Nintendo are effectively upgrading the Wii Remote. This immediately sounds warning bells: anything non-standard inevitably means that not everyone has the same equipment – and that’s the essential assumption for console games.
But it’s okay, because the Wii MotionPlus – as it’s being called – will be included with Wii Sports Resort. Also included will be a Wii Remote Jacket. Bargain? Probably. Amongst the new stuff in the game will be Dog Disc, Sword Play and Power Cruising, which looks like Wave Race. Will it better the original Wii Sports? Possibly not.
Animal Crossing: City Folk for Wii looks like more of the same old, but I’ve bought it twice before, and chances are I’ll buy it again. There’s an “urban city area” to visit, but you won’t be able to convene with online friends there – a shame, but very much in line with Nintendo’s policy of shielding people from each other online. You’ll again be able to visit friends’ towns though, and moreover talk to them there with the WiiiSpeak microphone. It’s not going to be a headset though; rather it will allow whole rooms to speak to each other. Hopefully it’ll be better than most conference phones I’ve used.
I like the sound of Wii Music. The Wii Remote and Nunchuck will be used to pretend you’re playing everything from guitar and violin to steel drum and cowbell. COWBELL! What sounds great to me, though, is “a pressure-free musical playground where there are no mistakes.” That’s right, it’s about fun. Can I get a hell yeah?
Not much for the DS, to be honest. There’s Japanese mad music tappy thing Rhythm Heaven, which certainly looks mental. Oh, and an exclusive Grand Theft Auto game – Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
There are videos and all sorts over on Nintendo’s E3 website.