Nintendophiles 06.07.07
Posted by Theo Fraser on 06.07.2007
Find out the hidden secrets of your Wii remote, LucasArts’ plans for a lightsabre Wii game, the new additions to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and more on Worms Open Warfare 2. Plus, see the first ever screenshots of Smackdown vs Raw 2008 on the DS!
So I'm back home in good ol' Blighty. I say "good ol' Blighty," but uh...it ain't Brisbane, that's for sure. Comparatively, it's rather sucktastic. And I say "back home," but once again I'm in a caravan for a few weeks. Joy.
The flight back from Australia was pretty much the Plane Ride from Hell. Or at least Purgatory. Across the aisle from me was THE whiniest, screamiest (?) kid I have EVER had the displeasure of being near to. In fact, the screaming was so bad, I think my ear has only just stopped bleeding. Add to that the fact that my in-flight entertainment system was crappy for the first 14 hours and then didn't work for 3 hours at the start of the Dubai-London portion (and bear in mind I chose Emirates and paid extra money purely because of the ‘advanced' entertainment system) and you can see that I wasn't a particularly happy camper.
It's not all bad news, though, as I've just found free wireless internet access at the Tavern just down the road from where I'm staying. Glorious!
Is your Wii-mote hiding something from you?
Credit: CVG
Think you know everything about your Wii, inside-out? Think again! According to an investigation carried out by CNNMoney, the Wii remote is in fact carrying the technology necessary for a microphone.
Technicians opened up the remote and found an audio translator chip which "converts analogue data such as human speech into a digital data stream". Veeeery interesting. Obviously, right now no games employ such a feature, but with EA's upcoming Boogie rumoured to use a microphone peripheral, Nintendo might let the cat out of the bag in the coming months. Back when Nintendo first demonstrated the ‘Revolution' (funny how that seems like such an alien term nowadays), it was said that the Remote contained a built-in microphone, but once the remote was dissected, it was thought that this feature had been replaced by the built-in remote speaker. Now, however, it seems that may not be the case.
Nothing may come of it of course, but it's certainly an interesting find. It also begs the question...what else can the Wii do that we don't yet know about?
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008...in the palm of your hand!
Credit: CVG, NGamer
After THQ's press conference the day before Wrestlemania 23, wrestling fans and gamers alike were buzzing at the notion of playing a Smackdown vs Raw game on the Wii, thanks to the short developer presentation of an early build. A DS version was announced, but no such demonstration or even a brief glimpse was given, much to the dismay of handheld grapplemaniacs. Fast forward a month or so, and we have the first ever shots of the game, complete with some little titbits of news regarding what we can expect from the DS' first WWE outing.
The first thing that strikes you is how surprisingly good it looks. After all the GBA WWE efforts, I fully expected a crummy 2D offering, so it's a nice surprise to see Triple H and Kane in full 3D. The DS is said to be able to match the N64 in terms of visuals, and whilst these shots are low-res, there seems to be quite a lot more detail on the wrestlers than there was in the last N64 wrestling game, the legendary No Mercy.
Developed by Amaze, as opposed to Yukes, the people usually responsible for the WWE games, the DS version is set to offer a different play mechanic, whilst still meeting THQ's key objectives that the publisher has set for all SDvsRaw ‘08 games. The game will be 100% stylus controlled, which is really intriguing. With this in mind, one would assume that areas of the ring will be context-sensitive, so for example, should your opponent be near one of the turnbuckles, a stroke of the stylus will whip them into the post and allow you to climb on top and unleash the dreaded ‘10 Fists of Doom'.
The bigger console versions will feature over 50 grapplers, but for the scaled-down DS version, we're promised 20 of the WWE's top stars. Obviously, Kane and Triple H are confirmed through this first batch of screenshots, but expect the usual main eventers like HBK, The Undertaker, Batista, & Edge and a smattering of midcarders such as the Hardys. ECW representatives are scheduled to appear, but I'd imagine that'd be limited to Bobby Lashley and possibly CM Punk and Elijah Burke, who seem to be the focus of ECW at present. Nothing to be scoffed at though!
The specifics of the control scheme are still tightly under wraps, and THQ's lips are remaining firmly sealed, but I'd like to imagine we'll hear something official by the time the ‘E for All' expo rolls around. Keep your fingers locked to 411 Games for all the latest, breaking news on that front.
Finally! A Smash Bros. Update!
Credit: Gamesradar
In case you're not aware, the official Super Smash Bros. Brawl site is now open and it pretty much rocks my socks off. Check it out for music samples, plenty of screens and clips, and constant updates on the progress of the game.
Anyway, with all of these updates, we finally have some new info after what seems like an interminable drought of Smash Bros media. So we'll kick things off with a new feature from the game; the Final Smash.
The Final Smash can only be performed once in a battle, and only after collecting what's known as a Smash Ball. A Final Smash will be kind of like a finishing manoeuvre, and each character will have their own animation and unique attack. This sounds a lot like the special moves implemented into the Gamecube's Mario Smash Tennis, and the Power Kicks in the original Mario Strikers.
Secondly, we can see in one of the screenshots the return of the SNES Super Scope, which was always a favourite in the previous games thanks to its high attack power. Its usage sees a makeover this time, as you'll now be free to run and jump with the gun, where previously you were confined to the spot when blasting away. This should make Super Scope battles even more frenetic and give the gameplay more of an arcadey feel.
We also now have some concrete information and stats on Pit, the character from Kid Icarus, who makes his series debut in Brawl. Jigglypuff and Kirby were always great ‘defensive' characters to use in Melee as if they were batted offstage, they could bounce back a short way, hopefully landing back on the platform. Pit will join this elite group, as he can flap his wings to keep him from being knocked off the level. Weapon-wise, Pit's bow is made up of two swords, so he can swap between jousting attacks and aerial combat with ‘faster than light' arrows, which can be steered in mid-air. Can you smell the awesomeness?
As I said, the site is being constantly updated, so by next week we'll hopefully have even more exciting news about what we can expect from Super Smash Bros. Brawl upon its eventual release.
May the Force be with us soon?
Credit: Cubed3
Just a really quick bit of news here, but something that's bound to get everyone talking. The head of LucasArts gaming department recently spoke out, heavily praising the Wii, and stated that a game that lets players wield virtual light sabers is in the planning stages.
Let's let that one sink in for a minute, shall we? THIS is the game everyone dreamed about when the concept of the Wii was first announced. Just imagine the inimitable buzz of a lightsabre emanating from the speaker on the remote. THAT'S the Star Wars game we've been waiting for.
As with all news of this ilk, it's best not to get our hopes up. We've yet to see anything of Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga(which is scheduled to be displayed at the ‘E For All' show next month), so it's possible that the LucasArts representative could be referring to that. I sincerely hope not, though. A proper lightsabre-swinging Star Wars game on Wii would sell millions, guaranteed. Come on, LucasArts, make it happen!
Miniature PWNAGE
Credit: NGamer
Worms Open Warfare 2 is headed to your DS this Summer, and it's shaping up to be one of the finest Worms titles in years.
If the vast array of online modes aren't enough for you (of which I've discussed in a previous Nintendophiles), how about the slew of environmental hazards that hit the map at random points in a battle? These include bombing runs from unseen aircraft, gas clouds that obscure areas of the battlefield for around 4 turns with thick black smog, and earthquakes, which will knock any poorly positioned worms off balance, potentially sending them careering into the sea for an untimely death.
That's all well and good, but what about the weapons? Worms titles are famed for their crazy selection of tools to dish out harm with, and Open Warfare 2 doesn't look to disappoint in this respect. First up is the Boomerang, which is the first reusable weapon in the series' history, although you have to catch it first. Should be useful for clearing out a flank of foes. Another weapon that could become a personal favourite is an Aliens-style sentry gun to ambush your opponents when they least expect it.
There are also plenty of item additions, such as the Lightning Bolt, which blasts a single bolt onto a dead comrade's gravestone to bring them back to life with 40 hit points. Dr Frankenstein would approve of that one, I'm sure! Also making the cut is the Electromagnet, which you can use to attract or repel metallic objects, either in a defensive manner or as a form of weaponry, a la Half Life 2's Gravity gun.
There's certainly a lot on offer, and Team 17 seem determined to make this the definitive Worms game. Good luck, fellas, I hope you do us all proud!
Manhunt Madness
So here's the brand new official trailer for Manhunt 2. And as expected, it rules! Of note is secondary character Leo Kasper, who is shown in combat, suggesting areas where you play as him.
Bear in mind this is strictly not for younger readers, and most definitely not for those faint of heart! But check out the greatness that is Manhunt 2. I can't bloody wait!
