Wii Nation

Ok, growing up during the 16 -bit days, this picture just made me crap myself. Mario and Sonic, in the same game?! Impossible!!

But no, it’s true according to Sega. This new title is probably going to be just as it sounds, an Olympics game with Mario and Sonic, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. In it will be a variety of Olympics based games (Ping Pong, Swimming, Track and Field, etc.) along with some characters from both sides of the spectrum. Including Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi from Nintendo and Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails from Sega. Sure something like this has been done before with Nintendo and cross-overs, but never with Sega, boy this is big if you grew up during the right time.

The game will be designed by Sega with oversight by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. Simon Jeffery of Sega said,

“It’s going to be very interactive and fairly physical.”

In traditional Wii-style, the game will make unique use of the Wii’s motion-sensitive controller. The gameplay will involve

“something that has not yet been imagined on Wii and DS,”

added Nintendo’s Perrin Kaplan. Players will compete in events based on the official venues of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

The game is expected to come out in Holiday 2007, so expect at the end of the year.

I CAN’T WAIT!!!

The latest edition of the Mario Party games is set to release on May 29th for the Nintendo Wii. Mario Party 8 includes six brand-new boards, and tons of new mini games including: jet skiing, shooting gallery, barrel lasso and flag raise. Choose from one of 14 characters including such classics as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Daisy, and Waluigi among others. Two of the newest character editions for Mario Party 8 are said to be Hammer Bro, first appearing in Super Mario Bros, and Blooper, the white squid with a black face we all know from the underwater levels also in Super Mario Bros.

In addition to the six new playing boards, there are also new “extra large” mini games like Star Carnival Bowling and Table Menace, different from any other game in the series. The characters talk to you through the Wii remotes, informing you when its your turn etc, this will save some time yelling at your friends who don’t pay attention. From what I’ve seen, the mini games look just as adorable and fun as the previous versions, I’m such a girl. Mario Party games are always a good choice for every game playa out there so i’m looking forward to holding my very own Mario Party in May, good times!

Many Wii fans, including myself, think we should be able to earn Wii Points.

For the record, right now there are only 2 ways to receive Wii Points.

1. You can purchase a Wii Points Card at many retailers that carry Nintendo products.
2. You can purchase Wii Points through the Wii Shop Channel using a credit card.

Wii Points are used to download additional features and items - including selected titles from NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and TurboGrafx games.

Perhaps we could earn some points by beating games or unlocking secrets? Or what about entering the serial numbers of games/systems we already own (Wii games and earlier Nintendo products) and receive points for them? It couldn’t hurt to give us a “free” preview of all the potential fun available on the Wii Shop Channel. Then people who haven’t tried the shopping channel might be more inspired to buy some points. Just a thought.

Feeding my obsession…

The Nintendo Wii is bringing joy to senior citizens everywhere. According to the associated press, retirement centers from Chicago to Virginia have become part of the Wii craze. Ruth Ebert, 82, is a resident of the Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield, Virginia and loves playing Wii Tennis. Ruth even volunteered her one-bedroom apartment as a place to store the Wii since she owns a big screenTV- gotta love her.

In Chicago, Flora Dierbach, 72, a chairperson for the entertainment committee at her retirement community, arranged a Wii bowling tournament. Other residents including 81 year old grandfather Sim Taylor, long time bowler, now add video games to their list of hobbies, very smooth. From girls to boys, children to grandparents, the Nintendo Wii is just good fun, no joke.

The latest GameFly selection has arrived, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves!

Those who have played other Wario Ware games know to think fast when it comes to the micro games. We so thoughtfully shout to new players, “Just figure it out!” but honestly, that’s just the way it goes. Each fast paced, insane game is better than the next as you become an expert nose hair plucker, arm wrestler and banana shaker. My only complaint when starting this single player mode, is you have to watch the entire introduction with every new character stage. Although each character stage is fairly short and sweet, it gets annoying when you’re anxiously awaiting new micro games.

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Put your aprons on, mama’s back! Based on the popular DS version, Cooking Mama: Cook off, is set to release today- mama said, mama said. Your Wii remote becomes a versatile cooking utensil in this all out cooking frenzy. Chop, stir and slice your way through 2 player head to head cooking competitions or play against one of the ten international computer characters to unlock new items.

Become an international chef by creating a wide variety of cuisines from France, Japan, India, Mexico, England, China, Spain, Germany, Italy and America. There are over 250 food items available to entice your creativity and your taste buds alike. The more you play, the more challenging the recipes become. In time, you may earn medals (gold, silver and bronze) for your cooking abilities, compliments of mama herself! Let’s see if this game helps my cooking skills, or lack there of, in the real kitchen. Bon Appetite!

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End for Wii is slated to be released sometime in May, around the time the third movie will be released. Word is you can play as any of the 3 main characters: Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann. The Wii version of the game will use motion controls for combat moves simulating a sword. I’m anxiously awaiting the release. Stay tuned for a preview of the game to be posted here when it becomes available.

This week we’ve got some unusual games for the most part, lets see shall we?

First off is Splatterhouse (TG16, 600 points) - The forces of evil are abroad - ghastly, slimy creatures from the depths of your very worst nightmares. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, they’ve captured your girlfriend! You’ve got to go to rescue her, so climb into your blue boiler-suit, put on your fearsome ice hockey mask and go kick the butts of those things that go bump in the night. This is a weird game, like real weird. It’s pretty much a sidescroller, but through the view of an 80’s horror movie antagonist. Pretty bloody and a bit creepy. Pick it up if you dare.

Up next is Beyond Oasis (Genesis, 800 points) - You are the young Prince Ali in a desperate fight to defeat the evil that is threatening your island empire, Oasis. Long ago, a war raged between a wicked sorcerer who used a silver “armlet” to unleash destruction on the island and a wizard who defied him with a gold armlet that could summon four powerful spirits. Wow, another RPG for the Virtual Console, if you’re into those types of games I’d say it’s worth the download. Plus, the main characters name is Prince Ali, and the only other one I know seems like a cool guy.

Finally, this week we have an oldie but a goodie, Excitebike (NES, 500 points) - Race by yourself againt the clock or compete with other motocross riders on 5 tracks full of long straights, large jumps and obstacles to win the Excitebike championship. This game is just plain and simple fun. Five courses to challenge and even a track editor for when you’ve beaten those! This game was so boss that it had two sequels made for it, Excitebike 64 and the recently released Excite Truck for the Wii. Check ‘em all out for an Exciting time…sorry, I couldn’t resist.

So yet another week has gone by and another set of games has been released. Good selection, but could have been a bit better. Maybe next week will give us some more great titles.

Ok gang, listen up, this one is a pretty big announcement, but don’t take it seriously.

According to ONM(Official Nintendo Magazine), the Wii is “stepping back in time as a classic game makes its long overdue return”. Accompanying this is a picture of a starry night, saying that the stars are also a clue. Well thank goodness for the interwebs and nerds, because within mere hours this case was cracked.

The answer? NiGHTS. Now I know a few of you are a bit questionable about why I think this is such good news. You’re like, “Mike, why is this such good news?” Well the reason why this is such good news is the fact that a Sega classic is being revived. Which could help bring back the good ole days of gaming back. And don’t you dare tell me those weren’t the best days.

But here comes a problem. This was published in an April issue of this magazine. And if anyone knows about gaming publications around April, you’d expect to be dissapointed. But maybe, just maybe, this is such big news that it’s real, atleast I’m hoping for it to be.