via eurogamer

SEGA has updated its NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams website, shedding more information on the freshly announced Wii title.

It seems our asexual hero NiGHTS will have the option of wearing persona masks to shape-shift into different forms, each granting new abilities and exploration possibilies.

The first of these is the dragon mask, capable of transforming you into a giant scaly beast immune to the powerful wind effects of the sky, followed by a dolphin mask that will let you take on the form of Flipper and venture to the depths of the ocean. Then last but not least is the rocket mask granting you supersonic speeds - a bit like Michael Jackson turning into a spaceship in Moonwalker as he attempts to rescue Annie from Joe Pesci's goons. Not that we've ever watched it.

But perhaps the most unique and exciting feature to be announced on the website is the new WiiConnect24 implementation. Familiar things like going online to exchange items with friends will be in, but the ability to change the scenery according to real-world seasons using the Forecast Channel is what's really nifty.

Unfortunately there's little more information than that, so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled. But its got us speculating. Could it be that we'd see in-game changes to reflect day-to-day forecasts? Speak your brain in our handily placed comment system below.

NiGHTS was originally created on SEGA Saturn back in 1996. It cast you in the unisex boots of a fantastical creature who undertook a fluid aerial-combat adventure in the skies of Nightopia.

SEGA Europe finally admitted a Wii version was in development yesterday, and that it will boast seven levels of mystical environments to glide through using the unique possibilities of Nintendo's console. ...

via cvg

BioWare has responded to the public outcry over yesterday's rather rough-looking Mass Effect screenshots, admitting that the shots were a "mistake" and "didn't look very good".

"The other day, we released 3 new screenshots," posts BioWare community coordinator Chris Priestly. "A few people posted comments about how the art in Mass Effect was 'dumbed down' and wasn't looking very good. And I took exception to the comment and posted my feelings. The problem was, the screenshots they were criticising DIDN'T look very good."

The post continues: "The whole truth of the matter is that the person at BioWare who took those screenshots made a mistake. People in our industry don't admit this much, but we do make mistakes.

"The person took those screens at the last minute as they were needed for the article. He did take them in game from areas of the game that worked and then he sent them off... He didn't clear them with Casey and the ME team though."

To prove to internet doubters that the RPG stunner in fact hasn't been "dumbed down" Priestly went and captured a new screenshot which he says "much more accurately shows the true quality of the art that you'll see in Mass Effect".

You can see the screenshot for yourself on the right of this page - and admittedly it's a vast improvement over the shoddily compressed pics from yesterday.

"I just wanted everyone to see this, especially those who had some concerns about the final quality, so they would have a better idea of what the game will really be like."

Screens via link above ...

In addition to confirming that a Forza 2 demo is in the pipeline today, Microsoft has revealed the latest list of cars for the Xbox 360 motorsports spectacular - say hello to the Aftermarket Tuner Car Classics.

The Aftermarket Tuner Car Classics features beefed up motors from 1992 through to 2006, with 35 vehicles in total joining the Forza 2 roster. You'll be able to leap behind the wheel of the likes of the Tommy Kaira Skyline from Nissan and the VeilSide Supra Fortune from Toyota - and plenty more. Here's the full list:

1998 - Toyota - AB Flug S900 Supra Turbo
2000 - Honda - Aerogear Integra Type-R
2003 - Toyota - APR Performance Celica GTS
2000 - Audi - AWE Tuning SilverBullet S4
1995 - Toyota - Border MR2 Turbo T-bar
2003 - Chevrolet - Corvette Guldstrand Edition
1994 - Honda - Do-Luck NSX
1992 - Toyota - Do-Luck Supra
2003 - Nissan - Fairlady Z Custom Edition
2003 - Ford - FocusSport SVT Focus
2003 - Lexus - Foose Design IS430 Project Car
2000 - Dodge - Hennessey Viper 800TT
2006 - Mitsubishi - HKS Time Attack Evolution
1995 - Mazda - INGS RX-7
2002 - Chevrolet - Lingenfelter 427 Corvette
1999 - Mitsubishi - MINE'S CP9A Lancer Evolution VI
1993 - Nissan - MINE'S R32 Skyline GT-R
2002 - Nissan - MINE'S R34 Skyline GT-R
2004 - Honda - Mugen Civic Type-R
2002 - Honda - Mugen Integra Type-R
2003 - Honda - Mugen S2000
1995 - Mazda - RE-Amemiya RX-7
2003 - Mitsubishi - Sparco Lancer Evolution VIII
1998 - Subaru - Tommy Kaira Impreza M20b
2002 - Nissan - Tommy Kaira Skyline GT-R R34
1995 - Toyota - Tom's T020 MR2
2002 - Toyota - Tom's W123 MR-S
2002 - Toyota - Tom's Z382 Soarer
1998 - Toyota - Top Secret 0-300 Supra
2000 - Nissan - Top Secret D1-Spec S15
1998 - Toyota - VeilSide Supra Fortune 03
1998 - Toyota - VeilSide Supra Fortune 99
2000 - Acura - VIS Racing Integra Type-R
1995 - Toyota - VIS Racing MR2 Turbo T-bar
2004 - Honda - Wings West Civic Si

via cvg ...

The latest issue of Japan's Famitsu has uncovered Square Enix's surprising move into "pratical" DS software, including travel guides, yoga lessons and even flower blooming.

No doubt trying to tap the success of Nintendo's own non-game Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training, the firm will unleash DS Yoga Lessons You Can Start Today, Why Not Listen To Classical Music On DS? and Flower-Blooming DS Gardening Lite on the handheld market.

The company is also planning a series of DS software based on the popular Japanese travel guide World Walking, including stylus-fuelled guides for Italy, Hawaii and New York. Any chance we can get one for Sidcup, Square?

In more pleasing handheld news, Famitsu also has previews on Square Enix's proper DS games Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, which look to be shaping up nicely.

We haven't been able to locate any release info for the "practical" software line-up yet, but Mike is being whipped over his Learn Japanese book as we speak and we will, as you can imagine, leap on the info as soon as it surfaces.

via cvg ...

The latest issue of Japan's Famitsu has uncovered Square Enix's surprising move into "pratical" DS software, including travel guides, yoga lessons and even flower blooming.

No doubt trying to tap the success of Nintendo's own non-game Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training, the firm will unleash DS Yoga Lessons You Can Start Today, Why Not Listen To Classical Music On DS? and Flower-Blooming DS Gardening Lite on the handheld market.

The company is also planning a series of DS software based on the popular Japanese travel guide World Walking, including stylus-fuelled guides for Italy, Hawaii and New York. Any chance we can get one for Sidcup, Square?

In more pleasing handheld news, Famitsu also has previews on Square Enix's proper DS games Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, which look to be shaping up nicely.

We haven't been able to locate any release info for the "practical" software line-up yet, but Mike is being whipped over his Learn Japanese book as we speak and we will, as you can imagine, leap on the info as soon as it surfaces.

via cvg ...

The latest issue of Japan's Famitsu has uncovered Square Enix's surprising move into "pratical" DS software, including travel guides, yoga lessons and even flower blooming.

No doubt trying to tap the success of Nintendo's own non-game Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training, the firm will unleash DS Yoga Lessons You Can Start Today, Why Not Listen To Classical Music On DS? and Flower-Blooming DS Gardening Lite on the handheld market.

The company is also planning a series of DS software based on the popular Japanese travel guide World Walking, including stylus-fuelled guides for Italy, Hawaii and New York. Any chance we can get one for Sidcup, Square?

In more pleasing handheld news, Famitsu also has previews on Square Enix's proper DS games Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, which look to be shaping up nicely.

We haven't been able to locate any release info for the "practical" software line-up yet, but Mike is being whipped over his Learn Japanese book as we speak and we will, as you can imagine, leap on the info as soon as it surfaces.

via cvg ...

Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles will be an on-rails first-person shooter, Japanese magazine, Famitsu, has revealed.

Translations on NEOGAF reveal that the player will be restricted to a set path, seemingly like a traditional lightgun game, but will be able to use the analogue stick on the Nunchuk controller to look around as they aim and shoot with the Wii Remote.

Levels will, however, contain multiple routes and you will be able to choose which path to take at certain points.

The plot will reportedly follow the story of the Umbrella corporation and its ultimate demise, and will see appearances from Resi stars Jill, Chris, Billy, Rebecca, and the hard-as-nails Albert Wesker.

Let's just hope the game doesn't turn out to be as shonky as the Resident Evil Gun Survivor games, which shared a similar FPS format.

via cvg ...

Cast your eyes over Nintendo's Q2 release list for Wii, DS and GBA which, it has to be said, has some decent games but nothing to go bananas over.

Most notable on the list is Mario Strikers Charged Football, which will be the first online Wii game in UK. We're also really looking forward to Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, with its cool-looking motion control system, the platform-tilting antics of Mercury Meltdown Revolution and the carnage of the Metal Slug Anthology.

Final Fantasy III is the highlight of the DS list, along with N64-remake Diddy Kong Racing. And if you're a Final Fantasy fan you might want to put that GBA slot to good use with Final Fantasy V and VI Advance turning up on the single-screen portable.

UK DS owners will finally be getting Metroid Prime Pinball which came out in the US in October 2005. Harvest Moon DS - another late arrival for Europe - will also land in April.

Anyway, check out the full list for yourself below...

Wii Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Wing Island (Nintendo / Hudson) - 13th April 2007

Chicken Little: Ace in Action (Disney Interactive Studios) - 20th April 2007

Cooking Mama Wii (505 Games) - April 2007

Elevator Action (505 Games) - April 2007

Pop'n Pop (505 Games) - April 2007

Heatseeker (Codemasters) - April 2007

BIONICLE Heroes (Eidos / TT Games) - April 2007

Eledees (Konami) - April 2007

Impossible Mission (System 3) - April 2007

Mario Strikers Charged Football (Nintendo) - 25th May 2007

Brunswick Bowling Wii (505 Games) - May 2007

World Championship Poker Featuring Howard Lederer: All In Wii (505 Games) - May 2007

Spider-Man The Movie 3 (Activision) - May 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Disney Interactive Studios) - May 2007

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Midway) - May 2007

Puzzle Balls (System 3) - May 2007

Chicken Shoot + Egg Catcher (ZOO Digital Publishing) - May 2007

Pangya! Golf with Style (Nintendo) - June 2007

Dave Mirra Racing Wii (505 Games) - June 2007

Transformers - June 2007

Mercury Meltdown Revolution (Ignition) - Q2 2007

Metal Slug Anthology (Ignition) - Q2 2007


Nintendo DS Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Pokémon Ranger (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Harvest Moon DS (Nintendo / Rising Star Games) - 13th April 2007

The Settlers (Ubisoft) - 19th April 2007

Diddy Kong Racing DS (Nintendo) - 20th April 2007

Jin Jin (505 Games) - April 2007

Wild Wild Western (505 Games) - April 2007

Zendoku (Eidos) - April 2007

Lunar Knights (Konami) - April 2007

Lost in Blue 2 (Konami) - April 2007

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 (Konami) - April 2007

Impossible Mission (System 3) - April 2007

Final Fantasy III (Square Enix) - 4th May 2007

Nicktoons Battle Volcano Island (THQ) - 4th May 2007

Chicken Shoot + Egg Catcher (ZOO Digital Publishing) - 4th May 2007

Picross DS (Nintendo) - 11th May 2007

Custom Robo Arena (Nintendo) - 25th May 2007

Fishing DS (505 Games) - May 2007

Tangram (505 Games) - May 2007

Spider-Man The Movie 3 (Activision) - May 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Disney Interactive Studios) - May 2007

Pony Friends (Eidos) - May 2007

Death Jr and the Science Fair of Doom (Konami) - May 2007

Marvel Trading Card Game (Konami) - May 2007

Steel Horizon (Konami) - May 2007

Power Play Pool (System 3) - May 2007

Super Fruit Fall (System 3) - May 2007

Herbie: Fully Loaded (Disney Interactive Studios) - 1st June 2007

ANNO 1701 (Disney Interactive Studios) - 8th June 2007

8 Ball All Stars (Oxygen) - 8th June 2007

Powershot Pinball Constructor (Oxygen) - 8th June 2007

Mahjong (dtp) - 15th June 2007

Wario: Master of Disguise (Nintendo) - June 2007

Kirby Mouse Attack (Nintendo) - June 2007

Metroid Prime Pinball (Nintendo) - June 2007

Puzzle League DS (tentative title name) (Nintendo) - June 2007

Shrek The Third (Activision) - June 2007

Meteos: Disney Magic (Disney Interactive Studios) - June 2007

Best of tests DS (Neko Entertainment) - June 2007

Code Lyoco (Game Factory/K.E. Media) - Q2 2007

Pet Alien (Game Factory/K.E. Media) - Q2 2007

Panzer Tactics DS (10tacle Studios) - Q2 2007

Dino Master (Majesco) - Q2 2007

F24 Stealth Fighter (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Mech Assault Phantom War (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Nacho Libre (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Super Black Bass Fishing (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers (Majesco / THQ) - Q2 2007

B-17 Fortress in the Sky (ZOO Digital Publishing) - Q2 2007

Frisbee Freestyle/Frisbee Golf (ZOO Digital Publishing) - Q2 2007


Game Boy Advance Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Final Fantasy V Advance (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Another World (ZOO Digital Publishing) - 27th April 2007

Nicktoons Battle for Volcano Island (THQ) - 4th May 2007

Final Fantasy VI Advance (Nintendo) - June 2007

F24 Stealth Fighter (Majesco) - Q2 2007 ...

Cast your eyes over Nintendo's Q2 release list for Wii, DS and GBA which, it has to be said, has some decent games but nothing to go bananas over.

Most notable on the list is Mario Strikers Charged Football, which will be the first online Wii game in UK. We're also really looking forward to Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, with its cool-looking motion control system, the platform-tilting antics of Mercury Meltdown Revolution and the carnage of the Metal Slug Anthology.

Final Fantasy III is the highlight of the DS list, along with N64-remake Diddy Kong Racing. And if you're a Final Fantasy fan you might want to put that GBA slot to good use with Final Fantasy V and VI Advance turning up on the single-screen portable.

UK DS owners will finally be getting Metroid Prime Pinball which came out in the US in October 2005. Harvest Moon DS - another late arrival for Europe - will also land in April.

Anyway, check out the full list for yourself below...

Wii Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Wing Island (Nintendo / Hudson) - 13th April 2007

Chicken Little: Ace in Action (Disney Interactive Studios) - 20th April 2007

Cooking Mama Wii (505 Games) - April 2007

Elevator Action (505 Games) - April 2007

Pop'n Pop (505 Games) - April 2007

Heatseeker (Codemasters) - April 2007

BIONICLE Heroes (Eidos / TT Games) - April 2007

Eledees (Konami) - April 2007

Impossible Mission (System 3) - April 2007

Mario Strikers Charged Football (Nintendo) - 25th May 2007

Brunswick Bowling Wii (505 Games) - May 2007

World Championship Poker Featuring Howard Lederer: All In Wii (505 Games) - May 2007

Spider-Man The Movie 3 (Activision) - May 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Disney Interactive Studios) - May 2007

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Midway) - May 2007

Puzzle Balls (System 3) - May 2007

Chicken Shoot + Egg Catcher (ZOO Digital Publishing) - May 2007

Pangya! Golf with Style (Nintendo) - June 2007

Dave Mirra Racing Wii (505 Games) - June 2007

Transformers - June 2007

Mercury Meltdown Revolution (Ignition) - Q2 2007

Metal Slug Anthology (Ignition) - Q2 2007


Nintendo DS Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Pokémon Ranger (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Harvest Moon DS (Nintendo / Rising Star Games) - 13th April 2007

The Settlers (Ubisoft) - 19th April 2007

Diddy Kong Racing DS (Nintendo) - 20th April 2007

Jin Jin (505 Games) - April 2007

Wild Wild Western (505 Games) - April 2007

Zendoku (Eidos) - April 2007

Lunar Knights (Konami) - April 2007

Lost in Blue 2 (Konami) - April 2007

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 (Konami) - April 2007

Impossible Mission (System 3) - April 2007

Final Fantasy III (Square Enix) - 4th May 2007

Nicktoons Battle Volcano Island (THQ) - 4th May 2007

Chicken Shoot + Egg Catcher (ZOO Digital Publishing) - 4th May 2007

Picross DS (Nintendo) - 11th May 2007

Custom Robo Arena (Nintendo) - 25th May 2007

Fishing DS (505 Games) - May 2007

Tangram (505 Games) - May 2007

Spider-Man The Movie 3 (Activision) - May 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Disney Interactive Studios) - May 2007

Pony Friends (Eidos) - May 2007

Death Jr and the Science Fair of Doom (Konami) - May 2007

Marvel Trading Card Game (Konami) - May 2007

Steel Horizon (Konami) - May 2007

Power Play Pool (System 3) - May 2007

Super Fruit Fall (System 3) - May 2007

Herbie: Fully Loaded (Disney Interactive Studios) - 1st June 2007

ANNO 1701 (Disney Interactive Studios) - 8th June 2007

8 Ball All Stars (Oxygen) - 8th June 2007

Powershot Pinball Constructor (Oxygen) - 8th June 2007

Mahjong (dtp) - 15th June 2007

Wario: Master of Disguise (Nintendo) - June 2007

Kirby Mouse Attack (Nintendo) - June 2007

Metroid Prime Pinball (Nintendo) - June 2007

Puzzle League DS (tentative title name) (Nintendo) - June 2007

Shrek The Third (Activision) - June 2007

Meteos: Disney Magic (Disney Interactive Studios) - June 2007

Best of tests DS (Neko Entertainment) - June 2007

Code Lyoco (Game Factory/K.E. Media) - Q2 2007

Pet Alien (Game Factory/K.E. Media) - Q2 2007

Panzer Tactics DS (10tacle Studios) - Q2 2007

Dino Master (Majesco) - Q2 2007

F24 Stealth Fighter (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Mech Assault Phantom War (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Nacho Libre (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Super Black Bass Fishing (Majesco) - Q2 2007

Guilty Gear Dust Strikers (Majesco / THQ) - Q2 2007

B-17 Fortress in the Sky (ZOO Digital Publishing) - Q2 2007

Frisbee Freestyle/Frisbee Golf (ZOO Digital Publishing) - Q2 2007


Game Boy Advance Hardware and Software - Release Date Q2 2007

Final Fantasy V Advance (Nintendo) - 13th April 2007

Another World (ZOO Digital Publishing) - 27th April 2007

Nicktoons Battle for Volcano Island (THQ) - 4th May 2007

Final Fantasy VI Advance (Nintendo) - June 2007

F24 Stealth Fighter (Majesco) - Q2 2007 ...