09/01/2008 - 10/01/2008

Home » Archives for 09/01/2008 - 10/01/2008

9.30.2008

Marble Saga: Kororinpa Wii screenshots

Feast your eyes on these: 10 brand new screenshots of Hudson's Marble Saga: Kororinpa, the tilty-turny game that used to be known as Kororinpa 2:

Marble Saga: Kororinpa to support Wii Balance Board

Marble Saga: Kororinpa has been unveiled today, as the game previously known as Kororinpa 2. As we learnt at the game's first announcing a little while back, players follow Anthony the Ant as he traverses across Ant World to save his colony.

The Wii Balance Board comes into play, of course, with players shifting their weight to direct Marble Saga: Kororinpa marbles through mazes.

“Gamers will be amazed to see how much entertainment we have packed into Marble Saga,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “Whether players want to compete with each other through multiplayer or Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, explore more than 150 levels by themselves, or use the Wii Balance Board for additional fun, this game really will deliver an action-packed adventure for gamers of all ages.”

Marble Saga: Kororinpa includes Mii integration, online leaderboards and customisable marbles. It is released in Spring 2009.

Koh-Lanta Wii (TV's Survivor) to support Wii Balance Board

The videogame Koh-Lanta (the French version of the TV show Survivor) for the Nintendo Wii actually first appeared in August, but details have today emerged that it will make use of the Wii Balance Board in many of its challenges.

Like in the popular television programme, you and your team must compete against another in over 25 challenges, with the Wii Balance Board being used in many to add realism - especially those requiring, yup, balancing skills.

Whether or not Koh-Lanta will ever make it anywhere outside of France after is late October release isn't yet known.

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard new screenshots

We've already posted up some scanned images of Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard, but now we have the higher quality, real deal screenshots. View them in the slideshow below:

9.29.2008

The Nintendo pedometer.. for Wii Fit 2?

A strange pedometer device (pictured), developed by Nintendo, has surfaced on the Internet today. There are no details to accompany it, however. Is it for use with an upcoming Wii Balance Board-supported exercise title - Wii Fit 2, perhaps?

Nintendo is holding a press conference this Thursday, so perhaps we'll find out then...

Wii Music videos - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Nintendo has released a new set of three Wii Music gameplay videos, each demonstrating bands playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in different styles. Watch the first below, and the other two here and here.

Skate City Heroes gameplay video

This footage of Skate City Heroes for the Nintendo Wii seems to have been around for a little while, but we doubt (since the game has been officially announced since then) that many people have had the chance to see it.

Fancy playing this with your Wii Balance Board?

9.28.2008

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard new details

In support of the announcement earlier of Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard earlier on this week, Namco Bandai has produced a press release with more information about the Wii Balance Board-supported game.

Making sense of the Google-translated Japanese text is a little difficult, but what we have deciphered is that Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard will include bigger environments to play in, starting with a gentle forest course for beginners.

Dangerous stunts also make a return, and we think the developer explains that blustery weather conditions will differ each time you hit the slopes, making each experience unique (and pulling off moves that much more of a tricky business).

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard hits Japan in November. We'll bring you more info as soon as we get it.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #32

It's another 'non-instrument' for today's Wii Music demo, but one that probably won't cause half as much of a fuss as 'Dog! It's the blips and bleeps of a Nintendo Famicom... or the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) as you probably know it better.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.27.2008

Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip Euro box art

Following Ubisoft's announcement earlier on this week that Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip will be released in Europe on November 14th, the developer has revealed this - the box art for the extreme sports sim's launch in the region.

Pleasingly, a "Wii Balance Board compatble" notice is splashed prominently on top of the art work.

G1 Jockey Wii 2008 out now in Europe!

If you're a European resident (or own a PAL Wii anywhere else in the world), you may be interested to know that KOEI's G1 Jockey Wii 2008 has become the latest Wii Balance Board-supported game to be released.

Players use the accessory to immerse themselves into the role of a racing jockey, directing their GG and helping it leap over fences.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument'' #31

I really am awfully sorry. It id 5.15 AM here in the UK, and I have not long got back from a night out on the town - a little worse for wear, you might say! Nevertheless, I am determined to bring you the latest Wii Music instrument, the Timbales.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party out in Europe on Nov. 13

Ubisoft has today confirmed that Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party for the Nintendo Wii, will be released in Europe on November 13.

Touted as the first videogame that requires you to control the on-screen action with your backside (with a little help from the Wii Balance Board), Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party looks like building on Ubisoft's previous efforts in the franchise, with even more - if you can believe it - mischief and mayhem.

There is no official release date for the US as of yet, but it is heavily rumoured to be November 13.

9.26.2008

Shaun White Snowboarding Wii released in Europe Nov 14th

Ubisoft has today announced that Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip for the Nintendo Wii will be released in Europe on November 14th - nearly a month after the rumoured US launch date.

Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip is one of the most anticipated Wii Balance Board-supported titles of the holiday season, offering a realistic, stunt-filled romp in sub-zero mountainous across numerous locations around the world.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #30

We're half way through our countdown of Wii Music's 60 instruments today. And to mark the occassion, Nintendo is treating us to a demonstration of the game's banjo. Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Skate It Wii released in Europe on November 21

Skate It for the Nintendo Wii will be released in Europe on November 21, it has been announced today. The information comes via an updated list of game launch dates that Balance Board Blog has scoured.

As followers of the site and extreme sports sim will know, the Wii Balance Board can be used to skate through the game's urban environments, as well as pull off a whole number of stomach-churning tricks.

Babysitting Party Wii released in Europe on November 28

Babysitting Party (or Babies Party?) for the Nintendo Wii will be released in Europe on November 28, it has been announced today.

With Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party and Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip to show off, Ubisoft hasn't really paid Babysitting Party/Babies Party/Imagine Party Babyz all that much attention, but we do know that it supports the Wii Balance Board in a number of its mini-games - one that sees you keeping a group of young 'uns steady on a bouncy castle.

As you may have already guessed, the premise of the cutesy title involves taking care of a group of rowdy toddlers.

All Star Cheer Squad released in Europe on November 14

All Star Cheer Squad will be released in Europe on November 14, it has been announced today. The confirmed date was listed as part of an updated bunch of launch dates for Nintendo Wii titles.

All Star Cheer Squad (or All Star Cheer) as it appears to be known in Europe, allows players to live the life of a cheerleader, making use of the Wii Balance Board to help you on the road to pom-pom-flinging stardom.

9.25.2008

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard screenshots

Announced in Famitsu yesterday, we've managed to track down the first images of Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard for the Nintendo Wii. As we suspected, the Wii Balance Board is supported.

You'll also notice Family Ski 2's two new locations: Jamboree Snow Resort and Mt. Angrio.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Heroes spoof

Continuing to prove that they get themselves everywhere, the bunnies from Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party have infiltrated the world of US cult television show, Heroes:

Wii Music release date in Europe is November 14th

Wii Music will be released in the UK and Europe on November 14th, Nintendo has confirmed today. This follows news earlier on in the week that the title will arrive in the United States on October 20.

Dubbed as a game that allows everybody to get involved in making music, we're excited about it here due to the Wii Balance Board-controlled drum kit.

If you'd like to see more of Wii Music in action, check out our list of Wii Music instruments, which we're updating every day.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #29

Wii Music's daily video has a caribbean feel today, with the steel drums being demoed for our enjoyment:

Skate It Wii new screenshots

Electronic Arts has released a set of ten brand new screenshots for the Wii Balance Board-supported Skate It for the Nintendo Wii. These are taken from the title's near-final build, and they're looking pretty tasty:

9.24.2008

Skate It Wii Balance Board demonstration video #2

Revogamers recently got some foot-on time with Skate It and the Balance Board for the Nintendo Wii. Check it out below:

Imagine Party Babyz / Babysitting Party mix-up cleared!

Ubisoft sure does like changing the names of its games - or at least, differing them between regions.

After months of uncertainty about the proper name of its upcoming Balance Board-supported, mini-game-filled babysitting sim, box arts have been released that reveal Imagine Babyz Party for North America and the game to be known as Babysitting Party in Europe.

The title is set for release at the end of October. Amazon.com pre-orders are open here!

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard supports Wii Balance Board

Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard has been revealed in the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. Details are sketchy at present, but the title is said to offer a lot more than the original (Balance Board compatible) Family Ski/We Ski's pistes as well as - of course - the option to snowboard.

With one game in the bag, we're guessing Wii Balance Board support for this sequel a no brainer! Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard is released in Japan on November 13, 2008.

We'll bring you all the news on a Western release as soon as we get it! Not checked out the great We Ski original? It's cheap as chips at Amazon.com - click here!

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #28

Today's Wii Music Instrument (the type that the Wii Remote was just made for) is a set of handbells. Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.23.2008

Wii Music video preview - G4TV

And a second preview from G4TV on this Tuesday... this time for Wii Music:

Shaun White Snowboarding Wii G4TV Preview

Check out G4TV's preview for the upcoming Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip for the Nintendo Wii:

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #27

It's fair to say that we haven't done the best job at guessing even some of the more familiar Wii Music instruments thus far, but if today's isn't a trumpet... well, we don't know what we'll do.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Hula Wii wiggly screenshots

Brand new screenshots of the most bizarre game to support the Wii Balance Board to date have wiggled in today, from MileStone's Hula Wii: Minna de Hula wo Odorou (Dance Hula Together). Planned only for Japan at present, it takes players through a variety of Hula dances, and encourages calorie-counting weight loss:

9.22.2008

Imagine Fashion Idol Wii screenshots

Some more screenshots of Imagine Fashion Idol have been released today - the first English language ones! They're a bit small, but you can check them out in the slideshow below:

Imagine Fashion Idol to support Wii Balance Board

Originally known as Imagine Fashion Party, Ubisoft has today officially announced that Imagine Fashion Idol will be (cat)walking its way onto the Nintendo Wii.

The game, which sees players taking part in the Fashion Reality Show to see who is the best fashion designer of them all, supports the Wii Balance Board when it comes to strutting your stuff in front of a panel of fierce judges.,

Three game modes - Creation, Fashion Reality Show, and Multiplayer are included, as well as over 40 girly mini-games.

Clearing up any earlier confusion, Ubisoft has confirmed that Imagine Fashion Idol will be released in November 2008.

Sonic creator to unveil Wii Balance Board game?

A teaser website from developer Prope (set up by Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka) has just launched, with a teasing message that suggests its upcoming project may support the Wii Balance Board.

A seventeen day countdown is lead by the tagline, "World first, the game that even penguins can play." And a picture of one of the cutesy birds too. We're guessing the Wii Balance Board is involved, since we can't think of any other controller a penguin could manage to use

With the site saved to our 'Favorites', we're going to keep an eye on it to see what materialises!

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #26

If we're not mistaken, today's Wii Music instrument is the double bass. Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.21.2008

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #25

More drums today in the 25th Wii Music instrument to be revealed by Nintendo. They're big, they're booming, and they look like a lot of fun to play. Say hello to the timpani.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Imagine Fashion Party screenshots

The first two images of Imagine Fashion Party have strutted their way onto the Internet this weekend - but they're from the Italian version of the game (known as Giulia Passione Sfilate).

One shows the title asking you to choose the stylist who is going to help you live out your dream as a catwalk model/fashion designer, while the other demonstrates how you'll be applying slap onto faces using the Wii Remote pointer.

With Wii Balance Board fashion shows promised, we're hoping for a look at those soon.

Why Hack the Wii Balance Board?

The Wii Balance Board is arguably the most talked about gaming gadget in recent times, and not for all the reasons that Nintendo would have wanted. The gaming company, in its quest to generate more and more revolutionary concepts, came up with the device that detractors are calling a glorified bathroom scale. But there’s more to this nifty device than meets the eye, as proved by the innovative and smart hacks that people have dreamed up for the Wii Fit.

Click below to continue reading!

I admit that I do believe that people have way too much time on their hands (or legs – pun intended), so much so that they are spending it all on devising new applications and writing code that hacks this game controller. But maybe the thrill lays not so much in the application itself as in the fact that they’re able to achieve what they set out to do in the first place.

How do people even conjure up ideas for eccentric applications for the Wii Balance Board? This dude seems to be going the roundabout way to touch his nose as he hacks the Wii Fit to browse the Internet using Firefox. It’s connected to a computer through the Bluetooth technology and a couple of clever scripts ensure that you don’t have to click in order to be able to navigate the web. Clever indeed! And handy for those who’ve lost the use of their hands!

Nintendo is not a stranger to hacks turning up for its hardware – the Wii has had more than its share of both useful and not-so-useful hacks. From controlling robots to surfing the web, this flat, board-like object has come a long way from its intended purpose, as a peripheral that lets you control games using your feet and associated movements. But then, maybe this development is not such a bad thing – perhaps with the rising number of uses that hackers (and I use the word in the most benign sense) come up with for the Wii Balance Board, its popularity will rise proportionately.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick,who writes on the subject of the online jd. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.

If you'd like to write an article for Balance Board Blog, feel free to get in touch!

Skate City Heroes Wii screenshots

My Greek hotel's Internet had a funny thing about image uploading, so I haven't previously been able to make this post, so apologies for that. Still, better late than never, here are a pile of new screenshots for Skate City Heroes, one of two new Balance Board-supported titles to be announced this week:

9.20.2008

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #24

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' number 24 is another which we wouldn't have had a clue about unless someone got in there and named it before us... which they did. Shamisen, anybody?

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

All Star Cheer Squad Wii release date delayed

All Star Cheer Squad for the Nintendo Wii has had its release date pushed back by a week, it looks like. A recent list sent to retailers shows that the Wii Balance Board-supported dance-em-up's launch has been nudged from October 21 to October 28.

Not the best news, but hardly a tragedy... these things happen. =)

Shaun White Snowboarding Wii - new trailer

Bit of a Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip overload in these past few posts, but for those of us looking forward to it, s'all good. You might recognise the following footage from the interview we reported on earlier, but here it is in its full glory:

Shaun White Snowboarding Wii to include co-op multiplayer

GameSpot recently caught up with Trent Ward, Creative Director for Ubisoft on Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip for the Nintendo wii. Check out the following video in which he details the fitness benefit of the Wii Balance Board while playing, as well as the sport sim's co-operative multiplayer mode:

Shaun White Snowboarding Wii new screenshots

A few more screenshots of Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip for the Nintendo Wii have shredded their way onto the Internet, showing the game looking even better than it has previously. There's also a hint of the multiplayer mode, which includes a co-operative option, as well as another in which up to four players can take turns in using the Wii Balance Board in various challenges.

9.19.2008

Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 trailer

The first trailer for Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 has been released today, and it gives us all a look at footage of the game in action, as well as taster of how the celeb trainer's first videogame will help us all get into shape... with extra help from the Wii Balance Board.

Wii Music release date in America is October 20th

Nintendo has officially announced that Wii Music will be released in North America on October 20.

The firm hopes that the title will turn people's living rooms into concert halls, and bring a deeper love and appreciation of music to all. As you'll know if you're a regular reader of Balance Board Blog, Wii Music sees you 'playing' over 60 instruments, simply my gesturing how you'd play them in real life, using the Wii Remote, Nunchuck and (for the drum kit) the Wii Balance Board.

You'll be able to jam along to more than 50 licensed and classic Nintendo tunes, as well as being given the chance to add your own twist to the compositions to share with friends via the Wii Message Board.

Click here to order Wii Music through our Amazon.com store.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #23

Wii Music gets mouthy today, but not of course, in a way that insults your lack of musical talent. Nope, it's the latest video unveil of one of the game's instruments - the harmonica.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Euro box art

We showed you how Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Will appear on the shelves in North America not too long ago, but for Europe, developer Ubisoft's art team has rustled up a brand new box art design.

Like its European counterpart, the Wii Balance Board is pictured, but this time there's even an official-looking logo to tell us that the accessory is compatible. oh, and there's also a Rabbid zapping himself in the face with a remote control. We wouldn't expect anything less...

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party is rumoured to be arriving in stores around mid November. Click here to pre-order from our Amazon store.

Tetris Party Wii Balance Board controls

Further to the new trailer for Tetris Party we showed you earlier on this week, we've picked apart the game's Japanese website for new morsels of Wii Balance Board-related info.

As far as we can tell, Tetris Party's Wii Balance Board-only mode takes the form of the traditional Tetris marathon (carry on as long as you can without the play area being suffocated by blocks), as well as the option to rack up as high a score as you can within three minutes, and a Vs Computer option.

Leaning back and forth will force the Tetris blocks to trickle down faster; leaning left and right will shift the pieces from side to side, and we think that shifting your feet in some way will twist the blocks by 90 degrees.

Tetris Party is scheduled for release on WiiWare in Japan in October, and will cost 1200 Wii Points. It'll arrive Stateside and in Europe around the same time - perhaps even earlier, if we're lucky.

9.18.2008

G1 Jockey Wii 2008 new screenshots

New screenshots of KOEI's G1 Jockey Wii 2008 have trotted in this week, ahead of its release later on this month in Europe. The horse-y sim sees players using the Balance Board to steer their faithful steed and leap hedge row fences.

Vertigo Wii first screenshots

Announced earlier on this week, here are the first screenshots of PlayLogic and Icon's first Wii Balance Board-supported project, Vertigo - a futuristic racer set for release in the fourth quarter of 2008 (expect it around Christmas time, we reckon):

Wii Fit Girlfriend on Tyra Show video

Miss the Wii Fit Girlfriend on the Tyra Show? Us too. Fear not, though, it's been uploaded onto YouTube. In a cruel (perhaps deserved) twist, Lauren Bernat gets her own back on the boyfriend that first filmed her Hula Hooping on Wii Fit in her undies and shared it with the whole world:

Imagine Fashion Party officially announced

First detailed as Imagine Fashion Party at the Leipzig Games Convention earlier on this year, Ubisoft has officially announced the title in continental Europe as Sophie's Friends: Fashion Show, a game that sees players using the Wii Balance Board to strut up and down the catwalk.

The gist of the title (aimed at little girls) is that they will be challenged to design clothes and make-up ideas, before a panel of professional judges scrutinizes their efforts.

It's all in aid of being the best young fashionista around, and although it looked like being delayed until next year (US date?), today's press release says that Imagine Fashion Party is still on for a November 2008 release (Europe only?). We'll have to wait and see.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #22

I'm back from Greece now, which should mean better (less rushed!) updates of the site... the first of which is today's Wii Music video offering. Say hello to the Wii Music cello.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.17.2008

Wii Fit Girlfriend stars on Tyra Banks Show

The Wii Fit Girlfriend was a YouTube phenomenon this summer; a scantily clad lady Hula Hooping her way to Internet stardom... and completely unaware of it at the time, too... apparently.

She's already bagged a stint on TRL, and now she's set to appear amongst a gaggle of others who have found noteriety on YouTube, as a guest on the Tyra Show. It's on today.

Actually, we think it's already been aired, but apparently you can catch it again tonight on Channel 20 (UPN or MNTV) at 1am. Definitely worth staying up for...

Big thanks to Sam for the tip!

Wii Fit sails towards 2 million sales in US

Hidden at the bottom of a press release to mark the airing of Nickelodeon's Wii Fit Family Challenge yesterday was this, a very impressive figure, indeed: Since it's release in North America in May, Nintendo's exer-gaming marvel has shifted a mighty 1.8 million copies.

If the continued shortage of stock hadn't been an issue, this number would no doubt have been higher. Nevertheless, that's a lot of Balance Boards in gamers' homes, and a lot of exciting new games to play on them.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #21

We're over a third of the way through Nintendo's marathon Wii Music video unveiling, today being the twenty-first out of some 60 instruments to show off in all. Your video treat for today? The harpsichord.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.16.2008

Nick's Wii Fit Family Challenge airs on Oct. 9th

Highlights of Nickelodeon's Wii Fit Family Challenge airs on Nick at Nite on the evening of October 9th. If you took part in the event and want to see if you can catch a glimpse of yourself on the goggle box, this is your fair warning.

Don't know what we're on about? Check out the trailer below.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #20

Uh oh. After the uproar over Nintendo's decision to include a 'dog barks' ínstrument'into Wii Music comes this - the twentieth daily Wii Music offering - the sound of a whooping cheerleader!

9.15.2008

G1 Jockey Wii 2008 launch trailer gallops into view

KOEI has today released the launch trailer for the Wii Balance Board-supported G1 Jockey Wii 2008, which will arrive in European stores on Looks like the same amazing trailer we laughed at a week or two ago, now translated from Japanese to English. That poor KOEI employee...

Vertigo Wii to support Wii Balance Board

Vertigo, a brand new game for the Nintendo Wii has been announced today and - you guessed it - it supports the Wii Balance Board.

You play as a Xorber, part one of the meanest racing corporations in the galaxy, and will race across 54 different landscapes in 9 varying worlds.

"Upgrade your Xorb, seek hidden shortcuts and collect power ups to help you survive, to become the fastest and most envied Xorber in the Universe!," shout its developers with glee.

Looks like you'll be doing a lot of frantic leaning in this on, across Arcade, Career, Practice and Time Trial modes, as well as in multiplayer.

There's no release date set at the moment, but we'll keep you posted.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #19

Time for your daily Wii Music update, courtesy of some lovely YouTube uploader. It's the Sitar.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.14.2008

Skate It Wii new trailer

In anticipation of the game's upcoming release, Electronic Arts has unveiled a brand new trailer for the Balance Board-supported Skate It.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #18

Today's daily dose of Wii Music goodness gets all blue-sy on us, with Nintendo showing off its Wii Remote saxaphone.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Wii Music box art surfaces

The official box art for Nintendo's Wii Music has now made its appearance on the Interweb (pictured), but unlike other Wii Balance Board-supported titles such as All Star Cheer Squad and Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, it does not give any indication that the Balance Board can be used...

...a shame, given that much praise has arisen for the game's virtual drum kit.

9.13.2008

Tetris Party WiiWare trailer debuts online

The debut trailer for Hudson Soft's Tetris Party has emerged on the Internet today. The WiiWare update of the classic puzzling franchise supports the Wii Balance Board - presumably seeing players shift their weight left and right to direct the tetrominoes as they fall. New information reveals that Tetris Party will hit Japanese Wiis this October and cost 1200 Wii Points ($12.00 USD).

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #17

Today's Wii Music instrument goes back to basics, and is the humble cowbell. Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

9.12.2008

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #16

Today's Wii Music Instrument of the day is the Electric Bass Guitar. Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Skate City Heroes Wii screenshots

Following the announcement yesterday that Skate City Heroes will make use of the Wii Balance Board, here are the first screenshots of the futuristic title:

9.11.2008

Skate City Heroes to support Wii Balance Board

Zoo Games has today confirmed that its upcoming Skate City Heroes for the Nintendo Wii will be compatible with the Wii Balance Board accessory, giving players the chance to ollie, grind, and trick their way to saving a friend captured in a futuristic metropolis.

There are no firm details on how the Wii Balance Board will be utilised, but if it's anything close to the ambition that Electronic Arts is showing with Skate it, we'll be very pleased indeed.

Looks like much of Skate City Heroes is also combat-focussed, with 6 playable charavters using a combination of attacks to fend off foes.

Skate City Heroes is due for release next month.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #15

Hello from Greece! Here's today's Wii Music Instrument - a demonstration of the title's drum kit. Unfortunately, this hotel PC won't let me view the video... so if it includes the Balance Board drum pedal-ling, then woop!

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip Wii Balance Board demo

Ubisoft made a big deal of Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip for the Nintendo Wii at the recent Leipzig Games Convention, and was particularly keen to show off its Wii Balance Board support. Here Revogamers films a stripey-socked lady taking the game for a spin:

9.10.2008

Balance Board Blog holiday time... again!

I'm off on holiday again today, for a week this time. Don't think I'm going to totally forget about Balance Board Blog while I'm sunning it up and relaxing in Greece, though.

As much as it will annoy the hell out of my travel companion, I'm going to become acquainted with the hotel's PC every day in order to check for news and post up what I can. It may only be the Wii Music Instruments update, but anything I do miss, I'll definitely catch up on when I get back.

...I'll probably do a bit of Wii Fit hunting too.

Don't miss me too much! =P

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #14

Following yesterday's somewhat controversial Wii Music Instrument, Nintendo has plumped for something a lot more familiar for the fourteenth Wii Music Instrument to be revealed - the classical guitar.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Wii Music should make all Nintendo fans proud

Whether you like it or not, Wii Music will be one of the biggest games of the year when it hits shops this holiday season, with millions of friends families jamming along (hopefully) in unison to a myriad of jolly tunes. And as supporters of the Nintendo cause, that is fantastic news to our ears. That said, it is somewhat baffling (although not surprising) to find out that many other avid followers of the company not sharing the same sentiment.

Click below to continue reading and find out why.

Balance Board Blog has been following Nintendo's daily unveiling of Wii Music instruments with interest over the past week or two (and will continue to do so until all 60 noise-makers have been revealed). Many of the videos have passed without incident, other than the odd 'wtf?' jibe from random YouTube contributors. But that all changed today with the upload of the thirteenth Wii Music 'instrument', which demonstrated the barking of a dog by shaking the Wii Remote. That one video seemed to be the catalyst for many an angry gamer to let rip about what they really thought of what they'd seen of the game. Check out the comments here.

There seems to be increasing resentment towards Nintendo and its business strategy over the past couple of years, and a perception that in juggling the needs of both core and casual audiences, it is latter that is being favoured, leaving core gamers feeling like the bitter, unloved older sibling in a growing family with a new arrival. This opinion prevails despite many of Nintendo's core franchises (Mario, Zelda, Metroid) already having appeared on Wii, and with the reassurance that new Super Mario, Zelda and Pikmin adventures are all in the works.

As well as resentment, there is also the impression that many hardcore Nintendo gamers are embarrassed by Nintendo's casual output, especially in relation to the types of games being manufactured for rival consoles. However, when you consider that Nintendo is making an absolute fortune off it all, and that Microsoft (and Sony to a lesser degree) are both desperately trying to ape Nintendo's efforts in the casual gaming sphere, perhaps it is a venture, as fans, to be proud of rather than to mock and treat with abhorrence. Would you rather see Nintendo wallowing in behind as it was with the Nintendo 64 and GameCube?

Wii Music, ironically one of the first games to be showcased for the console, marks the end of a series that have made the enjoyment of videogames accessible to more people than ever before. It might not be bloody and violent, feature brain-mangling combos or bald space marines, but from what we've seen of it so far it looks like being a lot of simple, wholesome fun, especially in the company of others. If you really don't like the idea of that, then the least you can do is respect Nintendo for its achievements thus far. The fact that it remains committed to providing experiences for the hardcore despite the probability that it probably won't make as much money from a Zelda or a Metroid as it will from a game that sees your granny miming along to the sound of a flute should be enough in itself, what with profits being central to its operation.

There is an unbelievable amount of elitism and pettiness within the videogaming community, and as core gamers ourselves, we for one are pleased that Nintendo has been brave enough to address these issues head on - welcoming new players with opens arms, ignoring the naysayers and, so far, proving them wrong every step of the way.

Roll on Wii Music.

Kororinpa 2 released in Europe in early 2009

Konami has today confirmed that its wrist-busting, Wii Balance Board-supporting, marble-rolling puzzler Kororinpa 2 will be released in Europe during the early months of 2009 (no word on a US release date just yet, however). To celebrate , it has treated us to a brand new selection of screenshots, which you can check out in the slideshow below:

9.09.2008

Wii Fit in stock? We're trying our best says Nintendo

In the past, Nintendo has responded to the sparseness of Wii Fit stock by telling us that the product is being plentifully supplied to stores, and that it continues to do its best to get the exer-game out there to everyone.

Those comments were mostly made to industry websites, where the average wii Fit buyer probably isn't going to see it. However, Target stores in the US are now displaying the following message from Nintendo, which once again outlines their effort to keep up with demand and, aw, thanks you for your continued support.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #13 - Dog!

The thirteenth Wii Music 'instrument' to be revealed is certainly the strangest of the lot so far. In fact, it's not an instrument as you might know it... it's um, the sound of a dog barking in different tones! There's even a doggy outfit for your Mii...

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Rayman Rabbids TV Party - Teen Choice Awards video

We actually meant to post this video a few days ago, but forgot... sorry! It shows IGN's brief coverage of the Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party action from the recent Teen Choice Awards. Cue lots of cynical celebrity endorsement...

Click here.

9.08.2008

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #12 - accordian

We're a fifth of the way through Wii Music's 60 instruments today. The twelfth to be revealed is the accordian.

Missed any Wii Music instruments so far? Check them all out here.

Biathlon 2009 Wii / Ski and Shoot screenshots

Get your wooly warmers on for these - the first screenshots of RTL Games and 49Games' Biathlon 2009 (or Ski and Shoot as you may know it) for the Nintendo Wii, which supports the Wii Balance Board in its skiing exploits:

Winter Sports 2009 Wii - first screenshots

We posted the first concrete details of the Wii Balance Board-supported Winter Sports 2009: The Next Challenge earlier on... and now here are the first screenshots:

Biathlon 2009 Wii / Ski and Shoot - new details emerge

The second title we've managed to hunt down new information on is another 49Games effort, RTL's Biathlon 2009 (otherwise known as Ski and Shoot). Although the third iteration in the franchise, this is the first to appear on the Nintendo Wii, and it includes full support for the Wii Balance Board and Wii Zapper.

We're promised 20 different courses to compete on (four brand new), and the chance to play as real-life biathlon stars through career and cup modes. 49Games is also working in a number of multiplayer modes, both 4-player and 2-player split screens.

Look out for the first full set of screenshots from Balance Board Blog very soon!

Winter Sports 2009 Wii - new details uncovered

Balance Board Blog has managed to track down brand new details on two of (thus far) little-known Wii Balance Board-supported games, beginning with RTL's Winter Sports 2009: The Next Challenge.

Expanding on last year's Nintendo Wii effort, developer 49Games is working in an expanded career mode, and 18 different disciplines spread across 10 different sports - including alpine skiing, bobsleigh, figure skating, curling, slalom snowboard half pipe and biathlon - the latter two brand new to the franchise.

Of course, it is promised that the Wii Balance Board will be supported in many of the events - and the Wii Zapper too.

Look out for the first screenshots from us very shortly!

Google Street View turned into Wii Fit jogging

Remember this clever guy who showed us how he'd used a Wii Balance Board hack to literally take a stroll through Google Street View? He's back again, and this time with something much more impressive - a Wii Fit-esque program that sees you jogging through virtual streets and tracking your progress via Google Maps.

9.07.2008

Rayman Rabbids merchandise invades schools

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party is undoubtedly a family-friendly game for the Nintendo Wii, so what better way to drum up pester power as Christmas approaches, but producing Rayman Rabbid-themed stationary that children will stare at all day in school? Looks like it's what Ubisoft's French arm are doing if this video from their site is anything to go by:

Wii Music Instruments List and Videos

Once a day Nintendo is demonstrating each of Wii Music's 60 or so instruments in video form. We'll be documenting them as they pop up, but if you've missed out, here is a complete list of all that have appeared so far. A link will also sit in the left-hand side bar, so you can find this list easily.

Just click each link to head to the relevant post and accompanying video:

Day 01: Marimba
Day 02: Folk Guitar
Day 03: Marching Drum

Day 04: Piano

Day 05: Violin

Day 06: Western Concert Flute

Day 07: Harp

Day 08: Electric Guitar

Day 09: Conga Drum

Day 10: Clarinet

Day 11: Taiko Drum

Day 12: Accordion

Day 13: Dog

Day 14: Ukulele

Day 15: Drum Kit

Day 16: Electric Bass Guitar

Day 17: Cowbell

Day 18: Saxophone

Day 19: Sitar

Day 20: Cheerleader

Day 21: Harpsichord

Day 22: Cello

Day 23: Harmonica

Day 24: Shamisen

Day 25: Timpani

Day 26: String Bass

Day 27: Trumpet

Day 28: Handbell

Day 29: Steel Drum

Day 30: Banjo

Day 31: Timbales

Day 32: Famicom

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #11

Your Wii Music instrument for this Sunday (the eleventh of the bunch) is the third drum we've seen so far - and it sounds like the type you'd hear if cannibals caught you and were about to roast you over their camp fire. Unfortunately for us, it's not the Balance Board-supported type we're all waiting for, but Nintendo Lady makes it entertaining all the same:

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party box art appears

A (rather small) image of the Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Nintendo Wii box art has appeared online today. And, like other Wii Balance Board-supported game developers before it, Ubisoft is keen to show off that their latest title sports the accessory.

Look closely and you'll see one of the maniacal Rabbids doing its thang on the Wii Balance Board in the background.

Wii Fit spoof: Wii Fit on Elm Street

Do you ever feel like your Wii Fit and Balance Board are taunting you to exercise more from the minute your session with it ends? If you feel like Nintendo's exergaming accessory is forever taunting you to play more, then you'll be able to relate to this parody of Nightmare on Elm Street.

We've seen some pretty awful Wii Fit spoofs in the past, but this is definitely the most professionally done, not to mention the funniest:

Skate It Wii Balance Board demonstration video

We're pretty confident that Skate It for the Nintendo Wii will now be released on November 17th and November 20th in the US and Europe respectively, and if you're looking forward to it as much as we are, then this video from developer Electronic Arts about how the Wii Balance Board will only help heighten your sense of excitement. Remember, just don't jump on it!:

9.06.2008

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #10 - clarinet

Call us sad, but as the unveiling of the tenth Wii Music instrument rolls around, we're beginning to look forward to the daily musical surprise. Today's is brought to you by the clarinet. Go Nintendo lady!:

Skate It Wii release date in Europe is November 20?

Skate It for the Nintendo Wii will be released on November 20 in Europe - that's according to an updated list of titles and their launch dates currently doing the rounds in Germany.

As regular readers of Balance Board Blog will know, Electronic Arts' Skate It sees perhaps the most ambitious implementation of the Wii Balance Board to date, allowing players to perform a variety of tricks, flips and jumps by shifting their weight to different 'zones' of the accessory.

There isn't official confirmation from EA yet, but these retailer lists are often correct - plus it backs up the previously rumoured date. =) Word has it that the US release date for Skate It is November 17.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Big Brother trailer

The series finale of Big Brother 9 was held tonight in the UK, and of course, the Rayman Raving Rabbids were there. Continuing their spoofs of many of this year's popular television events, this short trailer sees the manic creatures mocking Thai contestant Katreya, and her 'Cookie Love!' obsession:

It's all in aid of the release of Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party for the Nintendo Wii, which arrives later this year.

Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet - first screenshots

Here are the first screenshots of Rocket Company's Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet, a Wii Balance Board-supported boxercise title, promising to shape up your body and mind in equal measures:

Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet - new details

Following its long overdue announcement yesterday, new details have emerged of Rocket Company's Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy! Diet.

As we know, it sees players taking part in 28 different boxing exercises, perfected at the Kyohei Boxing gyms in Japan. The latest blurb reveals that you'll be swinging your arms in time to music in order to improve your metabolic rate, as well as help reduce any mental stress you may be suffering after a long day at the office.

Some of the events that feature (we're nabbing these from the first screenshots) include punch bag, sparring with mitts and a spot of shadow boxing. You'll be graded on your performances and be able to track your progress in terms of calories burnt.

With Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 and now this, it seems Wii Fit will finally have some competition soon.

9.05.2008

The Conduit to support Wii Balance Board?

In a recent chat with IGN, developer High Voltage Software explained that they are looking at implementing the Wii Balance Board into its ambitious-looking Nintendo Wii first-person shooter, The Conduit.

Eric Sofsinger, Chief Creative Officer for the game explained:

"We've had some interesting requests... even folks wanting us to support the Wii Fit and things like that. We're lookin' at it and saying 'does it make sense?'. And if there's things like that, and we go... it doesn't take away from the primary gameplay mode, it doesn’t take a colossal amount of effort, and it makes some segment of the core gamers happy, we'll explore it."

He then goes on joke about the Wii Balance Board being used in a Sprint function in the game, adding, "you're able to run 30 per cent faster with the Wii Fit."

So, far from a confirmation, but definitely hope that something could happen. We'll keep you posted.

Wii Music 'Today's Musical Instrument' #9 - congo drums

It's time for number 9 in Nintendo's Wii Music instrument unveiling, and today's noise-maker is the congo drums (thanks anonymous commenter!) - more or less a pair of stand-up bongos with a little cymbal attached. Lovely stuff:

The 'hilarious' Wii Fat t-shirt

'Wii Fat' was hardly the most original jibe that Wii Fit ever had squared at it. But hey, if you find it's your kind of humour, you might fancy the wii Fit t-shirt, available at VideoGameTees. Says the blurb:

"Videogames and sport were never the best of friends. Gamers who think lifting a remote control or opening a box of donuts is exercise enough then help is finally at hand. Wii Fat will turn your obese bloat into a sweaty but still obese bloat and all from the comfort of your living room! Outdoors is overrated anyhow..."
It’ll set you back £16.00 GBP.

Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party figurines

Ubisoft's Rabbids have emerged as one of the most endearing new characters in recent years (perhaps even overshadowing Rayman, if his complete omission from TV Party is anything to go by).

And if you're a big fan, in a short time you'll be able to buy a little piece of them to keep in the form of the above figurines. They'll be available from Ubisoft's online shop in 'soon'.

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