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GameCubes and controllers cheap at Amazon today
There might still be a reason you'd want a GameCube. The Game Boy Player, maybe? Quick access to Cubivore without the hassle of the Wii Menu? Holding down papers in a drafty room? If you find yourself in need of Nintendo's newest old system, Amazon is selling them today for $60. It's not the best deal ever, but $60 isn't terrible for something that will run Ikaruga.You're more likely to be interested in Amazon's other Deal of the Day offering: a Platinum GameCube controller for $17. If you need more controllers for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this is a good time to stock up. These will no doubt sell out soon to enthusiastic Brawlers!
Brawl Stage of the Week: The Colosseum
During the days of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was a place where many would spectate gladiatorial contests. These contests were usually gory and brutal, and the gladiators had to face daunting challenges. It's for the best that such barbarisms were put to an end in real life, but we're glad we can try entering the ring ourselves in this new Smash Bros. Brawl stage by Ryan E.In Rome, the Colosseum is also known as an architectural masterpiece. Building a stage upon such ideals has a lot to live up to, but luckily, this one delivers. So, click on past the break if you want to download or find out more about this level.
Amazon gives reasons to buy Brawl and Guitar Hero if you don't own them yet
It's not often that we find great deals on big-name titles, especially two on the same day, but perhaps you were feeling lucky, punk, and the fickle game deal gods decided to reign their glory upon you.Behind door number one, we have Super Smash Bros. Brawl for $48.99! Okay, we're just joshing you (not about the price, since it is marked down a dollar, but that's not what we're excited about). Rather, with a purchase of Brawl, Amazon is offering a $10 gift card. Around these parts, an Amazon gift card is as good as cash, so those of you who are Brawl-less (in North America) should consider getting your rumble on.The other deal is for Guitar Hero III, which has been on sale before, but usually as a "Deal of the Day." We're not sure how long this particular sale will last, but if you want $20 off your Guitar Hero purchase, you can get it for $69.99 (also at Amazon).Of course, there is one bad thing about popular games getting deals; the chances are high that everyone already has them.[Via CAG]Source: Super Smash Bros. Brawl with $10 gift cardSource: Guitar Hero Wii for $69.99
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/26-6/1
Wii Fit gained some competition last week, as Family Trainer finally made its debut in Japan. Even so, Namco Bandai's game couldn't overtake Nintendo's six-month-old fitness title. Many Wii games were also pushed to the bottom of the top thirty in this week's chart, with Smash Bros. Brawl in danger of falling off completely. Despite less than stellar software sales, Wii hardware performed well. Yet, once again, the Wii fell behind the currently dominating PSP:The software figures are located after the break, so click on.
Brawl Stage of the Week: Spear TWMX
If you've been completing your events like a good little boy or girl, you've probably unlocked the Spear Pillar stage. The layout in this stage is simple, but effective, and it stands out as one of our favorites. Yet, there are just a few, teeny obstacles that may get in your way -- like, say, some badass, legendary pokémon.Do you love Spear Pillar, but are tired of getting your butt kicked by Dialga, Palkia, or Cresselia? Would you rather the stage be about straight-up brawling? Then you should check out McBey's Spear TWMX after the break.
Nintendo: Connecting people
It's time for Nintendo to break out the old Combi vans and pile some consoles into the back, because the team is hitting the road for Australia's Nintendo Connection Tour 2008. The annual event features thousands of young and not-so-young fans gathering together at Westfield shopping centers around the nation to celebrate the latest and greatest in Nintendo gaming.Well, the Aussies won't exactly be enjoying the latest, but it may well be the greatest. At long last the ever-patient crowd will try their hand at kicking each other's butts ... at Super Smash Bros. Brawl. A tournament will separate the true winners from the let's-laugh losers, but even the combat-challenged can hit the track for some Mario Kart, and shred wth Guitar Hero: On Tour. Detailed dates and locations can be found after the jump.This blogger can even remember playing Nintendo 64 games in the back of some guy's van years ago when GoldenEye was all the rage. Wait, was that the official tour? There's a distinct memory with lots of candy ...
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/19-5/25
No new Wii games debuted last week; at least, none that ended up in the top thirty. There was one teensy weensy title that was introduced into the Japanese market, though. You may have heard of it: Guitar Hero III.To put it bluntly, sales for the game were low. In fact, it didn't even make the top fifty in Media Create's charts, and Famitsu reports that the title only sold 1,300 copies. Compared to sales in other regions (like North America and Europe, for example), where Guitar Hero III performed fiercely, you can see that tastes often differ between western and eastern gamers.Other than that, there's not to much to report about the software charts. Battalion Wars 2 managed to hang in the top ten, while Mario Kart Wii slipped into third place. Meanwhile, Smash Bros. Brawl might be in danger of falling out of the top thirty soon.In hardware, the gap between the Wii and the PSP lessened as sales for Nintendo's console rose, while sales for Sony's handheld fell. Still, the PSP had a lead of about 15,000 units last week, keeping the Wii locked in its second place spot:The software numbers are located after the break, so go on and take a look.
Circuit City has a Wii for you, but there's a catch [update]
Update: Well, that was fast. Sorry folks, looks like it's sold out.Sad to say, but it's the truth. You can order a Wii right now from Circuit City, but you're going to have to bundle some stuff with the console. When looking over what you have to buy, however, it's really not that bad of a deal because you should be expecting to buy these games anyway.So what do you need to purchase? Well, the Wii console (duh), an extra Wiimote and two or more of the following games and/or accessories: Wii Zapper Super Mario Galaxy Wii Play Carnival Games Mario Party 8 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Considering that you were going to pick up Super Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros. Brawl anyway (if you weren't planning on it, may we ask if you're insane?), it's not that bad of a deal. And, for those of you still desperate to get a console, this might be the best solution.[Via Go Nintendo]
Wii Fanboy presents: Game Night [update 2]
Update: The staff have left the Game Night chat. There were a lot of folks still in there, getting their game on. Hit up the chat if you want to see who's around. Otherwise, we hope to see you next week!Why, hello there! Are you ready to get your game on? It's Thursday, so you know how we like to get together and enjoy some of the wonderful online-enabled titles in Nintendo's roster. These games include Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 and, of course, Mario Kart Wii. If you have a Wii game that can go online, odds are you will find someone to play with. And, hey, that someone could be one of us here on staff!Stop by the site here around 7:01pm Eastern and you'll see this post at the top of the page. It'll contain a link into the Game Night chat, which all you need to do is click. After that, you'll be in and ready to go. Hope to see you there tonight!
Brawl Stage of the Week: Classic DK
This week we're featuring another classically themed stage, as the thought of creating retro levels on Brawl seems to fuel stage submissions. This one in particular is an interpretation of the original Donkey Kong arcade game, in which Mario made his first appearance as Jumpman.Unfortunately, Donkey Kong won't be throwing barrels at you and there are no princesses that need saving. However, if you want a fun brawl on a nostalgia-inducing stage, check out "Classic DK" by blu_j.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/12-5/18
The new kid on the Japanese Wii software block last week was Battalion Wars 2, which faired well enough in its debut to hit the top ten. Will it stay there? Our guess is no, sadly. Still, it's nice to see the game get some recognition in Japan.Once again, the only non-Nintendo title for the Wii that made the top thirty was Deca Sports, which dropped thirteen spots from the week before. Ouch. We're not sure what made Japan fall so out of love with Deca Sports in one week, but the game seems to have lost some of its legs. Smash Bros. Brawl also took a spill, falling from tenth place to nineteenth.The other noticeable drop was Mario Kart Wii, which only fell one spot, but an important spot -- from first to second -- and finally succumbed to the frightening power of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. Hardware was also a PSP victory, as the handheld beat all other systems by a convincing margin. Now that you've seen the hardware numbers, check past the break for the software sales.
NoE's Laurent Fischer explains European Brawl delay
Nintendo's Laurent Fischer, who you all know doesn't believe in casual gaming, recently talked with ONM about the long delay between Smash Bros. Brawl's release here in the states, back in March, and its impending June release in Europe. Turns out, most of the delay can be attributed to localization."So localisation issues are one part of the delay, but you also have production issues, logistic issues... so a release date is always the result of a large number of factors, and it's a complex decision process," he explains. "It's not that we deliberately like to be late in Europe, and it's our job to take care of it, but to localise in six languages is always a challenge." Personally, we can imagine how all of that text would be a pain to translate.Fischer also went on to further elaborate on the long waits Europeans usually have to suffer. "I realise that from time to time we have still been disappointing some people, but in general we have also been able to bring to them games which would have never been available before in a European market, and the time frame is slowly decreasing, so I'm positive for the future. We know that we are still not reaching the expectations of all the people, but we're really doing our best to resolve this."%Gallery-3347%[Via CVG]
Brawl Stage of the Week: Metroid revisited
This week we were feeling nostalgic, and nobody's stages sate such cravings as well as Anthony's do. Therefore, we decided to go with another one of his creations. Simply titled "Metroid," this level recreates the look and feel of one our favorite NES classics. In this side-by-side comparison, you can see how well Anthony captured the essence of the original Metroid.
Japan's six top-selling Wii games are ...
Oh, Japan, how we love you. And you love us back simply by existing. Mecca for gamers, the country has more video games than Halle Berry has bad post-Oscar career choices. Every gaming nerd on the planet would love to live there.So, what Wii games do the Japanese public enjoy most? Well, it's not that surprising this list of the six top-selling Wii titles in Japan. But, we know how much you all love this kind of data, so without further delay, let's get to the numbers!The Wii's six top-selling games in Japan are: Wii Sports - 2,979,275 units sold total Wii Play - 2,368,967 units sold total Wii Fit - 2,038,730 units sold total Smash Bros. Brawl - 1,620,119 units sold total Mario Party 8 - 1,254,542 units sold total Mario Kart Wii - 1,227,169 units sold total All first-party titles. Big shocker there! Do you enjoy obsessing over sales data? Well, we've got you covered. Our monthly reports on the U.S. figures appear courtesy of NPD, and we also cover the weekly sales figures from Japan and several countries in Europe. Odds are, we're covering the beat where you live, so check out what folks are buying!
Pit is back, in plush form
Judging by her gallery, DeviantARTist VioletLunchell seems to specialize in these chibi-style plushes, and her latest piece of work, this Pit plushie, will resonate with anyone who found themselves turned off by the recent batch of alleged concept art for the alleged Wii game. The artist herself confesses to "[not knowing] anything about video games," but she's done a fairly awesome job here -- this blogger would love one of these to place next to his numerous Pikmin plushes, but sadly this was a one-off commission piece. Probably a good thing, really. There comes a time when a man of 28 really has enough plushes.[Thanks, YaYaLuvsCupcakes!] Being the soft, sensitive types that we are, we love our plushes here at Wii Fanboy. Nothing is exempt from our plushie love -- and that includes Metroids, Chocobos, Rabbids, and the Wii itself. We even adore the ugly and gruesome ones.
Canadians: Get Smash Bros. Brawl cheap
If you're Canadian and have yet to own Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we're here to help. Amazon.ca is selling the title for a discounted price of $34.99. That's in Canadian dollars, but it comes out to about the same thing in U.S. dollars, meaning that it's cheap. Why are you still reading this? Why aren't you buying the game right now?If you're on the fence, still clutching your wallet tightly and refusing to give up the money, may we present a few reasons why you should buy? It's an awesome game You could totally take us on at Game Night User-created stages means the game will never get boring It's full to the brim with awesome stuff That's really cheap for such an awesome game Good enough for you?%Gallery-3347%[Thanks, Maria!]
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/5-5/11
The gap between Wii and PSP sales is slowly but surely decreasing, making us wonder if the Wii might be able to overtake Sony's handheld once the Monster Hunter hype dies down: PSP: 89,884 Wii: 67,308 Nintendo DS: 51,228 PlayStation 3: 8,054 PlayStation 2: 7,464 Xbox 360: 1,298 Yet, the true triumph for the Wii last week was in software. Nintendo scored big all-around, but the Wii claimed six of the top ten spots in the chart. Keep in mind, though, that all the Wii games that made it to the top thirty are first-party titles, with the exception of Deca Sports.In other news, Smash Bros. Brawl managed to hop up five spots, showing us that it won't be disappearing any time soon. Meanwhile, Mario Kart is inching nearer to Brawl's total sales, making it a close race between the two games. To see how they're currently fairing against each other, just click past the break.
Brawl Stage of the Week: Another Castle
The stage we picked this week is called "Another Castle," made by Wii Fanboy reader Logan C. Oldschool Mario fans, take note of the stage's name -- it's a reference. But even if you don't find any princesses here, you can at least find a fun Brawl experience. Just read on past the break to download the castle and learn more about it.
Sakurai to spill beans on what makes games fun
The obvious choice aside, we can't think of many game designers who are better qualified than Masahiro Sakurai to discuss how to make fun videogames. Which is a good job, really, because the Smash Bros. and Kirby creator has been booked by DiGRA, Japan's Digital Games Research Association, to deliver a talk on what makes games enjoyable.Don't go getting excited, though. Sakurai's speech, entitled 'Game-ness,' will be delivered at the Fukutake Hall Running Theatre at Tokyo University's Hongo campus, and to an audience of only 150 people. If by some chance you are located near to the venue, know that DiGRA members get in free, while student non-members pay ¥500 (roughly $5) and all other non-members ¥1000 (approx $10).We wonder what games he'll use to convey his message? Bringing up Brawl or Kirby might seem a little conceited, but those are two of the titles we would use.[Via Develop]
Wii Warm Up: Getting together
Now that a weekend (and a holiday weekend at that) has come to an end, we thought it might be a good time to ask: when was the last time you got together with friends and/or family for a little group Wii gaming? Do you get together on a regular basis for a little Mario Kart, Smash Bros., or Wii Sports? Do you rarely play together with folks? We're curious about how much multiplayer action you're getting.
