As previously reported, Guitar Hero 3 is well underway, not just for PS2, PS3 and 360, but for Wii too, and the Nintendo version could see the addition of some interesting new features.

Co-founder and president of RedOctane, Kai Huang, has recently confirmed to IGN that the Wii version of the guitar controller will "... have all the features of the other version of Guitar Hero III and some new Wii-specific features."

Although he was not specific about what these new feature would be, it is suggested that the guitar will boast a slot in which to fit the Wii Remote. This would not only form the guitar's connection with the console, which will of course be wireless unlike the wired 360 version, but it would also offer enhanced motion functionality.

So you might be doing more than just tilting the guitar upwards to boost your score.

It was also suggested that the Remote's built-in speaker could also offer enhanced functionality, like a sound cue. A mock-up of the controller was also drawn.

via cvg ...

Vampires and ninjas and Shockmen, oh my! This week the Wii Shop Channel takes a trip into the world of ghoulish creatures, mystical curses and professorial abductions. See if you can remember which of these games sparked the whip-carrying craze of the late-'80s! For the best retro gaming around, it's time to pay a visit to the red-hot Wii™ video game system's Wii Shop Channel.

The three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel 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:

Castlevania® (NES®, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on Earth. You've arrived at Castlevania, and you're here on business: to destroy the curse of the Evil Count, once and for all. Make your way through six monstrous floors filled with bats, ghosts, zombies and every kind of ghoulish creature you can imagine. Use the legendary whip Vampire Killer and a host of deadly weapons to battle your way to Dracula's chamber and the ultimate duel of good vs. evil.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In The Legend of The Mystical Ninja, take control of Kid Ying and Dr. Yang in an action adventure through feudal Japan. A curse has stricken the village of Horo-Horo, and its beloved princess has vanished. Together Kid Ying, a daring young mystical ninja, and Dr. Yang, master of the invincible spirit transformation, must overcome 10 levels of the Dragonbeast to save Princess Yuki. Each stage contains intense 3-D and 2-D zones where the duo must perform dozens of attack moves and solve magical problems and puzzles before advancing. Battle humorous enemies like the Carp Meister, who stuns victims with poisonous fighting fish, Tanaka-U-Out, a knockout artist who wallops opponents with a bone-crushing hammer, and the Sumo Tag Team, kings of the unbeatable belly-buster crunch. Collect coins to buy new equipment and to receive clues, spend some time playing minigames in the arcade or try your luck and increase your fortune at the Quiz House and Horse Races.

Shockman (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): It's been two years since Arnold and Sonya were made into Shockmen. A message from the professor to return to their bodies has them head to his laboratory, but they are ambushed by a mysterious enemy along the way. After narrowly defeating the enemy, they catch a TV news flash announcing the Ryo Empire invasion. They find that the professor has been abducted and set out to rescue him. Shockman is a side-view action shooter that has eight stages, including Action Stages, where you jump and use special techniques, and side-scrolling Shooting Stages. This game expands on the well-paced story from the previous version and contains cooperative elements like shared life and a powerful Team Shockbeam that can be used during two-player simultaneous play. ...

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via PlayStation Universe

Famitsu speaks for Japan's gaming desires every week with their "Most Wanted" list. Here is their most recent:

(NOTE: The parentheses indicate the game's rank in Famitsu's two previous "Most Wanted" charts.)

1. (1 / 2) Dragon Quest IX NDS Square Enix
2. (2 / 1) Final Fantasy XIII PS3 Square Enix
3. (3 / 3) Biohazard 5 PS3 Capcom
4. (5 / 4) Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Konami
5. (6 / 7) Monster Hunter 3 PS3 Capcom
6. (9 / 8) Zelda no Densetsu: Phantom Hourglass NDS Nintendo
7. (10/ 9) Super Robot Taisen: Original Generations PS2 Banpresto
8. (7 /12) Odin Sphere PS2 Atlus
9. (14/11) Everybody’s Golf 5 PS3 Sony
10. (11/10) Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors Wii Square Enix
11. (8 /17) Devil May Cry 4 PS3 Capcom
12. (12/14) Lost Odyssey Xbox 360 Microsoft
13. (13/16) Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings NDS Square Enix
14. (15/13) Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Nintendo
15. (19/15) Doubutsu no Mori [Animal Crossing] Wii Nintendo
16. (16/18) Shining Wind PS2 Sega
17. (20/19) Final Fantasy Tactics: Shishi Sensou PSP Square Enix
18. (18/20) Final Fantasy Versus XIII PS3 Square Enix
19. (17/21) Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII PSP Square Enix
20. (23/23) Gran Turismo 5 PS3 Sony

Out of the 20 titles, 13 are for a PlayStation platform and, specifically, 4 out of the top 5 are for PlayStation 3. If Famistu is an accurate representation of what Japanese gamers truly want, the PlayStation 3 will rapidly pick up some steam in late 2007 and 2008 when those titles are released.

As usual, Microsoft struggles to maintain interest in the eyes of the Japanese, with only one title making the list. Lost Odyssey, which is supposedly their Pandora's Box for Japan, only ranks #12 on the list. Keep in mind Everybody’s Golf 5 ranks in at a solid #10. That has to tell you something about Japan's taste.

Finally, we have to talk about Dragon Quest IX for the Nintendo DS. A handheld title, consistently ranking the most wanted title of Japan clearly displays the success the DS is enjoying in the Land of the Rising Sun. ...

via Pro-G

Sony has created anger and front-page headlines by using a dead goat at the God of War II launch event.

The partly decapitated animal carcass was the centrepiece of a display at the party, and apparently contained 'offal' in its open stomach, made to represent intestines, which was fed to guests in a competition to see who could eat the most.

The rather gory pictures of the party were placed in Official PlayStation Magazine, until the Mail on Sunday, who yesterday ran a bold front-page news story on the incident, contacted the magazine to complain, resulting in a promise to recall the entire print run.

Animal rights organisations and government ministers have spoken out against Sony, though the apparent flak the company is facing for irresponsible marketing to youngsters seems rather unjustified as God of War II has an 18 rating.

Many have been quick to defend Sony, pointing out that dead animals make the meal tables of almost every party and launch event there is. ...

via NintendoRevolution.ca

As of right now, Wii has been consistently outselling Xbox 360 every single month ever since the console launched.

But Peter Moore, head of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business division, recently questioned how long Nintendo Wii will be innovative and whether it's truly a next-gen contender.

When asked by 1UP what he thought about it, Moore was both complimentary and condescending at the same time.

"The same way when I first saw it last year: It's a very innovative device," he explained.

"It's done incredibly well at the holiday period and retailers seem to be very happy. The question that remains is, how long will the experience be innovative to consumers, and what are the legs of this thing? Is it a real next-gen contender that can continue deep into the lifecycle, that can continue to meet the numbers?"

Moore acknowledged that he does not own a Wii yet, but "I was hoping my friend Reggie [Fils-Aime, Nintendo's president and COO] would send me one."

Perhaps he's suffering from Wii envy. ...

via China Post

Nintendo's distributor in Taiwan is warning owners of Wii game consoles purchased abroad not to alter the machines to read pirated game software.

Nintendo's Wii game console has been well received since being launched in Japan and the United States last November, but it has yet to be sold in Taiwan.

The game console features a handheld device which allows players to mimic movements such as swinging a tennis racket while following the game on television.

Reports have said that converter chips produced in Britain and Australia which allow the Wii game console to read game software in all countries are now available in electronic game stores and on the Internet.

The chips, sold at NT$500 to NT$1,500 per unit, can be installed on the game consoles at electronic game stores.

No laws ban the use of the chips, which can also read pirated game software off burned CDs.

Police have so far not received any reports and taken any action on the use of the chips.

Nintendo's Taiwan distributor Hakuyu Ltd. said that no timetable has been set on the Taiwan launch of the Wii game consoles, but once the product goes on the market, preventive measures will be taken against pirated game software.

The company added that it will not be responsible for the maintenance and repair of Wii game consoles purchased abroad. ...

via WorthPlaying

SEGA is developing the NDS-exclusive SEGA Presents Touch Darts, combining individual dart competitions within a stylized playing environment, along with a mixture of amusing multiplayer modes and wildly inspired mini-games.

Based upon Touch Mechanics original game concept and developed by respected handheld game developers Full Fat, SEGA Presents Touch Darts will be released across Europe in summer 2007 exclusive for the Nintendo DS.

With its stylised look and feel SEGA Presents Touch Darts grabs darts by the flight and boldly steps up to the oche. Players can use the unique touch screen of the Nintendo DS to accurately simulate the throwing of a dart and by drawing the stylus over the touch screen, players will be able to aim their dart and throw it with all the precision of a seasoned pro.

“SEGA Presents Touch Darts is a great fit for the DS: the touch screen, the multiplayer options, the innovative gameplay and the great mini-games make it a fantastic addition to anyone’s DS collection,” said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe.

Featuring a roster of outrageous extrovert characters, each with their own unique style, SEGA Presents Touch Darts has someone for everyone and mini-games for all, with a healthy dash of artistic license thrown in for good measure.

SEGA Presents Touch Darts is scheduled for release across Europe during summer 2007 for the Nintendo DS. ...

Simon Hall has posted a Video of Quake 2 on the DS in action



Looking fantastic so far, keep it up!
A bit slow but the graphics looked exellently rendered... ...