Dec. 3, 2007

Sometimes the Wii-kly Updates have a nice, unifying them. Sometimes they don’t. This week we scoured the recesses of the classic games vault to come up with some interesting, if unrelated, gems. You can fight mechanized forces, battle with a bunch of fighters in the afterlife or play the role of a heroic regal bug. Like we said: Sometimes they don’t.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

ZANAC (NES®, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): ZANAC is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up game that was released in November 1986. Take control of the state-of-the-art fighter, ZANAC, with the objective of destroying the bases of the mechanized enemy forces. Use your full array of regular weapons as well as eight special weapons to clear the 12 intense areas of the game. Be careful, though, as the game changes the degree of difficulty in real time based on how well you play. This ensures that it feels like you’re experiencing a new game every time you play.

Eternal Champions™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen - Animated Blood, Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): This 2-D fighting game introduces a cast of different characters that met untimely deaths in their lives on Earth. Now they have been given a chance to compete against each other, with the winner taking on the Eternal Champion, the ultimate fighter in the universe. The reward for defeating the Eternal Champion is a return to Earth for the opportunity to avenge death and restore balance to the universe. Choose from nine unique characters with a variety of fighting styles, and bring your best moves to defeat all comers in your quest to topple the Eternal Champion.

The Dynastic Hero (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG featuring a cast of insect characters. The story begins with the invasion of their peaceful homeland of Tarron by the evil Drilkor Empire. Rushing to the insects’ aid is Dyna, the prince of Beetras. Take control of Dyna as he battles through action-filled stages. Equip weapons and items to vanquish the relentless foes, and acquire special items that enable you to brave the journey across the perilous desert or open sea. But it’s not just all action. Correctly answer multiple-choice quizzes, and play the ocarina to find the right melody to open doors. Plus, there are countless traps and other puzzles packed into this fun game to keep you entertained and ensure you continue coming back for more.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

Top-Selling Arcade Titles Available Tomorrow at Discounted Prices with Launch of Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits

LONDON - 3 December, 2007 - This week’s Xbox LIVE Arcade Wednesday is coming a day early with the Tuesday, 4th December launch of the Arcade Hits programme, offering some of the best-selling Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™ games at permanently reduced prices. Timed with the Xbox LIVE Fall Update, Arcade Hits can be found within the Xbox LIVE Arcade section of the new Game Store, making it easier than ever to build a library of great downloadable games. The first games to become Arcade Hits:

· “Bankshot Billiards 2” (PixelStorm). “Bankshot Billiards 2” improves on the original with nine game styles: classic 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Cutthroat, Euro 8-Ball, 14.1 Continuous, 3-Ball, Trick Shots, Time Trial and Golf.

· “Lumines LIVE!” (Q Entertainment Inc.). “Lumines LIVE!” is a deep and entertaining game experience, enhanced with vibrant music and newly designed skins that players can custom-select in Skin Edit mode.

· “Marble Blast Ultra” (Garage Games). In “Marble Blast Ultra,” players compete against each other by navigating marbles through moving platforms and dangerous hazards, while collecting rare gems and power-up enhancements, in an effort to complete each course in record time.

· “Small Arms” (Gastronaut Studios). Easy to pick up but hard to put down, “Small Arms” is a frantic multiplayer action game with the feel of an arcade shooter.

· “Zuma Deluxe” (Oberon Media). Gamers can explore more than 20 realms in Adventure mode and put their skills to the test in this fast-paced puzzle game.

With free trial downloads for every game and over 100 games to choose from, Xbox LIVE Arcade offers something for every member of the family. Last month, Xbox LIVE Arcade celebrated two major milestones: its 100th title release on Nov. 14 and its two-year anniversary on Xbox 360 on 22nd November, highlighting the platform’s leadership position as the premier destination for digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games. The fun continues through the New Year as Xbox LIVE Arcade prepares to release several new titles in the coming weeks:

· “Arkadian Warriors” (Sierra Online). Gamers can play as one of three heroic shape-shifting warriors embarking on a trek of epic proportions to release the Land of Arkadia from the evil Gorgon’s stony gaze. An original title on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Arkadian Warriors” features treacherous dungeons where cooperative hack-and-slash role-playing action enhances a deep single-player storyline. The game includes a robust LIVE-enabled cooperative multiplayer mode for two players online or on the same console.

· “Brain Challenge” (Gameloft). An entertaining brain training program, “Brain Challenge” boosts brain activity and helps players develop stress-management skills thanks to a wide variety of games. A personal coach helps players develop their abilities in several areas of cognitive function, including logic, math, memory and visual thinking, in a fun and entertaining way.

· “GripShift®” (Sidhe Interactive). Through a mix of sky-high platforming and stunt driving, “GripShift” combines automotive and puzzle-solving skills across 120 challenge levels, 25 rubber-burning racetracks and 20 deadly Deathmatch arenas. Gamers can zoom to victory with four players over Xbox LIVE or race solo, all while enjoying a customizable music experience.

· “N+” (Slick Entertainment and Metanet Software Inc.). Gamers can play as an acrobatic ninja in this addictive action-puzzle platformer. “N+” features inadvertently homicidal robots, stylish graphics, a level editor and intense multiplayer awesomeness.

· “Omega Five” (Hudson Entertainment). “Omega Five” is a next-gen, high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Gamers can fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and do battle with enemies that come at them from all sides, even the background. “Omega Five” comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade this winter.

· “Poker Smash” (Void Star Creations). Players will experience a whole new puzzle game with a poker twist as “Poker Smash” delivers stunning visuals and radical features such as super-slow motion and card-blasting bombs. Gamers should get ready for a fast-paced innovative game with amazing HD graphics and a custom soundtrack that will blow them away!

· “Rez HD” (Q Entertainment). The psychedelic, cult-classic shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, “Rez HD” makes its way onto Xbox LIVE Arcade early next year. A frenetic, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of “Rez HD” takes players deep into the world’s computer network, where they must hack the system, alter the visual output and take over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they dig deeper into the cyberworld.

· “Sensible World of Soccer” (Codemasters). The game that inspired a generation, “Sensible World of Soccer” lets players experience both the classic and modern HD version. With multiple play modes, they can play a quick game, start a career mode, manage a team or take part in their own Champions league.

Where can I get “Bankshot Billiards 2”, “Lumines LIVE!” , “Marble Blast Ultra” , “Small Arms” and “Zuma Deluxe” from?

Bankshot Billiards 2: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday 4th December 2007

Lumines LIVE!: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday 4th December 2007

Marble Blast Ultra: available for 400 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday 4th December 2007

Small Arms; available for 400 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday 4th December 2007

Zuma Deluxe: available for 400 MS Points from 9:00 a.m., Tuesday 4th December 2007

They are rated 3+

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

The following was taken from the official guitar hero site. 

Subject: [RedOctane #61182]: Redoctane Contact Feedback
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:44:04 -0800
From: service@redoctane.com

Hello, 

Thank you for writing us. 

Downloadable content for the Wii is something we are working very hard
on getting in place for the new year.
There is no definite timetable in place but we are hoping it will be soon. 

Regards, 

RedOctane Customer Support 

www.RedOctane.com

SAITEK’S NEW R660GT FORCE FEEDBACK STEERING WHEEL GETS THE ADRENALINE PUMPING

Saitek, a leading designer and manufacturer of consumer electronic products for PC and gaming, has announced the launch of its new R660GT Force Feedback Wheel, – the new PC racing wheel with powerful Force Feedback and switchable gearstick. The unique force feedback technology puts the player in the driver’s seat by translating the racing action into jolts and shudders in the wheel, letting them feel every bump and crash, whether it’s a track barrier, a tree or a rival driver. Feel changes in road surface as you glide from smooth tarmac to rough dirt. Respond to the wheel’s feedback to improve your lap times by taking sharp corners more smoothly, and avoiding a rear-end slide or under-steer. The Saitek R660GT wheel comes with a solid G-clamp to securely fix the wheel to the desk, so it’ll stay where it’s needed even at 180mph with tyres screaming around a nasty hairpin bend. And the soft handle finish ensures a strong grip so the wheel won’t slip through your fingers, even in the heat of the race. The R660GT setup includes pedals that can be customised to suit the driver, so that they can operate independently of each other or can be combined to suit different games or a player’s driving style. Unlike many other driving wheels, the R660GT pedals more accurately reflect the positioning of pedals in a real car, pivoted from the top rather than the bottom, whilst the brake offers more resistance than the accelerator.  

The R660GT wheel also caters for gamers used to left- or right-hand drive cars with a semi-automatic gear shift lever that can be mounted on the side of the wheel, plus two, fingertip-controlled gear shift paddles.

  With its rock-solid stability, powerful and realistic force feedback, and essential controls right where you need them, the new R600GT brings the track to life, improves your lap times and helps you become race champion.  System requirements:Connectivity: The setup connects to the PC via a single USB 2.0 cable

Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Saitek’s R660GT Force Feedback Wheel is available from www.saitek.com priced £59.99.

PC version of Live Arcade title released today on NinjaBee.com— with a few surprises

Orem, Utah—Band of Bugs PC, the Windows-based version of the Xbox LIVE Arcade strategy title by NinjaBee, is available for download starting today on www.NinjaBee.com. To promote the game’s release, NinjaBee has also announced a new contest as well as lower prices for their T-shirts and select downloadable games.

The latest NinjaBee contest rewards the most skilled player. Players must submit a screenshot from the PC version of Band of Bugs showing their final score screen for level eight (”Hold the Line”). The player with the most enemy units defeated on that level will win a PC game of his or her choice. Please see the Band of Bugs PC Contest post on the NinjaBee forum (www.ninjabee.com/forum/index.php) for official rules.

In addition to the contest, NinjaBee has lowered the price of select PC games to $14.95. Now the full versions of both Band of Bugs and Outpost Kaloki can be purchased on NinjaBee.com for less than most other downloadable games. As always, a trial download of the game is free.

“Think of it as a holiday gift from NinjaBee to you,” said Steve Taylor, president of Wahoo Studios. “We’re giving you better quality and a much deeper gaming experience than what you would find in other online downloadable games for a lower price.”

Along with a lowered game download price, NinjaBee has lowered its T-shirt prices to $14.95 as well. Visit www.NinjaBee.com to see the collection of men’s and women’s NinjaBee-inspired T-shirts.

About Band of Bugs

While Band of Bugs delivers the deep strategic combat popular with experienced gamers, NinjaBee also designed the game to be accessible and appealing to those not familiar with the strategy genre. The campaign follows bug-hero Maal as he joins the royal army of the Central Kingdom and commands other powerful bug heroes in order to save his Queen and defeat the menace that threatens his kingdom. In addition to the story-based campaign, gamers can play stand-alone missions and online multiplayer battles. The game also features an innovative map editor which allows players to unleash their creativity and design their own maps to play and share with their friends. The number of levels in the game is only limited by each player’s creativity.