WEEKEND EDITION: Video-game Wars Heat Up With Explosive 2008 Titles - CNNMoney.com

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WEEKEND EDITION: Video-game Wars Heat Up With Explosive 2008 Titles CNNMoney.com - 13 hours ago Brawl" — an exclusive title for the Wii. Despite a release date delayed by a month, the game sold more and 1.4 million units in the US in its first week, … Hotels Crown Guitar Heroes With Wii, Xbox Action ABC News Wii shortage continues, but why? Kansas City Star all 3 news articles

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'Hot Shots' nails both casual and serious; 'Worms' switches up … - Herald & Review

'Hot Shots' nails both casual and serious; 'Worms' switches up … Herald & Review, IL - 12 hours ago Like many Wii games, the motion controls in "Worms: A Space Oddity" can be awkward at first. Unlike many of those Wii games, however, they actually work …

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Tags: wii cost, wii nunchuk, ps3, wii cheats, nintendo wii game

YouTube Awards, Rock Band Hits Wii and More - ABC News

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YouTube Awards, Rock Band Hits Wii and More ABC News - Mar 28, 2008 Also, life as we know it will change forever this summer when video mega hit Rock Band comes out for the Wii. Mark our words: There will be a pro air guitar …

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Tags: nintendo wii fan club, video game, super mario galaxy, metroid prime 3, legend of zelda

Rating and sales have an odd habit of not matching up, yet for some reason, people intuitively trust sales as a better indicator of value. Well then, here you go — the top ten Wii games by sales. Wii Sports and Wii Fit, normally the number one and number two slot have been excluded from this list, since both of them came packaged with the game and a controller respectively.

Number 10 - Wii Fit

Amazingly, Wii Fit is in the number ten slot even though it has only been released in Japan. I don’t know if Europeans and North Americans will have as high sales as it did in Japan, but if there are, Wii Fit could move to number one by the end of the year.

Number 9 - Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

This first person shooter is one of the few games on this list not published by Nintendo. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition take great advantage of the unique Wii controls and is really scary. If you want a game that’ll give you nightmares, then you’re at the right place.

Number 8 - Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Guitar Hero has done well on every platform and the Wii is no exception. This rhythm based game which uses a guitar shaped controler for input (as well as drums and a microphone) has been busting into gamers lives everywhere.

Number 7 - Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree

This brain expanding game features a series of brainy puzzlers designed to flip your thinking into high gear. Great fun with friends. I think it has gotten such a high spot because of parents looking for educational titles to counteract all the brain loss regular video games cause.

Number 6 - Super Parer Mario

Whether or not this titles high sales is just because it has Mario in the title, Super Paper Mario is one fun game. Half RPG, half puzzle, this quirky game is great fun. Based in a 2D paper world (that can sometimes be circumvented) Super Paper Mario deserves the number six slot.

Number 5 - Warrio Ware: Smooth Moves

This took the idea of a minigame to the extreme and made mircogames. Warrio Ware is full of five second games that connect back to the roots of gaming and give that pleasure of figuring things out to you — the one you normally only get at the beginning of games — throughout the whole game. Good stuff.

Number 4 - Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games 

Despite fairly low ratings,I guess most people couldn’t resist a title with Mario and Sonic in it. Selling a cool 5 million, this Olympic based sports game grabs the Number 4 slot — even though it doesn’t really deserve it.

Number 3 - The Legend  of Zelda: Twilight Princess

A great and truly wonderful sequel in the Zelda saga. This game had wonderful reviews and is taking a nice spot. Taking good advantage of the Wii controls, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a good successor to the legendary N64 game Ocarina of Time, which is still the best ranked game in the world.

Number  2 - Mario Party 8

OK, Mario Party 8 had pretty close to failing reviews. Why is it in the number 2 slot? I don’t know. Again, I think it is just because Mario is in the title. Previous Mario Party games were fun and original. This just seemed like more of the same. Oh well.

Number 1 - Super Mario Galaxy

Well, we all knew this would be here. Five years ago we could have predicted that the sequel to the main Mario game universe would be Number One. The surprise? Super Mario Galaxy actually deserves it. A fun game with amazing reviews. Super Mario Galaxy is currently the second best reviewed game of all time (behind the N64 Zelda one we mentioned earlier) and definitely the best Wii game we’ve seen to date. Good going Mario.

OK, you’ve all heard of it. Wii Fit, the Wii fitness game is coming out way. For me, an avid video gamer, seeing games like Wii Fit produce a mixture of feelings. On one hand, it is good to see the Wii and the gaming industry get attention. On the other hand, it isn’t a bloody game, it is an exercise machine. But putting all my split feeling behind me, lets take a look at Wii Fit and the new Wii Balancing Board and see what the fuss is about.

Wii Fit is the continuation of the Wii series of games. Wii Sports, Wii Play… not Wii Fit. The game comes with a Balancing Board that is basically to scales side by side. By using the weight data on each scale, in conjunction with how much you weigh, the Balancing Board can actually tell a lot about what you are doing. Much like the games Wii Sports and Wii Play, Wii Fit is a series of many minigames. Also, Wii Fit will keep track of your overall health and weight gains and losses. The goal of Wii Fit is to turn fitness into a game.

So far the response has been overwhelmingly strong. The game has been released in Japan and is consistently selling in the top charts. The minigames range from obvious work out routines like push ups and jogging, to more interesting ones like yoga and hula-hooping, to more game like exercises like snowboarding and ski jumping. The Balance Board can tell a variety of things for these games including which way you’re leaning, how fast you spring up from a crouch and how balanced you are.

Normally I would be cynical about anyone trying to incorporate fitness and games. It sound to me like a lame idea that couldn’t be fun. But the sales show that somehow, in Japan at least, the idea seems like a good one. Personally, I’m still using Dance Dance Revolution on the Wii to keep me fit.

How will sales in the US compare to sales in Japan? Well, firstly, I think that people over here are a little more cynical, just like me. For the most part I think people will completely write it off. The one thing Wii Fit has going for it is that it has had such good success in Japan that a lot of attention has been given to it. This attention might be enough to overcome peoples cynical attitudes. Another thing Wii Fit has going is the Balance Board. It is a pretty nifty device, and used in conjunction with the Wiimote and Nunchuk it could probably do some pretty cool stuff for other games. I haven’t heard any news about other games planning to use it, but they are probably waiting for the US sales numbers to come in.

All in all, I think Wii Fit is an innovative concept. I don’t know whether it’ll flop or fly in the US, but well find out on May 19th.

So the smoke has cleared, and it looks like things are starting to become clear in the Super Smash Bros. Brawl saga. In a foreseeable turn of events, it looks like almost everyone having disc read errors are people with modded consoles.

Modded consoles are consoles that have been altered by third parties to allow them to play backup or pirated games. It is common for console manufactures to attempt to disable such unauthorized modifications. But if this was in intentional move by Nintendo, wow was it stupid. Because you see, all reports are showing that while modded console can’t seem to play the original retail version of the game, they have no problem playing pirated copies. This means that the only people Nintendo is punishing are people that actually supported Nintendo by buying the retail version.

Personally, I don’t think this is intentional action. Likely, the Wii Disc format has specification for dual layer discs that mod chip creators didn’t know about. This is plausible, because until Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there were no dual layer games out. Likely, this has caused an incompatibility with Wii Disc two layer games that Nintendo could not have foreseen or prevented. Nintendo will likely say this is exactly why these modifications are unauthorized.

So far it looks like the Wiikey and the Argon chips are affected. The argon team has stated that the problem can be resolved and that they are working on it. I have no news yet about whether the supposed ‘undetectable’ D2CKey has been having problems playing retail copies.

If you are having a read disc error, and have an unauthorized modification, then duplication the disc to a dual layer DVD, or getting an image online will solve your problem. In the United States, it is 100% legal for you to download a backup image if you already own the game.

Nintendo has set up a free repair service to “clean” your “dirty lens”. No news yet on what Nintendo will do with your console if you turn it in while it has an unauthorized modification, or whether they will accept it at all. It looks like the dirty lens issue is a real issue, effecting only a small minority. It usually results in stuttering graphics, not a full disc read error. If you have that problem, you can send your Wii to Nintendo and they’ll clean it, but a normal lens cleaning disc will probably do as much good and can be picked up anywhere (although Nintendo has told Wii owners not to attempt cleaning the lens themselves). I’ll report more news as it trickles in.

Well, we have a few games coming our way this March, and some of them seem quite interesting. The remainder of this month will definitely see some normal Wii boundaries being pushed. Lets have a look at what is coming our way.

Space Station Tycoon (March 18th)

Space Station Tycoon is one of a long string of tycoon games we’ve seen. But this is the first tycoon or simulation game we’ve seen for the Wii. It is good to see the Wii branching into new genres. Space Station Tycoon doesn’t branch too far, because as far as simulation games go, this one doesn’t seem too hardcore. There is a solid story following the adventures of Shawn and Tam. Most simulation games don’t have much in the way of story, and this is clearly to bring the game back into line with what people expect for Wii releases. In any case, the game does look interesting, so keep an eye on it if you know anyone who is an entrepreneurial space explorer (or wants to be one).

Baroque  (March 18th)

Baroque is a dark, hardcore dungeon crawler, based in the best roots of rougelike games. The world as we know it has disappeare in a catastrophe, and now a horror lurks, twisting the minds and souls and bodies of those around you. With an intricate item system, Baroque is a full on RPG. We have a full article dedicated to Baroque, with video, here.

SEGA Superstar Tennis (March 21st)

Sports games and the Wii go together like hotdogs and buns, and we’ve seen lots of them. SEGA Superstar Tennis is Wii Sports supped up. With multiple characters, multiple courts and loads of bonus content, SEGA Superstar Tennis looks like a hit. If you’ve enjoyed Wii Sport, then it is time for the real thing, lets get this match on.

Octomania (March 25th)

This was suppose to come out on the 11th, but it has been moved back. This one looks like a reflex oriented puzzle-like octopus filled game. Apparently, it was in arcades 2006, so maybe it is good. There might be good game play, but there really isn’t enough information to judge its potential.

Opoona (March 25th)

This one is calling itself a “lifestyle RPG”. You are a descendant of the Cosmo Guards, and find yourself on a new and unique planet. You have to get a job, get the licenses you need and make your way around in search of your siblings. Fairly positive reviews for this one, but it hasn’t been selling well. If you’re looking for a unique experience, pick this one up.

Worms: A Space Oddity (March 25th)

Here is the big one on this list. Worms are back, they are armed, and they are taking their turn-based fast-paced fighting to a new level with specially designed Wii controls. This one is a must have party fighter. I have an article on this one over here.

Summer Sports: Paradise Island (March 27th) 

I’m not too excited about this one. Looks like another giant minigame collection, and we have enough of those. I expect poor reviews and not much interest, but I’m willing to be surprised. Another publisher that thinks the Wii’s casual user base means they can fob of trash on us.

Dream Pinball 3D (March 31st)

A sequel to the many Dream Pinball games we’ve seen. It looks like the be all and end all for pinball. This one could go either way. On one hand, pinball, as a sales pitch, is boring. On the other hard, pinball as a game, is fun. I bet it will have a nice showing. We’ll find out I guess.

Garfield Gets Real (March 31st)

This looks interesting. You get to play the worlds laziest cat, Garfield, in front of an audience. You set up the props, make the scene then act out looking for applause. Dance, jump, trip, leap and Kung-fu your way into the hearts of the audience. Could be a really good family game. Or it could be a complete flop.

Maybe it is because thousands of people are trying all at once to get their Brawl on, but online connectivity for Super Smash Bros. Brawl is having some issues. Reports are coming in from all over of connections being dropped or unplayable lag.  It seems that either Nintendo didn’t have enough servers to cope with everyone hopping online at Read more »

Super Smash Bros. Brawl has given a handful of Wii owners problems. These problems range from stuttering graphics to a complete read disc error. Nintendo originally claimed that this was due to dirty lenses on the Wii. Nintendo asked people to ship the Wii to them for a free cleaning and also warned that people should not try to clean the lenses themselves. In an article I wrote yesterday, I dismissed several conspiracy theorist that said Nintendo was hiding something, but it looks like there really is more than meets the eye.

Nintendo has officially confirmed that in “a small number of cases” the Wii’s in question have a defective reader that has to be replaced in order to read the double layer that Super Smash Bros. uses. Nintendo has stated that this seems to “mostly” happen to “older consoles, purchased around launch”. There have been reports, at least one anyway, of a brand new Wii having this problem.

This definitely answers some questions I asked in my last article, including the important question: How is Nintendo planning on stopping dirty lenses from happening in the future? People seem to be suggesting that this “cover-up” is a black eye for Nintendo, but the way I see it, it is much better for them to replace a defective lens and fix your Wii permanently then for the Wii to have some type of critical cleanliness problem.

I mean, if lenses were dirty after only a year or so, what would happen to all the Wii’s after two years, or five years. This would be a permanent recurring problem that apparently requires you to ship your console off. That would be a serious black-eye, and I actually find it comforting that it isn’t all being caused by a dirt problem. As long as Nintendo is willing to fix everything free of charge, I don’t really care too much.

One question people have been asking is what happens if they’ve installed an unauthorized modification. On one hand, the instillation supposedly voids your warranty, but on the other hand, if the unit is defective Nintendo should fix the problem, with or without a warranty. One problem that users with a mod face is this: often times, Nintendo will probably simply replace the defective unit. But replacement means that your several hundred dollars in purchase and instillation are down the drain. Nintendo might argue that this is why the modification are unauthorized and that they aren’t going to go out of there way to convenience you. Gamers might say otherwise though. Read more »

The worms franchise has had huge success. Worms is a 2D turn based (yet fast paced) battle to the death, of worms. Little worms have been wriggling around our screens carrying bazookas since 1995 when the original Worms came out. The newest installment, A Space Oddity (a pun on 2001: A Space Odyssey) comes out March 28th (pushed back from a March 10th release). So what will this generation of worm blasting fun hord for the Wii? Lets have a look.

Worms: A Space Oddity is designed specifically for the Wii, and won’t be a port. I take that as a good sign. On top of that the controls “have been specifically designed” for the Wii. Another good sign. Apparently attacks will be gesture based and force sensitive. Sound really good. One question I have to ask though: will aim and such depend on force, because that could be tricky. Assuming that THQ does this right, this could be some wormy happiness.

I’m looking forward to another title that really integrates the Wiimote the way that Wii Sports does. Far too few games have really taken advantage of the possibilities. Worms: A Space Oddity looks like a serious game for the Wii. It could be a very strong title and I wouldn’t be surprised with A+ reviews.

Multiplayer, is of course a big focus on a battle game like Worms, although in the past single player has been fun as well. No news yet about how integrated multiplayer will be or whether you can play online, or Read more »

Thousands of people today, went out and bought Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Several lined up for midnight releases. And for many of them, Super Smash Bros. Brawl just doesn’t work on their Wii.

For some, the game won’t even load, for others the graphics are choppy and slow. This is, according to Nintendo, do to a dirty reading lens. Super Small Bros. Brawl is the first Wii game to use the second layer on the Wii Disc. All other games have made do with only one layer. So apparently, the disc reader is having trouble properly reading the second layer do to collected smoke and dust on the lens.

Nintendo warns that no one should try to clean the lens on their own because it is more likely that they will damage it. Nintendo is offering to clean anyones lens for free. You can get more information about that here. At the moment, they don’t say how long a repair is expected to take, but they do say that all of your data should be perfectly safe. As more and more games start utilizing the extra space available in the second layer, this problem will probably increase.

Some conspiracies have popped up claiming that dirt is not the problem, but some other fundamental issue that Nintendo doesn’t want to admit to. I for one do not believe any such conspiracy, and applaud the quick and free response Nintendo has issued. One question to ask: If a single year of use has made the lenses dirty, will the rest of us probably be experiencing problems like this in the next few years. Or will people who get a lens cleaning have to do it again when their lens becomes dirty again? Will there be a way to clean the lens ourselves in the future? Is there a permanent fix for this? Most Nintendo consoles to date have been very rugged, much more so then the competitors. A lot of old NES’s and SNES’s are still out there working (although often the cartridges would corrode). Problems like this could end Nintendo’s claim for most rugged console.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have the game working properly, so far it does seem to be all that it was cracked up to be. Another AAA title by Nintendo. Good luck to everyone experiencing problems and may your Super Smash Bros. Brawling come soon.