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A Boy and His Blob detailed in latest Nintendo Power
Remember earlier today when we revealed the first image of A Boy and His Blob from Nintendo Power's exclusive story? Well, we lied a little bit when we said that the pixelated image you saw then wasn't going to be revealed until March 5. No folks, we got the full details (well, the first full page of details at least) early from our good buddies at Nintendo Power, and are happy to report that A Boy and His Blob looks to recreate all the enjoyment you had with the original. Jellybean-related gameplay and the game's story are back for a second run in the Majesco-published, WayForward-developed Wii game and it's set to hit retailers this Fall, according to the NP piece. WayForward, known for recent WiiWare horror/puzzler LIT and technologically impressive Shantae for Game Boy Color, will be hand-drawing all the (yes, 2D) visuals. It's also adding to the original's defensive and puzzle-solving jellybeanery with beans that turn your blob into various offensive items (some examples given are anvil dropping and ground removing). If you want more details (and an interview with the game's director) you'll just have to wait until you get your grubby little mitts on the April issue of Nintendo Power.
A Boy and His Blob bouncing to Wii on a tangerine trampoline
We've suddenly been hit with a jellybean craving, thanks to Nintendo Power's reveal of a Boy and His Blob "reinvention" for Wii. The magazine teases an upcoming Wii preview with a pixelated image of the article, to be revealed March 5. The table of contents, however, features the unobscured Boy and His Blob artwork seen here. We can only hope that this Wii reimagining of the classic David Crane-designed puzzle-adventure will fare better than the heartbreakingly cancelled DS game. The single piece of art is already more promising than the admittedly garish look of the DS game, at least. [Via GoNintendo]
Future's future in print not looking bright in the US
Despite an uptick in UK magazine sales it seems that Future Publishing is not seeing quite as encouraging numbers in the US. Its magazines in the region (Nintendo Power and the official Microsoft and Sony mags) have seen the company's revenue fall by 2% over the last three months, calling into question how sustainable that particular medium is in the current economic climate. Print advertising revenues fell by 4% during the same period, while online advertising revenue increased by 25%. 2 million new users have been accessing its web content (which includes GamesRadar) since September, bringing the total to over 20 million. A far larger reach than is realistically possible with a magazine. All the signs are pointing to the death of print media in the US; you need only think back a few weeks to the closure of EGM to realize that. Future is putting on a brave face, stating that it will "remain confident that we're in the best shape we can be to deal with whatever challenges lie ahead and are on track to deliver against expectations for the full year." The company's gaming section is proving to be less resilient to the economic crisis than its other sectors, such as music or technology. With almost a third of its entire library devoted to video games, however, this decline is certainly troubling.
Nintendo Power teases ... Indianapolis?
How does a satellite image of Indianapolis link to imminent Nintendo news? That's the question posed by Nintendo Power's latest "Next Month" teaser. Seemingly yanked straight from Google Maps, this is one of the vaguest hints we've seen from the magazine for some time, and one that has predictably set message boards and comment threads alight.The most popular guess we've seen concerns some kind of Google content appearing on the Wii, which doesn't sound implausible, but is that really worth building hype in this way? Other speculation ranges from a localized Disaster: Day of Crisis to a Pilotwings game to (with absolutely crushing inevitablity) Earthbound. Your speculation, show us it!
Nintendo Power: Brawl, Team Ninja staff working on new TMNT fighter
Well. Here's some profoundly bizarre, slightly awesome news out of the latest issue of Nintendo Power: Ubisoft is planning a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting game. Not to go along with a movie, cartoon, or comic -- just because. This project is going to involve staff from Super Smash Bros. Brawl (maybe Game Arts people?) as well as Team Ninja expats. That's all we can confirm, given our non-possession of the magazine.But some guy on the IGN boards (which require a login, so check the GoNintendo reproduction here) went on to (probably) summarize the article, revealing the game to be a 2.5d, four-player fighting game with online play. Hey, we like those -- especially when they feature beloved characters from our youth! Although we don't like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting games (well, the SNES one was okay, and the NES one was technically impressive). According to the IGN poster, Ubisoft is shooting for a September release. Bossa nova!
Zelda director won't quit until he surpasses Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time turned 10 years old last Friday. Remarkably, even after a decade of technological advances and narrative achievements in gaming, it remains atop Gamerankings' list as the highest rated game of all time. However, if Eiji Aonuma (director of Ocarina and every subsequent Zelda title) has his way, the Hylian N64 classic will be dethroned in his lifetime. In a recent interview with Nintendo Power, Aonuma expressed his lofty career goals -- he plans to stick with the Zelda series until he creates a title that surpasses Ocarina of Time. This is fantastic news, as Aonuma's continued involvement with the series is likely the only reason we've yet to see a spin-off title featuring a gun-toting Dark Link.
Aonuma can't quit Zelda until he beats Ocarina of Time
As co-director of a game that many consider the greatest of all time, you'd think Eiji Aonuma would be content to put his feet up and soak up the praise. It's what we would do, but that's probably why we'll never create anything as awe-inspiring as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.Speaking to Nintendo Power about his past work on most of the Zeldas since Ocarina of Time, Aonuma insists that he can't stop making the games, because he's yet to beat what he achieved with Ocarina. "I'm happy that a title I worked on some time ago remains highly praised to this day," he says, "but that also shows how none of the subsequent games in the series have surpassed it."He adds that this alone may be what motivates him to make more Zelda and keep putting more happy in our heads. A revealing insight into the perfectionist mindset of a top game designer!%Gallery-29660%
MadWorld's take on Wii music
As happens each month, some of the more interesting tidbits from the holiday issue of Nintendo Power have been transcribed by the tireless folks at Aeropause.The most eye-catching news, for us? A novel and particularly painful-sounding attack in Platinum Games' MadWorld. According to the magazine, you'll be able to lodge "a trumpet where the sun don't shine, leaving the unfortunate fellow to stagger around as he inadvertently toots the horn." Awe. Some. What's a trumpet doing lying around on the set of a futuristic game show about death and wanton bloodletting? Heck, don't ask, just shove.Other worthy factoids drawn from the mag deal with how No More Heroes creator Goichi Suda relaxes (by playing Burnout Paradise), and the news that Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers will have a two-player splitscreen mode. Hit up Aeropause for the rest!%Gallery-22964%[Via Go Nintendo]
Latest Nintendo Power says 100 onscreen zombies in Dead Rising
According to the latest issue of Nintendo Power, Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop might not be the slouch many are making it out to be. The magazine mentions that there could be up to 100 zombies onscreen at once. Aside from that, improvements include: Combat controls will mimic Resident Evil 4. Selectable difficulty level. Improved save system. Larger text! Overtime mode now part of the main game. Sounds like Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop will be an option-rich good time. How many of you are looking forward to it?%Gallery-28028%
Promotional Consideration: Wagon Wheels' March
It seems as if it wasn't that long ago when rumors of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen coming stateside first appeared, querying our next command. But here we are, less than two months away from the 3D remake's September 16 release, and Square Enix already has its marketing engine for the game running. The publisher has certainly done its part to push summer along by keeping the past couple of months busy with quality releases.This week's edition of Promotional Consideration pulls out a page from the latest issue of Nintendo Power to bring you Square Enix's new DQIV ad. Join us past the post break!See also: A Dragon Quest IV comic strip draws near! Command?%Gallery-23400%
Sonic and the Black Knight scann'd and quartered
We promised an update, so here we are! That oft-discussed Nintendo Power cover did contain some righteous screens of Sonic and the Black Knight within its papery (Remember paper? The stuff you learned stuff from before the internet?) depths, and we commandeered the above shot for your viewing pleasure.This new Sonic adventure takes the series in a new direction which, as evidenced by fans continuously lamenting the destruction of the franchise, is sorely needed. The initial reaction hasn't been positive, as fans don't expect this game to be some kind of salvation. Some gameplay details have been revealed, including multiple characters (namely Shadow and Knuckles), different sword maneuvers, and a system which earns knighthood points depending on your good or bad actions during levels. Oh, and his sword is named Calibur, and it talks.Well, we all wanted Sonic to go really fast, and that turned out to be a big bust, so what now? Do you feel like a passenger on a train bound for Shovelware City? Check out the rest of the scans at Gamekyo and have your say.
Rumor: Nintendo Power to reveal Wii exclusive Sonic and the Black Knight
At the end of last month's issue of Nintendo Power, the editors promised a huge reveal in the magazine's following issue, teasing those anxiously awaiting Wii-exclusive installments in the Earthbound and Kingdom Hearts franchises. However, if the supposed scans of the cover of the upcoming edition of Nintendo Power that have begun to trickle onto the internet are legit, then the publication's big surprise could be coming from an unexpected source -- a new adventure of a recognizable blue rodent, titled Sonic and the Black Knight.Assuming the scans are real, the twentieth anniversary edition of Nintendo Power will give readers their first look at the title. No other details are given on the supposed cover, though we're sure the sole image of the cerulean speedster brandishing a broadsword is enough to send you into a tizzy. However, let us not forget the disaster that resulted the last time we bestowed a lethal weapon upon a hedgehog.
Rumors: New Sonic game and Dead Rising for US
This fairly authentic-looking image of a Nintendo Power magazine cover, if real, means that the magazine has the scoop on yet another Wii game in the works starring Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic and the Black Knight apparently features Sonic fighting with a sword, which would fit with the teaser graphic the magazine put at the end of the last issue.It also fits with Sega's recent use of new gameplay mechanics nobody wants, a change from their previous habit of creating new characters nobody wants. Although if Sonic and the Black Knight uses the Wii MotionPlus to render swordplay like Wii Sports Resort does, we're totally on board.The English title at the top for the new Dead Rising game both is great and suggests that an American release of the remake is already planned. If, of course, this image is not a fake created by a jerk.[Thanks, CJMErl!]
Nintendo Power DS mockup just a NIS advertising 'edit'
Remember the crazy ad in Nintendo Power (pictured above) that "hinted" at a DS redesign? (You should; we only posted about it two days ago, silly rabbits.) It turns out that the poor Photoshop job is nothing to speculate about, as NIS America only "placed screenshots on a DS backing to emphasize the platform, and edited them for effect." Now, we never took Marketing 101, but that seems like somewhat misleading advertising to us.NIS America's marketing guru Nao Zook apologized for any confusion that the picture may have caused, stating that there is no widescreen DS in the works (to her or the company's knowledge). So, you can rest assured (or at least hold your breath until E3) that you won't have to pony up the cash for yet another DS. Gallery: Nintendo DS mockups Gallery: Disgaea
Nintendo Power teases DS owners with a faux redesign [update]
Some are awful, some are amazing. Yes, the DS has precisely one gazillion "concept" models floating around the place, from fans who want their own particular quirks included with the inevitable possible redesign of the handheld. Nintendo Power has featured this image with an advertisement for Disgaea DS and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, and although it looks pretty cool, it's extraordinarily doubtful that one of the most talked-about rumors in the history of the DS has just awkwardly been confirmed via this image. Bogus, but neat! It's pretty much the same thing as the DS Lite now, only with bigger screens. Which is more or less exactly what the DS needs -- the rest is spot on. The fact that the bottom screen is misaligned with the top screen lends evidence to some guy taking one too many coffee breaks during his Photoshop training. Looks rad, not official -- redesign will probably come soon anyway. Watch this space for all E3 Nintendo revelations! Update: Just as we thought, Nintendo denied that this widescreen DS is a representation of a new unit, stating this is "purely rumor and speculation." %Gallery-20355% [Via Aeropause]
Rumor: Nintendo to reveal Animal Crossing MMO at E3
The picture above comes from the latest edition of the UK Nintendo Power, and the tag line up in the corner says "It's been a while. It's time to revisit an old friend. How's your village doing these days?" Looks like news about the Animal Crossing MMO for the Wii is just around the corner.And you know what else is just around the corner? E3. The Nintendo Power issue is using the image, which is actually art for the old DS version (here's hoping we'll see actual Miis in the new Animal Crossing), as a teaser for next month, and it's a pretty good guess that by the time next month rolls around, Nintendo will have told us something about the new version at E3. Massively will be there of course, so we'll keep our eyes open.Tom Nook is about to own your soul again -- but this time, he'll do it online.
Promotional Consideration: Nester's return
This month's 20th anniversary issue of Nintendo Power seemed to leave everyone's head spinning with its exclusive Wii news, Mega Man 9 and Castlevania Judgment, so much so, that hardly anyone noticed the magazine's other big item: a new Nester comic!A lot has happened since we last saw him over a decade ago -- apparently, he now has a Wii, a wife, and ... a son?! Bring your memories of the smart aleck character past the post break for Nester's return!
Nintendo Power's Sword in the Preview
As it's been known to do, Nintendo Power wrapped up its latest issue promising a new unannounced title for next month's cover. Given the exclusive reveals the magazine has featured lately, such as Mega Man 9 for WiiWare and the Castlevania Judgment 3D fighter, both arguably megatons, it's hard not to expect another huge surprise!Nintendo Power's preview page for the next issue brandishes the above image and a quick prank on Earthbound fans (as if they needed more teasing): "We'll kick off the next 20 years of Nintendo Power with more big reveals, including a top-secret cover story fit for a king. It's got a lot of heart. Just kidding. It's Mother 3. Just kidding. Please look forward to it."What could it be? A sequel to Square's lackluster King's Knight? Even better, perhaps a remake of Capcom's Knights of the Round? What are your gueses?
Rumor: 'Mankind ill needs a Castlevania Wii game such as this' [update]
Disaster!Of all the different directions you expected Konami to take with Castlevania's Wii debut, we're sure that "3D fighting game" was not one of them. Nonetheless, the above shot is what allegedly appeared in the latest issue of Nintendo Power.Other rumored details we heard through the grapevine (oh, and we're just about to lose our mind)? Honey, honey: Wii remote used for motion attacks, Nunchuk for character movement Rumored characters include Simon, Alucard, Shanoa, Maria Renard, and, of course, Dracula Holy water, magic spells, dagger, and boomerang subweapons Using subweapons requires hearts Remixed classic Castlevania tracks Destroyable environments Enemy monsters jump into the battle Placeable traps Steals men's souls, and makes them its slaves! No word yet on whether you'll be able to throw plates of curry at your opponents. Your thoughts?At least we have Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for the Nintendo DS to look forward to, still!Update: More shots from the Nintendo Power pages added after the break!
Nintendo working on an online magazine? [update]
[Update: the short answer is "Yes, they are!" However, it's the same web magazine they've had in Japan forever. Only the trademark registration is new.]When it became clear that Nintendo's version of Nintendo Power was on the way out, there was a lot of speculation that the magazine would move online, bolstered Reggie Fils-Aime's idea of making Nintendo Power's archives becoming available on the Wii. Of course, instead of the print magazine being replaced by an online resource, it was replaced by ... an almost identical magazine.Nintendo of Japan seems to have been inspired by the idea, however -- or by I Can Haz Cheezburger. They've registered a trademark for something called "Nintendo Online Magazine" or "N.O.M." Could this be a Wii-based magazine? The Nintendo Channel has already shown that Nintendo is willing to create exclusive video content for the Wii, along with demos. Words would be a natural next step.
