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Nintendo Strangling Profits For WiiWare Developers
According to “multiple developers” speaking off the record to news site Gamasutra, Nintendo are operating a “minimum sales” policy on their WiiWare service, where developers only see profits if their games sell a certain amount. These developers claim that, in the US, a WiiWare title is tasked with selling “in the mid-four figure range”, while…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 14, 2009 -
The First Three Games You Can Play With MotionPlus
Earlier today Nintendo announced that they would start selling the MotionPlus snap-on for their Wii remotes on June 8, for $20 a pop. But Nintendo’s first MotionPlus-supporting game, Wii Sports Resort, won’t hit stores until a month and a half later for $50 for the game and add-on. So what’s a gamer to do in…
By Brian Crecente Published April 14, 2009 -
Reggie Rules Out Punch-Out!! Downloadable Content
When publishers are asked if their upcoming game supports downloadable content, they typically hem and haw, noting they haven’t announced anything yet. In the case of Punch-Out!! for the Wii however, it’s just not happening. So says Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, who flat out denies that the upcoming Wii boxing game will add…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 14, 2009 -
Get Even More Familiar With Steal Princess
Atlus wants players to be more familiar with their DS puzzle platformer Steal Princess before it sees release, and nothing says familiarity like enough screenshots to play the game flipbook style. The sun is shining; the grass so green. A perfect day to thumb through 38 new screenshots from Steal Princess. The screens come courtesy…
By Mike Fahey Published April 14, 2009 -
MotionPlus, Wii Sports Resort Dated & Priced For US
Earlier this week, Nintendo announced that Wii Sports Resort and MotionPlus would be out “overseas” in July. Today, Nintendo of America sets firm release dates for both. The Wii MotionPlus accessory goes on sale a month earlier on June 8 in the U.S. for US$19.99. Wii Sports Resort drops later the following month on July…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 14, 2009 -
Netflix Looking For Console Programmers
Hey, Netflix. We get it. If two surveys weren’t enough to get us ready for it, this job listing certainly has us convinced you’re interested in streaming moves from the PS3 and Wii. The position is for a “Engineering Leader-Gaming Platforms”, who will be responsible for “prototyping, testing and building the Netflix experience for gaming…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 14, 2009 -
Wii Sensor Bar Stand Is Totally Patented
Two-and-a-half years after the Wii was released, the Nintendo sensor bar stand patent has been approved by the U.S. government. On April 7, Nintendo’s patent for “Base Stand for Sensor Bar” was approved for a 14-year patent. The stand is described as an “ornamental design for a base stand for sensor bar.” That’s an ornamental…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 14, 2009 -
From Girly Idol Group To Hit Nintendo Game
Prolific Japanese music producer Mitsuo Terada (aka “Tsunku”) is best known for producing idol J poppppp group Morning Musume and helping to launch the career of singers like Aya Matsuura. He also created Rhythm Heaven. How did candy pop wizard Tsunku add smash-hit game designer to his already impressive resume? Terada tells Wired that it…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 14, 2009 -
Super Mario Chess Takes Battle For Peach To Boards
Regular chess not mustachioed enough for you? We’d think that USAopoly’s Super Mario Chess—totally Nintendo authorized, by the way—will fit the bill. It features no less than two mustaches! Toy retailer Entertainment Earth is now accepting pre-orders for the “Collector’s Edition” chess board, which is dripping with Mushroom Kingdom characters. The “most popular” Super Mario…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 13, 2009 -
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! In Space Released 17 Years Later
Just weeks before the release of Punch-Out!! for the Wii comes the unofficial release of the original NES game’s Nintendo-aborted sequel, Mike Tyson’s Intergalactic Power Punch. It’s Punch-Out!! plus aliens, minus quality. According to GameSetWatch’s quick primer on the Mike Tyson’s Intergalactic Power Punch, the game was originally planned to be a proper Punch-Out!! sequel,…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 13, 2009 -
Mariners Nintendo Fan Network Gets Upgraded
Nintendo and ESPN give Seattle Mariners fan DS owners an upgrade this year, adding sports news to the list of special features available on the handheld during home games. The Nintendo Fan Network kicked off in 2007, giving DS-holding visitors to Seattle’s Safeco field access to game stats, video, and remote food ordering during the…
By Mike Fahey Published April 13, 2009 -
2K Play Brings The Greatest Show On Earth Home
2K Play is about to make running away to join the circus much easier, announcing a partnership with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to create circus games for the Wii and DS. During a recent performance, Ringling Bros. high wire artist Jonathan Caro walked 25 feet through the air, using only a Wii remote…
By Mike Fahey Published April 13, 2009 -
Let The DS Show You Tokyo Disney Resort Shopping
Those going to Tokyo Disneyland, be sure to bring your Nintendo DS. Starting April 25, the portable can show you around shopping, dinning and entertainment complex Ikspiari at Tokyo Disney Resort. Visitors can download the “Ikspiari Nintendo DS Guide” to their DS, DS Lite or DSi platforms. The download contains a guidebook for the whole…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 13, 2009 -
EA Sports: “Can’t Port Down To Wii”
This generation, it’s hard to make a truly multi-platform. EA Sports exec Peter Moore explains why. At a recent conference, Moore stated, “You simply can’t take what you’re doing on the Ps3 and Xbox and port — thats a dirty word — down to the Wii.” Instead, developers must build Wii games “from the ground…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 13, 2009 -
id Boss: Third-party Wii Development “Not Really Justified”
id CEO Todd Hollenshead remains unconvinced that there’s a good reason for “independent, Wii-centric” development. He’s willing to hear someone out, he just hasn’t heard a good argument for it yet. Hollenshead, in an interview with GameSpot, was asked if the Wii’s meteoric sales and success inevitably meant a shift in resources toward third-party development…
By Owen Good Published April 12, 2009 -
Aykroyd Prefers Wii Graphics, Thanks Very Much
Underpowered graphics, to an aging celebrity starring in his first video game, are like soft candlelight at a romantic dinner. Dan Aykroyd “loves” the Wii version of Ghostbusters “because it resembles ‘The Incredibles.'” In a web-only interview with Newsweek, Aykroyd justifies his love for the Wii’s hated-on visuals. Honestly, I love the way we look…
By Owen Good Published April 11, 2009 -
The Legendary Starfy Screens Bring Smiles To Faces
Nintendo of America is finally bringing the Starfy series to the U.S. with The Legendary Starfy, the fifth game in the Star starring series. It’s just cute as a button! The Nintendo DS game is planned to hit these shores on June 8th, giving us a chance to go on a “spectacular undersea adventure,” Starfy…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 10, 2009 -
Reggie: WiiWare Is For “Truly Innovative” Games, Not Mario
WiiWare supporters looking for killer apps to define Nintendo’s downloadable game service shouldn’t pin their hopes on seeing a Mario game hit the virtual platform. Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime says it’s not the best fit. “When we’re gonna work on a Mario title, we’re gonna bring it to Wii or DS,” Fils-Aime told Geoff Keighley…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 10, 2009 -
Amazon’s Selling Punch-Out!! Boxing Gloves For Regular Macs
Online retailer Amazon.com is in full Punch-Out!! hype mode, looking to squeeze every last dollar out of the Nintendo fetishist. Today’s curious purchase: Punch-Out!! branded boxing gloves that you can’t box with. The Amazon.com exclusive Little Mac boxing glove isn’t very useful in its wood frame and casing, but it does have an engraved plate…
By Michael McWhertor Published April 10, 2009