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Wii Warm Up: Forming a dynamic duo
We were just wondering to ourselves this morning about the team-up title Sonic & Mario at the Olympics and how such a combination of mascots has been a huge financial success. It caused us to wonder what other kind of team-up could be not only a commercial success, but also a game we actually want to play.And, like responsible bloggers, we decided that we couldn't think of anything good and instead would pass the buck onto you. So, what do you all think? Can you come up with some titles? How about a Duck Hunt clone where Mega Man and Samus compete to see who can shoot the most clay Metroids? Or, what about having Dante from Devil May Cry in a No More Heroes sequel?Of course, that last one is just a selfish suggestion from us.
Circuit City has huge sale next week
Next week is going to be hard on your wallet. Circuit City is going to be having a big sale, according to DVDTalk, and our favorite Wii game is going to be available for insanely cheap. Supposedly, you'll be able to nab Suda 51's No More Heroes for only $19.99 (or you can try your luck at nabbing it from us). If, for some crazy reason, you haven't gotten the game yet, you need to do so next week.Aside from that, the deal is further sweetened through the retail giant offering buy one, get one %50 off on select games. These games include: LEGO Star Wars Super Mario Galaxy Super Smash Bros. Brawl Mario & Sonic at the Olympics Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 Mario Kart Wii Outside of the games, they've also got DVDs and other junk on sale. If you're into that sort of thing.[Thanks, Nate!]
Mario & Sonic wins UK post-holiday period
Before the holiday season at the end of 2007, we reported on a weird betting practice in the UK: wagering on video game sales data. Hey, if they'll head out-of-country (as close as it may be) for a Wii, then we guess they'll do just about anything. More power to them!But, as solid of a bet as it was before Christmas, the title's supplies dipped and it wasn't able to take the number one spot. Now that supplies have made their way back to the UK, we see how much those in the country dig on the combined Sonic and Mario flavor as the first sales figures for the country have emerged.%Gallery-4697%
Best of 2007: Worst attempt at a cash-in
During 2007, lots of companies realized that the Wii was doing good. Perhaps, too good. So, they scrambled to make games that they could port or "enhance" for the Wii, or other games that were made to take advantage of the console's adopters who were new to gaming and thus susceptible to spending money on crap games the unique capabilities of the Wii's controls scheme, causing a slew of cash-ins on the console that didn't necessarily bring anything new to the Wii other than another game sitting on the shelf. So, let's look at those games and you tell us what the most shameless and useless game of the lot is.
Event demonstrations in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
IGN has dished out four new trailers for Sega's upcoming romp starring both Nintendo and Sega's most recognizable characters. It's also the first game to have both Sonic and Mario in it, although it might not be the one you're waiting for. So, check out the freestyle swimming above and head past the break for three more trailers from the other included challenges in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics. %Gallery-4700%
UK gets bored, bets on gaming sales charts
Now, this is just plain weird. Apparently, folks in the UK don't have enough to bet on, so they turn to the gaming industry. Bookie Paddy Power is reporting that a lot of money is riding on what game emerges as the number one seller throughout this holiday season, with the total stake coming to about 11,000 GBP. That just boggles our mind.But, this isn't the first year this has been going down. They started accepting bets on gaming sales charts starting back in 2003, where it didn't receive many takers. Then, it had only seen 60 bets as which game would emerge on top, with this year seeing a whopping increase in popularity to 650 bets. Oh, and the favored game to come out on top is EA's Need for Speed ProStreet.Current top odds are as follows: 8/11: Need for Speed ProStreet 2/1: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 5/1: The Simpsons Game 8/1: FIFA Soccer 08 8/1: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 12/1: The Golden Compass 18/1: Super Mario Galaxy 20/1: Assassin's Creed 20/1: High School Musical: Sing It!
Mario & Sonic filmed at the Olympics
A hot new trailer has hit the bench, cooling itself down next to the Gatorade after competing. It's stopped just long enough for us to get a good look at it. Inside, it presents some of the 16 different events and how you'll have to destroy your touch screen to ensure victory. Also, there are 16 different playable characters, but that doesn't make much difference considering Mario can apparently keep up with Sonic in a foot race.%Gallery-4700%
Dean Takahashi lists best games for kids
And guess what company is at the top of the thing?Yup, Nintendo ranks pretty high on the list, with Mario's latest outing on the Wii enjoying "top dog" status. Coming in at the bottom of the list is The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass on the DS. The two sandwich in eight titles, mostly for the Wii, including Mario & Sonic at the Olympics and EA Playground.We figured we'd mix Dean's list up a bit and have you all pick your favorite kid-friendly Wii games. What do you think is the best the system has to offer for younger gamers?
Mario & Sonic at the Olympics for all to see
With the DS receiving its version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympics during Q1 next year, we find ourselves growing more anxious as to how the portable version will differentiate itself from its console version. Actually, we're just wondering if it'll be good, since the Wii version wasn't received with accolades and some kind of parade. In fact, it was just the opposite.But, we're optimists. So, we're perfectly fine with believing the game will be incredible up until we have it in our hands and find out the truth for ourselves. Heck, we've done it enough times with other games, that's for sure.Head past the break for some more screens.
Mario & Sonic sprints to DS on Jan. 22
If you intentionally ignored overlooked last week's Wii release of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Sega hopes to entice you with the DS version instead. The handheld mascot showdown has been assigned a release date of January 22nd, placing it in the sea of calm following this holiday's storm of intergalactic mega-epics. By next year, you might actually care whether or not a portly plumber can best a hedgehog in a test of physical endurance. The press release notes that the DS version of Mario & Sonic boasts single- and multi-card multiplayer, as well as exclusive Olympic events not seen in the console variant. These include platform diving, cycling and "Dream Shooting (Skeet)," no doubt an event tasking players with murdering the star of TV's "Jericho" before time runs out.[Image: Fanboys Online]
WRUP: Our wallet hates November edition
With the time of year being what it is and all, we imagine inside the empty and very penniless chasms of our wallet is a faint and very tortured voice crying out for help. It wants us to stop spending, but we can't. Oh, we just love the Q4 season and our awe of the Wii grows and grows.So, some big releases this week, wouldn't you say? Personally, we're making eyes at Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, but we're not absolutely sure we'll be picking it up. What about you? What will you be playing?
Wii releases for the week of November 5th
Today is a big week for releases on the Wii, as we not only get one first-party Nintendo game, but also two very high-profile third-party titles. It can only mean one thing: we're getting closer and closer to the holidays. Oh, will someone think of our poor wallet, please? Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn Bee Movie Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games My Word Coach Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity So, going to pick up any of these games? Would like to pick something up, but lacking the funds?
Mario & Sonic get an official site
The official site for Mario & Sonic at the Olympics has launched, providing those anxious to play some very real games with some very imaginative characters some fresh content. There is screens, there is trailers and there are some breakdowns for the events within. Sega is really putting everything into this game, aren't they? We can't say we share their insane predictions.[Via press release]
Mario and Sonic exemplify 'comic mischief'
Okay, these "viral" videos are kind of ridiculous. The rotund Sonic suit looks pretty bad, and we question the validity of calling something "viral" when it's distributed via the same channels as officially-released material, just because it's intentionally kind of cheap-looking. But we have to admit, that this video for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games made us laugh out loud. At first, there was something hilarious about the interaction of a normal human person with a guy in a Mario suit speaking in Charles Martinet's voice. Then Sonic came along and replicated a classic Kids in the Hall skit and we, shamefully, LOL'd.The other video, not so much. But it's embedded after the break anyway.
Mario and Sonic hit the trampoline
This latest trailer for the trampoline event in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics could be conceived as "fun looking" if the folks playing it in the video were any indication. We have a more keen eye, however, as we looked to the controls and event itself as an indication for how fun the event could be. And, for us, it looks like it lacks.So, why post it, you are probably thinking? Well, as always, we value your opinion most, so we want to hear what you have to say? Won't you humor us?
New trailer, screens for Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
The above video for Sonic and Mario at the Olympics is rather lengthy, so if you're not down with watching large chunks of gameplay footage, you might just want to hit the "Read" link below and gawk at some new screens. But, considering the game is only a collection of Olympic games, we're sure some footage isn't going to ruin anything for you.
DS Daily: Mario and Sonic and DS
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is a big deal on the Wii, especially with the Leipzig crowd. Super Smash Bros. may have stolen some of its thunder recently, but the very idea of Sonic and Mario in a game together still holds a lot of power to many fans. Plus, if you don't own a Wii, Olympics on the DS is your only shot at Nintendo and Sega mascot characters competing at stuff. Are you planning on going for the portable gold? Do you think this game has the potential to be any good? Are you eschewing the handheld release for the Wii version, or are you dedicated enough to making Knuckles and Yoshi compete in a judo match to get both?
Mario and Sonic will destroy your touch screen
IGN's gameplay impressions of the less-discussed DS version of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games were mostly positive: there's a tantalizing possibility of online play, the 3D engine is apparently pleasing, and the game contains all the same events as the Wii version.Unfortunately, the description of the game's controls is troubling for us, and probably money in the bank for companies who produce DS screen protectors. Most of the game's events are controlled by moving the stylus back and forth as rapidly as possible in a prescribed direction to build up speed or power. It may be fun, or it may just be a shortcut to a deep groove carved into your touch screen. Between this and the DS version of the notoriously controller-assassinating Mario Party, is any DS safe?
Joystiq hands-on: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii/DS)
Smash Bros. isn't the only place the mascot exchange program is thriving. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games pits Nintendo and Sega characters against each other in Summer Games challenges. Bowser, Peach, Tails, Robotnik, and others compete in triple-jump, swimming relays, velodrome races, and dozens of other contests.I recently sampled the DS and WIi versions of the game. Sega mentioned that the IOC helped make sure that the stadiums and other settings accurately reflect the 2008 Beijing games. But another license requirement pitches the title at kids; other than real-world-based measurements of distance and time, don't expect accuracy within the events. Instead, Mario and Sonic plays like another mini-game buffet.A few modes -- especially with four players and user-created tournaments -- are interesting, but the majority seem suited to a younger crowd. Gaming families may enjoy the humor, variety, and simple style. But sports enthusiasts should wait for a more realistic game.%Gallery-4863%%Gallery-4864%
First trailer of Mii integration in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
As you can see above, the inclusion of your own Mii in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics isn't anything all too special. It's pretty much what you'd expect. While we're fairly sure that we could hold our own fencing against Sonic (from what we've seen, this is the first time he's ever held a sword), we're certain racing against Sonic would only be an embarrassment.
