Nintendophiles 10.11.07: The One Year Anniversary Edition
Posted by Theo Fraser on 10.11.2007
Come celebrate Nintendophiles’ first birthday with the super-spectacular One Year Anniversary Edition! It’s also a major news week, as Sonic is confirmed for Super Smash Bros. Brawl! Come on inside for all the fun!
Altogether now! *Melodically* Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Nintendophiles! Happy birthday to you!
Yes, today is the first birthday of Nintendophiles here at 411mania. One year ago today, Nintendophiles made its triumphant debut, wowing the internet and shaking the journalism world ‘down to its very foundation' (TM Vince McMahon, circa Attitude Era). Kinda. And it's actually tomorrow, the 12th, if we're being technically correct, but this is the closest we'll get.
Now, I'm sure it's incorrect to call this the first birthday AND anniversary, as there's probably a contradiction there somewhere, but I don't care! So come, one and all, and enjoy the festivities! It's been an absolute pleasure writing for the 411 Games Zone, watching it build and grow into one of the hottest sections on the site. Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to get all nostalgic on you. We've still got your weekly dose of Ninty-news as always, plus the return of Great Nintendo Gaming Moments, but first of all, it's the news you've all been waiting for...
Sonic the Hedgehog confirmed as playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Credit: CVG, IGN, Cubed3
First it was a dream. Now it is a reality. Sonic the Hedgehog will indeed be a playable character in Super Smash Bros Brawl, and he looks pretty kick ass too!
So those of you disappointed that Mario & Sonic would only be able to compete against each other in Olympic events can put your sorrows to rest, as the Nintendo and SEGA mascots will square up against each other in true combat. His Final Smash hasn't been revealed just yet, but a clip of Sonic in action on the battlefield was shown on Wednesday at the Nintendo Autumn Conference, and gives you a great idea as to how the "blue dude with the ‘tude" will play.
You'll notice in the video that Sonic can transform into his alter-ego, Super Sonic, presumably in the same manner that Princess Zelda transforms into Sheik, thus opening up a whole new host of moves. Exciting stuff! I'm sure I'm not the only one rejoicing Sonic's appearance, but I can't help feeling this isn't the last of the surprises Nintendo has in store for us concerning Smash Bros. Brawl. Keep your ears and eyes open, that's all I'm saying!
Two new Wii Channels imminent
Credit: IGN, Cubed3
Also announced at the Nintendo Autumn Conference, the Wii will be gaining two brand new Wii Channels in the near future.
We've already heard about the Mii Contest Channel (formerly known as "Check Mii Out", although the name change isn't confirmed, as this could just direct translation from the Japanese event), in which you can put forward a Mii of your choosing to show off to worldwide players. The channel will feature a home plaza, where you can take home Miis created by other players. This should be a great option if someone creates a really cool celebrity Mii, and you can't be bothered to make it yourself; simply go to the home plaza and take home a carbon copy of the Mii for yourself!
But what comes as a big surprise is the revelation of the Everybody's Nintendo Channel, which will basically act as the Wii's version of the DS Download Stations. Currently, the plan is for the channel to have two main functions. 1) To allow players to view trailers/promotional videos for upcoming games (much like was demonstrated in the week running up to the Metroid Prime 3: Corruption launch) and 2) To allow players to download DS demos. Your Wii will basically act as a hub point, so you can wirelessly connect your DS to the console and download to your heart's content. Rumors of this feature surfaced a couple of months ago, but I don't think anybody actually saw it as a reality, which is why it's such tremendous news that Nintendo are actually implementing it.
In a final piece of Wii Channel news, the Everybody Votes Channel will be seeing a significant update in the coming months, as you'll soon have the ability to recommend games to Nintendo that you'd like to see on the Virtual Console. It's quite funny actually, as just last month Nintendo were quoted as "having no interest" in such a scheme, but there you go. Naturally, this opens the floodgates for 1,455,658 votes solely from me for Super Mario RPG on the SNES, but I'm guessing Nintendo have taken precautions against that. It's a terrific idea, and ensures that Nintendo give ‘the people' what they really want.
First titles confirmed for Wii Ware Download Service
Credit: CVG, Cubed3
The Wii Ware service is set to launch in Japan in March of next year, and at the Nintendo Autumn Conference, we finally got a small taste of what will be on offer come Spring.
On the Nintendo front will be a title called Pokemon Ranch, which enables you to transfer your Poke-critters over from Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, and lets you look after and raise them in a barn. You'll be able to interact with your Pokemon in 3D, and your Miis can get involved in the fun, either as pure spectators, or as part of a more hands-on approach, playing with the likes of Pikachu, Squirtle and co. You'll be able to take photos of your Miis with your Pokemon, and can then send them to friends as a JPEG attachment. It all looks and sounds rather basic, but I'm sure Poke-fans will lap it up.
On the third-party front, Square Enix will be preparing a Final Fantasy title for the Wii Ware launch! Entitled Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Small King and the Promised Country, the game will sell for 1,500 points, and judging by the early screens, it looks pretty top notch. Check it out:
Naturally, the title forms another instalment in the Nintendo-based Crystal Chronicles franchise, albeit with a slight twist, as this particular iteration has been referred to as a "Country Building RPG", with similarities drawn between it and ActRaiser on the SNES. Intriguing, to say the least. I'm not particularly up to scratch on conversion rates, but if memory serves me correct, 1,500 points is around $10/$12. You certainly can't argue with that, especially if we're getting a full blown Final Fantasy adventure.
Of course, the natural question is over the issue of memory/file space, as these Wii Ware titles (especially something the likes of Final Fantasy) are bound to take up far more space on the Wii's internal memory than your average Virtual Console download. Rumors persist of a Nintendo-produced external hard drive, but so far, Nintendo have kept firmly schtum. There's still a fair few months to go before the March launch of Wii Ware, so there's still plenty of time for them to announce something, if they do indeed have such a device on the cards. It's just a case of "wait and see."
Mii integration into Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
Credit: N-Europe
Recent footage of Mario & Sonic at the Olympics suggested that you'd be able to use your very own Miis as playable characters alongside the likes of Mario, Sonic and co, and it was confirmed by Nintendo earlier today. An option in the character selection screen will be available to you, should you wish to pit your Mii against the Nintendo and Sega icons. Nothing ground-breaking, but a nice touch all the same, and something I'd like to see more of in future titles.
We don't know if there will be any other use for Miis in the game just yet, but you can't ask for much more than they've given us here. Good stuff.
Manhunt 2 STILL banned in the UK
Credit: IGN, CVG
Yes, get ready, this is about to turn into another of those "I hate being a PAL gamer" rants. Manhunt 2 is all set and ready to be released Stateside this Halloween, but here in the UK, it looks like we're being left in the dark once again.
Upon submitting the revised edition of Manhunt 2 to the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification), the BBFC promptly rejected the game AGAIN, stating that their previous concerns had not been addressed sufficiently.
David Cooke, director of the BBFC, had the following to say:
"The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills', but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature.
"We did make suggestions for further changes to the game, but the distributor has chosen not to make them, and as a result we have rejected the game on both platforms. The decision on whether or not an appeal goes ahead lies with the distributor."
Rockstar were quick to respond.
"We are continuing to appeal the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) decision to deny the edited version of Manhunt 2 an 18+ certificate and thereby ban its release in the United Kingdom. The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for video games.
The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2."
And Rockstar are damn right about that. Horror movies get away with practically anything, but there seems to be an extraordinarily tight leash on video games. I know the whole argument about the fact that in video games you're actively taking part in the killings and are thus more involved, but to be honest, if the sale of mature games were more strictly governed, it wouldn't be an issue. The vast majority of 18yos+ would have no qualms distinguishing between what is acceptable in a game and what is acceptable in real life, which is why I never give much weighting to that argument. This is obviously an issue which needs to be looked at in far greater depth, and something needs to be done about it soon.
Great Nintendo Gaming Moments
It's been a few months since I've wheeled out this feature, but the One Year Anniversary edition seems like a prime place for it to make its return. For those interested, here are the links to the previous Great Nintendo Gaming Moments which featured in the hallowed halls of Nintendophiles:
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...Great Nintendo Gaming Moments #5: Sloprano, the Great Mighty Poo from Conker's Bad Fur Day (N64). Watch it for yourself!
Just in case you wish to sing along, here are the lyrics transcribed in full:
I am the Great Mighty Poo
And I'm going to throw my shit at you!
A huge supply of tish
Comes from my chocolate starfish.
How about some scat you little twat?
Do you really think you'll survive in here?
You don't seem to know which creek you're in!
Sweetcorn is the only thing that makes it through my rear.
How d'you think I keep this lovely grin?
Have some more caviar!
Now I'm really getting rather mad,
You're like a niggly, tiggly, shitty little tag nut!
When I've knocked you out with all my bab,
I'm going to take your head and ram it up my butt!
Your butt?
My butt!
Your butt?
That's my butt! My butt! My buuuuuutt!
A charming little ditty, I'm sure you'll agree. I think what made it so special is that it was so un-Nintendo, and of course that could be said of the whole game. Rare were well known for loving their toilet humor, and this is a prime example of that. Personally, I love the fact that in the recent Xbox 360 remake, Conker: Live and Reloaded, the ‘rude words' were censored with farting noises. So the N64, a Nintendo console and so-called ‘kiddy system' featured the explicit version (if it really is considered to be explicit), and yet the Xbox 360 remake, on a console defined by adult/mature titles, was forced to censor the lyrics? The irony is just too funny.
Despite it's rather immature nature, it did push the boundaries of the type of content we saw in N64 releases, and above all else...it ended up being pretty funny! After all, great gaming moments are all about the times that bring smiles to your faces, and the moments that you'll revisit countless times, whether it be to show to your friends or to just indulge in a good bit of nostalgia. Now, let's just get the full game on the Virtual Console, and we can all experience it all over again for ourselves.
The 411 Games Crew
The SIXAXIS by Mark Salmela talks about the latest features to be revealed for Metal Gear Solid 4, and Capcom showing loyalty to Sony fans.
In this week's edition of The Select and Start News Report, Vincent Chiucchi looks at the unlikelihood of the Gears of War movie materialising, and the announcement of the 40GB PS3. Check it out.
Does a PC games console sound like a good idea to you? Think again. The Phantom gets added into the Hall of Shame this week, presented as always by Vincent Chiucchi.
It's Angry Gaming time again, and this week Damian Sarcuni ventures into Nintendo territory, looking at the dark and distant past of everyone's favourite plumber, Mario!
Want all the latest news on your favourite RPGs? The Epic Column is for you! From Final Fantasy to Neverwinter Nights 2, it's all inside Nathan Grayson's latest column! Come check it out.
And that'll wrap things up nicely there for this week. One year goes by pretty quickly, eh? Here's to another year full of Nintendo goodness! See you next time.
