Well if you thought it was bad enough that Mario Kart Wii doesn’t even have voice chat, it gets worse. They’ve announced that they will have have text chat, at least, but it seems that it’s extremely limited. You can’t even type in what you want, actually. Their version of text chat will only consist of a limited selection of automated phrases, such as “Hello.” Wow, Nintendo needs to kick the old guys out of the development department.
Mario Kart Wii to Have…Text Chat
Sometimes I just don’t know about Nintendo. One of the most ridiculous things has come to light about the upcoming Mario Kart Wii, and kinda funny too. Nintendo has decided to add player to player communication, but instead of opting for some sort of headset, they are including text chat. So what you will do is, create a room for your Friend Code buddies to join and you can chat while you wait for other racers. Hmmmm…. FAIL!!!
Your Wii Has Been Updated
There is a new Wii update available for you just sitting on the internets, waiting for you to download it. This update doesn’t do much it seems. The official Nintendo website explains it like this:
“This update does not affect any prominently-used features or menus; however it does provide some behind the scenes updates that will improve system performance.”
Ok, so go ahead and download it, but there’s really no need to rush. Nothing exciting here.
Two New Games on Virtual Console
Well, it looks like Nintendo is sticking with the two-games-a-week plan from now on. Hopefully it doesn’t drop down to one game a week. This week, they have added Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, which could be fun, I don’t know. I’ve never played it. I’ve always like Kirby games though. The other game this week is Psychosis, which is a side-scrolling shooter that was originally for the TurboGrafx 16. I’m not sure about this one either, but I love these kinds of games. Here’s the official press release.
This week’s additions take players on a psychedelic trip down memory lane. Kirby® is back and armed with a bunch of new talents, including the option to combine abilities. Curious to find out what mixing the Burn and Cutter powers gives Kirby? We won’t spoil that for you here. If the colorful landscapes in the pink sphere’s world are too much for you and you’re looking for straight firepower instead, then try plunging your soul into the mind of a twisted demon. We’ll just see how you fare against wave after wave of bizarre enemy creatures in that kind of environment.
Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Kirby 64™: The Crystal Shards: (Nintendo 64®, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): Kirby’s first 3-D adventure is also his Nintendo 64 debut, and it finds the always-versatile hero battling a new enemy called Dark Matter. Dark Matter is after a distant land’s powerful crystal, but a young fairy named Ribbon attempts to save it by escaping with the gem to Dream Land. Now the crystal has been broken, and it’s scattered around the world. Take control of Kirby and help him journey across six worlds, battling a wide variety of enemies and challenging bosses, as he tries to collect all 100 pieces of the shattered crystal. Along the way, you’ll use Kirby’s trademark copying ability to use enemies’ strengths against them. Not only that, but try combining any two abilities to create a brand-new one that is usually stronger than the original. Throw in three exciting multiplayer minigames, and you’ve got a package of which even King Dedede would be proud. Fans of Kirby and action games with bright, colorful graphics should vacuum this one up.
Psychosis: (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points): This is a side-scrolling shooter played in a world created from the mind of a twisted demon. Your soul has suddenly wandered into that evil world that exists in every person’s heart. The only way out is to blast your way past the grotesque creatures that block your path in five “causes” (stages). You must face the dangers of this psychedelic world by making full use of three shot types and the satellite option. With power-ups, you can change your shots to a wide-coverage beam, a satellite-generated laser and more. Each shot type can be powered up to three levels. You can also block enemy fire by rotating the satellites to a desired position. How you use these features will be the key to successfully escaping this strange and surreal world.
Amazon Loves the Wii
If you head on over to Amazon.com and check out their Goldbox deals, you’ll see that they will be providing some great deals on Nintendo Wii games today. The main offer today is for Super Paper Mario at $29.99. You’ll have to wait for the scheduled times to see what the other games are and at what prices though.
WiiWare and Wii Fit Launching in May
The downloadable games service everyone’s been waiting for, WiiWare has been revealed by the Wall Street Journal to be hitting your US living rooms on May 12th. Also reported by the Wall Street Journal, is that Wii Fit will be released in the US on May 19th. Sounds like May is gonna be a great month. Excited?
Virtual Console Update
Two more games on the Virtual Console this week. Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom continues the great series of classic Ninja Gaiden games you should already own. It’s a lot of fun. Then you got Phantasy Star II. This game doesn’t really need an explanation I don’t think, considering it was one of the most popular games for the Sega Genesis. Check out the press release below.
Some gamers get skeptical when Roman numerals populate the title of a game. But make no mistake – this week’s offerings are no mere sequels. They are some of the most highly regarded classic games around. So stock up on some Wii Points™ to battle the Dark Force or complete an action-packed trilogy.
Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Ninja Gaiden™ III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): Join master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, last member of the famous Dragon Clan, in the third and final chapter of the legendary Ninja Gaiden saga. Ryu is framed for FBI agent Irene Lew’s murder, and it’s up to him to clear his name. Defeating superior life-forms created out of “life energy” called BIO-NOIDs and avoiding enemy ambushes are among the many obstacles which Ryu faces in this unpredictable adventure of mystery, deceit and destruction. Noticeable changes to the game-play mechanics include Ryu’s ability to grab on to horizontal surfaces, his reduced falling speed and altered jumping maneuvers, and visible power-ups. Help Ryu defeat the forces of evil once more and discover the real culprit behind Irene’s death as one of the most loved trilogies in video-game history comes to a close.
Phantasy Star™ II: (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans and media alike, Phantasy Star II is an RPG that features an epic story line and turn-based battles. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo or several other characters as you navigate through the Algol star system battling the evil Dark Force. Build your characters, select the right weapons and armor, and take on the forces of evil through various missions as you find the right combination of characters to complete each objective. Experience the magic once again in this great sequel.
Virtual Console Update: A Legendary Warrior and A Farm
Two more games this week available on the virtual console and both are pretty good this time. First off, you got yourself the ever so popular game, Harvest Moon. I don’t know why farm simulation is fun, but apparently many people like it. It’s not just farming though. There is a story behind the game too. Second game; Lords of Thunder. This is a side-scrolling shooter, which I love. This game looks like a lot of fun. Check out the press release below.
The two games joining the lineup this week are considered cult classics, yet they deal with topics as varied as farm management and shooting enemies to the strains of heavy-metal tunes. Just don’t get the two mixed up, since most livestock don’t like heavy metal and it takes more than turnips to defeat fire-spewing sea serpents.
Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
Harvest Moon® (Super NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): You bought the farm, so now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and try living off the fat of the land. Fresh air and the beauty of the outdoors will be fulfilling, but a successful farm needs a lot of working capital as well. There are buildings on your property, but they are in need of livestock. You have a modest house, but if things get lonely in the field, it’s going to take a remodel to woo a female farming companion. Your challenge is to dig in and build your life as a farmer from the ground up. How you manage will determine the outcome, but remember: You always reap what you sow.
Lords of Thunder (TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): Lords of Thunder is a side-scrolling shooter that has you take on the role of a legendary warrior, blasting enemies to heavy-metal tunes. Your enemies are plotting to revive Zaggart, “The Dark One,” who was sealed beneath the six continents of Mistral. It’s up to Landis, descendant of the heroic Dyu, to stop them. Choose the order in which to attack the six stages. Before each stage, select one of four magic armors and use crystals you’ve collected during your battles to buy items. Selecting the right armor for each stage is the key to your ultimate victory. Then get ready to face awesome enemies like a fire-spewing sea serpent or a giant insect. Whether it’s the fast-paced shooting or breaking into the fortress of a stage boss, you’ll be blown away by the intensity of Lords of Thunder.
Next Call of Duty Is Gonna Have Wii Version
If you only own a Nintendo Wii, you’re probably bummed that PS3 and Xbox 360 owners are the only ones playing it, but don’t worry, Activision’s got you covered on the next one. They have confirmed that Call of Duty 5 will have both a Wii and a PS2 version. Now they’ll be able to rake in even more dough from the hugely popular franchise.
Rock Band For Wii Confirmed
Many Nintendo Wii owners have sadly have to sit by idly waiting for any news of Rock Band coming to their consoles, and now they can run into the street screaming and celebrating. That would be weird, wouldn’t it? Anyway, a conference call held by Electronic Arts has revealed that a Wii version of Rock Band will be coming. An official release date wasn’t given, but it is scheduled to hit shelves in the fiscal year of 2009.