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New Wii download service (not VC) coming, hints Impossible Mission dev
System 3 CEO Mark Cale, whose company is updating the Commodore 64 title Impossible Mission, has told PAL Gaming Network that a new service for downloading content on Nintendo Wii is forthcoming and that Nintendo should be making an announcement within the next two months."I wouldn't say Virtual Console, because they're not actually calling it the Virtual Console," he said, while suggesting that Nintendo's service will be similar to how Microsoft has set up Xbox Live. A separate Wii "Game Channel" for original content has been mentioned before by Hudson Entertainment director of marketing John Lee. Is Nintendo considering revamping its download service or simply augmenting what's there? We certainly wouldn't be opposed to a better way of organizing or VC titles. Nothing is official and such a download system, if true, might be nixed before public unveiling. Cale went on to say that Microsoft are "years ahead" of Sony and Nintendo regarding their ability to provide downloadable content and later added that he expects the Nintendo to "roll out their strategy" within the next two months. [Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
Original DLC to have own service on Wii?
When it comes to original titles, don't look to the Virtual Console -- System 3's CEO Mark Cale recently let slip that Nintendo will be utilizing a different service for new downloadable games. When discussing the forthcoming release of Impossible Mission with PALGN, Cale said, "I wouldn't say Virtual Console, because they're not actually calling it the Virtual Console ...." In a way, this makes sense, but it opens the doors of speculation as to just what this other download service will be like. We would have assumed it would simply be another feature of the Shopping channel, but Cale indicated the service might resemble Xbox Live Arcade. If Cale is to be believed, we don't have long to wait when it comes to finding out just how things will be handled -- he expects Nintendo will start making announcements within the next two months.
California Games comes to the PlayStation Network
From the ashes of Epyx, London-based System 3 will be bringing the nostalgic California Games to both the Wii and PS3 consoles. When confirming its destination for the Wii console, CEO Mark Cale dropped word that it would also make its way to the PS3. According to Mr. Cale, "you will be able to buy it online," and "as a retail product." No word on if the title will include multiplayer over the PlayStation Network or if it will be revamped for its next-gen arrival. It would be silly to waste all that space on a Blu-Ray disc, so lets keep our fingers crossed for a bunch of extras (we secretly hope it's something other than its dreadful sequel, California Games 2). At any rate, it'll be nice to hit that silly seagull with a footbag again.
Impossible Mission to stay in Wii Shop Channel... forever!
Impossible Mission is set to be the first downloadable Wii title that doesn't run on the Virtual Console. Eurogamer reports (via Nintendo Power magazine) that the remake of the Commodore 64 platformer will be made available in the online Wii Shop channel, making it the first new(ish) visitor to Nintendo's virtual aisles. Given the inescapable nature of the in-store music, we wouldn't be surprised to see the game stay awhile or indeed, stay foreeeeeverrr.For those unfamiliar with the title and the nefarious Professor Atombender, Impossible Mission will provide a retro mode in addition to the revamped adventure, much like the recent Jetpac Refuelled did on Xbox Live Arcade. Fight robots, keep atoms straight and sell an Xbox 360 in Japan this Summer when the game hits the Wii, PS2, PSP and DS.
A solution for the Ferrari Challenged
The above image is from Ferrari 355 Challenge for the Dreamcast. The reason it's on a PSP blog is because System 3 is making a new Ferrari Challenge title. System 3 as you may remember is also bringing Impossible Mission (among other games) to the PSP, so they have experience with the handheld. The previous Ferrari Challenge was a realistic and difficult game, though little detail was given for the direction of this version. We do know that Ferrari Challenge will feature 4-player wireless multiplayer (a feature that will be missing on the Wii version) and game-sharing. While I'm sure gamers love the idea of driving Ferraris, I hope there are other car types available in the racer as well. [ Via Games Radar ]
Calling all C64 fans: Impossible Mission screens
Here's something we still don't believe we're seeing: a DS remake of the Commodore 64 hit Impossible Mission. And judging from the character art, it casts players in the role of Almost Keanu Reeves But Just Edited Enough That Hopefully Nobody Gets Sued. We love that guy! The game involves searching for password components in randomly-generated rooms, then using those passwords in control rooms, while avoiding enemies and manipulating platforms with computer terminals.This was supposed to release in January, and didn't, but at least it still appears to exist! We don't know if this will get released outside of Europe, since Commodore fandom is a mostly Euro phenomenon. European fanboys: how do you feel about C64 remakes on the DS? And how off the mark were we with our description of the game?We've included a few screens after the break.
Epyx returns to PSP
The retro compilations keep on coming to the PSP. If the Genesis-era of gaming is still too new for you, then you'll be glad to know that the popular line of Commodore 64 games published by Epyx are making a comeback. Impossible Mission will hit in January and California Games will follow in May. The Last Ninja trilogy will be making a comeback as well. Although these games will be remakes, they won't be 3D:"You gotta keep the gameplay mechanics the same or else it ceases to be the original game and you're only using the game brand to sell games," Kale (System 3 founder) said. "It ceases to be Impossible Mission or California Games or what have you. ... What we're doing is we're incorporating the original gameplay and mechanics and bringing the gameplay up to date."The remakes will also be available on the DS and Nintendo Wii.[Via DS Fanboy]
System 3 to release the first original Virtual Console games at launch? [Update 1]
Microsoft has garnered much praise for its Xbox Live Arcade service, which allows smaller developers to release casual games at a low price to the consumer. Some have been quite successful (see: Geometry Wars), and many had assumed Nintendo would offer a similar service through the Virtual Console feature of the Wii. With the low cost of development kits, many an indie game might grace the console, but nothing had been announced as of...yesterday. Well, okay, it's nothing official. However, according to the UK magazine Retro Gamer, the extremely old-school company System 3 (most known for their works on the Commodore 64 and Amiga consoles, for Pete's sake) are going to be releasing two games at launch for the Wii, revivals of old franchises: Gottlieb Pinball Classics and Leaderboard (a golfing sim). While no other information was given, it seems highly unlikely that these two relatively unknown games would be released in hardcopy alongside the Wii launch lineup, especially as Leaderboard has to compete against Wii Sports and eventually Tiger Woods. Perfect candidates for the Virtual Console, if we do say so ourselves.[Update 1: Changed Leadboard to Leaderboard, the proper name of the franchise.]
