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Posts with tag sega

Amazon dates, prices maraca attachments for Samba de Amigo

Posted Aug 21st 2008 1:43PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Peripherals


It would seem the final maraca attachments for Samba de Amigo on the Wii have been leaked over at Amazon (you can catch an eyeful above, obviously). For those of you who've been following the title, you already caught a glimpse of the earlier version. We guess those were just prototypes. Personally, we dig the red.

Amazon has a date on these for September 23rd, along with a price of $14.99, should you need that extra pair for some multiplayer action. Obviously, the game will release in a bundled form for those of you that absolutely need these hunks of plastic with your game.

Gallery: Samba de Amigo


[Thanks, Redd Starrs!]
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Wii Warm Up: Samba de Ulala

Posted Aug 21st 2008 8:00AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Wii Warm Up


Certain Sega-friendly elements of the Wii Fanboy blogging staff were super-excited to see Ulala appearing in Samba de Amigo. Of course, we're still beyond freaked out that there is a new Samba de Amigo. For us, the Space Channel 5 star adds a lot of interest to the game. But most people aren't us. Most people have no idea what Space Channel 5 is (judging by the precipitous drop in price of the excellent Space Channel 5 Special Edition on PS2), and may have a passing interest in Samba. You guys, being avid game nerd types, probably average somewhere in the middle: whether or not you care about these games, you're at least familiar.

Does the appearance of a classic Dreamcast-era character like Ulala increase your interest in the remake/sequel to a classic Dreamcast rhythm game? Or is Sega all about Sonic for you?

Gallery: Samba de Amigo

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GC 2008: Left! Right! Chu! Chu! Ulala in Samba

Posted Aug 20th 2008 7:20PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Screens

Click for more Ulala goodness.

A Sonic cameo in Samba de Amigo has long been old news, grandpa, but we've also been promised appearances from other Sega characters and venues. Here are the fruits of those promises: a cameo from the galaxy's funkiest news reporter, Ulala, and a special Space Channel 5 stage. Ulala's presence makes perfect sense really; as the protagonist of Sega's other awesome rhythm extravaganza, her inclusion was surely inevitable. Now all she needs is her own game. You listening, Sega?

Gallery: Samba de Amigo


[Via press release]
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New MadWorld footage shows off motorcyclin', boss battlin'

Posted Aug 20th 2008 11:54AM by David Hinkle
Filed under: Video


We ache for this game. We're not going to say that there will be some clearly inappropriate fondling of the game case before we insert the disc into our Wii, but know this: if there was a choice between saving this game from an apartment fire and, say, you, then we're clearly grabbing the game. Our apathy towards your life when compared to Platinum Games' title aside (otherwise, we totally love you and stuff), have you watched the MadWorld trailer above yet? Uh, why not? None of this text matters. Just watch it already!

Gallery: MadWorld

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MadWorld, House of the Dead won't be released in Germany

Posted Aug 19th 2008 3:41PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: News


According to a statement given to Nintendo-Online by Sega of Germany, Platinum Games' MadWorld and the newly-announced House of the Dead: Overkill will not be released in Germany. Based on what has been shown so far, Sega does not believe that the restrictive USK ratings board would give the games a rating, and so rather than go to the trouble of changing all the enemies into robots, they have opted not to release them.

In other news, gamers and press from all over the world are in Germany this week to see new games like Sega's MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill at the Leipzig Games Convention.

Gallery: MadWorld


[Via NeoGAF]
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The House of the Dead: Overkill -- where the dead walk, and bullets talk

Posted Aug 19th 2008 10:00AM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Video



We all held our breath when Sega announced it had a surprise planned for the Leipzig Game Conference. Could it be a fresh Jet Set Radio game? A Daytona title? Surely not ... Shenmue III? Well, it's none of those, but House of the Dead: Overkill still appears to be awe to the some. Though a competent House of the Dead game already exists on the Wii, our toes curled with excitement upon watching the trailer above, with its grindhouse stylings and tongue-in-cheek commentary.

"They came for brains. You will give them ... bullets."

House of the Dead: Overkill is due out next year and, as has been previously mentioned, is being worked on by Headstrong. Hit up our gallery for the first screens and some of the best Wii boxart you'll see this year.

Gallery: House of the Dead: Overkill

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MadWorld could impact the future of Wii gaming

Posted Aug 18th 2008 9:58AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: News


The brewing controversy around MadWorld may seem similar, after the Manhunt 2 media debacle, but at least one person is concerned it may have a deeper effect on Nintendo and the Wii's future library of games. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that writer and advertising student Thom Dinsdale thinks the Wii market will be driven by the "Wii Sports generation," and that there will be little place for riskier games like MadWorld. On the face, it sounds like the oldest argument we've heard about the Wii: that the large casual focus is going to somehow damage gaming.

Well, Wii gaming, anyway.

Dinsdale seems to think that Nintendo is attempting to ride two horses at top speed, and is uncertain the company can balance the casual appeal with games like MadWorld. While he grants the fact that the publications lambasting the game are known for sensationalism, he also reluctantly admits that they're read on a daily basis by millions in the U.K., and he worries that other third party developers will look at the controversy and shy away from future Wii exclusives.

We can only hope he's wrong, and have the system's history with Manhunt 2 on our side, but we certainly don't want to see MadWorld toned down ... and we'd rather it not negatively impact future third-party releases, either. Dinsdale's arguments are well-reasoned, but we're keeping our fingers crossed on this one. After all, things are looking up for non-Nintendo releases on the system, and that's after the last major controversy.

Gallery: MadWorld


[Via GoNintendo]

Still not had your fill of storm-in-a-teacup controversy? Then hop over here to learn more about Manhunt 2's woes, here to catch up on Charlie Daniels' unfavorable views of Guitar Hero, or here to read about the fuss over Beer Pong. If you need us, we'll be here, soaking up the latest MadWorld footage.
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Sega: More Balance Board and Zapper-compatible games on the way

Posted Aug 14th 2008 8:20PM by David Hinkle
Filed under: News, Peripherals

For those of you with a lot of plastic junk laying around, taking up space (remember, if you bought Wii Fit, you only played it once), there's hope! Sega has plans for your Nintendo peripherals, so you might be dusting them off in the near future.

During an interview, SEGA of America president Simon Jeffrey commented that Sega is "fans of the Wii Zapper" and that their game Ghost Squad "keeps selling." As for the future, he stated that the company has "more Zapper games going," with the same "for the Wii Balance Board, although we have nothing announced yet." We wonder if this will tie in to that mystery Leipzig game?

[Via Balance Board Blog]
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Sega has a surprise for Leipzig

Posted Aug 14th 2008 4:30PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Rumors


Sega might have spent the last few years dragging our beloved memories of Sonic through the dirt, but like an abused, battered spouse, we always return to the company's embrace. They'll change this time, we tell ourselves before each new Sega title is revealed. Sometimes, the gamble pays off. Other times ... not so much.

At first glance, the company's Wii line-up for Leipzig (listed past the break) consists of titles we've all seen before, but Sega is also planning a "world premiere" for a hitherto unannounced game, one that will be announced in time for the start of the trade fair on August 20th. This being Sega, our imaginations have instantly fired up. Given the recent trademarking shenanigans and Sega's current fondness for reviving Dreamcast titles, our money is on a Jet Set Radio game of some description. You never know, however -- it could just be another Sonic game noone really cares about. We'd never rule that option out.

Activate idle speculation!

Gallery: MadWorld

Continue reading Sega has a surprise for Leipzig

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Mario pushes Olympic gold medalist to victory

Posted Aug 12th 2008 2:39PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Fan stuff


That up there is Kosuke Kitajima of Japan. He's just won a gold medal for swimming the breaststroke extremely quickly in that ongoing sporting event you may have heard about. Congratulations are in order then, but what's his secret? Strict 5am starts? Hours of training a day? A controlled diet? All three, we'd imagine, but also: Mario.

It turns out that Kitajima likes his Wii, specifically Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, which he cites as an influence. "See, Mario does the breaststroke," explained the swimmer to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. "And thus, it's perfect mental training for envisioning the actual Olympic hall." Riiight. Sega can spend all it wants on marketing its ubiquitous game, but that's as good as free publicity gets.

Gallery: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games


[Via Kotaku]
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MadWorld, indeed: the backlash begins

Posted Aug 12th 2008 12:45PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News


Britain's most hysterical newspaper and preferred litter tray liner the Daily Mail has caught wind of MadWorld -- and it wants us to know all about it. For our children's safety. THINK OF THE CHILDREN.

In a piece entitled "Parents horrified as most violent video game ever to launch on 'family friendly' Wii," the newspaper illogically huffs and puffs about the forthcoming Platinum Games project, which it claims has "shocked anti-violence pressure groups." Near the top of the article, the Mail quotes a spokesperson from MediaWatch-UK, while a retort from Nintendo is relegated to the very bottom of the article. Little has changed from the Mail's previous coverage of videogames, with the familiar, outraged tone and Luddite views present throughout. The paper also ignores the imminent release of Manhunt 2, and conveniently forgets that MadWorld will almost certainly be granted an "18" certificate.

Most absurdly of all, the Mail suggests that MadWorld will "dramatically transform Wii's image," as though the game is likely to sell in the tens of millions. Seriously, if the Wii is synonymous with MadWorld (and not Wii Sports) two years from now, we'll eat the hat of everybody reading this.

Gallery: MadWorld


[Via MCV]

Still not had your fill of storm-in-a-teacup controversy? Then hop over here to learn more about Manhunt 2's woes, here to catch up on Charlie Daniels' unfavorable views of Guitar Hero, or here to read about the fuss over Beer Pong. If you need us, we'll be here, soaking up the latest MadWorld footage.
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Sonic's Shoes Unleashed

Posted Aug 11th 2008 6:30PM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Imports, Screens


The real attraction to these Sonic Unleashed scans is what seem to be tiny screens of the Wii version in action, including a couple we've seen and many we haven't. But we found two somewhat ancillary news bits related to these scans too distracting to ignore.

First, the Japanese title for the game is Sonic World Adventure, which ties the new game more closely in with its Dreamcast predecessors. Second, like Bruce Banner, who gained the ability not only to transform into the Incredible Hulk, but also to involuntarily turn his pants purple, Sonic has acquired shoes that change when he becomes a "Werehog." Whenever the moon is full, his shoes sprout cleats.

Gallery: Sonic Unleashed

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Top 5: Upcoming Original IPs from Third Parties

Posted Aug 11th 2008 12:00PM by Kaes Delgrego
Filed under: Top Five


Man, there are those who really love to complain. After viewing Zero Punctuation's latest video, I've decided that the old phrase distributed liberally by parents and teachers is indeed very true: "you can't please everyone." Nintendo themselves must have felt this pretty hard after their E3 showing was widely perceived as sub-par. On the gamers' side, even those who were most disappointed usually turned to any of the numerous third party efforts for hope. Understanding that Zero Punctuation is mostly intended as farce, it's difficult to call them out. Yet one glaring assertion must be rebutted: E3 2008 was most definitely not the year of the sequel. In fact, on the Nintendo side, the exact opposite was true.

For the first time in a long while, I'm much more excited about upcoming third party releases than Nintendo titles as a whole (save for Wario Land: Shake It!). As those of us who braved the GameCube generation quickly learned, a console cannot survive on first party titles alone -- even those of the highest quality. Here are the top five original third party games that we are excited about.




The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, check out What Are You Playing?, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
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Wii Warm Up: Mario & Sonic at the thing that is happening right now

Posted Aug 11th 2008 8:00AM by JC Fletcher
Filed under: Wii Warm Up


When Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games came out last year, there were no current Olympic Games for the pair to be at. The game was still branded with the Beijing Olympics logo, despite Beijing not yet having even a single Olympic. Even with the weird timing, the game did just fine; we expect that with the Olympics in full swing, sales will pick up even more.

Are you developing a sudden craving for mascot sports due to the rush of Olympic fever? Has the worldwide mania for athletic competition made you consider buying a game about big-headed animal-things and human caricatures taking part in simulated competition? If you already had Mario & Sonic, have you broken it out since the for-real Games started?

Gallery: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

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VC Friday: Sequel week

Posted Aug 8th 2008 12:50PM by Chris Greenhough
Filed under: News, Virtual Console


Game sequels often suffer from a reputation of being weaker than their predecessors, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo whacking a whole pile of them on the PAL Virtual Console this week. The M-rated Splatterhouse 2 leads the charge, bloodied lead pipe in hand, and is joined by Samurai Shodown II, Pitstop II, and Ecco Jr. (okay, so that's not a sequel in the strictest sense of the term, but a spin-off for the kids). Here's what that little lot will cost you:
  • Ecco Jr. -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
  • Splatterhouse 2 -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
  • Samurai Shodown II -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
  • Pitstop II -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points *
* As usual, Australia misses out on the Commodore 64 game.

Footage of all four is past the break -- try listening to six minutes of Pitstop II's engine effects without going insane.

Continue reading VC Friday: Sequel week

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