Topics

136

Latest News / New Super Mario Bros 2. - two new Coin Rush levels available for purchase

« on: October 26, 2012, 02:26:35 PM »

Two new New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush levels became available for purchase shortly after the Nintendo Direct presentation this week: "Gold Mushroom Pack" "Coin Challenge Pack B."  Each is available for $2.50 (or as a set for $5), and "Coin Challenge Pack B" also supports a high score table on the NSMB2 web site.   Visit the shop section of Coin Rush mode to purchase these levels.

137

Game Blog / Mariothon 2012 for Starlight Foundation - Oct 25-28 in the U.K!

« on: October 24, 2012, 12:24:26 AM »

Another band of dedicated gamers is holding a Mario marathon to raise money to charity.  This time, the charity in question is the Starlight Children's Foundation and the folks involved will be playing games and taking donations from October 25th to October 28th.  Visit their website, donate, and try out some of the interactive features of their Mariothon.  Suggest games to play, and you might win something yourself!

Mariothon.org's marathon begins October 25th at 15:00 BST (that's 7 A.M. PST on the 25th for my fellow Americans) and runs until the 28th.  For more information, visit Mariothon.org.

Links: Mariothon.org
Starlight Children's Foundation

138

Game Blog / Mario Tennis Open (3DS) - $17.99 on GameFly with Free Shipping

« on: October 23, 2012, 09:23:33 PM »

Mario Tennis Open is currently on sale for $17.99 over at GameFly.com.  GameFly used games generally have their boxes and manuals stored away before the games are shipped for rentals, which means their used games are generally in very, very good condition.  The Club Nintendo codes are even unused!  The game comes with free shipping, as well.

I've ordered several used games from Gamefly, and they've always arrived in nearly perfect condition -- some looking brand new!

If you're interested, you might want to get a copy soon - this appears to be a sale price.

Link: GameFly.com - Mario Tennis Open

139

Game Blog / Emily Rogers - "Why Yoshi's Island Should be Studied at Game Design Schools"

« on: October 23, 2012, 07:11:50 PM »

Emily Rogers of NotEnoughShaders.com recently wrote an excellent article all about Yoshi's Island.  The article discusses the game's development, its unique style, the critical reception (past and present), and uses these to argue that the game should be "required reading" for all new game designers.

Overall, it is an excellent article and reading it made me think of Yoshi's Island in a slightly different way.

Go take a look, everyone!

Link: Emily Rogers - "Why “Yoshi’s Island” should be studied at game design schools"

140

Game Blog / Mario and Zelda Characters to Appear in Wii U Scribblenauts

« on: October 17, 2012, 08:41:19 PM »

It seems that the Wii U version of the upcoming Scribblenauts Unlimited will include characters from both the Mario and Zelda series.  Promotional artwork shows Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi hanging out with Scribblenauts protagonist Maxwell as well as with a few other Nintendo friends (Link, Zelda, Epona and a Goron.)  Sadly, it appears that the Nintendo characters can't be modified in any way, unlike nearly everything else in the game.

More details to come later, we assume.



Source: WB Interactive Press Release

141

Game Blog / New Notes: Mochtroid127 Volumes 6 - 10!

« on: October 17, 2012, 12:38:33 AM »

WTMK is pleased to present more game remixes and covers for your listening pleasure: Mochtroid127's Volumes 6 - 10 of video game metal!   James "Turner" Hall ("Mochtroid127") has been releasing these for a bit now, and we're glad to present them to you.  Each album consists of several metal remixes and covers of game music, including many Mario and Donkey Kong tracks.

Volume 6 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "How to Play" (SSBM), "Menu" (Diddy Kong Racing), "Treetop Tumble" (DKC3), "Monkey Smash" (DK64), "Fever" (Dr. Mario), and "Bowser's Road" (SM64.)

Volume 7 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Title" (DKC), "Adventure Map" (SSBB), "Minigame Medley" (Mario Party 8), "Life in the Mines" (DKC), "Bowser Battle" (M&L: Partners in Time),  "King K. Rool's Theme / Hideout Helm" (DK64), and "Disc Channel / Introduction" (Mario Strikers Charged.)

Volume 8 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Title, Menu, Raceway" (MK64), "Angry Aztec" (DK64), "Airship Fortress" (Mario Kart DS), "All-Star Intro" (SSBM), "Professor E. Gadd's Room, Dark Rooms" (Luigi's Mansion), "Castle" (SMW2: Yoshi's Island), and "Fear Factory" (DKC.)

Volume 9 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Ancient Lake" (Diddy Kong Racing), "Overworld"  (SMW), "Mushroom Bridge"  (MKDD), "Lost World Anthem"  (DKC2), "Cosmos of Illusion, Battlerock Galaxy"  (SMG), and "Metal Battle"  (SSBM.)

Volume 10 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Stickerbrush Symphony" (DKC2), "Bowser Castle" (SMK), "Peach Beach" (MKDD), "Chaos!, Boss Battle" (M&L: Partners in Time), "Forest Frenzy" (DKC), and "Final Destination, Ending" (SSBM.)

Listen to these tracks on WTMK or buy them on Amazon or iTunes.

Special thanks to Mochtroid127 for providing TMK with copies of his albums!

Links: Mochtroid127's Youtube Channel
Mochtroid127's website

142

Game Blog / CVG Interview with David Wise

« on: October 16, 2012, 02:27:16 PM »

Computer and Video Games, a British magazine and website, recently published a special interview with David Wise, composer of Donkey Kong Country.  Some interesting facts include:

Among other items of interest, it appears that the famous "Jungle" theme was actually three different themes that were patched together at the suggestion of Rare's co-president Tim Stamper.
"Stickerbrush Symphony" from Donkey Kong Country 2 almost didn't make it into the game, as it was originally composed as an underwater piece and the game wasn't designed with underwater segments.

Go read the article for far more information about Wise's work, past and present!

Source: Computer and Video Games: "Like: The Music of Rare's David Wise"

143

Game Blog / New Notes: Donkey Kong Country by The Greatest Bits

« on: October 10, 2012, 04:13:56 PM »

We're proud to present another new album spinning on WTMK -- Donkey Kong Country by The Greatest Bits.  This album twists up the Donkey Kong Country music you know and love into a dance/hip hop/chip tune smoothie.  The tracks all sound updated but retain that certain 90s Euro feel!

"They have been restyled into SNES remixes and Wii remixes that are retro and modern at the same time . . . A lot of the lead melodies of the game have been ‘vintagized’; they have been performed with 8-bit style soundchips. On the other hand the songs have been remixed in styles of current dance beats and hip-hop grooves." -- The Greatest Bits

Highlights include:

"Aquatic Ambiance" -- electronic blips and bleeps backed with deeper beats and synth notes.

"Simian Segue" -- chiptune enhanced!

Thirteen tracks covering the entirety of the Donkey Kong Country music experience.

Tune in to WTMK to listen for yourself, or grab a copy off Amazon or  iTunes.

Special thanks to The Greatest Bits for sending TMK a copy of the album!

Links: The Greatest Bits website
Amazon: Donkey Kong Country
iTunes: Donkey Kong Country

144

Game Blog / New Notes: Mochtroid127 Volumes 1 - 5!

« on: October 08, 2012, 03:46:59 AM »

WTMK is pleased to present more game remixes and covers for your listening pleasure: Mochtroid127's Volumes 1 - 5 of video game metal!   James "Turner" Hall ("Mochtroid127") has been releasing these for a bit now, and we're glad to present them to you.  Each album consists of several metal remixes and covers of game music, including many Mario and Donkey Kong tracks.

Volume 1 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Bowser's Theme" (SM64), "Fungi Forest" (DK64), and "Menu" (SSBM).

Volume 2 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Aquatic Ambiance" (DKC), "Toad's Turnpike" (MK64),  "Break the Targets" (SSBM), "Dire, Dire Docks" (SM64), and "DK Island Swing" (DKC).

Volume 3 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Character Select" (SSB), "Hot Head Bop" (DKC2), "Dimble Woods" (M&L: Bowser's Inside Story), "Main Menu" (DK64), "Bowser's Castle" (MK64), "Gang Plank Galleon" (DKC), "Menu" (SSBB), and "Introduction" (Mario Superstar Baseball).

Volume 4 (Amazon MP3): Featuring a medley from Mario Power Tennis, "Story" (SMW2: Yoshi's Island), "Welcome to Crocodile Isle" (DKC2), "Bowser Castle" (MK:SC), "Bonus Game" (SSB), "Mine Cart Madness" (DKC), "Koopa Troopa Beach" (MK64), and "Slider" (SM64).

Volume 5 (Amazon MP3): Featuring "Bad Boss Boogie" (DKC), "Chocolate Island" (SMK), "Gritzy Desert" (M&L:Partners in Time), "Yoshi Desert" (MK:SC), "Airship, Boss Battle" (SMB3), "Krooks March" (DKC2), and "Opening" (SSB).

Listen to these tracks on WTMK or buy them on Amazon or iTunes.  More music will be coming soon, too!

Special thanks to Mochtroid127 for providing TMK with copies of his albums!

Links: Mochtroid127's Youtube Channel
Mochtroid127's website

145

Latest News / Donkey Kong: Original Edition coming to 3DS - free with select eShop purchases!

« on: October 02, 2012, 01:35:11 AM »

Donkey Kong: Original Edition, with all four stages, is finally getting released in North America!

As many of you know, the NES port of Donkey Kong only featured three of the four stages present in the original arcade version.  Donkey Kong: Original Edition is an enhanced version of the NES port featuring the previously missing Factory stage.

To get your free copy, simply purchase one of a select number of eShop digital titles and register it on the Club Nintendo site before January 6, 2013.  Eligible titles include: Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Style Savvy: Trend Setters, Crosswords Plus, Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, or Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask.

Note that you must buy the eShop digital copy of any one of the listed games to receive Donkey Kong: Original Edition.  Retail (cartridge) releases are not eligible for this bonus.

This special version of Donkey Kong was first released as a preinstalled title on the 2010 European Mario 25th Anniversary Wii set, and recently made available to Japanese 3DS owners with the eShop purchase of New Super Mario Bros. 2.  Pie jumping finally returns to North America!

Source: Club Nintendo

146

Game Blog / New Notes: VG Soundtrack Legacy

« on: October 02, 2012, 12:50:37 AM »

WTMK is pleased to present another exciting video game remix album: VG Soundtrack Legacy!  This 2010 digital release by Yoann Turpin ("Megalorganiste") is available on Amazon and iTunes and features 18 video game remix tracks -- including three tunes pulled from across the Mario series.

Super Mario Athletic R'n'Mix (Super Mario World)
Smooth jazz keyboards and electronic tones give the Athletic tune an almost "Sonic" feel.

Mario And The Delfino Sunshine (Super Mario Sunshine)
Delfino Plaza with a backing beat.

Super Mario Bros Crazy Reemix (Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3)
A funky take on the SMB Aboveground theme, leading into the Underground music and a bit of the Water theme. Next, a bit of SMB3's Athletic theme, the Yoshi's Island major Boss Theme, what might just be a very stylized bit of SM64's Endless Staircase theme, and finally bring it all to the classic SMB Aboveground theme.

VG Soundtrack Legacy's Mario tracks are currently playing on WTMK, and available for purchase on Amazon's MP3 Store or on iTunes.  Special thanks to Megalorganiste for providing TMK with a copy of his album!

Links:
VG Soundtrack Legacy on Amazon MP3 Store
VG Soundtrack Legacy on iTunes
Yoann Turpin ("Megalorganiste") Artist Website

147

Game Blog / New High Score Set on DK Jr. - 1,328,100 points by Mark Kiehl

« on: September 20, 2012, 11:37:51 AM »

Twin Galaxies confirmed a new high score on Donkey Kong Junior this week.  Mark Kiehl of Missouri scored 1,328,100 points on July 29, 2012, giving him the new world record for the game.

Sources: Twin Galaxies, PatrickScottPatterson.com

148

Game Blog / The Koopalings Aren't Bowser's Kids & Other Startling Revelations from Miyamoto

« on: September 20, 2012, 11:23:56 AM »

Game Informer magazine recently published an interview with Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, an interview in which several startling new revelations about the Mushroom World were revealed.  You may want to sit down before you read these.

* Currently, Bowser Jr. is Bowser's only child.  The Koopalings are no longer considered Bowser's children.

* Yoshi's Island is part of the core Mario series.

* Mario and Luigi have no last name.

* As Mario has always been a blue-collar worker, it's possible that his medical role in Dr. Mario was "maybe, in some way, not necessarily legitimate."

Pick up a copy of Game Informer for the full interview.

Source: Game Informer, October 2012.

149

Game Blog / Grant Kirkhope on the DK Rap

« on: September 20, 2012, 11:00:36 AM »

Grant Kirkhope was recently interviewed by Nintendo Nation about a variety of subjects.  Fortunately for all of us, the DK Rap was brought up.  It seems the idea came from George Andreas at Rare, with several Rare staff members contributing their voices and Kirkhope recording it all.  Kirkhope and the rest thought it was hilarious, but weren't expecting gamers to take it as "a serious attempt at writing some kind of really great rap song."  Kirkhope also mentions seeing a clip of a "a real credible [Japanese] rapper" doing a serious version of the song.

We can only hope that a clip of the serious, hard core DK Rap surfaces soon.

Source: Nintendo Nation

[more]

150

Game Blog / Mariothon, CO - Mario vs. Zelda (September 6-9)

« on: September 05, 2012, 03:32:47 AM »

Mariothon Colorado will be playing games and raising money to support OAR - the Organization for Autism Research. In April they raised over $1,500 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- this time they hope to beat their record by using three teams to tackle both the Mario and Zelda universes.

From September 6th through the 9th, watch them struggle against Goombas, Octorocks, Leevers, and Peahats too!  Help out your favorite team by donating and answering trivia questions.

Red versus green.  Three days.  Seventeen games.  Millions of coins and rupees, thousands of lives, and hundreds more Yoshis plummeting to their doom.

The battle begins at 5PM MDT on September 6th, 2012.

Link: Mariothon, CO