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Watch this Active Life trailer from your desk chair


Commercials that show people having fun while playing the Wii are a dime a dozen, so this Active Life: Outdoor Challenge trailer doesn't score any points with us in terms of creativity. We also think the narrator sounds as excited for the game as she would about an enema (fake enthusiasm is fake), but that's neither here nor there. Yet the game itself -- dare we say it -- looks pretty interesting.

Don't take "interesting" to mean "good," but we can't help but be intrigued by some of the activities and the use of the mat. Granted, the last thing we need is yet another peripheral in our households, which will probably be enough to keep us away from Active Life. If Nintendo doesn't have its Wii Fit stock act together by the fall, though, we wonder if people will turn to Active Life instead. Granted, this game won't have even half of the hype that surrounded Wii Fit, but the situation does present an opportunity for Namco Bandai. Who knows, families might even buy into the whole "working out together" angle.

On the other hand, there's yet another obstacle in the way of Active Life. It looks to us at least that if you're going to go with a game with a mat, DDR would probably offer a better workout. But what do you lovely readers think? Does Active Life: Outdoor Challenge have a place in the current gaming market?

Punch-Out!!, bongo style


While we're sure that nobody is going to trash Soda Pop while using the Donkey Konga bongo controller in Punch-Out!!, it's good enough to take down Glass Joe with ease. And, it's a neat way to enjoy one of the best 8-bit games around. Just, uh, skip like the first minute of the video. It's kind of painful to watch.

[Via Joystiq]

Developers dish on My Life as a King on the Nintendo Channel



While we do love all different kinds of trailers and videos to spaz up our normally dull internet lives, we really appreciate when we come away with something useful after watching one. That's why we love developer's diaries, especially ones that involve the beloved Square Enix, and especially when said Squeenix game is WiiWare's My Life as a King.

With the exception of the almost monotonous voice-over work, we found the video and the tidbits of info offered interesting. Note, though, that we're still a little bitter about the "content updates," which is the developers' euphemism for "Square Enix maiming our wallets for stuff that should have been included in the first place."

Nothing else too special hit the video channel, aside from some previews of upcoming games. Here's the full list, though, for you to judge:
  • Developer's Voice - FFCC: My Life as a King (embedded above)
  • SPOGS Racing Info Video
  • Get Wii Fit with Alyson: Strength Training
  • We Love Golf! Info Video
  • LEGO Indiana Jones Info Video
  • Little League World Series 2008 Info Video
  • Final Fantasy IV Info Video (DS)
  • Soul Bubbles Info Video (DS)

Relax in Chocobo's Dungeon with screens and videos


We're one day away from the release of Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon, which can only mean one thing: media blitz. Not that we're complaining; the graphics for this title aren't anything too special, but you can't deny that the Square Enix polish makes the game look pretty. Normally Squeenix charges a little extra for that polish, but not in the case of Chocobo's Dungeon -- the game is retailing for only $39.99 (shock, gasp!). So, we'll look at the shiny new images in the gallery below to our hearts' content.

In addition to screens, Square Enix also gave us some videos to peek at. If you want to see a handful gameplay action (and, more importantly, the Chocobo looking adorable in different class outfits), then just click on the shiny blue "Continue reading ..." link below.

Continue reading Relax in Chocobo's Dungeon with screens and videos

First footage of Mega Man 9

Here's a little confidence-builder for all those developers out there wanting to go in the opposite direction of technological progress. Huzzah, the entirely new Mega Man 9 for WiiWare is essentially an 8-bit game, with terrible graphics, sound and animation. And it's awesome. Evidence is right there in front of you -- the first "man, we totally want it" footage.

It's an uber-short video, and there's a giant Rockman 9 logo in the way, but we still get the gist of what's going on. Mega Man himself is jumping around, shooting stuff and just being generally mega. Sit back, relax, and let the blips and bloops of the soundtrack put you into a dream-like state until the game's Japanese release in September -- though we have high hopes for a short North American waiting list.
[Via Siliconera]

We're all shook up from Wario Land videos


We knew that Wario Land: Shake It! looked really nice, but we simply were not prepared to see it in motion in the gameplay video available on the new Japanese site. The crisp backgrounds and fluid character animation make Shake It one of the best-looking games on Wii or any other console. It's surprisingly beautiful for something that is also so Wario-like -- the gameplay footage is all busting stuff and hoarding treasure.

The site also features the animated intro created by Production I.G., which we've embedded after the break. In addition, an animated controller diagram details the game's sideways-Wiimote-based control scheme: the 1 button tackles, the 2 button jumps, and shaking the Wiimote performs various context-sensitive actions, usually shaking stuff.

Continue reading We're all shook up from Wario Land videos

FaceBreaker details make the game sound like a knock-out [update 2]


When EA changed the title of the Wii's FaceBreaker to FaceBreaker K.O. Party, we couldn't help but moan, groan, grumble, and sneer. Not every Wii game needs to have the word "party" in it, and we do enjoy things that aren't party games from time to time (shock, gasp!).

While the video above does ease our fears a bit, it's clear that the focus of K.O. Party is on the multiplayer. Then again, it's a fighting game, so that's okay. Producer Trey Smith talks up the Wii version a bit, and hints at some of the features exclusive to K.O. Party. The part that caught our ears was the "one-to-one" responsiveness, which would be amazing if true. As much as we enjoy Wii Sports: Boxing, flailing around like idiots does not make a good fighter. Smith also boasts about the visual style, which does look nice (although obviously not as nice as its HD counterparts), as well as the multiplayer, of which there will be two different modes.

As for the exclusive unlockable character, that's a neat bonus but won't make or break the game -- unless, of course, it happens to be Little Mac, which is unlikely but would make us die happy.

[Update: For unknown reasons, GameTrailers no longer has the video up! We summarized most of what happened above, but if the video shows up again, we'll put it in.]

[Update 2: The video is back up! And well worth watching.]

Unleashing the Force is getting easier


IGN took in a preview session of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and found that it hasn't been abandoned in favor of Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels, the new hotness in yet-to-be-released lightsaber games. In fact, work is still being put into the controls, to the game's benefit. The control scheme uses motion controls effectively, delivering the experience of slashing in a direction and seeing the big shiny sword on screen do the same thing.

"It was easy to throw characters into one another, lift a baddy up into the air and then saber throw," said Mark Bozon. "The lock-on camera worked great for bosses, and even the 'tilt to the side' block with the Wiimote worked every time we wanted it to." Pointer integration has been added as well, allowing players to point and click around the environments.

They were able to test the controls in several single-player levels (including a Jedi temple) as well as the Wii-exclusive one-on-one fighting mode. That mode is also the subject of a spate of new videos, one of which can be seen above. Knock him out the box, Luke, knock him out!

A little trailer for Little League World Series 2008


Activision's Little League World Series 2008 may have character designs that look like the kind of thing South Park parodies, but the game actually looks pretty solid technically. Clean, cel-shaded art and smooth animation elevates the look of the game. Of course, the bug-eyed characters aren't really a knock against the game, since it's for kids. We're just happy to see evidence of a budget!

In a few instances, the onscreen player seems to perform a super-high jump or a super-fast slide. We're almost entirely certain these are just effects for the video, since superhuman abilities would be pretty out of place in a game about a real tournament. But if there actually is even a semblance of Baseball Simulator 1.000-like wackiness, we are on board. It's probably just a speed or jump bonus for good timing.

Revolutionary: Synaesthetic

This week I wanted to take on scripting for an indie game, and one that came in high regard was Synaesthete. I didn't know much about it when I first tried it out, except that it was a cross-breed of rhythm games and action shooters, and I was hopeful that it would lend itself to the Wii experience as well as the last rhythm hybrid I tried out. One level was all it took to start the script-writing cogs turning in my head, and after much experimentation, I wound up with a script that dynamically changes what makes this brilliant game so fun to play.

At first, nothing about Synaesthete makes it scream out that it was born for Wii, but ultimately, the addition of Wii controls has made this game my new addiction. I truly believe that a Wii port of this title would be hailed as the "next big thing."

Continue reading Revolutionary: Synaesthetic

Boogie down with Samba de Amigo


The above off-screen video may not be of the highest quality, but you do get a taste of the multiplayer action to come. See, blog Blue Hero Gaming recently got their hands on Samba de Amigo (where's the Wii Fanboy love, Sega?) and decided to write their experience with the title. When combined with the video, it's quite the nice little package.

So, who's pumped for Samba de Amigo?



[Via Go Nintendo]

Producer talks about what to expect from de Blob


With de Blob's release getting closer and closer (September), we're starting to see more and more media on the title. This, to us, is a good thing. And informed public is a good public. Also, we want to see stuff get all painted up.

This latest bit of media is an interview with Nick Hagger, the game's producer. He talks about the sinister corporation that's sucked all of the color out of Chroma City, the way Blob can acquire color and roll about, as well as his gang of cohorts. It's an insightful look at THQ's upcoming game and we suggest you check it out.

Gallery: de Blob

Skate It trailer: watch it


Aside from the eerie lack of people around, there's no indication in this Skate It gameplay footage of any cataclysmic event in San Vanelona. The parts of the city shown are intact, undamaged, and even nice and clean. Of course, when the city is full of benches, rails, and, uh, skate parks, there's plenty to do even without widespread destruction.

The action in this trailer seems pretty fast-paced and smooth, with one trick connecting into the next rather quickly. That means that you may be able to get a little bit of a workout from all the frantic Balance Board leaning!

New de Blob screens, trailer keep us excited


Even though our cruel overlords didn't paint a pretty picture regarding THQ's upcoming de Blob, we're still interested in the title. Maybe it's the great multiplayer or the wonderful visual style, but something has us fascinated with the title. And, in that spirit, we'll continue presenting you with new media from the game. The latest, which is an exclusive trailer, can be found here.

Gallery: de Blob

Jawa: The Trailer and the Mysterious Battle System

If you're among the elite crowd who has spent precious seconds thinking about Spike's Jawa: The Mammoth and the Mysterious Stone, you've probably wondered two things: first, why the heck it's called Jawa, and second, what they're trying to push on us, here. This R2 unit has a bad motivator! how those rhythm-based battles work.

From the trailer, it appears to be a call-and-response type of system: the game shows a motion or button press right before you're to attack, and then a successfully on-beat press of the correct button connects. It's somewhere between Simon and a Quick Timer Event, or something.

Between the rhythm-battle system, the communication elements between players, the dinosaur-raising, and the animal-riding, there seems to be a lot going on in Jawa -- much more than the simplistic style suggests.

[Via NeoGAF]

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