When Nintendo announced they were unveiling “Metallic Rose,” the first thing that came to mind was that they had somehow put together a 80’s hair band to promote all things Nintendo across the U.S. and rock faces along the way. Instead, it turns out it’s the color of a new DS. The Metallic Rose DS (i.e. “pink DS”) was originally featured as part of a Nintendogs bundle, but now it’s getting a new release as a standalone piece of hardware. I’m guessing this new color is aimed primarily at the female demographic, considering they’ve enlisted Carrie Underwood and America Ferrara (Ugly Betty) to do commercials for it. Liv Tyler is also set to do advertisements for a Crimson/Black version. The new Metallic Rose DS is slated to hit store shelves later this month. And now I’m going to have that damn “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” song stuck in my head all day.
Via Press Release
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I’m at a loss to really explain what happened in April; if you’re anything other than a Nintendo fan, you’re not going to be pleased with the hardware sales figures. Not a single system other than Nintendo’s duo managed to crack 200,000 units for the month of April in the US, according to the NPD Group.
April 2008 Hardware Sales (March numbers in parentheses):
Nintendo Wii - 714,200 (721,000)
Nintendo DS - 414,800 (698,000)
PlayStation Portable - 192,700 (297,000)
Xbox 360 - 188,000 (262,000)
PlayStation 3 - 187,100 (257,000)
PlayStation 2 - 124,400 (216,000)
Talk about a 50-50 split for the PS3 and 360 here in the US; just 900 units separated the two systems. Oddly enough, the rankings turned out to be exactly the same as in March, which is, in a way, good if you’re in the market for a Wii as Michael Pachter’s prediction that the Wii shortage would be resolving itself seems to have come true. Nearly 1.5 million consoles sold in two months means the system is out there in fairly large quantities.
Unfortunately, my archrival’s other predictions weren’t quite so accurate. The 360 and PS3 sold roughly 90k and 100k less, respectively, than he thought. But really, who would have thought the numbers would be so low this month?
Konami today announced Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia exclusively for Nintendo DS which will introduce the all-new “Glyph” attack system which allows players to use special attack combinations as they attempt to defeat Dracula and his horde. Also new to the series are the outdoor locales ranging from forests to the ocean, giving players the chance to explore outside of Dracula’s Castle.
In Order of Ecclesia, players take the role of a member of the Ecclesia, an organization that has sworn to defeat the evil forces of Dracula. By using the Glyph attack system, players can unleash more than 100 different combinations to battle Dracula’s minions throughout 20 explorable areas. Utilizing Wi-Fi , players can choose to compete head-to-head, or trade items and equipment they have found while exploring the environments. Multiple endings that can be unlocked depending on how the player completes the game adds to the game with plenty of exploration, combat and items to discover.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is planned for release in the Fall 2008.
Coming to the PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 is Konami’s Rock Revolution. Described as an “unprecedented, authentic music-based video game that will re-define the rhythm genre”, the game will come with its own drums. You can also “rock out” with the bass, guitar and vocals. Take THAT Harmonix!
According to Konami, Rock Revolution will be available with the most realistic drum peripheral on the market when it launches for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Featuring a supposedly extensive music selection on the game disc, along with a wide variety of downloadable songs available at launch, the game will also have single player modes as well as the prerequisite multiplayer.
The Wii version will be quite different from its Microsoft and Sony counterparts due to its “interactive use of the controls” where you will have the definitive “air-drum and air-guitar experience”plus the DS version will let you use the stylus for rhythm matching sessions.
Rock Revolution is scheduled to launch this Fall, and to quite honest with you, I cannot see anyone choosing the Wii version over the others if all you get to do is “air drum” and “air guitar” - I mean, “air guitar” and “air drums” what a crock… I am not paying over $40 for something I can see a mullet coiffed redneck in a beat up trans am do at a stop light here in my hometown.
I hope to the gaming gods that I read the press release wrong, I really do. Anyway, check out the trailer for yourself.
Disney Interactive has announced the launch of its Dgamer network for the DS with the release of Disney/Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for the DS. The new online network enables Disney gamers and Narnia fans to communicate via Nintendo DS and the DGamer Web site.
“DGamer was built around the vision to connect Disney video game fans in a secure, fun environment and it is truly the first integrated online community of its kind to do so on multiple platforms,” said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager for Disney Interactive Studios. “We recognize the importance of delivering unique experiences to our consumers and how crucial it is for parents to feel confident that the community is secure for their kids.
Gamers will be able to create and customize a 3D avatar and a persistent profile. Their high scores and “honors” will be recorded online. Some honors can be turned in for unlockables such as special gear for players’ avatars.
The good news is the site is parent friendly. It comes with three levels of chat controls so that parents can decide which privacy setting best suit their child. You can check it out for yourself on the Dgamer website
A new Pokemon game; what a surprise. Nintendo has unveiled the next title in the franchise with Pokemon Platinum, which is due out this fall. Unfortunately, it’s not really a full-fledged sequel, but rather an expansion to Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. As such, the game will most likely include a similar story, but with different critters for you to capture, like this demonic centipede looking thing called “Giranta.” Yeah, it’s pretty much a ploy to get Poke-fanatics to shell out more cash for cheap follow-up game, much like Pokemon Yellow was to the original Red/Green; and hordes of people are sure to fall for it. At this point though, Nintendo must be out of metals to use in their titles now, unless the next two games are “Pokemon Cobalt” and “Pokemon Nickel.”
The gaming site Jeaux France has posted some scans for the upcoming Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Because they are so blurry and full of Japanese characters I decided not to post them on here and have instead supplied you with the link.
Over on Destructoid, which I got this lovely bit of info from, has provided a link to a cool Castlevania game-name generator, which most of you may already know about but I am just seeing it for the first time - and I found it to be hilarious. My Castlevania name game? Castlevania: Polka of Testicular Cancer. Gotta love that.
Recently, a demo for LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures was released for the PC and it left console owners hoping for a version to hit their systems soon. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is not going to happen.
According to Eurogamer, an Activision representative told the site that a console demo is not in the works or will there be one at all. So, if you are reading this, that means you have access to a PC, which means that you can still play a demo and that should give you an idea if you want it for your console, so try not to be so glum about it.
You can get the demo by clicking on the badge below.
The DS homebrew scene is as ripe as ever — Pocket Physics is a great example of that. The game is a lot like Crayon Physics, which you may have played on PC before. You can draw whatever you want, and then physics will dictate what happens. The best feature is that you can save your creations, so you can download other gamers’ crazy ideas and watch them unfold in the game right in front of you.
return 1 has a database of saves that people have shared, which should provide you with quite a bit of inspiration. There are already 75 files waiting to be downloaded, and you can upload your own as well. You can download the game here and then make with the crazy physics contraptions.
MySims Kingdom, the next experience from the creators of MySims, will be launching exclusively on the Wii and Nintendo DS this Fall. The game sets you on a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom.
In the Wii version, King Roland needs your help to make the Kingdom a better place. Throughout this tale to bring the Kingdom back to its former glory, you must help new and old friends alike, discover new lands and build to the limit of your imagination. Starting in The Capital, the center of your story-telling, you can check out the Castle, explore this first land and begin to meet your first set of new friends, including King Roland, Princess Butter, and the Wizard Marlon. Find out more of what awaits you here and then get in your boat to sail to many more lands on the horizon.
Throughout your journey new characters, lands, and clever new contraptions will be revealed. Construct and do everything from tending your pigs to finding treasure chests. Newly-added building options will help you accomplish the tasks you’re challenged with along the way, including building broken bridges. In true MySims fashion, everything is customizable, allowing every creation within your world to have a signature look.
In the Nintendo DS version, MySims Kingdoms adds a new chapter to the saga, challenging you to help the King thwart the plans of evil in a far flung corner of the Kingdom. Many new activities and mini-games are included to help you persuade the King that your island is the ultimate royal destination.
There is a lot more to discover in regions beyond The Capital, so stay tuned for more characters, contraptions and lands that are yet to be revealed.
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
To top it off, 1Up has posted some fun screens for it today, and to view them just hit the thumbnails below. The game is expected to be released on June 3rd for the PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, DS, Xbox-360 and Wii.
Skate was definitely the one of the best skateboarding games we’ve seen in years. It took a genre that Tony Hawk had run into the ground and innovated so much that Neversoft is taking a break this year, rather than releasing yet another dull sequel.
EA’s Skate managed to take advantage of the dual analog stick setup of the PS3 and Xbox 360 controllers, and now the newly announced Skate It will be looking to do the same using the Wii and DS’ unique control methods — including the Wii’s Balance Board. Although it won’t be necessary, EA claims it’s a much cooler way of playing and will let you “really feel your carves and control your manuals.”
Much of what made the original Skate so popular will be returning, including the core part of Skate’s engine, which has been moved over to Wii, as well as Instant Replay.
There’s currently no solid release date, but expect to see Skate It released sometime in 2008. Head over to FileFront to check out some screenshots of the game right here.
It seems like the Nintendo Channel’s selection of DS demos is going to be changing, which means previously available demos won’t be there forever. But the good news to go along with that is, of course, the availability of new demos. DS Fanboy has scoped out the Nintendo Channel and noticed the latest change, which adds one thing of particular note — Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Not too shabby.
Although one has to wonder why Nintendo can’t just keep a backlog of all these demos. Hopefully that changes in the future.
The currently available DS demos, thanks to DS Fanboy:
Brain Age 2
Brain Age
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Just Minutes a Day
Welcome to the latest edition of Pachter Predicts, where Wedbush Morgan analyst and my sworn adversary Michael Pachter makes his predictions for the past month’s console sales here in the United States. For the second straight month, Pachter has predicted that the PlayStation 3 outsold the Xbox 360. (Although last month his prediction turned out wrong, as the 360 had a 5,000 unit edge over the PS3.)
Here are his predictions, with last month’s numbers in parentheses:
If Pachter turns out to be right, it looks like the 360 and PS3 won’t have seen a major boost in sales as many have thought they would. He attributes his predicted higher sales of the DS and Wii to their greater availability.
As for Grand Theft Auto IV, he expects it to have sold 3.3 million units in its first six days in the US alone, and also notes that he expects 20 games to have cracked the 100,000 unit mark in April, compared with only nine last year.
Those of you who still find yourself looking for a Wii, Pachter thinks that situation might be soon resolving itself: “We believe that Nintendo has diverted a significant portion of its available supply to Europe since April 2007, as the weakening dollar has made US sales less profitable for the company… We expect the supply situation will begin to improve over the next several months. We expect a surge in supply in the US for Wii Fit’s May 21 launch here, and believe we could see as many as 900,000 Wii units show up at retail this month (May).”
Codemasters has secured the exclusive video game rights to Formula One in a worldwide licensing agreement with Formula One Administration Ltd. In turn, the developer/publisher will create a new generation of the multi-million selling Formula One game franchise across multiple consoles, handhelds and PC.
Here are some “gushing” quotes pulled from the press release:
“FORMULA 1 is ambitious in expanding its reach with more circuits planned beyond recent additions in the Middle East and China. It is also ambitious in expanding its reach via technology. The digital communities that computer and video gaming creates will play a key role in further growing the FORMULA 1 audience and connecting them globally,” said Rod Cousens, chief executive officer, Codemasters.
“As a world-leading creator of driving games, this alliance with FORMULA 1 is the jewel in Codemasters’ racing crown and creates an undisputed segment champion. FORMULA 1 has gone with the best, the segment leader. It has gone to the home of the EGO Engine for quality; it has gone to the company that can host FORMULA 1 Online, to the company that is streaking away from the pack.”
“Codemasters’ success and recent innovations in the racing game space makes the company more than appropriately tuned for the challenge,” said Chris Deering, chairman, Codemasters.“The combination of FORMULA 1’s new momentum of expansion and Codemasters’ contemporary technology and past experience is the breaking of a new dawn for the sport, on the track and on the HD game screen.”
This deal will provide Codemasters with rights to feature all Grand Prix circuits, Formula One teams, cars, and driver likenesses. In addition, the FIA Formula One World Championship games will be developed using the evolution of the EGO Game Technology Engine, Codemasters’ cross-platform middleware technology. The EGO Engine is currently being deployed in the creation of Race Driver: GRID, the latest in Codemasters Studio’s international circuit-based racing series which will be released on May 30th.
The first FIA Formula One World Championship game is set to launch in 2009.
Over the past decade, THQ and Nickelodeon has been able take advantage (read: exploit) children’s love for Nickelodeon properties to the tune of more than $1 billion and more than 50 million units sold worldwide. This announcement comes alongside the companies’ announcement of their 2008 portfolio, which includes games based on shows I’ve never heard of such as Tak and the Power of Juju, Back at the Barnyard, and The Naked Brothers Band. (What the hell?)
THQ attributes much of the success to the popularity of both the Wii and DS. “With the enormous popularity of Wii and DS coupled with our exceptionally diverse portfolio of Nickelodeon-based games, THQ continues to lead in family entertainment,” said THQ’s Jim Huntley. “Featuring new forms of gameplay such as the music-based The Naked Brothers Band and the drawing-based Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, we expect our upcoming titles to offer completely new ways for families to play together.”
Nickelodeon continues to view gaming as an important activity to their audience, so don’t expect to see a lack of SpongeBob games anytime soon. “Gaming is one of the primary activities of our audience, whether it’s online or on the console,” said Nickelodeon’s Steve Youngwood. “THQ’s interactive video games based on our hit shows have continued to help Nickelodeon maintain its position as a leader in gaming entertainment for the family, and we look forward to the addition of these new releases to our library.”
That’s a crapton of money. But you know what’s scarier? The Hannah Montana franchise is expected to total around $1 billion in 2008 alone.
In Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A., William is being held captive somewhere in Lyoko by the evil virus X.A.N.A. and it’s up to you to help the Code Lyoko Warriors find and free him. To achieve this goal Ulrich, Yumi, Odd an Aelita must complete a number of challenging missions in the different sectors of the digital world of Lyoko. X.A.N.A. has created a new virtual world consisting of Replikas based on Lyoko.
To get to William the Code Lyoko team must first destroy all of the Replikas from inside as well as the Super Computer linked to each of them hidden in strategic locations around Lyoko and protected by tough high tech bosses. Their final challenge is to defeat the mysterious and dangerous Volcano Replika containing the very core of X.A.N.A.: a crater containing a number of towers one of which contains William…
Journey to the virtual universe with your favorite Code Lyoko heroes and experience another chapter in the RPG franchise for the DS which is slated for a Jun 17th release.
Key Features
Explore the five different environments of the Digital World: Forest, Desert, Mountains, Ice field and Volcano territory
Fight against more than 20 different enemies, super tough bosses and the brand new monster from season 4, the Kolossus. Each enemy is characterised by their own individual visual, behaviour and stats
Carry out exciting missions with Odd, Yumi, Ulrich and Aelita each with individual skills, weapons and stats and get back-up from Jeremy by summoning special attacks only he can program!
Some attack commands triggers mini games. Complete them successfully to increase the effect of your attacks!
There are 5 missions to complete – one per territory. Each territory holds 10 battle areas as well as a boss fight resulting in 50 battle areas on Lyoko, 50 battle areas on Replika and 5 boss fights for a total of 105 battles!
Battle against your friends in 3 different multiplayer modes using the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection and find out who has the genuine team of Code Lyoko Heroes and whose team is made up of Replicas
Forbes has published their list of the 40st richest people in Japan and topping the list is former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi. Running the company from 1949 to 2002 and retiring from the gaming giant completely in 2005, over the past year his wealth has increased by $3 billion dollars - thanks mainly in part to the Wii, DS and the game sales for both systems. This has increased his overall wealth to a whopping $7.8 billion.
Hiroshi’s wealth has tripled over the past three years, and one can only imagine how much wealth he will accumulate once the WiiFit hits the states.
Sierra has announced the development of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, a video game based the third installment of the “Mummy” movies from Universal Pictures. The game, which will mirror the events depicted in the film, is being developed by Eurocom Studios for the PS2 and the Wii; and in development for the DS from A2M.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperorgame was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. In this third-person action-adventure game, players will take on the roles of Rick O’Connell and his son, Alex (played by Brendan Fraser and Luke Ford, respectively, in the film). Gamers will follow the lead characters on their journey - across locations from ancient Chinese catacombs to the Himalayan peaks - to defeat the revived servants of the Dragon Emperor (Jet Li). The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will allow players to switch between gunplay and hand-to-hand melee attacks, and also features an arsenal of weaponry that can be used to vanquish the many enemies players will face during their journey. Players will also be able to utilize combat, puzzle-solving and hieroglyphic decoding gameplay elements to fight their way through the game.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is expected to be available on July 22nd, while the movie is expected to be released in theaters on August 1st.
You know, as horrid as The Scorpion King was combined with the asinine antics and plotline of the The Mummy Returns, I am surprised that they are even making ANOTHER one. I mean, even Rachel Weisz is smart enough not to be a part of this one - her character is being played by Maria Bello this time around - who isn’t even British so how in the world can she still be considered Jonathan’s sister? Plus, with the “son” as a side-kick in the movie, that just guarantees that it will both suck and blow. Plus, with Luke Ford playing Brenden Fraser’s son, his character would have been 13 when Alex was born which is absurd - of course, now I am just nit-picking so I will shut up.
Poor Harvey Dent. His campaign against crime ended when crime boss Sal “Boss” Maroni threw sulfuric acid in Dent’s face, horribly scarring and discoloring his left hand and the left half of his face. Tormented by his hideous reflection, he becomes not only a shadow of his former self, but a demented villain and changes his name to Two Face. This crazed former attorney uses the toss of his coin to decide whether he acts for good or evil in any situation. Unfortunately, the coin rarely lands on good.
While this may sound like a dire plotline, we can pretty much guess that it will be more light hearted if not down right comical when portrayed in the new LEGO Batman game where a stampede of notorious criminals have busted out of Arkham Asylum (the place where Gotham City houses only the shadiest of characters).
It’s up to the famed Caped Crusader to sweep Gotham clean of criminal activity using everything at his disposal, including crime-fighting vehicles as well as several baddie-bashing gadgets.
LEGO Batman is expected to be released in September on multiple platforms. You can view more of the new screens featuring Two Face and others by clicking here.
Konami today announced 
Disney Interactive has announced the launch of its Dgamer network for the DS with the release of Disney/Walden Media’s The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for the DS. The new online network enables Disney gamers and Narnia fans to communicate via Nintendo DS and the DGamer Web site.
A new Pokemon game; what a surprise. Nintendo has unveiled the next title in the franchise with Pokemon Platinum, which is due out this fall. Unfortunately, it’s not really a full-fledged sequel, but rather an expansion to Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. As such, the game will most likely include a similar story, but with different critters for you to capture, like this demonic centipede looking thing called “Giranta.” Yeah, it’s pretty much a ploy to get Poke-fanatics to shell out more cash for cheap follow-up game, much like Pokemon Yellow was to the original Red/Green; and hordes of people are sure to fall for it. At this point though, Nintendo must be out of metals to use in their titles now, unless the next two games are “Pokemon Cobalt” and “Pokemon Nickel.”
The gaming site 
Recently, a demo for LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures was 
MySims Kingdom, the next experience from the creators of 
Welcome to the latest edition of Pachter Predicts, where Wedbush Morgan analyst and my sworn adversary Michael Pachter makes his predictions for the past month’s console sales here in the United States. For the 
Codemasters has secured the exclusive video game rights to Formula One in a worldwide licensing agreement with Formula One Administration Ltd. In turn, the developer/publisher will create a new generation of the multi-million selling Formula One game franchise across multiple consoles, handhelds and PC.
Forbes has published their list of the 40st richest people in Japan and topping the list is former Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi. Running the company from 1949 to 2002 and retiring from the gaming giant completely in 2005, over the past year his wealth has increased by $3 billion dollars - thanks mainly in part to the Wii, DS and the game sales for both systems. This has increased his overall wealth to a whopping $7.8 billion.
