Tag: Wii

This Week’s Video Game Releases

There are a few big game releases this week, with Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition (PS3, Xbox 360) leading the way. MLB 2K10 is being released for everyone platform known to man, while MLB 10 The Show is a Sony first-party exclusive. I’m super looking forward to The Show (the game, not Paul Wight), but I ain’t touching my PS3 until error 8001050F is resolved.

Other notable releases include Lips: Party Classics for Xbox 360 and Lunar: Silver Star Harmony Limited Edition for PSP.

Any of you guys and gals picking up new games this week? Let me know what you’re buying!

Coffee Talk #96: Can Nintendo Be Stopped?!?

“Can Nintendo be stopped?” That’s the question a lot of game writers have been asking for the last few years. With the ridiculous success of the Nintendo DS and Wii, it seems like a good question. I, however, think it’s a stupid question considering what a lot of these people have been writing about Nintendo for the last 15 years. The story goes a little something like this:

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, your closing thoughts on the Vancouver Winter Olympics, why there isn’t a PSN error 867-5309, or the hotness of Mika Brzezinski, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

“Can Nintendo be stopped?” That’s the question a lot of game writers have been asking for the last few years. With the ridiculous success of the Nintendo DS and Wii, it seems like a good question. I, however, think it’s a stupid question considering what a lot of these people have been writing about Nintendo for the last 15 years. The story goes a little something like this:

  • Nintendo 64: Can Nintendo be restarted?
  • GameCube: Really, can Nintendo be restarted?
  • DS/Wii starting hot: Can Nintendo keep it up?
  • DS/Wii continuing to be hot: Can Nintendo be stopped?
  • DS/Wii in 2010: Will Nintendo remember the people that got them here?

While Nintendo did well with the N64 and GameCube (despite what some people think, the company was highly profitable and cash-rich back then), it was clear to the entire world that it needed to do something different in order to overtake Microsoft and Sony. It did and now the company gets heat from the Nintendo “faithful”. A lot of N64 and GameCube owners were rooting for Nintendo to reclaim the throne, but I guess that was a conditional wish. Funny how it goes….

Anyway, the answer to the question, “Can Nintendo be stopped?” is obviously, “Hell to the no!” — at least for this console generation. As for the next generation…well, the market is constantly changing and there are way too many things that can happen between now and then.

The better question, in my mind anyway, is this: “Will Microsoft and Sony be able to reach as broad an audience as the Wii with their next-gen consoles?” What do you think?

The Real Reason Nintendo Isn’t Talking About the Wii Successor

Every time Nintendo holds a press event, the most common question from the press is, “When is the Wii 2 or Wii HD coming out?” The latest word from Nintendo executive vice president Cammie Dunaway is:

I don’t think it’ll be anytime soon.

We’ll have it ready when we think the time is right.

Sure, she knows more than she’s letting on, but the real reason Nintendo isn’t talking Wii 2 just yet is that it will almost definitely go large with the Nintendo DS successor at E3 2010.

I’ve heard a bunch of details from people that claim to be developing for the system. I hope to get some more info at Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2010 in a few weeks. What I’ve heard so far is pretty cool, with one Nintendo-like twist that I wasn’t expecting.

I’ll write more about the DS2 in a few weeks. For now, let me know what features you think or want the next Nintendo handheld system to have.

Source

Nintendo 2010 Release Dates: Mario Galaxy, Metroid, and More

Nintendo of America announced a slew of software release dates today. Here are the most notable titles. As always, let me know if you’re interesting in picking any of these games up.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): May 23, 2010

Metroid: Other M (Wii): June 27, 2010

Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (Wii): June 7, 2010

Picross 3D (DS): May 3, 2010

Batman: The Brave & the Bold Coming to DS and Wii

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has launched the official web site for the upcoming Batman: The Brave & the Bold videogame for Nintendo DS and Wii. I’m a huge fan of the cartoon since it utilizes DC’s second- and third-tier heroes like Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Doctor Fate, and so many more. The cover of the game features Blue Beetle and Plastic Man!

On the development side, WayForward has been tasked with creating this upcoming Batman adventure. The company’s history is mixed, with strong games like Shantae on its roster accompanied by a vast assortment of licensed games that most of you don’t care about. Hopefully this game gets a Shantae-like effort instead of a Justice League Heroes: The Flash effort.

Batman: The Brave & the Bold is slated for a September 2010 release. As a huge super-hero nerd, I’m excited for this game. How about you?

PadCast: EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich Talks About the Console Wars in 2010 and How to Become a Gaming Analyst

Catching up with EEDAR director of analyst services Jesse Divnich was completely cool. Naturally, I asked him about how the console wars will shake out in 2010, as well as Project Natal vs. PlayStation Arc/Gem and traditional handheld gaming vs. iPhone/iPod/iPad.

Things got really fun when I asked Divnich about his background and how he became a gaming analyst. It’s a tale of a “hick from French-Canada” moving to America by himself, living in a trailer park, studying hard, and working his ass off to become one of the top analysts in the business. Divnich also revealed why he’s better than his competitors and spoke about his relationship with Michael Pachter. (If I had it my way it would be The Divnich Debrief vs. Pach Attack.)

Oh yeah, you’ll also learn why Canadians would make the best terrorists. How can you pass that up?!?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for January 2010

The first NPD hardware numbers of the new year and new decade are out! Let’s take a look at the console hardware sales figures for January 2010:

  • Wii: 465,800
  • Nintendo DS: 422,200
  • Xbox 360: 332,800
  • PlayStation 3: 276,900
  • PlayStation Portable: 100,100
  • PlayStation 2: 41,600

Naturally, sales had to be down from December and the ultra-busy holiday period. The Wii and DS continued to lead the business, while the Xbox 360 beat out the PlayStation 3. It will be interesting to see if the PS3 picks up in February and March. There are a few PS3 exclusives that will surely sell well, what will they move hardware?

Now channel your inner Jesse Divnich and analyze the numbers yourselves!

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of January 2010

NPD Group released its console software sales figures for January 2010 and it pretty much looks like the previous couple of months, though a few new entries managed to crack the top 10. Check it out!

  1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 656,700
  2. Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360): 572,100
  3. Wii Fit Plus (Wii): 555,700
  4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360): 326,700
  5. Mario Kart Wii (Wii): 310,900
  6. Wii Sports Resort (Wii): 297,600
  7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3): 259,000
  8. Army of Two: The 40th Day (Xbox 360): 246,500
  9. Just Dance (Wii): 191,900
  10. Darksiders (Xbox 360): 171,200

New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Modern Warfare 2 continued to dominate the charts. Although Mario took the top spot, MW2 for 360 is actually beating it out in North America. Globally it’s a different story and if Mario has legs like other Wii titles, I expect it to take the lead over here. Speaking of legs, Mario Kart Wii has demonstrated crazy lasting power, appearing on the charts well after its release. The awesome peeps at BioWare put up strong numbers with Mass Effect 2 — seriously guys, you’re my second favorite thing about Canada. You rule!

One question for you: Just Dance?!? Really?!?

I Used Wii Fit at Physical Therapy and it Kicked My Ass

On Monday, I used Wii Fit as part of my physical therapy for my ailing knee. Some of the therapists know that I write about games and some don’t. I think the ones that didn’t were disappointed that I wasn’t incredibly amused by the game. I didn’t bother to tell them why because I was amused that they were surprised that I wasn’t amused. (It was internally hilarious. Trust me.)

Getting to the actual game, I did a bunch of balance exercises and some light stepping. I haven’t played the game in a long, long time — you know, when my knee was in working order. I was surprised at how challenging some of the exercises were. I definitely felt it in my quadriceps the next day.

It’s also funny that my gamer instinct took over. In my previous sessions, I concentrated on doing everything properly, not overcompensating with my hips, and not getting hurt. In a Marble Madness-style game, all of that went out the window. It became all about winning. Ha!

Anyway, I just thought I’d share my worlds colliding with Wii Fit and physical therapy.