Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA['Nintendo Selects' a slightly different set of games for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/nintendo-selects-a-slightly-different-set-of-games-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/nintendo-selects-a-slightly-different-set-of-games-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/nintendo-selects-a-slightly-different-set-of-games-for-europe/#comments Nintendo's new Mario Kart Wii pack is coming to Europe on May 20, at a "reduced trade price" around £129/€150.

The budget "Nintendo Selects" line will launch in Europe the same day, featuring a slightly different lineup from the American version: Wii Sports, Animal Crossing: City Folk (under the overlong European title Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City), Mario Strikers Charged, and WarioWare Smooth Moves. Mario Super Sluggers isn't part of the series because it was never released in Europe!

Joystiq'Nintendo Selects' a slightly different set of games for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossing-city-folkeuropemario-kart-wiimario-strikers-chargednintendonintendo-selectsprice-cutWarioWare-Smooth-Moveswiiwii-sportsThu, 05 May 2011 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo phasing out Wii Speak peripheral from retailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/#comments We're finding it hard to accept the fact that future generations of Wii gamers won't be able to experience the raw thrill of one roomful of people chatting it up with another roomful of people during an Animal Crossing: City Folk session. Sadly, that's the hard, hard truth one must extract from Nintendo's recently announced decision to phase out the Wii Speak peripheral, which is now only available "at limited retail locations."

Nintendo refused to hammer the final nail into the poor, puck-shaped microphone's coffin, however, telling GameSpot that "additional shipments can be made if consumer demand increases." In that case, we suppose our grandchildren can still have conversations with strangers' living rooms -- but they'll have to organize some kind of movement in order to do so.

JoystiqNintendo phasing out Wii Speak peripheral from retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal-Crossing-City-Folkchatmicrophonenintendoperipheralswiiwii-speakThu, 02 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-nintendo-gives-you-a-pile-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-nintendo-gives-you-a-pile-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-nintendo-gives-you-a-pile-of/#comments
If you've been doing your due diligence with Animal Crossing: City Folk, know that Nintendo has a full month of activities ahead for October. The first item on the agenda is giving you a nice pile of trash. No, seriously, if you connect your Wii to the internet, you can get a letter from Nintendo with a free pile of leaves attached. It should go wonderfully with that trashcan you have sitting in your house's corner.

Head past the break for the rest of this week's content on the Nintendo Channel.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash

JoystiqThis Week on the Nintendo Channel: Nintendo gives you a pile of trash originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folknintendonintendo-channelMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:16:00 EST<![CDATA[New DLC makes Animal Crossing avatars look even more punchable]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/new-dlc-makes-animal-crossing-avatars-look-even-more-punchable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/new-dlc-makes-animal-crossing-avatars-look-even-more-punchable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/new-dlc-makes-animal-crossing-avatars-look-even-more-punchable/#commentsTo celebrate the release of Punch-Out!!, Nintendo is offering a gift to European Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City players on Little Mac's behalf. Is it enough to bring prodigal Crossers back into the Wii game? Well, only those who love headgear. We kind of think the protective boxing equipment looks slightly supervillain-esque, which is a bonus.

From now until June 5, Let's Go to the City players who have WiiConnect24 on can get a gift of green boxing headgear just for turning the game on and checking their mail. The headgear will be stuffed into a letter. The item has yet to appear on the North American DLC hub, but we're confident American gamers will be able to protect their avatars' squishy heads soon.

[Via N-Europe]

JoystiqNew DLC makes Animal Crossing avatars look even more punchable originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiidlcNintendoNintendo-EADpunch-outWiiMon, 25 May 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/analyst-poor-wii-music-animal-crossing-sales-stamina-to-blame-for-downt/#comments Wii sales have been the lowest they've ever been in Japan. Is the Japanese public losing interest? Screen Digest analyst Ed Barton told GameBizBlog that the Wii sales downturn is mostly due to the lack of staying power exhibited by Animal Crossing: City Folk and Wii Music.

Barton says that the continued success of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii only back up his claim. "These are older games that obviously have shown tremendous stamina, but Nintendo always needs to bring out new ways to drive console sales forward, and we just didn't see that with Wii Music and City Folk." Even though both titles sold decently enough (Animal Crossing was one of the region's top 10 selling games in 2008 and Wii Music debuted with 92,000 units sold in its first week), they lacked the necessary sales stamina of Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii.

He says that there isn't much hope on the horizon either, despite the imminent release of Monster Hunter 3 on Wii. He warns that trying to transfer the user base from handheld to home console is risky and that the gamble may not pay off for Nintendo. Barton is of the mind that "it won't have the same level of success that it had on the PSP."

JoystiqAnalyst: Poor Wii Music, Animal Crossing sales stamina to blame for downturn originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiijapanmario-kart-wiimonster-huntermonster-hunter-gNintendoNintendo-EADWiiwii-musicThu, 16 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo opens NA Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/nintendo-opens-na-animal-crossing-city-folk-dlc-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/nintendo-opens-na-animal-crossing-city-folk-dlc-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/nintendo-opens-na-animal-crossing-city-folk-dlc-hub/#comments North American Animal Crossing fans finally have a place to check for upcoming DLC updates to City Folk. Nintendo has opened an Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub site outlining downloadable content and game updates specifically for the NTSC region. A similar site is already available to Japanese gamers.

Currently, the hub lists a special "shamrock hat" (available until March 24) delivered to town via a letter with the attached item with special Spring content coming soon. Let's hope that the update also means that North American City Folk will get as much cool content as their Japanese counterparts.

[via GoNintendo]

JoystiqNintendo opens NA Animal Crossing: City Folk DLC hub originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiidlcdownloadable-contentNintendoNintendo-EADSun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Missouri Police say adults shouldn't play Animal Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/missouri-police-say-adults-shouldnt-play-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/missouri-police-say-adults-shouldnt-play-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/missouri-police-say-adults-shouldnt-play-animal-crossing/#comments Son, turn the game box off and come over here. Now, since you turned 18 your mom and I have been meaning to talk with you about your little habit. No, not the smoking or the drinking. Really, we're fine with all of that. No, what we're concerned about is the time you spend exchanging friend codes with all those people in Animal Crossing: City Folk. We've been talking to Detective Andy Anderson of the Mid-Missouri Internet Crimes Task Force, who says that he "cannot come up with any legitimate reason that an adult would be playing that particular game."

Now, heaven knows what you've been putting in all of those letters and gift boxes, but Anderson told ABC affiliate KMIZ that you, and others like you, are likely playing Animal Crossing and similar games "for the wrong reasons." Sure it's addicting, but it's also evil, so please, son, do us all a favor and put the controller down and go play something more your age. But before you go, tell your mom to put down that galdarned Peggle and bring me a turkey pot pie. I'm glad we had this little chat.

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqMissouri Police say adults shouldn't play Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiimissouriNintendoNintendo-EADpredatorsensationalismWiiWed, 18 Mar 2009 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing City Folk for thrifty folk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/animal-crossing-city-folk-for-thrifty-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/animal-crossing-city-folk-for-thrifty-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/animal-crossing-city-folk-for-thrifty-folk/#commentsIt's not too often that a major first-party Nintendo release gets a price drop. That makes today's Amazon deal of the day, Animal Crossing: City Folk, somewhat of a novelty. If you thought $50 was too high for what seemed like a minimal content upgrade over Wild World, how does $30 sound? We're guessing it's going to sound pretty good to a lot of people -- enough people that Amazon will run out of stock before the end of the day.

As usual, the person who benefits most from this deal is Tom Nook. Sometime within the 5-8 day Free Super Saver Shipping period, Tom Nook is going to find himself with a veritable army of new indentured residents.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing City Folk for thrifty folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonanimal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiideal-of-the-dayNintendoNintendo-EADsaleFri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[February's Wii software usage: Smash Bros. still on top, Animal Crossing sees boost]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/februarys-wii-software-usage-smash-bros-still-on-top-animal/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/februarys-wii-software-usage-smash-bros-still-on-top-animal/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/februarys-wii-software-usage-smash-bros-still-on-top-animal/#commentsFiled under:


MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo recently posted a breakdown of the amount of playtime users logged during the month of February for various Wii titles using statistics that are readily available on the Nintendo Channel. Most of the results are unsurprising -- the top three spots are currently occupied by Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero III and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, respectively. Those three titles have remained in said spots since September of last year.

However, a number of games saw massive usage boosts over the past month -- most notably, the average user's monthly playtime with Animal Crossing: City Folk increased nearly seven hours, bringing the game to a fifth-place finish for February. Similarly, Call of Duty: World at War's average playtime increased over five hours, bringing it up to 13th place. Sadly, Ninjabread Man didn't place at all -- but that won't stop us from holding out hope for a strong March showing.

JoystiqFebruary's Wii software usage: Smash Bros. still on top, Animal Crossing sees boost originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossing-city-folkcall-of-duty-world-at-warguitar-hero-iiilegend-of-zeldanintendo-channelsoftware-usagestephen-totilosuper-smash-bros-brawlMon, 02 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Crossing into 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/wii-warm-up-crossing-into-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/wii-warm-up-crossing-into-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/wii-warm-up-crossing-into-2009/#commentsFiled under:


Animal Crossing: City Folk was seen as a bit of a disappointment by some longtime Animal Crossing players, due to the fact that it is extremely similar to previous iterations, with a perceived lack of much new content. But the real worth of any Animal Crossing game is revealed by its longevity, and we thought we would query you guys about that as we begin 2009.

Are you still actively participating in your town's life? If so, how long have you had the game? Do you foresee City Folk becoming a long-lived pastime for you, or will you put it down as soon as something else catches your eye?


[Image via Technofranki]

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Crossing into 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationnew-yearsSat, 03 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanswag: Animal Crossing goes to ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/fanswag-animal-crossing-goes-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/fanswag-animal-crossing-goes-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/fanswag-animal-crossing-goes-to/#commentsFiled under:


Well, our latest giveaway has come to a close and we've been waiting long enough to select a winner. The lucky recipient of Animal Crossing: City Folk is none other than:
Congrats to our winner and better luck next time to all of you. Keep your eyes on Wii Fanboy. We'll be starting up another giveaway soon.

JoystiqFanswag: Animal Crossing goes to ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkfanswagMon, 29 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Animal Crossing still up for grabs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/reminder-animal-crossing-still-up-for-grabs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/reminder-animal-crossing-still-up-for-grabs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/reminder-animal-crossing-still-up-for-grabs/#commentsFiled under:


Like free stuff? Well, why not try and win a game for free, on us? This week's we're giving away a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk for the Wii. Want to get in on the action? Check out the original contest post right here.

Best of luck to you all and, remember: this contest ends Sunday night and you can enter once each day.

JoystiqReminder: Animal Crossing still up for grabs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcity-folkfanswagFri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: Let's Get a New Disc from Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/animal-crossing-lets-get-a-new-disc-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/animal-crossing-lets-get-a-new-disc-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/animal-crossing-lets-get-a-new-disc-from-nintendo/#commentsFiled under: ,

When Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City was released, Australians discovered, to their horror annoyance, that the DS Suitcase feature was unusable in their region. Since the Australian release of Wild World on the DS used the exact same code as the North American version, the Wii game identified it as coming from the wrong region.

Australians who would like to be able to transfer their DS characters and catalogs into Let's Go to the City are advised to contact Nintendo to exchange your disc for a new replacement, which will allow the DS Suitcase feature to work with Australian copies of Wild World. Unfortunately, of course, if you want to use your DS character, that means starting over in Let's Go to the City.


[Via VOOKS]

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: Let's Get a New Disc from Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkaustraliads-suitcaserecallFri, 19 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/#commentsFiled under:

FACT: Animal Crossing games would be a lot less awesome without Mr. Resetti. The maddened mole teaches his lessons through tough love, subjecting players to lengthy, unavoidable rants every time they "forget" to save their game. Now, we're willing to admit that our parents contributed in some small way* to our upbringing, but would we be the same, upstanding citizens we are now without the firm intervention of Resetti? No.

That's why we were disappointed to hear that the mole now carries his own warning, in case he makes kids burst into floods of tears or something.

Madness, we know, but it's all there in black and white, in your Animal Crossing: City Folk manual: "Mr. Resetti's purpose is to teach players the importance of saving. However, parents should be aware that his personality and tone of voice, while intentionally humourous, are authoritative and may be disturbing to young children." Wow, protective, much?

* Kidding, obviously, if you're reading, Dad.

JoystiqLock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiichildrencontroversymr-resettiNintendoNintendo-EADresettiWed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing DS-to-Wii transfers region-locked, busted in Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/animal-crossing-ds-to-wii-transfers-region-locked-busted-in-aus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/animal-crossing-ds-to-wii-transfers-region-locked-busted-in-aus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/animal-crossing-ds-to-wii-transfers-region-locked-busted-in-aus/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo of Australia took a shortcut with their release of Animal Crossing: Wild World on the DS: it's a direct copy of the US version -- "ESRB rating and all," as Vooks says. That shortcut has come back to haunt them with the release of Let's Go to the City.

Vooks' Daniel Vuckovic attempted to use the DS Suitcase to transfer his Wild World catalog and character to the new game. Instead of a catalog loaded with playroom furniture and Mario accessories, he was presented with this error message, as well as a similar one on the DS.

This is significant for two reasons that we can think of: first, it's definitive proof that the DS Suitcase is region-locked. If your copy of Wild World is imported, the gates to your Wii town are firmly closed. Second, it means that Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City is basically missing a feature in Australia. Nintendo is just having terrible luck with this DS Suitcase thing!

JoystiqAnimal Crossing DS-to-Wii transfers region-locked, busted in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkanimal-crossing-wild-worldaustraliaThu, 04 Dec 2008 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Press-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/press-only-animal-crossing-promo-features-n-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/press-only-animal-crossing-promo-features-n-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/press-only-animal-crossing-promo-features-n-word/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A pre-played version of 2005's Animal Crossing: Wild World for DS, sent out to media outlets to encourage connectivity with the recent Animal Crossing release for Wii, contains at least one shocking addition, reports MTV Multiplayer. Importing the saved data from the DS cartridge sent by Nintendo into Animal Crossing: City Folk introduces a host of changes into the game, including one, suddenly no longer E-rated character, Baabara, who now greets players with: "How are you, Ñ---á?" [edited; original creator added diacritics]

To clarify, this generally offensive slang term (preceded by another potentially offensive phrase above it) is not included in the retail release of the game. Rather, whomever Nintendo employed to play the version of Wild World sent to press with all of the game's items unlocked, purposely "trained" the Baabara character to use the term. Further, introducing this kind of offensive content into a new copy of the game, from a stranger via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, is nearly impossible. To import content from another game cartridge over the internet requires two users to first exchange their unique 16-digit codes before they are able to share data. In other words, your kids are safe -- unless they or their "friends" are the creators of such content.

What MTV Multiplayer and other outlets have discovered is an isolated matter. Still, since the media serves as a filter through which you receive your news about Nintendo products, Nintendo clearly needs to work harder to prevent the kind of incident highlighted here from happening again. Also, an apology would be nice ...

Update: And here's that apology ... "We regret that an offensive phrase was included without our knowledge via a wireless function that allows user-generated catchphrases to spread virally from one game to the next," said Nintendo in a statement sent to us. The company is asking that the 14 affected copies it mailed out to the media be returned. The full statement is posted after the break.

[Note: As this post contains sensitive material, this is just a friendly reminder to keep the comments clean -- or face the perma-banhammer. Thank you.]

Continue reading Press-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update]

JoystiqPress-only Animal Crossing features N-word [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiianimal-crossing-wild-worldDSjs-twitterNintendoNintendo-EADWiiWed, 03 Dec 2008 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii hardware Animal Crosses the 7 million mark in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/wii-hardware-animal-crosses-the-7-million-mark-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/wii-hardware-animal-crosses-the-7-million-mark-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/wii-hardware-animal-crosses-the-7-million-mark-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

Enterbrain reports that the Wii system has, as of November 23, sold 7,000,000 units in Japan. To compare, the GameCube has sold 4 million in its home country (according to Wikipedia), and the DS has sold -- oh wait, that one doesn't make the Wii sales sound as good.

Helping to drive the Wii sales last week was Animal Crossing: City Folk, of which an astonishing 303,204 copies flew off of Japanese store shelves in its debut week. If we were feeling snarky about Animal Crossing, we'd say that between that and Chrono Trigger, it was a good week for ports. But that's mean.


JoystiqWii hardware Animal Crosses the 7 million mark in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossing-city-folkenterbrainhardwarejapansalesWed, 26 Nov 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/metareview-animal-crossing-city-folk-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/metareview-animal-crossing-city-folk-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/metareview-animal-crossing-city-folk-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

Paradoxically, it's the cause of the absolute saddest thing on the internet, but Animal Crossing has also been a source of joy for millions. Judging from the tepid reviews, Animal Crossing: City Folk's biggest problem appears to be not that it's more of the same joy-inducing escapism, but rather that it is the same joy-inducing escapism.
  • 1UP (C): "Somehow, despite two previous time-sucking outings into the open world of Animal Crossing -- each fully preparing me for what to expect in a sequel -- City Folk still rouses some excitement at the prospect of collecting more rare furniture, fossils, and that one elusive bug or fish. But all of this quickly subsides upon your introduction to Tom Nook, everyone's favorite predatory lender. That's when the realization quickly sets in: This is all just the same old routine with extra goodies that do little to change things in any meaningful way."
  • GameDaily (70/100): "Sadly, local co-op isn't an option, the graphics look last generation and we had little fun using the WiiSpeak microphone. If you're a fan of the series, you'll want to move into this City right away. Otherwise, pay a casual visit before you settle down."
  • Games Master UK (80/100): "It's still a great game but fans of the DS version are going to feel short-changed by the lack of imagination in this Wii retread. For everyone who missed out last time, or if you're keen to start such an epic afresh on the TV, this may well be the family game that sends Wii Sports into permanent retirement."

JoystiqMetareview -- Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiinintendoNintendo-EADWiiTue, 18 Nov 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Your thoughts on Animal Crossing?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/wii-warm-up-your-thoughts-on-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/wii-warm-up-your-thoughts-on-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/18/wii-warm-up-your-thoughts-on-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under:


We know we've kind of been focused on Animal Crossing a bit in the last week or so, but with the game having been available to you all, we're wondering how you're finding it so far. Have you been going crazy in the game, buying up tons of stuff for your house and running errands for Tom Nook? Have you paid off your house yet? Have you and some friends gotten together and fished or enjoyed some other communal activity? How has your time with Animal Crossing: City Folk been?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Your thoughts on Animal Crossing? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcity-folkTue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/#commentsFiled under:

The WiiSpeak microphone is ten bucks cheaper when purchased with Animal Crossing: City Folk. Obviously, it works with Animal Crossing, but it will also work with The Conduit, with the new version of the Opera browser, and on its own via the Wii Speak Channel. Of course, more compatible games will follow. We hope.

It occurs to us that even people who like Animal Crossing, but don't necessarily care about catching up with their friends while fishing or shaking trees may have interest in the WiiSpeak mic for other stuff. Are you in that group? Did you pick up the Animal Crossing WiiSpeak bundle with no intention of using the two items together?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkinternet-channelthe-conduitwiispeakMon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata asks Development Folk about Animal Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/iwata-asks-development-folk-about-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/iwata-asks-development-folk-about-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/iwata-asks-development-folk-about-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under:


"Iwata Asks" articles are almost as old as the Wii itself, coinciding as they do with any notable first-party release, and the latest round of questioning stars four of the Animal Crossing: City Folk team: Aya Kyougoku (who forgot to wear her regulation beige Nintendo jacket for this), Ryuji Kobayashi, Isao Moro and Kou Nogami (not pictured here).

Most of the discussion focuses on fairly obscure minutiae. So Nogami discusses how WiiConnect24 allows for the exchange of village data without you knowing it, which means people can visit a friend's village while their Wii is off, as can NPCs from other villages, who may then spread rumors from their hometown. The team estimates the game's appeal becomes "two or three times" as great when played online, a statement we look forward to testing.

We're also told that City Folk will let players create "trails" on the landscape. Apparently, the ground in your village consists of a top layer of grass which slowly wears thin the more you walk on it. A little grass grows back at the end of each day, but if you walk over a certain area enough (say, from your house to Tom Nook's), a trail will begin to form. Kobayashi says that it takes about a fortnight before a faint path becomes visible, and Moro adds that a clear trail will have appeared after two months, but that grass grows back more speedily if surrounded by grass and trees. Nifty!

[Via andriasang.com]

JoystiqIwata asks Development Folk about Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkiwataiwata-askssatoru-iwataFri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: City Jack O' Lanterns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/#commentsFiled under:


For those of us who missed celebrating our favorite fall holiday with fake anthropomorphic jerks, Halloween is back in Animal Crossing: City Folk. We just have to ... wait almost the whole year for it, thanks to the November release of the game.

Your animal neighbors, dressed in identical pumpkinhead costumes, will accost you and demand candy. If you fail to comply, or try to pass off some junk out of your pockets as candy, as the IGN demo player has done here, you get a trick! For being stingy, the residents slapped a pumpkin head on him and changed his clothes.

In the little IGN player doodad, there's another video featuring a player picking fruit in the winter. Animal Crossing winters are so lovely!

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: City Jack O' Lanterns originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationwiispeakFri, 14 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Speak Channel only available to new Wii Speak-ers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-only-available-to-new-wii-speak-ers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-only-available-to-new-wii-speak-ers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-only-available-to-new-wii-speak-ers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Nintendo's latest Wii peripheral, which boldly thrusts the console into the newfangled "voice over IP" era, comes with a minor catch. A redeemable "Wii Download Ticket Number," included with the Wii Speak microphone, grants access to the Wii Speak Channel. Unfortunately, the code only works once, locking secondhand purchases out of the dedicated chat-to-your-friends channel. According to MTV Multiplayer, the channel will not be available through any other means, and Nintendo will not replace lost or stolen codes.

If you were keen on conversing with your Wii pals outside of supported games (i.e. Animal Crossing: City Folk), you'll either have to buy new as of Nov. 16th, or invest in one of those telephone things. On the bright side, telephone numbers are even easier to remember than friend codes.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

JoystiqWii Speak Channel only available to new Wii Speak-ers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal-Crossing-City-FolkPeripheralsWiiWii-SpeakThu, 13 Nov 2008 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: City Events]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/animal-crossing-city-events/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/animal-crossing-city-events/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/animal-crossing-city-events/#commentsFiled under:


Special events form a crucial part of any Animal Crossing game, giving players dates to look forward to and a chance to gloat about owning the full set of Pascal's ship-themed furniture. Like I just did there.

Last month, Nintendo Power revealed Pavé (a peacock who runs the Samba Carnival-esque Festivale), Labelle (the third Able sister), Zipper (a bunny who appears on Easter -- SORRY -- "Bunny Day"), and Phineas (a beaver who turns up randomly to give out pinwheels and balloons), and now Famitsu has shed light on a few old and returning events and their respective characters.

The fishing (October to April) and bug-hunting tournaments (June to September) are back, as is the aforementioned hippy otter Pascal and (obviously) Joan the turnip-selling warthog. There's also a comeback for one of the rarer characters in the first Animal Crossing: Wisp the Ghost, a spook that occasionally appeared at night who could be caught in your net, and forced to do your weeding and paint your roof!



KK says: buy Animal Crossing: City Folk to visit the city, reach out to friends, and make Iwata cry!

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: City Events originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiiNintendoNintendo-EADsimWed, 12 Nov 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Speak Channel hit by delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Contrary to what we originally heard, it looks like the Wii Speak Channel won't be launching alongside Animal Crossing: City Folk on November 16th.

IGN snapped a picture of the WiiSpeak box, complete with a disclaimer that the Channel (which allows chat outside of Animal Crossing) will actually appear in December. When in December isn't clear, though we know the Channel will be available in Europe from December 5th, so maybe then. Until then, you're just going to have to pick fruit and chat simultaneously. We can probably cope with that!

JoystiqWii Speak Channel hit by delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkdelaywiispeakwiispeak-channelTue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing and WiiSpeak about £60 in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo has confirmed to Eurogamer that the Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City and WiiSpeak bundle will cost "£59" in the UK when it launches there on December 5th. We guess they mean £59.99, but let's face it: only chumps will pay that sort of money when the likes of Play have it for a penny under fifty quid. If you do still live in the late-1990s and buy stuff from high street stores with real people in them, then expect to pay a premium. Separately, the game will cost £40 and WiiSpeak £25. Again: if you're a chump.

As for the North American price, we're still waiting on official word, but Amazon's price hasn't budged from $69.99.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing and WiiSpeak about £60 in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folksimukwiispeakTue, 11 Nov 2008 13:37:00 EST<![CDATA[City Folk crossing into central mainstream with new ad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/#commentsFiled under:

It's easy to hate on the new Animal Crossing: City Folk ad. Gut reaction is that it's not for us, for the real gamers, so clearly, Animal Crossing itself isn't, either. But that isn't the case; if you liked Animal Crossing at all before, you'll probably like it now. So, no, this commercial isn't for us. It's for everyone else, everyone who thinks Animal Crossing might not be for them. And when taken that way, it seems pretty effective to us.

JoystiqCity Folk crossing into central mainstream with new ad originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adAnimal-Crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiicommercialNintendoNintendo-EADwiispeakTue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City (from the DS)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/animal-crossing-lets-go-to-the-city-from-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/animal-crossing-lets-go-to-the-city-from-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/animal-crossing-lets-go-to-the-city-from-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,


The latest trailer for the rapidly approaching Animal Crossing: City Folk offers a look at the process of migrating your DS Animal Crossing: Wild World character into City Folk. You may not be able to keep your house or your possessions, but migration allows you to maintain your character's appearance and Tom Nook shop catalog. If you want, you could probably recreate your DS house as soon as you got the money.

Head to the link for a second, longer trailer which shows the DS-Wii move in more detail, including the specific steps for moving your character.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: Let's Go to the City (from the DS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-DSanimal-crossing-wild-worldcommunicationNintendonintendo-dsNintendo-EADThu, 06 Nov 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle box revealed, price worries continue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/#commentsFiled under:

A Portuguese Nintendo fansite happened to notice the appearance on Amazon of the Animal Crossing: City Folk/WiiSpeak microphone bundle. Only just now after looking at it have we realized what Nintendo has done here: they've guaranteed City Folk's bestseller status by making it yet another first-party Wii game with a bundled peripheral. It now joins Wii Play, Mario Kart Wii, and Wii Fit. People really love big boxes!

Amazon's price for the bundle is a cause for concern. Either they never bothered to update to the $59.99 price or the price is back up to $69.99. We'd like to make an official announcement at this time: Wii Fanboy endorses the lower price this November. We think it's the right decision for this county.


[Via FNintendo]

JoystiqAnimal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle box revealed, price worries continue originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonanimal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkboxartbundlewiispeakWed, 29 Oct 2008 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Make your pets hate you, win a Wii and Animal Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under:


If you have no interest in actually paying for a Wii and Animal Crossing: City Folk, Nintendo has your back. For the next three weeks, the company is encouraging people (North Americans only) to dress their pets in adorable outfits, and send photos of the unamused, uncomfortable animal(s) to this website. Come November 16th, the fifty best will win a Wii, a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk, and a WiiSpeak microphone. Maybe this is the excuse you've needed to justify buying a pug?

The rules encourage an Animal Crossing theme, meaning the entries featured so far on the site are fairly rubbish, with most people just putting a hat on a disgruntled labrador. We sense our own idea is a winner. Protip, though: getting a necktie on a giraffe is hell.


[Via press release]

KK says: buy Animal Crossing: City Folk to visit the city, reach out to friends, and make Iwata cry!

JoystiqMake your pets hate you, win a Wii and Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcompetitioncontestcutewiispeakTue, 28 Oct 2008 18:17:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/#commentsFiled under:


IGN's Craig Harris tested out the WiiSpeak microphone and voice chat functionality inside Animal Crossing at Nintendo's San Francisco office. His experience seemed much smoother and friendlier than my own, possibly as a result of improvements in the technology, a quieter environment, or a voice that is capable of normal human volume. Treehouse staffers told him that the voice chat has improved significantly since E3.

Conversations came in clearly enough from multiple positions in the room, though Harris noted a drop in quality when his interlocutors in Nintendo's Redmond office drifted far away from the mic, which seems pretty obvious. He was able to converse in a normal speaking voice from his position "six to eight feet" away. However, with no option to turn the music down or off in Animal Crossing, the game tended to drown out the voice output.

There was a mysterious "Use Headphones" option available in Animal Crossing, whose function is currently unknown. Harris speculates that it sends voice and game audio through separate audio channels, but maybe it just changes some preset audio settings to optimitze performance through tiny speakers. It's not as if you can plug a headset into the Wiimote or anything.



Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqIGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkmicrophonevoice-chatwiispeakWed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: City Fashion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/animal-crossing-city-fashion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/animal-crossing-city-fashion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/20/animal-crossing-city-fashion/#commentsFiled under:


The video here may be a little ... YouTubed, but you can see it at the Animal Crossing: City Folk website. And it's clear enough to see that there are a ton of clothing and style options. You can make yourself look like a Power Ranger, a sumo wrestler, or pretty much any variety of ridiculous you'd like. And all it takes is months of scouring shops, the dump, the lost and found, trees, the sky, the ground, the mail, and your friends' catalogs!

After the break, more life in (and around) the Animal Crossing city! Enjoy a brief serenade by Totakeke, learn about the shoe-shine skunk, who will happily change the color of your shoes with what must be really thick polish, and visit the tent of the roving fortune teller, Katrina. And at the end, presents! Well, a video about presents.

Continue reading Animal Crossing: City Fashion

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: City Fashion originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationMon, 20 Oct 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Check out Tom Nook's price gouging]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/check-out-tom-nooks-price-gouging/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/check-out-tom-nooks-price-gouging/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/check-out-tom-nooks-price-gouging/#commentsFiled under:


We all know how crooked Tom Nook is. He has no problem with turning new residents into indentured servants, tasking them with delivering packages and carrying out other duties throughout each Animal Crossing game. Once freed from his grip, however, you're free to give him money by checking out the only game in town, his shop. Curious as to how Tom Nook's store evolves from a shed to the big mart it becomes after you've given him many, many Bells? Check out the video above.


[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqCheck out Tom Nook's price gouging originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcity-folktom-nookWed, 15 Oct 2008 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: Emotional, Spendthrifty Folk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/animal-crossing-emotional-spendthrifty-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/animal-crossing-emotional-spendthrifty-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/animal-crossing-emotional-spendthrifty-folk/#commentsFiled under: ,


Animal Crossing: City Folk is sticking to the formula laid down by Wild World fairly rigidly, but it's not all a rehash. Some new outlets and characters can be found in the city section next to your village, two of which have been recently showcased in daily videos at City Folk's official Japanese site.

The first of these stars Dr. Shrunk, whose dubious comedic talents have finally landed him the big one: a gig at City Folk's Theater. Here, you'll be able to watch the good doctor take to the stage, 'enjoy' his stand-up routine, and hopefully learn a brand new emotion in the process -- as you do. The second video (after the break) covers the Auction House (where you'll be able to offer items for those on your Wii's friend list to bid on), which appears to be manned by a Gyroid. Perhaps they ran out of ideas for new talking animals.

Continue reading Animal Crossing: Emotional, Spendthrifty Folk

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: Emotional, Spendthrifty Folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiilife-simNintendoNintendo-EADsimMon, 13 Oct 2008 12:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: City Folk in Creepy Mii Masks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/animal-crossing-city-folk-in-creepy-mii-masks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/animal-crossing-city-folk-in-creepy-mii-masks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/animal-crossing-city-folk-in-creepy-mii-masks/#commentsFiled under:


We spent our limited Animal Crossing: City Folk time at E3 messing with the new Mii masks, reducing an effigy of a normally jovial executive to a blubbering mess. Should you want to follow our example, it's quite easy to do! And just a little bit off-putting, as this video of the new salon shows.

You just go to the salon, choose the Mii you'd like the mask to resemble, and then ... a giant machine, buzzing and arcing with electricity, clamps down over you and reshapes your head! If you think about it like that, it's a bit weird that the Mii mask blinks and displays emotions. But, then again, you have to earn each emotional display by watching stand-up comedy, so maybe we're already in Weird City.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: City Folk in Creepy Mii Masks originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiicommunicationmiiNintendoNintendo-EADTue, 07 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq goes hands-on with Nintendo's Media Summit line-up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-goes-hands-on-with-nintendos-media-summit-line-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-goes-hands-on-with-nintendos-media-summit-line-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-goes-hands-on-with-nintendos-media-summit-line-up/#commentsFiled under:


The embargo on play sessions has lifted and Joystiq has let loose some write-ups for games that were present at Nintendo's big Media Summit last week. They've spent quality time with The Conduit, Animal Crossing: City Folk and even Call of Duty: World at War, to name a few. So we suggest you hit up this link and get to reading!

JoystiqJoystiq goes hands-on with Nintendo's Media Summit line-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionanimal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcall-of-dutyfpsnintendo-media-summitnms08the-conduitworld-at-warMon, 06 Oct 2008 20:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Animal Crossing: City Folk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-impressions-animal-crossing-city-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-impressions-animal-crossing-city-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/06/joystiq-impressions-animal-crossing-city-folk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Animal Crossing is a one-hit-wonder. You might like it and play it forever, hate it and avoid it completely, or think it was catchy and then just get tired of the tune. Animal Crossing: City Folk does little to change our perception. This is Animal Crossing, again; go fishing, pull weeds, repeat. Some love it, some hate it, and some just want something new.

From what we saw at the Nintendo Media Summit, the city is just another place to go. Instead of Tom Nook's shop in your own town, you can buy from an upscale store. Instead of waiting for the fortune teller to visit, you can see her in the city. A few minor additions include a city-based auction house and theater where you see shows.

The rest of the updates seem equally subtle. You can play with your Mii face. Up to four players can meet in one of their towns or the city. Gamer can talk over the WiiSpeak microphone (sold separately). You can type messages by plugging in any USB HID keyboard. Otherwise, it's Animal Crossing again.

Gallery: Animal Crossing: City Folk (10/6/08)

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Animal Crossing: City Folk

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Animal Crossing: City Folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiijoystiqfeaturesnfms08-hands-onnintendoNintendo-EADnintendo-fall-media-summit-08nintendo-fms-08WiiMon, 06 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle cheaper than we thought]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember when we reported on a $69.99 price tag on the Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle? Well, it turns out that price was off, by $10. Yes, the bundle will in fact retail for $59.99. That brings WiiSpeak down to $10, with the purchase of Animal Crossing: City Folk.

Animal Crossing: City Folk and WiiSpeak will be out in North America on November 16th.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle cheaper than we thought originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkbundlecity-folkwiispeakFri, 03 Oct 2008 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Six of our favorite Media Summit videos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/six-of-our-favorite-media-summit-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/six-of-our-favorite-media-summit-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/six-of-our-favorite-media-summit-videos/#commentsFiled under:



You've already had the chance to examine scores of wonderful screens from new Wii games announced at the Nintendo Media Summit. This new post is dedicated to displaying thousands of more screens (squashed together to create videos) of some of the bigger titles that have been shown at the event.

We settled on placing Nintendo's official Punch-Out!! trailer at the top of this post, but could have easily led with some truly fantastic Sin & Punishment 2 footage, an impressive tech demo of The Conduit, or Yuji Naka's wacky-looking Let's Tap. Instead, all of those (and more) are past the break, and need to be viewed right now. Before you go, though, one final note: if any game released this year has a funkier soundtrack than Let's Tap, we'll be gobsmacked.

Continue reading Six of our favorite Media Summit videos

JoystiqSix of our favorite Media Summit videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkechoes-of-timeffccfinal-fantasyfpshigh-voltagelets-taplife-simminigamespropepunch-outrpgrun-and-gunsin-and-punishment-2square-enixthe-conduittreasureyuji-nakaThu, 02 Oct 2008 20:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo conference screen mega-roundup!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-conference-screen-mega-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-conference-screen-mega-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-conference-screen-mega-roundup/#commentsFiled under:


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Nintendo announced a lot of games last night at their Japanese conference. Many of them, like Punch-Out!! here, were brand new. Some, like Supan Smasher and Cosmic Walker, we still don't know anything about. But we've got screenshots. So many screenshots.

After the break, you'll find galleries of all the new games, along with new screens of some upcoming games we've known about for a while. Of special interest to us: the previously-announced Oboro Muramasa Youtouden, coming to the US as Muramasa: The Demon Blade, because it looks super hot, Karaoke Joysound Wii, which appears to have art by Parappa creator Rodney Alan Greenblat, and Takuto of Magic (Wand of Magic), which appears to be a followup to Taito's LostMagic on the DS.

Continue reading Nintendo conference screen mega-roundup!

JoystiqNintendo conference screen mega-roundup! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>428Adventureanimal-crossing-city-folkanother-codearc-rise-fantasiaArikacosmic-walkerdynamic-combatEndless-OceanEndless-Ocean-2Endless-Ocean-2-AdventuEndless-Ocean-Blue-WorldEndless-Ocean-2-Adventures-of-the-DeepEndless-Ocean-Blue-Worldenglish-conversation-trainingExplorationfamily-skiforever-blueharvest-moonjoysoundkaraoke-joysound-wiikensaxklonoaline-attack-heroesNintendooboro-muramasa-youtoudenOpen-Worldpunch-outrune-factory-frontierrygarshape-boxingstart-with-100supan-smashertaiko-drum-mastertaiko-no-tatsujintakuto-of-magictatsunoko-vs-capcomtrace-memorywaku-waku-animal-marchThu, 02 Oct 2008 17:40:00 EST