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Nicalis teases Nov. 29 release for DSiWare Cave Story
Cave Story publisher Nicalis tweeted a November 29 release date for, well, something on DSiWare. "Guess what'll be available November 29th on DSiWare?!?," the publisher hinted. Luckily, this game of Guess Who? doesn't require the elimination of too many facial features, as Nicalis has only one known DSiWare project, and it's a good one: Cave Story. It may come as a shock to those of us who waited so long for the WiiWare version to arrive -- or those in Europe still waiting for the WiiWare version. It's only been two months since the initial announcement of the DS port!
Oh Yeaaah!! Here's Cave Story on DSiWare
Great news about the DSiWare version of Cave Story: it looks like Cave Story! See for yourself after the break.
Cave Story update fixes sound glitches, adds GameCube controller support
If you've been troubled by audio issues or other annoyances in the WiiWare version of Cave Story, go download it again from the Wii Shop. Nicalis released an updated version of the remake this week, which addresses those sound issues and more. According to the full list of changes we received from a reliable source, the looping in the original music has been improved, and the instrumentation in the remixed music is now mixed properly (so you can hear bass and drums, for example). In addition, the "typing" text noise is no longer far too loud. In non-sound-related changes, GameCube controller support has been added, and the "extra" modes are now unlockable instead of open from the beginning. Typos in the translation have also been edited, and transparency has been added to the graphics in several places, including when you open up the Home menu. NeoGAFfer sfried notes that if you've saved Cave Story to an SD card, you'll have to delete the game ("channel") and redownload it. Otherwise, you can just grab the update from the Wii Shop.
Nicalis details Cave Story's jump to DSiWare, WiiWare update coming
In a recent interview with the DS aficionados of Tiny Cartridge, Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez dropped a few details about the upcoming DSiWare port of Studio Pixel's delightful action-platformer, Cave Story. He explained that while the portable version will have some of the new features added in the WiiWare version launched earlier this year, Nicalis "kept it relatively lean in comparison mainly because this is more a perfect port of the original game." To that effect, there won't be any touch-screen controls -- instead, the bottom screen will simply display dialogue, player inventory and the world map. Rodriguez couldn't confirm any specifics on pricing or a release date, but said "I would love to have this out before Halloween," later adding "I'd be surprised if it isn't released before the end of the year." He also references an upcoming update for the WiiWare version of the game, which will "address a game-breaking bug and a ton of other fan-requested fixes." For more details on the future of the cavernous indie hit, check out the full interview on Tiny Cartridge.
Nicalis confirms Cave Story DSiWare, European release for WiiWare version
That small piece of artwork in the Nintendo Power table of contents today didn't represent a new look for Cave Story -- it was actually art by Mikael "Orioto" Aguirre, commissioned by Nicalis in honor of the announcement of the DSiWare version of the game. In an email statement, Nicalis confirmed said DSiWare version, saying that "the game is actually DONE, we're currently in final testing internally." In addition, the long-awaited European version of the WiiWare game (even longer-awaited than the North American version!) is "still scheduled to be released." Update: Nintendo Life posted three screens, revealing the "classic" Cave Story look, with an added map on the DS's bottom screen.
Cave Story for DSiWare listed in Nintendo Power
If you like playing Cave Story (and who doesn't) and you like being away from your TV when doing so, you're going to like this. The table of contents for the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine spills the beans on a DSiWare version of Pixel's wonderful, wonderful game about a mysterious, underground civilization of rabbit people and the giant lunchboxes who terrorize them. We've contacted Nicalis, who made the remake for WiiWare, for more details on this DSiWare version, so we can find out more about the features and (intended) release date. In the meantime, it's quite enough to imagine having an excuse to play Cave Story again.
La-Mulana trailer is a good use of six minutes
If you haven't been following La-Mulana, Nicalis and Nigoro's WiiWare update of the indie PC classic, the lengthy video after the break should do an excellent job of catching you up. And, in our opinion, it's worth the time to get caught up. We could always use a new platforming adventure.
La-Mulana on WiiWare trades equippable retrogames for apps
Developer Nigoro checked in via its blog to let the world know that work continues on the WiiWare remake of the PC action-adventure La-Mulana. The latest update gives us a look at ... the menu interface! It's more interesting than it sounds. The developer showed off the new version of the item menu, containing a rather exciting (to Metroidvania lovers) number of in-game items. The MSX menu, which in the original game allowed you to "equip" real MSX games for status boosts, has been replaced with a "software" menu that allows you to equip EXE files to do the same thing. This changes the gameplay by allowing you to equip as much software as your RAM limit permits, instead of a hard limit of two "cartridges." In addition, Nigoro revealed that the game will support control schemes for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, GameCube controller, and Classic Controller.
New La-Mulana video artifact uncovered
What, are you still playing Cave Story? That's old news. With that now out on the Wii Shop Channel, it's time to turn your attention to the next Japanese indie PC game about exploring mysterious caves to be published on the Wii by Nicalis (phew) -- Nigoro's La-Mulana. The developer released a new video of the in-development remake, along with a statement of intent to use the game's development blog as a sort of manual or strategy guide, with Nigoro posting "archaeology lectures" that introduce the world and help you figure out the puzzles. Check out the trailer after the break.
Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace
In case anyone is still on the fence about paying for a WiiWare version of a freeware game -- although a couple of years of anticipation have probably killed that -- this Cave Story video (after the break) shows something pretty appealing: a second playable character. And not just any character, either. Curly Brace is a fan favorite, appearing in the game in a capacity we won't discuss too much to avoid spoilers. We're checking with Nicalis now to learn more about her inclusion -- whether she's part of the initial download or DLC, and how her presence affects gameplay. Worst case scenario: we find out on Monday when the game comes out. [Update: Nicalis has confirmed to Joystiq that Curly mode will be included with the initial download!]
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story
This week's most noteworthy Nintendo Channel item is by far the Developer's Voice video on Cave Story above. Next week, we'll finally get to play it. How pumped are you? Like, beyond pumped? We sure hope so! Head past the break for the rest of this week's content. %Gallery-33743%
Cave Story out on WiiWare March 22
Finally. Update: Developer Nicalis has confirmed the release date and noted that the extra modes previously announced as DLC -- Boss Rush and Sanctuary Time Attack -- are now included with the initial download, "so there's no need for additional downloads or purchases." Nice! %Gallery-33743%
Interview: Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez on Cave Story, La-Mulana, and more
Nicalis, the developer of the anticipated Wii remake of the indie hit Cave Story, briefly noted in a Christmas Eve blog post that the WiiWare game had been delayed into 2010. It seemed like a good time to check in with Tyrone Rodriguez, head of Nicalis and producer on the title. Rodriguez spoke to us a bit about the progress of the remake, as well as Nicalis's other projects, Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren's physics-based platformer NightSky and another WiiWare remake of a retro-style cave exploration platformer, La-Mulana.
Cave Story coming 'after the new year' with new difficulty modes
Cave Story, first announced in October 2008 for release that same year, has missed 2009. In a blog post, Nicalis confirmed that the remake of the brilliant freeware title won't be available until "after the new year." The last we'd heard, it had been submitted to Nintendo for approval in November, so it's likely that the holdup is with the platform holder. In more positive news, Nicalis also revealed what the deal was with the alternate-color Quote sprite that it's been teasing on its Twitter account: it's the outfit the player character wears in the new Easy mode, one of three difficulty modes. Hard Mode, which gives you only 3HP and no missiles, features Quote in blue with blonde hair. The developer also has "a LOT" of DLC planned, "AND we're taking possible requests." Finally, as a little stocking stuffer (or ear stuffer), Nicalis posted three remixed Cave Story tunes. Huzzah for the holidays!
Cave Story developer Nicalis reveals 'Project Q'
The latest project from Cave Story WiiWare developer Nicalis -- after, of course, Cave Story, Night Game and La-Mulana -- is a new platformer from Knytt and Night Game creator Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren, currently called Project Q. You can see some early footage of the title at IGN.Q appears to have a lot in common with the Knytt games -- the tiny protagonist exploring beautiful landscapes, dealing with environmental puzzles. It follows a young woman traversing various planets in search of pieces of a transporter, "armed" only with a camera, "to document information and capture the environments."According to Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez, the developer has "WiiWare in mind." However, "In truth," he told IGN, "it could be WiiWare, Wii disc or even PSN, XBLA and PC."[Via Offworld]
Night Game's 'Hard Mode' explained, kind of
In an interview with Nintendo Life, Nicalis's Tyrone Rodriguez offered numbers indicating the size of WiiWare's Night Game: "There are 10 levels--or worlds, each with about 13 areas--and two difficulty modes," he said. "Right now they're called Normal and Hard, but we have to rename the Hard one to encourage people to try it."Apparently, Hard-or-whatever mode will "change the topography of the levels a lot" and offer different puzzles. In a game built entirely around environmental puzzles like that, with no enemies, that's about the only way a hard mode could be instituted without awful time limits. "It's more like playing a new set of levels than getting the normal ones in a harder format," he said. It sounds like some alteration of the base levels to create new challenges. Maybe Hard Mode is the regular game, inverted? Although looking at the above screenshot, maybe not.
Discover the first screens, trailer for La-Mulana
Nicalis and Nigoro officially announced the WiiWare release of La-Mulana today, launching a teaser site for the Wii remake of the 8-bit styled "Action Archaeological Ruins Exploration" game. Nicalis estimates that the game will be completed around November of this year for a "late 2009" release. We'll be able to roll right from Cave Story (presumably) into another indie platformer remake!After the break you'll find the trailer, which shows off the lush visual upgrade La-Mulana is receiving for this release. While we weren't pleased about losing the obvious MSX influence from the original, the new game looks really nice. The real draw, for us, is the music. It's so '80s-anime![Via GoNintendo]
Indie platformer La-Mulana heading to WiiWare via Nicalis
Yesterday, Nicalis, developer of the WiiWare Cave Story remake and Night Game, announced a deal with Japanese indie developer Nigoro to co-develop and publish games in the US and Europe. The announcement stated that the companies would collaborate on "an upcoming title that is currently slated for release in winter of 2009."Nintendo Power went ahead and revealed that the game in question is a remake of La-Mulana, a freeware Metroidvania type game designed in the style of 8-bit MSX games. If you haven't played it, check it out! The new version will have more of a 16-bit look, which is probably a good idea for a market that didn't have the MSX. And yes, it does give us the tiniest bit of concern that Nicalis is working on something else before we have Cave Story. Only a bit.
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: E3 interviews
This week, the Nintendo Channel has been flooded with a variety of interviews about big upcoming Wii titles. There are interviews with the folks behind FFCC: The Crystal Bearers, Red Steel 2, Cave Story, and, as you can see above, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. So, hit up the video above, then if you want more E3 interview goodness, be sure to boot up your Wii and check out what's on the Nintendo Channel.%Gallery-47570%
How Night Game got to WiiWare
The silhouette-style puzzle platformer Night Game represents the first WiiWare release from Knytt creator Nicklas "Nifflas" Nygren. Nifflas and Tyrone Rodriguez from developer Nicalis spoke with Gamasutra (specifically, Joystiq alum Eric Caoili!) about the new game and about its home on WiiWare.Surprisingly, Night Game, which still isn't its final title, wasn't intended for WiiWare at first. Rodriguez made the call to put Night Game on WiiWare early in development. Nifflas told Gamasutra that "I've always wanted there to be a PC build of (Night Game), since many of my fans have been waiting for this game. I however respect Tyrone's decision here." Adapting the game concept to the Wii Remote led to a change in control mapping that "would have been an advantage even on a PC version. "It was GoNintendo's RawMeatCowboy, according to Nifflas, who put him in contact with Nicalis, and therefore indirectly led to Night Game becoming a WiiWare title.
