Nintendo of America's president says claims that the Wii is a fad are “overblown.” In a wide-ranging interview he also defends the Wii’s software line-up and status as a living room experience in line with the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Fils-Aime cited internal research that suggested Wii owners are using their systems more than ever, and not just playing Wii Sports. Read the rest of this entry »

via next-gen.biz

Nintendo's as cagey as tech companies come, but the WSJ is reporting on a recent and unusual high level, high impact strategy presentation where in top 'Tendo execs revealed what's described as a change in its current business model: using its foothold in the video game market to sell casual gamers and non-gamers products focused more on utilitarian functions. You know, boring stuff -- like, stuff that's not games. What they want to sell Nintendo wouldn't specifically say, but they're focusing first on the flagship portable, the DS, rolling out what the WSJ describes as "features [that] will be useful in places like train stations, amusement parks or museums and [that] could be accessed wirelessly," as well as a new "television-programming feature for the Japanese market... to check television listings, run searches by keyword and genre, and highlight each family member's favorite programs.

via engadget.com

Atari has revealed Godzilla: Unleashed, promising that the game will be the "ultimate giant fighting monster game". The title is in development at Pipeworks Software and is coming to the Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP.

Godzilla: Unleashed was originally set for release on the Gamecube in 2002, but the game has been upgraded and according to Atari "Players will claw, kick, stomp, throw and blast their way through the streets of major world cities in order to claim the ultimate, beastly title: King of the Monsters."

"We are building on the famous Godzilla franchise by focusing on multiple story paths, devastating urban destruction, and utilizing the most imposing creatures in film history, all in one hard-hitting fighting game," said Rick Mehler, the director of marketing at Atari. "In Godzilla: Unleashed for the Wii, players will tap into their inner monster powers when using the system's wireless, motion-sensing controller."

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Remember Snake, the classic title that made gaming on mobile phones cool? Well, It's back! But now it has evolved into Snakes: a fast-paced, colorful multi-player sensation in 3D, optimized for the Nokia N-Gage. The coolest thing is that they're giving it away for FREE! Anyone can downloaded on their official site and then spread it on via Bluetooth.

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Yasmin, Cloe, Sasha, and Jade are back for a brand new adventure sending them across the country in search of the hottest fashion designer. Players will experience unique adventures through the eyes of the four playable characters, in detailed open world environments, as they compete for a spot in "America Rocks Fashion" TV show. Fans will discover new features that include a figure skating competition and the ability to adopt a pet to train, dress, accessorize and showcase in competitions.

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Bionicle Heroes brings to life the most powerful and exciting LEGO characters ever seen in one game, in an action-packed world of adventure and discovery. Take control of a young hero as he steps out of the real world and into the strange and dangerous universe of Bionicle. Only by mastering the powers and special abilities of the greatest Bionicle heroes will he be able to overcome the many challenges ahead.

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Release Date: November 14, 2006

 

Set in Antarctica, Happy Feet is a comedy adventure based on the Warner Bros. film. In this adventure game, penguins must sing to attract their soul mates. Based on the comedy movie directed by George Miller, Happy Feet is a comedy adventure set in the land of the Emperor Penguins in the heart of Antarctica. These penguins sing, and each needs their own special song to attract a soul mate. Our hero Mumble is the worst singer in the world... but he can tap-dance something fierce! Based on the general storyline of the film, the player will be able to experience life from the point of view of Mumble in music, dance and interaction with the friends and enemies of the penguin's world.

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Mix all the intensity of classic pinball with the sights, sounds, and savagery of war and what do you get? Odama -- the first pinball game that throws you into the midst of mighty clashes between armies on boards laid out like chaotic battlefields. Use the flippers to send Odama -- the giant pinball -- to destroy the enemy's barracks and turrets. Hit enemy soldiers with the ball to make them join your ranks, dam rivers, liberate extra flippers, and clear the way to the enemy's gate. Odama, from development studio Vivarium (best known for Seaman on Dreamcast) and Nintendo, is something of an enigma both in concept and in execution. The title's premise usually effects the same response, which is, simply, "huh?" It's not surprising. After all, the game marries the core mechanics of pinball with real-time strategy elements and spins everything to a backdrop involving medieval Japan. A giant metal ball, the Odama, rolls through and over mountainous regions, destroying structures and flattening soldiers. That's right… huh? And if it didn't sound strange enough already, Vivarium has packed the title with a GameCube microphone that players use to command their armies.

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Clash of Ninja 2 seems more like an upgraded game than a true sequel, and it ultimately does little to improve upon the original. The sequel to the popular 3D cel-shaded fighting game "Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen". This game is also based on the famous Japanese manga series and features updated characters from the second episode. Up to 4 players can battle simultaneously.

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Tomb Raider: Legend revives the athletic, intelligent and entertaining adventurer who won the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide. Lara comes alive with intricately animated expressions, moves and abilities. An arsenal of modern equipment, such as a magnetic grappling device, binoculars, frag grenades, personal lighting device and communications equipment, allows gamers to experience tomb raiding as never before. Eidos and Crystal Dynamics shaped Lara's look and movements to be an inherent extension of her skills, motivation and personality. Lara's character model features natural structure, realistic textures, detailed facial features, reactive eyes and fluid motion, all of which make her part of a living environment. New character animations and controls allow her to move through stunning environments with grace and precision, while an understanding of the game's original appeal reinvigorates the fundamental explore-and-solve adventure experience.

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Release Date: Dec 5, 2006

So nearly one year ago this creepy doll-fighting Poke-meh anime game lands on IGN's Chris Roper's desk, and literally confuses the hell out of him. After scouring the game for any sense of rational thinking or down-to-earth adventure, he gives up, resorting to a review of Zatch Bell! Mamodo Battles that goes along the lines of "Someone please help me, all you do is button mash, and I don't know what in the Sam hell is going on." Now that we're back where we started with Zatch Bell! Mamodo Fury, it's my turn, and let me tell you, it's just as confusing and full of Engrish intrusion as its predecessor. While the previous game didn't get very high marks on anyone's scale, it at least had a very simple charm that served to be the basis of tons of wacky characters from the show, and gave younger gamers a reason to - above all else - mash the PS2 controller as fast as possible with their fist. In hopes of bringing a more solid adventure to console gamers, Mamodo Fury attempts a redesign that mirrors the show more accurately. What it doesn't do, however, is make a solid game .....

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The Empire strikes back in this sequel to the endearing Star Wars game made all of LEGOs. LEGO Star Wars II follows the Rebel Alliance's battle to dismantle the Galactic Empire and rebuild a galaxy in pieces. From Darth Vader's pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her blockade runner to a showdown on the reconstructed Death Star, the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action. The sequel finally allows you to build with your LEGO blocks, as a new Free Play mode allows gamers to customize the vehicles for new ship designs, as well as Free Play all of the playable characters (over 100 in total) by mixing and matching body parts, forming the likes of "Stormbacca", "Chew Vader" and "Leia Wan Kenobi." Other additions include cool new character-specific attacks and maneuvers, Power Brick items, playable mini-kit vehicles, an improved two-player camera, a greater challenge for advanced players, and more.

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Baten Kaitos Origins takes place 20 years before the first Baten Kaitos game. It explains how the diabolical Emperor Geldoblame rose to power, and it also fills in many details about the heroes from the first title. In addition, players will learn about the origins of the world itself and why the Lost Ocean is returning. The hero, a blue-haired young man named Sagi, was sent to assassinate the Emperor but found the job had been done for him. Blamed for the death, he’s now on the run with two friends – a robot named Guillo and a young woman named Milly. In the initial stages, the player’s party will progress in a linear fashion, moving from one area to the next along a set path. After playing the game for a few hours, players will acquire a ship that lets them visit areas in the order of their choosing, allowing them to either pursue optional side quests or blast through the main mission as they see fit. Unlike traditional RPGs, where characters gain levels in categories such as strength and agility, the majority of leveling-up occurs by procuring better Magnus cards. There are more than 600 different Magnus cards in Baten Kaitos Origins, some of which have truly fantastical properties. Players can acquire cards in many different ways, including trading, buying, winning as spoils of war or by creating them themselves.

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Release Date: Nov 20, 2006

Based on Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming digitally animated family adventure The Ant Bully, Midway's action/adventure videogame allows players to experience and explore the mar vels of the insect world. Players will take on the role of Lucas Nickle, an outcast 10-year-old who turns his frustrations on the defenseless ant hill in his yard and its tiny inhabitants. In an act of justice, the wizard ant Zoc magically shrinks Lucas to the size of an ant. To earn his freedom Lucas must learn how to live among the colony and sur vive the perils of the insect world. As part of his incredible adventures, Lucas will experience the daunting scale of an ant living in a human-sized world. The player, as Lucas, will evolve from ant bully to ant hero as he leads the colony in an epic life and death struggle to save the insect world from certain extermination.

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Bring to life an adventure of intrigue, deceit and revelation in Avatar The Last Airbender. Play as Aang, Katara, Haru and Sokka as you grow your team into an unstoppable force making discoveries in a thrilling blend of magic and martial arts combat. Use your fully customizable bending powers to master the four elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire and explore the beautifully detailed environments of the Avatar nations. Single-player game featuring unique martial arts style combat. Fully customizable "bending powers" mastering the four elements of Water, Air, Earth and Fire. Journey through all the Great Nations of the Avatar world. Enjoy environments and characters from the TV show plus never before seen enemies and creatures.

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