Game Review: Sing Party

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Chris Morris

Sing Party’s lack of sexy (or violent) videos makes it suitable for families and since the game doesn’t boo anyone off stage (no matter how tone deaf they might be), it’s fun for large groups. The music mix is a good one, too, with 50 songs blending recent hits and some older classics (i.e. it’s a safe bet this is the only time Frank Sinatra and Carly Rae Jepsen will appear together). It’s a title that’s likely to enjoy a presence at family get-togethers.

While Sing Party is hardly a bad karaoke/dance game, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, given the promise of the Wii U’s two-screen approach to gaming. Rather than using the Gamepad to display lyrics for all game modes, the game relies on the television screen for two of its three modes, giving it a very “me too” feeling. It’s a pivotal opportunity to differentiate itself that’s squandered. Also, the scoring system in the game’s sing and team modes isn’t well defined (not that this is a game that’s focused on sing-offs against friends). Given its high price, this is definitely a title you should rent before you buy to see if it’s for you.

Game Review: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Chris Morris

Ninja Gaiden 3 had plenty of shortcomings when it came out for other consoles and developer Team Ninja takes several steps to correct those in this revised version of the game for the Wii U. But Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is still far from perfect. The fight sequences are full of glorious overkill, which should please fans of blood-soaked fighting games, but its the reason to keep kids away. It’s fast-paced and never lets you catch your breath. Boss battles, though, are still extremely difficult — sometimes taking up to an hour to complete. And the other battles get a bit repetitive after a while, even as you gather more weapons in your arsenal.

Analysts chime in on Wii U’s mid-term forecast

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Chris Morris

The Wii U is going to be a big seller this holiday season. That’s about as bold a prediction as saying Black Ops II will top the November NPD charts.

But what happens when Santa returns to the North Pole and the first wave of consumer fanaticism has started to calm down? That’s when Nintendo’s new system will really be put to the test.

Nintendo’s Wii U: All Hype? Or Saving Grace?

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Chris Morris

It’s shaping up to be a very Nintendo holiday season.

This Sunday’s launch of the Wii U, the first of the next generation videogame consoles, seems all set to follow the script that most new gaming systems follow: A huge rush of initial sales, followed by weeks of people camping outside of stores on weekends in hopes of grabbing one before Dec. 25.

The question is: What happens after the holidays are over?

Ubisoft’s Guillemot on evolving audiences, Wii U, and possibly buying THQ

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Chris Morris

Among third-party publishers, you aren’t likely to find a bigger Wii U booster than Ubisoft chairman and CEO Yves Guillemot.

That’s hardly surprising, given his company’s big bet on the system (it has 10 games in the Wii U’s “launch window,” including six day one titles). But even Guillemot has some things he’d like to see Nintendo doing differently.

Specifically: He’s not a big fan of the console’s price.

Betting big on Wii U, Ubisoft hopes people understand the console

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Chris Morris

Ubisoft SVP Tony Key believes in the potential of Nintendo’s innovative new Wii U. Problem is, he’s not totally sure if the general consumer really understands the console’s potential.

With the exception of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, no one bets more heavily on new console launches than Ubisoft.

It’s something of a video game industry tradition that the publisher rushes headlong into new system launches — and with the Wii U on the way, it plans to have six titles available on day one (with three more coming by the end of Nintendo’s extended “launch window”).

Financially strapped Nintendo confirms Wii U will be sold at a loss

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Chris Morris

Nintendo has a lot riding on the Wii U. More than anything, it’s hoping the new console will help turn around the company’s troubled finances.

But it may not do so for a while.

Nintendo cuts Wii price as Wii U launch looms

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Chris Morris

With the launch of the Wii U just over a month away, Nintendo has cut the price of the Wii console.

Effective immediately, the Wii price is cut from $150 to $130, with new bundles including copies of both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. The company says the bundles are shipping now and it expects them to be widely available by Oct. 28.

20 predictions for next-generation consoles

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Chris Morris

Now that Nintendo has priced and dated the Wii U, it’s only a matter of time before people once again start trying to guess what Microsoft and Sony have in store. Other than unnecessary redesigns, that is.

Aside from secondhand information from developers, there aren’t many facts out there regarding the Xbox 720 (technical codename: Durango) or the PlayStation 4 (technical codename: Orbis). But they’re both definitely coming, so we’re heading out on a very large, very shaky limb today by blasting out some informed predictions for what gamers might expect in the near future. While we don’t expect every one of these to come true, we’re sure going to brag about the ones that do. Take it away, crystal ball!

Nintendo’s Wii U Already Selling Out Online