Guitar Hero 4 Wii – DLC Announced!

First Game Ever in the Guitar Hero(R) Franchise to Allow In-Game
Downloadable Content on Wii

This may not be the biggest news to many, but to me it is. Guitar Hero, a hugely successful franchise features major DLC features on the Xbox 360 and PS3 featuring new songs to download and add to your playlist, and this major feature is finally headed to the Wii! You know what else this means, Nintendo almost HAS to release an extra storage device for the Wii, considering VC and WiiWare downloads, channels, memory, and now extra download content for games. And some speculate that the above may mean the Wii version will only support the ‘GHTunes’ service, which allows you to create your own songs and trade them online, though I think you will be able to do that plus download licensed tracks, and that more memory is coming to the Wii.

Source: http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=311786

Mario Kart Wii

Did I get it release day? Yes. Do I like it? Hell yes! Is it the best installment in the series? I’m not quite sure yet. But I can say one thing: Its EXACTLY what you think it is! And one more thing, the Wii Wheel ROCKS! Though it seems I can get better times in the ‘time trial’ mode using the Wiimote + Nunchuck control scheme, I use the Wii Wheel for all other modes, as its way funner than normal controls. For now, thats it, but I will elaborate more on this game in the near future.

Kart Madness

With Mario Kart Wii just around the corner, I’m going to be doing a lot of coverage of it here on my blog. It’s one of my favorite franchises, and it’s prequel, Mario Kart DS, is one of my favorite DS games which I played the heck out of. The Wii iteriation has been getting above average reviews and multiplayer praise both online and off, which is awesome! I can’t wait to get my hands on this game. Sunday couldn’t come soon enough! I will be spending countless hours playing this game on and offline, though I plan on using the Wi-Fi connection a ton with all the features this game includes. I mean, leaderboards, downloadable missions, 12-player battles and verses, tournaments, it can’t get much better. So look out for Mario Kart Wii this Sunday, and check back for my personal test drive with the game.

You know what really grinds my gears?

With the Wii at least? Memory. For a couple of reasons. One, and probably my biggest problem, is that because of Wii’s insufficient memory we’re not seeing downloadable content in Rock Band for Wii. That’s one of the games coolest features, and it’s because of Nintendo’s hard headedness that the Wii version isn’t getting download content. With an internal memory as small as 512MB, I’ll be lucky to fit all my game memory on it by the time I’m done using my Wii. Lets not forget I’m also eagerly anticipating WiiWare, which looks very promising, I also look to purchase the gems that get released on the Virtual Console, though it’s a rare sight nowadays.

So for Nintendo to announce at this years Game Developers Conference that future Wii games will be able to support download content while offering no where to store is very, very dumb. The demand for a hard drive is certainly there. We want it. Developers want it (the developers of Rock Band have said that they pushed Nintendo for a hard drive, and even said that if the Wii did have a hard drive, Rock Band Wii would have downloadable content). And it can be done. So you know what? Do it! I’m looking to E3 for the announcement, it needs to be done. I’d love to be downloading track packs for Guitar Hero 3 right now (one of my favorite games that has sold the most on Wii) but sadly I do not own a Xbox 360 or PS3, so all I can do is hope Nintendo steps up their game. I’ll tell you one thing, if a hard drive was offered on Wii and games like Guitar Hero started supporting download content, I’d get both the HD and the DLC. So if that isn’t enough for you, Nintendo, I don’t know what is.

3 Most Anticipated WiiWare releases

WiiWare interests me plenty, and I can’t wait to play some of the games on the service, though some look questionable in content and quality. Others look amazing though, even with the compact 43MB limit. So lets take a look at my three most anticipated games coming out on this rising service.

3. Dr. Mario Wii

I was introduced to Dr. Mario (or actually “Dr. Wario”) through the original WarioWare game for GBA. Certain puzzlers I love, and this is certainly one of them. Add Mii and Wi-Fi support and I’m in! Plus theres news of a feature that lets you send a multiplayer demo to friends, almost like a Wi-Fi Wii version of DS’s download play. I’m definitely interested and look forward to whipping all you in Wi-Fi when its released.

2. Bomberman WiiWare

Another classic reborn on WiiWare, Bomberman, is up there in my all time favorite franchises, soley for its frantically awesome multiplayer componet, which can be found in almost every iteriation of the game. This version seems to be no downer in that department, featuring an 8-player Wi-Fi battle mode, with full Mii support. And if the Virtual Console “Bomberman ‘93″ is anything to go by, we just may be seeing 8-players on one console with 4 Wii controllers and 4 GameCube pads, making one of the best multiplayer games the Wii will ever see! I’ll be sure to download this when it releases, put it on your list too.

1. LostWinds

This has to be the most promising WiiWare game announced yet. With beautiful graphics, unique gameplay, 2D platforming, and utilizing the Wii motion-controls in interesting ways, I’m there. And its a day-one launch game for the service, showing that the platforms got true potential for l’il gems like this. Though not a lot of info is really known about this game its commonly compared to Kirby’s first DS outing, Canvas Curse, because you use the Wiimote for building paths for the little Wind Spirit hero, utilizing fire, ice, and more elements. But it doesn’t need to have a lot known about it. Its interesting, and thats enough for me. As long as the reviews are good, I’ll be there supporting it day one. And if platformers are your thang, you should be checking this one out too.

Well thats it for now, just my anticipation building as we come closer to the launching day of WiiWare in America, May 12th. Save some Wii Points and a few blocks of memory, you’ll need it for these beauts!

Nintendo Power wants YOU!

To pick your 5 most wanted games to be made available on the VC for the systems already on it. Now there’s tons and tons of titles that can be chosen, but strangely I could only think of a couple that I really want on there. My memory decieves me in a time of need! So lets take a look at my 5 picks:

1. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (SNES) – I’ve played this game time and time again, and yet something compels me to play it again. Sadly I don’t own the original SNES cart anymore, so this seeing a re-release on the VC would be perfect. And I know I’m not the only one looking to play this game again, so if Square and Nintendo can decide on putting this baby up, I’d be sure to download it day one.

2. Earthbound (SNES) – Even though I’m not the biggest RPG goer (strangely this is the second RPG on my list) I’ve heard only, and I mean ONLY good things about this game. It’s crazy story, quirky characters, wild humor, and tons of pop culture references, count me in! It looks fun, so if this so called gem surfaces on the VC, I’d be sure to give it a spin. Hopefully I’ll like it.

3. Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures (SNES) – Some of you may have never heard of this game, but it used to be one of my favorite games when I was a kid. It’s short, but its full of comedy and really innovative. If this ever sees light on the Shop Channel, be sure to check it out.

4. Mario Party 3 (N64) – I picked this because I’ve been meaning to find this game for a long time now (the original cart) and so far I’ve been out of luck. eBay is too pricy for me, so a VC re-release would be excellent. But why the third may you ask? Because I already own the 1st and 2nd on the N64, and would like to have the 3rd, as the 2nd’s minigames get repetitive after you’ve played them 100+ times. Even though this title may be more unlikely to be seen soon, I hope we get it eventually.

5. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (SNES) – First off, let me say this: Yoshi’s Island is one of my all-time favorite games. Why so low on my list? Because I own it for the GBA. If I didn’t, this would surely be my number 1. It’s the perfect blend of gameplay, graphics, and music, and I would surely re-purchase it on the VC just to play it on the big screen. This game is almost guarentee’d to see release eventually on the VC, so definitely get it if you’re a new comer.

Well there’s my five picks, remember to e-mail yours to vcpoll@futureus.com

E3 ‘08: Predictions

With Reggie’s recent comments about Nintendo’s E3 showing this year, stating that “we’re gonna have great new content maximizing all of our key franchises. It’s gonna be a good second half. There’s gonna be a big game for the holidays that the gamers will want.” speculation has been through the roof. What’s going to happen? Better yet, what’s going to be announced? Well here’s my two cents.

First off, their online plan has got to change. With the recent announcement of a “pay-to-play” feature enabled in certain games allowing for better online structure, I think Nintendo will announce Animal Crossing Wii as a title to debut this feature. Of course that would mean the rumor of AC Wii being an MMO would be true! And if this did happen, a headset would be needed, which would be another perfect announcement for this show. And to really show that the big N is serious about online, AC Wii would also be an excellent title to debut download content, which was announced along with the P2P setup. But since MMO data would take up a lot of the Wii’s tiny 512MB of flash memory, plus all the WiiWare downloads and VC titles means Nintendo almost HAS to announce a hard drive, because I’m sick of cleaning out the god dang fridge!

Second, I think they’re going to announce new Wii entries in many of there existing franchises, including F-Zero, Pikmin, Donkey Kong, and even a new Zelda. That’s right folks, I think the new Zelda is well in development, but its sure to be something completely new and un thought of since Nintendo has said they want the next Zelda entry to be new and innovative, mixing up the tried-and-true formula we’ve all come to know and love.

And remember Mario’s insanely successful sport line-up? Well there’s one sport that hasn’t been covered: Football. And that’s precisely what Retro-Studios is working on, I think. When Nintendo first visited Retro they had a game called “Retro Football” but Retro pitched the idea of making a Mario Football for the Game Cube, Nintendo shut that idea down in favor of a new Metroid. But now since Metroids done and Nintendo trusts Retro, I could definitely see Super Mario Insane Blitz Football Wii being announced this July, with Wi-Fi play and all.

But lets not forget the lovely Nintendo DS, which has been running on solely third-party software the past year or so. So right off the incredible success of New Super Mario Bros. comes New Super Mario Bros. 2! (or New Super Mario World, which I think would fit better!) another original Mario adventure on one of Nintendo’s most successful platforms ever. And since the DS has so far proven to be the king of platformers and revivals (New Super Mario Bros., Yoshi’s Island DS) a fantasy of mine (that most likely won’t be final) is Donkey Kong Country 4 DS. That’s right, an all new Donkey Kong Country game developed by the one and only Rare, since they still have the privilege to develop software for Nintendo’s DS. Though this is really a dream of mine, it would be awesome if it came true, and I really don’t see why it couldn’t! I mean, it seems so far that Nintendo announces one Rare DS game each E3 (’06 had Diddy Kong Racing DS, ‘07 had Viva Piñata DS, ‘08 will have DKC4 DS?) so all I can do is hope.

As far as Nintendo’s expanded audience games, I’m not really sure what they have up there sleeve since that area of games doesn’t interest me, though I don’t see Wii Sports 2 out of the question with Wi-Fi support and everything. And don’t forget WiiWare, as I suspect tons of software will be announced for it during the conference (a new Mario Paint please?).

Well there’s my “predictions” and I’d say take them with a pound of salt, there just one man’s ideas.

I’m back in the saddle again!

Thats a song many of you will be rocking out to in the upcoming “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” and a easy way to tell you that I’m back to updating! And get ready for my next post, e3 predictions!

5 most anticipated Wii games

Here’s where, on the date of June 7, ‘07, I list my 5 most anticipated Wii titles coming out. So yeah, lets get it going:

1. Super Mario Galaxy – Winter ‘07

The truer sequel to Super Mario 64, one of the best games of all time and also one of my favorites of all time, so you know its going to be sweet. Plus Nintendo EAD is developing, and they really only make good games. So this is sure to be a killer, and I can’t wait for the date I can pick it up.

2. Guitar Hero III – Fall ‘07

Here’s a shocker to some I’m sure, but Guitar Hero II is an awesome game, and III is looking really good, and sounding good too, with all the features we’re promised I really can’t wait. A killer soundtrack, addictingly awesome gameplay, and pure fun that can’t wait to be had. The first two were great, this should be no different.

3. Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Winter ‘07

Well, this is the Wii’s Halo. Its the game everyone will but, whether you like it or not. Fortunate enough for me, I like it (can’t find many people who don’t) and can’t wait to play it. But its not the game I’m greatly anticipating, its just a game I enjoy a lot, and with all the things this game will include it should be awesome. So, yeah, it will rock, I can’t wait.

4. Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 – Fall ‘07

Probably another shocker, but hey I absolutely loved the first one, so this game should be awesome, and with the promise of many more of the games featuring simultaneous play it should be a sweet Wii party game. Rabbids, I can’t wait… But I’ll have too.

5. Mario Kart Wii – TBA

No, it hasn’t been announced yet, but we all know it will be (hopefully at E3 this July) and with the Wii this might just be the best installment yet. The only reason this is at the bottom of the list is because it hasn’t been announced yet, but since Mario Kart DS is my favorite DS game, this may be able to fall into my favorite Wii game, if it surpasses the DS version. But we’ll have to wait a l’il longer for this soon to be gem.

 And that ends my list, you might be suprised I didn’t have MP3 or something, but I’m obviously just not into that game much. So yeah, thats what I’m waiting for, you? Leave your comments so I can see what you want.

The Blog works out the best for me

I’ve tried multiple websites (Wii&Mii and such) and it turns out I like doing game blogs the best, so I’m sticking to this one, which I’ve updated off and on, but will try to make a commitment to continue updating. And Wii&Mii got tooken off the links because it really no longer exists. Expect updates!