Wii - $250 or lower...

In the past, Nintendo has said that the Wii would be $300 or less, but last week they anounced that the system would now be $250 or less. Many had speculated that the Wii would launch for $200 or $150. The increase of $50 may not sound like too much for some of us, but Nintendo is trying to attract new customers with the Wii. If the system is only $50 cheaper than the core Xbox 360 package, it may be difficult for consumers to choose which path to take for the next gen. At $250, I don't think that people who have never played games before will pick it up.

Why would Nintendo even anounce that the system would be $250 or lower? Many speculated that the system would launch at $200 or even $150, and although the price of $250 was not confirmed, it looks like $200 or lower is out. If the Wii is priced at $250 at launch it will most likely include several things, while if the system launched at let's say $150, it would be only the console and the controller. At $250 it is much more likely that we will see a game packed in and maybe even an extra controller and an SD card. If it launches at $230 maybe it will only include the console, the controller, and a game(Wii sports?).

From a business standpoint, this anouncement makes plenty of sense. 99% of the people who purchase the system right at launch will be the hardcore, and hardcore gamers would be willing to pay a little extra for a brand new system. Even though Nintendo said they are aiming to expand the number of people who play video games, it will take time to market the system, and make people aware of the new style of gameplay. By the time the system starts making some noise and getting people interested, the hardcore will already have their systems and bundle. Then Nintendo will have their chance to lower the price and sell the Wii for $200 or maybe even $150, with only the console and the controller.

This is only one possibility though. Nintendo may be following the path set by Apple, Microsoft, and Sony by offering 2 versions of the system: one to appeal to the hardcore, and one to appeal to new gamers. In this case, they have one box set at $250, and it will include several things that the hardcore gamer would be interested in, such as an extra controller, a game, and a memory card. The other box would be set at $150 dollars, and would include the console and a controller. The latter is the package that the new consumer would most likely choose.

Either way, this is all speculation. The bottom line is that if there is a more expensive system, you better believe that it will include much more than what a cheaper package would include and that Nintendo has a huge job in trying to attract new customers to the industry. They will certaintly have a hard time convincing people who have never played or payed attention to a video game to go to their local EB and shell out $200 for a new system.

Episode 3 is now up!

Episode 3 and our outtakes episode entitled: 3.14 are now up! Check out iTunes for these episodes to listen to them. Only ill_masta, KZ, and Darksinner talk it up in this episode, but they still think that it is one of the best yet!

Extra plug for Sensor Bar

An extra input is now available on the back of the hardware for the Wii. The new input is a place for the sensor bar to plug into. The sensor bar will plug right into the back of the system just as the A/V cables and power cord do. This probabaly rules out the possability of the sensor bar being wireless, but it wasn't expected to be wireless anyway.

Wii don't get Dolby Digital

According to official documentation that was made available todeveloper studios, the Wii will not be able to utilize Dolby Digital sound output. It is not because of hardware limitations, but because of a single audio/visual jack that will not support Dolby Digital. Instead, Dolby Pro Logic II will be used to simulate 5.1 surround sound, as it was on the Gamecube. There may still be time to add Dolby Digital to the system's capabilities, but I wouldn't expect it.

Internet Browser for Wii

News about a web browser for the Wii has surfaced recently, and it seems that Nintendo is teaming up with Opera to create the browser. The Opera browser was selected because of its simplicity and because it is relatively easy to use. There won't be much of a change from surfing the web on your PC, to using the browser on WIii. Instead of using a keyboard, the browser will take advantage of the Wii remote. Nintendo hasn't commented on how the browser will utilize the controller or what features will be available as far as media playback goes, but it will most likely be revealed soon. The Opera browser is the same browser that is used on the Nintendo DS lite.

Black Nintendo DS lite

Nintendo anounced that a black Nintendo DS lite will be avalable when it launches in Europe on June 23rd. For those of you who are dying for a different color, such as ill_masta, it may be worth the extra wait and the import price.

The Wii-Mote

Here is the latest version of the Wii controller and the nunchuck attachement. The pointer can sense all of your movements from left to right, up and down, and even if you move forwards or backwards(great for fighting games...)It also contains a speaker for sounds such as gunshots when you fire and this will help to immerse you in the game. On the face of the controller you will see the A button and a D-pad, which will be used in Wii games. The 1 and 2 buttons will be used when you hold the controller vertically. There are 3 buttons in the center. One marked, "home," and the other two have a plus and a minus sign which are most likely used to regulate the volume of the built in speaker. The underside of the pointer has a B button trigger and a built in rumble pack. The Nunchuck unit can sense movement as well, and it has an analog stick and two triggers marked C and Z underneath. The controllers communicate with the system through bluetooth technology.





The next controller is what will be used when playing downloaded games from the virtual console. For those of you who don't know what the virtual console is, I'll explain it. The virtual console is an online service that is built into the Wii, and it allows you to download classic games from the original Nintendo Entertainment System(NES), the Super Nintendo Emtertainment System(SNES) the Nintendo 64, the Sega Genesis, and the TurboGrafx systems.




On the left is a picture of the pointer(right) and the virtual console controller(left).
It is very likely that the pointer and the nunchuck attachement will be included in the packaging of the Wii because they are the main controllers that you use, but the virtual console controller will most likely be sold separately. All of the controllers have a very slick look and feel to them that is similar to that of the new Nintendo DS lite which is coming on June 11th.

For those of you...

For those of you who love trailers, here is one that will not dissapoint. With all of the great games that we saw at E3, there are will be many more to come.

Super Smash Bros. BRAWL

Episode 2 is now up!

Episode 2 of Big N Radio is now available on iTunes. In this episode, we discuss Nintendo's Press Conference at E3 and our impressions. We then talk about the Wii and the videos that revealed many new games for the innobative console, especially Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3:Corruption. Then we discuss the DS and the games that were unveiled, such as Star Fox DS and Yoshi's Island 2. After analyzing the complete Press Conference, we talk about our reactions, how we feel about the games, and what we were surprised about. We also talk about some disappointments and our predictions. Keep it here for all Nintendo news all the time about the Wii, the DS, and the games that make Nintendo great. Fortunately, the birds can no longer be heard in this episode!
Eat. Sleep. Breathe. Live-Nintendo. Big N Radio.

Big N Radio Episode 2!

Tonight we will be recording the second episode of our new, but very well known podcast, Big N Radio. It will immediately be put up on iTunes after we finish so stay tuned. This episode will contain all of the news about E3, as well as our impressions on the Wii, it's games, the DS, and our in-depth analysis of Nintendo's Press Conference. Keep it here for all Nintendo news, all the time.

No more Game Boy

Last week in our podcast, we discussed the future of the Game Boy and the role it plays as one of Nintendo's pillars. It seems that some of us were correct in guessing that there would not be future Game Boy and that the only two systems that we will see are Wii and DS. Iwata seems to have confirmed these feelings when he was asked about the Game Boy and responded by saying, "I would have a second thought about using our resources on what would be the next generation of Game Boy Advance, considering the strong support DS is now enjoying," Iwata said. "The Japanese game market is now evolving around DS. We don't need to do something that will pour cold water on the situation." Although this isn't really a surprise, it is a little dissapointing, but I guess two systems are enough anyway.

I said, "Wow."

Well, Nintendo really surprised me just now, in an amazing way. My biggest dissapointment about the Big N's conference was that we didn't get to see any Smash Bros. However, Shigeru Miyamoto himself has just revealed that tere indeed will be a Wii Smash Bros. title named, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl." There will be several new characters, such as Pit, Wario, Metaknight, the zero suit samus(samus in her blue suit from zero mission), and Solid Snake. Miyamoto also said that the Wii remote may get in the way of the traditional Smash Bros. style of gameplay and, "The Wii hardware has sockets for the GameCube controller, too. So I'll just say now that you may not want to throw away your GCN controller yet." There are also going to be tons f new items to use, such as puppies from Nintendogs. Also, the game looks like it is going to be Wi-Fi compatable. "My plan is to include Wi-Fi connection compatibility and online functionality. One of the primary reasons Super Smash Bros. Brawl was created was that Nintendo, when taking Wii online, wanted to have Smash Bros. to do that," Unfortunately, the game will not be released as a launch title, but it will be available in 2007. Good things come to those who wait, right?

Playing=Believing

Yet Another Wii Peripheral

Today at E3 Nintendo released yet another peripheral for the Wii-mote. This attachment is a light gun shell that the remote slides into. It looks great and just as slick as the remote and the system. Duck Hunt Wii anyone?





Our first podcast is FINALLY up on iTunes(it only took 5 days!) and our second episode will be recorded in a couple of days. Keep it here and check back frequently for more E3 reports and hot news as it develops.
Playing=Believing

E3 Update

Shortly after their Press Conference, Nintendo released a picture of what the Classic Wii controller, that is used to play the games on the virtual system, would look like. It looks kind of like an odly shaped Super NES controller with 2 analog sticks and a home button.

Also, Nintendo anounced a new Gamecube game that is worth mentioning.
Super Paper Mario. It's an all new platformer that has both 2D and 3D aspects to it, that are similar to New Super Mario Bros. The video shows that Mario, Peach, and Bowser are playable characters. Remember the amazing bonus level in Paper Mario 2 where you could play as Bowser? Oh, yes.


Oh yeah, I have one thing I forgot to mention for the E3 report. Where is Super Smash Bros. Wii? Supposedly it was going to be a launch title, but judging by the fact that there was no video for it and that Nintendo didn't mention it, it most likely will not be.

All you need to know about E3

Now that the Nintendo Press Conference is over, we all know a lot more about the Nintendo Wii and also about the DS. Nintendo focused the conference mainly on the software, while at the same time, they revealed, what appears to be, the final information on the innovative controller.

To start things off, Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto took the stage and conducted an orchestra with the Wii remote. Then, after a video that contained highlights of many new games(more on this later), Reggie stated what they were going to talk about for next hour, and this included several things. First, he explained why Nintendo decided to make the system so different. Then he mentioned that in regards to the cost and release date of the system, "it is in our best interest to keep it a secret for a little longer." However, Reggie did state that Wii will be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. Then, he spoke about the name Wii, and why they chose it. He also made it a point to thank everyone online and in the audience for their support for the name. "Both of you." Next, Nintendo moved on to their main focus of the day: The support. Reggie reiterated that seeing the games will make an impression on you, but playing them, will make you believe. Nintendo stated several times that,
"Playing = Believing."

Next up was a demo of Twilight Princess using the Wii controller, with several several anouncements thrown in. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be launched day and date with the new console in two versions; one for the Gamecube, and one for the Wii. After watching the demo, I know that I am definately going with the Wii version. To start things off, the Wii remote's D-pad serves as Link's inventory, and it can be assigned several different weapons. The B button underneath the controller is used for sword slashes. The Z button on the Nunchuk unit is used for the patented Zelda targetting system. To do Link's spin move, you simply spin the Nunchuk device. To hit an enemy and push him back with Link's shield, you thrust the Nunchuk unit forward. To do Link's downward sword thrust as a finishing move, you thrust the Nunchuk down. Although Nintendo did not state this during the presentation, it looks like you are able to do a backflip by thrusting the controller backwards.

All of the long range weapons, such as the boomarang and the bow and arrow, will be used with the pointing function of the Wii controller. Now for some new information. During the demonstration of the bow and arrow, it was announced that there is a speaker built into the Wii controller, and when you do actions, such as pulling back the arrow for the bow, you will hear it out of the controller and then when you release, the sound moves to the screen. Also, the Wii controller will feature a rumble pack that will respond to all impacts seen on screen. For example, when you push an enemy away with the shield by thrusting the Nunchuk forward, you feel the impact. Both the rumble feature and the speaker help to immerse you in the game and make it more of a realistic experience. The graphics were simply stunning and the gameplay looked intense. Nintendo stated several times that this will be the greatest Zelda game of all time.

Next, a video of several games was shown, and this revealed some new games that looked fantastic, as well as some games we have been expecting for quite some time now. There were far too many shown to go into great detail for every single one, but I will mention a little about certain games. Here is a list of all the games that were shown in the videos.

Nintendo Wii
Super Mario Galaxy
Metroid Prime Hunters 3: Corruption
Fire Emblem
Red Steel
Sonic Wild Fire
Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling 2
Wario Ware
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles-The Crystal Bearers
Excite Truck
Project H.A.M.M.E.R.
Disaster: Day of Crisis
Tony Hawk: Downhill Jam
Rayman
Dragon Quest Swords
Spongebob Squarepants: Creature from the Crusty Crab
Madden NFL '07
Racing Game from THQ
SG Gundam G Breaker
Sengoku Action
Necro-Nesia
Elebits
Super Swing Golf Pangya
Finalfurlong revoultion(tentative title)
One Piece:Unlimited Adventure
Wii Sports(Tennis, Golf, and Baseball in one package)

Nintendo also anounced that 27 games will be playable at the booth tomorrow.

Following the clips of videos, two representitives from Ubisoft of France showed a Red Steel demo. The video looks great, and Red Steel completely takes advantage of the Wii's controller. The environments were completely destructable, the weapons look great,(Can't wait for the Katana)and the enemies were very intelligent. What I mean by that is, they did not just stand there and wait to die. They actually cared for their lives, and tried to hide from you in the confrontation. All of the physics were realistic and the game looks simply breathtaking when you are playing. It is very intense and the action moves at a fast pace.

After the Red Steel demo, George Harrison took the stage to talk about Nintendo DS. He spoke of how Nintendo has truly disrupted the market and he rattled off some astounding numbers. Over 16 million units have been sold since the release 18 months ago, and he said that PSP sales are at millions less. 1.3 million different users have logged onto the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and there have been over 40 million matches. In Japan, the 3 Brain Games have sold over 5 million copies, and since it's release here three weeks ago, Brain Age: Train your Brain in Minutes a Day has sold over 120,000 copies. One third of all the Brain training games have been sold to people over 35 years old. Nintendo wants to continue to push the games in its Touch Generation Series, that consists of Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Club House Games, and Sudoku-Gridmaster.

Next, Nintendo said that they have no plans of letting up on the DS and they announced some more titles for the system.

Nintendo DS
Star Fox Ds
Yoshi's Island 2
The Legend of Zelda:Phantom Hourglass
Donkey Kong Racing
Pokemon Red and Blue Mystery Dungeon
Final Fantasy 3 (with all new 3D graphics, but same great story)
Mario Hoops 3 on 3
Elite Beat Agents (This looked strikingly like Os Tatoki Ouendan!!)
Mario vs. DK: March of the Minis

Over 100 DS games will be released from now until the end of the year.

Satoru Iwata took the stage and moved back towards Wii. He said that the load times in games turn players off so on the Wii, there will be extremely short load times and that the system will always be on. There will be something called,
Wii Connect 24. Wii Connect 24 is what makes sure that your system is constantly connected to the internet and when you are not there to reduce load times. This standby mode will only use the energy of a small light. So, Mr. Iwata gave the example of someone visiting your town in Animal Crossing when you are not there and leaving you a note or a present.

Next, an example of Wii Sports was shown. Wii Sports includes tennis, baseball and golf. The winner of Nintendo's contest to be the first person to play Wii was then called to the stage to play a tennis match with Mr. Miyamoto, Mr. Iwata, and Reggie, who all had customized characters that looked like them. Before beginning the match, Reggie said to Mr. Iwata, "Mr. Iwata, maybe this year I can just take the names and you can kick the... you know..." and Mr. Iwata responded, "Yes, that is my job."

The event was then brought to a close and the statement Playing = Believeing was repeated and that evryone will get the oppurtunity to feel the new way to play games tomorrw. Reggie finished by saying that the DS and the Wii allow for risk. "Risk allows progress." "Nintendo is not a company that runs from risk, but one that runs to it." Change is good and Nintendo is the disrupter. "Seeing is just an impression. Playing is believing."

Nintendo Press Conference

The Nintendo Press Conference will be starting in just a couple of minutes now, so keep it here for all the breaking news and the secrets about the Nintendo Wii!

E3 tomorrow!

Tomorrow with the start of E3 we will most likely find out everything there is to know about the Wii. Satoru Iwata will be taking the stage once again for Nintendo to reveal all of the secrets behind the companies, "New Generation," console. Be sure to check back for all the news and frequent updates about the event. Only one day left!

Weekly poll

From now on, every week we are going to do a poll on a diffrent topic. I will run this poll and I will moniter the results. The topics will vary so, on that note, happy voting! ^_^

I have to apologize

I would like to apologize about our first podcast in regards to my pet birds. Unfortunately the mic we used picked them up so they can be heard at certain times. Once again, apologize for the inconvenience.

Episode 1 is Up!!

Hey this is A-Zar. We just finished Episode 1 of Big N Radio and it is available on iTunes right now so make sure you check it out.

In our debut episode, we introduce ourselves and our motive behind creating a podcast that revolves around Nintendo. We talk about the Nintendo Wii, it’s games, and the name change. We also discuss the DS Lite, it’s American release, and some upcoming games. Then we move into thoughts about E3, our hopes, and our expectations. Later, we review Brain Age: Train your Brain in Minutes A Day and Lostmagic. Join us for tons of news and info about Nintendo and experience hardcore gaming like never before.

It can be found right here: http://web.mac.com/louisrgigante/iWeb/Site/Podcast/922AEDDB-DB63-4400-A785-09BF0B1C9EBF_files/BigNRadio.m4a


Eat. Sleep. Breathe. Live-Nintendo. Big N Radio

Hello and Welcome

Hey this is A-zar. Welcome to Big N Radio. This is the place where you can find up to date Nintendo news about the DS, the Wii, and the games that makes Nintendo great. The podcast will be availale in a day or so, so stick with us to see what we have to offer.

yo

KZERO HERE JUST WANA SAY WELCOME TO BIG N RADIO