Nintendo has confirmed that its next generation console, the Wii, will be launched before the end of 2006. No specific date for Australia has been announced.
Nintendo used its pre-E3 press conference in Los Angeles this morning to showcase the capabilities and software for its upcoming games console. While specific release dates and pricing were kept under wraps, Nintendo did unveil further hardware details about the Wii. The Wii will feature an always-on connection to the Internet, allowing game updates and content to be downloaded even when the console is turned off. The Wii's unique controller will also feature a speaker which will be used to enhance gameplay.
Nintendo also displayed several titles under development for the Wii. On show were action game Red Steel from Ubisoft, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam from Activision, Hyper Sonic from Sega, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles from Square, Madden 07 from EA and more. Nintendo of America executive vice president of sales and marketing Reggie Fils-Aime said 27 Wii games would be playable on the E3 show floor.
But the biggest cheers from the 3000-strong crowd which packed Hollywood's Kodak Theatre for the Nintendo event were reserved for the Japanese giant's first party titles. Nintendo executives showcased in detail The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which was confirmed as a definite launch title for the Wii. The enthusiastic crowd also brought the house down with applause for the next Mario title, Mario Galaxy. In the short trailer shown for Mario Galaxy, the little Italian plumber was seen in space sporting brand new moves such as running upside down on large globes, hitting back projectiles at large enemies and much more.
Other first party titles included a truck racing game called Excite Truck, action game Project Hammer and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
In a tacit admission that the company faces a battle to convince gamers of the qualities of the Wii and its controller, Nintendo continually repeated the theme of "playing = believing" during its two-hour long press event. As such, most of the demos at the press conference highlighted how games would be controlled on the Wii.
In Zelda, the main remote-control-like controller was used to aim arrows directly at enemies. The sound of the bowstring and the "twang" of release were relayed using the speaker in the controller, while the sound of impact was relayed through the television's speakers. Twirling the "nunchuck" attachment to the main controller made Link in Zelda perform a spin manoeuvre, while flicking the main controller with the wrist made Link perform a shield shove.
Ubisoft actioner Red Steel was another demo highlight, with two of its developers demonstrating how sword fighting would be handled in the game. Gamers will need to block and attack using the controller and the "nunchuck" as virtual swords, slashing at thin air to perform sword swings within the game.
Wii Sports, another first party title from Nintendo, featured several sports-based minigames such as tennis, baseball and golf. In the tennis game, players will need to throw a virtual ball in the air and strike it for a serve and use the controller as a virtual racket. Turning the controller slightly while striking a ball placed spin on the ball, while striking from below performed a lob.
CNET.com.au will be at E3 all week covering the latest gaming developments, so be sure to keep checking our special E3 page for updates!
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MyWii.com.au
11/09/2006 12:45 PM
I think Wii will rise above the other consoles, it will really make a big difference in the console wars. http://www.mywii.com.au
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