Nintendo Okie

The picture says it all:

Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2011/110425_4e.pdf

Centipede: Infestation is a post-apocalyptic action experience that features run-n-gun shooting style gameplay with tower defense-style objects, paying homage to the original Centipede while bringing the brand into the 21st century. Players assume the role of an orphaned teenager hero named Max as he trudges through the wasteland, fighting off giant bugs. During Max’s travels he encounters a young teen named Maisy who possesses a collection of seeds that hold the secret to bringing plant life back to the wasteland. Max and Maisy join forces to grow these gardens and protect the last natural resources on earth.

Coming later this year Atari has sent out a trailer showing off the game that will hit the Wii and the 3DS.

Welcome to the Opinion Herd. This is a new feature we’re going to be bringing you every Friday. Basically what you can expect is us rattling on about a different topic every week. One question will be posed to the entire crew and we’ll each give you a quick bit of our opinion on the subject at hand. We also want you folks out there to get involved as well so let us know what you think about whatever the topic is. Also, if there’s anything out there that you want to ask the crew send them along and we’ll use them in this feature in the future.

Without further ado, here’s the topic we’re going to tackle this week.  When we look back at this generation of gaming what is the one thing people will point to as the biggest innovation of the time? You’d be surprised how similar most of the crew is, but one person has a very different opinion.

Read more…

We are just twelve days away from the release of the Nintendo 3DS in North America, and it seems that Nintendo and Capcom are starting to market their games(and the system) to the public with commercials.

Capcom has posted its first commercial for Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition to their YouTube account, and you can see it below:

I think it’s kind of ironic they show Ryu popping up out of the 3DS’ bottom screen at the beginning of the commercial…because isn’t the top screen on the 3DS the only “3D” screen?  Anyway, do you think the commercial does a good job showing off the idea behind the 3DS, and the features gamers can expect when purchasing Super Stree Fighter IV 3D Edition?

If you’re a Star Wars fan, and you’re interested in the new LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars game, in little over a week, you could be playing in a that galaxy far, far away…

In the meantime though, here’s a brief description of some of the vehicles that will be appearing in the game:

Anakin’s Starfighter From a young age, Anakin Skywalker was a special pilot for the Republic. Throughout the Clone Wars Anakin most frequently piloted his customized Delta-7B Aethersprite light interceptor. The ship is small, but effective for completing space missions, which is exactly what it is utilized for throughout LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars. Playing as Anakin you will take on battalions of CIS starfighters and complete puzzles to help the Republic protect the galaxy from the CIS.

Read more…

Well, the NPD has released the “Top 10″ video games sold in February, according to their data.

The Wii had two exclusive titles in the “Top 10″, and four other titles that were multi-console games with Wii units contributing to overall sales.

I think seeing Mario Sports Mix in the “Top 10″ is good news for Nintendo, and the game, especially considering it was a new IP for Nintendo and Square Enix.

Are any of you surprised by any of the games on the list, or surprised that perhaps a game isn’t on the list?  Let us know what you think below!

Source: IndustryGamers.com

Nintendo of America announces the hiring of a new vice president of Corporate Affairs. Cynthia Gordon, a PR expert with more than 20 years of experience in consumer brands, joins the company on March 14. Gordon comes to Nintendo from her position as a vice president at 360 PUBLIC RELATIONS in Boston, where she developed and executed consumer public relations campaigns and contributed to the advancement of the firm’s social media and digital efforts.

Gordon will work from Nintendo’s office in Redwood City, Calif, and will report to the executive vice president of Sales & Marketing, a vacant position that is currently being managed by Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.

“Cindy brings a wealth of smart, strategic brand experience to our team,” Fils-Aime said. “As we prepare to launch our new Nintendo 3DS system on March 27, her expertise will help keep our momentum going strong through the rest of the year.”

Earlier in her career, Gordon ran public relations and new media for Universal Studios in Los Angeles and Orlando, Fla., where she launched The Simpsons Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. She also oversaw all external and internal communications for Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s, and ran the Chrysler account for GolinHarris in Chicago, where she oversaw launches for Dodge and Jeep.

Gordon is a graduate of Tulane University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and French literature.

Press Release

5 Weeks to 3DS Launch!

This week has once again been dominated by 3DS news as we edge ever closed to the magic 4 week mark for release. Elsewhere, Mario Galaxy 2 is up for one last hurrah, as it’s been nominated for 5, yes 5, Video Game BAFTAs. The BAFTAs take place a week before the 3DS launch, so it’s going to be an exciting few weeks for Nintendo fans!

UK 3DS Tour Dates Announced

Nintendo have unveiled the public tour dates to show off the 3DS this week, but it won’t be as comprehensive as the exclusive behind the scenes mini-tour last week. Games available to play on the tour are Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs + Cats and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, but not Ocarina 3D or Kid Icarus. The tour dates are as follows;

- February 24th – 27th: St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
- February 24th – 27th: Braehead Shopping Centre, Kings Inch Road, Glasgow.
- March 3rd – 6th: Williamson Square, Liverpool.
- March 3rd – 6th: MetroCentre (Exhibition Square) Gateshead, Newcastle.
- March 10th – 13th: Old Market Square, Nottingham.
- March 10th – 13th: Westfield (South Atrium), London.
- March 17th – 20th: The Forum, Norwich.
- March 18th – 20th March: Ilac Centre, Dublin.
- March 17th – 20th: Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock.
- March 24th – 27th: Westfield (Centre Management Suite), Derby.
- March 25th – 27th: The East Piazza, Covent Garden, City of London, WC2E.
- March 31st – April 3rd: Armada Way Piazza: (City Centre), Plymouth.
- March 31st – April 3rd: WestQuay, Southampton.
- March 31st – April 3rd: The Centre MK, 24 Silbury Arcade, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

If you’re near any of these locations I would urge you to check the system out, as seeing really is believing.

Galaxy 2 nominated for 5 BAFTAs

The full list of video game BAFTA nominations has been unveiled this week, and Nintendo’s own Super Mario Galaxy 2 is up for 5 separate awards! First up is the publically voted for GAME Award, which can be voted on at GAME UK’s website right now. Galaxy 2 has also been nominated for Technical Innovation, Best Original Music Score, Game of the Year and Best Gameplay, which will all be voted on behind closed doors. Galaxy 2 is up against some big hitters in Mass Effect 2, Heavy Rain and Halo Reach, so it’s not an instant win for the plumber (although in my opinion it should be). Elsewhere, Layton’s latest game is up for the Handheld Award.

New ONM now on sale

The latest issue of Official Nintendo Magazine is now on sale in the UK, featuring a huge 3DS preview and more importantly, a review of Pokemon Black and White on DS. What did they get? Pick up the latest issue in stores now to find out!

This Week’s Downloads

Cricket Challenge – WiiWare – 500 Points
Released to coincide with the Cricket World Cup, this takes cricket to the streets for quick arcade-style matches

My Little Baby – WiiWare – 500 Points

chick chick BOOM – WiiWare DEMO – Free

ColorZ – WiiWare DEMO – Free

Natsume Championship Wrestling – Virtual Console (SNES) – 900 Points

Pucca Noodle Rush – DSiWare – 500 Points

Puzzle to Go Planets and Universe – DSiWare – 500 Points

Faceez: Monsters! – DSiWare – 200 Points

Wii and DS Sales Charts

Mario vs Donkey Kong takes top DS spot this week

Wii Chart (Full Price)
1 (1) Just Dance 2
2 (2) Mario Sports Mix
3 (9) Dance Juniors
4 (3) Wii Party
5 (4) Mario Kart Wii
6 (5) Donkey Kong Country Returns
7 (6) New Super Mario Bros. Wii
8 (7) Michael Jackson: The Experience
9 (NE) Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Cosmic Destruction
10 (10) Super Mario Galaxy 2

DS Chart (Full Price)
1 (2) Mario Vs Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem
2 (1) Art Academy
3 (3) New Super Mario Bros
4 (4) Professor Layton And The Lost Future
5 (5) Mario Kart DS
6 (6) Tangled
7 (9) LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
8 (10) Super Mario 64 DS
9 (12) Tetris Party Deluxe
10 (15) Toy Story 3

And finally…

Tesco Entertainment made a pricing error on the 3DS this week, putting it up for sale for just £157.60! The price was later revoked and purchasers have been contacted regarding the mistaken price. Quite a mistake from Tesco there!

The day is finally here that us Europeans can make a judgemental decision on whether to get a 3DS at launch! Yes that’s right, the full launch line-up has been revealed! Here’s what you can expect to play on March 25th;

- Pilotwings Resort
- Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends
- Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends
- Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
- The Sims 3
- PES 2011 3D – Pro Evolution Soccer
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- Ridge Racer 3D
- Super Monkey Ball 3D
- Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
- Asphalt 3D
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
- Rayman 3D

The big addition to that list is naturally Pilotwings, which is failing to make the Japanese launch. Elsewhere it’s a nice surprise to get Lego Star Wars III out on launch day, along with plenty of other games that are sure to fly off the shelves (Nintendogs being the biggest casual pusher in the opening salvo of games). So with that now revealed, are you heading out to pre-order your 3DS?

It’s been a crazy couple of days around here at Nintendo Okie.  We’ve been pretty much out of touch because the weather has caused so many problems.  We’ve received both record snowfalls and record low temperatures which has caused all sorts of problems.  A foot and a half of snow fell on my yard with drifts reaching the windows at three feet high.  The temp when I woke up this morning was -6F.

We’re back on track now though.  Sorry about the temporary blackout for a couple of days.  Shoveling your driveway with a regular every day shovel isn’t much fun.