Pikmin remake launches Dec. 25 in Japan, Nintendo unveils more 'Play for Wii' titles

by Ross Miller { Oct 2nd 2008 at 9:35AM }

This Christmas, Japanese gamers will be able to waggle flowery lemmings to their hearts content. Nintendo has announced (via IGN) that the Pikmin remake for Wii will launch December 25 in Japan for 3,800 yen (approx. US $36). The game is part of Nintendo's new "Play for Wii" series, which will be a collection of GameCube titles revised with Wii controls.

Before Pikmin (and not counting previous Wii remake Resident Evil 4), Nintendo will re-release Donkey Kong Jungle Beat on December 11. Upcoming titles in the collection include Chibi Robo, Pikmin 2, Mario Tennis GC, Metroid Prime, and Metroid Prime 2 Dark Echoes. No word on any release dates outside of Japan, but we'll be live at Nintendo of America's press conference in San Francisco later today.

Tags: pikmin, play-for-wii

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

PSN & GAMERTAG: jorojoserojas - Wii FC: 0749-8609-3752-6926 @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:44AM

Metroid Prime(s)!!!

I was skeptical about this whole "Play for Wii" idea...but damn, Metroid Prime 3 was all sorts of awesome. Looking forward to shooting the hell out of some Space Pirates now.

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:50AM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nintendo-NGNIN-045496960421-Metroid-GameCube/dp/B00006IJJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1222955390&sr=8-1

Here you go.

Megadanxzero @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:53AM

You could go and shoot the hell out of some Space Pirates right now... And not get ripped off... Surely that would be preferable?

Mr Khan @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:18AM

I too am the kind of person who is opposed to buying the same game twice. But its Metroid Prime. If any game deserves to be bought twice, it's that.

bm @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:51PM

MrKhan: agreed. Though to be very honest I highly enjoyed the lock-on system and the resulting de-emphasis on aiming and shooting, and more of a focus on dodging and figuring out an enemy's behaviour. Made it feel more like traditional Metroid or even Megaman, than an FPS.

Then MP3 came, and not only did the combat revert back to the same old FPS crap (well, mostly), the level design took a catastrophic hit to the point where the adventurous feeling was just gone. Linear maps I can navigate with my eyes closed are not my idea of fun. If I had to name my biggest game related disappointment ever, it would be MP3.

Well, I guess there's still the originals... too bad we're not going to see any more of that kind of game design in new games. :'(

Erik Stroud @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:59PM

I'm excited for the Metroid Prime 1 and 2 remakes.

Kael @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:47PM

I don't see much information on if these games are going to be edited and re-tooled to use the pointer and waggle or if it's the Wii's version of Xbox Originals. If it's the former, that's cool. The latter would be as exciting (I mean boring) as, well, Xbox Originals.

Would I buy a Metroid Prime Wiimake? I consider myself to be one fanatical Metroid guy, so naturally I... just wrote a billion-word essay on the Prime series and how I turned out to be right about all the things I posted on Metroid message boards back in 2002. I'll spare you the boredom of reading all that. The short answer to my self-posed question is "no."

KVN @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:49AM

$20 would be perfect for these kind of titles.Re4 was a exception :)

mr mobius @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:47PM

I never got the original Metroid or Pikmin (have sequels on the Gamecube) so it'd be a great opportunity. Especially both of those games really would improve massively from IR controls.

GearSecond!! (a.k.a AwesomeStuff) @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:49PM

I seconded that. I was just thinking $20 would be great, and then I blew my own mind at how ridiculously tempting that would be for any other titles I wanted but missed out on.

TwEE @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:39PM

I was thining $19.99..

KVN @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:49AM

Killer 7 please :D

Ross Miller @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:53AM

I second that opinion.

baby sea tuna @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:30AM

I know, cause No More Heroes took such great advantage of the Wii's motion controls.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:50AM

I'm gonna say BST has no idea what he's talking about, because...

1) No More Heroes did make good use of the Wii Remote. And...
2) No More Heroes isn't a thing like Killer7, aside from the similar art style and that Grasshopper was the developer.

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:49AM

Cash cow'ing at its very worst. Especially since you could almost certainly buy the Gamecube version cheaper AND PLAY IT ON THE WII. ¬_¬ I wonder if they will actually bother doing anything to them or if they'll just add waggle. I vote for the latter. At least the Original Xbox Titles on the 360 are extremely cheap, even if they could perhaps be a little more so.

samfish @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:03AM

Adding waggle to all of those titles, except maybe Chibirobo, would greatly improve if not drastically change, the way those games play.
See RE4 Wii for proof that motion controls can completely change the way a game plays.

That said, these better not cost more than $30 bucks.

Megadanxzero @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:09AM

PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE tell me that was all entirely sarcastic. If not I seriously have no hope for your sanity...

Jack of No Trades 85 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:14AM

Samfish would buy a re-release of shit on a stick if Nintendo gave it the golden seal of bullshit.. i mean.. quality.

Megadanxzero @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:16AM

Well... Shit on a stick is a pretty fantastic game...

McWeen @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:17AM

1st no one is forcing YOU to buy them.
2nd better than giving Gamestop my money.
3rd Unlike the Xbox originals you have a physical disc so you could rent or borrow them.

Not trying to fanboy on you or anything but I would sooner buy these remakes than an Xbox original on XBL (if I don't already have the game for GC)

tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:18AM

Ugh Samfish that was too much stupidity at once. I have a migraine now :(

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:18AM

So because I don't intend on buying them I'm not allowed to comment on them? Right...

I can see where you're coming from with the fact that you get a box, and I like boxes too but that doesn't stop the fact that this is MORE THAN TWICE as expensive as Xbox originals ($15 fyi).

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:25AM

(edit)I forgot the fact that it translates to $35 from yen, so what would that probably come out as in America? Are they more expensive or cheaper?

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:47AM

It should be worth noting that new releases are more expensive over in Japan.

Looking at Amazon JP for an example, Kirby Super Star Ultra is ¥4,800, which is roughly US$45.55. It retails for US$29.99 in the US, though. Even though the Japanese price includes tax, and the US price doesn't, there's still a big difference between the two... I can't imagine there's anywhere in the US that would add over 50% in sales tax!

So, these Wii-ports will be about $35 over in Japan. You can expect they'll be cheaper in America... assuming they DO get released here. I would definitely expect them on a $20 or less budget line.

Killjebus @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:15AM

Well with Zelda, MP3, MK, and SSB...Nintendo said they were NEW games. Now, they are so arrogant that core gamers don't need "new" games. This just validates what I have said for YEARS. REHASHED GC titles is all you loyal fans get.

What a laugh, Nintendo is as arrogant as the NEOCONS. They have decided that the HC fans will lap up any CRAP they give you.

Thank you Sony for being Sony and NOT Nintendo.

With each passing day, I am proven right again and again about the filth that the WSM really is.

Any TRUE Nintendo fan that has 1 ounce of rational thought, would be sick to thier stomach about what Nintendo is doing.

Mr Khan @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:20AM

I actually never got around to buying Pikmin or DK Jungle Beat, two games that would definitely be greatly improved with the Wii setup. I'll probably go for them if i can make room in my already swelling gaming schedule for early 2009

harusame @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:28AM

Killjebus: 10/10, would be trolled again

Megadanxzero @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:30AM

How would a game that was designed to be played with Bongo drums be better without bongo drums? Your logic astounds me...

Killjebus @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:38AM

"How would a game that was designed to be played with Bongo drums be better without bongo drums? Your logic astounds me..."

I don't know if you would call it LOGIC. I have been trying to understand for 2 years now why most of the loyal Nintendo fans enjoy being assraped by Reggie and the Plumber.

It is confusing eh?

samfish @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:21PM

Porr, fucking stupid Nintendo trolls.

All your joyous talking points for the last few months just went down the drain in the last 24 hours and now you're lashing out.

Sucks for you assholes.

bm @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:19PM

BAWWWWW ninty announced a bunch of new games and storage solutions and stuff, let's quickly pick on that other minor announcement about Cube rereleases, cuz I can't take this BAWWWWWW ;__;

TwEE @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:37PM

Man you people will bitch for any reason..

Is this affecting you people in any way shape or form?
Will this stop you from playing any other game you like?..

Did nintendo ever once say they are done making new instalments in thier key franchises because of these releases?

I dont see the problem, nintendo is releaseing older games with motion control added, and probably at a discount price.

If you think it'll be fun then buy/rent/borrow these re-releases and give em a try. If not try buying/renting/borrowing games that interest you.

And killjebus, stop with the political commentary, your sooo gawd awful at it. I mean seriously, your embarrassing yourself.

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:04PM

"Will this stop you from playing any other game you like?"

Well....um....yes since Nintendo are doing this and not bothering to make any new ones? Maybe you people who didn't own GC's are over the moon, but for those of us who did, buying all the awesome first party titles, it sucks that we don't get anything knew. Selfish Wii adopters, lolz.

And BM, Wii Speak and SD cards being used as storage solution = Wii fixed? I'll just stick with my Xbox Live headset and 120gb hard drive thank you very much

TwEE @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:56PM

So nintendo said they are "not bothering to make any new" games. When did the say that?

And whats that have to do with this "Play for Wii" series?

Are you under the impresion they are putting everything eles on hold for these "Play for Wii" games?

Theres no way these games are going to effect their other releases in any way..

bm @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:49PM

"And BM, Wii Speak and SD cards being used as storage solution = Wii fixed? I'll just stick with my Xbox Live headset and 120gb hard drive thank you very much"

We could argue long about why the Wii doesn't need 120 gig (it's not some sort of wanna be multimedia hub, for one), but what the fuck does the Xbox have to do with this anyway? This is an improved storage solution, and one that people have been whining for forever ("just open up the SD slot!"). You're just bitching for the sake of bitching now.

Oh and the games. Are you blind? They just announced a bunch of new ones, and you're here bawwing like an idiot over some Cube rereleases while completely ignoring those new games. Seriously, are you?

Megadanxzero @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:58AM

Do you think that Nintendo have a limitless supply of people to work on porting old games? Anyone who is working on porting one of these games is going to have to be taken OFF some other new project. And to make it worse there's half a dozen of them...

And new games? We have Let's Tap, what appears to be ANOTHER shitty mini-game collection. Klonoa, another port/remake of a PS2 game. Another Code, a remake of a DS game. Another crap looking Final Fantasy game, that looks like a DS game. Sin and Punishment 2 is the only newly announced Wii game that actually looks any good... And none of those games are being made by Nintendo. Punch Out is the only one that might be, and I couldn't care less about it to be honest, but all the rest are third party games.

When Nintendo announce some NEW first-party games, not ports of old Gamecube games, then maybe people will be satisfied...

bm @ Oct 3rd 2008 1:11PM

Those straws aren't gonna hold... !

(Btw, you know as well as I do that "porting" a Cube game to the Wii amounts to hardly anything more than just putting it on a different disk and messing with the controls a bit, since it's the same base hardware).

Megadanxzero @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:51AM

Ugh... WHY!? Half the fun of Jungle Beat was the Bongos. Without them it's just your average (awesome looking) platformer. Wii controls will add nothing to any of these games (In Jungle Beat's case it detracts from the fun of the original), and you could easily get any of them for half that price and play it on your Wii with proper controls.

Like I said before, fuck you Nintendo...

Xoviet chiK @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:04PM

It all comes down to tactile feedback of the bongos, exactly why Barrel Blast is mostly terrible. Shaking two controllers representing your hands is nowhere near as satisfying as shaking your hands to pound on a controller.

Taiko no Tatsujin Wii better ship with a TaTaCon, I couldn't imagine playing that with just a Wii Remote and Nunchuck.

Zertoss @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:54AM

I wake up to Wiimakes? >:(

Fernando Rocker @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:56AM

Wait... Metroid Prime 1 and 2 with Metroid Prime 3 controls?

religiousjedi @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:02AM

I'd buy it...if it came at the right price (like KVN said, $20).

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:05AM

I dunno, I think $20 is a bit much for new controls but that'd be the one game I can see being worth "Wii-ifying". I didn't like MP3 controls that much, so it doesn't interest me, but I can certainly see why others preferred them.

Kun Hitori @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:17AM

For me, going back & playing Prime 1 & 2 after spending time with Prime 3 feels like trying to jog through a swimming pool filled with freshly poured concrete- this coming from someone who loved & felt perfectly comfortable with the original control scheme.

If Nintendo does indeed release Prime & Prime 2 with Prime 3 type controls then sign me up, I'll GLADLY by both games all over again.

Especially if it supports the Metroid franchise.

tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:22AM

Here's an idea. How about demanding a new metroid prime announcement? Just throwing that idea out there. It sounds better than rehashing old games and charging (likely) 4-5 times what you can get for it now.

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:02AM

Here's something to think about...

These ports are not preventing new games from being developed. Nintendo's a pretty big company, ya know. It isn't like all of their development resources are going towards these.

And, personally... I've had it with Metroid Prime. Plus since the titular villian is 100% dead in Prime 3, it wouldn't make sense to have another Metroid PRIME. Maybe Metroid something-else-or-another... but not PRIME.

More importantly, we need a new 2D Metroid. Do it in high-res 2D like Wario Land or 3D-on-2D-plane akin to NewSMB for Wii... and that'd be pretty awesome. Or another portable Metroid would be fine, too.

religiousjedi @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:10AM

tmac, if we did that...wouldn't you then be whining that Nintendo releases the same bull all the time?

;)

Seriously, there is no end to your bitching about Nintendo. I understand and respect why you wouldn't like Nintendo, but doesn't it even get a little old for you repeating the same reasons over and over...

and over and over...

:l