WiiMote
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Nintendo Wii mockup next to stuff ... lots of stuff
Never again can we be accused of obsessing over the relative size of things. We admit, we're guilty of a chart here or there, and we've been known to calculate cubic volume like a mofo, but a poster at the GameFAQ's forums has just shown us how it's done. DocCRP has crafted a pair of meticulous Wii mockups, complete with Wiimote, and proceeded to take pictures of the diminutive box next to ... well, just about everything. NES? Yup. Atari 2600? Sure. Ketchup bottle? Yeah. Dreamcatcher? Errr, yeah, that's here. John Philip Sousa award? Now it's just getting weird.If you're really curious how the Wii sizes up compared to a 1998 US Mint Proof Set, I've handily hyperlinked the entire forum thread's worth of images after the break.[Via DigitalBattle]
Footage of every Wii game at E3
Gameworld Network (which is either a network of gameworlds or a gameworld of networks) has posted an epic collection of streaming E3 videos which clearly depicts each and every playable Wii game and how exactly one has to swing, wave, shake, point, wiggle and/or jostle the Wiimote in order to play. Feel free to grab a nearby TV remote and mimic the action. Sure, you'll get absolutely no response, but in the case of Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, that's a pretty good approximation.[Via Infendo]
Wiimote could still see some changes before launch?
In speaking with Japan's Famitsu, Nintendo's own Shigeru Miyamoto dropped a hint that the Wiimote's current design could not be the finalized version. Shiggy stated that "we're still debating on the area of how many buttons to use." This response came when the question was asked about Nintendo's difficulties when designing the new controller. We could be reading too much into this, but Shiggy has been known to let a bit of truth slip now and again, so take it as you will.[Thanks Hobbes!]
Moore: 360 controls a Wii bit complicated
Peter Moore, Microsoft cheerleader and spinmeister, recently sat down with Gamertag Radio and discussed today's complicated controls. While he did say that the novelty of the Wii may wear off after half an hour, he also admitted that today's control schemes are too complicated for some -- including his 14-year-old daughter. The big question is: does Microsoft have newer, simpler, friendlier, and gentler controls on the way? According to Peter: "We're doing a lot of stuff there. Nothing that we're ready to talk about, and we're not going to force anything that is not going to be intuitive and innovative." I think Moore is likely talking about 360's upcoming Vision camera, but the idea of an Xbox ThWiimote is intriguing. Anybody have a chance to listen to the whole interview? [Via openXBOX360]
Wiimote getting more changes?
Take this for what you will, but IGN is reporting that a comment made by the esteemed Shigeru Miyamoto in an interview with Japan's Famitsu may indicate that the supposed "final design" of the Wii controller that we saw at E3 isn't so final after all. Responding to a question about problems the company had in developing the Wiimote, Miyamoto stated that in fact "we're still debating on the area of how many buttons to use," which could be taken to mean that Nintendo has PS3-like changes in mind for the controller before the console ships. Of course, it could just as easily mean that although the design has been finalized, the Wii development team still discusses its merits and detriments amongst themselves, and the fact that the interview was translated over from the native Japanese only further muddies the issue, as Miyamoto's comments may have been taken out of context or lost the meaning he intended. Like we said, this is all just pie-in-the-sky speculation for now, and we're mainly passing it along so you don't freak out if you go to pick up your new Wii in a few months and the controller doesn't look exactly like you've been daydreaming it would.[Thanks, Dave Z.]
Wiimote versus Revmote: more junk in the trunk
Destructoid made some adorable graphics comparing the prototype Revmote with the new, and improved, Wiimote. Most notable: those kicking new curves. Sure, there's a little more junk in the Wiimote's trunk, but that's sexy, right? Underneath that small amount of bulk, we've got new features like a speaker, dongle-grabbers (laugh it up), and some new button names. Alright, the button names probably don't add much bulk, but I think most of Joystiq would agree that the Wiimote we held at E3 was awfully comfortable. Who's gonna be the first one to make a new papercraft to go along with the new Wiimote? My old one has suddenly started to reek of obsolescence. [Via digg]
Sonic Wildfire teaser site opens
Sega has launched a teaser site for the upcoming Sonic Wildfire which links to a short film of the blue speed demon holding a Wiimote. While the site is rather remiss to reveal anything we actually care to know about the title, it's a place holder for future information, and I guess we'll just have to accept that for now.[Thanks Hobbes!]
Wii Opera browser: Built-in, easy to use
A recent Cubed3 interview with Scott Hedrick, executive vice president of Opera for Devices, confirms that the Wii's web browser will come loaded on the system, though he thankfully never resorts to that Dreamcast-era phrase, "internet right out of the box." Unlike the DS version of the browser, there will be no need to purchase an additional cartridge in order to enjoy the many wonderful sights sites the internet has to offer.More interestingly, when questioned about the browser's ease of use, Mr Hedrick notes that surfing the web while at the helm of the Wii should be "as easy if not easier than using Opera on a desktop. For Opera desktop users, surfing on the Wii will be a very familiar experience. Opera will be integrating its unique rendering technologies to compensate for the lower resolution of TVs and the added distance of the user from the TV screen." There's also a question about the confirmed DS-Wii functionality, though Hedrick wouldn't comment specifically on whether the portable and console versions of the Opera browser would interact at all. With vaguely similar interfaces, it doesn't seem entirely unlikely, but then surely you'd prefer looking at your favorite websites with a Wii in your hand? L0LZ0RZ!We'll be here all week.[Via Moz La Punk, Thanks Nushio!]
Sega unleashing Bleach on Wii
Honestly, we think we deserve some sort of prize for resisting the temptation to concoct a hilarious headline that involves the words "Bleach" and "Wii". Feel free to make your own--just be careful when you choose to inflict them upon us and the countless fans of the manga and anime series.Sega has unveiled a teaser website for a forthcoming Wii Bleach adaptation, though "teaser" may be somewhat of a strong word to apply to a single image and some cryptic text. We can only assume (and hope) that it promises a hyper-stylized, cel-shaded adventure with plenty of wiimote-waving swordplay. The Wii won't be a success until someone makes one of those, right?[Via 4cr, Thanks Hobbes!]
E3 game critics: Wii won
Short of having Satoru Iwata hurl bricks into the crowd at the Nintendo press conference, it seems that there was very little the Japanese giant could have done to disappoint the myriad E3 attendees, especially the overly critical ones. The Game Critics Awards, an independent group of journalists from 37 different media outlets, have deemed Nintendo's Wii Best of Show, praising its unique controller and "different" approach to gaming. Nintendo also grabbed the Best Hardware and Best Sports Game gongs, the latter one being awarded for the very energetic Wii Sports collection. Other big winners were Will Wright's Spore, Microsoft's Gears of War, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed. The shockingly innovative PS3 controller was mysteriously overlooked.With the Wii receiving this sort of vindication, both as a concept and as a console, we hope that critics and gamers alike don't forget that, like any other system, the games are what will make or break it. The Wii was a success at E3 due to games like Super Mario Galaxy. Games like Final Furlong, on the other hand, remind us that the hardware alone, weird controller and all, can't guarantee an enjoyable experience.[Thanks AssemblyLineHuman!]
Ubisoft on Wii: A good place to put our money
The good folks at Infendo have posted an interview with Ubisoft president, Laurent Detoc, taken from the June 2006 issue of Fast Money. In it, Mr. Detoc justifies Ubisoft's decision to give Nintendo a Wii exclusive in the form of first-person shoot 'n slash, Red Steel. Detoc points out that this year, "we'll be the only publisher besides Nintendo that'll have an exclusive title--Red Steel, a first-person shooter game--released for the new Wii console when it debuts [in November]. People think this is crazy. Nobody is paying attention to Nintendo. Everyone has been obsessed with the Xbox 360 and Sony's [upcoming] PlayStation 3."He praises the system's unique controller and its ability to create new ways of playing games, and indicates that being first out of the gate will give them a major advantage. "It seemed like a good place to put our money. For my competition, it's too late to have a game out for the Wii by Christmas. They can't do it. But we did it. We will be there. Maybe Wii will fail, and I'll look like an idiot. But if it succeeds, then we will have a new brand on our hands that could be worth up to $100 million"We think that Mr. Detoc might be making a mistake by directly connecting the success of Red Steel to the success of the Wii. After all, the game's E3 showing, for lack of a better expression, just didn't cut mustard. Pass the Metroid Prime 3, please.[Note: According to Infendo, all instances of "Revolution" have been changed to "Wii". What a relief.]
Miyamoto speculates on StarFox Wii
Several sources on the Intertron suggest that Miyamoto recently confirmed a StarFox game for the Wii...sort of. The article cited is an interview from the latest issue of Famitsu, wherein Shigeru Miyamoto suggested that a StarFox game (if Nintendo were to make one, mind you) could make some involving and intricate use of the Wiimote. A shocking revelation indeed, especially in the wake of a Virtual Console that is likely to feature the original, and dare we say good, StarFox titles. No offense to those that enjoy frolicking around on the ground in the company of dinosaurs, of course.If Nintendo takes Miyamoto's ideas and develops a full game (and they almost certainly will), we can only hope they keep the Fox's feet off the ground and well within the space opera house.[Thanks Nikolai!]
Pangya Golf commercial: 7 million can't be wrong
There's just so much enthusiasm coming from this commercial for Super Swing Golf Pangya, it's hard to ignore it. Or to breathe. If you make it through to the end, you may even glimpse Kasumi, fresh from getting her head kicked in by a despicable clone in Dead or Alive 4.[Thanks Nushio and AssemblyLineHuman!]
Nintendo snags wiikaraoke.com, built-in mic rumor heats up
The latest Wii rumor, which speculates that the Wiimote has a built-in mic, is starting to heat up with news that Nintendo has registered the 'wiikaraoke.com' domain. Currently, the address redirects browsers to the Nintendo homepage, but we have to assume that this will all change, in time. Of course, Nintendo hasn't confirmed a thing, so the domain could end up remaining dead space or used for other purposes, like a contest.Still, we can't help but point out that the Wiimote makes for a perfect impromptu microphone.
Confirmed: Wii not to cost more than $250 [Update]
"The player won't cost more than 25,000 yen, said Yoshihiro Mori, Nintendo's senior managing director, at a news conference in Osaka."Lifted straight from the article, that line says it all. This means that a launch price of $199 is very likely for us here in the states, something that is sure to bring a smile to many gamers' faces (as well as a blogger or two), with a $250 price ceiling. So if we see the console for $199, should we only expect the Wiimote, nunchuk attachment, and system in the package, or do you guys still think we could see Virtual Console "credits" bundled in as well as other items? What about if it releases for $250 or the ranges between?Press release can be found here.[Update: Cleared price mistake. Thanks Wari0!]
Rumor: Wiimote with mic, VoIP support
Nintendo has hinted that there are still Wii functions that have yet to be revealed. One of the latest rumors suggests that one of these functions is built-in microphone support.We know that the Wiimote houses a speaker, but what if the controller also contains a microphone? And if that should be the case, could the Wiimote also double as a VoIP-supported communication device? Sure. Throw in a voice-activated phonebook and we're talkin' universal functionality (i.e. an incentive for "non-gamers" to buy in).
Kenji Eno working on a Wii title?
From Yellow To Orange, a Japanese gaming studio, has recently just jumped aboard the Wii bandwagon and is supposedly working on content for Nintendo's next-generation console. The company's president and CEO, Kenji Eno, worked on the Dreamcast launch title D2. While there is no official word on whether he is actually working on a game for the Wii, he was at E3 and upon being approached by Gamasutra, made some vague comments committing to the system."[...] making a brand new game. It will be for a console with a new control device." After citing that to the site, he apparently then began to wave his arms about as if using the Wiimote.
Rumor: Wiimote also capable of VoIP
In their continued attempts to innovate, MegaGames is of the state of mind that Nintendo will seek to use the Wiimote, with help of added microphone, as a solution to utilizing communication online, sans headset. Supposedly, Nintendo has taken out some patents to back up this claim, however the piece coincidentally fails to link them, so we're considering this a total rumor at the time, no matter how much we'd like it to be true.
Iwata on PS3's DualShake: It won't affect us
Whether it's the backing of an unorthodox console or just the sight of an opponent stumbling over a price tag, Iwata exudes a good deal of confidence in the interview where he shrugs off the PS3's knee-jerk addition of motion sensing capabilities. Mr. Iwata points out that having to hold the DualShake with both hands makes for a noticeably different experience. "There's a huge gap between the two, I can tell you, with that whole experience, so I really don't think that the inclusion of motion sensing into Sony's classic type of controller can affect in one way or the other the advantage that we have with the Wii controller." Though gamers will be pointing and yelling "thief" for a while to come, Iwata's calm reaction is probably the best illustration of what's really happening here. The PS3 controller has an extra feature (at the expense of rumbling) that, judging by the games we've seen so far, is unlikely to become the primary form of input as it has with the Wii. The types of games on the two systems are thus likely to be different enough to dismiss any sort of suggestion that Sony is somehow stealing from and encroaching upon Nintendo's market. It's important to keep in mind that the functions of a controller, whether they be motion sensing or sensual massaging, are pretty worthless without games that make proper use of them. (That excludes the original Xbox controller. It made for an exceedingly effective blunt weapon.)
Will the real 'weemote' please stand up?
It turns out that Fobis Technologies also has a patented "weemote." Go figure. The latest design, version 7, is even being touted as "Next Generation."We wouldn't be surprised if Fobis starts landing sales on account of consumer mix-ups. Remember, folks, educate potential gift givers. It's wii not wee.
