everybodys-nintendo
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Nintendo Channel now live
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Wii_Update_Nintendo_Channel'; That blue glow from our Wiis can only mean one thing -- time for an update!This wasn't just any old update, though. After months of coveting the service, the Nintendo Channel (known in Japan as Everybody's Nintendo Channel) is finally available for download via the Wii Shop Channel. The download is free, but will take up a few blocks, so make sure you have enough space. You'll also need to have updated your Wii since March 20th in order to get it, according to Nintendo.We're pretty pleased with what the channel has to offer so far. There's already around forty videos available for your viewing pleasure. Most of them are just trailers for upcoming Nintendo games, but there's also a nice little Miyamoto interview.Aside from watching videos, make sure to click on the "Find Titles for You" tab. Here, you can check out the newest titles for Nintendo consoles, and also download demos for DS games.These are just our initial impressions from browsing around the channel, so if you notice any other neat features, be sure to let us know in the comments! Nintendo also posted a video of the various things you can do with the channel, which you can check out here.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Nintendo Channel coming to US with WiiWare launch
Nintendo will launch the aptly-titled Nintendo Channel alongside WiiWare in the US on May 12, according to Wired. There will be no demos for WiiWare titles, but users will have the ability to share reviews of WiiWare titles if they've played them for at least an hour. It will also provide sortable lists of upcoming games.While a far cry from The New York Times' "full game downloads" claim in January, DS owners can download demos that will then be sent to the portable and last until it's shut off. The Japanese version, launched in November 2007, also provides videos. The Nintendo Channel is coming to Europe on May 30.
Nintendo Channel launching simultaneously with WiiWare
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Everybody_s_Nintendo_Channel_Launching_May_12th_As_Well/'; We've been waiting pretty much forever (since November, but we're mental goldfish) for the Everybody's Nintendo Channel to launch over here after seeing how cool the Japanese version is. Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Channel, which offers DS demo downloads, user-submitted game reviews, and exclusive video content, will be released in the U.S. on May 12th, the same day WiiWare launches.Users will be able to submit reviews of their WiiWare games after playing for the industry standard time (joking) of one hour. We really hope that the same kind of cool DS downloads and video material is available for us as there is in Japan.
Student-made DS games can be downloaded from Japanese Wiis
Student-created DS games are nothing new in Japan, thanks to Nintendo's game seminars. When the students finish their games, Nintendo usually makes them available at DS Download Stations so that other people throughout Japan can play and enjoy them.The company has just one-upped itself, though, by allowing DS owners to download these games from their Wiis. From now until April 22nd, Wakeari no Heya Tsuzuki (a horror game that is played book style) will be available for download on the Minna no Nintendo Channel (Everybody's Nintendo Channel), with more student-made games likely to follow.While anyone outside of Japan (unless you've imported a Japanese Wii) can't do anything but look on jealously, we have to admit that this is a great move by Nintendo. Nintendo of Japan, that is. From what we hear, the students' games are actually pretty good, and offering them to millions of people benefits both the students who've created them and DS owners who want to play them. Even though the game seminar titles were made available to the public before via DS Download Stations, using DS/Wii connectivity to host them will only make them more accessible than ever.Still, seeing all the potential of the Everybody's Nintendo Channel with the DS and not actually having it is pure torture.
Student-developed DS games appear on Everybody's Nintendo Channel
Proof that Japan gets everything awesome -- including first dibs on new releases, Super Famicom Classic Controllers, and giant mechas piloted by bratty kids -- the island country's Minna no Nintendo Channel (Everybody's Nintendo Channel) has started to post student-developed games in its DS downloads section.For those of you unfamiliar with these titles, Nintendo hosts a 10-month seminar every year in which 40 students take courses on programming and game design, eventually working in teams to develop small DS games to be featured through download stations in Japan. This year's batch consisted of four different titles, including Wakerai no Heya Tsuzuki, a Hotel Dusk-styled horror adventure, and Nan de Momo Koko Yasan, a touchscreen coloring game.Wakerai no Heya Tsuzuki has already been posted on the Japan-only (for now) Minna no Nintendo Channel, available for free until April 22nd. Presumably, the other three student-developed titles will be set up with a similar arrangement in the coming weeks. Though we doubt Nintendo of America will bring these Japanese releases over when it finally releases Everybody's Nintendo Channel in the states, at this point, we would be happy just to have the dang channel! It has been almost five months since the channel debuted in Japan!
Nintendo: No 'complete' DS games via Wii, only demos
While The New York Times was busy correcting the spelling of Reggie's surname (twice!) – it's 'Fils-Aime' – Nintendo got to work righting the Business Day article's bigger blunder, which claims, "Complete games ... will be able to be downloaded into the Wii using its broadband connection, and then transferred wirelessly to the DS." In a statement released today, Nintendo corrected the bogus announcement, explaining that "in the future, the Nintendo DS will be able to receive demo versions of some DS games from Wii, but not the entire game." These demos, like all content that can be beamed to DS currently, will be erased once the handheld is switched off.Mr. Taub penned a real lemon for The NY Times on Monday. The article has a growing list of edits appended to the end and still contains the major error cited today, along with this beautifully muffed sentence: "Mr. Fils-Aime said that future DS device will be more tightly integrated with its Wii console."
Everybody's Nintendo Channel goes inside the Balance Board
The Everybody's Nintendo Channel keeps getting cooler, and we still have yet to hear any word about its release in other regions. We'd love to be able to check out interesting Nintendo-related programming on our Wiis. We'll have to settle for watching it on our computers in incomprehensible languages for now.Josh from WiiFolder.com posted the latest video found on the service: a trip to the Minebea plant where Balance Board components are being made, and a look at the technology insidethe board. It's relatively low-tech compared to something like the Wiimote, but still clever. The Balance Board features an electronic strain gauge in each corner; by comparing the change in force on each strain gauge, the Wii can read the movements of your bulk. Apparently (according to the video) the same kind of sensors are used in robotics to help bipedal robots stand up.It's a different approach from the Wiimote-on-tennis ball board Mike made, but we suppose it's pretty good. We do enjoy not falling and all.
Download 'complete' DS games through Wii, NY Times reports
In addition to demos, "complete" DS games will be made available for download onto Wii, Reggie has told The New York Times. It's the first time Nintendo has confirmed plans to offer full, Wii-channeled DS games, but the revelation lacks details. In late November, "Everybody's Nintendo" channel launched for Wii in Japan, highlighted by wirelessly transferable DS demos. While this technology has yet to be released in other regions, it's apparently on the agenda. DS will be more "tightly integrated" with Wii in the future, reports The NY Times – and that could include portable extensions of Virtual Console, WiiWare and Wii Shop Channel too. But how will Nintendo reconcile the obvious limitations? DS can only temporarily store and play downloaded content, which is fine for demos (or single cart multiplayer), but what about so-called "complete" games? Perhaps Nintendo is also developing a memory expansion cart in conjunction with the proposed service. That's one way to re-sell old Game Boy games...
Everybody's Nintendo Channel videos
We might not be able to try out Everybody's Nintendo Channel just yet -- not while it's only available to Japanese Wiis -- but we can live vicariously through Chris Kohler's video walkthrough with his Japanese console. The Wired blogger takes us through the streaming movies, showing off the picture-in-picture feature with which you can keep a video playing while browsing through other trailers and commercials.Chris then goes on to detail the several different ways you can look up information and suggestions on "every game coming out for any Nintendo system in Japan." Of course, there's also a demonstration on the new channel's most anticipated feature -- downloading game demos to your Nintendo DS. The clip cuts off abruptly just after the Tamagotchi code makes it to his handheld, but are you really that anxious to see how Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 plays? WiiFolder also has some direct-screen footage if you're interested in seeing the channel downloaded and hearing its music. Check it out past the break!
'Everybody's Nintendo' Wii channel launches in Japan, offers videos and DS demo downloads
It had to drop sooner or later, and it seems that today was the lucky day for Japanese Wii owners. With little to no fan-fare, the "Everybody's Nintendo" Wii channel has launched in Japan, offering release date information, promotional videos, and -- finally -- streaming DS demo downloads.The service essentially acts as an extended promotion for Nintendo's products, allowing users to view commercials, gameplay footage, and interviews about various Nintendo products and games. A different section offers release date schedules for the DS and Wii, with easy access to box art, pricing, and various other details on games. The channel can also be set up to offer gaming recommendations based on age, gender, and other variables.Obviously the feature we're most excited for is the streaming DS downloads. The initial list in Japan consists mostly of several Touch Generations titles, as well as a patch for the Japanese versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. No information has been given on the release of "Everybody's Nintendo" in other regions, but considering Check Mii Out was released in all regions on the same day, we're hoping that the rest of the world can have this coveted channel soon.[Via DS Fanboy]
Everybody's Nintendo Channel available in Japan to sate hungry DS systems
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/nintendo_wii/Everybody_s_Nintendo_Wii_channel_launches_in_Japan_offers_videos_and_DS'; The latest Wii channel popped up in Japan tonight without warning, ready to serve videos and demos. The Minna no Nintendo Channel (Everybody's Nintendo Channel) is the DS demo channel we've heard about, but also includes Wii videos, releases lists (uh-oh!) and the capability to recommend games you own to Wii friends. These recommendations are also collected en masse to be tabulated in December. The channel currently offers just a few DS downloads, including demos of some training games and a patch for the Japanese version of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. The demos stream from Nintendo rather than being saved, and are accessed on the DS via Download Play. The video section offers trailers and commercials for new and recent games, including Wii Fit. According to NeoGAF's john tv, the videos keep playing in a corner if you exit the video menu. Check NeoGAF for frequently-updated impressions from the international gadflies who post there. Really, it sounds like the current content is less enthralling than the promise of future content.[Via NeoGAF]
