Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. Wii is now available. The new Wii game is bound to be one of this season's top selling games as Mario, Luigi and company headline the new side-scrolling multiplayer adventure. Nintendo hosted a debut event for New Super Mario Bros. Wii at the Nintendo World store in New York City. See Nintendo's pictures from the launch event below. You can see a new launch trailer below as well, highlighting the different gameplay modes in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is available today for $46.99 at Amazon.com or $49.99 at your local retailer. See how New Super Mario Bros. Wii is being rated by critics and players here on Metacritic.com and GameRankings.com.
Features of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, from Nintendo:
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii offers a combination of cooperation and competition. Players can pick each other up to save them from danger or toss them into it.
- Mario, Luigi and two Toads are all playable characters, while many others from the Mushroom Kingdom make appearances throughout the game. Players can even ride different Yoshi™ characters and use their tongues to swallow enemies, items and even balls of fire.
- In some areas, players use the motion abilities of the Wii Remote controller. The first player to reach a seesaw might make it tilt to help his or her character reach a higher platform – or might make it tilt incorrectly just to mess with other players.
- New items include the propeller suit, which will shoot players high into the sky with just a shake of the Wii Remote, and Mario’s new ability to transform into Penguin Mario.
- At the end of each stage during the coin battle multiplayer mode, players are ranked based on the number of coins they have collected.
Visit the official website of New Super Mario Bros. Wii at mariobroswii.com for more screenshots and details on the game.
This week brings Assassin's Creed II, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Left 4 Dead 2, and many more anticipated releases. Another PSP-3000 bundle arrives with a very cool Assassin's Creed II Bloodlines entertainment pack. PSP gamers also get the on-the-go version of Little Big Planet. God of War fans prepare to dive into HD with the God of War Collection, which brings HD version of the two original God of War PS2 games (and a God of War III demo!). Wii gamers in North America get the first black colored Wii Remote, Motion Plus and Nunchuk controllers. Capcom's Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles will be out for the Mature gaming audience on the Wii. The popular Wii workout exergame, EA Sports Active, gets More Workouts. Check out the new releases below, also filled with some great games for family gameplay this holiday.
This week's new videogame releases: (subject to change)
Next week's Rock Band releases belong to the band AFI, with five of their tracks being offering on the Rock Band Music Store. The Bangles also have a single coming out next week on the popular music game, which will also be available on LEGO: Rock Band.
Xbox 360 &Wii - November 17th
PlayStation 3 - November 19th
AFI Pack 01- $8.49 (680 Microsoft Points) or $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points or 200 Wii Points) per track
"Beautiful Thieves" by AFI
"End Transmission" by AFI
"Love Like Winter" by AFI
"Medicate" by AFI
"The Leaving Song, Pt II" by AFI
Single Track(s) - $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points or 200 Wii Points) per track
"Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles
PSP - Rock Band Unplugged
Release: November 19th
Single Track(s) - $1.99 per track
"California Uber Alles" by Dead Kennedys
"You're No Rock'n'Roll Fun" by Sleater-Kinney
Today Square Enix has made the launch date for Final Fantasy XIII official. You'll be able to get Final Fantasy XIII on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 9, 2010, for both regions in North America and Europe. This is the first dual platform, high-definition release of the Final Fantasy role-playing game series.
"We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise – FINAL FANTASY XIII will exceed all expectations," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. "Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010."
Here's more about Final Fantasy XIII, from Square Enix:
The story:
Cocoon — a utopia in the sky.
Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise.
Under the Sanctum's rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.
Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal'Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever.
Their tranquility was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal'Cie.
The moment that fal'Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end.
Fal'Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants.
They become l'Cie — chosen of the fal'Cie.
Those branded with the mark of a l'Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.
A prayer for redemption.
A wish to protect the world.
A promise to challenge destiny.
After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins.
Featuresinclude:
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Take Part in a Gaming Experience that Sets New Standards – The first in the series developed for a simultaneous release on multiple high-definition consoles, FINAL FANTASY XIII pushes new boundaries in cinematic presentation, sound and gameplay.
- Experience the Unity of Speed and Strategy with the Ultimate Active Time Battle system – The familiar system has evolved, granting players the freedom of executing numerous commands in a single turn with the multi-slot ATB gauge. Whether inputting singular commands in each slot for consecutive attacks, or expending multiple slots at once to activate a devastating blow, it’s up to the players to respond effectively to the battle conditions at hand.
- Adapt to the Ever-Changing Tide of Battle with Paradigms – A brand-new game mechanic enabling players to assign roles to their party members at any time during battle, shifting between combat paradigms. Consisting of various combinations of the game's six roles, ranging from Commando, the offensive specialist, to Medic, the quintessential healer, paradigms allow players to respond and adapt instantly to any given situation to turn the tide and seize victory.
- Witness the Battle Scene Transform with an All-New Summon System – Introducing Gestalt Mode, a powerful dimension of the summon system that elevates the action to a whole new level. In Gestalt Mode, characters and their transformed Eidolons fight as one, dealing massive damage to enemies through simple button commands.
- Delve into an Emotional Experience – An immersive storyline connects players to an intriguing cast of characters. Will they have the strength to confront their cursed fates, or will destiny prevail over all that they believe in?
For Friday the 13th, we've got a special Getting To Know Your Developer [GTKYD] interview with a developer from the upcoming horror game, Dementium II. Jools Watsham, from Renegade Kid, answers a few questions on Dementium II, a Mature horror game coming out in 2010 for the Nintendo DS. You may know Renegade Kid from their previous DS games, the original Dementium: The Ward and Moon. Both of them were excellent FPS games on the DS. Dementium II is set to push the experience further. Make sure you read all the way through the interview and see how you can help game developers get support from game publishers to bring unique and original game concepts on the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms.
Who are you and what do you do in the gaming industry?
My name is Jools Watsham. I am a Game Director and Producer. I am also Co-Owner of Renegade Kid, along with my business partner Gregg Hargrove.
What are you currently working on or have recently released?
Right now, we're wrapping up Dementium II for Nintendo DS. Dementium II is our third DS title.
How do you think Dementium II has evolved from the original game?
In almost every way. Our approach was to try an improve upon everything, and I think we've achieved that. The save system is manual, which works much better. Enemies do not respawn. There is more variety in the environments and enemy design. The map is automatic, and shows you where you've been, which doors are locked, and were you need to go. You can now jump and crouch. There is a new set of 1 unique weapons, some of which are used to progress past obstacles. The music is dynamic, reaction to the on-screen tension. We added a new "Survival Mode", which is a fund kill fest basically. There's a lot of new stuff in the game. :)
What were the challenges in packing the scares of Dementium II into the portable format of the DS?
Having already developed two FPS titles for the DS, we're very familiar with what the DS can handle. It is no longer so much a matter of what "can" we do, but but what "will" we do. The main challenge in developing an original game is always the limits of your imagination and the ideas you can create within the allotted concept phase. Fortunately, we have a great team that created an outstanding set of features and implemented those with care and precision. Another challenge, was to ensure we did not stray too far from what Dementium is. We didn't feel as though we needed to reinvent the game, but focus more on improvements and new features that help support the original vision.
Did other horror games or films inspire you to create the Dementium series?
I don't think it is possible to create a survival horror series without being inspired by Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Both of those series have achieved amazing things. For Dementium II, titles such as Bioshock and Half-Life played a larger role in some of the features. And as far as movies there's a little sprinkling of Hellraiser and In the Mouth of Madness.
What's the name of the game engine you use in Dementium II and your previous first-person games, Dementium and Moon?
Our proprietary Renegade Engine.
Have you ever considered licensing your DS game engine to other developers?
Yes, but that can easily turn into its own business in regards to support so we haven't pursued that avenue at this stage.
Do you feel the "Mature" rating market has a bigger following on the DS than the Wii?
Hm, no I think they're probably about the same actually.
Would you ever consider releasing a Dementium game on the Wii?
Sure, but I don't think any publisher would. :)
How did you get into the game industry?
I started as a video game journalist reviewing games in 1991, and then moved over to being a pixel artist on NES and SNES games. I eventually moved over to the design / production of games and then up through the ranks until I eventually had enough of making games under someone elses direction and went independent in 2007 when Gregg and I founded Renegade Kid.
What is your favorite game you have every played on any console and why?
Mario 64. It is pure, simple, and brilliant. It was a stunning masterpiece when it was first released on the Nintendo 64. Not many platformers have matched the quality of design and gameplay since.
What game(s) are you currently playing?
I just picked up COD: Mobilized. Good game, but I wish it ran in 60fps like our games do. :) I also picked up COP: The recruit, which is pretty cool. I still find myself drawn back to play Hatsworth - it is just a fun game.
Which games are you looking forward to playing in the next year?
Zelda: Spirit Track, Bioshock 2, Shantae, and Dementium II.
What is next for you?
We'd love to continue developing games for the DS, but also want to move onto other platforms. We're in talks with a few publisher now, so we'll see how it all pans out.
Anything else you're itching to tell us about Dementium II or Renegade Kid?
I am very proud of Dementium II. It is the best game that have ever worked on. If you enjoyed Dementium: The Ward or Moon, I think you're going to love Dementium II. I still can't believe what we have been able to achieve in the game - it is very gratifying as a developer. If you want more original games on the DS from Renegade Kid, go to my you tube page (jools watsham) and view/comment on the video named "YOU CAN HELP!".
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A big thank you to Jools Watsham, Aubrey Norris, Renegade Kid and game publisher SouthPeak Games for making this interview possible. See more on Dementium II here. Support Dementium II and original content on the DS with your pre-order and reply to the "YOU CAN HELP!" video.
Mad Catz has teamed up with Infinity Ward to bring PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC players a line-up of Modern Warfare 2 branded controllers and accessories. The Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller for PlayStation 3 is one of their featured controllers. The Combat Controller is available in two colors: Camo (the one featured here) or Snow (a white camo pattern). It includes a reusable "Combat Case" for safe storage.
Before you go further, you should first take a detailed look at some pictures of the Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller here (or a thumbnail gallery here). You'll see a few comparison pictures of the Combat Controller to the PS3 DUALSHOCK 3 controller, as well as how it looks when you "go dark."
As you see from the pictures, the PS3 Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller has a similar layout to the DUALSHOCK 3, but a few notable differences. First, some things that you won't see from the pictures are some of the internal differences. Mainly the fact that the Combat Controller doesn't have a motion sensor (SIXAXIS feature) or a rumble motor. The motion sensor is something you probably won't miss at all, as it's not even used in the Modern Warfare 2 game. You might miss a little of those added punches from the lack of the rumble motor. The Combat Controller also works using a USB receiver, not Bluetooth, so you'll have to plug the receiver into a USB port on your PlayStation 3. Overall, those things are worth the trade off for what makes Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller shine.
The PS3 Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller has a rubber/matte texture and rubber grips keep the controller snug and comfortable in your hand. The D-pad feels snappier, not as mushy as the DUALSHOCK 3's D-pad. The thumbsticks/analog sticks, are about at the height of the DUALSHOCK 3's extended analog stick position.
You'll find that the main perks of the Combat Controller are in the L2/R2 buttons and something called the Combat 1 and 2 buttons. There are two small buttons on the back of the controller, the Combat buttons, that you can tap with your middle finger. A switch for each of those lets you map to which button they control. That might help in sprinting controls or quicker reactions to hitting the ground for cover. One of the best features of the Combat Controller are the L2 and R2 buttons, which have a slight curve to them, versus the bulging out of the DUALSHOCK 3 controller. That means they feel more like triggers and won't cause the slipping that the DUALSHOCK 3 might. You may have heard of the Real Trigger add-ons for the DUALSHOCK 3. I've used them and found they cause slight discomfort on my index fingers since they extend the L2/R2 buttons out, not inwards like they do on the Combat Controller.
An added visual touch is the Combat Controller's "night vision" lighting. A switch on the bottom of the controller allows you to turn on green backlighting on the thumbsticks of the controller. It's a nice little touch that rounds out the camo pattern design to make it feel like part of the Modern Warfare 2 game and family.
The Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller includes a detachable USB cable for recharging, or wiring, your controller. Mad Catz states the Combat Controller can provide 60 hours of gameplay on a single charge. I didn't notice any lag whatsoever, which you can attribute to the 2.4Ghz wireless signal.
I really enjoyed using the Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller throughout my playthrough of Modern Warfare 2. I still have to master hitting the Combat buttons, but the L2/R2 buttons and comfortable form factor were the features that made it a must for playing with Modern Warfare 2. The Combat Case, camo pattern, and illuminated analog sticks were the icing on the Combat Controller. I definitely recommend it for playing with Modern Warfare 2.
The Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller has a $49.99 MSRP and is available from Mad Catz's GameShark Store or retailers such as Amazon.com. See all the Modern Warfare 2 controllers for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC here.
The NPD Group has revealed the retail sales for the video game industry for the month of October 2009. Videogame sales totaled $380.74 million in hardware sales and $572.73 million in software (game) sales, down from last month's sales.
In gaming hardware, the Wii managed to reclaim the top spot. This is thanks to its first price drop since its release, dropping from a $249.99 MSRP to $199.99 MSRP. Nintendo's DS/DSi handheld takes the #2 spot, while the PlayStation 3 still seems to be selling well with it's $299.99 120GB PS3 "Slim" system. It's unclear if the PSPgo is included in PSP sales, but if it is, it's off to a slow start with overall PSP sales slightly down about 15K units from last month.
For game sales, it's a big shift from last month. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves takes the #1 spot, which was held by Halo 3: ODST last month. Wii Fit Plus comes in at #2 for Nintendo. It's a promising debut for the new game, Borderlands which comes in at #3 (read our review of it here).
Here's the breakdown of October 2009 video game industry sales, based on units, from the NPD Group (via IndustryGamers.com):
Game software sales (in units) for October 2009:
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PlayStation 3) - 537K units
2. Wii Fit Plus (Wii) from Nintendo - 441K units
3. Borderlands (Xbox 360) from Take 2 Interactive - 418K units
4. Wii Sports Resort (Wii) from Nintendo - 314K units
5. NBA 2K10 (Xbox 360) from Take 2 Interactive - 311K units
6. Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360) from Microsoft - 271K units
7. NBA 2K10 (PlayStation 3) from Take 2 Interactive - 213K units
8. Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360) from Microsoft - 175K units
9. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (Nintendo DS) from Square Enix - 169K units
10. FIFA Soccer 10 (Xbox 360) from Electronic Arts - 156K units
See what September 2009 sales looked like here. Expect November 2009 to show a dramatic jump in sales, largely fueled by Modern Warfare 2, which we already know sold millions on day one, and New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Expect to see Dragon Age: Origins, Assassin's Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 in there too.
SEGA is offering early access to the Bayonetta demo on the Xbox 360. If you want to get your hands on the demo two weeks ahead of time, all you have to do is register for a free SEGA Pass. See SEGA's offer here. There are only 40,000 demo redemption codes available, so try to register soon here!
Here are the details on the Bayonetta code giveaway from SEGA:
"You’ve heard about the Japanese release of the game, read the blogs, the forums, and watched all the trailers - now is your chance to get your hands on the free Xbox 360 Demo of Bayonetta weeks earlier than everyone else!
All you need to do is complete the free SEGA Pass registration, submit your details, and you may receive a free voucher code to redeem for your download of the early access demo of Bayonetta! This is your opportunity to get some hands on time with this highly anticipated, groundbreaking action game - this is not to be missed!
HURRY - we will only be giving away 40,000 codes of the early access demo of Bayonetta (first come, first served)! Registration will be open from November 9th 2009 and close November 13th 2009. We will notify the recipients of the early access demo of Bayonetta as early as November 16th 2009. This promotion is only available to those in the US and Canada.
Best of luck to everyone who registers - and big thanks to you, the fans, for enabling us to offer this special promotion!"
Activision is reporting that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has sold $310 million, about 4.7 million units, in its first day debut in North America and the United Kingdom. This makes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 the biggest entertainment launch in history. In April/May of 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV had previously set the record, which accounted for $310 million (3.6 million units) on day one also, but in global sales. Activision is accounting the day one sales at $310 million in the US and UK alone.
"The Call of Duty franchise has become a cultural phenomenon showing the power of video games as an entertainment medium," said Mike Griffith, CEO, Activision Publishing, Inc. "The shattering of these entertainment records is a testament to the compelling, cinematic and uniquely engaging experience that the Call of Duty brand delivers. Modern Warfare 2 has taken interactive experience to unprecedented heights setting a new standard for entertainment."
Double Fine Productions and Mishka NYC are introducing a new line of metal inspired Brutal Legend t-shirts. The tees have been created by James Callahan and Daniel Mumford, a couple of artists who have previously worked on encapsulating the experience of thrash and metal music. Brutal Legend gets the metal treatment with a pair of t-shirts, which you can check out here. Whether you want to sport a tee with glam/emo rockers getting decimated by Headbangers or a Razorgirl with raging Fire Beast, Mishka NYC has you covered. They'll be available soon from mishkanyc.com, and a few will be given away soon. Speaking of giveaways...
The Mishka Bloglin website is also offering up a few copies of the Brutal Legend game. Two Xbox 360 games and two PlayStation 3 games will be given away. It's really easy to enter. Send an email
with "Xbox" or "PS3" in the subject line of your email and you'll be entered to win. You have about one week to enter, as the contest is running until Friday, November 20th. Good luck!
