Animal Crossing And Punchout To Show At E3?

NGamer brings us the news that Animal Crossing and a new Punchout for Wii will be shown at E3 this year.
"And if all goes to plan (and our sources haven't played a mean trick on us), that hands-on coverage will be of Animal Crossing and Punch-Out!! Wii, aka Nintendo's great hopes for 2008."
-NGamer
Link

Animal Crossing-This is like stating the odvious, we all know it's coming and we all pretty much figured it would be at E3, nice to see confirmation of it though. The article states that it will not be an MMO(I doubt that was ever possible), but it will feature some heavy Wi-Fi options. It also states that Animal Crossing has been done for a while, that's kinda odd...but alright.

Punch-Out!!- Interesting, nice to see Nintendo bring back an older franchise, and the Wii Remote is the perfect tool to do it. The article also says that the Balance Board will be used, interetesting, but it sounds like a good idea. Looks like people will be forgetting about Facebreaker really soon.

Two solid announcements, though I find it hard to believe that Punch-Out!! is the secret game that Nintendo has been hyping up(and it can't be Animal Crossing, that was already announced), guess we have to wait for E3 again, just a few more days left now guys!

Spray Wii-First Screens

Yesterday we brought you the news that Tecmo had announced a mysterious new game, entitled Spray Wii. The game came with a small write-up, but no screenshots or gameplay videos to be found.
Here are the first few screens of Spray Wii, it's not a lot, but you can tell a lot about the game from them.







Screens:

I don't know about you guys, but that goddess thing in the top left of the last picture is freaking me out.

The game is decent graphically, a few upgrades would be nice, but I will wait to see it in action at E3 before judging it further.

Marvelous, XSeed Announce E3 Lineup

Marvelous and Xseed announce what they will be showing at E3 this year. The odvious game is Little Kings Story, which could steal the show if all turns out as planned. Rune Factory and Valhalla Knights look very nice as well.
Note that these are the games coming out under their partnership, it's extremely likely that Harvest Moon will be at the show as well this year.

Source-Email

Torrance, Calif., (July 11, 2008) – Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games today announced its E3 plans which include a stellar line up of games for both Nintendo platforms, the Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Both companies will display their portfolio of upcoming titles at E3 2008 which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 15th – 17th. E3 attendees are invited to visit the Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games booth located at Concourse Hall Pavilion #427.

”We’re very pleased to be able to give the North American audience a sneak peak at our upcoming lineup,” stated Yasuhiro Wada, Managing Director of Marvelous Entertainment. “This is just the beginning of some of the great games that we’ll be releasing in the US under our Marvelous Entertainment USA banner.”

“It’s been an amazing year for us, and we feel that we’re well positioned going into E3,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “We’ve got a fantastic partnership with Marvelous Entertainment which we greatly appreciate, and the overall line up of titles we’re showcasing is strong and diverse, which we’re exceptionally excited about.”

Games being shown under the Marvelous and XSEED Games partnership are:

Avalon Code DS
From the creative minds behind Rune Factory and Harvest Moon with the development studio responsible for the Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV DS remakes comes Avalon Code, an action RPG boasting incredible graphics, a deep and engrossing story, and innovative game play mechanics. Using the main character’s ‘Book of Prophecy’, players can modify the rules of engagement during battle as well as weapon and monster attributes. The player even has control over the story as it changes depending on which gender the player chooses to play as, enhancing the ability to immerse themselves into the story. Avalon Code DS is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

Rune Factory: Frontier Wii
From the creators of Harvest Moon and Rune Factory for the DS comes the first installment of Rune Factory for a home console. Developed exclusively for Wii , Rune Factory: Frontier features stunning graphics and takes full advantage of the Wii’s unique controls to fully immerse players in the Rune Factory universe. Rune Factory: Frontier incorporates an open-ended structure that allows players to choose the type of game they wish to experience. Whether it’s growing crops, expanding the town, fighting (or befriending) monsters or even falling in love, the experience is unique to each player. Rune Factory: Frontier Wii is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

LITTLE KING’S STORY Wii
Little King’s Story has an art style that is very ‘story-book’ in look and a magical fairy tale quality that will intrigue and delight gamers. The storyline, visual look, and lyrical music of Little King’s Story, work in concert to transport players to an interactive, enchanting, fairy tale world. By combining gameplay elements from life-simulation, real-time strategy, and adventure genres, the many aspects of creating a vast kingdom come to life! As King, players will manage and involve their townspeople in the goals of creating this new territory; enlisting them to dig for treasure, build new buildings and otherwise better their community. Of course, leadership is a two-way street, so as King, players will try to conquer rival nations to create a single unified kingdom, while also granting the requests of townspeople at whim. The game transforms the Wii Remote™ to a royal scepter and offers players the chance to be the best king in the world! Little King’s Story Wii is scheduled for release Winter 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

VALHALLA KNIGHTS 2 PSP system
Sequel to the popular Valhalla Knights, Valhalla Knights 2 promises to give fans of the original game a vast and expansive world to explore, and the customization tools to create the ultimate battle party. This action RPG (Role Playing Game) sequel adds new races, job classes, weapons, magic spells, foes, armor and more to the Valhalla Knights universe, all within an engrossing story arc. Controlling and choosing character aspects such as skills, race and appearance, players engage in real-time 6 on 6 battles, reliant on tactical combat strategies to achieve success. Supporting 2 player ad hoc network play, gamers can engage in Co-op and Versus modes with friends, or simply trade items and weapons. Valhalla Knights 2 PSP system is scheduled for release Fall 2008.
Separately, XSEED Games will unveil the company’s first official support of the Nintendo DS with three titles:

Populous™ DS
Based on the original Populous PC classic from Electronic Arts, Populous DS brings a re-imagination of the classic game, which pioneered the God simulation genre. Featuring touch-screen controls that utilize the dual-screens, players manipulate 5 elementally-imbued gods, each with their own unique miracles, within an extensive single-player campaign. Within the multiplayer wireless mode, up to 4 players can unleash earthquakes, tidal waves and raging volcanoes onto rival players’ lands. Populous DS is scheduled for release Fall 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

KORG DS-10
Designed after the famous KORG MS-10 music synthesizer, KORG DS-10 is a music-creation program for professional and aspiring musicians alike. The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG, one of the world’s top musical instrument producers, and no effort was spared in the replication of creating high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS’s touch-screen controls are utilized to the fullest to provide an authentic feel and operability across a dual-screen layout that is unsurpassed in portable music creation. A 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities, and up to eight DS units can be linked via wireless connection to play together or to exchange sounds and songs. KORG DS-10 is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

Retro Game Challenge
An original game based on the popular Japanese GAME CENTER CX TV series, Retro Game Challenge reinvents how classic games are played. Featuring a story-driven progression, players complete short challenges in a wide-variety of fictional retro-games. Specific challenges in shooting, racing, action and even an epic role-playing game are integrated into the story, while the in-game magazines offer cheat codes as well as fake 80’s news stories paying tribute to the rich history of the gaming industry. Released to raving reviews as Game Center CX: Arino’s Challenge in Japan, the game received a Gold Award from Famitsu with a 33/40 review score. Retro Game Challenge is scheduled for release Winter 2008.

SouthPeak Interactive Announces E3 Lineup

Nothing I have actually heard of before, but some interesting ideas none the less. Big Bang Mini sounds like fun and Ninjatown and Brave seem like good ideas.

Big Bang Mini (Nintendo DS™ – January 2009)
This addictive fast paced shoot’em up puts a flashy new spin on classic arcade gameplay. Players are challenged to navigate their ship through a brilliant array of highly stylized levels as they launch a bevy of fireworks at waves of dynamic enemies. Players will use the stylus to create their own fireworks displays and combo attacks in order to defeat waves of challenging enemies. Versus play, online rankings, and other gameplay modes only add to the chaos that ensues.

Brave: A Warriors Tale (Wii™, Xbox 360® & PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system – Fall 2008)
Set many, many moons after Shaman’s Challenge, the game plays as a series of flashbacks in which a now elderly Brave describes the events of his life. Between the warrior’s tales of his youth, the player takes control of Courage, a young boy who takes lessons from his elder’s experiences to stop the current threat to their village. The game provides players expansive exploration and in-game interactivity on their quest to defeat the sources of evil, continuously offering a significant challenge to players as they advance through a world of untamed wilderness. Brave is able to transform into various animals, track prey, and battle enemies that stand in his way with bows and arrows, tomahawks and a variety of ancient powers.

Brave: Shaman’s Challenge (Nintendo DS – September 2008)
Taking place in Native American lands of long ago, Brave: Shaman’s Challenge follows a young boy named Brave in his quest to protect everything he holds dear. He alone stands against a group of evil Shaman dead set on reviving their old master; the Wendigo. Brave: Shaman’s Challenge features a cast of intriguing characters, a diverse set of amazing magic spells, a richly developed game world, and more puzzles than you can shake a shaman’s stick at!

Igor The Game (Windows PC, Wii & Nintendo DS – September 2008)
The game is based on the highly anticipated animated movie created by Exodus Film Group in cooperation with The Weinstein Company. In the Wii version of the game, players have the ability to choose one of the main characters (Igor, Eva, Scamper or Brain) and play either simultaneously or cooperatively with up to four people. The Nintendo DS version utilizes the stylus to perform movement combinations, combat enemies and solve puzzles. Players can custom build their own monsters to take on puzzle challenges and battle against other mad scientists.

Ninjatown (Nintendo DS – October 2008)
A diverse group of fun-loving Ninjas populate the vibrant yet peaceful place known as Ninjatown. However, after the eruption of a nearby volcano, Ninjatown is attacked by hordes of sinister enemies lead by Mr. Demon, who, for reasons unknown, is bent on destruction. The game is played from the top down, where the player uses the stylus to strategically place Ninjas to defend each area. The action is non-stop!

To see their other offerings at E3(I just took the Wii and DS ones) click here.

Tecmo Announces E3 Lineup-Spray Wii Announced

Tecmo Bowl and Spray for the Wii headline Tecmo's E3 lineup, though I am not happy that Tecmo Bowl Wii will be missing the party, the DS version should hold us over until more news becomes available. Spray sounds different at least,.

TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF (Nintendo DS / September 2008)
Based on the most popular Tecmo Super Bowl™, Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff will deliver to long time fans and newcomers easy to employ controls, fun, huge plays and exciting cut-scenes. The classic, over-the-top, all-American football game enables players of all levels to engage in a fun filled, fast paced, arcade style of football.
Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff brings a host of new features that will further enhance the gameplay experience, including:
-Customizable Teams: Choose team colors, emblems, player names, team cities and abilities.
-Super Abilities: Tactically use over-the-top plays to take over a game.
-Wi-Fi and Wireless Multiplayer: Play against friends across the country or across the room.
-Variety of Teams: Choose from 32 different teams across the country.
-Cut-Scenes: All-new cut-scenes showing off the dramatic presentation of various plays.
-Stylus Control: Feel the action by using the stylus to control your player.
-Customizable Playbook: Choose four running and four passing plays to your liking.
-Music and Sound Effects: Turn up the heat on your opponent as you play the game to rock ‘n’ roll remixes of the most memorable tunes in football gaming history!

ROBOCALYPSE™ (Nintendo DS / October 2008)
Developed by Vogster™ Entertainment, Robocalypse is an innovative, new, real-time strategy game for the Nintendo DS. Featuring robotic armies equipped with unique weaponry, Robocalypse offers deep strategic warfare and a twist of humor.
A technological breakthrough for the Nintendo DS, Robocalypse features over 50 A.I. driven units with advanced distributed path-finding, dynamic music and stunning 3D particle effects. Supporting these advancements is a hilarious storyline penned by Jay Lender, a writer and director for the acclaimed cartoon series SpongeBob Squarepants™, and Micah Wright, known for his writing contributions across multiple mediums.
-Robots with Attitude: Create an army by choosing from a multitude of different robot units with specialized skills and weapons that gain power as you destroy the enemy.
-Wacky Weapons: Over 20 groundbreaking weapon types with spectacular visual effects, including; Converter Cannons, Falling Anvils, the Head-Crack’n Gauntlet and Digitizers.
-Total Stylus Control: Simplified controls and innovative Action Flag system reduces the complexity of commanding units. No buttons – just point and tap.
-Multiplayer Mayhem: 2 to 4 multiplayer wireless DS multi-card play – play head to head or co-op with unique maps and multiple play modes, then track your progress in the Hall of Fame.
-Heroes Win the War: Courageous Heroes embody powerful abilities and can be controlled directly in combat. Rampage Mode, Conversion (turn enemies into refrigerators) and Leadership (unite soldiers into a single fighting unit) are just a few of their supreme capabilities.
-Epic Storymode: Military routines are accidentally installed into prototype robots, turning them into hunter killers. Disaster ensues and to save humanity, a new batch of robots is implanted with the brain scans of retired WWII vets, giving rise to an oil-swilling, brawling, robotic dirty dozen. Campaign includes 17 unique missions, hidden objectives and a robust reward system.
The game has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). For additional information, please visit www.robocalypse.com.

SPRAY™ (Wii / Holiday 2008)
Tecmo has signed an agreement with Eko Software for the exclusive North American publishing rights to SPRay, an action-adventure game developed for the Wii that features a unique gameplay mechanic involving the use of several liquids that are sprayed onto the game universe.
Players will soak in the action in SPRAY by playing a spirited Prince named Ray who must save his village from a banished evil Queen who’s returned to capture and enslave the villagers. After donning a magic crown which summons two liquid spraying spirits, he sets out to defeat the evil Queen and her army of anti-matter soldiers. Skillfully use the “angelic” and “wicked” spirits to spray water, oil, goo, and other liquids on enemies and surfaces to solve puzzles and wipe out evil!
-Perform gravity-defying moves as you spray, stick, and slide your way through challenging puzzles
-Creatively fight enemies by blasting various liquids on them and finishing them with a flurry of sword slashes!
-Use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ to take hold of Ray’s “angelic” and “wicked” spirits
-Get together with friends to play crazy multiplayer games like “Paint It!” and “Sticky Chewing Gum”

Fire Emblem DS-Gameplay Video

First look at how Fire Emblem DS will work.
The top screen will show the stats and inventory of the characters and enemies, while the bottom screen will be used to control movement.
The real battles(none featured here) will take place on the top screen(if I remember correctly).

Video:


Gotta say, I love the layout, having the info on the top makes it a ton easier to control and speeds up the game. Fire Emblem DS can't come to America fast enough.

Captain Rainbow Announced For Wii-Skip Developing

Well looks like Nintendo can't hold everything under wraps until E3.
Skip, developers of the Chibi Robo series have unveiled their new Wii project...Captain Rainbow.

I'll show the trailer first, enjoy.




Odd aye? Birdo yelling at you, and a guy washing up on a beach and running around, really weird, but here is a few tidbits of info from Gonintendo.

- Nick loves ‘loud’ clothing
- Captain Rainbow uses a yo-yo in his finishing move
- Captain Rainbow is a TV show mascot, and kids aren’t tuning into the program.
- Nick travels to Mimin Island, a place where dreams are said to come true
- instead of Nick’s dreams being granted, Captain Rainbow must grant the wishes of other island inhabitants
- search the island for people to help
- the island is filled with classic Nintendo characters in-need of help (Birdo, NES Golf character, and many more)
- Nick is helped by Hikari, from the Japan-only adventure game Shin Onigashima
- Catherine: Birdo-like character
- Nick (main character) mysteriously washes ashore, only to find that he has been instilled with the powers of Captain Rainbow
- rated CERO B (Whatever that means here...)

So it seems like it is about Nick, who has a TV show that is failing. He decides to go to this island to make dreams come true(or something like that), he ends up washing ashore and finds that the islands residents need his help(classic Nintendo characters who haven't been used much), so he sets out to help.

Thats what I got out of that, looks like a good concept, and it is nice to see Nintendo putting out something new every now and then. I hope to see some more of those characters that Nintendo never uses anymore, nostalgia for sure.