Play on Wii: New videos of old games

by JC Fletcher { Oct 3rd 2008 at 9:00AM }

Nintendo has released the first (silent) videos of the Wii de Asobu (Play on Wii) series, and, well, it's a nice feeling to know ahead of time that a Wii game is going to look just like a GameCube game, and for that to be okay. We have video of the first two games in the series: one of which is a shining example of the potential of pointer control to rejuvenate a GameCube game, and one is a mistake.

In the Pikmin video above, you can see the pointer-controlled cursor in action, looking pretty much like it was always supposed to be there. After the break, Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat, the equivalent of rereleasing Guitar Hero as Hero.

Tags: donkey-kong-jungle-beat, gamecube, pikmin, play-on-wii, wii-de-asobu

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bug frawg @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:35AM

Didn't know where this should go, but it was confirmed that miyamoto was saying a NEW pikmin is in development.(via kotaku, can't link right now)

TWOO DEE @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:39AM

probably could have gone to the 'send us news tips' section :P

bug frawg @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:41AM

You'll all be happy to know the wii pikmin game miyamoto was referring to is actually a new game.

it was confirmed by cammie dunaway. :p

(via kotaku, can't link right now)

bug frawg @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:20AM

What's with the comments bug?

it took so long for my first comment to appear that I thought it disappeared and posted another one. :s

jungle beat seems absolutely pointless without the drums, but maybe they'll figure something out.

Metro Mapper @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:45AM

I've never played Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, but I'm amazed at some similar gameplay mechanics between it and Mario Galaxy: collecting things that look like star bits, and twirling around flowers to gain jumping height.

HMDX @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:08AM

@Metro Mapper: That's because both games were made by the same development group, EAD Tokyo.

Anyways, concerning the Jungle Beat video: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE RED AND GREEN SOUNDWAVES!?

Drahken @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:55AM

Yeah, the real news here certainly isn’t Jungle Beat. It’s Metroid. They're re-releasing the first two Metroid Primes for Wii. Let that sink in for a second. Sure, Pikmin is cool and playing it by being able to drag to select your little guys like in a PC RTS will be cool. But tacking the Prime 3 controls onto Prime 1 and 2, especially 1, is what we were all dreaming about back when Corruption came out. So…. hells yeah.

Dark Jinjo @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:27PM

I am really hoping that the games released for the "Play on Wii" line will be indicative of future sequels in these franchises. First they re-release Pikmin as a way to create interest in Pikmin 3 for next year, and hopefully the re-release of Jungle Beat will mean that they are working on a proper sequel. That game was amazing. And what better way to bolster sales of Metroid Prime 3 than by getting the first two out there again for all the new Wii gamers to see. And the next Gamecube game on their list has to be Mario Sunshine. That game would definitely benefit from some pointer controls.

oni-link @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:34PM

IMHO, I think these games should sell no more than $20. The engine is basically set-up and changing the controls to incorporate the wiimote should not take to much of an investment. Hey, if they sell at least 200k units for each one they should still profit from it. HOTD:I&II should have sold more than twice what it has so far if they only dropped the price to $20. Not only does it help bring in the casuals who maybe willing to dabble into hardcore games for the right price; but sets up their sequels for success if the audience liked the original. Also, Nintendo could package either Pikmin or the original Metroid Prime in addition to WiiSports to combat any price drops their competition may have this holiday. It could finally bring in those hardcore gamers who left or shyed away from the Wii for not being hardcore and show a sign that Nintendo still has not forgotten their original audience. Think about it WiiSports and the orginal Metroid Prime in Wii-controls for less than $250 along with a jet-black color option would burn the competition even more this holiday. C'mon Nintendo marketing it's time to finally expand your audience and bring in the hardcore crowd!!!

psyborg @ Oct 3rd 2008 3:21PM

Is there any confirmation on how the Jungle Beat controls will work? If its just using the wiimote/nunchuck to mimic the bongos I'll pass, but if they've reworked it to more traditional platformer controls + waggle for beating things up, count me the hell in.