Latest Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy, and GameCube news, screenshots, and game previews

John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, today announced that Dead Space, previously released last year on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, is headed to the Wii this year. Based on past interviews, many speculate the game will incorporate Wii MotionPlus.

We’re bringing core intellectual properties and franchises in categories we think have legs on the Wii platform. A good example of this is Dead Space. We’re bringing a Wii title to the market this year and it is absolutely going to be the quality and fear factor that you got on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC SKUs this past year.

Tags: Dead Space, EA Games, Wii, Wii MotionPlus

According to recent reports, Brighter Minds Media, publisher of the successful World of Goo for Nintendo’s WiiWare, recently filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This is extremely bad news, especially since World of Goo was so well received.

Tags: Brighter Minds Media, Recession, Wii, WiiWare, World of Goo

Sega today officially announced the release date for MadWorld. The Wii exclusive will hit North American stores March 10th.

MadWorld is still awaiting its anticipated M-rating (mature) from the ESRB.

Tags: MadWorld, Platinum Games, Release dates, Sega, Wii

Following Nintendo’s revision to its profit forecast, a move which some analysts are calling “too cautious“, Nintendo’s shares have since dropped by 12 per cent — the largest fall Nintendo has seen in 18 years. Company president Satoru Iwata yesterday attempted to address many concerns that the business may have peaked:

“I think it is true that new information penetrates through the Japanese market very quickly and that Japanese people tend to get tired of something new very quickly,” Iwata stated. “It is also true that the population is smaller when compared with that of other major markets, so it is inevitable that the market starts to feel saturated earlier than others.”

Citing previous hardware generations, he noted that the U.S. has twice the sales potential of Japan. Europe, where Nintendo’s marketing has improved since the GameCube days, also presents growth opportunities.

Iwata also mentioned that the Nintendo DSi was one method Nintendo used to “reactivate the Japanese DS market”. Regarding the Wii, he stated that it’s “not impossible for the Wii’s total sales to exceed the final installed base of PS2“.

Tags: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Recession, Sales, Satoru Iwata, Wii

At Nintendo’s financial briefing held in Japan, company president Satoru Iwata made a comment about what to expect at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

What we are looking at are the cumulative Wii and DS sales through the end of 2008. Wii has been selling at industry’s record pace so far, and with new customers acquired by the gaming population expansion efforts, it is not impossible for Wii’s total sales to exceed the final install base of PS2. Wii still has much more room for expansion. We can expect more sales of software in the next fiscal year than in the current year. With what kind of software is Nintendo going to achieve this goal? Well, it will be shown at E3 to be held in the U.S. this June.

It seems Nintendo has big plans for the Wii at this year’s E3. I wonder what kind of games can we expect to see? Mario, Zelda, or perhaps Kid Icarus? Then again, Iwata could simply be referring to games we’ve already seen, such as Wii Sports Report.

Tags: E3, E3 2009, Electronic Entertainment Expo, PlayStation 2, PS2, Satoru Iwata, Wii

The sequel to the best selling game of all time is on the way! It will be very interesting to see how well Wii Sports Resort does for Nintendo. Punch Out!! and Sin & Punishment 2 are also potential big hits on the Wii.

Nintendo’s New Play Control! games are updated Nintendo GameCube games with modified controls for the Wii; they’re getting good reviews and selling well in Japan, so keep on eye on them.

• New Play Control! Pikmin (Feb. 6 Europe, March US)
• New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (March 3 Europe, March US)
• Punch Out!! (First half 2009, Europe and US)
• Wii Sports Resort (2009 Europe, first half 2009 US)
• Sin & Punishment 2 (2009, Europe and US)
• Another Code R and Endless Ocean 2 (2009 Europe)
• New Play Control! Pikmin 2 (First half 2009, Europe)

These are some awesome Wii games for both casual and hardcore gamers. But what about the second half of 2009? Will Kid Icarus ever see the light of day? Will Satoru Iwata reveal any new games at the Game Developers Conference?

Tags: Another Code R, Endless Ocean 2, Mario Power Tennis, New Play Control!, Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Punch Out!!, Release dates, Sin & Punishment 2, Wii, Wii Sports Resort

Pokemon Platinum should be an instant seller. This game is similar to Pokemon Yellow, Crystal, Emerald in that it won’t be an entirely new adventure but an extension with added story elements and improved graphics. Also look forward to more Mario, Kirby, and Fire Emblem!

• Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir (Feb 2 Europe)
• Walk with me! Do you know your walking routine? (Feb 20 Europe, 2009 US as Personal Trainer: Walk with Me!)
• Pokemon Platinum (2009 Europe, March 22 US)
• Rhythm Paradise / Heaven (2009, Europe and US)
• Mario and Luigi RPG 3 (2009, Europe and US)
• Kirby Super Star Ultra (2009 Europe)
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (Feb 16 US)

Tags: Fire Emblem, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, Kirby, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Mario, Mario and Luigi RPG 3, Nintendo DS, Pokemon, Pokemon Platinum, Release dates

Japanese analyst Hiroshi Kamide speculates that the Wii craze might be coming to an end, as Nintendo today cut its income forecasts by 33 per cent.

Although Nintendo still expects to finish the year in the black, “analysts described Nintendo’s guidance as a ‘baffling and potentially very worrying‘ sign for worldwide sales of the Wii as recession curtails household spending around the world”.

Part of the problem, according to games industry insiders in Japan and the UK, is that the pipeline of “must-have” Nintendo Wii software is less strong now than it was six months ago.

On the most widely read gaming websites, there are few forthcoming Wii titles generating the sort of excitement that preceded the release of Mario Galaxy or Smash Brothers.

One big source of margin destruction has been the soaring yen, which rose 24 per cent against the dollar and 30 per cent against the euro in 2008.

Tags: Recession, Sales, Wii

Square Enix today hinted that players might be able to go online to “expand” upon Dragon Quest IX. No details were given but many are hoping for downloadable content such as additional quests.

Dragon Quest IX is scheduled for a March 28th release in Japan, exclusively for Nintendo DS. A North American release date has yet to be announced.

Tags: DLC, Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest IX, Nintendo DS, Square Enix

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time was released in Japan this week and included a bonus trailer for Square Enix’s highly anticipated Wii game Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers.

Tags: Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, Square Enix, Videos, Wii