EA-canada
Latest
FIFA 07 features
Who knew you would be able to use the DS microphone for a soccer game? We can only imagine the number of people barking at their DS's louder than they bark "Yellow!" at Brain Age in a crowded area. Go Nintendo has the scoop on the newest FIFA game and what all it will do on the DS. Custom Charts via microphone and a new Touch Run feature using the (durr) stylus is just what it needs. Try to not pop a blood vessel when screaming at your team and remember how those idiots yelling "yellow, damn it!" at the DS look when playing.
Blocky new FIFA 07 screens
Go Nintendo has some screens up from FIFA 07 for the DS and let's just say, it's not too difficult to figure out why the DS version netted IGN's lowest rating of last year's series. We're hoping the quality of the screens themselves are somewhat to blame for any cosmetic issues. If not ... well, customized chants only go so far, after all. Can we get a side of improved graphics with that?
NHL 07 benched on Nintendo platforms
Last week, when EA announced that the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin would be NHL 07's cover athlete, many fans were surprised to see that Nintendo was absent from the list of platforms* that would receive the game. Nintendojo recently contacted EA to verify the platform release list. As it turns out, NHL 07 will not be released for GameCube -- or for that matter, Wii. Currently, 2K Sports' NHL 2K7 is not scheduled for release on GameCube either. Electronic Arts publicist Jen Riley did make it a point to remind Nintendojo, "Many of our other games are continuing to support DS ... and we hope to be on Wii in the future." *NHL 07 will be available for PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox, and Xbox 360. Note that PlayStation 3 is also absent from the list.
EA's NHL 07 not releasing for Nintendo systems
Jen Riley, Electronic Arts publicist, commented recently that the release of the 2007 edition of their NHL title would not be gracing any Nintendo consoles or handhelds, including the company's next-generation console, the Wii. The company has not decided to totally abandon Nintendo consoles, however, as Jen commented that "many of our other games are continuing to support DS and we hope to be on the Wii in the future." Now, we can understand not having the game launch on the GameCube, which has all but been forgotten, but to not support the Wii? Even given that EA would have little time to come up with a way to properly utilize the Wiimote in this title, should that be enough for a game to be denied exposure on the system? Just because Nintendo has this groundbreaking control scheme doesn't mean that every game's experience needs to be centered around it.
World Cup keeps EA at top of sales charts
Team USA may have been eliminated from Cup contention, but North American sales have remained strong for Electronic Arts' FIFA 2006 World Cup. According to Amazon's sales charts, EA's footballer is currently the top selling game for the Xbox 360, the second most popular PlayStation 2 title, and a solid #3 on the original Xbox. The PSP edition also checks in at a respectable #6. Meanwhile, DS gamers are busy flexing their brains, while the GameCube faithful partake in a half dozen adventures with the plumber. See also: UK sales charts, June 4-10: World Cup fever Czechs win 2006 World Cup (sort of)
Metareview - 2006 FIFA World Cup
Though EA has released several FIFA iterations this year, the new 2006 World Cup might be worth a look if you haven't played the series in a while and have $30 bucks to spare. If anything it should get you pumped for the world's largest sporting event if you're a futbol buff. IGN 84% - "EA put together its most solid soccer gameplay experience yet and the deepest World Cup title of all time. Still, it's hard to argue that the gameplay, an obvious imitation of Winning Eleven, is better, but with star players and a nifty new shooting mechanism, it would be hard to argue it's worse." Games Radar 70% - "The biggest disappointment is the sheer lack of innovation in the game engine and graphics. Yes, the shooting mechanic is a little different, but for the most part the gameplay is the same as the last few FIFA games."
SSX to feature Mario, Luigi, and Peach
Mario has been going athletic and nothing can stop him. I don't know, maybe it is a midlife crisis, but lately Mario has moved from playing board game parties to trying every single sport in existence. His latest move is snowboarding, with a little help from NBA Street publishers Electronic Arts. In the upcoming SSX On Tour, to be released sometime this November, the GameCube version of the title will feature Mario, Luigi, and Peach as playable characters going down the slopes. Update: GameSpot has screenshots of Mario in action. You can peruse those here. And just to keep track of all the lame and adorable comments company spokespeople say, here's one from Reggie Fils-Aime: "Mario has traveled in snow before, but never this fast. Let's hope his mustache doesn't freeze."
First SSX 4 clip is full of major air
Worthplaying has a few clips running of upcoming games. The list includes a number of official E3 trailers, so the quality is a bit higher than usual, overall. Of note is the first glimpse of the next SSX title, SSX 4. The clip shows off a skiier (not a boarder) and the graphics are really fine. I'm a fan. Color me excited. The full list of clips includes: Gothic III Indigo Prophecy Kingdom Hearts II Metal Combat Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked SSX 4 TimeShift Tycoon City: New York Tycoons, time warps and war. That about sums it up, doesn't it?
SSX 4 announced - including DS version
EA BIG has confirmed SSX 4 is in the works for your favorite console. No surprise. But wait, there's more... drum roll please... EA BIG has also announced SSX 4 will be heading to the DS! Oops, did the title give that away? Anyway, move over Snowboard Kids, there's a new king of the mountain. Some highlights of the latest installment include: - Burnout-like speed-blur effects - An option to ski - Create-A-Character mode - Game takes place on one mountain (again) [via Cubed3]
SSX Out of Bounds gives Ngage users some love
Being a huge fan of the SSX series of snowboarding games, it came as a surprise that the only SSX title of this season is on the Ngage. Isn't this the console so many people out there are decrying as, well, "insufficient." I've been using an Ngage QD for about a week now. I can certainly tell you this...it's a better gaming device than it is a phone. If I ever find the keypad lock or wallpaper switcher, I'll let you know. But the games have been surprisingly fun to play. I've enjoyed Tony Hawk and Pocket Kingdom all over NYC. In fact, the bearclaw-looking thing is starting to grow on me. When I consider my game purchase plans for the next few months, there are 3 Ngage titles on the list. SSX Out of Bounds, Elder Scrolls and (if I can ever get my hands on it) Ghost Recon. GR has been sold out everywhere near me. Could it be that the Ngage has more life in it than we think? I didn't want to link to a press release, so I opted for a Gamespot preview.
FIFA 2005 cover athletes announced
It looks like Freddy Adu will have to wait for another year, EA has announced the newest athletes to appear on the cover of the latest FIFA installment. In North America, FIFA Soccer 2005 will feature Andriy Shevchenko, Fernando Morientes, and Oswaldo Sanchez. "I love EA SPORTS, especially the FIFA franchise," said Sanchez. Now that's a spokesman! FIFA hits stores next Tuesday, we'll have more coverage then.
FIFA 2005 demo scores GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL
To celebrate the opening day of American football comes the FIFA 2005 demo, the premiere soccer video game. Okay, okay I'm being facetious. Weighing in at a mere 86 MB, the demo will let you play for six minutes with Arsenal vs. AC Milan in the Highbury Stadium. The marketing hype claims that every slight move of the controller will show up as human movement on the screen. Actually, if you watch the clips they may not be stretching the truth too much. Better yet, download the demo and play it yourself.
