Nintendo unveils Mario Strikers and Battalion Wars sequels at Leipzig, little else [update 2]
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Aug 23rd 2006 at 5:40AM }
And the first new game to be marched onto the stage at the Leipzig Games Convention is Mario Strikers Charged, a Wii sequel to Mario's Gamecube exercise in frantic ball kicking. Eurogamer reports that the game is visually similar to the previous entry, but that it now sports special moves for the Wiimote. You can seemingly hold the Wii controller up to block incoming shots with your hands, though more enterprising players will surely have a lot more fun (and awkward injuries) strapping the wiimote to a foot and going ballistic.
Battalion Wars 2 -- as in BWii -- was also announced and is expected to be playable on the show floor. No new information on it yet, but rest assured that we'll keep you updated. That being the opposite of what Nintendo has done regarding Wii launch information, of course. Many expected their "Wii Prove Our Promise" keynote to toss a stick of dynamite into the Wii rumor mil and blow the constant launch date hearsay and price pontification to unrecognizable smithereens, but Nintendo has deemed it necessary to keep people in the dark for a little bit longer. We'll get you for this, Iwata.
[Update: One other minor announcement -- Europe gets the gloriously pink DS Lite on October 27th.]
[Update: There's some video footage now up of the game. Check it out here and after the break.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Infil @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:47AM
Pretty disappointing, I must say. We need our launch details!
Wolfman @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:50AM
I am disgusted with Nintendo.
I hope the gaming sites bring in the riot police for their boards. Joystiq needn't worry about this, their users are very civilized.
GSI @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:51AM
http://blogs.ign.com/Matt-IGN/2006/08/22/28830/
September 14th...this _might_ be THE date when everything is released.
Bobnobody @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:52AM
So basically the release date and price is now going to just come out off the blue, just like the name change. It could happen at anytime.
Pedrocas @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:55AM
TGS my friends...TGS...
Paul Gale @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:59AM
I'm pretty surprised at what Nintendo showed off at the conference. I was hoping for either a price or release date for Wii, maybe a new Zelda trailer, and a little bit more of Super Smash Bros. Brawl footage. Oh well, in the end, hopefully we get some cool Mario Soccer and Battallion Wars 2 gameplay videos.
Paul Gale
1up.com
SomeShow @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:06AM
That was the lamest press conference ever!
Wolfman @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:06AM
Not sure if anyone heard but BWii and Mario Strikers will be online enabled.
Willo @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:11AM
You’re missing the point Ludwig. It’s not mimicking the movements of real life, but naturalising the movements of your body. Nobody is going to strap the wiimote to their leg, but people will feel very natural playing Mario strikers charged.
And after the world cup in Germany? Damn, I'm mad for it.
Cyport @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:15AM
"Pedrocas"
Just to let to know. Nintendo won't be going to TGS this year so how can they mention it there..
I am guessing Nintendo are going to tell the launch price very near the lanuch because it will be expensive and Nintendo want leave it till the last minute so they don't get flamed for months, unlike Sony.
Dr.Swiss @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:22AM
Wait...Battalion Wars 2 will be online??? AWSOME!!!!!
But yeah, sequals aren't proving any promise except that Nintendo is still indeed Nintendo.
Rask @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:26AM
The event should've been called "Wii don't don't have much to say."
Dr.Swiss @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:35AM
I just read the article about it on IGN's Wii section and yeah, it kinda sounded depressing. Kinda really depressing.
uchiha5 @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:47AM
Calm down everyone, we'll most likely know eveything on Sept 14th. Besides what were you guys expecting at a German press conference, E3?
Chris @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:47AM
Bit of a let down but oh well, any pics of the hard nipped model surfaced yet?
Ben Roe @ Aug 23rd 2006 6:56AM
Battalion Wars 2 is a pretty big announcement for me - if there was ever a game that would be improved by a sequel, BW is it.
Eliot @ Aug 28th 2006 11:13AM
What are you lot on about, Liepsig is no E3 and no REAL announcements are ever made there.
Lou D @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:31AM
BW was alot of fun, it will definitely benefit from a Wii-mote interface. Good news as that game deserved more credit than it got.
adeel @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:35AM
and people complain that playstation is over run with sequels and crappy updates.
ooh lets make mario evil and flip the M to make it wario! woo now we can make ANOTHER 100 mario games but they are different see, because its Wario not mario. BORING.
Lou D @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:36AM
This sounds awesome:
"Tricked into believing that the Solar Empire is developing a devastating super-weapon, Commander Pierce and Colonel Windsor of the Anglo Isles launch a pre-emptive strike on the Coral Atolls. The world is once again at war.
Drive tanks, command ships, pilot planes and direct your troops into the heart of the action in the return of the popular tactical action game for Wii.
3 Online Multiplayer Modes
Assault: Instant Combat
Skirmish: Tactical depth
Co-op: Work with friends
3 Theatres of War
Combine land, sea and air combat
5 New Naval Units
Battleship, Frigate, Submarine, Dreadnought, Transport
6 Different Races, 5 Different Environments
With new vehicles for each side
Wii-Controller
Provides intuitive, all-action gameplay
Greater tactical depth
Capture facility buildings to re-spawn units (HQ, Barracks, Factories, Airfield, Docks)
Use Map Screen Commanding to order from afar
Bigger and Better
20+ single player missions AND 15+ mp missions
Increased replay value"
Greg2k @ Aug 23rd 2006 7:42AM
Since when was Europe going to be the place for a big announcement? This is typical NoE bullcrap.
Evan @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:13AM
Nintendo said they would announce details in September. Is this September? No, today is only August 23rd.
Super Duper MArio @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:28AM
"Tokyo Game Show"
Where did they tell us about the Wiimote?
http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2006/07/24/nintendo-not-speaking-at-tokyo-game-show/
Its called the press event before the show...
Hammer @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:37AM
Your comments: @ 3 What the deuce? It's a bit early to be sending out invites
for a top secret press event tho. But is IGN, who arnt noted hoaxters.
:s@ 22Arg. The mystery continues.Damm you
Nintendo *shakes fist*
that guy @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:45AM
Dear Nintendo,
I really do despise you. What promise did you prove, exactly?
BMWM3P @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:00AM
They keep their promises by giving you mild updates of 20 year old franchises and calling them new games.
Marty @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:05AM
Don't you people understand. This conference was for the European markets to show the European Journalist what is happening with European videogaming..... They proved their promise to Europe that they are about the games and about bringing Europe these games!!!
Get over your stupid "Nintendo is going to say something in August because everyone tells me they will even though Nintendo told me September" tantrum
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:12AM
Wow, I never knew Strikers and Batallian Wars were 20 years old. BMWM3P, so how is Final Fantasy XIII coming along for the PS3?
danny @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:13AM
I think you might have the number '20' confused with the number '1' BMWM3P.
Paul P. @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:17AM
I woke up at 3:05 for this(central time). What a dissapointment. Of course it's only my fault. Nintendo never said they'd be revealing launch data there or really even implied it. This was just basically an E3 repeat for Germany, which looking back, is all anyone really should have expected. I guess they'll announce everything on September 14th at their special event they gave out invitations for.
that guy @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:21AM
Actually, they said they'd announce the release date/price BY September, meaning sometime before the last day in September.
The only thing that really bothers me is the title of this conference. Anyone who tells Nintendo wasn't trying to gain even more 'buzz' by naming their conference "Wii prove our promise" is going to get an e-punch from me. That's false advertising, folks. You know it, I know it and Nintendo knows it.
BMWM3P @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:22AM
Anything that has Mario in it it's an expansion of an old played out 20 year old franchise. Any Mario game can't hold my attention for more than 10 minutes.
Paul P. @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:23AM
Evan,
Nintendo didn't say "in September" they said "by September". Look it up on Wikipedia. Not that Wikipedia is a good source, but they have a link to the actual source right there in the article, I was just there yesterday.
Woody @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:26AM
Two things:
1) Good call #29, to call this "Wii Prove our Promise", um, no you didn't. Nintendo is walking a very fine line with the media thing they are running. They are hoping to be Apple, but this could back fire soon.
2) As cool as some of these games are, I can't help feeling like they are just ports of Gamecube games. I understand the 1st round games often don't look next gen, but I gues we'll see.
Paul P. @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:41AM
BMWM3P, you're a sad little man.
Do you apply the same logic to the Star Wars franchise, Batman, Spider-man, Superman, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, James Bond? They're all older than 20 years, they must be played out too. None of those are interesting for more than ten minutes, surely.
phipscube @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:43AM
Get ready for a simple Game Cube in disguse folks! what are they promising exactly? they haven't said anything yet to prove. At least Sony have told us Price and release dates etc.
BTW, last time I looked this was Joystiq not Wii fanboy (Although I do sometimes get mixed up the amount of Nintendo stuff on here)... what about the Leipzig news from other comapnies? Wasn't Microsoft up to something today?
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:43AM
BMWM3P, you must have ADD. Strikers is not an expansion pack to a franchise. It is only the second game in a series. By your logic, MGS 4 is a shitty played out franchise because Metal Gear has been around since the NES and just having Snake in a game means that it can't hold your attention for more than 10 minutes. Are you sure that you have only ADD?
Josh @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:48AM
This seriously blows. I can't believe Nintendo would let us all down like this. I just never thought they'd pull something like this.
that guy @ Aug 23rd 2006 9:54AM
Exactly, Woody.
Believe me - I'm a HUGE fan of Nintendo and I'm all ready to get a Wii on launch day, but I'm definitely taking notes here. Of course, it's awesome and fun (and a good business decision) to gain some buzz for a new system, new games, etc. But Nintendo do that at E3? At this point, they're just being insulting to their fans. Again, if they really feel this need to keep us in the dark regarding launch date/price, fine. But don't announce news conferences with titles like 'Wii Prove Our Promise,' then announce two new games and a (already released in Japan) pink DS Lite for Europe (small potatoes in the grand scheme of things).
Basically, I was/am very excited for Wii. But it has a LOT to live up to now. If they keep insulting me and don't live up to (by this point) my HUGE expectations, they'll pay for it in the future. It's just like any business - if you don't treat me (the paying customer) with respect, I'll take my business elsewhere.
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:02AM
They did prove their promise... to the german market. Basically, this is a mini-european E3, so there is to be some overlap with what the American audience has seen at E3. Of course, as a fan you may be disappointed they didn't reveal their release date and price - that's happening at a special press even on September 12th (a couple weeks!). But they did unveil a game based on the most popular european sport, and they revealed a game that is absolutely perfect for the Wiimote (batallian wars... a console FPS/RTS) - both going online. I mean, how picky are you Nintendo fans, really?
that guy @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:10AM
First of all Steve - E3 is an industry event for the entire world, so it's wrong to call the GC in Liepzig a 'mini-E3'. Everyone, worldwide, got the same E3 in May.
As for the September 12th event - where does it say that this will be the official launch date/price announcement?
How picky are Nintendo fans? Very. That's what makes them Nintendo fans.
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:14AM
I used a "mini e3" as an example... or perhaps I should say "new E3"... because this isn't a large event. Nintendo isn't going to be unveiling large things - though they still have that press conference with EA later. This is just a showcase to some of the european market, that's all.
Find a picture (undoctored) of that September 12th invite.
Designerbradr @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:14AM
that guy and all you whiners, just read the official press release (excerpt):
"23rd August 2006 - Challenging conventions, redefining the industry, leading the way with change and disruption - at last year’s Games Convention Nintendo made a bold statement that it would expand the definition of gaming.
Following today’s conference it is evident that Nintendo is delivering on its promises."
This convention as envisioned by Nintendo is aimed at a local instrument not the worldwide percussion. As stated by the press release, the title of the conference is a response to last year's promise: "[Nintendo will] expand the definition of gaming."
What Nintendo didn't promise was release and launch information at the GC. SO get over it.
that guy @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:23AM
Actually, Steve, this is a large industry event.
I would love to find an undoctored picture of that invite shown blurred out on IGN, but since no one does have an undoctored photo, you nor I know what the event is about. I repeat - you can't say this is the launch announcement because you don't know that.
Designerbradr - what (new) bold statement did Nintendo make today at the GC? We all know what they're trying to do this generation by expanding the market (which is wonderful). But they told us very little new info in Germany, and I repeat for the thousandth time - by using a title like 'Wii Prove our Promise', they are misleading their fans. But please continue arguing it - it's funny to see you try.
Jake @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:25AM
Batallion Wars could be a pretty cool game. Wario Soccer, erm, not so much IMO. I agree that "Wii prove our promise" was a strong title, but people shouldn't expect much. If hype and speculation would have died before the conference, they'd throw a bone.
Paul P. @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:25AM
Heh, Mario coming down out of the sky looks totally bad-ass. It's like they gave him just a little edge. And Bowser has wolverine claws? Is this a post-apocalyptic soccer battle for the mushroom kingdom? I never played the original but heard it was good. This definitely looks like something worth picking up.
Covarr @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:31AM
I am not particularly surprised that they didn't reveal the launch date and price of the Wii. They have been saying for months that they would tell in September, so why on earth would they tell at a major August event?
Paul P. @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:57AM
Because you touch yourself at night, that's why.
They've said "BY September", not 'in' September. By would mean either before or during September.
Designerbradr @ Aug 23rd 2006 11:00AM
"Designerbradr - what (new) bold statement did Nintendo make today at the GC? We all know what they're trying to do this generation by expanding the market (which is wonderful). But they told us very little new info in Germany, and I repeat for the thousandth time - by using a title like 'Wii Prove our Promise', they are misleading their fans. But please continue arguing it - it's funny to see you try."
I can only laugh right back. You just don't get it, that guy.
First of all, Nintendo never said they would make a "(new)" bold statement" – or even address anything to YOU. They promised to "expand the definition of gaming" while in the Euro market.
GC is tailored to a German/European audience, just as E3 is tailored to an American audience and TGS is to a Japanese audience. "Wii prove our promise" essentially was the same message from E3, though numbers and announcements were tailored for the Euro market only.
Here, I'll try and simplify it for you.
Nintendo sees E3 as an American outlet and GC as a European outlet. Nintendo wanted to bring their E3 message of "new ways to play" to the Euro audience. Because Nintendo made an appearance at last year's GC and said they would "expand the definition of gaming", they decided to mesh their promise form last year with their messaging from E3.
Though a lot of this news wasn't new to you, Nintendo is conscious that not everyone is listening all the time. And if a major event occurs in America, Nintendo doesn't want to demean the Euros by assuming anything.
doobiwan @ Aug 23rd 2006 11:05AM
Well it is still day one I guess, there's a few mroe days to go for them to say something interesting. At this point a 360 with an air conditioned controller seems like asweet idea . . .