Entertainment Electronics Blog

Here’s great news for Guitar Hero followers! The Wii version of Guitar Hero 5 will be able to stream music from a high-capacity SD card, eliminating the need for hard disk drive.

As IGN properly explains:

All the tricks used for both Guitar Hero and Rock Band in the past – leaving internal memory open- is gone. Instead, straight-up booting off the SD card is available, and that means easier downloads, larger expansions, and quicker loads when bringing in song data from the SDHC card into GH5.

And since Guitar Hero brings with it a vast array of different titles as part of their DLC, Activision says that a 32GB SDHC card can hold up to 800 songs. Even better it’s a clear sign that more downloadable content could be used to enhance other Nintendo titles, maybe even keep Wii owners playing the console.

Remember the hot new Wii Vitality Sensor that was announced back at E3? Nintendo president Saturo Iwata has confirmed that it will reach the market sometime in 2010, as he put it, “not too late in the year next year”.

As this new accessory was first revealed at E3, it has been met with a very harsh, possibly unfair reception. Now, Nintendo is getting a little defensive about their upcoming new game peripheral. Satoru Iwata discussed the device during a recent investor Q & A, and here’s what he had to say about it:

“What we are trying to propose first is a videogame with a theme of relaxation, which is completely opposite from traditional ones, to enrich the users’ lives. Especially among those who are constantly busy … I am sure you have experienced not being able to go to bed even when you are so tired after a busy day at work. What if you were able to visualise how to unwind and relax, or check the condition of your automatic nerve by simply inserting your finger in the device once a day?”

And Nintendo’s North American President Reggie Fils-Aime explained that the Vitality Sensor is just the latest in a chain of products that are first misunderstood and ridiculed, gaining acceptance after having a chance to prove themselves, like the DS, or the Wii, or the Balance Board.

Gamers could surely accept the DS and Wiimote concepts, as they could easily see how a touchscreen handheld or a console motion controller could be awesome. But they also have specific ideas in mind for the Vitality Sensor that, the Wii’s not a fun console any more but accelerating change to some kind of distinctly un-fun health device.

Anyway, the answer is getting clear soon. Then we will see if this new health device could be fun.

According to unnamed executives familiar with the situation, Netflix might be planning to bring its “Watch Instantly” feature to the Nintendo Wii and the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch via Wi-Fi.

Via the Xbox 360, LG Blu-ray players, TiVos, Sony Bravia HDTVs and many other devices, “Watch Instantly” allows Netflix subscribers to view any of thousands of movies in the Netflix library on their TVs.There are no physical discs; the videos stream via Web connection.

I would love for Netflix to come to the Wii. I already have it on my 360 in the living room and we have been contemplating getting a Netflix-ready device for the bedroom, but since the Wii is already in there that would be just perfect!

In an exclusive interview with Play, Tecmo Koei president Kenji Matsubara revealed that the Ninja Gaiden series could be adapted to work with Sony’s motion control technology sometime in the future.

“I’m very interested in the new motion-control technology announced at E3, but we really need to know how responsive it is,” said Matsubara. “I’m sure that for casual games these motion controls will be very popular, but for action games like Ninja Gaiden we need quick responses and if you’re swinging your arms around like you’re using a sword you will soon be tired.”

He makes motion tech sound like something he wants to work up to: “Maybe we have to change the playing style and check the technology to see how quick it can be,” he said. “So, at first it will be casual games and then maybe hardcore games and we have to prepare for that and provide the games to satisfy that playing style.”

Since Nintendo’s Wii games, Motion-control gaming is getting more and more popular. Videogame publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has even committed itself to releasing titles for both Sony’s and Microsoft’s recently demoed motion-controlled gaming peripherals. Though no juicy details of any Project Natal or Motion Control videogames has been revealed yet, it’s widely expected both peripherals will appear towards the end of next year. We’d have to keep our patience. And here’s a picture about PS3 SIXAXIS Wireless Controller, which adds motion control, and actually the controller can sense six different movements.

Up till Aug 3 the hot game Wii Sports Resort has sold half a million units at US retail, launching on July 26 (according to Nintendo’s internal figures).

wii sports resort jetski

“Through Monday we sold one copy of Wii Sports Resort roughly every 1.5 seconds continuously since it launched in the United States,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This tells us consumers were eagerly waiting to get their hands on these fun activities, and it’s a great start for a game that will have long-lasting appeal.”

Wii Sports Resort features 12 activities, each designed to make use of the bundled Wii MotionPlus accessory. To some degree, it’s a great success for this updated accessory, and it has also been well-received by players.

MotionPlus

Activision confirmed the release of a Modern Warfare game on Nintendo DS, titled “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized”. Developed by n-space, the game will hit DS to coincide with the release of Modern Warfare 2 on 10 November.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized will feature its own storyline and narrative, along with six-player online multiplayer that lets you host your own server. Additionally, Activision promises “an arsenal of cutting-edge weaponry, vehicles, tactics, arming players with precision controls for battle across the world’s most dangerous hotspots” through building-to-building combat.

Activision hasn’t provided details on how the game will function using the DS touch screen and stylus. But the November 10 is coming soon, just have your patience, or you can also dress up your DS for this new game!

Monster Hunter Tri has been out in Japan for some time now, and it gets a really good reception, with its day one shipments exceed 1 million units. Now Capcom has confirmed that Monster Hunter Tri will be making an appearance on the Wii in Europe and North America in early 2010.

Monster Hunter Tri will feature brand new underwater environments, two player split-screen co-op play as well as four player online co-op play. Capcom has full confidence that it will be another hit. But will it really works out? Most MH fans hope to play MH3 on PS3, never on Wii! Capcom needs to release it on multiple consoles otherwise they’re losing more and more fans as dedicated Monster Hunter players.

With only about a month to go, Activision has revealed the complete 85-song setlist appearing in their upcoming music game Guitar Hero 5, scheduled for release on September 1. Here’s the tracklist:

3 Doors Down – “Kryptonite”
A Perfect Circle – “Judith”
AFI – “Medicate”
Arctic Monkeys – “Brianstorm”
Attack! Attack! UK – “You And Me”
Band Of Horses – “Cigarettes, Wedding Bands”
Beastie Boys – “Gratitude”
Beck – “Gamma Ray”
Billy Idol – “Dancing With Myself”
Billy Squier – “Lonely Is The Night”
Blink-182 – “The Rock Show”
Blur – “Song 2″
Bob Dylan – “All Along The Watchtower”
Bon Jovi – “You Give Love A Bad Name”
Brand New – “Sowing Season (Yeah)”
The Bronx – “Six Days A Week”
Bush – “Comedown”
Children Of Bodom – “Done With Everything, Die For Nothing”
Coldplay – “In My Place”
Darker My Love – “Blue Day”
Darkest Hour – “Demon(s)”
David Bowie – “Fame”
Deep Purple – “Woman From Tokyo (’99 Remix)”
The Derek Trucks Band – “Younk Funk”
Dire Straits – “Sultans Of Swing”
The Duke Spirit – “Send A Little Love Token”
Duran Duran – “Hungry Like The Wolf”
Eagles Of Death Metal – “Wannabe In L.A.”
Elliott Smith – “L.A.”
Elton John – “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)”
Face To Face – “Disconnected”
Garbage – “Only Happy When It Rains”
Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
Gov’t Mule – “Streamline Woman”
Grand Funk Railroad – “We’re An American Band”
Iggy Pop – “Lust For Life (Live)”
Iron Maiden – “2 Minutes To Midnight”
Jeff Beck – “Scatterbrain (Live)”
Jimmy Eat World – “Bleed American”
John Mellencamp – “Hurts So Good”
Johnny Cash – “Ring Of Fire”
Kaiser Chiefs – “Never Miss A Beat”
The Killers – “All The Pretty Faces”
King Crimson – “21st Century Schizoid Man”
Kings Of Leon – “Sex On Fire”
Kiss – “Shout It Out Loud”
Love and Rockets – “Mirror People”
Megadeth – “Sweating Bullets”
Motley Crue – “Looks That Kill”
Muse – “Plug In Baby”
My Morning Jacket – “One Big Holiday”
Nirvana – “Lithium (Live)”
Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
No Doubt – “Ex-Girlfriend”
Peter Frampton – “Do You Feel Like We Do? (Live)”
The Police – “So Lonely”
Public Enemy Featuring Zakk Wylde – “Bring the Noise 20XX”
Queen & David Bowie – “Under Pressure”
Queens Of The Stone Age – “Make It Wit Chu”
The Raconteurs – “Steady As She Goes”
Rammstein – “Du Hast”
The Rolling Stones – “Sympathy For The Devil”
Rose Hill Drive – “Sneak Out”
Rush – “The Spirit Of Radio (Live)”
Santana – “No One To Depend On (Live)”
Scars On Broadway – “They Say”
Screaming Trees – “Nearly Lost You”
Smashing Pumpkins – “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”
Sonic Youth – “Incinerate”
Spacehog – “In The Meantime”
Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
Sublime – “What I Got”
Sunny Day Real Estate – “Seven”
T. Rex – “20th Century Boy”
The Sword – “Maiden, Mother & Crone”
Thin Lizzy – “Jailbreak”
Thrice – “Deadbolt”
Tom Petty – “Runnin’ Down A Dream”
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “American Girl”
TV On The Radio – “Wolf Like Me”
Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk”
Weezer – “Why Bother?”
The White Stripes – “Blue Orchid”
Wild Cherry – “Play That Funky Music”
Wolfmother – “Back Round”

So glad it’s over, and this upcoming game launchs on PS3, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360.

Michael Jackson was the “King of Pop”, and his songs have come through the world. And soon you’ll get the chance to sing with your beloved idol in your beloved Wii game. Recently, video game publisher Konami has announced that they will develop a version of “Karaoke Revolution” for Nintendo’s Wii featuring songs from the Jackson 5. The company said it has secured the rights to such titles as “I’ll Be There”, “ABC”, and “I Want You Back” for use in a “Revolution” update set for release this fall. It was with this band Michael Jackson scored his first number one hit by singing lead vocals on “I Want You Back”. At the time, Jackson was aged just 11.

“Revolution” with J5 features an expanded multiplayer mode to create karaoke parties with friends or develop a solo singing career. The songs will come from the Jacksons’ master recordings, and the title will have numerous custom options for the performance venues as well as the in-game characters.

So, prepare yourself a good set of karaoke microphone for this new game to sing with the “King of Pop”!

“Share with family and friends? Did Wiimote really say so?”

“Oh, yes, and we can see from these pictures below.

Wii Sports make every player so crazy for it that they even forget the surroundings and themselves. So, let’s share the happy burden with others. 

We all love Wii Sports, but there’s only one set of nunchuk and remote packed with the Wii console. What a pity! Fortunately, the design concept of the Wii is to build a gameplaying access for everyone, and its motion sensing control is totally within every player’s reach. Now, let’s share with our family and friends! And they all deserve such great fun!