Vooks

Share Your GameCube Memories, it Turns 10 in Australia today

Daniel Vuckovic — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:32 +0000

10 Years ago today, the Nintendo GameCube was released in Australia. It doesn’t really seem that long ago, but it was. The GameCube was a great console, and although its performance in Australia was abysmal we still had a great run and great fun with the little purple or black cube.

So today, we thought it would be nice if we could sit down and share our GameCube memories. The games, both good and bad, the times spent playing multiplayer, the times alone, the console, the accessories and if you’re inclined just how it was to be a Nintendo gamer at the time.

Since I’m asking you to share, I will share my favourite time with the GameCube. It was actually a couple of times and it might surprise you, but it was for a few features we did for the site. ‘We’ being my school friends and myself. We called them ‘Game Testing Parties’, testing out the multiplayer abilities of Super Smash Bros Melee, Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3, take runs in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle and ‘test’ the multiplayer factor in these titles. It was crude, but this was 2002. Livestreams didn’t exist and YouTube didn’t even exist.

Look at that TV… how far we've come.

I had some great times and apart from playing Melee with my friends on these occasions, I didn’t get many other chances to play Melee with a full compliment of players, so many hours of that game were played. I’m sure others played more but being in high school and having no responsibility meant hours and hours of game time. If only life offered so much free time now. Speaking of school, we actually did one of these ‘events’ during a school sports carnival, we skipped school to play Melee. Good times.

So now you know mine, I do have tons of memories with the GameCube but this one sticks out the most. Let us hear yours!

We’ll have another GameCube feature out shortly celebrating the GameCube’s legacy and the next episode of the Vookcast with be a GameCube filled love fest.

Patch for Mario Kart 7 now available to download

Daniel Vuckovic — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:43:05 +0000

Nintendo has now pushed out the first online patch for one of their games, ever.

The 46 block update for Mario Kart 7 is now live in the eShop worldwide. You’ll need it if you want to play Mario Kart 7 online again and now you can feel free to choose Wuhu Mountain Loop without cheaters ruining your day.

There was also another Nintendo 3DS firmware update released today so if you can’t get the eShop that will be why, there are no visible changes for the update but it most likely has something to do with the Mario Kart 7 patch.

Official notes from Nintendo Japan say that extreme shortcuts on both Wuhu Island Loop and Wuhu Mountain Loop (or Maka Wuhu for the American players) have been patched along with GBA Bowser Castle 1. They also apologise for making you have to download the update. However the update only fixes the glitches in online play.

A brave new world for Nintendo, patches. Will we live to regret this? Let us know how you go with the patch!

Pokédex 3D Pro and Pokémon Dream Radar dated outside Japan

Daniel Vuckovic — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:00:22 +0000

Pokemon fans rejoice, Nintendo has confirmed that the two downloadable Pokemon eShop titles that they announced for Japan earlier in the year will be coming to North America, Europe and no doubt Australia. Not that we wouldn’t think Nintendo would skip releasing something Pokemon.

Nintendo says that Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro will be out later this year before the release of Pokemon Black and White 2 on the Nintendo DS.

Pokemon Dream Radar is much like Face Raiders but with Pokemon. Once you’ve caught them in the augmented reality you can transfer them to Pokemon Black and White 2. Pokedex 3D Pro, well, it’s the pro version of the free Pokedex 3D. It comes with all 600+ Pokemon unlocked with their stats able to be viewed easily.

So no certain date yet, but at least they’re coming.

See Press Release

Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro Coming to Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS this Year – May 15, 2012

Downloadable Titles Provide New Ways for Players to Learn About and Catch Pokémon Found in Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2

REDMOND, Wash., May 15, 2012 – Two new downloadable Pokémon titles are coming soon to the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro will both release in fall 2012, giving players new ways to catch and learn about their favorite Pokémon, while expanding the overall experience for those that choose to play the upcoming Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 games on the Nintendo 3DS.

“2012 is shaping up to be a great year for fans of Pokémon video games,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Not only can players look forward to a successor to one of the biggest Pokémon adventures ever, they can also enjoy two other titles that add to the Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 experience, helping to expand their enjoyment when playing on Nintendo 3DS.”

Pokémon Dream Radar lets players use several different features of the Nintendo 3DS system, including the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control and augmented-reality technology, to catch Pokémon by moving the Nintendo 3DS to discover hidden Pokémon. Players can catch the Pokémon by moving the Nintendo 3DS to aim and shoot beams at them. Caught Pokémon from Pokémon Dream Radar can be transferred into Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, helping players build their roster of Pokémon. Pokémon Dream Radar also includes some hard-to-get Pokémon, giving players even more incentive to catch them for their game. Pokémon Dream Radar will be available exclusively for purchase via download from the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS.

Pokédex 3D Pro is a fully enhanced and upgraded version of the original Pokédex 3D application. It includes detailed information about the more than 600 Pokémon featured in the history of the Pokémon video game series. Pokédex 3D Pro also includes in-depth sorting, comparison and ranking tools, as well as comprehensive details on what abilities each Pokémon can learn and how it evolves. Additionally, the application includes extensive augmented-reality capabilities, including the ability to take photos of Pokémon in the real world. With Pokédex 3D Pro, all known Pokémon are unlocked from the start, allowing players to access a wealth of information that will be useful as they play through Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2. Pokémon Dream Radar will be available exclusively for purchase via download from the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 bring players back to the Unova region two years after the events of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Players who are familiar with Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version will immediately notice that the Unova region has transformed significantly in the new games. Embark on a new adventure starting in the new Aspertia City and discover what strange events are occurring and why the Unova region has changed two years after Team Plasma’s defeat.

Players can also look forward to two new Legendary Pokémon, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem, which are featured on the games’ packaging. Each of these powerful Legendary Pokémon boasts new devastating Ice-type signature moves; Black Kyurem knows Freeze Shock and White Kyurem comes ready for battle with Ice Burn. Black Kyurem will be available exclusively in Pokémon Black Version 2, while White Kyurem will only be found in Pokémon White Version 2. Developed for the Nintendo DS family of systems, the games can also be played on the Nintendo 3DS system in 2D mode.

For more information about Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2, Pokédex 3D Pro and Pokémon Dream Radar, visit http://www.pokemon.com.

Pandora’s Tower Competition Winners Announced

Daniel Vuckovic — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:15:57 +0000

The results are in, sorry they’re taken a little while but it’ll be worth the wait. We had some great entries in the competition and we’ve picked the best as winners below.

But first we must thank our friends at Nintendo Australia for providing the winners with a copy of the game but also an art book to go with along with it.

We’ll be contacting the winners shortly via email to get their postage details so the prizes can be send out.

Enough rambling, lets look at the winners!

Winner – Aaron!

Winner 2 – Jacob!

Winner 3 – Anita & Stephanie!

Winner 4 – Joel

Thanks to everyone for entering, check your email shortly for more instructions so we can send out your prizes. More competitions are on the way. You might want to like us on Facebook for the next one and get in early.

Two new Nintendo Selects titles for America, Brawl and Donkey Kong get price drops

Daniel Vuckovic — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:46:43 +0000

Nintendo America have announced two new games will join the ‘Nintendo Selects’ range. The ‘New Play Control’ versions of Pikmin 2 and Mario Power Tennis will go on sale on June 10 for $19.99.

In more price drop news, both Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Donkey Kong Country Returns will drop to $29.99 in America as well. They’re not ‘Nintendo Selects’ titles but still are getting the new price drop.

Which brings you to the question, why is Vooks reporting this? Well, we’re just asking the question why are not SSB Brawl and DKC Returns both cheaper here? They still retail for $99.95 (although you should be find it cheaper). We’re not saying they should be $29 (though it would be nice) but they should be a ton cheaper than that are now. The other ‘Nintendo Selects’ titles that America has too included are Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, Super Paper Mario, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk and Mario Super Sluggers. Of those which are available here aren’t cheap either.

It’s time Nintendo Australia, drop the prices.

REDMOND, Wash., May 14, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Nintendo is adding two great games to the Nintendo Selects value collection for the Wii console on June 10 with Mario Power Tennis and Pikmin 2, a Nintendo GameCube classic making its U.S. debut on Wii. Nintendo Selects games are available at a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Separately, two of the best-selling Wii games of all time will be getting new prices: Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Donkey Kong Country Returns each will be available at a suggested retail price of $29.99. The value pricing provides shoppers with a great way to expand their game collections with some of the hottest Wii games around.

Pikmin 2 has updated controls optimized for the Wii console as players help brave Captain Olimar and his assistant, Louie, salvage treasures and return them to their home planet. In addition to the original red, blue and yellow Pikmin from the first game, players can also take command of purple and white Pikmin, creating a wealth of new strategic options. Additionally, Pikmin 2 features a frantic, two-player split-screen multiplayer battle mode, for which additional accessories are required and are sold separately.

Mario Power Tennis lets players power up their tennis game by swinging the Wii Remote to smack powerful forehands and backhands. Players can take on the role of their favorite Mushroom Kingdom characters and play on imaginative courts not possible in the real world, including a court littered with Mario-style power-ups. As players win tournaments, clear minigames or challenge Gimmick Courts, they unlock new characters, courts and challenges. Up to four players can compete in wild multiplayer action.

The fan-favorite Super Smash Bros. Brawl features dozens of characters from numerous Nintendo games and franchises in a battle royale. Up to four players can battle in the same room or over a broadband Internet connection. To date the game has sold nearly 5.5 million in the United States alone.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a new take on the classic platforming, barrel-blasting and banana-hoarding franchise. The game features the first simultaneous cooperative game-play mode for the series, allowing both novice and skilled players to play the game together. Players run, jump, climb and defeat enemies through diverse environments until they retrieve Donkey Kong’s stolen banana hoard. The game has sold more than 2.5 million in the United States.

Other games in the Nintendo Selects collection include Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, Super Paper Mario, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk and Mario Super Sluggers.

UPDATE: Game Over? GAME Australia Enters Administration

Daniel Vuckovic — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:22:45 +0000

Update: Official word has come through now, GAME has gone into official administration and PricewaterhouseCoopers will be handling the situation. According to a statement from the company, GAME will continue to trade ‘business as usual’ while PwC investigate the business’ situation.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers representative also told Kotaku AU that they working on a scheme for giving customers ‘some’ return on gift cards and gift vouchers. “We are working on schemes aimed at giving customers some return on these claims if they are used to make additional purchases,”

It may be a couple of weeks before anything happens to stores, stock or employees if at all. PwC believes that the ‘difficult local retail market’ may be the cause of Game’s troubles. We could have told them that.

Original Story: Perhaps it was inevitable after news earlier in the year, but GAME Australia has gone into Administration. Kotaku AU is reporting that this morning GAME staff members were informed that copies of Diablo III wouldn’t be arriving at stores, it appears that GAME Australia can’t pay its suppliers somewhere along the line.

The news was confirmed though when GAME stores were sent an email announcing that GAME were indeed in adminstration. Not a good way to start a Monday morning. What happens next isn’t clear yet but when this happened to the UK arm of GAME, 609 stores were closed immediately and staff were let go. It doesn’t appear this is the case here yet.

Expect more news in the coming days about just what’s going to happen and yes, there might even be a crazy sale.

Nintendo to phase out the Aqua Blue 3DS colour

Daniel Vuckovic — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:14:52 +0000

Nintendo has announced that shortly it will stop producing the Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS colour. The Aqua Blue launched alongside the Cosmos Black color at launch, however it’s the notice on Nintendo’s website only mentions the Aqua Blue ceasing production.

Don’t expect the colour to disappear overnight we’re sure there are still tons laying around in stores but with more colours on the way it looks like Nintendo might be doing a revolving doors strategy with system colours from now on. Shelf space is at a premium these days.

Vooks Wi-Fi Night

Phantom Ganon — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:42 +0000

Ah, autumn. That beautiful time of the year where you could watch the brilliant brown leaves fall gracefully from the majestic trees as they prepare for winter. You’d rather nothing else, right? Well, we have a better idea.Fire up your Wii or your 3DS (or even the old DS, we don’t discriminate) and join us for some Wi-Fi shenanigans.

The 3DS list of Wi-Fi titles has grown over the past year with Street Fighter, Mario Kart 7, Resident Evil and Kid Icarus all fun options for play. The Wii has some evergreen greats (and these are useful in Autumn) in Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl among others.

But really, bring anything, put it on the table and it will be considered in our night of fun times. Or you could watch the leaves fall.

Details

When: 9:00PM AEST (7:00PM AWST, 8:30PM ACST) Friday 11th May 2012
Where: The Vooks.net Chatroom
IRC Server: irc.gamesurge.net
Chatroom: #vookswifi

The Avengers are heading to the Wii U thanks to Ubisoft

Daniel Vuckovic — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:27:01 +0000

It’s not often a big blockbuster movie goes without a movie tie-in game, sometimes it’s a blessing in disquise, but not always. However if you were hoping there was an Avengers game on the way you can breath easy knowing that there is and will be coming to the Wii U later this year.

Ubisoft say it will be a motion controlled version of the game, how this will work with the Wii U tablet (if at all) remains to be seen. Over 20 different Marvel characters will be able to be played.

“The idea that we’re making a motion-control version of ‘The Avengers’ is a unique proposition if you compare that to superhero games of the past. This is the perfect type of game for that because these characters are very action oriented. They’re always fighting and throwing things.” says Tony Key from Ubisoft.

The game is also headed to the Xbox 360 with Kinect controls and is in development by Ubisoft Quebec. The Wii U version will be out after the Wii U launches later this year. Really though, why would you release it before?

Now Ubisoft, do you have anything that hasn’t leaked to show off for the Wii U?

Nintendo Download Update: A VVVVVVery ‘still coming’ Update

Daniel Vuckovic — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:41 +0000

Update: So when our story went live last night so did the weeks updates. Sadly there was no VVVVVV on the eShop. We contacted Nicalis (the publisher) and asked what was up. Their response was “Waiting for official OFLC rating to release in Australia and New Zealand. Won’t be long.” So then, no VVVVVV this week – we’ll let you know when it is up.

Original Story: A massive download update this week with a whole whack of new things to download on both the 3DS and the Wii. One of the them is a game you’ve been waiting on for a long time, the others are all classic retro Sega titles. Dust off your Wii, load up your 3DS with credit, it’s time to go shopping.

3DS Virtual Console

Sonic Labyrinth (Game Gear, SEGA, $7.50AU) So let’s get probably the worst game in the update out of the way. This one doesn’t have the finest reputation out there but I’m sure if I’m wrong you’ll tell us all about it.

3DS Download Software

VVVVVV (Nicalis, $12.00AU) – After long last you can finally get your six-capital-vee action on. It weighs in at a hefty $12 but it really is a great game, we’ve been playing it here on our American 3DS and the port is great. But you knew that already.

Wii Virtual Console

Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — Hopefully you didn’t download the Master System version, because this is the real deal arcade version perfectly recreated on the Wii’s Virtual Console.

Monster World IV (Mega Drive, SEGA, 900pts) — Sega has gone all out with this one. They’ve translated the entire game into English! This is the first time that Monster World IV has been seen outside of Japan. Fans of the series have already downloaded it and have probably not even read this.