Nintendo denies Space World, speculates on Mario at launch

by Ross Miller { Aug 5th 2006 at 11:55PM }

There is no Space World planned for 2006, according to Nintendo of America PR Manager Matt Atwood. The confirmation, told to Advanced Media Network, dispels some speculation as to when Nintendo would announce the Wii's launch details. As there is no Space World, and no one from Nintendo speaking at the Tokyo Games Show, the likely location for launch announcements will be at the Leipzig Games Convention during the August 23 "Wii Prove our Promise" presentation.

As goes Nintendo's modus operandi, the secretive company cannot destroy a rumor without spawning a replacement. Atwood also told AMN that, since the official launch lineup has not been announced, Super Mario Galaxy might still make launch lineup.

"Anything is possible," he said. That is not a confirmation by any stretch of the imagination, but just enough to tantalize the masses. O, Nintendo, why must you torment us so?

[via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Tags: leipzig games convention, LeipzigGamesConvention, space world, SpaceWorld, super mario galaxy, SuperMarioGalaxy, tokyo games show, TokyoGamesShow, wii prove our promise, WiiProveOurPromise

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andrew @ Aug 6th 2006 12:00AM

Super Mario Galaxy @ launch FTW.
No, seriously. Best Launch ever if SMG launches alongside Twilight Princess.

nootau @ Aug 6th 2006 12:08AM

Nintendo! Quit Teasing! Just tell us already! I want a price and a date! And, while you're at it, an online stradegy annoucement would be nice. All of these games that various third parties are announcing fail to mention any sort of online play...even games that are traditionally online (call of duty, Madden, etc) I'd like some reassurance that the online support wont go the way of the broadband adapter.

Josh @ Aug 6th 2006 12:12AM

Gin, just got it now. ~_~

In any case, it's Leipzig Games Convention, for sure (probably). And Mario at launch? I doubt it, since, if anything, it would be delayed, not pushed forward.

darryl @ Aug 6th 2006 12:16AM

"O, Nintendo, why must you torment us so?"

...because that's all they have. I'm happy to be free of Nintendo tormenting, too itchy. But hey, touching is good.

Intellectualdiot @ Aug 6th 2006 12:24AM

It's really not a matter of being pushed forward as the title never had a date to be moved about to begin with per se. Miyamoto's original statement was that the title would be released within the "first six months" of the Wii's lifespan, which effectively serves to appoint no date other than after the Wii itself releases. We the people, being the insufferable miserablists that we are when it comes to Nintendo and their release dates, decided that since it wasn't explicitly stated that the title would arrive in close proximity to the release of the Wii, it simply had to be closer to the tail end of the six month timeframe. In all honesty, due to the speculative nature of appointing a date to the title in the first place, it would seem that a cogent argument could be made for either sooner or later.

While I would prefer for Galaxy to release in 2006 - even if not at launch - the wait is somewhat tempered by the fact that the initial novelty of the Wii should be apparent in a large number of titles and should keep me entertained for a healthy period of time. The better these inaugural titles are beyond their Wii remote implementation, the easier it will be for me to swallow any potential late arrival.

It doesn't really need to be stated that SMG at launch alongside Zelda and Metroid would easily be a forerunner for the most "swish" launch lineup ever compiled by any company, for any product, ever. Whether or not you suckle at the Nintendo teat or not, having three potential AAA titles upon the outset of a console's lifespan is an impressive feat and one not easily accomplished.

skyrous @ Aug 6th 2006 12:54AM

As it stands I'm going to have to spend $600 on gaming this fall... a Wii plus all the ever growing list of games I want. certainly a better value than the PS3D0.

If mario and smash brothers aren't out for another 6 months fine with me I'll be playing through the already confirmed launch titles anyway.

William @ Aug 6th 2006 1:42AM

It wouldn't make sense to me if they released Mario Galaxy at launch, mainly because they already have Corruption & Twilight Princess to keep the masses involved. Wait for the excitement of those games to die down, then give us Galaxy. And after that, Smash Bros.

Pat @ Aug 6th 2006 1:43AM

Call me crazy, but I think a launch that's already so packed should be Mario-less. This is a MONSTER title for Nintendo and one that would be better off held back for launch, giving smaller titles like Wii Sports and the seven Ubisoft titles a chance to be seen. We all know that launch time is always a prime opportunity for new owners to give unfamiliar games a chance. With a launch lineup that already features Zelda and Metroid, Mario Galaxy is just overkill.

I think a Mario Galaxy release around the end of November would be a great way to combat the launch of the PS3 as well as Gears of War.

Zelda Master @ Aug 6th 2006 1:50AM

I would love Mario at launch again. Galaxy looks like a ton of fun.

bounchfx @ Aug 6th 2006 1:55AM

oh my god I just want to play with the wii again so badly.

I hope it hits early/late sept!

or at least oct 2! dont make us wait any longer baaaaargh!!

imagine like at the convention.. "the wii will launch... one week from now!" omgomgomgomg

Jadamo @ Aug 6th 2006 2:16AM

SMG has to make launch, it's been a tradition to have a "new" Super Mario title for the unveiling of a new console. Without it, the Wii Nintendo would be naked. Besides, why show SMG at E3 if not to create buzz for the Wii launch? I think ol' Nin is just leaving us wanting more - squeezing every last drop of anticipation from our impatient little minds. It's the thrill of the hunt!

Easy_G @ Aug 6th 2006 2:21AM

I'm with Pat. I would love to have Mario Galaxy at launch, but that makes it MUCH harder for the other games to do well, and then it also will make the ensuing post-launch drought even more unbearable. If Mario Galaxy was to launch, then I'd want some other high-profile launch game pushed back to fill in the void (Metroid Prime maybe?).

It could be a case of "too much of a good thing."

georgedakota @ Aug 6th 2006 2:27AM

you people sound like 15 year olds who spell launch incorrectly and cant even wait for a console. oh wait, 15 year olds are the only nerds buying the console. i forgot

Precious Roy @ Aug 6th 2006 2:30AM

Just turned 16, georgedakota?

Rod @ Aug 6th 2006 2:42AM

Ironically georgedakota is a 15 year old sony fanboy...

Rod @ Aug 6th 2006 2:43AM

He's just pissed cause he can't afford a PS3 and has to "settle" for a Wii.

GSI @ Aug 6th 2006 3:55AM

@ georgedakota:

Funny...you are making fun of people and how they spell, yet your entire post is loaded with grammar problems as well. Oh yea...and for calling everyone "15 year olds" for being excited about the console, you sound like a 15 year old (or younger) for making fun of everyone.

As for you people STILL thinking that the Wii will be released on October 2nd? Get over it already...IT IS NOT HAPPENING!

cringer8 @ Aug 6th 2006 4:02AM

Nintendo has said that they've learned from their mistakes and will not allow a lull in game releases at any point in the first six months.

SMG could launch with the Wii, because Nintendo has many unannounced titles in the works (not to mention the semi-announced games like Project H.A.M.M.E.R. and Disaster: Day of Crisis). They will be announcing more games on Aug. 23rd as will EA (I think they have five titles to announce).

Doesn't anyone remember Nintendo's announcement earlier this year where they revealed that they split up their development "army" into multiple, smaller "squadrons?" They are planning on putting out tons of games quickly.

Cal @ Aug 6th 2006 4:32AM

The Wii has a hell of a launch already. I'm just glad they didn't go back to Super Mario Galaxy and Pilotwings Wii. Looks like Nintendo finally got it right.

GSI @ Aug 6th 2006 4:48AM

Huh? What are you talking about? SM Galaxy was actually a really fun game when I tired it at E3 and I hope it does in fact become a launch title.

Psaakyrn @ Aug 6th 2006 5:00AM

Random thought: That Penny Arcade Expo seems to be in a convenient timing to do some announcements as well.. Probably not key announcements as they don't have specific panel time, but perhaps as a follow-up (and chance for clarification) (e.g. price and timing on LGC, exact game launch list with final demos at PAX). May be expensive, but having announcements on both sides of the globe would probably raise the heat, so to speak.

As for SMG, I guess it depends on whether they spot any bugs or problems with balance to fix during their (probably current) beta phrase (natually, if there're no problems, or the problems is simple to retify, it'll be able to come out earlier).

Alex @ Aug 6th 2006 5:02AM

Does the Wii need a Mario game at launch when it already has quite a few big titles? Seriously, Zelda at launch, ZELDA! One that EVERYONE has been waiting for at that, not just some quickly pushed out game either.

Don't forget those other big launch games as well.

Actually, a Mario game launch about 1 or 2 months after launch may be perfect. Assuming the Wii launches 2 months before Christmas Mario will be far enough from the the launch window to not be overlooked amoung the other titles, while still being in stores in time for the holidays.

Maybe even bundle the Mario game in with the system for Christmas as well? Who knows. All I know if that I can't wait to try this thing out. It really sounds fantastic.

Mac Aoidh @ Aug 6th 2006 6:40AM

Concerning Spaceworld I think there's four possibilities
1) Most information will be revealed at Leipzig
2) Nintendo will stage a massive wii tour (across japan definitely but perhaps other countries as well).
3) A combination of 1 and 2.
4) Perhaps there won't be a "spaceworld" this year as the show will now be known by some other title: it is an outdated name and this is the sort of trick nintendo reps have pulled before.

And mario at launch?? Terrible idea thats not gonna happen, they would cannibalize each other.

Would disney/pixar release "the incredibles 2" and "finding nemo again" on the same day?

And I'll be damned if Miyamoto releases a Zelda a year after it was finished (don't start) and releases an unfinished Mario title early.

darryl @ Aug 6th 2006 10:15AM

"Nintendo has said that they've learned from their mistakes and will not allow a lull in game releases at any point in the first six months."

...but after all the fanboys have wasted their cash and sales plummet, then they can take a break for a long while.

"They are planning on putting out tons of games quickly."

Yes, rushed, re-hashed garbage... Wiii!

Eli @ Aug 6th 2006 10:35AM

Awww... Buying a PS3 will save me money, since I won't buy a single game for it, while I don't have the money to buy all the Wii games I want. Grr!

poomuncher58 @ Aug 6th 2006 10:44AM

i love all u!!

dave @ Aug 6th 2006 11:30AM

I actually think launching mario with Wii would be a bad idea. They should spread AAA titles out so there is no lull. If they have it at laucnh, well then there are 3 franchises we won't be seeing for awhile. We'll be getting another zelda in a few years but the others...who knows? I want there to be balance in the releases. Not like the dreamcast where all the good titles were available at launch.

GSI @ Aug 6th 2006 3:45PM

@ darryl:

*cough*fanboy*cough*

So what is Sony's excuse then? Oh wait...Sony doesn't do that right?

*rolls eyes*

Joe @ Aug 6th 2006 5:07PM

WHY THE HELL DID I BUY A 360 WHEN I COULD HAVE WAITED FOR A WII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D

Joe @ Aug 6th 2006 5:08PM

WHY THE HELL DID I BUY A 360 WHEN I COULD HAVE WAITED FOR A WII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tactics @ Aug 6th 2006 6:01PM

they promised us a revolution.

"wii keep our promise."

-"superfan" tactics.

El Hajjish @ Aug 7th 2006 12:54AM

I agree with Daryll. The PS3 won't see any rushed re-hashed garbage, like Riiiiidge Racer 7. It's my change to see cars driving at 1080p!

Also if the Wii is "just a gamecube with a remote" then why are so many developers ramping up production for Wii games? Could it be that it is an exciting and innovative platform that is inspiring new ideas?

...new ideas beyond real-time weapon changing?