BOOM SHAKA LAKA! NBA Jam coming to Nintendo Wii!

EA Sports has announced that they will be bringing back a classic arcade, and to many a home console hit, and it will be exclusively available on the Nintendo Wii. That title is none other than NBA Jam! I'm heating up just thinking about the updated NBA licensed title.

For those who do not remember the great times that wre had on NBA Jam then you are likely in for a treat with the upcoming remake. Flaming basketballs, wild shots, crazy dunks, 2-on-2 arcade play, classic announcer, an entire roster of secret players like Bill (and Hillary) Clinton, mascots and no-fouls made for a good time whenever played! I just hope that EA Sports does not hack the traditional style too much in the remake.

Many questions should be asked though.

Will it be playable on-line?
This, to me, is a must as NBA Jam is tailored for multii-player fun, being an arcade game. I'm sure multi-player will be available on the same console, and given it is being produced by EA Sports I would assume an on-line mode would be created. This could open the doors for some outstanding on-line interaction; NBA Jam tournaments, rankings, create a player and share a player? Huge potential here.

Will it make use of the Wii Motion Plus?
Perhaps enhanced WiiMotion Plus features could allow for certain styles of dunks with a specific motion.





What do you remember most about the original NBA Jam? What do you hope to see in the exclusive Wii title? Feel free to discuss in the comments.

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5 must have accessories for new Wii owners

I noticed that many people I know have joined the Wii community of video gamers. Having been a member of the Nintendo Wii club for two years now, and having been a long standing member of the Nintendo fan boy club, I feel it is my duty to offer my advice on some accessories that every Wii owner should invest in.

What better way to spend some holiday cash and gift cards?

1. Wii Sports Resort
Not only does Wii Sports Resort take Wii Sports to the next level, but it includes the latest accessory, the Wii MotionPlus. The Wii MotionPlus is designed to take the Wii Remote motion to a more realistic level. Having played around with it a bit so far I can say that the difference is extremely noticeable and the possibilities for the accessory look promising.

I would expect that future Wii releases will utilize the Wii MotionPlus's capabilities in exciting ways. I envision future sports games making the most of the technology, such as more realistic passes in Madden or NCAA Football, better control of pitches in baseball games, more accurate free throw shooting in basketball games and precision passing in hockey games.

2. Wii Nunchuk Controller
The add-on to the Wii Remote is almost a requirement for the majority of Wii titles, and for under $20 there is no reason to not pick one up. The Nunchuk was one of the primary features of the Wii system and if you do not have one you will miss out on some fantastic games and experiences.

For those looking for something with a little more edge than the standard white Nunchuk, you can now get the accessory in jet black. Controllers are also available in black.

The black looks cool, but unless you have a matching Wii, it looks kind of silly. Or is it just me? I'm waiting for the day when Nintendo undoubtedly releases multi-colored versions of the Wii to match these third party nunchuks.

3. Wii Remote Battery Charger
There are a number of options available that you can choose from, but you have to have one. Playing the Wii will take a toll on your wireless Wii Remotes so unless you have an endless supply of double A batteries, or use rechargeable double A batteries, then a recharging station of some sort is a must.

4. Wii Classic Controller
Part of the allure of the Nintendo Wii is the growing virtual console library. Selected classic games once only playable (legally) on systems of yester-year like the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, NEO GEO and even the Commodore 64 are available for download via the Nintendo online store. Grab some Wii points and pick your game of choice, then hook up a classic controller to your Wii Remote to play the game the way it was intended.

The Classic controller is designed in similar fashion to previous Nintendo console controllers, with the Super Nintendo controller being the heaviest influence. The controller presents the traditional style button layout and adds analog control sticks for Nintendo 64 features primarily.

5. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board
It is the number one selling game on the Wii, it's new and improved. While the fitness game may not be your total athletic club replacement (more like a supplement) the accessory that comes packaged with the original Wii Fit and many version of the new Wii Fit Plus may be something that sees some expanded game play in the future in other games.

The Wii Fit balance board is the great grandchild of the old Power Pad. It's primary use may be for exercise but it is finding use in games like Wii Music
(used to play drums) and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (snow boarding). As time goes by expect more games to incorporate the Wii balance board for enhanced game play.

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Mario Monday takes a sneak peak at upcoming New Super Mario Brothers Wii

Today Mario Monday takes a brief hiatus from walking down memory lane and instead looks forward. Don't worry, we'll go back in time next week.

New Super Mario Brothers Wii was released yesterday and it found a nice home at the top of my Christmas list for this year. The highly anticipated Wii release is more than a straight port of the hit DS title of a similar name. The Wii version has multiple playing modes to allow for four player co-op (or competitive) play, something never before seen in a Mario game.

Judging by what I have seen from some select videos and reviews the game play looks to be transported perfectly from the DS version and alot of the familiar game play features of the entire Mario franchise seem to have been included.

I tweeted earlier today that it is nice to see the Koopa Kids make a long awaited return. I had fears that Bowser had killed them off in order to give his entire attention to the younger version of Bowser in recent Mario games.

You can check out a number of reviews online already but I hope to be able to give my own assessment sometime after the holiday season, by which time it may be obsolete anyway.

If you have picked up the game already please let me know what you think of it!

Game Trailers

IGN

USA Today - 'New Super Mario Brothers Wii' a pleasant adventure
ComputerandVideoGames.com - New Super Mario Brothers Wii Review

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[Video] A Boy and His Blob

It's been a while since I posted anything about this game, but now that the release date is getting close the videos for the Nintendo Wii version of A Boy and his Blob are going to start making the rounds.

Here is the trailer for the game. At times it looks like a real movie. This game is going to be very intriguing.

Video Games - E3 2009 - Video Game Trailers

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Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

It's been a while since I posted anything Nintendo related (including a hiatus for Mario Monday) but I feel I need to share this with you. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was a fun game for the Nintendo Wii that combined the cast of characters from the Mario and Sonic universes. They return with even more characters this October for the Winter Olympic Games.

Here is the trailer for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Video Games | Mario & Sonic Olympic Winter Games | GC 09: Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

I will be sure to post my thoughts on this game as I learn more about it before the release date (October 13).

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More A Boy and his Blob Stuff

Clearly I am eager for the Wii adaptation of A Boy and His Blob to be released, but until it does I will share with you any updates that come out concerning the upcoming game.

Recently G4 set up an exclusive interview with some people in the know at WayForward, the company with a huge stake in A Boy and His Blob. Here are some of the basic tidbits concerning the game that came out of the interview;

• The game will be a full fledged Wii game available on a disc opposed to being released as a WiiWare title.
• The controls will use the Wii Remote and nun chuck but can also be played with a classic controller and hopefully a Gamecube controller.
• The Wii will be the only platform for the game but WayForward would like to work out plans for other platforms, including the DS.

For the entire interview, including more discussion on some of WayForward's other games such as Contra 4, click here.

Also some new screen shots have been added to the gallery.

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A Boy and His Blob Videos

First the game was announced. Then the screen shots were published. Now there is video.

The Wii adaptation of A Boy and His Blob is looking to be a pretty fun game. These videos come from IGN.com.

The first video shows that the new version of the game looks to have more of a level oriented goal. In the original you played a wide open map. Where as in Super Mario Brothers and Mega Man you had a definite start and finish to each level, A Boy and His Blob was an adventure game where you would seek out your own path to completing the game. Generally there were a number of different ways to complete the game.

This new Wii version seems to have that more traditional level design with a clear start and end in each stage.

The second video takes a trip down memory lane with what may be a tutorial stage. The scene is a modified layout of the original map from the NES game. You have to love the new bouncing ball form that the blob takes on, don't you? Unfortunately the second video cuts out just before hitting the water. I was curious if the bouncing ball does this once in the water.

The game looks pretty simple, taking on more of a puzzle approach than an action approach. That should be expected as A Boy and His Blob on the NES was very puzzling at times. Some of the animations look very smooth but there appear to be a couple wrinkles that need to be ironed out before release.

According to Majesco, who is producing the game being developed by WayForward, the game is slated for a fall release.

HT: Wii Blog

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A Boy and His Blob Screen Shots

Yesterday I posted about the Wii receiving a long awaited sequel to the cult classic A Boy and His Blob. Shortly after making that post the first collection of screen shots of the game were released.

Below is a slide show of the released screen shots.

As more screen shots are released I will try to add to the collection. You can also view the collection on my Flickr gallery.

HT: Wii Blog

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A Boy and His Blob on the Wii?

There is one game in the original Nintendo game library that still has a way of sticking with me. A Boy and His Blob was a game I received for my birthday one year. It is widely unknown and has acclaimed somewhat of a cult following.

There was a sequel of sorts released on the original Game Boy but since then it has been a dry spell for the unnamed boy and his blob from the planet Blobalonia. A few years ago a sequel for the Nintendo DS was announced but was never released.

Now Nintendo Power (remember that magazine) is previewing the new installment of A Boy and His Blob, which is being picked up by WayForward Technologies and developed for a release on the Nintendo Wii. WayForward doesn't have a stellar game library themselves but they did work on the DS release of Contra 4, which received positive reviews.

I am personally going to keep a close eye on the development of this game, because the original NES version still has a fond place in my video game origins. But enough with the talk. How about some early screen shots?



From the glimpse we get of the new game the animation looks to take a page out of an old story book. The blob returns in his basic white marshmallow form and he still looks eager to gulp down those odd flavored jelly beans.

I am sure that the playable character of the boy will be much smoother than his NES incarnation. So if the game is going to be developed for the Wii, here are some things I would like to see done with the controls.

• The game looks to be a 2D plat former, which would lead me to think the Wii Remote will be played like an NES controller, such as in Super Paper Mario. I would like to see the nun chuck be used for movement, and the player would "toss" the jelly beans to the blob by making a toss motion with the Wii Remote.
• Allow a second player to control the blob.

As of yet it is unsure whether this game will be a full fledged Wii game that will be available in stores in disc form or as a title available for download through WiiWare. My guess is that this will be a WiiWare exclusive for $10-$15 or 1,000-1,500 Wii points.

Also of note is the fact that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board has rated the original NES game, which indicates that the game may soon be released on the Nintendo Virtual Console.

For a sneak peak at Nintendo Power's recent article on the upcoming Wii game, click on the below image for a higher resolution.



I'm still waiting for the movie release though...

HT: Wii Blog

UPDATE (3.5.2009): More screen shots are available. Click here.

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Commodore 64 on Wii

Today Nintendo added a new system to the Virtal Console library in North America; the Commodore 64.

Only three games are available this week; International Karate, Pitstop II, and The Last Ninja. Personally I never played any of these games and for 500 Wii points I am not about to try any of them out. Now, when The Oregon Trial becomes available, if it does, I may have to consider parting with some of my saved up Wii points.

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Friday Links

Happy Friday everybody! You made it through another week so why not check out some links to kill some time before the whistle blows and you head home from work today?

Top 16 Most Bizarre Traffic Lights - I hope you do not encounter any of these on your way home from work or if you are doing any traveling this weekend. (Found via @guykawasaki)

Google Data During Inauguration - Notice the major drop in Google's traffic when President Obama was taking the muffed up oath... (Found via BagofNothing)

Twitter Data During Inauguration - ...and compare that with the traffic that Twitter was encountering! (Found via Twitter Blog)

Obama's Speech Annotated - Speaking of which, here is a breakdown of his first speech as president. (Found via Digg)

Ten Websites that will matter in 2009 - Surprisingly this site is not on the list. Perhaps it was #11? (Found via Digg)

Eight bad tech habits to quit in the new year - Loud talking on cell phones is on the list, as well as Rickrolling. (Found via Digg)

Mario and Sonic at the Winter Games? - Possibly. (Found via Digg)

Top 10 SNES Music of All Time - While we can probably put to rest the all time adjective for a retro gaming system this is a post from a brand new blog dedicated to 16 bit gaming. As the blogger states "To date, I've realistically probably logged 5,000 hrs of SNES gameplay alone... point of pride or shame?..." No need to be ashamed on this site. Your nerdy quirks are welcomed in open arms. My personal favorites on the list ar #8 and #6. (Found via Digg)

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The Nominees Are...

No, not those nomninees. The VGA Advisory Councils finalists for the best Wii game of 2008.

I have to imagine that Super Smash Brothers Brawl will be the slam dunk choice for the best Wii game of 2008. WiiFit should be recognized for its innovation though.

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Mega Man II on Virtual Console

One of the greatest Nintendo games of all time, Mega Man II, is now available on the Nintendo Virtual Console.

The release comes almost a month after the original Mega Man became available for download and also comes in anticipation for the widely hyped Mega Man 9, which will be available through WiiWare on the Virtual Console from Nintendo as well as XBox 360's and Playstation 3's equivalent services.

A while ago I tried to pay homage to the great game Mega Man II, but forgot to finish off the Mega Man II Tribute Week.

To help make up for it, here is another user created music video dedicated to Mega Man II.

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Somebody buy this for me!

Look, I'm not going to go out and buy the game, but if you feel so inclined to buy it for me, I will play it. What's more, I will put up a fantastic review for you to read!


Well, I'm sure nobody will buy it for me, but if you buy it for yourself, let me know what you think. I'm most interested in the Wii version, seeing as I do not have an XBox 360 or Playstation 3.

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Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

Oh. My. Gawd, really? Strong Bad is actually going to have his own game?

And it's on the Wii's WiiWare? Save your pennies for this one. I'll need to see if I can borrow a fondue pot and get a 2-liter bottle of Mountain Dew as well.

Speaking of Strong Bad and games, here is a classic. Trogdor!

And now a Strong Bad classic for your enjoyment.

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Why?

That's the only thing that comes to mind when I see this video.



But is it practical?

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It's Been a While...

...since I could take a few minutes and just browse Amazon and add to my wish list. So I did just that, adding some new Wii games and DVD's to the mix.

I'll be set on Wii for a while now with Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Zelda Phantom Menace (I mean Phantom Hourglass) finding some playing time in my spare time.

I guess the highlight of the new additions to my Amazon Wish List would be this...

Sure, Lost Season Four probably is the true highlight, but I know Stef will buy it the day it comes out so putting it on my wish list was kind of pointless.

Speaking of Madden, how many people have purchased more Madden games than Mario games? I'm sure I'm still up on Mario games over Madden, but I think it's probably a lot closer than you would think!

Sad, I know.

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Earthbound on Wii?

Breaking news! Earthbound has been rated by the ESRB!

What does that mean? Odds are that since Earthbound was out well before the days of the video game rating scale that if it is being rated now, then it will likely be available to the masses in some capacity.

If this game makes it to the Virtual Console I will be downloading it immediately!

Earthbound, for the Super NES, was one of the greatest games available. For some reason though Nintendo never bothered to expand on the series in North America (or anywhere outside of Japan actually). It is a shame the other two games in the series have never been available here. Earthbound is clever, funny, addictive, and a solid game.

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I Beat Super Mario Galaxy

Yep, I did it. I found all 120 stars and beat the game (I'm a loser like that). Now that I have unlocked Luigi I suppose I should go ahead and do it all over again.

I also have 2,000 Wii Points I have yet to use, so maybe I'll download an old game from the Turbo Grafix or Sega Genesis.

I didn't record this, but thought I'd share the ending for anyone who really cares for whatever reason. Behold, the end of the game:

"Thank you so much for playing my game!" - Mario

No problem Mario. Anytime.



NCAA Bracket thoughts and picks to come tomorrow.

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Correction

So a while ago I posted about your chance to vote for the mascot that will grace the cover of NCAA Football 2009 for the Nintendo Wii. Apparently I neglected to place the link you need to vote!

Step 1: Click here.
Step 2: Move the Wii remote cursor to the "Vote Now" bar. Click it.
Step 3: Click on "Big Ten", or if for some reason you feel the need to spite me, any other conference of choice.
Step 4: Click on the Nittany Lion, or if for some reason you feel the need to spite me, any other mascot of choice.
Step 5: Confirm your vote for the one that stands the test.

GO! STATE! BEAT! ALL THE OTHER MASCOTS!

And while we are on the topic if video games, here is the latest edition of Play Value, from ON Networks.

The Return of the Arcade

Ok, time to get ready for work!

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