Could it be? Does the PS3 have more and better exclusives this year? Looks like 2008 may possibly be the year of the Playstation, again. Just like old times.
Is it just me or is almost every big game coming out this year a sequel? No matter what console you’re on. Either way, you got to be excited about something on the list. If the majority of these games actually release this year, wow. But does anyone really expect that? So, let’s jump in and analyze the exclusives. Note, this list in no way represents the entire list of exclusive titles for each console. It does, however, represent what we at Counteragent think are the biggest exclusives most likely to actually be released this calender year.
Nintendo announced that Mario Kart Wii will be hitting stores on April 27th. Is that enough time for people to get their fill of Super Smash Bros before then?
It will ship with the Wii wheel controller holder thing, 16 new tracks, 16 old tracks, and a whole lot of banana peels. You can also race in either a kart or a motorbike as well as 11 player online races.
Once this gets released what old school Nintendo classic will be next?
There is still no firm US release date for the upcoming Nintendo racing game Mario Kart Wii but that doesn’t stop the news from pouring in about it. Mario Kart has always been a blast to play and I’m sure this one will be no different. But I gotta say some of the news coming out for the game leaves me a little wanting. First off the game will not support voice chat. It will have great text chat though right? Well according to the boys over at IGN.com it won’t have great text chat either.
In our original article, we speculated that players might be able to use a USB keyboard or at the very least the Wii remote to enter customized text messages. Not so, according to a rep for Nintendo of America, who contacted us today to clarify. Apparently, gamers will only be able to select from a pre-determined number of phrases that can be sent along as rudimentary texts before matches. Nintendo is clearly playing it safe.
The Wii Wheel will be an amazing new gaming controller right? Kotaku posted a story about a blog post on Wii Wii by Bulent Yusuf. He had a chance to use the Wii Wheel, his impressions?
Finally, the Wii Wheel. This was the most disappointing thing, simply because it’s absolutely crap.
Though Nintendo valiantly tried to convince us otherwise, it’s a silly gimmick that detracts from the quality of the game. Fortunately, you can play using the standard Wiimote and Nunchuk, or you can bust out the GameCube pad and be proper old school.
Don’t know why Nintendo thought this thing was necessary; perhaps it looks good in advertising? A good way of bumping up the price? Either way, it’s rubbish.
You can check out the blog, but you won’t find anything because the post has been taken down. Maybe Nintendo didn’t like him dogging on the Wii Wheel?
Lastly there’s the news that you can purchase the Wii Wheel separately. Although it doesn’t sound like you’ll be enjoying it enough to buy more then one.
This is one Wii game I’m truly looking forward to, because you know it’s gonna be a blast to play. I’m not surprised that the wheel sucks and I was fully planning on turning the Wiimote on it’s side and using it that way. With that said I’m continually disappointed in the Wii these days. Sure voice chat isn’t that big of a deal but it’s still nice for a game to include that right? If no voice chat give us full text chat at least. While it still remains for each of us to decide if the Wii Wheel is any good, I’m not holding out to much hope. Isn’t using the Gamecube controller or really even turning the Wiimote sideways really just making this another Mario Kart game?
What do you think? Let us know.
Here are some release dates:
MySims Kingdom for Nintendo DS and Wii should be released in the beginning of October and the end of December.
MySims for PC to be out about the same time.
MySims Party for Nintendo DS and Wii to be released between January and March 2009.
SimCity Creator will be out sometime before 2011. When exactly? I dunno.
SimAnimals to be by the end of March 2009.
Wow that is a lot of Sims. I’m still working on Sims 2 Open for business. I haven’t sold my first flower arrangement yet. If you gotta tip, let me know. I need me some simoleons people! Oh, and I hope you enjoy the video I made. Those Sims are always up to no good.
Thanks Shacknews!
Nintendo of America’s head man Reggie Fils-Aime just gave an interview to the guys over at IGN.com about the upcoming US release of Wii Fit. It’s a decent interview in which Reggie reveals this little nugget :
Reggie Fils-Aime: We absolutely will. We’ve seen the core consumer have just as much fun playing Wii Sports as the casual gamer. We expect the core to be thrilled with Wii Fit because it has such a wide range of experiences. It’s more than just the aerobic or stretching exercises — there are quite a number of other mini-games, if you will, embedded in the software that we think will speak to the core consumer.
Nice try Reggie but Wii Fit isn’t for the “core” gamer. Wii Sports is a hit, yea that’s true because it’s about the only sustained fun you can have on the Wii. It also is fun to play with friends. Will Wii Fit be a fun game to play with a group of friends? Only time will tell, but from most of the reports I’ve heard from people in Japan that have it, they say it’s mini games kinda suck.
According to Reggie there are at least 10 upcoming titles that will use the Wii Fit board :
Reggie Fils-Aime: I think what you’re speaking to is, from a consumer perspective, help me feel good about this purchase. There are over 10 games in development that take advantage of the Balance Board. Certainly in terms of ongoing enjoyment, we believe that Wii Fit plus the Balance Board will provide that to the consumer.
There better be something else if your spending extra for it. We will have to wait until May 19th to see. Is anyone here in the states excited about the Wii Fit? Also what other types of games do you think are in development?
Okay, so, I’ve got this gimmicky thing called a Wii. Yeah it’s fun, if you like bowling, tennis, or four player party games. Why did I buy the Wii you ask? That’s simple. It’s a ‘revolutionary’ console. The motion sensing controls can’t be done anywhere else (and don’t even say, “oh, but the six axis”, no). I’d be willing to bet that’s why all those grandparents have been picking these things up too. The controls are completely unique to the Wii.
So, you ask, what’s the issue? Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but a number of new games, including first party Nintendo titles, are coming out and supporting old control methods. Standard, traditional, Nintendo Gamecube style, control methods. Let’s see, there’s the insanely anticipated Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Supports not only traditional NES style sideways controlling, but even the Gamecube controller, which, if I remember correctly, most people didn’t like in the first place. Newest of the games supporting all style of control is Mario Kart Wii. While this game will support the Wii motion sensing control method, it will also support every other control possible.
Why is this bad? In a way it is good, you can play the game anyway you want. However, why did I even buy a Wii? I could still be playing these games on my Gamecube. Seriously, the graphics aren’t improving dramatically, if at all. The online support is yet to be really integrated. The Mii’s are fun for only so long. Third-party support has yet to really show much promise. So, all you really have that sets the Wii apart from the rest are the unique controls. Tell me I’m wrong.
Seeing as how games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are so successful. Why Wii? I could have just as easily bought a peripheral or a steering wheel of some sort for my Gamecube.
Boom!
Here’s some new screenshots direct from the Game Developer’s Conference of the upcoming Wii port of Okami. The original Okami being a PS2 exclusive. This is a direct port, other than the added Wii controls, i.e. paint brush movements. The game’s going to support the Wii’s full HD of 480p. Enjoy.
Boom!
Has anyone else noticed how much pointing goes on in the Capcom Ace Attorney series? Don’t get me wrong, the games are great, but I just think it’s kinda funny how much pointing is used. I gathered together just a few examples of the extreme pointing of Ace Attorney.
Anyway, the game also happens to be in stores now. If you’re not familiar with the series of DS games, here’s a brief rundown:
- Microphone can be used to yell “Objection!” and “Hold it!” as you cross examine witnesses
- All new “Crime Recreation Mode” that allows players to reveal hidden clues by re-creating the scene of the crime
- Two distinct gameplay segments, Investigation phase – survey crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence that will be used in court. And Court phase – present findings from the investigation to support your case, listen to testimonies and examine witnesses
- Diverse cast of characters where Apollo Justice is the new main character who leads the series into a new chapter
Boom!
Apple and Nintendo together at last? Fanboy heads would explode around the world if only it were true. While the two companies have a similar design style and taste, the likelyhood of them getting together and making babies is far from realistic. However, I saw this post over at DSFanboy and wondered myself what it would be like if the two did come together in an amalgam of beautiful design. This is what I came up with. Really it’s just a super thin DS, ala the Macbook Air. Add in a camera and wide screen, and boom, instant hit. Enjoy the photo, cause you’ll never see anything like this in the wild.
Boom!
Another game gets pushed back a little bit, but guess what its not a PS3 game…….GASP!!!! Wait what just happened I blacked out for a minute there? That’s right Super Smash Bros Brawl is being moved back from its slated Feb. 10th release to March 9th.
Here’s what Nintendo said about it:
“Due to delays in the completion of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we’ve had to change the release date of the game to Sunday, March 9th.
I deeply apologize to the people who have looked forward to playing the game for so long and ask that you hold on just a little longer. Thank you for your patience.”
My guess is so they can have another month of pointless SSBB stories about the music for the Pik-Min level and some stupid move from one of the Brawlers.
Thanks Kotaku




