The latest batch of video games get reviewed by the Japanese Famitsu Mag, heres the scores:

TOCA Race Driver 2 (PS2): 8, 8, 7, 7
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 13 (PS2): 9, 9, 8, 9
Taisen Ryaku VII (PS2): 7, 7, 6, 7
Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard (PS2): 8, 9, 8, 9
Bleach Wii (Wii) 7, 7, 6, 7
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii): 7, 8, 8, 7
World Soccer Winning Eleven X (Xbox 360): 9, 8, 8, 10
Onechanbara VorteX (Xbox 360): 7, 7, 6, 7
Earth Defense Force 3 (Xbox 360): 8, 7, 7, 8
TOCA Race Driver 2 (PSP): 8, 8, 7, 8
Taisen Ryaku Portable 2 (PSP); 7, 7, 6, 8
World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 (PSP): 9, 8, 8, 9
SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS (DS): 7, 6, 5, 7
The Slims; Pet Wan Nyan Life (DS): 6, 7, 6, 6
Ryusei No Rockman (DS); 8, 8, 7, 9
Kabushiki Baibai Trainer Kabutore! (DS): 8, 7, 7, 7
Quiz! Nihongo-Ou (DS); 7, 6, 5, 7
Chocobo to Maho No Ehon (DS); 8, 8, 8, 9
Fushigi Dungeon Furai no Shiren (DS); 9, 9, 8, 8
Puyo Puyo! (DS): 8, 7, 7, 8
NARUTO: Shinobi Retsuden (DS): 7, 6, 6, 6
Gintama: Gintoki vs. Dokata (DS): 7, 6, 6, 8 ...

At last! Nintendo's innovative, convention-busting Wii has landed, spreading motion-sensitive joy and wonder across the land. Just make sure you keep hold of that Wii-mote...

So, to welcome the console's first wave of games, we've gathered together our reviews of the launch games you need to know about.

Simply click the game you want and our fabulous words will tell you everything you need to know about your chosen title. We'll be bringing you more Wii reviews in the run up to Christmas but, until then, enjoy our roundup of what Nintendo's got in store for all you early adopters.

Call of Duty 3
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Madden NFL 07
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Need for Speed Carbon
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
Wii Sports

News/reviews over at Gamesradar ...

The industry-tracking NPD Group released its retail numbers for November yesterday, and US sales were up nearly 15 percent over November 2005. It was good news for the industry after October's sales figures--predicted by analysts to show a percentage increase in the double digits--were unexpectedly flat.

In an investor's note discussing the NPD's numbers today, Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson said the off month was due to consumers holding on to their wallets in anticipation of a big November. "It appears there was a meaningful pause in spending in front of the launch of the PlayStation 3, Wii, and lots of AAA software in November," Wilson said.

However, few of those AAA software sales were for games on the new systems, as Wilson noted that PS3 and Wii games weren't flying off the shelves as much as expected. The tie-ratio--the average number of games sold per system--was 1.1 for the PS3, and 2.1 for the Wii. Wilson blamed the low numbers on people buying the systems on their own to turn around and sell them for a profit.

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter also pointed out the tie-ratios, calling them "record lows" for new consoles. Despite that, Pachter expects the Wii and PS3 to play a significant role in year-over-year sales growth of 7-10 percent for the month, so long as Nintendo and Sony can get enough systems to retail and "the eBay effect" is suppressed.

For people who did pick up games with their new systems, Wilson said the best-sellers on the Wii were The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Red Steel, and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, in that order. Far and away the best-seller on either new system, Twilight Princess sold enough copies to spin in 86 percent of Wii systems sold in November.

On the PS3, the biggest mover was Resistance: Fall of Man, followed by Madden NFL 07 and Call of Duty 3, respectively. NPD figures show that Resistance sold a little more than one copy for every three PS3 systems on the market.

via gamespot ...

The industry-tracking NPD Group released its retail numbers for November yesterday, and US sales were up nearly 15 percent over November 2005. It was good news for the industry after October's sales figures--predicted by analysts to show a percentage increase in the double digits--were unexpectedly flat.

In an investor's note discussing the NPD's numbers today, Pacific Crest Securities analyst Evan Wilson said the off month was due to consumers holding on to their wallets in anticipation of a big November. "It appears there was a meaningful pause in spending in front of the launch of the PlayStation 3, Wii, and lots of AAA software in November," Wilson said.

However, few of those AAA software sales were for games on the new systems, as Wilson noted that PS3 and Wii games weren't flying off the shelves as much as expected. The tie-ratio--the average number of games sold per system--was 1.1 for the PS3, and 2.1 for the Wii. Wilson blamed the low numbers on people buying the systems on their own to turn around and sell them for a profit.

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter also pointed out the tie-ratios, calling them "record lows" for new consoles. Despite that, Pachter expects the Wii and PS3 to play a significant role in year-over-year sales growth of 7-10 percent for the month, so long as Nintendo and Sony can get enough systems to retail and "the eBay effect" is suppressed.

For people who did pick up games with their new systems, Wilson said the best-sellers on the Wii were The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Red Steel, and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, in that order. Far and away the best-seller on either new system, Twilight Princess sold enough copies to spin in 86 percent of Wii systems sold in November.

On the PS3, the biggest mover was Resistance: Fall of Man, followed by Madden NFL 07 and Call of Duty 3, respectively. NPD figures show that Resistance sold a little more than one copy for every three PS3 systems on the market.

via gamespot ...

via gamespot

While most in the game industry view the Wii's unconventionally shaped controller as something unique, there's one company that has a different view of the device.

Interlink Electronics, Inc., a California company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of interface devices, on Monday filed a complaint against Nintendo's US subsidiary, Nintendo of America, accusing it of patent infringement. Interlink's products include devices to assist in PowerPoint presentations, conference room keyboards, and portable speakers.

Interlink filed its complaint, first reported by Kotaku, in US District Court in Delaware.

The complaint alleges that the trigger on the bottom of the Wii controller infringes on Interlink Patent No. 6,850,221 (Trigger Operated Electronic Device), which the company secured on February 1, 2005. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata first presented the Wii controller to the public not too long after that date, during the 2005 Tokyo Game Show.

The drawings (above) which accompanied the patent application--first filed on September 17, 1997--do look suspiciously similar to the Wii trigger, but in the filing, Interlink offers scant detail of exactly how Nintendo currently infringes on the '221 patent, stating only that, "Nintendo has made, used, offered for sale and sold in the United States, and continues to make, use, offer for sale and sell in the United States one or more controllers which activities infringe, induce others to infringe, and/or contributorily infringe the '221 patent."

The complaint seeks a jury trial and damages to determine the amount of "loss of reasonable royalties, reduced sales and/or lost profits as a result of the infringing activities."

This lawsuit brought by Interlink recalls the legal wrangling Microsoft and Sony found themselves in when Immersion Corp. brought lawsuits against those two console giants. Back in 2003, Immersion hauled those console makers into court, alleging patent infringement of Immersion's "haptic" technology which allows gamers to feel controllers vibrate as they react to on-screen action. Microsoft eventually settled with Immersion, while Sony went to the mat, suffering defeat at the bench and paying Immersion Corp. more that $80 million in damages. ...

PlayStation 3 owners doing a little online shopping on the PlayStation Store may have noticed a few new items they could put in their cart. Yesterday, the downloadable games Lemmings and Go! Sudoku were made available for purchase online.

Lemmings is a new version of the classic PC game of the same name that pits gamers in charge of leading mindless critters to safety by assigning certain lemmings specific tasks. The PS3 version has more than 50 levels, is single-player only, and features an online leaderboard. Lemmings costs $2.99.

Go! Sudoku brings the popular number-sorting game to the PS3 with animated backgrounds and dynamic music, both of which respond to players' actions. The initial download of the game is free, with extra puzzle packs (sorted by difficulty level) costing $2.99 apiece. Previously, Sony said that approximately 1,000 puzzles would be available for download.

via gamespot ...

Via Gamesindustry


"It feels amazing. I can't believe it's real."

Those were the words of 17 year old Marwan Elgamal from Wembley after he became the first person in the UK to pick up a Wii console. His wait began on Tuesday at 5pm, when he set up camp outside HMV's Oxford Street store, and finally ended at midnight last night.

"I'm a Nintendo fanboy, so I'll buy anything Nintendo. The Wii is just so different, and it just feels so great playing it that I had to be the first one to get it," he said.

"I've enjoyed myself so much during Nintendo games....They keep bringing the gameplay, so I'll keep playing. They're still bringing out titles for their hardcore fanbase and taking a different direction to the casual gamers, and it's just bringing everyone together."

That certainly seemed to be the case earlier on in the evening, judging by comments of a rowdy bunch of gamers who'd met that day and quickly made friends: "We're Wii buddies. We love each other. It's all about the Nintendo Wii, at the end of the day."

But what is it about the Wii they like so much? "Zelda," came the answer from more than one person. "It's all about the sensor thing, innit," said someone else. Other answers included, "Everything," and, "It's Nintendo. Every system has been a winner. Even the Cube."

For 19 year old Daniel Kirby from Kingsbury, the Wii became an essential purchase after he got the chance to play a demo as part of Nintendo's Wii Tour initiative.

"I've always liked Nintendo consoles, because they're always party-oriented and you can play them in big groups," he said. "I played it and I thought, 'I have to get my hands on this.' Because it's completely revolutionary. It's amazing."

There were two queues - one at the front of the store and another snaking down an alley alongside. At the back of the line was 21 year old Med, who was queuing at HMV despite the fact he works in a branch of rival high street retailer GAME.

"All staff are being cut off from the Wii. We're not allowed to buy one until we have some free stock, so I'm here," he said.

"But it's fun, there's a good atmosphere, and Ian Wright's going to be inside; it'll be nice to meet him. So I'm quite happy my company isn't going to sell it to me even though I work for them."

Inside HMV, staff were busy constructing Wii displays, bringing out stock and setting up a stage area where Ian Wright would later join Nell McAndrew, Pat Cash and Ricky Hatton to demo the console. And they were clearly expecting a sell-out, with one spokesperson saying, "If we have got any units left by the end of the night, I won't have done my job properly."

HMV's head of games, Tim Ellis, observed, "It's difficult to pull all the elements together and get your shops ready and things like that, and it's equally difficult for Nintendo as it was for Microsoft and it will be for Sony.

"You know what the frustrations are going to be. We knew six months ago that we weren't going to get enough stock, so you work with that. As long as we can give the public what they want over the next six months, then everyone walks away happy."

Back outside in the queue, talk turned to the software launch line-up - with Zelda top of the list for most of those looking to buy a Wii.

"I can understand why," said Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton.

"I've been playing Zelda on Wii, and it's fantastic. The musical arrangements on it, the graphics, the storyline - even if you're not a gamer, Zelda is the game to have."

That certainly seemed to be the feeling amongst those queueing. "To be truthful there isn't enough choice, but there is Zelda," one gamer said.

Rob, a 24 year old from Croydon, was also a little disappointed but still optimistic regarding the range of software on offer. "With the DS, it was a bit wonky at first - first party titles were really good, but third party titles were a bit hit and miss. But now they're starting to pick up, and I reckon the same will happen with the Wii, within two years or so," he said.

"Zelda's for the hardcore gamers really. I think those types of punters would have wanted more pure gaming," conceded Tim Ellis.

"Personally I'd have liked a few more new releases as I think we can handle them, but in the long run, I don't think it really matters on day one. It's the next six months."

Even those who felt the Wii's launch line-up was lacking seemed to feel it compared well to that for PlayStation 3. "Some of the games look all right, but there's nothing that really stands out and grabs me like Wii Sports and Zelda did," said Rob. So he won't be queueing up to pick up a PS3 in March? "I haven't got that much money."

Standing next to Rob was 25 year old Melinda from Sutton, also a skeptic when it comes to Sony's new console. "I'm a Nintendo fan. I used to like Sony stuff, but I'm a bit unsure about PlayStation 3. I hate the controller - it's not very ergonomic, and I don't like the new trigger buttons."

Meanwhile, the group of new friends down the line were still making noise and eager to offer their opinions on the Wii's other rival, the Xbox 360. "I burn that ...

Article from Gamespot

...

Following the UK launch this morning prices for Wii consoles have exploded on internet auction sites, flogging for as much as £500 on eBay.

Nintendo previously denied retailer reports that would-be Wii purchasers will be unable to secure a console without pre-ordering until next year, but - although internet Del boys will always try their luck - the significantly marked-up auction prices could certainly suggest a shortage of 'walk in and buy' consoles in the UK.

Nintendo announced this afternoon that Wii has already sold 50,000 units in the UK - one unit sold for every second the console has been on sale.

Nintendo told us that "there are trucks leaving the factory every day up until Christmas so the ebay vultures shouldn't get as much business as usual."

Don't panic - keep calling your local retailers.

Via cvg ...