Whether it’s to be believed or not, Nintendo’s UK office has now stated that what’s reported below “is a rumour and purely speculative,” and that “Nintendo is yet to confirm any release dates for Smash Bros.”
It is finally officially announced! Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be on sale in Australia from the 6th of June. It is still a little while away, but at least it is a solid release date!
Apparently Nintendo Europe made the announcement at the Micromania Games Awards.
However, the attitude seems to be, from some people, an import is now going to be their choice, due to the approx. 3 month wait, as Japan got Brawl earlier this month and the US is getting it next month.
Whatever your choice, may we all get Brawl as soon as possible!
So much for that news then. More news as it happens.
If you’re still thinking about Super Smash Brothers Brawl, then perhaps you should refocus your attention to a game that is more likely to come out this half of the year. Mario Kart Wii is the next chapter in the Mario Kart series and has created a stir amongst Nintendo fans with a new controller and promised full online support. Several online media groups have gotten some hands on with Mario Kart Wii, including IGN, and discovered a few new secrets about the game that is set to be a global success. Full details inside.
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While Guitar Hero has been a hit and continues to sell most incredibly, it seems that Activision is not resting on its laurels and are putting their plan together to expand the Hero franchise, with the registration of the trademark DJ Hero. The trademark relates to “…computer game software and related instruction manual sold together as a unit; interactive video game programs; computer game discs; downloadable software for use in connection with computer games; video game controllers; interactive video game comprised of a CD or DVD sold as a unit with a video game controller.” What video game controller it is referring to remains to be seen. More information as it surfaces.
In one of those stories you never thought you would read, it seems that Panasonic is prepping to release a Wii Remote-proof TV. The TV, which will have a sprayed on protective surface, is said to be able absorb up to four joules of kinetic energy. Inconveniently, the TV will not repel against beer cans thrown in a drunken stupor. Always good to know your couple-of-thousand dollar screen is protected, even after Nintendo has implemented Mark II straps and the Wii Remote Jackets. No pricing details have been revealed as yet.
Since the “death” of E3, gamers have been searching for different trade shows and events to hold them over between game releases. E3 was the blockbuster of them all; tens of thousands of people all cramped into the L.A. Convention Center to see what was new in the gaming industry. But now that the show has been restructured and dialed down (see: less noise that makes your ears bleed) we have to look for other events to fill the gaping whole that E3 left behind; PAX in the Summer, TGS in the Fall, and beginning tomorrow, GDC 08. More inside…
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A game that many thought would become vapourware due to delay after delay and a minimal amount of information being released, Spore has finally been given a release date. It will be available on the 7th of September, 2008 on PC, Mac, Nintendo DS and mobile phones. “Where is the Wii version?” some of you may be thinking. Well, the Wii version is still going to be released, just at a later date. “The wait is almost over,” said Maxis Chief Designer Will Wright. “We’re in our final stages of testing and polish with Spore, and the team at Maxis can’t wait to see the cosmos of content created by the community later this year.”
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Electronic Arts’ Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 launched across Australia last week, and many snapped it up following foreign praise and the expected presence of 32-player online functionality.
The Australian version of the World War II-based shooter has been, however, stripped of online multiplayer despite EA touting the feature heavily throughout its marketing material, website, and even the game’s included instruction manual.
Confirming the issue, EA spokesman Cameron Jenkins said, “Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 for Wii does not support online functionality in Australia. We’ve made an error in the documentation and marketing materials. We’re very sorry to have caused confusion for our customers and we will provide a refund to anyone in Australia who wishes to return the game to EA because of the lack of online functionality.”
No explanation for the lack of the feature was provided, although it’s assumed that latency issues would require EA to maintain local servers - something the company may have decided against.
Moral: Maybe think twice before picking up your copy, but by no means should it be avoided.
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Sources out of Japan are saying Mario Kart Wii is slated for release on the 10th of April and it will come bundled with the Wii Wheel. Retail price is rumoured to be ¥5,800 ($AUD 65).
While that’s quite certain, rumours about in regards to the WiFi multiplayer. 12 players over 16 tracks seems to be on the money, as is the ability to play as your Mii!
Let’s hope the translation doesn’t take too long so we’ll get some sweet Mario Kart action before half the year has passed!
Dr Ryuta Kawashima, the researcher behind the Brain Training DS games has refused to accept the $11 Million in royalties he earned from the sales of the game.
“Not a single yen has gone in my pocket,” Dr. Kawashima told the AFP in a recent interview. Kawashima, whose likeness was heavily featured in the best-selling Brain Age games, is instantly recognizable to almost 12 million gamers worldwide.
Under the terms of his agreement with his employer, Tohoku University in Japan’s north-east region, Kawashima was entitled to accept half the Brain Age royalties personally. Instead, he used the proceeds to help fund $6.5 million in construction projects on Tohoku’s campus.
“My hobby is work,” he said. “Everyone in my family is mad at me but I tell them that if they want money, go out and earn it.”
Kawashima, who strictly monitors his teenage sons’ gaming time, is currently working on a four-year project to study brain development in children. He’s also cooperating with Toyota to develop a car designed to keep elderly drivers alert.
Namco Bandai has announced a new game, titled 99 no Namida, with the sole intention of making you cry.
Yes, you read that right, the game wants to make you cry because according to research from Waseda University, people feel better after crying. Don’t expect a local release anytime soon though, this looks like one of those games which will be Japan only.
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