If you're dying to get your Wii on (OK, that statement is just seriously messed up, y'know?) but didn't quite make it in time to reserve one at Gamestop last Friday, don't worry because you're going to get another chance to do that soon.

Siliconera reports that Toys "R" Us will be accepting Wii pre-orders on October 29. And on top of that, Toys R Us is also currently running a contest with Deal or No Deal where they're giving away 25,000 Wiis. This contest is available only for U.S. residents though.

If you haven't already done so, you can enter the contest by checking out the Toys "R" Us insert in this Sunday's paper. With 25,000 Wiis at stake, the odds of winning this one ain't that bad (around 1:5,700 according to the contest rules) so join away. Who knows, you might get lucky.

There's been much speculation and issues regarding the Wiimote and its sensitivity when under direct sunlight. But so far, there really aren't any conclusive data that could support Nintendo fans to panic. While the higher-ups are still keeping relatively mum about the issue, we're left with a simple statement that "there is no great risk of light interference."

On the other side of the world, the folks up at Wii-FAN were present in an electronics convention called Electroworld. And the least in their minds was the whole light-interference hullabaloo. Snaps for them because they figured it was a good opportunity to test the range of the Wiimote. That was their agenda for the day.

They posted a video that shows a guy using the Wiimote from, give or take, around 50 meters (45 yards). Sure enough, the Wiimote still worked for them. Of course, the downside of this is that, from that far, how in the world would you be able to see what you're doing? Unless you have a T...

Here's a useful piece of advice: if you're ever chilling in a tropical paradise and then some hot woman you don't know asks you to help her pull off a dangerous heist, just say no. Chances are you'll end up like ol' Jack Carver and get blamed for murder. Then the next thing you know, your dream vacation just turned into a rebel-infested, tropical hell. Well, if you also had Jack Carter's feral abilities then maybe you'd survive, but the chances of that happening just don't seem too good.

Well, with that out of the way, let's get right on to the good stuff. We have six new screenshots of the newest Far Cry game from Ubisoft, Far Cry: Vengeance for Nintendo's next-generation Wii console. Based on what we're seeing down there, Far Cry: Vengeance is going to be one beautiful game. Just check out how green that grass is. We bet the blood that gets spilled on it is going to look just as vivid. Aside from the screenshots, we also have a shot of the game's official boxart, which you c...

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment
The Wii controller's resemblance to a TV remote sure hasn't been lost on us -- hence the affectionate "Wiimote" moniker that most people have assigned to the unique little controller -- but it doesn't look like it's been lost on Nintendo either. They've just shipped Wiimotes of the channel changing variety to Platinum members of Nintendo Japan's Club Nintendo rewards program. Platinum members also received a wall calendar with artwork from main Nintendo franchises, but somehow we're guessing they'll be a bit more excited by this TV remote that fully apes the form of one of the most discussed game peripherals of all time. The excitable kids professional reviewers over at IGN are sure pumped. They've posted up an unboxing of their unit, along with the inevitable comparison shots with other gaming peripherals, TV remotes and slices of bread, etc. Of course, even with those snazzy Japanese labels for each button, we can't imagine this thing w...

Filed under: Reviews, Controller


Andrew Yoon of PSP Fanboy and Joystiq recently got the chance to have a go at Sonic and the Secret Rings, and he came back bubbling over with excitement. This new game seems to be all about the old games -- or rather, the original high speed style. The upcoming Sonic is on rails, putting the focus back on the speedy completion of levels rather than on running around and checking things out. Instead, you just have to deal with things as they come at you, and the Wiimote adds a level of gameplay that keeps it from becoming repetitive.

And while there may be a few visual problems, Andrew promises that Sonic and the Secret Rings still manages to be one of the best looking games forthcoming on the Wii -- maybe even too impressive, with colors bursting out in a dazzling array. Despite less than stellar textures, he had nothing but praise for the rest of the visual effects in the game. Excitement is contagious, you know .......

Yup, remember that old Bleach Wii teaser site which only featured a white screen and Ichigo's silhouette and has been around since June? Well, the people from Sega have finally gotten rid of that and replaced it with something much nicer.

The now-official Bleach Wii Shiraha Kirameku Rondo site currently features several sections for fans to peruse while we wait for the game's Japanese release this coming December 14. At the moment, the site contains sections regarding gameplay as well as a portion that contains some character profiles as well as videos which show the character in action. The story section is still closed, but the last area allows fans to peek into more of Sega's Bleach projects.

A slight warning though, would be that we noticed that the site doesn't load very well on Firefox, so viewers may want to use IE instead when viewing it.

Bankai!! (I just HAD to do that...)

Filed under: News
eBay, it seems, is working to get rid of preorder auctions as soon as possible. Considering the wide array of possible delays, this seems like a smart move; by allowing preorder auctions to continue, eBay would in effect be sanctioning auctions thay may result in naught but a big, smarting sense of regret in the buyer when little Johnny Seller didn't get the Wii or PS3 he wasn't guaranteed after all. It is eBay who has to deal with the fallout of angry customers when someone can't deliver, but they're dealing with the fallout right now of actions some are calling too militant. Are accusations of fraud a step too far for those behind the preorder auctions?

What do you think? Is it kosher to allow preorders to be auctioned off, despite the risks? Are the risks just another part of eBaying? Or did the auction giant make a wise decision?Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

We have here for you 12 hot new screenshots for Wii Sports/Play. Featuring scenes from games like bowling, lawn tennis, baseball, and billiards, among others, it is pretty obvious that Wii really is set to win the hearts of the whole family. Looking at the screenshots, probably the most striking thing about the graphics (at least for me), is the almost bubble-gum-appeal it exudes. Really kid-friendly, really wholesome. Adding to the fun is the Mii feature, which allows players to use their custom-made characters in the game.

Coming out on November 19 for North America and Canada, December 2 for Japan, December 7 for Australia, and December 8 for Europe, keep your eyes peeled for more Wii Sports/Wii Play action. But in the meantime, enjoy these yummy screenshots!

Buy: [Wii Sports]

   

   

   

 

We know by now that Rayman Raving Rabbids will be released in France as Rayman contre les Lapins Cretins. A French-speaking QJ reader  translated it as "Rayman against the Stupid Rabbits". Another reader prefers "Rayman vs. the Moronic Rabbits". Either way, it still means that Rayman would be up against creatures who have something evil up their furry sleeves.

In an interview with Jeux Video, Loic Gounon of Ubisoft Montpellier talked about the game and its much anticipated debut on the Wii.

It all started when Nintendo sought for a Western developer to create a Wii version of the game. Nintendo approached Ubisoft and the subsequent events led to Rayman Raving Rabbids joining the list of launch titles for the Wii.

Back in February, the Rayman Raving Rabbids team got hold of the development kit and they realized the great potential of the Wii. They then turned their focus on how the game would take advantage of the unique features of Wii. After eight mont...

Filed under: News, Controller
A mainstream British publication decided to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions recently when they got to sit down for a mammoth two hour session with the Wii! Kim Kaze of Entertainmentwise used the opportunity to approach some very practical issues -- like whether or not the Wiimote was heavy and how the muscles in our flabby gamer arms will hold up after hours of freeswinging punishment. The results were, we're pleased to say, postive. Turns out that those play sessions that stretch into the wee hours will be just as much (if not more!) fun on the Wii.

But practical considerations aside ... this article is so vehemently positive for the Wii that it almost sounds like marketing copy. It seems that their time with the console really got the writers from Entertainmentwise revved up in a way that the other next-gen systems can't. The controls, says Kaze, are so natural and versatile that going back to traditio...