Kirby
Latest
E308: Nintendo dates dozens of debuting games
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/E308_Nintendo_dates_dozens_of_debuting_games'; We are about to enter full news overload here, folks! Not only did the Nintendo media blitz descend -- as you'll see for yourself -- but we've also got updated release lists for tons of games, many of which had no release windows set until today. While few of the titles have a firm date, we've got month-long windows on several, and at least one (Kirby Super Star Ultra) looks to have moved up from the date we previously had on file.Check out the full lists in the gallery below, but be warned: your wallet will cry. In fact, it may be weeping already.%Gallery-27734%
Stars Catalogue now offering GBA titles [Update 1]
Two Game Boy Advance games have randomly appeared in the Stars Catalogue, leading us to surmise that Nintendo has been spring-cleaning its warehouses and found a bunch of old, unsold stock. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Mario Power Tennis are both decent purchases, we suppose, even if the price (5000 Stars each) is steep (you'd need to buy at least 20 DS games to amass that many Stars). We're still waiting on the warehouse with all the sealed Super Famicom consoles to get cleared out (it must exist somewhere).Some other new tat has also been added, including a Pokémon sports bag, and three further items that have (inexplicably) sold out: a Raving Rabbids T-shirt, a Pokémon Mystery Dungeon bookmark, and a Brain Training pen. Don't all rush at once, please.[Update 1: And the Kirbster has sold out!]
DS library plumps up before E3: Kirby and MillionHeir
Nintendo is proudly boasting that it won't be waiting until E3 to reveal some of their biggest upcoming games. The new DS announcements for today are Kirby Super Star Ultra and Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, both with new screens in the galleries below!As a remake of the original SNES favorite, KSSU will use the touch screen to breathe new life into the existing mini-game compilation. Yeah, if the DS does anything well, it's mini-games. It'll be a totally revamped experience, with new Revenge of the King and Meta Knight Ultra modes in the works, including local wireless play. Kirby has done everything right so far on the DS, so we should expect greatness from the little pink blob on September 29th.<insert witty segue here>Yes, yes -- another mystery adventure game is on the way in the form of MillionHeir. Get over that delightful play on words, and check out some of the previous games in the Mystery Case Files range. The DS entry will be a "painted scene" point-and-click adventure, where a cluey detective needs to find the rightful heir to a fortune. It seems like the standard pixel-hunt for inventory items and evidence -- but a multiplayer mode is also included, which is a pretty nifty addition for an adventure game. MillionHeir hits the stores on September 8th.%Gallery-8402%%Gallery-26089%[Via press release]
Nintendo announces new Wario Land for Wii, Kirby for DS
With E3 just around the corner, we've begun to brace ourselves for the deluge of new game announcements that always accompany the annual event, the latest of which has come from Nintendo. This morning the company announced a trio of new titles set to be shown during next month's conference, including Wario Land: Shake It! for the Wii, as well as Kirby Super Star Ultra and Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir, both for the company's touchable portable.As previously announced for both Japan and Europe, Nintendo describes Wario Land: Shake It! as a "classic side-scroller," and notes that the game will have players controlling Mario's portly nemesis with the Wii remote turned sideways on September 25. Kirby Super Star Ultra, on the other hand, will re-imagine the SNES classic platformer starring everyone's favorite perpetually-hungry cream puff when it debuts four days later on September 29. Finally, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir brings Big Fish Games' line of casual PC puzzlers to the DS earlier in the month on September 8. The games join the previously announced Mario Super Sluggers, giving us an early look at what Nintendo will have on tap at the LA Convention Center in a few short weeks.
Sakurai to spill beans on what makes games fun
The obvious choice aside, we can't think of many game designers who are better qualified than Masahiro Sakurai to discuss how to make fun videogames. Which is a good job, really, because the Smash Bros. and Kirby creator has been booked by DiGRA, Japan's Digital Games Research Association, to deliver a talk on what makes games enjoyable.Don't go getting excited, though. Sakurai's speech, entitled 'Game-ness,' will be delivered at the Fukutake Hall Running Theatre at Tokyo University's Hongo campus, and to an audience of only 150 people. If by some chance you are located near to the venue, know that DiGRA members get in free, while student non-members pay ¥500 (roughly $5) and all other non-members ¥1000 (approx $10).We wonder what games he'll use to convey his message? Bringing up Brawl or Kirby might seem a little conceited, but those are two of the titles we would use.[Via Develop]
Kirby's latest ability: being delicious
Kirby is a smart choice for video game-inspired cooking projects, because his games are eating-themed. In addition, his circular shape is the easiest to recreate in food of any of the Nintendo stable -- chances are you don't have a Samus Aran cake pan. For that matter, based on the general cutesyness of his universe, Kirby could very well be made of cake or something, unlike other Nintendo characters like Mario, who are unambiguously made of human flesh.For her cousin's birthday, Craftster indeliblechange made 24 sweet cuppin' cakes featuring Kirbies of different colors as well as various Kirbyana. The chili-chocolate (!) cupcakes were decorated using fondant. They look really great![Via Craftster]
VC Tuesday: Too Wonderful
Of all the gamers and non-gamers that the Wii is designed for, we think we've identified the audience that would be happiest with the system: people who love Wonder Boy. Specifically, people who love Wonder Boy and don't already have the games, either in their original form or the Monster World Complete Collection. If you're over-the-top crazy over Wonder Boy, the Wii is easily the best system that has ever existed. Monster Lair is just the latest Wonder Boy game to arrive in Japan.Also up for download: Kirby 64, which everyone decided they didn't like anymore when it came out in the U.S., and Digital Champ Battle Boxing, the game about a brave pair of free-floating boxing gloves facing off against familiar-looking boxers. Kirby 64 (N64, 1 player, 1000 Wii Points) Digital Champ: Battle Boxing (PC Engine, 1 player, 600 Wii Points) Monster Lair (PC Engine, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Show and Tell: A stitch in time
We love sprites, the older, the better, and so do many crafters. After all, the blocky character figures are easier to recreate on quilts and cookies than are more rounded models. Sprites also lend themselves well to cross stitch, as reader Jenni can testify. Jenni, who also writes for Gamertell, has built up quite a collection of character cross stitch, and many of her efforts feature characters Nintendo fans just might recognize. Hit up the gallery for some of her work -- and if you're interested in getting started yourself, Jenni has a good piece on how to go about it. Got something you want to show off to all the other DS fans? We like just about anything with a little Nintendo flavor, so snap a few pics and send 'em off to tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest. %Gallery-20236%
Normal DS game + slightly different sticker = amazing collectible
eBay seller putermcgee's batch of DS games really isn't that different from other used DS games up for sale. The current bids are commensurate with other auctions for the same games, even. But these launch-era DS games are somewhat rarer (and more awesome) because they're all promo copies. How much would you pay for a copy of Pac-Pix or Meteos that was once used as a store demo? Because right now they're at $7.50 and $3.25 respectively. Kirby Canvas Curse and Nintendogs (with special Bark Mode gifts!) are at similar prices, as is a European version of WarioWare: Touched! These are the best kind of collectibles: cheap and not ridiculously impractical.[Via GameSniped]
Zombie Kirby on the loose, other infected headed your way
You've got to admit, it makes sense. What would Kirby do when faced with zombies? It's a fair bet the puff would suck one down, and this is the incredibly tragic result. Zombie Kirby manages to be cute even when he's coming for your brains. How is that even possible?The artist, TalonInTx, is no stranger to offbeat Nintendo art -- and is already planning another zombified sketch. We'll keep our eyes peeled (and the doors barred).[Via That Girl's Site]
VC Friday: The puffball returns
Just the one game on today's update, though that doesn't mean your Wii points will have it easy. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards has become the twelfth Nintendo 64 game on the European and Aussie Virtual Consoles, and as such comes in at 1000 Wii points. It's not the lengthiest of titles, but it's still a worthy purchase. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards -- N64 -- 1000 Wii points As usual, skip past the break for footage.
Readers pick best webcomic: 100 Kirbies
One hundred Kirby amalgams make for one hundred different avatars. Special thanks to VG Cats' Scott Ramsoomair for the Grim Fandango-inspired Kirby. As prize, we (and the Joystiq voters) crown the strip best webcomic of the week.Second and third place go to 2P Start (another great source of avatars) and Penny Arcade, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomic you stumble upon this week!
The VC Advantage: Finding a way to spoil Kirby 64
The Internet has made it easy to find cheats for games, but we miss the tips pages from game magazines, when the discovery of a new code could inspire you to go back to an old game. These codes aren't exactly new, but oldness is the essence of the Virtual Console! We're bringing back the classic codes every week on The VC Advantage.It can be hard work figuring out how to totally ruin surprises in games, as we like to do in the VC Advantage. Case in point: this week's highest-profile release, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, which is notable for being a good game on the Nintendo 64. Kirby games don't really have stories anyone cares about, and there aren't really any huge secrets to reveal. But there is one aspect of the game that invites experimentation and discovery and, thus, revealing Internet posts: the ability system.What makes Kirby 64 great is that Kirby can inhale two abilities: if he inhales two of the same power, it's amplified, and two different powers creates a new power. It's really fun to go through the game mixing powers to see what kind of crazy stuff Kirby can do -- or you can just watch this video from YouTube user Cloud8745, which reveals every ability in sequence. Also it has some very excited narration.In case you're wondering (and you aren't!) our favorite ability in terms of utility is Bomb + Cutter, and our favorite in terms of hilarity is Fire + Electricity.
Wii Warm Up: Franchise mash-ups
With the impending release of Smash Bros. Brawl, we've had franchises on the mind lately. This game is pretty much guaranteed to be the best cross-franchise game ever made, including tons of folk that normally wouldn't be anywhere near a first-party Nintendo game.Then, reader Chris sent in an email showing us his latest creation. It's a mash-up of Kirby and Travis Touchdown (you know, from that game we can't seem to stop talking about). It's quite a nice statue, if we may say so.Now that you have franchise mash-ups (we hope hope hope No More Heroes will become a franchise) on the mind, what other pairings would you like to see? Mario in a Star Fox game? Yoshi stuck in Silent Hill? What do you think?
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 2/25/08
It's good to be back in the saddle. I've finished the video and placed it above for your viewing pleasure, checking out the duo of this week's Virtual Console releases. Hopefully, in failing to provide you guys with a video last week, I haven't lost my touch. And, by "my touch," I mean the ability to produce a video that only makes you want to vomit mildly.Head past the break for the usual follow-up coverage.
VC Monday Madness: Psychosis and Kirby64
It's Monday, which means that the Virtual Console provides us with downloadable entertainment. It's been awhile since we've gotten a N64 game, so color us excited about that. As for the other title up for for grabs, well ... we don't really have any experience with that one. So, we're looking forward to trying that out.This week's Virtual Console releases include: Kirby64: The Crystal Shards (Nintendo 64, 1 - 4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Psychosis (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points) And, unlike last week, you can definitely expect a VC Monday Madness video wrap-up later on today.
Kirby 64, Psychosis roll/scroll onto Virtual Console
We're not huge fans of the Virtual Console release schedule being cropped back to two games (are you guys really running low?) but if big N continues to substitute quality for quantity, (as they have this week, we think) expect us to stay interested.Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points): In addition to being one of our most deceptively inedible heroes, Kirby's also one of our most versatile. Here, he stars in 2D/3D platformer hybrid that is, by all accounts, pretty darn solid.Psychosis (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, 600 Wii Points): From what we've managed to gather, this is a fairly standard R-Type clone. If you're in to that (and you people know who you are) this may make a good purchase. Other wise, just watch our linked video to experience the bizarre music.
Nintendo says Kirby, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Stadium this year
Nintendo of Japan just released a statement of their financial results (PDF link here) for the period from April to December of last year (spoilers: they did well) which includes a list of projected 2008 releases. Unlike the actual financial results, this bit contains some surprises! Seen above is the list for Japan.Both Animal Crossing and some kind of new Kirby game have general "2008" release dates, as does a thankfully still-planned Disaster: Day of Crisis. Also basically new is Super Mario Stadium Family Baseball, a game about which we've heard absolutely nothing since October, and not really anything then, either. We're also quite happy to see Mario Kart Wii planned for a spring release in the U.S. and Japan, and a Q2 release in Europe. [Via Game|Life]
Animal Crossing and Kirby coming to Japanese Wii in '08
According to Nintendo financial documents, "social networking MMO" Animal Crossing and a new Kirby title will hit the Japanese Wii this year, along with some other notable titles. ShackNews posted the Nintendo financial docs showing that beyond Animal Crossing and Kirby, there is also Wii Music, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Super Mario Stadium Family Baseball, and Everyone's Common Knowledge Television -- that last one sounds like it might stay in Japan. The document also shows that Mario Kart Wii is still expected for the spring in North America and Q2 for Europe, but there isn't much more beyond that at this time. That doesn't mean Nintendo doesn't have something up its sleeve, just that it isn't on this financial document from Nintendo Japan.
The Joystiq Weekend: January 19 - 21, 2008
The above picture from DeviantArt user DrakeLake just begs to be used as a desktop background. Even better, it begs for an adorable Team Fortress 2 mod. Check out the highlights for the weekend:JoystiqueryCES 2008: A covert intel briefing on The AgencyMetareview - In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege TalePS Fanboy Week in Review: 1/14 - 1/20Today's 9-to-5 video: Portal: A day in the Life of a TurretWeekly Webcomic Wrapup just got toldNewsNASA may enter game publishing realm with space exploration MMON+ greenlighted for Xbox Live Arcade, includes multiplayerNew Penny Arcade Adventures gameplay footage features hobo warfarStreet Fighter IV to be playable at Japanese Amusement Expo Feb. 15SNK revisits well, returns with 16-game compilation for PS2, PSPDS RPG Rondo of Swords coming stateside in AprilMTV's Stephen Totilo sits down with Lost: Via DomusLineage II clan rivalry ends in real life murderPlay PC games on your PS3 with StreamMyGameNintendo accidentally confirms Lucario, Ness, Jigglypuff for BrawlNew games this week: Burnout Paradise editionSuper Street Fighter II, Adventures of Lolo 2 on Virtual Console todayRock Band Weekly: An Oasis of musicEA to release free, online-only 'Battlefield Heroes'Lost Planet to be found on PS3 Feb. 26Hellgate: London balances, Stonehenge coming todayAge of Conan pushed back until May 20Get your Patapon on for $20This Wednesday: Just Undertow (but this time it's free)Guitar Hero franchise passes the $1B markRatchet & Clank: Size Matters set for March PS2 releaseRumors & SpeculationRumor: Anoymous Microsoft source reveals truth about the Red Ring of DeathRumor: Factor 5 working on a Kid Icarus game for WiiRumor: Super Smash Bros. arriving on VC with BrawlRumor: Frontlines canceled on PS3 (also, PC multiplayer beta is open)Culture & CommunitySuper Mario Fusion makes Mushroom Kingdom Hearts a realityBully causes Brit-troversy a year late and a pound shortSee the Top 12 covers of Portal's 'Still Alive'Romero: GameCock is dumb, GameCock: No U R!, Us: Whose bitch are we?E3's Game Critics Awards do the Game of the Year thingMicrosoft announces Xbox Live Arcade AwardsThis Weighted Companion Cube casemod will never threaten to stab youRegister and ye shall REZ-eive (a free game)Chain Chomp knit beanie won't tear your head offKeighley takes on Fox News' seXbox seXposéGordon Freeman crank calls Coast to Coast AM
