Obama Asks America To Put Down Their Wii Controllers And Help ‘Make History’ [Multiplayer]

In games like SF or VF, all of the movements and inputs are extremely precise, and timing is crucial. I wanted to appeal to a broader audience than the general fighting-game crowd. There's also the issue of the Wii controller. It's difficult to do those sorts of precise movements when you're waving something around. That's why we opted to do more of a competitive action game.

Waggle, waggle, punch. Elsewhere in the interview, Igarashi declares his undying love for the Nintendo DS platform, but points out that making only DS games might not be the best business plan. It may be. You really can't be 100 percent about things like that.

Interview: Konami's Koji Igarashi [Kikizo] [Pic]

Tokyo-jogging [Official Site via Digital World Tokyo]

We expect Nintendo to divulge more at its E3 press conference tomorrow.

NINTENDO INTRODUCES THE WII™ MOTIONPLUS
July 14, 2008
Nintendo's upcoming Wii™ MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote™ controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo's commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.

Hit the jump for a look at more.

Wii-monster [Spore Thanks, Stephen!]

Castlevnia Comic [Badger Comics via CVG]

Well, the stock answer is that we don't comment on rumours and speculation. But I will say, look, we have a lot of reasearch and development going on all over the place, in Live and in Harware and we have a ton of success in the accessory business - and that's probably a story that doesn't get told enough. From a commercial perspective and also in terms of critical acclaim.

We're going to continue to look at new ways we can introduce different things - the third parties are doing this as well with the music controllers. So there's opportunities for us there too. We're an R and D company at heart.

...But what's interesting is that you have a lot of third parties that are trying to rush to the Wii phenomenon, but if you look at the data, the vast majority of software that has sold on Wii has come from Nintendo. So it's not turned out to be a great third party eco-system.

So it could work if you had something that had a great third party eco-system. Having said that, our unique perspective is going to be online oriented for better or worse. In the same way that Sony is Blu-ray and Nintendo is the motion-control, our thing is online. And each of these has strengths and weaknesses in different markets of the world. whatever we do has to take advantage of our unique capabilities.

...I agree with you. But I've never heard of a motion sensing controller... I don't know what you are talking about...

Worst. Denial. Ever.
Shane Kim Interview [CVG]

But as ABC2 News Investigator Joce Sterman found out, it also shows you there's a big difference between playing the game on the field and in your living room. The grace, the skill. There's a reason the professionals are getting paid to play. It's simply not as easy as it looks. And as we've found, there's a big difference between reality and wii-ality...

The whole point about surgery is to execute small, finely controlled movements with your hands, and that is exactly what you get playing... But you don't gain a lot from swinging an imaginary tennis racket.

According to a GoNintendo tipster, former Midway employee Patrick Goschy, seen in the video above, and possibly unnamed parties may file suit against Nintendo for patent violation related to a motion controller he and other Midway Games employees created. Those patents—Motion simulator for a video game and Video game system having a control unit with an accelerometer for controlling a video game—were filed in 1999 with the US Patent & Trademark Office. The demonstration video of Midway's "Velocity Controller" was shot in the summer of 2000, apparently when the heat got to Mr. Goschy, forcing him to break out the short pants.

For the record, we're basing this story on a GoNintendo tip based on a local television broadcast that we've yet to uncover (UPDATE: that local Fox News piece is now online). I implore you to take it as rumor for now, but enjoy yet another potential Nintendo lawsuit from someone looking to get a healthy paycheck from the console manufacturer. Thanks, for the heads up tipsters!

Ex-Midway employee plans to sue Nintendo for Wiimote/Nunchuk idea [GoNintendo]

Yep, no Wii-mote strap replacements for us. That's how we roll — dangerously.

The game on Wii is going to be an exact port of the PS2 version and I think that's what fans of the franchise want to see. This game has such a huge following throughout the world that people would probably send us death-threats if we messed it up by trying to add things that don't have their place in the Okami universe. Being huge fans of the franchise ourselves, we made sure that Capcom also wanted to stay true to the original before signing on to do this... To this day the graphics of Okami are some of the most awe-inspiring ever seen in a video-game and I know it sounds cliche but you don't want to fix something that's not broken.

Great, actually. Really great. When the Jacket was first announced, I didn't really think of it one way or the other. Probably because I wasn't expecting something this nice for free. Two pluses: 1). The cushiony plastic feels durable, yet strong and ergonomic. The Wii-mote is actually easier to hold while wearing the Jacket. 2). Even after playing Wii Sports for twenty minutes, there was less slippage foreshadowing. Granted, you'll still need to hold on tight, but the shiny Wii Remote gets less clammy. This doesn't mean you won't have to wipe your hand while playing. You will. Still, even if, say, Nintendo spend millions sending these out and released it as an actual project, I would totally purchase one. Two, even.

All I can say is that Microsoft is an incredibly smart company and I never fail to be impressed by just how clever they are. Don't forget this is the company which pioneered LIVE which I believe will ultimately be far more impactful on video games in the long term than something like the Wii controller.

Having the motion-sensing in the SIXAXIS, that really works for some games. And for the Wii — you've seen people rush out and buy the Wii for that realism, if you're swinging a tennis racket, you know how to do it. Hopefully we'll be at the forefront of pushing that further, combining some of the two.

At 26 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide, that embroidered plush Wii-mote toy screams one thing: throw me and hit your friend in the face with me. Found over at Palochka's Esty shop where they've got them on sale for US $20. There are seventeen in stock. Rather, after posting this, there were seventeen in stock. Brian Ashcraft

Giant Wii-mote [Etsy]

Playing "traditional" games with the Wii-mote suits me fine. But some of you might find it flat out uncomfortable. For you, Japanese peripheral maker ELECOM is releasing the cleverly named "HGW-004WH." Just snap your Wii-mote inside this plastic add-on for that extra plastic. ELECOM is promoting this for "race games" (AKA "driving games"), but I'd like to think of it as a happy medium for those who feel like an actual steering wheel is a bit much and for those with meat hooks that need something a bit more to grab on to.

Aren't those most androgynous hands in the above picture? I cannot figure out if they belong to a man or a woman. Brian Ashcraft

Wii-mote Add On [ELECOM]

Famitsu has posted a handful of NiGHTS: Journey Into Dreams screenies. It's been 11 years since the last NiGHTS game, and this Wii sequel is rumored to take advantage of the Weather Channel and is expected to take full advantage of the Wii-mote. While it's not fair to judge a game on the quality of screenshots, these images don't exactly have my interest piqued. What about yours? Brian Ashcraft

NiGHTS Screens [Famitsu]

OH COME ON. These Twilight Princess Wii-mote add-ons aren't even trying. For US $29.99, you'd think that they could make something that wasn't so rotten. Can you imagine sitting in your house, gaming with these things? Or worse yet, the individuals who have already purchased these? *Shudder* Brian Ashcraft

Bad Zelda Peripherals [FRY'S via Fashionfunky]

If it's good enough for the Wii, it must be good enough for mobile phones! Yesterday, Japan's biggest cell phone operator NTT DoCoMo introduced a new handset outfitted with a motion sensor. Created by Mitsubishi, the D904i lets you swing it around like the Wii-mote to play tennis or sword fighting games. Motion controls for cell phones sound utterly impractical considering how the screen and the controller are connected. Plus, seeing how most people in Japan play cell phone games on the train, would anyone actually play this way in public? Remember: This marks the second Mitsubishi phone that has been "inspired" by Nintendo. Bout time they got their own ideas, no? Brian Ashcraft

New Wii-mote Phone [Reuters]

In an interview with NGamer, NiGHTS: Journey Into Dreams producer Takeshi Iizuka revealed that the sequel's level design is more user friendly and that the soundtrack is being done by the game's original composer. What's more, while the game is designed for the Wii-mote, it is possible to plug in the nunchuk for gamers who prefer traditional controls. But enough with game details! What Iizuka really wants to talk about is appreciation. He says:

For those loyal fans that have waiting 11 years for NiGHTS to return, I felt the need to keep the game concept fundamentally the same as the original so that it would be a reminiscent return to their past NiGHTS experience. This way, I could extend my thanks and appreciation for all those fans that waiting all this time for the sequel. To them, I want to say "Thank You" for without their support this project would not be possible.

Our cold bitter hearts have been warmed ever so slightly. But, the best way to say "thank you"? Don't make it sucky. Brian Ashcraft

NiGHTS Interview [NGamer via Sega Nerds]

For the Wii-mote chucker in all of us comes this: The Retractable Wii Sports Cuff. Flail around like a bat outta hell with this velcro wrist band that even has a retractable function. It can extend up to 13 inches — Just far enough to smack your buddy in the face. Brian Ashcraft

Retractable Wii-mote Strap [Handheld Items]

What a shocker! Nintendo is going to release Wii-motes and Nunchakus in different colors. Different colors? That's CRAZY! While none of the above colors are apparently coming just yet, the ones that are include:

• Silver Wiimote
• Blue Wiimote
• Pearl Pink Wiimote
• Silver Nunchaku
• 
  
• Blue Nunchaku
• 
  
• Pearl Pink Nunchaku

This info is from a retailer list and are due to ship in Europe on June 29th. Go Nintendo adds that these retailer lists have been very accurate in the past. If true, expect the inevitable multi-colored consoles to follow. Brian Ashcraft

Colored Wii-Motes, Nunchakus Coming [Go Nintendo]

Motion controls on the Wii, check. Motion controls on the PS3, check. Motion controls on the 360, err... While the other machine makers have made the let's-flail-around-the-livingroom leap, Microsoft has not. Is the company feeling left out? No. Button pushing is just dandy. For now, that is. Says Microsoft's Chris Satchell:

One thing I'm not certain of is that third-parties are super-excited about that motion control — or at least they're not showing it with the games that are hitting the shelves yet. We're yet to see a really good game on Wii that really says 'OK that control kicked ass'.

What about for the SIXAXIS?

I think the jury's way out on that. I don't know if it's really that meaningful or not. So I think the jury's out on whether everybody really wants [motion control] so we'll wait and see.

And if everyone does, you can bet your sweet biscuits that Microsoft will roll out that motion controller Peter Moore hinted at previously. Brian Ashcraft

Microsoft Playing Wait And See [CVG via VGB]

That's Yuki from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya waving that Wii-mote into eternity. Wonder what she's playing... Brian Ashcraft

Criminals take note. 37 year-old Kazunari Tanaka was spotted shoplifting a Wii-mote and music CD at a Bic Camera in Nagoya. Two twenty-something security guards approached Tanaka, who reportedly punched them so hard they were left with hand and chest injuries. Tanaka's take:

I had no intention of shoplifting and I wasn't violent.

Yah, that CD and that Wii-mote snuck into Tanaka's possession, and those two security guards walked into his fist. Good thing we've got that all cleared up! Brian Ashcraft

Man Pleads Innocence [Mainichi]

Reader Chris is getting a PhD in mechanical engineering. Reader Josh is not. In fact, I have no clue what he is studying. But, he is also a student. Well, at least he claims to be one. He writes:

I read the post about the guy who made a Wiimote and Classic Controller clip and well I thought it was a good idea so I tried my hand at but with the style and budget of a college student. Here are some pics I took of what I did. The solution was a bungee cord I took from my backpack. It provides the snug and tight fit we all want and It works pretty good. Now I can play my VC games and with the ease of an all-in-one (when I should be going my homework, psssh, college, go figure).

MacGyvering cleverness like this, it's good to see that education isn't going to waste! You've done somebody's parents proud, Josh. Perhaps even your own. Brian Ashcraft

Last weekend I brought you the colored Wii Nunchuck shells (lovingly dubbed Chuckii by it's creators at Extreme Enterprise) that will soon be available for customizing your Wii peripherals. Today, NDS announces a new nunchuck "color", Clear. Well, technically, "clear" isn't a color, but if you've ever felt the urge to see the inner workings of your nunchuck, now is your chance. The clear Chuckii shell will join the ranks of the other "clear" greats of our times, the clear neon telephone and the mother of all clear products, Pepsi Clear.

Make the jump to check out pictures of NDS's initial prototype for the Wii-mote shell, but be warned, it's not very pretty. However, as NDS reminds us: "This is only a prototype, you may not like what you see. These images are not suitable for unimaginative people."

Indeed... Flynn De Marco

CHUCKii - Strat Clear Nunchuk & Wiimote Shells Prototype Release [NDS-Central]

Don't need, don't want it. But, for people who hate wires, this might be perfect. Back in December, we (not "we," Luke actually) posted a wireless Sensor Bar. It kinda sucked.

Nyko's releasing its own wireless Sensor Bar this March for US $19.99, and it actually looks pretty slick. It's housed in a black casing and roughly the same size as the original — That's including 4AA batteries for 30 hours of wireless support! Since the Nyko bar doesn't know when the Wii is on, there's a timer which beeps to remind you to switch the thing off. Its sensing is even more powerful than the first party wired Sensor Bar. Still don't want one, but if I did, this would be it. Brian Ashcraft

Wireless Sensor Bar [IGN]

That bad over there, huh? Guess Japan apparently has the controller coming out the whazoo, and the US does not. Reader Kevin pinged me about this, writing:

Hey Ashcraft, I found a JDM wiimote in the Fry's Electronics in San Jose yesterday and snapped some pics of it. Any idea if they're compatible with the US wii?

Are there any reports of other JDM wii accessories hitting the US shores?

This is the first I've heard of this. What about you, Kotaku-land? Brian Ashcraft

Look how happy that lady is! She can now recharge her Wii-mote and never worry about buying batteries again. A rather pricey 3,480 yen (US $29) includes a charger that connects to the Wii and two AA lithium ion batteries. Charge time is three hours, but the batteries are good for 25 hours. Though, that new charger doesn't seem nearly as neat as this one from last December. If you want endless Wii gaming, guess you gotta pay for it. Brian Ashcraft

Wii Recharger [Insert Credit]

We sure do love them t-shirts, and this blown apart Wii-mote one is no exception. Enough with those Wii-jury memes, here's isometric view of the controller printed on soft Army colored American Apparel shirt. Just look at how it highlights those man boobies! Brian Ashcraft

Tii-shirt [bits bytes pixels & sprites]

The March issue of Nintendo Dream has a bunch of Mario Party 8 images and Wii-mote game play descriptions. Even if you don't read Japanese, they're pretty self-explanatory. So Kotaku-land, what do you think?

Hit the jump for another gallery of straight up screens. Brian Ashcraft