We enjoy using our Wii for screentime fun in our own house. Because my friends know I write about technology, they ask me for information about Wii games. So I decided to add myself to the Nintendo press release site to keep up to date. Here are some recent press releases of interest:
- WiiWare downloadable video game service for Nintendo's Wii™ home console Excerpt from press release:
console, launched one year ago today. It arrived with a promise to
provide a venue for game developers to showcase their ideas, while
delivering to consumers the newest, most interesting games available at
accessible prices, directly through the Wii Shop Channel in their Wii
consoles. With 81 games in its library, WiiWare ensures that there's
something for everyone. But beyond quantity, WiiWare offers quality
games and experiences for all types of Wii owners.
studios, from large companies to small startups. In fact, more than
half the games in the WiiWare library were created and self-published
by small independent studios, many with five or fewer employees."
- Number Crunching with Animal Crossing Calculator and Animal Crossing Clock: Excerpt from Press Release:
pair of downloadable—and practical—debuts this week via the Nintendo
DSiWare™ service (Animal Crossing Calculator and Animal Crossing Clock) . Whether you're telling time or doing arithmetic,
these handy applications will give your daily number-crunching a
critter-friendly boost".
- New Controls for Donkey Kong Excerpt from Press Release:
video game for the Wii™ console lets players grab their Wii Remote™ and
Nunchuk™ controllers to assist him. Players control Donkey Kong's
running, jumping and banana grabbing by using the traditional control
stick and buttons, while motion controls add a realistic feeling to
actions like grabbing vines and boxing.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
originally debuted on the Nintendo GameCube™ system. This new version
has been remastered with motion controls, new enemies and obstacles,
and a new final boss battle. Nintendo also has added special monkeys to
each stage that give tips or let players save their progress. The new
controls make this well-reviewed game accessible to new players while
giving those who played the original new challenges.
The goal of
the game is to guide Donkey Kong through beautifully rendered stages
like lava caves, tempestuous oceans and even a ninja-chimp fortress.
Racing through the game will get players to the goal, but the real
skill comes from helping Donkey Kong perform multiple mid-air acrobatic
moves as he collects bananas in each stage. The more sweet moves he
does in a row, the more bonus bananas he gets at the end of the stage.
To become the king of the jungle, he must team up with animal friends
and defeat multiple contenders in boxing matches.."
- eXciteBots Excerpt from press release:
players in command of wild robotic vehicles styled to look like animals
and insects. Players must drive, sprint and fly around the track to
earn stars, performing wild stunts to boost their score while racing
with an incredible burst of speed. The game puts the built-in wireless
features of the Wii system to use, allowing as many as six friends to
compete online using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players can also trade
ghost data via WiiConnect24™ and challenge each other to outdo their
most dazzling tricks. Excitebots: Trick Racing uses the Wii
Wheel™ accessory to let drivers pick up and play with ease, combining
familiar steering motions with unique special moves such as turbo
bursts, power slides and huge jumps.
As if tearing around the track wasn't entertaining enough, Excitebots: Trick Racing
also engages players in a set of wild in-race mini-games. Drivers may
find themselves smashing through a set of bowling pins, hitting a clown
in the face with a pie, hitting a baseball or assembling a sandwich by
twisting the Wii Wheel to maneuver their racer through a series of
specific ingredients – all while navigating the track and trading paint
with opponents for position. For longtime gamers and newcomers alike,
these unexpected twists help to distinguish Excitebots: Trick Racing from other racing titles and extend the game's replay value well beyond the finish line.
Wii owners without a Wii Wheel accessory can play Excitebots: Trick Racing using a standard Wii Remote™ controller. Broadband access is required for online play."
We recently received the Nintendo eXciteBots game in the mail for a test run – which made me very excited. My boys like racing games and robots so this game seemed to be a nice combination. It also allowed us to do a split screen for two players to race together. The game comes with one steering wheel attachment that attaches to the Wii Remote, but we already had extra steering wheels (from Mario Kart) to allow all racers to have their own steering wheel. Both eXciteBots and Mario Kart are fun racing games that allow multiple players for group fun.
Disclosure: This is NOT a paid post or review, only information sharing. The eXciteBots game was provided to Techmamas.com for a test run, I mean test RACE!
These are awesome. I look forward in playing these games soon and I’m really interested in eXciteBots. If this is already out in the market, I’d be trying it so I can give myself a break from playing Warcraft as well.