Archive for June, 2006
Uno, Skip-Bo, Uno Free Fall announced for DS
Uno goes from GameBoy Color, to Xbox 360 Live Arcade, back to Nintendo’s new portable DS. Starting October 3rd 2006 you can play Uno, Skip-Bo and Uno Freefall on one game cartridge. Mattel & Destination Software are bringing these games together in a new compilation for the DS. No details yet on if it will include voice or touch features.
2 comments »Behind the scenes at Saints Row
There are no idle threats in Stilwater. This once postcard-perfect city is now a criminal’s paradise where 4 rival gangs fight over control and every insult is an invitation to war. Under threat from rival gangs and corrupt officials, the 3rd Street Saints must conquer the city of Stilwater or face destruction.
Saint’s Row is described by developer Volition as a free-roaming, urban mayhem game. And while Grand Theft Auto only has a single-player mode on consoles, in Saint’s Row you can go online to recruit members into your own gang to earn money and challenge rival gangs. Release dates are: August 29th in the US and September 1st in Europe, with a demo coming to Xbox Live globally on August 1st.
Here’s a behind the scenes look at Saints Row:
Features and voice cast: Article continues »
Wii launch in Europe 10 days after Japan and Zelda might come in a GameCube-Wii bundle pack!
Nintendo of Spain’s director of marketing Nico Wegnez, revealed that he expects Europe will receive the Wii about 10 days after its Japanese launch, which is guessed to be at the end of October or early November. Although Mr. Wegnez understood Nintendo fans might not be happy with the wait, he was quick to compare the upcoming launch to previous console releases like the DS and GameCube that respectively took 3 and 5 months to get from Japan/America to Europe. He then assured that Wii will still hit European shelves before this Christmas.
While on the subject of Wii, he reiterated Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime’s comments about WiiConnect24 microtransaction possibilities. Although Wegnez expects Nintendo’s own downloadable content to be free, he states that a €5 or €10 pre-payment scheme is likely to be initiated, largely due to Europe’s aversion to using its credit cards online.
Article continues »
World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade flying mount “tutorial”
Comedic video explaining what you can do with a flying mount in the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion Burning Crusade. Blizzard expects it to arrive on October 15th, 2006.
Nintendo announced Wii Sports Tennis and Duck Hunt as separate games
Nintendo announced 3 new Wii titles at the shareholders meeting in Japan on June 29th, which includes Made in Wario: Smooth Moves (WarioWare: Smooth Moves), Wii Sports Tennis (not Wii Sports?), and Duck Hunt (yay!)
Also mentioned is that Nintendo has registered a number of new patents in Japan between June 18 - 26, including: WiiCan, WiiClub, WiiCommunication, WiiDiary, WiiHappy, WiiHealth, WiiHome, WiiKids, WiiMap, WiiOnline, WiiSenior, WiiWords, WWWii, WiiActive24, WiiCountry, and WiiAlive24.
These can be added to a long list of previously registered Wii patents, most notable are: WiiPointer, WiiCulture, and !!M. The last one being Wii upside-down & reversed as a wink to the Wii’s online Instant Messaging service. Via Magicbox
Metal Slug 3D trailer & impressions
SNK created a 3D spin-off to their popular Metal Slug series for the PS2, that was released yesterday for Japan only. Fans need not worry, because the very 2D Metal Slug 6 is still in development for arcades and PS2’s the world over.
Here’s the 3D incarnation’s trailer:
Here are some impressions from playing the game:
Article continues »
Developer blogs for exclusive games: Too Human 360, Red Steel Wii & MechAssault DS
Too Human for Xbox 360 is still in full development at Silicon Knights. So getting a peek into their daily life is a fun way to see the first diverse action game in the trilogy progress until it’s Q4 2006 US / Q1 2007 EU release. Development is shown with loads of concept art & in-game pictures, as well as having readers listen in on the game’s music!
Red Steel for Wii opened a blog yesterday to discuss the shooter action game’s progress as it reaches its final stages for Oct-Nov launch. Fine-tuning controls are obviously a big issue in this stage, so Ubisoft Producer Marie-Sol Beaudry speaks about wanting players to have fun and not “force people to become actual professional swordsmen.”
MechAssault: Phantom War for DS speaks about how Backbone Entertainment came to bring the MechAssault Xbox series onto the DS platform and the difficulties they run into during 3D development on the portable. They will even be answering reader questions during the making of the game, which should end at… well no one knows that yet.
Mutant Storm Empire announced for Xbox 360 Live Arcade
Back in November 22nd 2005, Mutant Storm Reloaded was one of the first Xbox Live Arcade games. And while Geometry Wars got more attention, the developers at PomPom Games still must have been satisfied with the sales, since they are now working on a sequel (seen above) called “Mutant Storm Empire” exclusively for the Xbox 360. First screens at Xboxyde
Taito announces Exit 2 for PSP
Yesterday Taito announced it’s sequel to the original PSP game Exit. Like in the first game, you control of Mr. Esc in this “escape” puzzle action game. In each level, your goal is to search the stage for people and lead them to the exit under constraint of time.
Exit 2 expands on this formula by focusing less on action and more on stimulating your brain activity. Taito overhauled Mr. Esc’s movement and sped them up, since they felt a bit slow/heavy in the first game in response to the players actions.
In addition, multiple objects will be added, like escalators and barrels that can float on water. No release date was announced, but by the time the game is finished, 110 levels will be in the game. Whether players can download extra levels online, like the 100 extra levels in the first game, is unknown at this time.
Bandai Namco announces Ridge Racer 2 for PSP (with details)
The latest issue of Famitsu magazine contains first details on the sequel, titled Ridge Racers 2 in Japan. Ridge Racers 2 continues where the PSP launch title left off, complete with a return of the nitro system, as well as all the drift-based racing that makes the series what it is.
Ridge Racers 2 adds a number of new modes to the original. In addition to the World Tours, Time Attack and Wireless Battle (still with 8 player ad-hoc support) from the original, you can now take part in Arcade, Duel and Survival modes. Arcade mode is set up like an arcade racer, where you attempt to reach a goal in a set time and earn additional time when crossing check points. Specifics on the Duel and Survival modes have yet to be revealed.
Bandai Namco is packing the title with cars and tracks… Article continues »
