Perhaps Sega is trying to trump Nintendo in delay announcements?

Through about a month or more of various video leaks and complaints about Sonic’s eye color without a single update to the official Sonic the Hedgehog 4 website, Sega has released a new press release today.  This news is also scheduled to be announced on Gamespot’s weekly Today On the Spot show.

The two significant announcements from the press release are as follows:

• The game’s release is being delayed until near the end of the year
• iPhone and iPod Touch versions confirmed

While the Apple platform versions were technically confirmed a while back (though with no official press release), the delay of the game’s overall release is a bit more interesting.  The Sega Blog’s own RubyEclipse assures that, “we’ve mixed internal suggestions alongside fan feedback to make some new, positive changes to the game.” That’s probably in case anyone was wondering why a game that appeared to be completed is going to be delayed (or at least as far as Episode 1 goes).  Either Sega really wants to delay the game to change it based off of fan feedback, or they want to get revenge at those who leaked footage of Episode 1 and change a bunch of things to make them irrelevant… or so people can brag about how they witnessed the ‘Sonic 4 Episode 1 Beta’ and make fan sites about it.

The blog also mentions, “Finally, there are rumors that something very special relating to Sonic 4 is coming around a special date this June.” Most likely relating to E3, but if Sonic 4 is proof of anything, it’s that Sega likes to play with everyone’s mind.

Update: You can view the Gamespot interview here.

(Source: Sega Blog/Press Release)

WiiWare has played host to a number of beautiful 2D games, and it looks like it’s about to get another one. Robox, from developer DreamBox Games, presents a lush The screenshots released (and labeled “work in progress”) already look gorgeous, so it’s no surprise that in motion, Robox rivals the best the Wii has to offer. From what I could glean from the interview (it’s in Spanish), the developers are looking to blend platforming action with puzzles inside of the robot. If the gameplay is as polished as the visuals, Robox could be another WiiWare hit. Check out the interview below for more details and screenshots.

DSWii interviews DreamBox Games

Finally, one of the most highly anticipated WiiWare titles makes its downloadable debut. Originally created by Daisuke Amaya, aka Pixel, developer Nicalis has helped bring this indie game gem to Wiis everywhere. For a charming and entertaining old-school style adventure, look no further.

Though Cave Story has a story (surprising, I know), the plot is really a rather bizarre glue that holds the gameplay together. You wake up with no knowledge of where you are, discover a town of rabbit-like creatures called Mimigas, and end up helping them ward off villains including a doctor, a witch, and some sort of box…thing. Like many classic games, you are essentially thrown into a peculiar situation and are forced to work your way out–not that this is a bad thing. The story may be outlandish and quite loose at parts but it’s fun, simple, and entertaining, just like the gameplay.

Seriously, I don't know what Balrog is supposed to be.

Cave Story plays like a 2D adventure game straight out of the eighties. You’ll run, jump, and shoot your way through various enemies in a handful of locales, while picking up weapons, health expansions, and various other items that help you on your journey. The gameplay is simple and addicting, perfect to pick up and play quickly. If you’re looking for a challenge, never fear–not only are there multiple difficulty levels, but the challenge ramps up considerably as you progress. In fact, it gets downright cruel at times when you run into instant-death traps and are forced back to the last time you saved, often losing a chunk of progress.

The truly unique aspect of Cave Story, though, is the weapon system. You can pick up a variety of weapons as you progress, and as you defeat enemies, you’ll collect experience from them, upgrading the power of your currently equipped weapon up to three levels. The max is three because when you’re hit, you don’t lose just health, your weapon loses power, so you’ll constantly need to replenish it. It’s a clever little system that puts extra emphasis upon avoiding attacks; the more you’re hit, the harder it is to defeat your opponents.

Since the controls use a very basic attack and jump system, the Wii remote alone is sufficient for playing the game, and works well for the most part. The only minor issue are the slightly floaty jumps, but a little practice remedies that. On the presentation front, the game has had a huge overhaul from it’s pixelated roots. The sprites and animation look great, boasting smooth and colorful movement yet with a retro vibe. The music features classic bubbly tones that sound great–though the buzzing during dialogue grows annoying quickly. If the upgrade doesn’t appeal to you, though, you can revert to the original art and sound to experience the game as Pixel originally crafted it.

Danger at every turn for our intrepid hero!

While you can finish the game in a mere matter of hours, there’s a lot more bang for your 12 bucks than that. Aside from the different difficulty levels, there are multiple endings that aren’t unlocked through arbitrary options at the very end of the game, but by actively pursuing side missions that open up new paths and bosses. In addition, there is a boss rush mode, a time trial mode, and the option to play as an alternate character. When you get down to it, Cave Story has a lot of content that is varied enough to keep it interesting.

If you have any interest in old-fashioned 2D action/adventures, Cave Story is the download for you. It’s hard not to be charmed by its simple yet polished gameplay and presentation, and join in on the plight of the Mimigas. With multiple game modes and alternate endings, Cave Story is well worth your time.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

You might have noticed him mentioned on Nintendo’s official website.  You might have even seen some rather sketchy videos showing him in action.  Now, Capcom has released some official footage of Mega Man’s rival in action.

Click the image to watch video

The video is in Japanese, but the DLC is scheduled to be released worldwide.  Bass Mode (or should that be Forte Mode?) should be available in the US on the 5th of April, 2010.

(Video available from GoNintendo’s YouTube Channel)

Kraków, February 24th 2010

Teyon, a successful video games developer and publisher, unveiled today a part of Nintendo DSiWare™ and WiiWare™ line-up for this year.

“The line-up is a result of our strategy focusing on digital distribution and providing a wide range of high quality games” said Michal Tatka, CEO.

Upcoming DSiWare™ games developed by Teyon:

• 101 MiniGolf World (Arcade/Sports) – scheduled for March 15th
• 101 Shark Pets (Simulation)
• 1001 Crystal Mazes Collection (Logic/Puzzle)
• Super Swap! (Arcade/Puzzle)
• Robot Rescue 2 (Logic/Puzzle)
• Battle Rage: Reflex (Arcade Shooter)

Upcoming WiiWare™ games developed by Teyon:

• Heavy Fire: Special Operations (Shooter)

All mentioned games are already under development. The company is also working on Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ retail titles as well as products for other platforms. Details concerning games will be revealed as the release dates approach.

About Teyon

Teyon is a developer, producer and publisher of video games for all leading platforms including PC, MacOS X, Nintendo DS™, Wii™, X360, PSP and  PS3. The company was founded in 2006 in Krakow, Poland, by a group of professionals working in the games industry since 2002. Teyon debuted on Nintendo Download services in 2009 with two well received DSiWare™ puzzle games: Robot Rescue and Ball Fighter, followed by Hubert the Teddy Bear: Winter Games, a WiiWare™ family game.

Official website: http://www.teyon.com
Twitter site: http://twitter.com/TeyonGames
Facebook page: http://facebook.com/TeyonGames
Youtube channel: http://youtube.com/TeyonGames
Flickr album: http://flickr.com/photos/TeyonGames

Contact

E-mail:  pr@teyon.com

Since its inception last year, WiiWare has featured some fantastic games, conveniently downloadable straight to your Wii. 2009 has had some great titles, so here are my top five games from the past year.

Good luck figuring out what's going on in this screenshot.

5) Bit.Trip series

It’s a bit of a cop out to put three games in one spot, but these games deserve to be acknowledged together. Bit.Trip is all about bringing games back to their simple roots with some awesome music thrown in for good measure. Each Bit.Trip game has the same basic idea of gameplay–hitting beats to coincide with the music–but each one uses that idea differently, with different interfaces and controls. Some are admittedly better than others, but each one is wonderfully addicting as a budget download. They all pack a serious challenge, too; none of these games are easy, and finishing one can be a satisfying accomplishment. With three games released this year alone, Gaijin Games is on the way to establishing a massive franchise on WiiWare.

FFIV: The After Years further explores the conflicted characters of the original.

4) Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

Making an episodic sequel to one of the best Final Fantasy games is a bit of a longshot, but The After Years is a great return to the memorable characters of FFIV, along with a few new faces as well. Each character is given focus in a single chapter before the climactic finale, combining the efforts of nearly twenty-four playable characters. Much of the game is a stroll down memory lane for fans of the original game, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything new in the gameplay and presentation. New combo attacks called Bands add devastating attacks, and the character sprites are more detailed than the original game’s. The music, though, is pure nostalgia. The episodic format is a little odd for an RPG–starting fresh with new characters in each chapter is somewhat awkward, and overall the story feels a little disjointed. The core of the game, however, is an epic (if pricey) RPG on WiiWare.

Beautiful environments of sand and shadow set a desolate backdrop.

3) NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits

NyxQuest is another side-scrolling platformer that has you moving a character and manipulating the world with the Wii remote pointer at the same time, and like LostWinds, it is a fantastic example of the simple yet elegant grace of a downloadable game. Steeped in Greek mythology, you take control of Nyx, a winged girl in search of Icarus, whose wax wings have melted, sending him falling to the earth. Along the way you’ll encounter other Greek gods and mythical figures–some that help you, and some that will need to be defeated before they will let you pass. The platforming is spot on, with simple but clever use of the Wii remote, which allows you to move blocks, shoot lightning, or redirect wind and fire. The game is short, but the action is a lot of fun, and even has a few hidden treasures for you to collect. The graphics and music are both hauntingly desolate and eerily alluring–though fairly simple, the presentation is so polished that you aren’t likely to mind.

Explore through ice and snow to find Toku's lost mother.

2) LostWinds: Winter of Melodias

Winter of Melodias builds off of the fantastic formula from the award-winning original game released last year. Once again, you take control of both Toku and the wind spirit Enril in a side-scrolling platformer. Now, though, Toku is on a quest to find his mother, who has gone missing on Summerfalls Mountain, which has been locked into a perpetual winter. Controlling Toku and the powers of the wind is as smooth and fun as it was in last year’s game, and changing the season from Summer to Winter adds another layer of exploration to the game. You’ll also discover more wind powers, helping Toku reach new heights or blast through dirt. Like the first game, the graphics and music carry a soft beauty that complements the nature-focused aspects of the game. Though it is barely longer than the original, Winter of Melodias is another great example of the quality that can be achieved on WiiWare.

Note: game is not necessarily historically accurate.

1) Swords & Soldiers

I’m just going to come out and say it, this game is fantastic. Everything melds together beautifully: the absurd and light-hearted story, the equally quirky graphics and music, the easy-to-learn but challenging-to-master gameplay, and the impressive game length and replay value available. Take command of the Viking, Aztec, or Chinese army and mow down your opponents as you seek barbeque sauce, giant chili peppers, or just new toys to play with, respectively. Each story is delightfully silly, and a lot of fun to play through. Gameplay is 2D real time strategy (RTS) fare, meaning you’ll build units, defensive towers, and unleash spells on friends and allies as you try to crush the opposing leader. It’s amazingly addicting, and because each army has their own unique units and spells, well varied. Not only does the campaign mode see you through 30 different levels (3 campaigns with 10 missions each), but side challenges can keep you playing, or just waging war with a friend in split-screen multiplayer. One of the best inclusions, though, is the set of 25 achievements you can complete, inviting you to keep playing even after finishing the game. While some achievements are quite simple, others will challenge you to use every strategic bone in your body to complete them. This is hands down the best WiiWare game of the year, offering a fantastic downloadable game for only 1000 Nintendo Points.

Check back tomorrow for my top five DS games of 2009!

Nintendo Power’s on-line preview this month confirms the return of the Blue Bomber to downloadable action with Mega Man 10. From the well received Mega Man 9 last year comes another downloadable title with the same retro game flavorings but more features. The preview gives out a number of details, including a new boss, Sheep Man, and an unidentified third playable character (in addition to Mega Man and Proto Man). Now we just have to hope that amazing art piece becomes a poster for purchase. See the full list of revealed details below:

- Mega Man is looking for a vaccine-making device to fight the ‘Robotenza’, which causes robots to overheat and go crazy
- play as Proto Man right from the start
- third playable character yet to be revealed
- computer-themed stage with mouse pointer enemies that draw boxes to throw at you, color-changing disappearing blocks, power treadmills and more
- lava level, vertically oriented, lava pools, block shaped enemies that can duplicate themselves, conveyor belts that push you down
- Sheep Man: turns into 4 clouds that hover above and attack with lightning, earn Thunder Wool for lightning attacks
- features an easy mode

Via GoNintendo

That’s right ladies and gentlemen, Capcom revealed Phoenix Wright for WiiWare at the Monster Hunter Tri University event last night here in San Francisco. Set for release in January for 1000 Wii points, the WiiWare game will cover the first four episodes of the original Ace Attorney game, with the sequels releasing in March and May. Phoenix Wright veterans may be disappointed to hear that this is essentially the same game, but for 1000 Wii points, this is a great way to introduce new players and Wii owners to the series, and just one month before the release of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth on the DS.

Maya's in trouble! Relive the first Phoenix Wright game on WiiWare.

As you can see from my blurry pictures of the screen, the WiiWare game will use the same graphical style as the DS game, resulting in some pretty big pixels. The big addition to the game comes from the control scheme which uses the Wii remote alone, and yes, you can shake the Wii remote to activate an “Objection!” or “Hold It!” The two demo stations that I saw were having some trouble registering the motion controls, but a Capcom representative assured me that the controls should be perfectly smooth by the time of release, so you can gesticulate wildly to your heart’s content.

Gumshoe's looking sheepish...same ol' Phoenix Wright games.

That’s it for Phoenix Wright, but check back tomorrow for my hands-on impressions of Monster Hunter Tri!

The Wii may be getting the much requested demo servive for WiiWare games.

IGN has reported that Nintendo is looking into a demo system for WiiWare games. It will start later this month for Japan, and may eventually work its way around the world.

Just a little tid-bit of news that might be interesting. Nothing major, but still nice to hear.
IGN: Nintendo to Offer WiiWare Demos

Excitebike World Rally is a new game in the Excite line.

Revealed today by the Nintendo Channel’s “Nintendo Week” show, Excitebike World Rally is a WiiWare title coming in early November. It will feature the return of the track designer. Excitebike World Rally will also feature full online multiplayer, and looks to be a full remake of the original.

Here’s the Nintendo Week announcement (in low quality) or you could just fire up the Wii and watch it in higher quality from the Nintendo Channel.