Topics

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Latest News / Mario Hoops 3-on-3 released in USA

« on: September 11, 2006, 12:54:29 PM »

Mario Hoops 3-on-3 swishes onto store shelves across the USA today. Developed by Square Enix for the Nintendo DS, Mario Hoops is Mario's first basketball game.

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Latest News / Mario Strikers Charged announced

« on: August 23, 2006, 01:50:19 PM »

Mario Strikers Charged for Wii was officially announced and playable today at the Games Convention 2006 in Leipzig, Germany. IGN has gameplay footage of this sequel to the GameCube's Super Mario Strikers.

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Latest News / XXIV annual Golden Joystick Awards final nominees

« on: August 06, 2006, 01:20:23 AM »

Of the 17 categories in this year's Golden Joystick Awards, something from the Mario series appears in nine of them. Mario Kart DS, which has a whopping six nominations, is joined by New Super Mario Bros. in the Ultimate Game of 2006 category. In addition to NSMB's three nominations and Super Princess Peach's two, Mario himself is up for the Favourite Character Award. Here are all of the Mario-related games in the running:

Girls Choice Award: Mario Kart DS, Super Princess Peach
Handheld Game of the Year: Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo Game of the Year: Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros.
Nuts All-Nighter Award: Mario Kart DS
One to Watch 2007: Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Online Game of the Year: Mario Kart DS
The Sun's Family Game Award: Super Princess Peach
Ultimate Game of 2006: Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros.

Voting is open to everyone at GoldenJoystick.com. The award ceremony will take place on October 27th in London, and will be webcast live on ComputerAndVideoGames.com.

Link: Golden Joystick Awards

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Latest News / NGamer magazine DVD content

« on: July 27, 2006, 01:56:23 AM »

NGamer magazine launches in the UK today, replacing the long-running NGC Magazine. In the first issue, NGamer goes Mario-crazy with a DVD chock-full of Mario goodness, which includes some of our Super Mario Galaxy E3 footage!

Link: Future Publishing

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Latest News / Yoshi's Island 2 USA date

« on: July 25, 2006, 09:42:26 AM »

Nintendo of America announced release dates for its fall lineup today, slating Yoshi's Island 2 for November 13. YI2, the long-awaited sequel to Yoshi's Island, was unveiled at this year's E3.

Source: NOA

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Latest News / ACWW special Mario items

« on: July 21, 2006, 01:50:45 PM »

Animal Crossing: Wild World owners in the US can pick up six exclusive Mario-themed items at all Toys "R" Us stores nationwide. Available at the Nintendo DS Download Stations from July 23rd through July 29th, the 1-up mushroom, star, fire bar, goal flag, question box, and pipe are perfect for the Mario fan in your virtual town.

Source: NOA

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Site Discussion / Talkback: Mailbag 10 Jul 2006

« on: July 10, 2006, 10:01:12 PM »

The mailbag makes a quick return with 100% less sound. Post your comments here!

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Latest News / E3 2006: Super Paper Mario

« on: May 09, 2006, 02:40:55 PM »

Super Paper Mario™
Format: Nintendo GameCube™
Launch Date: Q4 2006
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: 2-D/3-D Sidescrolling Platformer with Role-Playing Elements
Players: 1
Developer: Intelligent Systems
KEY INFORMATION
The newest chapter of the Paper Mario story isn’t just out of this world … it’s out of this dimension.
• What at first glance appears to be a 2-D sidescroller ripped straight from the pages of the Paper Mario universe soon turns into a 3-D action-adventure that defies all video game logic. Fusing 2-D and 3-D perspectives, not to mention RPG and platformer elements, the game slips back and forth between dimensions. The action sprawls across eight worlds filled with traps, puzzles, bizarre mysteries and items that often draw themselves out of thin air.
• Oh, and just because Mario’s in the title doesn’t mean he’s the only star – players also get to play as Peach and Bowser.

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Latest News / E3 2006: Yoshi's Island 2

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:47:32 PM »

Yoshi’s Island™ 2 (temporary name)
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: Q4 2006
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Platformer
Accessories: TBA
Players: TBA
Developer: Nintendo
KEY INFORMATION
• Return to the colorful wilds of Yoshi’s Island in a new platforming adventure for Nintendo DS.
• Saddle up for adventure. This time, Baby Mario™, Baby Donkey Kong® and Baby Peach are along for the ride – and each one gives Yoshi™ access to unique powers while they cling to his back.
• Thanks to the power of Nintendo DS, all of the lush vistas and perilous paths of Yoshi’s Island span two screens.

Game storyline: A mysterious floating island has suddenly appeared over peaceful Yoshi’s Island. Soon after its arrival, a gaggle of kids vanishes from the island school. Thankfully, Baby Mario, Baby Peach and Baby Donkey Kong manage to avoid being kidnapped. Now, Yoshi and the three young superstars must set out on a wild and colorful quest to rescue the kids and investigate the ominous island hovering overhead.

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Latest News / E3 2006: WarioWare: Smooth Moves

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:46:57 PM »

WarioWare™: Smooth Moves
Format: Wii™
Launch Date: TBA
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Mass Microgames
Players: 1+ (TBD)
Developer: Nintendo
KEY INFORMATION
The WarioWare team took an idea so wacky, it could only be made with the latest technology ... the Wii Remote.
• WarioWare is back with a whole new set of moves. When Wario™ stumbles upon a strange device called a Form Baton, he and his friends use it to learn new moves that are as fun as they are wacky. With hundreds of microgames, this game is just as wild as you’d expect from the name WarioWare, but the game play has been revolutionized. Under Wario’s tutelage, and with the help of the Wii Remote, players will swing, spin and squat their way to victory.
• With about 200 lightning-quick microgames and controls that range from scribbling to flailing, WarioWare: Smooth Moves takes interactive gaming to a whole new level. All players need is a Wii Remote and their best moves to be the champ.
• With games that are as much fun to play as they are to WATCH people play, WarioWare: Smooth Moves brings the party to its feet. It’s hilarious for players and audiences alike.

Game storyline: Wario and his pals learn fun, wacky moves after discovering a strange book and a mystical device called the Form Baton.

Characters: Familiar characters from the WarioWare universe will return to this installment and some new ones will appear.
How to progress through the game: Players must clear fast-paced sets of microgames, changing the way they hold the Wii Remote each time. As they do, they’ll unlock more microgames and souvenirs.

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Latest News / E3 2006: Super Mario Galaxy

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:46:07 PM »

Super Mario Galaxy (temporary name)
Format: Wii
Launch Date: TBA
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Action Platformer
Accessories: Wii Remote and Nunchuk Controller
Players: 1-2
Developer: Nintendo
KEY INFORMATION
The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step - out into space. Join Mario as he ushers in a new era of video games, defying gravity across all the planets in the galaxy.
-- Shake, tilt and point! Mario takes advantage of all the unique aspects of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, unleashing new moves as players shake the controller and even point at and drag items with the pointer.
-- Mario essentially defined the 3-D platforming genre with Super Mario 64, and this game proves once again that he is king. Players perform mind-bending, low-gravity jumps across wild alien terrain as they experience platforming for a new generation.

Game storyline: When some creature escapes into space with Princess Peach, Mario gives chase, exploring bizarre planets all across the galaxy.

Characters: Mario, Peach and enemies new and old.

How to progress through the game: Players run, jump and battle enemies as they explore all the planets in the galaxy. Since this game makes full use of all the features of the Wii Remote, players have to do all kinds of things to succeed: pressing buttons, swinging the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, and even pointing at and dragging things with the pointer.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Since he's in space, Mario can perform mind-bending jumps unlike anything he's done before. He'll also have a wealth of new moves that are all based around tilting, pointing and shaking the Wii Remote.

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Latest News / E3 2006: New Super Mario Bros.

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:45:13 PM »

New Super Mario Bros.®
Format: Nintendo DS
Launch Date: May 15, 2006
ESRB: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Game Type: Action Platformer
Players: 1-4
Developer: Nintendo
Unique Features: DS Download Play
KEY INFORMATION
Twenty years after Nintendo’s biggest franchise was born, the Mario Bros.® return in a dazzling, all-new platformer sure to set players’ fingers twitching. Fans from Mario’s classic days will see their dreams answered in this return to the Mushroom Kingdom, while a new generation of Mario™ players will learn what true platforming greatness means.
• Jump, bounce and power-up through visually stunning side-scrolling worlds filled with Mushroom Kingdom madness. Mushrooms make Mario ultra-tiny or ultra-huge, and new items like the Blue Shell (which transforms Mario into a spinning shell that wipes out enemies) will keep players on their toes.
• The worlds are swarming with classic enemies like Goombas and Koopas, but watch out for new foes, big bosses and unbelievable challenges.
• As Mario and Luigi, two players can battle for stars on specially designed levels over local wireless. The game won’t end until one bro. reigns supreme.

Game Storyline: Bowser and Bowser Jr. have kidnapped Princess Peach again, and only Mario can save her.

Characters: Mario, Luigi, a ton of Mushroom Kingdom enemies, both new and old, Peach, Bowser and Bowser Jr.

How to progress through the game: Run, jump and battle enemies through multiple levels in each world. Every time players finish one world, they can move onto the next, but each level features impediments in the forms of fortresses, Hammer Bros. and bosses. After defeating the boss of each world, players can move on to the next, culminating in the final fight in the last world.

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Latest News / E3 2006: Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:44:29 PM »

Mario vs. Donkey Kong™ 2: March of the Minis
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: Sept. 25, 2006
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Action Puzzle
Players: TBA
Developer: Nintendo Software Technology Corp.
KEY INFORMATION
• In the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong™, Mario™ was trying to find all the Mini Marios ... but this time, it’s up to them to save the day. Players use the stylus and the touch screen to guide Mini Marios through mind-boggling, obstacle-filled levels.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 allows players to create their own maps with a new level editor. Once a map is created, players can send it across the world via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection. Players also can use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to download maps created by others, check out a player-ranking system and access special bonuses. These unique features are sure to be a smash hit with puzzle fans everywhere.
• Pauline returns! Pauline appeared in the original Donkey Kong® as the woman that Mario was attempting to rescue, and was one of the first recognizable characters created by Nintendo. After a decades-long hiatus, Pauline is finally returning to the world of video games in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2. Pauline is the object of Donkey Kong’s misplaced affections, so players must rescue her all over again.

Game storyline: It seems folks love those Mini Mario toys. So much so that the Mario Toy Company has expanded the line to include Mini Donkey Kong, Mini Toad and Mini Peach figures to the series. With all these toys bringing him more money than he knows what to do with, Mario decides to fulfill his lifelong dream and open a theme park called Super Mini Mario World.
The opening-day crowd includes Pauline and Donkey Kong, who immediately falls head over heels for the lovely lass. The proud ape tries to show off his Mini DK toy to Pauline, but she picks the Mini Mario toy over his and the jealous Donkey Kong becomes enraged.

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Latest News / E3 2006: Mario Hoops 3-on-3

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:43:34 PM »

Mario™ Hoops 3-on-3
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: Sept. 11, 2006
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Sports
Accessories: Nintendo DS Rumble Pak™
Players: 1-4
Developer: Square Enix
KEY INFORMATION
It’s a whole new ball game as Mario™ rocks the rim on the Nintendo DS.
• Get that magic touch. There are plenty of basketball games out there, but none with the hands-on control of Mario Hoops 3-on-3. Players use the touch screen to get their game on as they execute tricky dribbles, special passes and sweet shots – all with strokes and taps of the stylus.
• Players choose their teams of three characters from the Mario universe and hit the parquet. Power-ups like Red Shells and Bob-ombs can turn the tide as they chase down coins – they will affect the score, so players collect as many as they can as they drive to the hoop.
• Whether playing against friends on a local wireless connection, jamming through a tournament or just playing mini-games, there’s a mode for everyone.

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Latest News / E3 2006: DK King of Swing DS

« on: May 09, 2006, 01:42:59 PM »

DK™: King of Swing DS (temporary name)
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: TBA
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Action
Players: 1-4 via DS Download Play over DS Local Area Network
Developer: Paon
KEY INFORMATION
Get back into the swing of things as Donkey Kong® goes vertical.
• King K. Rool™ is up to no good again, and it’s up to Donkey Kong to swing into action. Using the same simple control scheme that made the DK™: King of Swing Game Boy® Advance SP game so accessible and fun to play, players of all skill levels can swing and climb to new heights made possible by the dual screens of Nintendo DS.
• Not only does Adventure mode feature Diddy Kong® as a sub-character, but players can look forward to new moves, new items and a bunch of mini-games sure to make them go bananas. Not only that, but fun tutorials that ease new players into the game also can be accessed as mini-game challenges.
• If players are more in the mood to rumble, they can take on up to three pals in fun multiplayer challenges using DS Download Play and the DS Local Area Network. They can pick from Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong™ or Funky Kong™, and let the monkey business begin.