Nintendo Wii Fanboy

With only a few months to go before the release of Super Mario Galaxy, expectations couldn't be higher for Nintendo's flagship hero. The title was recently confirmed for release this year, leaving our Nunchuk thumbs quivering in anticipation.

Mario is carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders, however. The groundbreaking titles, from the original Super Mario Brothers through to Super Mario 64 (sorry, Mario Sunshine), were more than great games; they also defined their platforms, setting new standards both technically and in terms of design.

It's no surprise then, that bloggers are starting to make demands for what they want to see in the new release. Check the link to see what people want this time around, and let us know what you want included.

Long-time rivals Mario and Sonic are finally starring in a video game together ... but too bad it's not what you're expecting. The duo will finally be able to compete against each other in Super Smash Bros. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for Nintendo DS and Wii. All your favorite Mario and not-so-favorite Sonic characters will join the competition: Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more.

It appears that famous rivalry between these two 16-bit juggernauts has finally been tossed aside. The press release features some juicy quotes which feel ripped out of the video game Twilight Zone:

"We are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title," said Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. "For the first time, two of the world's greatest games' characters come together to compete in the world's greatest sporting event and we couldn't be more excited."

"Mario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games," says Shigeru Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis and Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd.. "In fact, for a long time they have been discussing the possibility of one day competing against each other. Now that they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we may finally learn who is actually faster, Mario or Sonic?"

While this isn't the debut we may have wanted for these mascots, we'll take what we can get. Certainly, a competitive game of curling is almost identical to a match of Smash Bros., right? Check out the official website for more.

There are dozens of clips floating around from Shigeru Miyamoto's keynote yesterday, but IGN has streaming video of the entire event available for your anxious eyes. You won't find any megaton announcements or landmark revelations, but the presentation is full of insights on "the Nintendo Difference" from the company's preeminent game designer.

What's Miyamoto's primary focus when developing a game? Why did it take 20 years before he could finally use his face creation software in a complete game? And whatever happened to Mario 128? If you have a free hour and a half, watch the keynote and find out.

Though we wouldn't normally pay much attention to something called a "Corporate Management Policy Briefing," we'll make an exception when it comes to Nintendo and their beloved Wii. Fielding some questions regarding the system's impending launch, Satoru Iwata attempted to assuage some concern over Nintendo's previous cubic console and its muted commercial success. He noted that Nintendo's inability to consistently and timeously release new games after launch stuttered the system's momentum, a problem which, if all goes to plan, won't rear its snarling head in the next round.

"To avoid repeating this with Wii, we have been intensifying the software development, both internally at Nintendo and at developers outside the company, in order to prepare aggressive software lineup for Wii at and after the launch." However, Shigeru Miyamoto (who admits to being occupied by a super secret project) added that Nintendo hasn't greatly increased the number of people working on projects, with over 1,500 people already banging keyboards and waving wiimotes in the hopes of generating more Nintendo classics.

In that case, how exactly does Nintendo plan to intensify software development? If they have stricter management and curtailed development times in mind, how will that affect their forthcoming titles? Careful Nintendo -- striking the perfect balance between quantity and quality isn't going to be easy.

[Update: See comments.]

Several sources on the Intertron suggest that Miyamoto recently confirmed a StarFox game for the Wii...sort of. The article cited is an interview from the latest issue of Famitsu, wherein Shigeru Miyamoto suggested that a StarFox game (if Nintendo were to make one, mind you) could make some involving and intricate use of the Wiimote. A shocking revelation indeed, especially in the wake of a Virtual Console that is likely to feature the original, and dare we say good, StarFox titles. No offense to those that enjoy frolicking around on the ground in the company of dinosaurs, of course.

If Nintendo takes Miyamoto's ideas and develops a full game (and they almost certainly will), we can only hope they keep the Fox's feet off the ground and well within the space opera house.

[Thanks Nikolai!]

In talking with CNN Money's Chris Morris, omnipotent game designer Shigeru Miyamoto expresses what just about everyone has been thinking, at least until recently: "Revolution" is a much better name than "Wii." Miyamoto notes that a large part of the decision to change to the shorter and much easier to mock name came from the belief that non-gamers would feel threatened by a term normally used for violent uprisings and/or anti-parasitic pet medications.

"When we first thought about it, myself and others felt that the name Revolution was very appropriate to what we were doing, but [Revolution] is a name that was almost threatening to non-gamers. It wasn't acceptable. So we thought this was more friendly and inviting."

In the same article, Miyamoto also hints that the Iwata and Reggie caricatures seen in Wii Sports: Tennis aren't just an in-joke, but a customizable feature of the game. The thought of playing as (more) deformed versions of ourselves has us amused and intrigued--could there be another Wii secret in store, such as a camera attachment or the ability to read photos from a USB storage device? Nah, it's most likely just an avatar creation utility like those found in Animal Crossing: Wild World or Mario Kart DS, albeit a much more advanced one thanks to the Wiimote's abilities.

[Via Joystiq]

In a recent interview with the Guardian Gamesblog, esteemed game designer Shigeru Miyamoto was questioned about Sony's recent announcement of a PS3 delay. Rather than respond with an assortment of boomerang jokes, Mr. Miyamoto calmly stated that he simply doesn't view Sony's machine as competition.

"It depends on what expectations people have of the PS3 and Revolution. Sony has taken a long time to create their machine but it is obvious that the direction we are taking is different to the PS3."

It may seem like an arrogant stance, but when your machine literally eschews traditional controller design and the current trend of cramming more technological power into a box, it's a fair statement to make. He goes on to say that rather than taking on the other two corporate giants in terms of graphical power, Nintendo would rather stick with what they do best and create appealing games that strike a balance between technology and playability.

On the other hand, it would perhaps be unwise to think that the PS3 (or Xbox 360) and Revolution aren't competitive in a traditional sense. After all, the end goals of providing a gamer with his entertainment are the same. The execution and mindset may differ, but it still boils down to giving you the games you want to play. Nintendo may very well be going after the untapped casual market but hardcore gamers, who fall under Sony and Microsoft's marketing umbrellas, are sure to be just as interested in the Revolution.

What say you?

[Via Eurogamer]

Has the saga finally come to a climactic end? It would seem that we can finally lay this epic opera of speculation, magical allusion and straightforward denial to a well deserved rest: According to a Nintendo of Europe interview with recently knighted design genius, Shigeru Miyamoto, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will take advantage of the Revolution controller.

"I would say that we are progressing well with completing it. And one of the most important features is that, because Revolution can run GameCube software, when you play Twilight Princess on Revolution you can take advantage of the Revolution controller.”

Now, how exactly one would take advantage of the Revolution controller is up for debate (get your mind out of the gutter, please), though we're quite prone to the idea of tossing boomerangs, swinging swords and ensnaring innocent fish. For the rest of the interview, you'll have to either get a bothersome Nintendo VIP membership upon following the link or pay a visit to the GAF forums.

[Via GamersReports]

Eurogamer reports that masterful game designer Shigeru Miyamoto is set to be awarded with a knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters next week by the French Minister of Culture. Though the ceremony will sadly be devoid of pompous accents, damsels in distress and fire-breathing dragons, one can easily draw parallels between the crusades of a knight against an evil king and Mr. Miyamoto's strive for innovation in a tough industry. But really, we just want to picture Shiggy running around in a suit of armor and lopping off limbs (it's only a flesh wound).

He'll be joined on the occasion, which marks a first for game designers, by Frederick Raynal (Alone in the Dark) and the disinctly awesome Michel Ancel (Rayman, Rayman 2, Beyond Good & Evil, King Kong). Though we'd prefer they be rewarded with large cash prizes and instant sequel greenlights, a fancy French knighthood is at least indicative of some well deserved recognition for this trio of extremely talented game designers. Seriously, play their games.

A further note of interest is that, unlike a British knighthood, the recipient of this award does not get to attach a regal "Sir" onto his name. That's quite a disappointment, what with "Sir Shiggy" having such a great ring to it. Are there any other game designers worthy of knighthood?

Nintendo's own Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of that lovable portly plumber and chicken-abusing Hyrulian, is to be conducting a live webchat this Friday via Webchats.tv. While the duration of this most magnificent event is only 30 minutes (being held between 2 and 2:30pm EST), Shiggy will in fact be taking questions. Here's your chance to try and squeeze some more Revolution information out of him.

What questions would you like to ask Miyamoto-San?

[Via Gamecloud]