Wii Hardware Now Comes With Mario Kart Wii

May 23, 2011 / News

Nintendo announces a new bundle for Wii - the Mario Kart Wii bundle. Available from 2 June 2011, Wii will now come packaged as standard, with the iconic game, Mario Kart Wii, for only $199.95*! Previously Wii retailed for $299.95 and Mario Kart Wii retailed for $99.95.

 

Experience the classic franchise that has been around for more than 17 years, and played by people of all ages. Get your friends and family together and enjoy playing Mario Kart Wii with up to four people, or use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and up to 12 players can compete from anywhere around the world!

Wii is available in either white or a sleek black, and now also comes packaged with the intuitive Wii Wheel for Mario Kart Wii, so no matter what your gaming experience, anyone can simply pick up and play Mario Kart Wii. For the first time the Wii Wheel will be available in black, with the black Wii.

Also included in the new bundle is a Nunchuk and a Wii Remote Plus - the original Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus functionality built in.

Wii Sports, which was originally packaged with Wii, will now be available as a standalone game for $29.95.

Mario Kart Wii has sold more than 688,000** copies in Australia since it launched in April 2008.

 

*All prices quoted are Suggested Retail Price (SRP) in Australian dollars

New Zealand prices are below and based on currency conversion rates as at 17 May 2011

- Mario Kart Wii bundle SRP NZ $282.87

- Previous Wii price SRP NZ $499.95

- Previous Mario Kart Wii price SRP NZ $141.65

- Wii Sports standalone SRP NZ $42.34

**Based on GfK Retail and sales data collected by Nintendo from retail partner reporting

 

A LEGEND RETURNS IN MAGICAL 3D THIS JUNE

May 23, 2011 / News

 

Experience The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D in the palm of your hand, exclusively on Nintendo 3DS

One of the most critically-acclaimed games of all time The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time has returned, this time in full 3D - without the need for glasses - and exclusively to Nintendo 3DS. Brace yourselves as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D - a masterful enhancement on one of the landmark releases in video game history - comes to Australia and New Zealand on 30 June, 2011.

With re-mastered graphics and stunning 3D visuals, fans of the original game and newcomers alike will be able to marvel at this gaming classic. The Zelda series has spanned a quarter of a century; join Link, one of video-gaming's greatest heroes in the masterpiece that is The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D.

Guide Link - a young boy who is tasked with saving the land of Hyrule from Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves. The evil Ganondorf is intent on gaining mastery over the entire world getting the God'd power which dwells in the land of Hyrule. It is up to Link to stop him in his tracks as you guide him on a magical journey through time. Explore vast landscapes, mythical temples, dungeons, towns and villages, as well as interact with many different characters and battle various enemies - all in stunning 3D.

The game's original control scheme has been completely re-designed to fully make the best use of the capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS system. Players will be able to control Link by utilising the Circle Pad whilst the Touch Screen of the Nintendo 3DS is used to assign items, check maps and ensure that Link is wearing the appropriate equipment - all in a fresh and intuitive way. Players can also take advantage of the in-built gyro sensor of the Nintendo 3DS; the implemented motion controls allow you to look around your environment when in first person perspective simply by physically moving the Nintendo 3DS system.

Not only does the fully-3D gameplay experience provide easier in-game navigation, but an improved and intuitive interface gives you better control as you solve puzzles, travel through time and explore the immersive land of Hyrule. Players not so familiar to the Legend of Zelda

series can also get a helping hand through bite sized videos available in-game which will provide hints on how to solve puzzles encountered during your journey.

Fans of the original game will be pleased to know that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D also heralds the inclusion of two brand new additional challenges not available in the original game; Master Quest and Boss Challenge.

Master Quest mode will see some surprising changes to the game. Puzzles will have to be thought about and solved in new ways from the main Story mode, whilst items and enemies will be found in different locations. The land of Hyrule has also been reversed as locations are mirrored - so what would ordinarily have been on the right now appears on the left and vice versa. Enemies will also prove more difficult to beat, and as such the greater complexity involved in this new Master Quest will test the gameplay abilities of even the most seasoned fans and prove a new experience for all.

The new Boss Challenge mode acts as an extra treat for those players who reach a certain point within the game. It will provide players with the opportunity to face any of the previous Bosses they have defeated once again, or, the option to face and confront them one-by-one, all in a continuous battle.

The game's graphical re-working coupled with the three-dimensional depth provided by your Nintendo 3DS breathes new life into this timeless classic. Whether you're a first-time player or a regular visitor to Hyrule, the engaging, immersive gameplay features of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D offers a magical new adventure for all.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D - SRP AU $69.95 and SRP NZ $99.49*

For further information, visit the official The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D website. 

*Based on currency conversion rates as at 10 May 2011

 

Pokémon Battle Competitions Bring Out the Best Pokémon Trainers from Around Australia

May 19, 2011 / News

Hundreds of Pokémon Trainers from all over Australia showed up to the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Battle Competitions over the past few weeks. When they weren't battling their way through the elimination rounds on a quest to the finals, fans were trading and showing off their Pokémon, while testing out the new features and ways to connect in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version

 

With over 150 new Pokémon to choose from, Pokémon Trainers were faced with the difficult decision of selecting only four to use in the Double Battle Competition. With a Nintendo 3DS and limited edition Pokémon T-shirt on the line, the pressure was intense and the finals proved to be spectacular in each state, showcasing a vast array of different tactics and strategies. There were finals decided by only a few Hit Points, and finals decided by a single missed attack. In the end, five champions stood victorious, signalling the end of the Pokémon Battle Competitions for 2011.