news via pspworld

Sony, in an effort to get more consumers interested in the Sony PlayStation Portable, today unveiled several new or existing marketing initiatives to get the word out and bring in more dollars during the holiday season. These efforts include the "Find Me" national television advertising campaign, which "show one PSP owner's quest to find his love interest, armed only with his PSP system and a 4 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo filled with her photos, videos, and music. Spider-Man 2 movie clips, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2, and ATV Offroad Fury Pro are also shown to emphasize the PSP system's broad content offering."

Other marketing initatives include interactive PSP Spot Download Station kiosks at retailers such as Circuit City, GameStop, Target, and Toys "R" Us which let gamers download to their PSPs game demos, movie trailers, music clips, mini-strategy guides, wallpapers and more; two online campaigns; a dedicated RSS channel for PSP content delivery and a giant PSP billboard in Las Vegas at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Tropicana Ave., complementing a similar billboard that has been live in New York City since 2005. ...

news via ign

UK, November 20, 2006 - The "wires" have been buzzing with the first reports from the Wii launch in the States. In comparison to the PS3 release, which was accompanied by masked robberies, drive-by shootings (with BB guns) and muggings, the Wii's electronic birth seemed a much friendlier affair.

The build up to the launch began with hardcore gamers camping outside big name stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Fry's, to ensure they got their Wii when it went on sale at 12am on Sunday. However, once they got their new babies home, news of initial problems with both the console and the motion-sensing controller began rolling in.

It seems the main niggle (albeit only for an isolated few) appears to be an issue with the machine's firmware. Nintendo originally announced plans to release the console alongside a start-up disc including important firmware updates it didn't have time to pre-load onto the system prior to launch. However, someone clearly worked overtime at the Wii factory because the majority of consoles did ship with the latest firmware installed, therefore not requiring a separate disc. While this was good news for most gamers however, those who bought early production models still requiring the disc were left with a console that didn't work properly.

Other general problems being broadcast from across the Atlantic include trouble getting the Wii to connect online via a wireless router, the occasional issue with the remote not detecting certain movements and the devastating blow of the disc drive simply not reading games. Not too bad considering some of the teething issues experienced around the launch of Xbox 360, so we can safely say Miyamoto and pals are probably high-fiving each other while you read this. ...

news via ign

UK, November 20, 2006 - The "wires" have been buzzing with the first reports from the Wii launch in the States. In comparison to the PS3 release, which was accompanied by masked robberies, drive-by shootings (with BB guns) and muggings, the Wii's electronic birth seemed a much friendlier affair.

The build up to the launch began with hardcore gamers camping outside big name stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Fry's, to ensure they got their Wii when it went on sale at 12am on Sunday. However, once they got their new babies home, news of initial problems with both the console and the motion-sensing controller began rolling in.

It seems the main niggle (albeit only for an isolated few) appears to be an issue with the machine's firmware. Nintendo originally announced plans to release the console alongside a start-up disc including important firmware updates it didn't have time to pre-load onto the system prior to launch. However, someone clearly worked overtime at the Wii factory because the majority of consoles did ship with the latest firmware installed, therefore not requiring a separate disc. While this was good news for most gamers however, those who bought early production models still requiring the disc were left with a console that didn't work properly.

Other general problems being broadcast from across the Atlantic include trouble getting the Wii to connect online via a wireless router, the occasional issue with the remote not detecting certain movements and the devastating blow of the disc drive simply not reading games. Not too bad considering some of the teething issues experienced around the launch of Xbox 360, so we can safely say Miyamoto and pals are probably high-fiving each other while you read this. ...

news via ign

UK, November 20, 2006 - The "wires" have been buzzing with the first reports from the Wii launch in the States. In comparison to the PS3 release, which was accompanied by masked robberies, drive-by shootings (with BB guns) and muggings, the Wii's electronic birth seemed a much friendlier affair.

The build up to the launch began with hardcore gamers camping outside big name stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Fry's, to ensure they got their Wii when it went on sale at 12am on Sunday. However, once they got their new babies home, news of initial problems with both the console and the motion-sensing controller began rolling in.

It seems the main niggle (albeit only for an isolated few) appears to be an issue with the machine's firmware. Nintendo originally announced plans to release the console alongside a start-up disc including important firmware updates it didn't have time to pre-load onto the system prior to launch. However, someone clearly worked overtime at the Wii factory because the majority of consoles did ship with the latest firmware installed, therefore not requiring a separate disc. While this was good news for most gamers however, those who bought early production models still requiring the disc were left with a console that didn't work properly.

Other general problems being broadcast from across the Atlantic include trouble getting the Wii to connect online via a wireless router, the occasional issue with the remote not detecting certain movements and the devastating blow of the disc drive simply not reading games. Not too bad considering some of the teething issues experienced around the launch of Xbox 360, so we can safely say Miyamoto and pals are probably high-fiving each other while you read this. ...

news via punchjump

Wii Sports, a collection of five sports titles, is an excellent pack-in title for Nintendo's new system. The tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing titles introduce players to the new Wii Remote and feature advanced motion-sensing that is as accurate as it is fun.

Wii Sports features five sports games: Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. Each employs full use of the Wii Remote for virtual movement; Boxing utilizes the Nunchuk controller for two-handed bouts.

Tennis includes doubles play for Single Game, Best of Three, and Best of Five for 1-4 players. Players control the racquet swing while the CPU controls player movement. The Wii Remote does a fantastic job to distinguish forehands, backhands, lobs, direction, and momentum via simulated racquet swings. In select cases ball direction may not be a direct correlation to on-screen movement, however, further distance from the TV set equates to better accuracy.

Baseball includes a three inning game where 1 – 2 players control batting and pitching. Fielding is controlled by the CPU. Bat movement corresponds directly to the screen for top accuracy. Batters can swing hard for a deep hit or light for a bunt. Players can throw fastballs, screwballs, curveballs, and splitters, though the game throw doesn't correspond to the actual throw with Wii Remote. The delay is unfortunate, as pitching is a less of an in-game experience than its batting counterpart.

Golf includes Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, and 9-Hole Game for 1-4 players. Players can choose Driver, Wedge, and Putter clubs for a basic golf experience. Golf club movement is sophisticated and requires the most finesse out of the five sports games. When players swing too hard a power meter will fluctuate to indicate excess power. A swing with tiny changes in momentum will be detected in great accuracy.

Bowling includes one mode for a standard game for up to 4 players. Players swing back the Wii Remote while holding the B trigger, and let go of the B trigger to simulate dropping the ball. The experience is very close to the real thing sans the bowling ball weight, and pin drop physics are very life-like. The game will likely be the easiest for most players to pick up and play.

Finally, boxing is a two-handed bout fest that utilizes the Nunchuk controller and Wii Remote simultaneously. Matches can be held for 1-2 players and the instant relay between controllers and on-screen movement creates fast and accurate play. Players can perform high and low jabs and hard punches, block by holding the controllers up, and shift position by leaning the body to the left or right. The experience is fun and provides a hard workout after a few bouts.

To compliment the sports collection, Wii includes Training and Fitness Modes. Training includes three exercises for each title and Fitness Mode is a age-determination trial that consists of three exercises from all sports games.

The graphics engine is simple and effective in Wii Sports. The game engine runs at 60 frames per second and flat textures cover Mii character bodies. Landscapes like tennis courts and golf courses are well produced, with defined textures and individual plant movement. The music tracks include mid-tempo selections that compliment each title. Additions like player indication beeps and punches through the Wii Remote speaker help define the overall experience.

Wii Sports is a winner for Nintendo that helps to introduce the console through effective motion-sensing games. Each title may not feature the depth of stand-alone titles, however players young and old, male and female, will experience fun video game sports on a whole new playing field. ...

news via punchjump

Wii Sports, a collection of five sports titles, is an excellent pack-in title for Nintendo's new system. The tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing titles introduce players to the new Wii Remote and feature advanced motion-sensing that is as accurate as it is fun.

Wii Sports features five sports games: Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. Each employs full use of the Wii Remote for virtual movement; Boxing utilizes the Nunchuk controller for two-handed bouts.

Tennis includes doubles play for Single Game, Best of Three, and Best of Five for 1-4 players. Players control the racquet swing while the CPU controls player movement. The Wii Remote does a fantastic job to distinguish forehands, backhands, lobs, direction, and momentum via simulated racquet swings. In select cases ball direction may not be a direct correlation to on-screen movement, however, further distance from the TV set equates to better accuracy.

Baseball includes a three inning game where 1 – 2 players control batting and pitching. Fielding is controlled by the CPU. Bat movement corresponds directly to the screen for top accuracy. Batters can swing hard for a deep hit or light for a bunt. Players can throw fastballs, screwballs, curveballs, and splitters, though the game throw doesn't correspond to the actual throw with Wii Remote. The delay is unfortunate, as pitching is a less of an in-game experience than its batting counterpart.

Golf includes Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, and 9-Hole Game for 1-4 players. Players can choose Driver, Wedge, and Putter clubs for a basic golf experience. Golf club movement is sophisticated and requires the most finesse out of the five sports games. When players swing too hard a power meter will fluctuate to indicate excess power. A swing with tiny changes in momentum will be detected in great accuracy.

Bowling includes one mode for a standard game for up to 4 players. Players swing back the Wii Remote while holding the B trigger, and let go of the B trigger to simulate dropping the ball. The experience is very close to the real thing sans the bowling ball weight, and pin drop physics are very life-like. The game will likely be the easiest for most players to pick up and play.

Finally, boxing is a two-handed bout fest that utilizes the Nunchuk controller and Wii Remote simultaneously. Matches can be held for 1-2 players and the instant relay between controllers and on-screen movement creates fast and accurate play. Players can perform high and low jabs and hard punches, block by holding the controllers up, and shift position by leaning the body to the left or right. The experience is fun and provides a hard workout after a few bouts.

To compliment the sports collection, Wii includes Training and Fitness Modes. Training includes three exercises for each title and Fitness Mode is a age-determination trial that consists of three exercises from all sports games.

The graphics engine is simple and effective in Wii Sports. The game engine runs at 60 frames per second and flat textures cover Mii character bodies. Landscapes like tennis courts and golf courses are well produced, with defined textures and individual plant movement. The music tracks include mid-tempo selections that compliment each title. Additions like player indication beeps and punches through the Wii Remote speaker help define the overall experience.

Wii Sports is a winner for Nintendo that helps to introduce the console through effective motion-sensing games. Each title may not feature the depth of stand-alone titles, however players young and old, male and female, will experience fun video game sports on a whole new playing field. ...

news via punchjump

Wii Sports, a collection of five sports titles, is an excellent pack-in title for Nintendo's new system. The tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing titles introduce players to the new Wii Remote and feature advanced motion-sensing that is as accurate as it is fun.

Wii Sports features five sports games: Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Golf, and Boxing. Each employs full use of the Wii Remote for virtual movement; Boxing utilizes the Nunchuk controller for two-handed bouts.

Tennis includes doubles play for Single Game, Best of Three, and Best of Five for 1-4 players. Players control the racquet swing while the CPU controls player movement. The Wii Remote does a fantastic job to distinguish forehands, backhands, lobs, direction, and momentum via simulated racquet swings. In select cases ball direction may not be a direct correlation to on-screen movement, however, further distance from the TV set equates to better accuracy.

Baseball includes a three inning game where 1 – 2 players control batting and pitching. Fielding is controlled by the CPU. Bat movement corresponds directly to the screen for top accuracy. Batters can swing hard for a deep hit or light for a bunt. Players can throw fastballs, screwballs, curveballs, and splitters, though the game throw doesn't correspond to the actual throw with Wii Remote. The delay is unfortunate, as pitching is a less of an in-game experience than its batting counterpart.

Golf includes Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, and 9-Hole Game for 1-4 players. Players can choose Driver, Wedge, and Putter clubs for a basic golf experience. Golf club movement is sophisticated and requires the most finesse out of the five sports games. When players swing too hard a power meter will fluctuate to indicate excess power. A swing with tiny changes in momentum will be detected in great accuracy.

Bowling includes one mode for a standard game for up to 4 players. Players swing back the Wii Remote while holding the B trigger, and let go of the B trigger to simulate dropping the ball. The experience is very close to the real thing sans the bowling ball weight, and pin drop physics are very life-like. The game will likely be the easiest for most players to pick up and play.

Finally, boxing is a two-handed bout fest that utilizes the Nunchuk controller and Wii Remote simultaneously. Matches can be held for 1-2 players and the instant relay between controllers and on-screen movement creates fast and accurate play. Players can perform high and low jabs and hard punches, block by holding the controllers up, and shift position by leaning the body to the left or right. The experience is fun and provides a hard workout after a few bouts.

To compliment the sports collection, Wii includes Training and Fitness Modes. Training includes three exercises for each title and Fitness Mode is a age-determination trial that consists of three exercises from all sports games.

The graphics engine is simple and effective in Wii Sports. The game engine runs at 60 frames per second and flat textures cover Mii character bodies. Landscapes like tennis courts and golf courses are well produced, with defined textures and individual plant movement. The music tracks include mid-tempo selections that compliment each title. Additions like player indication beeps and punches through the Wii Remote speaker help define the overall experience.

Wii Sports is a winner for Nintendo that helps to introduce the console through effective motion-sensing games. Each title may not feature the depth of stand-alone titles, however players young and old, male and female, will experience fun video game sports on a whole new playing field. ...

news via pcworld

The Wii's greatly innovative controller, coupled with its vast library of game titles from Nintendo's and Sega's library, make it a very attrctive (and affordable) gaming option.

What about those games?
The flagship game, without a doubt, is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and there's no real reason to explain why. Even those who won't know much about gaming will probably recognize that franchise.

From my first impressions, Zelda on the Wii lives up to the hype, but even games like Excite Truck and Madden 07 are titles that surprise with their innovative style of game play. Now, when you overthrow a pass to your receiver or crash into a tree, you won't have much to blame other than yourself. Gamers will probably appreciate something like that more.

With 30 titles hitting shelves before the New Year, along with another 30 retro games that will be available for download, the Wii lineup is pretty strong, but Nintendo will have to stay innovative and aggressive if they're to keep people's attention when games like Mass Effect and Too Human eventually come out for the other consoles.

Still, Nintendo has the advantage of having a library of games that reaches far beyond what we could imagine. Being able to play all of the GameCube's 530 titles without any defects ( a la the PS3 and Xbox 360) is a necessary add-on, but, when the game libraries of all the past Nintendo consoles are be made available, it's hard to pass up the chance to play some of those classics on a big screen. (For more on the PS3 vs. Wii debate, click here).

And let's not forget that the Sega library from the Genesis and Turbografx 16 will also be made available as well. You'll have to dish out some cash or use "Wii points" to get the games, so don't think they're being offered as freebies. Expect to fork over about US$5 for a retro NES game to US$10 for an N64 game.

How many will be made available hasn't been announced, but Nintendo definitely has a nice revenue stream in the works here, so rest assured, they won't keep those retro titles locked up for too long.

One thing that intrigues me about upcoming Wii titles is how an NHL game will play on this console. If you can be a quarterback in Madden, could you also take a slap shot in a game like NHL 07? Hopefully, we'll find out sooner than later.

Is it worth it?
If you're looking for something different and innovative, then damn right it is. Nintendo is gambling that, if they don't take on the other two big boys head-on, then they just might be able to reap the benefits of the untapped market that is casual and non-gamers.

The Wii isn't a console with bells and whistles, and I already explained why. If not for the games, this thing would be as useful as a doorstop.

Nintendo executives have already told me that they're not interested in going to HD until it becomes mass market, and that likely won't happen for another couple of years, at the least.

There will be those who scoff at the fact the graphics can't compete or that titles like Grand Theft Auto aren't on the horizon. But, the Wii will undoubtedly appeal to a lot of people, especially those who have been intimidated by the evolution and complexity of the gaming industry.

And, with a price point of $280, it's hard to go wrong. To put it in perspective, Apple's latest iPod is only $30 cheaper. Wii games are going for $60 right now, though it wouldn't surprise me if that drops another $10 over the next six to 12 months.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy playing most, but even if you have one of the other consoles, the Wii may still be an attractive option, especially since the price can only go down from here.

But, it's nice to see a console that's more about the games and the people that play them. If you dig that sort of thing, than grab a Wii controller and swing away.

I for one believe that purchasing a Nintendo Wii is worth it! ...

news via pcworld

The Wii's greatly innovative controller, coupled with its vast library of game titles from Nintendo's and Sega's library, make it a very attrctive (and affordable) gaming option.

What about those games?
The flagship game, without a doubt, is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and there's no real reason to explain why. Even those who won't know much about gaming will probably recognize that franchise.

From my first impressions, Zelda on the Wii lives up to the hype, but even games like Excite Truck and Madden 07 are titles that surprise with their innovative style of game play. Now, when you overthrow a pass to your receiver or crash into a tree, you won't have much to blame other than yourself. Gamers will probably appreciate something like that more.

With 30 titles hitting shelves before the New Year, along with another 30 retro games that will be available for download, the Wii lineup is pretty strong, but Nintendo will have to stay innovative and aggressive if they're to keep people's attention when games like Mass Effect and Too Human eventually come out for the other consoles.

Still, Nintendo has the advantage of having a library of games that reaches far beyond what we could imagine. Being able to play all of the GameCube's 530 titles without any defects ( a la the PS3 and Xbox 360) is a necessary add-on, but, when the game libraries of all the past Nintendo consoles are be made available, it's hard to pass up the chance to play some of those classics on a big screen. (For more on the PS3 vs. Wii debate, click here).

And let's not forget that the Sega library from the Genesis and Turbografx 16 will also be made available as well. You'll have to dish out some cash or use "Wii points" to get the games, so don't think they're being offered as freebies. Expect to fork over about US$5 for a retro NES game to US$10 for an N64 game.

How many will be made available hasn't been announced, but Nintendo definitely has a nice revenue stream in the works here, so rest assured, they won't keep those retro titles locked up for too long.

One thing that intrigues me about upcoming Wii titles is how an NHL game will play on this console. If you can be a quarterback in Madden, could you also take a slap shot in a game like NHL 07? Hopefully, we'll find out sooner than later.

Is it worth it?
If you're looking for something different and innovative, then damn right it is. Nintendo is gambling that, if they don't take on the other two big boys head-on, then they just might be able to reap the benefits of the untapped market that is casual and non-gamers.

The Wii isn't a console with bells and whistles, and I already explained why. If not for the games, this thing would be as useful as a doorstop.

Nintendo executives have already told me that they're not interested in going to HD until it becomes mass market, and that likely won't happen for another couple of years, at the least.

There will be those who scoff at the fact the graphics can't compete or that titles like Grand Theft Auto aren't on the horizon. But, the Wii will undoubtedly appeal to a lot of people, especially those who have been intimidated by the evolution and complexity of the gaming industry.

And, with a price point of $280, it's hard to go wrong. To put it in perspective, Apple's latest iPod is only $30 cheaper. Wii games are going for $60 right now, though it wouldn't surprise me if that drops another $10 over the next six to 12 months.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy playing most, but even if you have one of the other consoles, the Wii may still be an attractive option, especially since the price can only go down from here.

But, it's nice to see a console that's more about the games and the people that play them. If you dig that sort of thing, than grab a Wii controller and swing away.

I for one believe that purchasing a Nintendo Wii is worth it! ...