Camelot Excited by Challenges of 3DS Development

Camelot's Golden Sun: Dark Dawn certainly took its sweet time to arrive, with a seven year wait between Golden Sun: The Lost Age and the latest Adept adventure. Now the game is finished, however, what's developer Camelot looking forward to next? Like nearly every Nintendo fan it's the 3DS, of course.

One of the two founding Takahashi brothers, Hiroyuki, was recently interviewed by IGN where he spoke of the 3DS's exciting potential:

Do you think we will ever see the return to some of Camelot's other great games on Wii or even 3DS? What are some projects you'd like to work on for 3DS?

Takahashi: I'm afraid I can't go into detail at this time, but the features of Nintendo 3DS are really exciting to me as a developer. I'm really excited to challenge myself and create something for it.

New Conduit 2 Trailer Heavy on Talk, Light on Action

Whilst previous trailers for Conduit 2 have focused on the game's massive amounts of bullets, bangs, booms and bombs, this latest trailer shows off the game's cinematic leanings.

New voice actors take up the story after the final events of The Conduit, with Agent Ford drawn deeper into the conspiracy that threatens to topple the world's already delicate balance. It might not be Shakespeare, but as a prelude to some big explosions it looks like it should do the trick. That and the All-Seeing Eye's new voice saying "hurry Michael" puts us in mind of Knight Rider's KITT, which is always a good association to have.

Nintendo to appear at CES 2011 with 3DS and Wii 2?

Nintendo has officially announced that it will be exhibiting new products at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show 2011 in Las Vegas as excitement grows around the imminent Nintendo 3DS launch.

The first time that Nintendo will appear at CES in 17 years, the Wii maker is expected to extensively showcase its 3DS device, the first handheld games console to offer glasses-free 3D gaming capabilities.

With rumours currently circulating around a follow-up to the Wii, gaming hopefuls are also speculating about the unveiling of a much needed upgrade to the motion gaming console at the annual highlight of the tech calendar that will take place in Sin City between January 6th and 9th 2011.

“With the gaming market expected to generate $20.3 million in 2010, the International CES is the must-stop hub for innovative gaming products, and will allow CES attendees to experience the future of gaming from an amazing range of innovative companies,” proclaimed CES organiser Karen Chupka.

“The Gaming Showcase at CES will feature the hottest gaming trends for the coming year.”

With the Nintendo 3DS officially announced by Ninty back in September for a February 26th arrival in Japan before a US and European rollout in March, the 3D pocket gamer could well steal the show at next year’s CES.

What Nintendo product are you most looking forward to, the Nintendo 3DS or the Nintendo Wii 2?

Nintendo to think about Wii 2 after existing Wii reaches installed base of 45 million

In an interview with Kotaku, Nintendo America Reggie Flis-Aime said that they would start talking about the next generation of the Wii, once the installed base of the games console reaches 45 million in the United States.

The Nintendo Wii 2, the next generation of the games console Wii, has remained a hot topic of conversation in the gaming media over the last few months. The sales of Nintendo Wii are now slowing down as the games console is reaching its saturation point in the market.

Speaking to Kotaku, Reggie Flis-Aime said, “After we’ve reached an installed base of 45 million here in the U. S., we can have a conversation about the next generation. “

He claimed that Nintendo Wii sold 23 per cent faster than PlayStation 2, and added that Wii has many, many more units to offer.

He further claimed that the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii games consoles were running in the first and second place in the United States, with installed bases of 43.1 million and 30.4 million, respectively.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Wii Gets New Details, Will Feature Zombie Co-Op

Call of Duty: Black Ops on the Nintendo Wii has just been detailed by its senior producer, and it seems that the version will have almost all of the features seen in the full pledged PC, PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 editions, including multiplayer, co-operative missions and the special Zombies mode

couple of big leaks happened this week concerning Call of Duty: Black Ops on the high definition platforms, one detailing the co-op Zombies mode and the other the Dead Ops arcade co-op mode.

Now, Activision decided to throw in a few official details about the Wii version, through the voice of Anna Donlon, the senior producer for this specific version of Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Donlon revealed that the Wii version of the highly anticipated shooter will be a full pledged title, with a complete single-player mode, 5v5 multiplayer and co-operative modes, including the Zombies one.

"We're giving the fans the full single-player storyline, with huge maps and an amazing story that I think will really blow them away," she said. "We're also back with 5v5 multiplayer, all maps and all game modes, including the newly introduced Wager Matches and Contracts."

According to Donlon, Treyarch pulled out the stops for the online modes, too. "We pushed things a little harder this year, and can now confirm that the Wii version will have online Co-Op. We're doing this through Black Ops' new Combat Training mode and of course... zombies. That's right, 4-player Co-Op Zombies will have its debut on the Wii this year."

Besides all of these new great features, the Treyarch executive also revealed that headset support will be included for all online modes, thanks to the Headbanger headset, as well as support for the Classic Controller Pro, for those that don't want to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the game.

Those that are fearing that the multiplayer modes in Black Ops for the Wii will require them to input friend codes over and over again needn't worry, as a new Allies system has been implemented.

"We've created a new "Allies" system that allows you to invite recent players to be your allies for text messaging, game invites and more without a need for code exchanges. We have more player customization in Create a Class than ever before and we have enhanced party privacy options for players who want to set up their private matches with a little more control over who they allow in."

It seems that Call of Duty: Black Ops will be offering a great experience no matter the platform.

GoldenEye 007 Wii launch trailer

Finally! After years of so-so Bond efforts, Virtual Console let-downs and shit, shameless rip-offs, proper GoldenEye is with us and, as we listen to the original N64 soundtrack on YouTube the very minute, we bring you the below launch trailer.

LOOK! It's that dam section. Ooh, and there's the new Surface level. Oh, and there's... just watch it. It's Daniel Craig's face instead of the blatantly slicker, more Bond-like Pierce Brosnan, but only in cutscenes - it's an FPS game. We can deal with that.

Just Dance 3 to Land "Holiday 2011"

Have you been enjoying the recently released Just Dance 2? Then you'll be pleased to know that we've learned from an anonymous source that Ubisoft is already working on the follow-up, Just Dance 3, set for release in the holiday season of 2011.

The game has been in planning since before Just Dance 2 was released, something that's not surprising given the astounding financial success of the original Just Dance.

You can commence discussion of how excited you are by this exclusive announcement... now

GoldenEye will make a killing

Activision thinks upcoming FPS can be one of the year's best-sellers on Wii

Move over Mario – James Bond is going to be the top dog on Wii this year.

Activision claims the new GoldenEye will rival hits like Mario Galaxy 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Wii Party, Donkey Kong and Epic Mickey.

“Our expectations are that GoldenEye 007 will be one of the best-selling games for the year on the Wii,” said David Tyler, general manager for the firm’s Licensed Business Unit.

GoldenEye 007 is a re-imagining of the film and the classic N64 game, which includes new sections, modes and gameplay. It will be available as a standalone game or bundled with a gold Classic Controller Pro on Wii.

Actor Daniel Craig has lent his likeness to the game, which mark Bond’s return to video games.

Netflix Brings Disc-Free streaming

Netflix announced Tuesday that it is bringing disc-free online movies and TV shows to Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3.

“The availability of Netflix right on the Wii menu adds significantly to the ease and convenience that attracts our members to the Netflix streaming experience and is an important step in our efforts to continuously improve the service,” said Reed Hastings, CEO of Los Gatos-based Netflix.

Netflix plans are available to subscribers who will pay at $8.99 a month or more. In addition to the usual games, the online streaming service also works on computers and mobile devices including Apple’s iPad.

The new Netflix app can be freely downloaded by subscribers through the Wiimote and consumers must sign up for a plan to stream Netflix content on any device.

PDP introduces headset for Wii's Call of Duty: Black Ops

Yes, you'll be able to play the Wii version of Call of Duty: Black Ops online and even use voice chat, if you happen to have the proper equipment. To that end, PDP has announced the $25 "Headbanger Headset."

Conveniently, PDP is releasing the headset on November 9, timed with the release of the game. It'll be available in white, or in a "limited edition" Call of Duty: Black Ops version -- meaning: in black with the game's logo printed on it. That way, when someone asks you what you're playing, you can simply point at the side of your head, without the need for more conversation; which is good, because nobody would want to talk to you after that.

Goldeneye Wii Guns New Trailer

Nintendo conference reveals 3DS, Wii and DS secrets

Nintendo yesterday announced that the new 3DS portable console would go on sale in Japan on 26th February, with a Western release date sometime in March. The Japanese price tag is ¥25,000 (£189) - although there's likely to be some mark up in price from there to here.

With all the information coming through Nintendo's Japanese headquarters it's been difficult to keep up with (and translate) everything, but you should find this video of all the top titles speaks for itself.

There's also a second video on Nintendo's Japanese website that illustrates some of the built-in features (except of course the 3D effect, which is impossible to replicate without an actual 3DS in front of you).

One feature not mentioned in the video is the ability to transfer your downloaded games from a DSi or DSi XL to the 3DS (the 3DS is backwards compatible with all DS cartridges as well). This option was notable by its absence in previous Nintendo portables, which meant your downloads were tied to the console you bought - not a moveable online account.

The bad news is Nintendo are warning that not all downloads will be moveable and there will be a limit on the number of times you can transfer them.

But while Nintendo still doesn't seem to entirely grasp the whole online thing they do appear keen on the concept of augmented reality games (things like Start The Party! and Invizimals where computer-generated graphics are superimposed on a camera view of the world around you). In fact they're releasing something called AR Games for the 3DS, although they haven't yet provided any real details.

The 3DS can also use QR codes (the square next gen barcodes that Japan has been obsessed with for years) and Nintendo has already been illustrating this with collectible cards that feature a code that when scanned unlocks new items or features.

In terms of actual new games though, the biggest news remains Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and Mega Man Legends 3 Project from Capcom.

As for non-3DS news Nintendo did have a few announcements to make. The Wii will be getting its first taste of the surreal music game Rhythm Paradise, as well as a new entry in the Project Zero (aka Fatal Frame) survival horror series.

There's some confusion over what exactly the latter is, especially as Nintendo refused to release Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse in the West. The early screenshots suggest the new game may simply be a remake of Project Zero II on the PlayStation 2/Xbox.

Finally, Wii exclusive role-playing game The Last Story, from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, will be released on 27th January in Japan - although that probably says little about any potential European release date.

The only announcements for the Nintendo DS were a new Kirby game, where you get to control up to 10 of the little pink blobs at once, and a typing game called Battle & Get: Pokémon Typing DS - which comes bundled with its own wireless keyboard.

You Can Stop Waiting for Worms: Battle Islands on WiiWare Now

It's been a long old time since we heard anything about Worms: Battle Islands but we were expecting it to launch on WiiWare this month. Sadly, the downloadable service just got a little duller, as THQ has announced the game is on its way to Wii as a retail release.

The game is now scheduled to release in November.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - Delivering an arsenal full of laughs, explosions and over-the-top turn-based strategy gameplay this November, THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Worms: Battle Islands is currently in development for Wii. The franchise that has sold more than 25 million units at retail over its lifetime and provided countless hours of strategy fun returns with classic Worms gameplay, all-new extensive online multiplayer support, customizable weapons and environments to blow to bits. Worms: Battle Islands is being published through the THQ Partners program.

About Worms: Battle Islands
Rally your worm troops, plot to defeat your enemies and battle your way through 30 single-player campaign mode missions, 30 brain teasing single-player Puzzle challenges and five different multiplayer game modes on or offline as you fight to take control of a secret island Worms™ base. Packed with more than 40 different in-game weapons and utilities, a deep customization tool set that allows users to personalize their Worms appearance and create their own weapons of mass destruction in the weapon factory, Worms: Battle Islands will quench all gamers thirst for ammo and destruction.

Itagaki Makes Curious Remark about Nintendo's Next Console

Wii is approaching its fourth birthday across the world, with no announced successor currently on the horizon. We know it's in development but there's been no clue as to its form or any such thing. So when an industry figure such as Tomonobu Itagaki, former head of Team Ninja, makes cryptic comments about the company's next home console it makes interesting reading.

Itagaki, whose new game Devil's Third was shown off at this year's Tokyo Game Show, spoke about how the game's technology was scalable so it could be brought across to other platforms. When quizzed if this meant 3DS, Itagaki responded cryptically:

More than that, although I can't say this easily because I don't have any information, it's possible that Nintendo could release a higher end console. Something like that.

Whilst admittedly there's precious little information there – it's a little more than possible that Nintendo will release a higher-end console – for a developer such as Itagaki to be developing his latest game with one eye on the future console is perhaps a hint it's on the way sooner than some might believe. Or he genuinely has no information and is just speculating, or possibly a combination of both. We'll have to wait and see.

GoldenEye Online to Keep You Addicted with Killstreaks, Perks and More

Ah, Activision: we should have known you'd come up with this. Whilst its Call of Duty series continues to devour gaming hours like nobody's business, the publisher has taken some of the series' winning elements and slotted them neatly into upcoming Bond 'em up GoldenEye.

Not only will the game feature an online experience system opening up new perks and killstreaks as you level up, there's also online-only game types including GoldenEye Control, an objective-based scenario that tasks you with nabbing several stations in order to fire the titular laser into your opponents' base. If that doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, perhaps this isn't the game for you.

Anyone wanting to play offline will still be able to have a good old knees-up, with Melee Only channelling the classic slap-happy game type, plus Golden Gun offering one-hit kills to anyone sharp enough to nab the eponymous firearm. Developer Eurocom is promising 17 different modifiers, including Invisibility, Tag Mode and Paintball as well as 50 characters to choose from, hopefully paving the way for plenty of split-screen gaming goodness.

GoldenEye 007: Blowing Up Helicopters and Jungle Fever

Sometimes, James Bond sneaks into a hostile situation without being detected, noiselessly disposing foes wherever he goes. And other times, the secret agent feels like tearing down an entire city in his wake.

Graham Hagmaier, a producer at Activision, explained that giving the player options in the way Bond tackles a level was one of the main goals for the project.

“One of the big keys [for developer Eurocom] in regard to game design is player choice,” said Hagmaier. “[The game] has multiple routes through areas, so you can take the stealthier route and kind of use close-quarter combat — such as takedowns. Or you can go in guns-a-blazing — American style, as I like to call it — and just firefight and take out enemies.”

Nintendojo reported a new level starts with Bond, in a tank, chasing an automobile. You can hear Daniel Craig as Bond in a voice over, detailing the events happening. Craig’s performance sounds top-notch, equivalent to something straight from a movie. But before you hear too much from 007, a helicopter blows a bridge sky high, leaving you without a tank and a lot of ground to catch up.

The pursuit that follows displays the impressive visuals for the game. The tank smashes everything in sight, like cars and enemy trucks. Even better, the armored vehicle blasts through cement pillars underneath buildings throughout the level. But that’s not all. Huge skyscrapers and buildings tumble down, blanketing the ground with dust and rubble. The effects are pretty stunning, and the frame rate seems to hold steady.

The cause of this destruction rests with an army of trucks and helicopters attempting to stop Bond in his tracks. The whirlybirds flutter above in the sky, launching missiles at the secret agent. The missiles display realistic smoke trails, and then boom, spectacular fire explosions. Once again, the graphics are definitely something to talk about.

As for destroying these enemies, you have the tank at your disposal. You primarily keep your foot on the gas moving forward with the control stick, with the right analog stick navigating your reticule (with missiles and a submachine gun). Obviously, the game was demoed, once again, with the Classic Controller Pro.

GoldenEye 007’s single player campaign looks to be a pretty spectacular experience. The level showcased some memorable and stunning scenes, as well as capture the Bond feel and look. The developer Eurocom seems to be on the right track with James Bond’s adventure for Wii.

Nintendo's Next Console Will Leave You With Your Mouth Open

Is your mouth open? If it's closed, watch out, because Nintendo's next console will make you all slack jawed. But relax, we're a few years off. Go ahead, shut your yapper.

Whether it's been portables, controllers or even 3D, Nintendo has been a trailblazer. And according to Metroid co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto, that doesn't look like it will stop any time soon.

"At Nintendo we always have the obligation to surprise users with a new game console," Sakamoto told website 3D Juegos in a recent interview. "We have never done what others have. We prefer to create something new that catches attention, and I think this will continue this time as well. Surely the new Nintendo machine will leave you all with your mouth open."

Last year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stressed the importance of surprising people with the new Nintendo console — more importantly, Iwata mentioned how it was important for Nintendo to include "meaningful" surprises for consumers. "As for timing," Iwata said at the time, "it may be three years from now, five years from now or eight years from now."

The Conduit 2 Delayed till 2011, Classic Controller Compatible

SEGA have confirmed that the upcoming sequel to High Voltage's alien shooter will be touching down in Q1 2011.

The second attempt at cracking the fairly sparse Wii FPS market was originally set to invade in November this year, but has been pushed into the early months of 2011 for unknown reasons.

It's highly likely though with Goldeneye 007 pumping bullets before Christmas, and around the same time as the original Conduit 2 launch, that SEGA felt it would be more appropriate to release the new game once the nostalgia dust has settled slightly.

According to Nintendojo, there's also been confirmation of Classic Controller (Pro) support for multiplayer, in addition to the regular Wii Remote and nunchuck.

Nintendo Lays Out PAX Showing

As many of you already know, the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is coming up September 3rd - 5th in Seattle, WA and Nintendo is gearing up for the show by releasing a list of titles that will be playable during the expo.

The majority of the games to be shown by Nintendo were recently on display at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, but PAX marks the first time these titles will be available for play by consumers. There will also be a brand new WiiWare title called Fluidity on display as well.

Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kirby's Epic Yarn, GoldenEye 007, and NBA Jam highlight the selection of Wii titles available for play, although this curiously omits the much-anticipated DS RPG Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, not to mention Nintendo's brand new 3DS handheld system.

3DS Unlikely to Feature Achievements System

After the 3DS's big reveal at E3 this year, a series of videos hit the 'net showing various developers and publishers talking about how exciting the machine was for them. One such video featured EA's Ryan Stradling, who spoke about the 3DS's online features including the potential for an Xbox 360-style Achievements system. Now German website PlanetDS.de has broken the news that such a feature is unlikely.

Nintendo's Harald Ebert told the site during Gamescom that the console will likely not have a global Achievement system, though no other information was forthcoming. Ebert also confirmed again that the machine's visual styling is still to be decided and could change between now and launch, with Capcom recently stating that the final D-Pad will be different.

Would you be pleased or disappointed if the 3DS launched without Achievements?