NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: WITH FANTASY GAMES THIS GOOD, WHY SETTLE FOR REALITY?

March 8, 2010

Sometimes realism is overrated. Don’t we all need a regular jolt of fantasy to keep our imaginations alive and kicking? For Wiiâ„¢ owners, this week’s new game lineup is set to deliver exactly that. Max & the Magic Marker for the WiiWareâ„¢ service imagines what would happen if your own artistic creation turned against you, while the Virtual Consoleâ„¢ service features a big dose of otherworldly action with the classic FINAL FANTASY® II. Browse all the latest downloadable games for the Wii and Nintendo DSiâ„¢ systems to help keep your imagination fueled to the max.

We’ve also got some free bonus inspiration for you this week: At last September’s Penny Arcade Expo, Nintendo invited professional artists to create one-of-a-kind animations using the Flipnote Studioâ„¢ application for the Nintendo DSi system. The results are now online and ready for viewing at the Flipnote Hatena site (http://flipnote.hatena.com), including cool clips from top comic artists like Eric Jones, Christina Strain and Mike Choi. Check them out and treat your brain to extra helpings of creative juice.

WiiWare

Max & the Magic Marker
Publisher: Press Play
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Pointsâ„¢
Description: One day Max gets a mysterious marker in the mail. Not knowing better, the first thing he draws is a wacky, purple monster. As soon as the marker leaves the paper, the monster comes to life and jumps off the paper and into another drawing. With the monster on the loose and messing with Max’s drawings, Max has no choice but to go after it. Armed with the magic marker, you must help Max track the monster through 15 inventive and challenging levels. You’ll need more than good will and quick reflexes to tackle the challenges ahead. Draw freely inside the game to help Max defeat enemies, overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. As you draw stairs, seesaws, balloons, surfboards and whatever else you can think of, your creations will interact with the physical environment, making every session unique.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dracula – Undead Awakening
Publisher: Chillingo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Are you a vampire hunter? Are you ready to battle legions of undead foes including zombies, ghouls and werewolves? You’ll need to wield an arsenal of powerful weaponry while using your skill and intelligence. Uncover devastating firepower – machine guns, buzz-saws, flamethrowers and more – and choose upgrades for them as well as unique new perks for your character as your enemies increase in number and ferocity. You’re a tough customer, but beware – Lord Dracula is always on the hunt, and you are his prey. Enemies in Dracula have one thing in common: Undead, lycanthrope or mutant, they’re all after your flesh.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Virtual Console

FINAL FANTASY II
Original platform: Super NESâ„¢
Publisher: Square Enix
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Follow the dark knight Cecil – Lord Captain of Baron’s elite force, the Red Wings – as he embarks on a fateful journey riddled with trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery. Plagued with uncertainty over his monarch’s motives, can Cecil turn away from the path of darkness and destruction?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Nintendo DSiWareâ„¢

Elemental Masters
Publisher: lbxgames
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Pointsâ„¢
Description: In this fantasy card game, stand your ground in a quest filled with magic and adventure, and experience a thrilling combination of strategy and role-playing. Choose your character, build up your army in your card deck and fight the mystical creatures of Elendior. With thoughtful use of your cards, you’ll obtain the monsters of your enemy and support your attacks by using arcane spells and the rules of dark magic. Dive into this captivating story in the quest mode or duel with your friends in multiplayer mode. More than 100 creatures in numerous maps are waiting for you.

Click here to view the embedded video.

4 TRAVELLERSâ„¢ – Play Spanish
Publisher: AGENIUS Interactive
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Whether played alone or together with friends, 4 TRAVELLERS can teach you new words in Spanish. The game is suitable for both young and old, and no previous knowledge is necessary. The more you play, the more your Spanish vocabulary increases. You can also play and learn with the game’s unique learning mode. The game is perfect to bring on your trip, with more than 240 carefully selected words included specifically for this occasion.

[Sorry, no screenshots or gameplay video available at the time of posting.]

Dracula – Undead Awakening
Publisher: Chillingo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Are you a vampire hunter? Are you ready to battle legions of undead foes including zombies, ghouls and werewolves? You’ll need to wield an arsenal of powerful weaponry while using your skill and intelligence. Uncover devastating firepower – machine guns, buzz-saws, flamethrowers and more – and choose upgrades for them as well as unique new perks for your character as your enemies increase in number and ferocity. You’re a tough customer, but beware – Lord Dracula is always on the hunt, and you are his prey. Enemies in Dracula have one thing in common: Undead, lycanthrope or mutant, they’re all after your flesh.

[Above images thanks to NintendoLife.]

Flips: The Bubonic Builders
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Not Rated
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Flips Interactive Books are the fun new way for kids to read. The builders are in to replace the girls’ toilet block, but they’re more interested in cups of tea and instant noodle snacks than doing any work. James suspects foul play, but Alexander and Lenny are doubtful until a strange accident hammers the truth home. How will the three friends stop St. Sebastian’s from being reduced to rubble?

[Above image thanks to NintendoLife.]

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Cardâ„¢ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.

[Nintendo PR]

It looks like the rumors are true. Scribblenauts will, in fact, be getting a sequel this fall.  Check out the official press release below from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THE NEXT SCRIBBLENAUTS GAME IS ON THE WAY! FOLLOW-UP TO GROUNDBREAKING GAME FOR NINTENDO DS WILL TAKE PLAYERS’ IMAGINATIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH FURTHER INNOVATIONS

Creativity abounds with a new adjectives system for even more ways to play!

BURBANK, Calif. - March 8, 2010 - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces plans to create the next Scribblenauts for Nintendo DS, a follow-up to the revolutionary hit videogame where players use their imagination to write any word bring that object to life and use it to solve puzzles.  Available in fall 2010, the follow-up game expands the innovative elements from the acclaimed first title with many inventive new features, including an adjectives system that allows players to push the limits of their imagination to create their own experience.

In this new game created and developed by 5TH Cell, players use the stylus and touch screen to help Maxwell, the game’s hero, acquire the “Starite,” the prize earned from solving the puzzle in even more robust challenges and redesigned levels.  Players now have the ability to write any object that comes to mind and modify it in any way they desire using adjectives to reach the goal in each level.  Adjectives can change the color, size, elements, behaviors and many other aspects of the object they are describing. Multiple adjectives can be combined together to produce incredibly creative objects, allowing the player’s imagination to run wild for a truly unique and individualistic experience.

“The Scribblenauts sequel gives all players an enhanced game experience they will love and new challenges where they can use their imaginations even more,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “5TH Cell is a very talented and creative developer and we are excited to add to the Scribblenauts franchise with this new game.”

The next Scribblenauts broadens the players’ experience from the first Scribblenauts through more creativity, innovation and in-depth gameplay,” said Jeremiah Slaczka, Creative Director and Co-Founder of 5TH Cell.  “All of these enhancements give players even greater control over how they want to play the game.”

The new Scribblenauts game will offer more words, more creativity and limitless possibilities for gamers of all ages.

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About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About 5TH Cell
5TH Cell Media, LLC is a leading independent developer of interactive entertainment software. Focused on original IP, 5TH Cell has established a track record of success on the Nintendo DS by providing a unique user experiences that cannot be found in other games. 5TH Cell’s primary studio is currently located in Bellevue, Washington. For more information on 5TH Cell products, please visit www.5thcell.com.

[PR Email from Warner Bros.]

Forget Mario and Metroid, Busy Scissors is the must have title of the 2010!

Hurry up and pre-order before it sells out!

/sarcasm

IRVINE, CA - February 24, 2010 - Little Orbit LLC to publish Busy Scissors®, a hairstyling and simulation video game scheduled for release on Wiiâ„¢ and Nintendo DSâ„¢ in North America, Europe, and Japan this September.

Get ready to perm, color, shampoo, cut, blow dry, and style hair with the Wii Remoteâ„¢. Players earn reputation and advance their career in a Hollywood based salon by meeting the demands of their glamorous and eccentric clientele. The game progresses as they help unlock each client’s inner potential by finding their unique outward style. The game features over 35 hairstyles, 30 mini-games, 6 career levels, and 4 game modes, which provide a dynamic combination of realistic gameplay, humor, and entertainment.

Manifest Oranj, the game’s developer, spent months working with experts from the world-class TONI&GUY Academy to select real hair styles used in the game. Each salon technique was demonstrated and filmed by the team, before it was re-created in 3D and designed as a mini-game.

“This game is the culmination of a great deal of effort,” says Bruno Mascolo, owner and visionary of TONI&GUY North America. “I believe that only this unique group of partners could bring together the industry knowledge, casual gaming experience, and real world products necessary to create this unique game.”

To celebrate this one-of-a-kind-game, Little Orbit has teamed up with Unilever and TIGI to include virtual items from their Bedhead and TIGI Pro product lines. Players can experiment with professional tools like Flat Irons and Curl Sticks, while sculpting their client’s look with Bedhead’s famous line of Shampoos, Conditioners, Hairsprays, Styling Gels and more.

“TIGI and Bedhead have always been about not taking themselves too seriously, staying on the cutting edge, and having fun. Busy Scissors is just another example of our commitment to those values” says Joseph De Martino, brand manager, Bed Head, TIGI “Students and stylists all across the country use our products every day to create all of the hair styles in Busy Scissors, so why shouldn’t we make those same products available in the game.”

Cosmetology insiders attending America’s Beauty Show this March in Chicago will be among the first to catch a sneak peak of Busy Scissors.

Summary
[WiiWare] Fans of all ages can enjoy the newest entry in this historic 8-bit franchise. As a special service to new players, there’s an Easy Mode - a first for a Mega Man game. This new feature means novices and longtime fans alike can all have a shot at making it to the end of a Mega Man game. Also, you can now play as Proto Man and try Time Attack Mode from the beginning, or watch play-through videos from players all over the world. [Capcom]

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Game Informer – 88
Overall, Mega Man 10 offers all the nuts and bolts a diehard blue bomber fan could want in a retro sequel, while boasting even more content than Mega Man 9 with all its DLC combined.

IGN – 85
Apart from any disappointment about the length of the game, Mega Man 10 still has plenty to offer, and for a game that costs $10, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.

Worth Playing – 85
Mega Man 10 is a solid follow-up to Mega Man 9. It lacks a bit of the charm of its predecessor, but it still remains a solid and well put-together Mega Man game.

GameSpy – 80
It’s not quite up to the shining standards of Mega Man 2 and the extremely underrated Mega Man 5 (and I’m dead serious about that — go play it before you knock it), but it’s definitely nowhere near the bottom of the bin that Mega Man 4 and the non-NES installments so squarely define.

Zentendo – 80
Long time fans will enjoy it, but the causal gamer won’t have much of a reason to rush out and buy this as it’s just a continuation of 9.

1UP – 75
While this may amount to little more than yet another Mega Man sequel, it’s still one of the best 2D action games to come along in years.

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The game is based on the Lego Harry Potter line and its storyline will cover the first four books of the Harry Potter series: Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.

Like the previous Lego games, a large number of characters are playable, over 140. These include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, aswell as some unusual ones such as Fang, Dobby, Buckbeak and centaurs .[5] Some characters have different abilities, based on the skills of their book counterparts. For instance, Harry is a very good broomstick rider and he is able to perform tricks and shoot jinxes when he is on a broom, Hermione is the best character at casting spells, and Ron can use Scabbers to crawl into otherwise unreachable areas.

Pre-Order LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

This just in from Capcom:

We are pleased to announce during this week’s Mega Man 10 launch that the rumors are true! Mega Man 10 does indeed have an additional character you can play as, and that character is Bass! On April 5 ^th, users can download Bass for 200 Wii points.

Dr. Wily designed Bass with Mega Man’s abilities in mind. Of course there’s a bitter rivalry between the two, although Bass will help Mega Man out if he sees a benefit for himself.

Bass uses a weapon called the Bass Buster, which is a lot like the Mega Buster except that it fires faster and can fire upwards and diagonally (7 directions in all). He can also use the Bass Buster to shoot-down enemy attacks!  He uses dash to avoid enemy advances. He can also copy the weapons of the bosses in the game after defeating them, just like Mega Man can.  When he combines with his robotic canine pal Treble, he can fly and shoot more powerful projectiles with his buster.

[PR Email from Capcom]

If you’re looking to get a Wii, now is your time! This weekend, WalMart will begin selling a “Special Value Edition” bundle (pictured above) that includes everything that comes with a Wii normally, as well as Wii Sports Resort and one Wii MotionPlus attachment. It’s currently unknown if this is a limited edition bundle or if it’s limited to WalMart. The best part is that the price is $200, the same as a normal Wii. There are rumors floating around the internet that this is a black Wii, but those are incorrect. The picture that is floating around with that rumor is just a picture of the European box for the black Wii, and the real bundle is pictured above. I repeat… it’s only available in white. Regardless, you get Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus for no additional cost, so it’s a great deal.

[Via NeoGAF]

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES

GALACTIC TAZ BALL

GAME WITH DUAL MODES OF PLAY FOR NINTENDO DS IS A WHIRLWIND OF FUN FOR KIDS

BURBANK, Calif. - March 4, 2010 - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces Galactic Taz Ball, a new videogame for the Nintendo DSâ„¢ starring Taz, the frenetically fantastic Looney Tunes character beloved by all. The game will be available in Europe and Australia May 2010 and in North America Fall 2010.

“Taz is one of the most popular characters in the Looney Tunes family, and with Galactic Taz Ball kids can have fun for hours with action, exploration, platform challenges and puzzle solving,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “This creative game packs all of the wild fun that everyone loves about Taz into a handheld experience with two unique modes of play.”

In Galactic Taz Ball, Taz is accidentally kidnapped by Marvin the Martian who’s stealing the Earth’s landscape to make Mars more scenic. Taz must spin his way across pieces of Earth floating in space to stop Marvin from destroying the planet and get back home.

The game contains two worlds with completely different gameplay mechanics. The “Overworld” is an action-style 3-D game playable on the Nintendo DS top screen with unique track ball controls using the stylus on the bottom screen. When Taz moves fast enough he becomes a tornado that can destroy objects and enemies. The “Underworld” is a side-scrolling puzzle game played on the bottom touch screen in which Taz navigates a maze of active machinery and gadgets.  Both worlds combine for a uniquely fun and frenetic journey, perfect for Taz’s wild style.

Galactic Taz Ball is being developed by WayForward Technologies.

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About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About WayForward Technologies

WayForward is an independent game developer located in Southern California.  For the past 20 years, WayForward has specialized in developing commercially successful and critically acclaimed products for multiple platforms including Nintendo DS, and Wii.  www.wayforward.com

[PR Email from Warner Bros.]

RELEASE DATE: Summer 2010
GENRE:Party Games
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
PLATFORMS: Wiiâ„¢, Nintendo DSâ„¢
DEVELOPER:Ludia, Inc.
PLAYERS: Wii: 1-4; Nintendo DS: 1
ESRB RATING:Rating Pending

GAME OVERVIEW:

The drama unfolds in The Bachelor: The Videogame, the new Wii and DS adaptations of the hit ABC reality series!  Hosted by Chris Harrison, the real-life host of the TV series, players will compete in a collection of fun mini-game date challenges for a shot at romance. Success is measured with every date as players compete to win the attention and ultimately the heart of the Bachelor or Bachelorette. But beware, opponents can sabotage others’ dates and prevent them from receiving a rose or ring!

In The Bachelor: The Videogame, players compete for one of five Bachelors and five Bachelorettes based on real-life Bachelors and Bachelorettes from the TV series.  Players can choose from a selection of avatars that best suits their personality. In single player mode, the game is structured like the TV show. It is comprised of multiple “episodes” where the player competes against the game characters for time alone with the Bachelor or Bachelorette. The Wii version offers multiplayer mode for a fun party game enabling players to compete against their “frenemies.” Opponents can sabotage others’ dates and prevent them from receiving a rose!

During each “season” or game, contestants go on a variety of Group Dates and a One-On-One Date to earn hearts. These dates include fun challenges, puzzles and mini-games, which test skills such as memory, speed, observation and precision. At the conclusion of each “season,” players will participate in the rose ceremony, where the Bachelor or Bachelorette must take into account the number of hearts that each competitor gained throughout the dates. Who will receive the Final Rose and who will be eliminated? Stay tuned to find out!

GAME FEATURES:

• Familiar Faces: TV show favorites such as host Chris Harrison and past Bachelors and Bachelorettes will be featured in the game for an authentic experience
• Rings and Roses: Experience all the excitement of the tension-filled Rose Ceremony of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette hit TV series. Players can compete as female contestants for a Bachelor or as male contestants for a Bachelorette.  The winner will earn bragging rights among friends and also unlock a brand new Bachelor or Bachelorette to woo!
• Sabotage: Single Player Mode allows players to compete against game characters or, with the Wii, they can choose multiplayer mode to play with up to three other friends. But watch out, friends may quickly become “frenemies” in this game of love!
• The Test of Love: Take Personality tests to learn more about yourself in life and in game. Then, check your compatibility against past Bachelors/Bachelorettes and friends!  As you progress through the game, more personality tests unlock to help you find your perfect match.
• Location, location, location: Both the Group Dates and the One-On-One Dates take place in romantic and exotic getaways inspired by the show series. Locations include a beach house, a rooftop restaurant, the red carpet in Hollywood and a snowy mountain resort, and more.
• Unlockable Bonus Items: As you progress through the game, unlock additional personality tests, Bachelors and Bachelorettes, and new “seasons.”

[Warner Bros.]

Click here to view the embedded video.