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Homebrew server keeps Nintendo DS and Wii games online
Nintendo may have pulled the plug on internet multiplayer services for the DS and Wii, but that doesn't mean that you'll be stuck playing their games offline from here on out. Enterprising fans have launched an unofficial Wi-Fi Connection server that lets matchmaking and other core services work (almost) the way they did before the cutoff. In many cases, it's relatively easy to set things up. The DS usually works just by changing the handheld's connection settings; Wii owners, meanwhile, have to run some software from an SD card for the magic to happen.
Nintendo wants your money for online "Pay & Play" gaming?
Nintendo couldn't have been more obtuse in its announcement last week at GDC, but from the looks of it you won't be enjoying that totally free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection play forever. Nintendo is busting out a new Pay & Play service for certain games, which seems to refer to both downloadable content for some titles, and online multiplayer for others. It's really hard to tell, but it doesn't sound like Nintendo has any intention of going the Xbox Live route. There will be red stickers on games with Pay & Play features so you can spot them in the store, and if you do end up paying for online multiplayer, it looks like it'll be on a per-title basis. Other than that Nintendo isn't spilling much -- we have no idea what titles will cost money to play, and how much it'll be -- but given the fact that Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart are just about to make online play on the Wii actually interesting, this isn't exactly an encouraging sign. [Via Register Hardware]
Nintendo teams up with GameSpy again for multiplayer Wii
If you've participated in an online game with your Nintendo DS, you've already enjoyed the fruits of this partnership, since GameSpy powered Nintendo's first major foray into online matches, but it looks like Nintendo and GameSpy are about to take things up a notch with the Wii. The pair have just announced that GameSpy middleware will power the multiplayer aspects of online Wii games, with current Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection features at first, but eventually friend rosters, matchmaking and ranking at last. It ain't no PlayStation Home, but it looks like Nintendo is finally ready to start seriously chasing online gamers. Pokémon Battle Revolution will kick things off on June 25.[Via Joystiq]
'Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales' fluttering to North America
Square Enix keeps the Final Fantasy franchise spinning along, announcing Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales for North America, the ninth game dedicated to the "chocolate ball" birds. Part adventure, part RPG, part card battle, part minigame, and part 'microgame,' Chocobo Tales packs a lotta genre into a tiny DS cart -- and keeps it just as cuddly as last year's Final Fantasy III makeover. Awww...Chocobo Tales is scheduled for release on April 3; retailing for $29.99.
Contra spearheads Konami DS WiFi compilation
Konami is doing a good thing. Sure, we could write off this "new" DS-bound collection, Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits, as a cheap way to make an easy buck -- these nostalgia-driven releases scream impulse buy. But, this one's packing Contra, and Konami's promising Nintendo WiFi Connection support. Say, word?Twelve titles in all will be along for the ride, including Circus Charlie, Gradius, Roc'N Rope, Rush'N Attack, Time Pilot, Track and Field, and Yie-Ar Kung Fu. Aside from a traditional port, each game will be playable in a dual screen-tailored "remix" mode. In addition to wireless multiplayer, Arcade Hits will support online high scores and a replay feature allowing players to send highlight clips to friends.Arcade Hits is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Yoshi's Island 2. Wi-Fi. Yes.
The updated box art says it all. Yoshi's Island 2 will feature (unspecified) Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support. Let's just hope it's not another evolutionary step for rehash of those tired Mario 64 DS mini-games. Suspicion has already been raised with Artoon, an unproven developer, at the helm of this project, but Nintendo wouldn't put the sequel to one of its most coveted titles in incompetent hands, right? Right?
Final Fantasy III DS wi-fi feature revealed: emailing?
ClubSkill.com reports that a leaked screenshot from Jump, a Japanese publication, reveals that Final Fantasy III will make use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, at least in part, by allowing friends to send 'letters' to each other. Exchanging these emails is said to trigger special events in the game.Fair enough, but we're still holding out for some true co-op functionality, or even just a simple battle mode. C'mon Square Enix, we play games to take a break from emailing!
Star Fox DS now 'Star Fox Command'
Nintendo looks like it's finally ready to shed the obligatory 'DS' titling format used for its first-party franchise line* by renaming Star Fox DS to Star Fox Command. While the official website reflects the new naming, the game's logo has not yet been updated. Star Fox Command is scheduled for release on August 28.*Includes: Mario Kart DS, Super Mario 64 DS, and Tetris DS.
