Real-world Mario is kind of a creep…
You know how some things you expect to be sacred, but then it turns out that even Nintendo is prepared to bulldoze your childhood in exchange for some cash? Welcome to 2014, where you can drive a Mercedes-Benz in Mario Kart 8 and witness the horrifying nightmare that is real-world Mario in the advert below.
Filed under: Gaming, Transportation, Nintendo
Source: GLA
Engadget Daily: Apple buys Beats, LG’s G3 inspiration and more!
Today we watched Apple purchase Beats Electronics for $3 billion, investigated the benefits of solar energy, learned about LG’s inspiration for the G3 and uncovered a few tricks to help you find new life in your old Wii. Read on for Engadget’s news highlights from the last 24 hours.
Apple acquires Beats Electronics for $3 billion
Well, it’s official. Beats Electronics will soon be part of the Apple family. And despite the rumors, the $3 billion deal will include both the software and hardware sectors of Dr. Dre’s audio company.
Inside LG’s G3: How vacuums, focus groups and competitive pressure shaped a smartphone
The LG G3 doesn’t just have the nicest display on the market, it’s got an ultra-fast autofocusing laser sensor — all thanks to a coffee break with the company’s vacuum experts. Read on as our own Brad Molen investigates the inspiration behind the company’s most powerful smartphone yet.
Old console, new tricks: Getting the most out of your Wii
Be honest. It’s been a while since you last dusted off your Wii and engaged in a match of Mario Power Tennis, hasn’t it? Not to worry, we’ve got a few tricks to help you rekindle your relationship with the 10-year-old console.
What you need to know about solar energy
Most of us realize the basic benefits of harvesting solar power, but did you know it was the second leading source of new energy last year? Even still, many argue as to the efficiency of the technology. Continue reading to learn all you need to know about the business of the sun.
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Filed under: Misc
Old console, new tricks: Getting the most out of your Wii
It’s not a great time to be a Nintendo fan. Forecasts are falling; profits are down; and Nintendo’s new console just can’t bottle the lightning its predecessor left behind. The faithful may believe that the Wii U will pull through (after all, Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are just around the corner), but even diehard fans need something to play in the meantime. Look backward, friends: The Nintendo Wii still has some life in it. Dust off your Wiimotes and don your protective jackets — we’ve found four ways to revitalize your old Wii.
Throw out your composite cables
Remember that standard definition video cable you found in the Wii’s retail box? Toss that out: It’s junk. The Wii isn’t a high-def game console, but that’s no reason to settle for outmoded video input. Upgrading to component cables makes games noticeably sharper; just make sure you hop into your Wii’s settings menu to enable 480p output.
Protip: If your TV is too hip for component cables, search out the Wii2HDMI dongle. It does exactly what it says it does: drags your Wii into the modern paradigm of home theater cabling.
Buy better controllers
Speaking of substandard equipment that came in the box, we need to talk about the Wii Remote. This white wand may have ushered in a new era of motion-controlled gaming, but it’s actually the least advanced motion controller of its generation. Nintendo eventually tried to fix this with the Wii Motion Plus, an uncomfortable gyroscope attachment that hung awkwardly from the controller’s expansion port. Toss these out too — Nintendo’s newer Wiimotes come with the extra sensor baked in. They’re compatible with the Wii U, too, should you ever want to upgrade.
Protip: If you have even a passing interest in Nintendo’s Virtual Console, take a look at the Classic Controller Pro. It doesn’t have any fancy motion controls, but it’s compatible with every classic on the Wii Shop Channel.
Leverage the library
The Wii U may be facing a drought of AAA releases, but its predecessor was flush with them. The Wii has a killer collection of first-party titles, including two Legend of Zelda games, both Super Mario Galaxy titles, the fantastic Metroid Prime Trilogy and even the return of the Donkey Kong Country franchise. Not good enough? There’s a wide assortment of third-party games to choose from, too: Games like House of the Dead: Overkill, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Okami, A Boy and his Blob and Sonic Colors have plenty to offer, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you neglected your Wii in favor of the previous generation’s powerhouses, now’s a great time to see what you missed.
Protip: It’s no secret that the Wii is a beefed-up GameCube. Find yourself a wired controller and memory card and pilfer that library too.
Hack your Wii
Still not enough? You’ve got one more avenue of Wii resuscitation, and it’s a biggie: homebrew. The Nintendo Wii is probably the most hackable game console ever made. With little more than an SD card, the internet and some moxie, the old system can do, well, almost anything. The homebrew community has created USB loaders, classic game emulators, cheat engines, DVD players and even Wii-specific Linux distributions.
Setting it up is easy, too: The same LetterBomb trick that unlocked the Wii in 2011 still works today. After that, it’s as simple as loading a few apps onto a SD card and calling up the Homebrew Channel. Not sure what apps to load? Check out an application called Homebrew Browser (not to be confused with the aforementioned channel) — it serves as a makeshift marketplace for the console, maintaining a downloadable list of popular games, apps and emulators.
Protip: Now that Nintendo has shuttered its multiplayer servers, Homebrew servers are the only way to play Wii games online. Check it out here.
[Image credit: hermitsmoores/Flickr (composite cables); Radharc Images/Alamy (Wii game cases)]
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Nintendo
Nintendo wants its cut of ‘Let’s Play’ gaming videos
Remember when Nintendo started wrapping ads around ‘Let’s Play’ commentary videos last year and pocketed the revenue? It’s happening again, albeit in a more organized way. Nintendo just announced that it’s creating a YouTube affiliate program for content creators that use officially licensed images and video. Creators who sign up for the program (and receive permission to use copyrighted material) will be eligible to receive “a portion” of the advertising profit.
It’s not too surprising, but it is a little odd. Microsoft’s game content usage rules specifically ask that users don’t seek payment (via advertising or otherwise) for projects made using gameplay footage, but the company typically doesn’t try to claim revenue made by those who do apply ads to their video. More to the point, both Sony and Microsoft allow gamers to stream gameplay directly from their consoles without agreeing to any revenue-sharing initiatives. Nintendo’s taking a much stronger stance on YouTube creators than the rest of the industry.
The program could be a response to the negative reaction its copyright claims got last year, but it might have something to do with Mario Kart 8. The upcoming racer allows users to upload gameplay videos directly to YouTube, which are automatically flagged as Nintendo owned in the service’s Content ID system. It’s not clear, however, if these videos will be eligible for revenue-sharing. Nintendo promises to release more details at a later date. Either way, Nintendo’s stance is clear: if you’re making videos of its games, your video’s ad revenue should be at its discretion.
[Image credit: rapapu/Flickr]
【YouTube映像に関するお知らせ】任天堂は以前より、不適切なものを除いて、YouTube上の任天堂の著作物を含む映像を正式に許諾しています。許諾した映像には広告がつくことがあり、その広告収益は従来のポリシー同様、Googleと任天堂で分配されます。(1/2)
– 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) May 27, 2014
【YouTube映像に関するお知らせ】その上で、より積極的な任天堂著作物の利用を希望される方に向けて、広告収益の一部を受け取れるアフィリエイトプログラムを準備しています。アフィリエイトプログラムの詳細については、後日続報いたします。ご理解の程、よろしくお願いいたします。(2/2)
– 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) May 27, 2014
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Nintendo
Via: Joystiq
Source: Twitter (1), (2)
Feedback Loop: Warming up to ads, killing tablets and more!
In this week’s edition of Feedback Loop, we take a look at the possibility of Google bringing ads to home appliances, discuss whether Microsoft is trying to kill the tablet, as well as the reasoning behind Nintendo pulling the plug on its Wi-Fi Connection and older online gaming services. Add to that our impressions of Steam’s new streaming service, troubleshooting a weak home network connection and a whole lot more. Join us below.
Will Google be bringing ads to your home appliances?
A recent filing with the SEC seemed to imply that Google is thinking about new ways to deliver ads into our homes. The thought of ads suddenly appearing on my Nest thermostat creeps me out. Am I wrong to feel like that? How would you feel about ads suddenly appearing on everything from refrigerators, to microwaves to ovens?
Is Microsoft trying to kill the tablet?
The Surface Pro 3 is here. Microsoft’s keynote repeatedly compared the new tablet to Apple’s MacBook Air. This made cjtylr wonder if Microsoft is trying to change how we think of tablets in order to better compete with its rivals.
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection goes dark
Nintendo pulled the plug on their Wi-Fi Connection service which provided online features to a number of games on the Nintendo DS and Wii. For those of you who were playing things like Mario Kart right up until the end, what are you doing to cope?
Impressions of Steam’s In-Home Streaming
For those longing to play their massive gaming libraries on other machines, Steam finally announced that its In-Home Streaming service is now available for public consumption. Over in the Engadget Forums, a few of us took it for a drive. Have your played with it yet? Tell us what you think!
Improving a home network
Happy WiFi, happy life. Maybe that’s not exactly how it goes, but the sentiment is all the same! A slow home network with spotty coverage can grate — a lot. Frank shares his own frustrations with his home network and is wondering what he can do to improve it. Share what you’ve done to improve the reliability and connection speeds in your own home.
That’s all this week! Do you want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
Homebrew server keeps Nintendo DS and Wii games online
Nintendo may have pulled the plug on internet multiplayer services for the DS and Wii, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be stuck playing their games offline from here on out. Enterprising fans have launched an unofficial Wi-Fi Connection server that lets matchmaking and other core services work (almost) the way they did before the cutoff. In many cases, it’s relatively easy to set things up. The DS usually works just by changing the handheld’s connection settings; Wii owners, meanwhile, have to run some software from an SD card for the magic to happen.
Having said this, the solution is far from flawless. The developers have only tested a handful of titles so far, and a few releases (including Mario Kart DS) need some modified device firmware to fully support online play. There’s also the matter of scale: enthusiasts just aren’t going to replicate Nintendo’s capacity, so don’t be surprised if the server melts under a heavy load. If you’re absolutely determined to play Metroid Prime Hunters or Endless Ocean with your internet buddies, though, this may be your best bet.
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Nintendo
Via: Tiny Cartridge
Source: GitHub (1), (2)
Joystiq Weekly: ‘Mario Kart 8’ in review, co-op ‘Killzone’ and a new Jurassic tour
Welcome to the Joystiq Weekly wrap-up where we present some of the best stories and biggest gaming news from our sister-publication.
- Killzone: Shadow Fall is getting a co-op wave-based survival mode this year, and it’s free for season pass holders.
- One man is on a mission to recreate Electronic Arts’ failed attempt at an open-world Jurassic Park game, Trespasser, with modern tools and it looks pretty incredible.
Despite an unfortunate change to its battle mode, Mario Kart 8 is a solid extra lap on a series with a great foundation. The gravity-shifting sections spliced into existing and new tracks feel like a natural extension of the series rather than a gameplay-changing revelation, but it’s a strong complement to an already enjoyable experience. The social features are surprisingly solid and may even outlive the total course selection, but it helps that the new tracks feel as worthy of a revisit as the series’ standouts.
That’s it for this week folks! Check back next Sunday for another recap, or head over to Joystiq and catch the news as it happens.
[Image credit: Matias Brum/Flickr]
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Nintendo
Source: Joystq
Nintendo being sued over motion patents in the Wii and Wii U
Nintendo’s not having a great 2014. Between lackluster financial results, an accidental controversy, and now a lawsuit from Philips, life could be better. The Dutch electronics company Koninklijke Philips (better known as just Philips, for obvious reasons) is suing Nintendo over motion patents that span the entire Wii line: “Wii video gaming systems and related software and accessories including, for example, the Wii console, Wii Remote Plus Controller, Wii Remote Controller, Wii U console, Wii U GamePad, and Wii Mini,” the lawsuit filing reads. Worse for Nintendo, Philips is looking to halt the sales of those products while the court case proceeds, which could turn the Wii U’s poor sales into an even more dire situation.
For its part, Nintendo isn’t issuing a formal statement. Philips’ formal statement is written all over the legal documents. The electronics company alleges that Nintendo intentionally infringed on patents owned by Philips, that Nintendo was warned about said infringing patents in late 2011, and that Nintendo continued to voluntarily violate said patents. Beyond the creation of devices, Nintendo allegedly infringed Philips’ patents, “by making, using, selling, offering for sale, andimporting interactive virtual modeling products within the United States.” As such, Philips is suing Nintendo in the United States district court (specifically in Delaware, where many companies register for tax reasons).
Should the case go to trial, Philips is requesting one by jury. Also, Nintendo will have to stop selling its Wii and Wii U game consoles in the US during the trial. All that said, it’s very likely this will be settled out of court so Nintendo can avoid that situation.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Software, HD, Nintendo
Via: Game Informer
Source: Scribd
Nintendo promises ‘more inclusive’ games in wake of #Miiquality campaign
When Nintendo designed Tomodachi Life, a bizarre life-sim that puts the company’s Mii avatars in an exaggerated parody of reality, it probably didn’t expect to provoke a marriage equality campaign. Community cries for ‘Miiquality’ petitioned Nintendo to add same-sex relationships to the title, but the company’s initial response was sterile and dismissive. “Tomodachi Life was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game,” Nintendo said. “We were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary.” Intentional or not, the lack of same-sex relationships caused a stir. Now, Nintendo is apologizing officially.
“We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch.”
It’s a much warmer response, and addresses the problem more directly: adding new romantic options to the game before launch isn’t feasible, and the changes would be too large patch in later. That said, Nintendo plans to be more mindful of these kinds of issues moving forward, promising that future games in the series would be move inclusive and more representative of all kinds of players. It’s a good, level response — and probably what the company should have said in the first place. Better late than never.
Source: Nintendo
Engadget Daily: OnePlus One review, new Nintendo consoles, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
OnePlus One review: a $300 smartphone has never looked so good
What you’re looking at is the OnePlus One. Despite being the company’s first smartphone ever, it’s a beast. At only $300, the One outperforms Google’s Nexus 5 almost every way. How’s that possible? Read our review to find out.
Nintendo is making entirely new consoles for emerging markets
Rather than make a cheaper version of the Wii U, Nintendo’s decided to develop entirely new consoles for emerging markets. And according to Reuters, they are targeted toward folks without lots of gaming experience. So long as the new console has Mario Kart, we’re happy.
The Minecraft version of Denmark is being attacked, hilariously
Yes, the country of Denmark does have an official Minecraft replica. But that’s not even the best part: it was recently under attack by mining carts of dynamite.
Flickr struggles to capture the selfie generation
With its latest redesign, Flickr made a definite push for the mobile crowd, but does it have the guns to compete with the likes of Instagram? Read on as our own Nicole Lee discusses Flickr 3.0′s struggle to capture the selfie generation.
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Filed under: Misc
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