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Nintendo brings families closer with Father's Day tourney
Click image to enter the gallery Yesterday was Father's Day and there were so many ways to celebrate love for dad. One such way was to just spend time with dear dad playing games. If you're a father yourself, the same concept applies -- spend some time playing games with the kids. Though, if you're reading this, perhaps you've already done your fair share of getting the kids involved with your gaming habits. Anyway, Nintendo thought the idea was good and ran with it this Sunday by holding a Super Smash Brothers Brawl tourney for fathers and their children at the Nintendo World Store. We caught up with some of these father-son/daughter teams to see how gaming has played into their lives. Paul and his son Samuel arrived at the tourney with a strong game plan. They set out to scout out the competition and "protect each other" when it came time to brawl. Paul himself is a longtime gamer: "I'm old school. Remember Space Invaders?" He's been playing with his son since the N64 days, and we suspect that's where that serious competitive edge comes from. Many other dads, like Larry, had never played games before or rarely did with their children. Larry's sons Jeffrey and Philip got him to go to today's event and try out a game for the first time. Interestingly, he liked it and even said he'd play more often with his kids from now on. Out of the 32 teams, the most interesting story comes from tourney winners Dennis and his son Michael. "I'm a Zelda guy," said Dennis. The family plays games every weekend. "It's our thing. We play until we're tired." Like Paul's family, Dennis and his kids have been playing together since the N64 days, and like them, they too came with a strong game plan: "We're pretending to not know how to play," we were told. It's a strategy that worked, resulting in them beating out all other father-child duos. Dennis and Michael won themselves a Wii, a trophy, and a copy of Smash Bros. We guess that the family that plays together ... wins tournaments together. Fancy that. %Gallery-25228%
Nintendads? Father-son Brawl tournament
Nothing shows Dad your life-long appreciation more than kicking his butt at Super Smash Bros. Brawl, further affirming to him that he is now a lost soul in a whole world of new technology. Well, that could be the case, but plenty of parents have proven their dedication to gaming in the past, so the chil'n may not have the upper hand.Stroll on down to the Nintendo World store in New York City on Father's Day for an official Brawl tournament, where fathers and sons will engage in battle, bond lovingly, and question each other's sexuality upon choosing Peach or Zelda.Save any household fussin' and feudin' for the tournament, as pent-up male rage is set to explode in an ocean of umbrellas, star wands and banana peels. Nintendo is awarding two Wii consoles, two copies of Brawl and a winner's trophy for whichever dynamic duo takes the tournament crown. All the action goes down from 1 - 4pm on Sunday, June 15.%Gallery-3347%
Darkrai to stalk our dreams at Nintendo World Store
Pokémaniacs, take note: between now and the end of June, the Nintendo World Store in New York will be offering Darkrai as a free download. That means you've got precisely twenty-seven days to save up for and book a flight/ferry/coach ticket to the Big Apple to scoop one of the more elusive thirteen Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Diamond or Pearl (note: there are certain other methods to obtaining Darkrai that lack scruples).If you were looking for a perfect excuse for a break in The City That Never Sleeps, this could be it. Just don't forget to send us a postcard.%Gallery-12161%
Namco hosting We Ski event at the Nintendo World Store
The folks at Namco Bandai have announced that they'll be hosting an event in celebration of their title We Ski. It all goes down at the Nintendo World Store in New York City this Saturday, between 12pm and 4pm. Demo kiosks will be available to demo the title, either with the Wiimote and nunchuk or using the Balance Board. There won't be much in the way of goodies available, but the first 500 people to pick up the game will get a free poster.%Gallery-17418%[Via press release]
Wii Fit gets people on their feet (to wait in line to play Wii Fit)
Nintendo's Wii Fit launch event in Central Park drew a crowd of interested onlookers and Balance Board tryer-outers yesterday. They could just walk over to the Nintendo World Store to buy the thing, but the rest of us chumps have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest. Oh, well, pacing is exercise too.To entice the crowd to make that purchase, Nintendo offered live demonstrations of the game as well as personal Wii Fit sessions with trainers (who probably trained people to take their shoes off and follow the instructions on the screen). The event also served as an American Heart Association fundraiser. We've got Nintendo's own pictures in our gallery below; for more, check out Engadget.%Gallery-23307%%Gallery-4745%
Nintendo recalls character lapel pins
If you received a lapel pin from Nintendo between 2004 and 2007, either as a giveaway or a purchase from the Nintendo World Store, you could be in danger. Not just the regular poking-based kind of danger associated with pins, either. The pins are painted with an unsafe level of lead, which could be harmful if ingested. Unlike other pins, which are harmless when swallowed.Nintendo is recalling the affected pins, and will ship out non-poisonous replacements. More information is available at the link, or at (800) 431-0971. At least you get a shiny new pin out of the deal. Keep it out of your mouth just in case.[Via Gamespot]
Mario Kart Wii NYC launch: Mario + Priestley = BFF
Click for high-resolution version At the Nintendo World Store on Saturday, Mario and has-been heartthrob Jason Priestley combined forces to promote Mario Kart Wii. It was an unconventional union with perfect ties: Two products of the early 90s (90210 debuted in the fall of 1990, Mario Kart two years later) with a passion for racing. However, Priestley wasn't the only pseudo-star wearing a smug smile, as Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford made a surprise appearance to appease the crowd of young debutantes, while their mothers snuck photo ops with their old crush. Mario, of course, remained the most popular persona of the afternoon. After all, who could deny the charm of that adorable mustache?For pics of the debaucherous after party (was Peach really not wearing any ... !) you'll have to try TMZ -- we were just there for the family-friendly festivities, where young and old challenged one another for racing supremacy. 250 lucky attendees were able to purchase the game early, while everyone had the opportunity to enter a tournament and go hands-on with the Wii Wheel. The top three tourney racers went on to challenge Priestley for a chance to win a Wii and copy of Mario Kart. Of course, there was only one winner: Nazareth (was it divine intervention?). The champion received his brand new system and game, a high-five from Mario, and all-important bragging rights. (So much for Priestley's experience on the race track.)Other highlights from the Nintendo World Store party? Best Mario Kart t-shirt ever. So, cruise through the rest of our photo gallery below and then be sure to check out Game Daily's interview with Jason Priestley. Is the man a gamer? Find out.%Gallery-21667%
Jason Priestley wants to throw down in some Mario Kart with you
Following up the kind gesture of offering you a free lift, Nintendo has informed us that one and all are invited to the Nintendo World Store in New York City for fun and games this Saturday from 2 - 6pm, one day before the game releases here in North America. But, Nintendo, we have to ask: why not just hold the event on Sunday or let folks pick up the game then, on Saturday? Seems like it wouldn't be too fun to head on down for the festivities, try the game out then have to return back to your life for 24 hours before you can buy it.Still, it should be a fun shindig going down at the Nintendo World Store. They're going to give out personalized Mario Kart licenses, as well as hold a tournament where the winner can take on (and, we assume, whip the ass of) actor and driving enthusiast Jason Priestley. Just, uh, don't ask him what Dylan is up to these days.See also: Fanswag: Mario Kart Extravaganza%Gallery-4772%[Via press release]
Teenage Zombies: Launch Party of the Alien Brain Thingys
Throngs of the walking dead children and people with nothing else to do will descend upon the Nintendo World Store on April 12th for a Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys release party. We're quite surprised -- Teenage Zombies doesn't seem like the kind of high-profile game that usually gets honored by an event like this. It's usually first-party games, anticipated third-party games in established series, and, of course, big licenses.If you're at all interested in this game, and, of course, you're in the New York area, this is your chance to go and high-five the other Brain Thingys fans and probably pick up some kind of promo thingys! It's at the Nintendo World Store in New York City, on April 12th, from 11 to 4 (a NWS employee informed us of the time change when we called).[Via GoNintendo]
Joystiq on-hand at the Dragon Sword launch
Andrew Yoon, who you may know from Joystiq and enemy blogs PSP and PS3 Fanboy, has the benefit of being able to attend launch parties at the Nintendo World Store in New York city. This comes as a perk of living in New York, because for us to attend the Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword launch event, we'd have to hitchhike with strangers and probably ride a mythical beast or two.For all of the juicy pictures from the event, including the game's development director, Yosuke Hayashi, hit up the gallery below. Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword launch
Limited-edition DSes spotted at Nintendo World Store
Flickr user anmghstnet photographed an excellent collection of special-edition DSes now on display at New York City's Nintendo World Store. We recognized most of them from imported bundles, like the Square-Enix handhelds and the SD Gundam G Generation Cross Drive DS, but there are a few we haven't seen since they were first announced, like the Momotaro Dentetsu and Pokemon Daisuki Club systems.There are also some DSes we've never seen in the wild -- the Corocoro Dragon Comics-branded portable pictured above being a good example. The cheap-looking Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Kirby: Squeak Squad, and Wario: Master of Disguise systems? Those were special K-Zone editions given away by the magazine as prizes for past competitions. Hit the gallery below for more photos of the limited-edition handhelds.%Gallery-19122%
The Legend of the Engraved DS
New York City's Nintendo World Store has been offering a DS engraving service for over half a year now, so we're surprised that we haven't heard from more people who've taken advantage of this $20 customization. The etched system above comes from Zelda fangirl Kimya, showing off a Minish Cap-era Link handling a gust jar.What would we get if we had the opportunity to have our handheld engraved, you ask? Well, we have a certain lizard in mind ...See also: Someone put a damn unicycling llama on their DS
One place in the U.S. is still getting Wiis daily
As the guillotine's blade falls ever closer to your neck (see: Christmas is right around the corner), you might be in a panic that you're not going to get that Wii for your loved one. It sucks, we know. But, if you live in or around the New York city area, there's one place that's getting Wii shipments on a daily basis: the Nintendo World Store.New York City's Rockefeller Center is no stranger to crowds. But, it's been commented that multiple people have been lining up outside of the Nintendo World Store each morning, as the news of consoles being seen at the store each morning gets passed around, with "at least 20 [Wiis] lined up behind the main counter. Just Wii boxes waiting for the next person in line." Bag, please open and release cat.If you live in the city, you might want to check this out. Any of our NYC readers planning on doing this? Did you get your Wii from the Nintendo World Store?
Mario brings his sexy back at 'Galaxy' launch party
"That's a real nice ass," blurted the DJ as Mario jiggled his backside in front of a Super Mario Galaxy backdrop. The scene was something out of "Mario's Bar Mitzvah," CAG's Wombat observed inside a crowded lot adjacent to New York's Nintendo World Store where an awkward clash of tweens, performing impromptu dance routines to yesterday's Top 40, and bundled-up twenty-somethings merged in the dwindling hours of a chilly Sunday night. Despite a Velcro wall and bungee run, some laser lights, and an abundance of Mario-equipped Wii kiosks, the Galaxy launch party never escalated into the full-on carnival that Nintendo had envisioned -- next time, don't forget the funnel cake.The ringleader was too disoriented to command the crowd, perhaps punchy (it gets hot in those suits) as he latched on to an attractive mom. Urged by the DJ to bring his sexy back, we couldn't fault Mario for his diverted interest. But is it really cougar hunting season already?%Gallery-10130%
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass launch draws cosplayers to Nintendo Store
Click for high-res image. The newest Zelda game, Phantom Hourglass for the DS, launched a day early to the surprise of Nintendo World Store shoppers today in New York City. It's not every day that a new Zelda game graces the Nintendo faithful, and the World Store housed some rare memorabilia from the series' long-running legacy. In addition, cosplayers flocked to the store for a chance to nab the game for free. Excuuuse me, but this Link from the original Saturday morning cartoon wins the cake from us.%Gallery-7996%
DS Daily: Kicking off Zelda week!
It's here at last -- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass! Like the Nintendo World Store, we know how to celebrate, though with considerably fewer prizes, unfortunately. That doesn't mean we aren't hyped, though; in fact, we'll be spending time focusing on all things Zelda for the entire week. Anyone headed to the event in New York? We'd love to hear about it if you're going (or if you already have). If, like the rest of us, you're not close enough to join in on the fun, share your excitement with us here. We've been waiting for this one for a long time ....
Father-son event at Nintendo world store
The Nintendo World Store held a father-son event in New York today for the title of "Biggest Brain." The winners were Rick and Michael Singer of Virginia who beat 30 other contestants (so, 15 teams?). The bracket-style playoff tested memorization, computation, analysis and other skills we overly evolved apes have. The event was a giant interactive advertisement for Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree.The Singers walked away with the "hot Wii," which we don't know if that means stolen, and a copy of the Wii Big Brain Academy. The best part is the father, Rick Singer, went to New York on a whim with his son, he says, "I asked my son to come to New York with me for Father's Day, but he said he'd only come if we could go to the Nintendo World store." So, dad wants to spend time with son, son wants to visit the Nintendo World Store, and they walk away with a Wii. Not a bad bonding experience.[Via Press Release]
Joystiq at the Pokemon launch party in NYC
Thousands of Pokemon fans stormed the Nintendo World Store for their incredible Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch party. Getting into the event was no easy task, as the line stretched across a New York avenue. Once inside, fans were treated to equally long lines to purchase the game, and a myriad of activities to partake in. A scavenger hunt had Pokemaniacs survive the heat and go through all the stations set up for fans.Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori from Game Freak stopped by to answer fan's questions and sign autographs. In spite of the surprising success of the Pokemon franchise, the two were incredibly humble and seemed jovial in the presence of their adoring fans. Children (of all ages) crowded the plaza for a chance to meet some of the people responsible for this global phenomenon.To end the festivities, Nintendo made an incredible donation to Earth Day NY: a giant check (is there any other kind?) for $10,000 was presented to the eco-friendly charity. The event was a blast, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits. Considering the thousands of people in attendance, it's safe to say that the Pokemon phenomenon is still going strong.%Gallery-2731%
Food, fun, and photos from the Cooking Mama event
Reader Alex answered our call for photos from Saturday's Cooking Mama kickoff event held at the Nintendo World Store, and he wasn't messing around -- his Flickr set contains nearly 100 pictures! It's just like we were there ourselves, and thanks to his efforts and our caption skills, you can experience it as well. Hit the jump for a selection of photos, and then go wallow in the entire set. It's enough to make our tummies rumble.
New York Cooking Mama event at Rockefeller Center
As part of the launch for Cooking Mama: Cook Off on the Wii, Majesco is holding a little cook off celebration of their own. On March 31 at the Nintendo World Store in New York's Rockefeller Center, Majesco will host an event from 11 AM until 4 PM. There will be snacks, competitions featuring Cooking Mama and winners will acquire a copy of the game. Everyone who attends the event will receive a Cooking Mama apron while supplies last. It's the perfect event to bring a little sibling, niece, nephew or even your own child to. Then again, that's what everyone else who reads this is thinking. Beware the hardcore Cooking Mama fanboys, they may look innocent, but they know how to wield a Wiimote like a knife -- ALLEZ CUISINE!
