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['Carnival Games: Wild West' called out by Australian ratings board]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/carnival-games-wild-west-called-out-by-australian-ratings-boa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/carnival-games-wild-west-called-out-by-australian-ratings-boa/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/carnival-games-wild-west-called-out-by-australian-ratings-boa/#comments Did they even have carnivals in the Old West days? We thought people's time was all taken up by gunfights and being thrown through bar windows back then. 2K and Cat Daddy Games are indulging in either a bit of historical revisionism or actual history (again, we're fuzzy on the details of the time period), with Carnival Games: Wild West, an upcoming game spotted on Australia's ratings board.

The game is listed as "multi platform," which is the board's generic term (and doesn't necessarily mean the game is actually multiplatform.) At the moment, then, we don't know whether you'll be controlling the old-timey minigames with Kinect, Move, or the good old-fashioned Wiimote.

Oh, hey, horseshoes! That's something that people might have played back then, maybe. People had horses, anyway.

Joystiq'Carnival Games: Wild West' called out by Australian ratings board originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesaustraliacarnival-gamescarnival-games-wild-westCat-Daddy-GamesratingsMon, 05 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do preview: Delightful embarrassment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/carnival-games-monkey-see-monkey-do-preview-delightful-embarr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/carnival-games-monkey-see-monkey-do-preview-delightful-embarr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/carnival-games-monkey-see-monkey-do-preview-delightful-embarr/#comments If the Microsoft Kinect really is fated to spend its infancy as an engine for brisk gameplay experiences, mini-game collections and hugely embarrassing motion interactions, then Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do represents the zenith of those objectives. The 20 carny-folk-friendly games therein -- 10 of which are new to the franchise, and only possible on Kinect -- are expectedly short and unswervingly humiliating, particularly when executed on a show floor surrounded by thousands of strangers.

Unexpectedly, though, most of those games are also a hell of a lot of fun. The cartoonish, colorful series is one of the best-selling third-party franchises on the Wii; after spending 20 minutes with Monkey See, Monkey Do, the reasons for its success are as plain as day.

Continue reading Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do preview: Delightful embarrassment

JoystiqCarnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do preview: Delightful embarrassment originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-playcarnival-gamescarnival-games-monkey-see-monkey-domicrosoftpax-east-2011take-twoxboxSat, 12 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two revenue up $14m, laying off 15% of execs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/take-two-revenue-up-14-million-in-fiscal-q1-2010/#comments Take-Two has released its fiscal 2010 Q1 financial report, dropping always thrilling financial news on us about the company's performance between November 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. Aside from a $13.8 million year-over-year increase in net revenue ($163.2 million this year over $149.4 million last year), Take-Two also reports a diminished net loss (again, year-over-year) to the tune of $20 million.

Take-Two also updated investors on current sales of several games and franchises, with GTA IV chocking up "over 15 million units globally" to date, NBA 2K10 already shipping "over 2 million units," and Carnival Games accruing 6 million units sold worldwide across both Wii and DS platforms. That's gotta be helping with that improved bottom line, eh?

Aside from those highlights, the investor report additionally notes plans for "a targeted restructuring of its corporate departments," resulting in a "15 percent reduction in corporate headcount." More shocking, the "restructuring" (read: layoffs) will amount to "approximately $8 million in savings in fiscal 2010." Holy cow!

JoystiqTake-Two revenue up $14m, laying off 15% of execs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamesearningsfinancefinancialfinancial-reportfy-2010gta-ivlayoffsmoneynba-2k10q1salestake-twotake-two-interactiveWed, 03 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Ringling Bros. game coming to Wii, DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/ringling-bros-game-coming-to-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/ringling-bros-game-coming-to-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/ringling-bros-game-coming-to-wii-ds/#comments
2K Play announced today that it plans on creating a Wii and DS game based on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Beyond that ... there's really not much information. The image above was taken at Madison Square Garden, in "celebration" of the partnership with 2K, where the high-wire artist walked the tightrope using a Wiimote and Nunchuk for balance. 2K's press release states this "no doubt was a precursor of what to expect in the upcoming video games."

Given 2K's surprising cash infusion from the Carnival Games series, it wouldn't be surprising to see the publisher tap into that voodoo with this upcoming Ringling Bros-licensed title. According to 2K, more info will be made available at E3.

JoystiqRingling Bros. game coming to Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-playcarnival-gamesDSNintendoringling-brostake-twotake-two-interactiveWiiTue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2K exec criticizes casual titles on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-criticizes-casual-titles-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-criticizes-casual-titles-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-criticizes-casual-titles-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:

2K Games Global President Christoph Hartmann doesn't see 2009 as a great year for casual publishers. He sees the console flooded in a flurry of casual games, what he dubs "crappy titles." He thinks that for every ten casual titles produced, publishers expect two to be hits, financing the other eight. The problem is that all of those titles flood the market, making it tougher for casual games to prosper and only servies to confuse consumers.

He points to his own 2K-published Carnival Games as an example. "Had we released it last week, it would have been much tougher," he says. "There's far too much stuff in the Wii market [now] and it's hard to shine."

Regardless of a game's focus, we've always been big advocates of fun. If a game is only a collection of minigames, it's fine so long as they're fun to play. We think even pushing for that ten can mean that more than two are engaging and not "crappy," as he puts it. What do you all think? Too many casual games out there?

[Via Joystiq]

Joystiq2K exec criticizes casual titles on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2kbusinesscarnival-gamescasualsalessalesfiguresshovelwareWed, 14 Jan 2009 14:41:00 EST<![CDATA[2K exec unhappy with flood of 'crappy' casual Wii titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-unhappy-with-flood-of-crappy-casual-wii-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-unhappy-with-flood-of-crappy-casual-wii-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/2k-exec-unhappy-with-flood-of-crappy-casual-wii-titles/#commentsFiled under: ,


2K Games Global President Christoph Hartmann is back with another warning. Speaking with MCV, he expressed his belief that publishers bringing non-licensed casual games to Wii this year could struggle because the console is flooded by "crappy titles." Hartmann's example has publishers releasing ten games in the hopes that two hits will pay for the other eight. All this does, he said, is flood the market and confuse consumers.

According to the executive, if 2K's hit casual title Carnival Games were released today it would struggle to find an audience. Despite the Wii selling incredibly well, new casual brands seem to be lost in the flood of shovelware, with retailers already having little shelf space to spare.

Joystiq2K exec unhappy with flood of 'crappy' casual Wii titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamescarnival-gameschristoph-hartmanntake-twoWiiWed, 14 Jan 2009 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Successful GTA on DS could lead to more mature Take-Two games on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/#commentsFiled under:

Take-Two expects Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the DS to do quite well. The company hasn't really been putting their Mature-rated content on Nintendo systems that often, aside from the notorious Manhunt 2. But that's probably going to change in the near future, and, according to CEO Ben Feder, the company will be looking at the performance of GTA to help guide their plans on Wii:

"... Even the M-rated content that we think is much more appropriate for the PS3 or 360," he said in a financial earnings call, "we have to look at the Wii as a viable platform across all our labels." Not just the sports games and the Carnival Games! Feder said that Take-Two is going to do "a lot of learning" with Chinatown Wars.

We're of the opinion that all Take-Two really has to do is make some high-quality original games and market them like they would any of their mature titles. At least they aren't just taking the easy way out and putting out an exclusively Carnival Games lineup.

JoystiqSuccessful GTA on DS could lead to more mature Take-Two games on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcarnival-gamesgrand-theft-autoindustryrockstartake-twoThu, 18 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games goes golfing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/carnival-games-goes-golfing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/carnival-games-goes-golfing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/carnival-games-goes-golfing/#commentsFiled under:

After a delay, Carnival Games: Mini-Golf has arrived -- at least, in screenshot form. Now with a few more options, too, from the look of the shots.

Gamers are pretty split on the first title. Many think it's horrible beyond belief, and others defend it as a fun game for multiplayer get-togethers. The real judge, however, is the fact that it sold tons and tons, more than many other Wii titles! Think the sequel will live up to that?

JoystiqCarnival Games goes golfing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamescarnival-gamescatdaddy-gamesgolfmini-golftake-twoSun, 14 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games 2 delayed due to first game's success]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/carnival-games-2-delayed-due-to-first-games-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/carnival-games-2-delayed-due-to-first-games-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/carnival-games-2-delayed-due-to-first-games-success/#commentsFiled under:

We like to bash the shovelware as much as anyone, but Take Two's Carnival Games must have been a real gem, because it has sold well consistently and "exceeded expectations" since its release. That's why Take Two has been taking their good old time in churning out a sequel to the game, which is now in the works.

"We saw the original title was a big success, and we had the developers [Cat Daddy] thinking down the line for the brand," said 2K Play marketing director Christina Recchio. "So there will be a 'Carnival Games 2,' but when that is, I can't say that right now. We just have to assess the market and see when the right time is to release the title." What does this mean? Well, that they won't need to rush development on the sequel so long as the first title keeps on selling.

Any of you play the original Carnival Games? Think it got a bad rap from the critics? Or was it just a bad game?

JoystiqCarnival Games 2 delayed due to first game's success originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-playcarnival-gamescasualmini-gamesminigamestake-twoThu, 21 Aug 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/practice-crashing-planes-in-latest-downloadable-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/practice-crashing-planes-in-latest-downloadable-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/practice-crashing-planes-in-latest-downloadable-demos/#commentsFiled under: ,

DS demo updates on the Nintendo Channel often get a disappointed reaction from us, but this week's batch does contain at least one interesting addition: Sonic Powered's Air Traffic Chaos, as localized (complete with generic and terrible boxart) by Majesco. At the very least, we're hopeful that the game can replicate the frenzied, panicked pace of a Trauma Center game.

The rest of this week's update is fairly humdrum, consisting of a Crosswords DS wordsearch, a Pictoimage demo, and a chance to try out Carnival Games, which has stuck around like a bad smell. The full list of both old and new demos is past the break!

Gallery: Air Traffic Chaos

Continue reading Practice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos

JoystiqPractice crashing planes in latest downloadable demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-traffic-chaosbrain-agebrain-age-2carnival-gamescrosswords-dsdemodemosflash-focusnintendo-channelpictoimagetrainingMon, 11 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/carnival-games-makes-its-return-to-the-ds-download-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/carnival-games-makes-its-return-to-the-ds-download-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/carnival-games-makes-its-return-to-the-ds-download-service/#commentsFiled under:

For people longing to play new demos via the Nintendo Channel, the frustration continues. All we saw on the channel today was the return of two demos that we never really missed in the first place (we're looking at you, Carnival Games and Crosswords DS Wordsearch).

Nintendo also extended the availability dates on three of the existing demos, probably because offering three new ones would have been too satisfying (/bitter). The good news is, you have another week to try out Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 and Contra 4 if you haven't done so already.

Click past the break to see yet another underwhelming list of demos.

Continue reading Carnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service

JoystiqCarnival Games makes its return to the DS Download Service originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-agebrain-age-2carnival-gamescontra-4crosswordscrosswords-dsdemodemosflash-focusnintendo-channelpictoimagetrauma-centerunder-the-knife-2wordsearchMon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Channel video updates for this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/nintendo-channel-video-updates-for-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/nintendo-channel-video-updates-for-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/nintendo-channel-video-updates-for-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This week brings plenty of videos for you to watch on the Everyone's Nintendo Channel. From a look at how All-Play works in Tiger Woods 09, right down to another video of Alyson with Wii Fit. So, check out the list below, situated in handy bullet-point form:
  • Get Wii Fit with Alyson: Balance Games
  • Major League Eating info video
  • MLB Power Pros 2008 info video
  • Carnival Games info video (DS)
  • Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility info video
  • Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness info video (DS)
  • The Sims 2 Apartment Pets info video (DS)
  • Tiger Woods: PGA Tour 09 All-Play Video 2

JoystiqNintendo Channel video updates for this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-playcarnival-gameseaharvest-moonmajor-league-eatingnatsumnintendo-channeltiger-woodstree-of-tranquilitywii-fitMon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/another-unimpressive-week-of-nintendo-channel-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/another-unimpressive-week-of-nintendo-channel-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/another-unimpressive-week-of-nintendo-channel-demos/#commentsFiled under:

With Trauma Center 2 and Contra 4 on the Nintendo Channel's demos list, you may wonder why exactly we're unimpressed. Perhaps it's because there's nothing new offered this week, unless you count the reappearance of certain demos on the list as "new." We don't.

To see why we're thoroughly uninspired, check past the break for the full list of "been there, done that" demos.

Continue reading Another unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos

JoystiqAnother unimpressive week of Nintendo Channel demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-agebrain-age-2carnival-gamescrosswordscrosswordsdsdemodemosflash-focusnintendo-channeltrauma-centertrauma-center-2under-the-knife-2wall-ewordsearchMon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS releases for the week of July 7th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-july-7th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-july-7th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ds-releases-for-the-week-of-july-7th/#commentsFiled under:

Civilization Revolution may be a wacky departure from the main Civilization series, but as of this week it has at least one thing in common with its predecessors: people can buy it! It's also related, however tenuously, to the only other DS game coming out this week, Carnival Games. Both are published by 2K, yes, and both are designed for casual play, to wildly varying degrees. For Civilization Revolution, "casual" means "more casual than Civ," and for Carnival Games, it means "let the dog play while you take a break to make lunch."
  • Carnival Games
  • Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
After the break, the rest of the world's releases. Europe gets more than two! Japan gets way more than two, including the new Stafy game!

Continue reading DS releases for the week of July 7th

JoystiqDS releases for the week of July 7th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bakushowcarnival-gamescivilization-revolutionreleasesstafyMon, 07 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Channel goes light on the demos this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/nintendo-channel-goes-light-on-the-demos-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/nintendo-channel-goes-light-on-the-demos-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/nintendo-channel-goes-light-on-the-demos-this-week/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's Monday, which means the Wii's Nintendo Channel is due to unleash some new DS demos for us to enjoy. Following last week's offerings isn't easy, that's for sure. Actually, it might be impossible. We're talking about one of the most awesome DS games available, after all.

So what's available this week? Head on past the break for the details.

Continue reading Nintendo Channel goes light on the demos this week

JoystiqNintendo Channel goes light on the demos this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamescrosswords-dsdemodemosminigamesnintendo-channelpictoimagesegaMon, 30 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games causing a Havok]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/carnival-games-causing-a-havok/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/carnival-games-causing-a-havok/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/27/carnival-games-causing-a-havok/#commentsFiled under:


One of the most well-known development tools in the world has been secured by 2K Games for some upoming titles. The Havok physics engine is used in squillions of high-profile games like Halo 3, Oblivion, BioShock and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Naturally, 2K wanted to acquire the license for none other than Carnival Games: Mini-Golf.

Before crying shovelware, the original Carnival Games sold over a million copies, so 2K is doing the right thing by wanting to get the best software for improving the series. A few other titles are also in line to use Havok, but no word on specific names as yet.

JoystiqCarnival Games causing a Havok originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-gamescarnival-gamescarnival-games-mini-...enginehavokphysicsFri, 27 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get back at Carnival folk by scoring free stuff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/get-back-at-carnival-folk-by-scoring-free-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/get-back-at-carnival-folk-by-scoring-free-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/get-back-at-carnival-folk-by-scoring-free-stuff/#commentsFiled under:


Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! You there, the big winner with the pretty lady! How about taking a shot at our fantastic Take-Em-Out game -- where everybody wins! The rules are simple -- grab your wallet, skillfully dig deep and take out $40! Hand it over to the smiling gentleman, and you have scored a great prize for your girlfriend! It's true, Take-Em-Out is the easiest way to have fun!

If there wasn't any reason to pick up Carnival Games before, is the promise of a free t-shirt going to tip the scales in Wal-Mart's favor? Well, probably - Carnival Games is one popular piece of software, free T-shirt or not. If you buy (and wear) this, hundreds of Wii owners are sure to point and nod approvingly. Best of all, there's even more opportunities on the horizon to become popular with the Carnies.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqGet back at Carnival folk by scoring free stuff originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnivalcarnival-gamescatdaddy-gamesglobal-star-softwaremini-gamest-shirttake-twoTue, 17 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Circuit City offering up Wii bundles as you read this]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/circuit-city-offering-up-wii-bundles-as-you-read-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/circuit-city-offering-up-wii-bundles-as-you-read-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/circuit-city-offering-up-wii-bundles-as-you-read-this/#commentsFiled under:



Still hunting for a Wii? If so, Circuit City's online store has them in around about ... now.

Think supplies are going to last long? Hell no! Even though Circuit City is selling the things with an extra Wiimote, nunchuk and two of the titles listed below, we estimate these puppies will be gone soon. We'd usually criticize the practice of forcing customers to buy bundles, but we estimate that at least three or four of the six games being offered are must-haves:
You're still here!? Go! Go! Go!

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqCircuit City offering up Wii bundles as you read this originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlecarnival-gamescircuit-cityclassic-controllerguitar-herolegend-of-zeldasmash-bros-brawlssbbsuper-mario-galaxytwilight-princesswii-playwii-zapperzapperzeldaMon, 16 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Circuit City has a Wii for you, but there's a catch [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/circuit-city-has-a-wii-for-you-but-theres-a-catch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/circuit-city-has-a-wii-for-you-but-theres-a-catch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/circuit-city-has-a-wii-for-you-but-theres-a-catch/#commentsFiled under:


Update: Well, that was fast. Sorry folks, looks like it's sold out.

Sad to say, but it's the truth. You can order a Wii right now from Circuit City, but you're going to have to bundle some stuff with the console. When looking over what you have to buy, however, it's really not that bad of a deal because you should be expecting to buy these games anyway.

So what do you need to purchase? Well, the Wii console (duh), an extra Wiimote and two or more of the following games and/or accessories:
Considering that you were going to pick up Super Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros. Brawl anyway (if you weren't planning on it, may we ask if you're insane?), it's not that bad of a deal. And, for those of you still desperate to get a console, this might be the best solution.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqCircuit City has a Wii for you, but there's a catch [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 May 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlecarnival-gamescircuit-citymario-party-8mp8smash-bros-brawlsuper-mario-galaxywii-playwii-zapperzapperThu, 29 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games DS apparently features freaks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/carnival-games-ds-apparently-features-freaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/carnival-games-ds-apparently-features-freaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/carnival-games-ds-apparently-features-freaks/#commentsFiled under:

Carnival Games on the DS apparently features a "sideshow" feature not found in the Wii version! That is, if the title screen is any indication. Look at that guy! He's about ten million times creepier than the jack-o-lantern-like barker found on the cover of the Wii game. That guy's not a barker -- he's a warning. "Step right away! Don't come in!"

Carnival Games' carnival also features a "game" in which you're swarmed by giant bees. They may present it as a game, but we usually don't find the presence of bees in our amusement parks at all amusing. Maybe after that, you'll have to play a game about cleaning the spilled ice cream off of the ground so the park doesn't attract so many bees.

JoystiqCarnival Games DS apparently features freaks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 May 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2k-playcarnival-gamescasualminigamesnooooooMon, 26 May 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Week in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/26/another-week-in-europe/#commentsFiled under:

Featuring charts from across the region, Another Week in Europe documents the buying habits and quirky tastes of a whole continent of Wii lovers.

While yours truly had trouble tracking down a copy of Mario Kart Wii on the high street (for our review), it appears plenty of others around Europe had no such problem.

Bar Denmark (where it has now dropped to fifth), the title sits at the top of every European chart, and we suspect it might even be influencing the sales of other games. Surely the rise of Mario Kart DS to 8th in Ireland, 8th in France, and 7th in Germany can't all be a mere coincidence? By our reckoning, Mario Kart Wii has ramped up Europe's interest in Mario Kart generally. Fortunately, Mario Kart DS is the bee's knees!

Finally, this week's overachiever award goes to Sega Superstars Tennis -- despite the Wii version's lack of online play, Sega's tennis/blue skies extravaganza climbed to fourth in the UK. Head beyond the break for more European chartage, and please accept our humble apologies for the lack of a Spanish top ten -- that should be back next week.

Continue reading Another Week in Europe

JoystiqAnother Week in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-europecarnival-gamesdenmarkeuropegame-partygermanyguitar-hero-iiiirelandmario-and-sonicmario-kart-wiinetherlandspalpro-evolution-soccersega-superstars-tennisswedenukwii-playSat, 26 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Week in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/12/another-week-in-europe/#commentsFiled under:

Featuring charts from across the region, Another Week in Europe documents the buying habits and quirky tastes of a whole continent of Wii lovers.

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue dominates Europe this week, and only plucky little Sweden (where the game lies second) prevented it from being top dog in every single European chart.

In many cases, however, it's being hotly pursued by Wii software. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is still holding its own (rising to 3rd in the UK, 4th in Ireland, and keeping fifth place in Spain), Mario & Sonic continues to grip to the higher positions like a particularly stubborn limpet, Germany is the usual Nintendo lovefest, and Sweden finally has a Wii game that isn't Guitar Hero III in its top ten. It's a good one, as well.

As far as new games go, there's just the one, with Dancing Stage Hottest Party strutting its stuff and grabbing its crotch at 7th in the Dutch charts. Finally, Game Party and Carnival: Funfair Games continue to plummet down the UK charts. Muahahaha.

Next week: some racing game.

Continue reading Another Week in Europe

JoystiqAnother Week in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-europecarnival-gamesdancing-stagedenmarkeuropegame-partygermanyguitar-hero-iiiirelandmario-kartnetherlandspalpro-evolution-soccerspainswedenukSat, 12 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/#commentsFiled under:



News of GameStop's trade-in offer on Mario Kart Wii may well have had some of you sifting through your collections for those barely used copies of Cabela's Big Game Hunter and Carnival Games, but is trading in your games a regular thing for you kids? This blogger has always been something of an anti-hoarder, and consequently I've become a serial trader in the last year or two, after discovering that reasonable deals could be had on the high street, if you look in the right places.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabelas-big-game-huntercarnival-gamesgamestopmario-kartspecial-offertrade-inwwuWed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Week in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/another-week-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/05/another-week-in-europe/#commentsFiled under:

Featuring charts from across the region, Another Week in Europe documents the buying habits and quirky tastes of a whole continent of Wii lovers.

Unlike reigning full beard freestyle world champion Elmar Weisser of Germany (who we admire fiercely), we have mixed feelings about this week's European sales charts.

For example, while we're heartened by the success of debutant Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (5th in the UK, and the Wii edition supplemented sales of other versions across Europe -- not bad for a game that appeared on every other console last October), we're irked by the flat performance of House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return (15th in Britain, and nowhere to be seen in the charts of mainland Europe).

Europe, if you're reading, stop buying Game Party (7th in UK), Smarty Pants (10th in Spain), and Mario & bleeding Sonic (high everywhere) and let's get something half-decent up there for a change. Sega Bass Fishing should make next week's chart, so that'd be a good place to start -- let's have that top ten somewhere, please. Sigh. At least Elmar will never fail to impress us. Click on for the charts.

Continue reading Another Week in Europe

JoystiqAnother Week in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-week-in-europecarnival-gamesdenmarkeuropegermanyguitar-heroirelandmario-and-sonicnetherlandspalpro-evolution-soccersega-superstars-tennissmarty-pantsspainswedenukwii-playSat, 05 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii's third-party million-sellers revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/wiis-third-party-million-sellers-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/wiis-third-party-million-sellers-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/wiis-third-party-million-sellers-revealed/#comments

Ah, how we all knowingly chuckled when Sega predicted it would sell four million copies of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games across the Wii and DS. Like a drunken, rowdy friend boasting of sexual conquests that never actually occurred, Sega's strutting came across as the stuff of fantasy.

And then the news came through. They'd sold five million. D'oh!

We were reminded of our misplaced Mario & Sonic cynicism again today, after That Videogame Blog listed the third-party games that have shifted one million units on the Wii. Sure enough, the plumber and the hedgehog taunted us from the top of the pile (with 3.4 million sales), while Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (1.8 million), Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (1.6 million), Rayman Raving Rabbids, Sonic and the Secret Rings, Carnival Games (all 1.2 million), and Red Steel (1 million) sat beneath it.

Helpfully, author Ashutosh Chhibbar has also listed those titles that are nearing the magical seven-digit landmark, with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, MySims, or LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga just needing one last push.

JoystiqWii's third-party million-sellers revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamesguitar-hero-iiilego-star-warsmario-and-sonicmysimsone-millionrayman-raving-rabbidsred-steelresident-evilsonic-and-the-secret-ringsumbrella-chroniclesFri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Carnival Games come to the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/more-carnival-games-come-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/more-carnival-games-come-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/more-carnival-games-come-to-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

Because Carnival Games was such a success (the title has sold over one million copies worldwide), it was only inevitable that 2K would make another game utilizing a similar formula. This newest creation is essentially a miniature golf version of its predecessor, titled Carnival Games: Mini-Golf.

We have nothing against a mini-golf game that could very possibly be fun. We are, however, very against the press release calling this title "a hole in fun." It's no secret that we've subjected our readers to some terrible punnery over the years, but there's some lines that you just don't cross.

The game supports up to four players, and will feature characters that were "made popular" from the original Carnival Games. So, if you've missed Carnival Bob so much that it hurt, you'll be able to see him again soon.

Also, if and when this game succeeds, you can bet it won't be the last Carnival output on the Wii from 2K.

JoystiqMore Carnival Games come to the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-playcarnival-gamescarnival-games-mini-golfgolfmini-golfTue, 11 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two posts $38M loss in first fiscal quarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/take-two-posts-38m-loss-in-first-fiscal-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/take-two-posts-38m-loss-in-first-fiscal-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/take-two-posts-38m-loss-in-first-fiscal-quarter/#commentsFiled under:

Aside from one 'shocking revelation and news of a Borderlands release shift, Take-Two's first fiscal quarter financial results did contain, you know, financial results. Ending January 31, 2008, the quarter saw a net loss of $38 million, a $16.5 million increase compared to the previous year's $21.5 million loss for the same quarter.

Net revenue for the three-month period was $240.4 million, a decrease from $277.3 million gained during the opening quarter of fiscal 2007. Key contributors to Take-Two's revenue were BioShock, the Wii's (and soon to be DS') Carnival Games, NBA 2K8 and the good ol' Grand Theft Auto franchise. Unsurprisingly, the publisher predicts improved results once the felonious franchise reaches number four.

JoystiqTake-Two posts $38M loss in first fiscal quarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioShockBreakingNewsCarnival-GamesGrand-Theft-AutoGrandTheftAutoGTA-IVGTAIVNBA-2K8Take-TwoTue, 11 Mar 2008 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[2K announces Carnival Games for DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/2k-announces-carnival-games-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/2k-announces-carnival-games-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/2k-announces-carnival-games-for-ds/#commentsFiled under:

This announcement will no doubt be huge awesome news for a bunch of people, while simultaneously eliciting dramatic eye-rolls from others: the Carnival Games franchise is coming to the DS! The DS version of Carnival Games will be released this summer with an assortment of games new and old. According to the press release, "Favorites such as Alley Ball, Frog Leap and Dunk Tank are complemented with fresh games including RC Raceway and Clown Hammer. "

It's no surprise that Carnival Games would branch out -- in the same announcement, 2K revealed that they had shipped a million copies of the Wii game. That's a ton for any system, and a massive hit for a system like the Wii on which third parties have difficulties.

Joystiq2K announces Carnival Games for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2kcarnival-gamesminigamestake-twoTue, 11 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games expands to DS, back to Wii with Carnival Games: Mini-Golf]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/carnival-games-expands-to-ds-back-to-wii-with-carnival-games-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/carnival-games-expands-to-ds-back-to-wii-with-carnival-games-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/carnival-games-expands-to-ds-back-to-wii-with-carnival-games-m/#commentsFiled under: ,


After shipping "more than one million units worldwide" with its debut title on the Wii, Take-Two just announced plans to expand its Carnival Games brand with two new mini-game miasmas: Carnival Games for DS and Carnival Games: Mini-Golf for Wii. We expect both to cash in on those nostalgic memories of trips to the carnival with grandpa, including that completely non-hilarious time you stuck your arm too deeply into the cotton candy machine.

The DS version will demand interaction through a "frenzied combination" of stylus maneuvering, tapping, speaking and blowing (no surprise there), and will feature games such as Alley Ball, Frog Leap and the intriguing "Clown Hammer." Do we bludgeon the clowns or do we wield them? We'll find out in Summer.

As for the Wii's Carnival Games: Mini-Golf, it comes exclusively to Wii and can best be described as "a hole in fun," it says here. A myriad of miniature golf courses awaits up to four players when it releases in Fall 2008. Say Harley Howe and Patrick Wilkinson, studio heads of 2K Play's Cat Daddy Games, "These new titles in our growing Carnival Games franchise are fun, have true-to-life physics and deliver on the promise of the original: you can almost smell the cotton candy."

JoystiqCarnival Games expands to DS, back to Wii with Carnival Games: Mini-Golf originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-PlayBreakingNewsCarnival-GamesCarnival-Games-DSCarnival-Games-Mini-GolfCarnivalGamesCat-Daddy-GamesDSTake-TwoWiiTue, 11 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are the criteria for good games changing with the audience?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/are-the-criteria-for-good-games-changing-with-the-audience/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/are-the-criteria-for-good-games-changing-with-the-audience/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/are-the-criteria-for-good-games-changing-with-the-audience/#commentsFiled under:

GameSetWatch had an interesting discussion post up today about review scores and their utility for mainstream gamers. This especially applies to Wii games, for which the "mainstream" is significantly more mainstream, consisting of a lot of new gamers with totally different expectations for a good game.

Reviews tend to be written by jerks like me who have been playing games every day for 20+ years and expect not only innovation, but quality relative to that whole history of gaming. We may require a lot more out of our games: replayability, novelty, graphics, etc. More casual gamers, on the other hand, don't care about the same things we do. They just want a fun game, whether it's nice looking, short, or even licensed. Easily-understood controls and goals seem to be of utmost importance. Seemingly, so does a basis in real-world activities, like, for example, Carnival Games. So do our reviews, written as they are from our own perspectives, really serve the expanded Wii audience? And how do we tailor our impressions to their needs?

What is even more interesting to us than that aspect of the discussion is that even within "casual" games, what we see as a bad game often becomes very popular. The balancing act for reviewers is to make sure we judge casual games accurately as casual games, and try to realistically gauge whether the problems we have with them would be problems for, say, Grandma. Long-standing series are an interesting issue, as brought up by Simon Carless in regards to Bust-a-Move Bash! Is it a bad game because it fails to improve upon previous games? If so, that realistically would not matter to someone who just got their first game system.

The Wii was the highest-reviewed console of the year according to customer reviews aggregated by Reevoo. Compare that to every games-of-the-year list you've seen on any multiplatform site to get an idea of the disconnect between reviewer and fan opinions.

JoystiqAre the criteria for good games changing with the audience? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bust-a-movecarnival-gamescasualreviewsWed, 02 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Man with awesome name rules out GTA on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/man-with-awesome-name-rules-out-gta-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/man-with-awesome-name-rules-out-gta-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/man-with-awesome-name-rules-out-gta-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:

As we've seen throughout the first year of its existence, the Wii isn't exactly lacking system-selling software. There is one big-selling franchise that looks highly unlikely to appear on Nintendo's all-conquering platform, however: Take-Two and Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto.

Admittedly, we always suspected a Wii version of the epic crime series was highly unlikely, but now Take-Two chief Strauss Zelnick has seen fit to bang the final nail into the coffin, and altogether rule out bringing GTA to the Wii. Speaking in a conference call earlier today, Zelnick concluded that "there are other titles better suited to the Wii than Grand Theft Auto." You know, like Carnival Games.

We're curious about Zelnick's statement, simply because we think GTA could work on the Wii. If the PlayStation 2 had the technical muscle to support numerous GTA games, then the Wii would surely cope just fine. It's not a question of audience taste, either -- let's not forget how Resident Evil 4 shifted a cool million copies earlier this year. Honestly, Strauss, if you didn't have such a rad name, we'd be pretty miffed.

JoystiqMan with awesome name rules out GTA on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamesgrand-theft-autogtare4rockstartake-twoWed, 19 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Software sales around the world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/software-sales-around-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/software-sales-around-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/software-sales-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under:

Sometimes, it's interesting to compare what's popular in different regions. Of course, release dates come into play, as various parts of the world get games at different times, but there's a surprising amount of crossover when we look at what's big among Wii owners around the world.

Not everything is surprising: Guitar Hero III is shredding most of the competition in the US, Metroid Prime 3 is clinging to a top spot in the UK, and Super Mario Galaxy is muscling out other titles in Japan. But with the sales the various minigame collections are boasting, is it any wonder we've seen so many? Even the lackluster Carnival Games is raking in the money in multiple regions. Hit the jump for the top five sellers to see for yourself.

Continue reading Software sales around the world

JoystiqSoftware sales around the world originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival-gamesguitarhero3metroid-prime-3regionssalessuper-mario-galaxyFri, 02 Nov 2007 22:40:00 EST