Good: Ubisoft - IGN is reporting that French gaming website Jeux-France have discussed updated play mechanics for Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Red Steel, a Wii launch title.

During E3, one of the major disappointments of the Red Steel gameplay was the lack of directly translatable hand motions to sword gestures. As it stands, the mechanics of Red Steel allow only basic slashing motions to be translated into pre-animated gestures on screen. I.E., swinging a sword isn’t really swinging the sword, it’s more like pressing a button and getting a specific swipe. Similar to what we see in traditional games.

According to IGN, Ubisoft is indicating that it has gone in depth to further tweak the sword mechanics.

Bad: Nintendo - Earlier in the month Nintendo announced that we won't get to know the release date or price until September of this year. Come on Nintendo at least tell us the price so I know how much to set aside.

Ugly: Two Guys bathing in NES cartridges - What else can I say... click to see if you dare.

Source: Joystiq
 

In a recent interview with Reggie Fils-Aime, Gamer Info finally uncovered the secret under the flap of the Wii console - which isn't any secret... It's the slots for the SD cards (Secure Digital) in which you save games on.

Many people already knew this or predicted it. However some people were over speculating saying it was where the Virtual Headset would plug in or a projector is placed. Others said it was were the camera would be or a DS card slot. Let me tell you - You're wrong! Only believe what Nintendo have told you, don't start speculating because you're getting yourself excited all for a big disappointment. You say it could be a camera, you keep on saying it until you believe it and then you're all excited. Finally Nintendo show off what's under the flap and its SD card slots. And for some reason you're angry at Nintendo, when it is your fault that you're angry because you over speculated. Many of you need to tell the differnce between a rumour and reality. Oh, and for the record 'Wii' [the name] is not an April fools joke. It is real, GET OVER IT!

So let us think seriously for a minute, what could the final secret be? Be serious and down to earth, remember Nintendo is a company. I thought the secrete was already revealed at E3, remember the Speaker in the Wii-mote? Well supposedly I'm wrong. Obviously Nintendo have yet to announce the price and release date for the Wii, and more games need to be announced as release titles. At the moment we have from Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Wii Sports. From Ubisoft we have Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbits. From Sega we have Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and finally from Square Enix we have Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors. Expect more to be annonced in the run up to Wii's release.

I am predicting that the Wii's final secret will be nothing big, so don't get your hope up. It will probably be a bunch on dongles for the Wii-mote, for example the Gun attachment at E3, so I expect a Wheel or an easy to grip sword attachment. But perhaps I'm wrong maybe they final secrete isn't anything physical, you can touch. But has more to do with the WiiConnect24 (WC24) service. Remember the !!M and other services leaked last week, well the final secret probably has something to do with that. Just don't take my word for it.

Nintendo visionary Shigeru Miyamoto has suggested that a final design for their upcoming console’s controller has not yet been decided.

In a recent interview with Japan's Famitsu magazine, Miyamoto let in on some light of just how the famed Wii controller could change. Also being very pleased with the Wii's showing at E3, Miyamoto stated that "We're still debating on the area of how many buttons to use [for the Wii controller]." Could this mean the Wii-mote could get a makeover?

Shigeru Miyamoto also shared many other thoughts, such as Wii development history, "We started making this hardware from three years back, and while working, the staff worried whether this was the correct direction to take," and the Wii's expandable Flash Memory, "However, we'd like to avoid relying on this and have everything included from the start." Famitsu also reported that 70% of readers chose Wii as their system of choice.

Also you can check out a bunch of interesting Wii-mote prototypes.

Finally Destructoid made some adorable graphics comparing the prototype Revmote with the new, and improved, Wiimote.

Source: Famitsu, British Gaming Blog, Destructoid
 

• Blazing Angels (previously released on Xbox and Xbox 360)
• GT (racing game from the Asphalt: Urban GT series)
• Monster Trucks (brand new racing game)
• Prince of Persia
• Far Cry

It sure is nice to see all of this Wii love from Ubisoft. Don't forget they are also producing Red Steel and Rayman: Raving Rabbits.

Source: Go Nintendo
 

TIME.com extended its weighty hand and anointed Nintendo's latest "innovation" the coveted honorific of "Gadget of the Week." What is interesting, however, is that writer Wilson Rothman spends most of his time on the games and not the gadget they're played on. Sure, he offers the obligatory "it looks like Apple made it" comment, but devotes the remainder of his column to Nintendo's mainstream secret weapon: their Touch Generations line.

"What has captivated the attention of the gaming press has been the introduction of a new series of games geared towards older folks, dubbed Touch Generations. First came Brain Age, a surprisingly enjoyable math-and-reading game that a Japanese doctor designed to keep your mind limber - mental calisthenics."

It is nice to see the older generation enjoying Nintendo. It goes to show you that Nintendo isn't for children, but everyone! If you haven't already bought a DS Lite I recommend getting one will their hot!

Source: TIME.com
 

Japan Airlines announced that first and executive class passengers will be able to request a DS Lite free of charge to play in-flight. However, these DS Lites will be specially manufactured without wireless capabilites. This is so the wireless network doesn't mess with the navagation systems. You will be able to play Mario Kart DS and three other games.

This service is only available on flights from Tokyo to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Beijing, Guangzhou. It will also only be available until August 31st, though you do have to wonder what they'll do with all those wireless disabled DS's.

Source: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/
 

The first shots of Nintendo Monopoly have surfaced, showing off the cool metal pieces and some of the game squares.

The summer gaming drought will soon be over, Nintendo Monopoly is going to be released in July. Pre-orders are being taken now for 35.95 at www.usaopoly.com. Gamers love pre-orders right? The big surprise about the game is you will not play the game as Nintendo characters but as objects in the classic Nintendo world. The Nintendo Collector’s edition comes complete with 6 collectible pewter tokens featuring Mario’s Cap, Link’s Iron Boots, Donkey Kong’s Barrel, Hylian Shield, Koopa Shell and NES Controller.

I must say Nintendo Monopoly looks quite fun, and it might get me back into playing board games.

Source: Press the Buttons
 

The DS Lite is officially available in stores, in the US. GET ONE NOW!

In light of this occasion 4colorrebellion.com has declared June 11th Play DS Day! They have also created and excellent buyers guide for those of you doubtful in buying a DS Lite. Click on the link to go to 4CR and the PDF version of the of the Buyers guide...

4 Color Rebellion home page.

4cr DS lite Buyer’s Guide (PDF)

The guide details the Lite's many improvements over the old model, explains how to transfer your Wi-Fi settings between the two and lists 7 DS games you cannot be without.  We found the section on accessories to be particularly informative, with several popular rappers chiming in on the hottest items you can use to pimp and protect your Lite.

Despite the DS Lite release, you won't be able to get this one. The Black DS lite is limited to Europe at the moment and set for release on the 23rd. Mark your calendar!
 

PC-Success, a Japanese retail website, showed an entry for the Nintendo Wii priced at $160, or ~125 euros. Before the page was broken, a rather disputable and small image of the listing was captured (pictured above).

If the Wii was going to sell for $160, we all know that the PS3 will be blown out of the water and Xbox 360 will realize it's tough competition. Unfortunately, it's unlikely. Nintendo would break their traditions of launching their home consoles at $200, which has been honored for the past 20 years.

Source: GameBrink

Nintendo made an announcement thursday regaurding the future of Nintendo of America, It has been revealed that former Exectutive VP of Sales and Marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime, has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of NoA, a huge suprise after only being part of the company for such a reletively short time.

Also, Mike Futada, former senior VP of Business Development was promoted to the presdency of his department.

Reggie just took Nintendo's name, giving him the executive power needed to kick Sony's @#$. All signs are pointing to this generation of gaming being a very fun one.

Source: Joystiq

Here's a list of May's hottest Nintendo rumors. Just for you.

• Wiimote to include Mic http://www.joystiq.com/...wiimote-with-mic-voip-support/

  • Nintendo buys 'Wiikaraoke.com', redirects to Nintendo.com http://www.joystiq.com/...built-in-mic-rumor-heats-up/

• StarFox game for the Wii http://www.nwiizone.com/...star-fox-coming-to-nintendo-wii/

• Animal Crossing: The Movie http://www.dsfanboy.com/...animal-crossing-the-movie/

Nintendo lives on with the $200-launch tradition.

Today Nintendo released a report stating the Wii alone will not retail for a price higher than $225 USD, or 156 Euros. Also noted in the forecast report, the big N plans to ship 6 million Wii systems and 17 million Wii titles by the end of the fiscal year with confidence it will dominate the home console gaming industry once again.

However, Nintendo's high hopes don't stop there. They predict the DS to stand strong with 16 million DS handhelds shipped and 70 million DS games shipped, 20 million more than last year.

Source: Bloomberg

PAGE 2 >>