Tag Archives: Nintendo

GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo Wii trailer

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GoldenEyeEurocom has released a trailer for their upcoming Nintendo Wii remake of the classic N64 title GoldenEye 007. It’s hard to believe that the original GoldenEye 007 game was released on the N64 13 years ago all the way back in 1997. Eurocom say that this update is the GoldenEye for today.

Of course, Bond is a bit different now compared to the early 1990’s so the first major change -discounting the massive graphical upgrade- is that you’ll be playing as Daniel Craig’s Bond, rather than the Pierce Brosnan of the original GoldenEye. Daniel Craig himself provides the voice work, so GoldenEye 007 looks set to have that authentic Bond feel.

The story has also changed in some areas, in order to make GoldenEye 007 relevant to today’s world. Of course, the new updated GoldenEye 007 will give you the opportunity to use Bond’s famous gadgets, but with a modern twist. For example, the original GoldenEye 007 saw you using a watch to scan documents, while now you’ll use a mobile phone.

What the updated GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo Wii will retain is the wide variety of options as to how to complete missions. Do you go in all guns blazing? Or will you choose to be a stealthier, smarter bond?

Naturally, the new GoldenEye 007 retains the N64 versions awesome multiplayer, with classic characters like Oddjob and Jaws making an appearance. You can check out both single player and multiplayer footage from GoldenEye 007 in the trailer below.


GoldenEye 007 is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Wii on November 5th, and will be published by Activision.

So Train2Game, are you interested in the revamped GoldenEye 007? Do you think it looks impressive for a Nintendo Wii title? And what classic games would you like to see get remade with modern technology?

You can leave your thoughts about GoldenEye 007 here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Nintendo 3DS release set for early 2011

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Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS is set to be available in Japan from February 26th 2011, with an American and European launch reportedly following in March. The 3DS will cost ¥25000, the equivalent to £188, said Nintendo during a conference in Japan. The 3DS will be available in two colours, Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black.

The release date will surprise some; with sources previously suggesting the Nintendo 3DS would be available before Christmas. Despite the announcement of a launch date for Japan, there is not yet a solid release date for the 3DS in North America and Europe. However, it’s thought that Nintendo will shortly confirm that the 3DS will be available in these regions mere weeks after the handheld is released in Japan. The estimated price of a Nintendo 3DS in Europe is £199.

Nintendo also showed off a 3DS Software trailer, including games such as Super Street Fighter IV DS, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater, Dead or Alive Dimensions, and of course Mario Kart 3DS. You can see the Nintendo 3DS software trailer below.


In addition to brand new 3DS games, the Nintendo 3DS will also be able to play Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles thanks to a retro download service. Classic Nintendo games available to play on the 3DS will include Super Mario Land 1 & 2, Super Mario World, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, a large selection of Pokémon titles and many others.

So Train2Game, will you be getting yourself a Nintendo 3DS in March next year? Does £200 seem reasonable? What do you think of the 3DS games line up? And are there any retro titles you’d like to download?

You can leave your thoughts on the Nintendo 3DS here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Microsoft defends Kinect price

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The Kinect motion controller is ‘very competitively priced.’ That’s according Microsoft UK Marketing Manager Brett Siddons who also says out that Xbox 360 device offers a full multiplayer experience when compared to its rivals.

Speaking at the Kinect stand at an Amazon event, Siddons told Techradar:

“The price thing itself depends on how you look at it, its £129.99 RRP but it comes with a game within that price – so Adventures will be packed in with the camera.”

“If you buy it with the console which normally costs £149.99, [the package price is] £249.99 with the Kinect and the games – another 100 pound on top.

“The camera tracks six people – with two active gamers – you don’t have to buy anything else.

“I’ll let you do the maths but when you say Nintendo Wii or PlayStation Move you buy this and this, even for a two player games.

“What do you need and what do actually have to spend for a two player game for this device versus that device. You actually find that [Kinect] is very competitively priced.”

TechRadar helpfully do ‘the maths.’  They point out that while a basic PlayStation Move pack consisting of a controller and a PlayStation Eye costs just £49.99, buying another motion sensor controller and two sets of navigation controllers for multiplayer games brings the PlayStation Move price up to £150. Of course, Sony could still announce other packages before Move is released.

It appears Mr Siddons wasn’t asked why Kinect costs more in the UK than in the United States. If the price was directly converted from the $150 US price, Kinect would cost £95. It’s very unlikely that VAT on its own adds the additional £35.

So, Train2Game universe, do you agree with the Microsoft UK Marketing manager that Kinect is competitively priced. Or do you think the PlayStation Move, or indeed, Nintendo Wii offers more value for money? And what do you think of the difference between the UK and US prices?

As usual, leave your thoughts here or on the Train2Game forum.

Crackdown 2 retains chart lead

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Crackdown 2: Still top gun.

Microsoft’s title Crackdown 2 has claimed top place in the UK sales charts for the second week running.  The sandbox action title fended off competition including Disney’s Toy Story 3 which debuted at Number 5 – and is the only new entry to break into the Top 40 this week.

The biggest mover in the Top 10 this week is Ubisofts’ Dance on Broadway which jived up from forth to second place.

Hit titles including Super Mario Galaxy, Red Dead Redemption and FIFA World Cup South Africa all dropped one place, while UFC 2010: Undisputed has been knocked out of the Top 10. The full top ten reads:

01. Crackdown 2 (Microsoft)
02. Dance On Broadway (Ubisoft)
03. Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Warner)
04. Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar)
05. Toy Story 3 (Disney)
06. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (EA)
07. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo)
08. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (EA)
09. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision)
10. Just Dance (Ubisoft)

Have you bought any of these titles this week? What do you think? As usual, leave your comments here or on the Train2Game forum.

Nintendo President – ‘Slow sales due to lack of great software’

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The lack of quality games – not the global recession – is the main reason behind slow software sales. That’s according to Nintendo President Saturo Iwata who was speaking in an interview with Venture Beat.

“I cannot say that the recession has no effect on the sales of video games. My belief is we should not blame the bad economy for the cause of slow sales of video games. The slow sales must be due to the lack of great software that everyone wants to buy. We have not shown off the great attractions of whatever we are selling. This is not the problem of Nintendo alone, but the entire video game industry”

There are some in the games industry, Activision with their 20 million Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 sales, who may not necessarily agree with the Nintendo President that the Market is slowing. Nevertheless, Mr Saturo believes the games industry – which includes Games Designers, Games Developers and Games Artists & Animators – needs to innovate in order to keep us, the consumers, interested.

“Something that is really fresh can make our industry grow. The important thing we have to tackle is making attractive games and marketing them well toward the end of this year. I think the whole industry should be more cautious about how we act and how the general public perceives us.”

Basically, Mr Saturo is warning that the games industry shouldn’t become boring and repetitive. Producing video games is a creative industry after all and the Train2Game students have already demonstrated that they’re full of ideas, and are even working on their own games.

However, there does appear to be a prevalent theme within the industry where some developers do make very creative and interesting games, but then churn out numerous –perhaps better looking – sequels. This may be repetitive, but developers with a successful product are seemingly less likely to take risks with new ones. The Nintendo President also touches upon this during the interview with Venture Beat:

“I think the whole industry should be more cautious about how we act and how the general public perceives us. In the past, the formula was to make the computer graphics more gorgeous. It used to fit the taste of the majority of the gaming audience, but it doesn’t work so well in this day and age. It’s more difficult for us to come up with something new and different and show people how different we are. The whole industry has to recognize that.”

“Looking at the product line-ups this year, these titles might have been big hits three years ago. But now this year, they are not selling that much. In other words, people get tired of games more quickly than they did before.”

Naturally, with the upcoming release of the Nintendo 3DS, Mr Saturo believes that it’ll be the introduction of 3D games that will galvanise the industry.

“When you look at our 3D games concept, we recognize it will not be eternally appealing. However, it’s not a shallow concept that can be forgotten as a momentary fad.”

The Nintendo 3DS will be available in all “Major Markets” by April 2011.

So what do you think of the Nintendo President’s comments? As usual leave your views here or on the Train2Game forum.

Nintendo’s E3

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Microsoft and Sony, I haven’t mentioned Nintendo? ‘Why?’ I hear you ask? But fear not, Train2Game hasn’t ignored you Nintendo fans, in fact my most excellent colleague Gabe has written a comprehensive round up of every Nintendo announcement on his own blog. Good ay?

As usual you can leave a comment – on his blog this time – or discuss it on the Train2Game Forum.

Microsoft E3 Press Conference – The key announcements

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Last night saw Microsoft present the first major presentation of E3, and boy did they deliver.  The press conference kicked off with Senior Vice President Don Mattrick saying that 2010 will be “a year of transformation” and will ‘transform the way you play games and connect to friends and family.’

Of course, Microsoft’s biggest claim to transforming the way we play – and perhaps design and develop games – comes with the introduction of the Kinect, the motion controller for the Xbox 360.

Kinect – the device formerly know as Project Natal – will be released in the United States on Thursday, November 4th with 15 exclusive title’s including the Rare developed Kinetic Sports. No European date has been announced yet, but it’s likely it’ll be some way behind the USA if it follows the pattern of the new Xbox 360 Slim. While the new console is ships in the United States today, it won’t be available this side of the Atlantic Ocean until July 16th.

Train2Game Game Designers, Game Developers and Game Artist & Animators will no doubt be encouraged by Microsoft’s Phil Spencer stating “Microsoft Games Studios is constantly looking to partner with talented new development partners.” Perhaps if you play your cards right, you could be developing games exclusively for the Xbox 360 in the years to come.

In addition to announcements about Kinect and the Xbox 360 Slim, a number of highly anticipated games were given release dates.  Peter Molyneux himself took to the stage in Los Angeles to reveal that Fable III will be available on October 26th this year. Meanwhile, Dead Space 2 executive producer Steve Papoutsis revealed that the horror sequel will be released on January 25th 2011.

These are just some of the many announcements made last night, and E3 isn’t even in full swing yet with Nintendo and Sony still to give presentations today at 5 p.m. and 8.pm. respectively – that’s the British times anyway!

So it’s over to you. Are you impressed by Microsoft’s announcements? If so, what are you most looking forward to? Kinect The Xbox 360 Slim? As usual, let us know either in the comments section below, or on the Train2Game Forum.

Nintendo 3DS to have ‘enhanced anti-piracy measures’

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So, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has confirmed that the new 3D visuals of the upcoming 3DS handheld console will in fact be able to be turned off if the owner so desires. Apparently, the reasoning behind this is due to concerns the 3DS could have on people’s eyesight! Now, as someone who already has terrible eye’s this is somewhat of a relief, as is the fact the 3DS won’t actually require the user to wear special 3D glasses. Spectacle wearers are kind of shunned by 3D films and television aren’t they? As if the lives of the visually challenged aren’t hard enough with THAT crushing disappointment too.

But being able to easily turn off 3D wasn’t the only thing that was revealed by Mr Iwata, oh no… there’s more! He also revealed that the new machine will include enhanced anti-piracy measures, in order to combat the harmful effect illegal copies can have on software sales.  Now, I’m sure games developers, designers and artists worldwide are more interested in this little announcement than the being able to turn the 3D off thing.

Games piracy is more common than you’d think with millions of people illegally downloading games that the majority of us are more than happy to pay for. Unfortunately it costs the games industry billions a year. As a Train2Game student you wouldn’t want to work hard but then miss out on reaping the rewards of all your efforts now, would you? You’ll also need to make sure you copyright your work for a little bit of extra protection. Of course you may be more than happy to give away some of your games for free but only as a legal download in order to help you gain a foothold in the industry.

We don’t yet actually know what Nintendo will be doing to improve the anti-piracy capabilities of the 3DS and to be honest, nobody outside the company may ever find out. Mr Iwata didn’t explain any specifics, saying that by doing so he’d give “hints” to pirates…which is fair enough I suppose!

There’s no specific release date for the 3DS yet, but we can probably expect more to be revealed at next month’s E3 expo.