NRgame

Wii Hands On - Initial Thoughts

Administrator — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 23:09:31 +0000

The good :

Photo Channel - capable of playing back common digital camera video formats as well as showing images.
Intuitive interface.
The Wiimote - fun for the whole family, but strap it on tightly or you’ll take somebody’s eye out.

Miis - create Nintendo versions of yourself and your family and friends, and watch as they pop up in games.
Internet Channel - surf the net from your Wii! Check out the possibilities at http://www.opera.com/products/devices/nintendo/wii/video/

The bad :

Multimedia support - MP3 playback is only possible via the Photo Channel and as background music during certain games. ‘Music Channel’ non-existent. No DVD-Video or audio CD support.
Online features currently only available to those with with wireless (Nintendo has stated that the Wii ethernet adapter will not be available until 2007).
The aches. Swing that wiimote too hard and your joints will be aching for days.

The ‘to-be-expected’:

Required room - you really do need a lot of room in order to play games with the Wiimotes. Playing whilst sitting down just isn’t the same.

Wii to cost less than $250

Administrator — Fri, 26 May 2006 07:17:04 +0000

It’s official! The Nintendo Wii will be the cheapest next-generation console and will retail for less than $250. The announcement was made by Nintendo, confirming that the Wii will cost less than Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s Playstation 3, which are priced outrageously high at $399 and $599 respectively.

It’s possible that the price of the Wii could even go as low as half that of the Xbox 360 and only a third of the PS3! I certainly know which video-gaming console will be on my Christmas list.

While Nintendo did not give a precise release date, it did confirm that the Wii will be available within the fourth quarter of this year.

Nintendo is planning to ship 6 million Wii units worldwide by March 31, 2007, ensuring that it will not suffer from the same distribution troubles Microsoft faced with the Xbox 360.

Games are also high on the agenda at Nintendo, who are expecting to sell 17 million Wii titles by then of the fiscal year.

Nintendo said that exact launch dates, the launch library of titles and details of Virtual Console will be revealed soon.

One thing is clear, however, and that is Nintendo has continued its innovative and cost-effective approach to next-generation gaming, adding yet another feather to its already bulging cap.

We wait with baited breath for further Nintendo announcements.

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E3 Summary: Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox 360

Administrator — Tue, 16 May 2006 08:54:57 +0000

In the aftermath of E3, its time to search through the debris and see how the Nintendo Wii has emerged compared to both the Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

The Wii secrets are out

Nintendo finally revealed the remaining secret about the Wii remote controller (Wii-mote for short) at E3. The innovative new controller has taken another step in evolution with a built-in speaker.

Wii-mote now with built-in speaker

How will it work? An example in relation to “The Legend of Zelda”, one of the Wii’s launch titles, is when the hero fires his bow-and-arrow at his latest nemesis. The sound made upon the arrow’s release will emit from the Wii-mote’s speaker while the impact sound it creates will come from the screen!

Pretty nifty, if I do say so myself. No doubt, the built-in speaker will add a new level of immersion and enhance what is already a unique gaming experience.

The Wii-mote speaker announcement comes on top of the recent revelation that the nunchuk expansion will also be equipped with an accelerometer. This motion sensing technology will be able to sense when the unit is tilted up, down, left, right and in a number of other directions.

At E3, Nintendo announced the launch of Wii Connect 24, a service that connects the Wii permanently to the internet and allows it to download game updates and other information even when it is on standby.

Nintendo also revealed that the Wii will join the DS in supporting the Opera web browser. The browser will let gamers navigate the internet using the Wii’s unique controllers.

Unfortunately Nintendo failed to mention when the Wii will be released and for what price, only saying it was scheduled for the fourth quarter. Fingers crossed it’s not to far around the corner!

Sony packs a punch with PS3 price

Sony choose E3 as the place to announce the Playstation 3 launch date and drop a PS3 price bombshell. The PS3 will sell in two configurations, one with a 60 GB hard disk drive for a whooping USD $599 - a record high price for a gaming system - and the other a 20 GB HDD for $499.

The PS3 will go on sale in North America, Europe and Australasia on November 17 and on November 11 in Japan.

The 20 GB PS3 package appears to be inferior in more ways than just having a lower storage capacity, with the exclusion of a HDMI port, a memory card slot and no WiFi connectivity compared to the 60 GB version. The omission of the HDMI port is the most surprising given that one of Sony’s major selling points was the ability of the PS3 to output dual 1080p video. That would not be possible using the cheaper Playstation 3 model as a HDMI port is a necessary requirement to perform at that level.

The DualShock controller design is back for the Playstation 3 after Sony decided to permanently ditch the ‘boomerang’ shaped controller it unveiled at last years E3. In a new addition, the refined version of the DualShock will come equipped with its own motion sensing technology. Gee, I wonder how Sony came up with that idea?

Xbox 360 steady

Nothing revolutionary or unexpected came from the Microsoft camp during E3. The biggest news came in the form of confirmation that Halo 3 was in production and will be available in 2007. The Halo 3 teaser was disappointingly short and showed nothing to indicate what the actual game will be like.

A host of new Xbox 360 accessories were revealed by Microsoft with an external HD DVD drive headlining the bunch. Others included a wireless steering wheel, a wireless headset, and Xbox Vision, a camera peripheral expected to have a similar function to the PS2’s Eye Toy.

Microsoft announced a new feature to Xbox Live called “Live Anywhere”. Live Anywhere is a system meant to allow for cross platform gaming between Xbox 360 and Microsoft’s new Windows Vista platform, and possibly even mobile phones.

Summary

Nintendo has revealed all there is to know about the Wii-mote and the Wii console system. Now all that’s left to do is ponder how much it will cost and exactly when it will be released. Wii can only hope that an announcement is not to far away.

The Playstation 3 is building up to its launch in November by revealing its exact launch plans, which I must add are eerily similar to the Xbox 360’s with two separate packages and a worldwide simulatenous release date. Coincidence I’m sure. As is the new motion sensing technology for the PS3’s DualShock? controller…

Microsoft continues to build on its market share for the Xbox 360 by announcing a new wave of games, accessories and Xbox Live features.

At E3, Miyamoto, Iwata, Fils-Aimes and a lucky member of the audience engaged in a game of tennis, played by swinging the Wii-mote like a tennis racket. It looked awesome and promises real life intuitive game play - just as Nintendo has always promised. With the Wii, the revolution in video gaming has finally arrived.

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Wii gets Opera web browser

Administrator — Fri, 12 May 2006 06:11:43 +0000

The Nintendo Wii will feature the Opera web browser to access and navigate the internet. Opera announced yesterday that the browser will be available on the Wii when it is released later this year.

The Wii console will be able to browse the internet by using its unique controller, being dubbed Wiimote, in between gaming sessions.

“For our Wii console launch in 2006, we required a browser that was fast and secure with support for the latest standards including AJAX,” Genyo Takeda, senior managing director and general manager of Integrated Research & Development Division for Nintendo said in reference to Opera.

It had been rumored that the Wii could support the Opera browser since it announced its support of the Nintendo DS in February.

The Wii is due to be released sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

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Back to the future - Nintendo reveals classic controller for Wii

Administrator — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:45:03 +0000

Nintendo has revealed an additional controller for the Wii, along with its revolutionary remote controller and nunchuk expansion. Labelled the ‘Classic Controller’, it is similar in appearance to that of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

The classic controller’s design has a distinct resemblance to the SNES model, with the addition of two analog thumbsticks. It also features a cross pad, eight buttons used for gameplay - four on the top surface - and select, home and start buttons. The button setup appears to include all buttons available on a standard Wii remove + nunchuk configuration.

The new controller has been unveiled on Nintendo’s Japanese website, however, there was no announcement at its pre-E3 press conference.

The classic controller is expected to be used for playing old titles from previous Nintendo systems that were meant to be played with a standard joypad.

It appears that the classic controller is connected to the Wii remote just like the nunchuk expansion, and will thus be able to be operated wirelessly - presumably with the Wii remote doing the wireless work and possibly even powering the controller.

It is still unclear whether the classic controller will ship with the Wii unit or be sold separately.

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Secret of the Wii controller: built-in speaker

Administrator — Tue, 09 May 2006 16:56:39 +0000

The Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess, a launch title for the Wii console, will make use of the built-in speaker in the Wii controller.
For example, the zap that a bow makes will come from the speaker of the Wii remote and the impact of the arrow will come from the screen.

This will make for a unique gaming experience that ties the player’s movement and the associated controller actions directly to the on-screen action using sound coming directly from the Wii controller.

The nunchaku part of the Wii controller is equipped with an accelerometer feature to sense movement when the unit is tilted up, down, left, right and in a number of other directions.

Up to four Wii Remotes can be connected at once using wireless Bluetooth technology. The wireless signal can be detected within 10 meters of the console.

Both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers include a three-axis motion sensor.

The Wii Remote also includes a speaker, rumble feature and expansion port, and can be used as a pointer within 5 meters of the screen.

The Wii Remote has a power switch, plus pad, A, B, Minus, Home, 1 and 2 buttons. The Nunchuk controller includes an analog control stick and C and Z buttons.

Nintendo has long held off on that final secret of the revolutionary controller, and now, there you have it. Sound coming from the Wii controller!

Nintendo: The Revolution is now the Wii

Administrator — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 03:46:39 +0000

Nintendo has confirmed that the official name of its next-generation console will be “Wii”. Previously codenamed Revolution, Wii aims to break down the barriers between gamers and everybody else, Nintendo said.

Wii is pronounced we and symbolizes the consoles unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.

While the name Revolution had been widely accepted by fans, Nintendo has always insisted that it was just a codename. Following the announcement, a lot of talk has taken place online and as expected with such a dramatic change, opinion has been quite varied.

Nintendo of America’s Public Relations Manager Matt Atwood told Game Informer that Wii may take a little time getting used, but insisted the name was the right choice.

“We’re pretty confident it’ll become a lexicon like Google, or Amazon, or Virgin. Obviously there will be first reactions, but once you get your hands-on with the system and understand, and watch the video, and read the back story of what this name is supposed to represent, I think it all ties in,” he said.

Atwood pointed out a number of examples where names were originally met with disapproval and our now held in high regard.

“Anytime you announce a new name you’re going to get a lot of questions and the whys. If you look at what TiVo did or Virgin Airline for instance, a sort of tie in for example. Those names have become household names…,” he said.

With E3 just weeks away, Nintendo decided to make the rename public before the event to give people time to adjust and to ensure the focus would be on the console and not the name.

Atwood promised many secrets would be revealed at the conference.

“I would say 9:30 in the morning on Tuesday of E3 will be filled with surprises and I would just show up. Because there’s been a ton of speculation. Some of it’s right. Some of it’s not.

We’d say that if that’s the only secret you’re expecting you’re going to be very surprised,” .

he said when asked about the truth to motion detection on the nunchaku controller unit.

This is the official release from Nintendo on the Revolution website:

Introducing… Wii.

As in “we”.

While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.

Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.

Wii will put people more in touch with their games… and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?

Wii sounds like “we”, which emphasizes this console is for everybody.

Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.

And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.

Because, it’s really not about you or me.

It’s about Wii.

And together, Wii will change everything.

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Revolution controller secret revealed

Administrator — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 04:30:55 +0000

One of Nintendo’s highly sought-after secrets about the Revolution appears to have been revealed - the nunchaku expansion unit for the free-hand controller will come with a built-in accelerometer.

Nintendo game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, stated earlier this year that the Revolution controller “has many more secrets” and it appears that one of these has finally been uncovered.

After rumors emerged online last week about the nunchaku units functionality, AMN claims to have confirmed through a developer source “incredibly close” to Nintendo that it would in fact be equipped with an accelerometer feature.

The accelerometer will sense movement when the unit is tilted up, down, left, right and in a number of other directions.

According to the unnamed developer, the Revolution’s nunchaku peripheral will not feature the pointing and motion sensing abilities that the free-hand controller possesses.

This could indicate that the nunchaku add-on will be used to perform movements such as reloading and leaning, while the main controller will be used for other functions, such as aiming and swinging weapons.

With one secret apparently revealed, Nintendo may use the E3 conference to officially confirm the rumor and unveil more Revolution mysteries.

The E3 conference and expo will take place between May 9-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

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20 Launch titles for Revolution

Administrator — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 07:27:50 +0000

Approximately 20 titles will launch with the Revolution when it is released around November, according to Nintendo of America VP George Harrison. Of the 20 launch titles, around a third will be first-party games, reports Revolution Report.

Speaking in an interview with Game Informer magazine, Harrison said Nintendo had learnt the importance of making new software available continually throughout the first year of a consoles release.

“The other thing we recognized is that you really make your reputation in the first year. You’ve got to deliver software, not just at launch, but you’ve got to deliver software in the first six to nine months after launch. It has to be solid software,” he said.

“In GameCube, we didn’t have that, we had kind of a drought for six months after it launched. By that time your reputation starts to solidify and it’s hard to reverse that after awhile.”

Harrison also reiterated that Nintendo’s is aiming to sell the Revolution for less than its rival next-gen consoles.

“Our goal is to come in at a slightly more mass market price,” he said, referring to the Xbox 360.

As yet, there has been no confirmation of which games are slated for launch.

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First Revolution Screenshots

Administrator — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 07:15:50 +0000

The first Nintendo Revolution screenshots have been revealed. Screenshots of Ubisoft game, Red Steel, which were due to be published in May’s edition of Game Informer magazine, have been scanned and posted online on a gamer’s blog.

The images appear to be authentic and reflect what is described on Game Informer’s online site for its upcoming magazine.

Image source: Flickr.com

The eleven-page feature on Red Steel, a first-person shooter, includes detailed hands-on description of the game and what functions can be performed with the controller.

While the images are not very clear, enough can be made out to wet any potential gamers appetite.

As all had hoped, it appears that users will be able to use the Revolutions unique controller to point and shoot, as well as participate in sword combat. Based on Nintendo’s motion-sensor technology, the angle and distance from the screen determines movement and actions.

Further good news for Nintendo fans is the apparent good quality of the game itself. With many comparisons being made between the Revolutions lack of power to that of the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, the high quality of the graphics should encourage those who were concerned about the Revolutions capabilities.

Ubisoft, the same team which worked on titles such as Prince of Persia and Splinter Cell, aims to release Red Steel as a launch title for the Revolution.

All the available images can be viewed at the blog site.

Some of the interesting passages we could make out from the text include:

“Notice how the angle of the in-game gun reflects the angle at which you hold the controller.” - refers to the picture above.

“… you will be able to push forward with the controller to knock over an object to use for cover, pull it backwards to reload your gun, and twist it to lean behind walls. You’ll also be able to lob grenades by imitating throwing a ball with the controller in your hand, or even roll it along the ground with an underhand throw…”

“Freeze shot adds a lot of depth to the gunplay and is a natural fit for the Revolution controller, but isn’t the only way that Red Steel adds spice to the combat. After all, why would you carry a sword through a game if you couldn’t use it?

Although the majority of Red Steel’s gameplay will stress ranged combat, there will be times you need to get up close and personal.

You can switch to the sword at any time, and if you can get close enough to an enemy, you can use it for one-hit stealth kills, in other moments, you’ll find yourself locked into intense one-on-one sword duels.”

” “The controller is a pointer,” he continued. “It can sense motion vertically, horizontally, depth, and also twisting. So, you can do a lot of movements…” ” - the quote is presumably from Damien Moret, a member of Ubisoft’s development team.

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