There Will Be Brawl: A Dystopian Look At The Mushroom Kingdom

The Mushroom Kingdom isn't what it used to be, indeed. Mario and Luigi are hard up for coins. The Lakitu-run media is questioning the Kingdom's leadership. Toads are turning to hustling and prostitution. Even the Ice Climbers are little more than thugs for hire. That's the backdrop of the newly launched web series There Will Be Brawl, a dark and dingy look at the story behind Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The first episode, "Twilight Ruin," is available for those mature enough to watch. We liked the production values and the last minute guest appearance, even if we don't have the patience for 12 minutes of this stuff.

There Will Be Brawl [Official Site - thanks, James!]

They won't surprise you. Grand Theft Auto IV, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Metal Gear Solid 4 float to the top of the NPD Group's top five for the year, further proof that Americans like shooting and punching things in virtual worlds.

We also love our sequels. The only new properties to crack the top five on each of the big three platforms are Army of Two, Wii Play and Wii Fit.

Another fact that will likely not blow your hair back are the best sellers on the Nintendo Wii side of things. Four of the console's best sellers are published by Nintendo and four feature strong peripheral tie-ins. Consider us nonplussed!

2008's Top-Selling Games So Far: How They Stack Up [Gamasutra]

Why No Mega-Man In Super Smash Bros.? Inafune Says, "Ask Nintendo"

With all those gajillion characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there was one glaring omission: Mega-Man. The Capcom mascott seems like a sure fit for Smash Bros. So what gives? Did Capcom refuse to let the character appear in the game? Mega-Man creator Keiji Inafune answers:

That is probably a question better suited for Nintendo than for Capcom. If they were to ask, I see no reason to say no. We'll see what happens.

Does that mean Nintendo didn't ask? If so, why didn't it? Questions, questions, questions. There's more questions over at the official Capcom Blog. Answers, too. Read them if you like.

Inafune-san Answers Your Questions! [Capcom]

EVO Fighting Game Finals This Weekend!

EVO2k [Official Site]

Dojo Dump: Smash Bros. Dojo Returns!

Welcome back, Smash Bros. Dojo! We were wondering if you were going to do anything to commemorate the European launch of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. We absolutely love it when you do these "Snapshots Galore" posts, because we need more images of Donkey Kong in a spotted diaper floating around our brains.

Sadly, we think the "return" of the Smash Bros. Dojo will be very short lived and that it will be some time before we see another update to the site. Our European friends who have expertly avoided spoilers up until this point will want to steer clear of this latest update, as unlockable characters abound.

Snapshots Galore #3 [Smash Bros. Dojo - thanks, Kiriphii!]

Amazon's Gold Box Kick Off With Super Cheap SSBB [Updated]

Amazon deals! No, no, no Amazon Nintendo deals! Today's Amazon Goldbox has kicked off with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, originally priced at US$49.99, but now going for $25.99. Whadda steal. Throughout the day, Amazon will be cutting prices on nine — yes, NINE — Nintendo titles. Expected games and times are:

Current - Super Smash Brothers: Brawl (Wii)

6:00 AM PDT - Yoshi's Island DS

8:00 AM PDT - The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS)

10:00 AM PDT - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

12:00 PM PDT - The New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS)

2:00 PM PDT - Mario Kart Wii

4:00 PM PDT - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii, presumably, though possibly Gamecube)

6:00 PM PDT - Mario Party DS

8:00 PM PDT - Pokemon Diamond and/or Pearl (Nintendo DS)

Check Amazon during the day to see if these predictions are true — and more importantly, just how low the deals go.

Eds Note: Slight correction: Mario Kart DS, NOT Mario Kart Wii and Pokemon Diamond confirmed, not Pearl as a choice.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl [Amazon Thanks, FitzRhapsody!]

Smash Bros. Brawl Father's Day Tourney Winners

The Father's Day Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tourney drew about 35 father and son pairs to the Nintendo World store in New York this weekend.

The bracket-style tournament had the teams of two fight it out until Dannis Tighe and his son Michael were the last two standing. The two won a Wii, a copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a trophy and the right to rub their victories in the faces of all of those father/son teams who waste their training regiments on sack races and egg tosses.

Nintendo's Father's Day Smash Bros. Tournament

Sunday June 15th is Father's Day, and what better way to celebrate than playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl all day long? Alright, so some of you were planning on doing that anyway, but if you're in the New York City area that weekend you can get your father involved for a chance at fabulous prizes!

Nintendo is hosting a Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Father's Day Tournament at the Nintendo World store in Rockefeller Plaza on the 15th from 1 to 4 PM, with the winners of the bracket-style playoff walking away with two Wii, two copies of the game, and a trophy commemorating the event. Photographers will be on hand throughout the event to offer framed father and son pictures so at least you come away with something if the tourney only drives home the fact that you and your father have absolutely nothing in common.

Zero Punctuation Beats On Smash Bros. Brawl

Wii Owners Don't Buy Games

According to a well-argued piece by the New York Times, Wii owners don't buy games. They look at the issue from a variety of angles, including the facts (Wii owners buy one game less per year than their 360/PS3 counterparts), the analysts (Michael Pachter explains this represents a "broadening of the demographic") and the consequences (Super Smash Bros. Brawl sales dropped 90% over the first four weeks, forcing companies like Walmart to turn to bundling the game).

All in all, it's a good thing that Nintendo makes loads of cash on the Wii, Wii controllers and accessories for Wii controllers. Because even their traditional franchises are failing to inspire many of those who purchased Wiis in the first place.

New Wii Games Find a Big (but Stingy) Audience [NYT]