N +

Rumor has it that that the text used within Skyward Sword is from a time even immemorial to the game's own events. However, nothing can stand in the way of modern Zelda fans. Just such people have deciphered the entire Skyward Sword alphabet, and have taken the liberty of translating words found within the game (not just signs). What's more, ZU member Sarinilli has even created a font that you can download to type your own Skyward messages. Here's a few snippets from Sarinilli's page:

Read more...

The rumor, because the source is some unidentifiable ninja ghost, is that Gamestop itself persuaded Nintendo to release the game in the United States, and is even helping with the publishing costs. They also say that Nintendo will be watching Xenoblade sales very closely as a gauge in deciding what to do with The Last Story, another fan favorite RPG destined to be released in Europe. It seems though the pre-orders for Xenoblade Chronicles are not going as well as Nintendo had hoped.

If you are one of the fans who said you would get the game if it came out in the US, I would say it that as gentlemen and ladies of your honor, you will need to buy it when it launches. Why not pre-order it too, just to help push Nintendo into releasing the other one earlier, if at all.
(source)

Nintendo has issued a pretty hefty press release for North America involving 3DS, Wii, and a frickin ton of games to see you through the holidays. It's all about present, future, and presents in this edition. Read more for the full shibang.

Read more...

Strange news: No price or exact date was given, but a new Wii model will be on shelves before Christmas that cannot play Gamecube games, or use it's peripherals (memory cards and controllers). It will come packaged with Wii-Remote Plus, Nunchuk, Wii Party, and Wii Sports. Joystiq claims it's designed to lay down instead of stand up, though I don't know WHY or HOW you can't just stand the sucker up, probably just doesn't come packaged with the stand. Seeing as how this saves development costs, it's cost is probably going to be lower for you, the European consumer as well. No news if this model will go to the rest of the world, but it looks like Europe will no longer be selling "Full-Power" Wii units once this one arrives. - Also I named the current gen "Full-Power", not Nintendo

Cool News: Well cool for Europeans, not Americans. Euro-Ninty just put out a pretty beefy games release date list, which you can look over fully if you read more past the break, but some of worthy note are... the other two Operation Rainfall games: The Last Story and Pandora's Tower for 2012. Yeah, they get all three now, and if they don't sell well Americans get none. Also don't forget guys, that if you get Xenoblade Chronicles, and I quote: "Club Nintendo members who register the game can look forward to downloading the official soundtrack. - Nintendo"

We also can't forget that Skyward Sword gets dated as well for November 18, two days before North America... does anyone want to help me "take Reggies name" after "kicking his ass"? because Europe is ALSO treating hand-held owners in Europe to a free GBA game download, from the DSi Ware list you can get something called The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords or something un-important that nobody cares about

Read more for more release dates, like Kirby something something...

Read more...

Cross posted from Opera News where the poll results you see were from an Opera News poll that ran during the week around E3. Be sure to check out some great comments in the original post.

It's no surprise that a healthy portion of Opera News readers play PC games, often sitting at a desk, right? So how do you feel about motion-controlled gaming being a part of everything these days but lacking on the PC?

At Opera, we like innovation. From voice input to mouse gestures, usability design to face gestures. The options for controlling Opera have always been industry leading.

Nintendo Wii received a lot of attention at launch and through the years for making motion control standard. The subsequent revolution of motion-controlled gaming that followed with Microsoft Kinect, Playstation Move, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation Vita, and devices running iOS to Android, motion control has become a core feature of all hardware. 

Why then, besides the difficulty in forming a standard across computers, has there been no major motion capture implementation in pc gaming? Could a standard exist?

It sounds silly to even ask, right? Console and PC gamers rarely see eye to eye. I wanted some real answers so I asked attendees at E3 why they thought PC gamers didn't care for motion control. Here's how they responded: 

• 14 people said they'd rather sit.
• 8 people said they'd knock their water/coffee/beer over.
• 6 people said that [number of] hours of [some long action, like zoning out in The Sims or raiding in World of Warcraft] should be fun, not excruciating or tiring. 
• 5 people said WASD keys and mouse work fine.
• 1 person said they can't dance in front of a laptop. (Why not? I do all the time...)
• 1 person said "motion control is a casual gimmick, I'm hardcore."

A Revolution Comes Full Circle

Something is strange here: isn't a mouse capturing your hand motion and turning it into input? Doesn't that count as motion control? Hand motion, selection of objects, direct control, grab, body movement, momentum, etc. - all of this has to count. Right? Isn't a mouse standard?

So what are your thoughts? Is Nintendo going to appeal to the hardcore with the premium Wii U controller? Is Minecraft really possible with Kinect? Does mouse input constitute 'motion control' and is it the reason 'joysticks' are extinct? Or, is Augmented Reality the future? I like AR so I'm sharing a gratuitous photo of iJustine (who really seems to like Opera ) and I with an oversized Nintendo 3DS AR card. Now sound off in the comments, let's hear what you have to say!

Hey! I also want to know who's still gaming on some good older systems and rolling dice - I'm with you on that!

Kirby finally returns with a brand new console game! Hit the jump to see the E3 2011 Trailer for Kirby Wii!

Read more...

With the recent confirmation that Nintendo will be showcasing its new tech at E3 this year, it's only natural to see retailers taking discretionary measures to continue pushing current-gen units. GameStop has taken such measures, recently announcing a price drop for all Wii bundles.

Get a new Black or White Nintendo Wii bundle for only $169.99! Get off the couch and experience a great value! Bundle includes Nintendo Wii console, Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and more!

Needless to say, the influence of Project Café on the industry is already evident. If you're among the folks who missed last year's E3 offerings, now may be your chance to join in on the fun!

And, if you've been missing out on the discussion, it may be your chance to join our forums!

Looks like a new Kirby game is coming to the Wii, and this time there are no strings (or yarn) attached, har har har Could this finally be the Kirby game that was supposed to be running of the Smash Brothers Melee engine? Kinda looks like it could be but who knows for sure. HAL Labs, the original Kirby guys are crafting this little gem...