Archive for the 'Video Gaming' Category

Me and my Wii

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006

mywii.jpgTime for a good old-fashioned geek-out.

For you see, I have my Wii.

Mathias and I showed up at 6:30 am at the local Toys R Us store Sunday morning where we had pre-ordered our console back in June. We had been contacted by the electronics department on Thursday that the console was going to be made available at 8 am, that all 80-some pre-orders would be honoured, and that those who would get there early would have access to all the Wii stock available (games, accessories, etc.)

Even though my console was guaranteed, I wanted to get there early to obtain a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

When the doors opened at 8 am, we were sixth in line. Letting people in five pre-orders at a time, we took all the time we needed to look over the merchandise and make our picks. In the end, we left with a Wii console, an extra Wiimote, an extra Nunchuk, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Christmas did indeed come early this year.

As we were leaving, the store ran out of Nunchuks. I announced that tidbit to a few folks who asked me a couple of questions as I left. The chorus of groans was moving.

As I left, there were about 100 people in the pre-order line and approximated 50 waiting in the “no reservations” line-up. Sucks to be them, as there would be only 20 “on-the shelf” consoles available for them.

But, then, around 8:45 am, we started unpackaging it.

Posted by Mike in Video Gaming | 3 Comments »

I’m dreaming of a Twilight Princess

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

I really don’t want to sound like a smoldering fanboy or anything, but The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the reason why I’m getting a Wii, just like when Wind Waker was the reason I got a Gamecube. The latest trailer should put the case in point.


Seriously, folks. After watching that, even those of you who don’t enjoy video games have to admit there is something special about this game.

Point of interest: despite all the hype that Nintendo is trying to carve itself a nice into the “casual gamer’s” heart, it seems that Twilight Princess is for the not-so-casual, if you believe IGN’s Matt Casamassina:

“After I spent 10 hours with the game, I barely managed to squeak by two temples, with the third so far off that I could scarcely imagine getting there, let alone approach the objective. (For the record, out of 30 or so journalists, nobody came close to the third temple.)”

As much as I liked Wind Waker, it was a little on the quickly executed side. I smell hours of fun.

Posted by Mike in Video Gaming | 1 Comment »

Death to Wii speculation - UPDATED 3

Thursday, September 14th, 2006

nintendo-wii-1.jpgToday, in Japan, in the US and in Europe, Nintendo is making the details of its Wii console known.

I’ve been waiting impatiently for this moment for many, many weeks. I have a Wii reserved at a local retailer since last June and been dying to know when it’s going to pop into my home, and at what price. I’ve been reading video game blogs, trying to sort fact from wet dreams, crumbling under the pressure of certain rumours, all in the name of excitement for the arrival of the Big N’s new, innovative machine.
The press event in Japan has already been held. This is what we have learned:

- The Nintendo Wii will be launched in Japan on December 2, 2006. What??!?
- The price of the console will be 25,000 yen (about $238 CDN). Quoted price allegedly includes tax.
- The Wii will ship with Wii remote (w ith strap) Nunchuck attachment, Wii AC adaptor, Wii A/V cable, Wii “console stand,” sensor bar, sensor bar stand and two AA batteries. Damn, looks like I’ll be chucking out more bucks for a second remote.
- Nintendo promises 30 Virtual Console games by the end of the year, at a rate of ten per month. Nice!
- Rates for playing Virtual Console games will go for 500 yen for NES games (about $4.75 CDN), 800 yen for SNES games (about $7.60 CDN), and 1000 yen for N64 games (about $9.50 CDN). Cheap!

That’s where we stand for now. I have to admit to being shocked at the lateness of the launch date. Seems to me Nintendo is stretching the anticipation a little too much. A quick outing could have really helped them stick it to Sony, and I fear this could come back to haunt them. The price range is pretty much in the average everyone was expecting, though definitely not in the “under $200″ range most were clamouring for.

Nintendo of America will be holding its own press event today at 9am EST. I’ll be back to fill in the details of how it’s gonna go down in our neck of the sphere.

UPDATE 1 - 2:19am: The proof is in the picture; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be sold at 6,400 yen (about $65 CDN). That’s a price I can live with for a AAA title.

zelda6400.jpg

Apparently the word is 16 titles from ten publishers at launch. These numbers doubtlessly only represent the Japanese releases.

Okay, I’m going to bed now. More with the American launch.

Via Joystiq.

UPDATE 2 - 9:45am: Here is the Wii packaging, as per the Japan press event:

wiipackaging.jpg

UPDATE 3 - 10:18am: Nintendo has announced that November 19 will be the US release date. It will be spread across 25,000 points of distribution, 4 million units shipped worldwide with the US getting the biggest chunk of it all.  Price?  $249 USD.  A little over expectations?  First Nintendo console to not be sold $200 USD at launch.
Expand the article to read more about the US details.

Posted by Mike in Video Gaming | 5 Comments »

Confirmed Wii launch titles

Monday, August 14th, 2006

nintendo-wii-1.jpgLet it be known: I am waiting for the arrival of Nintendo’s new Wii console with great pulse rising thoughts. It has even come to me reserving one at my local Toys R Us. I’m number fifteen on the list. Yes, I reserved it even though Nintendo hasn’t confirmed the price yet and even though there still isn’t a confirmed launch date set. I can live with your accusing stares, you know. I’m comfortable like that. Also, I type in my underwear.

Of course, rumours, hearsays, and danglies of information have been plaguing the Internets for months, especially concerning which titles which will be available once launchtime comes around. Some publishers have began confirming what they will be serving up alongside the Big N’s shiny new console and NWizard.com has compiled a list of said confirmed titles. Total? A whopping 27 games are expected. That’s a lot, the most of any console launch in history. Best thing is that the number could still grow till then. Holy flippin’ teapots!

To parry the smell of burning holes in my pockets, I took the time to look at the list and prioritise. After all, I must look at this with the level-headedness of a man my age who has certain responsibilities to ascertain first. It’s not like I’m still in university and can blow my cash on video games instead of other stuff like, oh I dunno, food.

Posted by Mike in Video Gaming | 4 Comments »