On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Netflix on Wii no longer requires a disc

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Nintendo, Wii,

Netlix Wii Discless

While it's not the awesome upgrade that PS3 Netflix received, Wii owners can now stream movies directly to the console without having to get our of their chairs and find that red disc. Just head into the Wii Shop channel and download the free Netflix channel, put in your account credentials, and you'll be ready to roll. It still isn't HD by any means, but hey, it's discless.

Gallery: Netflix on Wii no longer requires a disc


Advertisement

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 review

Description

 

It’s been so long since we’ve played a Sonic game worth our time, and Sonic The Hedgehog 4 has been a long time coming for Sega and Sonic fans alike. During the 90s Sonic was unstoppable. Even Mario had trouble keeping up as the blue blur dominated sales and conquered the hearts of reviewers everywhere. However, the jump to 3D proved to be Sonic’s awkward teenage years. Sure, it started off alright with the Sonic Adventure series, but even those lacked the special feeling of the 2D games. Sonic’s love affair with the press and fans came to a screeching halt. The hedgehog’s career was in desperate need of a bubble shield or invincibility power-up. So, after years of churning out lackluster Sonic after lackluster Sonic, Sega finally went back to the drawing board and came up with a solution - Sonic The Hedgehog 4. It's available for the iPhone and iPod touch, , Wii Virtual Console, and PS3. Is this the comeback we’ve been waiting all these years for? Read on to find out.

Click to continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 review

Gallery: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 review


Redbox testing out video game rentals

Description

While they originally started testing out a video game rental service in August of 2009 at select Redbox kiosks, the DVD rental giant is seeking to take their video game options nationwide this week. Added markets include those in the West, Midwest, and Atlantic Coast. A look at Redbox's website shows a large offering of video games on the Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2 and Nintendo DS. One rental will cost $2 per day. This may seem like a bit much, considering I remember a time when I could rent a game for a week from Blockbuster for just five dollars. Perhaps a set weekly rate would help their cause much more. Would you rent video games from Redbox for $2 per day? Or would you prefer they have a set weekly rate instead?

Read More | Redbox

Gallery: Redbox testing out video game rentals


New Zelda: Skyward Sword screens

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Action, Nintendo, Screenshots, Wii,

Zelda 1

Nintendo released some new Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword screen shots showcasing a more desaturated look. And that gigantic Wiimote on the screen has to go. More after the jump.

Click to continue reading New Zelda: Skyward Sword screens

Gallery: New Zelda: Skyward Sword screens


Wii Fit Used to Rehabilitate College Football Players

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Casual, Nintendo, Wii,

Wii Fit RehabIn an effort to change the negative stigma associated with rehabilitation, many universities are opting for a more playful approach in their physical therapy routines. To this end, the Fit is employed as a “frame of reference” for college athletes. The athletes replicate a series of yoga positions, repeating each stance twice, once with their eyes closed. The next test involves shifting their weight to get on-screen marbles to fall into their respective holes. These balance scores are recorded, and in the event an athlete is injured they will serve as “base scores” for an athlete to replicate before being deemed fully recovered.

The director of research at the Ohio State Sports Concussion Program, Tamerah Hunt, had this to say:

“The athletes love it because what we’ve done is we’ve incorporated this fun game that they’re playing at home into their rehab system. But they’re also enjoying it at a time when they’re injured or at a time when their spirits are down, and they have to come into the athletic training room every day and they have to get all this treatment ... and it’s kind of a reaction of, ‘Oh, this is fun.’ ”

And who ever said all video games did is hurt people?

Read More | The Washington Post

Gallery: Wii Fit Used to Rehabilitate College Football Players


Nintendo Wii is the Fastest Selling Console of All Time

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Hardware, Nintendo, Wii,

Black Wii

proudly announced yesterday that their Wii console has earned its place in history as the fastest selling home console ever to grace the market with an amazing 30 million units sold. This should come as no surprise as the Wii has dominated both the immensely popular Xbox 360 and PS3 almost every single month since its release. Thanks are primarily due to the casual aura surrounding the Wii, promising accessibility to both children and adults.

The Nintendo Wii’s influence can even be seen in the recent motion technology developments that both Sony and Microsoft are unleashing on retail later this year. With Wii’s innovation, there would be no or Playstation Move. It seems that Sony and Microsoft want to ride this cash cow all the way to the bank in similar fashion to the way filmmakers are riding the 3D wave.

Also, the top ten best selling Wii games were announced, and the list comes with a bit of a surprise. Topping out at the tenth best selling game is the beloved Legend of Zelda hero, Link, in the form of Link’s Crossbow Training, instead of his own full length game, Twilight Princess. Either way, congratulations are in order for Nintendo. Perhaps a round of Mario Party? Full game list after the break.

Click to continue reading Nintendo Wii is the Fastest Selling Console of All Time

Gallery: Nintendo Wii is the Fastest Selling Console of All Time


Sonic Colors Trailer Shows Off Sonic’s New Moves

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Nintendo, Platformers, SEGA, Trailers, Wii,

Sonic Colors logo

The last 3D Sonic game, entitled Sonic Unleashed was a fairly experimental romp in the blue hedgehog’s universe. While the Sonic levels moved at blistering speeds with perspective transitioning from full 3D to side scrolling, the were-hog sections screeched the pace of the game to an alarming halt. Levels could take as long as 20 minutes when using the were-hog, and its slow pace just didn’t seem fitting for a Sonic game. However, between releasing a new 2D Sonic this fall, and now ‘Colors’, it seems SEGA is finally listening to its loyal fans.

With Sonic Colors, SEGA chooses to ditch the bogged down were-hog levels, while beefing up the Sonic-only single player run through. The lightning fast speed and switch to 2D perspectives are back again in this new chapter, as are a few new moves for our spiky haired protagonist to dispose enemies with. These new abilities are acquired by freeing ‘Wisps’. Wisps are creatures that look similar to the Chaos from the Adventure series. Different color Wisps lend various abilities to Sonic. For instance, the yellow Wisps provide Sonic with an all new drill ability that allows Sonic to tunnel through sand finding hidden items and new areas to explore. Another cool ability shown in the new trailer is the cyan laser skill, obtained from the cyan Wisp, of course. This allows Sonic to move at an uncontrollable laser speed, wreaking havoc on Eggman’s robotic creations.

The new trailer depicts these new abilities, and shows Sonic in rare form for a 3D adventure. Let’s hope that the blue blur is back, and won’t fall prey to annoying gimmicks or crappy level design. Look for Sonic Colors to hit stores November 12, 2010. Oh, lets try to do something about that theme song, SEGA! Catch the trailer after the break.

Click to continue reading Sonic Colors Trailer Shows Off Sonic’s New Moves

Gallery: Sonic Colors Trailer Shows Off Sonic’s New Moves


Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Preview

spider-man shattered dimensions previewSpider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is Activision’s way of trying to please fans of Spidey all across the spectrum. This game is more like four games in one, as you fight through different universes each with their own take on the Spider-Man character. Noir Spider-Man, for example, is a 1930s version of the webbed head crusader. When you play in this universe you will notice the lighting is very dark à la film noir, and the game play is centered around stealth rather than action. The Amazing Spider-Man universe flips this on its ear and chooses full frontal action as its main source of game play. As amazing Spidey you will encounter waves of baddies looking to get their skulls crushed by the non-stop assault of fists and webs you will throw at them. No creeping around in the shadows here. Ultimate Spider Man finds Peter Parker donning a black suit in a cell shaded visual style. Here your suit is your main means of offence against the waves of baddies. With the black suit you will smack, slap, and spike your way to victory. While 2099 Spider-Man takes the universe to the future, where Spidey aerially duels with robotics and other variety of baddies in amazing futuristic cities.

Whether Activision can pull off this four narrative adventure to please the hardcore and mainstream fans of Spidey while making a great game is yet to be seen. Look for this to hit stores September 7, 2010. If you pre-order it on Amazon you’ll get a concept art book and unlock the Iron Spider-Man costume as a bonus.

Gallery: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Preview


DJ Hero 2 trailer: Two turntables and a microphone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Activision, E3, Music, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360,

We were big fans of the original DJ Hero, so you can bet that we’re really excited about DJ Hero 2 and all the enhancements that come with the title. Launching this fall, DJ Hero 2 aims to be more social than the original by focusing on multiplayer aspects. Obviously, in the trailer, you’ve got three people playing together—two of them using turntable controllers, and the third singing into the mic. As far as artists features in the game, you can expect names like Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and over 85 others.

Another complaint about the original DJ Hero was that you kind of had to stick to the script. A big part of DJing is freestyling your way to creating your own sound. In DJ Hero 2, that’s fixed as well, with over 70 tracks available for you to do your will with. We will hear more about the title at E3 next week, and seriously, fall can’t come soon enough.

Gallery: DJ Hero 2 trailer: Two turntables and a microphone


Black Wii available May 9 for $199 with Wii Sports Resort, MotionPlus

Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Accessories, Nintendo, Wii,

Black Wii

Getting tired of your standard-issue white console?  Well then fret no more, your prayers have been answered. Today, Nintendo announced the release of its new Black Wii, a console that will come packaged with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and the control-enhancing Wii MotionPlus accessory.  Both the new black edition, available stateside May 9th, and all subsequent white consoles will still sell for $199, and both models will come with the aforementioned games and accessories included.  If I were you, I would go for the black one—white Wii consoles just scream “I’m stuck in 2007! Want to spend $4 a gallon on gas with me?”

You can order the Black Wii on Amazon now.

Read More | Black Wii

Gallery: Black Wii available May 9 for $199 with Wii Sports Resort, MotionPlus


Advertisement

{solspace:toolbar}