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Sonic Colors Trailer Shows Off Sonic’s New Moves
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Nintendo, Platformers, SEGA, Trailers, Wii,
The last 3D Sonic game, entitled Sonic Unleashed was a fairly experimental romp in the blue hedgehog’s universe. While the Sonic levels moved at blistering speeds with perspective transitioning from full 3D to side scrolling, the were-hog sections screeched the pace of the game to an alarming halt. Levels could take as long as 20 minutes when using the were-hog, and its slow pace just didn’t seem fitting for a Sonic game. However, between releasing a new 2D Sonic this fall, and now ‘Colors’, it seems SEGA is finally listening to its loyal fans.
With Sonic Colors, SEGA chooses to ditch the bogged down were-hog levels, while beefing up the Sonic-only single player run through. The lightning fast speed and switch to 2D perspectives are back again in this new chapter, as are a few new moves for our spiky haired protagonist to dispose enemies with. These new abilities are acquired by freeing ‘Wisps’. Wisps are creatures that look similar to the Chaos from the Adventure series. Different color Wisps lend various abilities to Sonic. For instance, the yellow Wisps provide Sonic with an all new drill ability that allows Sonic to tunnel through sand finding hidden items and new areas to explore. Another cool ability shown in the new trailer is the cyan laser skill, obtained from the cyan Wisp, of course. This allows Sonic to move at an uncontrollable laser speed, wreaking havoc on Eggman’s robotic creations.
The new trailer depicts these new abilities, and shows Sonic in rare form for a 3D adventure. Let’s hope that the blue blur is back, and won’t fall prey to annoying gimmicks or crappy level design. Look for Sonic Colors to hit stores November 12, 2010. Oh, lets try to do something about that theme song, SEGA! Catch the trailer after the break.
Click to continue reading Sonic Colors Trailer Shows Off Sonic’s New Moves
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Nintendo DS R4 Cards Now Illegal In UK
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Hardware, Mods/Hacks, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Portable/Mobile,
In an attempt to thwart rampant piracy of their Nintendo DS line of video games, Nintendo has been combating the use of the R4 card and other methods of pirating for years. Finally, Nintendo has seen a tremendous victory come about in the form of the banning of R4 cards in the United Kingdom.
Previously, the R4 card was used (or supposed to used at least) to install homebrew games that indie developers would cook up for the DS. However, the R4 could also be loaded with easily accessible retail versions of Nintendo DS titles from major developers posted online. This posed a big problem to not only Nintendo, but to the developers who saw a decline in their sales. With digital downloads of their games available online, and easily transferable to one of these R4 cards, it seemed that their games didn’t stand a chance at retail. Why purchase something when you can get it for free?
In light of this misuse of R4 cards, a UK court has ruled in favor of Nintendo, making the R4 card illegal in the UK. While this comes as a huge victory to Nintendo, we must shed a tear for the indie homebrew developers who actually used the R4 cards for its intended purpose.
Nintendo had this to say:
“In the UK alone, there have been over 100,000 game copying devices seized since 2009. Nintendo initiates these actions not only on its own behalf, but also on behalf of over 1,400 video game development companies that depend on legitimate sales of games for their survival.”
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| MCV UK
Super-Mario Crossover: Mega-Man Your Mario
Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Culture, Nintendo, PC, Platformers, Retro,
Ever wondered what it would be like to play the classic Super-Mario Brothers NES game using another character? Well newsgrounds.com creator ExplodingRabbit has released a flash version of the classic Super Mario Bros. title, Super Mario Crossover, that allows you to use with Simon Belmont from Castlevania, Link from The Legend of Zelda, Samus from Metroid, Mega Man, and Bill from Contra. All characters maintain their special weapons and characteristics and the game even introduces a few new character features when they interact with the Mario Brothers game environment. Bill gains a ‘rapid-fire’ ability when he eats a mushroom, Samus can plant bombs when she is in her ball form and even the music changes for each character. This flash game offers the perfect distraction for your 2pm post-lunch food-coma, and may make you wonder why you ever ditched your original NES in the first place.
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Black Wii available May 9 for $199 with Wii Sports Resort, MotionPlus
Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Accessories, Nintendo, Wii,
Getting tired of your standard-issue white Wii console? Well then fret no more, your prayers have been answered. Today, Nintendo announced the release of its new Black Wii, a console that will come packaged with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and the control-enhancing Wii MotionPlus accessory. Both the new black edition, available stateside May 9th, and all subsequent white consoles will still sell for $199, and both models will come with the aforementioned games and accessories included. If I were you, I would go for the black one—white Wii consoles just scream “I’m stuck in 2007! Want to spend $4 a gallon on gas with me?”
You can order the Black Wii on Amazon now.
Read More | Black Wii
Wii Classic Controller Pro now shipping
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Nintendo, Wii,
If the original Wii Classic Controller was a bit too small for your meaty hands, you’ll be pleased to know that Nintendo has stayed true to their promise to ship the new, larger Classic Controller Pro by April. You can get in on the action now, as Amazon has both the black and white models in stock and ready to ship at a cost of $19.99 each.
Read More | Wii Classic Controller Pro
Gaming gear I wish I had on this 12-hour flight
Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Accessories, Culture, Features, Music, Nintendo, Sony,
As I write this, I am squeezed into a coach seat on a 12 hour flight from an undisclosed location in the middle east to New York City. Once I get done with this, I have another 6-hour jaunt to Los Angeles, and the memory of my last 2-hour flight here fades with every drop of overpriced airline beer. In these trying times, a man needs to keep entertained. My DS is charged, but alas, I have completed Castlevania already.
There are three - no, four crying infants on board. The man to my left has clearly not showered since the Reagan administration. If I don’t survive, let me leave you with these thoughts of what could have been, if only I had taken this frightening possibility into deeper consideration.
Hit the jump for my last coherent thoughts before the chilling onset of complete madness.
Click to continue reading Gaming gear I wish I had on this 12-hour flight
Nintendo DSi XL: Hands on
Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Features, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Portable/Mobile,
You know, when I look at the Nintendo DSi XL, I can’t help but notice the similarity in form factor to Apple‘s iPad (though the DSi XL was released first - thanks for catching that, astute readers!). Nintendo recently announced the US release of the n-th iteration of the DS, now focusing on a bigger screen. Come to think of it, both companies have a penchant for constantly releasing new SKU’s of existing hardware every few months with minor tweaks to inexplicable demand by an attention-deficit public, all while making the people who just bought their newly-outdated hardware feel small and relatively ashamed.
Either way, we got our hands on one at the GDC in San Francisco. Hit the jump for relevant deets.
Click to continue reading Nintendo DSi XL: Hands on
Nintendo DSi XL launches in US on March 28th, $190
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Portable/Mobile,
Earlier today, Nintendo announced that their new DSi XL will be launching in North America on March 28, 2007, selling for $190. The DSI XL is basically a jumbo sized Nintendo DSi, boasting two 4.2-inch LCD displays (up from the smaller DSi’s 3.25-inch displays.) At launch, the DSi XL will be available in two colors: burgundy and bronze. The new model also comes preloaded with a few games, including a couple of Brain Age DSiWare titles, Photo Clock, the DSi web browser, and Flipnote Studio. Europe gets in on the fun as well, as the XL launches bear on March 5.
Netflix streaming comes to Wii this Spring
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Nintendo, Wii,
If you’re a gamer who doesn’t own an Xbox 360 or PS3, then you’ve been left out in the cold as it pertains to Netflix streaming. All of that changes this Spring, though, as Netflix and Nintendo have announced a partnership that will allow you to stream Netflix instant content using your Wii console. Similar to the Playstation 3 scenario, you’ll have to insert a Netflix disc in order to view content, as opposed to the Xbox 360 method, which has Netflix built right in to the dashboard. No firm date has been announced just yet, but the Netflix streaming disc will be free with the cost of your Netflix subscription.
Get your black Wiimote, nunchuk, and MotionPlus at Costco
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Hot Deals, Nintendo, Wii,
Hey, are you looking to add to your Wii Remote collection this holiday season, or are you maybe picking up a Wii for the first time? If so, be sure to hit up Costco. As you can see in the image above, they’ve got stacks of black Wii Remotes that are bundled with both a black Nunchuck, and a black Wii MotionPlus add-on, all for $59.99. Yeah, you won’t find that price anywhere else.
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