Wii Gets Digi Camera Print Channel

Today in Japan, Nintendo and FujiFilm launched a new Digital Camera Print Wii Channel. Wii owners are able to order Fuji digi picture prints, photo albums and Mii business cards. Just put an SD card with picture data in the Wii and select what you'd like to order. Prints are ¥30 ($0.28) a pop while a 21 page album will set you back ¥1,575 ($14.68). One set of thirty Mii-style business cards runs ¥500. You can even have your friend code printed out on it. After paying by credit card, your order will be delivered to your doorstep.

Digital Camera Print Channel [Nintendo via Go Nintendo]

Back when I was your age, we played games that sucked and were no fun and we liked it, because it built character, and building character was fun (it was an early form of achievement farming). In fact, we used a slide projector to create finger-shadow combatants for Mortal Kombat, and it was a hoot when granddad had to roll the dice correctly in the correct order to get a fatality.

So that's a big brown blip on the bullshit radar, isn't it. Yeah, thought so. Instead for you, GamesRadar has a comprehensive timeline of all of the video game consoles of the 1970s and I was surprised to learn just how many there were besides the 2600 and the Pong console. Oh, some family friends had the Fairchild (above), that made visiting their home like going to a foreign country where the toilets flushed backward. Except for the Odyssey (actually, we only saw the Odyssey II) I don't think anything other than the Atari retailed in my hometown. Then again, we didn't get a McDonald's until 1980. We had to have our birthday parties at a typewriter repair shop. And we liked it!

Consoles of the 70s [GamesRadar]

Digital distribution platforms seem to need some sort of user-aggregate ranking system to help sort the tide of downloadables that promises only to continue growing. I've hoped to see such a system implemented on Xbox Live, but it looks like Nintendo quietly sneaked in while my back was turned and implemented something that at least approaches it.

The new, free Nintendo Channel on Wii went live last month. It primarily features DS and Wii interview and preview titles, and since we get plenty of those on the internet, it was easy to overlook. But it also apparently lets users rank the games they've played, creating user-generated usage statistics on the site.

Downloading the Nintendo channel also lets you rank titles that you've played for more than an hour. Pick one, and the service will ask you the gender and age of the person in your house who enjoyed the game the most. It also asks you whether you think that it's a title more for "gamers" or for "everyone," whether it's more fun alone or with friends, and whether you consider it more hardcore or more casual. Finally, a slider you can pull with the Wii Remote allows you to rank (to a pleasing drumroll sound) just how much you liked it.

It can be fun - and surprising - to see what the user base thinks of your favorite titles.

Game Show Channel Coming To Xbox Live

A new social gaming channel is coming to Xbox LIVE, one that looks to be another attempt from Microsoft to target the casual gaming crowd with "programmatic, highly concurrent social interactive games." That's the long way of saying "game shows" as Xbox LIVE versions of Jeopardy! and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? appear to be coming to the "SBG Channel."

Leaked information that pointed to an Avatars system coming to Xbox 360 and games like Lips and Forza Motorsport 3 also dishes details on the SBG Channel. The channel is said to also feature "concepts" in the "Trivia, Reality TV, Puzzles and Sports" genres with live events and plans to feature real-world and virtual prizes.

Miz: No Reason For Space Channel 5 Remake

Remakes are all the rage these days! Whether it's literally remaking a classic, or just putting out "reimaginings" of long-running franchises, we can't get enough of the good old stuff. By re-releasing Rez on XBLA, you'd think Q's Tetsuya Mizuguchi would be big on the idea of remaking more of his classic titles, right? Like...Space Channel 5, maybe? Sadly, he's not, telling Eurogamer there's no "really special reason to remake Space Channel 5 now". Reason being that Rez was an experience, which could be improved upon with HD graphics, 5:1, etc, while SC5 is "funny, like a comical TV show. I don't feel the need for much more resolution in that!". Oh dear. Just because YOU don't need to see Ulala in a higher resolution, Miz, doesn't man WE don't need to.

Tetsuya Mizuguchi Interview [Eurogamer] [Pic]

Sci-Fi Merging MMO With TV Show

Imagine playing a massively multiplayer online game where the actions of you and your friends help shape the storyline of an ongoing television series. That's exactly what the Sci Fi Channel has planned for 2010, as they work with game developer Trion World Network to create the ultimate merging of the TV and gaming mediums.

"A television show that is on once a week isn't enough. The fans today want the experience to go beyond that," Howe said. "For example, we can tell them that there will be an alien invasion at a certain place in the game, at a certain time, and to be there with all their friends and be ready. The outcome depends on them. And then that battle will be part of the universe in the show."

Sci Fi had originally planned to do something similar with their hit Battlestar Galactica, though decided to start fresh in order to create a world in which the players decide who the heroes and villains are.

Wii Nintendo Channel Hits Europe Tomorrow

After what was surely a long and painful wait, wrought with intrigue and suspense, Nintendo has confirmed that our European and Australian brothers and sisters will be gifted with the Wii Advertising Nintendo Channel come tomorrow.

As seem in the video walkthrough we posted earlier this month, the Nintendo Channel is a place to download videos, get recommendations, and check out upcoming products from Nintendo and friends. Basically a very convenient way for you to be marketed at without having to get off the couch and type in a web address.

The Nintendo channel also includes the DS download service, though you have to agree to send your console usage data to Nintendo in exchange. No big deal though. It'll just make the marketing a bit more focused, that's all.

Wii's Nintendo Channel set to launch [GamesIndustry.biz]

Nintendo Channel Tells Nintendo About You While You Sleep

What's the new Nintendo Channel do? It lets you download DS demos. It lets you check out stuff like trailers. Oh, and, if you let it, it'll quietly take stock of your Wii and your gaming setup, then report back to Nintendo HQ with its findings. Some of the information it will share includes your net connection speed, WiiConnect24 settings, TV preferences, daily play habits and even how many Miis you've got saved on your system, all in the hopes of providing you, dear consumer, "with game recommendations and improved future services". Any of you choosing to opt out of the service should be aware that if you do, you won't be able to download those DS demos, which are being kept only for those customers participating in this grand "information exchange".

Nintendo Channel - Details of Information Sent to Nintendo [Nintendo, via Game|Life]

Dr. Mario Online RX Joins Initial U.S. WiiWare Releases

The newly launched in North America Nintendo Channel shows off the first batch of WiiWare titles to hit Western shores, revealing potential pricing on at least one of the debut games. The initial quintet of potential WiiWare releases—revealed by way of the "What Is WiiWare?" video—includes the following.

• Dr. Mario Online RX
• LostWinds
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King
• Defend Your Castle
• Critter Round Up

Dr. Mario Online RX is shown priced at 1000 Wii Points, more commonly referred to as $10 USD. While we're not taking this as 100% confirmed yet, we will continue to be able to sleep soundly tonight assuming that the five titles listed above are prime candidates for next Monday's launch.

Wii Nintendo Channel Video Walkthrough

Nintendo Channel Is Live

Nintendo Channel is an interactive guide to what's new in the world of Nintendo - now available for easy download from the Wii Shop Channel. Watch trailers, mini-documentaries, product demonstrations, and gameplay videos. Browse the game guide pages to get information about your favorite games on Wii and Nintendo DS. You can even click to order games straight from your Wii, if you have the Internet Channel installed. Make sure your Wii is connected to the internet, and get started!

In addition to bringing the WiiWare service Stateside in May, Nintendo will import the already released in Japan Nintendo Channel, a service which allows for downloadable Nintendo DS game demos, commercials, interviews and trailers for Wii software. In addition, Game|Life reports, Wii owners will be able to add reviews of WiiWare releases and receive recommendations on software purchases. Before we run out of channel space, we hope that Nintendo will launch the Channel Channel. More details on the newest channel at Wired.

Nintendo Channel Coming to U.S. Alongside WiiWare [Wired]

Doctor Who is coming to the Wii...sort of! The BBC has announced that their iPlayer replay service will now be functional on the Nintendo Wii. The service, made available last month on the iPod Touch and iPhone, presents time-limited replays of BBC shows, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, and whatever else they have worth watching. Wii owners in the UK will be able to browse to the page and grab their favorite shows.

"This exciting alliance with the BBC is yet another way in which Nintendo is looking to broaden the market for its products by offering compelling and relevant content to families," added David Yarnton, general manager of Nintendo UK.

Wii gets BBC iPlayer [GamesIndustry.biz]

Sega has confirmed that two of their Genesis titles, Puyo Puyo 2 and POWERBALL, will be hitting the Wii Shop Channel this month with prices starting at 800 Wii Points.

Puyo Puyo 2 - The object of this head-to-head puzzle game is to clear your grid of falling patterns, called puyos, by forming chains of four or more same-colored puyos in a straight line or one of several geometric patterns. What makes this a challenging two-player contest is the fact that when you clear a chain of puyos from your grid, it drops a random piece of filler onto your opponent's grid. The more puyos you clear, the more you fill your opponent's grid, and if you can clutter up his grid enough to fill it to the top, you've won the game. An intriguing backstory makes this an amusing diversion for one or two players.

POWERBALL - Eight different teams representing various nations are vying to become the Powerball champions, and you control one of the eight in your quest for the championship. A hybrid of games like rugby and football, Powerball is played on a 100-yard field, as you try to score by either carrying the ball into your opponent's end zone or kicking it into your opponent's net for a certain amount of points. This one- or two-player game offers both exhibition and league play. Jump into a game of Powerball and try a brand-new sport!

It is my great shame to admit I completely by-passed the Genesis, so I probably should pick some of these up.

Wii TV Guide Channel Launches In Japan

360 Catches The Deadliest Catch

With waves over 40 feet high, "Deadliest Catch Alaskan Storm" features the best wave effects in a video game to date. In the words of Captain Sig Hansen, "It may not be life or death, but chills went up my spine the first time I saw the Northwestern sink in the game."

A lot of titles this week with a spread over every system. Not a lot here that sparks my particular interests although I'll be too busy at GDC to really play much of anything. I am however looking forward to the new Ace Attorney game. Hopefully it can retain its freshness by adding a new main character. Otherwise Apollo could turn out to be the Scrappy Doo of the series.

The Club (PC, PS3, X360)
It's mercenary madness!

Need for Speed ProStreet (PSP)
When speed is what you need.

Dynasty Warriors 6 (PS3, X360)
Carrying on the Dynasty Warriors tradition.

FIFA Street 3 (X360, PS3, DS)
Take your soccer to the streets.

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (WII)
Dragon Quest Swords: The Extremely Overly Long Title

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (DS)
Ace Attorney is back with a new attorney.

History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PS3)
Historically accurate World War II battles.

CABAL Online (PC)
Use the power of Force Power.

MX vs. ATV Untamed (WII)
Off road racing rally.

Everyone's Nintendo Channel U.S. Bound Soon

Rumor has it that Everyone's Nintendo Channel, that channel that will be packed with Nintendo-flavored infomercials, some insider interviews, video and DS downloads, will be hitting the U.S. in the next month or so.

A source tells us that the channel will also be home to some of the same sort of video game centric videos found on Xbox Live and the Playstation Network. Specifically, convention videos might start popping up on the channel once it goes live in the states. It's unclear if Nintendo will follow the same path as Microsoft, and now Sony, and start producing their own material from show floors or just rely on pre-packed stuff from the hosts themselves.