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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Renting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/#commentsFiled under:


Renting at the start of a console's lifespan always made sense to us (and the N64 kid): at a platform launch, all games carry a premium price tag, so borrowing your games is plainly a good idea.

However, the Wii is now well past its second birthday, and cheap games are absolutely plentiful. Renting therefore seems redundant, but a quick Google search will reveal plenty of places willing to sling you a Wii game for a few bucks, so somebody is borrowing them.

Are you one of those people, and if so, why? Maybe there's a good reason to rent that we haven't thought of. Are current economic woes causing people to explore cheaper ways of playing games?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Renting originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rentalsrentingwwuThu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Celebrities]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/#commentsFiled under:


Not so long ago, Nintendo was content to advertise its biggest franchises with kids rapping awkwardly on a sofa. Since then, things have changed somewhat. In a bid to capture more and more of the expanded audience, Ninty is throwing the celebrities at us, such as those in the UK advert above (Harry Redknapp's evident confusion during the Brawl segment is something we shall always enjoy seeing).

How do you view slebs being used to endorse some of your favorite gaming products? Is it a horribly cynical marketing ploy, or simply a very cunning tactic on Nintendo's part? Also, do you know of anybody who was nudged toward a Nintendo-branded system by one of these adverts?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Celebrities originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcelebritywwuWed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Bit.Trip: Which Beats?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/wii-warm-up-bit-trip-which-beats/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/wii-warm-up-bit-trip-which-beats/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/wii-warm-up-bit-trip-which-beats/#commentsFiled under:

The debut footage of Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip: Beat received a mainly positive response from our (obviously very cultured) readers, but one comment in particular got us thinking. Reader Go1denchi1d suggested the game needed an editor, to allow us to compile our own chiptune ditties, and we could not agree more strongly.

No such feature has been announced (yet), but if it were, which song would you want to recreate (and deflect colored blocks to) first?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Bit.Trip: Which Beats? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksysbit-trip-beatgaijin-gamesretrorhythmwwuThu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: How long?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/wii-warm-up-how-long/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/wii-warm-up-how-long/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/08/wii-warm-up-how-long/#commentsFiled under:

It's a simple question, but also a vital one when it comes to establishing those all-important fanboy credentials: in an average day, how long do you spend playing on your Wii?

Does your time playing on Nintendo's system vary greatly from the time you dedicate to other gaming platforms? And in your memory, what's the longest period you've not played the console for?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: How long? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wwuThu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Building a tower]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/wii-warm-up-building-a-tower/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/wii-warm-up-building-a-tower/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/wii-warm-up-building-a-tower/#commentsFiled under:

Quite a specific Wii Warm Up this morning, in that it's just for World of Goo players. Having recently started the game (remember that it only came out in Europe recently), I'm still only on the third chapter, but find myself constantly drawn back to the "World of Goo Corporation" mode. Here, players can construct huge, wobbly towers of goo from the excess goo balls they rescue in the main game.

I am transfixed by this mode (which I realize is basically Tower of Goo, the game that kicked off 2D Boy's WiiWare adventure), and will contentedly spend a couple of hours building, before inevitably watching my creations collapse. So far, I've managed a tower of around 23 meters, which I know you guys have bettered. What's the highest you've managed?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Building a tower originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d-boyworld-of-goowwuTue, 06 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Gaming tantrums]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/wii-warm-up-gaming-tantrums/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/wii-warm-up-gaming-tantrums/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/01/wii-warm-up-gaming-tantrums/#commentsFiled under: ,

To what extent do games make you lose your temper? While it may seem silly for an older youth/adult to lose their rag over a game, we recognize that our hobby can still be frustrating.

Do you loudly voice your annoyance, throw controllers about the place, or, like this blogger, mutter dark thoughts under your breath? I'd like to just let it all out in the same way as the kid above, but this sort of behavior is "frowned upon" once you hit 28.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Gaming tantrums originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childrenwwuThu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Your chat, show us it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/wii-warm-up-your-chat-show-us-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/wii-warm-up-your-chat-show-us-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/25/wii-warm-up-your-chat-show-us-it/#commentsFiled under:

Well, we'd like to start today by saying:

Hey, you reading this! HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WII FANBOY! The site wouldn't be the same without our unfailingly handsome and beautiful readers, so thanks for being one of them!

Just as we did last year, we're reserving this space for anything you want to talk about (so long as it's within, y'know, the bounds of decency). Tell us who you're spending today with. Talk about the TV you'll be watching, or the games you'll be waggling to. Brag about all of your cool new gifts. And remember: whatever you want to chat about, make sure you consume twice your own body weight in turkey and eggnog first. That's kind of the law today.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Your chat, show us it originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidaywwuThu, 25 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: The Club]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/wii-warm-up-the-club/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/wii-warm-up-the-club/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/wii-warm-up-the-club/#commentsFiled under:


So it's happened -- Club Nintendo has finally made it to North America. Sure, the website has been a bit shaky on its newborn legs, but the important thing is: it's free stuff. Some of the prizes are unexpectedly awesome as well, hailing as they do from the Japanese program. Browse most forums and it's clear that Game & Watch Collection is a favorite, but we're also loving those classy DS Card and Stylus cases.

What's your favorite freebie on the service (full range here), and have you ordered anything yet? Have any of you found a reason to grumble about Nintendo giving away gifts?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: The Club originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>club-nintendogame-and-watch-collectionwwuThu, 18 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Ready 2 Rumble with Hasselhoff?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wii-warm-up-ready-2-rumble-with-hasselhoff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wii-warm-up-ready-2-rumble-with-hasselhoff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wii-warm-up-ready-2-rumble-with-hasselhoff/#commentsFiled under:

Ready 2 Rumble is making a Balboa-esque comeback on Wii, but here's the catch: Ready 2 Rumble: Revolution will follow an example set by Celebrity Sports Showdown, by having only caricatured celebrities as fighters. That means no Afro Thunder, Boris "The Bear" Knokimov, or any of the other original cast.

While fighting as a moobed Simon Cowell wouldn't be our first choice, if the game is as fun as the Dreamcast titles were, we'll suck it up and get throwing haymakers. What do you personally make of AKI wheeling in the slebs? Would the fact the original line-up is totally missing color your decision to buy Ready 2 Rumble? And who did you use back then? We were Angel Rivera experts.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Ready 2 Rumble with Hasselhoff? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akiatariboxingready-2-rumbleready-2-rumble-revolutionwwuThu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Turkey Day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/wii-warm-up-turkey-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/wii-warm-up-turkey-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/27/wii-warm-up-turkey-day/#commentsFiled under:


To those of you who celebrate it, happy Thanksgiving! And happy Thursday to everybody else! We'll be running a reduced shedule today, but we'll still be there, in the form of a few posts and also in your hearts (perhaps). Anyway, let's talk Turkey Day, and more specifically what role gaming will take in your Thanksgiving celebrations. As this is a time for families and togetherness, the Wii is probably the ideal Thanksgiving console. What will you be playing between mouthfuls of turkey and cranberry sauce?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Turkey Day originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thanksgivingthursdaywwuThu, 27 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Joy be thine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/wii-warm-up-joy-be-thine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/wii-warm-up-joy-be-thine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/wii-warm-up-joy-be-thine/#commentsFiled under:


Christmas: for those who celebrate it, a time of joy, happiness, togetherness, and rampant, ugly consumerism. Love it or hate it, you can't exactly ignore it, so let's talk some more about your plans for this season of "love and laughter and joy" (thanks, Cliff). Which Wii games do you plan to put on your list to Santa, and -- more importantly -- what will you be buying others?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Joy be thine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasnintendo-sixty-foooooooooourwwuThu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: What's your set-up?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-warm-up-whats-your-set-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-warm-up-whats-your-set-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-warm-up-whats-your-set-up/#commentsFiled under:


The Wii has its fair share of titles that look and sound stunning, but how do you show them off? Today we're talking gaming set-ups, and want to know about every aspect of yours: TVs, sound systems, projectors, speakers, amplifiers, the lot. We're especially keen to see pictures, so if you want to attract our extreme envy, now is your chance. If anybody comes close to competing with the ($6 million) set-up above, feel free to add your address.

Also, because it's amazing, let's look at some more Super Mario Galaxy:

JoystiqWii Warm Up: What's your set-up? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>home-theatertvwwuThu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Peripheral issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/#commentsFiled under: ,


Wii peripherals have proven a profitable business for Nintendo, and a new member, the WiiSpeak microphone, will join this rapidly growing family later this month. In our experience, these accessories mostly enhance the games they support, and that's great and all, but it has been a while since we actually perched on our Balance Boards, or waved our Wii Wheel about to Mario Kart Wii, or Zappered zombies. When was the last time you played a Wii title with something other than a naked Wiimote and Nunchuk, and what was the game?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Peripheral issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardwii-motionpluswii-wheelwiispeakwwuzapperThu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Virtual Console plus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/wii-warm-up-virtual-console-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/wii-warm-up-virtual-console-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/wii-warm-up-virtual-console-plus/#commentsFiled under: ,

Okay, hypothetical question time. I recently acquired an Xbox 360 to keep my Wii and DS company, and have spent most of my time playing games on Xbox Live Arcade. My chief obsession in this short period has been Treasure shooter Ikaruga, which I previously enjoyed on the GameCube. The Xbox Live Arcade version is different, however, having been fleshed out with some neat additions, including the ability to upload/download replays and online leaderboards.

Now, I like these features. In fact, I like the leaderboard aspect so much that I began to wonder why Virtual Console games didn't offer such extras. Given the choice, would you like to see stuff like leaderboards and other additions (for example, some new galleries of old art, a developer commentary or interview, etc.) included with Virtual Console releases, or would you rather not spoil the pristine authenticity of the service? I used to be in the latter camp, enjoying the unspoiled genuineness of VC games, but now find myself wanting more!

The big gallery feature is approaching at full throttle. According to the data, it is identified as "Awesome Treasure Gallery."

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Virtual Console plus originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ikarugawwuThu, 30 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Tempted by Rock Band 2 now?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-warm-up-tempted-by-rock-band-2-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-warm-up-tempted-by-rock-band-2-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/wii-warm-up-tempted-by-rock-band-2-now/#commentsFiled under:


On the Wii, Rock Band 2 is everything the first Rock Band should have been. Like the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, the Wii edition of the title will ship with head-to-head online play, online co-op World Tour mode, and daily downloadable "Battle of the Bands" challenges, and you'll even be able to download all Rock Band 1 DLC. We'd congratulate EA and Harmonix on such a turnaround, if just releasing a complete game was worthy of our praise. It isn't, but we're happy things are better this time.

Has the knowledge we now have about Rock Band 2 caused you to alter your plans when it comes to deciding between EA's game and Guitar Hero: World Tour?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Tempted by Rock Band 2 now? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaguitar-hero-world-tourharmonixmusicrhythmrock-band-2wwuThu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: On how Travis can win your heart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/wii-warm-up-on-how-travis-can-win-your-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/wii-warm-up-on-how-travis-can-win-your-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/wii-warm-up-on-how-travis-can-win-your-heart/#commentsFiled under:

So our secret is out: we're already totally hot for No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle. Aside from its name and the brief trailer we gushed about yesterday, little is known about the title (it might not even be a Wii game), but our love for the first No More Heroes means we're already unhealthily excited for this follow-up.

We recognize that not everybody feels the same way, however. In the replies to our 9/10 review of Goichi Suda's Wii debut, a number of people suggested they were -- gasp -- disappointed by the game.

If you were one of those non-fans, what needs to change in the sequel to convert you?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: On how Travis can win your heart originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grasshopper-manufacturemarvelousno-more-heroesNo-More-Heroes-2-Desperate-StrugglewwuThu, 09 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Get your prediction on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/wii-warm-up-get-your-prediction-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/wii-warm-up-get-your-prediction-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/01/wii-warm-up-get-your-prediction-on/#commentsFiled under:

This time tomorrow, we'll know whether the much-discussed Nintendo Media Summit was worth all the excitement. In the meantime, we've a simple question: what do you all expect and/or hope to be announced at the event?

The Wii Fanboy staff tend to be divided on the matter. Dave is predicting a Wii Fit add-on pack or new Channel update that uses the leaked pedometer peripheral, Wesley suspects this rumor could mean the unveiling of Kid Icarus or Punch-Out!! (though says his "money would be on Kid Icarus"), JC forecasts dates for Disaster: Day of Crisis and Fatal Frame IV, while Mike and Dave both think we could see a solution to our ongoing storage woes (as do I, actually).

Over to you, reader. What has Nintendo got up its sleeve?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Get your prediction on originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>megatonsnintendo-media-summitnmsnms08wwuWed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Wii Cubed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-warm-up-wii-cubed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-warm-up-wii-cubed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/wii-warm-up-wii-cubed/#commentsFiled under:


It's been a while since we previously enquired, but as this blogger restarted Pikmin 2 last night (and naturally can't wait for the follow-up), we felt compelled to ask again: what was the last GameCube title you played on your Wii? Did you miss being able to waggle?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Wii Cubed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecubepikminwwuThu, 25 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Your ideal Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/wii-warm-up-your-ideal-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/wii-warm-up-your-ideal-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/wii-warm-up-your-ideal-hero/#commentsFiled under:


We've had Aerosmith, we might be getting Metallica, and, if we believe the words of Guns N' Roses axe-wielder Slash, we could yet see Hendrix. Whether you like them or not, one-band Guitar Hero titles appear to be on the rise, which leads to the inevitable question: if you occupied a position of great importance at Activision, who would you base a Guitar Hero game on?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Your ideal Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heromusicwwuThu, 18 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: On commercials]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/wii-warm-up-on-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/wii-warm-up-on-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/wii-warm-up-on-commercials/#commentsFiled under: ,



Nintendo history is littered with famous TV commercials (many of which have since become memes in their own right), and there have been plenty of memorable efforts for Wii games so far, including some really funny Fatal Frame IV spots and the love-it-or-hate-it Cowboy Jed trailers for Mario Kart Wii. What's your favorite Nintendo commercial of all time?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: On commercials originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialwwuThu, 11 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: The (new) hype machine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/wii-warm-up-the-new-hype-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/wii-warm-up-the-new-hype-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/wii-warm-up-the-new-hype-machine/#commentsFiled under:


57 days divided the announcement and Japanese release of Wario Land: Shake It!. For Captain Rainbow, the gap between unveiling and launch was just 50 days. Disaster: Day of Crisis is a slightly different case. While it was originally revealed at E3 in 2006, it was only late last month that Nintendo acknowledged it still existed, before announcing this week that Disaster would strike ... next month.

We don't recall it always being like this. We still remember the agonizing wait for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (period from announcement to store shelf debut: 35 months), and the constant brooding over screenshots and tidbits. This still happens with some Nintendo releases, but increasingly the company is announcing titles close to release. It may sound bizarre to criticize this tactic (because hey, less waiting time is better, right?), but now we barely have a chance to get excited. In fact, we nostalgic old fools sort of miss the days when we'd get hyped up for a game for years. Are we weird?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: The (new) hype machine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain-rainbowhypewariowario-land-shake-itwwuThu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: The others]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/wii-warm-up-the-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/wii-warm-up-the-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/wii-warm-up-the-others/#commentsFiled under:


We usually use the Wii Warm Up to discuss and dissect Wii-related minutiae, but today we want to know more about your non-Nintendo gaming habits. Which other consoles do you own (current-gen or otherwise), which is your favorite (after the Wii, naturally), and what did you last play/are you currently playing through?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: The others originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braidgizmondopcps3pspwwuxbox360Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: When a little extra is too much]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/wii-warm-up-when-a-little-extra-is-too-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/wii-warm-up-when-a-little-extra-is-too-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/wii-warm-up-when-a-little-extra-is-too-much/#commentsFiled under:


Hear the one about the WiiWare game that cost 500 Wii Points and came with 1,500 Points worth of downloadable content? We refer, of course, to Space Invaders Get Even!, a title that we have gushed about for some time, only to discover it comes with some very pricey DLC. Once we've forked out 500 Points for the barebones game, we've still got to pay three times that again for the full package, essentially making it more expensive than (almost) all other WiiWare!

We understand why DLC appeals to publishers such as Square Enix, and we also know that we don't have to download it (so please, no need to enlighten us in the comments), but do you think Space Invaders Get Even!'s DLC is excessive? Where do you personally draw the line on what you'll spend on downloadable extras? And in your opinion, what percentage of a game's total cost should consist of DLC?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: When a little extra is too much originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcshooterspace-invaderssquare-enixtaitowwuWed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: WiiTrademark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've known about WiiSpeak since E3, but it could have turned out to be quite different -- in name, at least. Siliconera's Spencer Yip has discovered a pile of trademarks registered by Nintendo in Japan from July 2nd - 4th, which he surmises are alternate names for the WiiSpeak device (considering E3 began on July 14th, Nintendo obviously left it late to settle on what to call its microphone add-on!).

These trademarks include "Wii to Wii," "Wii2Wii," "WiiFriend," "WiiTalk," and the final name, "WiiSpeak." We quite like "WiiTalk," but we're pleased Nintendo didn't opt for "Wii2Wii," which smacks of TXT MSG speak, which we despise.

What do you think of Nintendo's shortlist? Do you have any other suggestions outside of their ideas, or do you feel they chose the right name?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: WiiTrademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wiispeakwwuSat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Virtually yours]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/wii-warm-up-virtually-yours/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/wii-warm-up-virtually-yours/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/wii-warm-up-virtually-yours/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's been over a year since we last checked up on your Virtual Console collections, and as the service has a tendency of throwing up new games now and again (even if updates are slower than ever), and there's now also WiiWare to consider, we thought we'd pry again.

So, your Virtual Console (and WiiWare) collection: show us it.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Virtually yours originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wwuSat, 16 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: First-party Fanboy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/02/wii-warm-up-first-party-fanboy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Njoy's "G-Board" Balance Board will become the first third-party Balance Board released to market on September 12th, yet not many of you were bowled over by it.

A prohibitive price probably didn't help in that respect (Njoy's Board is just £5 less than Nintendo's own Balance Board, which comes with Wii Fit), but where do you stand (har) in general on third-party controllers and peripherals, be they Zappers, Balance Boards, or Wiimotes? Several gamers we speak to tell us how they'll only buy first-party, the logic being that the original manufacturers of any console will always make the best and most suitable controllers for it. Is that an idea you subscribe to?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: First-party Fanboy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardthird-partywwuSat, 02 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Going Classic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/26/wii-warm-up-going-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/26/wii-warm-up-going-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/26/wii-warm-up-going-classic/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're rather big fans of the (potentially endangered) Classic Controller, so were delighted to learn that High Voltage would be including support for the peripheral in its excellent-looking Animales de la Muerte. Producer Micah Skaritka's suggestion that the control scheme would be comparable to Smash TV was especially encouraging, and we now know exactly how we'll be taking down any zombie giraffes that cross us.

Animales is far from the first WiiWare title to use the Classic Controller, so what's your preferred weapon of choice when a variety of control options are available? Is there any WiiWare that you feel might have benefited from going Classic?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Going Classic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animales-de-la-muerteclassic-controllerwwuSat, 26 Jul 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/#commentsFiled under:


Because we've also asked DS fans, we thought we'd pose the same question here: how would you rate the Wii's E3?

Despite the angry tidal wave of criticism over what many (but not all) saw as a disappointing Nintendo keynote, the more recent announcement of a third Pikmin game seems to have tempered the outcry a little. Not that there was a shortage of announcements in the first place -- WiiSpeak, Wii Sports Resort, Animal Crossing: City Folk, MotionPlus, Wii Music, and online, WiiSpeak-enabled multiplayer in The Conduit were all entirely new to us.

Fill us in on the bits of E3 you liked, the bits you hated, the surprises, and the no-shows.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossing-city-folke3-2008e308pikminthe-conduitwi-musicwii-motionpluswii-sports-resortwiispeakwwuFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Provide your own soundtrack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/wii-warm-up-provide-your-own-soundtrack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/wii-warm-up-provide-your-own-soundtrack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/wii-warm-up-provide-your-own-soundtrack/#commentsFiled under:


Photos from Flickr user beastandbean recently popped up in our RSS feed, titled "Wii Fit Jams: Music to exercise to!" Now, we never really got the appeal of listening to other music while playing a game, but then perhaps we're really old and fusty and out of touch (likelihood of this: high).

We can sort of understand it with Wii Fit, with its plinky-plonky elevator music (music which is designed to be nothing more than background noise), but some friends of ours actually play their record collections all the time with every game. Are we alone in thinking they're as mad as a hatter?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Provide your own soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>musicsoundtrackwii-fitwwuFri, 20 Jun 2008 08:00:00 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[Wii Warm Up: What Brawl is missing?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/wii-warm-up-what-brawl-is-missing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/wii-warm-up-what-brawl-is-missing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/wii-warm-up-what-brawl-is-missing/#commentsFiled under:


Super Smash Bros. Brawl seems to have pretty much every base covered. Really, it's the ultimate gaming box of chocolates, boasting an absurdly vast array of fighting modes, trophies, characters, items, stages, stickers, challenges, music, snapshots, customized stages, and much, much more. But here's something it doesn't have: Miis.

Reader Mark wrote to us pointing out that he rather liked the idea of putting himself up against the Brawl cast. We hadn't even considered this, but now Mii integration in Brawl appeals to us also! It may seem churlish to complain about a lack of stuff to do in Brawl, but then Miis make appearances in other Nintendo titles, so why not Brawl? Think you'd have enjoyed seeing a miniature, blobby version of yourself kicking Pikachu in the gums? Of course you would!

Oh, and bonus points to anybody who can tell us who the dozen Miis above are based on.

[Thanks, Mark!]

JoystiqWii Warm Up: What Brawl is missing? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightingsuper-smash-broswwuThu, 13 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Getting your TV on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/wii-warm-up-getting-your-tv-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/wii-warm-up-getting-your-tv-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/wii-warm-up-getting-your-tv-on/#commentsFiled under:


To our pleasant surprise, the Television no Tomo Channel G Guide turned out to be even more well-rounded and awesome than we first anticipated. This is cause for cheer, obviously, but also makes us wonder: will U.S. Wii owners ever get the chance to channel surf with their Wiimotes? There are no plans announced yet, but perhaps we need to demonstrate to Nintendo that we're interested! So people, who would use this if it ever came stateside?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Getting your TV on originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tvtv-guidetv-no-tomotv-schedulewwuThu, 06 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Not the usual suspects]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/wii-warm-up-not-the-usual-suspects/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/wii-warm-up-not-the-usual-suspects/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/wii-warm-up-not-the-usual-suspects/#commentsFiled under:



Pretty much everybody is pumped for the big titles, and events such as the ongoing Game Developers Convention only further inflate such rabid anticipation. But what of smaller, less hyped games? Which upcoming titles are you looking forward to hearing news about that don't have "Smash," "Kart," "Fantasy," or "Fit" in their names?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Not the usual suspects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasyhypemario-kartsmash-bros-brawlwii-fitwwuThu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Gaming couples]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/wii-warm-up-gaming-couples/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/wii-warm-up-gaming-couples/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/wii-warm-up-gaming-couples/#commentsFiled under:

As it's the Most Romantic, Passionate Day of the Year[TM], we'd like to know how many of you regularly get to game with your partner or spouse? Gaming may once have been predominantly male territory, but the numbers are far more even nowadays, and a lot of that seems to be down to Nintendo and its all-encompassing approach.

If you are a gaming couple, what are your favorite titles to play together? Do you prefer co-op games, or to compete against one another? And if it's the latter, who wins?

See also: Valentine's Day for the gamer in your life

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Gaming couples originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lovevalentines-daywwuThu, 14 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: On Mario Kart Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/wii-warm-up-on-mario-kart-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/wii-warm-up-on-mario-kart-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/wii-warm-up-on-mario-kart-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,



We've been hearing new details about Mario Kart Wii recently, and it's pretty clear that there's going to be some notable tweaks made to the tried-and-trusted formula. Firstly, we should make one thing clear: we are genuinely thrilled about many of these modifications. Online leagues, global rankings, and online multiplayer for up to twelve people is the stuff dreams were made of back in 1991, when Super Mario Kart (above) was soaking up our afternoons like a particularly fun, addictive sponge (and on a tangential note, how well has that game aged?).

But look at some of the other changes being made: we already know about the bikes, but it looks like the game will also include aerial tricks and bike wheelies, introducing some sort of stunt element to the experience. Is this a case of Nintendo over-egging Mario Kart, in the same way that it over-egged Mario Kart: Double Dash!!? There's an awful lot to be excited about when it comes to Mario Kart Wii, but are you Mario Kart traditionalists concerned by some of these new developments, or is it simply too soon to tell?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: On Mario Kart Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mario-kartmario-kart-wiimariokartmariokartwiiracingwwuThu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Let's talk Rock Band]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/wii-warm-up-lets-talk-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/wii-warm-up-lets-talk-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/wii-warm-up-lets-talk-rock-band/#commentsFiled under:

EA confirmed earlier this week that it would be bringing Rock Band to the Wii, an announcement which prompted spontaneous high kicks and even the splits from most of the Wii Fanboy crew. This is a fantastic development, and the pairing of Rock Band and the Wii seems absolutely right. It's the ultimate party game for the console that is most suited to social gatherings.

So, we can't help ourselves. We want to chat some more about Harmonix's big-budget rhythm game, and get some of your thoughts. Firstly, will you be buying it? If so, all of the instruments? And which role will you be playing?

Also, is this the kind of thing your relatives would play with you? We'd love to see bands that span the generations, with grandmothers on bass and uncles maintaining a steady beat on the drums. Our families won't have a choice, frankly. They will be playing and they will enjoy it.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Let's talk Rock Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsharmonixmusicrhythmrock-bandwwuSun, 03 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: 'Fess up to your gaming non-achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/wii-warm-up-fess-up-to-your-gaming-non-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/wii-warm-up-fess-up-to-your-gaming-non-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/wii-warm-up-fess-up-to-your-gaming-non-achievements/#commentsFiled under:

We've all got them: those classic games that we just never got around to completing, or, in some cases, playing.

For his part, this blogger has only ever completed two -- TWO!! -- Zelda games (Link to the Past and Twilight Princess), and only made it through one-third of Super Mario Bros. 3. I have played other Zelda and Mario titles of course, sometimes for scores of hours each, but just never quite found the time to finish them. As for Super Mario Galaxy, that was left to collect dust a month ago, with only 21 stars obtained, and 99 still missing.

I am not proud of these facts. But I am coming clean now, and it feels good! So put any concerns about your precious gamer cred to one side, and tell us: which gaming classics have you either failed to complete, or not even tried? It'll be our secret. By which we mean, the entire internet's secret.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: 'Fess up to your gaming non-achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>legend-of-zeldamariosmgsuper-mario-bros-3super-mario-galaxytwilight-princesswwuzeldaSun, 20 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Gaming marathons]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/wii-warm-up-gaming-marathons/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/wii-warm-up-gaming-marathons/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/13/wii-warm-up-gaming-marathons/#commentsFiled under:



Gaming endurance seems to be a bit of a theme this week. First, there was the story of Bill Tangeman, who racked up a quite unearthly score by playing a single round of Geometry Wars: Galaxies on his DS for 24 hours. Then, and perhaps more impressively still, we heard about these guys, who are trying to complete four Zelda games in 48 hours for charity and pizza. As we type, they're speeding through The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

You pretty much know where this is going, then: we'd like to hear about your own marathon gaming sessions. It'd be nice if these were on the Wii, but we're also happy for you to tell us about that time you spent thirteen straight hours playing the first Halo in a friend's attic. Wait, no ... that was me. Oh, the sweaty, unwashed shame of it all!

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Gaming marathons originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geometry-wars-galaxieslegend-of-zeldawwuzeldaSun, 13 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: A good yarn]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/wii-warm-up-a-good-yarn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/wii-warm-up-a-good-yarn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/06/wii-warm-up-a-good-yarn/#commentsFiled under:



Cory Barlog's recent remarks on Super Mario Galaxy's "vapid story" riled quite a few of our readers, with many arguing that Mario games simply don't need much of a narrative hook to be hella fun.

That argument certainly has some weight, but we don't want to open that particular debate again today. Instead, we'd like to know how important a good story is to you when it comes to choosing games. Are you more a fan of epic tales (Final Fantasy), do you prefer something a little more subtle (Ico), or couldn't you care less about having a story to wade through? Finally, if you do appreciate a strong narrative like the Beatrix Potter fan above, which Wii games have kept you glued?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: A good yarn originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cory-barlogfinal-fantasyicosmgstorysuper-mario-galaxywwuSun, 06 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Splashing the cash]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/wii-warm-up-splashing-the-cash/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/wii-warm-up-splashing-the-cash/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/wii-warm-up-splashing-the-cash/#commentsFiled under:

It looks like Wii fever on eBay is finally fizzling out, ending weeks of people paying crazy money for Nintendo's console. But just the thought of all that wild, unabated spending got us reflecting on some of our own high-priced video game purchases.

Back in the day, in a (ultimately unsuccessful) bid to complete the Dreamcast library, yours truly once threw $250 at a Samba De Amigo bundle (a purchase that now, with the benefit of hindsight, looks rather unnecessary). Then again, we sense that may be rather tame compared to some people, so tell us: what's been your most outlandish gaming purchase?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Splashing the cash originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebaymoneywwuSat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST