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How's that third-party Wii support coming along?
This week marked the launch of our new feature highlighting the third-party support for the Nintendo Revolution Wii. A lot has changed since monday, including the unveiling of the official name for Nintendo's next-generation offering. Reader response to the feature has been worse than their gut reaction to the renaming, but we persevere all the same and will continue to update the feature when new titles are announced. This week, 4 new titles were announced, including: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Elebits Madden NFL 2007 Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz Tony Hawk: Downhill Jam We also received new information regarding Skatto Golf Pangya Revolution Wii. We will be updating this feature everytime new information is revealed on a Wii title, so be sure to check back often.
More DBZ Revolution news
An official press release describes our recent post about a new DBZ game coming to the Revolution. Officially dubbed Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2, the game is set for release later this year during the holidays and features a roster of over 100 fighters, 15 different environments, and over 9 game modes. In regards toward the control scheme of the Revolution's remote, nothing more is said beyond that the player will be able to use it to reenact some of the series' more noteworthy moves such as Goku's Kamehameha. Keep an eye on E3 for more information on this upcoming title.
Who's really going to support the Wii? [update 12]
It's obvious that Nintendo is going to support the Wii. After much speculation as to how the controller works (for the record: sensors placed in front of the TV detect the controller's motion, while internal sensors detect its tilt and yaw), many often speculate as to how one will use it, or who will support it. After all, what good is a console without third-party development? That is where this list comes in. This, we are hoping, will be the definitive list of titles that showcase the Wii's unique controller. We will be constantly updating this list with new titles and new information regarding listed titles. Sure, some lists out there are longer, but those lists are full of untitled projects with no information about the game whatsoever. We hope to provide you some tangible evidence of Wii titles and not just verbal commitments or praises by the developer community. This list will be presented alphabetical by game title. A few of the developers we've listed are independent and still lack a publisher; we have provided below (when possible) outlets by which publishers can contact these firms.
Dead or Alive 4 patched
1UP reports that a pair of DOA4 updates (focused on Xbox Live play) has been posted for download. The patches address frame rate issues and adjust damage levels for more balanced fighting. Team Ninja also threw in some new attacks. And, if you're not happy with your current rank, the first update will let you reset to "C". No excuses now... [Thanks, Chris]
Little Mac vs. King Hippo revisited in FNR3
Team Xbox forum member Xpoc decided to make the most mismatched fight he could in Fight Night Round 3. Using the character creation tool, he managed to create the scene pictured to the left; a sort of next-gen variation of Punch Out's diminutive Little Mac going mano a mano with King Hippo. The image to the right, of Russian giant Nikolai Valuev getting annoyed with John Ruiz, is a reminder that life often imitates art. Who booked that fight anyways... Doc Louis?
Joystiq Review: Fight Night Round 3 (Xbox 360)
Fight Night Round 3 (FNR3) for the Xbox 360 is the truth. Is it perfect? No. But a lethal combination of arresting visuals and fine-tuned gameplay make FNR3 an early contender for Xbox 360 game of the year. And while it's difficult to imagine EA's boxing sim holding the crown throughout the course of 2006, it's certainly no stretch to herald FNR3 as a critical leap forward in the next-gen era.
FNR3: Let's Get Rrrready To Rrrretail!
Boxing fans looking to re-enact Shane Mosley's Saturday night beat down of formerly "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas were likely disappointed to learn (or at least be reminded) that Sugar Shane failed to make the Fight Night Round 3 roster after lacing up virtual leather in the two previous games. Then again, Vargas hasn't shown his battered mug in any of the Fight Nights, leading one to wonder: just how badly does a man's face have to get pummeled before the video game gods throw him a bone? (For those who didn't shell out for the pay-per-view, Mosley won a hard-fought TKO that left Fernando looking like the Mexican Elephant Man). Granted, create-a-boxer can go a long away in patient hands, as evidenced by this home-brew ear-chewer. Sure, the financially shady nature of the sport makes licensing difficult and numerous omissions inevitable. Mosley could be missing due to his own greed and fading marquee. That said, when an otherwise quality title's "coolest" unlockable is a...Burger King ad, every unrendered tomato-can grates on the nerves. Hey EA, Don King belongs in a boxing game. The Burger King does not. Oh, and if you suddenly felt the urge to "Grab Life By The Horns" while pitting Hagler against Hearns, credit the smooth 30 DLPS (That's Dodge Logos Per Second) for delivering a subliminal knock-out. I understand the economics at play here. Maybe we could have had George Foreman if they stuck a Meineke muffler up his ass to off-set costs. But boxing is one of my favorite sports and Fight Night Round 3 is thus far my favorite 360 game. Here's to the irrational dream that the next $60 installment includes more pugilists and less plastic-head product placements.
Bleach DS Import Review
The fine folks at Siliconera have posted a playtest of Sega and Treasure's Bleach DS: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei, a 2D fighting game based on the hugely popular anime. But really, we should have had your attention at "Treasure". As previous classics like Dynamite Heddy (that final boss still gives us nightmares), Silhouette Mirage and Astro Boy: Omega Factor have proven, Treasure is a developer that just knows how to do 2D games right. The review in question seems to indicate that they haven't yet lost their touch, as the game features a solid fighting engine and relatively smooth online play through Nintendo's Wif-Fi service (it's the first Japanese 3rd-party title to do so). Also worth mentioning is the game's intriguing card system. At any point during the battle, you can select a card from a customizable deck on the bottom screen and temporarily influence the battle above, be it via an instant attack boost or disabling some of your opponent's moves. However, the article makes no mention of how difficult it is to use the touch screen in the midst of battle. We imagine that rapidly pressing face buttons and making selections on the screen at the same time may require an extra limb or two.Still, it seems unlikely that fans of the show will be disappointed by the large character roster and the beautiful artwork. Siliconera notes that the level of Japanese understanding required to enjoy the game isn't too high and so, given that it doesn't look like the game is getting picked up for US release within the conceivable future, you're best off with importing it. It'll certainly go nicely with that Bleach themed Nintendo DS you stole in a daring heist last month.[Update: Added another instance of the word "Japanese".]
New Def Jam screenshots
If the hip-hop gangsta scene is your thing, check out the new screenshots of Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover. As a precursor to Def Jam Vendetta, it'll give gamers a taste of the backstory involving D-Mob and his crew. Busta Rhymes, Lil' Kim, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman and Snoop Dogg are no strangers to the series either. Expect a March release date for The Takeover.
Def Jam is PSP bound
IGN carries the news that Def Jam will be making a PSP appearance via Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover. Billed as a prequel of sorts to Def Jam Vendetta, the latest game in the franchise boasts new modes, including a create-your-own-fighter mode and a wireless match making mode. Currently in development by the good EA (EA Canada), you can expect Def Jam: Fight for New York: The Takeover to beat your PSP to a bloody pulp sometime this Spring.
Bill Gates vs. Steve Ballmer in Fight Night Round 3
In this corner, playing as boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Bill "640kb ought to be enough for anybody" Gates! And in this corner, playing as Joe Frazier, Steve "Developers, developers, developers" Ballmer! Following Bill Gates' speech at CES last week, famed boxing announcer Al Bernstein introduced Microsoft's top brass before they duked it out in EA's Fight Night Round 3 on the Xbox 360. It's a cute enough video but, though the game does look great, the gushing grates on you after a while. Who wins? Gates Ali of course! (Link directs to Gamespot's video player) [Via Amanda Murphy's Xbox...]
It's beginning to look a lot like Festivus
The list of games to be released this week isn't half shabby, but that's to be expected in the weeks between now and the end of the year, when businesses live or die by their ability to coax consumers out of money they never had to spend in the first place. This is a hefty list of solid titles (compiled by GameTab): PC: F.E.A.R. (10/17) Shattered Union (10/17) X3: Reunion (10/17) Age of Empires III (10/18) Quake 4 (10/18)
EA developers criticize Rise of the Imperfects
EA's first foray into the fighting game genre, Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, has not met with a warm response for critics or fans alike. An EA developer sent game girl advance her own review of the game – and while he or she did not personally work on the game, an employee speaking out against her own company's work is rare enough to warrant attention. The biggest problems she had with the game were the duplicate characters, the poorly implemented control scheme, and the much-too-revealing manual. However, the developer did point out a nice mechanic where the player actually gets to play as the end boss for a round, which "empowers the player." He or she did lament that most people who play the game will not stay with it long enough to see this and hopes it is a feature implemented in future fighting games. Of those who have played the game, what is your opinion on it? [via GameGeekNews. Thanks, Master X 24]
Atari loses more money than analysts thought probable
Atari seems to have misplaced approximately $33 million ($.27 per share) in the three-month period ended June 30th. Analysts had expected the company to lose about a third of that amount ($.11 per share), so the loss comes as a suprise to investors, who have been dumping company stock in after-hours trading in response. Atari's parent company Infogrames Entertainment reiterated its intent to provide the company with financial support, according to Marketwatch, but that company's shares have taken a hit too as a result of the Atari bombshell. Really, it's all about the hits. Atari just hasn't sold enough games lately. Will Atari's future lineup of games reverse the company's slide? On tap for release in the next six months from Atari: Matrix: Path of Neo, Mark Ecko's Getting Up, Test Drive Unlimited, Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi, and Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach (if it ever launches). Will any of these games be hits?
Marvel vs. EA details hit Gamespot - Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects revealed
If you've been wondering what the hell this Marvel vs. EA title is all about, wonder no more. Okay, wonder less. Gamespot does up a shallow expose on the upcoming game. But they can be forgiven the shallowness, since the developer is clearly tied to his chair by invisible (or was it visible?) EA rope. You can feel the lawyers standing behind the one-way mirror as you read. Details are still sparse, but you can expect: 1) New characters 2) 3D fighting 3) A story 4) The title, Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects Is that screenshot for real? If so - nice.
Fight Night Round 2 hands-on/review wrap-up
It looks like Fight Night Round 2 will deliver. The two reviews out there say that it improves on the original in almost every way. The Game Informer writer even admits he's not a big boxing fan, and he still walked away impressed. As a boxing fan that gives me pause, but if the title is anything like the first one it's going to get my 50. IGN Game Informer Game Rankings (with scores from print and online resources)
New Fight Night Round 2 shots
Since I've been in the mood to kick some fanny recently (but, predictably, don't have the guts to pick a fight with anyone) I've been waiting for Fight Night Round 2. Hey, some people get out their aggression in blog comments, and some need a good boxing game. The screenies show off the improved graphics engine and the toned-down sweat sheen. The last game in the series went a little overboard with the oil look. Now the guys look like fighters, not massage victims.
Fight Night Round 2: cast of characters
It may be "lights out" for Roy Jones' career, but Fight Night is coming back with Round 2. Continue on for a list of this year's roster... Note: 3 fighters have yet to be announced. Also, Lennox Lewis & Felix Trinidad will not be featured in the game.
Def Jam: Fight for New York... Underrated gem?
You know, this game has been out for a few months now, but I wanted to bring it to folks attention heading into the holidays as I'm hugely addicted to it right now. You don't have to be a hip-hop fan to appreciate this game, though it certainly doesn't hurt. In many ways, this is the game the pitiful "Fight Club" title should have been. It's a brutal, no holds barred fighter. Over the top, magnificently violent, and graphically gorgeous. I've been playing this to deat the last few days, and damn... I can't get enough of it. With a ridiculous number of fighters (once they're all unlocked), the match-up's are varied. The areas and type of fights are varied. Only thing I can find to complain about is the ability, or lack thereof, to pick random fighters. With 70+ fighters that's a bit of an oversight. It's a fantastic fighter though. Stylish, very violent (a rarity for an EA title), and hugely enjoyable. Plus the fact it's not every day you get to see the Henry Rollins throw Carmen Electra in front of a train...
Fight Night Round 2: excitement without the pain
EA has announced that a sequel to the well-received boxing title, Fight Night, is under development. With Roy Jones Jr.'s career in question, EA has selected Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins [not "Hawkins"] to grace the cover. Hopkins is an ideal choice, having recently defeated (in September) Oscar De La Hoya to become the Middleweight Champion of the World. When asked about his most recent victory-that is, becoming Fight Night's coverman-Hopkins replied: "It's great to be immortalized in an EA Sports video game and even a greater honor to be an EA Sports cover athlete... Fight Night Round 2 really captures the intensity and excitement of the sport, but without the pain." Be sure to check out IGN's interview with Kudo Tsunoda, Round 2's producer.
