The event kicks off at 11 a.m. this Sunday and will include purchasable copies of the game, due to hit stores on Sept. 15 for sale. Gamers will also have a chance to have Scribblenauts creative director Jeremiah Slaczka sign their copy of the game.

The event, which runs until 2 p.m., will also include some giveaways and "fun activities."

The Legendary Starfy for the Nintendo DS might have been released in North America early last month, but it's never too late to raise brand awareness. From 1pm to 3pm this Saturday, July 11th, Starfy himself will be on hand at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Plaza, posing for photos in a special underwater-themed area. There'll be prizes to be won, demos to be played, and yes - face painting.

We've been trying desperately to get Totilo to show up and get his face painted, and shall continue to do so long after this event has come and gone.

On Saturday, May 16th from 1pm to 4pm at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Plaza, Nintendo will be celebrating the return of the Punch-Out!! franchise with a 32-player elimination tournament. The winner receives a World Video Boxing Association trophy and a copy of the game two days before its Monday release. Fans not participating in the challenge can still have a good time, with giveaways, DJ entertainment, and a chance to purchase the game before anyone else in the country. Good for them!

The party, this Saturday, will let gamers buy the game a day earlier and give them a chance to receive a copy of the game autographed by Game Producer Junichi Masuda and Game Director Takeshi Kawachimaru.

There will be interactive game demonstrations, costumed characters, other giveaways and showings of the latest Pokemon movie, Pokemon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

People who show up to the party dressed as Pokemon characters maybe qualify for a chance to participate in the Pokemon Platinum Plunge, in which they can dive into a 10-foot vat of balls to try and grab Pokemon Platinum Versions games and exclusive Giratina-branded DS.

The game will go on sale at the store at 11 a.m. and the party runs from noon until 4 p.m.

The party kicks off at 11:59 p.m. that night and runs into the next morning at 2 a.m. with DJ OhNo hosting fans age 17 and up. The first 25 people to buy the game get a chance at landing GTA Kubrick sets and some apparel.

The store will also be displaying limited edition, customized Chinatown Wars DS Lites.

The new Nintendo despartment is located on the first floor of what some consider "The World's Greatest Toy Store". It features an interactive Wii wall where shoppers can try out the latest Wii games, eight Nintendo DS systems, and a Nintendo gallery that showcases images from Nintendo's long and storied history. The department is staffed by specially trained Nintendo experts in Nintendo-branded uniforms.

Of course most of these features are in some form available right down the street at the Nintendo World Store, but I suppose redundency never hurt anyone. I just can't fathom why they'd open up the ultimate Nintendo retail location a few blocks away from the ultimate Nintendo retail location. Spread the love a little, Nintendo!

Dedicated Nintendo Department Opens at Toys“R”Us Times Square

‘Store Within a Store’ is Newest Attraction at The World’s Greatest Toy Store

REDMOND, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Holiday shoppers visiting Toys“R”Us Times Square will find a new surprise waiting for them—a new Nintendo department offering an interactive way to have fun, while experiencing the wide range of Nintendo products available this holiday season and beyond.

The Nintendo department, located on Level One of the Toys“R”Us international flagship store, is nearly 1,000 square feet and is easily visible from the store’s windows overlooking Broadway. Visitors to The World’s Greatest Toy Store™ will find an interactive Wii™ wall within the department, offering shoppers the chance to play select Wii games. Additionally, shoppers interested in sampling a portable experience can play one of eight Nintendo DS™ systems with a variety of games. The department also features a Nintendo gallery, showcasing images from Nintendo’s history of classic and current games.

The Nintendo department also features specially trained Nintendo experts who can walk shoppers through the department’s experience and provide information about Nintendo products. Shoppers can easily identify these experts by their special Nintendo-branded uniforms.

“What we’ve been seeing all year long is the expansion of video game fun to people of both genders, and all ages and tastes—there’s literally something for everyone,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “But in recent weeks, Nintendo products appear to be appealing to even more people, as every form of fun is being measured against a price tag. And that’s what makes this experience in Toys“R”Us so compelling—all the fun and information is available right at your fingertips.”

“Toys“R”Us Times Square is the premier New York City destination for families, and Nintendo offers the ultimate family gaming experience, making a partnership between our two brands the perfect match,” said Bill Lee, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “The new, dedicated Nintendo department at Toys“R”Us Times Square allows us to offer customers an exceptional interactive experience for testing out the latest Nintendo products.”

In addition to the new, experiential Nintendo department, shoppers can also find the full range of Nintendo products in the “R” Zone department on the store’s Lower Level.

For more information about Nintendo, visit www.Nintendo.com.

“We need a singer.” “Hopefully chicks, though.” Although, I’m married and have been married for 12 years, that probably wouldn’t work since we all play in our guest house.”

I was surprised when he said he was looking for a vocalist. I mean, besides being the lead singer in Zack Attack, he also headed The Five Aces, a semi-successful doo-wop group, and was a member of the men's glee club in high school, so I know he can sing. He said he plays drums now, almost exclusively, and that he's really, really good at them. Maybe he's trying to get revenge at a former classmate?

So what's the name of his band? No, it's not what you think.

“Orlando Profit."

"It was one of those things where we were in a hurry and we didn’t have time, so we just picked whatever default name came up. We took it. We’re from Amsterdam and we’re Orlando Profit."

He also admitted to me that he was a big S.O.C.O.M. nerd, and in fact talked about how the first in the series was his all-time favorite game. He was disappointed they haven't been able to recreate the feel of the original, however.

"I spent hours playing that game. I remember I was working on NYPD Blue, and I had to go to bed at a certain time and I had to be at work and I would get like three hours of sleep playing S.O.C.O.M. It just killed. Something about before all the glitchers came on, but the original S.O.C.O.M. for Playstation 2 just was a great format, was great to play online with your buddies, I don’t know, it just hasn’t been the same."

While he said he doesn't have as much time to game as he used to, he has played a few other more recent titles, like Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty 4. I asked him if he was excited for LittleBigPlanet, but he told me he never heard of the game!

He said "Thanks, brother" when I left. I'm not sure if he meant that genuinely, or if that's something he just says to everyone.

I never know quite what to where to these types of events. Sure, there will be some important people there, but it's also a party, and there will be video games. I suppose a good suggestion would be to wear something "business casual," but baby, I don't do business casual. I'm either all business all the time, or wearing my sandals. Since I have a fear of over-dressing, I decided to rock the cargo shorts and plain gray shirt.

I got there a little early and luckily witnessed what was perhaps the highlight of the night. A giant-size Pickachu mascot getting stuck trying to get out of the elevator.

Now, the invitation noted that "A-List" celebrities would be attending this particular party. I spent a lot of time on my way there thinking about who could possibly show up. I mean, who the hell would be attending this? Martha Stewart? Reggie? P fucking Diddy?

Nope. In fact only three celebrities were scheduled to show up, and only two managed to make it.

Kyle Massey of Cory in the House and Mark-Paul Gosselaar from Saved By The Bell. I was told Russell Simmons was supposed to show up as well. But I didn't see him.

Ok, I don't know who or what Cory In The House is, but Mark-Paul fucking Gosselaar? Are you kidding me? I almost fainted as I saw him walk through the door. I consider Saved By The Bell to be among the best television shows ever made. My entire childhood life was defined by that show. He wasn't there promoting a game or anything, just hanging out with his son playing some video games. He's a real cool guy (like you didn't know that already!) and he even let me interview him about his gaming habits for awhile casually by the bar. I'll be posting it soon.

I got a chance to get some hands-on time with upcoming Wii games. Mushroom Men and Rock Revolution in particular. Impressions of those will be going up soon, too. Check out the gallery of the night's affairs below.

The mystery party runs from noon until 2pm Saturday, after which parents can pretty much leave their children to wander about the Nintendo World Store unattended while they go grab a latte.

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.

Stop by the store between noon and 4 p.m. EST and you can get a chance to check out a demo of the game. They will also have the three lead zombies—Finnigan "Fins" Magee, Lori "Lefty" Lopez and Zach "Halfpipe" Boyd—on hand to take pictures and such. Attendees will each be given a limited edition Teenage Zombies t-shirt and some other goodies, while supplies last.

All proceeds from the event will be donated by Ignition Entertainment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York.

Teenage Zombies

Also, as I reported last week, tonight is the launch party for Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII at the Sony Metreon Center in San Francisco. The event goes from 6pm - 9pm and space is limited to 200 people.

And if that's not enough for you, our own Crecente will be attending and telling you all about his adventures at the Tecmo event in New York. Launch events, ho!

The Great Wait for the Wii [via gonintendo]

It's Father's Day here in the States and what better way to celebrate than playing some games with your dear old dad. The Nintendo World Store held a Father's Day event yesterday, pitting thirty of the finest father/son and father/daughter teams from around the country in a grueling game of Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree. The competition was tough, but in the end, a winning team rose to the top.

Rick Singer and his son Michael (on the right) of Vienna, Va., took home the title of "Biggest Brain" along with a prize package of a Wii and a copy of Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree. Congratulations Rick and Michael on having such hefty brain pans! We all aspire to your mental prowess. Flynn De Marco

While the Triforce GBA saw a limited run, the Shiggy scrawled version was limited to a mere thirty and sold only at the grand opening of the Nintendo World Store in New York City.

You know, I really wish I hadn't continued to play the signed Nintendo DS I scored from Mr. Miyamoto in 2005, resulting in a barely recognizable "OTO" Sharpie marking. The auction probably could've put me in some new shoes. Michael McWhertor

Rare Limited "Zelda Triforce" Nintendo Gameboy Advance [eBay via Game|Life]

I had no idea this was even happening, but apparently the Nintendo World Store held some kind of fashion event yesterday. From the looks of these photos, snapped by GoNintendo friend Phishbowl, there was all sorts of Nintendo wear to be seen and had. From 11 - 1, fans were given the opportunity to create their own Nintendo themed T-shirts and then at 1pm a fashion show ensued showing of the latest in Nintendo sleepwear, t-shirts along with gaming and fashion accessories. I wish I would have been there, because being a T-shirt freak, I could definitely go for some hot Zelda pret-a-porter.

You can see Phishbowl's entire set of photos of this fashionista extravaganza by going to his Flickr gallery. Flynn De Marco

Nintendo World Store Fashion Event Photos [Flickr]
[via GoNintendo]