Nintendophiles 08.16.07
Posted by Theo Fraser on 08.16.2007
Super Smash Bros. Brawl gets an even bigger Pokemon influence this time, as a brand new playable character is revealed. Plus, developer Nibris chat about their upcoming Wii and DS projects, Guitar Hero III comes to the palm of your hand, and more!
Hurray, I have the internet back! Normally, that would be good enough news in itself, but it gets even better! I've got a wireless setup now, so I've finally managed to bring my Wii online. I've been so desperate to try everything out, I even went so far as to spend about half an hour in the Everybody Votes channel. Not something I imagine a ton of people do! Anyway, it's great getting to grips with everything, and I've made my first VC download; Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which as I'm sure you all know is pure awesomeness.
So, now that I have my Wii online and a wireless connection, feel free to email me with your friend codes for either Wii or DS. I haven't got any online Wii games as of yet (although I'll happily exchange pointless messages), but as far as DS goes, I've got Mario Kart, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Tony Hawk's American Skateland, and Animal Crossing, if anyone fancies a race/deathmatch/skate/fossil hunt (?).
A Nibris Extravaganza
Credit: CVG, Cubed3
Nibris, the team behind eagerly-anticipated survival/horror/thriller Wii title Sadness and DS scrolling shooter Raid Over The River, have made one of their rare media appearances and divulged a few secrets regarding their prime titles, as well as giving us a much sought after update on the development process of each game.
For starters, Nibris announced that they have plans for a third person horror game for the Nintendo DS, entitled, The Children of the Night. A surprising move perhaps, but certainly very welcome, as there is a distinct lack of proper adult titles on the handheld. The game will be in full colour (unlike the black and white film noir style of Sadness), and will have a deep screenplay written for it by the same team behind the Sadness script. Actual development of the title won't begin until the current games in development reach the completion stages, but it's fantastic to see Nibris' continued support of Nintendo platforms.
In a recent interview with Cubed3, the Nibris team talked about the progress of Raid Over The River (which COULD end up being altered to Ride Over The River), and the features that have been implemented since we last caught up with them.
Control methods were mentioned first, as the current build of the game only features face button control, whereas touch screen control was promised in earlier press releases. Nibris stated that this was simply due to the playable version being an early build, and the DS' special features will be implemented in the following ways. Aside from basic menu control, you'll be able to activate a slow-motion feature, and can draw on your on-screen enemies to unleash a wave of super-charged attacks. In what sounds like a rather cool gameplay mechanic, you can also speak into the DS microphone to execute a Sonic Wave Weapon; the stronger your voice, the stronger the attack. Nibris will likely set a particular word of phrase to say, but it would be brilliant if it worked purely on sound. "FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!! Yay, they're all dead!"
Talk moved to ROTR possibly appearing on the Wii, after rumours suggested a Wii version was in development. Nibris said that whilst nothing is concrete, they have plans to release a version of ROTR via the brand new WiiWare service, when it eventually launches. This is a great way to keep costs down, as they're not taking a huge risk in releasing it commercially. Let the DS game build a name for itself, and then a proper full-blown Wii sequel will be just what the doctor ordered.
As an aside, for those interested, go to the official Nibris homepage, click on Downloads, and check out the AWESOME music for Raid Over The River. If that's a preview of the type of audio we can expect from the finished version, our ears are in for a treat.
Moving on to Sadness, fans looking forward to the game will be disappointed to hear that its release has been pushed out, and the title will not ship until at least Q4 2008, possibly slipping into 2009. I imagine losing a publisher set things back a fair bit, and Nibris want all the time they can possibly get to make sure this delivers in being a AAA title. Development costs are said to be pretty high, so this is no throwaway project for them; Sadness needs to bring in the big bucks. And hey, we waited 4 years for Zelda, so in that respect it doesn't seem so far away.
As far as updates go, the game's big unveiling is pencilled in for the E4All show this October, but Nibris hinted at something being on display at the Leipzig Games Convention, taking place next week. Perhaps we are mere days from the first in-game screens and trailers being released. I've got goosebumps just thinking about it!
Pokemon Trainer: I CHOOSE YOU!
Earlier this week, the daily Smash Bros. update revealed another brand new playable character, who makes his Smash Bros. debut in Brawl; Pokemon Trainer! He's no Ash, merely a generic trainer, similar to the character in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. But where he differs from other playable characters on offer is the fact that he doesn't directly get involved in the fighting at all! No, the lazy bastard gets his Pokemon to do all the work for him!
Three Poke critters will be available in battle, each with their own Stamina meter, to add a certain level of strategy to the proceedings. Squirtle, Charizard and Ivysaur will be the selectable Pokemon you can call into battle, and you'll be able to swap Pokemon in and out at your will, in a set rotation. This means that if you start out with Squirtle, the first change will bring out Ivysaur, the second change will bring out Charizard, and the third will bring you back to Squirtle again. But keep in mind that every time you switch your Pokemon in and out, it saps a little away from their Stamina meter, so you'll only want to swap at appropriate and necessary times.
An interesting development, in my opinion, as it brings something totally fresh to the series, as previously we've always had direct control over our chosen fighters. With the Pokemon Trainer added to the cast of playable Nintendo heroes, we're basically getting 3 fighters for the price of 1. I can see the Pokemon Trainer quickly becoming a new favourite.
We've still got a few months before Super Smash Bros. Brawl sits in our hands, so who knows what other surprises Nintendo may have in store for us. Obviously, many are still holding out hope for a Sonic appearance, but they may turn out to be the least of surprises! Watch this space, folks.
Guitar Hero III officially confirmed for the Nintendo DS
Credit: Cubed3
Whilst rumours had been circulating for some time now, it has been confirmed by Charles Huang (co-founder of developer RedOctane) that the highly anticipated Guitar Hero III is indeed coming to the Nintendo DS, as well as the previously confirmed Wii version. Huang also noted that the team are working closely with Nintendo themselves on the project, hoping iron out the issues they have encountered so far.
The aim of the DS version is to not merely port the console version over, and instead make it a unique and separate entity. Huang said that the game "will play probably unlike any other DS game that has come out." So for those fearing gameplay would be reduced to simple screen taps and swirling stylus motions, put your fears to rest!
The development team are currently exploring the idea of a custom peripheral, which is probably another reason Nintendo are helping them out and taking great interest in the project. However, they want the peripheral to be as affordable as possible, and perhaps more importantly, want it to be suitable for the type of environment gamers may play with their DS in. A very fair point, as I doubt many would want to bring a cumbersome guitar-shaped peripheral onto the bus with them. It needs to be relatively compact, easy to use, and above all else, appropriate. I accept that the team feel the Guitar Hero series goes hand in hand with the guitar peripheral on consoles, but let's not make something overly complicated and unnecessary purely because "that's how Guitar Hero should be played."
With confirmation of the game's existence, RedOctane will want to spread the word about the title's offerings, so expect the team to make a final decision on the peripheral before the Summer's out.
Could a Metroid Prime 3 demo really be on its way?
Nintendo of America's Perrin Kaplan recently spoke out regarding the promotion of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in the run up to the game's US launch in just 10 days. Obviously, NTSC Wii users will be well aware about the surprise debut of the WiiWare channel last week, complete with updated Corruption game trailers, but according to Kaplan, the best is yet to come. Aside from "the usual tactics we use to support our key products" (TV commercials, posters, billboards etc), there are still "a few more surprises" in store. Metroid Prime 3 is the Wii's first true killer app since Twilight Princess at the console's launch, so you have to believe that Nintendo will pull out all the stops to make these next 10 days seem rather special. And what could possibly be more special than Nintendo releasing a demo to the gaming public for the first time in the company's history?
Rumours persist that this could be the case, and whilst I'd love more than anything to get my hopes up, I'd have to question why Nintendo would leave it so late. A week is plenty of time to work through a demo, but I would have thought Nintendo would want to capitalise on the pre-order market and help shift a ton of copies on Day One, which could have been more easily achieved had they released a demo a couple of weeks ago and spread the word that Metroid Prime 3 is here...and it's awesome!
The demo notion may be completely incorrect, of course, but then you have to wonder...what DOES Nintendo have in store for us? What are these mystery surprises, and will they be worth the wait? We'll know for sure come August 27th, but hopefully we won't have to wait as long as that. Make sure to check back next week to see the latest on this matter.
The 411 Games Crew
Pikachu has been messing with Vincent Chiucchi's fuse box! Check out the damage for yourself in this week's edition of The Select and Start News Report, and whilst you're there, find out about the lawsuit between Epic and Silicon Knights, a WoW movie, more console price cuts and all the rest of this week's major gaming news.
The Negative Edge News Report by Tommy Coloma extols the virtues of downloadable content, as well as giving you all the usual anime goodness!
Angry Gaming by Damian Sarcuni looks at the phenomenon that is LAN multiplayer gaming.
Press Pause by Cory Moore focuses on the Madden NFL franchise, the yearly updates, and where the series can go from here.
The Wonder Years by Owain J Brimfield is a must-read for potential Virtual Console downloaders, as he takes a look at Streets of Rage II, which was just recently released in the Wii Shop.
Next week, I'm hoping to have a big preview of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword on the DS (hint: it's turning out to be awesome), as well as a rundown of what we can expect from next weekend's Leipzig Games Convention. So I'll see you in 7!
