Nintendo Wii Fanboy

On Friday, a USA Today article reported that Rock Band 2 for the Wii would be totally gimped, just like the first game. After being contacted by Harmionx PR and writing them back, we didn't hear anything else on the matter. That is, until now. USA Today has republished the article in question and has included some stuff about the Wii version of Harmonix's sequel.

The updated piece now reads that, while "unannounced," MTV games has confirmed that Rock Band 2 for the Wii will "offer the same online functionality -- i.e. song downloads and Internet multiplayer modes -- as the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 versions." We guess that settles it then? Are you ready to give Rock Band 2 another chance, or will it still be Guitar Hero: World Tour for you?

For all of you Rock Band enthusiasts out there, some news has traveled down the pipe courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, confirming several new albums for download in the game. We're not going to waste any time leading up to the juicy info, so catch it below:

• Foo Fighters -- "The Colour and the Shape"
• Red Hot Chili Peppers -- "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
• Jane's Addiction -- "Nothing's Shocking"
• Megadeth -- "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying"
• Stevie Ray Vaughn -- "Texas Flood"

Of course, we're still not 100% certain that the Wii version of the game will support all of the features the other console versions will. Regardless, we're very much Megadeth fans, so seeing them get their work featured in the game is great (and it's one of their best albums, at that). After the break, we've embedded our favorite track from that album, so jump past and enjoy.

Following Konami's lawsuit, MTV had a couple of things to say. Mainly, they're surprised. "Konami's actions are extremely surprising," an MTV spokesperson said of the suit. See? They're pretty surprised.

"Unfortunately, successful products such as 'Rock Band' can often become targets for baseless litigation. We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it," the spokesperson further added. So, what does this mean? Don't expect this to be the last you hear about the battle between the two.

[Via Next-Gen.biz]

Konami is pretty upset. They recently filed a patent suit against Harmonix, MTV and their parent company, Viacom. Apparently, a little game called Rock Band (you've probably never heard of it) violated patents Konami had filed in 2002 and 2003. The suit seeks to block Harmonix from using Konami's "inventions" and also get compensation in the form of lots of money from the company. With Konami having introduced GuitarFreaks (a game utilizing a guitar controller) to Japanese arcades nearly a decade ago, it seems likely that this is what it's all about.


[Via Joystiq]

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.

Localization producer Nate Bihldorf demoed Super Mario Galaxy for MTV's Stephen Totilo last week, promising to show us all something new in the much-anticipated platformer. The resultant clip embedded above has Mario roaming around a sidescroller-ish alternate path in the Good Egg Galaxy and messing with gravitational pulls (Check out the extended jump at the three-minute mark!).

Stephen makes sure to jokingly ask during the presentation, "Now, was this part also stolen from Ratchet and Clank?" Nate laughs off the reference to Insomniac's claim that SMG's spherical worlds were directly inspired by the Ratchet and Clank series, but explains that he hasn't heard the accusations.

As usual, we've got more past the post break. Hustle on over there for a short video of what happens when you drop down the pipe of a smaller planet.

Come on! What do we have to do, Nintendo? Do you want us to slay a foreign diplomat? We will, we will honestly go to Wal-Mart, buy a shotgun, and kill whoever you please. Just don't, in the name of all that is holy and good, delay Metroid Prime 3: Corruption again. Please! We can't take all of this dancing around a release date and Reggie implying that the game will come later than expected, comparing it to the brilliance of Twilight Princess. Our hearts, as full of love for Nintendo as they are, only crave one thing: Samus.

Er, we mean ... Samus in a game. We aren't weird or anything.

After venturing through an endless wasteland of blue screen, the New Golden Boys created a short taking a look at the darker side of Link. Featuring interviews from different characters in the the Legend of Zelda series along with a few geeky game store clerks, the whole scene is all too familiar to Zelda aficionados such as ourselves. The short is set to air tomorrow night on MTV's unfortunately named The G-Hole Special.

***CAUTION*** This isn't safe for those sensitive to foul hand gestures or talk of molestation. Just thought we'd warn you. Catch the video after the break!

[Via The Girl Gamer]

In an interview with MTV, Shigeru Miyamoto directly says that players will in fact be able to slap their mugs onto a digital counterpart in the simplistically-fun Wii Sports. This was said when he was asked which new titles he's working on for the launch of the Wii.

"This isn't [a new original game, but] I'm directly involved in "Super Mario Galaxy." Apart from that, I am involved in the "Wii Sports" series. Although these really aren't new characters so to speak, the "Wii Sports" series features these little models which you can put your own faces on ... and then you may start to see those characters, with faces you've created, appearing in different games on the Wii system. Beyond that, it's true that I am working on some different ideas. It's just a little bit too early for me to show those off yet."

Faces you've created appearing in different games? What different games? Is there going to be some built-in tool kit or camera add-on? Bueller?

Let the speculation begin!

[Via Digital Battle. Thanks Armin!]