WiiSpec.com

Announcing the Nintendo Amusement Park

Ed Stittle — Mon, 28 May 2007 12:47:36 +0000

I was browsing through Youtube and found this amazing video of a Nintendo theme park where you dress up as Mario and then jump and squish enemies as he would in real life. It’s hard to explain, just watch it and you’ll see what I mean.

And the good news is if you live in North America, they’re looking for testers for the new park coming to the USA in NYC.

Rumour: Mario Kart and Wii Release Dates

Ed Stittle — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:36:33 +0000

Please note before you read this that it’s marked as a rumour suggesting that I don’t believe it to be completely reliable. Some parts as you’ll see seem just too good to be true. A post on Neo-Gaf by someone who supposedly attended the Pre E3 Nintendo Media Event and has learnt that not only a demo download channel and Mario Kart Wii is in the making but also the American Release dates of lots of the AAA titles. I’ve put important info in bold but apart from that, happy reading. Please comment.

“I have had the privilege over the past 48 hours to witness history in the making at the “(Pre E3) Nintendo Media Event” here in Seattle, WA. All of the information I have to share with you is under embargo, but as the true fans and the true gamers, I believe you are entitled to it. As a regular lurker on these forums I know what this means to all of you, and I decided early yesterday to disseminate this information to those that deserved to have it. No worries – I have taken the appropriate measures to ensure that my identity cannot be identified so that I will not face consequences for my actions. I hope you will enjoy learning this information and that you share my enthusiasm for the future of Nintendo.

Where to begin?

Following Reggie Fils-Aime’s speech yesterday (now widely reported) we were invited to a room to play a number of already announced games. We were given packets relating to each of these games with a large amount of information and goodies contained within. I’ll try to only share the information pertaining to the games you are all likely most interested in…then on to the surprises!

The first two games I will discuss are not only on embargo until Friday, but inexplicably until E3. Do not ask me why we were treated to so much regarding these games that we could not share. I suppose it is so that we can say things like “Trust me, you will be pleased.”

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - American Release Date 20/08/2007

My experience playing this game demonstrated that Wii is capable of graphics far superior to what has been seen to date, and vast improvements have been made over the original build for this title. You will finally say “wow” when you see this game.

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Virtual Console Releases - 25/05/07

Ed Stittle — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:06:08 +0000

This has to be a first for quite a while, a virtual console game released that I actually have heard of before. But still, not really great games, platformers are much better played on GBA or DS. Again I don’t really recommend any but as I say every week, if you want a VC game get Dungeon Explorer, it’s really fun and gives at least 12 hours of play.

This week sees NES classic Super Mario Bros. 2hop onto the Virtual Console. In this 1989 classic, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad go for a picnic which doesn’t quite go to plan when they end up in the mysterious land of Subcon. Obliged to save it from the curse of filthy frog tyrant, Wart, players must use each of the four main characters and their own special ability to battle through seven worlds and free the land from Wart’s evil grasp! Mario Bros is available to download now for just 500 Wii Points.

If you feel like something a little more turbo-charged this week then get ready for Mach Rider. Set in 2112, Earth has been invaded by evil quad bikers who are bent on destroying everything. Players must assume the role of Mach Rider, the world’s last hope, and travel from area to area destroying any quad bikers they encounter. Mach Rider, which was originally released on the NES in 1987, also features a level design mode enabling players to create their own courses. Unique to the Virtual Console version, players can save these creations to enjoy over and over again. Mach Rider is available now for 500 Wii Points.

Finally this week is Blazing Lazers, originally released in 1989 for the Turbografx. This vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up achieved critical acclaim when it was first released. Now it’s available on Virtual Console featuring nine levels of non-stop shooting action in the darkest depths of space. Players can choose from four weapon types including bullets, waves and rings, each of which can be upgraded making them even more deadly. Blazing Lazers blasts its way onto the Virtual Console for 600 Wii Points.

Madden ‘08 Online Enabled

Ed Stittle — Tue, 22 May 2007 17:00:26 +0000

Wii-UK are reporting that the American Football Game, Madded will include not only the use of Mii’s but also “full wifi”. The Mii’s will be used for mini-games and are appearing very pointless at the moment, they’ll probably end up being used as avatars for online play.

The source for the game having WiFi is the American Magazine, Nintendo Power claiming the game is ‘properly online’ which means not just simple features like trading players but full blown matches and leaderboards. Personally, I am yet to play a Madden game but from what’s been said about Madded ‘07 which is already out, it uses the Wii Remote perfectly.

Madden ‘08 will probably appear in the shops for Europeans around October this year and as usual we’ll have a review within days of it’s launch and since I fancy learning some more about the Madden series I guess I’ll be writing a preview of it when some more information is unveiled.

Source: Wii-UK

Huge Metroid Corruption Info and Screens

Ed Stittle — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:50:39 +0000

General Information

Players control Samus by moving with the Nunchuk controller and aiming with the pointer, allowing for a level of immersion unlike anything they have ever experienced. Through the eyes of Samus, players experience a quantum leap in first-person control as they wield the Wii Remote controller, the ultimate device for the first-person shooter genre.

Samus will employ well-known power-ups like the Grapple Beam and Morph Ball, as well as a bunch of new surprises, to help her survive her coming trials.

Characters include Samus, Dark Samus, the Galactic Federation and new bounty hunters.

Game Plot and Storyline

Game storyline: Six months have passed since the events on the planet Aether. The Galactic Federation’s network computer, Aurora Unit, is suddenly and completely corrupted with something like a virus. The Federation believes Space Pirates may be behind the problem and, beginning with Samus, starts to contact bounty hunters.

As they explain the situation to the assembled hunters, the Federation is attacked by the pirates. Samus and the other hunters leap to the defence of the Federation capital, only to find that the enemy the hunters face is the presumed-dead Dark Samus. Dark Samus is armed with immense power that no one can withstand. It soon becomes obvious that the forces controlling Dark Samus and the terror of the contaminated Phazon are a dire threat that could corrupt the entire universe.

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New Mario Strikers UK TV Ad

Ed Stittle — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:10:28 +0000

I haven’t actually seen any Nintendo ads for quite a while (except the touch generation ones) but I’m glad some people are still seeing them. Here’s the updated ad for Mario Strikers.

Oh and by the way, does anyone know where to get Wii’s either from a store or off the net for the UK. My friend wants one and I’ve had a look everywhere for him but had no luck so far. :S

LOZ: Twilight Princess Speed Run 5h 29mins

Ed Stittle — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:29:18 +0000

I have to say this is amazing I’m clueless to how they did it that quick, I guess I’ll have to watch it. You can download the files or if you prefer it’s been uploaded in parts to youtube. I’m not suggesting you watch it all but it’s handy if you were stuck e.t.c. I’m still at the Gorron mines and the disc is sat on my shelf gathering dust. Here’s the first part and click the link at the bottom to view the others.

Watch the Others Here

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for Wii

Ed Stittle — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:18:04 +0000

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a clue about anything Dragon Ball Z and I’m not the slightest bit interested to learn about it so I’ll just leave you with the full press release, sorry guys.

Atari, one of the world’s most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher, today announced that Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is in development for Wii. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 combines the lightning fast fighting and action that have made Budokai Tenkaichi 1 and Budokai Tenkaichi 2 the #1 fighting games of 2005 and 2006. Developed by Namco, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is slated to release during the 2007 holiday season.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 delivers an extreme 3D fighting experience, improving upon last year’s game with over 150 playable characters, enhanced fighting techniques, beautifully refined effects and shading techniques, making each character’s effects more realistic, and over 20 battle stages. In addition, an improved control system for the Wii will allow players to easily mimic signature moves and execute devastating energy attacks as they are performed in the Dragon Ball Z animated series.

“Atari is incredibly excited to offer the ultimate chapter in the Budokai Tenkaichi series with over 20 new characters that have never been seen in any other DBZ video games such as Nail, King Cold and King Vegeta and battle stages that fans will love,” said Emily Anadu, Senior Product Manager, Atari, Inc. “Each year, the developers refine the game to bring fans closer to feeling like they are actually playing the show.”

In addition to the unprecedented number of characters and improved Wii control system, the environments have also been enhanced to feature day and night stages. The power of the moon in the night stages gives players additional ways to transform their characters and lets fans recreate some of their favorite memories from the show.

Nintendo Wii Summer Release Dates

Ed Stittle — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:06:49 +0000

First please note these are American release dates, so you won’t have to worry about Mario Strikers being delayed, as far as we know it’s still set for a May 25th date. Although I’m glad that we’re hearing about Metroid and Battalion wars as you can see below they’re coming towards the middle of the summer - ha, so much for Metroid releasing at the Wii’s launch and Battalion Wars releasing at Easter. Oh and I know that you’ll al rush to Amazon to pre-order your copy of High School Musical. If you’re looking for a game to keep you occupied until August Pirates of the Caribbean may be a good choice, we’ll have a review of that later this week so check back for that.

July 30 - Mario Strikers Charged
Aug. 20 - Metroid Prime 3 Corruption
September - Battalion Wars 2
Aug. 14 - High School Musical: Sing It!
Aug. 14 - Madden NFL ‘08
August - Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘08
August - Space Station Tycoon
August - Brunswick Pro Bowling
August - Dave Mirra BMX Challenge
August - Pinball Hall of Fame:
September - Brothers in Arms
September - Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal
September - George of the Jungle
Autumn - Boogie

Secret SD Card Holder on Wii Game Boxes

Ed Stittle — Sun, 20 May 2007 14:14:43 +0000

So, I was adventuring through Digg after an 8 hour run through of Dungeon Explorer (you’ll be glad to know I managed to complete it and is certainly the best virtual console game out) and I stumbled onto a site claiming to have 3 Wii secrets. Obviously as I’ve learn from experience most of these turn out to be nonsense such as change the date or something but this site had something rather interesting.

As you can see from below, there’s a little clip in the Wii game boxes for an SD card, pretty cool, huh? The article also claims to have other secrets such as changing the bowling ball in Wii Sports e.t.c but I’m sure quite a few of you know that anyway.

Source: Nintendo World Report