Posts by Eric Caoili at Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Eric Caoili
Cincinasty, OH - http://www.dsfanboy.com

Eric Caoili writes about video games more than he actually plays them. His other special powers include linking funny cat videos, falling off the bridge every dang time on the first level of Contra, and leaving snide comments on your blog. Admittedly, those powers aren't that special, but you've got to hold onto something.

Eric Caoili
Cincinasty, OH - http://www.dsfanboy.com

Wii Music offers new opportunities for 'This one time, at band camp' stories

Posted Sep 1st 2008 3:44PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Video

Wii Music won't only help you re-imagine yourself in a rock band; it will also enable you to live out your dream of playing in a marching band! Remember how you used to envy all the geeks performing during half-time shows at high school football games? Now you, too, can be one of them!

Nintendo also introduced two instruments with demonstration videos over the holiday weekend -- the violin, piano, and guitar. Unfortunately, it's hard to relate any of those music devices to band camp. Still, you can check out videos for them past the post break!

See also: Nintendo introduces Wii Music's instruments one at a time

Gallery: Wii Music

Continue reading Wii Music offers new opportunities for 'This one time, at band camp' stories

i am 8-bit show highlights

Posted Aug 18th 2008 10:17PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Fan stuff

Though states or even oceans might separate you from walking through the fourth annual i am 8-bit exhibit in Hollywood, California, Wii Fanboy sister-site Joystiq has put up an image collection of its own with enough photographs from the video game gallery to make you feel like you're actually at the art house!

We've picked out a number of notable pieces that we liked, such as the double framed Link and Zelda sketches above, but make sure to also check out Joystiq's gallery and impressions from the show's opening. It's enough to make you want to go out and buy some art supplies to create your own video game art!

Continue reading i am 8-bit show highlights

Batman: Arkham Asylum announced, possibly for Wii?

Posted Aug 12th 2008 7:20PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Rumors

With The Dark Knight and Heath Ledger's stellar performance as the Joker still fresh in everyone's mind, who doesn't want to play a new, non-sucky Batman game? Of course, we have LEGO Batman to look forward to, but it's hard to feel like the Gotham bad-ass when you're controlling a plastic and deformed minifigure.

The upcoming issue of Game Informer, due August 18th, has the scoop on publisher Eidos Interactive's forthcoming game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and though it hasn't yet been revealed which consoles the title will appear on, we have hopes that one of those systems will be the Wii.

Though the game's developer, London-based Rocksteady Studios (Urban Chaos: Riot Response), hasn't yet released anything for the Wii, its founders did have a hand in creating Catwoman: The Game for the GameCube -- that has to count for something, right?

According to Game Informer, Batman: Arkham Asylum is an original title following a botched prison transfer which the Joker uses to his advantage, turning the psychiatric hospital's worst patients and Batman's worst enemies against the caped crusader. The game will feature "a dark and gritty setting reminiscent of Bioshock" and a story co-written by Paul Dini, who you'll recognize from his work on Batman: The Animated Series.

Jump past the post break for an alternate cover of the GI issue with the Joker!

Continue reading Batman: Arkham Asylum announced, possibly for Wii?

Mega Man 9, 2 coming this September

Posted Aug 3rd 2008 2:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News, Virtual Console, WiiWare

By way of its staff blog, Capcom USA has revealed that Mega Man 9, its retro revival of the classic series, will be available through Nintendo's WiiWare service as soon as this September. Make sure the ceiling is high enough before you jump for joy, lest you hurt your head.

Mega Man 2 for the Virtual Console, which was posted on Europe's VC back in December 2007, is also scheduled to appear in the States in "early September." As for its predecessor, the original Mega Man, Capcom has announced that it will release the game in North America ... tomorrow!

See also: More great VC news: Mega Man 1, 2, Earthworm Jim 2 rated

[Thanks, Sonic_13!]

Capcom to create mega shirts out of Mega Man 9 boxart

Posted Jul 22nd 2008 10:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News

Remember that Mega Man 9 boxart/shirt we featured last week during E3? Of course you do, how could you ever forget its magnificent image? Apparently, I Am 8-bit artist Gerald de Jesus was commissioned for the homage to Mega Man's packaging designs of yore.

The shirts were originally created exclusively for Capcom's staff, including director Hironobu Takeshita and producer Keiji Inafune, with a limited run of four. But after seeing fan reactions to the astounding apparel, the publisher has decided to make t-shirts with the Mega Man 9 cover art "available for purchase soon" in the States. Oh, wondrous day!

Let's all hope Capcom decides to make a lot more than just four shirts this time!

Continue reading Capcom to create mega shirts out of Mega Man 9 boxart

Datel releasing Famicom-inspired Classic Controllers

Posted Jul 20th 2008 6:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Imports, Controller

With Super Famicom- and even PSP-inspired Classic Controllers hitting the market, we're not surprised to see someone exploit the sentiments of nostalgic gamers with a pad fashioned after the original Famicom controller.

Available in Japan starting this September, Datel's line of retro Classic Controllers -- all four of which you can view in the gallery below -- will retail for ¥1,659 (approx $15.54). It's nowhere near an exact replica, as you'll notice several missing and inconsistent design elements, but the controller features Home and Turbo buttons. Also, you can relive those childhood memories of throwing an NES pad at the wall after crashing into the aircraft carrier for the 20th time in Top Gun.

Gallery: Datel's Retro-Inspired Classic Controllers

[Via VC Reviews]

E308: Glorious Mega Man 9 boxart

Posted Jul 17th 2008 4:15PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News

Ultrasound graphics synthesis! 8-bit fidelity engine!

We have always been of the opinion that even downloadable games should have boxart. Capcom agreed, putting together this mix of the original Mega Man game's North American packaging and Mega Man 2's PAL cover. The resulting Mega Man 9 art showed up at the publisher's E3 booth on what looked like an iron-on transfer shirt.

Unfortunately, only a few of the shirts were made for internal staff, and Capcom doesn't intend to give any away. At least we have this photo (taken by 1UP's Jeremy Parish)! Check out that huge M on his belt!

E308: Goosebumps: HorrorLand steals E3

Posted Jul 15th 2008 11:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Video, Screens

Never mind Wii Music or Wii Sports Resort -- as we hinted earlier, Goosebumps: HorrorLand is the real star of this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.

Nintendo might not have mentioned this innovative title during the company's press conference today, but we have a feeling that this was the twinkle in president Satoru Iwata's eye when he mentioned a big paradigm shift in the global game market. Yes, a paradigm shift towards more Goosebumps games.

Just when you thought you had put R.L. Stine's ~~corny~~ ghastly novellas behind you, the series pulls you back in like a possessed wooden dummy carved from the coffin wood of an ancient sorcerer. Publisher Scholastic is basing this Wii game on Goosebumps spin-off HorrorLand, a new book series centered around a haunted theme park.

The graphics aren't impressing anyone -- it almost looks like the duct-tape holding the system's two GameCubes together came loose -- but there are shooter segments, carnival-themed minigames, and, uh, portions where you run on a log with a swamp monster. Mark our words, when you slide this game's disc into your Wii, you will say, "Wow!"

Gallery: Goosebumps HorrorLand

E308: WiiSpeak to be sold separately for $29.99

Posted Jul 15th 2008 7:15PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: News

We hope you didn't get your hopes up by thinking that the Wii's newly revealed "room-to-room" microphone peripheral, WiiSpeak, would be bundled with copies of Animal Crossing: City Folk! No, Nintendo loves making money much too much, and they have to pay for that 800-foot wire somehow.

According to a press release put out by Nintendo earlier today, the WiiSpeak microphone will be sold separately for $29.99. You could buy a DS game for that kind of cash! Maybe even two DS games, if you follow our sales posts!

If that price point is too rich for your blood, you need not worry about missing out on City Folk's voice communication features, as we're sure several dozen Chinese accessory manufacturers will step up and release a slew of cheaper, ridiculously shaped microphone solutions soon enough.

For comparison, Microsoft's MSRP for its official Xbox 360 Wireless Headset is $59.99, and Sony's official Bluetooth PS3 Headset (bundled with SOCOM: Confrontation) is rumored to be $49.99 as a standalone product. Of course, both of those accessories boast more advanced technology than WiiSpeak, and both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have much cheaper third-party solutions.

[Thanks, Kongo!]

Majesco parades a Major Minor trailer

Posted Jul 15th 2008 10:30AM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Video

We won't even front -- this rhythm game's cartoonish design isn't for everyone, and there are a lot of you who won't appreciate the "Dreamcast-era" graphics, either -- but we still think Major Minor's Majestic March looks like the cat's pajamas. If you need any proof, there are actually saxophone-playing cats in striped sleepwear in the clip above.

We can't tell you how many nights we've spent marching in place to the tune of some distant melody in our living room, waving an imagined, magical baton and granting tubas to dancing pigs. It has been a fantasy we've indulged in for years.

Gallery: Major Minor's Majestic March

Wii Fanboy E308 Poll: What games series needs Wii MotionPlus?

Posted Jul 14th 2008 6:30PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Peripherals, Controller, Wii Fanboy poll

You've had several years to complain about the missed potential for immersive applications with a Wii Remote supporting true 1:1 response; now that Nintendo has announced the Wii MotionPlus accessory, enabling games to track your movements faster and more accurately, we want to know which game series you feel would benefit the most from the new technology

Are you hoping for the most obvious pick -- compelling lightsaber duels in a Star Wars game? Or are you looking for Wii Sports 2 with support for more subtle movements? If you don't see your preferred series in our list of poll choices, make sure to leave a comment and let us know what game you think needs Wii MotionPlus!

Bargains on Bully and bullet hell

Posted Jul 6th 2008 2:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Sales

If you're the type to never pay retail on anything, especially video games, the like-minded misers at the Cheap Ass Gamers community have found two worthwhile Wii deals for you:

If you haven't looked into shoot-em-up Castle of Shikigami III before, make sure you check out the videos we posted a couple of months ago -- there's a flying butler! Amazon also has CSI: Hard Evidence on sale for $19.99, but we have a feeling that not many of you will be too excited to pick up this video game adaptation of a poor man's Law & Order.

[Via CAG]

Marble game accessory modeled after Goatse

Posted Jul 4th 2008 10:30PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Peripherals, Controller

If you've managed to get this far in your internet life without running into Goatse, congratulations! Do yourself a favor and keep it that way -- trust us on this one.

It has been months since Chinese accessory manufacturers last entertained us with inane Wii remote attachments; we were beginning to fear that they had run out of wacky ideas! But here comes the Ball Bearing Maze Special Salver [sic] to cure our accessory doldrums!

With this handy, Kororinpa-branded product, all you need to do is drop your remote into that center compartment, and you'll have more exciting, immersive experience playing marble/labyrinthine games such as Kororinpa: Marble Mania and, uh, that's it. Similarly designed games like Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, Mercury Meltdown Revolution, and Dewy's Adventure all require easy access to the controller's buttons, so this accessory wouldn't work well with those.

Couple that limited support with the Maze Special Salver's pricing, $27.99 plus shipping/handling, and this attachment looks almost as unattractive as the terrible image its design alludes to. You would be better off taping your remote to a cafeteria tray!

[Via Go Nintendo]

Lego mania, Nintendo fanboyism combined

Posted Jun 30th 2008 10:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Fan stuff

We've featured Lego-constructed Wiis before, but let's be honest -- making a big block out of smaller blocks isn't impressing anyone. This brick-built Super Famicom/SNES (PAL) from Lego Guy, however has a few curves to it, and even accompanying controllers and a cartridge!

As you'll see past the post break, he has also fashioned himself a miniature Robotic Operating Buddy. On the topic of Legos, if you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to watch the Slide-Action Lego Crossbow Pistol video we've also embedded!

See also: A cheap and colorful way to make your own Zapper

Continue reading Lego mania, Nintendo fanboyism combined

Nintendo Power's Sword in the Preview

Posted Jun 28th 2008 4:00PM by Eric Caoili
Filed under: Rumors

As it's been known to do, Nintendo Power wrapped up its latest issue promising a new unannounced title for next month's cover. Given the exclusive reveals the magazine has featured lately, such as Mega Man 9 for WiiWare and the Castlevania Judgment 3D fighter, both arguably megatons, it's hard not to expect another huge surprise!

Nintendo Power's preview page for the next issue brandishes the above image and a quick prank on Earthbound fans (as if they needed more teasing): "We'll kick off the next 20 years of Nintendo Power with more big reveals, including a top-secret cover story fit for a king. It's got a lot of heart. Just kidding. It's Mother 3. Just kidding. Please look forward to it."

What could it be? A sequel to Square's lackluster King's Knight? Even better, perhaps a remake of Capcom's Knights of the Round? What are your gueses?

Next Page >

Name	Date
Defendin de Penguin	Sep 5
NHL 2K9	Sep 8
Star Wars: Force Unleashed	Sep 16
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility	Sep 16
DDR Hottest Party 2	Sept. 16
Wario Land: Shake It!	Sept. 22
LEGO Batman	Sept. 23
Samba de Amigo	Sept. 23
SimCity Creator	Sept. 23
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Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked	Sept. 23
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Nintendo Wii Fanboy

Wii Music offers new opportunities for 'This one time, at band camp' stories

i am 8-bit show highlights

Batman: Arkham Asylum announced, possibly for Wii?

Mega Man 9, 2 coming this September

Capcom to create mega shirts out of Mega Man 9 boxart

Datel releasing Famicom-inspired Classic Controllers

E308: Glorious Mega Man 9 boxart

E308: Goosebumps: HorrorLand steals E3

E308: WiiSpeak to be sold separately for $29.99

Majesco parades a Major Minor trailer

Wii Fanboy E308 Poll: What games series needs Wii MotionPlus?

Bargains on Bully and bullet hell

Marble game accessory modeled after Goatse

Lego mania, Nintendo fanboyism combined

Nintendo Power's Sword in the Preview

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