My Favourite Mario Kart Courses from Each Game!

Super Mario Kart turned 25 yesterday! The now renowned and popular series paved the way for fun item-shooting racing games that we've all come to know and love. Allowing players the chance to race as one of their favourite Mario heroes or enemies, the game offered a bunch of truly fantastic tracks, as well as a multi-player Battle Mode. 

To celebrate the games anniversary, join me as I share my favourite course from each of the games so far. 

Super Mario Kart 

Rainbow Road 

There's no way I could do a list like this without mentioning Rainbow Road somewhere! The track that has no doubt made plenty of people utter profanities as they slipped to their doom, Rainbow Road provided a challenging final course in Super Mario Kart's Special Cup. Pretty simple in design, this multi-coloured road offered sharp bends, angry Thwomps, and holed-up pathways. The simplicity is deceiving, as when you're trying to traverse this with other players, there's no doubt at one point you'll find yourself being nudged off the side. 

Rainbow Road also included some truly memorable music, and has since seen several reiterations throughout the games 25-year history.

Wii Mini Launch Price Announced

It has been announced that the Wii Mini will gain a March 2013 release here in the UK. Effectively a scaled down version of the Nintendo Wii, the Wii Mini is somewhat smaller, but still includes everything the Wii came included with. In the box you will find a Nunchuck and Wii-Remote Plus, sensor bar, Wii Power Supply and AV cable. Additional Wii accessories, such as the Balance Board, are also functional.

However, sadly the Wii Mini lacks Gamecube compatibility and does not support S-Video or Component video cables. Also it lacks an SD card slot and has no Wi-Fi. If you are like me and still enjoy dabbling on the odd Gamecube game every now and then, then it is probably worth just paying that little bit extra and getting the bigger, original Wii. 

Yesterday companies were beginning to announce their launch prices, with both Amazon and Game launching the system for £79.99, a fraction of what the original Wii launched for a few years ago. With so many companies competing for the cheapest launch price, no doubt we'll be seeing much cheaper prices than this soon! Watch this space.

Music Monday: Title Theme (Okami)

Well, we've almost reached the end of 2012, so this means it's also the final Music Monday feature of the year!

Over the past year I have shared music from a whole host of games. I've featured a variety of genres, remisied about my favourite gaming tracks and read your comments on my choices. It's been fun. I look forward to doing more in 2013!

So thw final Music Monday for 2012 is the "Title Theme" for Okami. Okami is a beautiful looking game, which boasts Zelda-like gameplay, a great story and art style. The music happens to be pretty good too! 

Give the track a listen below, and as usual, let me know what you think in the comments section below!

Happy new year everyone. :)

Music Monday: Inside A House (Zelda)

Today's Music Monday track appears in several Zelda titles, although it has differed ever so slightly in some. 

As many of you will know by now (I harp on about it enough!), I am a huge fan of the Zelda series. Link's Awakening started off my love of gaming, and I've been a dedicated fan ever since.

So, as I have before, here is a Music Monday feature dedicated to a Zelda track. Now I could have gone for one of my all-time favourites, but I thought I'd go for a different one this time. I hope you all enjoy "Inside A House." Let me know what you think in the comments!

Epic Mickey 2 Gameplay Footage

The first of a series of gameplay videos for Disney's upcoming Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two has been released. 

In this video, Warren Spector talks about Mickey's use of paint and thinner in the game. Epic Mickey 2 sees Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit return to Wasteland, the world in which Epic Mickey was set. 

Check out the video below. Epic Mickey 2 is due to be released on the 18th November for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and 3DS. 

Anime Toxin Rates Manhunt The Goriest Game of All Time

Check out this list on Anime Toxin, who have picked out the five most gruesome games of all time. 

Here's the top 5 goriest games:

1. [PS2] Manhunt
2. [Xbox] Ninja Gaiden Black
3. [PS3] God of War III
4. [PC] Mortal Kombat 4
5. [Wii] Madworld

Do you agree with this list? Leave your comments below!

[News originally reported on MyNintendoNews]

Contribute to my Kirby Feature!

Hey all,

I am currently planning a new retrospective/feature piece dedicated to the Kirby 20th Anniversary. It'll be in the style of my Metroid and Zelda features (please ignore the missing thumbnails, Blogger unfortunately bugged out for me and deleted EVERY image on my blog, so I'm still in the process of replacing them). 

As you can see from those two anniversary features, I involve my readers in these pieces quite heavily. I love featuring great fan art, excellent videos, music remixes etc as well as your own opinions on the series.

Do you have something to share in my Kirby feature? It'll be going up in conjunction with the anniversary on the 16th September. 

Perhaps you would like me to feature your opinion on the series or your favourite Kirby game? Maybe you have a Kirby video you would like to share or a drawing? Whatever it is...please get in touch!

Word of advice:
PLEASE keep comment sizes to a minimum! A SHORT message, no longer than two lines long. I can only feature so many people, and it's unfair to allow paragraphs...it means less of you can be involved!

How To Contribute:
Please email whatever you would like me to see to kayleighjpowis@gmail.com
I'll take a look at it...wait and see if it makes it in!

Please send all contributions before the 15th September.

Thanks and I look forward to sifting through all the Kirby stuff you guys send me!

Kayleigh

Nintendo Plan Guinness World Record Attempt at PAX Prime

Nintendo are attempting to break a Guinness World Record as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations for the Kirby series.

Participants will be attempting to break the world record for blowing a chewing gum bubble simultaneously, which will be taking place at the PAX Prime conference on the 1st September. 

Currently the record stands at 304 participants, which hopefully will be increased in this attempt. As well as trying to break a record, participants will also have the chance to win prizes, including Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition which will be released on the Wii on the 16th September. 

Get Involved In The Record Breaking Attempt!

Pax Prime attendees are welcome to participate on Saturday 1st September 2012 between 2-3pm (Pacific Time). Check in will be completed at 1pm. 

Address:
PAX Prime Conference
Washington State Convention Center
Expo Hall Queue Area
Level 4, Room 4A
800 Convention Place
Seattle, WA 98101

Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition will include:

• Kirby’s Dream Land (Game Boy, April 1992 release)
• Kirby’s Adventure (NES, May 1993 release)
• Kirby’s Dream Land 2 (Game Boy, March 1995 release)
• Kirby Super Star (Super NES, Sept. 1996 release)
• Kirby’s Dream Land 3 (Super NES, Nov. 1997release)
• Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64, June 2000 release)

It also includes a 45 track CD and a 48 page anniversary booklet. They'll be brand new challenge stages, an interactive timeline which shares footage and box art of all the Kirby games, and some of the classic games include multiplayer modes.

Just Dance 4 Songlist Revealed

Ubisoft have revealed the track listing for Just Dance 4. 

There are over 40 tracks in total, featuring artists such as Skrillex, Rihanna, and Dirty Dancing's theme by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Of course, theres the obligatory cheese numbers, such as Will Smith's "wicky wicky wild wild" Wild West (personally, a guilty pleasure...), and The Ketchup song. 

Check out the full track listing below.

1. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"
2. Las Ketchup - "Asereje (The Ketchup Song)"
3. Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj - "Beauty and a Beat"
4. Panjabi MC - "Beware Of The Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)"
5. Carly Rae Jepsen - "Call Me Maybe"
6. Boys Town Gang - "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
7. Emma - "Cercavo Amore"
8. Army of Lovers - "Crucified"
9. Stefanie Heinzmann - "Diggin in the dirt"
10. Rihanna - "Disturbia"
11. Dancing Bros - "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love"
12. Flo Rida - "Good Feeling"
13. Blu Cantrell - "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)"
14.  A.K.A - "Hot For Me"
15. The Blackout Allstars - "I Like It"
16. They Might Be Giants - "Istanbul"
17. Elvis Presley - "Jailhouse Rock"
18. Ricky Martin - "Livin' la Vida Loca"
19. Selena Gomez and the Scene - "Love You Like A Love Song"
20. Bunny Beatz - "Make The Party (Don't Stop)"
21. Nelly Furtado - "Maneater"
22. Sergio Mendes & The Black Eyed Peas - "Mas Que Nada"
23. Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera - "Moves Like Jagger"
24. Alexandra Stan - "Mr. Saxobeat"
25. Rick Astley - "Never Gonna Give You Up"
26. Marina and The Diamonds - "Oh No!"
27. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull - "On The Floor"
28. The Girly Team - "Oops!... I Dit It Again"
29. The B-52's - "Rock Lobster"
30. Skrillex - "Rock N' Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain)"
31. Kat DeLuna feat. Busta Rhymes - "Run The Show"
32. Anja - "Crazy Little Thing"
33. P!nk - "So What"
34. Sammy - "Some Catchin' Up To Do"
35. Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"
36. Stevie Wonder - "Superstition"
37. Europe - "The Final Countdown"
38. Halloween Thrills - "Time Warp"
39. 2 Unlimited - "Tribal Dance"
40. Hit The Electro Beat - "We No Speak Americano"
41. One Direction - "What Makes You Beautiful"
42. Will Smith - "Wild Wild West"
43. Barry White - "You're The First, The Last, My Everything"

Okami HD Gameplay Trailer Released at Gamescom

Capcom revealed a new gameplay video for Okami HD as part of their press event at Gamescom today. 

Originally released on the Playstation 2 in 2006 before making it's way to the Wii in 2008. Okami has now been upscaled to high definition for the PS3, has motion support for the Playstation Move and also includes trophies.

Check out the gameplay video below. Okami HD will be released on the Playstation Network in late 2012. 

Feature Friday: ghostfire

Today's art feature goes to deviantART member ghostfire. They have plenty of excellent digital art in their gallery, much of it dedicted to games.

Here are some of her works!

Mass Effect: Tali's Reflection

Sleepy Link

Not Enough Torches

Skylanders Giants Video Welcomes Swarm

Activision has released the latest new character for Skylanders Giants. Swarm is a gigantic air elemental bee. He takes his place alongside the two other reveals so far, Bouncer, a tech giant and Tree Rex, a life giant. 


Check out the trailer below. Skylanders Giants is out in October 2012. 

New Video For Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Disney Interactive have released a new trailer for Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. This behind the scenes trailer discusses developing the story behind Disney's upcoming Epic Mickey sequel. 


Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two sees Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit team up as they return to Wasteland once more. The game features brand new co-op play, a new storyline and new functions in gameplay. Check out the video below.


Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is due for a release on the 18th November for the PS3, Xbox 360, 3DS and Wii.

Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection Out Now

Capcom's Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection is now available to play via the Playstation Store. 


Costing £21.99, this bundle combines Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, which have both been remastered for the Playstation 3. As well as new HD graphics, the pack also supports Playstation Move compatibility.


The games are also available to purchase as standalone titles on the 18th July for £11.99 each.


Both games were previously released on the Nintendo Wii, and provided a deeper insight into the events of the Resident Evil series. Both were fun on the rails style shooters to play, and Resident Evil fans should appreciate the nods back to previous events in the series. 

Project Zero 2: Wii Edition Arrives In June

Tecmo Koei have revealed that they are re-launching Project Zero 2, exclusively for the Wii. 


Project Zero 2: Wii Edition will feature new two player modes and all new motion gameplay, and will be released in Europe on the 29th June. It is a remake of survival horror title Project Zero II: Crimson Butterfly, where you play Mio as she explores a cursed village with her twin sister Mayu. 


The Wii motion controls promise to make players feel even more immersed in this scary title than before, whilst the Wiimote will act as the players flashlight. 

Nintendo Reports First Annual Loss

Nintendo have posted information on their first ever annual net loss for this past financial year. 


The company have made a whopping 43 billion Yen net loss (£327m GBP or $529m USD). The company originally predicted that they would be getting a 65 billion Yen net loss, but strong sales on their software, such as the Nintendo 3DS, which proved to be highly successful in Japan, meant that it was slightly lower than expected. 


This must be quite disappointing for the company, considering that last year they posted a 77 billion Yen net profit, but the decline in Wii sales, particularly in Europe and North America, didn't help keep their profits out of the red. It seems as though they should consult with a business analyst who has a certification to help them out of this funk they are in. 

Nintendo is keeping positive and is expecting greater sales on their 3DS handheld console, as well as the upcoming Wii U next year. 

Game Rank Survey Reveals Most Wanted Titles

Game Rank have published a survey that reveals what participants of the survey are most looking forward to playing this year. Halo 4 came out on top for Xbox 360, Assassin's Creed III soared to the top spot on the Playstation 3, whilst the Wii's most anticipated title was Madden NFL 13-a surprising choice considering Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is due for a release this year.


Here's the full list of votes:

2012 Xbox 360 titles: Halo 4 - 98 percent Assassin’s Creed III – 94 percent Max Payne 3 – 91 percent Madden NFL 13 – 90 percent Resident Evil 6 – 89 percent Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – 85 percent Fable: The Journey - 85 percent Kinect Star Wars - 85 percent NCAA Football 13 – 82 percent BioShock: Infinite – 77 percent Tomb Raider – 77 percent

2012 PlayStation 3 titles: Assassin’s Creed III – 98 percent Max Payne 3 – 96 percent Madden NFL 13 – 96 percent Resident Evil 6 – 94 percent Medal of Honor: Warfighter – 87 percent NCAA Football 13 – 85 percent Prototype 2 – 85 percent Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – 80 percent BioShock: Infinite – 79 percent Tomb Raider – 79 percent NBA Live 13 – 79 percent

2012 Wii titles: Madden NFL 13 – 96 percent Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two – 94 percent Battleship – 86 percent Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes – 82 percent The Amazing Spider-Man – 82 percent Men in Black – 81 percent The Last Story - 64 percent Xenoblade Chronicles - 50 percent

Of the games available in this survey, personally I'd choose Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 6, Halo 4 and Fable: The Journey (despite the bugs, I've always enjoyed that series, and although I'm a little sceptical about this title, I'm intrigued) and Epic Mickey: The Power of Two. What would you choose?

Epic Mickey 2 Wii Boxart Revealed

Disney have released the official European Wii box art for Epic Mickey: The Power of Two. It is not known whether the other console versions will be getting the same boxart for now. 


Epic Mickey 2 will be released at some point later this year in North America and Europe, although Disney have not announced the exact release date as of yet. More details are expected to be released at this June's E3. Watch this space!

Epic Mickey Wiimote and Nunchuck In The Making

These are the first two images released by Joystiq to confirm that custom controllers for Wii's upcoming Epic Mickey: The Power of Two are on their way.


Disney have previously released a Mickey themed remote and nunchuck to coincide with the release of Epic Mickey. This time around, a new version of Mickey's paintbrush (which he uses in the game) doubles as a nunchuck, whilst Oswald's remote device acts as an oddly shaped Wiimote. 


Both the nunchuck and wii mote will be released around the same time as Epic Mickey: The Power of Two sometime this Autumn. 

Two Remastered Resident Evil Titles Coming to PS3

Two Wii exclusive Resident Evil titles are no longer only available on the Wii. Capcom confirmed today that Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and The Darkside Chronicles will be available to download from the Playstation store sometime in the near future.


The titles will be remastered in full HD, and will be compatible with the Playstation Move. These two titles were excellent games on the Wii which allowed co-op, often on-the-rails shooting fun in the Resident Evil universe. The games delved deeper into the timeline and gave fans the chance to find out more about previously unvisited events. 


Capcom will also be adding trophies to these remastered editions, whilst the Playstation Move capability allows for an experience much like that found in the Wii versions.


Check out the announcement trailer below.