the Wii’s storage problem. The solution will be available in Spring ‘09. Here’s the rough translation from the press conference:

“When there’s not enough room on the Wii’s internal memory, you’ll be able to buy and download Virtual Console and WiiWare software from the Shopping Channel to an SD memory card. You’ll need to go through only one process in order to transfer Virtual Console or WiiWare software on an SD card to the Wii console and then be able to play it. We’ll deal with this issue using two methods. Since the updates required for these new structures will require significant revisions to the Wii system, and these changes need to be made by  considering a variety of different angles, this process will become effective beginning next spring. For some of you, this may be considered late, but please know that we really appreciate your cooperation and understanding. We are working hard so we can begin the service as soon as possible.”

There’s a huge opportunity for Nintendo if they get this right. Downloading countless games with a few simple clicks on the Wiimote for immediate gratification… count us in!

Nintendo DSi has Launched, But U.S. Gamers Must Wait

The newest member of the Nintendo DS product line was announced on October 2nd, the Nintendo DSi. It is thinner and lighter than the Nintendo DS Lite due to the fact that the DSi has removed the Game Boy Advance slot. The introduction of an SD card slot is a welcome addition, plus it features dual cameras, music playback, bigger screens, and a Wii-style channel interface are added. It will also be able to download games from the Nintendo DS Shop, stored on an SD Card or in internal memory. It will be available to Japanese gamers on November 1, 2008, but European and U.S. gamers will have to wait until “well into” 2009 before it is available. Nintendo DS sales are lagging in Japan but still strong elsewhere, hence the reason for the release delay in other markets.

While there is already some griping from hardcore enthusiasts (like the fact that it doesn’t have an internal hard drive, lack of dual touchscreens and only low resolution cameras), it looks to be a solid next step in the DS evolution. Adding every bell and whistle possible would have put its price out of reach for the average consumer.

Just as interesting is the stir the Nintendo DSi has created among the video game retailing industry - and not in a good way. The DSi’s new downloadable games service could threaten traditional game retailers. While content may be limited at first, this is an obvious cash cow for Nintendo, and it is anticipated that the service will ramp up very quickly. Let’s just hope the DSi service integrates with the Wii Virtual Console in some way.

The Coming Wii Games Release Onslaught

With the holiday shopping season nearing, I was curious to see just how many Wii games were planned for release between now and the end of the year. Any guesses? Well, if you guessed around 140, you’d be pretty darn close. Don’t get too excited, though… in that mix are games like ActiVision’s “Kitty Luv” where you groom and take care of your kitten and a few dozen other “Are you serious?” titles. I’ll pull together the entire list for a future post.

There is one, however, that shines through and I expect it will be high demand item for this holiday season:

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party

Quickly becoming known as “the game you can play with your butt”, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party ingeniously incorporates the Wii Fit board into a game that will become a “must have” for parties. From the early reviews of the pre-release version, it looks like it will set the bar for other games incorporating the Wii Fit board.

Here’s the description from Ubisoft:

First they invaded the world and, now your TV!

The Rabbids have taken over almost every channel you can imagine, from music to movies – even TV ads! Help the Rabbids destroy all our daily viewing and drive Rayman crazy.

In Story Mode, play through a week of television, with each day bringing new wacky challenges of skill and insane movements in a compilation of mini-games. With up to eight players in turn-based mode and four players simultaneously, get ready for you and all your friends to go insane!

Key Features

• Unique use of the Wii Balance Board™. Play loads of exciting new games with the new Wii Balance Board and experience the first game in the world that you can play with your rear end!
• New wacky games. 65+ brand-new games that spoof popular culture, from TV series to TV classics, not to mention insane ads!
• All-new party mode. Play co-op or battle your friends simultaneously with up to four players, or go crazy with up to eight players in party mode! You can even sabotage your friends while they are playing!
• Unique use of the Wii Remote™. Discover new and innovative ways to play with eight types of gameplay, including shaking, precision, dexterity and balance.
• Shake that Rabbid. Use the Wii Remote and Wii Balance Board to dance and wiggle your booty.
• Customize your bunny. Pimp your bunny out, take his photo and send it to your friends online.

Release Date: November 11, 2008. What timing! You can gorge yourself at Thanksgiving and then squirm away those extra calories.