wii

Why 'Halo 3' will decide the Xbox 360's fate

With Halo 3 hype soaring, people are already dreaming about fragging aliens, dual-wielding machine guns and taunting 12-year-old kids when they sneak up behind them and put one in their head in a massive online battle.

But what many may not realize is that tomorrow's release of Halo 3 could be a watershed moment for Microsoft and the Xbox 360. With a blockbuster title that will surely captivate millions across the globe, the Xbox 360 will be the most played video game console for the month of October and should catapult the system to the top of the video game world.

As we're all aware, Nintendo currently enjoys the top spot in the video game console war. With nearly 404,000 Wii units sold last month alone, Nintendo is hands down the most successful hardware company of this generation. And while Nintendo fans are quick to cite this number when their favorite console is under attack, they fail to mention how it compares to previous months.

According to The NPD Group, Nintendo Wii sales dropped 5 percent from July, while the Xbox 360, with 277,000 units sold, witnessed a sales increase of 63 percent from July. To round it out, the abysmal Playstation 3 sold just 131,000 units--a drop of nearly 18 percent.

Sure, the Nintendo Wii is doing well and it continues to sell better than the competition, but the main reason the Xbox 360 did so well last month was its software. Most notably, Madden. According to NPD, Electronic Arts sold 897,000 copies of the Xbox 360 version of Madden, representing the first time in years that a non-Sony console topped the Madden sales list.

I've said it once and I'll say it again--software and software alone will drive hardware sales after the initial hype dies down. And if the 5 percent drop in sales is any indication, maybe the Nintendo Wii's hype is finally dropping too.

Halo 3 will undoubtedly be the biggest game of the year. With millions already enjoying previous iterations, tomorrow's release could be the biggest we have ever seen. For many casual gamers, the release of Halo 3 means it's time to buy an Xbox 360. And it's this cadre of individuals that Microsoft has been waiting for.… Read more

Finally, the Wii Lightsaber game is announced!

Ever since Nintendo unveiled the Wii and its funky remote, gamers have been dreaming of Wiimote-controlled lightsaber battles. It's been a long time coming, but LucasArts finally revealed its Wii lightsaber game: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

We've known about Force Unleashed for a few months now; the game has been scheduled to hit virtually every major platform for some time, and its absence on the Wii's upcoming titles list didn't go unnoticed. Now it's finally been announced for the Wii, and a few new details have come out about the game. The Wii version … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Glad to see another Nintendo 64 title has made it to the virtual console, although I'm anticipating some disappointment with the selection.

Yoshi's Story (1998, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii points)--After Baby Bowser casts a spell on Yoshi Island leaving it in the form of a storybook, six Yoshis must band together and dethrone the evil Baby Browser and restore happiness to Yoshi Island. Super Thunder Blade (1988, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--A Sega Genesis launch title, Super Thunder Blade is a helicopter combat game where you must fire upon all kinds of submarines, tanks, and more … Read more

Wii Zapper to include Zelda-themed crossbow game when it ships in November

When Nintendo announced the Wii Zapper back at July's E3 show, the company promised the $20 add-on would be bundled with a game (a "pack-in," in gamer parlance). And today the company made good on the pledge: The Zapper will include Link's Crossbow Training, a Zelda-themed target shooter. The game will progress from simple bull's-eyes to moving targets (including enemies from the Zelda series), and--while I wouldn't expect much more than a glorified "how to use the Zapper" tutorial--something tells me Crossbow Training could be as infectious as Wii Sports. Either way, … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

NES Play Action Football (1990, NES, 500 Wii points)--Considered quite ahead of its time, NES Play Action Football allowed you to choose between 10 real teams--all with current rosters (at the time)--in addition to selecting real plays. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--Sonic Team improved on the series in every way possible--from faster action to more massive play areas, Sonic 3 delivers the nonstop action that fans have come to expect. Neutopia II (1991, Turbografx 16, 600 Wii points)--In this sequel you'll have to deal with the same evil demon from the … Read more

Four new Wii virtual console releases this week

Nintendo has bestowed upon us a holiday bonus for Labor Day. Instead of the usual three virtual console releases, there are four new Wii games ready for download this week.

Adventure Island (1988, NES, 500 Wii points)--Adventure Island is a classic side-scrolling platformer, where you play as Master Higgins. Tina, the love of your life, is missing, and it's up to you to find her on a remote island. Donkey Kong Jr. Math (1985, NES, 500 Wii points)--And who says learning can't be fun? This is a great game to buy if you've got a … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Just in case you aren't busy enough playing Metroid Prime 3: Corruption today, here are the three virtual console games released this morning.

Super C (1990, NES, 500 Wii points)--Super C is the sequel to the classic Konami action side-scroller, Contra. In Super C, you'll take on even more aliens and baddies, some of which used to be your allies. Breath of Fire II (1995, Super NES, 800 Wii points)--Play as one of nine available characters in this highly regarded RPG filled with demons, dragons, and magic. Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1989, Genesis, 800 Wii points)--The … Read more

Manhunt 2 gets M rating, will see light of day

Originally branded with an AO (adults only) rating--the film equivalent of NC-17--Rockstar Games' creepy sequel to 2003's original Manhunt has just been graced with the more socially acceptable M-for-mature rating. In addition, Rockstar has announced that Manhunt 2 will be released on the appropriate date of October 31 for the PS2, PSP, and the Wii.

The AO rating was widely publicized in June after reports out of the UK claimed the game would never make it to store shelves. Following the ruling, Rockstar immediately announced that the title's release would be suspended until further notice. Censorship in videogames … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week--2 out of 3 ain't bad

You can stop rubbing your eyes because 66% of the virtual console releases this week are actually solid games as the Nintendo month of Metroid continues.

Super Metroid (1994, Super NES, 800 Wii points)--Arguably the best Metroid platformer ever made, Super Metroid improved upon the classic formula which resulted in an explosion of popularity. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (1993, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--In this sequel to The Revenge of Shinobi, you find out that Neo Zeed, the last game's villian, is still at large. It's going to take some fierce ninja action … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Nintendo continues 'The Month of Metroid' with the release of Samus Aran's original adventure on the virtual console. With it come two other games no one remembers from their childhood.

Metroid (1987, NES, 500 Wii points)--The original Metroid game helped shape the face of adventure platformers. In fact, the mechanics first introduced in Metroid are still emulated to this day. And for all you die-hard Metroid fans, apparently " Justin Bailey" still works. Shining in the Darkness (1991, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--Shining in the Darkness is an adventure game that puts you in the middle … Read more