Source: infendo.com

What is the best thing that can happen on a slow rainy day in New York City? How about a charity event, decked out with the latest upcoming games for the Wii and the Nintendo DS at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center? That is exactly what happened on Friday September 12th, when Nintendo hosted a party for the Starlight Foundation a charity group determined to help lift the spirits of seriously ill children who are dealing with debilitating and depressing long term hospital stays.

Hit the jump for game impressions, pictures, and more information about the event.

The event was about raising money for the fundation through a silent auction of some somewhat rare Nitnendo accesories, as well as some bags, some rings, a signed copy of Nintendo Power and a 1,500$ electric guitar. In all the event raised a few thousand dollars and also recieved some very generous donations of special gaming centers that would be given to a hospitals around the area. Each center was fitted with a Nintendo Wii and a high definition flat screen for the kids to play with in their hospital rooms. The centers were donated by Nintendo Power, Gamecock, Konami, Ubisoft, CDV, and EA and were presented to the Starlight foundation by the publicist of Nintendo Power in sort of an impromptu press gathering during the middle of the party on the top floor of Nintendo World Store.

After all the donation and press pictures and photos the party returned back to full swing and people went back to playing some of the upcoming games for the Wii and the DS. The games featured at the event were Mushroom Men, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, My Sims Kingdom, SimCity Creator, Elebits DS, Rock Revolution, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 and Castlevania Judgment. Some of which I had to wait in line to play and or navigate through the party goers, like Cory from Cory in the House and Mark-Paul Gosselaar from Saved By The Bell. Enough about them though let us get straight to the games.

Rock Revolution – Konami
For a game that is suppose to be the response to Guitar Hero, and Rock Band the first thing that I noticed was odd was the game did not feature any sort of guitar peripheral nor any special add on at all. It was just a WiiMote and Nunchuck which could be used for Drums, Bass, and Guitar, which was the only instruments that I happened to notice while playing. The game features a basic streaming note GUI except it isn’t like Guitar Hero, or Rock Bands at all. The notes fall from the top of the screen down to the bottom and line up with a graphical bar. It is there that you either shake the remote the way it shows on the screen if you are playing drums, or hold down a certain button and waggle the WiiMote for it to register. Something that was actually interesting was the fact that you could jump in and join someone playing during the middle of the song, and not wait for a new song or have someone quit to a main menu. It should be noted that I couldn’t hear any of the music due to the DJ blasting a mixture of Rap and Rock throughout the party, so I don’t even know if the soundtrack was good.

Castlevania Judgment – Konami

As a hard core Castlevania fan and collector of the franchise I have to say I was very disappointed with the game play of the game. The game tries to be a fighting game but it comes off like it has no clue as to what it is actually doing. As you don’t even press buttons to attack and half to rely on waggling the remote and holding different buttons to pull of special attacks. Which seems to direcltly go against what Iga was trying to avoid as your arm will get more tired trying to flail it around to pull off a combo then actually do a normal whip combo in a game. The game was only playable with three characters Simon Belmont, Young Maria Renard, and Alucard. Each character when selected starts out with a selection of power and what sub weapon [Axe, Knife, Holy Water, and Cross] they would like to use.  The main problem with this game is the free roaming arena as you run around to avoid attacks and try to run up to your enemy to strike you seem to miss a lot. Since the game doesn’t have any type of automatically lock on which makes for frustraiting misses when trying to attack someone giving them an opening to attack you. I have to actually say that I hope Konami actually fixes this game up and that this will not be the final product otherwise I would suggest to avoid it. I’m sorry Iga, a fighting game a Castlevania does not make.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 – Konami

Dance Dance Revolution with Wii controls seems like a good idea until you hit the person next to you when you flail your arm to the right or left. When playing this game I accidently knocked into a server who was trying to sneak by me on the side. Lets just say it was a good thing that they were not carrying food, otherwise it would have been a mess. The game is your basic DDR game except it throws in some random steps or movements for you to do with your arms or legs. As they slowly pop up during the song in random intervals, which really tripped me up since I was used to just normal notes flying across the screen. However, if you have enough space this game could be really fun and challenging, although I can’t comment on the soundtrack since I couldn’t hear it, Thanks DJ!

Mushroom Men the Spore Wars – Gamecock

This was by far the best game at the event as a lot of people I talked to seemed to have liked it. However, the game is fun yet flawed as the camera has some very weird movement problems with the envirnment. After talking to the developer Shaun Norton about the game he said that there were a few problems with the camera due to the unique landscapes, but they were working on fixing it. Which I hope they due since this is a really fun game. Although, the Demo seemed to play pretty well with only a few problems here and there. The game plays almost like Zelda yet it really isn’t as it is more focused on jumping from place to place and collecting items to build new weapons. The story surrounding this series is split up into two game titles the first part of the story being released on the DS, and the second part on the Wii. As for connectivity between the two games I didn’t get a word on that, but I would have to say this was my favorite game out of the entire event.

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 – Ubisoft

Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 continues with the same wacky mini games as the first one, however it is more focused around television and the themes of the channels. The Rabbids have advanced a little further in their conquest of the world and have taken over various Television channels like the MTV, Sports, or the News. So each set of mini game is set up to be played in certain ways do to this especially the sports channel. Where you can use the Wii Balance Board to actually play some of the games. Having playing the original game I would say that this one is a lot of fun to play but requires a lot more peripherals, so if you plan to get this you might as well go get Wii Fit.

My Sims Kingdom – EA
From what I saw when people were playing the game was that it seemed to be more of an Animal Crossing clone with various Sims features. Anything you did in your land/town would directly effect the people around you. That’s all I can really say about this game, as I really did not get a good enough chance to actually play with it.

As for SimCity Creator, or Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, I didn’t get a chance to play them. Although, from what I heard about SimCity Creator, you can do a lot of weird things especially getting some monsters to fight each other in the city you created. As for Elebits, I can’t comment much on it but you can expect a lot of stylus controls.

[Donate or find out more about the Starlight Foundation]

Pictures of the Event below.

Developers presenting the Fun Centers to the Starlight Orginization

This Developer won the most awesome hair award.
Someone really, really, loves Rayman Raving Rabbids 2.

I was trying to talk to Link, and get a picture, but he seemed a little shy without his masks.

Mushroom Men, woo!
Mushroom Men for the DS putting the “fun” back into Fungus.

Developement Nintendo Wii belonging to Konami, if only I had a screwdriver…

Castlevania Judgement, why Iga… why?!

Myself in Black and my Partner in Crime Chris owning up some Hottest Party.

Mother Fans waiting to get into the Nintendo World Store for the Sunday event. They were waiting since 6pm Thursday, they truly are the most dedicated fans out there.

Douglas B. PK Thundered himself into the party! Go Lucas!

The Infamous DJ who drowned out all the sounds and music of the games, did a good job I would have to say.

Source: infendo.com

Kyle Orland from Crispy Gamer scored an informative interview with Chris Slate on what it’s like to be the editor of the most storied game magazine in history. After Orland asks how in the world Nintendo Power can endure another 20 years in light of cyberspace tabloids, Slate responds:

The simple answer is that print is never going to go away; it’s a different type of experience and has a unique relationship with the reader. I check several Web sites every day to keep up with the latest news, but when I sit down with a magazine it’s different — it isn’t about actively searching for things, but passively relaxing and enjoying the experience. Magazines used to be the only way that game players could get information or feel like they were part of a larger gaming community, but now the Internet serves those needs better than we ever could. However, [print] can filter out the endless noise of thousands of online game previews and blog entries, zero in on what is most important to readers for that specific month, and give the biggest stories the extra space and unrestricted design options to present more satisfying articles. That’s the goal, anyway, and we work our hardest to reach it each and every issue.

Source: infendo.com

I spent the better part of the past 15 minutes on the Nintendo Power subscription page, my mouse cursor hovering over the place order arrow button, my mind unsure of how my body got to be where it was, or why.

The catalyst for this weird stage of events was a cool article at Aeropause, which actually examines the dying “hardcore” gaming mag industry as a whole, but has a few choice words of encouragement for Nintendo Power. Put simply, the “popular” gaming mags today are really only popular, on average, with a certain type of person, and as such they cater to games that the audience wants to hear about. It makes business sense for now, but unfortunately for them (and for many gaming blogs today, I might add), it’s indicative of the ostrich head-in-the-sand mentality that will ultimately doom them (or at least lead to massive “restructuring,” i.e. “layoffs.”).

As their audience loses the power they once had over the direction of the industry, so to will they lose their influence as publications. Nintendo Power, however, is now positioned to be THE gaming mag for the mass market video games industry, complete with exclusives (some even faster than the Net), commentary on all games of all types, and the Nintendo Power brand to back it up. Meanwhile, advertisers will abandon the dead weight, and flock to the mag with the most presence and authority, as advertisers are wont to do. Advertising is about eye balls, after all, and Nintendo has more of them.

In light of all this I kept asking myself a simple question. It was wild, and it was incredibly retro 1990’s of me to ask, but I asked anyway. Should I subscribe to Nintendo Power? Again?

Source: infendo.com

As voted by the Chicago Tribune.

The magazine is 20 years old, but it is still stuck in its tweens and that’s a good thing. Just as the Nintendo company has, the magazine has had to adapt and reinvent itself. You can read it for the nostalgia factor or to get a taste of the upcoming games for Wii and DS systems.

I resubscribed in late 2005 for the nostalgia factor, but stayed for the games. I’m not sure I’ve seen another magazine or website so focused on games.

Are you a subscriber?

Source: infendo.com

Now I know what you’re thinking…”Just another pathetic hint for a let down game”. True. Within the last few months Nintendo Power hasn’t really been the top source for big reveals, but their latest issue (August 2008) looks to be hiding a good old fashioned fanboy megaton. The new issue which covers Mad World, Castlevania Judgment, Fire Emblem DS, etc. promises a big reveal for next months v232. As if the above image wasn’t enough the staff goes on to poke fans in the eye…

We’ll kick off the next 20 years of Nintendo Power with more big reveals including a top-secret cover story fit for a king. It’s got a lot of heart. Just kidding. It’s Mother 3. Just kidding. Please look forward to it.

Hmm. This is obviously one of Nintendo’s big E3 announcements, because we won’t be receiving issue 232 until the beginning of August, but it gives us a major clue as to what we might see. Several franchises spring to mind including Kingdom Hearts, Fire Emblem, Kid Icarus, Zelda, and others.

Get to guessing! Only a little more than a week away!

Source: infendo.com

Way back in the 1990s, when times were simpler and we didn’t have the Internets, there was a special day that happened once a month that made those long hours in elementary and middle school worth while. It was Nintendo Power day; that day when the mailbox would belch forth a mint copy of Nintendo’s gaming publication. I’d read through it in an hour or so, memorize the cheats, and then take the player’s poll (which I would never win).

I’d also read the Howard and Nester comic, starring Nintendo Fun Club President Howard Phillips and Nestor, a red-headed obnoxious gamer who was always getting in trouble or participating in comic-world representations of NES games. Howard played the straight man, and was always good for a tip or hidden 1-up location (Ninja Gaiden, for example). Eventually, the comic was streamlined to just “Nester” (spelled out in broad paint strokes), and finally discontinued in issue 55.

I don’t subscribe to NP anymore, and the last issue I read was the one my parents got me with a Nintendo DS-themed birthday gift pile in 2005, so I was surprised to learn that this month’s super issue (Mega Man 9 exclusive, new Castlevania fighter), also featured a new Nester comic. Nester is as much a part of Nintendo history as anything—he even made it into a few NES- and N64-era titles—so it’s cool to see a modern day hat tip. He’s older now, married and has a kid and loves Mario Kart Wii, which tells me he’s as much a Nintendo marketing tool as he ever was. I really expected nothing less.

Source: infendo.com

GoNintendo posted information yesterday from the latest issue of Nintendo Power confirming long-standing rumors that Konami is bringing a new Castlevania game subtitled “Judgment” to Wii.

However, the game shares little in common with prior entries in the fabled series. Konami has thrown enthusiasts of its vampire-slaying franchise a curveball; Castlevania: Judgment is a 3D fighter.

According to Nintendo Power, confirmed characters for Castlevania: Judgment include Dracula, Simon Belmont, Alucard, Shanoa and Maria Renard. Classic Castlevania subweapons including holy water, magic spells, daggers and boomerangs will be usable.

Players will be able to set traps for opponents amidst destructible environments while dealing with enemy monsters who interfere during battle. Few details in regard to the game’s controls have been revealed, but players will control their character with the nunchuck and utilize motion controls with the Wii Remote for attacks.

Konami has also taken advantage of DS to Wii connectivity for Castlevania: Judgment, through which Maria Renard is unlockable. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will also be used in some capacity.

In addition, Castlevania: Judgment utilizes a gauge that slowly builds during battle and allows players to unleash a special move, much like a “final smash,” when filled. Horrific brutality ensues, I’m sure.

GoNintendo posted this quote from series producer Koji Igarashi addressing early concerns in regard to the game being a spin-off:

“I guess some fans may worry about the game quality, but I am confident that we can achieve a very high-quality game. I think that fans…will see that it stays true to the Castlevania series. Even though this is a fighting game, I can guarantee that it will be fun.”

I expect Castlevania faithful to hold him to that. Expect more news on Super Castlevania Bros. Brawl…err, Castlevania: Judgment at E3.

Source: infendo.com

In a follow up to last month’s teasing issue, Nintendo Power has let loose the info on the “shocker” title in this months mag. It’s not Kid Icarus, Harvest Moon, Earthbound, or even Star Fox. It’s the one…the only…Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for the DS! (*Silence*) Would have been great news had we not of known about this over a month ago. Don’t get me wrong. A new Castlevania game for the DS is great. Just not quite the answer to fanboy hype we were all expecting.

Just when you thought one long month of pointless speculation was finished here’s a new tidbit to chew on. Once again NP teases with an answer to a reader question concerning the best DS game of all time…

The team here at NP does indeed discuss these kind of important issues all the time – our talks usually end with someone getting poked in the eye or bitten. On this subject, keep an eye out for something really big next issue… if all of us are still in one piece by then.”

I’m not even going to take a swing at it this time. At the news speed Nintendo Power runs at it could be the recently rated ASH finally making it to US shores.

Come on NP! Start using that mysterious witchcraft the hip kids call “internet”.

Thanks, David

Source: infendo.com

This is the teasing image Nintendo Power readers were given in the “Next Month” section of the mag. They say the above image contains clues to a “big” title that will be revealed next month. More clues were found in the “Pulse” section where a reader asks what games the staff is looking forward to the most. Their answer…

“We know of a few big third-party titles already, but unfortunately we’re sworn to secrecy. We’ll be able to fill you in on one of those games next month, though – and it’s a shocker!”

Is the answer referring to the moon image, or are they talking about other secret titles? First, or Third Party? Either way the interwebs have exploded with speculation on what game the image is referring to. The top picks include

Earthbound/Mother
Fatal Frame 4
Pokemon
Harvest Moon Wii
Starfox Wii
Castlevania Wii
Red Steel 2
Moon

Click over to our busy forum thread covering the speculation.

What could the game be?

Source: infendo.com

Studio Fish has posted a collection of 23 art pieces “that were featured in Nintendo Power magazine from the late 80’s to early 90’s,” most of which are nothing short of amazing. Get that.