Pink & Blue Wii Controllers This Sunday

Just in time for Valentine's day, Nintendo will introduce blue and pink Wii Remotes. The controllers will only be available bundled with Wii Motion Plus, which will be remain white.

They will retail for $49.99, which isn't a bad price if you need both a controller and the Motion Plus... and you like pink.

They are both available from Amazon at the following links:
Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus Bundle - Pink
Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus Bundle - Blue

Another Wii Shortage?

Because over three years isn't enough to get your act together to meet consumer demands.

Yes, apparently once again there is a shortage of Wiis to go around to everyone. Joystiq reports that despite a record breaking month for the Nintendo system, the Wii could of sold better if they had more on the shelves.

Nintendo says they see difficulty meeting demands in the short term.

That's the problem right there, if at any point over the last three years they had bothered to look long term rather than short, maybe they wouldn't be having this issue. Still, it's rather impressive that the Wii still dominates after over three years.

Simpsons References Wii

The Simpsons, still with its finger on the pulse of the latest trends after 20+ years, referenced Wii (or should I say Zii) being played by seniors last Sunday.

Actually, the episode overall wasn't bad, the whole Wii part is kind of "meh" however.

You can enjoy the episode, Wii elbow reference and all via Hulu:

Mario Galaxy 2 & Metroid in 2010 plus Vitality Sensor and Zelda News at E3

In a report to Japanese investors, Nintendo has confirmed that both Metroid: Other M and Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be out this year. Metroid will be out in the summer, nothing more specific other than "this year" was offered about Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Nintendo also promises to show off games for the Vitality Sensor (maybe WiiRelax?) and bring us more news about the new Zelda game for the Wii at this year's E3. If Zelda was released in 2010, it would be the first time Nintendo ever released a Mario, Metroid and Zelda game in the same year. But that seems unlikely to happen, since Nintendo is more likely to space out their big releases, they will need something for 2011 after all.

And perhaps most surprising, they announced the Wii has now become the company;'s best selling console of all time at 68 million units, passing the original Nintendo's 62 million. Also the DS has become their best selling handheld with 125 million units sold, passing Gameboy's 118 million.

I find that shocking. The original Nintendo was the system when I was younger. Everybody I knew had one. There was no competition like today, where we have three systems sharing shelf space. And Gameboy  debuted in 1989, and had an unprecedented life span of 11 years, before it was finally replaced by the Gameboy Advance. The DS has managed to overtake that in less than 6 years. Amazing.  

Wii Classic Controller To Be Sold Separately

It has been confirmed that the Wii Classic Controller will be sold separately. Beginning this April you will be able to walk into your favorite video game retailer and pick on up for $19.99.

As previously reported, the Wii Classic Controller Pro will also be bundled with Monster Hunter 3.

The Classic Controller Pro is a lot like the regular Classic Controller, with slight variation on button and control stick location and extra grips. Plus the wire has been moved from the bottom of the controller to the top, which in my opinion, is worth $20 alone.

Classic Controller Pro Headed To USA

Just as in Japan, the Classic Controller Pro will be bundled with Monster Hunter 3.

The main differences between the pro version and classic version of the classic is the Z buttons are now located behind the L and R buttons, the control sticks are now slightly further apart and added grips. Oh, and they finally have the wire coming from the top of the controller rather than the bottom.

All of these features are supposed to make the controller more comfortable to hold while playing Virtual Console games like Ocarina of Time or newer games like Super Smash Bros. and, of course, Monster Hunters 3. As of now, it is not known if the controller will be available by itself or only bundled with Monster Hunters 3.

Monster Hunter 3 was a huge deal when it was released in Japan, selling over a million copies in its first week there. It also helped spike Wii sales when a bundle featuring the game, the classic controller pro and a black Wii. The controller that will be bundled in America will also be black. The bundle is expected to sell for $59.99.

Wii Get's Discounted Game Line In Japan

For the first time on the Wii, Nintendo has introduced a line of discounted games. Like the Player's Choice Line here in the US that has graced past systems like the Game Cube, this series will contain games discounted and rebranded to make them easier for people to pick up.

However there are major differences between the two lines. This new one will be called "Everyone's Recommendation" and will only contain games that have been highly rated by users of the Nintendo Channel on the Wii. Unlike the Player Choice series, it will not be games that necessarily sold well, but it'll be ones that were loved by other players out there.

Games to get the initial treatment in Japan include: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World and We Ski and Snowboard.

These games will retail for 2.500 yen, or about $30 American.

I think its cool that Nintendo is trying to get more people to play good games that they may have overlooked the first time around, but I honestly can say I don't have the slightest interest in any of these titles.

Super Mario Bros Wii Outsells Galaxy

Is Super Mario Bros. Wii better than Super Mario Galaxy?

Not in my opinion, but that doesn't much matter, because it has sold better. The old fashioned 2D platformer has officially bettered its 3D counterpart.

Super Mario Galaxy, which included vast three demential worlds and unique gravity controls, generally received better reviews than Super Mario Bros. Wii. Many felt that Mario Bros. was basically just a slightly upgraded version of the DS version.

But never mind the critics, this is the Wii we're talking about, a system where games like Chicken Shoot sells well, quality isn't always an issue.


Actually both are great games, but I really feel that Galaxy was a much better game. I just hope this doesn't discourage Nintendo from making big beautiful games like Galaxy in the future rather than just taking the cheaper way out.


A sequel to Super Mario Galaxy is due as soon as this year.

Luigi's Mansion Receives New Trademark

Nintendo has refilled their trademark for Luigi's Mansion. Why has Nintendo done this? Nobody knows. But plenty of people are guessing.

Could it mean a new Luigi's Mansion game for the Wii (or DS for that matter)?

Could it be that Luigi's Mansion is going to be a new entry in the New Play Control series, a group of Gamecube games Nintendo rereleased on the Wii with motion controls slapped on?

Is there some guy named Luigi who bought a big house and Nintendo isa worried that'll share a similar name with the game?

Or is Nintendo just keeping old trademarks in order and the refiling it means little more than a ghost vacuum with a dead battery?

Wii Play Becomes Best Selling Title Ever (Kind of)

WiiPlay, the often ridiculed minigame collection for the Wii, has become the best selling console game of all time by selling over 11 million units. Or at least the best selling since 1995, which is when the NPD started measuring sales.

Of course the reason WiiPlay sold well isn't because of the game itself, but because it came bundled with an extra Wii Remote, making it a no-brainer addition to any Wii purchase. Why buy a Wii Remote by itself for $40 when you can but WiiPlay with a remote for $50 (or in some cases as low as $45).

Thanks to Nintendo's trickery of calling the package a game instead of an accessory that just happens to be called a game it now tops the all times sales chart. Also from the Wii making the list is WiiFit and Mario Kart Wii. There are also many other games on the list that are available on the Wii swell as other platforms. Here's the complete top ten:

01. Wii Play (Wii) 
02. Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock (PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
03. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2, Xbox)
04. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
05. Wii Fit (Wii) 
06. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) 
07. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3, Xbox 360, DS)
08. Madden NFL 07 (PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, PSP, DS, GC, GBA, Wii)
09. Call Of Duty: World at War (PS3, Xbox 360, DS, Wii)
10. Namco Museum (DC, GBA, PS2, GC, Xbox, PSP, N64, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP, PS, Xbox 360)

Muscle March Makes US Debut

The game that almost certainly will traumatize a generation has made it to US shores.

Muscle March, perhaps the most controversial thing to come out of Japan since its attack on Pearl Harbor, made its debut on WiiWare today.

The game is about a group of bodybuilders, and a bear for some reason, who get their protein shake stolen. Its up to you to chase after the thief by changing positions to fit through holes in walls while you chase them. Availablefor a mere 500 Wiipoints ($5.00).

Video: Reggie Says Wii Owners Don't Want HD

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime went on CNBC earlier to talk about Netflix and the Wii. When asked about Netflix's lack of HD availability on the Wii Reggie commented on how Wii owners don't want HD.

While I'll agree I rather have a fun game than a pretty one, there's nothing wrong with having both.

Wii Has Record Month

December 2009 was one great month for the Wii. Nintendo managed to move 3.81 million units of the console. That's not only a 4 percent increase over December 2008, but also an increase of any month ever for the system. In fact, it's a record for any console ever.

Many inside analysts were convoked 2010 would be the year Nintendo in unveil the so called "Wii HD," an enhanced graphic version of the current Wii, but when the current Wii continues to sell like crazy, why would Nintendo bother?

Nintendo Wii also had the three top selling games of the month, Super Mario Bros. Wii, WiiFit Plus and Wii Sports Resort, selling a collective 7 million copies, The number four game, Call of Duty: Modern Combat, sold only 2.75 million copies for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3 combined.

One thing to note however is, despite all the Wii sales, little of it is from third party, or Non-Nintendo, publishers. Meaning that nobody other than Nintendo seems to know how to make a successful game for the Wii.

Nintendo Trademarks WiiRelax

Nintendo has trademarked the name "WiiRelax" which many are assuming will have something to do with the Vitality Sensor that was announced last year at E3.

Little has been said at this point about the Vitality Sensor at this point, besides the picture all we know is it measures your pulse and shares the data with your Wii.

This whole vitality sensor reminds me of that stupid peripheral that came with Tetris64 for the Nintendo 64. It also measured your pulse and adjusted the game speed. That came out 1998, 12 years ago.

WiiRelax is seems like such a dumb concept to me. Do you just sit there on your couch, wired to your Wii, trying to relax? Hopefully Nintendo proves me wrong.

Netflix On Wii Confirmed

For those of you without a Playstion 3, XBox 360, Roku box or certain blu-ray players, your wait is over (almost). Netflix will be coming this Spring to your Wii.

Confirming rumors started late last week, Netflix and Nintendo have confirmed you will be able to stream Netflix's "Watch Instantly" programing to your TV. Like the Playstion 3, Netflix streaming on Wii will require a special disc for your Wii which you will be able to acquire from Netflix free of charge. Certainly not as convenient to the 360's set up, but it'll get the job done. Also of course, unlike the PS3 and 360, programs will only be available in standard definition due to the Wii's lack of HD support.

As I said last time, Netflix's streaming service is great, and I'm glad for once the Wii isn't being left out.

No More Friend Codes?

Its possible.

According to online rumors, mostly stemming from IGN.com editor Craig Harris, friend codes can soon be a thing of the past. At least the way we know them now.

According to Harris there would be one universal code for each person, most likely your system code.

This makes sense to me. Once you are friends with someone, why can't that carry overt every game you own? Is their really ever a situation where you would want to play Mario Kart online with someone but not The Conduit? 

Its a great start, but Nintendo has a long way to go before catching up with rivals Microsoft and Sony in the Online universe. 

Wii Cemetery Grows

Already reported was the death of Metriod Prime Trilogy, now three more games have joined that list:

• Wario Land: Shake It
• Mario Strikers: Charged
• Battalion Wars 2

All three games were somewhat well received by critics but apparently not by consumers. Currently both Battalion Wars 2 and Wario Land: Shake It! are still available new on Amazon, but Mario Strikers is not.

I never bought or played Wario Land despite wanting to. I just haven't got around to it, and now I might not have much time to do so. I guess that makes me part of the problem.

Retailers Reject MiniGame Compilations

Well, apparently retailers have had enough of Wii's endless collection of crappy games made quickly by third parties (i.e. shovelware).

Online rumors state that some retailers have been telling manufacturings to not even bother trying to get their minigame compilations on their shelves anymore.

The Wii, since becoming the leading console in units sold, has quickly become target for this cheaply made games.

While this good news for ignorant consumers who just buy anything they see on store shelves without reading reviews first, this might hurts Nintendo's own profits. Of course maybe if better quality is associated with Wii games they will sell more Wii games, but maybe I'm just being silly.

Metroid Prime Trilogy D.O.A.

If you haven't picked up a copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy yet, you better run to the store and do so now. According to online reports, after just four months into release and a half of a million copies sold Nintendo has pulled the plug on production of the game.

Metroid Prime Trilogy brought together all three perviously released games in the series. They were all critically acclaimed all well received. The first two were originally released on the GameCube and were updated for the Wii with improved controls and widescreen display.

I'm not really sure what to say to this. It's sad that despite the huge instal vase for the Wii, that this game didn't sell better. I actually picked up this game myself for only $30 new from Target last month.

Netflix Coming To Wii (Maybe)

Well, the 360 has it, Playstion 3 has it, so why not Nintendo?

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings was quoted as saying the chances are "excellent" that Netflix streaming on demand would be coming to the Wii.

Netflix on 360 and PS3 allows subscribers of the DVD-by-mail service to watch selected titles on demand via their game console on their TV.

I love Netflix on demand, as it's one of the few reasons I keep my XBox live membership active.  I am currently rewatching the first 5 seasons of Lost via the service to be extra prepared for the new season starting next month.