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Nintendo World 2011's 3DS games unveiled
Nintendo's official website for Nintendo World 2011, next month's public showing of the 3DS in Japan, has been updated, now highlighting the full list of games to be shown during the Tokyo event. Playable versions of everything from MGS3: Snake Eater to Pilotwings Resort will be on hand, though, bizarrely, some demos that were playable at this year's E3 will be for display only, including Starfox 64 3D. Nintendo has also announced that the 3DS will make an appearance at next month's World Hobby Fair (also in Japan) and at two Japanese outlet shopping centers, according to 1UP. We suspect you'd find the shortest lines at those outlets, but, personally, we'd rather take our chances at the Makuhari Messe event to check out the long list of titles (found after the break) than watch a few demos at the local Uniqlo.
Black Wii, blue controllers spotted in the wild, behind glass
We've already seen both the black (or kuro) Wii and blue Wii remote and nunchuck in the form of promotional photos, but it looks like both braved the trip to this past weekend's World Hobby Fair, where they were on display for all to see, but not touch. As you might expect, there aren't a ton of surprises but, as Joystiq notes, the contrast between the glossy and matte portions on the Wiimote and nunchuck is much more noticeable on the black version (pictured after the break), and the black Classic Controller Pro also looks like it has an extra coat of gloss compared to the white version. Unfortunately, it looks like Nintendo is still saving word of a release date 'round these parts for another day.
Black Wii, blue controllers on display at World Hobby Fair
During this weekend's World Hobby Fair, both Capcom and Nintendo had booths set up, showing off the new Wii colors and accessories. Capcom's booth had the Monster Hunter 3 bundles as part of its Monster Hunter display, and Nintendo had the blue Wiimote and Nunchuk, of course, to promote Wii Sports Resort -- which, incidentally, was also the inspiration behind a very nice set of giveaway items.The Nunchuk has always been shiny on top and matte on bottom, but it's much more noticeable, and nice-looking, on the black version. Somehow, the Wiimote jacket also looks cool in matte black, despite being a Wiimote jacket. The Classic Controller Pro, as well, looks like much more of an upgrade in shiny black plastic. Head past the break to see the blue Wii Sports controllers.
Long lines form for LittleBigPlanet at World Hobby Fair
It looks like Sony may have a hit on its hands with the upcoming LittleBigPlanet for PS3. The Media Molecule-developed platformer was showcased at World Hobby Fair in Japan, and it had an impressive showing. The Japanese clamored for more of the oh-so-cute game, and endured waits as long as half an hour to play the game. To see such excitement over a non-Japanese developed game is rather rare. We're sure this early playtest bodes well for the global success of the title.[Via PSPHyper]
A look at Mega Man Star Force 3 through its promo stuff
While the main Mega Man series is about to have its first new release in nine years, the universe of Mega Man spinoff games continues to expand as rapidly as ever. The latest is Ryuusei no Rockman 3, the third in the Mega Man Star Force series, which is itself spun off from the Mega Man Battle Network games.Capcom will sell Star Force 3 artwork at Tokyo's World Hobby Fair, and while we probably won't have the opportunity to go buy a poster or a commemorative fan, we can look at the new character art featured on those items. In the newly detailed portrait of the Mega Man character, we can see the Hunter VG device that enables the new "Wizard" monster-summoning system.
Ape Escape takes over the World Hobby Fair
There's a new Ape Escape game rolling into town (if you happen to live in Japan). In order to promote the new title, Sony sent its crazy simians to take over the World Hobby Fair, where attendees could try out the new game, and other PlayStation titles, like Boku no Natsuyasumi (My Summer Vacation).To check out all the pictures, check out Famitsu's coverage.
Demo for Ape Escape spin-off, headed for Japanese gamers only
Introducing another shining example of Sony shafting non-Japanese gamers, Sony is releasing a demo of Sarugetchu: SaruSaru Daisakusen (a take off their popular Ape Escape franchise) at the World Hobby Fair on June 23rd. This same demo will also be available for download on the PlayStation 3, through the Japanese PlayStation Store, and later on June 29th, through means of an 8MB downloadable demo off their website. The full game is set for a July 26th release and as with most Japanese-originating releases, there is no official word on a North American translation or confirmed release at all. How many more Ape Escape fans do we have with us here that are hoping this title makes its way to other territories?
Joystiq hands-on: Mario Party 8 (Wii)
Like the early days of the DS, the Wii still hasn't really found its own identity just yet. Still lacking a Brain Training or a Nintendogs, minigames are de rigeur on the system at the moment. Certainly the Wiimote is well suited for minigames, and it's been hoped that it will breathe some new life into a rather tired Nintendo franchise. Yup, Mario Party 8. Joystiq got to play an incomplete version of the "ocho" at the Osaka leg of Japan's World Hobby Fair. Six different minigames were on display: Lasso the barrels: Swing the lasso (Wiimote) in a circle, once you've got some momentum going, throw the lasso forward, grabbing a barrels for points (don't throw Wiimote). Some barrels are worth more points than others. Ball tilt: Balls fall from ceiling. Direct bouncing balls to their correct container by rotating the wiimote. Green on the left, and purple on the right. Drink shaking: Simply shake the Wiimote up and down; fastest shaker wins. Target shooting: Just as in Wii Play, shoot targets with your Wiimote. The high score zone constantly changes so you have to think fast. Jet ski jumps: Move your jet skier to the ramps to pick up coins. The challenge comes from the difficult controls. Crank turning: Turn a crank as fast you can. Exactly the same as the similar WarioWare minigame. Overall, the minigames were solid and fun, if not a tad on the simple side. If the board game side of things (not shown in this early version) is a winner, this could be a fun party game, if not an inventive one. They don't have their Brain Training yet.
Nintendo and Sega dominate Japan's World Hobby Fair 2007
Best described as Tokyo Game Show for kids, the World Hobby Fair -- held in Japan last week -- showcased present and upcoming games and toys for the Japanese market and gave a good indication of what products are really going to be pushed in the upcoming year.While the show was attended by all the major players (Capcom, Sony, et al), it was very much Sega and Nintendo that won over the hearts and minds of the little Japanese tykes. Sega's sickeningly cute rhythm-action game Love and Berry had a huge presence. After record sales in 2006, this might very well be the game that finally tips young Japanese gamers' 50/50 gender balance in favor of the female persuasion.
