GamerNode: Latest Wii News

October 6th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

MadStone (Riverman Media, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Time is short. Earth trembles as the forces of nature stir and grow restless. Can you turn the tide? In this dynamic puzzle game, you must clear the path for your elemental MadStones to reach the bottom of the screen. Blocks can be broken by striking them directly or by the force of falling objects. The novice tries frantically to break e...

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Rock Band 2 to have DLC on Wii

Wii music lovers have often felt left in the dust. Their games come out later, their Rock Band 2s have no DLC... Well, if you're a Wii owner with big dreams for Rock Band 2 worry no more, because while it's unannounced MTV Games has confirmed with USA Today that Rock Band 2 on the Wii will feature downloadable content.

Previously citing that the Wii's online experience wasn't solid enough for downloadable songs, it seems that Harmonix, Activision, and MTV Games have changed their mind. There's no word yet on when the Wii DLC will go into effect, if it will be the same price, whether or not the songs will be more compressed to fit with the Wii's usual memory devices, etc. But really, you know you're going to get downloadable songs so just be happy for that, okay?

Unfortunately, those still ...

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September 29 WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

Art Style: ORBIENT (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Explore the universe like never before in Art Style: ORBIENT. Take control of gravity and anti-gravity and carefully maneuver your small star through 50 stages set in multiple galaxies. Collide with other stars to absorb them and make your own star expand in size, or capture the stars in your orbit and have them become your satellites. S...

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September 22 WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

Mega Man 9 (CAPCOM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Mega Man fans, the wait is over! The classic Blue Bomber that debuted in 1987 is back with the ninth installment in the classic series. It's a new adventure for Mega Man done in an 8-bit style-graphics, music and gameplay are all like you remember them.

PLÄTTCHEN twist ‘n' paint (Bplus, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000

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Full We Cheer song list

Admit it, you like cheerleading. That whole "I just like it because I like watching the girls!" excuse isn't fooling anyone, Steve. You like the dancing, and secretly wish you too could perform those moves in front of a cheering crowd while your team clawed its way back from the jaws of defeat thereby suffocating on the sweet air of victory.

If you do, then have I got good news for you! Today Namco Bandai has released the full song list for their upcoming MEGA SUPER ULTRA SMASH, We Cheer. Worried about the quality of music in a cheerleading centered game? Don't worry, because the press release itself starts out by telling us that the game is "Packed with 30 high-energy master tracks spanning four decades of music from chart-topping artists such as Hilary Duff, Natasha Bedingfield, Paramore...

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September 15th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Alcohol, 1,000 Wii Points): Strong Badia the Free is the second of five monthly episodes starring Strong Bad-the self-proclaimed "coolest person ever"-and the rest of the cast from the popular Homestar Runner Web cartoons. When Strong Bad fails to obey the King of T...

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September 8th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWareGroovin' Blocks (Empty Clip Studios, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): A music-based game like no other, Groovin' Blocks adds innovative musical game play to an addictive action/puzzle game foundation. Play to the rhythm of the music to increase your score, and try to hit "Superbeats" to double your multiplier. Go for the high score in each of the 27 stages as you collect stars to unlock 15 level...

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Yes, the Wii CAN be discounted

A phrase that has not been associated with Nintendo's Wii is price cut. Since the release of Nintendo's insanely popular Wii, the company and retail outlets have seen no need to lower its price; demand is still outrageously high.

But the Wii has finally been discounted. Woolworths in the UK has lowered the Wii's price from £179 ($316) to £159 ($281). A savings of 20 pounds ($35).

The retail chain is also extending this price cut to Wii bundles. The offer is good for one week.

The move by Woolworths to lower the price of the Wii is a tactic to bring in more foot traffic. Some observers are cynical and see it as a strategy to increase the ailing store's bottom line before the quarterly business stats are turned in. One observer on MCV noted:

"I was stunned by this move, what is the point... It...

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September 1st WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

My Aquarium (Hudson Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): With swaying aquatic plants and fish idly swimming about, My Aquarium is a relaxing Wii experience that allows you to enjoy a virtual aquarium in your spare time. Whether freshwater or saltwater, you can select from over 40 popular types of fish, including favorites like the Ocellaris clownfish, the freshwater angelfish and the Asi...

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August 25th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

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Super Mario RPG out on PAL Virtual Console

For once, we NTSC gamers have something to complain about. While we usually get games first (sometimes years ahead of other territories), this time PAL is getting a game which isn't even confirmed for NTSC release yet: Super Mario RPG for the SNES.

According to several PAL-territory readers, the game is available on PAL virtual console as part of the limited time "Hanabi Festival," which brings rare Japanese games to the UK and Australian virtual console for short periods of time. (Think of it like the Disney Vault of downloadable gaming.)

So this time, the US and Australia switch places when it comes to a big game release. Kudos, Australia.

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August 18th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

Midnight Pool (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone-Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points): Take a trip across America to make your dreams come true in a pool tournament worth millions. Visit the most colorful bars and meet seven of the coolest players on the circuit, from country music star Travis to Alison the biologist and John the sheriff. Learn the tricks of the trade through tutor...

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Sega's Simon Jeffery says Wii could be hardcore

Since its introduction, there has been much argument over the Wii's position in the videogame industry: Is it just for kids? Is it a family machine? Is it for all gamers?

Ask Sega of America's president Simon Jeffery, and you will hear that the under-utilized console is good for more than just "crap" shovelware, but is a great platform for the "hardcore" gamer, if publishers would only make use of it. In an interview with VentureBeat, he said:

"The Wii is a very cost effective platform to experiment with. There is a lot of crap coming out for the Wii in general. But if it’s not a good game, it doesn’t sell. That flood of crap will die down as publishers become more coherent. The Wii is a great opportunity for hitting hardcore gamers. No one is doing that. With “Mad World&r...

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Parents upset with Wii going adult and violent

Picture a game that will allow you to rip out the hearts of your victims, chainsaw and stab people to death, and impale your enemies on road signs. And then imagine that this will be an exclusive game for the Wii.

Nintendo has wanted to shed its image as a family and kid's game machine for quite a while, and has consistently promised that more hardcore games will be introduced in order to offset the Wii's squeaky-clean image. The game, MadWorld, not only promises to fulfill this goal, but also seems to be stirring up quite a bit of controversy as well.

The move by Nintendo to release MadWorld, has the anti-violence crowd and parents up in arms over in the UK.

John Beyer, director of Mediawatch-UK said MadWorld would destroy the image of the Wii as a family-friendly game console.

'This game sou...

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August 11th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner (Telltale Games, 1 player, Rated T for Teen-Crude Humor, Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,000 Wii Points): Charming. Suave. Awesome. These are the words Strong Bad would use to describe himself. In a world gone mad, only one man can be trusted to save the day. A man with an attitude. A man called Strong Bad. As the star of the Homestar Runner Web cartoons, Stro...

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Nintendo prez says WiiMotion Plus will be cheap

The WiiMotion Plus accessory was announced at E3 this year. The add-on promises to bring real-time 3D motion tracking to the WiiMote. The device snaps onto the end of the Nintendo controller and enhances the movement sensing abilities.

A video of how it works can be seen here. The new device looks nifty, but just how much is this thing going to cost our wallets? Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, answered that question and said that it is going to be inexpensive.

"There will be games that will be enhanced by the Wii MotionPlus as well as games that can only be played with it. Users will need four if they have four controllers, but we're going to try to offer it for as little as possible. We haven't announced the price yet, but the cost of making the Wii MotionPlus is not that much, so I th...

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"Master Plan" for Wii all done now?

Shigeru Miyamoto, who literally built Nintendo with Donkey Kong, Mario, and Zelda is also responsible for the idea behind the Wii.

His plans were so well thought out that Miyamoto put together a master plan for the accessories and products related to the Wii. But now, the well seems to have run dry. Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata said that with the release of Wii Music, the Wii strategy for accessories is finished.

"Wii Music completes what Miyamoto wrote in his proposal when he came up with the idea for the Wii. He was saying that he needs to think up more ideas now. Most of the ideas for accessories that we had initially come up with are out now. We might think up some more, and we might make them if we do, but we don't have any plans to release a whole lot more."

Gee, I was sort of looki...

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Blast Works gets a price cut

Majesco Entertainment announced today that Budcat Creations' Blast Works: Build, Trade, and Destroy has been reduced in price to just $19.99.

The creative 2D side-scrolling shooter, which was based on Kenta Cho's online game Tumiki Fighters, was released to great critical reception, including an 8.0 from GamerNode. Its unique gameplay mechanic of on-the-fly ship and weapon augmentation, as well as its extensive level editing and community features have earned it the nicknames of "Katamari shooter" and "the LittleBigPlanet of shooters," among others.

Said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco:

"Blast Works has been well received by the gaming community as one of the most innovative and creative games for Wii. With the lower price point, the game is among the best values a...

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August 4th WiiWare/Virtual Console releases

Another Monday, another round of WiiWare and Virtual Console updates.

Whether Nintendo adds one game, ten games, or none at all, GamerNode will be here every Monday with the official details - titles, platforms, ratings, pricing, and even a taste of some corny marketing copy - keeping you up to date with everything from the online Wii scene.

Without further ado, the games:

WiiWare

Wild West Guns (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen—Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): Draw your revolver to see if you're the fastest gun in the West. Adjust your speed and precision as targets or enemies appear in front of you. Point and shoot to earn more points. You can aim at anything, so be sure to explore the environment for elements that will earn you more shooting points. Identify your enemies among t...

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Demo of Wii Motion Plus. Lightsaber anyone?

The company who helped develop the Wii MotionPlus accessory has a video that shows what WMP can do.

The demo doesn't show a lot of game applications but it is interesting to see how this new add-on could spur a whole new genre of titles for the Wii. The Wii Motion Plus promises to add real-time 3-D spatial positioning when using the add on.

Anyone who played Red Steel knows how lacking the WiiMote was when wielding a sword in the game. If Wii MotionPlus performs as promised, wannabe swordsmen and lightsaber fans will have lots to be happy about when using the Wii MotionPlus.

Wii MotionPlus was announced at E3 but for those of you who missed the official statement, here it is:

Nintendo's upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, ...

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