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No Metroid Prime 3 until after June
A recent interview with Nintendo's name-taker/ass-kicker Reggie Fils-Aime revealed some disappointing (but not surprising) news. Originally scheduled as a Wii launch title, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was pushed back to a vague "er, um, sometime around, uh, 2007" release. That was later refined to "later this year." Now, according to Fils-Aime, Metroid Prime 3 won't see the light of day until after June. And if recent pre-order rumors turn out to be true, it could be way, way after June.Why the delay? According to Reggie, both Nintendo and Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios were disappointed with the sales of Metroid Prime 2. Prime 3 has to be the best game in the series, and that level of perfection takes time.Yes, we want Metroid now, but if it turns out as good as we've been led to believe, it'll be worth the wait.
Metroid Prime 3 not shipping before July
In a recent interview with Newsweek, Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that he likes ponies Metroid Prime 3: Corruption would not be shipping before July. This is hardly a surprise, as we expect Nintendo to hype the heck out of what will surely be the first killer-app FPS on the console, but we find it slightly disappointing nevertheless.More disturbing, however, is the concept of the "Big Three" (Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl) all supposedly being released in 2007. Realistically, one of these three will be pushed back (most likely Brawl, since Prime is extremely far into development and Shigeru Miyamoto recently reconfirmed a 2007 release for Galaxy), but with nothing coming before July, will Nintendo risk putting even two of its heavy hitters in close proximity to one another? Nintendo could get away with only one release, provided certain games are released as scheduled, but the prospects are disturbing.
Reggie talks about third-party support
Newsweek's N'Gai Croal chatted with Reggie Fils-Aime at GDC, and since that show was so rich with creamy, flavorful news, this interview has only now found its way onto the site. The interview is largely on the subject of third-party support for the Wii and DS, and for the most part, Reggie takes personal responsibility for what he sees as positive developments.For example, Reggie seems to credit his own meetings with former Take Two CEO Paul Eibeler for the advent of Wii Manhunt 2. He also claims that his conversations with Laurent Dutoc of Ubisoft led to ... pretty much half the stuff on the Wii. We aren't business experts, so we don't know, but could it really be as simple as that? Is Reggie charismatic enough to personally influence publishers' plans? Or is he using personal terms as a shorthand for more complicated business dealings?
A laughable list of who's 'most overrated' in the industry
Over at GameDaily, Chris Buffa (ha!) has put together a list of what he believes are the "top 5 most overrated industry people," calling out industry gods (and rightfully so) Hideo Kojima and Shigeru Miyamoto. Surely, anyone who ever doubts the abilities, contributions and impact one Mr. Miyamoto has on the industry deserves to have their head examined ... with a sledgehammer. First, we'll get into his comments on Kojima, a man we'd probably be thankful to if he even took the time to set us on fire. We love him that much. And with Chris' criticisms of the Metal Gear Solid franchise (all play the same, no idea what is going on in the games, etc.), we're that much more sure the man is off his meds. The reason all the "traditional" Metal Gear Solid games play the same is because they are good. Why fix what isn't broken? Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was our favorite game of 2004, and for good reason. As for not being able to understand the game's content, we suggest you actually pay attention to the cut scenes.As for Mr. Miyamoto, to say that he is "falling back on the same overused franchises" over and over again is a misinformed statement. He isn't falling back on them, he's helping to improve them. Whether you believe the hype or not on a certain Super Mario Galaxy, it's probably going to reinvent the platform genre (we can say that, we played it). To try and downplay his contributions at Nintendo is just idiotic.Finally, Chris takes time to bash Reggie Fils-Aime. Aside from the GBA Micro debacle (seriously, why was that thing made?) at E3, Reggie has done nothing but improved Nintendo's place in the industry. And that's not to downplay Iwata's contributions, but for as much as we all love to make fun of Reggie, he's probably done more than most for the company during his stay with Nintendo.[Via Joystiq]
Reggie downplays Wiimote's TV wrath, 360's European sales
NOA President Reggie Fils-Aime, ever the iconoclast, had some choice words for the San Jose Mercury News about the success of the Xbox 360 in Europe. In effect, he claimed that the 360's success in Europe is localized to the UK, while the Wii is (obviously!) doing great across the continent.Reggie also slyly wrote off the early (and not so early) strap issues, while blaming consumer ignorance for the few known cases. He said that the strap was originally meant to be a backup safety measure in case the controller slipped out of players' hands, but many users got too rough with their controllers and put excessive force into their motions. Of course, Nintendo has been kind enough to replace the straps.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Reggie disses 360's European presence
Nintendo of America boss, Reggie Fils-Aime, has some fighting words for Microsoft. In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Reggie was asked about Nintendo's success with the Wii. When asked about its performance in Europe in comparison to its competitors (i.e. Microsoft) Reggis responded, "360 is selling well only in one country: UK. Across the rest of Europe, it is not performing well. Wii, on the other hand, is selling exceptionally well all through Europe."We know that Microsoft has been aggressive in tackling markets all over the world, launching its console in countries like Brazil and India last year. Whether or not the 360 is performing well throughout Europe, we really don't know, though we're sure Microsoft remains confident in it sales prediction of 12 million units worldwide by the end of June.What say you, European fanboys? Is Microsoft's Xbox 360 a hot commodity outside of the UK, or is Reggie right on the money?[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Best Buy informs pre-orders no Metroid 3 till 2008?
Best Buy sent out letters (example above with identifiers removed) to those who pre-ordered Metroid Prime 3: Corruption informing them the status of their pre-order has changed. The pre-order release date is now 12/31/2007. Does Best Buy know something that the rest of us don't, or are they just hedging their bets and protecting themselves by giving an outrageous date? All we know at this point is Metroid is not a Q2 release and it's already been said that the game will be "perfect" at release. Nintendo does not comment on rumors and speculation. Best Buy currently has 3/15/2007 as the release date on their website, other major retailers in the U.S. and gaming sites are still using 6/1/2007 or later as their placeholder date. We raise one eyebrow and now seek signs of a 2007 Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros. Brawl release.[Thanks Zac]
GDC 07: Reggie plays Wii Tennis with journalists, takes names
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime invited journalists to test his Wii Tennis mettle at a GDC soiree last night. What started as a few friendly matches, however, quickly turned into a slaughter of the news hounds. One by one, his challengers found their skills bested and their gaming egos trampled on.IGN's Craig Harris documented the emasculation of fellow editor, Matt Casamassina, with photos you can see on his blog. Craig also found himself outplayed, admitting to a shutout loss while Reggie sipped from a glass of wine in between serves. It's great to see that Nintendo's upper management have time to actually play the games that they're so busy promoting, but that's just cruel.
GDC 07: Nintendo execs on nerdiest shirt ever
The best thing about the massive popularity of the Wii is that eventually we'll be able to wear something like this and not have to explain it. We can already imagine explaining to our grandparents that they're caricatures of prominent figures in a Japanese video game company, created using tools on that company's latest video game system. Oh, and we talk about these people a lot, for work.This GDC '07 shirt features Mii versions of Satoru Iwata, Shigeru Miyamoto, and Reggie Fils-Aime. We'd totally wear it-- we're not out to win any popularity contests.
Reggie chats Wii supplies and new E3, sees it as important as previous shows
During an interview with Mercury News, Nintendo's resident ass-kicker and name-taker Regie Fils-Aime spoke about the problems with Wii supplies and the demise of E3 as we knew it, commenting on the phoenix that has risen from the ashes. His take: the new E3 is just important as the old E3. Reggie say wha?See, Reggie says that Nintendo will still continue to hold their big press conference every year at the event, as they had in the past (which was already confirmed), and sees the show now as focused more on North America. Wasn't the show always focused on North America? Regardless, we wouldn't say the new E3 is as important as the E3 of year's past, from our perspective. Now smaller press outlets will be denied access and that really boils down to hurting you guys, the readers.In speaking about the still-woefully-absent-from-retail-shelves Wii, Reggie said "we [Nintendo] are all acutely aware of the issue and we all realize we have a limited period of time to address the issue." The limited amount of time comes from the knowledge that consumers aren't going to wait forever for consoles to be on store shelves and eventually will just give up on the Wii altogether.
GDC 07: Even Reggie's limo driver is famous!
Over at Joystiq, they snapped the above picture outside of the Phil Harrison (he's some Sony guy or something) keynote speech today. It's funny on multiple levels; not only was Reggie at the PS3 keynote (he must own one of them suckers), but his limo driver looks like he spent the majority of his time outside the keynote pounding beers. Maybe he doubles as Reggie's body guard? He looks like a grizzled war vet ...
Fils-Aime? Do I have a Reginald Fils-Aime?
Apparently Reggie was in the audience at Phil Harrison's Sony keynote this morning, because waiting for him outside was this dark, important-looking vehicle and a driver who wasn't so pleased to have his picture taken. That guy's hardcore.My question is, does that driver know what Reggie looks like? Could I be Fils-Aime? And where would I get to go? The Joystiq team considering hijacking the car for a tour around San Francisco ... Reggie wouldn't mind, right?
GameHead gets Reggie making PS3 shooting crack
Well, one way to toss away your kid friendly image is to make fun of people getting shot. On last night's GameHead, Geoff Keighley spoke with both Reggie Fils-Aime (Nintendo) and Phil Harrison (Sony) about their respective system launches. Reggie went all Perrin Kaplan while discussing the PS3 launch lines saying, "Were those the people ducking to not get shot?"Fils-Aime dug into Sony deeper saying they had no line at last year's E3, the PlayStation 3 is a "very expensive device" and Sony's got some "core fundamental issues with their strategy." Harrison, who is clearly on the defensive, starts rambling about the PlayStation 3 after Keighley says those who own the console are happy, "I think that's the important thing to measure. What are we doing? We are creating entertainment. We are creating technology that empowers entertainment for people. And ultimately, it's the people who spend their money, who buy the machine, who love the machine, who have a tremendous relationship with that machine, whether it's playing games ..."Keighley interjects, "So not a lot of guys coming up to you on the street saying, 'Phil, you know, I feel ripped off.'""Never," responds Harrison.
Next Wii channel could be 'Nintendo Power'
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Next_Wii_channel_could_be_Nintendo_Power_archives'; Plucked from Nintendo's brain trust and tucked into the tail end of MTV's recent interview with Reggie Fils-Aime is the latest Wii channel concept: Nintendo Power. "We have a tremendous amount of old Nintendo Power content ... that we could present to consumers," Reggie told MTV.The interview (the one where Reg dodges the "Where's Metroid?" question) doesn't delve further into the thought, leading us to believe the digital archive is a ways from fruition. Still, coupled with Virtual Console, a back catalogue could provide a valuable resource for those digging around for tips and strategies -- or just general information about games of yesteryear. And, of course, Nintendo is never one to underestimate the nostalgia factor, always eager to find another familiar to resell to old-timers -- that's assuming the archive would be pay-to-view. Would you subscribe (again)?[Via Supercabra]
Wii Warm Up: Vintage Nintendo Power content coming to the VC?
In our fit of righteous anger over the idea of delaying Metroid Prime 3 again, we missed an interesting aside Reggie dropped at the recent DICE conference -- the idea that old Nintendo Power content may turn up on the Virtual Console. While the idea of reliving some of our greatest memories of gaming journalism is intriguing, we're as yet undecided on how we feel about this one. We could go either way, depending on how it's offered. We are, after all, largely concerned with hoarding our money like the misers we are for games ... but if the price is right, we could throw down with some retro mags. How about you?[Thanks, Robert!]
MP3 could be delayed (again)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Metroid_Prime_3_could_be_delayed_again'; Come on! What do we have to do, Nintendo? Do you want us to slay a foreign diplomat? We will, we will honestly go to Wal-Mart, buy a shotgun, and kill whoever you please. Just don't, in the name of all that is holy and good, delay Metroid Prime 3: Corruption again. Please! We can't take all of this dancing around a release date and Reggie implying that the game will come later than expected, comparing it to the brilliance of Twilight Princess. Our hearts, as full of love for Nintendo as they are, only crave one thing: Samus.Er, we mean ... Samus in a game. We aren't weird or anything.
It begins: developers starting to get online dev kits
During an interview with Reggie, he reiterates that Pokemon Battle Revolution is still set to launch the Wii's online functionality in the US. He backs up this statement by also offering up that third parties are now finally starting to receive online dev kits, giving the hope that we could all be enjoying online gaming in the coming months. Of course, Reggie doesn't go on to describe which third parties had received these kits or confirmed any other titles beyond Pokemon Battle Revolution, so we'll be sure to update you as soon as these games are revealed.
Japanese Hardware Sales: 29 Jan - 4 Feb: Executive assistant edition
Don't lie, faithful readers. Each and every one of you, upon reading this article, indulged in at least four seconds of consideration on applying for the position of Reggie Fils-Aime's personal assistant. The list of technical requirements was steep, but when you consider the amount of people willing to take this job is approximately 6.5 billion, there are certainly a few out there who fit the bill.Reggie personally kicks all those asses that are so frequently mentioned. But those names he's taken? He merely dictates them to that special person, whose job it is to transcribe the taken names for future reference. Truly, a job of monumental importance.A little known fact, friends, is that Reggie has a direct impact on the Japanese hardware sales numbers every week. Here is an example conversation, heard behind the closed doors of his secret penthouse office...Reggie Fils-Aime: We need to come up with some interesting numbers this week.Assistant: Sir, they have the actual data available in Japan, if we just--Reggie: Silence!Assistant: ...Reggie: ...Assistant: If you wan--Reggie then rips out the assistant's spine in retribution.- DS Lite: 146,073 48,453 (24.91%)- Wii: 65,740 18,014 (21.51%) - PSP: 31,216 4,484 (12.56%) - PS2: 18,727 1,269 (6.35%) - PS3: 17,540 3,455 (16.46%) - Xbox 360: 6,130 1,235 (16.77%) - Game Boy Micro: 1,050 127 (10.79%) - GBA SP: 724 299 (29.23%) - Gamecube: 306 41 (11.82%) - DS Phat: 119 37 (45.12%) - GBA: 28 6 (17.65%)[Source: Media Create]
Wii takes its cue from the DS
In a recent Q&A with GamePro, Reggie Fils-Aime pointed to the DS, and not the GameCube, as the real inspiration as most of Nintendo's strategy with the Wii. That doesn't mean that multicolored units are around the corner (unfortunately), but it does mean that we can expect a lot of aggressive marketing to people that aren't usually considered gamers. Considering the incredible sales numbers, that's certainly worked well for the DS! As the core group responsible for the DS and its success, it's like that others will, in the future, try to mimic that. So, DS gamers -- do you think that what's working for Nintendo may work for others in the future?
Reggie "blown away" by Wii success
In a Q&A session with GamePro, NoA's King of Awesome, Reggie Fils-Aime, did indeed state that he was "blown away" by the resounding success of the Wii, and while it's exactly what Nintendo was shooting for, he's surprised that it happened so quickly ... so quickly, in fact, that Nintendo can't even seem to keep up with the demand. And of course, comparisons to the DS had to be made; after all, the Wii is taking its cue from the DS in many ways. However, when asked if we'll soon be seeing multicolored Wiis like we have with the DS, Reggie brushed that off as a concern for the future. Right now, they're more interested in getting more units into stores -- and we're sure that's good news for many of you.It's worth noting that the issue of HD came up, and when asked whether or not Nintendo was planning on any kind of upgrade for the Wii that might add HD functionality, Reggie didn't say that it wouldn't ever happen ... but did cite statistics indicating that 83% of American households are not currently equipped for HD. What good is it to add something that many people can't even use? After all, Nintendo is trying to reach beyond the "hardcore" gamer and into every household ... a strategy that doesn't work very well if one of your biggest games is so dependent on HD that parts of it can barely be seen by the majority of potential gamers. The verdict? DVD is coming, but don't expect an HD dongle any time soon.
