Latest games releases from Canada

Canada latest releases.

"FIFA 08 Soccer" (EA Sports, for Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2).

Sony delivers the supernatural murder mystery "Folklore" (PS3)

Build your own theme park in LucasArts' "Thrillville: Off the Rails" (xBox 360, Wii, PS2, DS, PlayStation Portable)

Electronic Arts compiles five "Half-Life 2" games in "The Orange Box" (xBox 360)

"Looney Tunes" lovers get two games from Warner Bros. - "Acme Arsenal" (xBox 360, Wii, PS2) and "Duck Amuck" (Nintendo DS)

Anime "Bleach" can choose between Sega's "Shattered Blade" (Wii) or "The Blade of Fate" (Nintendo DS)

Racing buffs can rev up for "Sega Rally Revo" (xBox 360, PS3, PSP)

HQ's "Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights" (PS3, PSP)

Two big franchises come to the PSP in Square Enix's "Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions" and LucasArts' "Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron,"

While Atlus' culty sequel "Touch Detective 2 1/2" arrives for the DS.

Simpsons Game no joke for parodies

NO JOKE

Electronic Arts' forthcoming "The Simpsons Game" features an assortment of video-game parodies, such as "Medal of Homer" and "Neverquest." But some companies, apparently, can't take a joke.

"I was always under the impression that when you do parody, it's a sign of respect," "Simpsons" designer Greg Rizzer told the Web site CVG. "If we make fun of 'Grand Theft Auto,' we're not going to hurt the sales of 'Grand Theft Auto.' ... But yeah, we've definitely had some reactions - we've had to pull stuff from the game."

On the other hand, the creators of "Guitar Hero" appreciated the tribute. "I don't know if you've seen 'Sitar Hero,"' Rizzer said. "The guys from Harmonix loved it and we sent them 20 copies of the poster."

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS!

NEW JOBS
The new Onion Knight and Dark Knight classes add more depth and strategy to the already extensive array of classes and abilities in the game.

MULTIPLAYER
A brand-new experience awaits players on the battlefield utilizing the unique multiplayer function of the PSP system. Rendezvous with friends or go head-to-head in competitive match-ups.

NEW CINEMATICS
New, beautiful, cel-shaded CG cinematics rendered in the game’s original art style enhance the epic storytelling of FINAL FANTASY TACTICS.

NEW CHARACTERS
Balthier, a popular character from the hit game FINAL FANTASY XII, makes his cameo on the PSP, along with the debut of Luso from FINAL FANTASY TACTICS A2.

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Capcom move to Wii due to high PS3 prices

Monster Hunter 3 now a Nintendo exclusive

Capcom has said that the high development costs of working on the PlayStation 3 are the reason the publisher is moving its latest Monster Hunter title to the Nintendo Wii.

Previous Monster Hunter games were Sony exclusives for the PS2 and PSP, and the company has enjoyed considerable success with the franchise clocking up sales of over 4.5 million units.

"Due to high development cost of titles for PS3, we have decided to switch the platform to which we release our Monster Hunter 3 title," said Katsuhiko Ichii, Capcom's managing corporate officer, according to Thompson Financial.

Capcom revealed Monster Hunter 3 for the Wii at a recent Nintendo press briefing, although it had originally said the game would appear on the PlayStation 3.

The publisher said earlier this month that it was now shifting its development strategy for Sony products to the PlayStation 3, where previously it had dedicated the majority of its efforts on the PlayStation 2.

Nintendo conference also announces 7.8 million Virtual Console downloads

Nintendo has announced some of the software titles that will be available for download via the Wii Software/WiiWare system from March next year.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated that prices will be lower for downloaded games than those purchased in shops because there will be no problems with stock, and therefore no missed sales.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles from Square Enix will be one of the first titles released, and will be exclusive to the download service. It will be joined by Pokemon Bukojou - translated as "Pokemon Farm" - Star Soldier R, Mojipittan Wii and Doctor Mario.

Nintendo intends to spend more time helping households to set up internet connections so that they can make use of the new online services.


Additionally the company announced that Virtual Console downloads had now passed the 7.8 million mark, and that it would re-focus the Wii Vote aspect of its operating system in order to better enable users to send feedback and rate the games they were playing.

Iwata also hinted that Nintendo was looking to third party publishers to play a bigger role in the development of its platforms.

"In Japan, Nintendo has 50% of the DS software market this year. From here on out, the share should shift to other software makers."

Wii Fit will be released in Japan on December 1, priced JPY 8800 (EUR 53, USD 75) while Mario Kart Wii will ship with a steering wheel controller, will feature motorbikes and will be available in Spring 2008.

Source: Games Industry

Project Gotham Racing 4 demo available on Xbox LIVE

Includes EXCLUSIVE content not available in PGR4

Race three exotic cars and two beauteous bikes through the streets of Macu and a snow laden Nurburgring.

The demo also includes an exclusive Nurburgring Snow Challenge and unique PGR Arcade Events.

Download the demo today and getting practising ahead of the release of the game this Friday 12th October!

Super Smash Bros. Goes Super Sonic

SEGA's gaming legend Sonic The Hedgehog to feature in Super Smash Bros Brawl for Wii

Nintendo of Europe and SEGA Europe Ltd today revealed that Sonic, SEGA’s legendary blue hedgehog, will be making his debut in the eagerly anticipated beat ‘em up, Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii. This brawling, battling, action packed video game features a varied roster of characters, from Mario to Link to Zero Suite Samus and now players can choose the iconic hedgehog to go into battle with.

Sonic made his first appearance in 1991, appearing in Sonic The Hedgehog for the SEGA MEGADRIVE, and quickly became a well-known household name, securing a dedicated following across the globe. Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. series has been a firm favourite since the first title launched in 1999 on the Nintendo 64, and since the launch of Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube, it has since gone on to have millions of fans worldwide.

Laurent Fischer, European Managing Director for Marketing and PR commented:
“I am very pleased that Nintendo is extending its relationship with SEGA in this way and that our gaming icons can come together in such an action packed title. I am sure many fans will share my enthusiasm to see Sonic appear Super Smash Bros. Brawl to battle it out with a whole host of Nintendo favourites!”

Mike Hayes, President and COO of SEGA Europe commented:

”Its amazing that after all these years we get to see these two much loved characters compete against each other in another fantastic title. Bringing Mario and Sonic together again underlines the continuing partnerships between Nintendo and SEGA, and produces another industry first for our two companies.”

In the forthcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl, players will for the first time be able to complete in online multiplayer battles for up to four players. The game will also contain an all-new adventure mode called Super Smash Bros. Brawl: The Subspace Emissary, where players can select their favourite character before embarking on an adventure to conquer giant bosses from the Nintendo Universe. There will also be a variety of stages where players can commence battles, including Delfino Plaza, Yoshi’s Island and Sky World.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl will launch across Europe on Wii early 2008 at an estimated retail price of €60.

Mii functionality and Dream events in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games has not only a massive line-up of real-life Olympic events, but SEGA can today proudly confirm that their much anticipated title also has a unique series of exclusive “Dream Events” to add to the mix. The Dream Events - which are both single and multiplayer - are based in colourful game-like universes that include objects and power-ups that will either improve a players game, or bring their opponent down.

The four Dream events featured are:

- 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!

Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Games also offers Wii users the ultimate gaming fantasy – the opportunity to play against their favourite Mario or Sonic character. Thanks to the unique interactive Mii features, players can bring their own Mii into the game as a playable character and compete as themselves in any of the Olympic or Dream events.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be in-stores across Europe on November 23, 2007 for Wii, and Q1 2008 for the Nintendo DS.

New Internet Channel for Nintendo Wii owners

Hardware keyboard support, send to a Wii friend
are key features of new release

Opera today announced Nintendo has started distributing the much-anticipated new version of the Internet Channel for Nintendo Wii. The Internet Channel now features new ways to share, communicate and enjoy the Internet Channel by adding support for a USB keyboard and enhanced ways to communicate with your Wii friends.

Hardware support for any USB keyboard makes typing both easier and faster. Simply plug any standard USB keyboard into one of the two USB ports on your Nintendo Wii and you are ready to write email, compose blog posts, comment in forums and much more. Also making text input more comfortable are several new keyboard-specific shortcuts to be used with the existing soft keyboard, such as using the "B" button on the Wii remote as a "Shift" button.

"We believe this new version of the Internet Channel is even more engaging and delightful for the users around the world than its predecessor," says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera. "Nintendo has always brought a new perspective, fresh ideas and unwavering enthusiasm to our partnership. And today, our combined efforts have given users more reasons to be excited."

Send to a friend enables you to send links to your favorite Web sites - or the one you are currently browsing - to your Wii friends whom you have added in your Wii. You can also add a message to send along with the link. When your Wii friend opens the message, they can immediately visit the page in the Internet Channel.

The new Internet Channel for Nintendo Wii carries additional usability improvements. Users can now copy information from a Web page and paste it directly into the search field. Users may also store nine more favorites, bringing the total to 56. Visit the Wii Shop Channel to download the new Internet Channel today.

For Web Developers

The Nintendo Wii also embraces Web content and applications in a revolutionary new way with the debut of Widget View Mode in the Internet Channel. By surfing to widgets.opera.com users can browse Opera's collection of community-built, Opera-tested Web applications immediately ready to run on the Nintendo Wii Internet Channel.

Widgets available now include calendars, news readers, Internet radios and other fun applications. Users of Opera's desktop browser will immediately recognize their favorite widgets on this new platform. Web developers can publish widgets on Opera's website to make them available to Wii users. For more information on creating widgets, please visit widgets.opera.com

Availability

The Opera powered "Internet Channel" is available as a free upgrade for existing Internet Channel subscribers. For people wishing to subscribe, the Internet Channel can be purchased from the Wii Shop Channel menu for 500 Wii points.

New Wii owners site

New Web Site Invites Wii Owners
to Share Their Stories

Every Wii owner has a unique Wii story to tell: the guy whose girlfriend could finally partake of his video gaming pastime - and win ... the family whose weekly game night shifted from board games to video games ... the mom who refused to let her son keep the Wii in his room - because she wanted to play too.

In response to the growing Wii phenomenon, Nintendo has set up MyWiiStory.com. It's a place where Wii owners and their friends and family have been gathering to post real-life anecdotes about the way that Wii has changed their social dynamic or even their opinions about video games. Men and women, young and old, kids and grandparents - people of all types have posted anecdotes, photos and videos of their experiences with Wii.

"Everyone's a gamer and every gamer has a Wii story to share," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We want all Wii owners to go to MyWiiStory.com to further demonstrate the extent to which we have brought new players into the world of video games."

Here is a sampling of some of the kinds of stories you will find on the site:

• "We are the house that everyone wants to be at because of the Wii. When we have dinner parties, the evening ends up in the living room for dessert, coffee and Wii. It has brought our family closer." - Katia Clark
  
  
• "I bought the Wii to use for exercise indoors. ... People assume that it belongs to one of my sons and I get a kick out of seeing their faces when I tell them it's mine!" - Jeanne Boutwell
  
  
• "I'm a 46-year-old mom, never really played any video games. My kids are now 25 yrs, 22 yrs and 19 yrs old. I am having a Wii party on the 21st of this month. We sent out invitations and I have about 15 women coming to try to play Wii." - Sue Leone
  
  
• "I always liked to bowl, although I wasn't very good at it, but I had to stop 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with bone cancer. A few months ago we purchased a Wii and I was able to bowl again. We have major family tournaments and I have hit 'PRO' status. Thanks to Wii I am able to enjoy one of my life's pleasures again." - Randy Bhaga
  
  
• "As a woman with multiple sclerosis, I have found that playing the Wii has offered me both a chance to use my body and my mind. I've recommended it to other MSers on one of my Web sites. I think it is just a phenomenal way to exercise and play." - Diana de Avila