Nintendophiles 02.01.07
Posted by Theo Fraser on 02.01.2007
A new feature debuts as I celebrate Great Nintendo Gaming Moments! Plus, updates on Driver, Medal of Honor, Super Paper Mario and Scarface! Check the full column for all the info.
Yes, it's a special occasion this week, as Nintendophiles gains a new feature! But I'm gonna make you wait to read it till the end. Anticipation, see?!
Possible new Wii Channel in development to offer original downloadable games
Credit: Gamesradar, CVG, Game Informer
It would seem that deep down in the bowels of the Nintendo HQ, someone is working on a new Wii channel that will offer original downloadable content, much like the sort found on Xbox 360's Live Arcade. US magazine Game Informer recently sat down with John Lee, Hudson's director of marketing, and asked if Hudson planned to release any original content through the Virtual Console. Here's what Mr Lee had to say…
Well, the VC was specifically designed to bring back classic games, not to introduce new content. So to answer your question specifically: No.
However, in the future, you should rephrase that question to: Are there any plans to launch original content on some downloadable service on the Wii, and you might get a different answer.
So, CVG did just that, and contacted Nintendo. The Nintendo reps replied with the following…
Nintendo has developed a programming system that will allow small independent developers to make games for Wii download service.
We cannot confirm at this time in what format the new content will be delivered, but in the future there will be original games available for download through the Wii Shop.
So there you have it. At some point in the future, we WILL be able to download original games. It's likely that this would occur through a new channel rather than the Virtual Console, so when it does happen, expect a big Firmware update. This is great news for small developers, as it means they won't need a massive budget to release a game; they can deliver a simple gaming experience through the new Wii channel. Great stuff.
Ocarina of Time to be most expensive Virtual Console title yet
Credit: Nintendo of Japan
Nintendo of Japan's website has given details on the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Wii's Virtual Console. An early February release date is intended (with the title scheduled to be available worldwide by the end of the month), but the major talking point is the price that Nintendo of Japan are reporting.
According to the article, Ocarina of Time will cost you 1,200 Wii Points. When you consider that other Nintendo 64 titles are available for just 1,000 points, including Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 (two of the most renowned games on the system), that is more than a marginal increase and quite unexpected. Being that Zelda: OoT is of such a high calibre, I'm willing to accept the extra 200 points, but let's hope that Nintendo don't make a habit out of it. Yes, Zelda is a phenomenal game, but the Virtual Console doesn't bring it any new features. If you still own an N64, it's the same Zelda you can pick up on Ebay for a third of the price, ya know? But as I said, as long as Nintendo don't ramp up the prices on other VC titles, I'll happily let this one price increase go.
Gamecube Super Paper Mario officially gets axed…but Wii release is imminent
Credit: Nintendo Power, CVG
Nintendo finally confirmed this week that the Gamecube version of Super Paper Mario has been canned. We've known for a long time that the game was coming to the Wii, but a cancellation of the Gamecube game was never officially made, until now.
Whilst this may be bad news for those of you still praying for one final hurrah for the Gamecube, Wii owners have something to be excited about, as Nintendo Power revealed that Super Paper Mario is on schedule for an April release date in the US.
The magazine also divulged some new details on the gameplay, stating that the Wii remote will be held sideways, ala Excite Truck, with the 2 button being used to jump, much like the control layout for Mario games on the NES. The A button on the Wii-mote will switch the perspective from 2D to 3D (and vice versa), and extra points can be earned by shaking the Wii-mote as you jump on foes in typical Mario fashion.
The news that Super Paper Mario is not far off its North American release date comes as a nice surprise, as it's always a treat when a new Mario game hits the shelves. I'm a huge fan of the Paper Mario series, so this has been high on my wishlist for quite some time. For those itching to get their hands on a copy, why not try out the Gamecube entry in the series, Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door? It's a classic game and should give you an idea of the style and humour you can expect from Mario's first Wii title.
Driver: Parallel Lines has officially been confirmed for the Wii. The news was broken to you unofficially two weeks ago by yours truly. Thank you, thank you, yes I really do rule, don't I?! Not much is known at this point, although a March release date has been pencilled in, suggesting that this is pretty far in development. The Wii's motion sensitive controls will be taken advantage of, with the driving sections presumably functioning in the same way as Excite Truck, requiring you to tilt the Wii-mote side to side depending on which way you want to turn.
Obviously, there's not a whole lot to say at this point, but it's good to know that after all that speculation, the game has finally been confirmed, and we have another solid port to look forward to in the coming months.
Say hello to my liiiiiiiittle Wii-mote!
As you probably know by now, thanks to Ramon Aranda's news item last week, Scarface: The World Is Yours is heading to a Wii console near you! That was the major news story of the week, and there isn't much to add about the game itself, as that has been covered elsewhere. I just felt that it was worth commenting on as this title could be a very big deal to the Wii's future.
It's terrific that the game is being brought to the console, as, amongst many other factors, it shows that Vivendi have faith in the Wii. Reports that third-party publishers were being cautious of releasing Wii titles seems to be inaccurate at this point, especially in the light of Scarface coming to the white box of joy (no sniggering, please) which is a pretty big gamble considering Nintendo's "kiddie image," which curiously still remains despite the development of titles such as The Godfather, Driver, and Medal of Honor. But with the release of M-rated titles this early in the Wii's life cycle, it will certainly help combat the Nintendo stereotype. And if those M-rated titles are successful, that will surely serve as a green light to other developer who may have held back on bringing their more ‘adult' games to the console. Who knows, maybe we COULD see GTA on a Nintendo system one day…
Where's your Honor?
Not a fan of Call of Duty, but still need your fix of World War II shooters? Look no further than Medal of Honor. The MoH series is no stranger to Nintendo consoles, having garnered reasonable success on the Gamecube. This year, EA are bringing Medal of Honor: Vanguard to the Wii, and below is the first teaser trailer for the upcoming blockbuster.
I haven't played any of the previous games in the Medal of Honor series, but that trailer makes Vanguard look pretty enticing. I like the idea of being able to parachute from a plane at any point in the air, meaning that each play through of a particular level will give you a completely diverse experience, as you'll start from a different location upon landing on the ground each time. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
NEW FEATURE TIME!
First of all, I'd like to inform you all that I've FINALLY decided how to format this column. As you may have noticed, my other features ("One Nintendo Game You Must Play Today" and "Viable Candidates for the Virtual Console") tend to appear at seemingly random intervals. One week I might have both features, the next I'll have none. No, it was not some elaborate form of mind games. It was…umm…laziness? But no matter, for that laziness shall cease from THIS VERY INSTANT~! This is pretty innovative column-writing here, so prepare yourself to be blown away. The three features…will be ROTATED! I know, I know, crazy, isn't it?! Each week, Nintendophiles will house either ONGYMPT, VC-VC or GNGM. Obviously, I'm kicking things off this week with my new feature, Great Nintendo Gaming Moments, but I thought I'd give you a heads-up on the format for future columns. Now then, onto the debut you have all been [marginally] waiting for.
Great Nintendo Gaming Moments #1- Yoshi hatches! [Super Mario World, SNES]
An ominous question block floats over your head. You do as you normally do in that situation, and headbutt the block, expecting a coin to fall out. But instead, you are presented with…a speckled egg. "What's this?" you ask yourself, and get closer to investigate. Upon making contact with the egg, it bursts into life like a scene out of Alien (albeit with much less gore) and the loveable sidekick emerges out into the open. Mario rudely jumps onto his back, without so much as a "Hey, how ya doing?" I might add, but thanks to his forwardness, we are treated to one of the most glorious sound effects in Nintendo history. Allow me to translate that sound into words. I think it went along the lines of something like "SHQUIGCOOO!" And with that, Yoshi was off, bombarding through the level as fast as his ickle legs would take him, gobbling up apples, shells, bad guys and anything else that stood in his path before regurgitating them out as fire balls, or squeezing them out of his buttock cheeks as a freshly-made egg. I'm glad it was that way round, as fire balls out the ass is NEVER a good thing, even after a Vindaloo.
And in that one magical moment, a star was born. Yoshi went on to star in his own games and has become a Nintendo mascot right alongside the portly plumber. This was one of those great gaming moments that live with you forever. It was a true feel-good moment, and being right at the beginning of the game, you KNEW you were in for something special.
Your Fortnightly Animal Crossing Blog
The past fortnight in Galbadia hasn't been overly productive, although last week I got the biggest sized house in the game, which is cool. But uhhh…I still gotta pay off that 948,000 bell debt, though. Damn that wretched racoon and his insistence of strict mortgages!
Remember me talking about Caroline, a new member of the Galbadia community who I am certain is the spawn of Satan? Well, I made the mistake of being friendly to her and gave her some pink furniture, which was exactly what she was looking for. BIG mistake. She has been harassing my ass EVERY DAY, wondering when she can come and hang out at my house. "Uh, when hell freezes over, biatch!" I just gave her the furniture out of pity, but now I'm apparently her new best friend. Geez.
I don't even have Octavian to cheer me up with his bitter rantings, as he upped and left earlier in the week. I'll miss that sour bastard. *Sniff*
Bright Nights starts next Monday. Sounds cool but…what the heck is it? I have no idea, but a new festival is always a cause for celebration. I'm intrigued, that's for sure!
The Thriving 411 Games Community
First and foremost, the 411 Game of the Year awards are up! Part 1 features miscellaneous categories, from Best Story and Best Game No One Else Bought to Most Anticipated of 2007 and News Story of the Year. Part 2 covers the awards for specific genres, and Part 3 is the big one, as we hand out the award for the 411 Game of the Year.
The Hatemaster and Mr Retrospective go up against each other in this week's Fact or Fiction. Check out what Damian Sarcuni and Sean McCabe had to say on various subjects, such as how much a demo of Halo 3 would be worth, and whether or not it is socially acceptable to be a gamer in today's society.
In Angry Gaming, Damian Sarcuni addresses all the feedback he received from last week's column about the death of Jennifer Strange via the Hold Your Wee For A Wii contest.
Cory Moore has discovered the wonders of Wii Sports in this week's edition of The Fun Factor! And as you're a Nintendophile, you'll be checking it out, won't you?
Xbox-a-gogo will be taking a little hiatus from 411 Games, so make sure you check out Joshua Richey's final column for the time being.
The Select and Start News Report by Vincent Chiucchi has all the info on Nintendo's profits, Square Enix using the Unreal engine, the sales of Burning Crusade, and plenty of other topics.
And finally, yes, I did actually get my first 411 blog posted. Later than expected, but meh, it's there! So check it out on my profile to get your fill of Theo Fraser Goodness (TM) until your next dose of Nintendophiles!
