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Today's hottest game video: New Wii promo trailer
Nintendo fanboys gushed all over YouTube (and their pants!) today at a new promotional trailer for the Wii. For those who have yet to pick up on the console maker's subtle formula for making commercials, we'll guide you through the process: Find a group of people of varying age, ethnic background, gender, and height. Give them all Wiimotes. Have them stare into the camera and smile while they wave their arms maniacally. If need be, splice footage as a means to explain why people may be shaking their arms maniacally at the screen (else the audience might think these Wiimotes are magically controlling us -- you, sir, will not make a marionette out of me). The video manages to splice footage of most of the high-profile launch titles, including the how-is-it-not-ready-for-launch Wario Ware Smooth Moves -- apparently the developers are taking some extra time fine tune the game's complex graphics.You might notice a dichotomy between the groups playing certain games. Wii Sports had a family of players, Excite Truck attracted a teenage audience of male and female. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Twilight Princess, however, were both played by the loner twenty-something male sitting in a dark room. Are you trying to tell us that our 80-year-old Irish albino grandmothers won't get a kick out of wielding two samurai swords in a Yakuza-inspired environment?Check out the video after the jump.
Fusion Tour impressions from the mid-South [update1]
Last week, we forayed into an as yet undiscovered country for a chance with the Wii. What country? Well, it's more of a town, really ... a smallish town ... known as Jonesboro, Arkansas.Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is a strange stop for the Fusion Tour. Sure, it's a college town, but there are far more obvious locales nearby. Little Rock is a mere two hour drive away. It's a big, grown-up city, home of a President and all. And Memphis, that sultry city of the blues, is less than an hour away for those with particularly heavy accelerator feet. But Nintendo chose Jonesboro. Sigh. In service to you, dear reader (maybe not all of it), it was Jonesboro-ho.
Wii's LiveMove could be building block for industry's future
We were skeptical about AiLive's motion-making development tool when it was announced earlier this month, but after seeing a tech demo of LiveMotion in action, we're convinced it can produce novel work. The problem is the price. At $2,500, LiveMotion is only attractive to a select crowd and excludes smaller parties who will likely turn to Microsoft's XNA project for a more affordable creative outlet.Nintendo should consider setting up a program, like XNA, that would invite indie game makers and hobbyists to explore Wii's ingenuity. The DS's success has shown that there's an interest, a market, for small quirky games -- it's what Jaffe was getting at; an era of churn'em-out hits. With Wii, Nintendo could p0wn this niche.
Wii-modeled TV remote modded for NES
Ingenious: the TV remote modeled after the Wiimote has become a game controller (more specifically an NES controller) again by way of some clever modding. Coupled with the NES controller turned TV remote, we have now restored balance in the cosmic gaming universe.We're still hoping one day some modern day Geppetto can turn one of these Wii-shaped TV remote into a real Wiimote. Continue reading for a video of the NES Wiimote in action.
Wii TV remote modded into functioning game controller
It didn't take long before folks received their Wiimote gifts that they started modding the bad boys. The first of which, turning the Wiimote into a controller for Super Mario Bros., is pretty cool and what we hope is a first step in modding the remote in more interesting ways. As always, video is embedded into the post after the break.[Via Go Nintendo]
Wiimote vs. Sixaxis, Round 1: Downhill Jam vs. Project 8
While Downhill Jam and Project 8 are two very different takes on the Tony Hawk license, they share enough commonalities (ollies, grinds, rotations, grabs, etc.) to warrant a Wiimote vs. Sixaxis comparison.Downhill Jam (Wii) and Project 8 (PS3) both feature motion-controlled skating, providing the gaming public with an ideal opportunity to judge the Wiimote and Sixaxis against each other. We'll have to wait until after November 19th to conduct hands-on trials, but a handy clip (see embedded video) has been spliced together giving us a preview of the showdown to come.
In2Games' "Fusion" controller spices up next-gen motion sensing
Hoo boy, now it's really on. Sure, motion sensing controllers have existed in some sense or another for a while now, but ever since Nintendo got into the game with their Wiimote, and Sony followed suit with the SIXAXIS, a good bit of interesting tech is starting to surface. Case in point, the new motion-sensing tech from In2Games, codenamed "Fusion," takes things to a whole new level, providing for accurate on-screen representation of your motions, not just an approximate like on the Wii or the PS3. The tech apparently works with "sound waves and other technical wizardry," though those dots on the various controller remind us a bit of a motion capture setup. The benefit of all this is that your motions are tracked just as they happen in real space, and you don't need to have the controller pointed at the sensor for it to work. Of course, as demonstrated by video demonstration of the unit, this also means you'll need a good bit of room to swing your arms, and might make things like same console multiplayer quite difficult. There's also the fact that software support will be relatively minimal, but In2Games is making things as easy as possible, since the sensor connects via USB, and therefore should be interoperable with the next-gen consoles. They should be launching Fusion Q3 '07 for "sub-£30" (around $56 US), so that shouldn't be too hard to swallow either. Along with tennis, baseball, lightsaber, golf and bowling controllers pictured above, the Fusion controller also comes in a version shaped like a traditional next-gen controller, but which can be split apart for performing motion-sensed moves. It's pictured after the break.[Via Joystiq]
Miis on the go
From some leaked developer documents some time ago, it was revealed that each Wiimote would have around 6 kb of memory built right in. Some believed it to be purely for the internal speaker, while others had crazier ideas: personalized settings, content, and once the Mii system was unveiled, perhaps even the storing of one's own digital avatar. Is it true? You bet your gold coins it is. Straight from the mouth of George Harrison, each Wiimote will be able to store up to 10 Mii creations for those on-the-go fixes of Wii Tennis.Nintendo seems to be fostering the concept of a personalized Wiimote for each player, something never before attempted. If one can indeed store some settings (and a saved game or two? Maybe the internal memory was increased since then), the feeling would only increase. Get ready to show off your creations![Thanks, Jrathert!]
Nintendo's Wiimote, like for your TV and stuff
The Wii controller's resemblance to a TV remote sure hasn't been lost on us -- hence the affectionate "Wiimote" moniker that most people have assigned to the unique little controller -- but it doesn't look like it's been lost on Nintendo either. They've just shipped Wiimotes of the channel changing variety to Platinum members of Nintendo Japan's Club Nintendo rewards program. Platinum members also received a wall calendar with artwork from main Nintendo franchises, but somehow we're guessing they'll be a bit more excited by this TV remote that fully apes the form of one of the most discussed game peripherals of all time. The excitable kids professional reviewers over at IGN are sure pumped. They've posted up an unboxing of their unit, along with the inevitable comparison shots with other gaming peripherals, TV remotes and slices of bread, etc. Of course, even with those snazzy Japanese labels for each button, we can't imagine this thing would be too incredibly useful as a TV/home theater remote, but it should do fine for fanboys in search of a little wrist conditioning to get in shape for the Wii launch. Keep reading for a couple more pics, or head on over to IGN for the full deal.
Nintendo: sunlight is no big deal
Do you remember our earlier story where a NYC Event attendee claimed that sunlight interfered with the console? Turns out, sunlight isn't that big of a deal. 1UP recently asked Nintendo about the issue and received the following statement from a company representative, who was not named:"Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."Still worried? Reassured by the comfortable embrace of mother Nintendo? [Thanks Erich!]
Sunlight: Wii's biggest foe [update 1]
Nintendo Wii's sensor bar goes awry when confronted with natural light, according to a report by a "Warpstar Knight" on the Nintendo NSIDER Forums. The impressions, from OMBRENOIR17's September 14 visit to the Nintendo World Store (soon to be posted on Nintendo Gal), reveal that Mother Nature's carcinogen forced Metroid Prime 3 kiosks under curtains and completely shut down Wii Sports Tennis and Shooting Game. The kiosks returned to normal as soon as the bright star took a few steps back.It is as of yet unclear how garlic affects Wiimote functionality or load times.[Via Engadget][Update 1: A representative for Nintendo told 1UP, "our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."]
Sunlight disables Wii sensor bar?
It's hard to think of that cute little Wii box harboring vampiric tendencies, but beyond its Nintendo-confirmed aversion to halogen lights, the Wii sensor bar apparently can't handle your garden variety sunlight either. This little "quirk" was discovered by OMBRENOIR17, an official Warpstar Knight over at the Nintendo NSider Forums, who experienced an hour of downtime at a recent Wii demonstration at Nintendo World when the Sun hit the showroom and shrouded the display units in light. According to trusty ol' Wikipedia, "sunlight" is apparently quite commonly encountered by the Earth's surface dwellers, and might even pose a problem to the console's casual target market, but we don't foresee it posing much of a threat to Engadget HQ bunkers. Threat averted.[Via digg]
Because your Wiimote needs armor
The Wiimote is dangerous. This is undeniable; never before has a video game controller come packaged with such sheer potential for mayhem and insanity. With all that bat-swinging sword-slashing gun-firing nonsense, a few skulls are sure to crack ... and despite Nintendo best efforts (read: a wrist strap), some safety freaks might need a little extra come these holidays. Worry no more! Some recently leaked shots of some warehouse somewhere (actually, it's a CompUSA storage facility) shows off some nice controller "gloves" in a multitude of colors (pictures after the break). More intriguing, but sadly without images, is the news that Pelican will be manufacturing a "Nerf Wii Remote" and a "Nerf Nunchuk Controller Wii", as listed on amazon.com. Oh, how we long for the squishy days of yore![Thanks, Ali!]
Wii's Madden gives you the freedom to celebrate
One of the best things about the gaming community is that there's always someone around who reads things more closely than you do ... and there's always someone who picks out the fine details and airs them for the rest of us, who may be a little slow. Such was the case with 1UP's preview of Wii's Madden '07 and one eagle-eyed GAFfer who spotted this: "Of course, since celebration moves are also FreeMotion you might be inclined to get into them."The time that's been put into making the Wii version of Madden sync with the controller hasn't been lost on us -- it's suddenly become one of the most exciting titles for the system, in fact. But this, while not really important, is still ... how shall we say ... incredibly awesome. Time to start working on your touchdown dance. Just be wary of those celebration penalties. [Via NeoGAF]
Press invite = retail Wiimote box?
Apparently, some folks are of the idea that Wiimote promo boxes given out at the Japanese press event closely resemble or are exact copies of how the package will be present at retail. The picture, which first surfaced on a flickr user account, looks the part, so we're assuming that the final retail package will closely resemble this.What do you guys think? With the Wii game boxes featuring that white tab, wouldn't it make more sense for the hardware to come in white packaging?[Thanks to all that sent this in; via Joystiq]
When incredibly zealous gamers attack
What do you get when you combine a camera and incredibly zealous fanboys? Not to be confused with a joke involving an owl and a bungee cord, this video quite possibly demonstrates Wal-Mart's worst fears. Regardless, the video is some light humor for your mid-day Monday.As always, the video is embedded into the post, after the break.[Thanks Erich!]
Bleach trailer: ass kicking at its finest
Whether or not you're a fan of the anime Bleach, it's hard to argue with a good round of ass kickery. One of the first things we thought of when the WiiVolution was first introduced, way back in the long ago time of 2005, was a fighting game. What better use for the controller than beating down your best good friends?Bleach looks to do just that. This new trailer is equal parts gameplay footage and hot Wiimote-swinging action. Check it out after the jump.
Are Wii being set up for disappointment again?
Following the news that has swept blogs recently, gaming mag Game Informer asks are we being set up for disappointment again? Citing past blunders by Nintendo in the N64 and GameCube days, Billy Berghammer makes an ample case against the house the Italian plumber built.We admit we have taken a ride or twenty aboard the hype train when it came to Nintendo, but following their utter dominance at E3 and the entertaining time we had with the Wii while in attendance, can we be blamed? Also, given the console's lack of horsepower compared to its competition like the GameCube during the last generation wars, will consumers be willing to pay for a ride on Nintendo's roller coaster come launch? Only time will tell...
Wii Play to include Wiimote?
We found your second Wiimote, guys. Play.com has Wii Play (Hajimete no Wii), a collection of minigames designed to show off the Wii's capabilities, listed as including a second controller (but maybe not a nunchuk). Think Wii Sports, but without bigheads. Or, y'know, sports. And hey, instead of being included with your console, it's included with your second Wiimote! So where's our Wii Ultimate Bundle that includes all this stuff for a premium? Since we're going to buy it anyway, if only to get all old school with Duck Hunt. [Thanks, Jules!]
Ellen gives out first Wii during daytime TV
How would you like to be the first consumer in America to own a Wii? Too late as the embedded video shows a young gentleman has already received that honor by care of Ellen Degeneres. When she heard about this special young man who uses echolocation to see (think Marvel comics' Dare Devil), she decided to have him on the show and gift him with Nintendo's latest console.The video is embedded into the post after the break and comes in at a little over 8 minutes. The video lacks any gameplay or demonstration of the Wii, but this young man is just so interesting that we think it more than makes up for it.[Thanks student; via The Wiire]
