via Computer and Video Games


The next Banjo-Kazooie game could expand upon the vehicle-building concept of upcoming sequel Nuts & Bolts - provided the new game goes down well with the public, Rare has told CVG.


Speaking to CVG this afternoon, Miller and lead technical artist Neill Harrison revealed that the Rare team has a few "crazy ideas" for more Banjo mechanic work, and it'll "probably" expand the building concept for future games.


Sounds good to us. Stern platforming loyalists were getting all hot and sweaty over the vehicle building direction at first, but after a lengthy play session we're convinced it's a winner. Give us more please, Rare.

In the same interview the Rare two-some revealed that Nuts 'N Bolts, in fact, started as a traditional platformer.


Look for the full interview shortly. ...

via IGN


School's back in session, but it's not the only place to get your brain buzzing. This week's additions to the Wii Shop Channel include a challenging new puzzle game available via WiiWare, plus a pair of crackling Virtual Console actioners to keep your imagination raging between classes. Even if your school days are behind you, this latest lineup of downloadable titles will help get you fired up for fall, fueled by the one-of-a-kind fun of Nintendo's top-selling Wii system.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

WiiWare

Groovin' Blocks (Empty Clip Studios, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): A music-based game like no other, Groovin' Blocks adds innovative musical game play to an addictive action/puzzle game foundation. Play to the rhythm of the music to increase your score, and try to hit "Superbeats" to double your multiplier. Go for the high score in each of the 27 stages as you collect stars to unlock 15 levels of power-ups. Groovin' Blocks features three skill levels, from the accessible Casual to the fiendish Hard mode. Play with your friends in co-op mode or against them head-to-head. Head-to-head brings it up a notch as the power-ups now become attacks on your opponent. Play head-to-head with people of all skill levels using a golf-style handicapping system.

Virtual Console

Final Solider (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone -- Mild Fantasy Violence, 700 Wii Points): A vertically scrolling shooter from the well-known Soldier series. In the 23rd century, invaders from the future suddenly attack Earth. Controlling a fighter created by the world's scientists, you rise to meet the enemy. Collect power-up units, such as LASER, E-BEAM, FIRE and MISSILE, and then equip them in Options to launch a variety of attacks. For each of these weapons, you can freely select from three different types in SET-UP. Anticipate enemies' strikes and deftly switch between weapons to defeat the invaders. In addition to NORMAL GAME, there are also 2 MINUTE GAME and 5 MINUTE GAME score-attack modes. The most perfect blend and balance of any game in the series, Final Soldier is a title you don't want to miss.

Cho Aniki (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone and Older -- Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 900 Wii Points): The odd world in this shooter made for quite the conversation piece in its day. Players control either Idaten or Benten, celestial warriors out to bring an end to the tyrannical rule of the emperor of Planet Builder, who holds muscular prowess to be the supreme virtue of the universe. Aided by able-bodied muscle-head options Adon and Samson, they must battle to defeat the emperor's army across five stages. Use the buttons to fire away and lay into the Builder forces. Power up your character and options with protein from defeated enemies to have them "bulk up" with a yell, and take their macho battle to the next level. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Animal Crossing: City Folk on Wii will cost $69.99 (around £40) in US when it is released bundled with the new WiiSpeak voice chat peripheral.

The price comes from US retailer Gamestop's recent managers' conference in Las Vegas (via Destructoid)

City Folk will utilise WiiSpeak to allow players to speak to each other online as they wander around each others' towns, although don't expect to be able to talk to anyone other than people on your friends list. Nintendo protects the kids, you see.

The game's set to hit Japan this year, but US and UK dates have gone unannounced. ...

via Eurogamer


Independent London-based Beatnik Games has unveiled Plain Sight, a PC title created using Microsoft's XNA tools, which the developer also hopes to release on Xbox Live Arcade.

Due in early 2009, it's a simple multiplayer game where players control robot-like characters with swords. The idea is to chop opponents up, gain points, and then bank those points by blowing yourself up.

The better the score, the bigger the player; the bigger the player, the larger the death explosion; the larger the death explosion, the more people that die in the blast; the more people that die in the blast, the higher the multiplier applied to the score you bank. Simple.

Levels feature lots of jutting dark grey shapes and players are given a colour that trails from their robotic-bottoms as they jump around, and also temporarily dyes blocks of the level they touch, which makes finding others somewhat easier.

No price has been set, but Beatnik Games expects Plain Sight to cost around GBP 10, although if it ends up on XBLA then of course Microsoft sets the price.


Screenshots ...

via Kotaku




Nintendo has announced a "Nintendo WiFi Network Adapter" for the Nintendo Wii... which already has WiFi. While some users have difficulty getting their Wii consoles online, this should hopefully streamline that. The adaptor will go on sale September 18th in Japan for ¥5,800 (US$53) on Nintendo's homepage. This wireless LAN router can be used with the Nintendo Wii and DS as well as PCs and other devices.

The Nintendo WiFi Network Adaptor has a switch for three modes on the back: "Router", "Bridge" and "Auto". "Router" is self-explanatory, while "Bridge" connects to another router and then communicates with the Nintendo DS and Wii. "Auto" apparently can automatically switch the household's network over automatically.


Oh, and those hoping for an HDD for the Wii, tough c**p.


More images at Kotaku ...

via Eurogamer


Eastasiasoft plans to release side-scrolling shooter Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer on PlayStation Network this October.

The game, not to be confused with the first-person shooter series of a similar name, has a dozen stages full of colourful baddies to fly a little spaceship through and blow baddies to pieces on.

Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is out on PC already, of course [of course - Ed], but has marked improvements on PS3. Backgrounds are animated and visuals polished, plus more music added and sound effects improved. There's also new enemies and sub-bosses to batter.

An easier difficulty level has been popped in to stop screams of anger, and the core system has been adjusted and now has fancy new victory screens for doing well. ...

This is an ASCII Art Maker for Nintendo DS that I made for fun. Some people on my regular IRC channel liked it, so I thought I'd release it here, to hear what other people have to say. Written with devkitARM and PAlib. You can draw with whatever character you want, both upper and lower case.

Quick start:

Select button: Bring up the keyboard to select a character.
L/R button: Choose the drawing color.
A+B at the same time: Clear the screen.
Touch-screen: Draw.

Select the Space character to delete tiles.

Each tile takes up 8x8 pixels, and the total tile-grid is 32x24 tiles. Saving is not yet implemented, but probably will be in a later version.

I'd love to hear your feedback and/or comments on my little program =)


I can't attach the file, i think it's bugged. Says it exceeds quota. Therefore: Link.
Download here ...

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