via Eurogamer


Shaun White Snowboarding creative director Trent Ward believes the Wii Balance Board offers developers "worlds of possibilities".

He's responsible for the Wii version of the freshly-unveiled extreme sports title from Ubisoft, which has been built specially to use both balance board and Wii remote - not one or the other.

Ward feels the pressure-sensitive pad and motion-sensing combo has helped him "close the gap between game and player", and claims there are "tons" of things he can do with the Board.

You'll feel like a pro snowboarder after you're finished with the bite-sized challenges in Shaun White, apparently, and no it is not tiring and nor will it teach you to be a real snowboarder because yes he has tried.

The Wii version of Shaun White Snowboarding is a completely separate game to the PC, 360 and PS3 offerings, incidentally, both in terms of premise and the mechanics involved.

Ward says you have to treat the Nintendo console specially in order to be successful; a port would have been rubbish, apparently.

Both versions looked rather fun in their own ways. Check back soon for our full thoughts on both.

Shaun White Snowboarding is due out on PC, 360, PS3 and Wii this Christmas. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Konami asked games press to keep quiet about the massive length of Metal Gear Solid 4's cut-scenes, claims MTV's Multiplayer blog.

It emerged earlier this month that the PS3 sequel has at least two cinematics "approaching" 90 minutes long, as reported by PSW magazine and now in the new issue of Edge as well.

Apparently, Konami was keen to keep these huge cinematics under wraps from print reviews...

"I've been told by two gaming media sources who asked to remain anonymous that Konami representatives had been asking print reviewers to keep some technical details out of their reviews, namely the length of the game's cut-scenes and the size of the game's installation on the PlayStation 3," reads the MTV blog.

"Such details wouldn't have been plot spoilers, but perhaps the publisher was concerned that they would be viewed as negatives?"

PSW called the game's story, "the videogame equivalent of all three Godfather movies on one disc," and "if you found previous games' story exposition laborious, then you'd better find yourself a nice cushion and plenty of teabags in readiness for MGS4's.

"They can be skipped, but you'll be missing out on some of the finely crafted examples of FMV footage anywhere in gaming," the article boldly proclaims. ...

via IGN


Leading video games publisher and developer Namco Bandai Games America Inc. announced today that Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 has gone gold for the Nintendo DS. A simulation game based on the popular virtual pets, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 lets players run over a dozen new businesses with their favorite Tamagotchi pal. Utilize the stylus to navigate through tasks or participate using the microphone for a whole new level of interactivity the Tamagotchi franchise has not seen.

Business in TamaTown is booming and it's your job to make sure it stays that way. Get behind the counter of more than 12 different stores, each with their own unique touch screen mini-games, and participate in the assigned tasks. With so many missions in Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3, from teaching piano to searching for hidden treasure or serving up ice cream, there are plenty of activities to keep players entertained. Maintain happy clientele and the shops will begin to grow, unlocking more challenging mini-games and new accessories.

After a long day at work, spend hard earned money to decorate your very own park with lots of fun items including water fountains, benches and flower beds. Daily visits to the park will not only allow you to watch the progress of your garden but also provide the opportunity to meet new Tamagotchis. Also be sure to stop by the Clocktower to hang out and get to know your newly found acquaintances. Additionally, try on and buy new outfits for your Tamagotchi partners or send journal entries and items to your friends via Nintendo DS's Wireless Communication.

Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 is rated "E" for everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99. ...

via Joystiq




You've heard about the game. You've seen the crazy "Guitar Grip" peripheral. You've wondered: "Can the DS really pull off a proper Guitar Hero?" Last night we sat down, strapped a DS to one hand, and held a special pick-shaped stylus in the other to answer that question for you ... and ourselves.

Surrounded by a gaggle of other gamers having their first go on the game, we heard shouts of "Rock on!" and "Star Power!," cementing in our minds that this was going to be an even more atypical Guitar Hero experience than we had imagined. Fortunately, it was a lot like the Guitar Hero experience we've grown to love over various console incarnations, too.


Screenshots here
Photographs of the Control Grip here
Full article here ...

via Joystiq


Microsoft just sent out a press release stating that a video showcasing Too Human's co-op mode is now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Silicon Knights' president, Denis Dyack, and design director, Henry Sterchi, host the video and explain how the four-player two-player co-op will work.

Of course, if you don't want to do the whole download thing, we've also conveniently placed the video after the break. Be prepared, it's almost 15 minutes long.


Trailer here ...

via Eurogamer


Hideo "This is the last one no it's not yes it is oh go on then" Kojima has said he may lend a hand with the next instalment in the Metal Gear Solid series.

As reported last week MGS4 is unlikely to mark the end of the franchise - though it will conclude Solid Snake's story. "I always tried to finish the story in each game," Kojima told Reuters. "But by some miracle in MGS4 I was able to resolve the mysteries left behind in past games and resolve the side stories from past games."

He added, "I'm not a genius like George Lucas." No one is sir. "I didn't have this story planned out."

According to Kojima, the future of the series will depend on the demand from fans. "MGS will always be around," he said. "I feel a responsibility to continue this series as long as users demand it. But it doesn't mean I'm going to sit in completely.

"I'll probably take a different role in the next game. Maybe I'll sit in as producer and let the young staff take control of the new series. I really want to go on to new things."

Different media, perhaps? "When entertainment becomes digital there can be a great collaboration between games and other kinds of entertainment, like movies or even novels," Kojima observed.

"All these things might form together to form a coherent medium. The trend is there, things are happening and I believe that convergence will happen sooner or later."

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is out on 12th June, and you can read what we reckon to it right now. ...

via IGN


The latest from Sony Japan's development lab is a game that encourages players to watch rather than play. The company unveiled today Shikitei (unofficially, "Four Season Garden"), a downloadable PS3 title where you build a garden and watch what happens.

Sony refers to Shikitei as an environmental simulator rather than a game. Your objective is to design your garden, planting trees and placing lights and other items as you see fit.

There's some heavy technology going into title to drive the simulation. Tree branches and growth differ for every tree you have in your garden, all driven by computer program.

Seasonal and time changes are included as well. As winter approaches, snow will begin to build up, adapting realistically to the shape of your garden and its elements. In spring, sakura trees will grow pink; in fall, leaves will turn orange. As night approaches, you'll see reflections of the evening sky in water.

The title will feature over 150 items, including trees and even animals like cats, birds, and rabbits. As these items are obtained, they're added to a growing item encyclopedia which can be consulted at any time. Items are added through over 40 item packs that will be sold through the PlayStation Store following the main game's release.

Shikitei is being developed by Premium Agency, a firm that specializes in movie contents. Serving as producer is Rie Nakamura, who stressed in this week's issue of Famitsu that the title will have no gaming elements to it. According to Nakamura, the staff at one point considered adding game-like features such as making weeds appear if players don't take care of their garden every now and then, but these features didn't make the cut.

There appears to be plenty to do in Shikitei, though. You have full freedom when designing your garden. You can make trees speed or slow their growth in order to customize their size. There's a progressive nature to the garden's development, as trees will release seed that result in more trees, making your garden expand. As your garden expands, more animals will begin to appear.

When not planning, you can select to take a stroll through your work-in-progress. This can either be done under full control, or you can have the PS3 give you an automatic tour, pointing out the highlights. You can also take screenshots whenever you like. These are added to the PS3's photo folder and can be accessed online by other players. This online photo gallery feature appears to be the only online support for the game.

Sony is also giving the title custom soundtrack support. You'll be able to use the music stored on your PS3 as background music.

The title will ship with two garden types initially: Japanese and Western. Nakamura is hoping to, in the future, add gardens from India, Egypt and other areas of the world. She also told Famitsu that she personally thinks having ruins as a backdrop would be beautiful.

Japanese PS3 owners can look forward to Shikitei on June 26. Pricing is set for 1,500 yen for the main title. Pricing for the item packs has yet to be announced.

For a first look at the game, check out the new official Shikitei website. ...

via Eurogamer


Three new titles have been released on the Wii's Virtual Console. Hello Pokemon Puzzle League, goodbye weekend.

For those who aren't familiar the game first came out on N64 and is much like Panel de Pon, released in the West as Tetris Attack. You have to match coloured blocks to make them disappear, but they rise from beneath rather than fall from above.

The twist for this version is the Pokemon branding plus, as everyone who's every played it knows, a theme song which ostensibly has no lyrics but which creates vibrations inside your brain that say, "Nothing else exists, you don't really need a job, yes it's 5am, but money is meaningless, we are all just matter." Priced at 1000 points (GBP 7 / EUR 10).

Then there are two Neo Geo titles up for grabs. Samurai Showdown is arguably one of SNK's best fighting games, featuring weapon-based combat and a fous on single strikes rather than long-winded combos. It's yours for 900 points (GBP 6.30 / EUR 9).

Burning Fight will be familiar to anyone who's played Streets of Rage and/or Final Fight, which are already available on the VC for 800 points a pop. Here you get to batter men in ripped denim all over again, but at a price of 900 points (GBP 6.30 / EUR 9). ...

via Computer and Video Games


Retro fans should be happy to know that Super Mario RPG is one step closer to the European Virtual Console, as Nintendo of Japan has confirmed the game will be hitting its VC in June.

The confirmation means that Nintendo has finally come to an agreement with Square Enix over releasing the game, breaking down the barriers for American and European releases. Sooner than later we hope...

On the downside, Japanese Wii owners will have to fork over 900 Wii Points to get the game. We have no reason to believe that the price point will be any different over here. ...