Well, I’ve screwed yesterday’s update up nicely, haven’t I? So double-time…

InFormers: Robots in the News

1. Not too much to speak of for TransFormers today, just that the second (third? how do you even count it?) movie’s writers have been signed.
2. And it seems that the rumors of a Sky Lynx reissue have been confirmed by Big Bad Toy Store. Superb! But will Hasbro follow?
3. Forget who the hell has what when it comes to TransFormers: The Movie DVD premiums? Not to worry, Allspark has you covered.

Assorted Mushrooms

1. Interesting bit of gossip surrounding the late night scene come 2009, at least where Conan and Leno are concerned, plus the possible closing of some or all of their Burbank studios.

   There are rumors he’s dickering with Fox about a competing late night show that might even start at 11:00, giving him a jump on Conan and Dave at 11:35.

   …sounds like the Chevy Chase show to me.

2. This isn’t a bad little deal… if you live in the US, of course.

   Just print off this coupon and take it to a Toys R Us store before Saturday (presumably closing on Saturday, to be precise), and get a free toy. Just like that!

   It’s the option of a Hot Wheels car or a Littlest Pet Shop animal, but free’s free, right? Make a good gift, at the very least.

3. It’s funny to have to use the same link twice in a day, but this one pops up in PoI again for the Bruce Timm interview. But the reason I’m mentioning it here is to inform ReBoot fans that apparently, Zeroes 2 Heroes has chosen what they will make the next ReBoot fiction based on.
4. From that same link, it appears that Warner Bros. has snagged the home video rights to the Peanuts collection. Bet that gets milked dry.
5. Variety has announced that Gears of War art director Jerry O’Flaherty is going to be directing a CG feature film based on… Thundercats!… HO!!

Video Power

1. Nintendo had their American press conference yesterday, which you can read all about right here.
2. In case you missed it last night, Smash Bros. DOJO!! has updated with Sonic’s Special Moves. Looks like True Blue is going to be darting around everywhere, just as he should be.

   Today, snapshots! Which you can send to friends online. Sounds like the beyond-excellent camera from Melee is returning for all sorts of cheeky fun.

   And now for the bad news we’ve all been dreading. The game had been delayed until February 10th. Of course, if they manage to use the time to add voice chat, I’ll totally forgive them for this transgression.

   Until then, however, there are some new screenshots and new gameplay videos to keep you occupied.

   On the upside, there will still be a playable build at E for All (and I curse anyone who gets to go), and it sounds like Sonic will be in the mix despite an incomplete roster.

   Other related news: GameSpot has a 10-minute interview/demo about the game, plus a demo; they also give a little hands-on report; IGN has their own hands-on and their own videos; GamePro’s impressions and video; 1up’s impressions and videos; MTV’s video (hey, I can actually see this one, what luck!); and Joystiq’s hands-on.

   From these, you find out lots of neat little bits that remain unannounced on the Dojo, including Norfair as a stage, alternate costume colors, an Advance Wars Assist Trophy, and some spikey little item.

3. Not to mention new Super Mario Galaxy screens and videos to go with them. Check out Spring Mario!

   Plus, the final power-ups have been revealed! Starman and Fire Flowers are back, and kickin’ ass in 3D! At last!

   And it looks like even Luigi will be putting in an appearance!

4. SEGA has announced that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games has gone gold, and will ship on November 6th, two weeks ahead of schedule.

   “We know that gamers are excited to play Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games so we did whatever we could to get the game into their hands as soon as possible.” Says Don Mesa, Marketing Director at SEGA of America. “Sega is bringing Mario & Sonic fans an early Christmas present!”

   Of course, knowing SEGA, that’s going to throw some red flags up among gamers, but given that it took the “best of show” award from Leipzig, maybe it really is ready to go?

   Besides the true-to-life Olympic events, there are also “Dream Events” that are a little more in-tune with the characters’ video game roots:

   * Dream Race (Sandhill Race Course) – Get on your marks for this intense power-up filled race course made for either one player or as many as four.
   * Dream Platform (Tropical Reef Diving Area – 10,000M Diving) – More like skydiving, soar through hoops and perform aerial tricks while avoiding obstacles and opponents to reach the finish line first.
   * Dream Fencing (Duel Wharf Fencing Beach) – With unique special attacks for each character, this jungle-inspired world offers the ultimate duel.
   * Dream Table Tennis (Speed Rally Table Tennis Stadium) – A sci-fi wonderland, this magical table tennis extravaganza offers a special ability for each character – so move fast!
   

   You can check them out in video form here as you wonder why these aren’t the main game.

5. I’m not sure how interested I’ll be in actually playing, but since there are some musical-types amongst my wife and her family, I’ll mention that there are new screens and details of Wii Music anyway.
6. So Nintendo has talked a little more about Wii demos, it seems. Not sure about that whole charging thing, but if it’s cheap, maybe it’ll be ok. I guess. Don’t the other guys do it for free?
7. …wow, talk about overblown hype. The “Wii Play n’ Learn?” Evidently, the “Learn” is about learning not to throw your damn remote, since the only thing to this set is the inclusion of a Wii Remote jacket.

   On the bright side, at least now we know we early adopters aren’t really losing out on anything.

8. The Capcom-Unity has an interesting counter up, leading to what many believe to be a “megaton” announcement.

   Should be interesting.

9. Kart-tricks, motorcycles, playable Boo, and now 12-player online play, Mario Kart Wii just keeps getting better.
10. Nintendo VP of Marketing Perrin Kaplan has officially announced that she’s outta there. So long, Perrin, we’ll miss you.

    But before she goes, she has some fond memories to share.

11. So EA is now set up to purchase Bioware and Pandemic Studios. I wonder what this might hold for the Sonic RPG.
12. Speaking of the Blue Blur, a new video of Sonic Rivals 2 shows off two new modes, including a race to gather rings and another to capture a Chao.
13. I wanted to print the press release here, but that would’ve made this update absolutely ENORMOUS. So instead, check out GameSpot for the 150 games Nintendo has in the pipeline for the next two quarters.
14. With over 100 proposals, it doesn’t look like there will be a lack of Wii Ware.

    You can see some already, including Dr. Mario, Pokemon Farm, an unnamed puzzle game, and a Magnetica clone.

15. First screens of Link’s Crossbow Training are up. Looks nice, but still no substitute for updated Zapper NES titles.
16. Woo-hoo! Nintendo validates my existence by confirming Disaster‘s!

    Ok, I exagerate, but the new screens lead one to believe it has a better fate than Project H.A.M.M.E.R..

17. Ok, this almost made me start ripping out hair. Until I realized that they aren’t talking preorder bonuses here, but actual content for Contra 4!

    What:
    To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the popular Contra franchise of video games, Konami Digital Entertainment plans to incorporate a wealth of in-game bonus content into its latest entry in the run and gun action franchise, Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS?. The content includes:

    ? 20th Anniversary Virtual Museum ? this museum provides a virtual history of the Contra franchise since the early 80?s, including box art, screen shots and information on every version of Contra from the US, Japan and Europe. The museum also features an unlockable gallery of bonus art.
    ? Unlockable Games ? The NES versions of the classic Contra and Super C are now unlockable.
    ? 5 unlockable characters, including the Probotector from the European version of the Contra games
    ? 2 unlockable digital comic books from longtime Contra artist, Atsushi Tsujimoto
    ? An interview with noted Contra Producer Nobuya Nakazato

    Set after the events of Contra III: Alien Wars, Contra 4 follows hardened mercs Bill Rizer and Lance Bean into battle against a new extraterrestrial threat, complete with larger-than-life-action, massive enemies, fast paced run ?n? gun combat and mind blowing set pieces. The unique dual screen presentation of the Nintendo DS? allows for frantic action and mammoth boss encounters, and a grappling hook allows players to access hard to reach areas, or dodge that pesky attack from a foe.

    Contra 4 features a variety of game modes, including 40 Challenge Modes that will test the limits of even the best Contra veterans, as well as full cooperative play through the main story mode, where two players can take up the fight for mankind and destroy the evil forces of the Black Viper.

    All this, and I don’t even have to step outside of Canada to get it! THANK YOU, KONAMI!!!

18. I think Nintendo mentioned this before, but while the Wii will remain hard to find at retail this holiday, at least it should be twice as likely that someone should find one.
19. Wee! We get a Wii price drop in Canada! Apparently as a response to the Canadian dollar’s rise… still kind of wonky, though. Guess they want a buffer should things change.

    Now, how about some cheaper games, hmm?

20. Will Fire Emblem DS be a remake of the original game? Could be…
21. Clear cut proof that Hollywood is screwing up video game movies on purpose.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

This entry was posted on Friday, October 12th, 2007 at 6:36 am and is filed under The Daily 'Shroom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.