We’ll be seeing Wii’s game Punch Out!! in May - check out these videos!  Look interesting?

Thanks, Crunch Gear!

This just cracked me up beyond belief - Fish Eyes Wii!

Pretty soon we’ll be seeing the remake of Military Madness for Wii Ware - a game that was on the Turbo-GraFX 16 WAAAAY back in the day.  Check out these screen shots!  Thanks, WiiWareWorld!

Did you ever play the original Secret Files?  I think it was a PC game before anything.  I just read that Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis will be making its way to Wii in May - SIGN ME UP!  I assume it’ll preorder soon, and as soon as it does, I’ll post it.

Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, announced that “Secret Files 2 - Puritas Cordis” is on its way into production. So players can look forward to May 8th when the game will be released for PC, Wii and Nintendo DS.

About “Secret Files 2 - Puritas Cordis”:

Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis… the world is on the brink of disaster. By the time Nina Kalenkow realizes that the recent catastrophes were caused not by nature, but by an unscrupulous secret society known as Puritas Cordis, it is almost too late.

While her ex-boyfriend Max, a scientist, witnesses the brutal methods of Puritas Cordis at the excavation site of an ancient Indonesian temple complex, Nina joins forces with a priest in France to investigate the connection between the secret society’s sinister prophesies and the creepy leader of an ancient order. A dramatic race against time begins.
Will the protagonists be able to avert the impending apocalypse?

Product information:
Platform: PC, Nintendo DS^TM and Wii^TM
Genre: Graphic Adventure
Developer: Animation Arts and Fusionsphere Systems (PC),
keen games (Nintendo DS, Wii)
Publisher: Deep Silver
Release: May 8th 2009
Website: http://secretfiles.deepsilver.com/

Thanks, GoNintendo!

Electronic Arts recently allowed a few gamers to preview Nintendo’s MotionPlus features - MotionPlus is supposed to provide one-to-one game response with Nintendo’s Wii.  It’s been nearly a year since Nintendo announced MotionPlus, and I know a lot of us are pretty excited to see it.

From the article at IGN:

EA is developing two titles making use of the new tech, Tiger Woods Golf 10 and Grand Slam Tennis. Grand Slam Tennis is the mega publisher’s very first foray into the world of tennis games and has been made especially for the Wii — although 360 and PS3 versions will be coming in November. Tiger Woods Golf 10 is, of course, releasing on every single gaming platform known to man (with the exception of the DS). Grand Slam Tennis is due to launch on June 19, with Tiger trailing not far behind on July 3. So, can we expect to see MotionPlus hitting stores before then? EA wouldn’t be drawn to steal Nintendo’s thunder with an official date on the dongle, but notes - knowingly - that it would certainly make sense.

Thanks, IGN!

I just read an article about a new USB loader that will apparently allow you to play your “legal game backup collection” from any USB mass storage device.  How cool is that?  The person responsible is Waninkoko, who is well-known in the DIY homebrew world.

Thanks, Engadget!

There are a small amount of titles available right now that are geared just towards making you sweat; workout “games” that challenge your lazy, fast food styles.

Wait, no, those are MY styles.  Sorry!

Let’s check out the workout-specific titles - we own a few, and we love them!  The essential, seemingly instigating game/controller is the Wii Fit (and Balance Board), so let’s start with that:

Wii Fit - the game keeps track of your activity, tests your endurance and balance, teaches you some Yoga, and makes fun of you when you either don’t do much or you don’t play for a few weeks.  You gotta love a persistent title!  The game comes with the Balance Board and the Wii Fit disc.  There are tons and tons and tons of accessories for the Wii Fit Balace Board, check them out when you have a minute.

---

Here’s one I have not played yet - if you’ve given this a whirl, would you comment on the post below?  EA Sports Active is a new title from - well, it’s from EA - and it looks pretty cool.  Check out the video below:

EA Sports Active is not available for retail yet, but it’s pre-orderable and around $60.00.  Preorder a copy!

---

My Fitness Coach is something my wife has been playing - I wrote a post about this a few days ago, and my wife seems to enjoy the game.  It’s a motivator - helps push you to maintain speed and endurance, and gives you motivation!  It’s on sale right now for $19.97!

---

Ok, Jillian Michaels is hot.  She’s hot, and she has a workout title for Wii.  Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 is the title.  I’ve heard acceptable reviews of the game - it’s the workout that’s important, right?  Check out a trailer below:

---

Now last on this list is Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout.  This is another title I have not played, and before I went looking, hadn’t heard much about it.  Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout is going to be released on March 31, 2009 - but you can preorder the title here.

Check out all Wii workout related stuff!

At the GDC2009, Satoru Iwata gave a keynote speech, and talked about the new Wii system update.  This new update allows players to download from the Wii Shop Channel directly to an SD card - and play the games right off the card.

I found information about the new update on the Wii system memory Wikipedia page - it’s version 4.0:

• Update includes SD Card Menu to “move” files and channels between the Wii console and SD card
• You can download and play Virtual Console or WiiWare games directly to the SD card from the Wii Shop Channel
• Wii Shop Channel supports classic arcade games
• Ability to save and access Wii Channels from the SD card
• SDHC card (up to 32 GB) support for System Menu, Wii Speak Channel, Shop Channel, and Photo Channel. Other features may not support SDHC cards.
• Deletes every version of the Twilight Hack (including 0.1beta2)
• Patches IOS16, which was the last official IOS with the signing bug
• Fixed the bug that was used in the Homebrew Channel installer (so all existing IOS-versions were updated)
• Added IOS38, IOS53, IOS55, IOS60, and IOS61

Right now, version 4.0 supports SD memory cards of up to 32GB!  Have you updated lately?

Now, a side note: It is my understanding that you can use any SD card in the Wii.  You do not need to buy a special Wii-branded SD card.  That is all.  Go nuts.

4 GB SD Cards on Amazon - I saw 4GB SD cards for $4.50!

Thanks, Kotaku!

Ok, this is awesome.  One of the blogs I read, Radio Ninty, has produced a podcast guide to the world of Mario.  You gotta check this out - very cool!  If for some reason you don’t have Super Mario Galaxy, you should get it.  I had one, but after I beat it I traded it towards another game.  Ah, why did I do that?

My wife’s been using this game in her work out sessions - My Fitness Coach is a title that gives you a motivator of sorts to work out with.  The motivator keeps you kicking and working hard during the workout with words of encouragement and the drive to go harder in the workout.

If it keeps my wife motivated during exercise, then I bet it will keep you motivated!

Amazon has My Fitness Coach for UNDER $20 right now - I don’t remember what we paid, but it certainly was more than $20!

Check out a quick video of My Fitness Coach:

The Associated Press posted a press release about Wii’s $50 million dollar sales record - worldwide!

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese game maker Nintendo Co. said Thursday global sales of its popular Wii video game console have topped 50 million since it went on sale worldwide in late 2006.

Nearly 50 percent of the total sales of the Wii machine were in the United States and Canada, with Europe accounting for about 40 percent and Japan taking much of the rest, said the maker of Pokemon and Super Mario games.

The Wii hit stores first in the United States in November 2006, and went on sale in Japan and Europe in early December of the same year.

The Wii game console has quickly become a smash hit, in large part due to its unique wireless controller. The wand-like controller is equipped with motion sensors that allow users to control game action by jabbing and swinging it through the air. Wii games, including “Wii Fit,” “Wii Play,” and “Mario Kart Wii,” have all become global best sellers.

Apart from the Wii console, Nintendo has sold more than 100 million Nintendo DS portable handheld game machines worldwide in just four years and 3 months — a milestone reached at the quickest pace for any video game console.

Compared to Sony, which has long appealed to hard-core gamers with its PlayStation series, Nintendo has scored hits with easier-to-play games that attract newcomers to gaming, including the elderly.

Nintendo’s DS comes with a touch panel, making it possible to play some games without dealing with complex button-pushing.

I’m not sure who doesn’t have a Wii Fit anymore - but I just saw that Amazon has them on sale for $90.72.  Granted I haven’t looked at Wii Fit prices in a while, but last time I did it was over a hundred.

Check out Wii Fit at Amazon

Check out this trailer for the new LucasArts title, Indiana Jones: Staff of Kings!  Release date is still TBA.

Codemasters has produced Dirt 2 - another crash-em-up, smack you in the face title.  If you ever played the original Dirt title, you know what I mean.  I don’t believe that Dirt was ever released for Wii (I’ve only played it on XBox), but it’s a great game nonetheless.  We should be seeing Dirt 2 sometime in September of 2009.

Check out this trailer:

Using the Wii Balance Board and Wiimote/Nunchuk combo, you climb a rock wall.  It’s as easy as that.  At the Game Developers Conference that just happened, the Rock and Roll Climber game was previewed.  The weirdest part?  As soon as you negotiate the wall, the character grabs a guitar out of the ground and pulls off a heavy metal lick.

Well, that’s - um - hey cool!

The interface looks pretty cool - the Balance Board detects balance shifting, and the climbing controls look interesting.  I’ll reserve judgement.

Thanks, Kotaku!

One of my absolute favorite titles ever is Call of Duty - World at War.  I got this for Christmas from my sister, and after I got my butt kicked through it twice, I discovered online play.  I love online play - and this game is exciting.

I just read an article saying that Call of Duty - World at War just sold over a million copies, which isn’t completely verified yet, but WOW.  That franchise is quite possibly one of the best ones out there in the war-shooting-battle category.  What you got for us next, boys?

Thanks, GoNintendo!

Holy crap - Space Invaders!

When I was a kid, I had Space Invaders on my Atari 2600 and a trackball controller.  I played this game for hours.  According to GoNintendo, it’ll be here in May - but no one knows the cost yet.

<shakes fist at the universe>

I just read about a new Wii light gun - the Dark Ops Wii Light Gun from Cobalt Flux.  It looks nothing like anything that’s out there right now, but it’s certainly got its own flair and coolness about it!

From the Cobalt Flux website:

• Preserves independent use of the nunchuck. Lets you play every game with a gun!
• Ergonomic Pistol Grip sits comfortably in your hand.
• Full Access to all the buttons on the Wii remote.
• Lock ‘N Load - Easy loading and unloading of Wii remote - loads like a clip.
• Double grips for one or two handed action.
• Great styling to match any game.
• Fresnel light-bending technology let’s you aim the gun instead of the remote.

It’s something I’d like to check out, as I very much enjoy the FPS games!

Check out the Dark Ops Wii Light Gun from Cobalt Flux.

Thanks, UberGizmo!

Game maker Electronic Arts (EA) is releasing two games using the MotionPlus technology, which is the technology that Nintendo is adding that gives the Wiimote even more detailed control.

Does it?  I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t say for sure.

From Nintendo’s website:

Nintendo’s upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo’s commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.

Sounds pretty interesting, right?

EA’s two games - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and and unnamed EA tennis game, will both employ the MotionPlus technology.  Exciting!

Thanks, Kotaku!

That’s right!  Accessories company NYKO is releasing a Wiimote controller for the Wii.  I’ve been pretty happy with the rest of NYKO’s accessories, and it looks like this is going to be another good one.

From Gizmodo’s article:

In testing the Wand with Wii Sports bowling and just browsing through the menus, I didn’t notice any quality/responsiveness issues (though, we probably won’t be able to judge its precise calibration until mass amounts of users post their impressions after release.) Since the Wiimote isn’t a 100% perfectly responsive device as it is, it’s tough to tell if anything has been lost in Nyko’s translation.

We’re looking forward to these!  Check out the NYKO line at Amazon - they have tons of gear for a lot of platforms.