Nintendo Announce New Titles, Other Rumors

Ian_Bailey writes "In official announcements, Nintendo has confirmed a number of new games, including a sequel to Wario Ware Inc. for the GameCube and a new Donkey Kong game developed by Namco. Furthermore, Nintendo indicated that a 'new game product' will be unveiled in Spring 2004, which could be their N5 next-gen console. Finally, after the IGN PS2 rumor reports, they have now had a look at the 10 Biggest Rumors on GameCube, including Metroid Prime 2, Too Human, and a realistic-looking Zelda."

Comments

Wario Ware..

[magsymp]

I just call it crack for short.

Could Be...

[GTRacer]

...Nintendo indicated that a 'new game product' will be unveiled in Spring 2004...

Yes Yes Yes! Maybe this will be the new GameBoy Advance Ultra, with quality backlit screen, comfortable controls, PSP-beating graphics, backwards compatibility...

Of course, this model's "optional" component will be the battery pack.

GTRacer
- PSP will 0wNz0r GBA!

Re:Could Be...

[SuperRob]

Which would make it just like all the other handhelds that required the user to purchase batteries. Just like the original GBA.

What a silly thing to say ...

Wario Ware on GCN?

[the_riaa]

Wario Ware was great on GBA because of it's ability to have short, but fun sessions. I could sit down and play for 5 minutes if I wanted, and then quickly jet to somewhere else. With most home console games, you sit around and play for what, a couple of hours? I at least hope that if Wario Ware gets ported to the Cube, that it a) has a whole lot more minigames/unlockables/more old NES themed ones (my favorites) b) can command and hold your attention for more than half an hour or so and c) has good multiplayer support. The GBA version was a suprise to most of us, but damn, it was great.

Oh, and if Donkey Kong Racing is the game on the horizon by Namco, I'm all for it. If they can duplicate the fun that was Diddy Kong Racing on the N64, I'd be a happy person. The Cube currently is lacking in racing titles (XG3 the only good one), but with F-Zero, Mario Kart, XGRA, and possibly DKR, the cube could have an amazingl lineup in the genre.

Re:Wario Ware on GCN?

[analog_line]

I imagine there will be mini-games galore in a Wario Ware for GCN. it will probably be to Mario Party as Wario World is to Mario Sunshine.

Re:Wario Ware on GCN?

[kmak]

I second that Wario Inc opinion. It's one of the more innovative game out for GBA..

I haven't been a big fan of the GBA.. ever since getting one, the games are kind of dry.. maybe I've grown, but ya..

I hope Namco maintains the style of racing for Donkey Kong racing that was for N64, when it was developed by Rare, I don't know, but Ridge Racer V for N64 wasn't too good... and Mario Kart is right around the corner...

I guess only time will tell... Nintendo can't afford to lose any more ground..

Re:Wario Ware on GCN?

[Allison Geode]

I've been playing warioware with the game boy player.. its a great game, and the fun only increases with more players. we take turns, see who can last the longest in the main game.... and it has some excelent multiplayer, too. the multiplayer games are meant for two players holding onto the left and right side of a game boy... in practice, this isn't so hot... however, the GB player makes all GCN controller ports work the same... so the way we do it: the person with the wavebird uses the left trigger, the person with the corded uses the right.... it can sort of be on the honor system that we don't touch the OTHER player's trigger.. but we hold the controllers one-handed, so its not a huge deal. Dong Dong is our definite favorite. we've litterally spent hours trying to push the yellow things onto each other, cracking up laughing the whole time.

Re:Wario Ware on GCN?

[aliens]

There's a game called Dong Dong? Heh, the insanity that is nintendo.

If the Cube dropped $50 and still came with a free game that would be a no brainer!!! They'd sell a crap load of them.

GBA expension

[Anonymous Coward]

Recently there have been rumors about some sort of SuperFX chip for the GBA to give it more capabilities like 3d and friends, I suspect this is the thing that will be launched next year.

Re:GBA expension

[edwdig]

I doubt it for two reasons:

1) When SNES games sold for $50/each, the extra cost of the SuperFX chip was high enough that it only ended up being used in a few games, only one of which was a 3rd party game. GBA games are only $30-$35 each, so there's less room to make money.

2) It wouldn't generate much interest. If that's all it was, they wouldn't hint at it 6 months in advance like this. If a new chip to put in GBA cartridges in the announcement, a lot of people will be disappointed because they would've expected something better.

Re:GBA expension

[Squidlor]

The SuperFX chip will most definitely show up on the GBA, but most expect that it will debut by the end of the year.

Re:GBA expension

[aweraw]

1) When SNES games sold for $50/each, the extra cost of the SuperFX chip was high enough that it only ended up being used in a few games, only one of which was a 3rd party game. GBA games are only $30-$35 each, so there's less room to make money.

It's also very old technology, and wouldn't be anywhere near as expensive as it was back in the days when StarFox first hit the shelves...

Re:GBA expension

[ChibiLZ]

Wasn't there an article a couple years back analyzing the SuperFX chip, showing how it actually hurt performance overall due to it's unoptimized nature? I do think the idea was cool though, and would be great in GBA games if they can make it tiny and not power hungry.

I hope it's the GameMan

[Anonymous Coward]

I was OK playing with my GameBoy back in 1988, but now I think it's time that we all mature a bit and play GameMan. :-)

Re:I hope it's the GameMan

[Chris Mattern]

What, and get sued by Sony?

"Your Honor, this is a transparent attempt to cash in on the brandname recognition built up by the Walkman and the Discman..."

Chris Mattern

Not the GameCube successor

[Ondo]

At Yahoo! news they quote Iwata as saying "We are preparing a new product which will be surprising and unique". I don't think the next console would qualify.

Re:Not the GameCube successor

[kmak]

I hope it's surprising and unique and _good_.. the last thing I remember that was surprising and unique.. well, turned out to be really _red_.. (virtual boy)

speculation

[mausmalone]

Something new & revolutionary? Well, considering the multitude of GBA expansions, it's probably not one of those. I think it'll be some sort of prehipheral for the GCN, maybe some game where you need special input (like DDR).

Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[Samir Gupta]

Our team spent dozens of man-years researching and laying the technological groundwork for this product in absolute secrecy, and working with other hardware and software R&D teams to see it to fruition.

From the horse's mouth, trust me, you'll be blown away -- not to mention our competitors as well. ;-)

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[Gr33nNight]

I hate you.

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[JesusHelper]

So, this new handheld system, will it have a backlit screen or what? ;)

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[skermit]

If you really work at Nintendo, post up a picture of your business card, along with a phone number we'd be able to call and get an operator to referr us to you. If not, go away.

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[Anonymous Coward]

I bet it's Samir Gupta's ass. They spent a lot of time working on your ass didn't they? What kind of hardware did they use on your ass? I bet your PhD is in getting your ass worked, isn't it?

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[unclethursday]

Rating his post as a troll is a bit much, I think.

Samir Gupta has a history of claiming to work at Nintendo, and previously to that, Sega. Yet, his claims of doing so are quite unproven.

Check Gupta's posting history here on /. Hell, check his Usenent history, which has the same claims.

Gupta works at Nintendo about as much as I really am the richest man in the world.

Thursdae

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[skermit]

Thanks, good thing some other knowledgeable ./'er modded me back up. I'm really curious why someone would find that they need the attention badly enough to propogate a sham 9 years in the making now...

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[moroderzone]

Samir Gupta, you are my hero! I have you in my slashdot friends list, so I can keep up with your lastest comments. Do you have a blog, or personal website that we can read more?

Re:Yes, you'll be quite surprised

[Snowspinner]

Largely because good chunks of his posts (Most notably smell-o-vision) are absolutely hilarious.

I think he's less a troll than a rather warped little performance artist. I personally prefer to mod him +1 Funny.

VR

[PaleZer0]

Weren't there rumors that Ninty was making a VR let device using those Kodak screens? Could this be it? If it is, it seems late in the cube life cycle. Maybe its a new system that has vr. :):) ::Pale goes and plays his Virtual Boy::

I've been looking at picking up a GameCube

[Sheetrock]

Has this platform had any decent non-action RPGs released for it, or have any been announced? There are already enough action games for it that I'm interested in that would justify my purchase, but my favorite genre is still RPG -- less so because of the general lack of originality in the console RPGs, perhaps, but maybe they've come up with something decent for the Nintendo?

Re:I've been looking at picking up a GameCube

[CashCarSTAR]

Evolution Worlds is a fun beginner level RPG.

However, I think what you're looking for is Skies of Arcadia Legends. That is a very good deep RPG that I think you are looking for. The ship-to-ship battles are especially fun.

Realistic looking zelda?

[Morgahastu]

I think that would be saved for the next gen system from nintendo, not on the gamecube.

Nintendo usually sticks with a style for a few games and the latest look for the zelda game is phenomenal and got an awesome response, they'll surely keep using this engine for atleast one more game.

Traditional RPGs on the Cube

[Ian_Bailey]

I assume you're talking about Traditional RPGs, with random battles and menu-based attack sequences (typically with summons). Sadly, there are only a few options available.

Firstly, the easiest to get a hold of is Skies of Arcadia. With a few twists on the traditional battle system, and a thoroughly satisfying environment (airships, plenty to explore and do, lots of bosses, sometimes too many random battles), this is one of the few options available. Another, much more mediocre game is Evolution Worlds.

In the upcoming months, Japan will see Tales of Symphonia and Baten Kaitos, both of which look promising. Whether either of these will be released in North America remains to be determined, though.

On the other hand, if you really need an RPG + Gamecube fix, I highly recommend getting a GameBoy Player for your GameCube (free with purchase!) and pick up one of the dozens of great RPGs out for GameBoy Advance. The Golden Sun series is one of the best franchises in a long time, and Mega Man Battle Network has also gotten good reviews as well. These games will espeially appeal to you if you're one of those old-schoolers who misses the days of the SNES.

Tales of Symphonia

[Ian_Bailey]

Just an additonal note, this game is confirmed to be released in Q2 2004 (April-June). This game has an anime-influenced art style with other common elements of the 'Tales' series.

Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[Mean_Nishka]

Let's face it - people don't like great games.. I think what we have here is now that games are at crticial mass, most non-geeks want stupid, pick-up-and-play titles.. Nintendo games (the good ones anyway) have always focused on depth, gameplay, and story. Something that just doesn't jive with most of the market.

I'm 26. I remember back when I was a kid, video games were mostly the domain of the 'geeks.' Any gamer (even at the casual level most are at today) was really not a mainstream non-geek person! :). Looking at the market for sports titles, and the unbelievable sales volume for the PS2, it's obvious that most game players are not geeks. And it's for that reason why PS2 and Xbox are ahead.

I have an Xbox and like it.. But most games for it are generic crap with just a few notable exceptions. When I really want to sit down and play something, my Gamecube is always winning out.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Nintendo is going to settle into a very comfortable niche in the market. Just like Apple, they will appeal to a certain market segment that will eat up every title thrown at them. I don't know why everyone is beating up on Nintendo for producing quality that nobody else seems to be able to match.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[scot4875]

I don't know why everyone is beating up on Nintendo for producing quality that nobody else seems to be able to match.

Easy -- if you trash Nintendo, you 'justify' your support of whatever other console you've got. The psychology of fanboy-ism is pretty simple.

All I do is try to point out all the good games I've got for the 'Cube, and encourage other people to pick them up. If they don't, oh well. That's not going to stop me from enjoying 'em. Of course, at the same time, it'd be great to see an awesome title like Eternal Darkness get sales like that bore-fest Splinter Cell.

--Jeremy

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[aliens]

very comfortable niche

That is not going to keep a console afloat. You have to have more than just a niche. You have to be a player or you get no titles. Will a developer make a game for the unit with the niche 500,000 units or the the console with 6million?

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[PaleZer0]

But you don't understand. What he is saying is the niche nintendo is in, they don't NEED support. Their first party titles are the reason people (like me) buy the system. Its not like they have to compete to get themselves to develope for it.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[TechnoPope]

Nintendo is going to settle into a very comfortable niche in the market. Just like Apple, they will appeal to a certain market segment that will eat up every title thrown at them.

This could prove to be a problem for Nintendo. Mainly because of profit margins. Apple survives because, while their sales are not as high as their competitors, their profit margins are greater. The profit margins on consoles are generally very slim, if they are positive at all. In the console margin, shooting for high profit margins is generally not going to work. Partially because of what people are willing to pay for a system. People will spend thousands on a computer because it will do more than play games. Consoles on the other hand do not have that luxury.

The other thing you have to remember is that gamers (even the hardcore) are often not as loyal as the typical Apple fan. It can generally be assumed that a gamer will have loyalty to a company for the lifespan of the current system. After that, it's really a crap-shoot as to what they will want. Case in point is Sega. The Genesis was incredibly popular with lots of fans, but fast forward to the Saturn (let's not talk about the 32x); you couldn't give them away. It takes more than good games and a loyal fan base to survive in the modern console industry.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, you have no idea what you're saying.

Neo-Geo.

TIA.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[aweraw]

I'd estimate that at least 80% of all games sold for GCN are either 1st or 2nd party titles... they're the reason why people like myself bought a gamecube... since they directly profit from every 1st/2nd party game sold, this niche can easily keep them afloat...

to hell with the flood of 3rd party crap that owners of other consoles have to wade through to find a decent game... once again, I'll take quality over quantity any day...

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[burns210]

one word: gameboy...

The gameboy is the best selling game console in history, if i remember right. Nintendo makes zillions on that thing, and even with the PSP coming and other portable gaming systems, nintendo has a huge fan base, huge list of games(thousands!) a decade of experience, and namebrand recognition.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[Mean_Nishka]

NeoGeo cost $800 if I remember correctly, with games in the $200 range. Not a fair comparison.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[indead]

So? Nintendo made $95 million last quarter, in profit. They are doing fine even if they aren't Sony-sized.

Re:Nintendo's Market Will Always Be Small

[Mean_Nishka]

Let's hope they can maintain that market. Remember that Nintendo OWNED the console market for most of the eighties and early 90's. When Sega beat them to the bunch with the Genesis, they were forced later split the 32-bit marketplace, and then ran a distant second to Sony the following generation.

I think we're on the verge of a major handheld revolution here.. If Nintendo could cram the Gamecube into a handheld form factor it would literally save the platform and open up a new market for them. But as Nintendo found with the NES, no market is ever secure.

Skies of Arcadia, Look No Further.

[Painaxl]

Skies of Arcadia is not only one of my favorite RPGs, but one of my favorite games of all time. It's not an action-RPG, but it still takes quite a few spins on a genre that's getting a little stale:

-The discovery element is a great system (the map is only revealed as you discover it and you're also encouraged to search for landmarks and receive fame and money from the Adventurer's Guild).
-The ship-to-ship battles, although a little redundant late in the game, are very fun.
-The "Sky Pirates" theme is just flat out awesome. It takes a story that otherwise would seem cliched and gives it a real identity.

Pure fun, top to bottom. Gotta go whip out my DC and play it again!

Game and Watch SP

[Mike Hawk]

I think the revolutionary new product will be the Game and Watch SP. Exactly the same as the original Game and Watch, except now it doesn't take replaceable batteries. The SP version will also include a hinge that is designed specifically to go bad and artificially shorten the life of your Game and Watch.

Or maybe its the Virtual Boy SP. Just like the original, but its backlit and comes in a variety of colors. The shoulder buttons have also moved from the controller to the back of the visor. You also have to choose between plugging it into the wall or listening to the sound.

All you fanboys don't forget to upgrade your G&W and Virtual Boys to the SP models immediately.

Re:Game and Watch SP

[Anonymous Coward]

go to hell you brainless troll

Re:Game and Watch SP

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, because some AC got his feelings hurt and called me a troll, that makes me a troll? Forget that. Just because the truth hurts doesn't make it the truth. That post is funny to anyone who isnt emotionally invested in Nintendo, and NOONE should be emotionally invested in Nintendo. They are a corporation.

Re:Game and Watch SP

[PaleZer0]

What you don't understand is how nice of a product MOST people think the gameboy SP is, thats why when you word something like that you make YOURSELF sound like the fanboy.

Re:Game and Watch SP

[Anonymous Coward]

Who is dissing the GBA SP? The post is a joke. You people really have too much of your heart in this. I have a GBA, but I'm not emotionally invested in it. I guess if you love Nintendo and only Nintendo, your sense of humor goes away.

Re:Game and Watch SP

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess if you post to slashdot, and only troll, you should be sodomized by Iranian guerillas

What the secret project will be.

[CashCarSTAR]

It was already on /. for crying out loud!

What it will be, is a sort of WiFi networking option for your GC. It will either work thorugh game imputs, to make any game multiplayer over a wide period, or with specific games.

A not-so hot idea if you live in the boondocks, but if you live in the middle of a college campus or the like, this could easily be the next big thing if it catches on.

If they include a voice chat system, frankly all bets are off.

Wario Ware w00t!!!

[AlexMax2742]

Yay for Wario Ware. That game was what made me buy a GBA. I still play it, a month after purchase. It's the proof that Nintendo still has that 'Nintendo magic' for creating innovative games.