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Posts tagged with "us"

It's Official: US getting Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Edition Wii and DSi XL

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Yup, it's finally official: NoA got to work and finally announced that the much-craved-for Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Edition Red Wii and the less-craved-for-but-equally-cool DSi XL that made us jealous of Japan and Europe is finally making its way across the Great Divide and into the New Continent. Start emptying your piggy banks if you want any of the systems ready for a Red Christmas.

If you want the Red Wii bundle you see above, it will set you back a couple of hundred bucks. The package includes a Red Wii, a matching Red Wii Remote Plus, a copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports. However, no news on whether the American version will include either the special-edition Super Mario Bros. or the original Donkey Kong game pre-installed as with other regions.

Also, as posted before, a Red DSiXL is also on its way to the States. This bundle includes a couple of Brain Age games, Photoclick, and a copy of Mario Kart (also two extra value games if you buy it from Wal Mart) and will cost you US$180.

Both bundles alongside the Wii Remote Plus (which will carry a price tag of US$40) in a variety of colors will be out on the market on November 7. Makes me cry just to think how IMPOSSIBLE it is to transfer your Wii data from one console to another (read: have to re-add FriendCodes).

OFFICIAL: Super Mario's 25th Anniversary Red DSi XL Coming To The US (Thankyou, WalMart)

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While it's NOT yet official (hence the RUMOR classification of this post), a Wal Mart posting has sort of revealed that the Red Super Mario 25th. Anniversary Edition DSi XL (Wow! That's a long name!) is making its way to the US as well.

Not only that, but the American version, should the posting be true, includes three pre-installed titles: Two Brain Age titles and Photo Click; sorry, I couldn't make out the full name of the two Brain Age titles. It also comes bundled with a copy of Mario Kart DS and two games of your choice from their Value Games list. All this for only US$199. Pretty sweet, huh?

However, since the title of the posting does NOT say it is related to the Mario DSi XL and it comes with Mario Kart, it IS possible that they are referring to the Red DS + Mario Kart bundle... On the other hand, that bundle was NOT DSi XL... So, what do you guys think? Shall we make this official? UPDATE: It's official.

DOWN+LOAD: North America Weekly Update

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Four titles total. Two DSiWare, one that is technically a DSiWare application, and one lonely WiiWare game. Poor little guy.

Starting today, I'm trying something new out. If there are additional screenshots for games in the weekly update, I'm going to put them at the end of the post. Cool? Cool. Cool beans yo.

Hit the jump for errythang.

Read more...

Blue Liight Special: Wii Menu 4.3 (Update) and DSi 1.4.1U

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Some of your Wiis may have woken you up this morning as Nintendo has officially released (and pushed if your WiiConnect 24 is ON) an update to Wii Menu 4.3 with the following description:

Improvements to Wii Menu 4.3 An update that provides behind-the-scenes improvements to Wii Menu 4.3.


Not such a big description, huh? It also includes a link to a disclaimer that if you see "Error 004" it's your fault for having unauthorized software in your Wii.

The update, by the way, comes a day after Sony released its own update to their PS3, rendering the infamous PS3Jailbreak/PSFreedom/PS3Groove patch useless (for the time being). Do you think Nintendo is getting Sony's heads-up and patching something that wasn't patched before, USB-wise?

Click here for NoA's release. Thanks to Charles Schloss for the tip.

UPDATE: A minor revision to DSi's firmware, 1.4.1U is also released today. Reports claim it blocks certain flash carts but some others remain unaffected.

Professor Layton's Puzzle Challenge - Men VS Women (September 8th)

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If you live in Boston, Chicago, or Philadelphia (US of A), you're in luck for you will be able to immerse yourself in the world of Professor Layton and his 'Puzzle Challenge'. Also, you get to help rid the world of the age-old question: Who is smarter, men or women? The fight is on.

As of tomorrow, Wednesday, September 8, visitors to Boston's Grant Park will be greeted by men and women dressed as the curious characters in the Professor Layton series and will be hoisted to classic, red-colored, British telephone booths where they will get to play through a selection of 'fun and challenging' puzzles from the Professor's new adventure, "Professor Layton and the Unwound Future". Similar events will happen simultaneously at Chicago and Philly.

But that's not all. The booths will sport scoreboards. For which purpose, you ask? To see who is quicker with a stylus and solves the most puzzles successfully, men or women. That's right. Throughout the day the scores for both men and women will be compared to see which gender is brightest when it comes to playing and solving Layton's puzzling questions. Men. Women. Who will win? Find out tomorrow.

The game is set to be released in the US on September 12, 2010.

DOWN+LOAD: North America Weekly Updates

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I don't know what to put here. I'm waiting for my ramen to cool and playing No More Heroes. I shouldn't treat this as a Tweet but you're getting an extra special dose of Geoff today.

Hit the jump for the one WiiWare game, the one VC game, and the Three DSiWare games.

Read more...

DSi and DSi XL Price Drop (US)

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You saw Aussies get it in April and wanted it. You heard Brits and Japs enjoyed it in June and felt left out. Well, if you live in America, it is your turn to take advantage of this, too. Nintendo has announced that it will be dropping the price of the DSi and DSi XL nationwide.

According to this press release, starting September 12, the MSRP for the Nintendo DSi system will now be US$149.99 and US$169.99 (why do they do the 99¢ thing?). So, if you want a new DSi/DSi XL, now's the time to get one before the soon-to-be-released 3DS hits the scene and annihilates every other portable system in the world! OK, I may have exaggerated a bit on my last statement...but it's bound to be big...

We know shoppers want to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend. Our new Nintendo DSi prices make it easier than ever for consumers to access the tremendous variety of games, applications and social tools on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems. - Cammie Dunaway, NoA's executive vicepresident of Sales and Marketing.

DOWN+LOAD: North America Weekly Updates

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I am afraid of sheep now.
DSiWare

NEW+ Ferrari GT: Evolution (Gameloft, 1-2 players, Rated E1 (Everyone), 800 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

Join the elite circle of Ferrari car owners and take part in exclusive races around the globe. Take on challenges for fame and pride as the fastest driver of the world's most prestigious car brand. The game includes 32 authentic Ferrari car models: Ferrari California, F430, Enzo Ferrari, F40, Testarossa, 250 GTO and more. Use DS Wireless Play to challenge your friends in heated multiplayer races. Complete driving courses to obtain your driver's license through fun challenges. Master a race track or race through the streets of seven famous cities including Paris, Rome and New York.



NEW+ DodoGo! (Neko Entertainment, 1 player, Rated E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, 800 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

odoGo! is an adventure set in the time of the dinosaurs. Save as many dodo eggs as possible by leading them to safety. The fascinating little eggs love to roll, jump and laugh together, blissfully ignorant of the dangers around them. Get creative with simple tools. Build dynamic structures and modify the terrain with a simple touch of the stylus. Shape, brush, saw, dig and even use explosives. Enjoy more than 100 captivating missions, with bonus levels for a change of pace and lots of surprises.



NEW+ System Flaw Recruit (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 1 player, Rated E (Everyone) - Fantasy Violence, 500 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

This innovative action shooter uses the Nintendo DSi™ Camera application to turn your surroundings into the playing environment. You have been chosen to take part in the most arduous training program to combat the threat we call the Flaw. The invasion could take place at any time, so we need the best there is. Truly unique and totally physical with 360 degrees of intensity, System Flaw Recruit is the future of hand-held gaming excitement.



NEW+ Don't Feed The Animals (Electron Jump Games, 1 player, Rated E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

Don't Feed The Animals is a strategic defense game about children who have been hoarding their treats all summer in their backyard fort. They've attracted the attention of the local wildlife (the backyard is on the edge of a forest). To defend their treasure, the kids use all the materials at their disposal to create three types of robots: melee, sound and water bots. These bots act like a tower does in a tower defense game, keeping the enemy from the base. Each bot has certain strengths and weaknesses against different enemies. The enemies include bears, raccoons, rabbits, turtles and cats. Play through 50 levels consisting of waves of animals - increasing in difficulty - who attempt to steal the candy. Should a creature reach the base, it will take a treat; this treat must be recovered or it will be lost. Should a boss reach the base, the game is lost. Successfully fend off the animals so the children can enjoy their end-of-summer feast.



NEW+ Puffins: Let's Roll (Other Ocean Interactive, 1 player, Rated E (Everyone), 500 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

The baby puffins need your help! Reunite the missing baby puffin eggs with their mothers in Puffins: Let's Roll. Several eggs have been misplaced, and they're just about ready to hatch. Use an innovative new control scheme to roll the egg around 20 levels of fiendish puzzles. Race against the clock in two exciting game modes: Safely return the egg to its mother in Egg Roll or try to collect all of the Golden Capelin in Capelin Catch. Beware of rocks, trees, ice and other hazards as you roll the eggs back to the safety of their mothers. Take too long or bump into too many obstacles and you'll have a cranky baby Puffin on your hands.



NEW+ Scrabble Slam! (Electronic Arts, 1-4 players, Rated E (Everyone), 500 Nintendo DSi Points):[/b]

Scrabble, long considered to be one of the world's most popular board games, is enjoying a tremendous surge in popularity, both online and in the real world. Scrabble Slam! is a new way to play that challenges players to spell words as quickly as they can.



Please refer to the updated list of available North American DSiWare titles.

WiiWare

NEW+ 5 Arcade Gems (Nordcurrent, 1-4 players, Rated E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence, 700 Wii Points):

Welcome to 5 Arcade Gems, a collection of five wacky arcade games. Whether you play alone or together with your friends, you'll definitely find something to suit your taste, be it a medieval knights game or an ultra-modern space shooter. Compete with other knights to beat the Evil Wizard's challenge in Templar Bashing. No hazard gets in the way of the dutiful Pizza Jungle Delivery company, not even the fierce savages who won't tip. Outsmart your competitors in RC Buggy Madness. Demonstrate your skills and reflexes in Lumberjack Trials. And of course, no adventure is complete without some deep-space alien-bursting action in Whirling Rangers.



NEW+ Brain Drain (Enjoy Gaming Ltd., 1 player, Rated E (Everyone), 500 Wii Points):

Brain Drain is a funny and challenging puzzle game. Place the elements of a scrambled puzzle according to a given model. Select elements with your game cursor and spin them to move elements in the puzzle area. Some puzzles may feature malicious game effects that will slow you down during your puzzle solving. There are three game modes to choose from: Challenge (200 fixed puzzles with preset best times to solve and beat), Race (a stream of puzzles and best-time tables to beat in four difficulty levels) and Random (relaxed, random puzzling that continues endlessly).



Check out the updated list of available North American WiiWare titles..

Virtual Console

NEW+ THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T (Teen) - Alcohol Reference, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, 900 Wii Points):

Released in 1995, THE KING OF FIGHTERS '95 is a fighting game that features main characters from the popular Fatal Fury, Ikari Warriors, Psycho Soldier and Art of Fighting games. They return to battle following the release of 1994's THE KING OF FIGHTERS '94. Kyo Kusanagi's rival, Iori Yagami, has also joined the fight to leave his lasting mark on the continuing storyline and on Kyo, the game's hero, so watch out. As with the 1994 release, you'll find three-on-three team battles, a power gauge that lets you store up energy to land a devastating blow, and the one-shot reversal super-special moves unique to the series. On top of all that, this release also adds a new "Team Edit" feature, allowing you to enjoy bouts with a level of strategy like you've never experienced before.



Also check out the updated list of NAVC games.

Madden NFL 11 Packshot

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Not too exciting, but they released the packshot for Madden NFL 11 for the Wii. This is the North American packshot, so it might change for other regions.

Madden NFL 11 is set to be released sometime in August, 2010.




-Geoff out.

DOWN+LOAD: North America Weekly Updates

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And we're back.
Virtual Console

NEW+ Mega Man 4 (NES, 1 player, Rated E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points):

A year after the destruction of Gamma and Dr. Wily's defeat at the hands of Mega Man, the world is still at peace. One day Dr. Light receives a mysterious letter from an unknown scientist named Dr. Mikhail Cossack. Dr. Cossack plans to eliminate Mega Man and prove himself the greatest robot designer of all time. It's up to Mega Man to save the day once again. Mega Man 4 provides action-based game play like the earlier games in the series. In Mega Man 4, Mega Man has the ability to charge up energy inside his Arm Cannon, allowing him to fire larger and more damaging blasts.



Also check out the updated list of NAVC games.

DSiWare

NEW+ SURVIVING HIGH SCHOOL (Electronic Arts, 1 player, Rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Suggestive Themes, Violent References, 800 Points): [/b]

Welcome to Centerscore High, where the game changes with every choice you make. Of course, some choices are wiser than others. Play the premiere "Football Season" storyline plus seven episodes for hours of game play. Kick off your story-driven adventures as the new kid in school. See if you can earn a spot on the football team and win the heart of cheerleader Beth or goth girl Raven. Unlock custom looks for your character and meet other kids who can help (or hurt) you. You cause all the drama! Continue to play as different guys or girls in other storylines. Work at the bakery and take on a local mobster. Try out for the school play. Meet challenges on the tough side of town. You can even travel to Europe! Master intense minigames and ace pop quizzes along the way. The exclusive Trophy System tracks your results. Earn four "great endings" and unlock a special BONUS EPISODE. The game looks awesome on the Nintendo DSi system, which you hold sideways like a book. Best...high-school game...ever!



NEW+ Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E {Everyone), 200 Points):[/b]

Donkey Kong™ is trapped! It's up to Donkey Kong Jr. to snag the key and set his father free from Mario's cage. Help Donkey Kong Jr. avoid crows and alligators as he swings his way to victory. Earn points by unlocking the cage, hitting crows and alligators with pieces of food or jumping over alligators. Receive mistake icons by running into crows and alligators or missing a jump for the key. Receive three mistake icons and it's game over!



NEW+ Game & Watch: Flagman (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E {Everyone), 200 Points):[/b]

Memorize the order in which flags are raised, then raise them in the same order (GAME A), or raise the correct flag according to the corresponding number (GAME B). Earn a point each time you raise the correct flag, or lose one of your remaining tries if you raise a flag out of order or if you let the time bar run out. The game ends when you have no tries left.



NEW+ Game & Watch: Ball (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E {Everyone), 200 Points):[/b]

Brush up on your juggling skills with Game & Watch: Ball. Move the juggler's arms to catch the balls. Drop a single ball and it's game over.



NEW+ myPostcards™ (Nnooo, 1 player, 200 Points):[/b]

Create your own postcards and send them to your friends! With myPostcards you can take a picture, write a quick note on it, then save everything as a postcard. Just open your Nintendo DSi system, take a photo and go. You can even customize your postcards by using 32 built-in background themes, various collectible stamps and unlockable elements. Create postcards for any occasion. Use the pen or pencil tools to write or draw. Simply erase anything you don't like. Five different inks let you add an extra splash of color to your words and your drawings.



Please refer to the updated list of available North American DSiWare titles.

WiiWare

NEW+ Bang Attack (Engine Software, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points):

Bang Attack is a fun, colorful puzzle game for players young and old. You don't have to learn how to play Bang Attack - just pick it up as you go along. The objective is to find identical objects and smash them with your little hammer. Once you have enough points, you can use the Wii Remote™ controller to swing with the BIG hammer. If there's a banana in the way, simply whack it off the screen. If you have two Wii Remote controllers, you can challenge another player and find out who's the real champ. It's not easy, though. You'll have to deploy tactics and speed at precisely the right moment. You'll also need to use special bonus objects to hinder your opponent in order to win. Bang Attack features 40 levels over four crazy worlds, ensuring hours of fun for the whole family.



Check out the updated list of available North American WiiWare titles..

Listings.

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Just a super quick note to inform you all that the Japan Virtual Console listings, as well as the listings for the North American Virtual Console, and the PAL Region Virtual Console, are updated, and will continue to be updated from here on out. I am sorry that we dropped the ball on this for the past year, but here we go again. WiiWare posts will be updated and created by the end of today.

Thank you all.

-Geoff out.

Best Buy and Wal-Mart: No More Used Games

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It started off last year as an attempt to get into the used-games market, and it now ends as a failed endeavor for both WalMart and Best Buy. Both companies have announced that their trade-in program is officially over.

The program, which consisted in being able to trade used games or videos for in-store credit and then selling such used games is no longer being supported at any of the companies' locations.

Operations of the program's kiosks were ran by E-Play (at both Wal-Mart and Best Buy), so it is actually THEM who are killing the trade-in program. Any kiosks at any of these two retailers are going to be shut down within the next three weeks. Both Best Buy and Wal-Mart have stated that they will not be pursuing any similar programs without E-Play (meaning they're really not that interested in trading in used games after all).

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Will Walk With You (US, UK)

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Good news if you live in the US, are a fan of Pokémon games, and like walking... Nintendo announced that they will be shipping the PokéWalker accessory bundled with any of the new Pokémon games.

The aforementioned accessory is a PokéBall-shaped pedometer that can interact with either Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver and it had been announced before, but they never mentioned that the add-on would be included with the game on this continent. The pedometer allows the player to earn "Watts" by walking, and these Watts can be used in-game to catch Pokémons inside the device and unlock certain items and paths in the game. You can also use it to wirelessly trade items with other PokéWalker walkers...err, users.

Both games are scheduled to be released in the US on March 14, 2010.

UPDATE: The UK version has been confirmed to be released on March 26th and will also include the PokéWalker.

WalMart Gets Into the Holiday Spirit (US)

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WalMart wants your videogaming money, and it wants it badly. So, in time for the Holidays, the supermarket chain is offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of a $199 Wii. Yeah, that's 25% of your purchase. That's good.

From December 5th trhough 12th, WalMart stores nationwide are offering a $50 gift card if you purchase a Wii. Not content with giving you that, they are also knocking off $10 from several games' price tags until December 24th (List after the break).

Via Kotaku.

Read more...

Monster Hunter Tri USA Might Talk More and Pay Less

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According to a few reports and interviews, Monster Hunter Tri in the US MIGHT include Wii Speak support and eliminate the online play fee present in the Japanese version.

As you might know, the Japanese version of the game not only does not have Wii Speak for online play, but it includes a monthly fee if you want to keep playing it online (sort of the point of the game). This side of the ocean, however, the story might be a little different. Here's what they have to say about the online fee.

It's something that we're looking into at the moment and there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, Monster Hunter isn't as popular in the West, so it might put people off. Secondly, Japan doesn't have Friend Codes, so Capcom run all the servers and the monthly fee is essentially to pay for those costs. - Chris Kramer, senior spokesman for Capcom USA. (GamingUnion)


As for the Wii Speak support, they know it's something many people want (and to be honest, only a handful of games include).

We're looking into right now whether it's technically possible or not. And so if it is, maybe we'll make an announcement. If it isn't, you know, if it realistically can't be done, then I'm sorry we may have to leave it out. But we're looking into it. - Ryozo Tsjmoto, producer for Capcom. (G4)