Australian Authorities Confiscate Illegal Game Copiers and Counterfeit Nintendo Products
Mar 11, 2010 /
Nintendo confirms that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have seized game copiers (commonly referred to as R4 cards) and other counterfeit Nintendo products from an importer attempting to distribute the products in Australia. This is the first Australian customs seizure of game copiers of this type.
Video game piracy continues to be a serious problem in Australia. Nintendo attributes it to the availability of game copiers, the devices that circumvent the technical protection measures embedded in the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems that enable the play of illegal Nintendo software downloaded via the Internet. Game copiers infringe Nintendo's trademarks and copyright and breach the "circumvention device" provisions of the Copyright Act.
Nintendo has been working with the Australian enforcement authorities to curtail the spread of piracy for more than 10 years.
The seizure in Australia follows another recent significant Nintendo action. Earlier this month, Nintendo has taken successful action in the Federal Court in Australia against an importer and online seller of game copiers establishing that these actions are illegal and the consequences are real.
Nintendo is also taking action against distributors and sellers of game copiers and other infringing devices in many other countries around the world. In some countries, successful criminal proceedings have been brought against the manufacturers, suppliers and sellers of game copiers.
For further information regarding the recent Federal court civil action against the importer and online seller of game copiers, click here.
Meet Wii's dark side at the Nintendo Experience at EB Games Swanston St and the Nintendo Connection at Myer Sydney City
Mar 10, 2010 /
See it now at The Nintendo Experience, EB Games, 67 Swanston St Melbourne, or The Nintendo Connection, Level 6 436 George St Sydney.
Meet Wii's New Colour... Plus new coloured Wii Remotes
Feb 24, 2010 / News
From the 25 February, new coloured Wii remotes will be available in black, pink and blue. The Nunchuk will also be available in black.
Wii is currently the fastest selling console in Australia with 1.75 million* sold through in 167 weeks.
Wii Sports, the first game ever available on Wii, contains five sports - boxing, bowling, tennis, golf and baseball and is suitable for all ages. Players use their own Mii caricatures in Wii Sports and play them against their friends' Miis for a more personalised experience.
Wii has games for everyone - from the follow up to the popular Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, to Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Mario Kart Wii and the classic side scrolling action of New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Customise your Wii set up with new black and coloured remotes.
Coloured remotes $AU 69.95
Wii Black $AU 399.95
* Data from GfK Retail and Technology
Introducing Nintendo DSi XL - with larger screens than ever before
Feb 24, 2010 / News
Meet the newest member of the Nintendo DS family - Nintendo DSi(TM) XL. From 15 April 2010, the new hand held console from Nintendo, will be in available in stores. Nintendo DSi XL is a larger console that contains bigger screens than any of the previous models, a wider viewing angle, the ability to immediately play with pre-installed software, longer battery life, improved sound, and a new, larger, more comfortable stylus.
The screens on Nintendo DSi XL are 4.2", which makes the screen on Nintendo DSi XL 93 per cent bigger than the Nintendo DS Lite screen. The wide-angle visibility of the larger screens makes Nintendo DSi XL perfect for sharing. Ponder over brain teasers with the person sitting next to you, or even surf the Internet together on the Nintendo DSi Browser.
The Nintendo DSi Browser is just one of the bonus pre-installed software options that comes free with Nintendo DSi XL. Other software already pre-installed includes: Clubhouse Games - Express Card Classics - Play classic card games on your Nintendo DSi XL.
A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition - features various challenges based on words, pictures and music that you can use regularly to keep your brain sharp in just a few minutes a day.
Photo Clock - Photo Clock turns your Nintendo DSi XL into a photo frame with added clock and alarm functions.
Flipnote Studio - Flipnote Studio is an application that can be used as a notepad along with the stylus. Users can also replay a number of pages of the memo pad to create animated sequences.
Nintendo DSi XL contains all of the features from Nintendo DSi, including Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound and Nintendo DSi Shop. Nintendo DSi XL still plays all of your favourite Nintendo DS games and will be available in two stylish colours, burgundy and bronze.
Monster Hunter Tri - The Ultimate Monster Hunting Experience on Wii
Feb 24, 2010 /
The wait is nearly over! Nintendo and Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, announce Monster Hunter® Tri for Wii. Monster Hunter Tri will be available in May 2010 as a standalone game, or in a bundle with the new Classic Controller Pro which comes in black.
Monster Hunter Tri offers one of the best visual Wii experiences to date and depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where humans co-exist with majestic monsters that roam both dry land and brand new sub-aqua environments - a first for the series. Offering the player varied control configurations to suit their style of play, players can choose between the Classic Controller Pro, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or Classic Controller to slay the monsters that inhabit the world.
The Classic Controller Pro's more traditional control configuration will give gamers the ultimate monster hunting experience. The Classic Controller Pro includes a second row of shoulder buttons and ergonomically friendly grips. The Classic Controller Pro plugs directly into the Wii Remote controller, and until now, has been available only in the Japanese market.
Monster Hunter Tri is online play supported, so you can take your monster hunt online with up to three of your friends and talk to them via Wii Speak(TM). Or hunt together with a friend on one Wii in split-screen mode.
Click here to visit the official Monster Hunter Tri gamesite
Nintendo Successfully Takes Action Against R4 Cards
Feb 19, 2010 /
Nintendo confirms it has successfully taken action against an Australian company in relation to game copying devices, commonly referred to as R4 cards. In September 2009 Nintendo filed proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against RSJ. IT Solutions Pty Ltd which trades as "GadgetGear" - an online seller of gadgets, including gaming consoles and accessories- and the individual directors of the company, Patrick Li and James Li.
GadgetGear and its directors have now acknowledged that game copying devices infringe both Nintendo's copyright and Nintendo's trademarks and that they are illegal circumvention devices. As a result, GadgetGear and the directors have agreed to permanently refrain from importing, offering for sale and/or selling game copier devices. GadgetGear and the directors will also pay Nintendo a total of A$620,000.00 by way of damages. GadgetGear will also be delivering to Nintendo all its stock of game copiers for destruction.
Nintendo guards its intellectual property rights in order to protect the interests of its valued consumers, its own interests, and others in the games industry including independent content creation organisations, developers and publishing studios and all distributors of Nintendo products. Nintendo will pursue those who attempt to jeopardise the gaming industry by using all means available to it under the law. In particular, Nintendo is currently contemplating bringing further actions against other sellers of game copying devices in Australia.
Since 2008, Nintendo has pursued over 800 actions (including customs seizures, law-enforcement actions and civil proceedings) in 16 countries, confiscating well over a half million Nintendo DS game copiers. Piracy not only affects sales, it affects the price of video games and employment in the video game industry. Fewer sales of Nintendo's hardware and software systems means fewer resources that Nintendo, its licensees, developers and publishers have to create and market new video game products which is ultimately to the detriment of video game enthusiasts. When there is a decrease in game development, there is also a decrease in the number of jobs in the industry.
The existence of piracy jeopardises the strength of the video game industry overall.
For more information about Nintendo's global anti-piracy activities, please visit: http://ap.nintendo.com
Nintendo Takes Action To Combat Video Game Piracy
Feb 9, 2010 / News
Nintendo confirms the settlement of a Federal Court action against an individual in Australia for illegally copying and uploading to the Internet the first game file of Nintendo's highly-anticipated video game, New Super Mario Bros. Wii for the Wii(TM) console. The game file was first made available for illegal download worldwide on 6 November, 2009, a week prior to its official release in Australia.
This legal proceeding was commenced to protect the creative rights and innovation of game developers, and to combat the growing international problem of Internet piracy. Under Australian law, copying and distributing games without the permission of the copyright holder is a breach of the Copyright Act.
The legal proceeding resulted in a settlement in which the individual will pay to Nintendo the sum of $1.5 Million dollars by way of damages to compensate Nintendo for the loss of sales revenue caused by the individual's actions.
Upon the game being uploaded to the Internet, Nintendo was able to employ the use of sophisticated technological forensics to identify the individual responsible for illegally copying the file and making it available for further distribution. On 23 November, 2009, Nintendo obtained a Federal Court search order in respect of the individual's residential premises. This led to the seizure of property from those premises in order to gain further evidence against the individual.
Nintendo guards its intellectual property rights in order to protect the interests of its valued consumers, its own interests, as well as the interests of game development companies. Nintendo will pursue those who attempt to jeopardise our industry by using all means available to it under the law.
Nintendo has been working to combat piracy for approximately 20 years. Piracy is a significant threat to Nintendo's business, as well as over 1,400 game development companies working to provide unique and innovative games for the Nintendo platform. Fewer sales of Nintendo's hardware and software systems means fewer resources that Nintendo, its licensees, developers and publishers have to create and market new video game products which is ultimately to the detriment of video game enthusiasts. When there is a decrease in game development, there is also a decrease in the number of jobs in the industry. The existence of piracy jeopardises the strength of the video game industry overall.
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version release date announced!
Jan 22, 2010 / News
-Take your Pokémon with you - Pokéwalker included!-
Pokémon(TM) HeartGold Version and Pokémon(TM) SoulSilver Version comes to Nintendo DS® and Nintendo DSi(TM), 25 March 2010.
Click here for more information on Pokémon(TM) HeartGold Version
Click here for more information on Pokémon(TM) SoulSilver Version
The new Pokéwalker(TM) accessory comes included with each game so that players can now continue to enjoy the world of Pokémon by taking it with them in their Pokéwalker wherever they go!
In Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version players can wirelessly transfer any of their Pokémon from one of the two games to their Pokéwalker. By walking around in real life, with any Pokémon in the Pokéwalker, players earn 'Watts' which are used within the Pokéwalker to encounter and catch wild Pokémon, or to search for hidden items and unlock new Routes.
There are even special versions of certain Pokémon that can only be found within Routes on the Pokéwalker, giving players added incentive to keep their Pokémon with them wherever they go. The Pokémon in the Pokéwalker will gain Experience Points as the player walks, and can even go up one level when they are transferred back into the game. Players also can wirelessly connect two Pokéwalkers to trade items.
Players will return to the beloved Johto region, first encountered in Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version for the Game Boy. Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version introduces players to several new enhancements for the series that enrich these timeless adventures. The games feature detailed graphics that spotlight the unique environments and hundreds of Pokémon that players can encounter and catch. Players can even see and interact with their favourite Pokémon outside of battle, selecting one from their team to follow behind their Trainer as they travel through the Johto region. The games also include robust touch screen functionality, allowing for smoother control and seamless navigation by the player.
Virtual Console, WiiWare and DSiWare games information now available
Dec 22, 2009 / News
nintendo.com.au has been updated to inlcude information on all Virtual Console, WiiWare and DSiWare games available for download from Wii and Nintendo DSi.
Nintendo's Virtual Console is making the greatest video game archive in history available for Wii. Download many of your favourite NES, SNES, N64, NEOGEO, SEGA Megadrive, SEGA Mastersystem, Turbografx and Arcade titles and re-live those happy memories all over again on Wii.
Click here to view the entire range of Virtual Console titles available from the Wii Shop Channel...
Introducing WiiWare - a new family of games for Wii, available from the Wii Shop Channel. Experience genre-defying gameplay, new takes on old favourites and much more. WiiWare games are downloadable directly from your Wii in exchange for various levels of Nintendo Points. Just make sure your Wii is connected to the internet, and you can play new Wii games in seconds.
Click here to view the entire range of WiiWare titles available from the Wii Shop Channel...
Browse the web on your Nintendo DSi and download all of your favourite games. Access a world of new possibilities with Nintendo DSiWare. Available through the Nintendo DSi Shop, download exclusive content that includes everything from new themes to customise your Nintendo DSi with to unique games. Basic applications, such as the Nintendo DSi Browser can be downloaded for free, while other content can be purchased from the Nintendo DSi Shop in exchange for Nintendo Points. Receive a bonus 1000 Nintendo Points when you first visit the Nintendo DSi Shop - for a limited time only.
Click here to view the entire range of DSiWare titles available from the Nintendo DSi Shop...
Nintendo launches mobile site
Dec 17, 2009 / News
Nintendo Australia has just launched a mobile site to be viewed on Nintendo DSi and compatible mobile phone devices.
The new mobile website allows users to access the latest range of consoles, games and accessories, as well as the latest news on events and product releases anywhere, anytime from their mobile device.
Online users visiting nintendo.com.au from a compatible mobile device will automatically be redirected to nintendomobile.com.au
More Than 100 WiiWare Titles and Free WiiWare Demos Available
Nov 26, 2009 / News
Nintendo announces that almost eighteen months since the launch of WiiWare(TM), there are now more than one hundred WiiWare titles available to download on the Wii Shop Channel. Also available, for a limited time only, are free demos of some of the best examples of WiiWare. WiiWare is a game download service, accessible via the Wii Shop Channel, where users can download a variety of new games in exchange for Nintendo Points.
The Wii Shop Channel is free to access and is where WiiWare and Virtual Console(TM) games can be downloaded. Whereas Virtual Console allows consumers to download classic games, WiiWare offers brand new titles and is also an opportunity for video game developers to create new games for Wii(TM).
For a limited time, Wii owners will be able to download demos of some WiiWare titles for free on the Wii Shop Channel. All that users need to do is visit the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel and look for DEMO under SEARCH BY GENRE. The demos will be available to download until 31 January 2010.
The following are the demos currently available to try:
- NyxQuest(TM) (Over The Top Games): Experience the story of Nyx, an enigmatic winged girl that must descend from heaven in search of her missing friend Icarus.
- FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: My Life as a Darklord(TM) (Square Enix): Step into the royal shoes of the Darklord's daughter as she installs traps and monsters inside her tower to fight back the endless waves of invading adventurers in this world-conquest RPG.
- BIT.TRIP BEAT (Aksys Games): BIT.TRIP BEAT brings retro action back as you use the Wii Remote's Motion Sensor to bounce beats in this rhythm game.
- World of Goo(TM) (2D Boy): World of Goo is an award-winning physics-based puzzle/construction game. Grab living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins, and giant tongues.
- Pokémon Rumble(TM) (Nintendo): Pokémon Rumble is an action game in which you control Toy Pokémon and battle against waves of enemy Pokémon in order to be the last one standing.
With more than one hundred titles now available, there is something for everyone on WiiWare. There is a wide range of games available from varying genres, concepts and price levels.
A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition available now for download on Nintendo DSi
Oct 23, 2009 / News
Download A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition on Nintendo DSiWare to help keep your brain sharp in just a few minutes a day.
Dr Kawashima brings his popular brain exercise software to Nintendo DSi, with fun, new features and the return of many Brain Training favourites!
A Little Bit of... Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition features various challenges based on words, pictures and music that you can use regularly to keep your brain sharp in just a few minutes a day.
As well as training, you can also relax with a game of Germ Buster. Or try the new Themes Mode, where you can practise your acting and drawing skills using Nintendo DSi's camera functionality, Touch Screen and microphone!
Click here to read "Iwata Asks" interview...
Get connected and get rewarded in Nintendo's new Connection Ambassador Promotion
Oct 23, 2009 / News
The scheme is designed to reward loyal Nintendo fans and will give players 500 free Wii Points each when they help another person connect their Wii to the Internet.
By becoming a Connection Ambassador, players can gain up to 10,000 Wii Points by encouraging friends and family to get connected to the Internet with their Wii. Each time a friend or family member connects for the first time to the Internet with the help of the Connection Ambassador, both the Connection Ambassador and the person they helped will receive 500 Wii Points.
If you help 10 people connect to the Internet, you reach Gold status and can download ALL Nintendo-published NES games for free on Virtual Console as well as receiving a total of 5,000 Wii Points. If you connect a maximum of 20 people to the Internet, not only will you attain Platinum status, you will also receive a total of 10,000 Wii Points to spend on WiiWare games and can download ALL NES, Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64 games on Virtual Console for FREE.
How do I become a Connection Ambassador?
* Enter the Wii Shop Channel
* There is an icon on the Wii Shop Channel entitled 'Connection Ambassador Promotion'
* Select this icon and you will be prompted by two icons: one showing that you are the Connection Ambassador (or the Helper) and the other icon showing that you are the 'Person Who Was Helped'
* Select the Connection Ambassador icon
* You will be prompted to enter the Wii Number of the person you have helped.
* You must do this within 30 days of when the person you have helped, has registered their connectivity using your Wii Number
* Once both parties have registered, you will have received 500 Wii Points on your Wii Shop Channel Accounts to spend in the Wii Shop Channel
What do I do if a Connection Ambassador helps me connect to the Wii Shop Channel?
* Enter the Wii Shop Channel
* On the Wii Shop Channel welcome page there is an icon called 'Connection Ambassador Promotion'
* Select this icon and you will be prompted by two icons: one showing that you are the Connection Ambassador (or the Helper) and the other icon showing that you are the 'Person Who Was Helped'
* Select the 'Person Who Was Helped' icon
* You will be prompted to enter the Wii Number of the person who has helped you connect
* You must do this within 30 days of accessing the Wii Shop Channel
* You will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire
* Once both parties have registered, you will have received 500 Wii Points on your Wii Shop Channel Accounts to spend in the Wii Shop Channel
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Looking for your favourite game or new releases - search the Nintendo.com.au games section for the latest games on the Wii & Nintendo DS!
Nintendo DSi is now available in two new colours pink and metallic blue! Nintendo DSi includes a host of features including Nintendo DSi Camera, Nintendo DSi Sound, Nintendo DSi Shop and now even a Facebook function.
