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Elite II, LostWinds dev Frontier joins ELSPA

by Jason Dobson { May 18th 2009 at 11:10PM }

The UK-based Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, or ELSPA for short, has a new face on board. Seasoned game designer David Braben and his crack team of devs at Frontier Developments have joined the trade body, no doubt wooed by the organization's rumored regular meetings to play Twister.

Braben wowed early gamers with his influential space sim, Elite, as well as its 1993 sequel, Frontier. Braben's latest release strayed far from his roots, however, in last year's WiiWare platformer, LostWinds. In joining the ELSPA, Braben says he hopes to help the organization deal with such issues as piracy, ratings and used game sales "swiftly and efficiently." Still, given that the studio's current project, The Outsider, was first announced in 2006, and we're still waiting on Elite IV, we're not convinced speed is how Braben and company roll.

Touch Ruminations: Serious business

by David Hinkle { Feb 13th 2009 at 4:59PM }

In the latest edition of Touch Ruminations, former DS and Wii Fanboy Lead David Hinkle talks about how lousy Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop looks and why the Wii needs to be taken more seriously. Basically, he just rants about stuff. The opinions expressed here belong to the author and don't necessarily reflect those of Joystiq, Weblogs Inc. or its affiliates.

You've seen it, right? Horrible, I know. How does something like this even happen? I don't have all of the answers, but being an individual that has worked in the Wii trenches for years now, I can tell you one thing: this isn't helping the Wii to get the respect it deserves.

Continued →

VC Tuesday: Salamander's Firey Ambition

by JC Fletcher { Dec 23rd 2008 at 9:00AM }

What a delightful variety of games on the Japanese Virtual Console this Christmas week! Compare that to the American selection, which is delightful but not at all varied. Japan has four new old games, from four different systems, in four different gameplay styles, including a shmup, a strategy game, a platformer, and a wrestling game -- and great examples of all four genres!

Salamander (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
Super Nobunaga no Yabou (Super Famicom, 1-8 players, 800 Wii Points)
Super Wonder Boy: Monster World (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Legend Bout (PC Engine, 1-4 players, 600 Wii Points)

WiiWare is also a treat this week, but one the rest of the world has already been served: LostWinds, published in Japan by Square Enix.

LostWinds found in Japan by Square Enix

by JC Fletcher { Nov 14th 2008 at 3:20PM }

Frontier Developments' WiiWare launch title LostWinds remains one of the highlights of the lineup ... in the US, Europe, and Australia. Good news for Japanese Wii owners: the platformer is finally scheduled for release in December, for 1,000 Wii Points. Good news for Frontier Developments (although we suspect they've heard this): Square Enix picked up the publishing rights to the game for Japan -- whatever it means to "publish" a WiiWare game.

LostWinds, which was published in other regions by Frontier themselves, will be the second WiiWare release from Square Enix, following Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, and the first Square Enix WiiWare release from an external developer. We know we'd be pleased if a big, prestigious publisher like that showed confidence in our game! And if our game existed!

Gallery: LostWinds

[Via Game Watch]

We're always looking for new games to enjoy. We've got plenty of other WiiWare reviews, if you're into that kind of thing.. If you're so crazy that you want to go to the store and buy something when you could be playing World of Goo or Mega Man 9, we can help with that, too.

LostWinds finds a home in Europe

by Candace Savino { Jun 17th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Nintendo doesn't release sales numbers for VC or WiiWare titles (although stat lovers might be able to figure out some estimates). To give us a better idea of what's hot and what's not, though, everyone's favorite marketing guy Laurent Fischer reports that LostWinds is dominating Europe. The two games that "come close" to LostWinds' sales in the continent are TV Show King and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.

Fischer also reports that WiiWare titles are enjoying a "constant flow of downloads," which makes sense in today's digital media environment. As for LostWinds, we're glad to see a game that's such a breath of fresh air get the recognition it deserves.

Wii Warm Up: How about that flow?

by David Hinkle { May 27th 2008 at 8:00AM }

Wow, we've been happy with WiiWare. You all have been happy with the titles, correct? Well, regardless of how you would rate the service so far, we have a tough question to ask.

Do you think the steady flow of new titles will remain constant going forward? Would you expect at least one new WiiWare game each week, or do you think that the well is getting close to dried up? Sure, there's Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People to look forward to, but what else? Will the flow continue?

Virtually Free: No longer lost, but found

by Alisha Karabinus { May 20th 2008 at 9:51AM }

As in, we've found a winner for our LostWinds giveaway! Our first free WiiWare title goes to:

Marcelo, who is hoping for something like Ikaruga on WiiWare.

Congratulations, Marcelo! Everyone else, stay tuned for next week's Virtually Free, when we'll have a new prize up for grabs.

WiiWare lifts off in Europe and Australia

by Chris Greenhough { May 19th 2008 at 8:38PM }

Right on time, Nintendo has pulled the appropriate levers, flicked the necessary switches, and sent a whole world of WiiWare goodness down the pipes and into Europe and Australia. Here's what greeted this blogger on his local servers just now:

Dr. Mario & Germ Buster -- 1,000 Wii Points
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King -- 1,500 Wii Points
LostWinds -- 1,000 Wii Points
Star Soldier R -- 800 Wii Points
TV Show King -- 1,000 Wii Points
Toki Tori -- 900 Wii Points

Expect reviews of Dr. Mario and Toki Tori in the very near future; in the meantime, let's hear what you've downloaded so far, PAL people!

Gallery: Dr. Mario Online RX

Gallery: Toki Tori

Virtually Free: It's like the wind

by Alisha Karabinus { May 16th 2008 at 9:05AM }

Don't forget that in our latest Virtually Free, we've got a copy of LostWinds up for grabs for one lucky reader! Want a crack at it? Just head over to the original post and get your comment in. Remember, you can enter once per day, so you've got several more chances before the entries close.

Wii Fanboy Review: LostWinds

by David Hinkle { May 13th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Without a doubt, LostWinds is like finding a diamond-encrusted Hummer in your box of corn flakes. Sure, the WiiWare launch line-up hasn't been as boring as corn flakes, but there are some titles we could do without. And, LostWinds is so good, we're wondering if there'll be anything besides Alien Crush that can stand up to it this year on Nintendo's download service.

Gallery: LostWinds

Continued →

LostWinds sequel plans already aloft

by JC Fletcher { May 13th 2008 at 12:30PM }

Frontier Developments' LostWinds seems to be one of the standout WiiWare titles, judging from the discussion around the site (and in the comments for other WiiWare game reviews). We're glad you like it, and, we assume, so is Frontier Developments, because otherwise they stand to lose a bunch of money.

Their website features a link that allows visitors to "REGISTER FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION on Frontier's forthcoming LostWinds sequel containing amazing new gameplay as Toku and Enril's incredible adventure to save Mistralis continues."

That doesn't really leave much room for misunderstanding, does it? The sequel's on the way. No hinting, no teasers, just "Hey, guys, we're making another one." Having a quickly-announced sequel makes it seem like an episodic title, doesn't it? We guess there isn't really that much difference between an episodic game and a game with really quick sequels.

Gallery: LostWinds

Nintendo reveals first WiiWare titles for Europe

by Chris Greenhough { May 13th 2008 at 11:45AM }

Nintendo has released a list of eight games described as "launch window" titles ahead of WiiWare's debut in Europe on May 20th. Included are four games that the U.S. is still waiting on -- Dr. Mario & Germ Buster, Star Soldier R, Toki Tori, and Pirates: The Key of Dreams -- though it looks like Europe will be waiting a little longer for Defend Your Castle and V.I.P Casino: Blackjack. Frankly, we'll live without a blackjack game.

Once again, note that these are "launch window" games. How long is a launch window? No idea. "Launch window" is one of those infuriatingly flexible terms beloved by PR types. Anyway, the list of WiiWare games that Europe will be getting kinda near the launch is as follows:

There's currently no news on pricing, but we'd fully expect European WiiWare prices to match those of other regions, assuming Nintendo hasn't found a totally new and unique way to rip European gamers off.

Virtually Free: Slightly to the left of normal

by Alisha Karabinus { May 13th 2008 at 10:15AM }

This week's a little different for the Virtual Console, so it's a little different for Virtually Free as well. What's new? Well, for starters, we're not giving away a Virtual Console game. Instead, we're celebrating the release of WiiWare by giving away LostWinds (1000 Wii points/$10)!

So what do you have to do to win? First of all, you have to leave a comment (with a valid e-mail address) on this post telling us what you're looking forward to most of the announced WiiWare titles. Second, you must be a legal resident of the United States with an American Wii (sorry, Canadians, we have to leave you out of this one; blame the gifting system and not us!) and 18 years of age or older. You may enter once per day between now and Monday, May 19; the contest comes to a close that night at 11:59 PM Eastern time, and we'll select a winner in a random drawing the next day. Questions? Check out the official rules.

LostWinds sequel already in the works

by Jason Dobson { May 13th 2008 at 9:30AM }

We've barely had the chance to fix our hair after downloading the first game, but Frontier Development is already working on a sequel to its WiiWare launch title LostWinds. Seriously, this has to be some kind of speed record or obsession over not letting the paint dry.

As expected, not much is known about the sequel, though a notice at the bottom of the company's website for the game teases that the follow up will include "new gameplay as Toku and Enril's incredible adventure to save Mistralis continues." The stylish platformer managed to impress us during our brief time with it in April, but for those of you who've downloaded and played the game, what's the verdict -- is a sequel warranted?

[Via Go Nintendo]

WiiWare goes live!

by Chris Greenhough { May 12th 2008 at 10:15AM }

As we anticipated, Nintendo waited until the last possible moment to reveal the details on WiiWare's U.S. launch. In a press release which describes WiiWare as the "most democratic environment in industry history," Nintendo confirmed the six titles that launched with the download service today -- and it looks like the leaked information from the weekend was spot-on:

LostWinds -- 1000 Wii Points
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King -- 1500 Wii Points
Pop -- 700 Wii Points
Defend Your Castle -- 500 Wii Points
V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack -- 700 Wii Points
TV Show King -- 1000 Wii Points

So it's finally up -- hurray! Monday mornings haven't felt quite this optimistic in some time! Have any of you lot already downloaded yourself some WiiWare?