Rock Band is a sore subject among Wii owners, since we'll be getting the gimped version of the game. Even so, that won't stop a Rock Band 2 from landing on Nintendo's console. At least, that's what a recent survey conducted by Listen Research for EA hints at, which has been asking gamers some questions about the pending sequel.
Most of the things that EA wants to know have to do with the player's likelihood of purchasing things. The survey includes (paraphrased) questions like: Would you buy the Special Edition set for Rock Band 2 (i.e., the version that includes all the instruments)? And: How many Rock Band Track Packs for the Wii would you purchase within six months? The inquiry we found to be the most interesting, though, asked whether consumers would be more inclined to buy Rock Band or Guitar Hero, which will also utilize multiple instruments soon.
While some people may be more invested in one franchise over the other (depending on which game and instruments they already own), we think that gaining the loyalty of Wii owners is relatively simple. Easily enough, the company who issues the least broken game for Nintendo's console will win this guitar and drums arms race on the Wii.
After reading Joystiq's hands-on write-up of Skate It for the Wii, we were thrown back by one particular comment: "Skate It's control is one of the best gameplay implementations of the Wiimote yet." Wow, what a statement!
We were all excited about Skate It, even more so when we found out it featured Balance Board support, but now we're even more pumped to try it ourselves. But, does it tout one of the best Wiimote control schemes yet? We'll have to wait and see, however, in the meantime, tell us what titles you think best utilize the Wii's wonderfully unique controls? We'll get you started with an easy one: Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure.
People who love a nice, long bout of Monopoly but don't trust the dirty, sneaky banker not to cheat might be interested in EA's decision to bring the beloved board game to the Wii. The title will include multiple game boards to "pass Go" on, including the classic board and the new one from Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition (see the semi-related Stephen Colbert skit posted after the break, just for fun).
There's also a new mode you can play called the "Riches Mode," which is a faster and more party-friendly way to get your Monopoly on. It starts out with a minigame (which, in the Wii version, will utilize motion controls -- think sawing yourself out of jail, for example). Whoever wins gets to choose how many pieces they'd like randomly dropped onto the board. If your piece lands on an unoccupied space, you come to own it. If you land on someone else's space, though, you have to pay them. There's no money involved, so you just end up giving them a property or something of the sort. Meanwhile, if your piece lands on a space like Chance, you have to do whatever the card tells you.
One downfall, however, is that the Wii version (like the PS2 game) will not have online play. You'll have to turn to the Xbox 360 version for online multiplayer.
Don't forget to check out why Monopoly is a threat (via Stephen Colbert) after the break.
You probably won't be stupefied to know that EA announced the next video game in the Harry Potter series, based on the sixth novel by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will come out later this year, so that it coincides with the movie's release.
In case you are unfamiliar with the games, though, the series puts you in a GTA/Bully-esque sandbox-style world, only you're spending your time at Hogwarts and aren't issuing magical commands to give people wedgies (accio underpants!). When Order of the Phoenix was announced for the Wii way back when, Potterheads everywhere salivated over using the Wiimote as a wand. Upon playing the game, though, it turned out the controls weren't very well-executed. We're too jaded to get our hopes up again, but EA made mention of the company's focus on waggle this time around. If there's any license-based series that we want to like, it's this one, so hopefully EA can deliver.
Koreans really love freestuff! Then again, who doesn't?
This latest round of preorder incentives rewards gamers who've reserved Wii Sports with branded towels and Wii Remote cell phone straps. Unlike in the states, Wiis will not come bundled with Wii Sports when the console launches in South Korea on April 26th.
EA is also throwing in what looks like Brando's Crystal Cooler with every preorder for FIFA 08. The replacement base features a cooling fan and electric blue LEDs -- not too useful, but it's free, which automatically makes it a hundred times more awesome. Bring five bucks past the post break to get a look at the stand offer.
For all of you looking to fill your head with knowledge of one of the gaming industry's top players, Electronic Arts, then you should hit up Joystiq. They've gone ahead and organized all of the company's holdings into one convenient "family album." Give it a read.
For all of you who enjoyed MySims and would like to taste some more, EA Casual Entertainment president Kathy Vrabeck wants you to know that EA has no plans to call it quits with the franchise. In fact, they're going to be dumping more money into future projects on both the DS and Wii.
First up will be MySims Kingdom, hitting the DS and Wii this year (sometime between October and December, Q4). Also, EA plans on producing MySims Party, which will also hit the DS and Wii, which will arrive much later, sometime in Q1 2009. EA also revealed SimCity Creator, however platforms were not discussed.
If you've been checking some of your favorite game sites, there's a good chance you've already heard about Spore's September release date. Wii owners were kicked to the curb and left out in the cold after the announcement, though, which made no mention of the game's presence on Nintendo's newest home console.
We may not have a date, but thanks to N'Gai Croal, Wii owners have some tiny morsel details to nibble on. The good news is that these details make the Wii version sound like the most immersive of any, and not just because of the Wiimote. Okay, it's totally because of the Wiimote.
In a Newsweek interview with Will Wright, the Spore creator talks about the benefits of putting the game on the Wii. Apparently, Nintendo's system has a higher bandwith controller than the other consoles (and computers). Because of that, the creatures have the potential for an infinite number of animations. Wright also said that he has spent a lot of time working on even the most subtle aspects of the Wiimote controls, which makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It's nice when the Wii's controller is used to its full potential, and not just as a gimmick.
Hopefully the Wii version will be as good as it sounds -- we'd hate to wait an extra long time, only to be disappointed. No pressure there, Mr. Wright ... no pressure at all.
Not one, not five, but ... well, actually it isfive. Five ninja; no more, no less for this trailer from upcoming game Ninja Reflex. And doesn't that strike you as odd? With a four-player game, it seems the odd-man-out isn't so much a friend of the four enjoying the game, but the group whipping boy, there only to serve drinks to thirsty players and watch them enjoy their Wii from afar, silent longing for a day when he too can experience the pleasure of motion-based gameplay.
And, dude: what is up with the kid with the chopsticks? Seriously?
There's a vicious rumor currently circulating on a number of message boards that the Australian version of Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 is shipping without online functionality of any description. Forum users at various sites, including Aussie-Nintendo, PALGN, and NeoGAF, have all complained that the in-game menus completely lack an option to play online, while the game's box in Australia has neither the Nintendo Wi-Fi logo, or a mention of the title's much-vaunted 32-player online mode, which is available in other regions.
Just to further confuse matters, the game manual that shipped with the title in Australia reportedly does dedicate a whole page to the online mode. Frankly, we're confused, not to mention a little bit worried for our fellow Wii owners down under.
At the time of writing, EA has yet to respond to our request for clarification.
Perhaps we've been wearing our cranky pants too tightly, but the latest media from Steven Spielberg's Wii project does not fill us with hope. Of course, we always knew that BOOM BLOX -- a new name for the title as of this morning, and yes, it's okay to feel irritated by the UNNECESSARY CAPITALIZATION -- was going to be a bit like Jenga.
But heavens, this game looks generic, if the first screens are anything to go by. Featuring "thirty wacky characters, more than 300 levels, and an easy-to-use in-game editor that allows players to express their creativity," BOOM BLOX is a block-based puzzle game that makes EA Playground look like a Suda 51masterpiece.
Perhaps we were expecting a little more from the involvement of a film director who has reaped critical and commercial success in his field for the past few decades. Then again, we've had this debate already.
EA has decided to put on the Michael Pachter Hat apparently, as the company is betting that the Wii is going to continue its trend of crushing allof its competitors in the games space throughout this year. How do we know this? Well, let's just put it this way: many Bothans gave their life to get us this information.
Actually, IGN published EA's projected numbers, which show the Wii selling between 5.5 - 6.5 million units in North America and 6.5 - 7.5 million units in Europe throughout the 2008 calendar year. This fantasy world in which EA has built for itself also has a nice gumdrop waterfall, we hear.
We're not saying the Wii can't do those figures (we don't really have much experience in predicting the future), and EA's backing of Nintendo seems to be a sound enough strategy, but we're not sure we'd put the farm on Europe pushing more Wii units than North America this year.
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.
What game will win the title of "Worst Ninja Boxart" this year? The battle is fierce, and only the most specially trained in the art of the bad box will prevail. In one corner is the stealthy Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the DS. So stealthy, in fact, that it remained hidden during its November release date. The challenger is Ninja Reflex, a game involving the most sacred of ninjitsu techniques: partying.
What box will reign supreme in the sacred art of fail? And will there be any newcomers brave enough to enter such a grueling competition? Patience, young student, will reveal the answers to these questions.
Did you know that today is the Annual Day of the Ninja? So if you've been waiting for an excuse to flip out, hit on ninja babes, and assassinate pirates, consider today your excuse.
Electronic Arts is celebrating this sacred holiday by revealing new screenshots and details for its newest party game, Ninja Reflex. Developed by newcomer studio Sanzaru Games (former Activision developers), Ninja Reflex will feature "a series of martial arts challenges to test gamers' reflexes and measure their reaction times with millisecond precision." Up to four players will be able to participate, sharpening their skills and speed in this mashup of Brain Age and ninjitsu action.
The minigames shown so far are predictable, ranging from catch-a-fly-with-chopsticks contests to shuriken-throwing competitions. Hopefully, the final product will have more interesting activities -- and online support, too! Creep into our gallery under the cover of night and check out some of the screenshots EA has made available. Go ninja, go ninja, go!
Rock Band is a sore subject among Wii owners, since we'll be getting the gimped version of the game. Even so, that won't stop a Rock Band 2 from landing on Nintendo's console. At least, that's what a recent survey conducted by Listen Research for EA hints at, which has been asking gamers some questions about the pending sequel.
Perhaps we've been wearing our cranky pants too tightly, but the latest media from Steven Spielberg's 
EA 
