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    Pokemon devs not planning Wii game or MMO

    March 23, 2009 - 2:44pm

    You know your idea for a Pokémon MMO? Or a full Pokémon RPG on a home console? We're talking to all of you here, because literally everyone has come up with those ideas. Anyway, they're not going to happen.Pokémon Platinum game director Junichi Masuda told What They Play, "At this point, we're not thinking of going in that direction.""Trading is a core concept of Pokémon," Masuda said. "So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online." This statement paints Diamond and Pearl's online trading, then, as some kind of concession rather than a defining feature.Masuda also said that the concept for Diamond and Pearl was to produce the "ultimate" Pokémon game. For Platinum? "My direction to (game designer Takechi Kawachimaru, also present at this interview) with Platinum was to produce another ultimate version."Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Matsuura wants hardcore gamers to sit back and enjoy 'Major Minor'

    March 23, 2009 - 2:05pm


    Rhythm game pioneer Masaya Matsuura, known for popularizing the genre with titles like PaRappa the Rapper, told MTV Multiplayer that hardcore gamers should take a break and get ready to enjoy his upcoming game, Major Minor's Majestic March. "PaRappa was released about 12 or 13 years ago, and being a hardcore gamer the entire time since then must be kind of tiring," Matsuura jokingly answered when asked if the marching band game would appeal to PaRappa fans. Matsuura also fielded questions regarding Nintendo's upcoming peripheral, the Wii MotionPlus, saying Major Minor had been tested with the accessory but in the end it "didn't really make it any more fun." While the add-on could be added in the future, Matsuura hypothesizes that titles may "need to be planned" from the beginning for its use. Matsuura also throws kind words toward Harmonix, reminiscing about a time when he "implored" the team to create games and noting how proud he is of the success of Rock Band and Guitar Hero as though they were his own creations. But don't worry, Matsuura isn't prepping a frivolous lawsuit ... he was just being nice.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Now Playing: March 22-28, 2009

    March 23, 2009 - 1:04pm

    Look! Up in the sky: It's a bird ... It's a plane ... No! Wait. Is that a ... Giratina?! Oh my word, and in ... Origin Forme?
    Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:Last updated: Tuesday, 12:00 pm

    Continue reading Now Playing: March 22-28, 2009

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    Wiikly Wares: Bomberman '94, Detana Twin Bee & Pop 'Em Drop 'Em

    March 23, 2009 - 11:18am


    It's Monday, which means it's time to check out what the Wii has available for download. As we already reported, 2 new Virtual Console imports will be arriving today, but there's also one WiiWare game joining them. Unless you like Hudson games, you probably won't be interested in 100% of this week's offerings:WiiWarePop 'Em Drop 'Em SameGame (Hudson, 1 - 4 players, 500 Wii Points): As with most puzzle games, the object is to clear pieces from a game grid. Match two or more pieces of the same color to eliminate them from the board and score points. The game features multiple modes of play and support for up to four players via local multiplayer.Virtual ConsoleBomberman '94 (Hudson, TurboGrafx16, 1 - 5 players, 700 Wii Points): Featuring 9 different members of the Bomberman family to play as, Bomberman '94 is business as usual for the gang as they drop bombs, blow up blocks, and even ride on 5 different types of Rooi, each with their own special abilities. Don't ask us why their eggs are inside blocks, though. We don't have all the answers.Detana Twin Bee (Hudson, TurboGrafx16, 1 - 2 players, 700 Wii Points): Hudson's vertical shooter stars Twinbee and Winbee, who must stop a force of alien invaders (obviously). The game has a single-player mode, as well as two-player co-op, and even though it's yet another shmup on the Virtual Console, we're still interested in this cute release that was once confined to Japan.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Target reveals free 1,000 DSi Points with DSi purchase

    March 23, 2009 - 10:50am

    All DSi systems in Japan come with 1,000 free points with which to explore the DSi Shop. Nintendo hasn't said anything about such an offer in North America, but it seems that Target has broken the news ahead of time. The store's product listing (for either the black or blue model) includes the following text within its fine print: "Free downloadable games from Nintendo DSi Shop included with the purchase of a Nintendo DSi system. Upon initial access to Nintendo DSi Shop, 1,000 Nintendo DSi Points will be credited to your account, which you can then use to download your free Nintendo DSi-exclusive games and applications." The listing directs people to dsioffer.nintendo.com for more information, confirming that this is a Nintendo offer and not just a Target promotion. Unfortunately, that site is not yet active. In other DSi Points news, the image (via Amazon) shows what the new cards are going to look like. So what DSiWare are you going to buy with your free points? Oh, right, Nintendo hasn't announced any. Pop Plus Solo?[Via NeoGAF]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Analyst: GameStop may lose Wii market share this year

    March 23, 2009 - 9:50am


    Analysts say a lot of things. Todd Greenwald is one such analyst, so we expect him to open his mouth from time to time. Most recently, the Signal Hill Capital soothsayer looked into his crystal ball, and predicted that GameStop may lose some of the Wii retail market share in the coming year due to the console's increased availability.With the Wii no longer reserved just for those willing to form a line at dawn, Greenwald anticipates that casual shoppers will likely purchase the console at larger outlets like Wal-Mart or Best Buy. The analyst also notes that GameStop could see a slow in traffic, with Wii-hungry shoppers no longer compelled to visit. That is until they decide to trade in their games for a chance to fill retail giant's bulging wallet.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Nintendo opens NA Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub

    March 22, 2009 - 6:00pm


    North American Animal Crossing fans finally have a place to check for upcoming DLC updates to City Folk. Nintendo has opened an Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub site outlining downloadable content and game updates specifically for the NTSC region. A similar site is already available to Japanese gamers.Currently, the hub lists a special "shamrock hat" (available until March 24) delivered to town via a letter with the attached item with special Spring content coming soon. Let's hope that the update also means that North American City Folk will get as much cool content as their Japanese counterparts.[via GoNintendo]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Super Nintoaster plays SNES games, doesn't make toast

    March 22, 2009 - 12:45pm


    If you prefer video game consoles that look like common kitchen appliances (here's looking at you, PS3), have we got a treat for you -- BenHeck.com contributor Vomitsaw recently put the final loving touches on his Super Nintoaster project, which, as the portmanteau-sensitive among you have probably already discerned, is a Super Nintendo. Inside of a toaster. It's safer than it sounds (we think).It's actually Vomitsaw's second toaster-based console mod -- he crafted a regular ol' Nintoaster last fall. Sadly, neither model has been able to fulfill its kitchen appliance destiny, and won't do much to conflagrate your bread. It's probably for the best -- all it takes is one mistaken slot, and you've got a golden brown, formerly priceless copy of Chrono Trigger, which we hear is actually pretty delicious with raspberry preserves.[Via Engadget]

    Continue reading Super Nintoaster plays SNES games, doesn't make toast

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    House of the Dead: Overkill sells 45k in February

    March 22, 2009 - 12:00pm


    Sega's latest (on rails) shooter -- and Guinness World Record holder -- The House of the Dead: Overkill sold 45,000 units in February, landing itself 50th place in the month's top 100 titles sold. According to data from the NPD Group (Via Edge), Overkill -- which released on February 10 -- joins other third-party Wii titles that have failed to capture attention at retail. Last year, Sega of America president Simon Jeffery said Western publishers have ignored the hardcore market focusing instead on family friendly titles, in line with the Wii's mainstream image. Sega -- who recently released MadWorld -- is prepping for a June release of The Conduit, continuing a string of Mature rated titles developed for the top-selling console. Hopefully, it will fare better on store shelves.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    NPD Group: Wii Fit has outsold Halo 3

    March 21, 2009 - 5:00pm


    If you were still wondering how wide the mainstream appeal for Nintendo's hyper-successful Wii Fit actually is, here's a good example. The NPD Group recently confirmed to Kotaku that in addition to its first place finish in the February NPD charts, Wii Fit broke the 6 million sales mark, pushing it past Halo 3's 5.9 million copies sold. A fairly remarkable feat, considering Bungie's opus has been on the market 8 months longer than Wii Fit -- and for $30 cheaper, to boot. Pehaps if Halo 3 did more to help shed them chunky pounds, it'd still be in the lead.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments