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Google: it's cool, guys, we didn't run over a donkey
Before you go hurling insults like "donkey killer" at a multinational software giant, it's probably best to get the other side of the story. In spite of visual evidence to the contrary, Google insists that it did not, in fact, run over a burro while gathering shots for Street View. In fact, the company has laid the whole thing out Zapruder-style over on its Maps blog, highlighting how the donkey, which appears to be dead, gets up and walks away, after lying down in the road, "perhaps enjoying a dust bath." So, rest assured, Botswana's equidae are safe from Google's reach -- for now.
Bill Gates's original PC game now on iPhone
Donkey, or more properly DONKEY.BAS, was computer game co-written by Bill Gates in 1981. It was included in early versions of the PC-DOS operating system and had players drive a car down a street while avoiding donkeys. Why there were so many donkeys on the road is a mystery. Today, Donkey is available for the iPhone. It's a fun example of an 8-bit game with chunky graphics and super simple action. Tap to change lanes. Take it from an old fogie: Donkey is fun and worth US$0.99. You wouldn't have your precious Zelda without it. [Via Gizmodo]
Runes of Magic rocks with Ruzio (and two other new mounts)
Three new mounts are always a good reason for gamers to celebrate, especially when the mounts themselves are part of a greater celebration. In the spirit of Walpurgis Night, Runes of Magic is treating players to a trio of special mounts for the holiday. Flyers may choose between a zippy broom or a rune disk to jam up the local airspace, but for our money, Ruzio the Expedition Donkey -- while lacking wings -- is a promising candidate for transportation. Everyone wants a sassy yet trusty donkey who has an affinity for waffles, right? These three mounts will only be available for a limited time, from April 26-30, and only through Runes of Magic's item shop. New mounts or no, players are currently enjoying the benefits of "Expedition 60," a special event geared toward getting players leveled up in preparation for an increase in the level cap (as well as other spiffy content). Head over to Runes of Magic's website for the full announcement.
He's finally back to kick some tail
DK! Donkey Kong! DK! Donkey Kong is here! Sorry, we can't think about Donkey Kong anymore without the DK Rap blaring in our heads. Much like how Rare permanently left their mark on DK through his character design, the rap has been irrevocably stuck to the character. Having the horrifying song stuck in our heads is the price we pay for playing Donkey Kong 64 or Super Smash Bros. Melee. Luckily, scanned images don't have audio tracks, so we can live without fear of coconut guns that can fire in spurts.Jeux-France has some magazine scans of Donkey Kong Jungle Climber, the sequel to the GBA's King of Swing, and it looks as good as any game that features a giant talking banana as a character, which is to say it looks excellent. And they kept the shoulder-button control scheme instead of tacking on a touch-screen system! Good Nintendo.%Gallery-3481%
Mystery sequel to be announced shortly?
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Mystery_sequel_for_Wii_to_be_announced_shortly'; Japanese mag Nintendo Dream (truly, if only such wondrous publications were here in America as well) has related a tantalizing morsel. According to a ghetto Google translation (check after the break), a successor to a famed and well-known Nintendo franchise is coming to a Wii near you. What could it be? Donkey Kong? Kid Icarus? Such teasing articles are better left unpublished; we lose sleep over this stuff, you know. Cold sweats in the middle of the night kind of stuff.There will be no posts between 3 and 4 today, due to therapy sessions.
It's for real this time: Virtual Console Mondays are a go
So, last week's rather spasmodic Virtual Console releases were a bit strangely timed. Still, it's hard to fault Nintendo, who has very little online console experience and consumer demand out the yin-yang. Still, they promised us Virtual Console Mondays, and by golly, here they come. From a press release:Every Monday starting Dec. 4, Nintendo will add classic games to the popular new Wii™ video game console's Wii Shop Channel. Four games will be added at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Dec. 4. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES): 500 points Victory Run (TG-16): 600 points Columns (Sega Genesis): 800 points Ristar (Sega Genesis): 800 points A nice little addition! We're particularly looking forward to Columns, a very relaxing and satisfying puzzle game. With several new games being released every Monday, it won't be long until we see our promised Toe Jam and Earl action, or some of those rumored Virtual Console releases we keep hearing about. And look! A Christmas present! Keep 'em comin', Nintendo.
Metareview: Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis
In the sequel, the roles have reversed and now the Mini Marios must save the day. With several obstacles in their path, players must guide the Mini Marios using the stylus and touch-screen. More interesting, however, is the ability for players to create custom maps and send them to other users via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connect service. Overall, the game has received favorable scores: Gamespot - 82%: "Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 may not play quite the same way the original game did, but the new take on the formula is a fun and refreshing one. The touch-screen controls are easy to get a handle on, and with more than 80 different stages to play through, as well as the construction mode, you'll find yourself with plenty to do. It's simply a great time for Mario fans and puzzle fans alike." IGN - 70%: "The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a far better puzzle game than March of the Minis is, but that doesn't make this game a bad one. It is a clever Lemmings-inspired, touch screen design with a great focus on user-submitted content to keep the game going on and on. Its similarities to the first game are only in looks; the concept goes in a refreshingly different -- but just not as successful, addictive or challenging -- direction for Nintendo DS gamers." Gamepro - 85%: "As a sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: March of the Minis surpasses the original by leaps and bounds backed by the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, however the new control scheme does take some getting used to." So there we have it. While many agree it's not as good as the first game, would you be inclined to agree, fine reader? Or has Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis surpassed the greatness of the first game?
Mario vs. DK 2 Wi-Fi details and site launch
The site for Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis over at nintendowifi.com has launched and in the process reveals some of the specific features that will utilize the Wi-Fi functionality of the title. In being able to design and upload/download custom-created levels over the service, Nintendo will include unlockable templates, some including hidden characters. Players will only need to use the touch-screen to do everything from drawing platforms and bridges, to including elevators and enemies in these templates. Upon successfully creating a level, the player may save it then log onto the Wi-Fi Connection service to either upload the map for their friends to download or peruse their friends' created maps.
Leipzig: DS games overview video
In this small snippet of footage for already-released and upcoming games for the DS from the Leipzig Games Convention, we see titles such as Mario Vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis and Hotel Dusk: Room 215, which has players looking for a lost friend during the late seventies in Los Angeles. With some stylish noir overtones and an interesting story, it's clearly our pick for best game of the bunch in this video.
Game & Watch compilation coming soon?
Nintendo of Japan recently announced that through its Club Nintendo program, gamers over in Japan would be able to acquire Game & Watch Compilation, which features three classics in Donkey Kong, Oil Panic, and Greenhouse. In purchasing Japanese Nintendo games, there are included inserts that equal a certain amount of points, 500 to be exact, will score the gamer a copy of this compilation. As of now, there is no word on a release for the US, but here's to hoping it's successful over there as I know I'm not the only US gamer who would love to get their mitts on a copy.[Via Game Brink]
Game and Watch DS mod
In our continuing coverage of cool things that can be done with your old DS once you purchase a DS Lite (and you will), we bring to you the Game and Watch Donkey Kong mod. This fine french modder, who goes by the name of Kotomi, was responsible for the old school modded DS and seems to be keeping busy. If you check out other posts on his blog, you'll also see a Zelda Game and Watch mod along with some other cool stuff. For those of you without the ability to read French, try Babel Fish.
Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis opening CG
This video shows the intro movie, taken straight from the show floor of E3, for the upcoming Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis. All I want to know is what do I have to do to get a couple wind-up toys like those?[Via Go Nintendo]
Donkey Kong swinging onto the Revolution
N-Sider reports that Nintendo's own Shigeru Miyamoto announced that a new Donkey Kong title would be gracing the Revolution and it would be helmed by none other than the Jungle Beat team led by Takao Shimizu and Yoshiaki Koizumi in a Famitsu magazine piece. The game is being released in the console's launch cycle and will be present at E3, although in what capacity we can only speculate. The game is to forgo the bongo interface of previous titles and adopt a new control interface on the Revolution.It's smart for Nintendo to come out in full force with all of their strongest first-party titles for the Revolution, which is something the GameCube failed to do during its launch. Donkey Kong has been a fan favorite for years and, should the game feature the same polish as past games bearing the gorilla's mug, will be sure to be one of the Revolution's best titles. What kind of game do you want to see DK in next? Another platformer?
