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Today's goal-reaching videos: Mario Strikers Charged
We collectively yawned a few days ago when the latest Mario Strikers Charged trailer appeared online -- it's a pre-animated video with no in-game footage. But the U.K. Mario Strikers commercial tipped us over the edge, and we're showing those videos in this post, especially after today's news of a U.S. July 30 release.While we're glad that the Wii is getting some online action, we chortled at the tagline of "the first online game on Wii." How about "finally, an online game on Wii"? At least the ad doesn't pretend that Mii Parade is a game.See the videos after the break.
Square Enix: friend codes kept FFXI from being on the Wii
We've all had, and still have, problems with friend codes. Nintendo's system of a string of convoluted numbers that differ from game to game on the DS has been the focal point of many a fanboy's rage. When we first heard the Wii was to have console-specific codes, we thought Nintendo was starting to understand our frustration. Then we were told that Pokemon Battle Revolution would have its own code, shattering dreams of easy-to-use online functionality.What does this have to do with Square Enix? The company's Senior Vice President Hiromichi Tanaka feels our pain and, during an interview with Cubed3, states that such a system held the company back from bringing an online game (such as Final Fantasy XI) to the Wii. Tanaka exclaims that his company is currently in talks "resolving this point of contention."Does this mean that we could see FFXI on the Wii? Sure, anything is possible, however it isn't likely. Even with the increased support Nintendo is receiving from the company once again, we doubt it'll be enough to make them change their ways. Here's to hoping Square Enix manages to talk some sense into Nintendo.[Via Joystiq]
Gates: If you want to play online, get an Xbox
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Gates_If_you_want_to_play_online_get_an_Xbox'; In the first part of an informative interview conducted by Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, Bill Gates responds to the suggestion that Nintendo's Wii may come out on top thanks to its unique controller and cheaper price tag. "Look at the graphics," he says. "Look at Nintendo's execution in terms of online capability. We have this thing that nobody has ever seen before. When you say to your friend, hey let's play online, you say then you have to buy an Xbox. That's what 10 million people say."When peer pressure isn't selling Xbox Live, Gates points out that endeavours like cross-platform Vista gaming and IPTV are pushing the online service forward. However, he also believes that "Nintendo did some things right," going on to mention Microsoft's acquisition of Rare and the "huge success" that was Viva Piñata. Though many critics believe the game is a return to prominence for Rare, its lacklustre sales may lead others to agree with Gates for the wrong reason -- "Nintendo did some things right" by selling the developer when they did.Be sure to check out the rest of the interview for some interesting tidbits on the Xbox 360's IPTV, the continued absence of a larger hard drive and how Sony "didn't know what they were doing" with the Cell processor.
Wii gets wired ethernet kit
CVG reports that one of the accessories you'll be able to purchase for your Wii later this year will be a wired ethernet kit, presumably a device that automagically enables you to connect your console to the interwebs via an antiquated cable. Like the high-end model PS3, the Wii features Wi-Fi capabilities without the need for an additional adapter, though it seems decidedly odd for an online system to ship without a standard ethernet port. Nintendo has long made a big deal about embracing all-inclusive standards (which exclude HDTVs) and getting everyone in on the game -- making users pay extra in order to utilize a standard wired connection (which most wireless routers also support) seems contrary to that. It's a strange sort of reversal of the option found in the Xbox 360, where the wireless adapter is purchased seperately and the ethernet port is already included. A further option can be found in Nintendo's USB Wi-Fi dongle, as it's been confirmed to work with the Wii as well.
