via Cubed3

Publisher Gamecock has revealed that it is working with developer Red Fly to bring Mushroom Men to both Nintendo's Wii and the DS in Autumn 2008. The 'backyard battlefield' action title promises to utilise all of the respective unique controls of both Nintendo systems, and both parties state that the game will feature "amazing gameplay that draws players into an incredibly lush and treacherous stylized world."

In the game you will be able to "jump into the fantastic microcosm that is the backyard battlefield," create weapons from day-to-day items and woth alongside sentient plants to use the Wii remote as a bazooka or the DS stylus as a rapier as they take down household pests, for example.

"From the minute we signed Mushroom Men, we've worked to bring it to the Wii and DS. Both platforms are going to give Mushroom Men a life of their own as Red Fly Studio is building unique stories specific to each system."
- Rick Stults, Gamecock console chief.

With the Red Fly Studio team being founded by a group of individuals with a wealth of experience, ranging from the likes of Star Wars Galaxies, BloodRayne, Nocturne, FIFA Football 2005, Anachronox, SSX3 and Deus Ex, this should definitely be on to watch. ...

via GameDAILY BIZ

Nintendo was so successful last year that each employee generated $2.5 million, more than double what Google's employees generated. And with the Wii off to a red hot start, Nintendo is set for another fantastic year. In fact, according to Fortune, the Wii has already "won." More within...

The latest issue of Fortune magazine has a well-written cover story on "How Wii Won," detailing some of the same "Blue Ocean" philosophy we've heard dozens of times at this point, but perhaps more interestingly detailing some of the financial aspects of what's contributed to Nintendo's success.

Judging by Nintendo's last fiscal year in which the company produced $8.26 billion in revenue, Fortune points out that each of Nintendo's 3,400 employees generates a staggering $2.5 million. How does that compare with other corporate juggernauts? Microsoft's employees generated $624,000 each last year, while Google's generated $994,000 each – still less than half of Nintendo's employees. On a profit scale, Nintendo's total income was almost $1.5 billion, or $442,000 per employee, last year, compared with Microsoft's $177,000 and Google's $288,000. It's astounding no matter how you look at it.

As opposed to Sony's game division, which has been languishing with a nearly $2 billion loss in the last fiscal year, and Microsoft's game division, which has yet to become profitable, Nintendo's Wii has turned a profit on every unit sold from day one. The console is far less powerful than either the Xbox 360 or PS3, and that's made it much easier for Nintendo to make money with the machine. In fact, the chip that makes the "magic" (i.e. motion sensing) happen (ADI's three-axis accelerometer) costs just $2.50.

The article is full of effusive praise from industry leaders as well. "We looked at the capabilities of the Wii early on and saw that it was solving the most important element in the game industry - accessibility," said Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. "Nintendo has been very open with us," he added. "They're willing to do things that are a bit crazy. They see what we want to do and help us to make it as good as possible."

"Nintendo is a pioneer," said John Schappert, COO of EA Studios. "They're zigging when others are zagging. It's another growth curve for the industry."

Even Microsoft Corporate VP Peter Moore couldn't help but praise the Wii. "Nintendo has created a unique and innovative experience," he said. "I love the experience, the price point, and Nintendo content." He was quick to add, however, that Microsoft "provides experiences that Nintendo cannot provide."

The only executive who truly questioned the Wii was Jack Tretton, the president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. "You have to give Nintendo credit for what they've accomplished," he admitted. "But if you look at the industry, any industry, it doesn't typically go backwards technologically. The controller is innovative, but the Wii is basically a repurposed GameCube. If you've built your console on an innovative controller, you have to ask yourself, Is that long term?"

Whether it's long term or not no one can really say, but it sure is paying off for Nintendo now. The company can't even keep up with demand. "We cannot simply make 1.5 times as much or two times as much," said Nintendo President Iwata. "When you're making one million a month already, getting to 1.5 million or two million is not very easy." ...

New version of the Nintendo DS emulator for PC.

Changelog:

Implemented background alpha blending
Improved game compatibility
Support DirectInput joystick input
Support customize keyboard and joystick input map

Download and Give Feedback Via Comments ...

via Xbox Solution

Starting today, humans, elves, dwarves and trolls can join the cross-platform revolution with Shadowrun at the estimated retail price of $59.99 (U.S.) for Xbox 360 and $49.99 (U.S.) for Windows Vista. Shadowrun is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Shadowrun is also part of the Games for Windows initiative, offering reliability, compatibility and enhanced experiences on Windows Vista.

Additionally, Xbox 360 gamers can get in on the action with the official “Shadowrun” demo on June 6. The demo will be available for download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

The innovative first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay of “Shadowrun,” developed by FASA Studio, thrusts gamers into strategic battles that utilize magic and technology. Players must vie for supremacy, playing as a human, elf, dwarf or troll. Cleverness, cunning and split-second improvisation are rewarded through a unique combination of modern weapons, ancient magic and advanced technology. As the first game to support Microsoft’s Games for Windows – LIVE service, “Shadowrun” gives players on both Xbox 360 and Windows Vista a chance to compete, cooperate and communicate across both platforms with an Xbox LIVE Gold or Games for Windows - LIVE Gold account.

“Shadowrun” will ship with nine unique maps and an additional three map variations, showcasing dynamic environments set in a futuristic Santos, Brazil, and its neighboring ancient Ziggurat. “Shadowrun” includes six training chapters, letting gamers fine-tune their strategy and lethal combinations against the intuitively smart and talented A.I. bots. Gamers can also play with bots at four levels of difficulty on every map and with every game type. ...

via Xbox 2 News

Midway's highly anticipated World War II FPS title, Hour of Victory is now live and playable for the first time via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace with an exciting single-player teaser demo, which provides a glimpse of what's to come when it hits shelves in June 2007.

The Hour of Victory demo will give the player a sneak peak into the rugged North African level. Players will be able to pick any of the three characters in the game, the Covert Operative, specializing in stealth and sabotage; a British Commando specializing in the guns-blazing frontal assault; or an Army Ranger who specializes in sniping and demolitions.

Hour of Victory allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose. Sneak into enemy territory as a covert operative, storm the gates as a British Commando, or snipe from afar as an Army Ranger. Each character's unique attributes will be needed for the fulfillment of the overall objective. Only with all these skills working closely together will you be able to say that you helped define the Hour of Victory.

Built using the powerful Unreal® Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory combines authentic details from historic World War II battles and adds in frenetic and cinematic gameplay. Players will also be able to take control of any vehicle on the battlefield whenever they wish as they sharpen their skills to impact the key battles from the European and North African Theaters. ...

via Game Informer

SNK Playmore USA today announced Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1 for the PlayStation 2. This collection includes Fatal Fury 1, 2, 3, and Special, which is the first time the Fatal Fury franchise has seen the light of day on consoles in North America. Many of the SNK characters and locations made their first appearances in the Fatal Fury franchise.

"With the release of Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1 for the PlayStation 2 system, a brand-new generation of gamers will be introduced to one of SNK Playmore's fighting classics," said Ben Herman, president of SNK Playmore USA, "and gamers who loved playing Fatal Fury in the arcades will relish the chance to revisit the golden age of 2D fighters."

This collection will be available this Summer. ...

via Gaming Today

Despite the lack of on-line functionality in games for the Nintendo Wii so far, the company reports that over 5 Million players have registered with its Nintendo DS Gaming Service since the November 2005 launch of the system. According to Nintendo there have been over 200 Million games played worldwide by those gamers as well - both of which are really impressive numbers.

"Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service," explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players."

Lets hope that when the Wii version of the service launches that Nintendo enjoys similar numbers, despite being the last one to the dance. The Nintendo DS remains the top selling console worldwide and in America according to the NPD Group, the organization that compiles retail sales figures, with over 470,000 sold just in America. Anyone up for a quick game of Mario Kart DS or Metroid Prime Hunters?? ...

via Palgn

A few weeks ago images of an ice blue Nintendo DS surfaced on Nintendo Australia's image library. Nintendo Australia has finally confirmed today the Nintendo DS Ice Blue Lite will be available on July the 19th for a recommended retail price of $199.95.

The Nintendo DS is Australia's highest selling console for 2006 and 2007, so it's obvious the system is still in high demand. Now, is it wrong to pick up a second because you love the colour? ...

via Xbox Today

Ever dreamed about playing your fave Xbox 360 title but while using a Wiimote? Sure, it sounds like a Bizarro World concept, but Wii-FTW forum admin "Sir CRX" appears to have created a mod to achieve this goal.

From Wii-FTW:

Through the use of 1 Nintendo Wii remote and 1 Xbox 360 controller, yours truly has created a way to use any computer accessory (even an additional wiimote) to control your 360. Click here to look at the simple wiring. Only 4 buttons are currently supported but joystick, and all additional buttons will come later(as well as a how to). This is only the first "phase" or "version" of this project.

A YouTube video of the alleged mod in action can be seen here. The only problem -- it doesn't have any of the Wiimote functionality outside of the buttons. So there's no motion sensing. Looks like we're going to have to stick with our tried 'n' true wireless 360 controller. ...