More confirmation of motion-sensing Nintendo DS2

We've already had a pretty clear indication that Nintendo's inevitable DS successor would have at least some form of motion control, and an unspecified third-party studio has now offered some additional confirmation of that, and some downright glowing impressions of the device itself. According to CVG, an "insider" that's currently using a DS2 development kit says that the DS2 is "genuinely the best thing I think I've ever worked with," and that it has "a 'tilt' function that's not dissimilar to iPhone, but does a lot more." The source further added that The Pokemon Company is getting "special attention" with it (rest easy, everybody), and that Nintendo likely won't be showing off any hardware at GDC next month.

CVG

Review: Wii Classic Controller Pro

Wii Classic Controller Pro
System: Nintendo Wii
MSRP: $39.99
Release Date: Japan only (currently)




This is going to be a fairly short review, since this is a piece of hardware. The Wii Classic Controller Pro (WCCP) is basically a Dualshock controller for the Wii. You just plug it into your Wiimote, like the nunchuk, and you’re good to go.

The design is just like the Classic Controller except you now have two Z buttons: ZL and ZR and, of course, actual grips. The controller’s design is excellent! It fits comfortably into your hands and it’s very durable.


If you’ve been wanting a controller to play Super Smash Bros. or the upcoming Tatsunoko vs. Capcom or any other fighting game, this is a definite buy! Also, this controller works great with all of the VC and WiiWare titles.


Yes, this controller is twice the price of the current Classic Controller, but the Pro model is absolutely worth it! Nintendo has yet, to announce this controller for any other region, besides Japan. And they have just announced a new design (black and gold) for Sengoku Musou 3 or Samurai Warriors 3 here in the West.


I can almost guarantee that Nintendo will bring the white and black Pro controller to other regions though; however, when?, who knows. Luckily, peripherals are not region protected, so you can order a white, black, or black and gold Wii Classic Controller Pro from Play-Asia (just click the banner below).

Nintendo's E3 Press Coverage

- The New Super Mario Bros. Wii gets announced! It will be a four-player co-operative take on classic 2D Mario gameplay. It will be available this Winter.


- Wii Fit Plus will drop this Fall. Basically an update to the original, it will featuring six new training exercises and fifteen new balance board mini-games, including juggling, skateboarding, and running activities. Users will be able to set up routines that tone particular parts of their bodies. The game will ship with and without the Balance Board.

- Mario Galaxy 2 gets announced! No details.


- New Metroid game announced for 2010!!!

- Mario vs. Donkey Kong 3 announced as a WiiWare exclusive for June 8th

- Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story announced for the DS

- Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers shown off, but no release date

- Golden Sun DS announced for 2010


- The Wii Vitality Sensor gets detailed, a little. It's a finger sensor which attaches to the Wiimote to read your pulse. Details on how the accessory is going to be used in games are pretty vague, but it appears the idea is to check stress, help you relax, etc.

JU-ON: The Grudge coming to the U.S.!

XSEED has just announced that it will translate and port the "Haunted House Simulator," JU-ON: The Grudge to the U.S.! This title will be based on Takashi Shimizu's original Japanese film, and he'll even be taking part in the game's creation as a creative consultant.

Expect to see JU-ON: The Grudge to be scaring the crap out of you this October as a Nintendo Wii exclusive.

XSEED Games Announces JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii

New “Haunted House Simulator” To Offer Quick and Plentiful Scares

Torrance, Calif., (May 22, 2009) –XSEED Games today announced that JU-ON: The Grudge is in development for Wii and scheduled for release in North America in October, 2009. The title is inspired by the Japanese classic horror movie, “JU-ON”, on which the American release of the hit horror film “The Grudge” was based upon. JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii is a “Haunted House Simulator” where accessibility and instant scares are given priority over all other game aspects, with the original creator of the movie, Takashi Shimizu, serving as a creative consultant to game development.

It is said that when a person dies with a deep and burning grudge, a curse is born. When an average housewife in Nerima, Japan, was murdered in a grisly fashion, it gave rise to a curse so powerful that it threatens to kill at a pace thought unimaginable before.


The curse manifests on those who encounter the curse by any means, such as entering the house or being in contact with somebody who was already cursed. Once Erika Yamada is exposed to the curse while searching for her dog in an abandoned warehouse, the entire Yamada family is put in grave danger as soon as she reunites with them at home. They must now face their individual challenges alone, and only by overcoming the curse together will their family truly be free again.

”Ever since I first heard about this unique concept, this is a game that I’ve been looking forward to,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “JU-ON: The Grudge makes quick scares accessible to anyone with a Wii, players can even hand the Wii Remote to their mother and enjoy watching her play and get scared.”

Using the Wii Remote as a flashlight, JU-ON: The Grudge has players move forward with the touch of a button and explore haunted areas such as an abandoned warehouse, a dimly-lit hospital, and a mannequin factory. Much like a haunted house, the player must proceed forward even after being frightened and running away from the initial threat. As much fun as it is to get scared, sometimes it’s even more fun to watch others play to observe their reactions. For instant gratification, grab a second Wii Remote and push buttons to make in-game events happen immediately to make the player jump and hate you forever.

XSEED Games partnered with AQ Interactive to secure the North American rights to publish and distribute JU-ON: The Grudge. The title is being developed by Feelplus and will be available October 2009 exclusively for Wii.

About XSEED Games:

XSEED Games was formed in November 2004 by a small group of industry veterans by president Jun Iwasaki with a common vision: to cross pollinate the avid gaming cultures of Japan and North America. Delivering unique, innovative titles across multiple platforms and genres, XSEED Games is dedicated to publishing products that appeal and enrich the North American market. More information on XSEED Games can be found at http://www.xseedgames.com.

(c)Toei Video / JU-ON Film Partners / JU-ON 2 Film Partners
(c)2009 AQ INTERACTIVE INC.

LEGO Battles debuts

Metroid Prime Trilogy announced!

On August 24th, you can play all the Metroid Prime titles on one disk for the Wii. Yes, Metroid Prime 1 and 2 will have revamped controls, so they will play just like Metroid Prime Corruption did. There will be other enhancments, such as wide-screen for the earlier games and a new unlockables system - you can unlock music and artwork. The MSRP is $49.99.

THREE INCREDIBLE GAMES JUST GOT MORE AWESOME: METROID PRIME TRILOGY HEADS TO WII

All Three Critically Acclaimed Games Now Feature Motion Controls with Enhanced Presentation and In-Game Rewards

REDMOND, Wash., May 22, 2009 - Metroid™ Prime 3: Corruption set a new standard for first-person motion controls in video games. Now it's bringing those controls to the rest of the celebrated series, allowing players to experience the entire Metroid Prime story arc with the peerless precision of the Wii Remote™. Nintendo announces Metroid Prime Trilogy, a new premium three-game collection for the Wii™ console that bundles all three landmark Metroid Prime games onto one disc and revamps the first two installments with intuitive motion controls, wide-screen presentation and other enhancements. Metroid Prime Trilogy will be available exclusively for Wii on Aug. 24 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Each game maintains its original storyline and settings, but now Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes let players use their Wii Remote to aim with precision as heroine Samus Aran. Based on the breakthrough control system that debuted in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, these new Wii controls bring an entirely new level of immersion and freedom to these milestone games.

"Metroid Prime Trilogy puts the best first-person adventures all in one place, with a host of new additions that make these three timeless titles more engaging than ever," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "A great deal of care and detail has gone into Metroid Prime Trilogy, providing longtime fans with new ways to experience the games they love."

All three games now reside on a single disc. Players can access the game they want from a unified main menu that ties together all three adventures. Through a new unlockables system, players can gain access to in-game rewards such as music and artwork by accomplishing objectives across all three games.

Metroid Prime Trilogy was developed by Retro Studios and Nintendo, the same developers that created the original games for the Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems.

Need for Speed Nitro debut trailer