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Wii-kly Virtual Console Update: 03/31/08

2008-03-31T16:00:00Z

We've got a pair! Of good games, that is. OK, maybe a pair of games that I remember being awesome when they came out. The first of which is a Nintendo 64 racer by the name of Cruis'n USA for 1,000 Wii Points. I remember being wowed by the graphics and sense of speed in this game a long time ago. Sadly, I have not had the chance to play it recently to know how it holds up against today's racers. If you've played it in recent times, tell what you think of it.

The other game is Wonder Boy from the Sega Master System for 500 Wii Points. There is dragon slaying and mind bullets to be had in this wonderful little platformer. ...or maybe not. Still, it would be pretty awesome if that were the case, no? As you could probably gather from the screenshot above, Tom-Tom, the hero, has to save his kidnapped girlfriend from the clutches of some monster. It's fun and would satisfy that certain itch of nostalgia you might have for platformers of old.

All in all, it's an OK week for the VC. What do you think of the lineup?

Banjo-Kazooie 3 Slated For Christmas

2008-03-28T16:00:00Z

It's been well over a year since Rare confirmed that the team responsible for the original Banjo-Kazooie is working on the latest installment for the Xbox 360. Rare has since come out and answered some questions concerning the new game and, just today, confirmed that the title is on track for a Christmas 2008 release. In his post on NeoGAF, Rare insider George Kelion made mention that series creator, Gregg Mayles, is the lead designer. In addition to that, the game is not being developed with four year olds in mind and we are told that we will be pleasantly surprised by what they come up with.

Now, one question remains. Will the new game be at least as naughty as the others? We can only hope. I loved the originals and cannot wait to get my hands on the new title this Christmas.

New Banjo-Kazooie Site Launches [NeoGAF]
[via Eurogamer]

Video: Mario Kart Wii Preview

2008-03-27T16:00:00Z

GameTrailers has a nice preview of Mario Kart Wii up and running. It would seem there are a few things that will be quite different from past entries. Not a lot of things, mind you, and I suppose they aren't really that big of a deal when you think about it.... Anyways, one thing that is certainly different is how one power slides. Gone are the days where one could theoretically power slide throughout the duration of the race. Now there is a button you press to charge up your turbo to get a power slide and you let go once the meter is full for a speed boost. If that is too much for you to handle, you can have the game do it for you automatically (I am curious as to how that will work). Alternatively, there are things like half-pipes where you can perform tricks to get a power boost. That might be pretty fun.

Another thing that is different is the Battle Mode. When you lose all three of your ballons, you can keep on playing. The reason for this is because Battle Mode is now points based. I don't know how I feel about that, but I suppose I'll have my hands on it soon enough to see whether I like it or not.

The video details some other things you might want to know prior to the game's release. So click play and tell me what you think. I'll be watching the comments.

MyXbox Website Updated, Plus 1 Snazziness

2008-03-26T21:22:43Z

Xbox.com has been spruced up a wee bit, today. The MyXbox section has been updated and Friends of Friends is now available over the interwebs just as it has been on the console for a several months now. Of course, a new layout takes some time getting used to, but let us know what you think about it in the comments.

Xbox.com

Microsoft Slowly Fixing 'Broken' DRM?

2008-03-26T16:00:00Z

Possibly. I know I would like to see a solution to this. My Xbox 360 was visited by the RROD specter around this time last year and, since then, I can only play my Arcade titles while online and only on my profile. That sucks as my boyfriend would very much like to play the games I bought on his profile, too. Anyways, let me get to the story at hand.

A while back, a reader of The Consumerist had his tale of DRM woe about his Xbox 360 on their website. Fast forward to today and someone else with the same issue has finally had it resolved. Apparently, Microsoft's crack support team needs to go through the "lengthy" process of re-licensing the content to the Xbox 360 as serial numbers may have changed (as is the case with mine since it had to be replaced) and have you re-download the content. As a result, your DRM issues have been fixed. Here's a part of what reader Starsmore has to say:

Lo and behold, it works. And I don't even have to delete the old content. Just go under Account Management, then Download History, find the content and choose the "Download Again" option, and there it is, available for use online, offline, and on any GamerTag on the console.

Perhaps I should make a call this evening and see if the issue can be resolved for me as well. Are you going to give this a try?

UPDATE: Microsoft May Slowly Be Fixing Their Broken XBOX DRM [The Consumerist]

Fallout 3 Has Over 200 Endings, Other Details Revealed

2008-03-25T21:00:00Z

A recent OXM podcast featured Bethesda's Todd Howard where he released a number of details on Fallout 3 (every time I speak that name I quiver with pleasure). Mr. Howard revealed that the game is complete but needs a ton of polish. Fallout 3 will also have over 200 endings. Wow! I don't even know what to say about that. Here are a few details from the podcast as lovingly put together by A Post Nuclear Blog:

"Fans sending death threats" says one of the OXM guys. Another one calls Fallout fans"rabid Right Wing kind of fans".
Over 200 endings, since last week. The 12 endings was surpassed sometime ago.
The game is twice bigger than what they thought in the beginning.
Always just one humanoid-type companion, and another NPC like Dogmeat.
Dogmeat can die, but they are working on his health and how you maintain him.
Dogmeat can be given assignments, and will try to follow them with his Radiant AI.
Brotherhood of Steel doing their own thing; already in finished state on the game; they are on the verge of extinction, you'll interact with them a lot more after a determined point in the game.
The game is finished, but needs a lot more polishing and testing, they are doing many playthroughs; they keep adding stuff, sometimes it takes 100 hours to play, just the main quest takes about 20 hours.
Absolutely tracking at fall 2008.

More details are given on the podcast. So, if you are interested in all things post nuclear as I am, go give the podcast a listen. By the way, that picture is awesome. Bloody Mess was always one of my Perks in the Fallout 1 and 2.

KOXM Episode 107 [Offical Xbox Magazine]
[via Fallout 3 A Post Nuclear Blog]

Video: Eternity's Child Gameplay Footage

2008-03-25T16:00:00Z

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Some of us in the castle have been following Luc Bernard's work on Eternity's Child for quite some time. Now, courtesy of his bulletin post via MySpace, he has given us some footage to look at. It's nice to finally see it in motion paired with the promised orchestrated music. What will the final game be like? I have no idea, but from what I have gathered in past conversations, Luc is pretty damn confident that the game is going to be good. Let us hope so.

Look for Eternity's Child around the time WiiWare launches and enjoy the video.

PlayStation 3 Firmware 2.20 Arrives Like A Ninja In The Night

2008-03-25T14:00:00Z

We've already given you the details on firmware 2.20 for the PlayStation 3. Well, it rolled out last night quietly as I was pairing my brand spanking new PSP Slim to my PS3 (yes, I finally frackin' bought one yesterday and I have to say it is truly impressive...especially Remote Play). Firmware 2.20 adds the much touted Blu-Ray Live/Profile 2.0 that will enable the use of many features in upcoming BD format movies. You will now be able to "Resume Play" on your BD or DVD movie(s) even after the disc has been removed. There are a few more features and improvements besides what I have mentioned. If you want to see those, click here.

In the mean time, go download the update and install it. Let us know what you think and what you would like to see in the future.

Video: Dead Fantasy II: The Battle Continues

2008-03-25T02:30:00Z

Monty Oum is back with the second installment to his awesomely epic Dead Fantasy (click that to check out the first one) series. Final Fantasy heroines Tifa, Rikku and Yuna continue their battle against the ladies from Dead or Alive, Ayane, Kasumi and Hitomi. I'm a bit partial to the Final Fantasy gals. just thought I would tell you that (I don't like many fighter games). Anyways, it's 11 minutes of pure action that will have you rooting or booing the characters of your choice.

The ever-so-talented Monty tells us in his notes that there are five more episodes to follow this one and he is starting production on the next installment immediately. So grab some popcorn and watch it. By the way, Batman and Robin only wish their wall-climbing scenes were as awesome as this. There are also a couple of newcomers (a leather clad woman from Ninja Gaiden and a certain keyblade wielding female from Kingdom Hearts) to the battle and my girl from Final Fantasy VIII is simply fabulous. You'll see what I mean. Enjoy while I go clean myself up!

Vampires On A Plane!

2008-03-24T21:00:00Z

Imagine, you, a food critic, are on a plane armed with a stake, cleavers and a whip. This plane is also full of cell-shaded vampires. What do you do? Whip 'em, whip 'em good and drive that stake through their heart as you hurdle over the earth at speeds somewhere between 500-700 mph. Sounds like fun? Well you just might get to play Last Flight on WiiWare.

Here are the details as carefully compiled by GoNintendo:

play the role of a culinary critic...that has to fight vampires that are on a plane
fight with a whip, and kill vampires by driving stakes through their hearts
create stakes from items on the plane, can only carry 4 stakes at once
looks like cleavers will be involved as well
cel-shaded
developed by Blobber Team (team that bought ROTR from Nibris, Nibris not involved with Last Flight in any way)
Q1 2009

It seems like an interesting game, but we've still have a lot of time to see where this thing will end up before any of us get to download it. What do you think of it?

Last Flight for WiiWare announced [NewGAF Forums]
[via GoNintendo]

Wii-kly Virtual Console Update: 03/24/08

2008-03-24T16:00:00Z

I'm beginning out run out of things to introduce new games for the Wii Virtual Console. No matter, I'll just keep on doing what I do every Monday. Powerball (Sega Genesis, 800 Wii Points) takes a trip through the intertubes and into your home for some rugby-football-type action. I'm not, nor have I ever been, big on the sports games, so I don't really know much about this title other than what is in this week's press release. It's a one to two player game and the concept sounds fun enough. If ruby meets football smells like your cup of tea, give it a whirl and report back at once!

The other game to appear today is an old Square title by the name of King's Knight (NES, 800 Wii Points). Princess Claire of the kingdom of Izander has been kidnapped and it is up to the heroes to rescue her from a "foul and insidious" dragon. There are five "fast-action" stages for you to conquer on your quest, so you had best get started.

As is the case with Powerball, I have never touched King's Knight. I leave it up to you to give these games a thumbs up, down or sideways. As usual, the press release with full descriptions of both games awaits you after the jump.

]]> March 24, 2008

Wii-kly Update: Two New Classic Games Added to Wii Shop Channel

It's a mad season for basketball lovers, but even the most hardcore hoops fan
needs a break from the action this time of year. While they're a far cry from
basketball, the latest additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel offer plenty of
fast-moving fun and high-scoring thrills of their own. Check them out and get
a fresh taste of gaming excitement that can last well into April and beyond.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every
Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii
Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop
Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

KING'S KNIGHT™ (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone -- Mild Fantasy Violence,
500 Wii Points): In the kingdom of Izander, the fair Princess Claire has been
kidnapped by a foul and insidious dragon, and it is the mission of four brave
fighters to save her. Through five thrilling, fast-action stages, our gallant
heroes--a knight, a wizard, a monster and a thief--will take on an army of
incredible enemies. You must help them reach their goal, as you are now part
of the team that will fight to free the princess from her imprisonment. Keep
your wits about you, plan your strategy and set off on an exciting adventure.

POWERBALL™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone -- Mild Fantasy
Violence, 800 Wii Points): 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. Try to score by either carrying the
ball into your opponent's end zone or kicking it into your opponent's net for
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.

What are you playing this weekend?

2008-03-21T21:00:00Z

It's more Silent Hill Origins for the PS2 on the PS3. I am really digging that game but have limited myself to one or one and a half hour increments so I don't run through it as I hear it is super short. Other than that, I'll be playing around with flOw on the PS3, more Half Life 2 action on the Xbox 360 and Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii. If my piggy bank allows me to, I may finally get a PSP and start playing Loco Roco, but we'll just see what's in the cards. After all, Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core is right around the corner.

So, I've spilled my beans, what have you got? Silent Hill fans, you might want to click on that picture. It's kind of neat to see.

Japanese Mario Kart WII Website Opens For Business, Videos Galore

2008-03-21T14:15:22Z

Mario Kart Wii simply can't get here fast enough. For now, however, I'll just have to settle for watching these ten videos that have popped up on the game's new Japanese website. What's neat about these videos, which feature both motorbike and kart racing action, is that they show someone using a Wii remote (inserted into the Wii Wheel, of course) to illustrate how the game is controlled.

I'm still not convinced that I will use the Wii Wheel. I've grown too accustomed to owning with the Wavebird, but you never know. The Wheel looks like it could be fun. At any rate, follow the link below for the aforementioned videos and enjoy yourself.

Mario Kart Wii Japanese Website [Nintendo]
[via GoNintendo]

Video: Final Fantasty VII Crisis Core GamePlay Blowout

2008-03-21T01:30:00Z

A ton of gameplay footage exploded onto the internet recently and I've brought it all together here for you to watch. Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core for the PlayStation Portable is one of my most anticipated titles of the year and I have high hopes for it. Early reviews have been positive and the videos here only serve to heighten my expectations and feelings of excitement. This title is right around the corner so I'll be breaking into my piggy bank in the extremely near future for a PSP and a copy of FF VII Crisis Core. It seriously warms my heart to hear these familiar themes and see those familiar faces. For a deeper trip into your future nostalgia, make the jump.

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Duel Love Gets Reviewed, Washed

2008-03-20T21:00:00Z

At last year's Tokyo Game Show, our fellows in pink got some hands on action with Duel Love: Koisuru Otome wa Shouri no Megami. Fast forward to more recent days and we find that one lucky chap over at Gamertell got his hands on a copy for the Nintendo DS. All in all, it sounds like a pretty decent game and I would kind of like to get my hands on a copy. Did you hear me Namco? Anyways, here's the quick n' dirty rundown of the review:

Pros: Interesting mini-games, gorgeous character art and design. Very entertaining.

Cons: It's quick, possibly too simple for veterans and takes too long to get to the mini-games.

Overall Score: 7/10

Mmmm, gorgeous character art. While the game may seem like it's pretty easy and short, the novelty of the game is likely worth the price alone. To read the full review, follow the link below. If you, by chance, have happened to play the game, let us know what you thought about it in the comments.

Important Importables: Duel Love: Koisuru Otome wa Shouri no Megami review [Gamertell]