The Regginator Talks

Change - Before you have to...

Nintendo Of America's Regginald Fils Amie has left some impressions at a recent speech at the Harris Nesbitt Media & Entertainment Conference. In addition to news regarding Nintendo's plans with Revolution, he also touches on past marketing schemes, and makes direct reference of games to movies.

Thanks to Go Nintendo for providing a transcript of the interview:
http://www.gonintendo.com/Reggie%20Speech.rtf

This is a great speech, a definite worthwhile read of 12 pages.

AS JACK WELCH ONCE SAID, “IN REAL LIFE, STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. YOU PICK A GENERAL DIRECTION—AND IMPLEMENT LIKE HELL.”
WE’RE BEYOND PLANNING.
WE’RE ALREADY IMPLEMENTING LIKE HELL.

NINTENDO REVOLUTION IS DECIDEDLY NOT RUNNING IN THIS RACE.
NOT BECAUSE WE CAN’T AFFORD THE ENTRY FEE.
BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT THE PRIZE.

- Reggie

Australian MKDS Info

Revo-europe.com have recently published an article with great new information regarding Nintendo's Wi-Fi service here in Australia, link:

http://www.revo-europe.com/news.php?nid=8493

It seems that Australian gamers will have access to free wireless hotspots to play DS online. No news about an agreement with Maccas yet, although it has been confirmed that 26 Australian retail locations, including selected Electronics Boutique, Myer and Dick Smith Powerhouse stores will support this service. All a player needs to do, is enter a store and simply select Wi-Fi mode on their DS. No setting up required, nice and easy.

It is also great news to the many who are still stuck with dialup internet. And for those who are planning to purchase a USB adaptor, remember they are available from Nintendo Australia (03 9730 9822) for $49.95, with free postage. In addition to credit card, money order and cheques are also accepted.

Also, Nintendo will soon launch the Australian online Wi-Fi resource. NintendoWiFi.com.au will open and act as a useful resource for gamers who wish to find out more info regarding Wi-Fi, or compare their high scores with top gamers in Australia. Sounds interesting, be sure to keep checking the site for updates :).

Merrick on Mark Reign

It seems that Jim Merrick was well aware of Reign's seemingly biased comments made towards the Revolution two weeks ago. For those who are behind in info, Mark disses the Revolution console, insisting games will be "all about the graphics" in the upcoming generation, and that Nintendo fans are in for "crappy, cheap, I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it gimmicks". Surprisingly, out of the many developers who have commented on the Revolution after the TGS, Reign was the only individual to present a negative view.

That is fair enough, guess nobody can control his opinions. But what has been nagging my mind, and I'm sure the minds of many other gamers, is the aggressive attitude, and lack of evidence to back up Reign's comments. The use of "I-wish-I-hadn't-bought-it" to describe Revolution games are undoutably biased against Nintendo. Besides from the fact that he doesn't own a dev kit, haven't been told the specs, and hasn't utilised the controller, I also doubt he's been shown any Revolution games (running on next gen hardware).

It's all well if he'd back up his comment, perhaps with evidence of the Revolution's inferior hardware, or lack of on par graphics. But he's included nothing of the sort, and now besides from making himself appear to be a total idiot when compared to other developers, he's hated by fans from all over the internet.

Apparantly, Merrick shares similar views as the rest of us N-gamers. In a recent interview he has responded to Reign's comments:

“Mark has a very narrow section of the business. Epic builds middleware, they’re very technically savvy guys, but he doesn’t have a Revolution controller, he doesn’t have a dev kit, he’s talking about something he knows nothing about. So if he’d like to get a dev kit and really dig into it, then I’d be interested to hear what he has to say.”

That was a little aggressive coming from Nintendo... but neccessary. Gonintendo.com have recently emailed some questions to Reign, and are waiting for his response. Tune into Go Nintendo for more news.

Start Your Engines

Only a week left until Mario Kart DS is officially released in Australia, and Aussie Nintendo has released some awesome new info for the game. But firstly, it seems my previous list of "confirmed" MKDS unlockable characters were... not confirmed. Apparantly it has not been revealed that Koopa, Toadette and Petey will be playable characters in the game. The only confirmed player is R.O.B, as seen the screenshot below:



Argh, stoopid robot, this guy has to be the only Nintendo invention I dislike. And if he's in the game when Toadette's kicked out... ah well, 36 available karts makes up for the disappointment... kinda. Alright, on to some positive news.

I'm sure you've all seen the final cover boxart for Mario Kart DS, and now the back cover has been revealed. Picture courtesy of aussie-nintendo.com:



Aussie Nintendo have been kind enough to clear up some confusion regarding the DS and its Wi-Fi connection, this page is a useful resource for anyone having doubts on how to cnnect and play online.

http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/content/news_archives/ds.php?subaction=showfull&id=1131554079&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2

Summing up the article:

- The first Wi-Fi game ,Tony Hawk DS will be released on the 16th of November, Mario Kart launching a day later.
- Currently there are two ways to play online for Australian DS gamers. The first is to setup a connection with a home wireless router. Simply follow instructions on the DS and players can be connected in minutes. The second is to purchase the Nintendo Wi-Fi adaptor.
- The adaptor is available from Nintendo, on 1300 362 746 (Nintendo Australia). The cost is $49.95, but comes with free shipping for Australians. Payments methods are credit card, money order or cheque.
- You can purchase and pay for the adaptor prior to the 17th, but no orders will be processed before that date.
- Currently, nintendowifi.com is only available to American gamers to share their high scores and discuss Wi-Fi gaming, though the service will be made available for Aussies in the distant future.
- Nintendo.com.au will be having updates regarding Wi-Fi and Mario Kart DS next week, so stay tuned for more details.

Remote Controller

Today Nintendo has announced the annual Platinum reward for platinum Club Nintendo Members - a Revolution remote controller. The controller has the exact shape and size of a Nintendo Revolution controller, but will operate a television rather than Revolution games. Basically, this will give some lucky members a feel of wielding the revolutionary gaming device, only without its revolutionary features.

Along with the remote, members will also be given a 2006 wall calender featuring Kirby, Nintendogs, Mario and Zelda graphics.

Nintendo Wi-Fi News

There is some assorted news concerning Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection and Mario Kart DS, I am including them all in the same post.

Nintendo has sucessfully launched their global Wi-Fi site, nintendowifi.com. It will be used as a resource for game information, Wi-Fi setup and recording high scores on the current Wi-Fi supported titles. Checking the Mario Kart section, it seems that some Nintendo officials and other staff have already received advance copys of Mario Kart DS, and already have their scores posted at the site.

A new commercial for the Wi-Fi connection has surfaced. Ninjas, anyone?
http://media.gba.gamespy.com/articles/664/664980/vids_1.html?RSSwhen2005-11-07_105800&RSSid=664980

Nintendo has revealed that they have an intention to retail the USB adaptor worldwide in the near future, along with the release of Metroid Prime Hunters for DS. But currently, the adaptor is only available from eBay or Nintendo's website.

The complete list of all unlockable Mario Kart DS characters has been revealed. Please note: spoilers below:

Daisy
Koopa Troopa
Toadette
Waluigi
Shy Guy
Dry Bones
Petey Piranha
R.O.B - NES

Interestingly, ROB is included as a playable character. For those who don't know, he started off as a pheripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System back in the 80s, as a robotic toy with NES connectivity. It is very surprising that Nintendo have decided to include him in a game, instead of other MK characters such as Mini Bowser, Wiggler, Baby Mario etc. Ah well, at least Toadette is in the game :P.

Toad + Toadette = Ultimate 1337ness in MKDD :D.

Konno Talks Nintendo

Game Life has held a recent interview with Hideki Konno, producer at EAD studio in Kyoto. Topics covered include Mario Kart DS, Nintendogs and Revolution. Aussie Nintendo have an article with some of these questions.

Mario Kart DS:

You'll see it during the race?

Konno: As you're playing for a while, maybe if you beat some staff ghosts in the time trial mode, you'll get stars next to your user name. You can get up to three, and you have to do quite a bit to get those three stars. Once you've done that you'll see them online.

Nintendogs:

Any plans for Nintendogs on Wi-Fi?

Konno: We have a lot of ideas (laughs). That's the next thing we'd like to tackle. So there are a lot of things that I'm looking forward to addressing in regards to that question.

Revolution:

What sort of controller motions intrigue you more: little ones or big ones? Do you want to make an action game where you're wildly slashing a sword or a puzzle game where you're making intricate movements?

Konno: Wow, that's a good question. We're thinking of so many different things. We're still at the stage where we're trying so many different things. We're doing things with big, expansive movements and smaller, more concise movements. It's hard to narrow it down to one over the other.

Did you see the Tokyo Game Show video? We actually have things using the movements you saw. Like the cooking game. We have this game with a big wok that you use to cook Chinese food, and it's really interesting to have the meat and vegetables frying in there, and use the controller to flip the food around without it spilling out of the pan.

The full interview is available at:
http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1273394%22

Mario Kart DS Competition

Alright, there hasn't been much Nintendo news lately so I thought I'd bring this up. Of the many reader of this blog, who here is planning on purchasing Mario Kart DS? If you are one of those mentioned, would you be interested in an online Mario Kart competition?

Personally, I claim myself to be the number 1 most obsessive Mario Kart player. I have played and finished all 4 existing Mario Kart games with quite impressive scores :P, and am holding some records which are faster than anyone I know.

Hehe, I'm not trying to boast, just trying to get some of you to participate in the comp. Alright, here's the proposal:

I challenge all of you to some online MKDS verses races.

Those who beat me will have their game number posted on this blog, so other Mario Kart pros can check and add the number to their friend's list. If you could join, please post your number at DIgital Share forums when the game is released :).

Digital Share forums

That is all for now, thanks.

Nintendo's Future

Sorry for the recent lack of posts, I have been a little busy lately. I'm sure you've all already read or watched the full interview at Nintendo's press summit, but just in case, here is a link to the full transcript.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/664/664495p1.html

An hours long presentation, Reggie is interviewed about his thoughts on Nintendo's strategies with the Revolution console, and future plans on marketing the system. He touches on the online plans Nintendo have for both the Nintendo DS and Revolution, and also answers many questions regarding the service. The whole interview is 5 IGN pages in length, but is worth the read.

The questions he answers at the end are most informative. He does not reveal any important new information, but responds in detail to questions aimed at the GB Micro, DS Wi-Fi, Revolution and also Nintendo's third party support.

Darkenedjib On GB Micro

The Micro launched in Australia yesterday, so I went and bought one, and thought I might write a hands on impression (for those who are considering). The photos below are taken by me, sorry about the blurr in some -_-.

Well, I bought the Micro, returned home, and went straight to my room to open it. You know that new hardware feeling you get when buying new gadgets? It was like that for me, sitting on the bed and staring at the console's box. The blurr in the images below could have been due to my hands shaking while holding the camera :P.





Yeah, I bought the red bundle. The only other choice from Big W was the silver console, which came with a black faceplate, it was a tough choice though. Anyway, I opened the box and slide out the contents. The Micro was visible behind a plastic wrapping... nice.



I took out the rest of the contents. There was an instruction booklet, user manuel, charger and extra faceplate. A pouch was included but I didn't notice. The charger was similar to the SP and DS ones, but a smaller socket to fit a Micro. The extra faceplate was purple.



The Micro itself was a lot heavier than I expected. It was made with a strong metallic casing, unlike the plastics of the GBA or metallic paint on the SP, and weighed a little more than an SP. The faceplate was covered with a clear plastic which looked neat, but left fingerprints when I held it.





Sweeet. I couldn't wait to try out some old GBA games, but first, here are some additional screens from different angles.





I took out two random games (first ones I could find). They happened to be Mario Kart Super Circuit and Pokemon Leaf Green. Here is a shot of Mario Kart.



The Micro fit nicely in my hands. The A and B buttons were easily reaschable, the D pad was very responsive, and the L R buttons gave a nice click when I pushed them. I first tried out the volume and screen brightness. The sound was decent, but not as loud as I hoped, maybe a tad louder than an SP. But the brightness was amazing, even at the lowest setting it was brighter than the SP's frontlight. And at 4 notches higher in brightness, I swear you could use it as a torch. The image was crystal clear (don't be discouraged by that shoddy image!), the Micro has as many pixels as the GBA SP, only on a smaller screen.



The image above is from Pokemon, again, crystal clear reception. The text was easy to read, and navigating items in the game was a cinche. It took almost no time for me to adjust to the micro's controls. You had to kinda cradle the console to reach all the buttons, which felt fairly compfortable. Notice the Start/Select buttons are emitting a red light. That meant the thing needed to recharge, the charged colour is blue.

I dug around for the Movie Player I bought a while ago (a Play-Yan alternative for watching movies on the SP or DS). The player stuck out of the system a bit (ok... a lot), but the picture was awesome. Hehe, I watched a bit of Family Guy on it.



For some reason, Family Guy didn't seem so interesting just then :P. I thought I might show you the other faceplate. The Micro came with a small bit of plastic, which I almost threw in the bin, used for changing the faceplates. I had to push the two points on the plastic into corresponding holes on the left side of the Micro, and the faceplate popped open. Changing faceplates was easy enough, though a pinkish/purple faceplate looked slightly out of place.



I guess there isn't much else to say about the console, though I was really anxious to recharge and start playing some GBA classics on the 2 inch screen :P. Afterwards, I managed to find an old Mario and Luigi Superstar Sage cartridge, and spent about 2 hours playing non stop. Lol, that was the reason I wasn't able to write a review yesterday.

So yeah, it's a nifty gadget, definitely worth the $138. I apoligise for the untidy review, I am really eager to return to MLSS right now :D. To finish off, here are two more images.