Wiifit

As a Wii owner, I often wonder what applications the motion sensing technology will have in the near future. After looking over this list of US patent images, I’m a bit worried. Some of these look so stupid, that I can’t possibly figure out what they could be used for. For example, the non-descripit box:

I can only wonder what this will be used for. UPS: The Video Game? Extreme Inventory Organization? Mario Packs for Moving? Only time will tell.

Then, there’s the weird, such as this:

…is that a fucking bike? Notice the lack of a stationary bike system, which implies that you might actually have to ride a bike around in your living room. What could they possibly use this for? Are they making a Tour de France video game, with REAL BICYCLE ACTION? If they are, I can’t wait. And of course, the skateboard. Finally, the THPS series might become almost as hard as real skateboarding. Maybe not. I dunno.

FPSes seem to be getting some action here, with the Wii Zapper, and this gem:

Finally, virtual reality that doesn’t suck (*coughvirtualboycough*)! Of course, this has too many applications to name. I, for one, await the Wii birdwatching game. Awesome.

After reviewing this list, I can rest easy knowing that developers will fully explore the options the Wiimote gives them. Of course, some of them are weird, but hopefully they’ll be put to good use. That’s a big hopefully though.

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Michael Pachter is an ass. Every couple of weeks the financial analyst for Wedbush Morgan pops up and makes some daft prediction about the future of the industry, and more often than not he’s completely wrong. By blogging about his opinions we’re giving the man more credence than he deserves, but he’s really annoyed us this time.

His latest prophesy borders on the idiotic. He suggests that a lower-priced Wii without Wii Sports would give Nintendo its best chance of success this year. Those sage words in full:

“The console has a price advantage over the Xbox 360 and PS3 that can be maintained if Nintendo chooses to un-bundle Wii Sports from the console. I think that if Nintendo were to do so and cut the price to $199, it would still sell a piece of Nintendo software to 80% of new Wii purchasers, and would end up effectively lowering revenues per console by only around $10. At that price point, the Wii should be strong again in 2009.”

What Pachter seems to forget is that that whole reason the Wii has enjoyed such huge success is precisely because of Wii Sports. It’s a crucial bit of software that most clearly demonstrates the capabilities of the console. It appeals to any and all gamers, regardless of their age or gender, and the minute you see someone playing it you instantly want to have a go.

Granted, it’s not bundled with the console in Japan, but that’s because Nintendo haven’t had such a struggle marketing the thing in their homeland. In Europe and America it’s a different story, and it took a while (and a few rounds of Wii Tennis) before we woke up to the joys of the Wii. If Nintendo want to continue the success of their baby, they won’t be dropping Wii Sports from the package anytime soon.

And besides, we’re confident that a price cut will happen without losing the software. How costly can it be to print and package a compact disc? Not as much as selling the console without it, we reckon. Michael Pachter is an ass.

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With Australians spending over $1.3 billion on video gaming in 2007, it is not surprising that all the major players had good years. Both Microsoft and Sony pulling in some happy numbers, it was inevitable that Nintendo – with the Wii achieving a number of sales records - also enjoyed some healthy returns.

Nintendo have released the following sales information straight from research company Gfk. First off a number of milestone sales figures were achieved, with the popular Nintendo DS hand-held notching up one million sold in Australia, in a little under three years from launch. Meanwhile big brother the Wii has hit 300,000 units in Australian homes after 58 weeks on the market. Both these milestones make the DS and Wii the official fastest selling games consoles in the land.

During December 2007, the Wii racked up 73,318 units sold, placing it second behind the DS which nailed 133,691 units in new sweaty Australian hands. By contrast Sony shipped 48,000 PlayStation 3’s, with Microsoft matching the PS3 with Xbox 360’s during the same period. In the software stakes, Nintendo claimed six of the top ten sales positions in 2007. These titles were Pokémon Diamond, Brain Training, Pokémon Pearl, More Brain Training, Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends and Super Mario Galaxy.

Nintendo’s Australian Managing Director, Rose Lappin was understandably buoyant with the end of year sales figures, attributing much of the customer appeal to the Wii’s intuitive pick-up-and-play design; “We are finding that people who have not played video games before are now enjoying playing Nintendo DS and Wii, which has resulted in the sales results revealed by GfK Australia”, says Lappin. The Nintendo Press Release goes on to give a glimpse of what to expect in 2008 – hit page two for the words. From the Nintendo Release: Available now on Wii is Endless Ocean™; Endless Ocean is underwater exploration through the pristine waters of fictional Manoa Lai Island. With no time limits, point systems or possibility of failure, it’s a pick-up-and-play game everyone can enjoy. Intuitive controls and the game’s encouraging “explore at your own pace” approach create a momentary retreat. Donkey Kong™ is back, with Donkey Kong™ Jet Race on Wii 7 February.

The battle for the king of the jungle is on. Shake, rattle, and roll with up to four players as you race through the jungle. Simple Wii controls make racing a snap. Available 21 February is Zack & Wiki™: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure. Explore a variety of wondrous environments and stages, in this full length puzzle game that utilises the unique control mechanics of the Wii Remote and challenges gamers to “play different”. Battalion Wars 2™ will be available on Wii mid March. 2008 will bring a number of titles to Nintendo DS including Sight Training™: Enjoy Exercising and Relaxing Your Eyes, which is available now. More than 21 million people globally are training their brains with Brain Training™ and More Brain Training™. Now you can train your visual abilities with Sight Training. Sight Training teaches you how to relax your eyes through fun and dynamic exercises, while helping to keep the five aspects of your vision in good shape.

Available 7 February is Professor Kageyama’s Maths Training™: The Hundred Cell Calculation Method. Refresh your basic maths skills for school or everyday life. The key principal of the software is repetition which according to Kageyama stimulates the brain. The maths exercises, range from simple one digit maths problems to slightly more complex three digit challenges. Chibi-Robo!™ Park Patrol and Naruto™ Ninja Destiny will also be available on Nintendo DS mid March.

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Monster Lab is set in the eerie world of Uncanny Valley where the evil Baron Mharti rules with a cruel hand. The player takes on the role of an apprentice scientist who must perform a vast array of intricate experiments to create their very own monster from over 100 million possible monster part variations on offer. Taking control of your monster, the player can then explore the land; searching for ingredients to make more monster parts, hunting out other monsters to defeat in combat, uncovering quests to embark upon or simply competing in the numerous mini-games available.

“Monster Lab will offer a wealth of fresh ideas to both Wii and DS players,” said Fabien Rossini, Global Brand Controller, Eidos. “These include gesture based combat, a compelling on-line fighting and trading system and total customization of the player’s monster.”

As a 3rd party online Wii game, players can challenge and compete with their friends in fast-paced, ferocious monster to monster multiplayer combat – or even trade with friends to collect the items and monster parts needed to build the strongest monster.

The ultimate goal is to vanquish the evil Baron Mharti and liberate the villagers through mastering experiments, creating a powerful army of monsters and conquering all of the vast environments, only then will the player rise through the ranks and become a scientist worthy of defeating the Baron!

Developed by Backbone Vancouver, Monster Lab is set for release on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS in 2008.

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Xbox makers appear to be counting on dissatisfaction with the Wii’s lack of technology and lasting gameplay.

There comes a time in every system’s life when its parent has to take off the kid gloves and say goodbye. Nintendo might not being doing that just yet with the DS, but the company is decreasing the amount of developers working on DS titles.

Yep this was inevitable and we’re surprised it didn’t happen sooner. Nintendo’s coding teams have not really released all that much which deserves shouting about over the last year. This has allowed more third party developers to develop some decent DS titles in the last 12 months.

That doesn’t mean Nintendo will be facing empty nest syndrome, though. By coddling the DS a little less, more developers can (and will) be able to focus on Wii games.

We just assumed that was happening already what with the lack of titles being made available for the DS over the last year. With the Wii becoming much more popular and many people having to eat their words as far as its popularity is concerned it seems inevitable that energies will be focused more on the Nintendo Wii from now on.

The Wii will surely benefit from this, as more manpower means quicker game releases. As for the DS, don’t fret. The handheld is littered with third-party titles, and it’s not like Nintendo is jumping ship completely on its portable money-printer.

Exactly, it’s just a natural evolution. Wii consoles are selling like hot cakes and it was just a matter of time before Nintendo developers switched their focus on to this new revolutionary console. Many people might be unhappy at this turn of events but we see this as a logical progression. This will further open up the landscape for third party developers for the DS.

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