Samus is finally getting some attention from Nintendo and now they are making up for neglecting this lovely lady. Nintendo has pronounced the month of August 2007 the “Month of Metroid”. To start off with the Nintendo Wii has a new Metroid Prime 3: Corruption preview channel. There you can check out some game play videos of the new Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and I have to say this has gotten me super excited about this game. Hopefully Nintendo will see the success this preview channel has and open up a general preview channel for all their box games as well as their download offerings on the Virtual Console. Then through out the month of August the Virtual Console is going to give it up to Samus. To head things off August 13th Metroid for the NES explodes on to the Virtual Console. So crack open the No Doz and pour the coffee because you will need hit this one long and hard because seven days after that Super Metroid will be thrust onto the Virtual Console. Go pick up that big case of Red Bull and play hard because to you will need to get this game done in seven days and that will bring you right up to August 27th, and that is the day that all the other women in your life are going to kiss you good bye because you will belong to Samus and the chances of you coming back any time soon are pretty slim but anyone else in your life can always sit by the phone and hope that your Wii pulls an Xbox 360 and red rings!

Via Press Release

The guys over at Pixel Perfect put together a list of all the things that suck about each of the consoles. It is a fairly common list of complaints that you will see on any blog, forum, or website. But it is interesting to read through their thoughts.

The one thing on the list I do not agree with is the comment about non standard PS3 headset support. I like the idea of having a simple Blue Tooth headset. It is easy to work with and it allows the user some flexibility.Via Pixel Perfect

Via Pixel

Sounds like Rare is finally back developing for a Nintendo platform. Kotaku is reporting that Viva Piñata is set to appear on the Nintendo DS platform. This crazy game about creating a garden of Piñatas sounds like a perfect match for the Nintendo DS and its many of the wacky other titles. Viva Piñata was a successful title on the Xbox 360 platform.

This then begs the question, why is a Microsoft owned studio developing games for a Nintendo platform? Since Microsoft currently lacks a hand held gaming platform, lending a little support to the Nintendo DS is the perfect move to help kick Sony when they are down. I know allot of gamers would be very happy to see both Microsoft and Nintendo adopt the old theory of “…the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Now if Microsoft and Nintendo could just get together and work out some sort of deal to produce Goldeneye on Xbox LIVE Arcade and the Virtual Console.

Source: Kotaku

MSN Real Estate has an interesting article about getting your home high tech. The article is an interesting read that mixes everything from the type of bed you sleep on to the type of trash can you can purchase. But they mention Nintendo as mixing exercise with gaming, and keeping that brain sharp and running smoothly. I did how ever notice they over looked different items like media centers and cleaning robots like Roomba and Scooba which I have personally found very helpful. Give it a look over and see if there are any areas that your house may need to get Geeked up a bit!

Via MSN Real Estate

Majesco Entertainment is slipping us some details about their new game Blast Works: Build, Fuse & Destroy.  Blast Works is a side-scrolling shooter that lets players craft the game to their liking by building their own levels, ships and enemy ships. In addition, players can “absorb” the pieces and weapons of destroyed enemy ships to bolster their own defenses during battle.

“Gamers can literally build their own shooter experience via Blast Works’ easy-to-use, multiple in-game editors,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “This exceptional customisation combined with the unique “stickiness” of enemy debris and bright geometric graphics delivers a standout game that never plays the same way twice.”

Majesco did not release any information about sharing designed levels with other players online, or even any online capabilities the game might possibly have.

Blast Works: Build, Fuse & Destroy should be finding its way onto store shelves first quarter of 2008.  I know we will be keeping an eye on Majesco’s website for more details in the future. 

Via Press Release

The BIGS should be sitting on store shelves today.  Why should you be excited about yet another sports game?  Well the fact that The BIGS boasts a small learning curve and delivering some of the best animations out there. 

“With The BIGS, we really wanted to put a whole new spin on baseball while still staying true to America’s favorite pastime,” said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. “We took all the big action plays intrinsic to the game and made them happen much more often, creating a hero-like presentation of the players and the sport. The BIGS will give gamers spectacular wall catches, dramatic diving grabs, acrobatic double plays and many more dramatic highlight reel moments to deliver a truly new, exciting brand of baseball.”

The BIGS allows players to use turbo and power-ups, which they claim adds a unique level of strategy to the game (of course Fusion Frenzy 2 promised the same thing with the use of “Cards”, and we all know how that turned out).  Now pitching, batting, or playing the outfield can utilize these modifiers to make momentous plays.  Of course real life Baseball has power ups, they are called Steroids. 

All kidding aside this looks like a great game that all sports fans should check out or at the very least give it a rental, and with the easy to learn game play try to get friends and significant excited about the all American pass time of Baseball.

Via Press Release

So when you think of some one pitching for a video game about Brain Training I am thinking some really old actor or actress, or some one with the intellectual capacity of Paris Hilton. But all the above is not who Nintendo picked to be the new spokes person for Brain Training. Nicole Kidman announced as the brains and beauty of Nintendo’s Pan-European campaign for new Nintendo software. Kidman is going to sell the fact that its as it’s her brain as much as her beauty that matters when she appears in the pan –European campaign for Nintendo’s Brain Training series.

Nicole will be seen across print and television in Europe keeping her brain in shape as part of a 60 day brain exercise program for More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima: How Old Is Your Brain? Which launches across Europe on the Nintendo DS on 29th June.

Ms. Kidman comments: “I love the concept that Nintendo is reaching out to new audiences with their self improvement products like Brain Training. Most importantly, I’ve quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind feeling young.”

Nicole joins over 10 million people who have made Brain Training part of their lives. Ms Kidman was chosen by Nintendo because of her universal appeal to mainstream audiences of all ages and backgrounds, as well as her reputation for being intelligent, entertaining and genuine. Her personality and ability to combine the world of film with a family centric home lifestyle was felt to be a strong fit with the Nintendo DS, which prides itself in creating entertainment and experiences that enrich people’s lives – no matter what their age or previous gaming experience is.

In the adverts, fans will see Nicole as they’ve never seen her before. We see Nicole in a home setting, relaxing and training her brain. She is seen speaking into the Nintendo DS to complete the exercises and memorizing numbers.

Nintendo feel that working with the award-winning actress as the personality of this campaign reflects a long-term pioneering philosophy from Nintendo. The aim of this philosophy is to broaden the gaming audience with software that isn’t just fun but also enriches your life, whether training your brain or practicing language skills. The software is relevant and accessible for everyone from the age of 9 to 99.

If Nicole is now the spokesperson for Brain Training, maybe Tom Cruise will be the get a deal pushing tramolines after his display on Oprah!

Via Press Release

Have all the grace of a three legged cow? All the sense of style of Napoleon Dynamite? Blessed with the creativity of a stone? If so chances are you are never going to be part of the glamorous, exciting world of fashion. But fear not, like most of us singing in the shower thinking we are the next American Idol, your Nintendo DS is going to let you be the fashion mogul of the world. 505 Games announced that this November Fashion Designer: Style Icon is going to hit shelves and you can see if you got the stuff to make the next hot style.

Players take the role of a young designer eager to dominate the catwalk and follows their career from fashion training school, through graduation and beyond. After graduating, players can start a workshop, accept private design contracts, supply small boutiques and set up mail order companies. Design the best fashion creations and players can even supply outfits to the stars and VIP clients.

The comprehensive simulation game play is mission based and offers players the chance to present their creations in catalogues and movie posters, and even gives designers the freedom to select which supermodels, hairstyles and creations will strut their stuff on the catwalk. Player performance is rated according to factors including tailoring time, design choices and accuracy. All must be heeded if players are to become the world’s most popular fashion designer!

In addition to the extensive Career mode, it is also possible to design freestyle outfits whenever inspiration strikes in Free mode and to challenge friends to design-offs in wireless multiplayer games. Unlockable patterns, fabrics, accessories and supermodels also feature as rewards for exceptional designers.

Screen Shots

Via Press Release

As if Nintendo needed something else to brag about the Nintendo DS, but the little clam shell console has reached another mile stone.  Since its launch in November 2005 they have connected 5,000,000 (that’s right do read it to yourself in the Dr. Evil voice, Five “Million”) unique Nintendo DS machines.  And those machines have let users enjoy over 200 million game-play sessions.  The five most popular online games are Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

“Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service,” explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.”

Nintendo DS continues to enjoy record-breaking success. According to new figures from the independent NPD Group, DS was again the top-selling video game system in April, with more than 470,000 units sold in the United States alone. That’s nearly 16,000 per day.

Nintendo DS also finds success beyond the stereotypical young male gamer. According to internal Nintendo demographic tracking studies, in less than 18 months, DS purchases have increased by 42 percent among women, 127 percent among people 30 and older and 212 percent among people 35 and older.

For more information about Nintendo DS, please visit the Nintendo DS Website.
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Via Press Release

Ubisoft is set to release the sound track to Red Steel. Most of us remember Red Steel for the Nintendo Wii as being the second most anticipated title next to Ledgend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Didier Lord, Executive Director of Ubisoft Music said “We’re really happy to make this possible, especially with Tom’s spectacular work on Red Steel, It’s an important move as it will be Ubisoft’s first soundtrack released on major digital distribution channels – the first of many to come!” For all of you out there who do not speak PR quite as well let me translate. “We are constantly looking for more ways to suck cash out of your wallet.”

Most people who have played the game Red Steel can attest that Tom Salta did a spectacular job in composing the music. In fact the music is one of the only notable features of the game.

To ensure the authenticity of the game’s soundtrack, Salta arranged and recorded traditional live Japanese instrumentation such as Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Taiko performed by expert Japanese musicians including the specialist percussion group Taikoza. The score also features performances from conservatory-trained Japanese opera singers and renowned violinist Lili Haydn. In order to reflect the diverse and Western-influenced soundtrack of fashionable Tokyo, Salta further embellished the soundtrack with a wide spectrum of music styles – such as orchestral, electronic, rock, hip hop, dance, easy listening, jazz, lounge and Japanese pop – that truly embrace the game’s cinematic story and vibrant locations.

Tom Salta’s other video game credits include the original score for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Mr. Salta is currently working on the follow-up to his highly acclaimed debut solo album, 2 Days or Die. For more information on Tom Salta visit his site .

Having played the game Red Steel I would encourage everyone to save some money. Forget the game and just grab the music.

Via Press Release