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Friday Video: Taking some short cuts in Mario Kart Wii

by David Hinkle { Jun 13th 2008 at 8:00PM }

This week, in our Friday Video feature, we figured we'd check out some Mario Kart Wii shortcuts, since you all seemed to enjoy the video that helped you tackle Grumble Volcano. So, in the video above, short cuts are shown for five stages in the game. We hope this helps you become a more effective Mario Karter.

Somebody has to give the folks at Game Night some competition!

Gallery: Mario Kart Wii

Each week, our Friday Video segment takes a look at the gaming landscape online and brings forth an interesting video that (hopefully) gets the dialog started. Past highlights include a look at character glitching in Mario Kart Wii, as well as turning a spare GameCube into a clock.

MTV News foils Wii Fit, invents Wii Sit

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jul 30th 2007 at 6:55PM }

After finding one of the Wii Fit games to be lacking in challenge, MTV News reporter and master of balance, Stephen Totilo, hoped to up the ante by lowering himself to the ground and turning the game's Balance Board into more of a stability seat. The resulting video confirms that Wii Fit can be played in full couch potato posture, most likely with a beer in one hand and a bag of nachos in the other. Take that, exergaming!

Of course, even minimal effort unlocks countless gaming possibilities and we honestly can't wait for the likes of Warioga, Metroid Meditation and of course, Mario and Ghandi at the Non-cooperation Gatherings. Careful you don't strain yourself too much though -- despite popular opinion, Wii Fit is not good enough... for you to poop on. (highlight to read)

Watch -- Wii Fit Played While Seated

Punch-Out!! outtakes take the sad out of us

by David Hinkle { Jun 21st 2007 at 4:35PM }

You know, for how good the winning film was in the Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase, we had a different winning video in mind (no doubt you did, as well). It was the epic story of a man dealing with loss and rising to the occasion when he thought himself all but hung out to dry. It was something so good that to scour the deadly, sharp pages of the largest Thesaurus in order to obtain synonyms to describe how immaculate it is would not be a lifetime wasted.

So, how do we honor such a film of spectacular greatness? By laughing at all the bloopers the actors made in the video, past the break.

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Congratulations to the Short Cuts winner

by JC Fletcher { Jun 19th 2007 at 1:45PM }

The Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase is officially over. After (no doubt) careful consideration of all the finalists, it has come down to one. The winner is Jack Paccione's Good vs. Wiivil, a short film about a waggle fight over an Everyman's very soul.

Paccione will win $10,000, a trip to New York, a screening of his film at the Tribeca Drive-In Short Film Series, as well as a Wii, a DS, and a bunch of games for both. Perhaps most impressively, he's earned a spot for his video after the break of this very post.

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Short Cuts showcase finalist shows us the Nintendo offices

by David Hinkle { Jun 18th 2007 at 4:00PM }

We've seen some entries in the Nintendo Short Cuts challenge and Nintendo has gotten their top ten favorites already picked (you can find them all, and vote, here). We have to give it to this group, though. When an employee is called into Bowser's office and must dodge all the flames and fireballs, we were cracking up.

Check out the entry past the post break.

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Nintendo Short Cuts finalists are chosen, voting opens

by David Hinkle { Jun 18th 2007 at 4:00PM }

The finalists in Nintendo's Short Cuts contest have been chosen and their videos now reside over at the official site for the contest. There, viewers can not only catch an eyeful of the submissions, but also vote on which they think is best. You know what, though? Our favorite entry isn't even in the top ten! How horrible is that?!

So, tell us, what do you think is the best entry of the final ten?

By our consoles combined, you are a Nintendo Short Cuts entry

by David Hinkle { Jun 14th 2007 at 2:35PM }

Reader Joe sent us his entry in the Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase competition and we have to give it to him and his friends. Having a Track and Field pad for a cape and a hollowed out NES for a mask are just too good. He's like a deformed combination of Batman and Captain Planet.

See what we mean past the post break.

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The Short Cuts entry that better freaking win

by Jason Wishnov { Jun 11th 2007 at 10:30AM }

We thought we'd given up posting Nintendo Short Cuts entries as a veritable flood of applicants submitted their works shortly before the deadline, but sister site Joystiq posted one that's simply way, way too good.

The above "movie trailer" for the NES classic Punch-Out!! is rife with 8-bit references, as the creators shrewdly blend recognizable game artwork into live-action scenes. The acting (especially Von Kaiser's) is top-notch, production values sky-high, and the music made us replay the last minute of the trailer nine times just to rock out. If Hollywood really knew what was up, this would have been made instead of the lukewarm Rocky Balboa last year. We officially stamp our vote of approval on Team Awesome, and wish them the best of luck.

They probably won't need it.

Put your computer in water to watch this Short Cuts roundup

by JC Fletcher { Jun 6th 2007 at 2:05PM }

The Nintendo Short Cuts film contest has been great for us. We didn't make any films, nor are we giving away any prizes, but we still get to reap the benefits and share lots of Nintendo fanworks with you. The two we're highlighting today are probably our favorites yet.

The first video retells the plot of one of our favorite NES games, StarTropics, in a much more subdued style than the original version. It kind of looks like some college dudes were bored one afternoon and decided to go enter the Nintendo thing or whatever. It's astoundingly deadpan, and the total opposite of yesterday's Zelda video.

The second video comes from TheTanooki.com, and is a special-effects packed action adventure that mashes up reality and the World of Nintendo. It's got Mother Brain in it, so it's awesome.

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Wii Warm Up: Short cuts

by Alisha Karabinus { Jun 6th 2007 at 9:00AM }

We've been talking a lot lately about Nintendo's Short Cuts Showcase, because entries are popping out all over. We were just curious -- did any of you enter the contest? Maybe someone you know did? We'd love to hear about the stories behind some of the videos we're starting to see. For those of you who are only watching the contest unfold, like we are, what do you think so far?

Nintendo Short Cuts: Be the hero!

by Alisha Karabinus { Jun 4th 2007 at 5:00PM }

It must be hard, getting your friends together, making costumes, and getting props set up in under a week, if the story posted along with this video is true. Time constraints didn't prevent these Zelda fans from getting their send-up on film in time for the contest's deadline. The costuming looks pretty good, too, but we can't help but wonder if groups like this fight over who gets to be Link. Are they hiding bruises under those robes and tunics? We'll bet yes, but judging from the choreography of the fight scenes, it's likely no one got hurt too badly. Swing those swords like men, Zelda fans (or like angry women; we're all about equal opportunity swordsmanship around here)! But props on the setting, costumes, and music -- not bad for a rush job!

Check out the video for yourself after the jump.

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Nintendo Short Cuts entry is a thinly-veiled excuse for cosplay

by JC Fletcher { Jun 4th 2007 at 2:20PM }

Another entry for Nintendo's Short Cuts Showcase film contest has appeared on YouTube. You know, when we first read about this contest, we were expecting a lot of short films in different genres that cleverly integrated Nintendo elements into the storytelling-- conversations taking place during games of Mario Kart, a Clerks-style comedy set inside a game store, or something like that. But so far, the would-be Señor Spielbergos have all taken the direct, literal approach.

This latest entry is the most direct yet-- a bunch of people dressed up like Zelda characters and adventured around on camera. It seems to follow Ocarina of Time, but then what Zelda fan works don't? Hey, even if they don't win, these kids were able to justify buying a Master Sword, so that's ... something.

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Now presenting the second Nintendo Short Cuts entry

by David Hinkle { May 30th 2007 at 12:15PM }

While the first entry for Nintendo's Short Cuts contest was well made, it really doesn't have much for this second entry. This second entry is actually humorous and hits us right where we live as it features a man and his love for Nintendo. It's a love we feel every day as we clock in here at Fanboy Towers. But, love isn't what you always expect, no?

Head past the break for the video.

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First Nintendo Short Cuts entry uploaded to the tubes

by David Hinkle { May 24th 2007 at 5:30PM }

The first entry for Nintendo's Short Cuts Showcase contest has hit You Tube and, as one might expect, it centers around a certain lad with a fondness for the color green. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of what Nintendo is exactly looking for and improve your chances at acquiring that wonderful prize of $10,000 USD. Wonder how much that would be in Rupees?

Video has been embedded past the break.

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Nintendo looking for the next Uwe Boll

by Justin McElroy { May 15th 2007 at 9:29PM }

Have you ever watched the 1993 film Super Mario Bros. and thought "Hey, I could make a better Nintendo movie than that!"? You're not alone. Studies show that a majority of humans who have ever lived have had that thought at some point, including a young Uwe Boll (we all saw how that turned out) and Ed Wood, which is scientifically silly. Now, Nintendo's giving amateur filmmakers the chance to show that they can do justice to the Nintendo brand ... as long as they can do it in under 5 minutes.

The top three entries in the Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase will be screened at Rockefeller Center next month and the pick of the litter gets its maker a trip to NYC, $10,000 and a meeting with Craig Hatkoff, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, who promises to ~~listen intently~~ show up. All you need to be considered is a 3-5 minute movie that in some way relates to Nintendo and is submitted to them by June 6. Oh, and you have to be better than this guy, which is impossible. Good luck!