Leave it to SquareEnix and Sony to Surprise the Masses

Just when you think that Sony and SquareEnix are no longer the best of buds, they show off something that is a PlayStation 3 console exclusive in Final Fantasy XIV Online. That's right they are once again delving into the world of the MMO, together. Now there was no word of a PC version, but there was word that the PS3 would be the only console that would have it.

This does raise the question of what will happen to Final Fantasy XI. Will this be the end of the game as they release the new one, or will XI stick around and XIV will truly be a console exclusive. I'll be very interested to see what all this game will have, will it be an update of XI, or will it go off in a totally different direction with classes, setting, weapons, battle system, and quest system.

Courtesy of Gametrailers.com

Nintendo to Try to Perfect WiiFit with a Plus

During Nintendo's E3 press conference it was revealed that there is another WiiFit coming. I sure this one is going to be utilizing the Wii Motion Plus, as the name of the game will be WiiFit Plus. There will be some new exercises, yoga positions, and mini-games added to the game. There will also be the one thing that people yearned for in the last. The ability to create your own workout and have a workout timer that would allow you to do 20, 30, 40, or more minutes of continuous workout.

This is probably something I'll have to look into further upon its release, but for now I can only dream of a better program that can rival the hotest thing on the block EA Active.

Update on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 1:30PM by Charlie

Here's a list of some of the highlights talked about this new version off WiiFit

FEATURES:

• Workouts combine the original Wii Fit activities and selections from 15 new balance games and six new strength training and yoga activities.

• Users can input the amount of time they want to spend on their workouts or select an area for personal improvement, and Wii Fit Plus will suggest a number of diverse activities for them.

• For the first time, users can mix and match which strength and yoga activities they prefer on a given day. The seamless exercise flows make it easier than ever for users to maintain their daily workout routines.

• Users might be asked to run an obstacle course across a series of platforms, zoom across a beach on a Segway® x2 Personal Transporter or flap their arms to help their hilarious chicken-suited characters aim for targets.

• The range of games and customization options will make players want to play every day. They’ll be having so much fun that their workouts will seem to fly by in no time at all.

• Players also can see estimates of calories burned and can even activate a feature that lets them weigh their dogs or cats.

• Wii Fit Plus comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board accessory. For people who already own Wii Fit, the Wii Fit Plus disc will be available for purchase separately.

Nintendo Adds Another Peripheral to the Wii

It goes as no surprise that Nintendo is really making sure that people know that they are willing to turn the Wii into an exercise device for those who are looking for it. Nintendo has revealed that they will be adding a Vitals Sensor that will plug into your Wii mote and give back to the system your heart rate. 

What will this device be used for, well no one is saying at this point, but as I assumed in the first paragraph I'm guessing its going to be used in some sort of WiiFit Plus type of game. I'm sure we'll find out more the closer we get to a product that is ready for it.

Surprise!! Nintendo Announces a New Mario

 

Well I can't say that anyone is going to be to surprised that the Mario franchise will continue on with the latest in the series. Sadly though it would appear that Nintendo has run out of good, creative, names and we're going to be left with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. 

The game is going to give you some old school feel with some new twists to it. This time around you're going to be able to play with up to 4 players, I'm assuming in some sort of battle mode. You'll also be able to play 2 player co-op. Now there's also going to be an addition to the Mario suit arsenal, with the addition of the propeller suit. From my understanding its going to work a little bit like the raccoon tail.

Now the really good news is that the game is actually scheduled for release during the holiday season, though that might just be for the Japanese version, we'll just have to wait and see about that.

Here are some of the actual facts that Nintendo talked about revolving around the game:

FEATURES:

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii offers a combination of cooperation and competition. Players can pick each other

up to save them from danger or toss them into it.

• Mario™, Luigi™ and two Toads are all playable characters, while many others from the Mushroom Kingdom make appearances throughout the game. Players can even ride different Yoshi characters and use their tongues to swallow enemies – or their fellow players.

• In some areas, players use the motion abilities of the Wii Remote™ controller. The first player to reach a seesaw might make it tilt to help his or her character reach a higher platform – and then tilt it incorrectly just to mess with other players.

• New items include the propeller suit, which will shoot players high into the sky with just a shake of the Wii Remote and Mario’s new ability to transform into Penguin Mario.

• At the end of each stage during the simultaneous multiplayer mode, players are ranked based on their score, the coins collected and the number of enemies defeated.

** UPDATE **

For those out there that haven't had enough Mario here comes the announcement that there is more than just the just mentioned title. Mario Galaxy 2 is also on its way. Which means that we'll once again get our chance to run around the sometimes spherical, sometimes not really worlds. This time around you'll have Yoshi to help you navigate through the game.

Courtesy of Kotaku

Could Kojima's "Mask" Have Something to do with Castlevania?

Rumors are now surfacing that Kojima's other teaser site that just features a badly scarred female mask might be an indicator that the Castlevania re-tooling might have been just handed over to Kojima and his team. The Castlevania game, called Castlevania: Lords of Shadow has announced last year and was said to be developed by a Madrid based company, but now it seems that Kojima might get his hands on it.

In my opinion this would be one hell of a way for Castlevania to come back. Kojima games are known for the indepth story, amazing graphics, and detailed work on the characters. Just thinking about this makes me get goosebumps. If this rumor is true I tip my hat to Konami, and will now patiently wait to see the awesomeness that will occur with this title in the correct hands. Oh and by the way this game is going to come out for both the PS3 and the XBOX360.