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Nintendo World 2006 videos
With three videos surfacing from Nintendo World 2006, they all naturally focus on the Wii. Showing a plethora of games being played as well as incredibly enthusiastic attendees, the Wii is dazzling the Japanese. Nothing really stands out in each of the three videos; the videos are great overall. Check them out, embedded into the post after the break.
Nintendo World Store to have enough for walk-ins, as well
Joystiq was in New York City recently to check out Nintendo's famous World Store, when they encountered the manager of said store, Paul Gonzalez, and grilled him about launch figures and sell-outs. In placing his face under the white-hot light of interrogation, he replied, much to the surprise of Joystiq and ourselves, that the Nintendo World Store would have enough consoles at launch for walk-in customers looking for the console."I'm not expecting to sell out on Sunday. Monday -- no promises."So does that mean that other retail outlets could very well have plenty of consoles for launch day and beyond?
Video Sandwich: October 28, 2006
Ever want the whole world in your hands? YouTube user zachetus has turned his PSP into a remote control for the NASA World Wind program. This will become really helpful when satellite data gets strong enough so we can peek into showers. Yes, "helpful" is the word I'd use in a scenario like that...Speaking of creepy, YouTube user EnKeRaDc has a torrid love affair with his PSP. He makes a very disturbing tribute video to his somehow broken handheld. I like my PSP, but this guy took being a fanboy to a whole new, scary, level.
Like a Phoenix from the ashes: Nintendo World 2006
Okay, so it's not Space World, the legendary Nintendo-only event whose last appearance occurred in 2001. Nintendo's announcement of a new event, however, named Nintendo World 2006, certainly conjures fond memories. The event, which takes place over a mammoth ten-day period from November 3rd to the 12th (and again on November 25th and 26th), will feature hands-on playtime with the Wii and some of the hottest new DS titles. Best of all, it's open to the Japanese public, and completely free. Awesome.While it's unknown if Nintendo will be making any major announcements at the event, it's understood that they will, at the very least, announce more specific details of the Virtual Console service (read: launch titles) a bit closer to Wii Day. What better place to spring some good news on the unsuspecting Japanese?(The image is a personal favorite, from digital artist Greg Martin. Check more of his work here.)
Go to NYC for launch, get a Wii handed to you by Reggie
In sitting down with ABC News, Reggie Fils-Aime does the usual PR thing to promote the Wii, talking up the innovative features of the console and the company's goals to bring their product to people in all walks of life, hardcore gamers and those who do not traditionally play games alike, but more interestingly reveals that he will be on-hand at Nintendo's store in New York city to hand out consoles during launch (he says "a store in NYC," but it's safe to assume it'll be at Nintendo's store). Obviously, he makes no mention of needing to kick your ass and/or take your name to get your hands on a Wii, so we assume you'll need your check card, or the good old cash standard. [Note: Read link will take you directly to ABC News' video interview]
Beware who visits your town
While the atmosphere and gameplay in Animal Crossing: Wild World is universally accepted as being family-friendly, sometimes people just need their dirty fix. So they teach their inhabitants language most foul and let them loose, out into the wild, for other, unsuspecting Wi-Fi users to welcome them into their town with open arms. Such an instance happened to one of our readers. John was minding his business, likely paying off his mob debt to Tom Nook by fishing or digging for fossils, when he was asked if he would enjoy a mysterious feline visitor in his town. A mystery junkie by nature, John decided he would allow it. Sure enough, the "mysterious" actually meant "disgustingly foul-mouthed." Check after the break for the snapshot of what the cat said.
It's a Wonderful World revealed
We had yet to report on this new game coming from the team at Square-Enix responsible for Kingdom Hearts as there was nothing visual to go on. Well, thanks to the Tokyo Game Show, we now have something to actually show you. It's a Wonderful World takes place in Japan's Shibuya district, featuring such famous locales as the 109 shopping mall and Scramble Crossing.The game stars Neku, a boy with the unique gift of reading the hearts of others (not to be confused with Ma-Ti). Upon meeting a young girl by the name of Tsuki, the two stumble upon Japan's Shibuya district and are forced to play a mysterious game.The Japanese website for the game can be found here.
Nintendo celebrates Star Fox in Animal Crossing
K-Man, whom you may remember from a previous Animal Crossing update, recently wrote in to us documenting his latest free gift from Nintendo. The fact that Nintendo would keep giving away free gifts in the game to keep players active in the game as well as one of its players constantly maintaining their town just reiterates how awesome a game this is. The latest gift given our by Nintendo is none other than an Arwing. The letter from Nintendo reads:"Dear K-man,Star Fox Command stats are live! We were going to give you Slippy, but take this instead!"Congrats on the free gift K-Man and all you other readers out there should make sure you let us know how your town is doing. We're always watching, always listening...[Additional thanks to Reeve, who tipped us off, yet failed to include pictures.]
Reminder: Grandparents contest tomorrow
We've already informed you of the contest and like the tough, determined reader you are, you've no doubt abducted your grandparent of choice from their nursing home or other place of residence and put them on a strict gaming regimen much like that of a fictitious boxer. We know you take these things seriously and look forward to winning those 2 DS Lites and 10 games. But, in case you decide you'd rather disappoint us, you could stop by for the 10% discount on all things purchased. Any of you readers planning on stopping by the event? Take some pictures and send them in. Maybe tell us how the competition went down?
A tourney for the older folk
On the 9th of September, Nintendo plans to hold a contest for "Coolest Grandparent of the Year." Now, visions of beautiful pageantry are most likely flooding your head as you soon violently cringe, thinking to yourself of how the swimsuit section of the competition might go, but rest assured that this contest is more a tournament of gaming prowess than vocalizing a desire to shelter the homeless. To Nintendo, in order to be the coolest, you have to showcase some skills in Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day. At the Nintendo World store in New York City, between 12 pm and 5 pm on the aforementioned day, Grandparents with the "skillz to pay the billz" will walk away with 2 DS Lites and 10 DS games, making for one happy Matlock fan club back at the home or a few happy grandchildren.[Image credit: Old Grandma Hardcore]
No Space World, Mario Galaxy could be available at launch
Over at AMN, Nintendo has confirmed that there will in fact be no Space World event held this year. The person confirming this, Nintendo of America Public Relations Manager Matt Atwood, dashed away speculation that this event would help usher in the launch of the Wii. However, there is good news!I managed to save money on my car insurance! Matt Atwood, the clever PR-type person that he is, said that while Nintendo has yet to officially announce its Wii lineup, in regards to Super Mario Galaxy making the cut for launch, "anything is possible."
AC: Wild World passes 3 million mark in Japan
There's a reason why keep continuing our coverage of all things Animal Crossing. Partly due to the game's immense variety of activities available and also in part to the wonderful Wi-Fi aspects, it's no surprise that Animal Crossing: Wild World has sold 3 million units in Japan. In case you are unaware, only 19 other games have done this previously, dating back as far as the original Super Mario Bros. for the Famicom. Are you keeping at it in Animal Crossing? Reeled in all the fish, caught all the bugs, and dug up all the fossils?[Via N-Sider]
Nintendo documents Toys 'R Us goodies
We just can't stop covering this game! We love it and we aren't afraid to admit it. Our parents forbade that love, but we eloped and now they're forced to accept it. With the recent partnership between Toys 'R Us and Nintendo, there has been plenty of reason to keep plugging away in our towns (well, maybe not for some). In an effort to save you time and some of your life span as sunlight undoubtedly causes you pain, Nintendo of America employee Chloe felt she should document what exactly the 6 free gifts available are at your local Toys 'R Us. So maybe you've been holding back, thinking that dangerous star in the sky is not worth enduring for fabulous free gifts to place in a virtual home. Well, maybe this list of available gifts will change your mind: Green Pipe Flagpole 1-up Mushroom Starman Fire bar ? Box
Nintendo celebrates summer nights in Animal Crossing
When logging into Wi-Fi with his copy of Animal Crossing: Wild World, reader, and from what we're told one excellent basket weaver, Kev received a pleasant surprise from Nintendo HQ in the form of a letter and attached gift. The letter read:"Dear K-Man, Nothing says summer like camping and playing Animal Crossing under the stars! Now go outside! From Nintendo"The attached gift was a sleeping bag. Kev, being the excellent and most-organized tipster he could possibly be, also attached some pictures of said sleeping bag. He apologizes for the quality of his webcam and adds the question "is it just me or does that look like a Master Chief sleeping bag?" We're stumped because, frankly, we've never heard of this Master Chief.Click the link to check out more pictures in greater sizes.
Reader reveals Toys 'R Us woes
Charlie Staats, one of our most handsome readers, recently sent in a sorrowful tale of loss and regret. It also involved a talking dog obsessed with produce. To say the least, we thought it was a magnificent read. Aside from his included tale, Charlie spoke of things grounded a bit more in reality, namely arriving at a local Toys 'R Us to acquire one of the free goodies that are available via download. Instead, when following the steps on the sheet while in the store, he received a bottle sans item. When asking an employee "Hey, what's the haps, man?" he was greeted with a response that informed him another store in the local area was also reporting the same issue of bottle sans item. Any of you have the same trouble as our handsome hero Charlie? Completed the steps with ease and find the possibility of anything otherwise remote?
Animal Crossing gift available for download
Nintendo and Toys 'R Us are teaming up to hand out some virtual gifts through Animal Crossing: Wild World. The gifts available, which are implied to include Mario in one way or another, number six, however only one will be available to download per town. You'll have to trade for the others. The process with which to acquire one of said six items goes: Insert your Animal Crossing: Wild World Game Card into your Nintendo DS. Power up. Purchase Bottle Mail at Tom Nook's Shop. Write a message and release your Bottle Mail into the river or at the beach. Save and end your game. Visit the specially marked Animal Crossing: Wild Word promotion in the video-game section of your nearest Toys 'R Us July 23-30. At the main menu, tap Tag Mode. Watch and wait for something to arrive in your town! Restart your game and comb the beach for Bottle Mail containing a special rare item! Let us know what you get![Thanks BPM Omega]
Call of Duty 2 demo released
At long last, Aspyr has released a demo of the hugely popular sequel to Call of Duty, the aptly named Call of Duty 2. No matter how badly I wanted to run to the Apple store and pick up the retail version, I knew I would feel horribly foolish if I got the game home only to find that it wouldn't run on my PowerBook. I knew I had to wait for the demo. MacGameFiles has the 665MB file as either a direct download, or a deliciously communal bittorrent file (doesn't the sharing just make you want to hug someone!?). If you've been waiting to try the game before you buy it, there is no better time than the present to kick some virtual Axis butt. [Via The MacObserver]
Automator Action Packs galore
In my newsreader today I saw an 'iPhoto Action Pack' from Automator World that adds a handy action for workflows involving iPhoto: "Find iPhoto Item Path". While debating whether that was TUAW-worthy, my newsreader became bombarded with more headlines like System Action Pack, TextEdit Action Pack, Preview Action Pack... until I finally decided to post a roundup to cover them all in one fell swoop. So here you go kids, a whole batch of Automator Actions that add some missing abilities to everyone's favorite (or the only?) OS automation utiliity: System Action Pack iPhoto Action Pack Filemaker Pro Action Pack TextEdit Action Pack QuarkXPress Action Pack Preview Action Pack Photoshop Action Pack InDesign Action Pack These actions, to my knowledge, are provided free from Automated Workflows, LLC.[UPDATE: Automator World's admin stopped by to let us know that some of these action packs are actually demos of retail versions of these products offered by Automated Workflows, LLC.]
Call of Duty 2 Hits Stores
At long last, the long awaited sequel to one of the greatest first person shooters of all time--and 2003 Game of the Year--is available in stores as an OS X compatible Universal Binary. The series, set in World War II, is known for its extensive use of sound and environmental design to make the player really feel like they're in the middle of a war zone. Sporting an all new game engine, COD II officially requires a G5 or Intel Machine, but I've heard reports of it running respectably on even 12 inch PowerBooks. I can't wait to get my hands on this game, see you on the battlefield!
Animal Crossing bundle drops price
If you've yet to acquire a DS and/or the wildly-addictive Animal Crossing: Wild World, we imagine a daily conversation with yourself, that could last seconds to hours, we honestly don't know, we're not you, would go a bit like this: "You know what self?" "What's that brain?" "I was just wondering why you haven't bought a DS and/or Animal Crossing: Wild World yet. The console really is the tops and I've heard nothing but great things about the game. I imagine we'd both have fun playing it, what with you wielding the stylus to do things a body enjoys doing such as fishing and me making clothes and such, doing the things a mind enjoys doing." "Yes, but all my money is going towards Momma's insulin..." "Look, she's old, she doesn't need to live anyway, why if she were conscious I'm sure she'd ask for death. Just do it, go turn on your PC and order the Nintendo DS Animal Crossing Bundle, it's only $129.99!" "But what about my dad, I'm sure he'd be upset..." "Relax...he can make his own character in the game." "Oh, OK then!" In other words, the price for the Nintendo DS Animal Crossing Bundle has dropped twenty bucks and has become that much more attainable.
