Report: Mario Kart, Pilotwings and Smash Bros. coming to Virtual Console by year's end
by Griffin McElroy 
{ 13 hours ago } 
Later in the holiday season, Nintendo will also reportedly drop the original Pilotwings onto the platform, then shortly after that, will also toss Super Smash Bros. into the mix. No prices have been announced for these two titles, but according to the Gamespot article, both will be released by the end of the year. That's just great. It's not like we're already drowning in huge, time-draining blockbusters. Now we've got to start perfecting our drifting and shell-flinging once again. We appreciate the gesture, Nintendo -- but your timing is rotten.
Nintendo's Denise Kaigler steps down to spend time with family
by Griffin McElroy { 16 hours ago }
Nintendo vice president of corporate affairs Denise Kaigler recently announced via the Nintendo Minute feature on IGN that she would be vacating her position in order to spend more time with her family. In the post, she explained, "it's a fact of life that job and family often pull us in opposite directions. As regular readers of this feature know, this has proved particularly challenging for me," later adding "the time has come where I need to choose one over the other ... and I have to choose my family."We wish Kaigler the best of luck in this new venture, and hope that wherever she may end up, she retains her unconventionally sassy interviewing technique.
Banned PSN player sues Nintendo and Microsoft
by Andrew Yoon { 1 day ago }
However, what Estavillo lacks in civil online discourse, he makes up for with sheer determination and persistence. In addition to Sony, he now has both Microsoft and Nintendo in his sights. Estavillo is seeking $75,000 from Microsoft for the "undue stress" and "sadness" caused by his Xbox 360's RROD. "Microsoft should have to bear the burden that is now put on the shoulders of this disabled plaintiff," his claim states -- a burden that is equivalent to the sum of 375 Xbox 360 systems, apparently. Nintendo is being sued for interfering with Estavillo's "pursuit of happiness." And how exactly is Nintendo doing that? "Deleting, blocking or prohibiting the Homebrew Channel and Ocarina applications" via a system update.
We're hoping you can see the sheer brilliance of Estavillo's strategy. He's offering the perfect opportunity for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo fans to agree on something for once.
BBFC: Sega compiling Sonic games for DS
by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago } 
According to the rating, it'll feature Sonic 1-3, plus Sonic and Knuckles -- with the ability to virtually "Lock-on" and play as Knuckles in the older games. Also included in the shockingly specific list of in-game content: Sonic Chronicles and "The History of Sonic" video content and the art gallery.
We can only hope it turns out better than Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on GBA.
[Via Kombo]
Hands-on: Dementium 2 (DS)
by Ben Gilbert { 1 day ago }
Thankfully, when first faced with manipulating Dementium 2's main character, it became quickly obvious that the game's slow pace helps to account for any discomfort issues that might arise from the control scheme. Over the course of 45 minutes, I put together puzzles, traveled between two dimensions multiple times, and even fought a boss who tried to throw up on me from the ceiling (what a jerk!). Though its content and storytelling seems to be a carefully crafted amalgam of games from the three or so genres it mashes up (fps, adventure, survival/horror) – a handheld Half-Life meets Silent Hill on Monkey Island, almost – the time I spent with a preview build of Dementium 2 earlier today felt like the beginning of what could be a very interesting game.
Gallery: Dementium 2 (11/20/09)
System Flaw commercial shoots up your living room
by David Hinkle { 1 day ago }
[Thanks, RupeeClock]
European Nintendo downloads: Pokemon Rumble, Shootanto, demos
by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago }
In terms of stuff you pay for, Shootanto is going to be totally overshadowed by Pokemon Rumble. DSiWare has a decent selection of games, including something that looks kind of like Defend Your Castle, a few card games, and myNotebook.
- Pokemon Rumble (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,500 Wii Points)
- Shootanto: Evolutionary Mayhem (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
- Army Defender (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
- A Little Bit of ... All-Time Classics: Strategy Games (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
- myNotebook: Blue (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
- Uno (DSiWare, 1-6 players, 500 DSi Points)
- Demos: Pokemon Rumble, World of Goo (free)
Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago }
The trailer also seems to suggest that all the train tracks are magical shackles placed on the ground to imprison an evil presence. So that's why there are train tracks around! We would have guessed "interstate commerce."
Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Crystal Bearers dives into Europe February 5
by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago }
In fact, with the game being released on a normal day instead of the day after Christmas, maybe someone in Europe will notice its release -- something we suspect may be a problem for a game that has been under the radar for most of its development.
Rock Band Weekly: Tom Petty, Go-Go's, Kelly Clarkson, Pink
by Alexander Sliwinski { 1 day ago }
Check out the full update after the break, no new Rock Band Unplugged DLC next week.
Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
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Child's Play & Harmonix rock San Fran for charity Dec. 9
by Randy Nelson { 1 day ago }
Harmonix and Child's Play have announced that they're banding together for a charity benefit Rock Band night at San Francisco's DNA Lounge the night of December 9. "Ümloud!" is an all-ages event organized by GameLife's Chris Kohler, Gamehelper's Joe Markert and Telltale Games' John "Seg" Seggerson, and staffed by a number of Bay Area games bloggers, including yours truly.
The party kicks off at 7PM PT and runs through 2AM PT on December 10, with a suggested $10 donation for admission. Everyone who attends will automagically be made eligible for a chance to win some of the many raffle prizes that'll be awarded throughout the night, but those who wish to donate more can sign up for two different "band packages" -- which include reserved songs and the chance to play on DNA's main stage -- at the Ümloud! site.
Proceeds from the event will go to provide toys and video games to children's hospitals nationwide, including the local Oakland Children's Hospital.
The party kicks off at 7PM PT and runs through 2AM PT on December 10, with a suggested $10 donation for admission. Everyone who attends will automagically be made eligible for a chance to win some of the many raffle prizes that'll be awarded throughout the night, but those who wish to donate more can sign up for two different "band packages" -- which include reserved songs and the chance to play on DNA's main stage -- at the Ümloud! site.
Proceeds from the event will go to provide toys and video games to children's hospitals nationwide, including the local Oakland Children's Hospital.
Rumor: Wal-Mart's Black Friday deals [update]
by Richard Mitchell { 2 days ago }
Other deals include select console titles for between $7 and $25, select PC games for $25 and a $98 doorbuster on DS Lites (time to clear that stock, amirite?). Head over to GamerDeals for the full rundown. We were unable to confirm the deals with Wal-Mart, though we were told that the official Black Friday announcement will arrive on Monday, November 23.
Update: Scans of Wal-Mart's ad are online, confirming the deals on the list -- except for the Rock Band 2 deal, which is actually the first Rock Band Special Edition for $50.
Shiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features
by JC Fletcher { 2 days ago }
"Despite our best efforts, the North American version of Shiren will not include the Rescue, Versus, or Item Transfer online features," Atlus's Aram Jabbari said in the announcement. "However, the downloadable dungeon content from the Japanese version will be included on the disc." Jabbari said that Atlus felt compelled to alert fans because "the absence of these features may influence some fans' decision to purchase the game."
The most identifiable feature of any Shiren game -- repeated, unavoidable death -- should remain intact.
Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)
Capcom schools Monster Hunter Tri rookies, unsure about Wii Speak for US
by Randy Nelson { 2 days ago }
Capcom held a university-themed event Tuesday evening in San Francisco to introduce newcomers to the Monster Hunter universe in the runup to next spring's North American release of Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii. We'd already played the game at previous events, so we knew what to expect: Monster Hunter, looking nice (especially the large monsters) but not as nice as it could have on the PS3.
After spending some time with the three-level, English-localized trade show demo on-hand -- including a go using the very nice Classic Controller Pro, which is included in Japan's black system/game bundle -- we asked Capcom staff about two unsettled questions concerning the game's US release. The first was the matter of paying to play Monster Hunter Tri online, as the game eschews Nintendo's servers for Capcom-operated ones and is fee-based in Japan. We didn't receive a decisive answer, being told only that the publisher is "hoping" the game will be free to play in the US. We got a similar response when we wondered if Wii Speak support was 100% set for the domestic release -- Capcom's "hoping" to get it in, but couldn't promise anything.
The event did provide taste of what trying to coordinate a successful online monster hunt would be like without Wii Speak -- we found it nearly impossible to hear our fellow players (or the game) over the music being piped through the venue's formidable sound system.
Gallery: Monster Hunter 3
101 MiniGolf World fills a hole in DSiWare lineup
by Randy Nelson { 2 days ago }
Proving that there really are (really) games being made for DSiWare without "Sudoku" in their title, Teyon has announced 101 MiniGolf World for Nintendo's DSi download service. The game, which gets it name from the fact that it features six 18-hole courses, has yet to be dated -- but at least we can get a look at it.
We became excited briefly when the announcement mentioned support for eight players ... until we parsed the next few words and realized Teyon means by passing your DS around. Still, the developer is promising "mind-blowing obstacles, loops, pipes, ramps" and so forth. It would be nice to have a new DSiWare title blow our minds rather than our DSi Points.
We became excited briefly when the announcement mentioned support for eight players ... until we parsed the next few words and realized Teyon means by passing your DS around. Still, the developer is promising "mind-blowing obstacles, loops, pipes, ramps" and so forth. It would be nice to have a new DSiWare title blow our minds rather than our DSi Points.
