Tag Archives: wii

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings: What We Know

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A couple years ago at an E3 conference, LucasArts announced an Indiana Jones on next-gen systems. While they have yet to live up to that promise, for a while now they have been working on Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, which they plan to release on the Wii, PS2, DS, and PSP this June. The thing is, for game that is to be released so soon, there is very little information available concering just what the game is like. But here is what we do know.

We know that Staff of Kings is an original Indy storyline that LucasArts themselves constructed. It features a variety of environmental settings and locations, which happen to be: Sudan, Istanbul, Panama, San Francisco, and Nepal. The developers have taken the films into account, and been sure to not only be true to the overall classic feel of Jones’ adventures, but have also inserted a number of homages to Indy’s past journies that fans of the movies will certainly get a kick out of.

We know that every version of the game is not a simple port, but rather designed specifically to suit it’s system. In fact, each version was built entirely from the ground up to suit it’s strength: the PSP’s being that of physics engine capabilities for puzzles, the DS being the touch-screen for combat, the Wii it’s motion sense for innovative whip control, and the PS2 for it’s Hot Set destructible environments.

The storyline itself received creative input from both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. It concerns the search for what is essentially the Staff of Moses, in which Indiana Jones and a new nemesis called Magnus Voller are opposed. The game features both singleplayer and co-op, each having seperate storyline elements. While the singleplayer storyline boasts a whole cast of entirely new characters, there is one character in the co-op mode that Jones fans have certainly seen before.

We know that the Wii version features many areas in which motion control is utilized, as well as unlockables such as a two to four-player versus mode and even the entire original PC game “Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis”. There’s actually quite alot of difference in content between versions, but the Wii’s appears to be the most significant.

We know that every single version of the game will be released simultaneously on June 9th.

Final Fantasy: Echoes of Time For Wii

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You may have already heard that in an interesting turn of events, Square Enix, famed roleplaying game developer of the Final Fantasy franchise, has made a Wii port of the DS game Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time available. Owners of the Wii version will be able to play online with those that are playing the DS version, which is a pretty neat feature. However, the catch is that the Wii version’s graphics are nearly identical to that of the DS version.

Echoes of Time plays vastly similar to Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates. It is an action RPG in which the player travels from place on his journey, completing quests, defeating monsters, getting stronger and acquiring better and rarer items. I guess you could say it’s Final Fantasy meets Diablo: which is actually a pretty good thing.

As I mentioned before, one of the big selling points has been it’s online, but in addition to the online multiplayer mode there is a singleplayer option, which may be more convenient if you just wish to play through and enjoy the game’s storyline. Either options are appealing and insure some good replay value.

But one thing you may be curious about is how they solved the problem of the two screens that are required to play the DS version. Simple: there are still two screens in the Wii version, side by side. You can customize each screen’s size, and use magic and switch characters and use items etc, by using the pointer on the extra screen where in the DS version players would use the stylus. You can also use the d-pad to switch characters and use magic; it’s your choice. This is one of the few notable differences gameplay-wise between the DS and Wii versions, one of which is that in the Wii version load times are pretty much nonexistent.

While it may have seemed a bit of a weird decision to port a handheld game to the Wii, it may be one that really pays off, at least commercially. Square Enix knows what they are doing. And anyways, if you are willing to forgive some lacking graphics for the sake of engaging gameplay and some features the DS version happens to be without, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time may be for you.

Just What’s New In “New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis”

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Nintendo’s plan to release a line of games called New Play Control! has received mixed reactions from gamers. On the one hand, it is something people have been asking for; Nintendo fans have wanted to be able to play games like Metroid Prime and Pikmin using motion control ever since the Wii was announced, almost. On the other hand, shouldn’t Nintendo be concentrating on making entirely new games? Though I’m sure they are to some extent focusing on new titles, it’s still a valid question. In any case, it’s good to know that Nintendo have still been putting alot of effort into these ports; enhancing graphics, control, and sometimes adding entirely new content. Here’s what Nintendo has done for Mario Power Tennis.

First of all, the visuals have been updated substantially. Nintendo has touched up the interface and I think you’ll find the graphics are noticeably slicker and smoother than before.

Secondly, and most notably, the game has been fitted with the Wii’s signature motion controls. In the default D-pad setting, you use the control pad to move back and forth, but you can also plug in a nunchuk and make use of it as well. Swing the remote upwards for a topspin, backwards for a backspin, and do a steady swing for a flat shot.

Mario Power Tennis features an extensive roster of Mario characters, each with their own unique strengths and abilities. One ability every character has at his disposal is the smash shot. When an opponent lobs the ball over onto your side, a star will appear where the ball is going to land. If you  position yourself on top of the star at just the right moment you can perform your own super move. Smash shots are extremely difficult to hit back, unless of course you perform a super move to counter it.

Mario Power Tennis is a classic on the Gamecube, so I guess we will have to see just how it fares being ported to the Wii. Afterall, it’s happened before that a perfectly good concept for a Wii port was shatter by poor execution. There are many examples of this. In any case, the Wii’s motion control could do wonders for the Mario Tennis franchise, so no matter how well the port does, Nintendo will hopefully come out with a good follow-up sequel soon enough.

MySims Kingdom for the Wii

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A little while ago I saw a commercial for a game called Sims Kingdom. It looked awesome so I asked my mom if we could rent it so I could play it. It’s really funny becuase the same day I saw the commercial we went to BlockBuster and there it was. I was so excited.

My mom rented it and as soon as I got home I ran to the Wii to put the game it. The game was so much fun, I only had a week to play with it before it had to be back at the store but I made sure I played it every chance I had during that time.

I got to talk to many characters and complete different tasks along the way, kind of like little puzzles.  It’s hard for me to explain the whole thing, so I’ve asked my mom to add the game’s actual description.

MySims Kingdom sets you on a story-telling journey of discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom. Throughout this epic quest you will hear new stories from old and new friends alike, discover fascinating new lands and build to the limit of your imagination.

Your MySims Kingdom experience for the Wii begins in The Capital, the land at the center of your story-telling. After you have met King Roland you can venture off into the vast lands beyond. Newly-added building options will help you accomplish your tasks. And in true MySims fashion, everything is customizable, allowing every creation within your world to have a signature look! MySims Kingdom?embark on your own journey of discovery & exploration!

If you get a chance rent it, if you like “sims” type games like I do you’ll just love it.

Why Wii Sports Is So Popular With Video Gamers

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Wii Sports Video Game from NintendoWii Sports is a game that initially shipped with the Nintendo Wii Console. Its popularity is partially due to realistic gameplay – not with the game graphics but due to how the games are played. They mimic real-world sports games.

For example, to hit the ball in the tennis game, one merely swings the controller to the left or right. One does not have to fiddle with a small controller pad to play the game. To hit a  baseball, one holds the controller similar to how one would hold a baseball bat. This is the most realistic game play we have ever seen for sports video games.

The games included are tennis, baseball, boxing, bowling, and golf. The boxing game requires a separate “nunchuck” which plugs into the controller.

All games include training, standard play, several multiplayer choices, and the ability to create your own characters.

The training allows one to hone in on one of three different actions for each sport. Just as in real life, training or practice helps to improve your performance. In tennis, one can focus on returning the ball or placing the ball within a specific area. In baseball, one can practice pitching or batting. Boxing training is useful for learning how to duck and weave and throw your punches at just the right moment.

The standard gameplay involves one player playing against the computer. In some modes, defeating a computer opponent will often result in the gaining of “experience”. With enough experience, your rank increases. One’s rank is cause for bragging rights among his or her fellow gamers.

The multiplayer option allows two, three, or four players to compete against one another. This is Wii Sports at its most immersive and rewarding. Its one thing to pit your skill against a challenging computer player, another to play with living, breathing people whose real-life movements (as well as yours) directly correspond with onscreen gameplay. Of course, each player must have his or her own controller.

With Wii Sports, you can create your own characters and save them for later use. To create your own character, one simply starts with a character from the “Mii channel”. The character can then be customized to one’s own liking. Some of these characters can be used in games other than Wii Sports.

Many gamers enjoy saving their Wii Sports characters to the Wii remote controller, and will take them to a friend’s house, and insert the character into the game at the friend’s house. This adds greater personality to the gaming experience.

Game reviewers have given Wii Sports positive reviews overall, but are quick to point out a few flaws. The game has also won several awards.

The Nintendo Wii Sports game provides hours of fun for people of all ages.