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Nintendo News for February 2002
02/23/2002
Nintendo president to retire in June.
Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi (74 years old) announced at a stock holder's meeting that he, having served as president for the last 53 years, will retire by June. 1983 was the year that the Family Computer was released, reviving the Game player market. Nintendo had gone from a Hanafuda Card company to an International Game Maker company.
According to Yamauchi, he had planned to retire 2 years ago while the company was on top. But, because of various management reasons, he had extended his retirement plans.
Although a successor has not been confirmed yet, a collective leadership is being discussed. "From now on, Nintendo will not be run on the strength of a single person".
Yamauchi dropped out of Waseda University in 1949 to succeed his grandfather and become the 3rd president of Nintendo. Under his leadership, the Famicom caused an explosive boom in the video game industry and Pokemon game soft propelled Nintendo to be leader of the portable game market. Yamauchi is a majority holder of the American League Seattle Mariners. [Kazuyuki Hyodou] (Mainichi Shinbun)
Source: Yahoo News Japan
02/20/2002
Namco, Sega & Nintendo Form Business Alliance For Next-Generation Arcade Game System.
Here is a very interesting development between Namco, Sega and Nintendo. Here is the press release:
Namco Limited, Sega Corporation and Nintendo Co., Ltd. today announced they have joined forces to develop a 3D computer graphics board for next-generation arcade game system applying the architecture of Nintendo's all-new home video game console, Nintendo GameCube(TM).
Dubbed "TRIFORCE," the system board of Next Generation Arcade Game is designed to improve graphics performance and enhance overall arcade game play. Through their alliance, Namco and Sega will seek to expand the arcade game market, create a cost-effective environment for arcade game developers and establish a wholly new fun-game system to bridge the home and game arcade entertainment experience. A prototype will be shown at the AOU 2002 Amusement Expo in Makuhari, Japan on February 22nd.
Here is a translation of the Japanese press release:
Namco Limited, Sega Corporation and Nintendo Co. Ltd. have reached an agreement to jointly develop the 3D computer graphic board for next-generation arcade machines applying the architecture of the home video game console Nintendo GameCube (Triforce board).
In September 2001, Namco Ltd. And Sega Corp. entered into an agreement to develop an amusement-based business. The companies agreed to collaborate on the development of a 3D computer graphics board for next-generation arcade machines. With Nintendo's involvement, it assures this plan to be put into definite shape.
The goals of this agreement are: to expand arcade video game market; to create a cost-effective environment for arcade video game development; and to establish a totally new game system that will bridge game play between the home and amusement facilities.
Triforce, the mother board for next generation arcade machines, will be developed jointly by Namco Ltd., Sega Corp. and Nintendo. It utilizes the applied architecture of the Nintendo GameCube. With the high computer graphics performance of Nintendo GameCube, software developers will have a very cost effective development environment. In addition, the technology is user friendly and allows not only end users but also amusement facility operators to enjoy the advantages of the product. As a result, the companies expect to see more arcade software developed and increased investment efficiencies.
With the Triforce board acting as a hub of business, Namco Ltd., Sega Corp. and Nintendo are aiming at synergy to take effect in the field of parties' technology and business know-how. Also, by the vitalization of both amusement and consumer video game markets, we propose new game play that nobody has experienced before.
So far, the technical collaboration has been making good progress in terms of hardware design and the creation of software development environment under this agreement. We are planning to show a prototype with video output capability at upcoming AOU 2002 - Amusement Expo held at Makuhari Messe on February 22.
02/12/2002
Nintendo Updates First Half Line Up For
Nintendo GameCube.
Nintendo has set release dates for Star Fox Adventures, Eternal Darkness and the WaveBird controller. Here is the press release:
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 12, 2002 -- Nintendo of America Inc. announced today upcoming releases for NINTENDO GAMECUBE slated for the first half of 2002.
StarFox® Adventures debuts June 10, a joint development effort by the world-renowned game designers at RARE, Ltd., and Nintendo, only for NINTENDO GAMECUBE, retailing for $49.95.
The eerily intriguing Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem takes players on an action-filled, psychological adventure on June 24. Rated "M" for mature by the ESRB, this game offers spine-tingling thrills for $49.95.
Nintendo will offer a revolutionary wireless controller using RF technology: the innovative WaveBird Controller. The WaveBird Controller will allow people to play NINTENDO GAMECUBE from anywhere in the room, without wires and without having to be directly in front of an infrared receiver. The WaveBird Controller, priced at $39.95, arrives June 24.
With a total library of 60 games expected by the end of June, the first-half line-up has substantial third-party support, including Spider-man: The Movie and Bloody Roar: Primal Fury from Activision, Smashing Drive from Namco, Evolution Worlds from Ubi Soft, Resident Evil from Capcom, Soccer Slam and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle from Sega, Wrestlemania X8 from THQ, James Bond 007: Agent Under Fire from Electronic Arts, Spy Hunter from Midway and more from additional developers including Interplay, Kemco, Konami and Take Two.
In November, U.S. sales of all Nintendo systems (NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Nintendo® 64, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color) nearly equaled the combined sales of all systems from all other manufacturers.
02/11/2002
Luigi Joins Mario and Yoshi On a Trip To Star Road via Game Boy Advance.
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 has been shipped today. It will be in stores in a couple of days. Here is a press release:
REDMOND, Wash.--Feb. 11, 2002--The Game Boy(R) Advance portable game system and Super Mario Advance(TM) video game topped the sales charts in 2001, selling through nearly 5 million hardware units and more than 1.2 million software units respectively.
Poised to carry this momentum through 2002, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2(TM) launches today with a suggested retail price of $29.95.
Built pixel-by-pixel to recreate all 96 levels from the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R) mega-hit Super Mario World(TM), the new Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 will ignite a gaming frenzy, as the 11-year old classic designed by Shigeru Miyamoto is reborn.
"The hand-held video game category is hotter than ever with software unit sales representing 23 percent of the market," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "With the design updates in our new Super Mario World game, coupled with the lower price point of Game Boy Advance, fans won't be able to resist the fun and appeal of portable gaming."
Considered one of the most influential titles in video game history, 1991's Super Mario World offered everything a video game player could want from an action adventure game with 96 levels to explore across nine vast worlds. Mario befriends a new pal, Yoshi, who helps the grateful plumber navigate through each of the stages. Mario even learns to glide with a new cape. Yet something or someone was missing. Now with Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, Luigi joins his brother Mario to kick some Koopa shell and save Princess Peach from Bowser and his minions.
Players now have the choice to play as Luigi, offering a compelling variation on the original game, as different brothers have different strengths. Luigi can jump higher and glide farther, creating a unique approach to completing a level. Players must strategically decide which brother will be the best to complete different levels and defeat certain enemies.
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 is also compatible with Super Mario Advance, allowing players with either cartridge to team up with three other friends and play the original Mario Bros. (TM) arcade game in multi-player, multi-pak action.
Launching simultaneously with the game, the official Super Mario World web site (www.gameboy.com/smw) offers a complete travel guide to Dinosaur Island, including secret game tips, movies and much more. Adventurous visitors can search the site for hidden Stars and enter the Dinosaur Island Sweepstakes.
As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy, Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy Advance and the NINTENDO GAMECUBE(TM). Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.4 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. All names are trademarks of Nintendo.
02/02/2002
Lots of Capcom news.
Capcom has stated that Resident Evil will see a summer release in North America. Here is the press release:
LAS VEGAS - February 1, 2002 - Capcom® Entertainment today announced plans to release Resident Evil for Nintendo GameCube this summer. Shinji Mikami, mastermind of the blockbuster franchise Resident Evil and the creator of the survival horror genre, takes reign again re-inventing his original masterpiece. State-of-the-art technology brings the series to a whole new level with the most stunning graphics of any game created. Motion-captured animation, and richly detailed graphics such as rooms that illuminate with real-time lightning from a thunder storm and glass windows that show reflections and shadows truly make this Resident Evil come alive. Shinji Mikami prepares to scare the world like never before as players experience unparalleled realism in the first Resident Evil game for the Nintendo GameCube.
"Mikami's goal in developing Resident Evil for GameCube was to achieve the visuals at the same level as movies, and create more suspense and fear than the original," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "There are millions and millions of Resident Evil fans around the world who will be awed when they see Resident Evil on GameCube. So many details have been added to this version that fans new and old will be amazed. We look forward to bringing the entire series to GameCube so gamers can enjoy all Resident Evil games on the system."
Capcom is announcing the following new features to Resident Evil:
· Unmatched visuals - Resident Evil visuals surpass any game ever created on any system. Players will see that simple things like the spinning of a fan blade are shown with tremendous detail in both light sourcing and shadow effects. The number of character polygons far exceeds current standards.
· Fully updated combat system - Resident Evil allows players to not only attack with a gun, but use other items as weapons or for protection. There will be moments in the game when players must make split-second decisions in order to survive. Players will be forced to either use their gun or an item in the area as a way to survive.
· New stages! - Resident Evil will include new areas to explore to further the visual appeal and add new story items to the overall plot.
· Rendered opening movie - Resident Evil for the GameCube will feature a fully rendered opening sequence.
· More features to be announced! - As development furthers, Capcom will announce more details on new features that add new dimensions to the Resident Evil universe.
In Resident Evil, a secluded mansion in Raccoon City has been the center of top-secret biotech experiments - all funded by a mysterious corporation known only as Umbrella. When contact with the scientists at the mansion is broken and reports of gory attacks come in from areas nearby, two Special Tactics and Rescue Squads (S.T.A.R.S.)
- made up of Bravo and Alpha Teams - are sent in to investigate. Bravo team vanishes almost immediately. Alpha Team is chased into the nearby foreboding mansion by a pack of monstrous creatures. Onceinside the adventure of Resident Evil begins.
Resident Evil players control Alpha Team member Chris Redfield, the slacker pilot and sharpshooter or Jill Valentine, the tough demolitions expert, of S.T.A.R.S. As they embark upon a horrific quest through a dark and mysterious mansion filled with the unimaginable - the walking dead - a number of useable weapons aid them in their quest. An entire arsenal can be claimed throughout the adventure including, bazookas, shotguns, pistols, knives, matches, medicine, and maps. All of these items are an absolute necessity as the house is alive with acid-spitting zombies, giant spiders, horrid frog-like creatures, mutant dogs and a host of other tricks and traps guaranteed to evoke fear and an unwavering desire to finish the game.
Capcom has officially stated that the SNES RPG Breath of Fire II will be ported to the GBA. This game will be released in the summer. Here is the press release:
LAS VEGAS - February 1, 2002 - Capcom Entertainment today announced the planned release of Breath of Fire II, a flawless conversion of the classic Super Nintendo Entertainment System role playing game of the same name for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. Breath of Fire II is currently 'RP' (rating pending) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board and is expected to release at North American retailers this summer.
Breath of Fire II for the Game Boy Advance includes the following features:
· Fully arranged conversion adding improvements - Character facial graphics are renewed and improved. The entire game system has been adjusted for maximum playability. The gameplay experience has been adjusted to offer a more stress-free experience by adding things like 'dash' in the field screen.
· Exchange Items with a Link Cable - Players can exchange items using a Link Cable. With this feature, a player can help a friend by giving powerful items to assist in fighting a strong boss character.
· Quick Save Function - To make the game more playable on a portable system, a new quick save function has been added. This feature will allow players to save and quit the game whenever they want.
· Township Building - This feature will challenge players to a game within a game. Players are now able to build their own town as they progress through the story. Managing resources is the key to being successful.
Breath of Fire II joins Ryu, an adventurer who lived with his father and sister until the young age of six years old. Since this time, Ryu has lived a solitary life as he enhances his fighting skills. Ryu has discovered a unique power in which enables him to transform into a dragon during battle and inflict massive damage on his opponent. Considered one of the classics among role-playing game fans, Breath of Fire II will take Ryu and his companions on a dangerous journey to the far reaches of the land. It will be up to the player to decide if danger is afoot or if success is lurking. The answers will be revealed in Breath of Fire II.
Capcom has stated that it will be releasing two Mega Man Games this year: Mega Man Zero and Mega Battle Network 2. Here is the press release:
LAS VEGAS - February 1, 2002 - Capcom® Entertainment today announced it will bring its famous Mega Man franchise to the Game Boy Advance in two entirely different games. Mega Man Zero is a traditional take on the classic Mega Man X series with fast andfurious 2-D side-scrolling action. The game delivers a new form of Zero as the hero and the most challenging gameplay of any Mega Man game. Mega Man Battle Network 2 is the second Mega Man cyber role-playing game with more emphasis on puzzle solving and turn-based combat. Both Mega Man Zero and Mega Man Battle Network 2 are currently scheduled to release this spring.
In Mega Man Zero, Mega Man awakes after 100 years of sleep to a world where reploids are unjustly attacked by an organization called"Neo Arcadia". This new government has turned the world into a place where it is extremely hard for reploids to live and where they are punished for trifling suspicions. Reploids, who have managed to escape from the punishment, flee to an old city which now lies in ruin, but the evil Neo Arcadia's hands are advancing. A genius scientist named Ciel, who lives with the innocent reploids in hopes of saving them, tries to revive the legendary reploid Zero in order to save the cornered reploids. As the hero Zero, it is up to you to save the world.
Mega Man Zero boasts the following features:
· Game for action experts! - Mega Man Zero is hands-down the most challenging Mega Man game ever!
· Admiration System - Mega Man Zero will record incredibly detailed data in order to give game players bragging rights. This new system will record the amount of damage taken from enemies, the number of items used, the number of enemies defeated and the time it takes to complete the game. This data will allow two players to compete in various areas.
· Cyber Elf System - While the game is designed for hardcore action fans, the Cyber Elf System will make it accessible to casual gamers. With this system, players will be able to obtain Cyber Elf power-ups and lower the difficulty of the game by using them. There are more than 70 Cyber Elves throughout the game and even players who don't need the extra help will want to find them all to complete the collection.
In Mega Man Battle Network 2, a military satellite has been hacked by the Net Crime Organization World Three and created a computer virus that's quickly gaining momentum via a separate organization. This new organization called, 'Net-Mafia Gospel' has committed many global net crimes using computer viruses and Net-Navi. The group has even destroyed entire countries. It's up to Mega Man.EXE, Lan and his friends to join the Net-battlers and win this new cyber battle by defeating viruses, finding and battling bosses and solving problems.
Mega ManBattle Network 2 boasts the following features:
· Style Change - An innovative new system where Mega Man changes his looks depending on the player's playing style. When a player gets to a certain point in the game, a program will be implemented within Mega Man. This program promotes the evolution of the Navi and causes a style change to happen. A style change will give Mega Man certain advantages, enhancing his attributes both defensively and offensively. A style is determined by a player's habitsand fighting tendencies.
· Attributes - Mega Man obtains an attribute when he performs Style Change. Players who attack with an attribute that has an advantage will receive double points for damage inflicted. The advantage follows the "rock, paper,scissors" concept: Fire defeats Wood, Wood defeats Electricity, Electricity defeats Water and Water defeats Fire.
· Fire - Mega Man's body turns red and his charge shot becomes a "flame-thrower." Mega Man can take twice the damage if he is attacked bya water-based weapon while in this form.
· Water - Mega Man's body turns light blue and his charge shot becomes a "water blaster." If attacked by an electricity-based weapon, Mega Man can take twice the damage.
· Electricity - Mega Man's body turns yellow and his charge shot becomes an "electric zapper". Mega Man can take twice the damage if he is attacked by a wood based weapon.
· Wood - Mega Man's body turns green and his charge shot becomes a "whirlwind launcher". Mega Man can take twice the damage if he is attacked by a fire based weapon.
· Program Advance - By selecting specific battle chips in a certain order, players can unlock a hidden ability. Program Advance has been enhanced in both quality and quantity over the prequel.
· Network - Trade Battle Chips or challenge friends to events like tournaments via the Link Cable. Players can also exchange Mega Man's "Styles".
Capcom has stated that it will be releasing Resident Evil Gaiden for the GameBoy Color. It will be released in the spring. Here is the press release:
LAS VEGAS - February 1, 2002 - Capcom Entertainment today announced plans to release Resident Evil Gaiden, a new chapter in Capcom's acclaimed Resident Evil series for the Game Boy Color system. Resident Evil Gaiden is a combination of the survival-horror and first person shooting genres featuring well-known characters Barry Burton and Leon Kennedy. Resident Evil Gaiden was developed for Capcom by Virgin Interactive. Resident Evil Gaiden is currently scheduled to release this spring. The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rating is pending.
Resident Evil Gaiden will include the following features:
· Multiple players to control - Players control three characters - Barry Burton, Leon Kennedy or the new character, Lucia.
· Dramatic cut-scenes - Resident Evil Gaiden will feature slide-show animation that will progress the story along and provide answers to the secrets that lie ahead.
· Challenging gameplay - From finding keys, putting out fires and switching on power generators, Gaiden features all of the mind-bending puzzles that players have come to expect from the Resident Evil series.
· Two genres in one - As players explore, they will view their character and surroundings in 3D isometric view. Once battle takes place, the actionshifts to first-person mode, where players must face the evil zombies or fail.
· Two modes of play - Top down exploration and first-person combat
· Amazing graphics - Resident Evil Gaiden offers some of the strongest visuals ever on the Game Boy Color. With stunning graphics and detailed storyline, players will forget entirely that they are playing on a handheld system.
· Intelligent enemies - Enemies can detectplayers using sight and field of view
In Resident Evil Gaiden, the story begins inside the hideout of the legendary S.T.A.R.S. elite attack force as one of the original members, Barry Burton, discusses a distressing problem with a mysterious elderly woman. A new type of B.O.W. (Bio Organic Weapon) has been developed by the insidious Umbrella corporation and it is believed onboard the luxury cruise liner, Starlight. The Starlight has already begun its voyage to Europe and now rests somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. Leon S. Kennedy, the acclaimed star of Resident Evil 2, was assigned to eliminate the B.O.W. His last communication confirmed that he was aboard the Starlight, but he hasn't been heard from since. For an unexplainable reason, Barry can't figure out why a poem he learned as a child, suddenly has returned to him - "I loathe the ocean and the secrets it holds - forever deep, dark and cold" sending a chill down his spine. Have the horrors of Raccoon City returned?
02/01/2002
Acclaim Max Sports to get Extreme in Fall 2002 with 'Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3.'
Acclaim has announced the Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will be released on the GameCube and GameBoy Advance this holiday season. Here is the press release:
2.8 Million Unit Selling Franchise Returns Across All Next-Generation Gaming Platforms, With More Than 1,700 Tricks and All-New Create-A-Rider System
GLEN COVE, NY, January 31, 2002 - Building upon the proven success of its premier extreme sports franchise, Acclaim Max Sports, a division of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM), today announced it will release Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 in the fall for all of the next-generation hardware platforms. Currently in development with Z-Axis, the creative team behind the 2.8 million unit selling franchise, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will feature 10-time world champion and 13-time X Games champion, Dave Mirra, and 16 of the best street, vert, dirt and flatland riders in the world.
"The Dave Mirra brand is the number one BMX franchise in the world across all platforms and continues to set new industry benchmarks with each release," said Sarah Anderson, Senior Vice President of Brand. "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will take the BMX genre to new heights and strongly appeal to the rapidly expanding mass-market consumer audience."
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will offer many exciting new features, including all-new motion captured rider moves, more than 1,700 tricks and 10 highly expansive and immersive environments. The game will offer a revolutionary Create-A-Rider system, which will allow players to create their own rider and BMX bike to utilize throughout the game. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will also offer a dynamic in-game soundtrack, featuring some of today's top recording artists. In addition, Z-Axis is also working on the Company's Chris Edwards Aggressive Inline title, which will ship in the spring across all of the next-generation systems.
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 3 will be available in the fall of 2002 across all of the next-generation platforms. For more information regarding this title, as well as Acclaim's entire 2001 holiday season lineup, visit www.acclaim.com.
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