Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Wii Fanboy Weekly: Mar. 6 - Mar. 12http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/wii-fanboy-weekly-mar-6-mar-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/wii-fanboy-weekly-mar-6-mar-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/wii-fanboy-weekly-mar-6-mar-12/#commentsFiled under:


Wii Fanboy has been in the loving embrace of Super Smash Bros.Brawl for the past week. We've been loving it back, as you all undoubtedly have. So if there are some goodies you missed here at Joystiq, check us at Wii Fanboy out. Remember: tomorrow is Game Night and we'll be enjoying some Brawl, so head on over to Wii Fanboy for the details!

Oh, and we're giving away a free copy of Dragon Quest Swords! Hit up our contest post for the skinny on what you need to do.

Features:
Video:
 Other items of interest:

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>smash-bros-brawlsmashbrosweekly-recapDavid Hinkle2008-03-12T18:30:00+00:00Gripes and Glees: One week with Smash Bros. Brawlhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/gripes-and-glees-one-week-with-smash-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/gripes-and-glees-one-week-with-smash-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/gripes-and-glees-one-week-with-smash-bros-brawl/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Oh Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Our blogging super-powers have given us an entire week with your dual-layered, nostalgia-filled awesomeness, where most gamers have only had the past few days. In spite of the nega-review, Brawl still seems to be pure gold in the eyes of most gamers and reviewers.

Of course, a game as massive as Brawl is bound that have hidden its imperfections somewhere. So let's go hunting, listing the game's many gleeful points, each followed by a gripe that may have been overlooked in our fanboyish devotion to the franchise. No facet of the game will go untouched here, so be warned that spoilers may abound. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's play Gripes and Glees!

Glee: The opening cinematic to Brawl is gorgeous as always, and even updates as new characters become unlocked.
Gripe: The initial load-screen for the cinematic lasts around ten to fifteen seconds, a wait time normally unheard of in first-party Nintendo titles. The unskippable load time feels even longer due to the lack of music and an almost entirely black screen.

Glee: Many of the new-to-Brawl characters have incredibly unique play styles. Playing as Olimar reminds us of how much we loved the Pikmin games, and the strategy of switching between Pokemon while using Pokemon Trainer is a faithful recreation of that classic RPG element.
Gripe: Far too many characters just feel like near-clones of each other. Pit, Link, Metaknight, Marth, Ike, Fox, Falco, Wolf. We love them all, but so many are just so darn similar.

Glee: We're pleased as punch that Nintendo saw fit to include a smattering of classic Melee stages in Brawl.
Gripe: We're a tad disappointed, however, that our favorite original Smash Bros. stages couldn't make surprise appearances. Where's the love for Dream Land, or Hyrule Castle? At least that horrid Kongo Jungle is nowhere to be found.

Glee: The demos offered in Masterpieces mode are a surprising and welcome addition to Brawl's compendium of nostalgia.
Gripe: The 1 to 3-minute demos force you to exit Brawl in order to play them, making it cumbersome to try out the "Masterpieces" back-to-back. Having to re-boot Brawl from the Wii menu after playing each super-short demo hardly seems worth the effort.

Glee: We not only get trophies, but STICKERS too? We love stickers!
Gripe: Collecting stickers in Brawl just makes us wish we had those stickers in real life, to adorn our Wii-motes and Trapper Keepers. Pretty please, Nintendo?

Glee: The Subspace Emissary's numerous cutscenes are amazing, with just the right blend of bizarre character cross-overs, action scenes, and humor.
Gripe: The cutscene menu in the Movies section is a slow-scrolling list, making it surprisingly difficult to find that one particularly awesome cut-scene that comes late in the game (or Peach's hilarious "tea-time" scene).

Glee: The controversial "toon-shaded" version of Young Link makes his appearance as a playable character.
Gripe: He isn't toon-shaded! Toon Link in Brawl is the lanky, poorly-rendered awkward teenage version of that bright and colorful Wind Waker Link we've all grown to love (or hate).

Glee: The Subspace Emissary blends character storylines together in surprisingly clever ways. Nothing makes us giggle more than the team-up of Samus Aran and Pikachu, and certain character introductions made our hearts go all a-flutter.
Gripe: Without ruining too much, we'll just say that Sonic is so poorly woven into the fabric of Brawl's story mode, it honestly spoiled the entire wild ride a little. We recommend low expectations for the Hedgehog's entry into the fray.

Glee: Attaching stickers to character trophies adds a surprisingly refreshing RPG-esque twist to the Subspace Emissary mode.
Gripe: Attaching stickers to every last character that you control in SSE quickly becomes a tiresome and repetitive process.

Glee: Brawl offers fickle players four possible controller options, with customizable controls on each. Hooray for options!
Gripe: Boo for not enough options! While the D-pad on the Wii-mote turned sideways is used for movement, D-pads on the classic controller or Gamecube pad can not be assigned to anything other than taunting. The sideways Wii-mote customization options are also woefully limited; if hitting 1 and 2 simultaneously can activate a smash attack, why can't holding 1 and B (or 2 and B) do something as well?

Glee: Melee haters will be happy to know that Brawl brings the speed down to a level more akin to the N64 original. Playing it brings back fond memories of 1999.
Gripe: Though slower, characters feel "floatier" as well, and the precision control of Melee seems to be missing somewhat in its sequel. What's more, using the basic attack of many characters feels like you left the turbo button on by accident; they kick and punch automatically at such a high rate that we're honestly wondering if it might be a [gasp] glitch.

Gripe: Brawl's dual-layer DVD has proven too much for certain dirty or banged-up Wiis, which won't properly play the game without being sent in to Nintendo first for an optical laser cleaning.
Glee: Ours was miraculously fine, even after being checked through baggage for an eight-hour flight to France (and spending an extra day as lost luggage at Heathrow Airport). Carrying cases and tender loving care FTW.

How about it, fellow Brawlers? Any other gripes or glees that we missed? Let them be heard in the comments.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlsmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrosssbbScott Jon Siegel2008-03-12T10:00:00+00:00MIT catches Brawl fever with newest 'hack'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/mit-catches-brawl-fever-with-newest-hack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/mit-catches-brawl-fever-with-newest-hack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/mit-catches-brawl-fever-with-newest-hack/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are once again showing off their gamer cred with an on-campus prank (or "hack," as those princely nerds like to call it). This time, it's in honor of the release of Smash Bros. Brawl, a modest little Wii title that you may or may not have heard of. The "hackers" hung items and symbols from the game in Lobby 7 of their campus on launch day, including a Pokéball, crate, and Mario's cap.

We have to admit that we're a bit disappointed with the simplicity of this gaming prank. Hanging little trinkets is nothing compared to arming and helmeting a statue to resemble Master Chief. While we appreciate the thought, this prank would seem tame at a community college, much less one of the most competitive schools in America. Of course, we're willing to forgive and forget, if MIT's student body can manage to come up with something a little better. You raised the bar yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. Now here's your chance to meet it.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>mitprankssmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrosssbbScott Jon Siegel2008-03-10T15:15:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl not working on some Wiis, Nintendo respondshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/#commentsFiled under: ,


While we're sure most of us would describe Wii fanatics as the most lighthearted of the console enthusiasts, we can only imagine that being forced to wait nearly two years for the most highly anticipated game on your console, only to come home from a midnight launch to discover you cannot extract the frenzied multiplayer mayhem stored on the disc you've purchased might incite one's dander to "get up". Alas, many a brawler-to-be recently found themselves in this lamentable situation, as Super Smash Bros. Brawl has reportedly had performance anxiety in a number of Wii consoles.

Nintendo has swiftly replied with a North American repair form, explaining that the double-layer disc can only be read by a squeaky-clean disc drive lens. They implore you not to try to clean said lens on your own, and to send in your crudely adhered Gamecubes to Nintendo HQ for a thorough purging. We're sure they'll get your newly spruced console back to you in a timely manner -- which will likely offer little consolation to a Nintyfan scorned.

[Thanks to all the unlucky souls who sent this in. Our thoughts are with you during these trying times.]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawldiscnintendonintendowiirepairsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbwiiGriffin McElroy2008-03-09T14:00:00+00:00Nintendo announces North American Smash Bros. Brawl tournamentshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nintendo-announces-north-american-smash-bros-brawl-tournaments/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nintendo-announces-north-american-smash-bros-brawl-tournaments/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nintendo-announces-north-american-smash-bros-brawl-tournaments/#commentsFiled under: ,


Impatient to get your Brawl on? Some of you North American gamers could get a chance to play Nintendo's all-star fighter as early as this Saturday, when Nintendo kicks off the first of four regional Smash Bros. Brawl tournaments across the United States.

The regional tournaments will take place in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and New York City, with a maximum of 256 participants at each location. The winners from each tournament will meet in New York for the finals, with the grand prize winner walking away with a crystal-coated Wii, home theatre system, and (of course) a copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

The three finalists will win non-crystal-coated Wii consoles, extra Wii remotes, copies of Brawl, and Best Buy gift certificates ranging from $250 to $1,000. Regional tournaments register players on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we'd recommend getting there nice and early to compete. The first tourney is this Saturday, February 16 in Los Angeles. Full regional tournament details after the break.

The regional tournaments will take place on four separate days, in four separate locations:

Saturday, Feb. 16
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Saturday, Feb. 23
Doors open at 2 p.m.
Ten15 Folsom
1015 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

Saturday, March 1
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Olden Hall
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609

Saturday, March 8
Doors open at 5 p.m.
Best Buy (NOHO)
622 Broadway
New York, NY 10012

The finals will also take place in New York on March 8, as part of Best Buy's Midnight Madness launch event for Smash Bros. Brawl. All tournament participants will receive $10 Best Buy gift certificates.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlnintendosmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrosssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawltournamentsScott Jon Siegel2008-02-14T11:59:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl sales exceed 1 million in Japanhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/smash-bros-brawl-sales-exceed-1-million-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/smash-bros-brawl-sales-exceed-1-million-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/smash-bros-brawl-sales-exceed-1-million-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,


And so the total number of Japanese people that we utterly despise rises to 1 million. Actually, it's 1.08 million, which is the number of Super Smash Bros. Brawl discs that have been sold since the game's launch on January 31st. Reuters reminds us that it took Wii Fit seven weeks to accomplish a similar feet feat, with even Wii Sports (sold separately in Japan) dallying for 11 weeks before crossing the 1 million mark.

There aren't many weeks left between us and the game's American debut, but by then it'll be our turn to become targets for an entire continent's hatred and jealousy.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>BrawlJapanSmash-BrosSmash-Bros-BrawlSmashBrosSuper-Smash-Bros-BrawlSuperSmashBrosBrawlLudwig Kietzmann2008-02-12T09:49:00+00:00Just blow: Smash Bros Brawl disc problems blamed on dusthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/just-blow-smash-bros-brawl-disc-problems-blamed-on-dust/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/just-blow-smash-bros-brawl-disc-problems-blamed-on-dust/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/just-blow-smash-bros-brawl-disc-problems-blamed-on-dust/#commentsFiled under: ,


Though many of Japan's Wii owners may now be in possession of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, not all of them can necessarily play it. IGN reports that a number of users are reporting that the Brawl discs will not run properly on their consoles, a problem which actually stems from dirt build-up in the Wii itself.

Brawl is uniquely affected by this problem due to the game's size, which makes it the first title on the Wii to be pressed on a dual-layer DVD. The special disc requires a more fine-tuned read from the optical sensor, which is causing problems in systems clogged with dirt and tobacco smoke. Rather than suggesting they "blow," Nintendo has set up a cleaning service for players affected. Japanese owners who send their Wii consoles, copies of Brawl and warranty cards to a service center in Kyoto will have their systems repaired within one week, and Nintendo will cover all cleaning and shipping costs.

While we're happy Nintendo is taking responsibility for the problem, we're also personally hoping that those affected kept their consoles in squalid conditions. If even small amounts of dust can affect the playability of the Brawl discs, then we're looking at a lot of impatient, unhappy customers in the States come March 9th.

[Via Eurogamer]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>japannintendosmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlScott Jon Siegel2008-02-04T11:55:00+00:00Rumor: Resident Evil 4 to blame for no Capcom in Brawlhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/rumor-resident-evil-4-to-blame-for-no-capcom-in-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/rumor-resident-evil-4-to-blame-for-no-capcom-in-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/rumor-resident-evil-4-to-blame-for-no-capcom-in-brawl/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Before the deluge of Super Smash Bros. Brawl information following the Japanese release, we were still all hoping to see Mega Man, Leon Kennedy, or maybe even Ryu appear in the game's sizable roster. Now that the dust has cleared, with no Capcom characters in sight, the only question left to ask is: why?

Kotaku has reportedly spoken with insider sources at Nintendo, who claim that the lost exclusivity of Resident Evil 4 caused Nintendo to reconsider the inclusion of Capcom characters in Brawl. RE4 was originally meant to be exclusive to the Gamecube, but concerns over sales led Capcom to release the title on PS2, and later on PC, with additional content.

While Nintendo has the right to be peeved about the broken exclusivity agreement, the addition of Capcom's franchises to the Brawl lineup could have only benefited Nintendo, and created more hype for the title (if that's even possible). While we're a bit unsure whether to buy into this rumor, if true then we can only hope that Capcom and Nintendo kiss and make up in time to offer some new characters as downloadable content (hey, we can dream, can't we?).

Update: Slight factual error corrected; Capcom announced the PS2 version prior to the release of the Gamecube version. [Thanks, 2bit]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlcapcomnintendoresident-evil-4residentevil4rumorssmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlScott Jon Siegel2008-02-04T06:00:00+00:00Nintendo teases PAL regions with Brawl release datehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/nintendo-teases-pal-regions-with-brawl-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/nintendo-teases-pal-regions-with-brawl-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/nintendo-teases-pal-regions-with-brawl-release-date/#commentsFiled under: ,


While Wii owners in Japan are feverishly playing Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and everyone in the States is biting their fingernails in anticipation of the March release, we forget our friends in the PAL region, who thus far haven't even been given a firm release date for Nintendo's franchise fighter. Wii Fanboy helps us catch up with all the drama.

A few days ago, Nintendo updated the Brawl page of their UK site, posting a release date of June 1st for the game. Once word had gotten out of the posted date, Nintendo quietly removed it, replacing it with the super-helpful time frame of "2008."

What's even weirder is Nintendo's denial of the slipped release, claiming the update is likely a mistake as June 1st is a Sunday. Keep in mind that the official Brawl release date in the US is March 9th: a Sunday. So either it's a flimsy excuse for an unannounced release date, or the date really doesn't mean anything. Either way, we'll keep you updated on whether Nintendo ever decides to "set a date" with our PAL pals.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawleuropenintendopalsmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbukScott Jon Siegel2008-02-01T12:00:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl shortages imminenthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/smash-bros-brawl-shortages-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/smash-bros-brawl-shortages-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/smash-bros-brawl-shortages-imminent/#commentsFiled under: ,

ssbb
Japan is poised to suffer significant Super Smash Bros. Brawl shortages when the game is officially released on Thursday, reports Game|Life. Nintendo has failed to supply as much as 75% of pre-order units to retailers; likely due to production delays and oversights. Though the shortage would seem to pale in comparison to Wii hardware scarcity, a meager Brawl launch would underscore Nintendo's continued struggle to operate a functional supply chain.

Game|Life theorizes that Japan's expected shortages explain Brawl's delay in North America, as it will take until March for Nintendo to manufacture an ample shipment of units for the territory - not to mention, fulfill the rest of Japan's demand. Others speculate that Nintendo is intentionally withholding supply to give its WiFi Connection service a chance to adapt to the inescapable surge of online Brawl players. This isn't the first time Nintendo has been accused of such tactics, and - if someone don't fix that damn supply chain - it won't be the last.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlimportjapansmash-brossmashbrosssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlsupersmashbrosbrawlJames Ransom-Wiley2008-01-29T19:00:00+00:00Japanese Brawl intro hints at unannounced characters, looks sweethttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/japanese-brawl-intro-hints-at-unannounced-characters-looks-swee/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/japanese-brawl-intro-hints-at-unannounced-characters-looks-swee/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/japanese-brawl-intro-hints-at-unannounced-characters-looks-swee/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With the Japanese release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl only two days away, the deluge of video content has really only just begun. Today, it's the full introductory cinematic to the Japanese version, showing off a mixture of pre-rendered cut-scenes and gameplay footage designed to make us bite our fingernails with anticipation.

Surprisingly, the game's intro sequence even reveals a couple of unannounced old favorites returning to the fray. We won't give away any names here, but suffice it to say that a lot of you will be happy. Check out the full intro after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlnintendosmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbScott Jon Siegel2008-01-29T05:38:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl footage reveals story mode detailshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/smash-bros-brawl-footage-reveals-story-mode-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/smash-bros-brawl-footage-reveals-story-mode-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/smash-bros-brawl-footage-reveals-story-mode-details/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're (supposedly) nearing the release of what could arguably be considered the Wii's most anticipated title ever, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and we're all drowning in a deluge of information about the game. However, as much as we hate to add to the noise, you simply must watch the above video, which shows a few short, but sweet, gameplay clips from the Subspace Emissary story mode.

It looks like Nintendo has improved the side-scrolling gameplay featured in Melee, and has crafted personalized single-player (or co-op) stages for a number of characters in the game. With videos like this dropping regularly, and with only a month and some change until the game drops, we're going to need to invest in a fairly sizable drool guard to preserve our poor, saliva-covered computer monitors.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlnintendosmashbrossmashbrosbrawlsubspaceemissarywiiGriffin McElroy2008-01-26T14:00:00+00:00Video introduces the new Smash Bros. Brawl fightershttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/video-introduces-the-new-smash-bros-brawl-fighters/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/video-introduces-the-new-smash-bros-brawl-fighters/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/18/video-introduces-the-new-smash-bros-brawl-fighters/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the slow information leak coming out of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we fear that the effect may have been something akin to Chinese water torture for the staff. A few of us (who shall remain unnamed) have taken to cosplaying different characters from the game, either by wearing elaborate character costumes, or, in some of the more desperate cases, just shouting their names repeatedly.

The worst part is that some of our now mentally unstable staff can't even remember what fighters are in the game anymore. We're sure that we've seen a Wu-Tang Clan costume or two, and at least one of our staff has taken to dressing as Chun Li. Thankfully, GameTrailers has put together this video profiling some of the new fighters from the game to help us keep them straight. It pulled us back from the edge, we hope it does the same for you.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>smashbrosssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlsupersmashbrosbrawlJustin McElroy2008-01-18T09:10:00+00:00It's worth the wait: Smash Bros. Brawl scores 40/40 from Famitsuhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/its-worth-the-wait-smash-bros-brawl-scores-40-40-from-famitsu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/its-worth-the-wait-smash-bros-brawl-scores-40-40-from-famitsu/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/its-worth-the-wait-smash-bros-brawl-scores-40-40-from-famitsu/#commentsFiled under: ,


The good citizens over at NeoGAF have picked up the latest issue of Famitsu, and revealed that Super Smash Bros. Brawl has garnered a perfect score from the Japanese magazine. Well, at least we now know it'll be worth all the delays.

Brawl is only the seventh game in Famitsu history to receive a 40/40. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first back in 1998, followed by Soul Calibur, Vagrant Story, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendogs, and Final Fantasy XII. Of course, Famitsu's score just represents the opinions of four reviewers, so we'll have to wait for more reviews to come out before we decide whether or not this is worth the purchase (yeah right).

[Via Game|Life]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlfamitsusmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbScott Jon Siegel2008-01-16T06:00:00+00:00Japanese Smash Bros. commercials tease its nearing releasehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/japanese-smash-bros-commercials-tease-its-nearing-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/japanese-smash-bros-commercials-tease-its-nearing-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/japanese-smash-bros-commercials-tease-its-nearing-release/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GameTrailers shows three Japanese Super Smash Bros. Brawl commercials made of in-game and animated footage. We know you Smash fans have been shaking since Nintendo pushed back the fighting title; let these clips deliver your Nintendo-fighter fix before the February 10 North America release. (Japan gets it at the end of this month, while other territories have to wait even longer.)

Keep your eyes peeled for random Nintendo background characters; that's our favorite game-within-the-game.

See the other two videos after the break.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>nintendosmashsmash-brossmashbrosssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlwiiZack Stern2008-01-05T20:02:00+00:00Nintendo: no plans for a Kirby Wii titlehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/nintendo-no-plans-for-a-kirby-wii-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/nintendo-no-plans-for-a-kirby-wii-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/nintendo-no-plans-for-a-kirby-wii-title/#commentsFiled under:


Despite Kirby's prominent appearance in the Wii's megaton title Smash Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo has no plans of giving the little pink vacuum cleaner his own game on the console, according to the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine.

In the magazine's Q&A section, Nintendo's official response is: "There are no plans right now for a Kirby game on Wii but there are plenty of Kirby fans out there, so in the meantime look out for Kirby in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl which will be released in 2008."

Though Kirby has always been best suited to 2D side-scrolling adventures, we're still a bit disappointed that Nintendo isn't considering any Wii love for the squishy mascot. We can't think of any clever waggle functionality, but wouldn't it just be fun to turn the Wii-mote on its side and let Kirby run free in a 2.5D adventure?

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlkirbysmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbsuper-smash-bros-brawlScott Jon Siegel2007-12-18T08:00:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl dated for Europe ... at a 'later date'http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/smash-bros-brawl-dated-for-europe-at-a-later-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/smash-bros-brawl-dated-for-europe-at-a-later-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/smash-bros-brawl-dated-for-europe-at-a-later-date/#commentsFiled under: ,

ki'ya!
Since 'June 2008 or beyond' didn't exactly resonate with European Wii owners, Nintendo has quickly, albeit indirectly revised its update on the European release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In a statement responding to yesterday's concerns about Brawl missing from a tentative Q1/Q2 release list, Nintendo has said: "All Nintendo software titles launching in Q2 2008 have not been finalized or confirmed to date. Nintendo will communicate on all software titles launching in Q2 2008 for Wii and Nintendo DS at a later date" -- oh, except for Mario Kart Wii, that one's definitely coming Q2.

Nintendo can dangle Mario Kart in our faces all its wants, but that won't change the fact that its stance on Brawl in Europe remains as vague as ever. Europe's used to waiting, so c'mon Nintendo, either end it with a swift kick to the dome or just lay the bad news on us.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>BrawlSmashBrosSuper-Smash-BrosSuper-Smash-Bros-BrawlSuperSmashBrosSuperSmashBrosBrawlJames Ransom-Wiley2007-12-07T13:51:00+00:00Smash Bros. Brawl not expected in Europe until Q3 '08http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/smash-bros-brawl-not-expected-in-europe-until-q3-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/smash-bros-brawl-not-expected-in-europe-until-q3-08/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/smash-bros-brawl-not-expected-in-europe-until-q3-08/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo hates Europe: Confirmed? It's not the steadfast and ever-lingering sort of hate, but rather that insidious aura which prompts someone to suffocate you with a pillow as soon as you're comfortable enough to share a bed with them. After all, our gaming pals in Europe didn't have to endure entirely ridiculous waits for Metroid Prime 3 or Super Mario Galaxy, and managed to enjoy both excellent titles while they were still fresh in the memories of those on more privileged continents. Even next year's Mario Kart Wii got a spot on Nintendo's latest second quarter release list.

Cross-over cartoon violence spectacular, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, was sadly omitted from said list, prompting Videogamer.com to politely ask Nintendo when Europe could expect its arrival. "If the game is not listed on the schedule up until the end of Q2 it is currently not due out until after that time," came the bloodcurdling answer. That places Super Smash Bros. Brawl in June at earliest, roughly four months after the game's American release in February. We hope this is nothing more than a precaution (would another delay surprise anybody?), as we simply cannot comprehend this level of cruelty being inflicted upon Europe intentionally -- and we watch the Royal Variety Performance every year.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>BrawlSmashBrosSuper-Smash-BrosSuper-Smash-Bros-BrawlSuperSmashBrosSuperSmashBrosBrawlLudwig Kietzmann2007-12-06T10:53:00+00:00Betting comes to Brawl with Spectator Modehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/betting-comes-to-brawl-with-spectator-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/betting-comes-to-brawl-with-spectator-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/betting-comes-to-brawl-with-spectator-mode/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Those with a gambling addiction or who just simply "like to watch" are in for a treat when Super Smash Bros. Brawl finally (hopefully) launches in February 2008. Hot off the official Brawl website is the news that Nintendo's all-star fighter will include a Spectator mode, allowing players to sit back and watch the carnage without lifting a finger.

Not content to simply let players observe each battle, Nintendo has also included a betting system, where players can use their hard-earned coins to wager on combatants during each Brawl battle. Winning can pay off big, but Nintendo has sweetened the pot even more by promising copious amounts of stickers to all the spectators, with the potential for "extra prizes."

Of course, regular paranoid Wii online limitations still remain: you won't be able to see the names of any of the players you'll be watching, and Spectator Mode matches you with upcoming online battles automatically, so it doesn't seem like you'll be able to follow one fighter over a number of matches. And we don't even really know what those coins will do in the game. Still, everyone likes gambling, right?

[Thanks, Brock_UK]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>nintendosmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbwiiScott Jon Siegel2007-11-16T08:30:00+00:00King Dedede joins the Smash Bros Brawl casthttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/king-dedede-joins-the-smash-bros-brawl-cast/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/king-dedede-joins-the-smash-bros-brawl-cast/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/king-dedede-joins-the-smash-bros-brawl-cast/#commentsFiled under: ,


Warning! Challenger approaching! Every time we pop onto the Smash Bros Brawl website and see those words, our hearts go all a-flutter. This morning, the new competitor in the ever-growing Brawl cast is King Dedede, Kirby's recurring nemesis going all the way back to the original Kirby's Dream Land on the Game Boy.

King Dedede is an addition to the "heavyweight" ranks of Brawl, joining Donkey Kong and Bowser as a slow, but powerful character. He sports a brutal hammer, a big belly, and -- we're crossing our fingers -- hopefully the ability to echo Kirby's most famous move by inhaling and shooting out his enemies, in a manner reminiscent of his boss battles.

This brings the number of Kirby characters in Nintendo's fighter up from a meager one in Melee to an impressive three. Could other lonely franchise characters be receiving the same treatment?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>brawlkirbysmash-brossmash-bros-brawlsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbScott Jon Siegel2007-10-25T04:00:00+00:00