via CVG

Despite heading for a sluggish 2007 release, Smash Bros. Brawl has quickly become one of the most anticipated Wii titles amongst the gaming public.

As with the Gamecube instalment, series director Masahiro Sakurai is drip-feeding screenshots and information via his own official Smash Bros website, which today has sent a fresh batch of Wii screenshots spinning into our laps. Detailed in today's screens are Zero Suit Samus and Wario, who are looking extremely attractive, despite the Wii's apparent humble system specs when compared to the PS3 and 360.

Smash Bros. Brawl is penned for release in 2007, and will feature a new roster of characters including guest star Solid Snake and a smashing online mode. We can't wait and if you want to missed the splendid promo movie revealed at E3, cast eyes right and feast on its goodness.

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Just when we'd got used to the idea of calling its new console 'Wii', Nintendo has gone on a domain name spending spree and bought some rather interesting dot coms monikers, much to our collective amusement.

First off let's get the childish humour out of the way; heading up Nintendo's domain name swag are office favourites Wiipower.com, Wiicreator.com, Wiilove.com, Wiicooking.com, Shallwii.com, Wiigirls.com and indeed Wiiboys.com. At the moment the domains all redirect to Nintendo's American website, but we'd love to see the final article Nintendo has planned for Wiiboys.com. A site for vertically challenged chaps possibly?

Advertisement:Anyway restraining our playground humour for a moment, some of the dot coms we've uncovered actually make sense, but some suggest new Wii revelations in the form of: Wiianimation.com, Wiifitness.com, Wiikaraoke.com, Wiimusic.com and Wiilanguages.com - all of which have us scratching our heads in Friday morning confusion. A Wii fitness game? A Singstar-style karaoke game? All will no-doubt be revealed in the fullness of Wii time.

Whilst we trawl through the list looking for more side-splitting toilet humour, why don't you spend your morning searching for hidden Wii domains or inventing some of your own?

Via CVG ...

Internet cogs are whirring at full capacity this morning as rumours spiral uncontrollably regarding the possible inclusion of a mic on Nintendo's upcoming Wii console's remote controller. Admittedly, it's all based on speculation, largely fuelled by the discovery of the domain Wiikaraoke.com registered by Nintendo, but hey - who cares!

Some 'net pundits are pointing to Wiikaraoke.com's existence as further evidence that the Wii's remote will be microphonically enhanced and that - in line with Nintendo's family friendly, party game push on the new machine - signals a brand new vocally-focussed franchise for the company. Cue frenzied yodelling of "OMG!11 NINTENTO COPYED SONYS SINGSTARR!!!" on messageboards everywhere, probably.

This news comes on top of various 'net reports this week erroneously pointing to an official (yet non-existant) announcement regarding an in-built Wiimote mic. Many of these have included news of voice-over IP functionality for the new console and - while still purely speculative - does seem at least a reasonable supposition.

Given the fact that Nintendo's DS already sports such a feature, it would seem likely that mic capabilities will find themselves on Wii come release. Of course, the fact that Nintendo made such a song-and-dance about the fairly underwhelming Wiimote speaker at E3 also suggests that there's something about it the company isn't yet telling us. As such, we're not going to dismiss the existence of a Wii karaoke title and other mic functionality for the time being - instead we'll conclude with the tried and tested "wait and see".

Via CVG ...

After the initial wave of disbelief and derision that met the renaming of Nintendo's new home console, Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton believes a stellar performance at E3 has extinguished any lingering doubts over the controversial 'Wii' moniker.

Speaking on the final day of E3 in an exclusive interview broadcast today on Eurogamer TV, Yarnton dismissed suggestions that his office still faced a unique PR and marketing challenge with the innovative system – in the UK, 'wee' is a colloquial term for the act of urination – insisting Wii's playable unveiling had emphatically silenced the critics.

“We haven't had anyone talk about the name as such apart from in a positive manner now,” he said. “That's died and gone, and what people are talking about is a fantastic product.

“If you look at Nintendo, which has been around for over 100 years, there's always been very much a philosophical approach to what we do, very much a holistic approach to gaming, and we're looking to be all-encompassing for everyone,” he added. “When we started looking into the name 'Wii', that's what we were talking about – everyone, rather than a single thing. It's a very simple word that we've created to come across with that message to everyone.”

Nintendo's post-show critical reception has indeed moved the debate on, with a largely positive response to the console in the press. And Yarnton is now relishing the prospect of a powerful debut in Europe.

“At this stage we've announced we'll be releasing this year and that's where it stands,” he insisted when asked if he could guarantee the UK would receive Wii before year-end. “If you look at the E3 stand we've got 27 titles on show in comparison with some other companies that have a very limited range, so I think we're really geared up for a solid launch.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Yarnton reveals why the success of DS has ended Nintendo's third-party crisis, dismisses the importance of cutting-edge visuals and reveals he is “flattered” by Sony's move to “copy” the Wii controller with its motion-sensing PS3 pad.

Via GIbiz ...

A Nintendo UK spokesperson has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that the Wii console will go on sale in Europe at around the same price point as has been announced for the US and Japan.

Nintendo stated yesterday that the Wii will cost YEN 25,000 or less (GBP 120) and USD 250 or less (just under GBP 135) when it hits stores later this year. A spokesperson has now told GI.biz that "UK pricing will be in line with Japan and the US."

However, it seems probable that the console will cost slightly more due to UK VAT - with a price point of around GBP 150 looking likely.

Nintendo has confirmed plans to ship 6 million Wii units by the end of March 2007. However, allocation figures for each territory have yet to be revealed.

Via gibiz ...

As the current-gen Xbox nears the end of its life cycle, Microsoft has announced the launch of a new budget software range that will see hit titles retailing for just GBP 9.99.

The 'Best of Classics' range is the follow-up to the Xbox Classics range - launched just over three years ago - which saw best-selling games go on sale for GBP 19.99.

According to Microsoft a wide variety of games will be launched under the new brand, including Halo 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, Counter-Strike, The Simpsons and Fable: The Lost Chapters. Vivendi titles Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex, Crash Nitro Kart and Crash Twinsanity will also be included in the range.

Each of the games will be repackaged in a box which displays the original artwork framed by Best of Classics branding. The range launches today.

Via Gamesindustry ...

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Via PSPFanboy

Those of you who love to emphasize the portable in the Playstation Portable, iHikes is offering downloads for the nature-enthusiast. Via their site, you can download trail guides and video segments already formatted for your PSP. The only drawback is that these are not free, allowing for single files to be downloaded at 99 cents a piece or an annual fee of $19.95 for unlimited access to their 160+ files.

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Sodr has released PSPAlarm for the PSP, heres the info:

This is just a simple tool called PSPAlarm that have the
same function as a regualar alarm clock. In other words; you
select what time it'll ring and it will. The alarm sound is
a ordinary .mp3 file so you can easily change it to your favorite
sound/song.

Functions:

- Gets the time from the xmb clock

- Refreshes the clock once a second

- The user can use his/her own .mp3 file as the alarm signal

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