It appears that Game Informer got their hands on a new build of Ubisoft's Red Steel and here's what they had to say regarding the new controls: "Not only did the remote replicate our actual sword slashes, but the recently unveiled motion sensor in the nunchuck could be thrust forward for parry attacks... As promised, timing and observation were key to winning the sword fights and felt just like the mock-saber duels nearly everyone had as kids, so anyone who has dreamed of being a samurai will pick it right up."

Great news, if true. Here's hoping they do the same with the shooting sequences. On a side note, the game's graphics are looking more and more like claymation everyday.

See also:

• E3 Wii impressions: Red Steel
  

[via GoNintendo]

Having spent two days now with Nintendo's Wii controller, here's what we think up to this point. We'll have to see a little more (sorry Reggie, I mean play) before fully believing, but we're glad you'll keep using a traditional control scheme through the GameCube's controller on new games.

Pros:

• Solid hardware design. The controller(s) have added weight and feel very good in your hands. Nice plastic, yo!
• Built-in speaker value add. While Zelda fishing, the reel audio sample was a nice touch.
• Works well with certain games, i.e. tennis, baseball, Zelda (spin attack) where stroke motions are, would be similar to real life ones.
  

Cons:

• Doesn't work well with certain games, i.e. Madden where stroke motions differ than real life ones (you don't pass a football by flicking your wrist).
• Rumble feature feels weak. Nuff said.
  
• If no real-life motions are associated with a game, does motion control add value to the gaming experience? (undetermined)

[via Joystiq]

After sitting down with Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for a few minutes, we feel the verdict is still out. Granted, we didn't get to sail Wind Waker style with the stylus, and were kicked off early, so take criticism with a grain of salt. The game feels like a traditional top-down Zelda title only you direct Link with a stylus rather than a directional pad. We cruised around a mini dungeon for a bit and could see right away that the game has potential with touch controls.

1-on-1 Battle Mode versus another E3 attendee was a good time. One player guides Link to collect and safely return Triforces to base, while the other controls three "baddies" that try to stop Link from doing so. Though it felt like a rehash from gaming's past, it was fun to play. More to come.

[via Joystiq]

While waiting in line to play Madden '07 on Wii, I overheard a spontaneous interview with an EA developer. The interviewer asked what the EA employee thought about gaming, specifically Wii to which he replied: "I get the impression that a large portion of game developers really hope Wii can do well. [The console] is an excellent chance for artists, designers, and creators to move gaming forward. However, the console does pose a higher risk to development companies and publishers that are trying to turn a profit."

Even Wii can't escape the age-old adage of the creatives versus the "suits." Should be interesting to see how the balance, if any, plays out.

[via Joystiq]

Bomberland on Wii did a decent job at sparking my interests. Rather than traditional Bomberman style gameplay, this title only contains mini games. The playable demo contains three; a tunnel race, a balancing game, and a shooter. The first two were lame. Either Hudson threw these together, or it's still too early to refine them. I almost didn't play the third game, which was a volcanic rock shooter, but I'm glad I did. I was shooting rocks left and right, from the hip, and even tried a Red Steel "tilted glock" motion while playing.

I'm not sure if my antics made the experience fun (which would obviously wear off quickly), or if Hudson is actually on to something. Let's hope for the latter.

[via Joystiq]

First off, Sonic was one of the slickest looking titles I played on Wii. Sure, it's graphically inferior to the PS3's and 360's of the world, but I left impressed from an aesthetic standpoint. The tutorial does a good job at bringing you up to speed on the controls, to which you are then quickly prompted to start the first level.

The game is fast. You only using motion sensing for minor turns as it appears you follow some sort of "virtual track." Sadly, the game felt like it still has some fine-tuning to do before it really feels right. If this is an early demo, I would say the game is off to a good start. If it's nearing completion, I hope Sega takes some time to polish up the gameplay before its final release.

[via Joystiq]

Super Monkey Ball on Wii is just like the other Monkey Balls of yesteryear, only with the motion sensing goodness of the Wiimote. The title was one of the most "free style" games at the booth, utilizing full 360 degree tilt to control the rolling ball. Though the game offers nothing new in terms of level design, the interface offers a nice twist on the series. While I'm holding both the nunchuck and Wiimote, you only use the Wiimote during in-game play.

More to come.

[via Joystiq]

Excite Truck was getting a lot of talk as we walked through the Nintendo booth this morning. In the demo you can only select one of two courses. I chose Mexico at the recommendation of the booth attendee. As you may know, the controller is held sideways for this one, vying to mimic a steering wheel style control. The most notable features of the game include a decent sense of speed, massive jumps, and the ability to control a solid landing by either pulling up or pushing down the Wii controller. Though I never got the steering down during the short demo, the game does a nice job at bringing back the traditional fun of Excite Bike in a 3D, motion sensing world.

[via Joystiq]

We just spent 20 minutes of time playing Zelda: Twilight Princess on Wii. The menu screen prompts a quick shake with the nunchuck to start the game, upon which your able to choose either "game" mode or "fishing" mode. I fired up the fishing sim first. This mode has a very relaxing feel to it. The controls felt very natural and really make you want to catch a fish. Our good friend Ryan from Engadget was next to me and I could tell he wanted a shot. Unfortunately, I lost my big catch when the fish was positioned by my trusty canoe, which was a bummer.

The "game" mode controls work very nicely too. You can tell Nintendo did a good job adapting from the original GC controls to the new dual Wii controller setup. Using the left accelerometer is especially fun. The bow and arrows, along with the tornado attack is a little tricky, but hopefully with time, one can master it.

We've merely scratched the surface with this title, but so far, I would call it a solid implementation of the new "free style" remote. Stay tuned for more in-depth impressions as we get them.

[via Joystiq]

Some speculative Wii details have begun hitting internet forums. From the post: "I just picked up the EGM issue with Zelda on the cover that I spoke about in the Nintendo conference. There are new Zelda shots, looks GREAT... There's also pics of Monkey Ball, Tony Hawk, Rayman and Red Steel."

Here's what else shows up in the thread:

• $249 Price tag
• Virtual Consoler (we knew this)
• 3d Controller (we knew this)
• ALWAYS online (console is always online, even when OFF)
• Built in speaker on the controller

Less than a day, and we'll know for sure or not how much of the above is true.

[via Joystiq]

Chris Kohler at Game|Life is live blogging the Square Enix press conference. Here is what we know so far:

• Release dates, galore! Valkyrie Profile on PSP July 18, Valkyrie Profile 2 in September, Final Fantasy III and Rocket Slime in September, and ... Final Fantasy XII in October.
• Mobile games, galore! Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode coming this year, based on PS2 version. Also a remake of original Final Fantasy Adventure ("looks like a straight port with much nicer graphics") and new Mana title.
• Dragon Quest Swords for the Nintendo Wii ... ! Announced as launch title.
  
• Crisis Core trailer looking nice, but all cinematics - "Big WORK IN PROGRESS thing at the end."
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates -- 4-player action on Nintendo DS
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for Wii.
• Final Fantasy XIII on PlayStation 3 -- no surprise, but still mega-exciting. "Looks amazing. Female protagonist. Dramatic battles with amazing cinematic presentation." Also, Final Fantasy XIII on mobile: "It's a multiplayer RPG."

Excited? We are.

Click on the above image or follow the link below to first screenshots of Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for Wii. The depicted images also display individuals controlling the moves via the Wii-mote (spoken like a 3 year-old trying to say "remote").

[Thanks, Paul]

We tried to get on the expo floor this afternoon, but security is tight. We even thought about risking our media passes to rush the floor and try to catch a glimpse of a new trailer or whatnot. We decided against it, so this image via WiiGamer will have to do.

[Thanks, Paul]