News: News | Weekly Round-Up: 18.02.2007 - 25.02.2007 Page 1

Welcome to the weekly C3 round-up (18.02.2007 - 25.02.2007), a collection of news and updates posted this week in world of Nintendo and video games.

Contents
General News
Media
Features
Reviews
Forum Updates

General News

EA Rhythm Game in the Works?
Quick News - Random Nintendo has got word that a new rhythm game is in development exclusively for Wii. The title is said to make use of a '1970's vibe', and unlike Dance Dance Revolution, will not involve the use of a dancemat. More support from a long line of games being delivered by EA, though we'll treat this as a rumour for now.

Keep it locked to C3 for further updates...

Casamassina Sees the Unknown
With the Wii-remote opening up the potential for new types of games and updates to existing franchises, developers have been hard at work for the console. However, something extra special is on the way, according to IGN editor Matt Casamassina - with claims of unknown Wii projects in the pipeline.

Read on for more...

Nyko Announces Gripping Accessories
Nintendo's unique motion and classic controllers have been subject to much torment since the console's release, with some incapable gamers damaging their peripherals. Nyko have revealed accessories to help Wii owners get a grip.

Read on for more...

God of War Dev Speaks Wii
Cory Barlog, Director of upcoming PlayStation 2 game God of War II, spoke in his blog about Nintendo's Wii after having received one recently. He gives opinion on it, saying It was fun...but the wow factor wore off fairly quick, amongst other more positive views. Check the link for more.

Stick with C3 for more news...

Learn Yoga with Konami on DS
Quick News - In a news update from Konami, the latest title to come from the company is Dokodemo Yoga for the Nintendo DS, a training game for those interested in Yoga! Due for a Japanese release in Spring 2007, you can check out the first shot below:

Dokodemo Yoga (Nintendo DS)

Warp Zone for Wii Virtual Console
Nintendo have added a promising feature to the Wii's Virtual Console channel known as Warp Zone. The feature compliments the classic range by offering a historical look at one of the best video game companies to date.

Read on for more...

GameCube Lives to Fight Another Day
In a recent interview, Nintendo of America's Perrin Kaplan confirmed that the GameCube was dead, full stop. Now, though, Nintendo UK has turned this around, claiming it to be incorrect.

Head inside for more details...

New Systems Added to the Virtual Console!
The time many have been waiting for has finally come: Nintendo has confirmed two new systems will be made available on the Wii's Virtual Console, plus Square Enix announces its first game.

Head inside for more details...

Nintendo DS Battles On Through Shortages
Update - Top 50 Media Create numbers and hardware included.

Thanks to an update over in Japan, the first day sales for the latest batch of releases have been revealed.

Head inside for more details...

Zelda Ocarina of Time and Kid Icarus on European VC
Update - Official Press Release now inside.

The Virtual Console has gradually been building up a stronger and stronger library and now one of the best games of all time has launched on the system, Zelda: Ocarina of Time from the N64.

Head inside for more details...

Midway Pledge Increased Support for Wii
With developers watching the Wii's userbase grow at a rapid rate, various studios have recently announced a shift in production to try to meet the demand for their games on Nintendo's system. In a recent call with investors, Midway announced an increase in Wii production.

Read on for more...

A New Wii on the Way?
Quick News - In a recent interview Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan was asked if the Wii would be relaunched similar to the GBA and DS were and answered: Sure, absolutely. You'll see the ways in which we do that. Check out the full interview below:

Game Daily Interview Perrin Kaplan

THQ Spreads Juice on DS
The Nintendo DS is fast becoming the platform of choice for many Third Party developers and THQ is definitely one of those supporters, as shown by a recent big announcement.

Head inside for more details...

Sega Follows EA, Switches Development from PSP to DS
Follow EA's turnaround to support the DS more than the PSP, it seems that Sega is also ready to admit there is more worth in pushing product onto Nintendo's portable.

Head inside for more details...

New Wii Games Revealed and Chew Man Fu on US Virtual Console
Quick News - Whilst on the prowl, C3 has seen Hudson pop up on the ESRB website with Chew Man Fu from the TurboGrafx appearing on the VC. Also, Tokyo Xtreme Racer DRIFT 2 from Crave is listed as Wii, along with Jewel Quest II and Sproink from 21 Rocks, LLC.

Stay tuned for more details...

Namco to Unveil New Tales Next Week [Update]
Following the story about a Tales RPG survey going round, Bandai Namco had announced that a new entry into the role-playing series will be unveiled next week. The game's platform, along with details, has now been revealed to the general public.

Read on for more details...

Castlevania Coming to Virtual Console?
Quick News - Thanks to a listing on the ESRB ratings website, it appears that four Konami classics will soon be arriving on the virtual console. Gradius III (SNES), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES), Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES) and Castlevania (NES) all look set to launch shortly.

Keep it locked to Cubed3 for further updates...

Latest Nintendo Updates (Panel de Pon DS, More English Training, etc...)
Update - Wii and DS Japanese release lists updated.

It is that time of the week again where the latest news and updates from Japan are pieced together in one handy news post.

Head inside for all the details...

Chewing Gum and Wii the Perfect Combination?
In what may come as a surprise, chewing gum maker Wrigley has made a move into Wii territory with some new games.

Head inside for more details...

Hotel Dusk Detailed in Preparation for European Launch
Having already proved a great success in Japan and doing quite well in the US so far, Nintendo of Europe is gearing up to releasing Cing's Hotel Dusk: Room 215 in Europe very soon.

Head inside for more details...

Nintendo's Wii Nearly Doubles Sony PlayStation 3
Some new data has emerged from US sales tracker NPD, showing how the three new generation machines did against each other for the month of January, 2007.

Head inside for more details...

Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan Sequel Confirmed
Quick news: A sequel to Japanese DS rhythm game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (adapted for Western markets as Elite Beat Agents) has been confirmed by DenGeki, citing a 2007 release. The full title is Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, which we believe roughly translates to the slightly cumbersome Burn! Fervorous Spirit of Rhythm! Go! Fight! Cheer Squad 2.

Great news for the fans of the original - stick with C3 for more!

ZootFly Confirms Future Support for Wii
Recently founded development studio Zootfly, developers of titles such as Panzer Elite Action and TimeO, have confirmed plans to develop for Wii in an interview with Playstation Universe.

Head inside for details...

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales Dated for US
Quick News: Square Enix has set a date for the upcoming Final Fantasy spin-off, Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. Square's latest DS RPG effort hits stores in the US on April 3rd 2007.

For more information on the game, be sure to check out C3's review of the Japanese version.

Red Steel Zen Garden and Calligraphy Set
Fancy getting your Wii stained mitts on some exclusive Red Steel goodies? C3 has teamed up with Ubisoft UK to bring you an exclusive competition for a handheld Zen Garden and a Calligraphy set for two lucky winners.

Head on in for more details...

Suda 51 Talks Gaming, Killer 7 and No More Heroes

Koji Kondo, Martin Leung, Lucasarts Performing at GDC

Japanese Games for US, US Games for Europe?

Nintendo Wii Blamed for Declining Interest in Toys

Indie Developers in Dark About Wii

Ex-Clover Staff on Capcom Wii Project

Donkey Kong Country Heads US Virtual Console Update

Ubisoft Spies on Wii and DS...

Zero Suit Samus Statue

Ste Pickford: Naked War would be perfect for Nintendo's online service

Warp Pipe Announce Wiiminder

Rare Speaks Microsoft, Nintendo