Hoping to somehow diminish our aversion to the sight of Miis playing musical instruments, Vicarious Visions is working the user-created, er ... "avatars" into the Wii version of Guitar Hero World Tour in a so-called unique way. In an interview with IGN, the developer explained how the recently revealed Mii mode, known as "Mii Freestyle," will work.
Using the guitar or drumkit peripherals (or, if you're crazy so inclined, the Wiimote and Nunchuck for "air drumming") the mode lets you and a friend jam in a variety of music genres, laying down single notes, chords, and beats as you wish. According to Vicarious Visions, it'll all sound good because, well, it's programmed to clean up what you do. Take that, years of practice!
They just don't make maracas like they used to, eh? Nevertheless, Sega will proceed with the revival of Samba de Amigo, albeit with a pair of fiddle sticks (or just one Wiimote and a tethered Nunchuk, if you prefer), when the game ships to retail September 19 across Europe and September 23 in North America. The new Samba will offer plenty of nostalgic songs, plus a generous helping of fresh tracks, including a wag-a-long to Rihanna's smash hit: Pon de Replay. We've laid out the entire song list for you after the break.
Additionally, Samba's first downloadable song pack will be available for purchase on September 23 -- a long-term storage solution is still up in the air. All song packs will include three songs by their original performers. Sega has not confirmed songs for individual purchase nor announced pricing. The first pack will include:
We know what you're thinking: Gawd, another Wii Wheel? But this one actually does something, we promise. Now, why anyone would jump to purchase a $100 peripheral for a $250 console is the real question that needs answering. (Cough, cough.) But if you truly believe that force feedback is necessary to impress your non-gaming friends the next time they come over, then by all means, check out Logitech's "Speed Force Wireless" Wii wheel when it goes on sale in November. (Warning: Not guaranteed to protect against blue shells.)
We're not exactly sure how much of MTV Multiplayer's information about transferring Rock Band songs to Rock Band 2 is new, but it gives a tiny bit more detail to the process, which has yet to be fully explained. We knew that the transfer would cost "under $5"and that RB1 would receive a patch the day RB2 released, but we believe the detail about a "password" bundled with RB2 is new ... maybe. Either way, we haven't written about it.
Harmonix's John Drake tells MTV that when the game releases on Sept. 14, the RB1 patch will add an "export" feature to the game. Selecting to export will prompt the user to add a password included with Rock Band 2, after which a payment screen will be displayed. Told you it was a tiny detail!
Another lawsuit has been filed against Nintendo for alleged patent infringement in the Wii remote, according to Bloomberg. Maryland-based Hillcrest Labs filed the suit in Greenbelt, Maryland, and has also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to block imports of the Wii console and remote. Hillcrest's technology, dubbed Freespace, is reportedly used by Logitech International and Universal Electronics.
There have been numerouslawsuitsandpatentclaims on Nintendo's Wii and DS interface technology. We're wondering if any of these companies who are suing Nintendo for patent infringement will ever sue each other for the same violations. We won't be seeing the lawsuit go to court anytime soon, however, as it's been put on hold while the ITC investigates. According to Bloomberg, that could take about 15 months.
We're happy to report that when James Bond returns to video games this fall with Quantum of Solace he'll be voiced by our new favorite 007, Daniel Craig. But we're a little worried about how we're going to focus on the game when our undies continue to spontaneously drop to the ground, coaxed off by Bond's baritone brogue! The game will also feature Judi Dench as M and new additions Mathieu Amalric and Ukrainian actress Olga Kurylenko.
... Listen, did we type that part about our undies dropping out loud? No? OK, thank goodness.
Sega has a mighty lineup on public display (and behind closed doors) at Leipzig Games Convention 2008, comprised of titles from the East and West. MadWorld and Bayonetta, its collaborations with former Clover Studios staff, are there, as are Sonic games, strategy titles, DS wares, and more. But there's nary a sign of PSP support to be found. And it was doing so well with games like Crush. Ah well. You can check out screenshot galleries of everything Sega has on show after the break.
Wha? What is this? Well, to offer you a more streamlined recap of the goings-on in the Nintendo world, we've combined the DS Lite and Wii Fanboy Weekly recaps into one powerhouse, now dubbed Nintendo Fanboy Weekly. Hopefully, you'll like the new approach.
But enough of that, check out our links. They're homegrown with the finest original features and old coffee grinds.
Somehow, we always imagined the impending zombie apocalypse would involve more ... zombies. This latest footage of Dead Rising: Chop 'Til You Drop for Wii sees protagonist Frank West running sauntering through swarms groups of hundredsdozens 10 crazed bored zombies on what appears to be Super Bowl Sunday (or during the American Idol finale). It's nice to see the improved aiming mechanic in action, even if it is lifted directly from Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition. There's a longer gameplay trailer after the break, although we don't recommend viewing it while driving or operating heavy machinery.
An associate producer for Konami's Rock Revolution confirmed that the game would be delayed until early 2009 during the company's Leipzig press conference, IGN reports. We've contacted Konami to find out if the representative meant that the title will be available for Europe in 2009 (this is a European press event after all), or if the game has actually been delayed from its original Fall '08 release in North America as well. We'll update as soon as we get the official skinny from Konami.
To be blunt, after some of the series' most disappointing entries, Need for Speed Undercover has something to prove. Today, EA revealed some of the features of the November release, the opening salvo in the battle to win back our hearts (unless you count the announcement of Maggie Q's involvement ... which we do not.)
You'll be taking down a crime syndicate with Ms. Q (if you're nasty), a story that will be presented with the help of live-action footage (hooray!). From a gameplay perspective, the big draw seems to be the Heroic Driving System, which EA describes as "a unique technology that generates incredible high-performance moves at 180 miles per hour during breathtaking highway battles." ... So, it's an emergency brake?
Maybe it's just our relief from the yucky, Far 2 Fast and Uncom4tably Furious aesthetic that's plagued the series recently, but this new entry sounds like a breath of fresh air. Well, Undercover, it would seem we, much like the Ghostbusters, are ready to believe in you.
We don't really see the point in new footage of Mad World. Oh, don't get us wrong, we're grateful for it. It's just that we're so clearly going to buy the game the moment it's within the reach of our grubby mitts, we don't know why Sega is trying to convince us to buy it harder.
But for those of you that weren't convinced pre-trailer, we're just going to assume you've firmly aligned yourself with the believers. Did you see that dude throwing other dudes into a fan? Did you see those cyclones picking up cars? Did you see that dude rubbing that other dude on a moving train? Are they serious with this? Can we buy two, one to play and one to crush up and mainline?
Well, this should make the patented Joystiq Instrument Compatibility Matrix a bit easier to memorize. Straight from our special Leipzig correspondent Jem Alexander, Activision says that If you play Guitar Hero World Tour on PS2, PS3 or 360, your instrument is going to work. Whether it be from Rock Band, Rock Band 2 or whatever, it works with Guitar Hero World Tour.
Now, what does this mean for the Wii version of the game? We have absolutely no idea. But hey, what are you complaining about: It's got Miis in it! Isn't that enough?
We've just heard from our man at the Leipzig Games Convention Jem Alexander, and he's got some exciting news for fans of pint-sized rocking: Miis will be used in Guitar Hero World Tour's Wii version of the game. He didn't say how, so we're hoping that they'll play Oompa-Loompa-like minature roadies who rush onto stage and fix broken strings for the full size rockers. But we doubt it.
Oh, Jem also passed along that all versions of the game would include exclusive European tracks, which is secret code for "you'll have to buy them later through DLC."
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