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16/06
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Nintendo E3 Round-Up

Nintendo showed their E3 conference only two days ago and they were outstanding, making all of the other conferences seemed bleak in comparison. They made some really great announcements some of which came as such of a surprise that people were left with their jaws on the floor.

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DSThe biggest announcement from Nintendo this year was their new hand-held console, the successor to the DS, the 3DS. Little details of the console had been released back in March, which left everyone in wonder and intrigue with speculations accommodating by the hundreds. The 3DS offers complete 3D gaming without the need to wear glasses at all, with the option to change the 3D depth or turn it off completely. It has a massive improvement in graphics over the original DS, with motion sensing controls, dual cameras for 3D photos, slide control pad and improved Wi-Fi connectivity to name a few.

Over 70 games have been announced due released on the Nintendo 3DS, including some epic remakes of old games and some awesome new games too. Some of the best can be found below:

  • Star Fox 64
  • Mario Kart
  • Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • Kid Icarus: Uprising
  • Paper Mario
  • Resident Evil
  • Metal Gear Solid
  • Assassins Creed
  • Saints Row
  • Guitar Hero
  • Pilotwings: Resort
  • Kingdom Hearts
  • Animal Crossing
  • Nintendogs and Cats
  • Steel Diver

Mario Kart for the 3DSKid Icarus: Uprising for the 3DSStarfox 64 on the 3DS

Upcoming Wii Games

As well as the new 3DS, there is also quite a few new Wii games due to be released soon including: Epic Mickey, GoldenEye 007, Just Dance 2, Sonic Colours, Samurai Warriors 3, Mario Sports Mix and Metroid Other M. As well as these however, there were a number of surprises, and below are some of these that I am really quite interested in.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword


Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: 2011
Genre: Action-Adventure
Players: 1

The latest Zelda game is what everyone has been waiting for this year after being teased with a single image of it last year. The game has graphics that could only be seen as a cross between Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, in a mature cell shaded design. The game offers new gameplay mechanics and uses the Wii Motion Plus for 1:1 sword fighting. The story begins out on a floating island where Link is born, and as the game progressed Link travels to the world below the island, below the clouds (possibly Hyrule) with the Skyward Sword (see Master Sword) in hand. I am really looking forward to this, it is going to be bloody brilliant.

Zelda: Skyward SwordZelda: Skyward SwordZelda: Skyward Sword

Donkey Kong Country Returns


Publisher: Retro Studios
Release Date: Holiday 2010
Genre: 2D Platformer
Players: 1 – 2

Donkey Kong Country is back, after 14 years, and looks to be better than ever. Back to it’s routes, the graphic style looks similar to the original SNES classics. I grew up playing the original Donkey Kong Country and this is just jam-packed with so much nostalgia, I’m really looking forward to it.

Kirby Epic Yarn


Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: Fall 2010
Genre: 2D Platformer
Players: 1 – 2

Kirby is back once again, but this time has a unique twist. Everything in the game is made from yarn and textiles, which just looks unbelievably cute, to allow Kirby to transform into many different forms; including a robotic tank, UFO and a parachute. This looks just too awesome to miss.

Nintendo really have pushed the boat out this year and their E3 conference was just awesome. This year is going to be a fantastic year in gaming, probably one of the best years ever. I’m really quite excited. :D

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06/06
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Use your DS as a wireless controller

I’ve recently discovered a way to allow you to use your Nintendo DS as a wireless PC controller. This isn’t particularly recent news, but I’ve just given it a go and it works great. For this to work, you will need to get your hands on a home-brew cartridge (I use an R4 Revolution myself) if you can.

  1. First you need to download the latest version of DS2Key (I use v1.01) which can be found here: DS2Key Forums
  2. Extract and run DS2Key.exe, making note of the port number at the bottom of the window (the default is 9501, you can change this if you wish). Make sure it is set to profile 0 also. You need to keep this program open and running, don’t close it.
  3. Now, copy the DS2Key.nds file onto your cartridge and run it from your DS. The program will automatically start to try connecting to your wireless access point. It uses the Wi-Fi configuration details already set on the DS (you will need a wireless game such as Mario Kart DS to configure these settings).
  4. Once connected, click on the little blue cog (in the top left corner) to open the settings screen. You will need to enter the IP address of your computer in here. For this to work, you will need to make sure that you have static IP addressing configured on your PC and router, you can find more information to do this, here and here.
  5. Make sure the port number is the same as in the PC program that you made a note of earlier. Set the profile to ’0′ also.
  6. If all of your settings are correct, you should now be able to send button presses to your PC. Use the log at the bottom of the screen to help to test this (set the Log Level to ‘All Messages’). You can use the program to configure what cosponsoring button does what.

And that’s all there is to it. You may need to make some additional configurations to ensure that you can connect and that everything is allowed in your firewall and router, use PortFoward to help with this.

Now all you need is a copy of Super Mario Bros. X and you’ll be well away! :D

Here is a video demonstration of it in action:

If you have any problems setting it up or want to ask a question, drop it in a comment.

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17/04
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Mario Question Block Cake

Me and Laura made an awesome Mario themed ‘Question Block’ cake, which turned out pretty damn epic. An early birthday cake of sorts. See the photos below.

Now to see if it tastes as good as it looks… :D

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08/04
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New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Last night I managed to complete everything in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Every star coin, every secret exit, every warp cannon and even managed to get 99 lives so that Mario took off his hat.

For those that haven’t played NSMBW, you definitely should, It’s pretty awesome. It brings together elements from all of the original games, including the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, among others. Plus, Yoshi is back :D

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23/03
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Nintendo 3DS Announced – DS Successor

Nintendo have announced today that the successor to the Nintendo DS will be called the ‘Nintendo 3DS’. This won’t be just another version of the DS, but a new console entirely. It will have full 3D functionality without the need of special 3D glasses or accessories, and will be completely compatible with previous DS and DSi games.

The 3DS is also thought to believe (though not 100% confirmed) that it will have high detailed graphics (possibly the equivalent of the Gamecube, as the patten goes) and the possibility of a motion sensing device. With the success of the Wii, it would be silly not to. It is also said that it will utilise the Nvidia Tegra 2, which would be sweet.

The Nintendo 3DS is set to be released during Nintendo’s next financial year, between April 2010 and March 2011. Could this mean a pre-Christmas release? More details are due to be unveiled at this year’s E3, on June 15th.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I am sure excited about this. Let’s just hope it is more successful than the Virtual Boy ended up.

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08/11
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Wii Connection Ambassador

Nintendo have just released a new scheme to get everyone’s Wii connected to the Internet. If you help someone get their Wii online, both you and the person you connected get 500 Wii points to spend in the Wii Store (to buy things such as games and channels). Getting your Wii online means that you get access to new channels and content, and be able to download new games too. You can now watch the BBC iPlayer on the Wii, meaning that you can catch up with all BBC programs at any time. It also allows you to play certain titles over the Internet with friends and people all around the world (Mario Kart Wii to name a good one). I was wondering if using this scheme I could help people get their Wii online and in doing so would allow us to both benefit. Take a look here for benefits of getting your Wii online: http://www.nintendo.com/wii/internet

Here is a great tutorial on how to connect your Wii to the Internet: http://us.wii.com/connect/

Once your Wii is up and running and connected to the Internet, follow the steps below to activate the bonus Wii points for both of us:

  • Enter the Wii Shop Channel
  • On the Wii Shop Channel welcome page there is an icon called ‘Connection Ambassador Promotion’
  • Select this icon and you will be prompted by two icons: one showing that you are the Connection Ambassador (or the Helper) and the other icon showing that you are the ‘Person Who Was Helped’
  • Select the ‘Person Who Was Helped’ icon
  • You will be prompted to enter the Wii Number: 5248-8782-3737-3511
    (You must do this within 30 days of accessing the Wii Shop Channel)

Once both parties have registered, you will have received 500 Wii Points on your Wii Shop Channel Accounts to spend in the Wii Shop Channel

[ Read more...]

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