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Checking out Elebits and WiiConnect24
So now we know that Elebits is going to have all sorts of WiiConnect24 features -- but what's it like? How's it look? We know how these questions burn inside you, because we burn, too. Luckily, we dug up a few screenshots of trades in action. Check after the jump for the electric (and devastatingly cute!) new screens.
Elebits looking elementary
Siliconera has posted new details about Elebits' level-trading WiiConnect24 functionality.Custom levels are built using a point system. Points are charged for each item used to populate a level (examples: public trash can, 2 points; blue elebit, 3 points; toy tank, 28 points). No level can exceed 1,000 points.Once completed, the level can be 'overnighted' to registered friends, along with choice screen shots. It's as of yet unclear if friends can further edit your creations, which appear to be limited by pre-made environments (e.g., bedroom, yard, street, etc.). If level building is this restricted, then one has to question this feature's longevity. Here's to hoping Konami is dedicated to implementing some bigger possibilities for WiiConnect24.
Elebits to be first game to utilize the WiiConnect24 service
Looks like the rumor was true! This WiiConnect 24 service we've heard so much about is getting its first compatible game in Elebits, Konami's find-em-all environmental hunting game thing releasing next month. We all knew what the game was about, but now we have a whole new facet of the experience for our mouths to collectively water over (that's a lotta drool!). Barring any interference from rich, crotchety old Dukes, the game's WiiConnect24 features will include: Create and trade custom maps to friends online Support for taking screenshots and sending them to friends Not much, we know, but a promising precedent set that should pave the way for other developers to crack the shell wide open and allow us to savor the tasty nut within. We can't wait to trade our places with all of you upon the game's release![Thanks Matt!]
Elebits costumes not very portable with people inside
In trying to load someone in an Elebits costume, some Konami employees have their hands full. Turns out, it's tough to try and load someone in costume onto a flatbed cart, offering up heaping mounds of embarrassment for the employees attempting to essentially do the opposite of what the game demands by packing the Elebit away and carting it off, as well as plenty of enjoyment for all of us as we laugh our collective asses off at their struggle.
Today's hottest game video: Accidents of big Elebits
Okay, for tonight's hottest game video, we're pulling the editorial trump card and jumping down to slot three. Why is that, you ask? Good question. The top slot is someone debunking a Wii hack video, but it's not the Wii browser hack that we covered, and since the guy didn't make it a video response to the video he's debunking, then the buzzer sounds and we move to slot two.However, slot two is a Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess glitch that quite frankly, is fairly boring and not too interesting. You can check it out if you want, but if you haven't played Zelda, or you're not at that point in the game, then it won't mean much to you.But in the third slot, we have someone in a massive Elebits costume falling over while being loaded onto a hand truck. What's not to love about that? This should be a game all on its own.
Elebits invade the toilet
Those pesky little critters will get into anything, according to new screens from Jeux France. We're not sure just what electrical bits might be in there, but -- on second thought, we really don't want to know. Where did we leave that gun this time? They may be trying to escape. A few more shots of those wily Elebits after the jump.
Elebits delayed, no longer a launch title
Ah, some fairly rare bad news from Nintendo's camp this morning. It turns out that the potential-sleeper-hit Elebits, which won best-of-show at TGS 2006, will be delayed in America until mid-December. The quirky "gravity gun" title seemed to capture the hearts of those who played it (and David, too), so this comes as a blow for many.This may not turn out to be such a horrible move for Konami or gamers, as the Wii's launch is just about the strongest in the history of video games; having to compete against the likes of Zelda and Red Steel is sales chart suicide. Heck, the game may turn out to be a nice gift for the holidays, since the rabid gamers in your family will have probably already spent nigh half a thousand on various launch expenses. Maybe now Elebits will receive the attention it deserves, and not turn into yet another case of Beyond Good and Evil.
Elebits site update reveals new creature and screens
Konami's official Elebits site has recently received an update providing us with some fresh, new screens of a few of the game's environments, as well as a new, winged Elebit. The environments presented at the site are a child's bedroom, hallway, as well as a study and other parlor-like room.
Electric new Elebits footage
Looks like some of the games people got their hands on at Digital Life '06 weren't hidden behind secret entrances (like Sonic was) -- this new gameplay video of Elebits was shot right out in the open. After a long look at the control scheme, it gets right into the action, and then they're just zapping little Elebits all over the place. The video gets a little repetitive (four minutes can be a long time), but the ambient noise from the show floor adds an extra layer to this one.
TGS 'best of' round part two: you asked for it
A smattering of additional game videos from the Tokyo Game Show, culled together from what you wanted to see added to our best of list. Videos are embedded after the jump.
TGS 2006: Elebits wins best in show
When we conducted our internal poll and found only one of our staff (see: me) was absolutely dying to get their hands on Elebits at launch, a division was created. On one side exists the rational, incredibly handsome individual who is willing to partake in the unique, refreshing experience Elebits is sure to provide, while the other, more sinister, puppy-kicking side will supposedly "enjoy" the Wii's launch without the game. Internal conflict aside, more people are sure to notice the quirky title now, given its recent award for Best in Show at the now-concluded Tokyo Game Show. Forget the exciting trucks and secret rings, those little Elebits are the biggest show on the Wii. And we, definitely, will be purchasing a ticket for admission.Other Elebits stories: Elebits TGS booth pics and trailer Elebits Japanese site launch and new trailer Elebits Q & A Elebits developer diary Elebits to have online bits? Konami: Here's our Rev game
TGS 06: Best in Show, according to CESA
The mighty Computer Entertainment Software Association of Japan revealed the eleven titles they thought were the "best in show." Of those titles, two were exclusives for the PSP. Here are the winners, in no particular order: Elebits (Konami) for the Wii Gyakuten Saiban 4 [Phoenix Wright] (Capcom) for the DS Gran Turismo HD (Sony) for the PS3 The Eye of Judgment (Sony) for the PS3 Seiken Densetsu 4 [Dawn of Mana] (Square Enix) for the PS2 Tales of Destiny (Namco Bandai) for the PS2 Blue Dragon (Microsoft) for the Xbox 360 Heavenly Sword (Sony) for the PS3 Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (Konami) for the PSP Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (Capcom) for the PSP Lost Planet (Capcom) for the Xbox 360 This should come as no surprise. There are so many excellent games at TGS this year, that it must've been nigh impossible to even narrow the list down. But, for those of you that are battling a fanboy war, you might want to note that PSP got two titles, and the DS only got one.[Via Joystiq]
Elebits TGS booth pics and trailer
Unless you've been living alone in the desert for years, vowing to never speak, you probably know that TGS, or the Tokyo Game Show, is currently in full swing. A Japanese equivalent to the spectacle that is was the US' E3, TGS is one of the biggest events in the industry. Here companies do all they can to get show attendees interested in their titles, from booth babes to extravagant booths themselves.Here we can see the booth for Elebits, one of our must-have launch titles. During this presentation on the game, Nintendo Inside snapped many a picture of the game being demoed as well as some of the surrounding promotional material. You can also find a new trailer for the game here.Continue past the break for more pictures.
Japanese launch list unveiled
Nintendo of Japan's website offers a list of those purported sixteen launch titles...and they're not all necessarily what you would have expected. Take a look! The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Wii Sports (including boxing and bowling to round out tennis, golf, and baseball) WarioWare Wii Play Red Steel SD Gundam Revolution Tamagotchi Ennichi no Tastsujin (a drum game, along the lines of Taiko Drum Master) Trauma Center: Second Opinion Elebits Necro-nesia Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz Super Swing Golf Pangya Wing Island (demoed at E3 2006, the "plane game") Kororinpa (a Marble Madness-type game of some sort) Machariku Domino (a domino game) Interesting! It's good to see a rhythm/music game so early, and we'll post details on some of the more mysterious entries as we receive information.
Elebits developer diary
Producer Shingo Mukaitoge has begun a developer's diary for Elebits over at IGN. The first round of what we assume will be many to come has the gentleman discussing the game's origins, as well as presenting a handful of new screens. Quite a bit of the entry is used to talk up the Wii's controller. The versatility of the control scheme and the Konami team's imagination eventually led to the Elebits we see today. The first developer diary is sadly lacking in revealing any new information on the game, but we look forward to further entries down the line to correct this.
Elebits to have online bits?
Regardless of what we've heard about third-party titles not being online until 2007, Konami is saying that Elebits could very well ship with online capabilities. During Konami's recent Summer BBQ 2006 event in San Francisco last week, Denis Lee, who is the Group Marketing Manager at Konami, revealed that "the team is looking into online and trying to find out what the best kind of gameplay they can get into the game is and still make launch window. We're working on a few ideas, but we're not talking about online specifically."So Konami is looking at online gameplay for Elebits, but can't really comment on how it will be implemented. Co-op is a given, but what other kind of cool online gametypes would support the overall focus of the title? How about some time-based challenges?
Wii impressions from LGC
One of Moz La Punk's readers was on-hand at Leipzig with one mission: get their hands on as much Wii as possible. That's right, the reader craved Wii and did their best to make sure that the majority of their time at the show was spent within close proximity to it, holding the Wiimote and engaging in some gaming. They got their hands on a plethora of games at the show, including the two main titles for Nintendo: Battalion Wars 2 and Mario Strikers Charged. The reader's take on the demo for Elebits reads:"No one may have knew it, but this wás a new demo. Unlike the E3 demo, this time you could hunt Elebits in the garden next to the house. It also contained a new orange Elebit with wing-like ears, used for the little creature to fly. The developers also integrated a weight-limit, so not everything could be thrown around. Instead, every time something was shot, the weight was shown. Objects up to about 2 kilogramms could be lifted. The house also contained several electronical devices which could be opened by collecting enough Elebits to activate them. A dishwasher even contained differently coloured versions of the blue Elebit, as seen in the CG trailer with the Elebits dancing. The controls were simple, as A activated the beam, the Wiimote was used to aim and look around and the analogue stick moved the player character." Head on over here for the rest.[Via Go Nintendo]
And the first Wii pre-order bonus EVER is... [Update 1]
...a brand-new, impossibly soft plushie doll! Yes, of all games, Elebits is the first to offer an incentive to pre-order...to be honest, it probably needs it. The dolls will be either red or blue, and feature absolutely no way to tell until you actually open your box and the creature springs out to begin feasting on your brain. This action will, perhaps, increase the enjoyment of the game, but with any luck, maybe it won't be necessary.Nice boxart for the doll, though. Is anyone considering picking this game up at launch? With one of the strongest launch lineups in video game history, it's going to be difficult to justify spending even more on this quirky little concept...[Update 1: Okay, some stores in Australia had been giving out a whole bunch of coupons for pre-ordering the Wii itself. We refer here to the first pre-order bonus for a single game.]
Elebits Japanese site launch and new trailer
The official Japanese site for the upcoming Konami title Elebits recently launched. Along with the new site, there is a brand-new trailer which is likely to get several of you (although it should be all of you) excited for the upcoming game. In the trailer, some more of the interactive environments are shown, as well as three players all going at it at once, tearing apart things in a search for those little Elebits.The idea behind the game is really cool, but imagine if you came home and found some lunatic in your house, ripping apart your silverware drawer or pulling out your prize-winning carrots from the ground, all in some crazed search for these Elebits. Personally, we wouldn't stand for it. Then again, Wii Fanboy bloggers don't so much live in a house as a dark, wet hole in the ground.
Elebits Q&A
Gamespot has recently posted an interesting Q&A session with Elebits producer Shingo Mukaitouge. Though the game suffered a rather iffy showing at E3 this year, Mukaitouge states that it was an extremely basic build of the game. He plans for over one hundred of the power-bestowing creatures to inhabit the game, each with unique properties that will eventually allow the player to perform such daunting tasks as levitating automobiles and houses.Elebits will be released either at launch or very soon thereafter. Claiming a wide appeal, this game might be the sleeper hit of the initial Wii lineup.
