One month from release, Wii U shown at press event, impresses media

Only a month away from the exciting release of Nintendo’s next gaming console. Los Angeles Times writer, Todd Martens has some interesting views of the new Wii U when he tried it out at the recent Wii U press event at the W Hotel in Hollywood on Oct. 16, 2012.

You can tell from reading the article that the main draw of the new Nintendo system will be the tablet game controller and that many families will buy this system because of the currently trending popularity of tablets that the iPad originally had started.

For the casual crowd who want to know what else the Wii U can do other than gaming:

…It was the system’s TVii feature that looked to be one of its more promising aspects. If done right, the TVii  can become a one-stop shop for all  TV viewing needs. On-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon are placed side-by-side with network schedules, allowing users at once to see all that is available for viewing or purchase… For sports fans, the TVii looks to be rather addictive, with previews showing the GamePad as being able to provide in-game statistics, digitally simulcast games and host all sorts of other goodies for those with short-attention spans.

An example of an interesting use of the tablet on the Wii U:

The GamePad goes a long way toward providing [an] immersive experience. Flip on its flashlight and do a 360 on your couch and the GamePad screen allows you to see more of the environment than what’s on the TV screen. Intriguing also is the social aspect — friends who are completing their own missions on their own consoles can leave in-game messages for you to find, a la “Dark Souls.”

Maybe Sony and Microsoft will soon jump the bandwagon:

When playing with a friend locally, the GamePad is a vital tool –  clunky split-screens become a thing of the past; I found I’d much rather view the action on the GamePad than the large flat-screen TV in front of me. Maybe that says a lot about the strength of the GamePad’s slick 6.2″ LCD touch screen, or perhaps it’s a simple acknowledgement that smart phones and tablets are transitioning the living room of the future into a place populated with multiple, more intimate screens.

Will you be buying the Wii U at launch? Are you the wait-and-see type? As for me, I’ve long been a Nintendo fan since the NES days, so I’ve already pre-ordered the black bundle! How ’bout you?

Read the entire LA Times review here.

To hear more about the TVii feature, view the Wii TVii trailer below or click here:

To see how the tablet gamepad is used within the New Super Mario Bros U game, jump to 0:34 sec (or click here):

 

Wii U buy it? YES! Which should you get: Bundle or Basic?

So, you learned your lesson from past launches of console releases and remember that you don’t wanna be left out of the water cooler chat after Xmas. Everyone will be talking about the Wii U and how fun it is (it has happened to me when the original Wii came out, and I hated it). Well, get your butt moving, because the black Wii U is sold out almost everywhere (at time of this posting). However! As of Oct-04-2012, you still have three chances left: Toys R Us and Wal-mart have not yet started taking preorders (watch my blog), and The Source (Canada, no in-store pickup) is still accepting preorders (for now).

The question is: should you fork over the extra $50 for the Deluxe Bundle at $349? The answer is an absolute OMG yes! The Basic set doesn’t even include a game! The deluxe set comes with the game Nintendo Land, hard drive space increases from 8GB to 32GB, a Deluxe digital points system (a Rewards system to use for later purchases), and accessory stands (as well as everything in the base set including the tablet controller). Remember, you can use your old Wii remotes to play on the Wii U (so you save money there).

So, how is this Nintendo Land game? Game critics and hardcore gamers usually dismiss Nintendo games as too casual or one-dimensional, especially mini-games collections. However, watch this newly posted eye-opening game review by GameInformer below (or click here), they explain how the game is originally deceiving in its gameplay depth and yet extremely addicting. Below that video is the E3 gameplay presentation of Nintendo Land that GameInformer was referring to in their review (or click here).

How quickly did the first set of Deluxe bundles sell out? Just three to four days at Gamestop, EB Games, Bestbuy and Futureshop. I expect the same for the others that will sell preorders. I highly recommend to take the safe route and NOT to go to the store to buy after the release date, November 18th, unless you enjoy waiting in huge lines for hours or enjoy being disappointed with sold out signs. You will not see supply until after January 2013.

REMEMBER, you snooze you lose!

I can just see it… Soccer moms hearing about the new Wii U thinking, “What a steal for $300 for a Nintendo iPad!” They rush over to the store, hoping to surprise the kids with the best Xmas present of 2012, then leave disappointed when they learn they’re all sold out and no supply till next year (or they settle for the basic and not realize they could have saved some money with the Deluxe).

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Also, this is historic for Canadians: This is the first video game console launch where both the US and Canadian prices ARE EXACTLY THE SAME!!! I’m really shocked! Go Canadian Loonie Go!!

 

Curious about Nintendo Wii U? Interview with President of Nintendo of America

Holy smokes! 51 launch titles?!! I’ve seen the game demos of Nintendo’s launch titles for the next-gen Wii U video game console, and I am anxiously awaiting how Nintendo (and its 3rd party developers) will be using the iPad-like controller in creating fun and addicting games that will be hitting the console in the coming year. Looking at Nintendo’s track record, you already know several things: guaranteed family fun games based on Nintendo’s characters, innovative use of the features of the new system, Nintendo satisfying the HUGE appetite of the loyal fan base eagerly awaiting the next iteration of Super Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, et al. Here’s one video game fan eagerly awaiting for Sunday November 18.

Nintendo of America’s President Reggie Fils-Aime sat down with NY Times just two days ago and talked about where Nintendo is heading with the new Wii U.

What we recognize is we own that most desired space in the home, and it’s the big screen TV in the living room. We own that because of the games that we offer that are targeted toward multiple players in the household sitting down and having fun together. By owning that big screen TV we can branch out to other services like Nintendo TV and continue to really solidify our footprint.

– Reggie Fils-Aime, President, Nintendo of America

Read the entire interview here:

Curious how the Wii U’s unique tablet controller works and how it will be innovatively used in games? Check out  Nintendo Land trailer to see it in action, as well as ZombiU trailer, and Rayman Legends further below:

 

NEWS UPDATE: GameStop’s Quota Filled, Closes Wii U Deluxe Pre-Orders

Holy smokes, Mario, that was fast… This is gonna be a crazy Xmas shopping year for the Wii U… Get your pre-order in soon or you may not see a Wii U till January 2013. YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE!

Zimgo

According to its website, GameStop has filled its available quota on the $350 Wii Deluxe Bundles and has stopped accepting pre-orders for it. It is still however, accepting sales on the Basic White Bundle going for $300.

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Holy smokes, Mario! 51 confirmed launch titles for Nintendo Wii U

OMG yes! There will be 51 games within the official launch window (between November 2012 and March 2013) for Nintendo’s brand new system arriving at your local stores starting on Sunday November 18. If you do NOT want to be disappointed, immediately go and pre-order NOW ($350 for 32gb, $300 for 8gb). I have a very bad feeling that supply will not meet demand until January 2013 (remember the Wii launch? There were many, many disappointed kiddies at Xmas). GO! NOW! RUN!

edit: Of the games listed below, here are the ones that are confirmed to be available on the actual Launch Day: New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land, ZombiU, Assassin’s Creed III, Darksiders II, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, ESPN Sports Connection, Game Party Champions, Just Dance 4,  Rabbids Land, Scribblenauts Unlimited, Sing Party, Tank! Tank! Tank!, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. —Also very likely to be ready on Day One: Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, FIFA Soccer 13, Jett Tailfin, Madden NFL 13, Mass Effect 3: Special Edition, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, NBA 2K13, Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Transformers Prime.

Nintendo

• Nintendo Land
• New Super Mario Bros. U
• Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge
• SiNG Party
• Lego City: Undercover
• Wii Fit U
• Game & Wario
• Pikmin 3
• The Wonderful 101

505 Games

• Funky Barn

2K Sports

• NBA 2K13

Activision Publishing, Inc.

• 007 Legends
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II
• TRANSFORMERS PRIME
• Wipeout 3
• Skylanders Giants
• Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2013
• Rapala Pro Bass Fishing

Capcom

• Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

D3Publisher

• Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game
• Ben 10: Omniverse
• Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade

Disney Interactive

• Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Electronic Arts

• Mass Effect 3
• Madden NFL 13
• EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13
• Frozenbyte
• Trine 2: Director’s Cut
• Gaijin Games
• Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
• Majesco Entertainment
• Zumba Fitness Core
• Maximum Games
• Jett Tailfin

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

• Tekken Tag Tournament 2
• Tank! Tank! Tank!

SEGA

• Aliens: Colonial Marines
• Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
• Shin’en
• Nano Assault Neo

Tecmo Koei America Corporation

• Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper

THQ

• Darksiders II
• Wheel of Fortune
• Jeopardy!

Two Tribes

• Toki Tori 2

Ubisoft

• Assassin’s Creed III
• Just Dance 4
• Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth
• Rabbids Land
• Sports Connection
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
• ZombiU
• Rayman Legends

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

• Scribblenauts Unlimited
• Game Party Champions
• Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition

credit: digitaltrends.com

 

onomeister’s Video of the Day – 8bit video game tribute via Lego!

Are you a retro gamer? An NES fan? 8-bit music fan? Nintendo fan? A Lego fan? This Video of the Day is an incredible stop motion animation that must be seen! It took 1500 hours of meticulously moving Lego bricks and taking photos of them by Swedish band Rymdreglage. They pay tribute to vintage Nintendo games in true 8-bit style. These guys are amazing!!

credit to rymdreglage

Side note: These guys posted a new video recently, but this one is something that caught my eye much more than the newer one, so it is an older video. I am sad that I hadn’t seen this sooner.

 

onomeister’s Deal of the Day: games at Walmart Canada

Hey video gamers in Canada, Walmart Canada has put two games on sale that onomeister thinks you may consider buying. One is a highly acclaimed family fun platformer and the other is a music game for casual gamers. Usually at Walmart, these video game sale prices stay the same until all the stock at that store is gone, and no new stock comes in after it’s all gone. So remember, “you snooze you lose”.

• Rayman Origins (PS3 & Xbox 360) on sale for CAD$9.83 (for PS3) (for Xbox 360) – It has been called a platformer masterpiece. If you loved New Super Mario Bros Wii, then this is a must-buy. IGN rates it a 9.5/10: “Ubisoft drew up a one of a kind style and stuck to it to create one of the prettiest and downright pleasing video games ever created. Excellent controls, laugh out loud co-op and a great sense of challenge and accomplishment. This is platforming at its finest.”. See below for a video review.
• Black Eyed Peas: The Experience Limited Edition (Xbox 360 Kinect) on sale for CAD$9.83 – This game is obviously a casual party game for the less hardcore. But is it still fun for the casual gamer? Well, this Kinect dance game is similar to Dance Central or The Michael Jackson Experience, and includes 30 of their songs (link to the song list). Don’t worry, any Black Eyed Peas fan should be happy with the selection. And if you like this kinda music, for 240 MS pts per song, you can download nine other songs (must-buy’s would be: “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO, “Like a G6” by Far East Movement, and “Where is the Love?” by Black Eyed Peas). See below for the trailer.

FYI, I was at my local Walmart, and they still had several copies of each game as of time of my post (online seems sold out, though)

 

onomeister’s OMG drool: Wanna play a Zelda-like game at work?

Yes! Play a Legend of Zelda-like game? A game that you can play on any internet browser? Play at home! Play at work! Play without those stupid emulators! And it’s free? What’s the catch? NO CATCH!

The Flash-based game called Seedling is based on the SNES Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (a Nintendo game which has been rated as one of the best games of ALL TIME). Once you play this awesome action-adventure game, you won’t believe that it was created by one guy, 19-year-old Connor Ullmann, who wasn’t even born when A Link to the Past was released in 1992 (damn, I feel old…). Click here to start playing now!

Tell me what you think about the game in the Comments below after a quick play…

story credit: kotaku.com

 

onomeister gaming Review: Amazing Alex (from Angry Birds creators)

So Rovio, you finally got off the Angry Birds fixation and decided to release a different game for once? Will Amazing Alex reach the same level of popularity of their previous blockbuster hit? Well, those crazy Angry Birds fans will jump all over this, but will the average mobile gamer fan buy this? Watch the video review below by TouchArcade and you’ll see it’s a fun game, but essentially it’s a clone of Incredible Machines, Casey’s Contraptions, et al. It doesn’t have the same addictive feel as Angry Birds. I do see the fun in it, and Rovio does perfect the physics/contraptions genre, and it does gets very challenging at the higher levels, but I’m left with a meh. I’ll pass till it drops from $0.99 to free in a few months.

Come on, Rovio, gimme something more creative! What are you doing with all the millions you got from the Angry Birds franchise?!?

 

onomeister’s Cosplay Photo of the Day

Awww so cute! I love awesome and cute cosplay like this… If you know video games, then you know this is Cloud Strife (baby version) from Final Fantasy VII. This photo was snapped by Jeriska at the Anime Expo 2012 in Los Angeles.

By the way, have you already seen my awesome cosplay photos that I posted earlier this year from the 2012 Calgary comicon? If you haven’t, I put them up in my blog here. I’m the Super Mario!

See more of Jeriaska’s cosplay photos here: Anime Expo 2012 [Flickr]

credit: kotaku.com for the link